Search Results (43)

Apple pomace is a significant by-product of the juice processing industry and a rich source of bioactive compounds; however, its potential as a valuable resource is currently largely untapped. In this work, the ultrasound–enzyme-assisted extraction (UEAE) was evaluated as an alternative method for the extraction of phenolic compounds and soluble solids from apple pomace. For this purpose, an optimization study was carried out using a Box–Behnken factorial design combined with the response surface methodology to assess the influence of enzyme/substrate ratio (0–10% v/w), extraction time (1–5 h) and temperature (25–55 °C) on three response variables: total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and soluble solids content of the extracts. In addition, the phenolic profile of the extracts was also investigated. According to the model, DPPH radical scavenging activity will record the maximum value (0.69 mmol Trolox/L) for a 10% enzyme/substrate ratio, at 42 °C and 1 h extraction time. Extraction with an enzyme/substrate ratio of 8.5% at 41 °C for 1 h gave the highest retrieval of soluble solids content (4.1%) in the extracts. Based on HPLC results, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and epicatechin were the predominant polyphenols in the extracts. The results confirmed the great potential of apple pomace as an economical source of bioactive compounds, and UEAE enhanced the recovery of phenolic compounds and soluble solids from this underutilized by-product. Full article

Bioprocessing grape pomace (GP) presents a sustainable solution aligned with circular economic principles and transforms it into valuable functional ingredients for baked products. This review (2020–2025) synthesizes enzymatic and microbial strategies that modify the fiber–phenolic matrix and improve dough performance. Enzyme-assisted extraction, alone or combined with ultrasound or pressurized liquids, increases extractable polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in GP fractions used as flour substitutions or pre-ferments. Fungal solid-state and lactic fermentations liberate bound phenolic compounds and generate acids and exopolysaccharides. Among these routes, enzyme-assisted extraction and lactic sourdough-type fermentations currently appear the most compatible with bakery-scale implementation, offering substantial phenolic enrichment while relying on relatively simple, food-grade equipment. In current bakery applications, GP is mainly used as crude grape pomace powder, which typically shows higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, in several models it lowers starch hydrolysis and predicted glycemic index. The practical substitution rate is between 5 and 10% of flour, which balances nutritional gains with processing disadvantages. These can be mitigated by fractionation toward soluble dietary fiber or co-fortification with flours rich in protein and fiber. An additional benefit of these methods includes reduced mycotoxin bioaccessibility in vitro. A key evidence gap is the absence of standardized comparisons between raw and bioprocessed GP in identical formulations. Overall, GP emerges as a promising ingredient for bakery products, while the added technological and nutritional value of bioprocessing remains to be quantified. Full article

Marine algal polysaccharides (MAPs) are multifunctional biopolymers with significant potential in biomedical applications. Derived from brown, red, and green algae, key examples include alginate, agar, carrageenan, fucoidan, ulvan, and laminarin. Their structural diversity underlies a broad range of biological activities, particularly among sulfated polysaccharides, which exhibit antiviral, anticancer, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. Owing to their biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties, MAPs are also valuable in wound healing, tissue regeneration, and drug delivery. Advances in ultrasound-, microwave-, and enzyme-assisted extraction methods have enhanced yield and functionality. This review combines structural, extraction, and biomedical views on MAPs, with a focus on how molecular characteristics relate to their potential as drugs. Future work should focus on scalable green extraction, molecular-level characterization, and clinical validation to develop MAPs-based biomaterials for next-generation drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Full article

The rising amount of food industry waste has sparked interest in its valorization as a source of bioactive compounds. This study combines bibliometric analysis and a systematic review to map the scientific literature on the recovery of bioactive compounds from food byproducts, focusing on green extraction strategies and their alignment with the principles of the circular economy. A total of 176 documents, published between 2015 and 2025, were analyzed. The analysis shows significant growth after 2020 and highlights bioactive compounds, extraction, and the circular economy as the primary research themes. Italy, Spain, and Brazil emerged as the leading countries in scientific production. The systematic review covers green extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and natural deep eutectic solvent extraction (NADES). UAE- and NADES-based processes were the most frequently applied extraction techniques, mainly targeting phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Significant progress has been observed, particularly in the advancement of extraction technologies, in the recovery of key bioactive compounds, and in their industrial applications. These methods recover phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties, which have potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biodegradable packaging. Nutraceuticals and functional foods represent the main application areas, followed by cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Despite progress, challenges remain, including scalability, equipment costs, solvent recovery, and process standardization. The green extraction of bioactive compounds from food byproducts shows promise and can support the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Chili peppers (Capsicum spp.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), and coffee (Coffea spp.) are important crops worldwide. Nearly 35%, 80%, and 45% of the respective fruits are underutilized or discarded, representing a considerable economic loss. This work reviews and analyzes the environmental factors that influence the concentration of the main alkaloids in these crops, including capsaicin, theobromine, and caffeine. Their reported anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and cytotoxic properties are also reviewed. This work explores strategies for the revalorization of these crops, comparing alkaloid extraction methods that use non-conventional techniques, including supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), high-pressure and -temperature extraction (HPTE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and pulsed electric field-assisted extraction (PEFAE), and their combination to enhance the recovery of capsaicin, theobromine, and caffeine, leading to sustainable and innovative uses of these crops’ byproducts. Capsaicin, theobromine, and caffeine alkaloids are promising ingredients for the development of functional foods, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Full article

