Search

Mushrooms are generally regarded as useful products with multiple applications in the food and health industry. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most cultured and consumed mushrooms around the world. With more complexity in medical science and phenomenon like antibiotic resistance, have led to the search for alternatives for disease treatment and prevention. Shiitake mushroom is nutritionally rich and contains numerous minerals (Potassium , Manganese, Magnesium , Iron, and Phosphorus) and vitamins (pro-vitamin D 2 , vitamin B 1 , B 2 , B 6 , B 12 , and niacin) which make it a potential source of nutrition. Shiitake mushrooms contain essential macro and micronutrients as well as many bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, antioxidants, dietary fiber, and ergosterol. Bioactive compounds can be helpful for maintaining the good health of the users and preventing them from diseases. Shiitake mushroom contains phenolics, polysaccharides, sterols, that play role in bodily functions resulting in improved health of the individuals. The review has focused to uncover the therapeutic potential of L.edodes and description of several nutraceutical properties of the shiitake mushroom that can be helpful in preventing and treating diseases. The properties like antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antioxidant, etc. are discussed in this review with more focus on the latest update in this context. It has been observed that the shiitake mushroom is one of the useful foods that can confer multiple beneficial effects on the user. Because of presence of many bioactive compounds, it can simultaneously act as an antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer/antitumor, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anticholesterol, antioxidative, antiaging, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory agent. Nevertheless, the factors like mushroom strain, growth conditions, substrate, extraction method and temperature also influence the outcomes of the studies. Moreover, the results in non-human subjects, such as animals, have shown positive outcomes but further research is required because of varying results. Importantly, the evidence of beneficial effects of Shiitake in humans is scarce and clinical studies are required. [Display omitted] • Lentinula edodes is one of the most cultured and consumed mushrooms. • Shiitake mushrooms are rich in numerous bioactive compounds and possess nutraceutical properties. • Shiitake mushroom exhibits several medically beneficial properties. • Experiments have proven positive impacts on animals and cell cultures, but studies on humans are scarce. • The dosage and adverse effects must also be studied to prevent overuse of the mushroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative study investigates the physicochemical, functional, and nutraceutical properties of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Chlorella sp. biomass, two of the most prevalent microalgae species. We assessed their proximate composition, pH, acidity, color, granulometry, microstructure (SEM), functional groups (FTIR), crystallinity (XRD), and thermal stability (GTA). Functional properties were thoroughly examined, including bulk density, water and oil holding capacities, and gelling, foaming, and emulsifying capabilities. Additionally, the study quantified the content of pigments, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and flavonoids and evaluated antioxidant activity. Our findings indicate that Spirulina biomass exhibits higher protein and ash content, whereas Chlorella biomass surpasses phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity. Notable differences were observed in their microstructure and thermal degradation patterns. Both biomasses demonstrated considerable potential as functional ingredients, owing to their superior water and oil retention, foaming, emulsifying, and gelling properties. This investigation underscores the distinct physicochemical and nutraceutical profiles of Spirulina and Chlorella biomass, highlighting their significant applicability in the food industry for developing novel value-added food products. • Spirulina biomass exhibits higher protein and ash contents than Chlorella biomass. • Chlorella biomass surpasses Spirulina biomass in terms of polyphenols, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity. • Both Spirulina and Chlorella biomass demonstrate good functional properties. • Spirulina and Chlorella biomass have high applicability in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake of antimicrobials by vegetables can reduce plant production and compromise food safety, as these compounds can disrupt plant physiology and accumulate in plant tissues. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmentally representative concentrations of ciprofloxacin (CIP, 1.5 µg L−1), erythromycin (ERY, 1.5 µg L−1), and/or sulfamethoxazole (SULFA, 0.3 µg L−1) on the physiology (growth and oxidative stress markers), nutraceutical characteristics (mineral composition and total phenolic content), and antimicrobial accumulation in hydroponically grown baby leaf lettuce, rocket, and watercress plants. Only watercress exhibited disrupted shoot growth. Furthermore, increased concentrations of total phenolic compounds were observed in rocket plants when exposed to the antimicrobials. The drugs also significantly impacted on mineral nutrition, altering the mineral-recommended daily intake (RDI) of all plants, with rockets and watercress being the most affected. Additionally, higher human health risks were observed in plants exposed to CIP, particularly concerning children. The presence of CIP in the growing water of hydroponic vegetables poses a notable risk to food safety due to the plant's ability to accumulate the drug in its edible parts. Moreover, beyond the adverse effects on human health, using antimicrobial-contaminated water in vegetable cultivation can also disrupt watercress production, leading to significant economic losses. [Display omitted] • Lettuce, rocket and watercress baby leaves were able to accumulate