Submit to Antioxidants Review for Antioxidants Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Published Papers

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 14422

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mia Kurek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: active food packaging; intelligent sensors; antioxidant; smart packaging; barrier properties; shelf-life; food–packaging interaction; waste reduction; biopolymers; recyclability; eco-impact; bioactive compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Andrée Voilley

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

International Joint Research Laboratory “Tropical Bioresources & Biotechnology” UMR PAM, Institut Agro Dijon, Université de Bourgogne, 1 Esplanade Erasme, 21078 Dijon, France
Interests: small molecules; mass transfer; interface; thermodynamics; process

Prof. Dr. Frederic Debeaufort

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Joint Unit Food Processing and Microbiology, Food and Wine Physico-Chemistry Lab, Université de Bourgogne, L’Institut Agro Dijon, 1 Esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France
2. Institute of Technology, Université de Bourgogne, 7 Blvd Docteur Petitjean, BP 17867, 21078 Dijon, France
Interests: valorization of by-products and waste from food industry and agriculture for packaging applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The market value of natural products is increasing globally. The attractiveness is often related to the health-beneficial properties of bioactive compounds found in plants, spices, superfoods and similar. However, a plethora of questions arise in the context of valuable sources, ranging from obtaining these valuable substances to their incorporation and delivery in food. Additionally, it is important to consider their delivery and bioavailability in the human body. Thus, further research has to be performed to cover all of these subjects, including sourcing, protection, delivery and functionality. It is interesting to discover all potential applications of antioxidants and their role in the protection against damage caused by free radicals. Questions arise: what is the role of novel packaging in their protection? What is the stability of phytochemicals at the point of sale? What are the innovative delivery systems, and may naturally assembled structures be used for their delivery?

Volume 2 of this Special Issue focuses on scientific papers dealing with various complementary studies needed to enhance the potential functionalities of bioactive compounds found in unexploited agri-food sources and their by‐products which may be beneficial to human health. Features related to global waste reduction, considering both food and packaging, will be also covered by this Special Issue.

Dr. Mia Kurek
Prof. Dr. Andrée Voilley
Prof. Dr. Frederic Debeaufort
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.

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 1567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Profile of Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Activity of Aronia melanocarpa Fruits at Various Stages of Their Growth, Using Chemometric Methods

by Natalia Dobros, Agnieszka Zielińska, Paweł Siudem, Katarzyna Dorota Zawada and Katarzyna Paradowska

Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040462 - 14 Apr 2024

Viewed by 308

Abstract

Aronia (chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa) is a valuable fruit that combines the health benefits of green tea and red wine and is gaining popularity worldwide. Aronia has a unique chemical composition with strong antioxidant properties, including anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids (CGAs). However, it remains unclear which specific compounds or groups are primarily responsible for the antioxidant properties of chokeberry. Therefore, an analysis of the antioxidant properties of aronia berries based on geographical region and their variability during ripening (from green to frostbitten fruit) was conducted. The fruits were collected from three locations for two years. The aim of our work was to identify the compounds responsible for the antioxidant properties of aronia berry extracts by using chemometric methods. The analyses of anthocyanins and CGAs were performed using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant capacity was assessed by FRAP and DPPH methods. The PCA analysis also considered variations in temperature and precipitation. The chemometric analysis revealed a strong correlation between radical-scavenging properties and the content levels of chlorogenic acids. The results obtained in this study show that unripe green chokeberry fruits exhibit the highest antioxidant properties, which can be attributed to the high content of CGAs at this stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant Responses and Phytochemical Accumulation in Raphanus Species Sprouts through Elicitors and Predictive Models under High Temperature Stress

by María-Trinidad Toro, Roberto Fustos-Toribio, Jaime Ortiz, José Becerra, Nelson Zapata and María Dolores López-Belchí

Antioxidants 2024, 13(3), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030333 - 08 Mar 2024

