Search Results (264)

Cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders represent a growing global health challenge, while effective preventive strategies remain limited. Citrus by-products, particularly grapefruit residues, constitute a rich and underexploited source of polyphenols, including flavonoids with reported antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, grapefruit-derived stabilized extract (GDSE) was evaluated using an in vitro neuronal model combined with dynamic simulated gastrointestinal digestion to assess the bioaccessibility and retained biological activity of key polyphenolic compounds. The soluble intestinal fraction of the digested formulation significantly reduced oxidative stress in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and was associated with changes in the expression of genes associated with neurotrophic support, dopaminergic signalling, and neuronal survival. In parallel, simulated digestion preserved a substantial proportion of major flavonoids, such as naringin and narirutin. Consequently, GDSE retained a moderate level of bioaccessible polyphenols and flavonoids, supporting the maintenance of its biological activity after digestion. Overall, these findings indicate that the formulation retains measurable bioactivity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and modulates molecular markers associated with neuronal survival in vitro. While further in vivo and clinical studies are needed to fully establish its relevance for neuroprotection, the findings provide evidence that grapefruit-derived polyphenolic preparations could represent a potential source of bioactive compounds for further investigation as nutraceutical ingredients. Full article

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), engineered phytosomes, bioinspired polymeric plant-based nanoparticles (PBNPs), hybrid phyto-inorganic nanocomposites, green-synthesized metal nanoparticles, self-assembled nanoarchitectures, and multifunctional composites represent a rapidly advancing class of sustainable, nature-inspired nanocarriers. These platforms combine exceptional biocompatibility, negligible immunogenicity, and renewable sourcing with tunable drug loading, targeted delivery, and controlled release properties. This review synthesizes translational advances from 2020 to 2026, covering scalable isolation/bioprocessing (bioreactors, elicitation), multi-parametric physicochemical/multi-omics characterization, rational engineering/hybridization, and rigorous in vitro/in vivo assessments of uptake, biodistribution, pharmacokinetic (PK), and efficacy. Phytosomes and PBNPs markedly enhance oral bioavailability and targeted delivery of lipophilic phytochemicals, while PDEVs offer unique immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and gene-regulatory activities. Hybrid and green-synthesized systems provide structural stability, redox modulation, and synergistic effects, and self-assembled/multifunctional composites address solubilization barriers with stimuli-responsive design. Early-phase human studies on grapefruit-, ginger-, turmeric-, and ginseng-derived PDEVs report excellent short-term safety, favorable PK, and preliminary bioactivity signals, with no observed immunogenicity or dose-limiting toxicities; however, these trials remain exploratory, constrained by small sample sizes and safety-focused endpoints. Despite challenges, including methodological heterogeneity, variable yields, long-term safety uncertainties (notably for inorganic hybrids), and regulatory ambiguities, emerging strategies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-engineered plant line; artificial-intelligence-driven process optimization; standardized guidelines, and integrated clinical, intellectual property, and commercialization frameworks are progressively addressing these barriers. Collectively, these advances position plant-derived nanocarriers as immunologically privileged, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic and mammalian platforms, laying the foundation for a sustainable era of precision phytomedicine. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly managed with complex pharmacotherapy combined with dietary modification, which increases the risk of clinically relevant drug–food interactions (DFIs). Despite their potential impact on treatment efficacy and safety, patient knowledge of DFIs—particularly in the context of modern therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)—remains insufficiently explored. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge of DFIs among 103 adults with T2DM using a self-administered, expert-validated questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables, anti-diabetic therapy (including GLP-1 RAs), sources of education, and attendance at dietary consultations were collected. Knowledge scores were calculated based on correct responses and categorized into tertiles (low, moderate, high). Associations were analyzed using non-parametric tests. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of moderate-to-high DFI knowledge. Results: Substantial gaps in DFI knowledge were identified, particularly regarding interactions involving dietary fiber, dairy products, grapefruit juice, and nutrient deficiencies associated with long-term pharmacotherapy. Knowledge level was not significantly associated with age, educational attainment, diabetes duration, or GLP-1 RA use. Female sex was associated with higher knowledge in univariate analysis (p = 0.026); however, this association did not remain significant in the multivariable regression model. Attendance at at least one dietary consultation in the previous year was significantly associated with higher knowledge levels (p = 0.041) and remained an independent predictor in multivariable analysis (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.04–5.15; p = 0.039). Most participants reported not receiving prior education on DFIs, while expressing a strong need for more frequent counseling. Conclusions: Patients with T2DM demonstrate insufficient knowledge of clinically relevant DFIs, including selected issues related to GLP-1 RA therapy. Attendance at structured dietary consultations was independently associated with higher levels of DFI knowledge; however, the directionality and causality of this relationship cannot be established. Given the cross-sectional design and the assessment of knowledge rather than behavioral or clinical outcomes, these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are required to determine whether improved DFI knowledge translates into meaningful changes in dietary behavior, treatment adherence, or metabolic outcomes. Full article

