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Applied Sciences
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Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products
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Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 4503

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rodica Mărgăoan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: bee products; natural product chemistry; palynology; antioxidant activity; bioactive compounds; spectrophotometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Horticulture and Landscaping, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: abiotic stress; bioinformatics; bee products; antioxidant activity; bioactive compounds; plant extracts; crop and medicinal plants; genetics; plant breeding; oxidative stress

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, consumers have grown to be more aware of the benefits provided by foods and plants for their overall well-being and health. As a result, currently, there is a greater demand for products including functional foods, dietary supplements, and nutritional components that include natural functional chemicals with health-enhancing properties. The development and production of nutritious and ecologically responsible food systems will coincide with a substantial shift towards the utilization of naturally derived bioactive compounds. Natural antioxidant molecules, including carotenoids, anthocyanins, vitamins, phenolic compounds and essential oils, can be incorporated into a broad variety of foods (bread, pasta, drinks, meat, dairy, bee products or animal feeds) to minimize oxidation, enhance the overall quality of the product, and extend the shelf life. Supplementation of bioactive compounds could mitigate cellular oxidative stress, which is a hallmark of several disorders, including inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, recent research investigated the effectiveness of natural bioactive chemicals that target pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which are resistant to conventional medications and pose a serious threat to human health.

The present Special Issue aims to collect original research papers, reviews, and clinical trials covering all aspects of analysis, characterization, antioxidant activity, biological properties, and health effects of natural products. Recent developments in research, including papers or reviews, on the investigation and potential uses of natural antioxidants for the development of sustainable food systems are welcome.

Please take note that chemical characterization employing analytical techniques (i.e., MS, LC-MS, HPLC, HPLC-MS, and NMR) should be included in the case of complex combinations of natural products.

Looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Rodica Mărgăoan
Guest Editor

Dr. Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • functional foods
  • natural products
  • bee products
  • bioactive compounds
  • oxidative stress
  • polyphenols
  • antioxidant compounds
  • radical scavenging
  • health-promoting properties
  • shelf life

