Search Results (37)

Roasted carob flour is a sustainable ingredient rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, and pinitol, offering potential for both food and pharmaceutical applications. However, its high sugar content and the presence of undesirable compounds such as furans present challenges for its use in bread making. This study evaluated the effects of prolonged sourdough fermentation on roasted carob flour, with a focus on microbial dynamics and its functional and technological properties. Carob and carob–wheat sourdoughs were prepared using a mixed starter culture comprising three lactic acid bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, and Lactobacillus helveticus) and three yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kazachstania humilis, and Torulaspora delbrueckii). The sourdoughs underwent six consecutive refreshment cycles and were analyzed to determine their pH, microbial and biochemical composition, gassing power, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The carob–wheat sourdough exhibited faster acidification and higher lactic acid bacteria (LAB) activity, resulting in a 90–98% reduction in the sugar content, compared to 60% in the carob sourdough. Microbial sequencing revealed that L. plantarum was the dominant species in all samples, while K. humilis and S. cerevisiae were enriched in carob and carob–wheat sourdough, respectively. Both types of sourdough demonstrated effective leavening in bread dough without the addition of commercial yeast. Fermentation also modified the VOC profiles, increasing esters and alcohols while reducing acids, aldehydes, ketones, and furans. While the antioxidant activity showed a slight decline, the pinitol content remained unchanged. These findings suggest that extended sourdough fermentation, supported by multiple refreshments, enhances the baking suitability of roasted carob flour and supports its application as a functional, sustainable ingredient. Full article

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L. Fabaceae) is a species of significant economic, ecological, and cultural importance in the Mediterranean region. It is valued for its adaptability to various environments and wide-ranging agricultural and industrial applications. Despite its potential, the genetic characterization of this species in Algerian territories has received little attention to date. The present study aims to decipher carob’s genetic structure and diversity in Algeria. This study presents a comprehensive morphological characterization of 39 Algerian carob accessions based on pod traits and molecular genotyping using eight nuclear and three chloroplast SSR markers across different geographical locations and environmental conditions. The morphological analysis revealed a discrete differentiation among accessions, primarily influenced by their area of origin. The genetic analysis identified 38 unique genotypes. Allelic richness indicated high polymorphism, with an average of 3.81 alleles and 5.36 genotypes for nuclear SSR markers. Chloroplast SSR markers showed lower variability but provided insights into population structure. Genetic analysis revealed distinct genetic clusters aligned with geographical and bioclimatic regions, supported by minimum spanning network analysis that showed the genetic flow patterns among accessions. Discriminant analysis of principal components identified five optimal sub-population groups, highlighting a genetic structure linked with different bioclimatic conditions. These findings evidence the complex genetic diversity of Algerian carob germplasm and offer valuable insights for the sustainable exploitation of carob genetic resources. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a defining species of the Mediterranean region, and its fruit, the carob pod, has seen a notable increase in economic interest in recent years, primarily due to the production of locust bean gum (E410), a widely used food additive derived from the seeds. The remainder of the fruit, the carob pulp, comprises 80–90% of the fruit’s weight and is typically considered a by-product, with its primary application being in animal feed. This study focused on obtaining cellulose-rich extracts from selected carob varieties cultivated in the Mediterranean region. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization of these cellulose-rich fractions was conducted, including the assessment of their antioxidant properties, specifically total phenolics and antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC methods. The findings reveal that carob pulp is an excellent source of carbohydrates, including soluble sugars, which constitute 33–45% of the pulp’s fresh weight, depending on the variety, and cell wall polysaccharides. The cell wall polymers, with cellulose as the predominant component, account for approximately 45% of the fresh pulp weight. Notable amounts of other polysaccharides, such as pectins and hemicelluloses, were also identified. Among the studied varieties, Bugadera and Rotjal stood out as exceptional sources of cellulose-rich extracts. Carob pulp was also found to be rich in antioxidant compounds, reflected in its high antioxidant capacity. In particular, the Bugadera variety, grown under irrigated conditions, exhibited a significant concentration of phenolic compounds (24.4 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of pulp) and high antioxidant activity across all methods used, with ABTS measurements reaching up to 391.5 mg Trolox equivalents per gram of pulp. In conclusion, these results underscore the significant potential of carob pulp as a source of valuable cellulose-rich extracts, offering applications beyond its traditional use as animal feed. By exploring these new possibilities, the economic and environmental sustainability of carob cultivation could be greatly enhanced, contributing to the broader valorization of this iconic Mediterranean fruit. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and liver steatosis. In this work, we explored the effect of an herbal formula (CBF) containing immature Ceratonia siliqua pods and Ocimum basilicum extracts on lipid metabolism disorders and lipoprotein-rich plasma (LRP) oxidation in mice. Methods: The phenolic composition was determined using HPLC-DAD analysis. The antioxidant activity was studied using various in vitro methods. Acute toxicity was evaluated in mice. Importantly, the effect of the CBF on lipid metabolism disorders was investigated in a high-fat diet (HFD) hyperlipidemia mouse model. An in silico study was carried out to predict underlying mechanisms. Results: The HPLC analysis revealed gallic acid, cinnamic acid, and naringenin as major phenolics of the carob pod aqueous extract. Concerning the basil hydro-ethanolic extract, rosmarinic, chicoric, caftaric, and caffeic acids were the main phenolics. Accordingly, the CBF prevented LRP oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. This formula is not toxic in mice (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/kg body weight). Moreover, animals administered the CBF at 200 mg/kg/day presented a significant decline in their body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, and glycaemia after 10 weeks’ treatment. Accordingly, the CBF decreased the plasma atherogenic index and the LDL-C to HDL-C ratio and reduced the level of fats accumulated in the liver. The molecular docking study revealed that chicoric, rosmarinic, and caftaric acids, and naringenin bound particularly strongly to many proteins involved in the regulation of lipid and cholesterol metabolism. This includes the HMG-CoA reductase, PPARα/γ, PCSK9, Cyp7a1, and ATP-citrate lyase. Conclusions: The CBF could be a good source of natural supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals effective in managing hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress and preventing their related cardiovascular disorders. Full article

