Search Results (427)

Most bioplastics are based on polysaccharides, which are either synthesized from a variously sourced monomer or extracted from some biomass waste. In many cases, some lignocellulosic fibers are then added to the obtained bioplastics to form biocomposites and extend their range of applications beyond packaging films and generically easily biodegradable materials. Plant-extracted tannins, which, as such, might also be building blocks for bioplastics, do nonetheless represent a useful complement in their production when added to polysaccharide-based plastics and biocomposites, since they offer other functions, such as bioadhesion, coloration, and biocidal effect. The variety of species used for tannin extraction and condensation is becoming very wide and is also connected with the local availability of amounts of bio-waste from other productions, such as from the food system. This work tries to summarize the evolution and recent developments in tannin extraction and their increasing centrality in the production of polysaccharide-based plastics, adhesives, and natural fiber composites. Full article

Faba bean is a high-protein legume that can be successfully grown in most climates around the world. It is one of the most popular pulses cultivated in Poland. Its seeds are a source of plant protein, used most often in feed production. Field experiments and laboratory seed analyses were carried out in 2022 and 2023 to assess the effect of the application of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the yield and seed quality of a low-tannin faba bean cultivar. The factor was tested at four levels: control, seed inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae, foliar spraying with Methylobacterium symbioticum, and seed inoculation and spraying (double application). The application of N-fixing bacteria had a positive effect on faba bean seed yield. In 2022, plants responded most effectively to a double application, increasing seed yield by 25.4%, while, in 2023, the highest seed yield was obtained after inoculation (12.3% increase). Although the single application of bacteria caused a decrease in seed protein content, the double application (inoculation and spraying) significantly enhanced seed protein content. The protein productivity per hectare was compensated by the higher seed yield and increased by 41.7% in 2022 and 14.9% in 2023 compared to plots where N-fixing bacteria were not applied. This work shows that it is possible to use different strains of N-fixing bacteria in faba bean cultivation and this can significantly improve yields while reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which supports sustainable production. Full article

Geoffroea decorticans (Gill. ex Hook. & Arn) Burk. is a native tree of the dry areas of Northwestern and Central Argentina. Its seeds are considered waste material. The flour of seeds was analyzed as a source of nutritional and bioactive compounds. It has a low carbohydrate content, containing about 9% protein and between 10 and 14% fat. Approximately 82–84% of the fatty acids were unsaturated (oleic and linoleic acids). A high polyphenol and dietary fiber content was detected. Flavonoids and condensed tannins were the dominant phenolics. Polyphenol-enriched extracts were obtained from seed flour. The HPLC–ESI-MS/MS analysis of these concentrated extracts allowed for the identification of six compounds including C-glycosyl flavones (vitexin and isovitexin), type A procyanidins (dimer and trimer), and epicatequin gallate. Polyphenolic extracts showed antioxidant capacity and were able to inhibit enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) related to carbohydrate metabolism and (lipoxygenase) pro-inflammatory enzymes and were not toxic. Flour and polyphenolic extract from chañar seeds could be considered as new alternative ingredients for the formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, or food supplements. The use of the seed flour in addition to the pulp of the fruit along with the rest of the plant would encourage the propagation of this species resistant to extreme arid environments for commercial and conservation purposes to boost the regional economies of vulnerable areas of South America. Full article

Antioxidants are essential compounds with diverse applications, and medicinal plants are a natural source of these biomolecules. Philodendron heleniae, a species native to the Ecuadorian Amazon, belongs to a genus renowned for its traditional therapeutic uses. Extracts from the stems and roots of several Philodendron species have been widely used to treat stress, bladder disorders, and snakebite wounds, underscoring their medicinal potential. This study investigates the volatile composition, antioxidant properties, and molecular docking of ethanolic extracts from P. heleniae, aiming to expand its applications. Phytochemical analysis revealed a rich profile of tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Antioxidant assays (ABTS and DPPH) demonstrated the extract’s strong free radical scavenging capacity, comparable to the standard Trolox. GC-MS analysis identified 48 volatile and semi-volatile metabolites, predominantly phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and lipid-like molecules. Fractionation of the crude ethanolic extract into aqueous and ethanolic fractions simplifies the downstream analytical steps and facilitates the identification and the evaluation of the higher abundance of antioxidant-related metabolites. Molecular docking supported these findings, highlighting strong binding affinities of stigmasterol and desmosterol to catalase, an enzyme critical for reducing oxidative stress. These results position P. heleniae as a promising source of natural antioxidants with potential pharmaceutical applications, while emphasizing the importance of conserving Ecuador’s biodiversity and its bioactive resources. Full article