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2156 KiB  
Article
Physicochemical, Antimicrobial Properties and Mineral Content of Several Commercially Available Honey Samples
by Kerem Yaman, Alexandru Nicolescu, Onur Tepe, Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan, Burcu Aydoğan-Çoşkun, Rodica Mărgăoan, Dilek Şenoğul, Erkan Topal and Cosmina Maria Bouari
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8305; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188305 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 293
Abstract
Ensuring food safety and protecting consumers are major aspects for commercialized products. Honey, the most prominent in the class of bee products, requires special regulations due to its origin as a natural product. Mislabeling, imitation, and adulteration represent a source of risks for [...] Read more.
Ensuring food safety and protecting consumers are major aspects for commercialized products. Honey, the most prominent in the class of bee products, requires special regulations due to its origin as a natural product. Mislabeling, imitation, and adulteration represent a source of risks for human health. Specific determinations and analyses are essential for controlling the sector and preventing unfair competition. To compare and establish the correct labeling of several different honeys, melissopalynological, physicochemical, mineral content, and microbiological analyses were carried out on 18 samples commercially available in different countries, namely Türkiye, Romania, Bulgaria, and Northern Cyprus. The honey labels were in accordance with the determined pollen content. The physiochemical parameters showed high variability: 4.07–5.25 (pH), 79.95–83.45 (°Brix), 0.262–1.452 µS/cm (electrical conductivity), and 14.6–18.4% (moisture). The samples were quantitatively high in K, P, Na, and Ca, with the highest cumulative mineral content being found for honeys containing Fagaceae pollen. Additionally, the antimicrobial potential of the various honey samples was evaluated against selected bacteria, employing the disk diffusion and serial dilution methods. Results revealed that the honey samples exhibited increased antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, with notable activity against S. typhimurium, and moderate activity against Gram-positive S. aureus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products)
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24 pages, 2501 KiB  
Article
Biocompounds and Bioactivities of Selected Greek Boraginaceae Seeds
by Mohamed Ezzaitouni, Tarik Chileh-Chelh, Miguel Ángel Rincón-Cervera, Francisco Gómez-Mercado, Hajiba Benteima, Rosalía López-Ruiz and José Luis Guil-Guerrero
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6026; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146026 - 10 Jul 2024
Viewed by 669
Abstract
The seeds of Boraginaceae species constitute a source of γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6)-rich oils, mainly those of Borago officinalis. However, there are many wild unexplored Boraginaceae taxa that are potentially GLA producers. This work scrutinizes the seeds of several Greek [...] Read more.
The seeds of Boraginaceae species constitute a source of γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6)-rich oils, mainly those of Borago officinalis. However, there are many wild unexplored Boraginaceae taxa that are potentially GLA producers. This work scrutinizes the seeds of several Greek Boraginaceae species for fatty acids (FAs), phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antiproliferative activity against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The FA profiles were checked by GC-FID, and GLA (FA% of total FA) highlights in Symphytum bulbosum (26.2), S. creticum (23.2), and Lithodora zahnii (17.4). The total FA content ranged from 9.2 in Alkanna methanaea to 27.3 g/100 g of seeds in Alkanna corcyrensis. The antioxidant activity of the water/methanol extracts, evaluated by the ABTS and DPPH methods, was in line with other GLA producer seeds. Phenolic acids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, and rosmarinic acid ranged from 160.2 in S. bulbosum to 479.7 mg/100 g in L. zahnii. The MTT assay showed dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of the water/methanol extracts against HT-29 cancer cells, especially those of C. major and L. zahnii (GI50 of 600 and 375 μg/mL for 72 h-exposed cells). This work constitutes the first approach to evaluate the seeds of Boraginaceae taxa from Greece as functional oil providers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products)
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27 pages, 4189 KiB  
Article
Use of Syzygium aromaticum L. Fermented Plant Extract to Enhance Antioxidant Potential: Fermentation Kinetics
by Edyta Kucharska, Martyna Zagórska-Dziok, Paweł Bilewicz, Sebastian Kowalczyk and Robert Pełech
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4900; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114900 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 781
Abstract
The concept of our research is related to the use of stems from S. aromaticum L. in the fermentation process in order to obtain new cosmetic raw materials with high antioxidant potential that are safe for human fibroblasts (HDFs) and keratinocytes (HaCaTs). This [...] Read more.
