Molecules

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18 pages, 2267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Alternative Sources of Proteins and Other Nutrients with Potential Applications in Fish Nutrition

by George-Cătălin Muntean, Dorina Simedru, Paul Uiuiu, Claudiu Tanaselia, Oana Cadar, Anca Becze and Aurelia Coroian

Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2332; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102332 - 15 May 2024

Viewed by 704

Abstract

The European Union’s (EU) agricultural self-sufficiency is challenged by its reliance on imported plant proteins, particularly soy from the Americas, contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing the EU’s protein deficit, this study evaluates alternative protein sources for aquaculture, focusing on their [...] Read more.

The European Union’s (EU) agricultural self-sufficiency is challenged by its reliance on imported plant proteins, particularly soy from the Americas, contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing the EU’s protein deficit, this study evaluates alternative protein sources for aquaculture, focusing on their nutritional value, elemental content, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Protein flours from gastropods (Helix pomatia, Arion lusitanicus, Arion vulgaris) and their hepatopancreas, along with plant-based proteins from food industry by-products (oilcakes, coffee grounds, spent brewer’s yeast), were analyzed. Results revealed that snail flour contained the highest protein content at 59.09%, significantly outperforming hepatopancreas flour at 42.26%. Plant-based proteins demonstrated substantial nutritional value, with coffee grounds flour exhibiting a remarkable protein content of 71.8% and spent brewer’s yeast flour at 57.9%. Elemental analysis indicated high levels of essential minerals such as magnesium in hepatopancreas flour (5719.10 mg/kg) and calcium in slug flour (48,640.11 mg/kg). However, cadmium levels in hepatopancreas flour (11.45 mg/kg) necessitate caution due to potential health risks. PAH concentrations were low across all samples, with the highest total PAH content observed in hepatopancreas flour at 0.0353 µg/kg, suggesting minimal risk of PAH-related toxicity. The analysis of plant-based protein sources, particularly oilcakes derived from sunflower, hemp, flax, and pumpkin seeds, revealed that these by-products not only exhibit high protein contents but present a promising avenue for enhancing the nutritional quality of feed. This study underscores the potential of utilizing gastropod and plant-based by-products as sustainable and nutritionally adequate alternatives to conventional feeds in aquaculture, contributing to the EU’s environmental sustainability goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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17 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tetrahydrocurcumin Derivatives Enhanced the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Structure–Activity Relationship Analysis

by Yisett González, Randy Mojica-Flores, Dilan Moreno-Labrador, Marisín Pecchio, K. S. Jagannatha Rao, Maicol Ahumedo-Monterrosa, Patricia L. Fernández, Oleg V. Larionov and Johant Lakey-Beitia

Molecules 2023, 28(23), 7787; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28237787 - 26 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1288

Abstract

Tetrahydrocurcumin, the most abundant curcumin transformation product in biological systems, can potentially be a new alternative therapeutic agent with improved anti-inflammatory activity and higher bioavailability than curcumin. In this article, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives. [...] Read more.

Tetrahydrocurcumin, the most abundant curcumin transformation product in biological systems, can potentially be a new alternative therapeutic agent with improved anti-inflammatory activity and higher bioavailability than curcumin. In this article, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives. Eleven tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives were synthesized via Steglich esterification on both sides of the phenolic rings of tetrahydrocurcumin with the aim of improving the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound. We showed that tetrahydrocurcumin (2) inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production but not PGE₂ production. Three tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives inhibited TNF-α production, five inhibited IL-6 production, and three inhibited PGE₂ production_. The structure–activity relationship analysis suggested that two factors could contribute to the biological activities of these compounds: the presence or absence of planarity and their structural differences. Among the tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives, cyclic compound 13 was the most active in terms of TNF-α production, showing even better activity than tetrahydrocurcumin. Acyclic compound 11 was the most effective in terms of IL-6 production and retained the same effect as tetrahydrocurcumin. Moreover, acyclic compound 12 was the most active in terms of PGE₂ production, displaying better inhibition than tetrahydrocurcumin. A 3D-QSAR analysis suggested that the anti-inflammatory activities of tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives could be increased by adding bulky groups at the ends of compounds 2, 11, and 12. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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19 pages, 2958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on Assisted Solvent Extraction Techniques for the Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Sideritis raeseri and Sideritis scardica

by Marika Mróz, Edyta Malinowska-Pańczyk, Agnieszka Bartoszek and Barbara Kusznierewicz

Molecules 2023, 28(10), 4207; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104207 - 20 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1611

Abstract

The plants in the Sideritis genus are postulated to exhibit several important medicinal properties due to their unique chemical composition. To isolate the targeted phytochemical compounds, the selection of a suitable extraction method is of primary importance. In this work, a comparative study [...] Read more.

