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Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 25885

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Dr. Teresa Sosa Díaz

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Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: secondary metabolites; phenols compounds; evaluation of phytotoxic activity; allelopathy; Cistus ladanifer

Dr. Amélia M. Silva

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment ; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: cell biology and biochemistry; cell-based assays; evaluation of bioactivities of natural compounds; phytochemicals; nutraceuticals; nanoencapsulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants are sessile organisms and do not have the ability to move away from adverse environmental conditions. Thus, throughout evolution, plants have developed physical and chemical defense mechanisms against different adverse environmental factors. One of the most important strategies is the production of secondary metabolites, structurally diverse but with a common fundamental function: to exert a biological activity giving the plant greater resistance and survival against adverse biotic (e.g., pests and pathogens) or abiotic factors (e.g., radiation, extreme temperatures, drought). Plants are therefore a huge source of bioactive compounds, most of which remain to be described and explored. Studying these compounds and their biological activities opens a window of opportunity regarding their potential application in several industries, such as the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries, as secondary metabolites may be used as active ingredients or as precursors for the synthesis of new drugs, with anticancer, antimicrobial, antiaging, antioxidant, hypoallergenic and other activities. Additionally, in the agricultural sector, the constant demand for environmentally friendly insecticides and bioherbicides has led to the use of allelochemicals, among which alkaloids stand out for pest control and in the livestock sector, and plants rich in tannins are used against gastrointestinal nematodes. All these compounds present themselves as a potential source of research and development due to their low cost, low pollution and ease of obtaining on a large scale, in the current reality of the industrial scenario in the mentioned areas.

This Special Issue welcomes studies highlighting the evolution, diversity, identification and function of secondary plant metabolites as well as their application in agriculture and livestock, and in the pharmaceutical, agri-food and cosmetics industries, as well as determining the influence of their use at an economic level.

Dr. Teresa Sosa Díaz
Dr. Amelia M. Silva
Guest Editors

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Keywords

natural bioactive ingredients
phytochemicals
extraction techniques
antioxidants
antimicrobials
cosmetics
pharmaceuticals
phytopharmaceuticals
food and feed additives
sustainability

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 2972 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Tanacetum balsamita Essential Oils Obtained from Different Plant Organs

by Milena D. Vukic, Nenad L. Vukovic, Ana D. Obradovic, Lucia Galovičová, Natália Čmiková, Miroslava Kačániová and Milos M. Matic

Plants 2022, 11(24), 3474; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243474 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1797

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of Tanacetum balsamita L. essential oils (EOs) obtained from different plant organs, flowers (FEO), leaves (LEO), and stems (SEO), as well as to assess their biological properties. The results obtained by using GC and GC/MS analysis indicate that this plant belongs to the carvone chemotype. Moreover, we examined the oil’s antimicrobial and antitumor potential. Antimicrobial effects were determined using minimum inhibitory concentrations assay and the vapor phase method. Obtained results indicate better antimicrobial activity of investigated EO samples compared to the commercially available antibiotics. On the treatment with FEO, Y. enterocolitica and H. influenzae showed high sensitivity, while treatment with LEO and SEO showed the highest effects against S. aureus. The vapor phase method, as an in situ antibacterial analysis, was performed using LEO. Obtained results showed that this EO has significant activity toward S. pneumoniae in the apple and carrot models, L. monocytogenes in the pear model, and Y. enterocolitica in the white radish model. The potential antitumor mechanisms of FEO, LEO, and SEO were determined by the means of cell viability, redox potential, and migratory capacity in the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines. The results show that these EOs exert antiviability potential in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, treatments with these EOs decreased the levels of superoxide anion radical and increased the levels of nitric oxide in both tested cell lines. The results regarding total and reduced glutathione revealed, overall, an increase in the levels of total glutathione and a decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione, indicating strong antioxidative potential in tested cancer cells in response to the prooxidative effects of the tested EOs. The tested EOs also exerted a drop in migratory capacity, which indicates that they can be potentially used as chemotherapeutic agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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14 pages, 1064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytoprofiling of Sorbus L. Inflorescences: A Valuable and Promising Resource for Phenolics

by Kristina Zymone, Lina Raudone, Vaidotas Žvikas, Valdas Jakštas and Valdimaras Janulis

