Search Results (4,823)

Bio-based coatings enriched with essential oils (EOs) represent a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives to extend strawberries’ shelf-life. This study evaluated the effects of chitosan (CHT) formulations containing three selected EOs (Illicium verum, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus limon) on the volatile profile, sensory quality, and antifungal activity of strawberry fruits. Volatile emissions were characterized by Headspace Solid Phase Micro-Extraction/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while sensory properties were assessed using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. Antifungal activity was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo against Botrytis cinerea. Chitosan alone slightly modified the volatile profile, while EO-enriched coatings induced marked and concentration-dependent changes, reflecting the chemical composition of the incorporated EOs. Among the tested formulations, CHT combined with 1% C. sinensis EO provided the best balance between preservation of the characteristic strawberry aroma and overall sensory acceptance. In vitro assays showed that EO volatiles, particularly from C. sinensis and I. verum, significantly inhibited fungal growth, while diffusible compounds were less effective. In vivo, EO-containing coatings reduced disease incidence and severity by approximately 50%. These findings highlight the potential of CHT–EO coatings as sustainable options for postharvest preservation, although optimization of EO type and concentration is crucial to balance sensory quality and antimicrobial efficacy. Full article

Phenolic compounds, particularly secoiridoids derived from oleuropein and ligstroside, are the main determinants of the antioxidant capacity and health-promoting properties of virgin olive oil, yet their content is strongly affected by processing conditions. This study aimed to enhance phenolic enrichment in Picual olive oil through mild acidification of the paste. Four olive samples were processed under a Central Composite Design varying malaxation time (40–80 min), acid concentration (0.02–0.08 mol/kg paste), and acid type (ascorbic or malic), across two maturity indices (MI) per acid, and evaluated by Response Surface Methodology. Ascorbic acid outperformed malic acid for most of the evaluated responses, with the majority of the monitored parameters exhibiting progressive improvements with increasing acid concentration across the tested range. Extraction efficiency reached 75.8–80.0%, increasing with ripening, malaxation time, and acid dose. Acidification did not affect standard quality parameters but enhanced pigment retention (up to 18.9 mg/kg carotenoids; 28.9 mg/kg chlorophylls) and selectively increased oleuropein- and ligstroside-derived secoiridoids. Antioxidant capacity correlated with phenolic content, reaching 1177.9 µmol Trolox equivalents/kg at high acid concentration and medium–high malaxation times. The optimal acid dose depended on MI, with higher doses favoring riper fruit. Overall, in the Picual cultivar, mild acidification is an effective strategy to enrich the antioxidant fraction of olive oil without compromising its quality. Full article

This review aims to compare the biological properties of eleven fruits of the Prunus species, with the focus on their potential in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. The search spanned publications from 2000 to May 2026, only in English, and utilized databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo studies. The exclusion criteria included review articles, studies focusing exclusively on isolated phytochemicals or synthetic derivatives from Prunus species, and in silico or theoretical analyses. The fruits of Prunus species exhibited a broad spectrum of activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, or neuroprotective. Interestingly, sour cherries exhibited sleep-enhancing, and xanthine oxidase-inhibitory effects, while apricots showed promising hepatoprotective activity. Key species, including apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums, are widely recognized for their bioactive phytochemicals and potential health benefits, while some (e.g., bird cherry, blackthorn) are less examined, although promising. Prunus fruits revealed health-benefit potential, that at least partially supports their ethnopharmacological uses. However, further clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted to validate their efficacy and explore potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations. Full article

This study aimed to produce, analyze, and evaluate the consumer acceptance of caffeine-enriched (15, 30, 60, and 90 mg/100 mL) grape must, which does not contain any added sweeteners or preservatives, to meet today’s popular health-conscious consumer trends. Regarding acid composition, the musts contained malic acid (426.96–491.58 mg/100 mL) and succinic acid (74.53–84.79 mg/100 mL). Musts are regarded as water-soluble sugars, containing only glucose (6158.81–9417.09 mg/100 mL) and fructose (6798.37–10,482.53 mg/100 mL), which are typical in fruits. The must’s TPC and TAC contents were determined to be between 11.42 and 14.14 mg GAE/100 mL, and 8.14 and 11.80 mg AAE/100 mL, respectively. During the analysis of caffeine content, recovery values of 93.89–96.98% were determined. The must samples containing 60 and 90 mg/100 mL caffeine had too intense a bitter flavor; thus, the enjoyment value of the products was reduced based on consumer feedback. The must containing 15 mg/100 mL of caffeine had the most favorable organoleptic properties. Full article