The plants in the Sideritis genus are postulated to exhibit several important medicinal properties due to their unique chemical composition. To isolate the targeted phytochemical compounds, the selection of a suitable extraction method is of primary importance. In this work, a comparative study on the phytochemical profiles of various Sideritis raeseri and Sideritis scardica extracts has been carried out. An untargeted metabolomics approach based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was applied to investigate the metabolic differences between extracts obtained by conventional extraction and extractions assisted by microwaves, ultrasounds and high pressure. Additionally, the influence of extraction solvents on HPLC antioxidant profiles obtained following the derivatization of analytes with ABTS reagent was evaluated. A total of 102 metabolites have been putatively identified. The major secondary metabolites groups were classified as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylethanoid glycosides and phenolic acids. The main antioxidants in the extracts were isoscutellarein and hypolaetin derivatives as well as verbascoside and chlorogenic acid. The results showed that 70% ethanol was the most effective extractant for different classes of phytochemicals including antioxidants. In addition, extraction supported with microwaves, ultrasounds or high pressure improved the overall recovery of metabolites by about 3 times compared to the conventional extraction method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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14 pages, 1059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Characterization of Purple Coneflower Roots (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.) and Their Extracts

by Ani Petrova, Manol Ognyanov, Nadezhda Petkova and Petko Denev

Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3956; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093956 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has a wide range of applications mainly in the treatment and prevention of inflammations in the respiratory system. The current study aimed to perform a phytochemical characterization of purple coneflower [...] Read more.

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has a wide range of applications mainly in the treatment and prevention of inflammations in the respiratory system. The current study aimed to perform a phytochemical characterization of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) roots and their extracts (water, 40%, 50%, 60% ethanol, and 60% glycerol). Phytochemical characterization was carried out by gravimetric, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic methods. Echinacea roots were characterized by a low lipid (0.8%) content. In contrast, carbohydrates (45%) and proteins (20%) occupied a large part of the dry matter. Amongst the extracts, the highest yield was obtained using water as a solvent (53%). Water extract was rich in protein and carbohydrates as fructans (inulin) were the most abundant carbohydrate constituent. The most exhaustive recovery of the phenolic components was conducted by extraction with 40% ethanol and 60% glycerol. It was found that water is the most suitable extractant for obtaining a polysaccharide-containing complex (PSC) (8.87%). PSC was composed mainly of fructans (inulin) and proteins with different molecular weight distributions. The yield of PSC decreased with an increasing ethanol concentration (40% > 50% > 60%) but the lowest yield was obtained from 60% glycerol extract. The obtained results showed that Echinacea roots contained a large amount of biologically active substances—phenolic components and polysaccharides and that glycerol was equally efficient to ethanol in extracting caffeic acid derivatives from purple coneflower roots. The data can be used for the preparation of extracts having different compositions and thus easily be incorporated into commercial products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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23 pages, 3645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutrigenomic Effects of White Rice and Brown Rice on the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Disorders in a Fruit Fly Model

by Saheed Olanrewaju Saka, Yusuf Yahaya Salisu, Hauwa’u Muhammad Sahabi, Kamaldeen Olalekan Sanusi, Kasimu Ghandi Ibrahim, Murtala Bello Abubakar, Suleiman Ahmed Isa, Muhammad Gidado Liman, Sha’aya’u Shehu, Ibrahim Malami, Kim Wei Chan, Nur Hanisah Azmi and Mustapha Umar Imam

Molecules 2023, 28(2), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020532 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3269

Abstract

Consumption of white rice (WR) has been shown to predispose individuals to metabolic disorders. However, brown rice (BR), which is relatively richer in bioactive compounds, possesses anti-glycaemic and antioxidant effects. In this study, fifteen cultivars of paddy rice that are predominantly consumed in [...] Read more.