Background: Oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy (OIN) is a severe painful condition that strongly affects the patient’s quality of life and cannot be counteracted by the available drugs or adjuvants. Thus, several efforts are devoted to discovering substances that can revert or reduce OIN, including natural compounds. The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua L., possesses several beneficial properties. However, its antalgic properties have not been substantially investigated and only a few investigations have been conducted on the unripe carob (up-CS) pods. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate for the first time the unripe variety of Apulian carob, chemically characterized and profiled as antioxidant potential of polyphenolic compounds as well as to investigate the ability of up-CS to reduce the neurotoxicity in a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: By UHPLC-HRMS/MS analyses, 50 phenolic compounds, belonging mainly to n-galloylated glucoses and flavonoids were detected. Results: In a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity (2.4 mg/kg, 10 injections over two weeks), acute per os treatment with up-CS provoked a dose-dependent pain-relieving effect that completely counteracted oxaliplatin hypersensitivity at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Repeated oral administration of up-CS (100 mg/kg), concomitantly with oxaliplatin injection, exerted a protective effect against the development of thermal and mechanical allodynia. In addition, up-CS exerted a neuroprotective role against oxaliplatin-induced astrocytes activation in the spinal cord measured as GFAP-fluorescence intensity. Conclusions: Overall, our study contributes to the knowledge on up-CS properties by highlighting its protective activity in the painful condition related to the administration of oxaliplatin. Full article

Functional carob beverages have recently attracted consumer attention as a natural and sustainable alternative due to their excellent nutritional profile and associated health benefits. Derived from the pods of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.), which thrives in Mediterranean regions, these beverages are naturally sweet, caffeine-free, and rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, dietary fiber, and essential minerals. This review highlights the nutritional composition of carob beverages, noting their high fiber content, antioxidant capacity, and lack of stimulating alkaloids, making them an ideal option for health-conscious consumers. The manufacturing processes, phytochemical properties, and sensory qualities of carob beverages are discussed, along with their potential roles in promoting digestive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. The growing interest in carob reflects broader trends in sustainable food systems and plant-based nutrition, positioning carob beverages as a promising choice in the functional beverage industry. Full article

