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Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds

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A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2021) | Viewed by 28579

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonio De Haro Bailón

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Guest Editor

Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (IAS), CSIC, Avenida Menendez Pidal s/n, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: nutraceutical components in plants; crop genetic and germplasm diversity; chemical characterization of plant and seeds; natural and healthy foods; glucosinolates

Dr. Fernando Cámara-Martos

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Science and Technology. Universtiy of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales s/n. Ed. Darwin-C1, 14014 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: nutraceutical components bioaccessibility; micronutrients bioaccesibility and bioavailability; health-promoting foods; speciation analysis of inorganic micronutrients

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, today’s society faces what is known as the “health trilemma”, which tells us that food, human health, and the environment are closely linked, and it is necessary to establish a balance among them to achieve a healthier life on a more sustainable planet.

The increase and promotion of the consumption of local plant-based foods (grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables), and in particular those with nutraceutical components, is one of the crucial factors contributing to the solution of the above-mentioned trilemma.

Nutritional and epidemiological studies have shown that plants and plant seeds are an abundant source of nutraceuticals components having health-promoting and disease-preventing properties.

This Special Issue of Foods will focus on “Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds”. We are open to contributions (original research papers and high quality reviews), covering challenges and achievements in the study of the content and bioavailability of phytochemicals from plants and plant seeds that have healthy properties and are present in plants and plant seeds.

Likewise, this Special Issue would like to point the attention to the ongoing research activities dealing with the valorization as new functional foods of neglected and underutilized crops with nutraceutical components.

Other studies related to the effect of conventional and organic farming on the content and bioavailability of nutraceuticals will also be welcome in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Antonio De Haro Bailón
Dr. Fernando Cámara-Martos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Chemical characterization of nutraceuticals in plants and plant seeds
Phytochemicals
Functional foods
Health-promoting properties of plant and plant seeds
In vitro and in vivo studies
Bioaccesibility and bioavailability of nutraceutical components of plants

Published Papers (11 papers)

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13 pages, 641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glucosinolates, Ca, Se Contents, and Bioaccessibility in Brassica rapa Vegetables Obtained by Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems

by Fernando Cámara-Martos, Sara Obregón-Cano and Antonio de Haro-Bailón

Foods 2022, 11(3), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11030350 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2069

Abstract

In northwest Spain and Portugal, there is a long tradition of cultivating B. rapa subsp. rapa to obtain turnip greens and turnip tops. Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa (turnip greens and turnip tops) were grown under conventional and organic conditions in two Farms in southern Spain. Glucosinolatescontents were higher in Brassicas grown under conventional conditions than those grown under organic ones. Average Ca total and bioaccessible contents ranged between 14.6–23.4 mg/g; 8.9–12.0 mg/g for turnip greens and 6.4–8.9 mg/g; 4.3–4.8 mg/g for turnip tops. According to these concentrations, an intake of 100–200 g (fresh weight) of the studied Brassica rapa fulfills Ca dietary reference intakes (DRI) (considering the total content data) and complies with 72–100% Ca DRI percentage (considering the bioaccessible data). Se concentrations ranged between 0.061–0.073 µg/g and 0.039–0.053 µg/g for turnip greens and turnip tops respectively. Se bioaccessibility values were high, with percentages of around 90%. Finally, the total glucosinolate content ranged between 13.23–21.28 µmol/g for turnip greens and 13.36–20.20 µmol/g for turnip tops. In general, the bioaccessibility of the total glucosinolates analyzed in this study was high, with mean values of around 73% and 66% for turnip greens and turnip tops, respectively. Brassica rapa vegetables grown under both organic and conventional conditions in southern Spain are an excellent dietary source of Ca, Se, and glucosinolates with a high bioaccessibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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14 pages, 3209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Colon Cancer Activity of Novel Peptides Isolated from In Vitro Digestion of Quinoa Protein in Caco-2 Cells

by Xin Fan, Huimin Guo, Cong Teng, Biao Zhang, Christophe Blecker and Guixing Ren

Foods 2022, 11(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11020194 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2904

