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Exploring Bioactive Polyphenolic Compounds in Food and Natural Real-World Samples

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 44031

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: polyphenols; foods; natural products; comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polyphenolic compounds are usually referred to as a group of naturally occurring compounds containing multiple phenolic functionalities. Such compounds are commonly found in the plant kingdom, where they are responsible for flower coloration. Naturally occurring polyphenols are known to present numerous biological activities, e.g., they can be potential candidates for use as drugs, in diseases such as AIDS, heart ailments, ulcer formation, bacterial infection, mutagenesis, and neural disorders.

Several separation techniques can be adopted for their analysis, such as capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Notably, reversed-phase liquid chromatography is considered the “niche technique” for their determination.

The Special Issue aims to collect papers dealing with the analysis of bioactive polyphenolic compounds in food and natural products; in addition, a particular focus on new achievements in the field will be appreciated.

Dr. Francesco Cacciola
Dr. Katia Arena
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • food chemistry
  • natural products
  • antioxidants
  • polyphenols
  • chromatography
  • spectroscopy
  • mass spectrometry

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Published Papers (19 papers)

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15 pages, 2704 KiB  
Article
Olive Oil as a Transport Medium for Bioactive Molecules of Plants?—An In Situ Study
by Jasmin Flemming, Clara Theres Meyer-Probst, Kristin Hille, Sabine Basche, Karl Speer, Isabelle Kölling-Speer, Christian Hannig and Matthias Hannig
Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3803; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093803 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1528
Abstract
(1) Caries and erosions still remain a challenge for preventive dentistry. Certain plant extracts have shown beneficial effects in preventive dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-adherent and erosion-protective properties of ellagic acid (EA) as a polyphenolic agent. [...] Read more.
(1) Caries and erosions still remain a challenge for preventive dentistry. Certain plant extracts have shown beneficial effects in preventive dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-adherent and erosion-protective properties of ellagic acid (EA) as a polyphenolic agent. The combination with olive oil was investigated additionally to verify a possible improved bioactive effect of EA. (2) An in situ study was carried out with six subjects. Individual splints were prepared with bovine enamel specimens. The splints were worn for 1 min (pellicle formation time). Thereafter, 10 min rinses were performed with EA in water/in oil. Bacterial adherence was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy (DAPI, ConA, BacLight) after an 8 h oral exposition time. Additionally, the splints were worn for 30 min to quantify demineralization processes. The ultrastructure of the pellicle was investigated after an oral exposure time of 2 h under a transmission electron microscope. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal–Wallis tests, Mann–Whitney U tests and Bonferroni–Holm correction. (3) Rinsing with EA led to a significant reduction of adherent vital and dead bacteria. The combination with olive oil did not improve these outcomes. The assessment of glucan structures after rinsing with EA in water showed significant effects. Significant differences were observed for both rinses in calcium release at pH 3.0. After rinsing with EA in oil, significantly less calcium was released compared to rinsing with EA in water (pH = 3.0). (4) Olive oil is not suitable as a transport medium for lipophilic polyphenols. EA has anti-adherent and antibacterial properties in situ. EA also shows erosion-protective effects, which can be enhanced in combination with olive oil depending on the pH value. Ellagic acid has a neutral pH and could be an opportunity in the treatment of specific patient groups (xerostomia or mucositis). Full article
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15 pages, 1237 KiB  
Article
Antioxidants in Fruit Fractions of Mediterranean Ancient Pear Cultivars
by Giovanna Piluzza, Giuseppe Campesi, Guy D’hallewin, Maria Giovanna Molinu, Giovanni Antonio Re, Federico Sanna and Leonardo Sulas
Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3559; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083559 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
Background: The genetic diversity of Sardinian pear germplasm has received limited attention regarding its chemical composition. Understanding this composition can aid in the setting up of resilient, extensive groves that offer multiple products and ecosystem services. This research aimed at investigating the antioxidant [...] Read more.
