Search Results (12,316)

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies affecting women worldwide, underscoring the need for safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative potential of POW9™, a proprietary botanical blend formulated from nine medicinal plant extracts. Comprehensive phytochemical profiling was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) in both positive and negative ionization modes. A total of 34 compounds were identified in negative mode and 27 compounds in positive mode, comprising flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, organic acids, peptides, glycosides, and lipids. POW9™ exhibited high total phenolic content (190.3 ± 3.5 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and total flavonoid content (115.2 ± 1.5 mg quercetin equivalents/g), along with strong antioxidant activity, demonstrated by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.66 mg/mL (33.73 mg Trolox equivalents/g). Cytotoxicity assessment revealed minimal toxicity toward normal Vero cells. In contrast, POW9™ significantly inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values were 6.75 mg/mL for MCF-7 cells and 18.08 mg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells after 72 h of treatment, while prolonged exposure (96 h) further enhanced antiproliferative efficacy, reducing the IC₅₀ to 2.34 mg/mL. These findings demonstrate that POW9™ is a chemically diverse herbal formulation with potent antioxidant and selective anti-breast cancer activities, supporting its potential development as a complementary therapeutic or nutraceutical agent for breast cancer management. Full article

In the Trentino Alto Adige region, disposal of grape stalks (GS) represents a major cost for wineries, despite their content of phenolic and tannin-rich compounds with potential functional value in ruminant nutrition. This study evaluated whether dietary GS supplementation could influence milk microbiota and cheese quality, supporting local circular-economy strategies. GS from three red cultivars (L-GS, CS-GS, M-GS) were dried, milled, and assessed for safety; their average total polyphenol content was approximately 15 g/kg DM. 3 Holstein cows underwent a 7-week trial consisting of alternating control (CTRL) and GS-supplemented periods (2% DM). Weekly milk samples (n = 21) and corresponding mini-cheeses (n = 21) were analyzed. GS supplementation did not affect milk coliforms (2.3–2.5 log CFU/mL), while total mesophilic counts were significantly lower in M-GS (2.8 ± 0.46 log CFU/mL) than in CTRL (4.5 ± 0.71; p < 0.05). Acinetobacter dominated the milk microbiota but decreased from 34.0% in CTRL to 18.0% in L-GS. Cheese total polyphenols were highest in CS-GS (224 ± 34 mg/kg). ¹H-NMR and VOCs profiling indicated cultivar-dependent shifts in carbohydrate-related metabolites and short-chain fatty acids. Overall, GS supplementation subtly modulated cheese biochemical and aromatic traits without impairing technological performance, supporting the valorization of winery by-products within integrated dairy-viticulture systems. Full article

Although plant-based convenience foods have gained significant market share, many are high in fat, salt, and sugar while low in nutrients. The current study aimed to develop a vegan oyster mushroom soup powder enriched with moringa, mung bean, and pumpkin. These ingredients were chosen for their high nutritional value and availability. Four soup formulas, each containing varying amounts of moringa (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%), were prepared, and a sensory evaluation, proximate analysis, and total aerobic plate count were carried out. The 1% moringa formulation showed the highest consumer acceptance. In this formula, moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, and energy content were reported as 13.6%, 7.6%, 16.3%, 2.2%, 9.8%, 50.5%, and 287 kcal/100 g, respectively. The novel powdered soup product had higher amounts of phenolic compounds, total antioxidants, and iron compared to local, commercially available equivalents. Total aerobic plate counts remained below 10⁵ CFU/g; a common acceptability limit for dried soups, throughout the 4-month storage study under ambient conditions. Overall, the developed soup powder demonstrated superior nutritional quality and could support consumers in meeting their daily nutrient requirements. With further refinement, particularly by optimizing the drying process to better retain heat-sensitive nutrients, this product shows potential as an affordable and nutritious option to address inadequate protein intake and iron deficiency in Sri Lanka. Full article