Viewed by 878

Abstract

Crop production is being impacted by higher temperatures, which can decrease food yield and pose a threat to human nutrition. In the current study, edible and wild radish sprouts were exposed to elevated growth temperatures along with the exogenous application of various elicitors to activate defense mechanisms. Developmental traits, oxidative damage, glucosinolate and anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated alongside the development of a predictive model. A combination of four elicitors (citric acid, methyl jasmonate—MeJa, chitosan, and K₂SO₄) and high temperatures were applied. The accumulation of bioactives was significantly enhanced through the application of two elicitors, K₂SO₄ and methyl jasmonate (MeJa). The combination of high temperature with MeJa prominently activated oxidative mechanisms. Consequently, an artificial neural network was developed to predict the behavior of MeJa and temperature, providing a valuable projection of plant growth responses. This study demonstrates that the use of elicitors and predictive analytics serves as an effective tool to investigate responses and enhance the nutritional value of Raphanus species sprouts under future conditions of increased temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of High-Glucosinolate-Synthesis Lines of Brassica rapa

by Hyunjin Choi, Hail Kim, Sanghee Han, Hyun Woo Park, In Jin Ha, Jung Sun Kim and Seok-Geun Lee

Antioxidants 2023, 12(9), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12091693 - 30 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1229

Abstract

Excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are associated with the development of various diseases, including cancer. Glucosinolates (GSLs) are phytochemicals known for their antioxidant properties, and doubled haploid lines (DHLs) of Brassica rapa with high GSL contents (HGSL) were intentionally developed from two edible subspecies of Brassica rapa: B. rapa subsp. trilocularis and B. rapa subsp. chinensis. The purpose of the present study is to assess the capacity of HGSL DHLs to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, compared to pak choi as a parental control. Our findings demonstrate that HGSL DH lines effectively suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, leading to the reduced levels of nitric oxide at non-toxic concentrations. Additionally, these lines exhibited scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species and free radicals. The enhanced antioxidant capacity of HGSL DHLs was mechanistically attributed to the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, such as NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), the glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1). Furthermore, we confirmed that these effects were mediated through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway via p38 phosphorylation. Moreover, HGSL DHLs demonstrated inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation. Collectively, our results indicate that HGSL DHLs possess better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to the parental control pak choi in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting that HGSL DHLs of Brassica rapa could be considered as a beneficial daily vegetable for reducing the risk of inflammation-associated diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pepper Fruit Extracts Show Anti-Proliferative Activity against Tumor Cells Altering Their NADPH-Generating Dehydrogenase and Catalase Profiles

by Marta Rodríguez-Ruiz, María C. Ramos, María J. Campos, Inmaculada Díaz-Sánchez, Bastien Cautain, Thomas A. Mackenzie, Francisca Vicente, Francisco J. Corpas and José M. Palma

Antioxidants 2023, 12(7), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071461 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

Cancer is considered one of the main causes of human death worldwide, being characterized by an alteration of the oxidative metabolism. Many natural compounds from plant origin with anti-tumor attributes have been described. Among them, capsaicin, which is the molecule responsible for the pungency in hot pepper fruits, has been reported to show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities, as well as anti-proliferative properties against cancer. Thus, in this work, the potential anti-proliferative activity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits from diverse varieties with different capsaicin contents (California < Piquillo < Padrón < Alegría riojana) against several tumor cell lines (lung, melanoma, hepatoma, colon, breast, pancreas, and prostate) has been investigated. The results showed that the capsaicin content in pepper fruits did not correspond with their anti-proliferative activity against tumor cell lines. By contrast, the greatest activity was promoted by the pepper tissues which contained the lowest capsaicin amount. This indicates that other compounds different from capsaicin have this anti-tumor potentiality in pepper fruits. Based on this, green fruits from the Alegría riojana variety, which has negligible capsaicin levels, was used to study the effect on the oxidative and redox metabolism of tumor cell lines from liver (Hep-G2) and pancreas (MIA PaCa-2). Different parameters from both lines treated with crude pepper fruit extracts were determined including protein nitration and protein S-nitrosation (two post-translational modifications (PTMs) promoted by nitric oxide), the antioxidant capacity, as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), among others. In addition, the activity of the NADPH-generating enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH) was followed. Our data revealed that the treatment of both cell lines with pepper fruit extracts altered their antioxidant capacity, enhanced their catalase activity, and considerably reduced the activity of the NADPH-generating enzymes. As a consequence, less H₂O₂ and NADPH seem to be available to cells, thus avoiding cell proliferation and possibly triggering cell death in both cell lines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Surface Corona Discharge Process on Functional and Antioxidant Properties of Bio-Active Coating Applied onto PLA Films

