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[Display omitted] • Tormentillae rhizoma is the main ingredient of popular alcoholic beverages. • It consists of tannins, ellagic acid derivatives, and triterpenes. • In gut epithelium model, ellagic acid derivatives are metabolized to new products. • Other extract compounds are adsorbed in the cell monolayer or pass through it. Tormentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch is a widespread plant in Europe and Western Asia. Its rhizomes (Tormentilae rhizoma) are the main ingredient of herbal alcoholic beverages and can be used as a natural preservative in beer production. Apart from its unique taste qualities, therapeutic properties in gastrointestinal tract ailments are attributed to the tincture obtained from Tormentillae rhizoma. The presented research aimed to determine the mutual relationship between the components of Tormentillae tincture , present in popular alcoholic beverages, and intestinal epithelium (Caco-2 cell monolayers). A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tincture was performed, including the determination of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins as well as triterpenoids (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Incubation of the tincture with Caco-2 monolayers has shown that only triterpenes pass through the monolayer, while condensed tannins are mainly bound to the monolayer surface. Ellagic acid derivatives were the only components of the Tormentillae tinctura being metabolized by cell monolayers to the compounds not previously described in the literature, which may be crucial in the treatment of intestinal diseases with inflammatory background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chestnut shells extracted by SFE valorized as a potential nutraceutical ingredient. • Neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects proved. • Untargeted metabolic profile revealed 60 % lipids and 30 % phenolics in permeates. • Ellagic acid and caffeic acid metabolites quantified after intestinal permeation. • Enrichment analysis identified 29 metabolic pathways. The health benefits of chestnut (Castanea sativa) shells (CSs) have been ascribed to phytochemicals, mainly phenolic compounds. Nevertheless, an exhaustive assessment of their intestinal absorption is vital considering a possible nutraceutical application. This study evaluated the bioactivity of CSs extract prepared by Supercritical Fluid Extraction and untargeted metabolomic profile upon in-vitro intestinal permeation across a Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-culture model. The results demonstrated the neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties of CSs extract by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and lipase activities. The untargeted metabolic profiling by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS unveiled almost 60 % of lipids and 30 % of phenolic compounds, with 29 metabolic pathways indicated by enrichment analysis. Among phenolics, mostly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins permeated the intestinal barrier with most metabolites arising from phase I reactions (reduction, hydrolysis, and hydrogenation) and a minor fraction from phase II reactions (methylation). The permeation rates enhanced in the following order: ellagic acid < o -coumaric acid < p -coumaric acid < ferulaldehyde ≤ hydroxyferulic acid ≤ dihydroferulic acid < ferulic acid < trans -caffeic acid < trans -cinnamic acid < dihydrocaffeic acid, with better outcomes for 1000 µg/mL of extract concentration and after 4 h of permeation. Taken together, these findings sustained a considerable in-vitro intestinal absorption of phenolic compounds from CSs extract, enabling them to reach target sites and exert their biological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Urolithin, lunularin, and equol metabotypes coexist as ten different clusters (MCs). • Identifying MCs can help in personalized gut microbiome (GM)-targeted interventions. • GM's features and its modulation by polyphenols (PPs) differ depending on each MC. • PPs can impact the ecological network of the most robust gut microbiome (LP + UMA + EP). • First study on the composition, functions, and networks of GM in PPs metabolism. The gut microbiota (GM) produces different polyphenol-derived metabolites, yielding high interindividual variability and hampering consistent health effects. GM metabotypes associated with ellagic acid (urolithin metabotypes A (UMA), B (UMB), and 0 (UM0)), resveratrol (lunularin -producers (LP) and non-producers (LNP)), and daidzein (equol-producers (EP) and non-producers (ENP)) are known. However, individual polyphenol-related metabotypes do not occur individually. In contrast, different combinations coexist (i.e., metabotype clusters, MCs). We report here for the first time these MCs, their distribution, and their associated GM in adult humans (n = 127) after consuming for 7 days a nutraceutical (pomegranate, Polygonum cuspidatum, and red clover extracts) containing ellagitannins + ellagic acid, resveratrol, and isoflavones. Urine metabolites (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed. Ten