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Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of...
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Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of a Rainbow for Human Health

A special issue of Nutraceuticals (ISSN 1661-3821).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 15063

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mario Allegra

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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Interests: eryptosis; antioxidants; oxidative stress; signaling patterns; inflammation; brain metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandro Attanzio

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Guest Editor
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Interests: biochemistry and methodologies; Sicilian foods; bioactive compounds; phytochemicals; bioactivity; cell cultures; chemoprevention; oxidative stress; apoptosis; eryptosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pigments, such as the phytochemicals contained in the flowers, fruits, leaves and roots of edible vegetables, can exert powerful biological effects and have a deep, positive impact on human health. Moreover, they can be added to functional foods or beverages as a valid alternative to the use of synthetic dyes and to increase the acceptability and health benefits of these products. Furthermore, the interaction between pigments and other phytochemicals from vegetable extracts is a still unexplored field of research.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect research papers and reviews on the role of functional pigments. The following specific aspects will be considered:

  • Chemical characterization of the prevailing pigments (including anthocyanins, carotenoids, betalains, chlorophylls, etc.) and biochemical investigation of their health-promoting effects in vitro and/or in vivo;
  • Evaluation of the nutraceutical and biological activities of pigments extracted from functional foods alone and in combination, in vitro and/or in vivo;
  • Investigation of the health effects of plant extracts and/or food products supplemented with functional pigments in vitro and/or in vivo;
  • Evaluation of the structural modifications to improve the bioavailability of pigments and their therapeutical use;
  • Assessment of innovative "green" techniques for the recovery of bioactive pigments from waste material and/or agro-food industries.

Prof. Dr. Mario Allegra
Dr. Alessandro Attanzio
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. Nutraceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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.

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2567 KiB  
Article
Lemna as a Sustainable, Highly Nutritious Crop: Nutrient Production in Different Light Environments
by Stephanie K. Polutchko, Jared J. Stewart, Maureen McNamara, Naiara Doherty Garcia, Marina López-Pozo, William W. Adams III and Barbara Demmig-Adams
Nutraceuticals 2022, 2(4), 350-364; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals2040027 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3271
Abstract
Development of a nutritious, sustainable food source is essential to address worldwide deficiencies in human micronutrients. Aquatic floating plants (e.g., species in the family Lemnaceae, duckweeds) are uniquely suited for area-efficient productivity with exceptionally high rates of growth and nutritional quality. Here, we [...] Read more.
Development of a nutritious, sustainable food source is essential to address worldwide deficiencies in human micronutrients. Aquatic floating plants (e.g., species in the family Lemnaceae, duckweeds) are uniquely suited for area-efficient productivity with exceptionally high rates of growth and nutritional quality. Here, we provide an overview of the role of dietary micronutrients (with a focus on carotenoids) in human health and the promise of Lemnaceae as sustainable crops. We examine the effect of growth light environment on plant biomass production and levels of the carotenoids zeaxanthin, lutein, and pro-vitamin A (β-carotene), as well as the antioxidant vitamin E (α-tocopherol), and protein. Data on each of these nutrients are reported on a plant dry biomass basis (as relevant for nutrition) as well as relative to the required input of light energy (as relevant to resource-use efficiency). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of a Rainbow for Human Health)
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12 pages, 1519 KiB  
Article
Ormona® SI and Ormona® RC—New Nutraceuticals with Geranylgeraniol, Tocotrienols, Anthocyanins, and Isoflavones—Decrease High-Fat Diet-Induced Dyslipidemia in Wistar Rats
by Ana Paula Santos Rodrigues, Raimundo da Silva Barbosa, Arlindo César Matias Pereira, Mateus Alves Batista, Priscila Faimann Sales, Adriana Maciel Ferreira, Nayara Nilcia Dias Colares, Heitor Ribeiro da Silva, Marcelo Oliveira dos Santos Soares, Lorane Izabel da Silva Hage-Melim and José Carlos Tavares Carvalho
Nutraceuticals 2022, 2(4), 311-322; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals2040024 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3414
Abstract
Dyslipidemia is a metabolic condition linked to increased morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two new nutraceuticals derived from annatto (Bixa orellana), açaí (Euterpe oleracea), and soybean germ or red clover isoflavones (Trifolium pratense) [...] Read more.
Dyslipidemia is a metabolic condition linked to increased morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two new nutraceuticals derived from annatto (Bixa orellana), açaí (Euterpe oleracea), and soybean germ or red clover isoflavones (Trifolium pratense) against high-fat-induced dyslipidemia in female Wistar rats. The formulations were assessed through GC-MS and HPLC-UV/Vis. Next, female Wistar rats received daily administrations of coconut oil and were treated with Ormona® SI (OSI), Ormona® RC (ORC), soybean germ (SG), simvastatin (simv.), simvastatin + Ormona® SI (simv. + OSI), or only distilled water (control). Biochemical tests were performed using the animals’ blood, and their arteries were screened for atheroma formation. The results show abnormal TC, TG, LDL, and HDL levels caused by the high-fat diet, increased glucose levels, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and atherogenesis. The nutraceuticals significantly ameliorated all conditions, with results that are similar to the group treated with simvastatin. Notably, the groups treated with either Ormona® or simvastatin + Ormona® had better liver protection than those treated only with SG or simvastatin; additionally, the nutraceuticals could prevent atherogenesis, unlike SG. The results indicate a high efficacy of the nutraceuticals in preventing dyslipidemia and its complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of a Rainbow for Human Health)
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Review