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a widely cultivated crop valued for its sweet flavor and high nutritional content. Over the past decade, the area devoted to sweet corn grain production has increased substantially, driven by both its nutritional qualities and its economic value. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the impact of three genotypes (Royalty F₁, Hardy F₁ and Deliciosul de Bacau,) under two fertilization types (chemical and organic) compared with a control version on yield, biometrical, biochemical, and quality parameters. This research was carried out between 2022 and 2023 at an experimental station situated in the North-East region of Romania. The results revealed significant influences of cultivar, fertilization method, and the interaction between these two experimental factors on most of the analyzed indicators. Regardless of the fertilization type, the genotype Hardy F₁ showed higher levels of photosynthetic activity, polyphenols (2.22 mg/g d.w.) and sucrose (6.7 g/100 g d.w.), leading to greater yield (13,995 kg/ha) than that of Deliciosul de Bacau and Royalty F₁. Research on fertilization has shown that sweet corn grains under an organic method have higher levels of lycopene, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total phenolic content (TPC), and fructose. In contrast, chemical fertilization more effectively supported growth, photosynthetic activity, yield, and the content of antioxidants and tannins. Regarding the combined influence of these factors, most of the nutritional characteristics of Royalty F1 were enhanced by organic fertilization, whereas those of the Hardy F1 genotype were improved by chemical fertilization. These findings provide practical guidance for selecting appropriate genotype–fertilization combinations to optimize the yield and nutritional quality of sweet corn and highlight key priorities for further research on sustainable fertilization strategies under climate change conditions. Full article

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial properties. However, these compounds are susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen, pH, and temperature, which limits their functionality. This study evaluated the microencapsulation of CCN-51 cocoa extracts by spray drying, using maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) as encapsulating agents, with the aim of preserving their bioactive activity and promoting their application in food. Microcapsules formulated with 5%GA showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (77.5%) and the highest phenolic content (92.7 GAE/g), showing significant differences compared to formulations with MD (p < 0.0001). Antioxidant capacity, quantified using the ABTS method, reached 583.3 µmol TE/g for 5% GA, significantly exceeding that of microcapsules with 10%MD (230.9 µmol TE/g; p < 0.0001). In terms of antimicrobial activity, microcapsules containing 5%MD showed greater inhibition against Escherichia coli (22.1 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (12.3 mm), while those containing GA recorded halos of 10.1 mm and 12.1 mm. When applied to chicken muscle, treatments with 5%GA significantly reduced microbial growth for 72 h, demonstrating that the prepared microcapsules have high bioactivity, stability, and antimicrobial capacity in samples of meat products that are widely consumed and potentially susceptible to spoilage due to microbial growth. Full article

This study presents a comparative analysis of secondary metabolites and antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities of acetone extracts obtained from the lichens Lepraria incana and Pertusaria amara. HPLC-UV analysis identified divaric acid, divaricatinic acid, norstictic acid, divaricatic acid and usnic acid in L. incana, and conprotocetraric acid, protocetraric acid, picrolichenic acid and atranorin in P. amara. Free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power assays were employed to assess the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The IC₅₀ values in the free radical scavenging assay were 664.23 μg/mL for L. incana and 750.50 μg/mL for P. amara, while reducing power absorbances varied between 0.0875–0.2562 and 0.0336–0.2011, respectively. Total phenolic contents in L. incana and P. amara extracts were 40.81 and 33.67 μg PE/mg of extract, while total flavonoid contents were 24.74 and 23.61 μg RE/mg of extract, respectively. Antimicrobial activity, determined by the microdilution method, ranged from 156 to 20 × 10³ μg/mL for L. incana and from 312 to 20 × 10³ μg/mL for P. amara. Cytotoxicity was tested using the MTT method. Among the tested samples, the L. incana extract showed the strongest cytotoxic activity toward A549 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 47.53 μg/mL. Based on the results, the lichens examined demonstrate promise for future studies and potential development in biopharmaceutical applications. Full article

