Search

Lycium barbarum L. is a species widely used in dietary supplements and natural healthcare products. The berries, also known as goji or wolfberries, mostly grow in China, but recent reports on their outstanding bioactive properties have increased their popularity and cultivation around the world. Goji berries are a remarkable source of phenolic compounds (such as phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, organic acids, carbohydrates (fructose and glucose), and vitamins (ascorbic acid). Several biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and anticancer activities, have been associated with its consumption. Hence, goji berries were highlighted as an excellent source of functional ingredients with promising applications in food and nutraceutical fields. This review aims to summarize the phytochemical composition and biological activities, along with various industrial applications, of L. barbarum berries. Simultaneously, the valorization of goji berries by-products, with its associated economic advantages, will be emphasized and explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia arguta is a climbing, fruit plant that recently generated a spread interest in many regions of the world, due to world globalization and knowledge expansion. During its production, different by-products are generated, such as fruits, leaves, stems, flowers and roots, being characterized by a rich bioactive composition that wise the scientific community for its health effects. Inboard of this panoply of valuable bioactive compounds, vitamin C, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, caffeic acid, quercetin, catechin, kaempferol, p -coumaric acid, minerals and fatty acids play critical roles. As a result, the valorization and reuse of these by-products is a challenge, particularly for producers. This review aims to summarize the potential cosmetic and medical skincare applications of the different bioactive compounds from A. arguta by-products, describing and exploring their potential to contribute as active ingredients based on the biological activities reported. Simultaneously, a critical analysis of the patents available on the market regarding its use as cosmetic and medical skincare ingredient is provided. Cosmetic and medical skincare products could be a sustainable and green option for the use of A. arguta by-products bioactive compounds. Apart from contribute to skin appearance and health, the addition of these active compounds to the final cosmetic and pharmaceutical products may also provide skin beneficial effects such as photoprotection, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects, also acting as depigmenting and emollients, among other activities. Besides that, the impact on food by-product valorization and circular economy will be enormous. [Display omitted] • Actinia arguta by-products are rich in bioactive compounds with skin effects. •The use of A. arguta by-products in topical formulations is extremely promising. •Skin health benefits are enormous. •Few patents are available on the market with A. arguta as skin ingredient. •Add value to fruit byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chayote leaves are known for culinary and traditional medicine applications. This work intended to recover carotenoids and phenolic compounds from chayote leaves using the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). A Box–Behnken design was employed to investigate the impact of extraction time, temperature, and ultrasonic power on the recovery of total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities. For comparative purposes, chayote leaf extracts were prepared by maceration (ME) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), using the same time and temperature conditions optimized by UAE. Extraction at 50 °C and 170 Watts for 30 min provided the optimal UAE conditions. UAE showed better extraction efficacy than ME and MAE. The HPLC analysis of the extracts showed that the xanthophyll class was the main class of carotenoids, which constituted 42–85% of the total carotenoid content, followed by β-carotene and tocopherol. Moreover, 26 compounds, classified as phenolic acids, flavonols, flavonoids and other polar compounds, were identified in the chayote leaf extracts. Flavonols accounted for 55% of the total compounds quantified (the major compound was myricetin) and phenolic acids represented around 35%, mostly represented by ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid and (+)-catechin. This study revealed the potential of UAE as an effective green extraction technique to recover bioactive compounds from chayote leaves, for food, and for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lycium barbarum L. berries as a source of valuable bioactive compounds. • Response Surface Methodology enabled the optimization of the extraction process. • Phenolic acids, flavanols, and phenylamides were detected. • The extract proved to be safe for intestinal application at doses up to 500 ug/mL. • Different extract's compounds permeated the cell monolayer. Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3- O -rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodophyta represents the largest seaweed phylum including a wide variety of species, such as Chondrus crispus Stackhouse, with benefits for consumers health due to their nutritional value and bioactive compounds. This work aimed to optimize the extraction of compounds from C. crispus using a three-step optimization process. The first step consisted in pigment extraction using ultrasound-assisted extraction; the performance of an ultrasonic probe (20 kHz, 750 W) and a bath (40 kHz, 120 W) for 20 or 40 min was compared. The second step corresponded to protein extraction and the third step was the carrageenan formation. Step 1 extracts contained two carotenoids (fucoxanthin and lutein), 5 chlorophyll- a derivatives and pheophythin- a , phenolic compounds and revealed moderate antiradical activity against DPPH•, ABTS•+ and O 2 •-, but no activity against •NO and cholinesterases. Proteins and carrageenan's yields were between 3.6 and 41 g/100 g and 29.7–36.1 g/100 g, respectively. Considering all the performed analyses, the use of ultrasonic bath (40 kHz, 120 W) for 40 min is efficient to extract valuable compounds from C. crispus , which is advantageous from an economic point of view and therefore more attractive for industrial purposes. The obtained extracts may find possible future application in human diet or as additives for pharmaceutic and cosmetic industry. • C. crispus bioactive compounds were extracted by a three-step optimization process. • Pigment extract revealed moderate antiradical activity against DPPH.•, ABTS•+ and O 2 •- • Pigment extract had no activity against.•NO and cholinesterases • Proteins and carrageenans yields were between 3.6% - 41% and 29.7%–36.1%. • The ultrasonic bath (40 kHz, 120 W) for 40 min was the preferable approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]