Search Results (11)

Although they have been extensively studied in many species of the genus Rosa L., garden roses’ hips have largely been overlooked. To investigate their potential use in the food industry, this study evaluated five cultivars from ‘Aurora’ collection: ‘Purple Aurora’, ‘Berry Bush Aurora’, ‘Aromatic Aurora’, ‘Butterfly Aurora’, and ‘Rugose White Aurora’. Morphological characterization, along with the assessment of the phenolic profile, vitamin C levels, and biological activities—including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects—was conducted. The fruit mass reached 5.15 g, while the mesocarp mass ranged from 3 to 4 g, resulting in a mesocarp-to-fruit ratio of over 75%. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.1 to 63.9 mg GAE/g de, while total flavonoids were present in amounts from 0.85 to 2.14 mg QE/g de. Rosehip extracts from four out of five cultivars exhibited a very high vitamin C content, reaching 2384 µg/g fw. Quinic acid and 31 phenolic compounds were found in the rosehip extract of at least one cultivar. Results indicated ‘Aurora’ rosehips have potent antioxidant properties and a moderate inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, highlighting their potential as a source of functional food. Additional research is needed to fully leverage these benefits and establish garden rosehips as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Full article

Fruit juice production is one of the most important branches of the food and beverage industry, considering both the market size and demand. It is also one of the largest generators of industrial wastewater, considering the large consumption of fresh water during fruit processing. Hence, the appropriate treatment strategies are of the utmost importance to minimize the environmental footprint of food industry effluents. This study aimed to investigate the valorization routes for strawberry juice production wastewater (SJPW), both in terms of nutrient recovery and a circular approach to its utilization as a medium for plant biostimulant production. The results show a low antioxidant capacity and low content of polyphenols in SJPW; however, promising results were obtained for the in vitro seed germination and tomato growth promotion when investigating a biostimulant based on Bacillus sp. BioSol021, which was cultivated using SJPW in a lab-scale bioreactor, with root and shoot length improvements of approximately 30% and 25%, respectively, compared to the control samples. The plant growth promotion (PGP) traits indicated the ability of IAA production, in a concentration of 8.55 ± 0.05 mg/L, and the enzymatic activity was evaluated as through the enzymatic activity index (EAI), achieving the following: 2.26 ± 0.04 for cellulolytic activity, 2.49 ± 0.08 for hemicellulolytic activity, 2.91 ± 0.16 for pectinolytic activity, and 1.05 ± 0.00 for proteolytic activity. This study opens a new chapter of possibilities for the development of techno-economically viable circular bioprocess solutions aimed at obtaining value-added microbial products for sustainable agriculture based on the valorization of food industry effluents thus contributing to more sustainable food production at both the agricultural and industrial levels. Full article

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered type of programmed cell death that is mechanistically different from other types of programmed cell death such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy. It is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular iron, overproduction of reactive oxygen species, depletion of glutathione, and extensive lipid peroxidation of lipids in the cell membrane. It was discovered that ferroptosis is interconnected with many diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia/reperfusion injury, cancer, and chronic kidney disease. Polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites known for many bioactivities, are being extensively researched in the context of their influence on ferroptosis which resulted in a great number of publications showing the need for a systematic review. In this review, an extensive literature search was performed. Databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer) were searched in the time span from 2017 to November 2023, using the keyword “ferroptosis” alone and in combination with “flavonoid”, “phenolic acid”, “stilbene”, “coumarin”, “anthraquinone”, and “chalcone”; after the selection of studies, we had 311 papers and 143 phenolic compounds. In total, 53 compounds showed the ability to induce ferroptosis, and 110 compounds were able to inhibit ferroptosis, and out of those compounds, 20 showed both abilities depending on the model system. The most researched compounds are shikonin, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, and baicalin. The most common modes of action are in the modulation of the Nrf2/GPX4 and Nrf2/HO-1 axis and the modulation of iron metabolism. Full article

Garden roses, known as Rosa × hybrida, hold a prominent position as one of the most important and economically valuable plants in horticulture. Additionally, their products—essential oil, rose water, concrete, and concentrate—find extensive use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, due to their specific fragrances and potential health benefits. Rose flowers are rich in biologically active compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. This study aims to investigate the potential of five new garden rose genotypes with intensely colored flowers to serve as sources of biologically active compounds. Phenolic profile was evaluated by determination of total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and monomeric anthocyanins (TAC) contents and LC-MS/MS analysis of selected compounds. Antioxidant activity was evaluated via DPPH and FRAP assays, neuroprotective potential via acethylcholinesterase inhibition assay, and antidiabetic activity viaα-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The flowers of investigated genotypes were rich in phenolics (TPC varied from 148 to 260 mg galic acid eq/g de, TFC from 19.9 to 59.7 mg quercetin eq/g de, and TAC from 2.21 to 13.1 mg cyanidin 3-O-glucoside eq/g de). Four out of five genotypes had higher TPC than extract of R. damascene, the most famous rose cultivar. The dominant flavonoids in all investigated genotypes were glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol. The extracts showed high antioxidant activity comparable to synthetic antioxidant BHT, very high α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, moderate neuroprotective activity, and low potential to inhibit α-amylase. Full article