Andean berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is an underutilized fruit that could serve as a source of bioactive compounds with biological properties associated with apoptosis and cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of Andean berry juice (ABJ) in human SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cell lines, which represent early-stage and metastatic colorectal cancer, respectively. The juice was prepared from freeze-dried fruits, and several concentrations were assayed in cells. Bioactive compounds in ABJ showed the strongest reductions in metabolic activity and proliferation observed in SW620 cells. ABJ treatments promoted early apoptosis while inducing cell cycle arrest in the S phase (SW480) and in the G2/M (SW620). Mild mitochondrial depolarization was observed, while increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was detected in both cell lines. More proteins involved in the apoptotic process were modulated in SW620 cells, whereas SW480 displayed greater fold changes in regulatory and stress-response proteins. Proteomics and bioinformatics analyses suggested that extrinsic apoptosis predominated in SW480 cells, whereas intrinsic apoptosis was observed in SW620 cells. These results highlighted the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential of the combined activity of polyphenolic compounds from ABJ, demonstrating distinct mechanisms in vitro. Full article

Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. (Caryocaraceae) is a native Brazilian species predominantly distributed in Cerrado areas and transitional regions with the Caatinga in Northeastern Brazil, whose fruits exhibit significant nutritional, technological, and biofunctional potential. This review systematizes and critically analyzes the available scientific evidence regarding the fixed oil extracted from its fruits, addressing extraction methods, chemical composition, physicochemical parameters, nutritional value, technological applications, and the main bioactivities described in experimental models. Chromatographic and bromatological studies demonstrate that the oil presents a lipid profile characterized by the predominance of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid and palmitic acid, in addition to the presence of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive lipophilic constituents. Available preclinical evidence indicates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, gastroprotective, respiratory, anticonvulsant, and microbial resistance-modulating properties, suggesting potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnological fields. From the perspective of Food Science, the oil demonstrates characteristics compatible with lipid matrices of functional interest, although aspects related to oxidative stability, compositional standardization, sensory acceptability, and industrial scale-up remain insufficiently explored. Additionally, important limitations persist regarding the scarcity of systematic toxicological studies, the absence of clinical trials in humans, and the limited elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the observed bioactivities. Although C. coriaceum presents promising biotechnological potential, its translational application still depends on further multidisciplinary studies integrating chemical standardization, toxicological safety, and technological development. Full article

Efficient nitrogen (N) management in perennial fruit orchards is constrained by species-specific differences in N demand and fruit N removal, which can result in distinct soil N uptake patterns even under similar fertilization regimes. This study assessed whether apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) and sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) orchards differ in soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) composition by analyzing nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) stocks in topsoil (0–20 cm). Soil samples were collected in spring from a long-term orchard experiment over two consecutive years and from a commercial orchard on two sampling dates in Germany. In apple orchards, Nmin was dominated by NO₃⁻ (83%), whereas cherry orchards showed a more balanced composition (42% NO₃⁻ and 58% NH₄⁺). These patterns were consistent across years, sites, fertilization types (mineral or organic), and key soil properties, including total organic carbon and total nitrogen, but were not explained by these factors. The elevated NH₄⁺ proportion in cherry soils suggests a species-associated pattern in soil N dynamics. Overall, the results highlight species-associated differences in soil Nmin composition between apple and sweet cherry orchards. Accounting for tree species differences may therefore improve N management and enhance N use efficiency in apple and sweet cherry production. Full article

This study investigated the development of functional ciders through lychee–pineapple co-fermentation as a strategy for juice matrix optimization. Five formulations were evaluated, ranging from 100% pineapple juice to 100% lychee juice, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC-1118. Fermentation kinetics were monitored by cumulative CO₂ mass loss, while total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ABTS), sensory attributes, and multivariate analyses were evaluated. Lychee incorporation significantly enriched the functional profile, increasing TPC, TFC, DPPH, and ABTS by up to 49%, 117%, 69%, and 82%, respectively, compared to 100% pineapple juice. Although the lychee-rich matrix extended the fermentation lag phase, this effect was mitigated through co-fermentation. Fermentation further enhanced bioactive properties, with final ciders showing increases of up to 14% (TPC), 17% (TFC), 38% (DPPH), and 16% (ABTS) relative to their corresponding juices. Multivariate profiling differentiated lychee-dominant ciders by high bioactive density and floral notes, whereas pineapple-dominant ciders exhibited higher acidity and clarity. In conclusion, lychee–pineapple co-fermentation effectively optimizes fermentation performance, bioactive enrichment, and sensory quality without exogenous acidification. Full article