In the context of global trends in sustainability and the circular economy (CE), this article aims to investigate the potential of microparticles derived from citrus peel waste (grapefruit, key lime, lemon, and orange), constituting approximately 50% of the fruit weight, as eco-friendly bio-fillers in polymer composites, thereby reducing the consumption of petrochemical resins. The composites were fabricated by gravity casting using polyester resin (PR) as the matrix at filler concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% by weight. Functional properties were assessed using static tensile testing (measuring Peak Load, Peak Stress, and Young’s modulus) and Shore D hardness testing. The incorporation of unprocessed fillers generally decreased tensile strength (Peak Stress REF: 31.48 MPa), attributed to poor interfacial adhesion. The lowest Peak Stress value was recorded for the 2.5O composite (16.04 MPa). The exception was the 10K composite (10 wt.%key limee), which achieved a Peak Load (1.28 kN) nearly identical to the neat resin (1.29 kN), although the Peak Stress remained lower due to the reduced effective cross-sectional area. Stiffness (Young’s modulus REF: 3.26 GPa) increased by more than 10 wt.% for 5G (3.63 GPa), indicating effective reinforcement at this concentration. A key positive finding was a universal increase in Shore D hardness across all biocomposites (REF: 78.4 ShD), with a maximum of 83.8 ShD for 10L (lemon), a typical response to rigid fillers that suggests enhanced surface resistance. The results suggest that citrus peel waste could be considered for non-structural applications where surface durability and efficient waste management are priorities. Full article

Although aquatic products are abundant in premium proteins and other vital nutrients, their unique fishy smell often restricts public acceptance and the development of related products. Therefore, pre-marinating is usually used to improve sensory quality and mitigate fishy smell. In this study, sea bass filets were marinated for 1 h at a solid–liquid ratio of 3:5 (w/w) using 15% orange juice, 15% grapefruit juice, and 10% lemon juice. Subsequently, their effects on the flavor and sensory quality of sea bass were examined. The results of gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) showed that marinating the filets in citrus juice led to a notable increase in volatile compounds, including esters with fruity flavor such as ethyl butyrate and terpenes with pleasant citrus aromas such as limonene. The results of texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that pre-marinading with orange juice and grapefruit juice significantly reduced the hardness of fish and resulted in higher sensory evaluation scores (p < 0.05). Lemon juice treatment produced the most noticeable whitening effect (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that citrus juices can be effectively incorporated as marinade ingredients for sea bass, providing both theoretical insight and practical guidance for improving the marinating technology for aquatic products. Full article

The effects of pectin extraction, cellulose purification, and sonication on the juice extraction residue from grapefruit were investigated. Pectin extraction using pressurized carbon dioxide (pCO₂) in a sodium oxalate solution (U-OX) lowered the cellulose content and increased the hemicellulose and lignin contents, whereas pectin extraction in deionized water (U-DW) did not affect these contents. Pectin extraction and cellulose purification induced hydrolysis and removal of non-crystalline cellulose regions. The sonication of the purified cellulose samples formed fiber-like structures with widths of <100 nm on their surfaces. The cellulose purification process increased the surface charge and formed a gel-like structure with increased hardness, adhesiveness, and film structure. These processes enhance the absorption of amphiphilic dyes, although to a lesser extent than that of the untreated juice extraction residue (UJR) after sonication. Before sonication, UJR adsorbed cationic dyes, whereas after, UJR adsorbed both polar and nonpolar dyes. These results suggest that juice residue could be used as a biomaterial with diverse potential applications. Full article