Plants 2022, 11(24), 3421; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243421 - 07 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1171

Abstract

The leaves and fruits of various Sorbus L. genotypes have long ethnopharmacological and food-usage histories, but inflorescences are still underutilized and neglected materials with scarce phytochemical scientific evidence. The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profiles of inflorescence extracts of 26 Sorbus species, genotypes, and cultivars. HPLC and UPLS with MS detection were applied, and coupled data revealed unique phytochemical phenolic profiles. Neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids were the key compounds, reaching up to 5.8 mg/g of dw. Rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, sexangularetin derivative, and kaempferol acetyl hexoside were detected in all Sorbus inflorescence samples. Overall, high quantitative heterogeneity across the various Sorbus genotypes was found by profiling. Phenolic fingerprint profiles and sexangularetin derivatives could serve as markers in authenticity studies and quality control schemes. The species S. amurensis, S. arranensis, S. commixta, and S. discolor and the cultivars ‘Chamsis Louing’, ‘Coral Beauty’, and ‘Edulis’ could be used as target genotypes for production of smart and innovative inflorescence matrix-based ingredients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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26 pages, 6123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GC, GC/MS Analysis, and Biological Effects of Essential Oils from Thymus mastchina and Elettaria cardamomum

by Nenad L. Vukovic, Milena D. Vukic, Ana D. Obradovic, Milos M. Matic, Lucia Galovičová and Miroslava Kačániová

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233213 - 23 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1628

Abstract

Spanish marjoram (Thymus mastichina) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) are traditional aromatic plants with which several pharmacological properties have been associated. In this study, the volatile composition, antioxidative and antimigratory effects on human breast cancer (MDA-MB-468 cell line), antimicrobial activity, and antibiofilm effect were evaluated. Results obtained via treatment of human breast cancer cells generally indicated an inhibitory effect of both essential oils (EOs) on cell viability (after long-term treatment) and antioxidative potential, as well as the reduction of nitric oxide levels. Antimigratory effects were revealed, suggesting that these EOs could possess significant antimetastatic properties and stop tumor progression and growth. The antimicrobial activities of both EOs were determined using the disc diffusion method and minimal inhibition concentration, while antibiofilm activity was evaluated by means of mass spectrometry. The best antimicrobial effects of T. mastichina EO were found against the yeast Candida glabrata and the G⁺ bacterium Listeria monocytogenes using the disc diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration methods. E. cardamomum EO was found to be most effective against Pseudomas fluorescens biofilm using both methods. Similarly, better effects of this oil were observed on G⁻ compared to G⁺ bacterial strains. Our study confirms that T. mastichina and E. cardamomum EOs act to change the protein structure of older P. fluorescens biofilms. The results underline the potential use of these EOs in manufactured products, such as foodstuffs, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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16 pages, 3931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proanthocyanidins from Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Leaves: Perspectives in Wound Healing and Designing for Topical Delivery

by Gabriele Vilkickyte, Modestas Zilius, Vilma Petrikaite and Lina Raudone

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2615; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192615 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1443

Abstract

The compositions and health-beneficial properties of lingonberry leaves (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) are well established; however, their proanthocyanidins are still heavily underutilized. Optimizing their delivery systems is key to enabling their wider applications. The present study investigates the phytochemical and ‘wound-healing’ properties of proanthocyanidin-rich fraction(s) (PRF) from lingonberry leaves as well as the development of optimal dermal film as a proanthocyanidin delivery system. The obtained PRF was subjected to HPLC-PDA and DMAC analyses to confirm the qualitative and quantitative profiles of different polymerization-degree proanthocyanidins. A ‘wound healing’ in vitro assay was performed to assess the ability of PRF to modulate the wound environment for better healing. Low concentrations of lingonberry proanthocyanidins were found to accelerate ‘wound‘ closures, while high levels inhibited human fibroblast migration. Fifteen dermal films containing PRF were prepared and evaluated based on their polymer (MC, HEC, PEG 400) compositions, and physical, mechanical, and biopharmaceutical properties using an experimental design. The composition containing 0.30 g of MC, 0.05 g of HEC, and 3.0 g of PEG 400 was selected as a promising formulation for PRF delivery and a potentially effective functional wound dressing material, supporting the need for further investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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14 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Litsea cubeba Essential Oil in Agricultural Products Safety: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Applications

by Petra Borotová, Lucia Galovičová, Nenad L. Vukovic, Milena Vukic, Simona Kunová, Paweł Hanus, Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski, Ladislav Bakay and Miroslava Kačániová