The concept of our research is related to the use of stems from S. aromaticum L. in the fermentation process in order to obtain new cosmetic raw materials with high antioxidant potential that are safe for human fibroblasts (HDFs) and keratinocytes (HaCaTs). This evaluation involves treating cell lines with different concentrations of fermented extracts to establish a noncytotoxic dose range. The focus was on evaluating antioxidant activity (AA), total polyphenol content (TPC), and lactic acid efficiency (LAe). For this purpose, the most favourable technological parameters of the fermentation process of stems were determined, including the type of microorganisms, initial sugar content, plant raw material content, and fermentation time. In the present study, lactic acid was obtained with maximum efficiency by stem fermentation in the presence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molasses as a source of six-carbon sugars. In addition, fermentation kinetics was investigated, the essence of which was to identify the technological parameters that allow the highest values of the main functions describing the process (AA, TPC LAe). Two kinetic models were used to determine the kinetics of process function changes during fermentation. The most favourable fermentation conditions for maximum antioxidant activity (26.88 mmol Tx/L ± 0.19), total polyphenol content (5.96 mmol GA/L ± 0.19), and lactic acid efficiency (88% ± 1) were: type of microorganism L. rhamnosus MI-0272, initial sugar content 3.20%, plant raw material content 6.40%, and a fermentation time of 9 days. The values of chelating activity (ChA), AA, and TPC in the fermented stems increased more than two-fold compared to the non-fermented extracts. Reducing activity (RA) and LAe increased to 46.22 mmol Fe3+/L ± 0.29 and 88% ± 1, respectively. Of the kinetic models adopted, follow-up reaction equations and first-order equations best described the time-dependent changes taking place. This study shows that the process function values of AA and LAe are dependent on the LAB strain and the content of the plant material, and the rate of change of TPC may largely depend on the forms of phenolic compounds formed during fermentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products)
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11 pages, 1606 KiB  
Article
The Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Nine Monofloral Honey Types
by Chrysoula Tananaki, Maria-Anna Rodopoulou, Maria Dimou, Dimitrios Kanelis and Vasilios Liolios
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4329; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104329 - 20 May 2024
Viewed by 865
Abstract
Honey is well known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which significantly contribute to its high demand among consumers. While there is plenty of information available about the antioxidant potential of honey, there is still a lack of research specifically focused on monofloral [...] Read more.
Honey is well known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which significantly contribute to its high demand among consumers. While there is plenty of information available about the antioxidant potential of honey, there is still a lack of research specifically focused on monofloral honeys, as most studies have been based on market samples. To address this issue, in the present study we analyzed the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of nine monofloral honey types produced in Greece: fir, chestnut, citrus, erica, cotton, Jerusalem thorn, pine, oak and thyme, in comparison with manuka honey. The samples were collected from beekeepers applying the appropriate beekeeping practices. In total, ninety-six representative monofloral honey samples meeting the microscopic, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics were analyzed. Oak honey stood out as the darkest type (L* = 33.67) with the highest total phenolic content (203.75 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant activity (106.2 mg AAE/100 g). Chestnut honey closely followed, having also the highest electrical conductivity (1.679 mS/cm). Although manuka honey had a high total phenolic content, its total antioxidant activity was found to be medium-low compared to fir, pine, and erica honeys. Citrus honey, being the lightest in color (L* = 37.2), exhibited the lowest total antioxidant activity (6.36 mg AAE/100 g). Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlation between total antioxidant activity and electrical conductivity (ra-e = 0.587, pa-e = 0.000), and negative correlation between total antioxidant activity and L* parameter (ra-L = −0.424, pa-L = 0.000). Similar correlations were also observed regarding total phenolic content (rp-e = 0.457, pp-e = 0.000, rp-L = −0.455, pp-L = 0.000). In conclusion, oak and chestnut honeys seem to have a high antioxidant potential, that should be further explored, to highlight their value and help promote them worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products)
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15 pages, 2890 KiB  
Article
Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Apilarnil, Royal Jelly, and Propolis Collected in Banat Region, Romania
by Dragoș Moraru, Ersilia Alexa, Ileana Cocan, Diana Obiștioiu, Isidora Radulov, Eliza Simiz, Adina Berbecea, Adrian Grozea, Monica Dragomirescu, Teodor Vintilă and Silvia Pătruică
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031242 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1400
Abstract
Bee products have a millennia-old tradition in human apitherapy, thanks to their numerous curative properties. The aim of this study was to perform a physicochemical characterization, including the percentage of water content, dry matter, pH, acidity, impurity content, protein, ash, and macro and [...] Read more.
Bee products have a millennia-old tradition in human apitherapy, thanks to their numerous curative properties. The aim of this study was to perform a physicochemical characterization, including the percentage of water content, dry matter, pH, acidity, impurity content, protein, ash, and macro and micro minerals, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of apiculture products, including apilarnil, royal jelly, and propolis. Samples were collected from our apiary in the Banat region of Romania in 2022 as well as from the market. Apilarnil and royal jelly were analyzed in pure and freeze-dried form, and propolis in pure and tincture form. Our results show that there is a large variability in the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the three bee products studied, depending on the form of presentation and source of origin. In the case of commercial bee products, the best results were obtained in terms of chemical composition, including the content of macro and micro nutrients. All the samples analyzed showed acidity, pH, and impurity content values within the limits allowed by the quality standards. Apilarnil from our own apiary recorded the highest values for antioxidant activity, followed by propolis tincture and fresh propolis from own apiary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Products)
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