Search Results (374)

Blackcurrant is a notable superfruit in Europe, and its vitamin C content surpasses the well-known blueberry superfruit. However, due to its short shelf life during storage, consumption is mainly accounted by frozen berries, extracts, and concentrates. This study applied an intensity of 1.2 W/m² UVC with different durations, including control (non-treated), UVC irradiation for 0.5 h (0.5 h treatment), UVC irradiation for 1 h (1 h treatment), and UVC pretreatment for 2 h (2 h treatment) to blackcurrant berries before storage. Fundamental physical (firmness and weight loss) and physicochemical characteristics (SSC, pH, and acids), microbial population changes, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and specific phenolic compound changes were evaluated every five days over a twenty-day storage period. The results indicated that the longer the UVC pretreatment, the lower the water weight losses during storage. Meanwhile, the UVC pretreatment significantly affected the blackcurrant soluble solid content, resulting in higher soluble solid contents detected in the blackcurrants with the higher doses of UVC. For the mold population control, UVC effects were highly correlated with the pretreatment duration. However, UVC did not have a significant influence on the berry pH and acid contents, but the storage length slightly increased the pH and decreased the acids. At the same time, UVC pretreatment did not affect the berry firmness, polyphenols, ascorbic acid content, or antioxidant capacities, which were primarily influenced by the storage duration. The monophenolic compounds detected before and after storage indicated that more than one hour of UVC radiation influenced most of the phenolic contents largely before storage. The UVC pretreatment has also influenced some phenolic compounds. After storage, half an hour of UVC pretreatment increased cyanidin levels, and two hours of UVC pretreatment increased catechin and epicatechin levels. However, most of the compounds remained at similar amounts during storage in each treatment. Further research is needed to improve the UVC radiation time length or intensity or explore other technology combinations to optimize UVC pretreatments for blackcurrant storage. Full article

Tissue engineering enables autologous reconstruction of human tissues, addressing limitations in tissue availability and immune compatibility. Several tissue engineering techniques, such as self-assembly, rely on or benefit from extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion by fibroblasts to produce biomimetic scaffolds. Models have been developed for use in humans, such as skin and corneas. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, AA) is essential for collagen biosynthesis. However, AA is chemically unstable in culture, with a half-life of 24 h, requiring freshly prepared AA with each change of medium. This study aims to demonstrate the functional equivalence of 2-phospho-L-ascorbate (2PAA), a stable form of AA, for tissue reconstruction. Dermal, vaginal, and bladder stroma were reconstructed by self-assembly using tissue-specific protocols. The tissues were cultured in a medium supplemented with either freshly prepared or frozen AA, or with 2PAA. Biochemical analyses were performed on the tissues to evaluate cell density and tissue composition, including collagen secretion and deposition. Histology and quantitative polarized light microscopy were used to evaluate tissue architecture, and mechanical evaluation was performed both by tensiometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to evaluate its macroscopic and cell-scale mechanical properties. The tissues produced by the three ascorbate conditions had similar collagen deposition, architecture, and mechanical properties in each organ-specific stroma. Mechanical characterization revealed tissue-specific differences, with tensile modulus values ranging from 1–5 MPa and AFM-derived apparent stiffness in the 1–2 kPa range, reflecting the nonlinear and scale-dependent behavior of the engineered stroma. The results demonstrate the possibility of substituting AA with 2PAA for tissue engineering. This protocol could significantly reduce the costs associated with tissue production by reducing preparation time and use of materials. This is a crucial factor for any scale-up activity. Full article