antimicrobials. • Sulfamethoxazole decreased the watercress shoot growth. • Nutraceuticals characteristics of plants were changed by antimicrobials. • Consumption of vegetables exposed to CIP and/or ERY posed a risk to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch nanoparticles from pearl (Pe) and proso (Pr) millets were characterised for morphological, thermal, rheological and nutraceutical properties which are important parameters to be considered for predicting applicable domain of nanoparticles in food and other industrial applications. In the present study after using collision ball milling to achieve the nano-reduction, dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed the average hydrodynamic particle diameter of 636 nm and 417 nm for nano-reduced pearl (PeN) and proso (PrN) millet starches. Further the nano-particles produced were having greater stability, as revealed by the data obtained for zeta potential. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed loss of crystallinity in starch granules whereas attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) showed no difference in the basic functional groups but decrease in intensity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elicit the changes in surface topography of starch granules upon nano-reduction. Post nano-reduction treatment various thermal transition temperatures significantly shifted to lower values. Results of anti-oxidant assays for prediction of nutraceutical potential revealed significant increase upon nano-reduction. • Ball milling resulted in the formation of nano-starch particles. • DLS, SEM, XRD and ATR-FTIR were done. • Rheological results showed more viscoelastic nature of nano-reduced starch particles. • Results revealed lower thermal transition temperatures for nano-starch particles. • The anti-oxidant potential assays revealed significantly higher scavenging potential of nano-starches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Metabolomic profiling of Capsicum chinense via 1H NMR spectroscopy. • Detailed metabolite analysis of 11 C. chinense cultivars. • Random Forest model predicts cultivar similarities. • Study bridges gap in food science and agricultural research. The habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) is a prominent spicy fruit integral to the historical, social, cultural, and economic fabric of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. This study leverages the power of 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with machine learning algorithms to dissect the metabolomic profile of eleven C. chinense cultivars, including those grown by INIFAP (Habanero-Jaguar, Antillano-HRA 1-1, Antillano-HRA 7-1, Habanero-HAm-18A, Habanero-HC-23C, and Jolokia-NJolokia-22) and commercial hybrids (Habanero-Rey Votán, Habanero-Kabal, Balam, USAPR10117, and Rey Pakal). A total of fifty metabolites, encompassing sugars, amino acids, short-chain organic acids, and nucleosides, were identified from the 1H NMR spectra. The optimized machine learning model proficiently predicted the similarity percentage between the INIFAP-grown cultivars and commercial hybrids, thereby facilitating a comprehensive comparison. Biomarkers unique to each cultivar were delineated, revealing that the Habanero-Rey Votán cultivar is characterized by the highest concentration of sugars. In contrast, the Balam cultivar is rich in amino acids and short-chain organic acids, sharing a similar metabolomic profile with the Jolokia-NJolokia-22 cultivar. The findings of this study underscore the efficacy and reliability of NMR-based metabolomics as a robust tool for differentiating C. chinense cultivars based on their intricate chemical profiles. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of the metabolomic diversity among habanero peppers but also holds potential implications for food science, agriculture, and the culinary arts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbutus unedo L. fruits have a great potential to serve as an important source of biomolecules known for panoply of applications in food and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the chemical composition, nutraceutical properties, antioxidant power, mineral content and biological properties of ripe Arbutus unedo L. fruits were investigated. Fruits contain 10.17% carbohydrates, 0.51% lipid, 1% protein, 48 mg/100 g vitamin C, 0.2 mg/100 g α-tocopherols, 0.117 mg/100 g β-tocopherols and 0.33 mg/100 g vitamin A. Fructose (57.96%) and glucose (33.87%) were the major sugars in fruits, followed by xylose (1.40%), maltose (0.51%) and sucrose (0.16%). The mineral content was 302.91 mg/100 g of Mg, 101.19 mg/100 g of Ca, 99.43 mg/100 g of K, 72.08 mg/100 g of Na, 5.11 mg/100 g of Fe, 3 mg/100 g of Zn, 0.82 mg/100 g of Cu and 0.9 mg/100 g of Mn. The liquid chromatography with photodiode array and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection (LC/PDA/ESI-MS) demonstrates that the phenolic fraction was dominated by galloyl and quercetin derivatives. All extracts proved to have antioxidant activity (measured by ABTS and DPPH assays) being more significant for ethanolic one (EC 50 values lower than 324.06 ± 1.32 μg/mL). The ethanolic extract showed a strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a moderate activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus feacium and Candida albicans , and a poor activity against Streptocoque strain. On the basis of these results, A. unedo fruits could serve as an excellent source of high added-value phytochemicals for industrial uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impacts of arginine treatment at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM applied by preharvest spray in combination with postharvest immersion, on postharvest chilling injury and nutraceutical properties of pomegranate fruit during storage at 4 ± 0.5 °C for 120 d was investigated. Pomegranate fruit treated with arginine at 1 mM, displayed significantly lower chilling injury symptom manifested by external husk browning. Lower husk browning in pomegranate fruit treated with arginine, caused by lower husk H 2 O 2 accumulation, was