Background: The genetic diversity of Sardinian pear germplasm has received limited attention regarding its chemical composition. Understanding this composition can aid in the setting up of resilient, extensive groves that offer multiple products and ecosystem services. This research aimed at investigating the antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds of ancient pear cultivars grown extensively in Sardinia (Italy); Methods: the cultivars Buttiru, Camusina, Spadona, and Coscia (as a reference) were compared. Fruit samples were manually peeled and cut. Their flesh, peel, core, and peduncle were frozen separately, lyophilized, and milled before being analysed; Results: The content of total phenolics (TotP), total flavonoids (TotF), condensed tannins (CT), and antioxidant capacity in each fruit part varied significantly among the cultivars. The TotP content was high in the peduncle (42.2–58.8 g GAE kg−1 DM) and low in flesh (6.4–17.7 g GAE kg−1 DM); Conclusions: the highest values of antioxidant capacity, TotP, NTP, TotF, and CT were found in the flesh of the cultivar Buttiru and in the peel of the cultivar Camusina. Chlorogenic acid was the major individual phenolic compound in peel, flesh and core, whereas arbutin was mostly present in the peduncle. Results can contribute to revise target exploitations of underutilized ancient pear cultivars. Full article
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13 pages, 2508 KiB  
Article
Identification of a Synthetic Polyhydroxyphenolic Resveratrol Analogue, 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-Hexahydroxy-trans-Stilbene with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity
by Walter Jäger, Eva Kicker, Melina Hardt, Riem Gawish, Pia Gattinger, Michaela Böhmdorfer, Sylvia Knapp, Rudolf Valenta, Kurt Zatloukal and Thomas Szekeres
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062612 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1775
Abstract
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been causing the COVID-19 pandemic since December 2019, with over 600 million infected persons worldwide and over six million deaths. We investigated the anti-viral effects of polyphenolic green tea ingredients and the synthetic [...] Read more.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been causing the COVID-19 pandemic since December 2019, with over 600 million infected persons worldwide and over six million deaths. We investigated the anti-viral effects of polyphenolic green tea ingredients and the synthetic resveratrol analogue 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexahydroxy-trans-stilbene (HHS), a compound with antioxidant, antitumor and anti-HIV properties. In the TCID50 assay, four out of nine green tea constituents showed minor to modest cell protective effects, whereas HHS demonstrated the highest reduction (1103-fold) of the TCID50, indicating pronounced inhibition of virus replication. HHS was also a highly effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 proliferation in VeroE6 cells with an IC50 value of 31.1 µM. HSS also inhibited the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor (RBD-ACE2) binding with 29% at 100 µM and with 9.2% at 50 µM indicating that the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effect might at least in part be attributed to the inhibition of virus binding to ACE2. Based on the chemical similarity to other polyphenols, the oral bioavailability of HHS is likely also very low, resulting in blood levels far below the inhibitory concentration of EGCG against SARS-CoV-2 observed in vitro. However, administration of HHS topically as a nose or throat spray would increase concentrations several-fold above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the mucosa and might reduce virus load when administered soon after infection. Due to these promising tissue culture results, further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to develop HHS as an additional treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infection to complement vaccines, which is and will be the main pillar to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
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14 pages, 2259 KiB  
Article
Intensifying Effect of Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) Pre-Treatment on Hesperidin Recovery from Orange Byproducts: In Vitro Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of the Extracts
by Mariem Ben Abdallah, Morad Chadni, Nouha M’hiri, Fanny Brunissen, Nesrine Rokbeni, Karim Allaf, Colette Besombes, Irina Ioannou and Nourhene Boudhrioua
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041858 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2121
Abstract
The orange byproduct is a widely accessible and valuable source of functional phenolic compounds, particularly hesperidin. Hesperidin extraction remains a challenging phase in its valorization chain due to its low solubility and limited extractability in solvents. This work aims to examine the effect [...] Read more.
The orange byproduct is a widely accessible and valuable source of functional phenolic compounds, particularly hesperidin. Hesperidin extraction remains a challenging phase in its valorization chain due to its low solubility and limited extractability in solvents. This work aims to examine the effect of conventional solvent extraction (CSE) compared to emerging and innovative extraction methods: accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) when applied with or without a pretreatment process of instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) to intensify extraction, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. The total phenols, flavonoids, hesperidin contents, radical scavenging activities, iron chelating activity, and in vitro α-amylase inhibition of the extracts were determined for CSE (80%, 70 °C), UAE (ethanol 80%, 70 °C, 200 W), and ASE (ethanol 60%, 100 °C, 100 bars) with or without DIC pretreatment (pressure = 0.4 MPa, total thermal time = 30 s). The hesperidin amounts obtained were 0.771 ± 0.008 g/100 g DM, 0.823 ± 0.054 g/100 g DM, and 1.368 ± 0.058 g/100 g DM, for CSE, UAE, and ASE, respectively. DIC pretreatment of orange byproducts increased hesperidin recovery by 67%, 25.6%, and 141% for DIC-CSE, DIC-UAE, and DIC-ASE, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and iron chelating activities of extracts were also significantly enhanced, and the in vitro antidiabetic activity of extracts was preserved. Full article
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20 pages, 2156 KiB  
Article
Stabilization of Anthocyanins from Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Husks and In Vivo Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity
by José Daniel Lozada-Ramírez, María Cristina Guerrero-Moras, Marco Antonio González-Peña, Taisa Sabrina Silva-Pereira, Cecilia Anaya de Parrodi and Ana E. Ortega-Regules
Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031353 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2540
Abstract
Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most popular and widely consumed products throughout the world, mainly due to its taste, aroma, caffeine content, and natural antioxidants. Among those antioxidants, anthocyanins are one of the most important natural pigments, which can [...] Read more.
Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most popular and widely consumed products throughout the world, mainly due to its taste, aroma, caffeine content, and natural antioxidants. Among those antioxidants, anthocyanins are one of the most important natural pigments, which can be found in coffee husks. It is widely known that anthocyanins have multiple health benefits partially linked to their antioxidant properties. However, anthocyanins have low stability and are sensitive to all types of changes. In order to prevent its degradation, anthocyanins can be stabilized with nanoparticles. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of the anthocyanins extracted from coffee husks, using three different extracting agents (ethanol, methanol, and water) and stabilizing them through conjugation with zinc oxide nanoparticles. The anthocyanins extracts were mainly composed of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (97%) and the total phenolic compounds of the fresh extracts were 458.97 ± 11.32 (methanol), 373.53 ± 12.74 (ethanol), and 369.85 ± 15.93 (water) mg GAE/g. On the other hand, the total phenolic compounds of the nanoparticle–anthocyanin conjugates underwent no significant changes after stabilization as the major loss was less than 3%. Furthermore, the percentage of anthocyanins’ degradation was less than 5% after 12 weeks of storage. On top of that, fresh anthocyanin extracts and anthocyanin–nanoparticle conjugates exhibited a strong protective effect against oxidative stress and increased the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans. Full article
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13 pages, 528 KiB  
Article
The Potential Value of Debarking Water as a Source of Polyphenolic Compounds for the Specialty Chemicals Sector
by Kelly Peeters, Esakkiammal Sudha Esakkimuthu, Črtomir Tavzes, Katja Kramberger and Ana Miklavčič Višnjevec
Molecules 2023, 28(2), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020542 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
Forest-based industries produce huge quantities of bark during their primary processing activities. In Nordic pulp and paper industries, where a wet debarking process is used for bark removal, toxic debarking water and bark press water are produced as a by-product. However, polyphenols represent [...] Read more.
Forest-based industries produce huge quantities of bark during their primary processing activities. In Nordic pulp and paper industries, where a wet debarking process is used for bark removal, toxic debarking water and bark press water are produced as a by-product. However, polyphenols represent an important fraction of the debarking water and bark press water. These polyphenolic compounds are of commercial interest in chemical specialty sectors since polyphenols have been proven to have diverse health benefits, and after collecting them from waste sources, they can act as alternatives to oil-based chemicals. Determining the economic potential of polyphenolic compounds, identifying their molecular structure, and determining the antioxidant capacity of these compounds present in debarking water and bark can support the identification of their potential applications. The results show that water extractions from bark have a lower efficiency than (partial) alcoholic extractions. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of low-molecular polyphenolic compounds, which are of interest for high-end applications, was found in all extracts. Bark press water has a highly versatile range of polyphenolic compounds and showed some antioxidant activity, making it a great source for the collection of polyphenolic compounds, in contrast to debarking water, which had a much lower polyphenolic content and low antioxidant activity. Full article
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12 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Amaranth Seeds and Sprouts as Functional Ingredients for the Development of Dietary Fiber, Betalains, and Polyphenol-Enriched Minced Tilapia Meat Gels
by Iza F. Pérez-Ramírez, Ana M. Sotelo-González, Gerardo López-Echevarría and Miguel A. Martínez-Maldonado
Molecules 2023, 28(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010117 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1996
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in the development of meat processed products enriched with antioxidant dietary fiber to augment the consumption of these health beneficial compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, nutraceutical, and antioxidant potential, as well as the physicochemical properties [...] Read more.