Broccoli stalks are considered an agro-industrial by-product that, in the context of fresh consumption, is undervalued, as only broccoli florets are typically marketed. This study evaluated the up-cycling of broccoli stalks into a value-added fresh-cut product through postharvest preservation strategies. Stalks were peeled, cut into sticks (8 × 8 mm × 50–100 mm), sanitised, packaged under modified atmosphere conditions, and stored at 5 °C. Treatments included (a) calcium ascorbate (CaAsc, 1% w/v), (b) trehalose (TREH, 5% w/v), (c) hot water treatment (HWT, 55 °C, 1 min), and several combinations of them. HWT alone was highly effective in reducing browning, a key factor for achieving an extended shelf-life, controlling microbial growth and respiration, and obtaining the highest sensory scores (appearance = 7.3 on day 11). However, it was less effective in preserving bioactive compounds. The HWT + CaAsc treatment proved to be the most effective at optimising quality and retaining health-promoting compounds. It increased vitamin C retention by 78%, antioxidant capacity by 68%, and total phenolic content by 65% compared to the control on day 11. This synergistic effect was attributed to the antioxidant action of ascorbic acid in CaAsc. TREH alone showed no preservative effect, inducing browning, elevated respiration, and microbial proliferation. Overall, combining mild thermal and antioxidant treatments offers a promising strategy to valorise broccoli stalks as fresh-cut snacks. An 11-day shelf-life at 5 °C was achieved, with increased content of health-promoting bioactive compounds, while supporting circular economy principles and contributing to food loss mitigation. Full article

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid (AA), functions as a pro-oxidant in cancer at high doses and exerts anticancer effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and selectively inducing damage to cancer cells. However, AA at low doses promotes cancer cell proliferation. The efficacy of high-dose AA therapy is frequently restricted by inadequate intracellular AA uptake, resulting from low expression of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2). In this study, we investigated whether valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, could circumvent this constraint by increasing the expression of SVCT2 in colorectal cancer cells, including HCT-116 and DLD-1 with low SVCT2 levels. We found that VPA increased SVCT2 expression in both cell lines. Co-treatment with AA and VPA increased the number of apoptotic cells and enhanced intracellular AA uptake via VPA-upregulated SVCT2, followed by increased ROS production in both cell lines. Furthermore, the combination increased the synergistic anticancer effects and suppressed the hormetic dose response of AA in both cell lines. In a xenograft mouse model, co-treatment decreased tumor size and increased the tumor growth inhibition ratio compared to treatment with AA or VPA alone. Accordingly, VPA treatment enhanced SVCT2 expression in colorectal cancer cells, suppressed the hormetic dose-response effect of AA, and improved the potential of high-dose AA therapy as an anticancer agent. Full article

Epigenetic modifications act as crucial regulators of gene activity and are influenced by both internal and external environmental factors, with diet being the most impactful external factor. On the other hand, cellular metabolism encompasses a complex network of biochemical reactions essential for maintaining cellular function, and it impacts every cellular process. Many metabolic cofactors are critical for the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes, influencing methylation and the global acetylation status of the epigenome. For instance, dietary nutrients, particularly those involved in one-carbon metabolism (e.g., folate, vitamins B12 and B6, riboflavin, methionine, choline, and betaine), take part in the generation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which represents the main methyl donor for DNA and histone methylation; α-ketoglutarate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) act, respectively, as a co-substrate and cofactor for Ten-eleven Translocation (TET), which is responsible for DNA demethylation; and metabolites such as Acetyl-CoA directly impact histone acetylation, linking metabolism of the TCA cycle to epigenetic regulation. Further, bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, modulate epigenetic patterns by affecting methylation processes or targeting epigenetic enzymes. Since diet and nutrition play a critical role in shaping epigenome functions and supporting human health, this review offers a comprehensive update on recent advancements in metabolism, epigenetics, and nutrition, providing insights into how nutrients contribute to metabolic balance, epigenome integrity maintenance and, consequently, disease prevention. Full article