The purpose of this study was to characterise the effect of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) juice on unicellular and multicellular systems, specifically food spoilage yeasts (Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Dekkera bruxellensis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) and intestinal cells (IEC-6 and Caco-2 cells). The effects of both raw cranberry juice and juice digested in vitro were investigated. The juices were analysed for polyphenol content using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The cranberry juice was evaluated for its impact on yeast surface hydrophobicity and anti-adhesive action using the MATH test and luminometry/microscopy, respectively. We also assessed the effects of raw and digested cranberry juices on IEC-6 and Caco-2 cells by measuring cell viability, metabolic modulation, genotoxicity, and antioxidant activity. Chromatographic analysis of the raw cranberry juice revealed the presence of diverse bioactive compounds, identified as hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. After digestion, the cranberry juice remained a rich source of phenolic acids. The yeast strain R. mucilaginosa was characterised by the highest hydrophobicity and adhesive abilities, but cell adhesion in the presence of raw cranberry juice was several times lower for all the tested strains. Both tested cranberry juices reduced ROS levels and were well tolerated by intestinal epithelial cells, without significant cytotoxic or genotoxic effects. Our findings provide new insights into the safety of using cranberry juice across unicellular and multicellular systems. However, further validation in real-world settings is necessary before practical applications. Full article

Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Brassicaceae), valued for its culinary use and bioactive potential, has not yet been comprehensively characterized in terms of its chemical composition and biological properties. This study investigated the nutritional profile, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant activity of D. tenuifolia cultivated in Portugal. The leaves contain substantial levels of essential minerals, particularly calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium, while heavy metal levels were below regulatory safety limits. The nutritional profile also revealed high dietary fiber content, enriched glutamic and aspartic acids in the protein fraction, and α-linolenic acid as the predominant fatty acid. Phenolic compounds were most efficiently extracted by boiling them in 80% methanol, yielding the highest total phenolic (125.41 mg gallic acid equivalents g⁻¹) and flavonoid contents (3.72 mg quercetin equivalents g⁻¹). HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSⁿ analysis enabled the detailed characterization of phenolic acids, flavonol glycosides, and glucosinolates, highlighting the first report of sulfoglucobrassicin in D. tenuifolia. Additionally, 6-methylsulfonyl-3-oxohexyl-glucosinolate, proline, pipecolic acid, glucaric acid, eicosanoic acid, 9,10,12,13-tetrahydroxy-octadecanoic acid (sativic acid) and 9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid were described for the first time in this species. The extract exhibited also antioxidant activity, with ABTS IC₅₀ 57.54 ± 0.18 µg mL⁻¹, DPPH IC₅₀ 302.73 ± 2.36 µg mL⁻¹, and FRAP 752.71 ± 4.59 µmol eq. Fe(II) g⁻¹. These findings establish D. tenuifolia as a nutritionally rich plant and a promising source of natural antioxidants for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Dysphania ambrosioides is a widely distributed species with a traditional use in folk medicine, but it exhibits marked chemical variability that limits its standardization. This study is the first to characterize the essential oil (EO) of three Ecuadorian populations—Arenillas (ARE), Pasaje (PAS) and Piñas (PIN)—using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID), and to correlate its composition with edaphic properties and antioxidant activity. Chemical profiles revealed three distinct chemotypes: ARE (α-terpinene 65.35%, o-cymene 24.83% and ascaridole 3.30%), PAS (α-terpinene 56.31%, o-cymene 10.09% and ascaridole 10.84%) and PIN (α-terpinene 56.89%, o-cymene 17.07% and ascaridole 7.60%). The EO yield was low (0.030–0.064% w/w), coinciding with acidic and nutrient-poor soils. On the other hand, PAS, with its neutral soil and high nitrogen, produced the highest number of oxygenated compounds. Only PAS exhibited strong ABTS radical-scavenging activity (SC₅₀ = 37.99 ± 1.01 µg/mL). In contrast, ARE showed weak activity (SC₅₀ = 424 ± 1.01 µg/mL), while PIN showed moderate activity (SC₅₀ = 112.26 ± 1.01 µg/mL), which was correlated with its high total phenol content (298.48 mg EAG/L). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity was low in all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed clear separation of the chemotypes, which was linked to edaphic factors such as pH, heavy metals (Cu, Fe and Mn) and organic matter. These findings suggest that edaphic conditions may modulate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of D. ambrosioides, indicating a potential approach for the sustainable selection of plant material. Full article