There is an increasing interest in the development of meat processed products enriched with antioxidant dietary fiber to augment the consumption of these health beneficial compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, nutraceutical, and antioxidant potential, as well as the physicochemical properties of minced tilapia fillets (meat) gels with added amaranth seed or sprout flours (0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% w/w). Dietary fiber content was significantly increased with the addition of amaranth seed (1.25–1.75-fold) and sprout flours (1.99–3.21-fold). Tilapia gels with added 10% amaranth seed flour showed a high content of extractable dihydroxybenzoic acid and cinnamic acid, whereas the addition of 10% amaranth sprout flour provided a high and wide variety of bioactive compounds, mainly amaranthine and bound ferulic acid. The addition of amaranth seed and sprout flours increased hardness (1.01–1.73-fold) without affecting springiness, decreased luminosity (1.05–1.15-fold), and increased redness and yellowness. Therefore, amaranth seed and sprout flours could be used as functional ingredients for the development of fish products rich in bioactive compounds. Full article
12 pages, 2569 KiB  
Article
Potential Antioxidant Activity of Apigenin in the Obviating Stress-Mediated Depressive Symptoms of Experimental Mice
by Adel Alghamdi, Mansour Almuqbil, Mohammad A. Alrofaidi, Abdulhadi S. Burzangi, Ali A. Alshamrani, Abdullah R. Alzahrani, Mehnaz Kamal, Mohd. Imran, Sultan Alshehri, Basheerahmed Abdulaziz Mannasaheb, Nasser Fawzan Alomar and Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq
Molecules 2022, 27(24), 9055; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27249055 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2461
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the antidepressant properties of apigenin in an experimental mouse model of chronic mild stress (CMS). Three weeks following CMS, albino mice of either sex were tested for their antidepressant effects using the tail suspension test (TST) and the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the antidepressant properties of apigenin in an experimental mouse model of chronic mild stress (CMS). Three weeks following CMS, albino mice of either sex were tested for their antidepressant effects using the tail suspension test (TST) and the sucrose preference test. The percentage preference for sucrose solution and the amount of time spent immobile in the TST were calculated. The brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase activity, and reduced glutathione levels were checked to determine the antioxidant potential of treatments. When compared to the control, animals treated with apigenin during the CMS periods showed significantly shorter TST immobility times. Apigenin administration raised the percentage preference for sucrose solution in a dose-dependent manner, which put it on par with the widely used antidepressant imipramine. Animals treated with apigenin displayed a significantly (p ˂ 0.05) greater spontaneous locomotor count (281) when compared to the vehicle-treated group (245). Apigenin was also highly effective in significantly (p ˂ 0.01) lowering plasma corticosterone levels (17 vs. 28 µg/mL) and nitrite (19 vs. 33 µg/mL) produced by CMS in comparison to the control group. During CMS, a high dose (50 mg/kg) of apigenin was given, which greatly increased the reduced glutathione level while significantly decreasing the brain’s MDA and catalase activity when compared to the control group. As a result, we infer that high doses of apigenin may have potential antidepressant effects in animal models via various mechanisms. Full article
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11 pages, 1726 KiB  
Article
Polyphenolic Profile of Tunisian Thyme (Thymbra capitata L.) Post-Distilled Residues: Evaluation of Total Phenolic Content and Phenolic Compounds and Their Contribution to Antioxidant Activity
by Kheiria Hcini, Abir Bahi, Monia Bendhifi Zarroug, Mouna Ben Farhat, Antonio Abel Lozano-Pérez, José Luis Cenis, María Quílez, Sondes Stambouli-Essassi and Maria José Jordán
Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8791; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248791 - 12 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1916
Abstract
During the last decade there has been growing interest in the formulation of new cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products containing natural compounds with antioxidant activity and other beneficial properties. Aromatic and medicinal plants have always been the major source of bioactive compounds, especially, [...] Read more.