Plants 2022, 11(11), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111504 - 03 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2466

Abstract

The essential oil from Litsea cubeba (LCEO) has good antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-insect properties, which gives it the potential for use as a natural additive to food resources and food products in order to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. In this study the biological activity related to food preservation was observed. The main volatile organic compounds were geranial (39.4%), neral (29.5%), and limonene (14.3%). Antioxidant activity was 30.9%, which was equal to 167.94 µg of Trolox per mL of sample. Antimicrobial activity showed the strongest inhibition against Serratia marcescens by disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations MIC 50 and MIC 90 were the lowest for Micrococcus luteus with values 1.46 and 3.52 µL/mL, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the LCEO vapor phase showed strong inhibition of microorganisms on apples, pears, potatoes, and kohlrabies. Over 50% of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeasts were inhibited by a concentration of 500 µL/mL. The inhibition of microorganisms was concentration dependent. Anti-insect activity was also strong, with 100% lethality of Pyrrhocoris apterus at a concentration of 25%. These results suggest that LCEO could be potentially used as a food preservative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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18 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladanifer L.: A Natural and Sustainable Ingredient for Skin Care Cosmetics with Relevant Cosmeceutical Bioactivities

by David F. Frazão, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Jan L. Steck, Judith Keller, Fernanda Delgado, José C. Gonçalves, Mirko Bunzel, Cristina M. B. S. Pintado, Teresa Sosa Díaz and Amélia M. Silva

Plants 2022, 11(11), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111477 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3169

Abstract

Labdanum resin from Cistus ladanifer L. (Cistaceae) is an abundant natural resource in the Iberian Peninsula worth being explored in a sustainable manner. It is already used in the cosmetic industry; mainly by the fragrances/perfumery sector. However, given the highest market share and traditional uses, labdanum resin also has the potential to be used and valued as a cosmetic ingredient for skincare. Aiming to evaluate this potential, labdanum methanolic absolute and fractions purified by column chromatography were characterized by UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and then evaluated for UV-protection, antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Labdanum absolute represented ~70% of the resin; diterpenoid and flavonoid fractions represented ~75% and 15% of the absolute, respectively. Labdane-type diterpenoids and methylated flavonoids were the main compounds in labdanum absolute and in diterpenoid and flavonoid fractions, respectively. Labdanum absolute showed a spectrophotometric sun protection factor (SPF) near 5, which is mainly due to flavonoids, as the flavonoids’ SPF was 13. Low antioxidant activity was observed, with ABTS radical scavenging being the most significant (0.142 ± 0.017, 0.379 ± 0.039 and 0.010 ± 0.003 mgTE/mgExt, for the absolute and flavonoid and terpene fractions, respectively). Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activity are reported here for the first time, by the inhibition of elastase activity (22% and 13%, by absolute and flavonoid extract at 1 mg/mL), and by the inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells (84% to 98%, at 15 µg/mL extracts, flavonoid fraction the most active), respectively. Antimicrobial activity, against relevant skin and cosmetic product microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli, revealed that only S. aureus was susceptible to labdanum absolute (MIC: 1.2 mg/mL) and its fractions (MIC: <0.3 mg/mL). In conclusion, labdanum resin showed potential to be used in sunscreen cosmetics, anti-inflammatory skincare cosmeceuticals or medicines but has low potential as a cosmetic product preservative given the low antioxidant and low-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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14 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of Ocimum basilicum Essential Oil Anti-Insect Activity and Antimicrobial Protection in Fruit and Vegetable Quality

by Miroslava Kačániová, Lucia Galovičová, Petra Borotová, Nenad L. Vukovic, Milena Vukic, Simona Kunová, Pavel Hanus, Ladislav Bakay, Edyta Zagrobelna, Maciej Kluz and Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski

Plants 2022, 11(8), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11081030 - 10 Apr 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2822

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a commonly used herb; it also contains essential oils and other valuable compounds. The basil oil obtained has a pleasant aroma, but also a broad spectrum of biological activity. This work reports on the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-insect activity in vitro and in situ of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OBEO) obtained by steam distillation of fresh flowering plants. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, DPPH, agar and disc diffusion and vapor phase methods were used to analyze the OBEO properties. The analysis of the chemical composition of OBEO showed that its main components were methyl chavicol (88.6%), 1,8-cineole (4.2%) and α-trans-bergamotene (1.7%). A strong antioxidant effect was demonstrated at the level of 77.3%. The analysis of antimicrobial properties showed that OBEO exerts variable strength of inhibiting activity against various groups of microorganisms. The growth inhibition zones ranged from 9.67 to 15.33 mm in Gram-positive (G⁺) and Gram-negative (G⁻) bacteria and from 5.33 to 7.33 mm in yeast. The lowest measured minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) was 3.21 µL/mL against Gram-negative Azotobacter chrococcum and Gram-positive Micrococcus luteus. The antimicrobial activity of in situ vapor phase of OBEO was also confirmed on apples, pears, potatoes and kohlrabi. The highest insecticidal activity against Pyrrhocorisapterus, observed at the concentration of 100%, caused the death of 80% of individuals. Due to its broad spectrum of activity, OBEO seems an ideal candidate for preserving fruit and vegetables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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Review

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25 pages, 3260 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Updates on Phytoconstituent Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors: An Approach towards the Treatment of Type Two Diabetes

by Hamdy Kashtoh and Kwang-Hyun Baek

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2722; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202722 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6742

Abstract

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder marked by unusually high plasma glucose levels, which can lead to serious consequences such as retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. One of the most efficient ways to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) in diabetes mellitus, especially insulin-independent diabetes mellitus, is to lower the amount of glucose that is absorbed by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in the digestive system, such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. α-Glucosidase is a crucial enzyme that catalyzes the final stage of carbohydrate digestion. As a result, α-glucosidase inhibitors can slow D-glucose release from complex carbohydrates and delay glucose absorption, resulting in lower postprandial plasma glucose levels and control of PPHG. Many attempts have been made in recent years to uncover efficient α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources to build a physiologic functional diet or lead compound for diabetes treatment. Many phytoconstituent α-glucosidase inhibitors have been identified from plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and others. The current review focuses on the most recent updates on different traditional/medicinal plant extracts and isolated compounds’ biological activity that can help in the development of potent therapeutic medications with greater efficacy and safety for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or to avoid PPHG. For this purpose, we provide a summary of the latest scientific literature findings on plant extracts as well as plant-derived bioactive compounds as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors with hypoglycemic effects. Moreover, the review elucidates structural insights of the key drug target, α-glucosidase enzymes, and its interaction with different inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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31 pages, 2689 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Opuntia ficus-indica Fruit: A Systematic Review of Its Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activities

by Luis Giraldo-Silva, Bárbara Ferreira, Eduardo Rosa and Alberto C. P. Dias

Plants 2023, 12(3), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030543 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3899

Abstract

The use of Opuntia ficus-indica fruits in the agro-food sector is increasing for a multiplicity of players. This renewed interest is, in part, due to its organoleptic characteristics, nutritional value and health benefits. Furthermore, industries from different sectors intend to make use of its vast array of metabolites to be used in different fields. This trend represents an economic growth opportunity for several partners who could find new opportunities exploring non-conventional fruits, and such is the case for Opuntia ficus-indica. O. ficus-indica originates from Mexico, belongs to the Cactaceae family and is commonly known as opuntia, prickly pear or cactus pear. The species produces flowers, cladodes and fruits that are consumed either in raw or in processed products. Recent publications described that consumption of the fruit improves human health, exhibiting antioxidant activity and other relevant pharmacological activities through enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Thus, we provide a systematic, scientific and rational review for researchers, consumers and other relevant stakeholders regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of O. ficus-indica fruits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Products and Ingredients: Isolation, Characterization, Bioactivity and Applications in Several Industries)

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