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30 pages, 2029 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Carotenoids’ Efficacy by Using Chitosan-Based Delivery Systems
by Alessandra Verardi, Paola Sangiorgio, Catia Giovanna Lopresto, Patrizia Casella and Simona Errico
Nutraceuticals 2023, 3(3), 451-480; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals3030033 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2581
Abstract
Carotenoids represent a large group of well-known substances, mainly due to their nature as pigments and their beneficial effects on human health. These compounds are found naturally in microorganisms and plants but are not produced by humans, who must consume them through their [...] Read more.
Carotenoids represent a large group of well-known substances, mainly due to their nature as pigments and their beneficial effects on human health. These compounds are found naturally in microorganisms and plants but are not produced by humans, who must consume them through their diet. However, the mere intake of foods containing even large quantities of carotenoids is insufficient to guarantee their optimum absorption and, therefore, the desired beneficial effects. Due to their physicochemical characteristics, carotenoids are poorly stable and mostly insoluble in polar solvents like water. The conservation and improvement of their properties have become crucial objectives for the nutraceutical and functional food sector. Increasingly innovative delivery systems are being tested and developed. In this context, chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, available in the exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects and the cell wall of some fungi and marine microalgae, has proved to be highly advantageous. In this review, we summarize the main characteristics of carotenoids, their benefits on human health, and their bioaccessibility and bioavailability for humans. We analyze the most recent carotenoid delivery systems, focusing on the potential of chitosan in preserving and enhancing the beneficial effects of these valuable pigments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of a Rainbow for Human Health)
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19 pages, 1518 KiB  
Review
Waste from Food and Agro-Food Industries as Pigment Sources: Recovery Techniques, Stability and Food Applications
by Daniele Sanna and Angela Fadda
Nutraceuticals 2022, 2(4), 365-383; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals2040028 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4049
Abstract
This review discusses the innovative recovery techniques, the stability and the potential applications of pigments attainable from food waste and agro-food industries. It also discusses the effects of the extraction method on the chemical characteristics of the extracted pigments. The main pigment classes, [...] Read more.
This review discusses the innovative recovery techniques, the stability and the potential applications of pigments attainable from food waste and agro-food industries. It also discusses the effects of the extraction method on the chemical characteristics of the extracted pigments. The main pigment classes, namely anthocyanins, betalains, carotenoids and chlorophylls, are described with a focus on their beneficial health effects, antioxidant properties and chemical stability. The potential applications as food additives are also discussed, taking into account the legislative aspects of their usage, the stability in food matrices and the improvements of food nutritional and organoleptic quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pigments in Food: Chemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutical Potential of a Rainbow for Human Health)
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