Research

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13 pages, 245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Fruit Musts and Fruit Wines during Simulated Digestion

by Tomasz Tarko, Aleksandra Duda-Chodak and Agata Soszka

Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5574; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235574 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2009

The content of polyphenols (total phenolic content (TPC)) and the antioxidant activity (AOX) of food products depend on the raw materials used and the technological processes in operation, but transformations of these compounds in the digestive tract are very important. The aim of [...] Read more.

The content of polyphenols (total phenolic content (TPC)) and the antioxidant activity (AOX) of food products depend on the raw materials used and the technological processes in operation, but transformations of these compounds in the digestive tract are very important. The aim of this study was to determine the TPC, profile of polyphenols, and AOX of apple and blackcurrant musts and wines in order to evaluate the changes occurring in a simulated human digestive system. The research material consisted of apples and blackcurrant, from which musts and fruit wines were obtained. All samples were subjected to three-stage digestion in a simulated human digestive system and then analyzed for the following: TPC (Folin–Ciocalteu method) and profile (HPLC), AOX (method with 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) radical), and for the wines also total extract, volatile acidity (International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) method), and sugar profile (HPLC). The antioxidant activity of fruit wines is directly related to the total polyphenol content. Phenolic compounds were transformed during all digestive stages, which led to the formation of compounds with higher antioxidant capacity. The largest increase in polyphenols was observed after the digestive stage in the small intestine. Transformations of phenolic compounds at each digestive stage resulted in the formation of derivatives with higher antioxidant potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

15 pages, 1207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carrageenan-Based Films Incorporated with Jaboticaba Peel Extract: An Innovative Material for Active Food Packaging

by Luisa Bataglin Avila, Elis Regina Correa Barreto, Paloma Krolow de Souza, Bárbara De Zorzi Silva, Thamiris Renata Martiny, Caroline Costa Moraes, Marcilio Machado Morais, Vijaya Raghavan and Gabriela Silveira da Rosa

Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5563; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235563 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3253

Abstract

This research investigated the bioactive potential of jaboticaba peel extract (JPE) and proposed an innovative material for food packaging based on carrageenan films incorporated with JPE. The extract was obtained through microwave assisted extraction (MAE) according to central composite rotational design and the [...] Read more.

This research investigated the bioactive potential of jaboticaba peel extract (JPE) and proposed an innovative material for food packaging based on carrageenan films incorporated with JPE. The extract was obtained through microwave assisted extraction (MAE) according to central composite rotational design and the optimized conditions showed a combined antimicrobial and antioxidant actions when the extraction process is accomplished at 80 °C and 1 min. The carrageenan film incorporated with JPE was manageable, homogeneous and the presence of JPE into film increased the thickness and improved the light barrier of the film. The results of solubility and mechanical properties did not show significant differences. The benefit of using MAE to improve the recovery of bioactive compounds was demonstrated and the carrageenan film with JPE showed a great strategy to add additives into food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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10 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Daucus carota in Enhancing Antiulcer Profile of Pantoprazole in Experimental Animals

by Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq, Earla Swathi, Sunil S Dhamanigi, Mohammed Asad, Yahya Ali Mohzari, Ahmed A. Alrashed, Abdulrahman S. Alotaibi, Batool Mohammed Alhassan and Sreeharsha Nagaraja

Molecules 2020, 25(22), 5287; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225287 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2019

Abstract

The carrot plant (Daucus carota) and its components are traditionally reported for the management of gastric ulcers. This study was performed to evaluate the role of carrot when administered concurrently with a conventional antiulcer treatment, pantoprazole, in alleviating gastric and duodenal ulcers [...] Read more.

The carrot plant (Daucus carota) and its components are traditionally reported for the management of gastric ulcers. This study was performed to evaluate the role of carrot when administered concurrently with a conventional antiulcer treatment, pantoprazole, in alleviating gastric and duodenal ulcers in female experimental animals. The study involved standard animal models to determine the ulcer preventive effect using pylorus ligation, ethanol, and stress induced acute gastric ulcer models and duodenal ulcer models involving cysteamine. Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer models were used to evaluate the ulcer healing effect. Carrot fruit (500 mg/kg) and its co-administration with pantoprazole produced significant protection in an ethanol- and stress-induced acute gastric ulcer and cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer. The healing of the acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer was also augmented with this combination. Both total proteins and mucin contents were significantly increased in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. Similarly, in pylorus ligation, the pepsin content of gastric juice, total acidity, and free acidity were reduced. Overall, both ulcer preventive effects and ulcer healing properties of the pantoprazole were significantly enhanced in animals who received the co-administration of carrot fruit (500 mg/kg). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

14 pages, 1592 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Water Soldier Stratiotes aloides L.—Forgotten Famine Plant With Unique Composition and Antioxidant Properties

by Urszula Gawlik-Dziki, Piotr Sugier, Dariusz Dziki, Danuta Sugier and Łukasz Pecio

Molecules 2020, 25(21), 5065; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215065 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1980

Abstract

Stratiotes aloides L. is common water plant in central Poland. Due to its expansive character, S. aloides L. can strongly affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. S. aloides L. was an important famine plant in central Poland. This plant was commonly collected and [...] Read more.