Consumption of white rice (WR) has been shown to predispose individuals to metabolic disorders. However, brown rice (BR), which is relatively richer in bioactive compounds, possesses anti-glycaemic and antioxidant effects. In this study, fifteen cultivars of paddy rice that are predominantly consumed in North West Nigeria were analysed for their nutritional composition, bioactive contents and effects on metabolic outcomes in a fruit fly model. Gene expression analyses were conducted on the whole fly, targeting dPEPCK, dIRS, and dACC. The protein, carbohydrate, and fibre contents and bioactives of all BR cultivars were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the WR cultivars. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the glucose and trehalose levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05), while glycogen was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the WR groups compared to the BR groups. Similarly, the expression of dACC and dPEPCK was upregulated, while that of dIRS was downregulated in the WR groups compared to the BR groups. Sex differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the WR groups in relation to the nutrigenomic effects. Our findings confirm metabolic perturbations in fruit flies following consumption of WR via distortion of insulin signalling and activation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. BR prevented these metabolic changes possibly due to its richer nutritional composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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19 pages, 3226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Encapsulating Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. Florets: UHPLC-HRMS Insights into Bioactive Compounds Preservation and Oral Bioaccessibility

by Marika Fiorentino, Simona Piccolella, Claudia Gravina, Adriano Stinca, Assunta Esposito, Michelina Catauro and Severina Pacifico

Molecules 2023, 28(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010199 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1858

Abstract

Wild edible plants, once consumed in times of famine or for health purposes, today represent an interesting dietary supplement, aimed at enriching local dishes and/or formulating healthy nutraceutical products. In fact, the broad content of different, and diversely bioactive, specialized metabolites therein suggests [...] Read more.

Wild edible plants, once consumed in times of famine or for health purposes, today represent an interesting dietary supplement, aimed at enriching local dishes and/or formulating healthy nutraceutical products. In fact, the broad content of different, and diversely bioactive, specialized metabolites therein suggests new scenarios of use which, in order to be as functional as possible, must maximize the bioactivity of these compounds while preserving their chemistry. In this context, based on a recent investigation on the metabolic profile of the organs of Calendula arvensis that highlighted that florets are abundant in flavonol glycosides and triterpene saponins, the freeze-drying encapsulation of their alcoholic extract (FE) into maltodextrin (MD) was investigated. FE-MD chemical composition was evaluated using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), while ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) techniques were employed to unravel FE compound preservation also during in vitro simulated digestion. The establishment of H-bonds between FE compounds and MD hydroxyl groups was in line with FE-MD biocompatibility in Caco-2 cells, while in vitro digestion mostly affected structural integrity and/or diversity. Flavonol compounds underwent deglycosylation and demethylation, while deacylation, beyond oxidation, involved triterpene saponins, which massively preserve their aglycone core. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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8 pages, 1685 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Nut-Shell Liquid as Antioxidant in Bulk Soybean Oil

by Sandra-Yaneth Gaitán-Jiménez, Luz-Patricia Restrepo-Sánchez, Fabián Parada-Alfonso and Carlos-Eduardo Narváez-Cuenca

Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8733; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248733 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1929

Abstract

Recently, natural antioxidants for the food industry have become an important focus. Cashew nut-shell liquid (CNSL) is composed of compounds that can act as natural antioxidants in food systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of CNSL and its [...] Read more.

Recently, natural antioxidants for the food industry have become an important focus. Cashew nut-shell liquid (CNSL) is composed of compounds that can act as natural antioxidants in food systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of CNSL and its components to act as natural antioxidants in a bulk oil system. CNSL was treated with calcium hydroxide to obtain two fractions [cardol/cardanols acid fraction (CCF) and anacardic acid fraction (AF)]. CNSL, FF and AF were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The protective effects of CNSL, CCF and AF were tested in terms of the peroxide value of bulk soybean oil in accelerated assays and were compared against controls with and without synthetic antioxidants (CSA and CWA). CNLS, CCF, AF and CSA were tested at 200 mg/kg soybean oil by incubation at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C for five days. The activation energy (E_a) for the production of peroxides was calculated by using the linearized Arrhenius equation. Thin-layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that (i) CNSL contained cardanols, anacardic acids, and cardols; (ii) CCF contained cardanols and cardols; and (iii) AF contained anacardic acids. CSA (E_a 35,355 J/mol) was the most effective antioxidant, followed by CCF (E_a 31,498 J/mol) and by CNSL (E_a 26,351 J/mol). AF exhibited pro-oxidant activity (E_a 8339 J/mol) compared with that of CWA (E_a 15,684 J/mol). Therefore, cardols and cardanols from CNSL can be used as a natural antioxidant in soybean oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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13 pages, 2535 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evolution of Hydroxytyrosol, Hydroxytyrosol 4-β-d-Glucoside, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylglycol and Tyrosol in Olive Oil Solid Waste or “Alperujo”

by África Fernández-Prior, Alejandra Bermúdez-Oria, Juan Fernández-Bolaños, Juan Antonio Espejo-Calvo, Francisco López-Maestro and Guillermo Rodríguez-Gutiérrez

Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8380; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238380 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1478

Abstract

The main by-product generated from the olive oil two-phase extraction system, or alperujo, is undoubtedly a rich source of bioactive components, among which phenolics are one of the most important. The evolution of four of its main phenolics: hydroxytyrosol (HT), hydroxytyrosol 4-β-d [...] Read more.