Abstract

Quinoa peptides are the bioactive components obtained from quinoa protein digestion, which have been proved to possess various biological activities. However, there are few studies on the anticancer activity of quinoa peptides, and the mechanism has not been clarified. In this study, the novel quinoa peptides were obtained from quinoa protein hydrolysate and identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The anticancer activity of these peptides was predicted by PeptideRanker and evaluated using an antiproliferative assay in colon cancer Caco-2 cells. Combined with the result of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) inhibitory activity assay, the highly anticancer activity peptides FHPFPR, NWFPLPR, and HYNPYFPG were screened and further investigated. Molecular docking was used to analyze the binding site between peptides and HDAC1, and results showed that three peptides were bound in the active pocket of HDAC1. Moreover, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blot showed that the expression of HDAC1, NFκB, IL-6, IL-8, Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, whereas caspase3 expression showed a remarkable evaluation. In conclusion, quinoa peptides may have the potential to protect against cancer development by inhibiting HDAC1 activity and regulating the expression of the cancer-related genes, which indicates that these peptides could be explored as functional foods to alleviate colon cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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14 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Sub-Chronic Oral Exposure of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. Italica) By-Products Flour on the Physiological Parameters of FVB/N Mice: A Pilot Study

by Tânia Martins, Paula Alexandra Oliveira, Maria João Pires, Maria João Neuparth, Germano Lanzarin, Luís Félix, Carlos Venâncio, Maria de Lurdes Pinto, João Ferreira, Isabel Gaivão, Ana Isabel Barros, Eduardo Rosa and Luís Miguel Antunes

Foods 2022, 11(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11010120 - 4 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

Brassica by-products are a source of natural bioactive molecules such as glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, with potential applications in the nutraceutical and functional food industries. However, the effects of oral sub-chronic exposure to broccoli by-product flour (BF) have not yet been evaluated. The objective of this pilot study was to analyse the effects of BF intake in the physiological parameters of FVB/N mice fed a 6.7% BF-supplemented diet for 21 days. Glucosinolates and their derivatives were also quantified in plasma and urine. BF supplementation significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the accumulation of perirenal adipose tissue. Furthermore, mice supplemented with BF showed significantly lower (p < 0.01) microhematocrit values than control animals, but no impact on the general genotoxicological status nor relevant toxic effects on the liver and kidney were observed. Concerning hepatic and renal antioxidant response, BF supplementation induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels. In BF-supplemented mice, plasma analysis revealed the presence of the glucosinolates glucobrassicin and glucoerucin, and the isothiocyanates sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Overall, these results show that daily intake of a high dose of BF during three weeks is safe, and enables the bioavailability of beneficial glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. These results allow further testing of the benefits of this BF in animal models of disease, knowing that exposure of up to 6.7% BF does not present relevant toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

19 pages, 1758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Borage (Borago officinalis L.) Genotypes for Nutraceutical Value Based on Leaves Fatty Acids Composition

by Celia Montaner, Raquel Zufiaurre, María Movila and Cristina Mallor

Foods 2022, 11(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11010016 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3027

Abstract

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a traditional vegetable grown and consumed in some Spanish regions. The objective of this study was to determine the variability and evolution of fatty acid composition in a borage germplasm collection formed by wild types, breeding lines, commercial varieties, and landraces. Fatty acids were analysed in petioles, the commonly edible part of the leaves, and the leaf blades, the by-product of the borage industry, in two growth stages: at the optimal harvest period (120 days after sowing) and at the end of the harvest period (150 days after sowing). The results showed that for each of the eight fatty acids identified, there were significant differences among the twelve borage genotypes depending on the developmental plant stage at sampling date and the part of the leaf analysed, the interaction effect also being statistically significant. The main polyunsaturated fatty acids identified were: linoleic acid (18:2 n6, LA), α-linolenic acid (18:3 n3, ALA), γ-linolenic acid (18:3 n6, GLA), and stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4, n-3), account for approximately 70% of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Blue-flowered genotypes differ from white-flowered genotypes by their high content of ALA and SDA, which can be exploited in borage breeding programs. Petioles from young plants present higher n6 fatty acids, while older plants produce a great amount of n3 fatty acids. Besides, the higher content of ALA in the leaf blades gives them a good dietary potential. All these fatty acids, with multiple health benefits, support the nutraceutical interest of borage leaves (both petioles and leaf blades) for human consumption, animal feeding, medicine, and pharmacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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11 pages, 2239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Vegetable Brassica Foods: A Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds

by Pilar Soengas, Pablo Velasco, Juan Carlos Fernández and María Elena Cartea

Foods 2021, 10(12), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10122911 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Brassica rapa is grown in northwestern Spain to obtain turnip greens. The tops of the same plants (flower stems with buds) are cut and sell as turnip tops, increasing the value of the crop. This practice could be extended to other brassicas. The objectives of this work are to study the phytochemical potential of tops of coles (Brassica oleracea) and leaf rape (Brassica napus) compared to turnip tops and to compare tops of different coles (cabbage, kale, tronchuda cabbage), which differ in their morphology and use. We evaluated the content of glucosinolates and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity in leaves and tops of the three species. We found that tops had higher amount of glucosinolates than leaves. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity followed the opposite trend. Therefore, consumption of leaves and tops are complementary, since both type of organs are enriched with different types of compound. Local varieties of kale, curly kale, cabbage and curly leave cabbage are interesting because of their GSLs and phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in both leaves and tops. From the human health perspective, tops of coles and leaf rape are interesting as new crops to include in the diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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20 pages, 3306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Glucosinolates in the Nutraceutical Potential of Selected Cultivars of Brassica rapa

by Tania Merinas-Amo, María-Dolores Lozano-Baena, Sara Obregón-Cano, Ángeles Alonso-Moraga and Antonio de Haro-Bailón