Rosehips are processed and consumed in numerous forms, such as juice, wine, herbal tea, yogurt, preserved fruit, and canned products. The seeds share in fruit is 30–35% and they have recently been recognized as an important source of oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids. However, after defatting, seed waste may still contain some polar polyphenolic compounds, which have been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of the defatted seed waste as a source of polyphenols. For the defatting process, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction at 300 bar and 40 °C was applied. The capacity of eight different natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the recovery of phenolics from defatted rosehip seed powder (dRSP) was examined. In the extracts obtained with ultrasound-assisted NADES extraction, twenty-one phenolic compounds were identified with LC-MS/MS, among which the most abundant were quinic acid (22.43 × 10³ µg/g dRSP) and catechin (571.93 µg/g dRSP). Ternary NADES formulations based on lactic acid proved to be superior. Potential correlations between identified chemical compounds, solvent polarity and viscosity, as well as the compound distributions across studied solvent combinations in PCA hyperspace, were also investigated. PCA demonstrated that more polar NADES mixtures showed improved extraction potential. The established environmentally friendly process represents an approach of transforming rosehip seed waste into value-added products with the potential to be applied in the food industry and to contribute to sustainable production. Full article

Modern roses (Rosa × hybrida) are among the most important and economically profitable horticultural plants. Besides their beauty and remarkable fragrance, they are also rich sources of biologically active compounds with potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to valorize the prospective of six new genotypes of edible roses to be utilized as functional foods. Rose flowers were subjected to detailed characterization of morphological traits, fragrance analysis, GC-MS analysis of aroma carriers, determination of phenolic profile and vitamin C content, and evaluation of biological activities. The results showed that all the investigated cultivars have a favorable aroma for human consumption (pear-like, strawberry-like or fruity), high contents of phenolics and vitamin C, strong antioxidant content and moderate neuroprotective activity. They are characterized by large amounts of quercetin 3-O-glycosydes and quinic acid. The genotype ‘Marija Frayla’ stands out from others due to facilitated flower morphology, the highest level of total phenolics (217 mg of galic acid equivalents/g of dry extract) and the strongest antioxidant activity (in the DPPH assay, IC₅₀ = 9.24 µg/mL; and antioxidant potential in the FRAP assay was 220 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), thus represents the most valuable amendment to the development of novel functional food products. The ‘Eveline Wild’ genotype has the highest neuroprotective activity (68.5 ng of eserine equivalents/g of dry extract), thus might be applied in the prevention of dementia. The ‘Pear’ cultivar with the lowest phenolics content and biological activity has a mild, fruity aroma, thus can be used in everyday eating. Full article

The development of anthelmintic resistance in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) requires novel strategies for the sustainable control of these parasites. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the Origanum vulgare (L.) essential oil (EO) against sheep GINs and to evaluate the possibility of its use in control practice. The in vitro egg hatch test was conducted at eight different concentrations (50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.195, 0.049, 0.025, and 0.0125 mg/mL) of the tested EO. For the in vivo fecal egg count reduction test, the EO of O. vulgare was administrated orally at a mean single dose of 150 mg/kg to sheep from two farms in Southern Italy, whereby potential toxic effects to the hosts were also evaluated. In the egg hatch test, the inhibition of egg hatchability varied from 71.3% to 93.7%, depending on the concentration used. The high anthelmintic potential was confirmed in the fecal egg count reduction test with an average reduction of nematode eggs in feces of 43.2% and 60.1% on days 7 and 14 after treatment, respectively. In addition, no toxic effects were noticed during the clinical examination of sheep or by observing blood count and liver or kidney function test results. The obtained results suggest the strong activity of the O. vulgare EO against sheep GINs, probably due to a high percentage of carvacrol (76.21%), whereby it can be considered safe for sheep at the dose tested in vivo. Therefore, it is suitable for use in veterinary practice as a part of an integrated strategy for the control of sheep GINs. Full article