Carob syrup, a traditional Mediterranean functional beverage obtained from Ceratonia siliqua (L.) pods, has been historically valued for its nutritional properties but is currently underutilized. This study compared the prebiotic potential of three handmade carob syrups produced by Tunisian women with commercial benchmarks from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. The prebiotic activity was evaluated by prebiotic scores, bifidogenic activity and volatilome characterization (SPME GC/MS) together with physicochemical and nutritional parameters. The results showed that Tunisian handmade products exhibited lower growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli compared to commercial samples. The prebiotic activity, tested against probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria mixtures, showed a hierarchy of efficacy: fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) > Tunisian handmade products > Greek and Cypriot benchmarks > Italian benchmark. Volatilome analysis revealed about 40 compounds, mainly organic acids and aldehydes, with higher concentrations in handmade products. Positive correlations were found between prebiotic activity and short-chain fatty acids and n-hexadecanoic acid, while furfural showed negative correlations. The Tunisian artisanal products showed a higher prebiotic potential compared to the commercial counterparts, due to their higher content and diversity of organic acids. However, the presence of furfural in Tunisian products needs to be monitored due to potential toxicity concerns. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a leading cause of dementia, lacks effective long-term treatments. Current therapies offer temporary relief or fail to halt its progression and are often inaccessible due to cost. AD involves multiple pathological processes, including amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, insulin resistance, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and systemic inflammation accelerated by gut microbiota dysbiosis originating from a leaky gut. Given this context, exploring alternative therapeutic interventions capable of addressing the multifaceted components of AD etiology is essential. Methods: This study suggests D-Pinitol (DPIN) as a potential treatment modifier for AD. DPIN, derived from carob pods, demonstrates insulin-sensitizing, tau hyperphosphorylation inhibition, and antioxidant properties. To test this hypothesis, we studied whether chronic oral administration of DPIN (200 mg/kg/day) could reverse the AD-like disease progression in the 5×FAD mice. Results: Results showed that treatment of 5×FAD mice with DPIN improved cognition, reduced hippocampal Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau levels, increased insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) expression, enhanced pro-cognitive hormone circulation (such as ghrelin and leptin), and normalized the PI3K/Akt insulin pathway. This enhancement may be mediated through the modulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). DPIN also protected the gut barrier and microbiota, reducing the pro-inflammatory impact of the leaky gut observed in 5×FAD mice. DPIN reduced bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-associated inflammation, as well as restored intestinal proteins such as Claudin-3. This effect was associated with a modulation of gut microbiota towards a more balanced bacterial composition. Conclusions: These findings underscore DPIN’s promise in mitigating cognitive decline in the early AD stages, positioning it as a potential disease modifier. Full article

In the hostile and challenging environment of the Paraguayan Chaco, the wild carob pods (Neltuma spp.) are a valuable vegetable resource that provides nutrition and significant economic opportunities for the local populations by means of carob flour production. However, the microbiological quality of the carob flour is limited due to the manual gathering. The main objective of this investigation is to find an efficient disinfectant and its minimum application level to obtain microbial stability in carob flour. The microbial load (total mesophilic aerobes, moulds, and yeasts, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp.) of the flour obtained by disinfection with citric acid (1 and 3%) and sodium hypochlorite (1 and 3%) was compared. Drying tests were carried out at time intervals of 2, 4, 6, and 7 h on whole carob pods to obtain flour in a hot air circulating tray type dryer, and humidity was used as a response variable in a thermobalance (desirable humidity < 5%). A combined process of disinfection with 3% citric acid and hot air circulating tray-type drying for 7 h at 60 °C is proposed to obtain an innocuous carob flour of high microbiological quality. Full article

Carob pulp flour has antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, is naturally sweet, and is rich in fibers. It is obtained from carob pod pulp from the evergreen tree Ceratonia siliqua L., which is grown in Mediterranean areas and is known for locust bean gum production. Despite its valuable effects on health, such as the modulation of the glycemic index, this ingredient has a tremendous impact on technological and hedonic features, mainly on color, flavor, and texture. In this paper, the qualitative features and consumers’ acceptance of a carob-based gluten-free bakery product where rice flour was substituted at 40% with carob pulp flour were studied. A panel group of experts described the bread as dark, quite dense, sweet, aromatic, and with a limited bubble dispersion. On the other hand, the sensory assessment and the willingness to pay of consumers were assessed in two groups (a fully informed one about heathy attributes of the food and a blind one). The results indicated a moderate appreciation of the overall quality of the product (average score between 4 and 5 points on a 9-point Likert scale). The information about the food’s healthy properties and the ability to maintain a low glycemic index did not enhance the consumers’ perception of the product, while previous knowledge and involvement in the product consumption were perceived to have primary importance regarding the final consumers’ choice. Finally, an accelerated shelf-life test was run on the packaged snack to evaluate the general quality and stability. The protective packaging helped in limiting bread decay and maintaining the textural characteristics. Full article