by Ana Božović, Katarina Tomašević, Nasreddine Benbettaieb and Frédéric Debeaufort

Antioxidants 2023, 12(4), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040859 - 01 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the three major biopolymers available on the market for food packaging, which is both bio-based and biodegradable. However, its performance as a barrier to gases remains too weak to be used for most types of food, particularly oxygen-sensitive foods. A surface treatment, such as coating, is a potential route for improving the barrier properties and/or providing bioactive properties such as antioxidants. Gelatin-based coating is a biodegradable and food-contact-friendly solution for improving PLA properties. The initial adhesion of gelatin to the film is successful, both over time and during production, however, the coating often delaminates. Corona processing (cold air plasma) is a new tool that requires low energy and no solvents or chemicals. It has been recently applied to the food industry to modify surface properties and has the potential to significantly improve gelatin crosslinking. The effect of this process on the functional properties of the coating, and the integrity of the incorporated active compounds were investigated. Two coatings have been studied, a control fish gelatin-glycerol, and an active one containing gallic acid (GA) as a natural antioxidant. Three powers of the corona process were applied on wet coatings. In the test conditions, there were no improvements in the gelatin crosslinking, but the corona did not cause any structural changes. However, when the corona and gallic acid were combined, the oxygen permeability was significantly reduced, while free radical scavenging, reduction, and chelating properties remained unaffected or slightly improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Withania somnifera L.: Phenolic Compounds Composition and Biological Activity of Commercial Samples and Its Aqueous and Hydromethanolic Extracts

by Milena Polumackanycz, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Tomasz Śledziński, Elżbieta Goyke, Agnieszka Konopacka, Alina Plenis and Agnieszka Viapiana

Antioxidants 2023, 12(3), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030550 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3058

Abstract

In the present study, the chemical composition and bioactive properties of commercially available Withania somnifera samples were evaluated. The hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts of the tested samples were analyzed in terms of phenolic compound composition, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. Polyphenols and ascorbic acid content, as well as the antioxidant activity, were higher in the aqueous extracts than in the hydromethanolic extracts. Generally, aqueous extracts presented higher antioxidant activity than the hydromethanolic ones, especially in the case of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Moreover, higher amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in the hydromethanolic extracts compared to the aqueous ones. Regarding the antibacterial properties, samples 4, 6, and 10 showed the best overall performance with growth-inhibitory activities against all the examined bacteria strains. Finally, the aqueous and hydromethanolic extracts were the most efficient extracts in terms of AChE and BChE inhibitory activities, respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate that W. somnifera possesses important bioactive properties which could be attributed to the high amounts of phenolic compounds. However, a great variability was recorded in commercially available products, suggesting significant differences in the origin of product and the processing method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 9306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing an Enzymatic Extraction Method for the Flavonoids in Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaves Based on Experimental Designs Methodologies

by Curro Polo-Castellano, Rosa María Mateos, Francisco Visiedo, Miguel Palma, Gerardo F. Barbero and Marta Ferreiro-González