Herbal products such as essential oils may play a promising role in the treatment of infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro potential of 11 essential oils (EOs) and one binary combination of isolated EO compounds, as well as the in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of two EO formulations. Four GIN genera were identified in the coproculture examination: Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia and Chabertia. The in vitro egg hatch test (EHT) was performed at six different concentrations (50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.195 and 0.049 mg/mL) for each EO, whereas in the in vivo faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), each EO sample was diluted in sunflower oil and orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg/kg to the different group of animals. In the EHT, the EOs of Origanum vulgare, Foeniculum vulgare, Satureja montana, Satureja hortensis and two types of Thymus vulgaris were the most effective. The dominant compounds of these EOs were carvacrol, thymol, anethol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene, indicating their importance for the anthelmintic activity. In the FECRT, both T. vulgaris EO type 1 and linalool:estragole combination show an anthelmintic potential with a mean effect on FECR of approximately 25%. The results suggest the possible role of tested EOs as anthelmintic agents in sheep farms, although further in vivo tests are needed. Full article

Polyphenols, a diverse group of naturally occurring molecules commonly found in higher plants, have been heavily investigated over the last two decades due to their potent biological activities—among which the most important are their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. A common route of polyphenol intake in humans is through the diet. Since they are subjected to excessive metabolism in vivo it has been questioned whether their much-proven in vitro bioactivity could be translated to in vivo systems. Ferroptosis is a newly introduced, iron-dependent, regulated mode of oxidative cell death, characterized by increased lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of toxic lipid peroxides, which are considered to be toxic reactive oxygen species. There is a growing body of evidence that ferroptosis is involved in the development of almost all chronic diseases. Thus, ferroptosis is considered a new therapeutic target for offsetting many diseases, and researchers are putting great expectations on this field of research and medicine. The aim of this review is to critically analyse the potential of polyphenols to modulate ferroptosis and whether they can be considered promising compounds for the alleviation of chronic conditions. Full article

A new titanium/molybdenum/mixed-oxides (TMO) contact-type heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by a simple, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly mixing-calcination solid-state method. A microstructural investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showsirregularly shaped agglomerated morphology of TMO that consists of firmly connected globular TiO₂ and rod-like MoO₃ particles. The detailed structure and optical bandgap investigation by X-ray diffraction, Raman, and UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the TMO’s composition of ~37 wt.% rutile TiO₂, ~25 wt.% of anatase TiO₂, and ~38 wt.% of molybdite MoO₃ phase and an absorption threshold of around 380 nm, which implies more probability of desirable higher visible light absorption. The removal efficiency of pesticides quinmerac (QUI) and tembotrione (TEM), and pharmaceuticals metoprolol (MET), amitriptyline (AMI), ciprofloxacin (CIP),and ceftriaxone (CEF) from water in the presence of starting pure TiO₂, MoO₃, and prepared TMO were investigated under different pH values and UV irradiation/simulated sunlight (SS). Each starting metal-oxide precursors and prepared TMO showed a different affinity for adsorption of tested pesticides and pharmaceuticals, and, in general, better photocatalytic degradation efficiency under UV irradiation than under simulated sunlight. The highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency under UV irradiation was 81.6% for TEM using TMO; using TiO₂ was 65.0% for AMI, and using MoO₃ was 79.3% for CEF after 135 min. However, TMO showed a very high synergic adsorption/photocatalytic under-SS efficiency in the removal of CIP of almost 80% and under UV irradiation of 90% CIP removal after 75 min. The toxicity of catalysts, starting compounds, and their intermediates formed during the removal process was assessed using a rat hepatoma cell line (H-4-II-E). The highest hepatotoxic effects were obtained by using UV irradiated QUI and MET suspension with TMO for up to 60 min. Full article

Celery (Appium graveolens L.) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss) are herbs utilized in the everyday diet as spices and culinary flavorings, often used in the chemical and medicinal industries. Despite the knowing benefits of different plants from the Apiaceae family, their chemical composition is closely associated with various extrinsic factors. Environmental loading with trace elements (TEs) can modify a plant’s metabolic pathways, change bioactive compounds production, cause plant pollution, and consequently provoke human health issues. Therefore, we established this research aiming to unravel the linkage between TEs accumulation and phenolic status in celery and parsley. Higher As, Cd, and Ni levels were observed in celery, which was followed by greater DPPH^∙ radical scavenging activity and higher coumarins content. Contrary, parsley accumulated chromium to a greater extent, was richer in flavonoids, apigenin, and its glucosides. No significant difference between species was found in total phenolic contents, where ferulic and chlorogenic acid dominated in both species. A direct relationship between TEs and selected secondary metabolites was proven by the standardized major axis model. Besides abundant bioactive compounds, analyzed plant species showed a moderate hazard index in the children population, since the hazard index was higher than 1. Therefore, future perspectives should be turned towards the production of genotypes with a lower potential for toxic elements accumulation, so the health benefits of plant food will be more prominent. Full article