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Grape ( Vitis vinifera L.) stems, a by-product of winemaking, possess significant potential value due to their rich polyphenolic composition, which allows their exploitation for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. This presents a promising opportunity for valorisation aimed at developing innovative products with potential health-promoting effects. In this study, the polyphenolic profile of extracts from grape stems of seven white grape varieties was determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, specifically high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn), as well as on their ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical scavenging capacity, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH ● ) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS ●+ ) radicals. This study also evaluated the anti-aging activity and skin depigmenting activity of these extracts. These findings revealed a diverse polyphenolic profile, encompassing proanthocyanidins and catechin derivatives (PCDs), phenolic acids, and flavonols. Among the varieties studied, 'Códega do Larinho' exhibited the highest concentrations of six distinct polyphenols and the highest total phenolic content. It also demonstrated the highest results for antioxidant capacity and elastase and tyrosinase inhibition. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between certain PCDs with both FRAP and DPPH assays, as well as between the identified flavonols and anti-elastase activity. These results underscore the potential health benefits of grape stem extracts and emphasize the importance of their polyphenolic composition in enhancing antioxidant and anti-aging properties, thus supporting their application in different industries.

Lipophenols, phenolic compounds esterified with fatty alcohols or fatty acids, provide greater health benefits upon dietary ingestion of plant-based foods than unesterified (poly)phenols. Based on this premise, the present study aimed to demonstrate the role of gastrointestinal enzymes (pepsin, pancreatin, and pancreatic lipase) in releasing alkyl gallates and trans -caffeates from wine lees, providing bioactive compounds with enhanced capacities against oxidative stress (OS) and para-inflammation. The UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS-based analysis revealed ethyl gallate and ethyl trans -caffeate as the most prominent compounds (1.675 and 0.872 μg/g dw, respectively), while the bioaccessibility of the derivatives of gallic and caffeic acids was dependent on the alkyl chain properties. The de novo formation of alkyl gallates during gastric and intestinal digestion resulted from intestinal enzyme activity. Moreover, the in vitro capacity of bioaccessible alkyl esters of gallic and trans -caffeic acids to reduce cyclooxygenase-2 concentration and modulate oxilipins related to OS (8-iso-PGF 2α ) and inflammation (PGF 2α and PGE 2 ) was demonstrated in a time-dependent manner. In conclusion, the presence of alkyl esters of gallic and trans -caffeic acids in wine lees and their subsequent formation during digestion of this byproduct emphasize their value as a source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, encouraging the consideration of wine lees as a valuable ingredient for health-promoting coproducts.

Inflammatory diseases are strongly associated with global morbidity and mortality. Several mediators are involved in this process, including proinflammatory interleukins and cytokines produced by damaged tissues that, somehow, act as initiators of the autoreactive immune response. Bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods and byproducts have been largely considered active agents with the potential to treat or prevent inflammatory diseases, being a valuable alternative to traditional therapeutic agents used nowadays, which present several side effects. In this regard, the present research uncovers the anti-inflammatory activity of the bioaccessible fraction of broccoli stalks processed, by applying different conditions that render specific concentrations of bioactive sulforaphane (SFN). The raw materials' extracts exhibited significantly different contents of total glucosinolates (GSLs) that ranged between 3993.29 and 12,296.48 mg/kg dry weight (dw), with glucoraphanin as the most abundant one, followed by GI and GE. The indolic GSLs were represented by hydroxy-glucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, methoxy-glucobrassicin, and neo-glucobrassicin, with the two latter as the most abundant. Additionally, SFN and indole-3-carbinol were found in lower concentrations than the corresponding GSL precursors in the raw materials. When exploring the bioaccessibility of these organosulfur compounds, the GSL of all matrices remained at levels lower than the limit of detection, while SFN was the only breakdown product that remained stable and at quantifiable concentrations. The highest concentration of bioaccessible SFN was provided by the high-ITC materials (~4.00 mg/kg dw). The results retrieved on the cytotoxicity of the referred extracts evidenced that the range of supplementation of growth media tested (0.002-430.400 µg of organosulfur compounds/mL) did not display cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 cells. The obtained extracts were assessed based on their capacity to reduce the production of key proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and TNF-α) by the intestinal epithelium. Most of the tested processing conditions provided plant material with significant anti-inflammatory activity and the absence of cytotoxic effects. These data confirm that SFN from broccoli stalks, processed to optimize the bioaccessible concentration of SFN, may be potential therapeutic leads to treat or prevent human intestinal inflammation.

This study uncovered the impacts of microwave (MW) treatments compared to conventional pasteurization (TP) on the quality of functional citrus-maqui beverages, with added sucrose or stevia. The influence of these thermal treatments on the microbiological burden and phytochemical composition was determined by processing under two MW power levels (600 W and 800 W) and TP at 85 °C for 15 s for 60 days at room temperature (20 °C). The results indicated that, beyond the microbiological quality achieved in the juices treated by both MW and TP technology, there were no differences among the treatments regarding the stability of vitamin C, anthocyanin, and flavanone concentrations. However, anthocyanins were more stable in those beverages with sucrose added, rendering a better red color. Besides, all treatments ensured microbiological stability throughout the entire storage time. In conclusion, MW treatment could be considered as an alternative to TP, which ensures microbial safety, protecting functional compounds associated with health effects.

Wine-making activity entails the production of solid and semisolid byproducts (grape stems and pomace and wine lees) that negatively impact the environment and industrial sustainability. Their features as sources of bioactive compounds support valorization procedures for functional and healthy ingredients. This work uncovers the quantitative alkyl gallates (gallic acid esters, C1-C12) profile of fresh (freeze-dried) materials and the effect of oven-drying on their stability by UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS. The functionality was established concerning DPPH • scavenging and antihyperglycemic power. Wine lees exerted the highest high-free concentration of galloyl derivatives, ethyl gallate being the most abundant ester (3472.62 ng/g dw, on average). About the impact of the stabilization process, although as a general trend, the thermal treatment reduced the concentration, the reduction dimensions depended on the compound/matrix, remaining in valuable concentrations. Concerning radical scavenging, ze-dried stems and pomace displayed the highest capacity (24.11 and 18.46 mg TE/g dw, respectively), being correlated with propyl gallate ( r 2 = 0.690), butyl gallate ( r 2 = 0.686), and octyl gallate ( r 2 = 0.514). These two matrices exerted α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (1.58 and 1.46 units/L) equivalent to that of acarbose (a recognized α-glucosidase inhibitor). The newly described bioactive phytochemicals in winery residues (galloyl esters) and their correlation with functional traits allow for envisioning valorization alternatives.

The residues generated in the wine industry (pomace, stems, seeds, wine lees, and grapevine shoots) are a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used in other industries despite being sometimes underestimated. Different extraction methods using various solvents and extraction conditions are currently being investigated. Due to its natural occurrence in wines, safe behavior, and low toxicity when compared to other organic solvents, ethanol is used as an extracting agent. The aim of this study was to identify the winery by-product from the Região Demarcada do Douro and its corresponding extraction solvents that yields the most favorable results in (poly)phenols content and antioxidant capacity. To achieve this, five different ratios of ethanol: water, namely 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0 ( v / v ), for extracting the phenolic compounds were employed. Afterwards, the determination of total phenolic content (TPC), ortho -diphenols content (ODC), and flavonoid content (FC) as well as the antioxidant capacity of the obtained extracts using three different methods was performed. Since the best results of the spectrophotometric assays were obtained mostly with hydroethanolic extracts of stems (50:50, v / v ), identification by HPLC-DAD has carried out. It was possible to conclude that the Tinta Roriz variety displayed the highest number of identified (poly)phenols.