Carthamus caeruleus L. is traditionally used in Algerian medicine, particularly for burn treatment, but its therapeutic potential remains insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the root aqueous extract, and to perform phytochemical characterization to identify its bioactive compounds. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using spectrophotometry and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The antioxidant potential was assessed through various assays, including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelation, and hydrogen peroxide decomposition. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using membrane stabilization, protein denaturation, and membrane peroxidation assays. The extract exhibited moderate levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins, quantified as 21.19 ± 0.37 mg GAE/g, 0.72 ± 0.013 mg QE/g, and 27.28 ± 1.04 mg TAE/g of dry extract, respectively. RP-HPLC analysis identified 22 phytochemical compounds, primarily phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, with orientin and vanillin as the major constituents. The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with moderate efficacy in TAC and FRAP assays (IC₅₀ values of 5405.1 ± 4.42 and 1132.35 ± 4.97 µg/mL, respectively). Notable activities included DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging (34.43 ± 4.83 and 512.81 ± 9.46 µg/mL, respectively), ferrous ion chelation (2462.76 ± 1.38 µg/mL), lipid peroxidation inhibition (22.32 ± 3.31%), and hydrogen peroxide decomposition (263.93 ± 7.87 µg/mL). Additionally, the extract stabilized erythrocyte membranes under osmotic, thermal, and oxidative stress conditions (98.13 ± 0.15%, 70 ± 1.27%, and 89 ± 0.87%, respectively), inhibited ovalbumin denaturation (81.05 ± 2.2%), and protected against lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates (69.25 ± 0.89%). These findings support the traditional therapeutic applications of C. caeruleus and highlight its potential as a source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Full article

In parallel with the worldwide issues of malnutrition and food waste, society at large focuses on the advantages of ‘recycling’ food waste. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), a primary byproduct of the brewing industry, is produced in large quantities in many regions of the world, leading to environmental issues. The present study aimed at valorizing BSG through bioactive compound extraction using more traditional approaches, including Soxhlet extraction, recrystallization, and salting-out adsorption for proteins and lactic purification. The extraction rate of total dietary fiber (TDF) was 93.3%. FTIR analysis showed specific structural vibrations of fiber with C-O and C-O-C attachments in hemicellulose, C-H bends in lignin, and various bending patterns in tannins and fatty acid esters. Hemicellulose (8245.2 mg/L), lignin (10,432.4 mg/L), and cellulose (13,245.4 mg/L) were extracted with rates of 54.9%, 69.5%, and 88.3%, respectively. These bioactive compounds extracted from BSG could be utilized in food and nutraceutical products based on their purity. The analysis of extracted bioactive components confirmed the presence of arachidic acid (C20:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), myristic acid (C14:0), pentacyclic acid (C30:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), margaric acid (C17:0), gallic acid, catechol, ellagic acid, acetyl sialic acid, benzoic acid, and vanillin. These findings highlight the valorization potential of BSG, a previously regarded waste material, as a source of active biocomponents. This is consistent with the principles of the circular economy by reducing waste in the environment and supporting tangible sustainability in food systems. The efforts made in the current study in utilizing BSG are part of the fast-growing area of food waste recycling and provide a way to avoid waste and create added value. Full article

The Chamaenerion genus, particularly Chamaenerion angustifolium and Chamaenerion latifolium, is recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and extensive medicinal properties. These species are abundant in polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to their potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of their phytochemical constituents, with an emphasis on how processing methods, including fermentation, influence bioactivity. Notably, fermentation enhances the levels of key bioactive compounds, such as oenothein B, gallic acid, and ellagic acid, thereby increasing their pharmacological potential. Additionally, this review evaluates the biological activities of Chamaenerion species in relation to their chemical composition, while also considering the limitations of current studies, such as the lack of in vivo or clinical trials. The literature for this review was sourced from scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, covering research from 2010 to 2024. Future studies should focus on optimizing extraction methods, elucidating synergistic bioactivities, and conducting in-depth clinical trials to validate their efficacy and safety. Full article