Stratiotes aloides L. is common water plant in central Poland. Due to its expansive character, S. aloides L. can strongly affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. S. aloides L. was an important famine plant in central Poland. This plant was commonly collected and cooked until the turn of the 20th century. It has also been used to heal wounds, especially when these are made by an iron implement. The objective of the present work was to study the phenolic profile in the leaves and roots of S. aloides as well as their antioxidant potential and ability to inhibit lipoxygenase (LOX) in the light of their potential bioaccessibility. The dominant compound in its leaves was luteolin-7-O-hexoside-glucuronide (5.84 mg/g DW), whereas the dominant root component was chrysoeriol-7-O-hexoside-glucuronide (0.83 mg/g DW). Infusions from leaves, roots, and their 1:1 (v/v) mixture contained potentially bioaccessible antiradical compounds. S. aloides is a good source of water-extractable reductive compounds. Especially valuable are the leaves of this plant. The roots of S. aloides contained very active hydrophilic compounds able to chelate metal ions. However, their potential bioaccessibility was relatively low. The hydrophilic compounds from the leaves were the most effective XO inhibitors (EC₅₀ = 9.91 mg DW/mL). The water-extractable compounds derived from the leaves and roots acted as uncompetitive LOX inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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18 pages, 2625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cornus mas L. Stones: A Valuable by-Product as an Ellagitannin Source with High Antioxidant Potential

by Dominika Przybylska, Alicja Z. Kucharska, Iwona Cybulska, Tomasz Sozański, Narcyz Piórecki and Izabela Fecka

Molecules 2020, 25(20), 4646; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204646 - 12 Oct 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3718

Abstract

The stone of Cornus mas L. remains the least known morphological part of this plant, whereas the fruit is appreciated for both consumption purposes and biological activity. The stone is considered to be a byproduct of fruit processing and very little is known [...] Read more.

The stone of Cornus mas L. remains the least known morphological part of this plant, whereas the fruit is appreciated for both consumption purposes and biological activity. The stone is considered to be a byproduct of fruit processing and very little is known about its phytochemical composition and biological properties. In this study, the complete qualitative determination of hydrolyzable tannins, their quantitative analysis, total polyphenolic content, and antioxidant properties of the stone of C. mas are presented for the first time. The 37 identified compounds included the following: various gallotannins (11), monomeric ellagitannins (7), dimeric ellagitannins (10), and trimeric ellagitannins (7). The presence of free gallic acid and ellagic acid was also reported. Our results demonstrate that C. mas stone is a source of various bioactive hydrolyzable tannins and shows high antioxidant activity which could allow potential utilization of this raw material for recovery of valuable pharmaceutical or nutraceutical substances. The principal novelty of our findings is that hydrolyzable tannins, unlike other polyphenols, have been earlier omitted in the evaluation of the biological activities of C. mas. Additionally, the potential recovery of these bioactive chemicals from the byproduct is in line with the ideas of green chemistry and sustainable production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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16 pages, 4085 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition of 21 Cultivars of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) Fruit Cultivated in Poland

by Anna Sokół-Łętowska, Alicja Z. Kucharska, Grzegorz Hodun and Marta Gołba

Molecules 2020, 25(19), 4587; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25194587 - 08 Oct 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4350

Abstract

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a very important fruit crop for producers as well as consumers. To obtain information on sour cherry fruit, we determined the sugar and organic acid composition and phenolic compound contents of twenty-one cultivars and genotypes of [...] Read more.

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a very important fruit crop for producers as well as consumers. To obtain information on sour cherry fruit, we determined the sugar and organic acid composition and phenolic compound contents of twenty-one cultivars and genotypes of Prunus cerasus L. by HPLC quantification. Antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power (FRAP) and determination of substances reacting with Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (FCRS). The main organic acids in sour cherries were malic and malonic acids, and the main sugars were glucose and fructose. The highest sugar content was found in the “Lucyna” cultivar and the highest organic acids in “Paraszt Meggy” and “Suda Hardy”. The richest in phenolic compounds were “Wieluń 17”, “Sokówka Nowotomyska”, “Grosenkirch” “Sokówka Nowotomyska” “Grosenkirch” (anthocyanins, flavanols and total phenolics), and “Meteor” (phenolic acids). Flavan 3-ols were not quantified in every cultivar. “Dradem, “Turgieniewka”, “Wróble”, and “Nana” contained the smallest amounts of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity was highly correlated with phenolic compound composition. According to principal component analysis (PCA), it was concluded that cultivars whose harvest maturity was medium to late contained more flavonols and anthocyanins and were characterized by higher antioxidant capacity than those whose harvest maturity was classified as early or early to medium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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Review