Vegetables and fruits contain a variety of bioactive nutrients and non-nutrients that are associated with health promotion. Consumers currently demand foods with high contents of healthy compounds, as well as preserved natural taste and flavour, minimally processed without using artificial additives. Processing alternatives to be applied on plant-based foodstuffs to obtain beverages are mainly referred to as classical thermal treatments that although are effective treatments to ensure safety and extended shelf-life, also cause undesirable changes in the sensory profiles and phytochemical properties of beverages, thus affecting the overall quality and acceptance by consumers. As a result of these limitations, new non-thermal technologies have been developed for plant-based foods/beverages to enhance the overall quality of these products regarding microbiological safety, sensory traits, and content of bioactive nutrients and non-nutrients during the shelf-life of the product, thus allowing to obtain enhanced health-promoting beverages. Accordingly, the present article attempts to review critically the principal benefits and downsides of the main non-thermal processing alternatives (High hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, ultraviolet light, and ultrasound) to set up sound comparisons with conventional thermal treatments, providing a vision about their practical application that allows identifying the best choice for the sectoral industry in non-alcoholic fruit and vegetable-based beverages.

Prunus lusitanica L. is a shrub belonging to the genus Prunus L. (Rosaceae family) that produces small fruits with none known application. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profile and some health-promoting activities of hydroethanolic (HE) extracts obtained from P. lusitanica fruits, harvested from three different locations. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of extracts was performed using HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS and antioxidant activity was assessed by in vitro methods. Antiproliferative/cytotoxic activity was determined on Caco-2, HepG2, and RAW 264.7 cells, anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and the antidiabetic, antiaging, and neurobiological action of extracts was determined in vitro by assessing their inhibitory effect against the activity of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, elastase, tyrosinase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Results showed that P. lusitanica fruit HE extracts from the three different locations showed identical phytochemical profile and bioactivities, although small differences were observed regarding the quantities of some compounds. Extracts of P. lusitanica fruits contain high levels in total phenolic compounds, namely, hydroxycinnamic acids, as well as flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins, primarily cyanidin-3-(6- trans - p -coumaroyl)glucoside. P. lusitanica fruit extracts have a low cytotoxic/antiproliferative effect, with the lowest IC 50 value obtained in HepG2 cells (352.6 ± 10.0 μg/mL, at 48 h exposure), but high anti-inflammatory activity (50-60% NO release inhibition, at 100 μg/mL extract) and neuroprotective potential (35-39% AChE inhibition, at 1 mg/mL), and moderate antiaging (9-15% tyrosinase inhibition, at 1 mg/mL) and antidiabetic (9-15% α-glucosidase inhibition, at 1 mg/mL) effects. The bioactive molecules present in the fruits of P. lusitanica deserve to be further explored for the development of new drugs of interest to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

This study aims to take advantage of the wine industry by-products and extract bioactive compounds from grape pomace by applying methodologies susceptible to be integrated easily into industrial workflows because of the association with standard instrumentation and facilities, while the main factors affecting the efficiency of the process have been optimized. The sampling consisted of two grape varieties: 'Touriga Nacional' and 'Sousão'. A response surface methodology (RSM) method was used to optimize the extraction conditions based on three independent variables according to the chemical characteristics and stability/lability traits associated with polyphenols; the main bioactive phytochemical in grape pomace: solvent (50%, 70%, and 90% ethanol); temperature (20 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C); and pH (0.5% HCl, 2% HCl, and 3.5% HCl). The phytochemical profile, as well as the radical scavenging and reducing powers were determined on 27 different samples. The highest yield and antioxidant activity corresponded to extracts obtained at 60 °C using 3.5% HCl and 70% ethanol. The values for total phenols and flavonoids were 44.93 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 22.95 mg of catechins equivalents (CE) per gram, respectively. Concerning the evaluation of antioxidant capacity using various assays such as ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, the results obtained were 0.30, 0.43, and 0.36 mmol of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) per gram, correspondingly. The analysis of the extract obtained with the best extraction performance using these parameters via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry has been also performed, allowing us to identify fourteen (14) compounds, including phenolic acids ( n = 3), flavonols ( n = 7), and anthocyanins ( n = 4). As a result of this process, the best conditions for the production of a natural and environmentally friendly dye, not only avoiding waste but also reusing these by-products, were achieved.

The amino acid tryptophan and its derived molecules serotonin and melatonin are involved in a wide range of physiological functions that contribute significantly to human health, namely antioxidant, immune-active, and neurological properties. Grapes and wine are a source of these compounds, but their presence in wine by-products remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of this work was the identification and quantification of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin in winery by-products (grape stems, grape pomace, and wine lees) by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and mass spectrometer with triple-quadrupole technology (UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS), as well as the evaluation of the extracts obtained (by applying specific extraction conditions for each of them) for their antioxidant and reducing capacity (by three different and complementary methods: FRAP, ABTS •+ , and ORAC). Furthermore, correlation analyses were developed to establish the contribution of the different analytes to the total antioxidant activity. The main results obtained pointed out grape stems as the by-product with the highest tryptophan content (96.28 mg/kg dw) and antioxidant capacity (142.86, 166.72, and 363.24 mmol TE/kg dw, FRAP, ABTS •+ , and ORAC, respectively), while serotonin and melatonin were the predominant derivatives in grape pomace (0.086 and 0.902 µg/kg dw, respectively). The antioxidant capacity of the standards was also analysed at the concentrations found in the matrices studied. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of the pure tryptophan standard and the antioxidant capacity (ABTS •+ , r 2 = 0.891 at p < 0.001 (***); FRAP, r 2 = 0.885 at p < 0.01 (**); and ORAC, r 2 = 0.854 at p < 0.01 (**)). According to these results, winery by-products can be highlighted as valuable materials to be used as novel ingredients containing tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, while tryptophan was identified as the most relevant contributor (out of phenolic compounds) to the antioxidant capacity exhibited by wine by-products.

In the last decade, most of the evidence on the clinical benefits of including cruciferous foods in the diet has been focused on the content of glucosinolates (GSL) and their corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC), and mercapturic acid pathway metabolites, based on their capacity to modulate clinical, biochemical, and molecular parameters. The present systematic review summarizes findings of human studies regarding the metabolism and bioavailability of GSL and ITC, providing a comprehensive analysis that will help guide future research studies and facilitate the consultation of the latest advances in this booming and less profusely researched area of GSL for food and health. The literature search was carried out in Scopus, PubMed and the Web of Science, under the criteria of including publications centered on human subjects and the use of Brassicaceae foods in different formulations (including extracts, beverages, and tablets), as significant sources of bioactive compounds, in different types of subjects, and against certain diseases. Twenty-eight human intervention studies met inclusion criteria, which were classified into three groups depending on the dietary source. This review summarizes recent studies that provided interesting contributions, but also uncovered the many potential venues for future research on the benefits of consuming cruciferous foods in our health and well-being. The research will continue to support the inclusion of GSL-rich foods and products for multiple preventive and active programs in nutrition and well-being.

