Search Results (274)

This study investigates the potential of using downgraded chestnuts, which are unsuitable for commercial sale, from five distinct Greek regions to produce chestnut flour and formulate gluten-free biscuits. Chestnuts were dried and milled into flour, which was then used as the sole flour ingredient in the biscuit formulation, in order to assess its nutritional and functional contribution. The moisture, lipid, protein, and ash contents were analyzed in chestnut flour samples, which showed significant regional differences. Chestnut flour biscuits (CFB) were compared to wheat flour biscuits (WFB). CFB exhibited significantly higher ash content (3.01% compared to 0.94% in WFB) and greater antioxidant capacity, with DPPH scavenging activity reaching 70.83%, as opposed to 61.67% in WFB, while maintaining similar moisture and lipid levels. Although CFB showed slightly lower protein content, the elevated mineral and phenolic compound levels contributed to its functional value. These findings indicate that downgraded chestnuts can be upcycled into gluten-free bakery products with improved functional characteristics. Given their antioxidant activity and mineral content, chestnut flour biscuits may serve as a valuable option for gluten-free diets, supporting circular economy principles and reducing food waste. Full article

Apples and Korean green chili peppers are rich in phytochemicals and recognized for their diverse bioactive properties. Given the potential to enhance these beneficial compounds, this study investigated the effects of mineral supplementation during cultivation on the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of extracts from both crops. Mineral-enriched cultivation significantly increased the total phenolic and flavonoid contents in both crops, which was accompanied by enhanced DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Moreover, the mineral-supplemented extracts of Korean green chili pepper activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulated downstream antioxidant enzymes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCL), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Notably, the mineral-supplemented Korean green chili pepper extract significantly suppressed the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells. These findings suggest that mineral supplementation during cultivation may improve the functional quality of apples and Korean green chili peppers, supporting their potential application in cancer prevention and complementary therapeutic strategies. Full article

Magenta Cherry or Eugenia (Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn) is an underutilized berry species with an interesting source of functional components. This study aimed to evaluate these berries’ morphometric, nutritional, and phytochemical characteristics at two ripening stages, CM: consumer maturity (CM) and OM: over-maturity. Morphometric analysis revealed size and weight parameters comparable to commercial berries such as blueberries. Fresh fruits were processed into pulverized material, and in this, a proximate analysis was evaluated, showing high moisture content (88.9%), dietary fiber (3.56%), and protein (0.63%), with negligible fat, indicating suitability for low-calorie diets. Phytochemical screening by HPLC identified gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, and condensed tannins. Ethanol extracts showed stronger bioactive profiles than aqueous extracts, with significant antioxidant capacity (up to 803.40 µmol _Trolox/g via Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP assay). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic analyses established structural transformations of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aromatic groups associated with ripening. These changes were supported by observed variations in anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, both higher at the CM stage. A notable pigment loss in OM fruits could be attributed to pH changes, oxidative degradation, enzymatic activity loss, and biotic stressors. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) confirmed higher radical scavenging activity in CM-stage berries. Elemental analysis identified minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, although in moderate concentrations. In summary, Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn fruit demonstrates considerable potential as a source of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds. These findings advocate for greater exploration and sustainable use of this native berry species in functional food systems. Full article

Honey is prized for its nutritional and healing properties, but its quality can be affected by contamination with toxic elements. This study evaluates the nutritional value and health risks of fifteen honey samples from different agro-climatic regions of Pakistan. Physicochemical properties such as color, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, ash, and solids content were within acceptable ranges. ICP-OES analysis was used to assess six essential minerals and ten toxic metals. Except for slightly elevated boron levels (up to 0.18 mg/kg), all elements were within safe limits, with potassium reaching up to 1018 mg/kg. Human health risk assessments—including Average Daily Dose of Ingestion, Total Hazard Quotient, and Carcinogenic Risk—indicated no carcinogenic threats for adults or children, despite some elevated metal levels. Antioxidant activity, measured through total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging assays, showed that darker honeys had stronger antioxidant properties. While the overall quality of honey samples was satisfactory, significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) were observed across different regions. These differences are attributed to diverse agro-climatic conditions and production sources. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring to ensure honey safety and nutritional quality. Full article