Foods 2021, 10(11), 2720; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112720 - 7 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2011

Abstract

Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa (turnip greens), a traditionally consumed vegetable, is well-known due to its high content of glucosinolates, which are secondary metabolites with a positive biological activity for human health. Our hypothesis has been based on the relation between B. rapa glucosinolate content and its healthy properties, and our aim is to establish guidelines for safe B. rapa vegetable consumption. Three B. rapa cultivars (143N5, 143N7 and 163N7) have been characterized by HPLC analysis of purified extracts from leaf samples in order to determine their glucosinolate content and to relate this content to beneficial effects on DNA protection, lifespan extension and chemoprevention. In order to ascertain the heath properties in vitro and in vivo, toxicity activities were assayed in the Drosophila melanogaster and leukaemia cell models; genomic safety was also assessed in both models using genotoxicity, fragmentation and comet assay. The Drosophila model has also been used to study the antioxidative activity and the longevity induction. Our results showed a relationship between B. rapa glucosinolate content and its safety and benefices in its consumption. Gluconapin, the main B. rapa glucosinolate, was directly related with these wholesome effects. The relevant conclusion in the present research is focused on B. rapa cultivar 163N7 due to its high gluconapin content and low progoitrin content, which exert anti-cancer and DNA protection properties and could be recommended as being safe and healthy for human consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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23 pages, 1928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Screening for Innovative Sources of Carotenoids and Phenolic Antioxidants among Flowers

by Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez, Ana Benítez, Mireia Corell, Dolores Hernanz, Paula Mapelli-Brahm, Carla Stinco and Elena Coyago-Cruz

Foods 2021, 10(11), 2625; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112625 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2312

Abstract

Flowers have been used for centuries in decoration and traditional medicine, and as components of dishes. In this study, carotenoids and phenolics from 125 flowers were determined by liquid chromatography (RRLC and UHPLC). After comparing four different extractants, the carotenoids were extracted with acetone: methanol (2:1), which led to a recovery of 83%. The phenolic compounds were extracted with 0.1% acidified methanol. The petals of the edible flowers Renealmia alpinia and Lantana camara showed the highest values of theoretical vitamin A activity expressed as retinol activity equivalents (RAE), i.e., 19.1 and 4.1 RAE/g fresh weight, respectively. The sample with the highest total phenolic contents was Punica granatum orange (146.7 mg/g dry weight). It was concluded that in most cases, flowers with high carotenoid contents did not contain high phenolic content and vice versa. The results of this study can help to develop innovative concepts and products for the industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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17 pages, 1588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health-Promoting Properties of Borage Seed Oil Fractionated by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction

by Lourdes Casas-Cardoso, Casimiro Mantell, Sara Obregón, Cristina Cejudo-Bastante, Ángeles Alonso-Moraga, Enrique J. Martínez de la Ossa and Antonio de Haro-Bailón

Foods 2021, 10(10), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10102471 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2067

Abstract

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed oil is an important source of γ–linolenic acid, which is normally used as a treatment against different pathologies. Since the fractionation of this interesting seed oil has many environmental, economic and biological benefits, two borage fractionation techniques after extraction with CO₂ under supercritical conditions have been studied: precipitation in two cyclone separators and countercurrent extraction column. Both techniques have successfully collected free fatty acids in one fraction: (i) two separators set up in series obtained the highest concentration of free fatty acids in separator 2 at 90 bar/40 °C; (ii) when countercurrent extraction column was used, the acidity index of the raffinate stream was independent from the operating conditions (2.6 ± 0.5%). Furthermore, the composition of the fatty acids, as well as their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, were determined. The profile of the fatty acids obtained by either of these two methods remained unaltered, so that the crude oil exhibited improved antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. All the extracts obtained in the two cyclone separators at the same pressure/temperature conditions displayed high tumouricidal activity against HL 60 promyelocytic leukaemia cells, even if the extracts at 50% concentration from separator 2 presented a lower inhibitory activity (IC₅₀). The extracts from separator 2 at 90 bar/40 °C exhibited the highest anti-proliferative activity at low doses (IC₅₀ of 0.3 μL/mL for the trypan blue exclusion test). To reach the lethal dose—IC₅₀—with the product obtained through countercurrent column fractionation, a concentration of 2 μL/mL of crude borage oil raffinate was required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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14 pages, 2920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibitory Effect of Catechin-Rich Açaí Seed Extract on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells and Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema

by Gabriel Silva Xavier, Amanda Mara Teles, Carla Junqueira Moragas-Tellis, Maria do Socorro dos Santos Chagas, Maria Dutra Behrens, Wendel Fragoso de Freitas Moreira, Ana Lucia Abreu-Silva, Kátia da Silva Calabrese, Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão Nascimento and Fernando Almeida-Souza