In recent times, less-known fruit species have increasingly attracted worldwide attention and their health benefits are at the forefront. The fruits of plants from the genus Prunus are good sources of nutrients due to their economic, agronomic, and healthy values. However, Prunus lusitanica L., commonly known as Portuguese laurel cherry is considered an endangered species. Thus, the present work aimed to monitor the nutritional components of P. lusitanica fruits grown in three locations in northern Portugal for four consecutive years (2016-2019), using AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), spectrophotometric, and chromatographic analysis. The results evidenced the abundance of phytonutrients in P. lusitanica , such as proteins, fat, carbohydrates, soluble sugars, dietary fibre, amino acids, and minerals. It was also highlighted that the variation of nutritional components was relatively linked to the year factor, being especially relevant in the frame of the current changing climate, among others. These findings suggest that P. lusitanica L. deserves to be conserved and planted because of its food and nutraceutical applications. However, more detailed information on this rare plant species, such as phytophysiology, phytochemistry, bioactivity, pharmacology, etc., is certainly required for the design and development of appropriate uses and valorization alternatives for this species.

The by-products of grapes ( Vitis vinifera L.) in the winemaking process present a diverse phytochemical profile of (poly)phenols, essentially represented by phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes, which have health benefits. In winemaking, solid (grape stems and pomace) and semisolid (wine lees) by-products are generated, negatively impacting the sustainability of the agro-food activity and the local environment. Although information on the phytochemical profile of grape stems and pomace has been reported, especially information concerning (poly)phenols, research on wine lees is necessary to take advantage of the compositional traits of this residue. So, in the present work, an updated, in-depth comparison of the (poly)phenolic profiles of these three resulting matrices in the agro-food industry has been carried out to provide new knowledge and interesting data on the action of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolism in the diversification of phenolic composition; additionally, we extract complementarities for the possible joint application of the three residues. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts was carried out using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn. The (poly)phenolic profiles of the residues showed significant discrepancies. The results obtained showed that the greatest diversity of (poly)phenols was found in the stems of the grapes, followed closely by the lees. Through technological insights, it has been suggested that yeasts and LAB, responsible for the fermentation of must, might play a key role in the transformation of phenolic compounds. This would provide new molecules with specific bioavailability and bioactivity features, which might interact with different molecular targets and, consequently, improve the biological potential of these underexploited residues.

Cocoa and coffee are natural sources of phenolic compounds, which are degraded during beans processing of both. For this reason, there is an interest in obtaining extracts of these bio compounds. The aim of this study was uncovering the radical scavenging activity (AC) of mixtures of cocoa and coffee extracts, and the bioavailability of their phenolic compounds, resorting to in vitro models: DPPH and ORAC antioxidant methods, and the characterization of the trans-epithelial transport of cocoa and coffee phenolics through Caco-2 cells monolayer model of the intestinal barrier. The cocoa displayed a higher AC than the coffee regarding both DPPH and ORAC assays, while the mixtures increased in parallel with the percentage of cocoa in the blends. The combination index was calculated to set up the type of interaction in the cocoa-coffee mixtures, obtaining that the mixture 25:75 was moderately antagonistic, 50:50 nearly additive, and 75:25 slightly synergistic. The absorption efficiency of the cocoa phenolic compounds was between 87.9%-97.4%, in the coffee compounds was 100%. The mixtures varied according to the proportion of cocoa and coffee. The results obtained allowed concluding that the phenolic compounds present in cocoa and coffee, respectively, are featured by high bioavailability and a valuable antioxidant capacity, while no pattern was found in the mixtures concerning the real benefit of using them combined.

Prunus lusitanica L., also known as Portuguese laurel or locally known as 'azereiro', is a rare species with ornamental and ecological value. Only two studies regarding the bioactivity and chemical composition of its leaves were reported to date. Thus, the present study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the phenolic profile, through HPLC-PAD-ESI-MS/MS (high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry), as well as the radical scavenging capacity, through ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl), and the reducing power (FRAP, ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays, of P. lusitanica fruits during a 4-year study. In total, 28 compounds were identified and quantified in the fruits, including 21 hydroxycinnamic acids (60.3%); 2 flavan-3-ols (27.9%), 2 anthocyanins (10.5%), 2 flavonols (1.0%), and 1 secoiridoid (0.3%). High antioxidant capacity was observed, with ABTS values ranging from 7.88 to 10.69 mmol TE (Trolox equivalents)/100 g fw (fresh weight), DPPH values from 5.18 to 8.17 mmol TE/100 g fw, and FRAP values from 8.76 to 11.76 mmol TE/100 g fw. According to these results, it can be concluded that these are rich sources of phenolic compounds with very promising antioxidant capacity and, therefore, with potential applications in the food and/or phytopharmaceutical sectors.

The health benefits associated with (poly)phenols need to be supported by robust and insightful information on their biological effects. The use of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models is crucial to demonstrate functionalities in specific targets. In this regard, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and tissue/organ distribution need to be fully understood and established. In addition, the structure-function relationships, concerning both descriptive and mechanistic information, between specific compounds and therapeutic objectives, need to be supported by results obtained from in vivo studies. Nevertheless, these studies are not always possible or have some limitations, particularly concerning the mechanistic information explaining the health benefits provided that should be covered with complementary experimental models. Based on these premises, this review aims to overview the contribution of the separate experimental approaches to gain insights into the bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity of (poly)phenols. To achieve this objective, recent evidence available on the linkage of healthy/functional foods with the incidence of non-communicable pathologies is presented. The different experimental approaches provide complementary information that allows advances to be applied to the knowledge gained on the functional properties and mechanistic facts responsible for the health attributions of polyphenols. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Recently, new formulations of beverages with low sugar and high bioactive compound contents are being demanded because of their association with metabolic health. However, the sweeteners' influences on the bioactive compounds remain underexplored. In this sense, this work aims to evaluate the interactions between different bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, vitamin C, and sweeteners (sucrose, stevia, and sucralose) in a functional citrus-maqui beverage. For this purpose, the phytochemical behavior was studied, in model system solutions, during one-month storage at 4 °C. The results obtained corroborated previous descriptions of the interactions between these compounds. However, when studying the bioactives in the model solutions, the loss of flavanones in the citrus solution increased up to 29%, while anthocyanin losses decreased to 27%. The vitamin C losses ranged from 100% (beverage) to 46% (ascorbic acid solution). Regardless, an influence of the sweeteners was observed. Sucrose reduced the anthocyanin and flavanone losses in both model solutions and the beverage, while sucralose increased flavanone loss. Finally, all sweeteners increased vitamin C degradation (up to 75%) when compared to the model solution. In conclusion, sweeteners added to beverages should be taken into account, depending on the bioactive compounds that should be preserved during storage.

Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica ) stalks account for up to 35% of the broccoli harvest remains with the concomitant generation of unused waste that needs recovery to contribute to the sustainability of the system. However, due to its phytochemical composition, rich in bioactive (poly)phenols and glucosinolates, as well as other nutrients, the development of valorization alternatives as a source of functional ingredients must be considered. In this situation, the present work aims to develop/obtain a new ingredient rich in bioactive compounds from broccoli, stabilizing them and reducing their degradation to further guarantee a high bioaccessibility, which has also been studied. The phytochemical profile of lyophilized and thermally treated (low-temperature and descending gradient temperature treatments), together with the digested materials (simulated static in vitro digestion) were analysed by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn and UHPLC-3Q-MS/MS. Broccoli stalks and co-products were featured by containing phenolic compounds (mainly hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and glycosylated flavonols) and glucosinolates. The highest content of organosulfur compounds corresponding to the cores of the broccoli stalks treated by applying a drying descendant temperature gradient (aliphatic 18.05 g/kg dw and indolic 1.61 g/kg dw, on average, while the breakdown products were more abundant in the bark ongoing low temperature drying 11.29 g/kg dw, on average). On the other hand, for phenolics, feruloylquinic, and sinapoylquinic acid derivatives of complete broccoli stalk and bark, were more abundant when applying low-temperature drying (14.48 and 28.22 g/kg dw, on average, respectively), while higher concentrations were found in the core treated with decreasing temperature gradients (9.99 and 26.26 g/kg dw, on average, respectively). When analysing the bioaccessibility of these compounds, it was found that low-temperature stabilization of the core samples provided the material with the highest content of bioactives including antioxidant phenolics (13.6 and 33.9 g/kg dw of feruloylquinic and sinapoylquinic acids, on average, respectively) and sulforaphane (4.1 g/kg dw, on average). These processing options enabled us to obtain a new product or ingredient rich in bioactive and bioaccessible compounds based on broccoli stalks with the potential for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of interest.