The valorization of agri-food waste has emerged as a global priority. In this context, fruit seed waste is being investigated for oil extraction due to its richness in bioactive compounds with remarkable health benefits. This review (2020–2025) focuses on the current state of eco-friendly extraction techniques for obtaining high-yield oils enriched with compounds such as tocopherols, polyphenols, fatty acids, phytosterols, and carotenoids. A comparison of the present method with conventional extraction techniques reveals several notable distinctions. Conventional methods are generally characterized by prolonged extraction times, elevated temperatures, and high amounts of solvents and/or energy. The findings of this review suggest that the extraction methodologies employed exerts a substantial influence on the yield and bioactive composition of the oil, which in turn affects its health-promoting properties. Furthermore, the results have demonstrated that alternative methodologies (microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, electric pulse extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, subcritical extraction, and combinations thereof) have analogous oil yields in comparison with conventional methods. In addition, these oils present a superior bioactive profile with feasible potential in industrial and health applications. The novelty of this work lies in its emphasis on the valorization of fruit seed waste, as well as its sustainable approach. This sustainable approach utilizes experimental design strategies, the implementation of developments that employ comprehensive ecological metrics, and the latest trends in the application of artificial intelligence. Full article

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) shells are valuable agro-industrial by-products rich in polyphenols. This study investigated traditional (maceration) and advanced extraction techniques—ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and combined ultrasound–enzyme extraction (US-EAE)—to recover bioactive compounds from walnut shells. Extraction efficiency, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS^•+, DPPH•), and polyphenol composition were evaluated. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS identified key polyphenols including ellagic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillin, taxifolin, and quercitrin. The highest TPC (5625 mg GAE/100 g dw) was found in extracts subjected to US-EAE, in which ultrasound pretreatment (200 W, 10 min) was followed by enzymatic extraction using 0.06 mL/g Viscozyme^® L at pH 3.5 and 45 °C. Under the same extraction conditions, UAE alone yielded the second highest TPC (4129 mg GAE/100 g dw). The highest ABTS^•+ scavenging activity (14,478 mg TE/100 g dw) and enhanced DPPH• activity (45.38 mg TE/100 g dw) were also observed in US-EAE extracts. Chemometric techniques (PCA and HCA) revealed meaningful clustering and variation patterns among methods. These findings highlight the potential of walnut shells as a sustainable source of polyphenols and demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative extraction technologies in maximizing bioactive compound recovery for potential functional applications. Full article

Applying physical modification methods to raise the resistant starch content is a feasible strategy for developing foods with a low glycemic index (GI) and regulating postprandial hyperglycemia. Here, broken rice starch (C) was modified via ultrasound and quercetin complexation (US-Q). The structure, physicochemical properties, and in vitro digestibility of the US-Q product were subsequently determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the modification changed the starch granules’ morphology, forming a more compact and stable structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy images revealed the interaction between the starch and quercetin. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the crystallinity of the US-Q was lower than that of the C, indicating that the combined modification with ultrasound and quercetin disrupted the long-range ordered structure of the starch and facilitated the formation of a short-range ordered structure from amylose. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) images showed that both the molecular weight (from 72,080.96 kDa to 85,141.95 kDa) and amylose content (from 15.94% to 26.76%) increased significantly, while the branching degree and average degree of polymerization of amylopectin decreased, suggesting that the ultrasonic treatment processing method had a significant impact on the formation of the quercetin–starch complexes. In terms of in vitro digestion, the resistant starch content of the US-Q was significantly increased from 6.57% to 20.23%, whereas the hydrolysis rate was decreased from 92.6% to 78.35%, indicating that the presence of quercetin reduced the digestibility of the starch complexes by inhibiting the starch-hydrolyzing enzyme activity. Overall, this study improves the understanding of ultrasound and quercetin dual treatment of broken rice starch, providing a theoretical basis for the development of low-GI starch foods for industrial applications. Full article