Despite the economic and ecological importance of the carob tree, few studies are available on the morphological characterization and chemical composition of carob in Algeria. This has resulted in the lack of selection of commercial cultivars of high seed and sugar content. The present study aims to assess the diversity of 11 wild and 1 cultivated carob populations in various regions of Algeria, characterized by diverse geographical and climatic conditions. The final objective is to assess the diversity of neglected carob plants that exhibit superior fruit quality traits and/or are well adapted to different pedoclimatic conditions. The current study focuses on analyzing pod and seed diversity by investigating 12 morphological and 5 physiochemical traits. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences between populations (p < 0.001) for all traits studied, indicating high morphological and chemical variability among these carob populations. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to study the relationship between these traits and the geographical origin. High seed yields characterized wild populations, whereas cultivated populations were rich in sugar. Based on morphological traits of pods, seeds and chemical compositions, a hierarchical clustering grouped the carob populations into four groups. The findings of this study represent a significant advancement towards establishing effective cultivar breeding programs in Algeria. They demonstrate that the germplasm examined in this research exhibits an optimal level of morphological and chemical diversity, which is instrumental in the identification of specific traits of both commercial and environmental significance. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a significant fruit tree in the Mediterranean region with cultural, biological, and ecological importance. Despite its importance, intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in carob trees has been largely overlooked in previous studies. Understanding ITV and its relationship with environmental conditions is crucial for conservation and breeding programs. In this study, we investigated the variability of carob pod and seed-related traits across different ecological scales in 25 studied populations in Morocco. Significant differences in morphological traits were observed between carob populations at various ecological levels, and pod-related traits exhibited greater variability than seed traits. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between carob morphological traits and environmental conditions, with altitude and aridity index playing an influential role. The aridity gradient was strongly related to changes in pod size, seed number, and size, as well as seed yield. Our findings highlight an important ITV reaching 45% at the intra-population level, 36.5% at the inter-geographic level, and 30% at the inter-population level. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the ecology and adaptation of carob trees, emphasizing the importance of considering intraspecific variability when studying this remarkable species. This knowledge is critical for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and human activities on the long-term survival and ecological functioning of carob populations. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is currently considered one of the most valuable fruit and forest trees in various fields and sectors of activity. It is a versatile plant, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is widely used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders, given that all its parts (leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, wood, bark, and roots) are useful and hold value in many areas. Its importance has increased significantly in recent years. Originating from the Middle East, it is recognized for its ecological and industrial significance. Previous studies conducted on Ceratonia siliqua L. have revealed the presence of several compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, minerals, and proteins. The carob tree demonstrates antihypertensive, antidepressant, anti-obesity, and antihyperglycemic activities. This plant is known for its medicinal and therapeutic virtues. Moreover, it is particularly interesting to consider the pharmacological activities of the major phytochemical compounds present in the different extracts of this plant, such as phenolic acids, for example, coumaric and gallic acids, as well as flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin. Therefore, this review aims to analyze some aspects of this plant, especially the taxonomy, cytogeography, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Ceratonia siliqua L., in addition to its biological properties. Full article

Ceratonia siliqua L., commonly known as the carob tree, appears in most Mediterranean countries, often cultivated for the collection of its fruits to be used as food for humans and animals. This study was aimed at the phytochemical characterization of two common Cretan C. siliqua cultivars and the biological evaluation of deseeded pod and seed extracts regarding their putative use in cosmetics. Gas and liquid chromatographic techniques were used to assess their essential oil, fatty acid, and carbohydrate profiles. Cell-free assays, including free-radical scavenging; the inhibition of tyrosinase and collagenase; the blocking of advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation; along with assays in human skin fibroblast cultures, i.e., reactive oxygen species suppression, glutathione stimulation, and protection from oxidative stress and from ultraviolet (UVB) radiation, were also used. Extracts from both cultivars were found to possess antioxidant capacity, tyrosinase- and collagenase-inhibitory activities, an ability to block glucose-induced AGEs, and in certain cases, UVB absorbance and photoprotective activities. Seed extracts were in general more active, while the use of 30% aqueous methanol seemed to be more efficient than n-hexane for extraction. Serial partition of the most active extracts resulted in fractions with enriched biological activities. These properties make Cretan carob extracts and their fractions suitable candidates for use in cosmetics. Full article

This work discusses the conceptual process design for the integrated production of bio-based acrylic acid from carob pod aqueous extracts. CHEMCAD was used for the process simulation and cost estimation of the relevant equipment. The process was designed for a capacity of 68 kt of carob pod per year, operating 8000 h annually, and involving extraction, fermentation, catalytic dehydration, and distillation to achieve 99.98%_w/w acrylic acid as the main product. The economic assessment for the base case suggests a fixed capital investment of EUR 62.7 MM with an internal rate of return of 15.8%. The results obtained show that carob pod is a promising biomass source for the production of bio-acrylic acid. Full article