MCs were identified: LP + UMB + ENP (22.7%), LP + UMA + ENP (21.3%), LP + UMA + EP (16.7%), LP + UMB + EP (16%), LNP + UMA + ENP (11.3%), LNP + UMB + ENP (5.3%), LNP + UMA + EP (3.3%), LNP + UMB + EP (2%), LNP + UM0 + EP (0.7%), and LNP + UM0 + ENP (0.7%). Sex, BMI, and age did not affect the distribution of metabotypes or MCs. Multivariate analysis (MaAslin2) revealed genera differentially present in individual metabotypes and MCs. Network analysis (MENA) showed the taxa acting as module hubs and connectors. Compositional and functional profiling, alpha and beta diversities, topological network features, and GM modulation by the nutraceutical differed depending on whether the entire cohort or each MC was considered. The nutraceutical did not change the composition of LP + UMA + EP (the most robust GM with the most associated functions) but increased its network connectors. This pioneering approach, joining GM's compositional, functional, and network features in polyphenol metabolism, paves the way for identifying personalized GM-targeted strategies to improve polyphenol health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Urolithin, lunularin, and equol metabotypes coexist as ten different clusters (MCs). • Identifying MCs can help in personalized gut microbiome (GM)-targeted interventions. • GM's features and its modulation by polyphenols (PPs) differ depending on each MC. • PPs can impact the ecological network of the most robust gut microbiome (LP + UMA + EP). • First study on the composition, functions, and networks of GM in PPs metabolism. The gut microbiota (GM) produces different polyphenol-derived metabolites, yielding high interindividual variability and hampering consistent health effects. GM metabotypes associated with ellagic acid (urolithin metabotypes A (UMA), B (UMB), and 0 (UM0)), resveratrol (lunularin -producers (LP) and non-producers (LNP)), and daidzein (equol-producers (EP) and non-producers (ENP)) are known. However, individual polyphenol-related metabotypes do not occur individually. In contrast, different combinations coexist (i.e., metabotype clusters, MCs). We report here for the first time these MCs, their distribution, and their associated GM in adult humans (n = 127) after consuming for 7 days a nutraceutical (pomegranate, Polygonum cuspidatum, and red clover extracts) containing ellagitannins + ellagic acid, resveratrol, and isoflavones. Urine metabolites (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed. Ten MCs were identified: LP + UMB + ENP (22.7%), LP + UMA + ENP (21.3%), LP + UMA + EP (16.7%), LP + UMB + EP (16%), LNP + UMA + ENP (11.3%), LNP + UMB + ENP (5.3%), LNP + UMA + EP (3.3%), LNP + UMB + EP (2%), LNP + UM0 + EP (0.7%), and LNP + UM0 + ENP (0.7%). Sex, BMI, and age did not affect the distribution of metabotypes or MCs. Multivariate analysis (MaAslin2) revealed genera differentially present in individual metabotypes and MCs. Network analysis (MENA) showed the taxa acting as module hubs and connectors. Compositional and functional profiling, alpha and beta diversities, topological network features, and GM modulation by the nutraceutical differed depending on whether the entire cohort or each MC was considered. The nutraceutical did not change the composition of LP + UMA + EP (the most robust GM with the most associated functions) but increased its network connectors. This pioneering approach, joining GM's compositional, functional, and network features in polyphenol metabolism, paves the way for identifying personalized GM-targeted strategies to improve polyphenol health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gluten free breads (GFB) were fortified by an acorn (ACF) and chickpea (CPF) flour blend. • The most abundant phenolics in GFB were gallic, ellagic and valoneic acid dilactone. • ACF increased the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of GFB. • In vitro enzymatic starch digestibility of the bread crumb decreased with increasing ACF. • ACF- CPF enriched GFB had lower in vivo glycemic index and load compared to control GFB. Gluten-free (GF) breads, based on rice flour and corn starch (50:50), were fortified with a mixture of acorn flour (ACF) - chickpea flour (CPF) at 30% substitution level of corn starch (i.e., rice flour:corn starch:ACF-CPF 50:20:30) using different flour blends of ACF:CPF at weight ratios of 5:25, 7.5:22.5, 12.5:17.5, and 20:10 in order to improve the nutritional quality and antioxidant potential as well as the glycemic responses of the GF breads; a control GF bread with rice flour:corn starch 50:50 ratio was also prepared. ACF was richer in total phenolic content than CPF, whereas CPF was characterized by higher amounts of total tocopherols and lutein compared to ACF. For both ACF and CPF as well as the fortified breads, the most abundant phenolic compounds were gallic (GA) and ellagic (ELLA) acids as found by HPLC-DAD analysis, while a hydrolysable tannin, valoneic acid dilactone, was also identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS in high amount in the ACF-GF bread having the highest level of ACF (ACF:CPF 20:10), even though it seemed to decompose during breadmaking, possibly into GA and ELLA. Therefore, the