This study explores the extraction and utilization of tannins from Acacia sp. bark residues for water treatment applications. As a by-product of forest management, Acacia sp. bark is valorized through tannin-based coagulant production, contributing to the circular (bio)economy. A systematic review with bibliometric analysis was first conducted to assess the technical–scientific landscape, identifying methodologies and technologies applied to extract and produce natural tannin-based coagulants from Acacia sp. bark residues for water treatment. From the portfolio of analyzed publications, and which followed the thematic axis addressed and the inclusion criteria, only a single study focuses on performing a life cycle assessment (LCA). Due to the relevance of the topic and the clear lack of existing literature, an environmental assessment of the extraction and production of condensed tannins was performed using the LCA methodology from a gate-to-gate perspective. Among the six process stages, spray drying and adsorption (purification) were the primary sources of environmental impact due to their high energy consumption and makeup ethanol use, respectively. The most effective strategy to enhance environmental performance would be reducing water consumption in extraction, thereby lowering energy demand in spray drying. Since both extraction and spray drying require significant energy, decreasing water use and allowing higher moisture content in the condensed tannin extract would mitigate energy consumption. The LCA study thus proved essential in guiding process development toward a reduced environmental footprint. Full article

Food waste has a significant social impact but can be revalued as a source of bioactive compounds, such as condensed tannins. This abundant biomass, corresponding to a polymeric antioxidant, must be depolymerized to become bioavailable. Previous studies have investigated polymer degradation into oligomers using high temperatures and expensive nucleophiles, often under conditions unsuitable for food applications. In the present investigation, it is proposed that the depolymerization of condensed tannins can occur under food-grade conditions using a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) solvent by optimizing the reaction’s heating method with microwave assistance and using gallic acid as a nucleophile. Thermal studies indicate that the degradation of total polyphenols content follows first-order kinetics and occurs above 80 °C in microwave. Depolymerization follows second-order kinetics, yielding epicatechin as the primary product with zero-order formation kinetics. The optimized factors were 80% v/v ethanol, 10 mg/mL polymeric tannins, and 5.88 mg/mL gallic acid. Under these conditions, the reaction efficiency was 99.9%, the mean particle diameter was 5.7 nm, the total polyphenols content was 297.3 ± 15.9 EAG mg/g, and the inhibition of ABTS●+ and DPPH● radicals was 93.5 ± 0.9% and 88.2 ± 1.5%, respectively. These results are promising for future scaling processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rise in antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, which are responsible for severe and hard-to-treat infections, highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic agents. While species in the Leonotis genus have demonstrated antimicrobial potential, limited research exists on Leonotis ocymifolia. This study evaluated the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities of L. ocymifolia leaf and stem extracts. Methods: Acidified acetone and hexane were used for extraction, followed by liquid–liquid fractionation with dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, and butanol. Phytochemicals were profiled using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), while polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined using colorimetric and DPPH assays, respectively. Antibacterial activity was assessed via bioautography and micro-broth dilution assays. Antibiofilm activities were evaluated using crystal violet staining, and metabolic activity was assessed using tetrazolium salt as a cell viability indicator. Results: Ethyl acetate fractions had the highest phenolic (98.15 ± 9.63 mg GAE/g) and tannin contents (108.28 ± 8.78 mg GAE/g), with strong DPPH scavenging activity (79–90% at 250 µg/mL). DCM extracts had potent antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.31–0.625 mg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiofilm assays revealed over 50% inhibition across biofilm formation phases, with DCM leaf extracts disrupting biofilms by inhibiting microbial metabolism. Conclusions: This study highlights L. ocymifolia as a promising source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The DCM and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated high polyphenol content and effective biofilm inhibition. Further studies are warranted to isolate bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. Full article

Forestry and wood-processing by-products, such as pine bark, offer promising opportunities for sustainable resource utilization within a circular economy. This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of an aqueous extraction process for polyphenolic compounds from various pine residues, including bark, cones, and pruning, using life cycle assessment (LCA). The analysis revealed that ground and sieved pine bark powder had the lowest environmental impact, attributed to its simpler extraction process without chemical modifications and reduced energy consumption compared to other pine-derived products. Electricity and natural gas were identified as the primary drivers of environmental impacts across all categories. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that increasing the tannin concentration in pine-derived products and integrating renewable energy sources could further improve environmental performance. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing underutilized pine residues as sustainable feedstock for producing valuable polyphenolic extracts with a relatively low environmental footprint. The insights gained from this LCA study provide a comprehensive foundation for advancing sustainable extraction technologies. They emphasize the critical role of energy efficiency, tannin concentration, and renewable energy integration in minimizing environmental impacts. Furthermore, these findings offer actionable guidance for optimizing resource recovery from forestry by-products, enhancing their viability as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional tannin sources. Full article

