Search Results (76)

The search for natural sources of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties has intensified in recent years. Among these, Tannat grape pomace (TGP), a primary byproduct of winemaking, stands out for its high phenolic content, although its bioactivity may be affected during gastrointestinal digestion. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant (ABTS, ORAC-FL, intracellular ROS inhibition), anti-diabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition), anti-obesity (lipase inhibition), and anti-inflammatory (NO inhibition) properties of five sugar-free biscuits formulated with varying percentages of TGP and sucralose. No significant differences were observed in the bioaccessible fractions (BFs, representing the compounds potentially released in the small intestine) between control biscuits and those enriched with TGP, suggesting limited release of phenolics at this stage. Conversely, the colonic fractions (CFs, simulating the material reaching the colon) from biscuits with higher TGP content exhibited greater bioactivities. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of the CF from the biscuit containing 20% TGP and 4% sucralose revealed a high content of procyanidin trimers, indicating the persistence of these specific phenolic compounds after in vitro digestion. These findings suggest that TGP-enriched biscuits may deliver health benefits at the colonic level and support their potential application in the formulation of functional foods. Further microbiota and in vivo studies should be assessed to confirm the latter. Full article

This study investigated the functional potential of Campomanesia xanthocarpa leaf and fruit infusions through phytochemical profiling, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, enzyme inhibition assays, and in vivo evaluation of glycemic markers. Leaf infusions exhibited a more diverse phenolic profile, higher total phenolic content, and greater antioxidant capacity compared to fruit infusions. Simulated digestion confirmed the bioaccessibility of key phenolic compounds, particularly glycosylated flavonoids such as quercetin-3-glucoside and kaempferol derivatives, with leaf extracts showing superior gastrointestinal stability. In vitro assays revealed a strong inhibitory activity of leaf infusions against α-amylase and β-glucosidase. In a 32-day trial with healthy dogs, the consumption of biscuits enriched with leaf infusion did not alter fasting glucose or amylase levels but resulted in a significant treatment × time interaction for serum fructosamine, indicating a delayed modulation of glycemic control, potentially associated with antioxidant or anti-glycation activity. These findings highlight the potential of C. xanthocarpa leaves as a functional ingredient in foods aimed at supporting glycemic regulation and metabolic health. Full article

Zn is a trace element necessary for the functioning of about 300 enzymes. It plays a biochemical, structural, and regulatory role. It participates in the immune response, proper functioning of the endocrine system, and regulation of gene expression. Its deficiencies are most often caused by the mismatch between dietary intake and the body’s needs. Bioavailability of zinc depends on interactions with other food components. Phytates negatively affect this element’s absorption, whereas proteins, peptides, and amino acids increase its bioavailability. It has been proven that organic forms of zinc are better absorbed than inorganic compounds, like zinc oxide and sulfate. Amino acid combinations with zinc can use amino acid transporters in the absorption process. Estimation of Zn bioavailability and bioaccessibility are based on in vivo and in vitro studies, each having their advantages and disadvantages. The current review aims to gather and summarize recent research on the dietary role of Zn, especially data on bioavailability from food substances promoting/inhibiting absorption, and the latest methods for determining the level of bioavailability of this nutrient. Full article

Polyphenols are known as secondary metabolites, which are crucial bioactive compounds that play a significant role in enhancing human health. Chromatographic methods are typically used to identify polyphenols after food extraction. The extraction methods are fundamental, however, they are implemented with some differences, including extractant type, according to the food. Polyphenols are mostly found in some foods, including grapes, olives, cherries, and apples. Foods have diverse polyphenols, which differ according to the food type. Moreover, they have flavonols, flavanols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, and anthocyanins as various subgroups of polyphenols, which can change in terms of quantity and quality along with several factors, including the type, growing region, germination time, and harvest season of the food. The consumption of polyphenols is crucial for human health due to their anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, cardiometabolic risk management, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. In the valorization of polyphenols, the consumption dose is also important to effectively benefit from the polyphenols of plant-based foods. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have tested the polyphenols’ digestion ability and preservation ability in gut microbiota and their effect on the microbiota to determine the benefits and effects of polyphenols in several areas. According to these studies, polyphenols can be used to fight against disease. In addition, diverse applications, including encapsulation and polyphenol coating, are used to stabilize, preserve, and improve the bioaccessibility of polyphenols. Even though polyphenol-rich foods are consumed for nutrition in daily life, they are also used as nutritional ingredients in the food industry to produce functional foods, and functional foods are enriched with food by-products to enhance their nutritional value, especially in terms of polyphenols. Particularly, food by-products are used to enrich functional foods, which are preferred in healthy life diets due to the diversity and amount of bioactive ingredients, including the polyphenol types of the food by-products. Furthermore, polyphenols also provide the preservation ability of storage and improve the bioaccessibility of bioactive ingredients during the digestion of functional foods. This review article examines the polyphenol ingredients of several types of food used in the food industry. It explains the effective factors that affect the amount and type of food and determines the impact of polyphenols on polyphenol-enriched products and functional foods. The article also provides a brief exemplification of the value of polyphenol-rich food by-products in the context of functional food production. Several studies presented in this review article demonstrate the value of polyphenols, particularly in the food industry and functional food production. Full article

This study compared yogurts containing coffee (cascara and silverskin) and wine-making (pomace, skin, and seed) byproduct extracts as novel ingredients. For this purpose, the analysis of the sensory acceptance, basic information on phytochemical profile, and health-promoting properties of novel yogurt formulations were carried out. The antioxidant (ORAC, ABTS, DPPH, and intracellular ROS), antidiabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition), and anti-inflammatory (NO assay) properties of the yogurts depended on the type of byproduct extract and concentration used. Among the studied formulations, coffee cascara yogurt showed a high sensory acceptance (6.96), high overall antioxidant capacity (significantly higher (p < 0.05) values of TPC and antioxidant capacity measured by ORAC, ABTS, and DPPH than control yogurt), the best antidiabetic properties (inhibition of α-glucosidase activity of 83%), and a significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effect used as an ingredient at a final concentration of 10 mg/mL of food. The antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of cascara yogurt were also observed after in vitro digestion, which may be ascribed to unidentified bioactive compounds such as metabolites of phytochemicals and proteins generated during the physiological process. Overall, we developed a healthy, tasty, and sustainable coffee cascara yogurt containing antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds, which may be bioaccessible for their in vivo effects. The cascara yogurt can be consumed by the general public since the caffeine concentration in the food is within the recommended range for all population groups and it does not seem bioaccessible after the digestion of the food. Full article

Background: Rutin (R) is a bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its low bioavailability limits its application. To address this problem, R was encapsulated with whey protein (W) as nanoparticles, and the potential effect and mechanism of rutin–whey protein nanoparticles (RW) on skeletal muscle dysfunction was investigated in D-galactose induced mice. Methods: R was encapsulated with W to form RW, and its characteristics like particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and bioaccessibility were evaluated. In the in vivo study, male C57BL/6J mice were treated with R, W or RW, respectively. The muscle function, hepatic antioxidant capacity, serum inflammatory levels, gut microbiota, and metabolomic profiles of mice were evaluated. Results: RW showed a uniform particle size, with an encapsulation efficiency of 68.7%. In the RW, the bioaccessibility of rutin was approximately 3.3 times that of free rutin. This in vivo study indicated that in comparison with D-galactose induced mice (model group), R, W and RW treatments could enhance hepatic antioxidative capacity and regulate inflammation levels, while W and RW could also increase muscle strength. Among these, RW treatment significantly elevated the hepatic GSH-PX activity and decreased the serum MSTN, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, which were all markedly better than those of the individual effect of R or W. Such effects of R, W, and RW may be achieved through the modulation of gut microbiota that produced short-chain fatty acids or involved in anti-inflammatory function and the regulation of metabolic profiles associated with amino acid metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, etc. Conclusions: RW was found to enhance the bioaccessibility of rutin, and exhibited positive effects on skeletal muscle dysfunction via the modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic pathways. The results of this study may provide new scientific strategy for the utilization of rutin to achieve its health benefits. Full article

Overweight and obesity are worldwide problems; several strategies have been applied to counteract them, including the development of functional foods with specific bioactivities. Sorghum has been shown in in vitro and in vivo studies to improve various biomarkers related to overweight, obesity, and inflammation, particularly when sprouted and irradiated with UV light. In the present study, irradiated sorghum sprouts were used to prepare granola bars; their phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, in vitro bioaccessibility, anti-inflammatory potential, and sensory acceptability were measured. Gallic acid increased in response to irradiation, while catechin increased in response to sprouting. In vitro digestion showed higher intestinal recovery of phenolics and antioxidant capacity, as well as a significant decrease in nitric oxide content, an inflammation biomarker. A sensory analysis showed scores of approximately 5.5–6.5 (on a 9-point hedonic scale) for most variables analyzed, suggesting adequate acceptability. Sorghum bars made with irradiated sorghum sprouts present high potential as health foods that could help counteract the problems of overweight, obesity, and related diseases. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to demonstrate the benefits of consuming this food. Full article

Oxidative stress and inflammation are critical factors in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, is enriched with bioactive compounds during fermentation. This study evaluated the antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of kombucha made from mulberry leaf green tea (MLGT) and black tea (MLBT) during in vitro digestion. The bioaccessibility of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), phenolics, and flavonoids was assessed through simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal phases. MLGT kombucha exhibited higher initial antioxidant activity, while MLBT showed greater compound stability and ACE inhibitory activity during digestion. Notably, α-glucosidase inhibition declined significantly in the intestinal phase, in parallel with reduced DNJ and flavonoid content. Strong correlations were observed between specific phenolic acids and bioactivity profiles, highlighting ρ-coumaric and sinapic acids in ACE inhibition and DNJ in antiglycemic activity. These findings demonstrate the functional potential of mulberry leaf kombucha as a beverage to support metabolic health, pending confirmation through in vivo studies. Full article

Background: Nutraceuticals represent a strategy for maintaining health and constitute a brilliant market in Italy and across Europe. However, the absence of strict regulations regarding formulation requirements highlights a critical issue: their poor bioavailability. An example is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a quinone known for its potential as a mitochondrial protective agent but characterized by low intestinal absorption. CoQ10 is a hydrophobic molecule with high molecular weight and poor water solubility, factors that significantly limit its intestinal bioaccessibility and, consequently, its oral bioavailability. Objectives: In this context, the present study describes a novel formulation designed to enhance CoQ10 bioaccessibility through in situ emulsification upon contact with gastroenteric fluids. This technology, termed Lipid-Based Auto-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (LiBADDS), is unique because it combines a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), a long-chain fatty acid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with a high HLB solubilizer, Polysorbate 80 (PS80), and a sodium octenyl succinate starch derivative (SOS), which can create a nanometric emulsion simply by aqueous dispersion and upon contact with gastrointestinal fluids. This phenomenon promotes the prompt dispersion of CoQ10 and its rapid translocation into the serosal compartment of the intestinal epithelium. Methods: Its efficacy was evaluated in vitro through the Caco-2 cellular model and in vivo through a crossover study on healthy volunteers, measuring pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC, C_max, T_max, ΔAUC, and ΔC_max. Results: Overall, LiBADDS demonstrated a significant improvement in both the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of CoQ10 compared to the unformulated substance. Conclusions: LiBADDS showed to be a promising tool to improve CoQ10 bioavailability by enhancing its bioaccessibility. Full article

