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Antioxidants
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Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects
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Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 November 2023) | Viewed by 14039

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chongde Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: natural product; fruit; antioxidant; human health; flavonoid
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yue Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: bioactive components and health benefits of fruits; screening and identification of bioactive components from horticultural products, especially fruits; metabolism and the functional mechanism of the bioactive compounds; composition diversity of these compounds in fruit germplasm resources; postharvest storage and logistics technologies for horticultural products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruits are important sources of natural antioxidants, including polyphenols, terpenes, vitamins, and dietary fibers. The interaction of these natural antioxidants with the human body can help to recover or maintain health and enhance the body's ability to resist health risks. Effective utilization and accurate evaluation of resources are key to making use of them as health-promotion factors.

The aim of this Special Issue is to attract original research and review articles focusing on the extraction, purification, identification, and quantification of antioxidants from fruits and their health-promoting effects (antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetes, antiobesity, immunomodulatory). We encourage comparison of various antioxidant evaluation models. We also welcome reviews discussing research advances concerning the beneficial health effects of antioxidants in fruits.

For manuscripts which contain mixture compounds extracted from agricultural products, the characterization (using analytical methodologies, such as HPLC, MS, LC–MS, HPLC–MS, and NMR) of the active chemicals in the natural compounds should be included.

Prof. Dr. Chongde Sun
Dr. Yue Wang
Guest Editors

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. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2900 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

  • fruits
  • natural antioxidants
  • polyphenols
  • terpenes
  • vitamins
  • dietary fibers
  • extraction and purification
  • identification and quantification
  • bioactivity evaluation
  • health-promoting application