Conditions like diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, infections, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders continue to have a major global impact on mortality and morbidity. Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times in ethnomedicine (e.g., Ayurveda, Unani, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European Traditional Medicine) for the treatment of a wide range of disorders. Plants are a rich source of diverse phytoconstituents with antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, and/or anti-inflammatory activities. This review focuses on the 35 plants most commonly reported for the treatment of these major disorders, with a particular emphasis on their traditional uses, phytoconstituent contents, pharmacological properties, and modes of action. Active phytomolecules with therapeutic potential include cucurbitane triterpenoids, diosgenin, and limonoids (azadiradione and gedunin), which exhibit antidiabetic properties, with cucurbitane triterpenoids specifically activating Glucose Transporter Type 4 (GLUT4) translocation. Capsaicin and curcumin demonstrate anticancer activity by deactivating NF-κB and arresting the cell cycle in the G2 phase. Antimicrobial activities have been observed for piperine, reserpine, berberine, dictamnine, chelerythrine, and allitridin, with the latter two triggering bacterial cell lysis. Quercetin, catechin, and genistein exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, with genistein specifically suppressing CD8+ cytotoxic T cell function. Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rg3 demonstrate potential for treating cardiovascular diseases, with ginsenoside Rg1 activating PPARα promoter, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. In contrast, ternatin, tannins, and quercitrin exhibit potential in gastrointestinal disorders, with quercitrin regulating arachidonic acid metabolism by suppressing cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase activity. Further studies are warranted to fully investigate the clinical therapeutic benefits of these plants and their phytoconstituents, as well as to elucidate their underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Full article

Tannin-furanic foams with excellent properties have attracted increasing interest due to their advantages such as easy preparation, light weight, and thermal insulation. However, unsatisfactory mechanical strength has limited the expansion of their applications. Herein, three different metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Zn²⁺) were chosen to enhance the properties of tannin-furanic foam prepared by mechanical stirring provoked a foaming approach. The positive effects originating from the complexation are attributed to the associated connection between tannin molecules and metal ions. The results indicated that the apparent performance was improved, resulting in even foam cell structures. The apparent densities for the tannin-furanic foam modified with metal ions were located in the range of 36.57–47.84 kg/m³, showing the feature of lightweight material. The enhanced mechanical strength was verified by the compression strength (0.097–0.163 MPa) and pulverization ratio (7.57–11.01%) of the modified foams, which increased by 56–163% and decreased by 61–73%, respectively, in comparison with tannin-furanic foam without the metal ions. Additionally, the thermal conductivity of the modified tannin-furanic foams was in the range of 0.0443 to 0.0552 W/m·K. This indicates that they inherited the excellent thermal insulation typically associated with tannin-based foams. Interestingly, higher mechanical performance was obtained by comparison with other bio-sourced foams even with similar densities. In summary, by introducing only a small amount of metal ions, the foam performance was greatly improved, with a moderate cost increase, which reflects a good development prospect. Full article

Fumaria officinalis (fumitory), in the form of dust, was employed as a source of bioactive extracts whose chemical profile and biological potential were investigated. According to the results of the optimization of the extraction protocol, the extract with the highest polyphenol yield was prepared using fumitory dust under the optimal conditions determined using the statistical tool, 2³ full factorial design: 50% ethanol and a 30:1 mL/g ratio during 120 s of microwave extraction (22.56 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of plant material). LC-MS and spectrophotometric/gravimetric analyses quantified the polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and protein contents. Caffeoylmalic acid, quercetin dihexoside, quercetin pentoside hexoside, rutin, and methylquercetin dihexoside were the most dominant compounds. The highest total flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid, and protein yields were determined in the extract prepared using microwaves. In addition to the proven antioxidant potential, in the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of fumitory extracts is also proven in the keratinocyte model, as well as a significant reduction of H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species production in cells and the absence of keratinocyte cytotoxicity. Thus, detailed chemical profiles and investigated biological effects related to skin health benefits encourage the potential application of fumitory dust extracts in dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for dermatological circumstances. Full article

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages around the world. Its production is dominated by the species Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. However, the coffee elaboration process leads to generating a significant amount of waste, which arises in various stages of coffee bean processing and is rich in natural bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and alkaloids. Particularly, chlorogenic and caffeic acids have a high antimicrobial potential and have been demonstrated to be effective against bacteria and viruses of healthcare and food relevance, including multi-resistant pathogens. However, the production and accumulation of coffee waste have a negative environmental impact since they can contaminate the surrounding environment due to the presence of organic molecules such as caffeine and tannins. In this context, exploiting natural resources as a source of compounds with the antimicrobial potential of, for example, the bioactive compounds obtained from coffee, has been evaluated in previous works. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the antimicrobial properties of coffee and its by-products and their potential application in the healthcare sector and disease control in agricultural crops, with particular emphasis on improving sustainability and efficiency in agriculture through making use of waste, which carries high importance in today’s society. Full article