Antioxidants 2023, 12(2), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020369 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. is known to have significant antioxidant properties. Because of this, the development of an optimal extraction method is crucial to obtain pharmacological products based on the bioactive compounds produced by this tree. Through a Plackett–Burman and a Box–Behnken design, enzymatic extraction conditions (temperature, agitation, solvent pH and composition, sample-to-solvent ratio, enzyme-to-sample ratio and extraction time) have been optimized using normalized areas (UA/g) as response variable and relative mass (mg/g) as quantification variable. Extractions were performed in an incubator, where all the extraction conditions could be digitally controlled. Thus, 58.9 °C, 50 rpm, 4.0 pH, 32.5% EtOH, 0.2 g sample in 15 mL solvent and 106 U/g were established as the optimal extraction conditions for the extraction with a mix of pectinases coming from Aspergillus niger. Under these optimal conditions, two-minute extractions were performed and evaluated through a single factor design. The enzymatic extraction method demonstrated its suitability to produce extracts with good antioxidant power (antioxidant activity 4.664 ± 0.059 mg trolox equivalent/g sample and total phenolic compounds 6.245 ± 0.101 mg gallic acid equivalent/g sample). The method was also confirmed to have good repeatability (1.39%) and intermediate precision (2.37%) levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Tunisian Olive Leaf Extracts to Reduce the Bioavailability of Acrylamide in Californian-Style Black Olives

by Dalel Mechi, Francisco Pérez-Nevado, Ismael Montero-Fernández, Bechir Baccouri, Leila Abaza and Daniel Martín-Vertedor

Antioxidants 2023, 12(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010117 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1456

Abstract

The aim of this work was analyzing the use of olive leaf extracts (OLE) obtained from two local Tunisian olive tree cultivars ‘Chemlali’ and ’Sayali’ to reduce the acrylamide in Californian-style black olives. The phenol profile, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of the two OLE extracts were evaluated. The principal phenols found were hydroxytyrosol (1809.6 ± 25.3 mg 100 g⁻¹), oleuropein (2662.2 ± 38 mg 100 g⁻¹) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (438.4 ± 38 mg 100 g⁻¹) presented higher levels in ‘Sayali’ variety. Small differences were observed between the two kinds of extracts used; the greatest activity of OLE was observed against S. choleraesuis, with values up to 50% inhibition. The extract of ‘Chemlali’ cultivar was added to the Californian-style table olive, improving its phenol content and its antioxidant characteristics without negatively affecting its sensorial characteristics; these olives showed the highest firmness and proper quality characteristics. The gastrointestinal activity on the acrylamide concentration showed a partial degradation of this compound through the digestion, although the addition of the extract does not seem influence in its gastrointestinal digestion. These findings prove the usefulness of by-products to generate a high-quality added-value product, and this would also be relevant as a step towards a more sustainable, circular economy model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 4790 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploration of Polyphenols Extracted from Cytisus Plants and Their Potential Applications: A Review

by Diana Ferreira-Sousa, Zlatina Genisheva, María Jesús Rodríguez-Yoldi, Beatriz Gullón, Carlos E. Costa, José A. Teixeira, Cláudia M. Botelho and Pedro Ferreira-Santos

Antioxidants 2024, 13(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13020192 - 02 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1015

Abstract

The increasing world population means an increased demand for sustainable processes and products related to foods, particularly those with added health benefits. Plants can be an alternative source of nutritional and biofunctional ingredients. Cytisus plants are an underexploited bioresource, currently prevalent in the Mediterranean Basin and western Asia. This manuscript addresses the processing potential of Cytisus plants for the development of added-value products, including food formulations, food packaging, cosmetics, and therapeutic applications. Most research has reported that Cytisus spp. are a promising source of inexpensive bioactive polyphenol compounds. Cytisus flowers should be considered and exploited as raw materials for the development of new food ingredients (antioxidants, preservatives, additives, etc.), nutraceuticals, or even direct therapeutic agents (anticancer, antibacterial, etc.). In order to evaluate the socioeconomic effect of these underutilized plants, more research is needed to assess their valorization for therapeutic and dietary possibilities, as well as the economic impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Application of Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Food from Agriculture to Health Benefits, 2nd Edition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI