Search Results (99)

This study evaluated the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activities, phenolic and flavonoid profiles, and amino acid composition of six plant-based milk alternatives (coconut, almond, cashew nut, soybean, peanut, and mung bean) and assessed their changes following in vitro digestion. Mung bean milk exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity among all samples. Generally, enzymatic digestion significantly increased total phenolic content and antioxidant activity across all plant-based milks, with DPPH activity increasing approximately 2–4-fold, while total flavonoid responses were mostly unchanged. Individual phenolic compounds, including gallic, syringic, and gentisic acids, were newly detected after digestion in several plant-based milks. Protocatechuic acid, which was present only in trace amounts in a few controls, increased more than 200-fold after enzymatic digestion, indicating enhanced release of matrix-bound compounds. Free amino acid levels also increased following digestion, particularly in almond, cashew nut, and mung bean milks, whereas coconut, soybean, and peanut milks showed minor changes. These findings highlight varied nutritional and functional responses to digestion among plant-based milks, providing a basis for the development of functional beverages. Full article

This study used an in vitro simulated digestion model combined with network pharmacology to investigate the bioaccessibility, dynamic changes in antioxidant capacity, and potential molecular mechanisms by which active components of sugarcane vinegar mitigate alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The results showed that the bioaccessibility of total phenols, total flavonoids, and reducing sugars in sugarcane vinegar exceeded 90% during gastric digestion. However, after combined gastrointestinal digestion, the bioaccessibility of total flavonoids was reduced significantly (39.39%). Among the phenilic phenolic monomers, ferulic acid had the highest gastric bioaccessibility index (419.10%), while luteolin exhibited the strongest stability throughout digestion process. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and total reducing capacity gradually decreased, whereas the 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) reached its peak during gastrointestinal digestion. Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant capacity was closely correlated with phenolic compounds. Alcohol detoxification experiments revealed the ethanol retention rate of sugarcane vinegar during gastric digestion was significantly higher (14%) than undigested sample. Network pharmacology analysis identified caffeic, ferulic, protocatechuic, vanillic, and gentisic acid in sugarcane vinegar, with MAOB, PTGS1, and PTGS2 targets. These molecular docking findings reveal the strong binding affinity between polyphenols and their core targets. This research establishes a robust theoretical framework for harnessing sugarcane vinegar bioactive properties as a functional food strategy to mitigate alcoholic liver disease. Full article

Jackfruit seed is an underutilized by-product with potential as a functional ingredient. This study investigated how brown seed coat retention and thermal processing affect the color, nutritional composition, β-glucan content, bioactive profiles, antioxidant activity, and functional properties of jackfruit seed flour. Seeds were processed as raw, boiled, or steamed samples, with or without the brown seed coat retained, using rice and wheat flours as references. Brown seed coat retention reduced lightness and increased redness. Jackfruit seed flour generally showed higher ash, protein, and fiber contents than reference flours, while seed coat retention further enhanced fiber content. β-glucan content ranged from 56.11 to 286.71 mg/g. Brown seed coat samples showed the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity, followed by brown seed coat-retained flour samples. Thermal processing reduced bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity; however, steaming better retained bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and β-glucan content in brown seed coat-retained flour than boiling. Heatmap analysis revealed cinnamic acid, gentisic acid, myricetin, and quercetin as major compounds. Functional analysis showed higher WSI and WHC than reference flours, while OHC and WSC were generally comparable. These findings suggest the potential of brown seed coat-retained jackfruit seed flour for further development as a functional ingredient. Full article

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., an edible cactus, has gained increasing attention as a potential food resource due to its adaptability and nutritional value. This study aimed to characterize the bioactive compound profiles and structural characteristics of the epidermis and cortex of cladodes across different maturity stages. Numerically higher levels of bioactive compounds were generally observed in the epidermis than in the cortex, particularly gentisic acid (384.58–668.23 µg/g DW in the epidermis vs. 191.11–426.69 µg/g DW in the cortex) and protocatechuic acid (154.04–234.45 µg/g DW in the epidermis vs. 40.78–118.44 µg/g DW in the cortex). The epidermis and cortex also exhibited distinct organic acid profiles, with oxalic and malic acids being the predominant organic acids detected in both tissues. FTIR analysis further revealed a more pronounced O–H absorption band associated with water molecules in the cortex than in the epidermis. Furthermore, stage-dependent variations were observed in both bioactive composition and structural characteristics. Organic acids exhibited stage-dependent variations in both tissues. Oxalic, malic, and succinic acids generally occurred at higher levels during the later maturity stages, whereas fumaric acid was more abundant at the earliest maturity stages. Their concentrations ranged from 13.61–47.20, 10.74–16.27, 7.56–14.47, and 0.51–20.46 mg/g DW in the epidermis, and 8.19–46.82, 9.67–52.26, 2.76–14.72, and 0.27–34.41 mg/g DW in the cortex, respectively. These findings provide baseline information on the compositional and structural characteristics of edible cactus cladodes and may support future studies on their potential food-related applications. Full article

Global climate change poses a significant threat to viticulture, primarily due to high temperatures. This study examined temperature-induced changes in phenolic profiles in berries of three wine grape cultivars under 25, 35, and 45 °C for 0–48 h using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. To investigate the molecular response to severe heat stress, transcriptomic analysis was conducted in Cabernet Sauvignon berries subjected to a 45 °C treatment. Results showed that the 45 °C treatment decreased the levels of anthocyanins (particularly delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) in grape berries. Acylated anthocyanins, such as malvidin-3-O-(6-acetyl)-glucoside, exhibited enhanced stability at elevated temperatures. Additionally, high temperatures increased the levels of protocatechuic and gentisic acids and decreased those of rutin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of OMT, LDOX, GST, F3′5′H, and 3AT was positively correlated with changes in anthocyanin levels under high temperatures, suggesting their roles in the observed phenolic alterations. These findings highlight the molecular responses of winegrapes to heat stress, providing a foundation for future viticulture strategies under changing climatic conditions. Full article

The aim of the present study was to characterize the phenolic profile of hydroethanolic (EAEE) and ethyl acetate (EAAE) extracts of Echium asperrimum and to evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-Alzheimer-related (cholinesterase inhibitory) activity, and antiproliferative activities. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of EAEE and EAAE showed IC₅₀ values of 32.53 ± 1.25 and 97.85 ± 2.31 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, both extracts exhibited phosphomolybdenum reduction capacity, with A_0.50 values of 61.60 ± 2.97 µg/mL for EAEE and 23.20 ± 1.55 µg/mL for EAAE. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition assays revealed IC₅₀ values comparable to the reference compound galantamine. Both extracts also showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis indicated that p-coumaric acid (5.12 mg/g), vanillic acid (11.6 mg/g), hydroxybenzaldehyde (3.82 mg/g), and gentisic acid (1.66 mg/g) were the major phenolic constituents of EAAE, whereas p-coumaric acid (0.13 mg/g), salicylic acid (0.141 mg/g), sinapic acid (0.20 mg/g), and trans-ferulic acid (0.20 mg/g) predominated in EAEE. Furthermore, EAAE exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative activity at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ value of 83.09 ± 6.50 µg/mL. Taken together, these findings suggest that E. asperrimum represents a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential relevance for future pharmaceutical and nutraceutical research. Full article

The increasing demand for rapid identification of bacteria capable of degrading environmentally relevant organic compounds highlights the need for scalable and selective analytical tools. Cupriavidus necator catabolizes several hydroxybenzoic acids, including 2-hydroxybenzoate (salicylate, 2-HBA), 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HBA), and 3-hydroxybenzoate (3-HBA), funneling them into central aromatic catabolism via monooxygenation to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (gentisate, 2,5-dHBA) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (protocatechuate, 3,4-dHBA) followed by the oxidative cleavage reaction, enabling complete conversion to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. To quantify how readily C. necator is able to activate catabolic genes in response to hydroxybenzoic acid, an extracellular ligand, we applied an approach centered on a transcription-factor (TF)-based biosensor that combines ligand-bound regulator activity with a fluorescent reporter. This approach allowed to evaluate the ligand sensitivity by determining gene activation threshold AC_min and half-maximal effective concentration EC₅₀. Amongst studied hydroxybenzoic acids, 2-HBA and 4-HBA sensors from C. necator showed very low thresholds 4.8 and 2.4 μM and EC₅₀ values of 19.91 and 13.06 μM, indicating high sensitivity to these compounds and implicating a scavenging characteristic of associated catabolism. This study shows that the TF-based-biosensor approach applied for mapping functional sensing ranges of hydroxybenzoates combined with the research and informatics of catabolism can advance our understanding of how gene expression regulation systems have evolved to respond differentially to the availability and concentration of carbon sources. Furthermore, it can inform metabolic engineering strategies in the prevention of premature pathway activation or in predicting competitive substrate hierarchies in complex mixed environments. Full article

This study included the nectar of nine standard apple (Malus × domestica) cultivars (‘Red Aroma’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Summerred’, ‘Rubinstep’, ‘Elstar’, ‘Asfari’, ‘Eden’, ‘Fryd’, and ‘Katja’) and two crab apple (Malus sylvestris) cultivars (‘Dolgo’ and ‘Professor Sprenger’). The aim was to determine the diversity of chemical compounds in the floral nectar of the two different apple species and their cultivars. Chemical analysis identified five sugars, two sugar alcohols, two organic acids, forty phenolic compounds, and five phenylamides. The crab apples ‘Dolgo’ and ‘Professor Sprenger’, along with the commercial cultivar ‘Rubinstep’, had the highest levels of all three main sugars (glucose, sucrose, and fructose). The cultivar’s ‘Katja’ nectar had the highest level of total phenolic content (60.7 mg/100 g GAE), the nectar sample from ‘Dolgo’ exhibited the greatest ability to neutralise DPPH radicals (83.4 mg/100 g TE), and the ‘Dolgo’ (100.6 mg/100 g TE FW) and ‘Katja’ (72.1 mg/100 g TE FW) nectars proved to be the best reducing agents. Floral nectar from ‘Eden’ and ‘Fryd’ showed very high levels of isorhamnetin, 49.04 mg/kg and 50.83 mg/kg, respectively, while nectar from ‘Katja’ had the highest level of gentisic acid at 39.06 mg/kg. Besides being vital for insects, apple floral nectar is a significant reservoir of phenolic compounds and can be considered a “superfood” for the human diet. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant-derived diuretics are attracting increasing interest due to their promising efficacy and improved safety profile compared with synthetic drugs. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition of Astragalus boeticus (A. boeticus) extracts, evaluate their diuretic activity, and assess the oral safety of their main phenolic compound. Methods: Aqueous (AQE) and hydroethanolic (EtOHE) extracts were analyzed using LC–MS/MS, while in silico toxicity prediction of trans-resveratrol was performed using ProTox-II and ADMETlab 2.0. Diuretic activity was evaluated in male Wistar rats (n = 24) divided into four groups: control (distilled water, 10 mL/kg), furosemide (10 mg/kg), AQE (300 mg/kg), and EtOHE (300 mg/kg). Urine and plasma samples were collected after 15 days to determine electrolyte concentrations, creatinine level, creatinine clearance, and hepatic enzyme profile. Results: LC–MS/MS profiling identified fourteen phenolic compounds, with trans-resveratrol (270 µg/g in AQE) being the most abundant, followed by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and gentisic acid. In silico assessments revealed no hepatotoxic, mutagenic, or neurotoxic effects of trans-resveratrol. Both extracts significantly enhanced urinary output, chloride excretion, and creatinine clearance, while maintaining stable renal and hepatic biochemical parameters, indicating potent diuretic activity without toxicity. Conclusions: A. boeticus extracts demonstrate strong diuretic potential associated with a favorable safety profile, likely linked to their phenolic composition dominated by trans-resveratrol. These findings support the use of A. boeticus as a natural and safe diuretic source. Further investigation is recommended to elucidate its pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic relevance. Full article