In general, there are three methods for extracting oil from various sources: mechanical, solvent, and pre-press-solvent. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, with extraction efficiency depending on key factors such as the extraction technique, the properties of the plant component matrix, and the solvent used. Factors like temperature, pressure, and time also play a role. Researchers have consistently sought to replace or complement these methods to reduce residual oil in products. This study introduces new oil extraction methods that have gained attention in recent years, including the microwave, pulsed electric field, ultrasound, supercritical fluid, enzymatic, ohmic, and combined methods to enhance efficiency. The research demonstrates that these methods increase oil extraction efficiency and bioactive compound extraction from plant sources, resulting in improved oil quality. Most methods also reduce extraction time, offering researchers and industrialists a variety of options for their oil extraction needs. However, the study notes contradictions in the results, such as varying acidity levels in the oil, which may be attributed to raw materials and study conditions. In the end, it was determined that ultrasound, pulsed electric field, and enzyme methods can be used industrially to extract oil from olives, while supercritical fluid can be used to extract oil from certain seeds. Full article

Background: Ischemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) as a key complication after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Endothelial dysfunction contributes to CMD, impairing vascular tone and increasing inflammation. While angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) aid vascular health, their efficacy may improve with therapeutic ultrasound, which enhances drug delivery and endothelial response. This study explores the combined effects of ultrasound and pharmacological treatment on the ACE axis and inflammation in endothelial and renal cells. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line RPTEC/TERT1 were treated with captopril, losartan, and dexamethasone, alone or combined with low-frequency ultrasound (LFU). Cell viability and wound-healing assays assessed cellular function, while nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were used to evaluate redox signaling. Gene expression related to the ACE axis, inflammation, and vascular and renal cell function was analyzed via qPCR. Results: Captopril and losartan combined with LFU improved endothelial cell viability, wound healing, and NO production at various concentrations, whereas only losartan with LFU enhanced cell viability and wound healing in renal cells. Dexamethasone with LFU increased ROS levels and had variable effects on RPTEC/TERT1 cell survival. Gene expression analysis showed that LFU alone reduced pro-inflammatory markers VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and PTGS2 in captopril-treated HUVECs and similarly affected CYP4F2 in losartan-treated HUVECs. LFU also decreased PTGS2 expression at higher dexamethasone concentrations. In RPTEC/TERT1 cells, LFU alone did not impact SGLT2 or GGT1 expression, but captopril with LFU downregulated GGT1, and dexamethasone with LFU upregulated SGLT2 at higher concentrations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that LFU enhances the effects of RAS inhibitors by promoting NO synthesis and reducing oxidative stress, while its combination with dexamethasone may have variable, potentially cytotoxic effects on renal cells. Gene expression patterns suggest LFU’s anti-inflammatory potential and its role in modulating drug efficacy. Full article

Spirulina platensis is a promising microalga, but biomass harvesting remains a challenge. Fungal bioflocculation offers a potential solution, facilitating the production of valuable bioproducts like bioethanol. Effective cell disruption methods, including physical-chemical and enzymatic treatments, can enhance biomass utilization. However, commercial enzymes are not optimized for microalgae, necessitating research on ideal operational conditions. This study evaluated physical and enzymatic processes to hydrolyze bioflocculated microalgae for bioethanol production. The microalga was harvested using a fungal bioflocculant produced via submerged fermentation. Biomass hydrolysis involved physical methods (autoclaving, ultrasound + autoclaving, ultrasound + gelatinization, and gelatinization) combined with enzymes (amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase, and xylanase), optimized for pH, temperature, and enzyme load. Hydrolysates were then used for bioethanol production. Results showed a microalgae harvest efficiency of 99.7% with a 1:8 fungus-to-microalgae ratio. Enzyme optimization identified ideal conditions (e.g., pH 4.5; 60 °C for amylase/amyloglucosidase, 70 °C for cellulase, and 50 °C for xylanase). Combined enzymatic treatments achieved approximately 70% hydrolysis efficiency, yielding 19.06 g/L glucose and 7.29 g/L ethanol (~79% conversion). Ethanol productivity was ~0.6 g per 1 g bioflocculated biomass L⁻¹·hr. These findings highlight the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis for complex biomasses, although further studies are needed to refine enzyme applications for better biomass utilization. Full article