Foods 2021, 10(5), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10051014 - 6 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

Açaí berry is a fruit from the tree commonly known as açaízeiro (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) originated from the Amazonian region and widely consumed in Brazil. There are several reports of the anti-inflammatory activity of its pulp and few data about the seed’s potential in inflammation control. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of catechin-rich açaí extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The treatment with E. oleracea ethyl acetate extract (EO-ACET) was used in an in vitro model performed with macrophages stimulated by LPS, in which pro-inflammatory markers were evaluated, and in an in vivo model of acute inflammation, in which edema inhibition was evaluated. EO-ACET showed an absence of endotoxins, and did not display cytotoxic effects in RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-stimulated cells treated with EO-ACET displayed low levels of nitrite and interleukins (IL’s), IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12, when compared to untreated cells. EO-ACET treatment was able to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, in which no acute inflammatory reaction or low mast cell counts were observed by histology at the site of inoculation of λ-carrageenan. These findings provide more evidence to support further studies with E. oleracea seeds for the treatment of inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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13 pages, 907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical and Bioactive Features of Amaranthus caudatus L. Flowers and Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Betalains

by Custódio Lobo Roriz, Virginie Xavier, Sandrina A. Heleno, José Pinela, Maria Inês Dias, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Patricia Morales, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira and Lillian Barros

Foods 2021, 10(4), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10040779 - 5 Apr 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3222

Abstract

The vibrant colours of many plants are due to secondary metabolites, such as nitrogen-containing compounds, where betacyanins are included. These compounds can be found in plants such as Amaranthus caudatus L. that, due to their high nutritional benefits, have been overproduced, which leads to the accumulation of large amounts of bio-residues. Among these bio-residues, the flowers which have a very intense pink colour and present no economic value or subsequent destination can be exploited as sources of natural colouring agents (betacyanins). This work aimed at characterising the flower’s extract in terms of bioactive molecules such as tocopherols, organic acids, but essentially in terms of betacyanins, in order to obtain a natural colouring agent. For the extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) ideal conditions were obtained using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), allowing the attainment of an enriched extract of betacyanins in high yields and purity. The obtained extracts were analysed for their bioactive potential, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. From the obtained results, three isoforms of tocopherols were detected, β-tocopherol (0.884 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dry weight (dw)) being the most abundant one. Regarding the organic acids, oxalic (2.48 ± 0.05 mg/100 g dw), shikimic (0.170 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dw) and traces of fumaric acid were found. Four betacyanins were identified and quantified, namely: amaranthine (171 ± 1 mg/g extract), isoamaranthine (38 ± 1 mg/g extract), betanin (1.6 ± 0.1 mg/g), and isobetanin (1.3 ± 0.1 mg/g extract). The obtained extract also presented antioxidant activity with inhibition concentration (IC₅₀ values) of 29.0 ± 0.4 μg/mL and 114 ± 4 μg/mL for Δt of 60 min and 120 min, respectively in the oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA) assay. The obtained extract also presented an interesting antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL against pathogenic bacteria and revealed no toxicity for normal cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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Review

Jump to: Research

11 pages, 483 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of the Successful Application of Vibrational Spectroscopy Techniques to Quantify Nutraceuticals in Fruits and Plants

by Daniel Cozzolino

Foods 2022, 11(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11030315 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2370

Abstract

Vibrational spectroscopy techniques are the most used techniques in the routine analysis of foods. This technique is widely utilised to measure and monitor the proximate chemical composition (e.g., protein, dry matter, fat and fibre) in an array of agricultural commodities, food ingredients and products. Developments in optics, instrumentation and hardware concomitantly with data analytics, have allowed for the progress in novel applications of these technologies in the field of nutraceutical and bio compound analysis. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated the capability of vibrational spectroscopy to evaluate and/or measure these nutraceuticals in a broad selection of fruit and plants as alternative to classical analytical approaches. This article highlights, as well as discusses, the challenges and opportunities that define the successful application of vibrational spectroscopy techniques, and the advantages that these techniques have to offer to evaluate and quantify nutraceuticals in fruits and plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceutical Components of Plants and Plant Seeds)

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