The objective of this study was to formulate Pickering emulsions stabilized by transglutaminase cross-linked mulberry leaf protein (TG-MLP) nanoparticles as a delivery system for curcumin (Cur) and to assess its bioaccessibility both in vivo and in vitro. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in high-internal-phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) prepared at pH 10 with a 20 mg/mL concentration of TG-MLP reached 93%. Compared to Oil-Cur, Cur-HIPEs exhibited superior antioxidant activity. Furthermore, Cur-HIPEs demonstrated enhanced stability against ultraviolet irradiation, storage under dark and visible light, and heating, in contrast to Oil-Cur. Among the various conditions tested, HIPEs stabilized by TG-MLP nanoparticles at an ionic strength of 1000 mM offered the most effective protection for curcumin. Moreover, TG-MLP nanoparticles at pH 8 provided better stability for the formulated HIPEs compared to those at pH 6 and 10. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the bioaccessibility of curcumin in Cur-HIPEs was significantly increased to 30.1% compared to Oil-Cur. In murine studies, higher levels of curcumin were detected in the stomach, small intestine, rectum, ileum, and feces following administration of Cur-HIPEs, indicating improved protection, absorption, and potential biological activity during digestion. Consequently, HIPEs offer excellent protection and delivery for curcumin during digestion. Full article

Sorghum is a significant source of polyphenols, whose content, antioxidant properties and bioaccessibility may be modulated by digestion. Studies have reported sorghum polyphenol changes after simulated digestion. However, the effects of simulated digestion on processed, pigmented sorghum are unknown. This study investigated the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of black (BlackSs and BlackSb), red (RedBa₁, RedBu₁, RedBa₂, RedBu₂) and white (WhiteLi₂ and White Li₂) sorghum samples using a Caco-2 in vitro model. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography—online 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (UHPLC–online ABTS)—and quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass spectra (QTOF LC–MS) facilitated the identification of digested and transported compounds. Simulated digestion showed increased bioaccessibility and total phenolic content (TPC) for BlackSs by 2-fold. BlackSs and BlackSb exhibited high antioxidant capacities, with variations dependent on processing in other varieties. Kaempferol-3-O-xyloside exhibited a 4-fold increase in TPC following digestion of processed BlackSs and BlackSb but was absent in the others. BlackSs, BlackSb, and RedBu₁ revealed twelve bioaccessible and Caco-2 transported compounds not previously reported in sorghum, including trans-pinostilbene, tryptophan and maackin a. This study demonstrates that in vitro digestion increases the bioaccessiblity of sorghum polyphenols through the process of cellular biotransformation, possibly improving transport and bioactivity in vivo. Full article

Efficient development of effective functional foods and nutraceuticals requires adequate estimation methods of the bioaccessibility of their bioactive compounds. Specially grain-based nutraceuticals and functional ingredients are often enriched in bound/low bioavailable bioactive phytochemicals. The objective of this work was to evaluate the differences in applying static or dynamic digestion models for the estimation of bioaccessibility of antioxidants present in cereal grain-based/fiber-rich ingredients produced using enzymatic hydrolysis and sprouting processes. Main liberated phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity (ABTS^•+ and ORAC) and ferric reducing capacity were evaluated in the samples following three digestion protocols with differences based on their dynamism: static, semi-dynamic and dynamic. The samples digested with the dynamic method showed higher antioxidant and reducing capacities than those digested with the static and semi-dynamic protocols. The results obtained from the digests with the dynamic model showed a total phenol content (TPs) ranging from 1068.22 to 1456.65 μmol GAE 100 g⁻¹ and antioxidant capacity values from 7944.62 to 15,641.90 μmol TE 100 g⁻¹ (ORAC) and from 8454.08 to 11,002.64 μmol TE 100 g⁻¹ (ABTS^•+), with a reducing power ranging from 2103.32 to 2679.78 mmol Fe reduced 100 g⁻¹ (FRAP). The dynamic character of the protocols used for developing bioactive cereal-based foods significantly affects the estimation of their bioaccessibility, probably giving a better approach to their potential bioavailability in in vivo systems. Full article