As the global demand for eco-friendly food ingredients grows, marine macroalgae emerge as a valuable resource for multiple applications using a circular bioeconomy approach. In this study, green macroalgae Ulva flexuosa, naturally accumulated in aquaculture ponds as a residual biomass (by-product) of shrimp and oyster farming, were investigated regarding their bioactivity, chemical composition, and antioxidant properties. The use of aquaculture by-products as raw materials not only reduces waste accumulation but also makes better use of natural resources and adds value to underutilized biomass, contributing to sustainable production systems. For this, a comprehensive approach including the evaluation of its composition and environmentally friendly extraction of bioactive compounds was conducted and discussed. Green macroalgae exhibited high fiber (37.63% dry weight, DW) and mineral (30.45% DW) contents. Among the identified compounds, palmitic acid and linoleic acid (ω-6) were identified in the highest concentrations. Pigment analysis revealed a high concentration of chlorophylls (73.95 mg/g) and carotenoids (17.75 mg/g). To evaluate the bioactivity of Ulva flexuosa, ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction was performed using water, ethanol, and methanol. Methanolic extracts showed the highest flavonoid content (59.33 mg QE/100 g), while aqueous extracts had the highest total phenolic content (41.50 mg GAE/100 g). Ethanolic and methanolic extracts had the most potent DPPH scavenging activity, whereas aqueous and ethanolic extracts performed best at the ABTS assay. Overall, we show the upcycling of Ulva flexuosa, an underexplored aquaculture by-product, as a sustainable and sensible strategy for multiple value-added applications. Full article

In this study, the degradation of Nile Blue dye was investigated using homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalytic methods based on the photo-Fenton reaction. More specifically, for homogeneous photocatalysis, the classical photo-Fenton (UV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) and modified photo-Fenton-like (UV/Fe²⁺/S₂O₈²⁻) systems were studied, while for heterogeneous photocatalysis, a commercial MOF catalyst, Basolite F300, and a natural ferrous mineral, geothite, were employed. Various parameters—including the concentrations of the oxidant and catalyst, UV radiation, and pH—were investigated to determine their influence on the reaction rate. In homogeneous systems, an increase in iron concentration led to an enhanced degradation rate of the target compound. Similarly, increasing the oxidant concentration accelerated the reaction rate up to an optimal level, beyond which radical scavenging effects were observed, reducing the overall efficiency. In contrast, heterogeneous systems exhibited negligible degradation in the absence of an oxidant; however, the addition of oxidants significantly improved the process efficiency. Among the tested processes, homogeneous techniques demonstrated a superior efficiency, with the conventional photo-Fenton process achieving complete mineralization within three hours. Kinetic analysis revealed pseudo-first-order behavior, with rate constants ranging from 0.012 to 0.688 min⁻¹ and correlation coefficients (R²) consistently above 0.90, confirming the reliability of the applied model under various experimental conditions. Nevertheless, heterogeneous techniques, despite their lower degradation rates, also achieved high removal efficiencies while offering the advantage of operating at a neutral pH without the need for acidification. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a plant recognized as a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This study investigates the effects of grinding techniques (knife, ball, and planetary ball mill) on the properties of purslane powder (surface microstructure, particle size distribution, and color), their influence on the phenolic content in the extracts of purslane powder before and after in vitro simulated digestion process, and the antioxidant activity of the purslane extracts. The results showed that applied grinding techniques affected the particle size distribution and surface morphology of the powder, which in turn influenced the gastrointestinal stability of the dominant phenolic compounds in purslane powder extracts. The powder obtained via ball milling, characterized by the highest proportion of fine particles (x < 100 µm), showed the highest content of total phenolics (656 mg GAE/L). Ball milling resulted in high preservation of the dominant phenolic acids in the powder extract after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion (83.55% and 69.42%) and high free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS) and ferric reducing power (FRAP). The results obtained emphasize the nutritional and biological benefits of purslane in the form of a fine powder. Full article

Ilex vomitoria Ait. is a star substitute for “tea” in recent years. At present, research on I. vomitoria mainly focuses on its breeding and cultivation, and there are few reports on the seasonal changes of important components such as leaf nutrients. This study focuses on the leaves of the topmost annual branches of I. vomitoria. Leaves were harvested at different stages, and the nutrient elements, antioxidant substances, antioxidant capacity, and aroma components in the leaves were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the content of mineral elements, soluble sugars, vitamin C, amino acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, caffeine, and catechins, as well as the DPPH free radical scavenging ability, ABTS cation free radical scavenging ability, and FRAP iron ion reduction ability in the leaves of I. vomitoria showed significant differences with seasonal changes. The mineral element content in spring leaves is relatively high. Flavonoids and polyphenols are the main antioxidant substances in the leaves of I. vomitoria, indicating that the antioxidant capacity of spring leaves is the strongest. The content of aroma components in the leaves of I. vomitoria in spring is the highest, with alcohols ranging from 54.93% to 66.08%, followed by ketones from 17.63% to 48.07%, and aldehydes from 21.27% to 38.51%. Overall, spring leaves are more suitable for harvesting, development, and utilization. Full article

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a widely used antibiotic, persists in aquatic environments due to its resistance to conventional wastewater treatments. This work examined the breakdown of SMX in both purified water and urban wastewater through the application of electron beam irradiation (EBI). Experiments were conducted across doses of 0.5–3.0 kGy and varying pHs (2.70, 6.13, 9.00 and 11.10) and initial concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg/L), and the role of reactive species was investigated with the help of scavengers. The results showed that SMX degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and was most efficient at lower pH and concentrations. The scavenger experiments confirmed hydroxyl radicals as the dominant oxidizing agents responsible for SMX degradation, while wastewater constituents slightly inhibited the process. Nevertheless, over 99% SMX degradation was achieved at higher doses (1.5–3.0 kGy). TOC analysis revealed the partial mineralization of SMX, indicating the persistence of intermediate by-products despite high degradation efficiency. LC-MS analysis revealed multiple transformation products including hydroxylated sulfonamides and nitro-substituted derivatives, reflecting diverse degradation pathways. These results demonstrate that EBI is a highly effective laboratory-scale method for degrading SMX from water and wastewater, with promising potential for practical application. Full article

The periodate/hydrogen peroxide (PI/H₂O₂) system is a recently developed advanced oxidation process (AOP) characterized by its rapid reaction kinetics, making it highly suitable for continuous-flow applications compared to conventional batch systems. Despite its potential, no prior studies have investigated its performance under flowing conditions. This work presents the first application of the PI/H₂O₂ process in a tubular microreactor, a promising technology for enhancing mass transfer and process efficiency. The degradation of textile dyes (specifically Basic Yellow 28 (BY28)) was systematically evaluated under various operating conditions, including reactant concentrations, flow rates, reactor length, and temperature. The results demonstrated that higher H₂O₂ flow rates, increased PI dosages, and moderate dye concentrations (25 µM) significantly improved degradation efficiency, achieving complete mineralization at 2 mM PI and H₂O₂ flow rates of 80–120 µL/s. Conversely, elevated temperatures negatively impacted the process performance. The influence of organic and inorganic constituents was also examined, revealing that surfactants (SDS, Triton X-100, Tween 20, and Tween 80) and organic compounds (sucrose and glucose) acted as strong hydroxyl radical scavengers, substantially inhibiting dye oxidation—particularly at higher concentrations, where nearly complete suppression was observed. Furthermore, the impact of water quality was assessed using different real matrices, including tap water, seawater, river water, and secondary effluents from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (SEWWTP). While tap water exhibited minimal inhibition, river water and SEWWTP significantly reduced process efficiency due to their high organic content competing with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite its high salt content, seawater remained a viable medium for dye degradation, suggesting that further optimization could enhance process performance in saline environments. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of the PI/H₂O₂ process in continuous-flow microreactors and underscores the importance of considering competing organic and inorganic constituents in real wastewater applications. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing AOPs in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems. Full article

Collagen peptides are recognized for their diverse bioactivities; however, efficiently screening potent peptides from hydrolysates remains challenging. This study employed an integrated strategy that combined in silico antioxidant activity prediction and molecular docking to myeloperoxidase (MPO) to screen active peptides derived from yak bone collagen hydrolysates. Focusing on low molecular weight peptides, containing motifs such as GVM, GLP, GPM, and GPQ, we identified nine antioxidant peptides (KC1–KC9). Their activities were validated through in vitro free radical scavenging assays, with peptide KC7 demonstrating superior performance. Furthermore, peptide KC7 promoted proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells by upregulating osteogenic markers such as Runx2 and osteocalcin, modulating the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt pathways, and reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results highlight KC7’s dual capacity to mitigate oxidative stress and potentially reduce apoptotic susceptibility, thereby stimulating osteogenesis. This positions peptide KC7 as a promising candidate for bone regeneration and oxidative stress-related disorders. Moreover, this study underscores the effectiveness of integrating computational and experimental approaches for the discovery of multifunctional natural peptides. Full article

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing wheat flour with bilberry (BIPP) and blackcurrant (BCPP) pomace powders at 2.5%, 5%, and 10% levels on dough texture and rheology and on the proximate composition, color, titratable acidity, pH, spread ratio, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and textural and sensory properties of cookies. BIPP showed higher protein, fiber, and water absorption capacity while also showing lower fat and titratable acidity as compared with BCPP. The incorporation of BIPP and BCPP in cookies resulted in lower protein and higher fat, fiber, and mineral contents. Dough hardness, consistency, and stiffness increased while the hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of the cookies were found to decrease with the increase in pomace levels. A seven-fold increase in the total phenolic content of the cookies was recorded at a 10% replacement level of wheat flour with BIPP, reaching 214.73 mg GAE/100 g, while only a three-fold increase was found for 10% BCPP (90.18 mg GAE/100 g). The enrichment with BIPP and BCPP improved the sensory properties, with the 10% addition level presenting the highest acceptance. The results indicate that bilberry and blackcurrant pomace could be utilized as a sustainable source of fiber and bioactive compounds for adding nutritional, technological, and sensory benefits to the cookies. Full article