The effects of different modified soybean residues’ dietary fiber on the physicochemical properties of wheat dough and the quality of steamed bread were systematically analyzed in this study. The physical and chemical parameters of dough, such as texture characteristics, water distribution, secondary structure, and the specific volume, color, and sensory evaluation results of steamed bread products were analyzed in detail. The results showed that adding 6% modified soybean residue dietary fiber enhanced the gluten network, increasing the S–S bond content and improving gluten stability. Notably, the inclusion of 6% residue modified by the ultrasound combined with enzyme method (UEDF) led to a 2.55% increase in the β-fold content of gluten proteins and a 3.60% rise in disulfide bond content. These changes resulted in a reduction in dough relaxation time, promoting a more uniform and compact pore structure in the dough. Additionally, steamed bread made with 6% UEDF showed a 0.3 mL/g increase in specific volume, a 4.69 point rise in L* value, and improved sensory attributes such as taste, odor, and appearance. These research results provide valuable insights and guidance for the development of soybean residue dietary fiber foods. Full article

Olive leaves are agro-industrial waste that pose an environmental management problem. However, they contain polyphenolic compounds with important bioactive properties beneficial to human. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two extraction technologies (pressurized liquid extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction) combined with green solvents (pure water, 15% ethanol, and 15% glycerol) at 50 °C and 70 °C. The goal was to obtain extracts with both antioxidant capacity and antihyperglycemic properties from olive leaves. Pressurized liquid extraction with 15% glycerol at 70 °C was the most effective method for obtaining extracts rich in total polyphenols (19.46 mg GAE/g dw), with an antioxidant capacity of 4.11 mg/mL (inhibition capacity: IC50) and 500.26 µmol TE/g dw. For both extraction methods at 70 °C, glycerol was more effective at recovering phenolic acids, stilbenes and secoiridoid; while ethanol was more effective for recovering flavonols and phenylethanoids. Oleuropein was the most important polyphenol extracted from both pressurized liquid and ultrasound-assisted extractions, with concentrations of 171.48 µg/g dw and 246.70 µg/g dw, respectively. The extract obtained from pressurized liquid extraction with 15% ethanol at 70 °C exhibited significant inhibition (70%) of α-glucosidase enzymes, similar to the reference drug acarbose. In contrast, these extracts showed low inhibitory activity against the α-amylase enzyme. These findings can be applied to the development of functional foods and nutraceutical supplements aimed at managing postprandial glycemic response, offering a natural alternative for supporting type 2 diabetes management. Full article

Background: Curcuminoids, the bioactive compounds found in turmeric, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aims to enhance the extraction of curcuminoids from turmeric using environmentally friendly solvents supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) in one process, and to evaluate the resulting biological activity. Methods: A Box–Behnken statistical design was applied to optimize scCO₂ extraction conditions—pressure, CO₂ volume, and temperature—to maximize curcuminoid yield. Next, the menthol and lactic acid NADESs were selected, and these two solvents were combined into a single turmeric extraction process. The biological activity of the resulting extract was evaluated using antioxidant assays (ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and enzyme inhibition assays (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Toxicity assessments were conducted on the aquatic invertebrates Daphnia pulex, Artemia sp., and Chironomus aprilinus. Results: The most effective extraction was achieved using a menthol–lactic acid NADES as a cosolvent, integrated at a 1:20 ratio of plant material to NADESs while in combination with scCO₂. The optimized scCO₂–NADES extraction resulted in a high curcuminoid yield (33.35 mg/g), outperforming scCO₂ extraction (234.3 μg/g), NADESs ultrasound-assisted extraction (30.50 mg/g), and alcohol-based solvents (22.95–26.42 mg/g). In biological assays, the extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and effective inhibition of enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Toxicity studies showed a concentration-dependent response, with EC₅₀ for Chironomus aprilinus at the level of 0.098 μL/mL and Daphnia pulex exhibiting high sensitivity to the extract. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of combining NADESs and scCO₂ extraction in one process, demonstrating the effectiveness of scCO₂–NADES extraction in maximizing curcuminoid yield and enhancing bioactivity. Full article

Sea buckthorn pomace is often discarded as a by-product during the sea buckthorn processing stage. Consequently, its richness in dietary fiber is usually overlooked. In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were extracted from sea buckthorn pomace using ultrasound combined with the enzyme method. The optimal values of the independent variable were determined by a combinatorial design and a response surface optimization test with SDF/IDF as the dependent variable, prepared as follows: 5% enzyme addition, ultrasonic power of 380 W, enzymatic time of 30 min, and alcoholic precipitation liquid ratio of 4:1. Under these conditions, the SDF/IDF ratio was 17.07%. The structural characterization and hypoglycemic activity of the two dietary fibers were then compared. The results show that two dietary fibers have respective structures and functional groups of fibers. SDF was less crystalline than IDF, and its structure was looser. Furthermore, the hypoglycemic activity of SDF was significantly better than IDF’s (p < 0.05). The glucose adsorption capacity of SDF was 1.08–1.12 times higher than that of IDF. SDF inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase by 1.76 and 4.71 times more than IDF, respectively. These findings provide a reference for improving the utilization of sea buckthorn processing by-products. Full article