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22 pages, 979 KiB

Open AccessReview

Melatonin in Wine and Beer: Beneficial Effects

by Javier Marhuenda, Débora Villaño, Raúl Arcusa and Pilar Zafrilla

Molecules 2021, 26(2), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020343 - 11 Jan 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4224

Abstract

Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the pineal gland with several functions, especially regulation of circadian sleep cycle and the biological processes related to it. This review evaluates the bioavailability of melatonin and resulting metabolites, the presence of melatonin in wine and beer [...] Read more.

Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the pineal gland with several functions, especially regulation of circadian sleep cycle and the biological processes related to it. This review evaluates the bioavailability of melatonin and resulting metabolites, the presence of melatonin in wine and beer and factors that influence it, and finally the different benefits related to treatment with melatonin. When administered orally, melatonin is mainly absorbed in the rectum and the ileum; it has a half-life of about 0.45–1 h and is extensively inactivated in the liver by phase 2 enzymes. Melatonin (MEL) concentration varies from picograms to ng/mL in fermented beverages such as wine and beer, depending on the fermentation process. These low quantities, within a dietary intake, are enough to reach significant plasma concentrations of melatonin, and are thus able to exert beneficial effects. Melatonin has demonstrated antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions. These benefits are related to its free radical scavenging properties as well and the direct interaction with melatonin receptors, which are involved in complex intracellular signaling pathways, including inhibition of angiogenesis and cell proliferation, among others. In the present review, the current evidence on the effects of melatonin on different pathophysiological conditions is also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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22 pages, 857 KiB

Open AccessReview

Extraction Techniques and Analytical Methods for Characterization of Active Compounds in Origanum Species

by Maša Knez Hrnčič, Darija Cör, Jana Simonovska, Željko Knez, Zoran Kavrakovski and Vesna Rafajlovska

Molecules 2020, 25(20), 4735; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204735 - 15 Oct 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8910

Abstract

Phytochemical research based on ethnopharmacology is gaining interest in industries such as functional food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Plants and plant extracts are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. These compounds are often involved in plant protection against biotic or abiotic [...] Read more.

Phytochemical research based on ethnopharmacology is gaining interest in industries such as functional food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Plants and plant extracts are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. These compounds are often involved in plant protection against biotic or abiotic stresses. The exploitation of available technologies should be oriented and intensified to extend and enhance the continued usefulness of the plants as renewable sources of chemicals, especially medicinal compounds. This current contribution is focused on extraction and analytical techniques for their isolation from the oregano species, their characterization and their potential antioxidative, as well as their antimicrobial, antifungal and anticarcinogenic properties. The work is structured rendering to the different steps involved in the research; starting with extraction and sample preparation, followed by discussing the analytical techniques employed for the isolation and identification of compound/s responsible for the biological activity and methods and techniques for biological activity assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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27 pages, 3532 KiB

Open AccessReview

Study of Antioxidant Properties of Agents from the Perspective of Their Action Mechanisms

by Alla Ivanova, Elena Gerasimova and Elena Gazizullina

Molecules 2020, 25(18), 4251; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25184251 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5387

Abstract

The creation and analysis of a large variety of existing methods for the evaluation of integrated antioxidant properties are quite relevant in connection with a range of biological mechanisms of the antioxidants (AO) action. In this work, the existing methods are correlated with [...] Read more.

The creation and analysis of a large variety of existing methods for the evaluation of integrated antioxidant properties are quite relevant in connection with a range of biological mechanisms of the antioxidants (AO) action. In this work, the existing methods are correlated with mechanisms of antioxidant action. It is shown that the results obtained by various methods are mainly incomparable. This can be connected with the implementation of various mechanisms of antioxidant action in methods. The analysis of the literature data presented in this review indicates the difficulty of creating a universal method and the feasibility of using integrated approaches based on the use of several methods that implement and combine various mechanisms of the chemical conversion of antioxidants. This review describes methods for studying the chelating ability of antioxidants, except for methods based on electron and hydrogen atom transfer reactions, which are currently not widely covered in modern literature. With the description of each mechanism, special attention is paid to electrochemical methods, as the interaction of active oxygen metabolites of radical and non-radical nature with antioxidants has an electron/proton/donor-acceptor nature, which corresponds to the nature of electrochemical methods and suggests that they can be used to study the interaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activity of Natural Compounds)

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