inclusion of these two raw materials as ingredients in GF bread formulations resulted in baked products with enhanced concentrations of such bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant activities, as indicated by three different assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). The extent of glucose release, as evaluated by an in vitro enzymic assay, was negatively correlated (r = −0.96; p = 0.005) with the level of added ACF, and was significantly reduced for all ACF-CPF fortified products when compared with their non-fortified GF counterpart. Furthermore, the GF bread containing a flour mixture of ACP:CPF at a weight ratio of 7.5:22.5, was subjected to an in vivo intervention protocol to assess the glycemic response when consumed by 12 healthy volunteers; in this case, white wheat bread was used as reference food. The glycemic index (GI) of the fortified bread was significantly lower compared to the control GF bread (97.4 versus 159.2, respectively), which along with its lower amount of available carbohydrates and the higher level of dietary fibers, resulted in a significantly reduced glycemic load (7.8 versus 18.8 g per serving of 30 g). The present findings underlined the effectiveness of acorn and chickpea flours in improving the nutritional quality and glycemic responses of fortified GF breads with these flours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chemical constituents and in vitro bioactivities of rambutan peel were investigated. • Ellagitannins, geraniin isomers, and anthocyanins were major phenolic compounds. • Rambutan peel extract displayed antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. • Heat/ultrasound-assisted extractions (HAE/UAE) of anthocyanins were optimized. • HAE was the more efficient than UAE, yielding 16.2 mg of anthocyanins/g extract. Chemical constituents and bioactive properties of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel were characterized and heat-/ultrasound-assisted extractions (HAE/UAE) of anthocyanins were optimized by response surface methodology. Five organic acids, the α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol isoforms, and twenty-five fatty acids (36.8 % oleic acid) were identified, as well as a phenolic profile composed of ellagitannin derivatives, geraniin isomers, ellagic acid, and delphinidin- O derivatives. The extract showed antioxidant activity via lipid peroxidation (IC 50 = 2.79 ± 0.03 µg/mL) and oxidative hemolysis (IC 50 = 72 ± 2 µg/mL) inhibition, and displayed antibacterial and antifungal properties (MIC ≤ 1 mg/mL). On the other hand, no cytotoxicity was observed in tumor and non-tumor cell lines up to 400 µg/mL. The recovery of anthocyanins was more effective using HAE than UAE, allowing greater yields (16.2 mg/g extract) in just 3 min and using lower ethanol proportions. Overall, rambutan peel could be upcycled into bioactive ingredients and natural colorants for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Phenolic compounds were extracted from sea cucumber tentacles for the first time. • UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS identified and quantified 31 phenolic compounds. • Free phenolic fraction showed strong antioxidant activity and bioactivity. • Sea cucumber phenolics are mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids. Sea cucumber tentacles (aquapharyngeal bulb) are a rich source of biologically active compounds, including phenolics, however they are mainly discarded as processing waste. This study evaluated free, esterified, and insoluble-bound phenolics of Atlantic sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) tentacles and their antioxidant activity for the first time. Biological properties such as inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and the formation of AGEs as well as LDL-cholesterol and DNA oxidation were investigated. The antioxidant activity of the phenolic extracts was also evaluated in a fish model system. In the UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, 31 phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids, were identified and quantified. Among them, eight compounds were detected for the first time in any species of sea cucumber. The free phenolic fraction was the major form of phenolics, mainly protocatechuic acid, p -coumaric acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, and quercetin, exhibiting strong antioxidant and biological activities. Fresh Atlantic salmon treated with sea cucumber phenolics delayed lipid oxidation as measured by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Therefore, Atlantic sea cucumber tentacles may serve as a viable source of functional food ingredients with protective antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Variations of phenolic components in Rubus chingii Hu during ripening were studied. • Quantity of four fractions of phenolics during ripening were characterized. • Changes of antioxidant properties in Rubus chingii Hu during ripening were studied. • The highest contribution fractions for the antioxidant activities were determined. This study sought to determine how the variation of soluble free phenolics (SFPs), soluble-bound (including