Chilling injury (CI) is a major postharvest disorder in citrus fruit, and fatty acid (FA) metabolism has been proposed as a key determinant of cold tolerance. We have investigated this relationship in the fruit of the Star Ruby grapefruit and found that preharvest fruit shading induces lycopene accumulation in the peel and tolerance to CI during subsequent cold storage in comparison with uncovered fruits, which were sensitive to CI. Then, FA profiling and the expression of FA desaturation (FADs) genes were examined in the flavedo of covered (C) and non-covered (NC) grapefruits during 8 weeks of storage at 2 °C. Linoleic acid was the predominant unsaturated FA in the flavedo of Star Ruby grapefruit, which accumulated more highly in the CI-sensitive than in the CI-tolerant fruit at harvest and during the whole storage period. Interestingly, C and NC fruit also exhibited distinct FAD transcriptional signatures at harvest, suggesting the influence of preharvest factors. Cold storage stimulated FA desaturation in both C and NC fruit and differentially affected the expression of FADs genes during cold storage. These results demonstrate that FA metabolism and regulation of FADs expression are tightly connected with preharvest factors that may modulate the response of grapefruits to postharvest cold storage. Full article

Citrus fruit cultivation and processing are constantly rising due to the increasing market demand and diverse utilization potentials. This generates large quantities of residues, predominantly composed of citrus peels. This study aimed to evaluate six different citrus peels using rapid and/or nondestructive instrumental analytical techniques such as ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, spectrophotometric assays, image textural analysis and physicochemical parameter determination. Image textural features managed to discriminate citrus peels based on their structure uniformity, which was found increased in lemon (C. limon) and yellow grapefruit (C. paradisi), whereas clementine (C. clementina) and red grapefruit (C. paradisi) images exhibited an increased non-uniformity of the structure. Physicochemical parameters provided insights into the quality characteristics of citrus peels, while their high ascorbic acid content seems to enhance their antioxidant activity. The obtained results from phenolic and flavonoid content determination indicated a high concentration of polyphenols in the peels, which is aligned with the ATR-FTIR spectra absorption bands. Furthermore, the spectrophotometric assays’ strong correlation suggests that the antioxidant activity of citrus peels is mainly attributed to polyphenols. Ultimately, a chemometric model was employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the analytical methods’ interactions. Hence, citrus peels’ significant biochemical and, consequently, economic value can be highlighted, underscoring the importance of further research. Full article

Malassezia pachydermatis, an important opportunistic secondary pathogen, is often associated with atopic dermatitis or otitis externa in dogs. Recent studies indicate an increase in resistance of this yeast to commonly used antifungal agents. Therefore, the search for new antifungal agents is a challenge. In the present study, the susceptibility of M. pachydermatis strains to 10 plant essential oils—EOs (bergamot, grapefruit, coriander, hyssop, lavender, tea tree, nutmeg, oregano, rosemary, and Spanish sage) was determined using the broth microdilution method. All 15 clinical strains tested were susceptible to coriander (100%). A good antifungal activity was shown for EO from nutmeg (93.33%), bergamot (86.66), Spanish sage and hyssop (73.33%) and rosemary (66.67%). Lower antifungal efficacy was identified in EOs from grapefruit, lavender, tea tree and oregano (53.33%). The obtained results indicate promising prospects for the clinical use of essential oils in the treatment of M. pachydermatis infections. Full article