Background: Stachys alpina is a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family whose biological potential remains poorly explored. Methods: The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the pol-yphenol profile, macro- and microelement composition, and the antioxidant, an-ti-diabetic, and anti-obesity activities of various plant organs (leaves, flowers, stems, and roots). Results: The leaves and flowers exhibited the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, while anthocyanins were detected exclusively in the flowers (215.05 mg/100 g dry matter (dm)) and constituted 3% of the total polyphenols. Verbas-coside and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant polyphenols, reaching 4618.88 and 3277.83 mg/ 100 g dm in the leaves. The highest ABTS and FRAP scavenging activity was observed in leaves (19.30 and 7.62 mmol TE/g dm, respectively). Principal component analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity (ABTS-r= 0.87 and FRAP-r = 0.90), which was further confirmed by Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The study also highlighted the significant impact of mineral composition on biological activity—calcium and magnesium dominated in stems (10,100 and 3900 mg/kg) and in roots (9200 and 3100 mg/kg), supporting the functioning of an-tioxidant enzymes, while zinc and manganese in leaves (89.43 and 155.33 mg/kg) con-tributed to intense metabolic processes. Conclusions: S. aplina could serve as a valuable source of natural antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors associated with glucose and lipid metabolism, suggesting its promising application in the prevention and management of metabolic disorders.. Full article

The cleaning circuit of the collective Cu-Mo flotation plant at Collahuasi (north of Chile) consisted of two parallel flotation rows, each one of three first cleaner cells in series with six cleaner–scavenger cells. The second cleaner consisted of 10 parallel columns (6 rectangular and 4 circular), whose tailings were directly recycled to the first cleaner. Recently, a project was developed to upgrade the cleaning circuit by decreasing the large Mo circulating load and improving the cleaning circuit performance. For this purpose, a testing strategy was set up at a pilot scale to evaluate the use of intensified flotation (Jameson cells), mainly for collecting the fine Mo particles accumulated in the circulating load, which contributes to the Mo losses from the scavenger stage into the final tailings. The preliminary results regarding kinetics at the pilot scale showed good potential to improve the metallurgical performance of Mo and Cu, and a sensitivity study was carried out to evaluate the application of this technology in the industrial cleaning circuit. Then, two parallel Jameson cells were selected to re-treat the whole column tailings stream. This operation allowed for the generation of a direct final Cu-Mo concentrate (that joins the columns concentrate) while recycling their tailings to the first cleaner. After commissioning, three sampling campaigns were performed on the whole flotation plant, particularly on the overall cleaning circuit, to evaluate the impact of the new flotation cells. Results showed that the Jameson cells effectively decreased the minerals circulating loads in the cleaning stage, mainly for Mo (in 49%). The Jameson cells directly contribute 48% of Mo and 25% Cu of the minerals in the final concentrate and allow for increasing the Mo final grade (0.45% Mo vs. 0.29% from columns). These results were in good agreement with predictions from the pilot testing. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive kinetic analysis of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation by the photo-Fenton process, highlighting its potential for removing emerging micropollutants in water treatment. The degradation of SMX followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with increasing Fe(II) concentrations significantly accelerating the oxidation rate. A kinetic model was developed to describe SMX removal, aromaticity loss, and color changes during treatment. Although SMX was rapidly eliminated, intermediate aromatic and chromophoric compounds persisted, requiring extended reaction times for complete mineralization. The kinetic modeling of aromaticity and color revealed distinct degradation pathways and rate constants, showing a strong dependence on iron dosage. The formation of nitrate and sulfate was used to monitor nitrogen and sulfur mineralization, respectively. Optimal nitrate formation was achieved at 22 mol SMX: 1 mol Fe(II), beyond which excessive iron promoted radical scavenging and the formation of stable Fe–aminophenol complexes, inhibiting complete nitrogen oxidation and aromatic degradation. Moreover, excessive Fe(II) led to increased water coloration due to complexation with partially oxidized aromatic byproducts. These findings emphasize the need for optimized catalyst dosing to balance degradation efficiency and minimize secondary effects. The proposed kinetic models offer a predictive tool for improving photo-Fenton-based treatments and integrating them with biological processes to enhance micropollutant bioremediation. Full article