esterified-bound phenolics (EBPs), glycosylated-bound phenolics (GBPs)) and insoluble-bound phenolics (ISBPs) affected the antioxidant properties (radical scavenging activities and oxidative damage caused by H 2 O 2 in RAW264.7 cell) of Rubus chingii Hu during different maturity stages. Our result demonstrated that the young fruit stage could be considered as a proper harvesting period for Rubus chingii Hu to obtain high antioxidant activities. Distinct tendencies about abundance were found in four phenolic forms and followed the order: SFPs ≈ EBPs > GBPs ≈ IBPs, and antioxidant activities correlation: EBPs > GBPs > SFPs. Furthermore, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and phenolics such as kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, tiliroside and ellagic acid have a substantial correlation with antioxidant capacity. This study may supply a theoretical foundation for the utilization and exploitation of Rubus chingii Hu in different maturity periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The effect of EA in the gut environment depending on age. • EA promotes the growth of Probiotics and produces more propionic and butyric acid. • The weight loss in young mice is due to changes in Bacteroides via PPARγ expression. Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol found in fruits and vegetables that can be used as functional ingredient. Accumulating evidence suggests that the effects of EA have large interindividual variability, which is involved in the differences in gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms underlying such effects remain unclear. Here, we found that EA supplementation caused a significant reduction in the body weight of young mice other than adult mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that EA significantly affected the abundance of Bacteroides in the young group and Akkermansia and Lactobacillus in the adult group. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) exhibited that the propionic acid and butyric acid levels increased markedly in the young group but not in the adult group. EA activated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which plays a crucial role in body weight loss. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed that the regulated genes mainly correlated with the PPAR signaling pathway related to the endocrine system and lipid metabolism in the young group, whereas the adult group encompassed other various biological processes. The related genes were analyzed by real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR), including the upregulated mRNA expression of Cd36 in the PPAR signaling pathway and Cyp2b9, Cyp7b1, Cyp1a2, Cyp4a32, and Elovl3 associated with lipid metabolism. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the bacteria with significant changes in abundance were strongly correlated with the PPAR pathway and lipid metabolism-related genes. This work indicates that the benefits of EA on the gut environment are partly affected by the age of the host and deepens our understanding on how EA regulates the gut environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and isoquercetrin were the major phenolics. • Intermediate-ripe and fully ripe stages showed higher content of phenolic compounds. • Fructose and glucose were higher in the fully ripe stage. • K, Na, Ca, and Mg were higher in the intermediate and intermediate-ripe stages. Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lamarck) is a native fruit of the Atlantic rain forest that belongs to Myrtaceae family. It presents economic potential due to the attractive sensory attributes and bioactive compounds. This study determined physicochemical characteristics, minerals (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn), sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), total content of phenolics, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity at three ripening stages of grumixama from two growing locations (Florianópolis and São Ludgero, Santa Catarina state, Brazil). Of the 23 phenolic compounds quantified, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and isoquercetrin were the major (with values up to 69.08 mg/100 g fresh weight). Fructose (up to 5.28 g/100 g fresh weight) was the main sugar, and K (up to 589.30 mg/100 g fresh weight) was the major mineral, followed by Ca, Na, and Mg (up to 149.02, 117.52, and 80.18 mg/100 g fresh weight, respectively). More mature fruits had the highest levels of total phenolics (up to 469.18 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g fresh weight), anthocyanins (up to 518.64 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent/100 g fresh weight), and proanthocyanidins (up to 420.70 mg catechin equivalent/100 g fresh weight). The influence of growing location and ripening on nutritional and physicochemical characteristics was confirmed. There was a statistically significant interaction (p < 0.05) between both factors for almost all parameters evaluated. The results showed that grumixama fruits could contribute to the daily intake of nutritional and bioactive compounds for consumers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]