Grapefruit is rich in flavanones, particularly naringin and narirutin. This study investigated the effects of temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio on microwave-assisted pressurized CO₂–H₂O (MWP-CO₂-H₂O) extraction of flavonoids from grapefruit and optimized the parameters for maximum total flavonoid content (TFC) using response surface methodology. Independent variable ranges were 110–160 °C, 4.00–14.00 min, and 1:10.00–1:40.00 g/mL. Optimum conditions were 128 °C, 13.88 min, and 1:31.35 g/mL, yielding a TFC of 27.96 ± 1.29 mg naringin equivalent/g dry weight. Under these conditions, extraction yield, total phenolic content, ferric reducing ability of plasma, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, and DPPH IC₅₀ were 55.17 ± 1.90% (dry basis), 25.42 ± 1.39 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 39.16 ± 1.61 µmol trolox equivalent/g, 81.64 ± 0.29 µmol trolox equivalent/g, and 1.60 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. Compared to conventional extraction (CE), MWP-CO₂-H₂O produced higher TFC, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, while reducing extraction time by 13.68-fold. These results highlight grapefruit peel waste as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds and demonstrate that MWP-CO₂-H₂O is an environmentally sustainable, efficient alternative to conventional methods. Full article

Citrus fruit processing, mainly for fresh juice production in the food industry, generates significant amounts of residues and by-products enriched with bioactive components. Peels are the primary waste fraction of citrus fruits, along with discarded pulp and seeds. This study aimed to identify the most fast and sustainable extraction process for flavonoids on a laboratory scale by varying the solvent and extraction methodology, and comparing the yields in order to evaluate their influence on total and individual flavonoid content. A chromatographic analysis was also performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with a 10 min run time. Our focus was on selecting the most user-friendly and cost-effective methodology. Ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction equipment were used with green solvents (water and ethanol) and compared for their efficiency in recovering flavonoid compounds from a mixture of peel and pulp. For this study, two widely cultivated Mediterranean citrus varieties were selected: ‘Marsh’ seedless grapefruits (Citrus paradisi Macf.) and ‘Comun’ mandarins (C. deliciosa Ten.). Lab-scale extraction results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction with a simple ultrasonic bath, using an ethanol–water mixture provided the highest total flavonoid recovery and improved the extraction of key flavanones such as hesperidin, narirutin, and naringin. All ethanol–water mixtures tested (1:1, 7:3, and 3:7) yielded higher flavonoid levels in grapefruit (approximately 2500 mg/100 g DW) and mandarin (approximately 1200 mg/100 g DW) wastes compared with water or ethanol alone. This method offers a scalable and green strategy for valorizing citrus residues. Full article

Growing consumer awareness of the link between diet and health has increased interest in functional foods, including fermented juices. Grapefruit juice has potential health-promoting properties, but its bitter taste limits its acceptance by consumers. This study aimed to develop a fermentation process for debittering grapefruit juice at natural pH using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and naringinase. Grapefruit juice was fermented with Lactic. rhamnosus using free naringinase and naringinase immobilized on carob gum and chitosan supports at 30 ± 0.2 °C for 72 h. Naringin concentration, bacterial cell count, total phenol content, organic acids, carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and pH were analyzed. Naringinase immobilized on carob gum demonstrated the highest efficiency, hydrolyzing over 42% of naringin after 24 h (from 418.20 to 241.19 μg/mL). The free enzyme reduced the naringin concentration to 155.28 μg/mL after 48 h. The highest Lactic. rhamnosus cell count (2.05 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) was achieved with the free enzyme. Total phenol content decreased from 42.24 to 16.58 mg GAE/100 mL when using naringinase immobilized on chitosan. The combined use of naringinase and Lactic. rhamnosus enables the development of an integrated process that improves consumer acceptance with potential applications in the functional beverage industry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Citrus × paradisi Macfad., Rutaceae. peel is a rich source of naringin (NR), but its poor solubility and low bioavailability limit applications. This study aimed to improve NR delivery by comparing microencapsulation, liposomal microencapsulation, and buccal films containing either pure NR or grapefruit peel extract. Methods: Four spray-dried powder formulations—spray-dried NR (NS), liposomal NR (NLS), spray-dried extract (ES), and liposomal extract (ELS)—were produced using maltodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and HPMC as wall materials. Buccal films (EP1, EP2, NP1, NP2) were prepared via solvent casting with HPMC, alginate (ALG), or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). All samples were evaluated for solubility, moisture content, mucoadhesion, and in vitro release under simulated gastric, intestinal, and salivary conditions. Results: NR powders had the highest absolute solubility (306.42 ± 10.34 µg/mL), whereas ELS showed the lowest due to low loading. However, relative to theoretical NR content, ELS achieved the highest dissolution efficiency (55.3%), followed by NLS (42.7%), outperforming NS (5.6%) and ES (91.8%) in sustained release potential. Dual encapsulation (NLS, ELS) slowed gastric release and maintained intestinal delivery, while non-liposomal powders released rapidly. In buccal films, NP2 (NR + PVA) showed the highest release (69.97 ± 3.01 µg/mL; 40.9% efficiency) and strongest mucoadhesion (0.47 N·s). Extract-based films had lower absolute NR release but higher relative efficiency to content, likely due to co-extracted compounds enhancing wettability and matrix erosion. Conclusions: Liposomal microencapsulation improves relative dissolution efficiency and sustains intestinal release, while PVA-based buccal films enhance both release and mucoadhesion. Polymer choice and active ingredient composition are critical for optimising oral delivery of NR. These results demonstrate the potential of the proposed systems in the pharmaceutical or dietary supplement field, especially in improving the oral delivery of poorly soluble flavonoids. A graphical summary is included, visually summarising the main formulation strategies and results. Full article

The genus Citrus consists of Tangerines (Citrus × reticulata), Mandarins (Citrus × reticulata), Oranges (Citrus × sinensis), Grapefruits (Citrus maxima), Lemons (Citrus × limon), and other citrus fruits. This study investigated the effects of 74 different citrus species and harvesting time on the quality of citrus dark tea using Hubei green brick tea as the raw material. Oranges (Citrus × sinensis) were found to outperform other species in improving the quality of citrus dark tea. Additionally, the impact of orange harvesting time (August to December) on the quality of orange dark tea was investigated by using the Peach leaf orange with the highest sensory score as the subject of the study. Results revealed that harvesting time can considerably impact the flavor quality of orange dark tea, but not its infusion color or scent. Specifically, the orange dark tea processed with September-harvested Peach leaf orange exhibited a strong fruity scent, a sweet and smooth flavor, and a harmonious tea and fruit aroma. With the delay of harvesting time, a downtrend was observed in the content of soluble proteins, flavonoids, hesperidin, synephrine, and limonin, as well as total volatile components, with the largest decrease in synephrine and flavonoids. However, the polysaccharide content increased in the peel of Peach leaf orange. Functional analysis revealed that the delay of harvesting time can diminish the inhibitory capacity of orange-dark tea on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Organoleptic quality and physiological activity analysis demonstrated September as the optimal time for harvesting Peach leaf oranges for processing orange dark tea. Full article

Mechanical harvesting of ripe fruit should significantly increase fruit picking productivity and reduce harvesting times and operating costs. This study presents the optimal average gravitational acceleration of grapefruit tree branches obtained with a self-propelled citrus canopy shaker that varied the number, vibrational speed, and canopy penetration depth of the beating arms. Accelerometer sensors measured vibration and acceleration, and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm analyzed the vibration data. The acceleration values reflected the behavior of the tree branches in response to harvester shaking and varied with different harvester configurations and accelerometer placements in the tree canopy. The magnitude of the gravitational acceleration (g) increased significantly by increasing the number of shaking beaters, the shaker’s penetration into the tree canopy, and increasing the harvester’s shaking speed. The initial 14 beaters only provided acceleration values of 8.00 g maximum, 1.93 g minimum, and 5.044 g averages. Using 26 beaters yielded a maximum of 14.09 g, a minimum of 6.27 g, and an average of 8.65 g. Increasing the shaking speed also increased the forces applied to the tree canopy. An average of 7.387 g, achieved at 45.3 in/s, increased to 8.004 g at 65.9 in/s. Higher (g) values resulted in increased grapefruit fruit dislodgement, with 100% fruit removal on some trees. Full article