Due to the roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalances in cognitive and mental dysfunction, we aimed to develop a functional drink with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as the potential to support neurotransmitter balance for improved cognition and mental health. The Teng Mo, Fen Hong Mee, and Hong Chon Su guava varieties were screened for their polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and suppressive effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), GABA transaminase (GABA-T), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). Juice from the cultivar with the highest potential was selected and mixed with mint and honey syrups, pomelo-derived dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, agar, water, and fruit puree (pear/apple/orange) to create three guava jelly drink formulations. The formulation with pear puree showed the highest biological potential and was selected as the final product. It is rich in vitamin C, gallic acid, and dietary fiber, and provides approximately 37 Kcal/100 g. It also promotes the growth of lactic acid-producing bacteria in the culture. Thus, our drink shows the potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, improve neurotransmitter regulation, and stimulate the gut–brain axis, thereby promoting cognition and mental wellness. However, clinical research is essential to confirm these potential benefits. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to cerebral damage in transient cerebral ischemia, making their elimination a key therapeutic target. Osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats, which lack endogenous L-ascorbic acid (AA) synthesis, serve as a useful model for investigating AA’s protective effects against ischemic brain injury. ODS rats were given an AA-free diet (0% AA), 0.1% AA, or 1% AA in drinking water for two weeks before undergoing middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/Re). The 0% AA group exhibited pronounced damage following MCAO/Re, characterized by the induction of lipid peroxidation, O₂⁻ production, inflammation-related gene expression, and extensive infarct formation. In contrast, the 1% AA group showed reductions in these markers, along with fewer TUNEL-positive cells and a smaller infarct volume. Notably, sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2) expression increased in both two AA-supplemented groups, although the 0.1% AA group did not exhibit sufficient improvement in post-ischemic damage. A two-week intake of AA significantly alleviated MCAO/Re-mediated injuries associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in ODS rats. Sufficient AA intake is thus supposed to mitigate ischemic damage, possibly through SVCT2 upregulation and enhanced AA availability, leading to the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Full article

This study investigates the effects of electric field pretreatment parameters such as electric field strength (0.1–0.2 kV/cm), waveform (sinusoidal vs. square), and application mode (continuous vs. pulsed) on the quality attributes of dried Fuji apple slices, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C) retention, β-carotene content, and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation. Electric-field-treated samples were compared to untreated controls after convective drying at 75 °C. Results revealed that vitamin C was significantly influenced by waveform, with sinusoidal waves preserving about 27% more vitamin C than square waves, likely due to reduced oxidative degradation from gentler electroporation. Conversely, square waves caused the highest β-carotene losses (25% vs. control), attributed to prolonged peak voltage destabilizing carotenoids. HMF formation was reduced by 10–23% in electric-field-treated samples compared to controls, linked to accelerated drying rates limiting Maillard reaction time. Low electric field strengths (0.1–0.15 kV/cm) enhanced antioxidant activity; however, higher intensities showed a potential decline. The square waveform had a more detrimental effect on phenolic compounds than the sinusoidal waveform. These findings suggest that low electric field pretreatment, particularly with sinusoidal waveforms at 0.2 kV/cm, enhances drying efficiency while balancing nutrient retention and HMF mitigation, offering a promising strategy for producing high-quality dried fruits. Full article

Alternative plant protection methods should be promoted to mitigate the dangers and consequences of using chemical pesticides, ensuring a safe environment and protecting human health (Directive 2009/128/EC). One of the objectives of the EU organic production action plan is to provide substitutes for plant protection methods, decrease the adverse effects on the environment, and promote the diversity of living organisms. The use of synthetic and non-organic chemicals has significantly expanded, damaging human health and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate alternative plant protection solutions for the improvement of the strawberry cv. Elsanta plant’s generative development, yield, fruit quality, and biochemical composition. The two-year strawberry experiment conducted in a tunnel greenhouse included chemical and biological means (Bacteria and Thyme preparations). The experiment randomised a block design with four replicates and 32 plants per replicate. The treatments were conducted at the 10% flowering state (BBCH 61–65), every 7–10 days (a total of four times): (1) Control, (2) Chemical, (3) Bacteria, and (4) Thyme. We evaluated the yield, fruit weight, size, number of leaves, crowns, flowers, inflorescences, fruit firmness, soluble solids, and Vitamin C. The highest fruit weight at the first picking was in the Bacteria treatment. The number of rotten fruits was similar after all treatments. Additionally, they were firmer and bigger in size but had a smaller soluble solids content. The strawberry ascorbic acid and soluble solids content (Brix %) showed significant variation. The highest ascorbic acid concentration in the fruit was after the Thyme application (45.06%). Our study showed that alternative plant protection measures can reduce the use of chemical fungicides and maintain proper fruit quality. Full article