The comparison of non-caloric sweeteners (stevia and sucralose) and sucrose, on the plasma concentration and cumulative effects of phenolic compounds, was achieved. A long-term intervention, consisting of the daily intake of 330 mL of healthy citrus-maqui soft drinks, for 60 days, by 138 healthy overweight adults, was followed. A total of 24 bioavailable metabolites derived from caffeic acid, 3,4-di-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, hippuric acid, naringenin, 2,4,6-tri-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and vanillic acid were detected in peripheral blood plasma. A similar augment of bioactive compounds in plasma concentrations were found for the three beverages, in the range 12.3% (day 0)- 85.3% (day 60), depending on the analyte considered. Due to this, the present study highlights sucralose and stevia as valuable alternatives to sucrose, providing and non-significantly different plasma concentration and cumulative effect in the plasma, thus contributing to prevent a diversity of metabolic disorders and health constraints., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Juices are currently a fast-growing segment in the fruit and vegetable industry sector. However, there are still no reports on the diversity of the phytochemical profile and health-promoting properties of commercial sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) juices. This study aimed to identify and quantify phytoprostanes, phytofurans by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), tocopherols, tocotrienols by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detector (UPLC-FL), carotenoids, and free amino acids by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode detector-quadrupole and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS), and assess their anti-cholinergic, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential by in vitro assays of commercial sea buckthorn juices., Results: Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) in sea buckthorn juices were identified for the first time. Juices contained eight F 1 -, D 1 -, B 1 - and L 1 -phytoprostanes and one phytofuran (32.31-1523.51 ng and up to 101.47 μg/100 g dry weight (DW)), four tocopherol congeners (22.23-94.08 mg 100 g -1 DW) and three tocotrienols (5.93-25.34 mg 100 g -1 DW). Eighteen carotenoids were identified, including ten xanthophylls, seven carotenes and phytofluene, at a concentration of 133.65 to 839.89 mg 100 g -1 DW. Among the 20 amino acids (175.92-1822.60 mg 100 g -1 DW), asparagine was dominant, and essential and conditionally essential amino acids constituted 11 to 41% of the total. The anti-enzyme and antioxidant potential of juices correlated selectively with the composition., Conclusion: Sea buckthorn juice can be a valuable dietary source of vitamins E and A, oxylipins and amino acids, used in the prevention of metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and neurodegenerative processes. The differentiation of the composition and the bioactive potential of commercial juices indicate that, for the consumer, it should be important to choose juices from the declared berry cultivars and crops. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) are incretin hormones that regulate the nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Their low plasma concentrations and rapid clearance pose certain methodological challenges for their detection and quantification. The currently available immunomediated techniques to monitor these hormones overestimate, to some extent, their actual concentration. Hence, the present study is aimed at developing a robust and reliable methodology for the identification and quantification of active and inactive forms of the incretins GLP-1 and GIP, in human plasma, by UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS. A comparative study of different SPE cartridges was carried out, being identified OASIS HLB as the most efficient one, with recoveries up to 80%. The method provides adequate linearity, from 4.88 to 1250 nM, and low intervals of LOD and LOQ for each analyte (ranges from 0.01 to 3.42 nM and from 0.10 to 34.17 nM, respectively). The methodology described was validated upon a clinical trial with overweight subjects (n = 20) (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04016337), showing the capacity of the newly developed methodology to detect the augment of the plasma concentration of both GLP-1 7-36 and GLP-1 9-36 between 30 and 60 min after the consumption of a sucrose sweetened fruit-based beverage, while the plasma concentration of GIP remained in levels lower than the LOQ. The proposed methodology provides further insights into the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds and food components in the frame of the glycemic control and would contribute to the assessment of the efficacy of antidiabetic drugs., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recently, new bioactive compounds were identified in olive oil, lipophenols, which are composed of a fatty acid (FA) and a phenolic core, such as HT (HT-FA). However, their bioaccessibility remains unknown. Thus, the present study uncovers the impact of the separate phases of gastrointestinal digestion on the release and stability of HT-FAs from oily matrices under in vitro simulated conditions. Accordingly, it was found that the bioaccessibility of HT derivatives is largely dependent on the type of FA that esterifies HT, as well as the food matrix. Also, the generation of HT-FAs during intestinal digestion was observed, with pancreatin being the enzyme responsible, to a higher extent, for the de novo formation of lipophenolic derivatives. These findings prompt us to identify new applications to oily matrices and their byproducts as potential functional ingredients for the promotion of health, where the possible formation of new lipophenols during digestion should be taken into consideration.

Cruciferous sprouts are rising in popularity as a hallmark of healthy diets, partially because of their phytochemical composition, characterized by the presence of flavonols and cinnamates. However, to shed light on their biological activity, the ability to assimilate (poly)phenols from sprouts (bioaccessible fraction) during gastrointestinal digestion needs to be studied. In this frame, the present work studies the effect of the physicochemical and enzymatic characteristics of gastrointestinal digestion on flavonols and cinnamoyl derivatives, by a simulated static in vitro model, on different cruciferous (red radish, red cabbage, broccoli, and white mustard) sprouts. The results indicate that, although the initial concentrations of phenolic acids in red radish (64.25 mg/g fresh weight (fw)) are lower than in the other sprouts studied, their bioaccessibility after digestion is higher (90.40 mg/g fw), followed by red cabbage (72.52 mg/g fw), white mustard (58.72 mg/g fw), and broccoli (35.59 mg/g fw). These results indicate that the bioaccessibility of (poly)phenols is not exclusively associated with the initial concentration in the raw material, but that the physico-chemical properties of the food matrix, the presence of other additional molecules, and the specific characteristics of digestion are relevant factors in their assimilation.

Cruciferous vegetables are gaining importance as nutritious and sustainable foods, rich in phytochemical compounds such as glucosinolates (GSLs). However, the breakdown products of these sulfur-based compounds, mainly represented by isothiocyanates (ITC) and indoles, can contribute to human health. In the human digestive system, the formation of these compounds continues to varying extents in the different stages of digestion, due to the contact of GSLs with different gastric fluids and enzymes under the physicochemical conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to uncover the effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the release of glucosinolates and their transformation into their bioactive counterparts by applying a simulated in vitro static model on a range of brassica (red radish, red cabbage, broccoli, and mustard) sprouts. In this sense, significantly higher bioaccessibility of ITC and indoles from GSLs of red cabbage sprouts was observed in comparison with broccoli, red radish, and mustard sprouts, due to the aliphatic GSLs proportion present in the different sprouts. This indicates that the bioaccessibility of GSLs from Brasicaceae sprouts is not exclusively associated with the initial content of these compounds in the plant material (almost negligible), but also with the release of GSLs and the ongoing breakdown reactions during the gastric and intestinal phases of digestion, respectively. Additionally, aliphatic GSLs provided higher bioaccessibility of their corresponding ITC in comparison to indolic and aromatic GSLs.

The effect of coffee and cocoa on oxidative damage to macromolecules has been investigated in several studies, often with controversial results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of one-month consumption of different doses of coffee or cocoa-based products containing coffee on markers of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in young healthy volunteers. Twenty-one volunteers were randomly assigned into a three-arm, crossover, randomized trial. Subjects were assigned to consume one of the three following treatments: one cup of espresso coffee/day (1C), three cups of espresso coffee/day (3C), and one cup of espresso coffee plus two cocoa-based products containing coffee (PC) twice per day for 1 month. At the end of each treatment, blood samples were collected for the analysis of endogenous and H 2 O 2 -induced DNA damage and DNA oxidation catabolites, while urines were used for the analysis of oxylipins. On the whole, four DNA catabolites (cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), 8-OH-2'-deoxy-guanosine, 8-OH-guanine, and 8-NO2-cGMP) were detected in plasma samples following the one-month intervention. No significant modulation of DNA and lipid damage markers was documented among groups, apart from an effect of time for DNA strand breaks and some markers of lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, the consumption of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee was apparently not able to affect oxidative stress markers. More studies are encouraged to better explain the findings obtained and to understand the impact of different dosages of these products on specific target groups.

Inflammation is a fundamental pathophysiological process which occurs in the course of several diseases. The present work describes the capacity of phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) (plant oxylipins), present in plant-based foods, to modulate inflammatory processes mediated by prostaglandins (PGs, human oxylipins) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 monocytic cells, through a panel of 21 PGs and PG's metabolites, analyzed by UHPLC-QqQ-ESI-MS/MS. Also, the assessment of the cytotoxicity of PhytoPs and PhytoFs on THP-1 cells evidenced percentages of cell viability higher than 90% when treated with up to 100 μM. Accordingly, 50 μM of the individual PhytoPs and PhytoFs 9-F 1t -PhytoP, 9-epi-9-F 1t -PhytoP, ent-16-F 1t -PhytoP, ent-16-epi-16-F 1t -PhytoP, ent-9-D 1t -PhytoP, 16-B 1 -PhytoP, 9-L 1 -PhytoP, ent-16(RS)-9-epi-ST-Δ 14 -10-PhytoF, ent-9(RS)-12-epi-ST-Δ 10 -13-PhytoF, and ent-16(RS)-13-epi-ST-Δ 14 -9-PhytoF were evaluated on their capacity to modulate the expression of inflammatory markers. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of 7 metabolites (15-keto-PGF 2α , PGF 2α , 11β-PGF 2α , PGE 2 , PGD 2 , PGDM, and PGF 1α ) in THP-1 monocytic cells, which expression was significantly modulated when exposed to LPS. The evaluation of the capacity of the individual PhytoPs and PhytoFs to revert the modification of the quantitative profile of PGs induced by LPS revealed the anti-inflammatory ability of 9-F 1t -PhytoP, ent-9-D 1t -PhytoP, 16-B 1 -PhytoP, 9-L 1 -PhytoP, and ent-9(RS)-12-epi-ST-Δ 10 -13-PhytoF, as evidenced by their capacity to prevent the up-regulation of 15-keto-PGF 2α , PGF 2α , PGE 2 , PGF 1α , PGDM, and PGD 2 induced by LPS. These results indicated that specific plant oxylipins can protect against inflammatory events, encouraging further investigations using plant-based foods rich in these oxylipins or enriched extracts, to identify specific bioactivities of the diverse individual molecules, which can be useful for nutrition and health in the frame of well-defined pathophysiological processes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Coffee is an important source of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, trigonelline, and phenolic compounds. Several studies have highlighted the preventive effects of coffee consumption on major cardiometabolic (CM) diseases, but the impact of different coffee dosages on markers of CM risk in a real-life setting has not been fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee consumption on several CM risk factors in healthy subjects., Methods: In a three-arm, crossover, randomized trial, 21 volunteers were assigned to consume in a random order for 1 month: 1 cup of espresso coffee/day, 3 cups of espresso coffee/day, and 1 cup of espresso coffee plus 2 cocoa-based products containing coffee, twice per day. At the last day of each treatment, blood samples were collected and used for the analysis of inflammatory markers, trimethylamine N-oxide, nitric oxide, blood lipids, and markers of glucose/insulin metabolism. Moreover, anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Finally, food consumption during the interventions was monitored., Results: After 1 month, energy intake did not change among treatments, while significant differences were observed in the intake of saturated fatty acids, sugars, and total carbohydrates. No significant effect on CM markers was observed following neither the consumption of different coffee dosages nor after cocoa-based products containing coffee., Conclusions: The daily consumption of common dosages of coffee and its substitution with cocoa-based products containing coffee showed no effect on CM risk factors in healthy subjects., Trial Registration Number: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03166540, May 21, 2017.

Background and Aim: The overconsumption of sucrose is closely related to sugar-sweetened beverages and one of the main factors associated with the increase of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. So, the addition of alternative sweeteners to new fruit-based drinks could contribute to minimizing the incidence or severity of these pathologies. Nevertheless, current knowledge on the influence of these additives on the bioactive compounds present in these beverages is still scarce.new-onset hypertension, but few data were published in Asian. We aimed to investigate the association of lipid profiles with new-onset hypertension in a Chinese community-based non-hypertensive cohort without lipid-lowering treatment (n = 1802)., Methods and Results: Hence, to contribute to the understanding of this issue, the plasma concentration of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and flavanones), after the ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based beverage, supplemented with sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), or sucralose (artificial non-caloric), was evaluated as evidence of their intestinal absorption and metabolism previous to renal excretion. The beverages were ingested by volunteers (n = 20) and the resulting phenolic metabolites in plasma were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 13 metabolites were detected: caffeic acid sulfate, caffeic acid glucuronide, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic sulfate. 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic acid di-sulfate, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic di-glucuronide, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic glucuronide-sulfate, trans-ferulic acid glucuronide, naringenin glucuronide, vanillic acid, vanillic acid sulfate, vanillic acid glucuronide-sulfate, and vanillic acid di-glucuronide, being recorded their maximum concentration after 30-60 min., Conclusion: In general, sucralose provided the greatest absorption value for most of these metabolites, followed by stevia. Due to this, the present study proposes sucralose and stevia (non-caloric sweeteners) as valuable alternatives to sucrose (high caloric sweetener), to avoid the augmented risk of several metabolic disorders., (Copyright © 2020 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated the properties of hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound present in olive oils and olives with a well-characterized impact on human health. Nevertheless, some knowledge gaps remain on its bioavailability and metabolism; overall concerning to the real rate per cent of absorption and biovailability of dietary hydroxytyrosol and the influence of the dietary food-containing hydroxytyrosol on it., Methods: A double-blind study was performed including 20 volunteers who ingested 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol through diverse food matrices, to discover the influence on pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of HT metabolites (hydroxytyrosol acetate, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), tyrosol, and homovanillic alcohol) of the distinct matrices by UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS., Results: The HT pharmacokinetics after consumption of different food matrices was strongly dependent on the food matrix. In this aspect, the intake of extra virgin olive exhibited significantly higher plasma concentrations after 30 min of oral intake (3.79 ng/mL) relative to the control. Regarding the hydroxytyrosol bioavailability, the intake of extra virgin olive oil, as well as fortified refined olive, flax, and grapeseed oils provided significantly higher urinary contents (0.86, 0.63, 0.55, and 0.33 µg/mg creatinine, respectively) compared with basal urine, whereas hydroxytyrosol metabolites showed no significant changes. No differences were found between men and women., Conclusions: The metabolic profile of hydroxytyrosol is influenced by the food matrix in which is incorporated, with the oily nature for the final bioavailability being relevant. Extra virgin olive oil was identified as the best matrix for this compound. The results described contribute to the understanding of the relevance of the food matrices for the final absorption of hydroxytyrosol and hence, the achievement of the highest health protection potential.