Winter jujube is highly favored by consumers, and improving both the fruit quality and yield during cultivation is a key issue in horticultural research. Fertilization is a critical measure regulating growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of basal fertilizer combined with two novel synergistic additives—graphene and microbial inoculants—on the growth, fruit quality, and metabolic profiles of winter jujube, providing new fertilization strategies. The selected doses of graphene (0.38 g/plant) and microbial inoculant (0.26 g/plant) were based on the previous literature to balance efficacy, cost, and environmental safety. The graphene used was functionalized graphene oxide provided by Shanxi Datong University, chosen for its enhanced dispersibility and plant compatibility. Although this study focused on physiological and metabolic responses, the economic feasibility and potential environmental implications of these additives are discussed in the context of sustainable jujube production. Six-year-old winter jujube trees were treated with four fertilization regimes: basal fertilizer + graphene (T1), basal fertilizer + microbial fertilizer (T2), basal fertilizer + graphene + microbial fertilizer (T3), and basal fertilizer only (CK). Growth indices, mineral element contents in different organs, and fruit quality traits were measured. Widely targeted metabolomics was used to analyze metabolic variations among treatments. Compared with CK, all three synergistic fertilizer treatments tended to promote growth, increasing leaf area, chlorophyll content, and jujube bearing shoot length; contributed to the accumulation of P, K, Ca, Mg, and other minerals in various organs; and helped improve fruit quality by increasing the total sugars and flavonoids. T1 and T3 exhibited relatively better overall performance. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in the metabolite profiles of winter jujube fruits across different treatments. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were closely associated with the improvement in fruit quality; further screening identified seven differential metabolites, predominantly belonging to phenolic acids. Basal fertilizer combined with graphene alone or with microbial inoculants may effectively promote growth and improve fruit quality by optimizing mineral uptake and regulating metabolic processes. These findings provide potential theoretical and practical support for high-quality, high-yield fertilization strategies for winter jujube. Full article

The use of manure as a growing medium for horticultural crop cultivation is a sustainable practice that may allow a reduction in the production costs and the environmental burden of bulky waste management. For this purpose, the current study investigated the partial substitution of peat with manure at various rates (0% (GS1), 100% (GS2), 80% (GS3), 60% (GS4), 40% (GS5), and 20% (GS6)) in pot-cultivated purslane. Our results indicate that the substitution of peat with manure may increase crop yield by 60% to 80%. Moreover, the nutritional value was improved for specific manure rates; for example, the ash and carbohydrate contents in leaves increased at 60% and 20%, respectively, while the fat and carbohydrate contents in shoots increased at 80% and 20%, respectively. P content increased in both leaves and shoots when manure was added to the growing medium, while application at low rates (e.g., 20%) resulted in decreased N and K content. Finally, regarding leaf total phenol and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, values increased when manure was added at 40% to 60%; in shoots, increased values were observed for these parameters when manure was applied at 0% or 100%. In conclusion, our results suggest that peat substitution with manure is a viable, sustainable practice in purslane cultivation in pots without compromising the yield and quality parameters of plants. However, more species and different types of manure must be tested to design tailor-made growing media for horticultural crops. Full article

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is recognized as a valuable source of bioactive compounds; however, the phytochemical composition and biological potential of wild Romanian hops remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, the bioactive profile of wild hop cones was evaluated using an integrated phytochemical, biological, and in silico approach. The hydroethanolic extract was characterized by a total phenolic content of 25.61 mg GAE/g DW and a total flavonoid content of 3.20 mg RE/g DW, with α-acids predominating (8.77%) and β-acids detected only at trace levels (0.15%). Hydrodistillation yielded 0.613 ± 0.11% essential oil, which was rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (64.61%), mainly α-humulene, β-caryophyllene oxide, selina-3,7-diene, and germacrene B. The hydroethanolic extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 5.03 µg GAE/mL), whereas the essential oil showed a moderate but dose-dependent radical-scavenging capacity (IC₅₀ = 0.44% v/v). In addition, the essential oil displayed pronounced antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at 25 mg/mL, with the highest antibiofilm inhibition observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (96.44%). Molecular docking analysis suggested that the major volatile constituents may interact with Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A, providing a plausible mechanistic basis for the observed antibiofilm effects. Overall, these findings indicate that wild Romanian hop cones represent a promising source of antioxidant and antimicrobial bioactive compounds, supporting their potential applications in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic formulations, as well as in natural-product-based drug discovery. Full article