Breastmilk is known to provide optimal nutrition for infant growth and development. A cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative US data from 2016 to 2021 revealed that >90% of lactating mothers reported using breast pumps to express milk. We conducted a survey of n = 1049 lactating or recently lactating individuals from a US nationally representative population to explore breastmilk storage practices among this group. The data revealed that 83% of respondents store breastmilk in their homes, with 68% using freezers to do so for >1 month. The lowest available temperature in most household freezers is −20 °C, a temperature that is inadequate to maintain human milk’s emulsified structure, leading to separation, degradation of fats, loss of key vitamins, and changes in palatability. We developed a first-of-its-kind high-throughput screening platform to identify food-derived compounds and combinations of compounds that, when added to human breastmilk, preserve fat content, retain antioxidant capacity, and reduce production of rancid-associated free fatty acids during extended freezer storage. Our screening identified pectin (0.5% w/v) and ascorbic acid (100 μg/mL) as optimal preservation agents. Compared to untreated controls, this formulation reduced glycerol production by approximately 60% and maintained antioxidant capacity after 6 months of storage at −20 °C. Lysozyme and protease activity were maintained at >75% of the levels in fresh breastmilk. This formulation represents a lead for the development of safe and affordable frozen breastmilk shelf-life extenders for at-home use to increase the longevity of stored breastmilk. Full article

Allergic diseases share a type 2 immune reaction and elevated oxidative stress, contributing to disease pathogenesis and exacerbations. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a fundamental exogenous antioxidant, has been hypothesized to attenuate these pathological mechanisms. This narrative review critically examined the most recent evidence concerning the role of vitamin C in preventing and managing allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. This narrative review consisted of three steps: conducting the search, reviewing abstracts and full texts, and discussing results. For this reason, we consulted the PubMed database to detect the pertinence of studies according to the review’s conduct. The final search ended in March 2025 and included English-language-based international articles, online reports, and electronic books. The keywords “vitamin C and allergic disease” and “vitamin C and immune system” were used. After the complete search, we read the abstracts to ensure that they concerned the topic of interest. Recent evidence suggests a protective role for vitamin C in asthma, with several studies reporting reduced oxidative stress markers, improved lung function, and decreased airway inflammation following regular intake or supplementation. Higher dietary vitamin C intake correlates with lower asthma prevalence and severity, particularly in pediatric populations. Conversely, the findings regarding allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are heterogeneous. While topical ascorbic acid derivatives show promise in atopic dermatitis models, oral vitamin C intake does not appear to affect allergic rhinitis or dermatitis risk significantly. Vitamin C demonstrates potential as an add-on therapy in asthma management by attenuating oxidative stress and type 2 respiratory inflammation. However, its role in allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis remains less clear. Further multicentric, well-designed clinical trials are necessary to establish definitive guidelines for vitamin C supplementation in allergic disease management. Full article

Three new naphthalene–chroman dimer derivatives, daldinaphchromes A–C (1–3), two new chroman derivatives, daldichromes A (5) and B (6), along with five known compounds (4, 7–10) were isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Daldinia eschscholzii HJX1P2. Their structures and stereochemistries were elucidated through detailed NMR and MS analyses, calculated electronic circular dichroism, and comparison with previously reported data. Compound 1 demonstrated inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 62.9 µM, and more effectively suppressed the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 than dexamethasone. A further mechanistic study suggested that 1 could prohibit the expression of iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells, and the molecular docking study suggested a possible interaction between 1 and the iNOS protein. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited moderate to potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values of 117.4 and 46.2 µM, respectively, compared with the positive control ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 45.6 µM). Compounds 4 and 10 showed ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values of 66.6 and 33.2 µM, respectively, which were equal to or lower than that of the positive control vitamin C (IC₅₀ = 59.7 µM). Compounds 1–3, 7, and 9 showed antibacterial activity against three Staphylococcus aureus strains, with MIC values of 74.4–390.6 μM. Full article