Water scarcity is a threat for food production because, water, is more and more limited and force farmers to use new deficit irrigation (DI) strategies without affecting fruit yield and quality. No information exists on almond polyphenols and proanthocyanidins (PAs) produced under DI. The present work studied the effect of 2 regulated DI (RDI) and one sustained (SDI) on the low molecular weight phenolics together with the antioxidant activity (AA) in almonds. Fifteen phenolic compounds were identified (13 flavonoids and 2 non-flavonoids) and 10 PAs. Kaempferol-3-O-galactoside was the predominant compound in almond skin and whole kernel but it was not found in deskinned kernels. The use of moderate RDI significantly increased the total phenolic content in skin (∼9.8%), PAs, and the AA. Consequently, after one season the application of DI positively affected the almond cv. Vairo phenols, however, several seasons must be evaluated in order to corroborate the present results., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The intake of sugar-sweetened beverages has been associated with an augmented prevalence of metabolic diseases, namely, obesity, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, nowadays, it is broadly accepted that foods and beverages rich in (poly)phenols could contribute to reducing the incidence of these pathologies. In this sense, the objective of the work was to revalue second quality citrus fruits for the development of new beverages, rich in anthocyanins and flavanones (maqui berry and second qualities citrus-based), and evaluate the influence of alternative sweeteners (sucralose, sucrose, or stevia), regarding the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of these bioactive compounds in the frame of a chronic (longitudinal) intervention. To fulfill this objective, a longitudinal study of the urinary excretion of anthocyanins and flavanones, after 2-months of ingestion of the developed maqui-citrus beverage, by 138 volunteers ( n = 46 per beverage) and the analysis of the resulting phenolic metabolites by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS) was carried out. As major results, the bioavailable metabolites of caffeic acid (CA), catechol (CAT), 3,4-di-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA), eriodictyol (E), homoeriodictyol (HE), hippuric acid (HA), naringenin (N), trans-ferulic acid (TFA), 2,4,6-tri-hydroxybenzaldehyde (THBA), trans-isoferulic acid (TIFA), and vanillic acid (VA) were detected. Accordingly, significantly different bioavailability was dependent on the sweetener used, allowing proposing stevia and, to a lower extent, sucralose, as valuable alternatives to sucrose.

Even though traditionally date-fruit has been featured by a marginal use, mainly restricted to its dietary intake, in recent years, it has raised the range of applications for this agro-food production. These new uses have entailed an enlarged production of date fruits and, simultaneously, of date palm byproducts. Encouraged by the traditional medicinal uses of dates, according to their phytochemical composition, the present work was focused on the evaluation of a new family of secondary metabolites, the plant oxylipins phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs), in six separate matrixes of the date palm edible parts and byproducts, applying an UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS-based methodology. The evaluation for the first time of date palm edible parts and byproducts as a dietary source of PhytoPs and PhytoFs provides evidence on the value of six different parts (pulp, skin, pits, leaves, clusters, and pollen) regarding their content in these plant oxylipins evidenced by the presence of the PhytoPs, 9-F 1t -PhytoP (201.3-7223.1 ng/100 g dw) and 9- epi -9-F 1t -PhytoP (209.7-7297.4 ng/100 g dw), and the PhytoFs ent -16( RS )-9- epi -ST-Δ 14 -10-PhytoF (4.6-191.0 ng/100g dw), and ent -16( RS )-13-epi-ST-Δ 14 -9-PhytoF as the most abundant compounds. Regarding the diverse matrixes assessed, pollen, clusters, and leaves for PhytoPs and skins and pollen for PhytoFs were identified as the most interesting sources of these compounds. In this concern, the information obtained upon the detailed characterization performed in the present work will allow unravelling the biological interest of PhytoPs and PhytoFs and the extent to which these compounds could exert valuable biological activities upon in vitro (mechanistic) and in vivo studies, allocating the effort-focus on the chemical species of PhytoPs and PhytoFs responsible for such traits.

Pistachio ( Pistacia vera L.) is a drought-tolerant species grown under the semiarid conditions of the Mediterranean basin. For this reason, it is essential to make an exhaustive quantification of yield and quality benefits of the kernels because the regulated deficit irrigation will allow significant water savings with a minimum impact on yield while improving kernel quality. The goal of this scientific work was to study the influence of the rootstock, water deficit during pit hardening, and kernel roasting on pistachio ( P. vera , cv. Kerman) fruit yield, fruit size, and kernel content of fatty acids phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) for the first time. Water stress during pit hardening did not affect the pistachio yield. The kernel cultivar showed a lower oleic acid and a higher linoleic acid contents than other cultivars. Kernels from plants grafted on the studied rootstocks showed very interesting characteristics. P. integerrima led to the highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids. Regarding the plant oxylipins, P. terebinthus led to the highest contents of PhytoPs and PhytoFs (1260 ng/100 g and 16.2 ng/100 g, respectively). In addition, nuts from trees cultivated under intermediate water deficit during pit hardening showed increased contents of the 9-series F 1 -phytoprostanes and ent -16( RS )-9- epi -ST-Δ 14 -10-phytofuran. However, roasting of pistachios led to PhytoP degradation. Therefore, plant cultivar, deficit irrigation, rootstock, and roasting must be considered to enhance biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites. New tools using agricultural strategies to produce hydroSOS pistachios have been opened thanks to the biological properties of these prostaglandin-like compounds linking agriculture, nutrition, and food science technology for further research initiatives.

Lipophenols have been stressed as an emerging class of functional compounds. However, little is known about their diversity. Thus, this study is aimed at developing a new method for the extraction, cleanup, and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS)-based analysis of the lipophenols derived from hydroxytyrosol (HT): α-linolenic (HT-ALA), linoleic acid (HT-LA), and oleic acid (HT-OA). The method validated provides reliable analytical data and practical applications. It was applied to an array of oily (extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, and margarine) and aqueous (pineapple juice) matrices, nonfortified and fortified with HT. Also, the present work reported the formation of fatty acid esters of HT (HT-FAs) that seem to be closely dependent on the fatty acid profile of the food matrix, encouraging the further exploration of the theoretical basis for the generation of HT-FAs, as well as their contribution to the healthy attributions of plant-based foods.