The fruit of Crataegi fructus (CF) is a traditional “medicine food” herb widely used for its lipid-lowering properties, but its active ingredients and mechanisms against metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remain poorly understood. This study employed an integrated multi-omics approach, combining serum metabolomics, liver transcriptomics, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), network pharmacology, and molecular docking, to systematically investigate the effects of CF extract (CFE) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model of MAFLD. Our analysis revealed that CFE treatment significantly reduced body weight gain (p < 0.01), improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01), and alleviated hepatic steatosis, as evidenced by reduced lipid accumulation and decreased NAS scores (p < 0.001). Metabolomics analysis showed that CFE reversed HFD-induced disturbances in serum fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, and bile acid metabolites. Transcriptomics further revealed that the AMPK and PPAR signalling pathways were critically involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism by which CFE alleviated MAFLD. Consistently, CFE treatment resulted in significant upregulation of AMPK and PPARα expression (p < 0.001) and downregulation of CD36 and DPP4 (p < 0.001), as confirmed by Western blotting and qPCR. Furthermore, integration of WGCNA and network pharmacology pinpointed chlorogenic acid (CA), ursolic acid (UA), and oleanolic acid (OA) as the primary bioactive components, and their lipid-lowering effects were validated in FFA-treated THLE-2 cells. In conclusion, this study offers preliminary insights into the lipid-lowering mechanisms of CFE via regulation of the AMPK/PPARα/CD36/DPP4 signalling pathway and support its further development as a functional food ingredient for MAFLD prevention. Full article

The main causes of lemon fruit senescence and deterioration are fungal diseases and postharvest quality loss. Edible coatings have been proposed to delay quality loss in fresh produce by reducing moisture loss and helping preserve external appearance. Natural functional coatings are increasingly being investigated as potential alternatives to synthetic waxes and preservatives due to environmental and consumer safety concerns. The effect of a natural edible coating based on Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage on extending the shelf-life of lemons during cold storage was investigated. Lemon fruits were treated with the mucilage-based edible coating and subsequently stored under controlled cold conditions. Coated and uncoated lemon fruits were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, including weight loss, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, color, and microbiological analysis, as well as total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, over a 60-day storage period at 5 ± 0.5 °C and 95% relative humidity. The results showed that the mucilage-based coating improved lemon fruit storage performance, effectively preserving key physicochemical and microbiological parameters over 60 days of cold storage (p ≤ 0.05). In particular, the treatment maintained fruit firmness, reduced weight loss (up to 45%), increased juice content (up to 1.8-fold), and delayed microbial decay compared to control samples. Coated fruits also exhibited higher total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity than control samples at the end of storage. In addition, using mucilage extracted from cactus pear cladode waste provides a sustainable way to add value to the product, with promising industrial applications as an alternative to synthetic fruit coatings. Full article

Vitex madiensis Oliv. (Lamiaceae) is a species growing in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. In several African countries, the different organs of this plant, leaves, fruits, stem bark and roots are used in folk medicine for the treatment of headaches, toothaches, aches and pains. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical profile of Vitex madiensis leaf extracts using LC-MS. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of crude extracts, fractions, and pure molecules was evaluated using reactive oxygen species (ROSs) production assays and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition assays. A bio-guided fractionation was carried out to identify the most active fractions and resulted in the isolation of four phytoecdysteroids from the n-butanol fraction: 20-hydroxyecdysone, ajugasterone C, vitexirone, and pterosterone. 20-hydroxyecdysone showed very good anti-inflammatory properties with a significant reduction of more than 70% of COX-2 expression in induced LPS-stimulated human blood leukocytes compared to the control. This study confirmed the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroids. Full article

Syzygium polycephalum (Miq.) Merr. & L.M. Perry is an underexplored species within the Syzygium genus, traditionally consumed for its edible fruit. However, the potential of its non-edible biomass as a source of bioactive metabolites remains poorly investigated. This study evaluated the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of different parts of S. polycephalum and identified the metabolites associated with these activities using an LC-HRMS-guided approach. The ethanolic leaf extract demonstrated superior phenolic (457.89 ± 12.10 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (11.08 ± 1.10 mg QE/g) contents with strong antioxidant (DPPH: 683.21 ± 24.54; FRAP: 1338.37 ± 7.04; CUPRAC: 771.91 ± 8.78 mg AEAC/g) and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities (52,145.16 ± 801.54 mg AEAGIC/g). LC–HRMS/MS identified four compounds, including chrysin and formononetin. Integrated in silico analyses revealed that chrysin consistently outperformed other metabolites, exhibiting optimal docking scores, favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties, and superior dynamic stability and binding affinity in molecular dynamics simulations. Collectively, these results position chrysin as the dominant bioactive driver and establish S. polycephalum leaf as a promising and sustainable source of dual-acting antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. Full article