Reformulating tomato-based products with beneficial plant-based ingredients is a promising approach for enhancing dietary quality. In this study, the chemical properties of reformulated tomato products—a juice and a sauce enriched with pea protein, olive powder, and tomato peel powder—were evaluated alongside the tomatoes used as raw material (cultivar ‘H1657’) to determine the changes occurring during their conversion into reformulated products. The chemical properties were assessed by analyzing lycopene, antioxidant capacity (by total phenolic content, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and organic acids (citric, malic, ascorbic, and oxalic acids). The results showed that the fruit had the highest contents of glucose and fructose. Citric, malic, and oxalic acids were lower in the reformulated products than in the fruit sample, while ascorbic acid did not differ significantly. The sauce and fresh fruit exhibited the highest lycopene, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, whereas the juice had the lowest. Polyphenol content was highest in the sauce followed by the fruit and then the juice. The results suggest that incorporating plant-based ingredients into the sauce formulation can help compensate for nutrient losses that occur during tomato processing, making it a promising tomato-based product. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the substitution of wheat flour (WF) for grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace (GP) on cookie formulation. The techno-functional properties of GP flour (GPF) were characterized, and cookie formulations containing 15% (C15) and 20% (C20) GPF were developed. To evaluate the antioxidant and functional potential, free (FPF, soluble phenols) and bound phenolic fraction (BPF, insoluble phenols) were extracted. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant potential (ABTS and DPPH assays) were measured. The GPF shows differences in oil and water retention, non-foaming properties, and non-significant differences in swelling capacity compared to WF. C15 and C20 show L* values from 27.9 to 36.2, b* values from 2.22 to 2.64, and a* values from 8.84 to 10.49. GPF addition elevates ash and fiber content by 3.5–4.2 and 14–31.6 times. GPF cookie (C15) exhibited a significantly higher TPC compared to WF. Although the FPF fraction in the cookies was higher compared to BPF, the contribution of BPF to antioxidant activity was high (DPPH = 29.9%, ABTS = 16.3%) compared to FPF (DPPH = 26.3%, ABTS = 20.3%). Given that FPF is traditionally the only antioxidant fraction measured, the antioxidant potential of incorporating grape by-products is being underestimated; this is the first report of this in a cookie. Full article

White radish is a nutritious root vegetable that provides dietary fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and a range of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine how steam and microwave blanching, pulsed electric field, ultrasound, osmotic dehydration with inulin or trehalose, and coating with spices such as turmeric or sweet paprika influence the characteristics of convective infrared dried white radish slices. To assess the effect of each pretreatment, moisture content, water activity, shrinkage, density, texture, color parameters, structural characteristics (SEM and µ-CT), vapor adsorption, thermal changes, and antioxidant properties were analyzed. Osmotic dehydration with inulin most effectively limited shrinkage and color change, stabilized the microstructure, and resulted in the highest relative phenolic content and antioxidant activity (TPC, DPPH). Spice-coated samples showed low shrinkage, low hardness and breaking work, and vivid color. Furthermore, µ-CT microstructure analysis showed that these samples had the highest porosity, with those with paprika reaching 57.5%. In contrast, blanching, ultrasound, and PEF led to greater structural changes and increased hygroscopicity. Multivariate analyses confirmed the significant influence of the type of pre-treatment on the quality characteristics of the dried material. Osmotic dehydration and spice coating proved to be the most effective methods for obtaining structurally stable and visually attractive dried white radish slices with attractive bioactive compounds. Full article