During the last decade there has been growing interest in the formulation of new cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products containing natural compounds with antioxidant activity and other beneficial properties. Aromatic and medicinal plants have always been the major source of bioactive compounds, especially, wild thyme (Thymbra capitata L.), which has been used since ancient times for its valuable health benefits that could be attributed to the richness of polyphenolic compounds. This study was undertaken with the following aims: to estimate the total polyphenolic content (TPC); to evaluate the antioxidant activity; to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds of post-distilled residues of Tunisian thyme, and their contribution to the antioxidant activity. The TPC, as determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, was found to reach the values of 126.7 and 107.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g plant dry weight (mg GAE/g PDW). The antioxidant activity, which is assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays, reached the values of 42.97–45.64 μg/mL and 42.22–50.21 mMFe2+/mg PDW, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of fourteen polyphenolic compounds, of which diosmin and rosmarinic acid were found to be the most abundant (24.26 to 33.80 and 22.0.1 to 26.29 mg/g PDW, respectively). An important correlation was found between the antioxidant activity and several identified phenolic compounds (p < 0.05). The findings revealed that thyme post-distilled residues have an effective natural antioxidant potential due to their high concentration of bioactive molecules, and they appear to be useful in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, with beneficial effects on human health. Therefore, supplementing a balanced diet with herbs may have beneficial health effects. Full article
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11 pages, 1661 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Dendrobium officinale Flower Anthocyanin and Extended Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans
by Shuangxi Li, Jianfeng Wang, Liangliang Zhang, Yang Zheng, Guorong Ma, Xiaoming Sun and Jianfeng Yuan
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8608; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238608 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
The Dendrobium officinale flower is a non-medicinal part of the plant, rich in a variety of nutrients and bioactive ingredients. The purpose of this article was to explore the preparation conditions of anthocyanins (ACNs) from the D. officinale flower. Subsequently, its anti-aging effects [...] Read more.
The Dendrobium officinale flower is a non-medicinal part of the plant, rich in a variety of nutrients and bioactive ingredients. The purpose of this article was to explore the preparation conditions of anthocyanins (ACNs) from the D. officinale flower. Subsequently, its anti-aging effects were evaluated with Caenorhabditis elegans. Results showed that the ACNs had antioxidant activities on scavenging free radicals (DPPH· and ABTS+·), and the clearance rate was positively correlated with the dose. Additionally, ACNs significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in C. elegans, which was 2.068-fold higher than that of the control. Treatment with ACNs at 150 μL extended the lifespan of C. elegans by 56.25%, and treatment with ACNs at 50 μL promoted fecundity in C. elegans. Finally, the protective effect of ACNs enhanced stress resistance, thereby increasing the survival numbers of C. elegans, which provided insights for the development and practical application of functional products. Full article
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16 pages, 1647 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antihemolytic Properties of Sauropus androgynus Dried Leaf Extracts for Ruminant Health and Production
by Rayudika Aprilia Patindra Purba and Pramote Paengkoum
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8580; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238580 - 5 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2853
Abstract
Sauropus androgynus has become an essential plant in pharmaceutical formulations due to its beneficial antioxidant phytochemical components, participating in the antioxidant defense system and playing an important role in protecting human health. However, no research has been conducted on ruminant animals. This study [...] Read more.
Sauropus androgynus has become an essential plant in pharmaceutical formulations due to its beneficial antioxidant phytochemical components, participating in the antioxidant defense system and playing an important role in protecting human health. However, no research has been conducted on ruminant animals. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of S. androgynus leaf extracts for ruminant health. Methanolic and hexanoic extracts from each commercially and noncommercially cultivated site were prepared over the course of five consecutive months. By means of HPLC-DAD, vitamins (ascorbic acid), essential oils (eugenol), tannins (gallic acid), cinnamic acids (caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid), and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol) were detected. Variations in phytochemical composition were depending on solvent type but not on cultivation site or sample period. Methanolic extracts contained more phytochemicals than hexanoic extracts. Ascorbic acid and rutin were discovered to be the two most abundant phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of S. androgynus leaf, followed by essential oils, cinnamic acids, and tannins. In comparison to hexanoic extract, methanolic extract of S. androgynus demonstrated to be more efficient against oxidation scavenging: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC50 = 13.14 ± 0.055 (mg/mL)), nitric oxide (IC50 = 55.02 ± 1.338 (mg/mL)) and superoxide (IC50 = 25.31 ± 0.886 (mg/mL)), as well as α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 9.83 ± 0.032 (mg/mL)). Similarly, methanolic was found to be more protective than hexanoic against oxidative damage in ruminant erythrocytes, with IC50 values (mg/mL) for hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis of 11.96 ± 0.011, 13.54 ± 0.012, and 5.940 ± 0.005, respectively. These findings suggested that the leaves of S. androgynus are a prospective source of phytochemical substances with health-promoting qualities for ruminant production. Full article