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 4945 KiB  
Article
Phenolics and Terpenoids Profiling in Diverse Loquat Fruit Varieties and Systematic Assessment of Their Mitigation of Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress
by Qun-Jiao Yan, Yun-Yi Chen, Man-Xi Wu, Han Yang, Jin-Ping Cao, Chong-De Sun and Yue Wang
Antioxidants 2023, 12(10), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12101795 - 23 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
To compare and investigate the phenolic compounds in the peel and flesh of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) and evaluate their ability to protect against alcohol-induced liver oxidative stress, we employed a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) [...] Read more.
To compare and investigate the phenolic compounds in the peel and flesh of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) and evaluate their ability to protect against alcohol-induced liver oxidative stress, we employed a combination of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze 22 phenolics and 2 terpenoid compounds in loquat peel and flesh extracts (extraction with 95% ethanol). Among these, six compounds were identified for the first time in loquat, revealing distinct distribution patterns based on variety and tissue. Various chemical models, such as DPPH, FRAP, ORAC, and ABTS, were used to assess free radical scavenging and metal ion reduction capabilities. The results indicate that peel extracts exhibited higher antioxidant capacity compared with flesh extracts. Using a normal mouse liver cell line, AML-12, we explored the protective effects of loquat extracts and individual compounds against ethanol-induced oxidative stress. The findings demonstrate the enhanced cell viability and the induction of antioxidant enzyme activity through the modulation of Nrf2 and Keap1 gene expression. In a C57/BL6 mouse model of alcohol-induced liver damage, loquat extract was found to alleviate liver injury induced by alcohol. The restoration of perturbed serum liver health indicators underscored the efficacy of loquat extract in reclaiming equilibrium. The culmination of these findings significantly bolsters the foundational knowledge necessary to explore the utilization of loquat fruit extract in the creation of health-focused products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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22 pages, 12678 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant Interactions between Citrus Fruit Carotenoids and Ascorbic Acid in New Models of Animal Cell Membranes
by Marcelo P. Barros, Jaime Zacarías-Garcia, Florencia Rey, Lorenzo Zacarías and María J. Rodrigo
Antioxidants 2023, 12(9), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12091733 - 07 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
The regular consumption of citrus fruits by humans has been associated with lower incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases, especially those mediated by free radicals. Most of the health-promoting properties of citrus fruits derive from their antioxidant content of carotenoids and ascorbic acid (ASC). In [...] Read more.
The regular consumption of citrus fruits by humans has been associated with lower incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases, especially those mediated by free radicals. Most of the health-promoting properties of citrus fruits derive from their antioxidant content of carotenoids and ascorbic acid (ASC). In the current work we have investigated the scavenging (against hydroxyl radical) and quenching capacities (against singlet oxygen) of four different carotenoid extracts of citrus fruits in the presence or absence of ASC (μM range) in organic solvent, aqueous solution, micelles and in an innovative biomimicking liposomal system of animal cell membrane (AML). The fruits of four varieties of citrus were selected for their distinctive carotenoid composition (liquid chromatography characterization): ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin and the sweet oranges ‘Valencia late’, ‘Ruby Valencia’ and ‘Pinalate’ mutant. The quenching activity of citrus carotenoids strongly depended on the biological assemblage: freely diffusible in organic solvent, ‘Ruby Valencia’ carotenoids (containing lycopene) showed the highest quenching activity, whereas ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin extracts, rich in β-cryptoxanthin, prevailed in micellar systems. Interestingly, the addition of 10 μM ASC significantly increased the quenching activity of all citrus extracts in micelles: ‘Valencia’ orange (+53%), ‘Pinalate’ (+87%), ‘Ruby’ (4-fold higher) and ‘Nadorcott’ mandarins (+20%). Accurate C11-BODIPY581/591 fluorescence assays showed solid scavenging activities of all citrus extracts against AML oxidation: ‘Valencia’ (−61%), ‘Pinalate’ (−58%) and ‘Ruby’ oranges (−29%), and ‘Nadorcott’ mandarins (−70%). Indeed, all four citrus extracts tested here have balanced antioxidant properties; extracts from the ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin slightly prevailed overall, due, at least in part, to its high content of β-cryptoxanthin. This study depicts some of the antioxidant interactions between citrus fruit carotenoids and ascorbic acid in models of animal cell membranes and reinforces the contribution of them in promoting health benefits for humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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13 pages, 1245 KiB  
Article
Technologically Driven Approaches for the Integrative Use of Wild Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) Fruits in Foods and Nutraceuticals
by Oana Viorela Nistor, Ștefania Adelina Milea, Bogdan Păcularu-Burada, Doina Georgeta Andronoiu, Gabriela Râpeanu and Nicoleta Stănciuc
Antioxidants 2023, 12(8), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12081637 - 19 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 849
Abstract
Different technological approaches were used in this study for the valorization of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) fruits in marmalade, jam, jelly, and nutraceuticals. Marmalade showed the highest concentrations of polyphenols (7.61 ± 0.05 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight (DW)) and flavonoids [...] Read more.
Different technological approaches were used in this study for the valorization of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) fruits in marmalade, jam, jelly, and nutraceuticals. Marmalade showed the highest concentrations of polyphenols (7.61 ± 0.05 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight (DW)) and flavonoids (4.93 ± 0.22 mg catechin equivalents/g DW), whereas jam retained the highest content of anthocyanins (66.87 ± 1.18 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents/g DW). A good correlation between polyphenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity was found, the highest value being 21.29 ± 1.36 mmol Trolox/g DW for marmalade. Alternatively, the fresh pulp was enriched with inulin, followed by inoculation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, and freeze-dried, allowing a powder to be obtained with a viable cell content of 6.27 × 107 CFU/g DW. A chromatographic analysis of blackthorn skin revealed that myricetin (2.04 ± 0.04 mg/g DW) was the main flavonoid, followed by (+)–catechin (1.80 ± 0.08 mg/g DW), (−)-epicatechin (0.96 ± 0.02 mg/g DW), and vanillic acid (0.94 ± 0.09 mg/g DW). The representative anthocyanins were cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, and peonidin 3-O-glucoside, with an average concentration of 0.75 mg/g DW. The skin extract showed comparable IC50 values for tyrosinase (1.72 ± 0.12 mg/mL), α-amylase (1.17 ± 0.13 mg/mL), and α-glucosidase (1.25 ± 0.26 mg/mL). The possible use of kernels as calorific agents was demonstrated through the evaluation of calorific power of 4.9 kWh/kg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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24 pages, 976 KiB  