In this work, we measured the antioxidant capacity of capers (Capparis spinosa L.) and an important component, kaempferol, as scavengers of the superoxide radical anion using hydrodynamic voltammetry with a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE). Comparing our electrochemical results to other natural products studied using this method, this work demonstrates that kaempferol is a stronger antioxidant than vitamin C, whereas caper extract has weaker antioxidant capability than olive oil. We also investigated the synergistic scavenging relationship between vitamin C and kaempferol and found it to be potent, as all the available superoxide radicals were consumed in the presence of both compounds. Such a dramatic RRDE result was observed for the first time in our laboratory. We then utilized computational Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods to establish a viable mechanism, reminiscent of that exhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, for the scavenging behavior of kaempferol. In the enzymatic reaction, two molecules of the superoxide radical anion with the assistance of two protons are disproportioned into one molecule of hydrogen peroxide and one oxygen molecule. Our DFT results show kaempferol mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) action when one kaempferol molecule reacts with two superoxide radicals and two protons (which can be provided by ascorbic acid); i.e., kaempferol acts as a catalyst that is restored after a cycle of superoxide scavenging. This mechanism is consistent with our experimental RRDE results. Full article

Vitamins are crucial micro-nutrients for overall well-being, making continuous monitoring essential. There are demands to provide an alternative detection, especially using a portable detection or a point-of-care-testing (POCT) device. One promising approach is employing an in situ electro-polymerised MIP (eMIP), which offers a straightforward polymerisation technique on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Here, we report a review based on three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from 2014 to 2024 using medical subject heading (MeSH) terms “electrochemical polymerisation” OR “electropolymerisation” crossed with the terms “molecularly imprinted polymer” AND “vitamin A” OR “vitamin D” OR “vitamin E” OR “vitamin K” OR “fat soluble vitamin” OR “vitamin B” OR “vitamin C” OR “water soluble vitamin”. The resulting 12 articles covered the detection of vitamins in ascorbic acid, riboflavin, cholecalciferol, calcifediol, and menadione using monomers of catechol (CAT), 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), o-aminophenol (oAP), o-phenylenediamine (oPD), pyrrole, p-aminophenol (pAP), p-phenylenediamine (pPD), or resorcinol (RES), using common bare electrodes including graphite rod electrode (GRE), glassy carbon electrode (GCE), gold electrode (GE), and screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The most common electrochemical detections were differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The imprinting factor (IF) of the eMIP-modified electrodes were from 1.6 to 21.0, whereas the cross-reactivity was from 0.0% to 29.9%. Several types of food and biological samples were tested, such as supplement tablets, poultry and pharmaceutical drugs, soft drinks, beverages, milk, infant formula, human and calf serum, and human plasma. However, more discoveries and development of detection methods needs to be performed, especially for the vitamins that have not been studied yet. This will allow the improvement in the application of eMIPs on portable-based detection and POCT devices. Full article

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp (BFP) is particularly noted for its high concentrations of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, vitamins (notably vitamin C), and dietary fiber, surpassing common fruits such as oranges in ascorbic acid content. Despite its long-standing use in local communities as a functional food ingredient, BFP drinks face significant challenges related to their sensory parameters and shelf life, particularly due to rapid microbial growth under tropical conditions. This study investigated the effects of two hydrocolloids, xanthan gum (XG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), on the viscosity, shelf-life stability, and consumer acceptance of BFP drinks. Seven samples were formulated with these hydrocolloids at different concentrations, namely, BXG1 (95% BFP:5% XG), BXG2 (90% BFP:10% XG), BXG3 (85% BFP:15% XG), BCMC1 (95% BFP:5% CMC), BCMC2 (90% BFP:10% CMC), and BCMC3 (85% BFP:15% CMC), alongside a control sample (100% BFP) and a commercially synthetic drink (CSD) for comparison. The results indicate that BFP drink sample (BXG1) stored under refrigeration (4 °C) for up to 14 days retains acceptable sensory qualities with minimal microbial growth (9 CFU/mL). However, storing at room temperature (ca. 25 ± 2 °C) led to rapid microbial proliferation (oral observation) within four days. These findings also confirm that BFP drinks can provide significant nutritional value, offering 330.64 kcal/100 g of metabolizable energy. This study suggests that, while BFP drinks offer several healthy benefits, enhancing their stability using hydrocolloids and appropriate storage conditions is essential. Future studies should focus on the incorporation of natural preservatives to enhance their stability while preserving their nutritional integrity. Full article