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Bioactive Compounds from Foods for Health Benefits

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4240

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is no doubt that a diet rich in food of plant origin is an important element in the prevention of lifestyle diseases. Modern lifestyles and exposure to extreme and long-term stress contribute to the formation of excess free radicals that disturb redox homeostasis, as well as to disorders of intestinal microflora (i.e., intestinal dysbiosis). Reactive oxygen species are often a risk factor for the development of chronic inflammation responsible for pathological lesions in the global population in the 21st century. In this context, bioactive compounds present in plants, which have strong antioxidant properties that regulate redox homeostasis and have a beneficial effect as prebiotics, are perceived as a rational and effective solution for reducing oxidative stress. The latest scientific reports indicate that the consumption of bioactive compounds (BCs) and BC-rich foods has increased dynamically due to their documented pharmacological properties, including their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-carcinogenic properties. As a result, consumer awareness about the important role of these high-quality products in human nutrition, health, and the prevention of diseases has increased. Therefore, it is our pleasure to present this Special Issue of Molecules entitled “Bioactive Compounds from Foods for Health Benefits”. For this Special Issue, I encourage you to publish your activities aimed at presenting the latest scientific news, insights, and advances in the field of bioactive compounds, e.g., polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, proteins, and their impact on health benefits. The information presented will certainly attract considerable interest among a large group of our readers from different disciplines and research fields.

Dr. Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polyphenolic compounds
  • bioactive compound
  • natural products
  • food safety
  • phytochemicals
  • carotenoids
  • LC-MS/MS techniques
  • HPLC-DAD-MS
  • fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms
  • antioxidant compounds
  • functional food
  • prebiotics
  • health beneficial

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Vanillic Acid in Human Plasma, Human Neutrophils, and Non-Cellular Models In Vitro
by Anna Magiera, Joanna Kołodziejczyk-Czepas and Monika Anna Olszewska
Molecules 2025, 30(3), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30030467 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1148
Abstract
Vanillic acid (VA) is a dietary benzoic acid derivative, flavoring agent, and food stabilizer. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of VA was explored in vitro and ex vivo in human immune cells and non-cellular models. In neutrophils, VA significantly downregulated [...] Read more.
Vanillic acid (VA) is a dietary benzoic acid derivative, flavoring agent, and food stabilizer. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of VA was explored in vitro and ex vivo in human immune cells and non-cellular models. In neutrophils, VA significantly downregulated the fMLP-induced oxidative burst and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); it also suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8) and the tissue-remodeling enzyme elastase-2 (ELA-2) in cells stimulated with LPS and fMLP+cytochalasin B. Additionally, VA showed good biocompatibility with human neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) across the tested concentrations of 1–50 µg/mL. Furthermore, VA at 1–5 μg/mL enhanced the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of human plasma (NEAC) and prevented oxidative and nitrative damage to plasma proteins by protecting tyrosine moieties and thiols from peroxynitrite. VA also inhibited lipid peroxidation and the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (at 50 μg/mL) and protein-bound carbonyls (at 5–50 μg/mL) in peroxynitrite-treated plasma. In non-cellular tests, VA acted as a hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide scavenger and inhibited non-enzymatic protein glycation, outperforming the references Trolox and aminoguanidine. Along with existing data from animal models and studies on polyphenol intake, these results might support the synergic role of VA in dietary protection against chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Foods for Health Benefits)
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16 pages, 331 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Enriching Shortbread Cookies with Dried Sea Buckthorn Fruit on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties
by Mirosława Karpińska-Tymoszczyk, Magdalena Surma, Marzena Danowska-Oziewicz, Lidia Kurp, Monika Jabłońska, Karolina Kusek and Tomasz Sawicki
Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5148; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215148 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 921
Abstract
The present study evaluated the physicochemical parameters, polyphenolics content, levels of heat-induced compounds (acrylamide, furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), antioxidant properties, as well as sensory quality of shortbread cookies enriched with dried sea buckthorn fruit (SBF). The SBF-enriched cookies were prepared by replacing 1, 2, 3, [...] Read more.
The present study evaluated the physicochemical parameters, polyphenolics content, levels of heat-induced compounds (acrylamide, furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), antioxidant properties, as well as sensory quality of shortbread cookies enriched with dried sea buckthorn fruit (SBF). The SBF-enriched cookies were prepared by replacing 1, 2, 3, or 5% of the flour with dried sea buckthorn fruit. Our results showed the presence of 12 phenolic acids and 5 flavonoids in the SBF, while two phenolic acids and two flavonoids were detected in the cookies. Most of the compounds were identified in the cookies enriched with 5% SBF. Among the phenolic acids, benzoic acid was the most abundant, while among the flavonoids, quercetin was the most abundant. 5-hydroxymethylofurfural was not detected in any cookies, and the addition of SBF contributed to the presence of furfural in baked products and increased the amount of acrylamide, and their content increased with the amount of SBF addition. The addition of sea buckthorn fruit at 5% distinctly exceeded the benchmark level of acrylamide in the cookies and worsened their sensory quality. It should also be noted that SBF significantly (p < 0.05) improved the antioxidant potential determined by two tests, ABTS and DPPH. The SBF-enriched cookies were characterized by significantly higher values of crispness and browning index compared to the control cookies. The results of the study indicate that SBF can be successfully used as a component of bakery products. In conclusion, the cookies with SBF can show improved technological and functional properties and constitute an added value bakery product that could provide health benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Foods for Health Benefits)

Review

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17 pages, 5731 KiB  
Review
Chinese Artichoke (Stachys affinis Bunge): The Nutritional Profile, Bioactive Profile and Food Applications—A Review
by Rafał Wiśniewski and Joanna Harasym
Molecules 2024, 29(15), 3525; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153525 - 26 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1708
Abstract
Stachys affinis Bunge, known as Chinese artichoke, is a perennial plant originating from China, which has uprising scientific interest due to its complex and beneficial content. Chinese artichoke is rich in bioactive compounds useful for human health, including antioxidants, polyphenols, and prebiotics, and its [...] Read more.
Stachys affinis Bunge, known as Chinese artichoke, is a perennial plant originating from China, which has uprising scientific interest due to its complex and beneficial content. Chinese artichoke is rich in bioactive compounds useful for human health, including antioxidants, polyphenols, and prebiotics, and its edible tubers are high in essential nutrients and dietary fiber. Studies show its potential as a functional food ingredient in various products like rice bars, bread, and chocolate, enhancing their nutritional and sensory properties. Additionally, Chinese artichoke exhibits significant anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antibacterial activities, warranting further research and utilization in the food industry. This review aims to summarize the existing knowledge of the S. affinis Bunge plant, focusing on its health-promoting aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Foods for Health Benefits)
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