Almonds have gained consumers' attention due to their health benefits (they are rich in bioactive compounds) and sensory properties. Nevertheless, information about phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) (new plant markers of oxidative stress and compounds with biological properties for human health) in almonds under deficit irrigation is scarce or does not exist. These compounds are plant oxylipins synthesized by the oxidation of α-linolenic acid (ALA). Besides, they are biomarkers of plant oxidative degradation and biologically active molecules involved in several plant defense mechanisms. hydroSOStainable or hydroSOS mean plant foods made from from plants under controlled water stress. Almonds are a good source of polyunsaturated fatty (PUFAs) acids, including a high content of ALA. This paper aimed to describe the influence of diverse irrigation treatments on in vitro anti-oxidant activity (AAc) and total phenolic content (TPC), as well as on the level of ALA, PhytoP, and PhytoF in "Vairo" almonds. The AAc and TPC were not affected by the irrigation strategy, while the in vivo oxidative stress makers, PhytoPs and PhytoFs, exhibited significant differences in response to water shortage. The total PhytoP and PhytoF contents ranged from 4551 to 8151 ng/100 g dry weight (dw) and from 33 to 56 ng/100 g dw, respectively. The PhytoP and PhytoF profiles identified in almonds showed significant differences among treatments. Individual PhytoPs and PhytoFs were present above the limit of detection only in almonds obtained from trees maintained under deficit irrigation (DI) conditions (regulated deficit irrigation, RDI, and sustained deficit irrigation, SDI) but not in control almonds obtained from fully irrigated trees. Therefore, these results confirm PhytoPs and PhytoFs as valuable biomarkers to detect whether an almond-based product is hydroSOStainable. As a final conclusion, it can be stated that almond quality and functionality can be improved and water irrigation consumption can be reduced if controlled DI strategies are applied in almond orchards.

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been related with the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other pathophysiological situations, such as obesity or diabetes mellitus. Given the increasing awareness on this fact, food industries are developing new products to reduce the amount of added sugar in development of food products development. Accordingly, in the present work, new functional beverages, constituting a dietary source of bioactive phenolics and supplemented with stevia or sucrose, were designed in order to study the influence of the sweetener during processing and shelf-life. This study is of critical for the informed selection of the sweetener based on its effect on the final phytochemical profile of beverages, especially taking into consideration that there are no previous studies on Stevia rebaudiana . Physicochemical features and phytochemical composition, as well as stability of the different beverages concerning these parameters, were evaluated for 90 days during storage under different conditions (refrigeration (4 °C) and room temperature (25 °C) under light or darkness conditions). Physicochemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and color) did not display statistically significant differences between beverages. Storage temperature was the greatest determinant affecting the stability of all the analyzed bioactive compounds (vitamin C, anthocyanins, and flavanones). The main difference between sweeteners was observed in flavanones, which exhibited a higher loss during storage under day light conditions when stevia was added instead of sucrose. In addition, the juices' colors were rather stable, keeping a reddish coloration and natural appearance throughout the shelf life. Hence, stevia could be considered as an alternative sweetener by the beverage industry.

Sugar intake abuse is directly related with the increase of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. Along this line, the development of new beverages using alternative sweeteners could help with combatting the pathophysiological disorders associated to the consumption of sugar. To provide evidence on this issue, in the present work, the bioavailability of anthocyanins was evaluated after the acute ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based functional beverage rich in polyphenols, and supplemented with a range of sweeteners including sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), and sucralose (artificial non-caloric), as an approach that would allow reducing the intake of sugars while providing bioactive phenolic compounds (anthocyanins). This approach allowed the evaluation of the maximum absorption and the diversity of metabolites excreted through urine. The beverages created were ingested by volunteers ( n = 20) and the resulting anthocyanin metabolites in their urine were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 29 degradation metabolites were detected: Caffeic acid, catechol, 3,4-dihidroxifenilacetic acid, hippuric acid, trans -ferulic acid, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, trans -isoferulic acid, and vanillic acid derivatives, where peak concentrations were attained at 3.5 h after beverage intake. Sucralose was the sweetener that provided a higher bioavailability for most compounds, followed by stevia. Sucrose did not provide a remarkably higher bioavailability of any compounds in comparison with sucralose or stevia. The results propose two sweetener alternatives (sucralose and stevia) to sucrose, an overused high calorie sweetener that promotes some metabolic diseases.

Dietary sugar has been largely related to the onset of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, among others. The growing awareness on the close relationship between the dietary habits and this health disturbance has encouraged the development of new beverages using alternative sweeteners that could contribute to combat the above referred pathophysiological disorders. To gain further insight into this issue, the present work, upon an acute dietary intervention, evaluated the urinary excretion of flavanones ingested through polyphenols-rich beverages composed of maqui berry and citrus, with the aim of establishing the highest urinary excretion rate and metabolite profiles. The functional beverages evaluated were supplemented with a range of sweeteners including sucrose (natural and high caloric), stevia (natural and non-caloric), and sucralose (artificial and non-caloric) as an approach that would allow reducing the intake of sugars and provide bioactive phenolics (flavanones). The juices developed were ingested by volunteers ( n = 20) and the resulting flavanones and their phase II metabolites in urine were analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography ElectroSpray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). A total of 16 metabolites were detected: eriodyctiol, naringenin, and homoeriodyctiol derivatives, where peak concentrations were attained 3.5 h after beverage intake. Sucralose and stevia were the sweeteners that provided the highest urinary excretion for most compounds. Sucrose did not provide a remarkable higher elimination through urine of any compounds in comparison with sucralose or stevia. These results propose two alternative sweeteners to sucrose (sucralose and stevia), an overused, high caloric sweetener that promotes some metabolic diseases.

Moringa oleifera L. was grown under cadmium and lead stress conditions and the variations in its mineral content, polyphenolics, and antioxidant activities were studied and how these heavy metals affect plant growth and development. In this study, the metal translocation factor was found <1 which indicates more metal accumulation in moringa roots than stem. A significant increase in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities was observed in leaves, stem, and roots under metal stress which shows moringa can withstand under metalliferous conditions by regulating its antioxidant system. Various parts of moringa plants exhibited good nutritional quality; even significant variation was recorded in nutritional attributes. A significant variation was also noted in the expression of polyphenolics in moringa stem, roots, and leaves which are indicators of plant defense system under abiotic stress conditions. The results of the present study clearly manifest that the nutritional quality and concentration of polyphenolics in moringa plants are least affected by cadmium and lead uptake. These findings suggested the cultivation of moringa plants on cadmium and lead affected soils which cannot only remediate soil metalliferous conditions but can also provide nutritious fodder for livestock. For better understanding of the involved mechansisms, there is need to study the genes which are associated with moringa tolerance under metalliferous conditions.

Roasted cotyledons of the Chilean hazelnut (Gevuina avellana) are appreciated as snacks. The aim of our work was to assess the fatty acid, oxylipin and phenolic composition using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), ultra- high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to MS and HPLC coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Additionally, various antioxidant activities were assessed. The inhibition of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase, cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 (COX-1/COX-2), and lipoxygenase was determined. The main fatty acids were oleic and 7-hexadecenoic acids. Eight phytoprostanes and three phytofurans were identified and quantified. Hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids were the main phenolic compounds. Oils showed antioxidant activity determined by EPR, and inhibition of COX-1/COX-2. The statistical analysis showed that the roasting does not affect the composition of the samples. The occurrence of oxylipins in this species is reported for the first time. Chilean hazelnuts can be considered a source of health promoting compounds., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Centaurium erythraea Rafn is a food flavouring used in both food and beverage industries. Despite the existence of some works on this species, only few focus their attention on its common form of consumption (infusion). Thus, we intended to explore the chemical composition and the biological properties of infusions from C. erythraea aerial parts. Phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n , twenty-two flavonoid derivatives being reported for the first time. Concerning to the biological potential, the best scavenging activity was observed for the superoxide anion radical. Moreover, this extract revealed to have some effect on the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase, no cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophage cells line, and a weak potential to decrease the nitric oxide levels in this cell system. The results suggest that C. erythraea aerial parts could be valuable sources of health benefits compounds, contributing to its valorisation and its further application in functional foods., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new method using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) methodology was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) contents in liquid and solid vegetable samples. The advantages of this method are speed, high sensitivity and practical application. In accordance with these advantages, the present method allows the simultaneous determination of AA and DHAA without previous reduction/derivatization of DHAA and without the use of internal standards in the samples. This is of high interest in routine analysis, providing a simpler sample preparation, as well as enhanced accuracy and robustness. Its validation included selectivity, sensitivity and linearity, precision and accuracy, matrix effect, and recovery. The results showed high selectivity and sensitivity, with calibration curves ranging from 10 to 500 ng mL -1 and from 50 to 500 ng mL -1 for AA and DHAA, respectively. Appropriate dilutions for each sample are necessary to avoid the matrix effect with accepted recoveries.