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9 pages, 1699 KiB  
Article
Grain and Leaf Anthocyanin Concentration Varies among Purple Rice Varieties and Growing Condition in Aerated and Flooded Soil
by Pennapa Jaksomsak, Sawika Konseang, Bernard Dell, Hatem Rouached and Chanakan Prom-u-thai
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8355; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238355 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1778
Abstract
Anthocyanins are a group of pigments responsible for the red-blue color in plant parts, and have potential for health benefits and pharmaceutical ingredients. To evaluate whether anthocyanin concentrations in five purple rice varieties could be varied by water condition, plants were grown in [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are a group of pigments responsible for the red-blue color in plant parts, and have potential for health benefits and pharmaceutical ingredients. To evaluate whether anthocyanin concentrations in five purple rice varieties could be varied by water condition, plants were grown in waterlogged and aerobic (well-drained) soil. Grain anthocyanin concentration and grain yield were measured at maturity, while leaf anthocyanin concentrations were measured at booting and flowering stages. Four varieties grown under the waterlogged condition had 2.0–5.5 times higher grain anthocyanin than in the aerobic condition. There was a positive relationship between grain and leaf anthocyanin at booting in the waterlogged condition (r = 0.90, p < 0.05), while grain and leaf anthocyanin were positively correlated at flowering in both the waterlogged (r = 0.88, p < 0.05) and aerobic (r = 0.97, p < 0.01) conditions. The results suggest that water management should be adopted as a practical agronomic tool for improving the anthocyanin concentration of purple rice for specialist markets, but the specific responses between rice varieties to water management should be carefully considered. Full article
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19 pages, 3249 KiB  
Article
Extraction of Polyphenols and Vitamins Using Biodegradable ATPS Based on Ethyl Lactate
by Pedro Velho, Luís Marques and Eugénia A. Macedo
Molecules 2022, 27(22), 7838; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227838 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2446
Abstract
The growing human population, together with the inefficient use of natural resources, has been dramatically increasing the production of food waste, which poses serious economic, environmental, and social problems. Being so, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of food consumption so as [...] Read more.
The growing human population, together with the inefficient use of natural resources, has been dramatically increasing the production of food waste, which poses serious economic, environmental, and social problems. Being so, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of food consumption so as to reduce its waste and to convert the remaining residues into societal benefits. Since this biowaste is rich in polyphenols and vitamins, it could become the feedstock for the production of important value-added compounds for the pharmaceutical (e.g., food supplements) and cosmetic (e.g., creams and shampoos) industries. In this work, partition studies of one polyphenol (epicatechin) and two B-complex vitamins (cyanocobalamin and nicotinic acid) were performed in biodegradable Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) based on ethyl lactate and on organic salts (disodium tartrate, tripotassium citrate, and trisodium citrate) at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. The largest partition coefficient (K) and extraction efficiency (E) were obtained for vitamin B12 (K=78.56, E=97.5%) for the longest tie line TLL=77.66% in the ATPS {ethyl lactate (1) + tripotassium citrate (2) + water (3)}. All the extractions were obtained with low biomolecule mass losses in quantification (<5%) and after a thorough study of pH influence in the UV–Vis absorbance spectra. Full article
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21 pages, 12406 KiB  
Article
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on In Vitro Cultures of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Grown in the Dark and in the Light: Morphology, Content of Malondialdehyde, and Accumulation of Various Polyphenols
by Evgenia A. Goncharuk, Maria Yu. Zubova, Tatiana L. Nechaeva, Varvara V. Kazantseva, Alexander A. Gulevich, Ekaterina N. Baranova, Petr V. Lapshin, Vera M. Katanskaya, Maria A. Aksenova and Natalia V. Zagoskina
Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6674; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196674 - 7 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2391
Abstract
Tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) are phenol-accumulating crops that are widely used for public health. The healing effect of tea leaf products is due to the biosynthesis of such phenolic compounds (PCs) as flavans, which have P-vitamin capillary-strengthening activity. Due to their [...] Read more.
Tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) are phenol-accumulating crops that are widely used for public health. The healing effect of tea leaf products is due to the biosynthesis of such phenolic compounds (PCs) as flavans, which have P-vitamin capillary-strengthening activity. Due to their limited habitat and the value of their specialized metabolites of a phenolic nature, a promising approach is to establish in vitro cultures from them that retain the ability to form PCs, which is characteristic of ex vivo tea plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenic H2O2 (0.01 mM; 0.1 mM; 1 mM) on the growth, morphology, degree of stress response, and accumulation of various phenolic compounds in tea plant callus cultures of different ages (24 or 36 days) grown under different cultivation conditions (darkness or light). According to the results obtained, the H2O2 effect on tea callus cultures of different ages did not cause changes in their morphophysiological characteristics, both after 2 h of exposure (rapid response of callus culture, RRCC) and after 48 h (delayed response of callus culture, DRCC). The determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which serves as an indicator of changes in the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the presence of stress responses in plant cells, indicated either its maintenance at the control level, a decrease, or an increase. All these effects depended on the growth conditions of the tea callus cultures (darkness or light), their age, the duration of exposure (rapid or delayed response), and the H2O2 concentration. Similar trends were noted for the total content of PCs as well as the amount of flavans, proanthocyanidins (soluble and insoluble forms), and lignin. The plant cell responses reflected changes in its adaptation programs, when specialized metabolites act as a target for the action of H2O2, thereby contributing to an increase in their resistance. Full article
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12 pages, 3301 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Different Extraction Methods on the Phenolic Profile and the Antioxidant Potential of Ceratonia siliqua L. Pods Extracts
by Fouad El Mansouri, Joaquim C. G. Esteves Silva, Francesco Cacciola, Fadoua Asraoui, Hatim Tayeq, Yasmine Mttougui Ben Amar, Miguel Palma Lovillo, Noureddine Chouaibi and Jamal Brigui
Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6163; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196163 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2529
Abstract
The present work was designed to investigate the effects of different extraction processes, namely ultrasonic-assisted, supercritical fluid, microwave-assisted and Soxhlet applied to carob pods. The total phenolic quantification and the antioxidant activity were assessed by the means of rapid in vitro spectrophotometric assays; [...] Read more.
The present work was designed to investigate the effects of different extraction processes, namely ultrasonic-assisted, supercritical fluid, microwave-assisted and Soxhlet applied to carob pods. The total phenolic quantification and the antioxidant activity were assessed by the means of rapid in vitro spectrophotometric assays; the phenolic profile was identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity varied significantly with the nature of the extraction process. The content of total phenolic compounds ranged from 11.55 to 34.38 mg GAE/g DW; the content of total flavonoids varied from 3.50 to 10.53 mg QE/g DW, and the content of condensed tannins fluctuated from 3.30 to 6.55 mg CE/ g DW. All extracts performed differently on antioxidant activity when determined by the DPPH assay producing a dose-dependent response, with IC50 extended from 11.33 to 6.07 µg/mL. HPLC analysis enabled the identification of nine compounds. As a function of the studied extraction methods, the phenolic compound contents were positively correlated with antioxidant activity. Full article
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16 pages, 2382 KiB  
Article
Isolation, Characterization and Pharmacological Investigations of a New Phenolic Compound along with Four Others Firstly Reported Phytochemicals from Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng
by Sania Ashrafi, Safaet Alam, Nazim Uddin Emon and Monira Ahsan
Molecules 2022, 27(18), 5972; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27185972 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2421
Abstract
Plants are serving the mankind with important bioactive phytochemicals from the very ancient ages to develop novel therapeutics against different disease states. Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng is a plant from the Rutaceae family and a very less explored species from the Glycosmis genus. [...] Read more.
Plants are serving the mankind with important bioactive phytochemicals from the very ancient ages to develop novel therapeutics against different disease states. Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng is a plant from the Rutaceae family and a very less explored species from the Glycosmis genus. Thus, this present study was intended to present the chemical and biological investigation of Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng. The chemical investigation resulted in the isolation of one new phenolic compound to the best of our knowledge which is (4-(3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-2-methoxyphenol) (1) along with four known compounds that are isolated for the first time from this species- 3-methyl-1H-indole (2), Tri-transpoly-cis prenol-12 (3), Stigmasterol (4) and β-sitosterol (5). Their chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, and comparison with the available literature data. Isolated phytochemicals were further investigated to unveil their antioxidant properties with IC50 values (ranged from 9.97–75.48 µg/mL), cytotoxicity with LC50 values (ranged from 1.02–1.92 µg/mL), and antibacterial properties against some selected Gram (+) ve and Gram (−) ve bacteria. Among the compounds, 3-methyl-1H-indole (2) was found to be the most active against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the phenolic compound (1) and the alkaloid (2) revealed the highest antioxidant (9.97 µg/mL) and cytotoxic activities (1.02 µg/mL), respectively. Thus, the isolation of these bioactive phytochemicals from the plant revealed a new perception in the study arena of drug discovery and the findings may ease the development and discovery of novel therapeutics. Further investigations are still recommended to understand their exact molecular mechanism and toxicological impact. Full article
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18 pages, 1591 KiB  
Article
Compositions and Biological Activities of Pomegranate Peel Polyphenols Extracted by Different Solvents
by Yanlin Feng, Jiali Lin, Gang He, Li Liang, Qijun Liu, Jun Yan and Qian Yao
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4796; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154796 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2399
Abstract
Pomegranate peel extract (PPE), which is abundant in polyphenols, holds immerse prospects for the treatment of airway infection. In this study, water and ethanol of 30%, 50%, and 80% were used to prepare PPE. A total of 18 phenols belonging to 8 categories [...] Read more.