The quality of fresh blueberries is determined by physicochemical properties and sugar–acid composition, which exhibit significant variations across different cultivars and ripening stages. This study investigated two rabbiteye blueberry cultivars (‘Brightwell’, ‘Homebell’) and three highbush blueberry cultivars (‘Bluegold’, ‘Emerald’, ‘Legacy’), measuring basic physicochemical indices, soluble sugar and organic acid profiles at six ripening stages. HPLC analysis revealed that soluble sugars in blueberries are primarily composed of fructose and glucose. The organic acids in highbush blueberries are dominated by malic and citric acids, while rabbiteye blueberries contain higher levels of quinic acid in addition to malic and citric acids. Correlation analysis demonstrated that glucose and fructose contents were significantly positively correlated (p ≤ 0.01) with average fruit weight, soluble pectin to total pectin ratio (SP/TP), and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (TSS/TA), but showed a highly significant negative correlation with malic acid. In contrast, malic acid exhibited a significant positive correlation (p ≤ 0.05) with firmness and moisture content. Cluster analysis divided the measured parameters into two groups: Class 1 includes average fruit weight, SP/TP, TSS/TA, and soluble sugars. Class 2 comprises fruit shape index, firmness, moisture content, and organic acids. Quality variation patterns among blueberry cultivars clustered according to cultivated type (rabbiteye and highbush), with differences within the same type being smaller than those between the two types. Rabbiteye blueberries exhibited a higher TSS/TA and a sweeter taste, whereas highbush varieties displayed softer texture, higher moisture content, and a balanced sweet–sour juiciness. This study clarified the dynamics of sugar and acid metabolism during blueberry ripening, providing a theoretical basis for quality evaluation, harvest timing, and breeding. Full article

This article describes the development of a compact and affordable variable-temperature NMR instrument designed primarily to measure dynamic molecular motion in solids and liquids. The instrument consists of Lab-Tools’ Mk4 palm-top time-domain NMR spectrometer fitted with a Peltier-cooled variable-temperature probe inside a shimmed Halbach magnet. Measurement of NMR relaxation times T₁, T₂, and ${\mathrm{T}}_1\rho$ is possible over the temperature range −20 °C to 70 °C with cooling and heating rates, and data acquisition is controlled from an integrated mini-PC. The overall footprint of the instrument is roughly that of a shoe box, making both in-the-field and bench-top measurements possible. Applications of this instrument include measuring pore-size distribution in porous rocks, the viscosity of oils and tars trapped in porous rock, the properties of polymers, and the viscosity of the liquid components of foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables and seeds). Results of test measurements for calibrated oils and olive oil are presented together with measurements of molecular mobility in a solid polymer. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) remains a significant pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of drug-resistant strains necessitates alternative therapeutic agents. Lentinula edodes (LE), Hypsizygus marmoreus, and Pleurotus eryngii are edible mushrooms with recognized medicinal properties. However, their effects on drug-resistant HSV-1 remain unclear. This study characterized metabolites from high-temperature/high-pressure (121 °C) water extracts of fresh and dried fruiting bodies and evaluated anti-HSV-1 activities using in vitro and in silico approaches. Metabolic profiles were analyzed by electrospray ionization–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antiviral activity against HSV-1 KOS (wild-type) and HSV-1 dxpiii (drug-resistant) strains was assessed by plaque assays and qPCR. Molecular docking and network pharmacology were performed on candidate compounds. LE extract from dried mushroom tended to show the highest levels of selected major bioactive constituents, along with greater antioxidant activities. All extracts significantly inhibited viral infection and gene expression in both strains. LE extract from dried mushroom modulated the expression of NFKB1 and IL6. Molecular docking analysis revealed that eritanidine showed a predicted binding affinity to HSV-1 DNA polymerase (−7.95 kcal/mol). Additionally, eritanidine, 5′-methylthioadenosine, and 3-indoleacrylic acid were predicted to interact with TNF and MAPK1. Several compounds also demonstrated favorable drug-likeness properties. Overall, these mushroom extracts are promising natural sources of antiviral agents against HSV-1, including drug-resistant variants. Full article