Nutritional supplementation enriched with protein and antioxidants has been demonstrated to effectively strengthen skeletal muscle function and mitigate the risk of sarcopenia. Dietary protein has also been a common carrier to establish bioactive delivery system. Therefore, in this study, a Pickering emulsion delivery system for rutin was constructed with whey protein, and its structural characteristics, bioaccessibility, and molecular interactions were investigated. In the in vivo study, zebrafish (n = 10 in each group), which have a high genetic homology to humans, were treated with dexamethasone to induce sarcopenia symptoms and were administered with rutin, whey protein and the Pickering emulsion, respectively, for muscle movement ability evaluation, and zebrafish treated with or without dexamethasone was used as the model and the control groups, respectively. Results showed that the Pickering emulsion was homogeneous in particle size with a rutin encapsulation rate of 71.16 ± 0.15% and loading efficiency of 44.48 ± 0.11%. Rutin in the Pickering emulsion exhibited a significantly higher bioaccessibility than the free form. The interaction forces between rutin and the two components of whey proteins (α-LA and β-LG) were mainly van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. After treatment for 96 h, the zebrafish in Picking emulsion groups showed a significantly increased high-speed movement time and frequency, an increased level of ATP, prolonged peripheral motor nerve length, and normalized muscular histological structure compared with those of the model group (p < 0.05). The results of this study developed a new strategy for rutin utilization and provide scientific evidence for sarcopenia prevention with a food-derived resource. Full article

This study aims to recover the main by-product of Citrus fruits processing, the raw pomace, known also as pastazzo, to produce plant complexes to be used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Food-grade extracts from orange (OE) and lemon (LE) pomace were obtained by ultrasound-assisted maceration. After a preliminary phytochemical and biological screening by in vitro assays, primary and secondary metabolites were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS) analyses. The intestinal bioaccessibility and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated by in vitro simulated gastro-intestinal digestion followed by treatments on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2). The tight junctions-associated structural proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), reactive oxygen species (ROS)-levels, expression of some key antioxidant (CAT, NRF2 and SOD2) and inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8) genes, and pNFkB p65 nuclear translocation, were evaluated. The OE and LE digesta, which did not show any significant difference in terms of phytochemical profile, showed significant effects in protecting against the LPS-induced intestinal barrier damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. In conclusion, both OE and LE emerged as potential candidates for further preclinical studies on in vivo IBD models. Full article

Chrysin is hypothesized to possess the ability to prevent different illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Nonetheless, chrysin has a low solubility under physiological conditions, resulting in limited bioavailability. In a previous study, we utilized an oil-in-water emulsion system (chrysin-ES or chrysin-NE) to encapsulate chrysin, thereby increasing its bioaccessibility and preserving its antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer’s properties. To promote the chrysin-ES as a supplementary and functional food, it was obligatory to carry out a safety assessment. Cytotoxicity testing showed that chrysin-ES was harmless, with no killing effect on 3T3-L1 (adipocytes), RAW 264.7 (macrophages), HEK293 (kidney cells), and LX-2 (hepatic stellate cells). The acute toxicity evaluation demonstrated that the 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) for chrysin-ES was greater than 2000 mg/kg BW. Genotoxicity assessments found that chrysin-ES did not induce DNA mutations in vitro or in vivo. Furthermore, chrysin and chrysin-ES exhibited anti-mutagenic properties against PhIP-induced and IQ-induced mutagenesis in the Ames test, while they inhibited urethane-, ethyl methanesulfonate-, mitomycin C-, and N-nitrosomethylurea-mediated mutations in Drosophila. The present study illustrates the safety and anti-genotoxicity properties of chrysin-ES, allowing for the further development of chrysin-based food supplements and nutraceuticals. Full article