Pomegranate peel extract (PPE), which is abundant in polyphenols, holds immerse prospects for the treatment of airway infection. In this study, water and ethanol of 30%, 50%, and 80% were used to prepare PPE. A total of 18 phenols belonging to 8 categories of polyphenols were identified in PPE by HPLC-MS/MS. The PPE from the four extraction solvents possessed different antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Principal component analysis revealed that though total flavonoids (TFs), total polyphenols (TPs), and total tannins (TTs) were responsible for the reducing power of PPE, only TFs contributed to the effect of PPE in inhibiting lipid membrane peroxidation. TPs, TTs, and punicalagin were positively correlated with the antibacterial strength against S. aureus while TTs alone contributed to the inhibition of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, implying the crucial role of TT in suppressing bacteria. Meanwhile, TTs was associated with the prevention of IL-6 release. The PPE with higher contents of TPs, TTs, and punicalagin had a weaker capacity to decrease nitric oxide secretion. PPE of 30% ethanol gained the highest integrated score due to its stronger antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. It is a suitable candidate for the therapy of respiratory tract infection. Full article
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Review

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29 pages, 2429 KiB  
Review
Mediterranean Food Industry By-Products as a Novel Source of Phytochemicals with a Promising Role in Cancer Prevention
by Andrea Agaj, Željka Peršurić and Sandra Kraljević Pavelić
Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8655; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248655 - 7 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3116
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet is recognized as a sustainable dietary approach with beneficial health effects. This is highly relevant, although the production of typical Mediterranean food, i.e., olive oil or wine, processed tomatoes and pomegranate products, generates significant amounts of waste. Ideally, this waste [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean diet is recognized as a sustainable dietary approach with beneficial health effects. This is highly relevant, although the production of typical Mediterranean food, i.e., olive oil or wine, processed tomatoes and pomegranate products, generates significant amounts of waste. Ideally, this waste should be disposed in an appropriate, eco-friendly way. A number of scientific papers were published recently showing that these by-products can be exploited as a valuable source of biologically active components with health benefits, including anticancer effects. In this review, accordingly, we elaborate on such phytochemicals recovered from the food waste generated during the processing of vegetables and fruits, typical of the Mediterranean diet, with a focus on substances with anticancer activity. The molecular mechanisms of these phytochemicals, which might be included in supporting treatment and prevention of various types of cancer, are presented. The use of bioactive components from food waste may improve the economic feasibility and sustainability of the food processing industry in the Mediterranean region and can provide a new strategy to approach prevention of cancer. Full article
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14 pages, 864 KiB  
Review
Dietary Polyphenols as Prospective Natural-Compound Depression Treatment from the Perspective of Intestinal Microbiota Regulation
by Xuanpeng Wang, Jing Yu and Xin Zhang
Molecules 2022, 27(21), 7637; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217637 - 7 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2708
Abstract
The broad beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols on human health have been confirmed. Current studies have shown that dietary polyphenols are important for maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment. Moreover, the corresponding metabolites of dietary polyphenols can effectively regulate intestinal micro-ecology and [...] Read more.
The broad beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols on human health have been confirmed. Current studies have shown that dietary polyphenols are important for maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment. Moreover, the corresponding metabolites of dietary polyphenols can effectively regulate intestinal micro-ecology and promote human health. Although the pathogenesis of depression has not been fully studied, it has been demonstrated that dysfunction of the microbiota-gut-brain axis may be its main pathological basis. This review discusses the interaction between dietary polyphenols and intestinal microbiota to allow us to better assess the potential preventive effects of dietary polyphenols on depression by modulating the host gut microbiota. Full article
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