Background: Artichoke, a medicinal plant with various therapeutic uses, is widely cultivated in many of the world’s geographical areas. The aim of this study was to establish the antimicrobial profile by means of comparative evaluation of the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation, and antimicrobial activities of the basal and cauline leaves, as well as the following by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, from Cynara scolymus L. cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative characterization of the main phenolic compounds from ethanolic extracts was carried out by the HPLC-UV-MS method. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH˙, ABTS˙⁺, FRAP, and NO˙ scavenging methods. The lipid-lowering effect was established with a malonic dialdehyde complex and thiobarbituric acid. Antimicrobial properties were screened using the diffusion method. Results: The HPLC UV-MS analysis highlighted that the green aerial parts of C. scolymus are characterized by the presence of five phenolic acids (kaempferol, gentisic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and caffeic) and four flavonoid heterosides and aglycones (isoquercitrin, quercitrin, luteolin, and apigenin). Correlation between total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). The extracts of C. scolymus’s aerial parts exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activities (p < 0.05) against all tested microorganisms, while no inhibitory effect for inflorescences was observed. Conclusions: Artichoke leaves and by-products may be considered important and promising sources of bioactive compounds for herbal medicinal products, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, due to their antimicrobial properties. This study makes an original contribution to the specialized literature by the detailed characterization of the antimicrobial profile of the extracts obtained from artichoke cultivated in the Republic of Moldova, a species introduced for the first time on the territory of this country. The obtained results highlight the medicinal potential and economic value of the Moldovan artichoke, with particular emphasis on its by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, which less explored so far, as sources of bioactive compounds. Our analyses indicate that the leaves and by-products of the plant represent promising resources for the development of phytopharmaceutical preparations, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, offering new directions for the integral and sustainable valorization of this species acclimatized in Moldova. Full article

This study aimed to explore the phytochemical variability, nutrient composition, and bioactive profile of the edible mushroom species Craterellus cornucopioides with specimens originating from Romanian flora. Its nutritional profile, including its proximate composition and energy value, was determined using standardized analytical methods. The mean contents of total polyphenols and caffeic acid derivatives, quantified by spectrophotometric assay, were established. HPLC–DAD–ESI⁺ analysis enabled the identification and quantification of individual phenolic constituents. Its antioxidant potential was systematically assessed using the following in vitro complementary assays: FRAP, ABTS, CUPRAC, DPPH, and ORAC. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro against MSSA, MRSA, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans using well diffusion, broth microdilution, and anti-biofilm assays. The high amounts of polyphenols, including gentisic acid and protocatechuic acid, underlined a biologically relevant phytochemical composition. In fact, all tested extracts and, in particular, CE3 extract consistently displayed strong antioxidant properties, as indicated by five complementary in vitro tests (FRAP, ABTS, CUPRAC, DPPH, and ORAC). In addition, CE1-4 extracts expressed in vitro antimicrobial potential towards all tested organisms except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results underscore C. cornucopioides’ nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential, thus supporting its classification as an edible but under-explored mushroom species with promising applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) seeds have long been used as a traditional medicine and a spice worldwide. Despite its abundant use, bioactive properties of coriander seeds, correlated with the antioxidant and phenolic data, have not been fully studied systematically. This study evaluated the phenolic data, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of coriander seed extracts obtained using solvents of differing polarity. Higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were observed in the polar extracts, while moderate and non-polar extracts possessed higher antibacterial activity. Acetone extract (Ace) had the highest antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 16.2 ± 0.2 mm against B. subtilis, and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1 and 2% (w/v), respectively. The MBC/MIC ratio between 1 and 4 was observed for the active extracts of coriander seeds, indicating their bactericidal behavior. The liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy (LC–MS/MS) system using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) targeted analysis identified 13 phenolic compounds: gallic acid, ellagic acid, gentisic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, o-coumaric acid, sinapinic acid, chlorogenic acid, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, trans-cinnamic acid, and quercetin. Quantitative differences were observed in the phenolic compounds across the different coriander seed extracts. The TPC was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) and positively correlated with cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) (r = 0.92), as well as with ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (r = 0.98); furthermore, it showed that the higher level of antioxidant capacity of the coriander seed extracts was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, gentisic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin. However, antibacterial activity and phenolic/antioxidant content were negatively correlated, suggesting that non-polar compounds may impact antibacterial activity. Full article