The main by-product generated from the olive oil two-phase extraction system, or alperujo, is undoubtedly a rich source of bioactive components, among which phenolics are one of the most important. The evolution of four of its main phenolics: hydroxytyrosol (HT), hydroxytyrosol 4-β-d-glucoside (Glu-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and tyrosol (Ty) was studied over two seasons and in ten oil mills under similar climatological and agronomic conditions, for the first time using organic extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) determination. The results show that HT (200–1600 mg/kg of fresh alperujo) and Ty (10–570 mg/kg) increase, while DHPG (10–370 mg/kg) decreases only in the last month of the season and Glu-HT (1400–0 mg/kg) decreases drastically from the beginning. This evolution is similar between different seasons, with a high correlation between Glu-HT, HT, and Ty. On the other hand, it has been verified that a mixture of alperujos from all the oil mills, which is what the pomace extractor receives, is a viable source of a liquid fraction which is rich in the phenolics studied through organic extractions and especially after the application of a thermal treatment, obtaining values of 4.2 g/L of HT, 0.36 g/L of DHPG, and 0.49 g/L of Ty in the final concentrated liquid fraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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24 pages, 4381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidants from Hyeronima macrocarpa Berries Loaded on Nanocellulose: Thermal and Antioxidant Stability

by Andrés Felipe Alzate-Arbelaez, Farid B. Cortés and Benjamín A. Rojano

Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6661; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196661 - 7 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1581

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different storage temperatures (35–55 °C) on the bioactive substances and antioxidant properties of Hyeronima macrocarpa berries loaded on nanocellulose. NC was extracted from banana pseudo-stems and presented an interesting surface and porosity properties. The acidified ethanol extract [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effect of different storage temperatures (35–55 °C) on the bioactive substances and antioxidant properties of Hyeronima macrocarpa berries loaded on nanocellulose. NC was extracted from banana pseudo-stems and presented an interesting surface and porosity properties. The acidified ethanol extract showed better anthocyanin extraction (1317 mg C3G eq./100 g FW) and was used for the preparation of the powdered product, which presented an intense and uniform magenta color, with CIELAB parameters of L* = 59.16, a* = 35.61, and b* = 7.08. The powder exhibited significant stability at storage temperatures of 35 and 45 °C, in which there was no significant loss of anthocyanins or a decrease in antioxidant capacity. In addition, the color was stable for up to 4 months without adding any preservative agent. The anthocyanin-rich extract of H. macrocarpa reached an estimated shelf-life of 315 days (stored at 35 °C), as a result of the impregnation process between the extract and NC, with the ability to protect the bioactives from degradation, due to NC surface properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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14 pages, 4125 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant Extracts of Nettle (Urtica dioica) Leaves: Evaluation of Extraction Techniques and Solvents

by María Flórez, Patricia Cazón and Manuel Vázquez

Molecules 2022, 27(18), 6015; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27186015 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3052

Abstract

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a great source of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extraction techniques (ultrasound, without stirring, and stirring), solvents (methanol, water, and ethanol), and extraction times (1–4 h) to maximize antioxidant capacity of [...] Read more.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a great source of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extraction techniques (ultrasound, without stirring, and stirring), solvents (methanol, water, and ethanol), and extraction times (1–4 h) to maximize antioxidant capacity of the Urtica dioica extracts. In the case of total phenolic content (TPC) and ABTS^•+ (2,2-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolin)-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging values, ultrasound extraction was the most efficient method, while the best results of DPPH^• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay in nettle extracts (91.08%) were obtained using stirring extraction, water as solvent, and 3 h of extraction time. Based on the obtained mathematical models, the optimization revealed that the best extraction conditions were ultrasound treatment with water as solvent and an extraction time of 3.15 h, obtaining values of 21.9 mg eq gallic acid/g dried nettle for TPC, 71.8% for %ABTS^•+ and 86.6% for %DPPH^•. This work proves that aqueous extract of nettle leaves through the ultrasound technique is an important source of natural antioxidants and can be considered a potential alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Application of Nutrients and Functional Compounds from Food)

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