Article
Inhibition of α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, Pancreatic Lipase, 15-Lipooxygenase and Acetylcholinesterase Modulated by Polyphenolic Compounds, Organic Acids, and Carbohydrates of Prunus domestica Fruit
by Martyna Rybak and Aneta Wojdyło
Antioxidants 2023, 12(7), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071380 - 03 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1640
Abstract
This work aimed to establish the content of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and organic acids and to determine their potential to inactivate α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and antioxidant activity (ABTSo+ and FRAP) in 43 Prunus domestica [...] Read more.
This work aimed to establish the content of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and organic acids and to determine their potential to inactivate α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and antioxidant activity (ABTSo+ and FRAP) in 43 Prunus domestica cultivars. We identified 20 phenolic compounds, including, in the order of abundance, polymeric procyanidins, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. The total content of phenolic compounds varied depending on the cultivar and ranged from 343.75 to 1419 mg/100 g d.w. The cultivars of Ś2, Ś11, and Ś16 accumulated the greatest amounts of polyphenols, while in cvs. Ś42, Ś35, and Ś20 polyphenols were the least abundant. The highest antioxidant potential of 7.71 (ABTSo+) and 13.28 (FRAP) mmoL Trolox/100 g d.w. was confirmed for cv. Ś11. P. domestica fruits showed inhibitory activity toward α-amylase (2.63–61.53), α-glucosidase (0.19–24.07), pancreatic lipase (0.50–8.20), and lipoxygenase (15-LOX; 4.19–32.67), expressed as IC50 (mg/mL). The anti-AChE effect was stronger than the anti-BuChE one. Cv. Ś3 did not inhibit AChE activity, while cv. Ś35 did not inhibit BuChE. Thanks to the abundance of biologically active compounds, P. domestica offers several health-promoting benefits and may prevent many diseases. For these reasons, they are worth introducing into a daily diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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14 pages, 1122 KiB  
Article
Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Properties with Involved Mechanisms of Eugenia involucrata DC Fruits
by Giuseppe Mannino, Graziella Serio, Alberto Asteggiano, Noemi Gatti, Cinzia M. Bertea, Claudio Medana and Carla Gentile
Antioxidants 2022, 11(9), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11091769 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1703
Abstract
In this study, the phytochemical profile and the antioxidative properties of Eugenia involucrata fruits were evaluated. Spectrophotometric assays indicated that these berries are a rich source of polyphenols with very high radical-scavenging and metal-reducing activities. High-performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap analysis was able to carry [...] Read more.
In this study, the phytochemical profile and the antioxidative properties of Eugenia involucrata fruits were evaluated. Spectrophotometric assays indicated that these berries are a rich source of polyphenols with very high radical-scavenging and metal-reducing activities. High-performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap analysis was able to carry out the annotation of 36 different compounds, mainly belonging to the flavonol, flavan-3-ol, and anthocyanin families. Antioxidant activity of the fruit extract was evaluated in a cell-based lipid peroxidation model. Obtained data showed that the extract, at very low concentration, was able to prevent oxidative damage in HepG2 cells exposed to oxidative stimuli. Moreover, the evaluation of the gene expression of the most important antioxidant enzymes suggested that the observed antioxidant protection in cells also involves an improvement in enzymatic antioxidant defenses. Finally, the collected data show that E. involucrata fruits are a good source of natural antioxidant molecules and provide evidence of their potential application in the nutraceutical field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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16 pages, 979 KiB  
Article
Identification and Antioxidant Capacity of Free and Bound Phenolics in Six Varieties of Mulberry Seeds Using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS
by Huaqi Gao, Meimei Guo, Liqin Wang, Cui Sun and Lingxia Huang
Antioxidants 2022, 11(9), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11091764 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
Mulberry seeds are a byproduct of juice processing and may be an important resource for its abundant compounds. In this study, we analyzed the qualitative composition of free and bound phenolics from six varieties of mulberry seeds using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Free phenolics (FPs) and [...] Read more.
Mulberry seeds are a byproduct of juice processing and may be an important resource for its abundant compounds. In this study, we analyzed the qualitative composition of free and bound phenolics from six varieties of mulberry seeds using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Free phenolics (FPs) and bound phenolics (BPs) were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method; antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, using the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. A total of 28 free and 11 bound phenolics were extracted and identified, wherein five free phenolics were found in mulberry matrices for the first time. The six varieties of mulberry seeds exhibited higher content of FPs than BPs, and there was a correlation between the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Consequently, three varieties were selected for their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This study might offer a theoretical basis for the utilization of mulberry seed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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Review

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32 pages, 4444 KiB  
Review
The Biochemistry and Effectiveness of Antioxidants in Food, Fruits, and Marine Algae
by Lavinia Lorena Pruteanu, David Stanley Bailey, Andrei Cristian Grădinaru and Lorentz Jäntschi
Antioxidants 2023, 12(4), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040860 - 02 Apr 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4807
Abstract
It is more effective to maintain good health than to regain it after losing it. This work focuses on the biochemical defense mechanisms against free radicals and their role in building and maintaining antioxidant shields, aiming to show how to balance, as much [...] Read more.
It is more effective to maintain good health than to regain it after losing it. This work focuses on the biochemical defense mechanisms against free radicals and their role in building and maintaining antioxidant shields, aiming to show how to balance, as much as possible, the situations in which we are exposed to free radicals. To achieve this aim, foods, fruits, and marine algae with a high antioxidant content should constitute the basis of nutritional elements, since natural products are known to have significantly greater assimilation efficiency. This review also gives the perspective in which the use of antioxidants can extend the life of food products, by protecting them from damage caused by oxidation as well as their use as food additives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants in Fruits and Their Health-Promoting Effects)
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