Mushrooms have long been recognized as a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, that possess important antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, including activity against drug-resistant bacteria. This study evaluated total phenolic profile and content, total flavonoids content, the antioxidant activities, antimicrobial and antibacterial activities, of water extracts of edible mushrooms from Romanian deciduous forests, including Cantharellus cibarius, Russula virescens, Lactarius piperatus, and Boletus edulis. The extracts were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH radical-scavenging activity and ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Antimicrobial and antibacterial activities were tested using standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae following diffusion testing and time-killing assay, respectively. The HPLC-MS results indicated that major compounds in all the mushrooms belonged to the subclass of hydroxybenzoic acids. Trans-cinnamic acid and hydroxybenzoic acids, particularly gallic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and gentisic acid, were the predominant compounds detected in BEE and CCE. Their concentrations were measured as follows: 24 μg/mL, 63 μg/mL, 56 μg/mL, and 14 μg/mL, respectively, for BEE, and 26 μg/mL, 42 μg/mL, 7 μg/mL, and 5 μg/mL, respectively, for CCE. Among phenolic compounds, 2-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, p-anisaldehyde, and gentisic acid were positively correlated with both DPPH (45% and 21% inhibition rate for BEE and CCE, respectively) and ABTS (64 and 31% inhibition rate for BEE and CCE, respectively) antioxidant activities. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides, extracted in different ratios in the water extract. All mushroom extracts showed a dose-dependent response with higher antimicrobial and antibacterial activities at the highest concentration (26.3 µg phenolics BEE, 12.7 µg pphenolics CCE, 28.3 µg phenolics LPE, and 14.5 µg phenolics RVE per well for antimicrobial activity and 175.2 µg phenolics/mL BEE, 84.4 µg phenolics/mL CCE, and 188.9 µg phenolics/mL LPE for antibacterial activity). These species demonstrate potential for the development of alternative antimicrobial formulations, particularly relevant in the context of antibiotic resistance. Full article

A rapid targeted screening method for 22 compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolics, in Dendrobium officinale was developed using UHPLC–MS/MS, demonstrating good linear correlation coefficients, precision, repeatability, and stability. D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions can be effectively classified into two distinct categories using PCA. In addition, OPLS-DA discriminant analysis enables clear separation between groups, with samples forming well-defined clusters. The 22 chemical components provide valuable origin-related information for D. officinale. The compounds with VIP values of >1 included eriodictyol, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, gentisic acid, and naringenin. The difference in naringenin content between D. officinale from the two production areas was minimal. By contrast, eriodictyol and vanillic acid were relatively abundant in D. officinale from Guangnan, while gentisic acid and protocatechuic acid were more prevalent in D. officinale from Maguan. The pathways with higher Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were primarily associated with lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These findings suggest that D. officinale exhibits promising lipid-balancing properties and potential cardiovascular health benefits. Seven machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbor, Backpropagation Neural Network, Random Tree, and CatBoost—demonstrated superior accuracy and precision in distinguishing D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The key compounds with higher weights—vanillic acid, chrysoeriol, trigonelline, isoquercitrin, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, eriodictyol, sweroside, apigenin, and homoeriodictyol—play a crucial role in model construction and the identification of D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The quantification of 22 compounds using UHPLC–MS/MS, combined with PCA, OPLS-DA, and machine learning, enables effective discrimination of D. officinale from these two Yunnan production areas. Full article

Eucomis autumnalis is a bulbous ornamental species with ethnobotanical relevance. In vitro cultures offer a sustainable tool for biomass propagation and metabolite production. This study investigates the effects of nine LED light spectra: red (R), blue (B), red–blue (RB), RB with green (RBG), yellow (RBY), far-red (RBfR), ultraviolet (RBUV), white (WLED), and fluorescent light (Fl, control), on the morphogenesis, polyphenol production, and antioxidant potential of E. autumnalis shoot cultures. Cultures were maintained on MS medium with 5 µM BA and 0.5 µM NAA. HPLC-DAD analysis identified 11 phenolic acids and 4 flavonoids, including eucomic acid, characteristic of the genus. Light quality impacted compound-specific accumulation and antioxidant activity, with responses varying among compounds and treatments. R and B light increased catechin, gentisic acid and hesperidin (289, 195, 245 mg/100 g DW), while UV suppressed flavonoids by ca. 2-fold for catechin and flavanones compared to other lights. RBG and RBfR induced the highest eucomic acid accumulation (424 mg/100 g DW), ferulic acid and epicatechin, correlating strongly with ABTS•+ activity (18–19% higher than other lights; r > 0.6–0.8). These findings highlight LED spectral modulation as a tool to enhance the phytochemical quality of E. autumnalis in vitro and provide a foundation for future biotechnological applications. Full article