Edible sprouts with germinating seeds of a few days of age are naturally rich in nutrients and other bioactive compounds. Among them, the cruciferous (Brassicaceae) sprouts stand out due to their high contents of glucosinolates (GLSs) and phenolic compounds. In order to obtain sprouts enriched in these phytochemicals, elicitation is being increasing used as a sustainable practice. Besides, the evidence regarding the bioavailability and the biological activity of these compounds after their dietary intake has also attracted growing interest in recent years, supporting the intake of the natural food instead of enriched ingredients or extracts. Also, there is a growing interest regarding their uses, consumption, and applications for health and wellbeing, in different industrial sectors. In this context, the present review aims to compile and update the available knowledge on the fundamental aspects of production, enrichment in composition, and the benefits upon consumption of diverse edible cruciferous sprouts, which are sources of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, as well as the evidence on their biological actions in diverse pathophysiological situations and the molecular pathways involved.

Structure-activity relationship (SAR) constitutes a crucial topic to discover new bioactive molecules. This approach initiates with the comparison of a target candidate with a molecule or a collection of molecules and their attributed biological functions to shed some light in the details of one or more SARs and subsequently using that information to outline valuable application of the newly identified compounds. Thus, while the empiric knowledge of medicinal chemistry is critical to these tasks, the results retrieved upon dedicated experimental demonstration retrieved resorting to modern high throughput analytical approaches and techniques allow to overwhelm the constraints adduced so far to the successful accomplishment of such tasks. Therefore, the present work reviews critically the evidences reported to date on the occurrence of phytoprostanes and phytofurans in plant foods, and the information available on their bioavailability and biological activity, shedding some light on the expectation waken up due to their structural similarities with prostanoids and isoprostanes.

Nanotechnology is a field of research that has been stressed as a very valuable approach for the prevention and treatment of different human health disorders. This has been stressed as a delivery system for the therapeutic fight against an array of pathophysiological situations. Actually, industry has applied this technology in the search for new oral delivery alternatives obtained upon the modification of the solubility properties of bioactive compounds. Significant works have been made in the last years for testing the input that nanomaterials and nanoparticles provide for an array of pathophysiological situations. In this frame, this review addresses general questions concerning the extent to which nanoparticles offer alternatives that improve therapeutic value, while avoid toxicity, by releasing bioactive compounds specifically to target tissues affected by specific chemical and pathophysiological settings. In this regard, to date, the contribution of nanoparticles to protect encapsulated bioactive compounds from degradation as a result of gastrointestinal digestion and cellular metabolism, to enable their release in a controlled manner, enhancing biodistribution of bioactive compounds, and to allow them to target those tissues affected by biological disturbances has been demonstrated.

Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) are prostaglandin-like compounds, contributing to defense signaling and prevention of cellular damage. These plant oxylipins result from autoxidation of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and have been proposed as new bioactive compounds due to their structural analogies with isoprostanes (IsoPs) and prostanoids derived from arachidonic acid in mammals, which have demonstrated diverse biological activities. The present work assesses a wide range of vegetable oils - including extra virgin olive oils (n = 7) and flax, sesame, argan, safflower seed, grapeseed, and palm oils - for their content of PhytoPs and PhytoFs. Flax oil displayed the highest concentrations, being notable the presence of 9-epi-9-D 1t -PhytoP, 9-D 1t -PhytoP, 16-B 1 -PhytoP, and 9-L 1 -PhytoP (7.54, 28.09, 28.67, and 19.22 μg mL -1 , respectively), which contributed to a total PhytoPs concentration of 119.15 μg mL -1 , and of ent-16-(RS)-9-epi-ST-Δ 14 -10-PhytoF (21.46 μg mL -1 ). Palm and grapeseed oils appeared as the most appropriate negative controls, given the near absence of PhytoPs and PhytoFs (lower than 0.15 μg mL -1 ). These data inform on the chance to develop nutritional trials using flax and grapeseed oils as food matrices that would provide practical information to design further assays intended to determine the actual bioavailability/bioactivity in vivo., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The late 1970s was the onset of literature about the first research outputs on alternatives to create added-value to agro-food byproducts focused on the reduction of the dependency on raw materials and, simultaneously, helping to reduce the environmental impacts of the agricultural activities. This trend, increased over the years and during the past decade, has been boosted by the growing concern of the socio-economic impact of wastes from agro-food activities, however, with little success of the proposed applications. Throughout four decades an array of studies have emerged, aimed to gain evidence on the relevance of innovation in the agro-food industry, as well as to overcome this situation. To our knowledge, only a few cases, summarized in the present perspective, represent the main alternatives currently available for the valorization of agro-food byproducts, with indications of some constraints that need to be addressed, in the coming years, to obtain a real profit from these products.

Olive oil displays remarkable organoleptic and nutritional features, which turn it into a foodstuff appreciated by consumers, and a basic component of the Mediterranean diet. Indeed, the noticed benefits of including olive oil in the diet have been assigned to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds with different molecular structures. These compounds confer a wide range of biological properties to this food matrix, including the prevention of distinct human diseases as well as the modulation of their severity. The most relevant bioactive compounds present in olive oil correspond to benzoic and cinnamic acids, phenolic alcohols and secoiridoids, and also flavonoids. Over the last decades, several studies, devoted to gaining a further insight into the relative contribution of the separate groups and individual compounds for their biological activities, have been conducted, providing relevant information on structure-activity relationships. Therefore, this paper critically reviews the health benefits evidenced by distinct phenolic compounds found in olive oils, thus contributing to clarify the relationship between their chemical structures and biological functions, further supporting their interest as essential ingredients of wholesome foods.

Almond is characterized by its high nutritional value; although information reported so far mainly concerns edible kernel. Even though the nutritional and commercial relevance of the almond is restricted to almond meat; to date; increasing attention has been paid to other parts of this fruit (skin; shell; and hull); considered by-products that are scarcely characterized and exploited regarding their properties as valuable sources of bioactive compounds (mainly represented by phenolic acids and flavonoids). This lack of proper valorization procedures entails the continuation of the application of traditional procedures to almond residues that nowadays are mainly addressed to livestock feed and energy production. In this sense; data available on the physicochemical and phytochemical composition of almond meat and its related residues suggest promising applications; and allow one to envisage new uses as functional ingredients towards value-added foods and feeds; as well as a source of bioactive phytochemicals to be included in cosmetic formulations. This objective has prompted investigators working in the field to evaluate their functional properties and biological activity. This approach has provided interesting information concerning the capacity of polyphenolic extracts of almond by-products to prevent degenerative diseases linked to oxidative stress and inflammation in human tissues and cells; in the frame of diverse pathophysiological situations. Hence; this review deals with gathering data available in the scientific literature on the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of almond by-products as well as on their bioactivity so as to promote their functional application., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are not conflicts of interest.