partially due to higher antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, leading to higher membrane integrity revealed by lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Also, lower husk browning in pomegranate fruit treated with arginine resulted from higher husk phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL)/polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes activity ratio. Moreover, pomegranate fruit treated with arginine displayed higher arils DPPH scavenging capacity, due to higher arils total phenols and anthocyanins accumulation. Also, higher arils PAL/PPO enzymes activity ratio together with lower arils H 2 O 2 accumulation was partially due to higher antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT and APX activities which are crucial for higher arils DPPH scavenging capacity. In addition, higher arils ascorbic acid content in pomegranate fruit treated with arginine may be attributed to higher glutathione reductase (GR)/APX system activity or higher anthocyanin accumulation. The results of this study suggest that arginine treatment can be used as promising technology not only for attenuating chilling injury but also for maintaining nutraceutical properties of pomegranate fruit partially by promoting antioxidant system activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of oxygen during malaxation has key role in improving Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) quality in terms of volatile and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the head space malaxer oxygen concentration on the physicochemical characteristics and nutraceutical properties of EVOO from the Nocellara del Belice olives. The acidic compounds were related to the concentration of the oxygen presented in the machine headspace considering a new software application for the online oxygen management opportunely designed and applicable to all the existing plants. The right timepoint and oxygen concentration of the malaxation process was established. The best results were obtained when 30 L of oxygen were blowing after 25 min from the beginning of the malaxation process. The application of the novel software in the Oxygen Control Monitoring (OCM) system showed very interesting results in terms of nutraceutical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional properties and consumer evaluation were performed in bresaola and salami from donkey meat compared with respective conventional products. Donkey bresaola and salami showed higher content of protein and lower content of fat than beef bresaola and pork salami. Significant differences in the unsaturation level of fatty acids were found. Particularly, donkey meat products showed lower saturated fatty acids, higher polyunsatured fatty acid content and better nutritional indices than conventional beef bresaola and pork salami. Furthermore, donkey meat products, especially bresaola, showed the highest content of essential amino acids. Both donkey meat products resulted to be more tender than conventional products, in addition donkey bresaola showed also higher consumer acceptability. Our investigation demonstrates the possibility of processing donkey meat into products comparable to traditional ones with a high nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chicoric acid and verbascoside were the main compounds of chicory and buck's-horn. • Enrichment of fresh egg pasta with plant extract was studied as a functional food. • An optimization of the enriched pasta making process was proposed. • Phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids were found in the enriched pasta. The application of bioactive extracts from Cichorium intybus L. and Plantago coronopus L. species were incorporated as a functional ingredient in fresh egg pasta (Fettuccine). In that sense, a pasta making procedure was accessed using different concentrations of the plant extracts (0.25–0.63 mg/g), drying times (20–420 min) and drying temperatures (40–90 °C; only for P. coronopus enriched pasta), to screen an optimal factor selection in the pasta making procedure and to enhance the bioactive properties of the final product. In the chemical characterisation of the plant extracts, twenty-five phenolic compounds were tentatively identified (twenty compounds belonging to phenolic acid and phenylpropanoid classes and five belonging to the flavonoid sub-class) and a strong synergy between the plant extract concentration and the drying time was showed. The analysed antioxidant properties were enhanced by the phenolic compounds of the extracts and a new functional food with higher bioactive quality was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OMWW is the most environmentally food processing by-product. • OMWW contains a high amount of biophenolic compounds. • Chemical, physical and biological treatment could be used for the treatment of the OMWW. • OMWW is endowed with many biological activities. • OMWW is a valuable source of functional ingredients in food product formulations. The Mediterranean olive oil industries are producing annually a massive quantity of olive mill wastewater (OMWW). Unfortunately, the OMWW is released arbitrarily in the nature without any pretreatment. Thus, it exhibits a high toxicity against the whole natural ecosystem including, microorganisms, plants and animals. In order to eliminate or reduce its pollution, OMWW must be properly treated prior to its release in the nature. In this regard, different treatment methods have been developed by researchers, but some of them were costly and others were inappropriate. Thus, more efforts should be made to save the nature from this pollutant. In the light of that, the current work summaries the state of knowledge regarding the OMWW from a chemical, biological, nutraceutical point of view, and the treatment methods that were used to eliminate its risk of pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple-pass ultrasonication with mechanical homogenization was used as a novel method for the processing of carrot puree. The experimental design was based on the face centered composite design using response surface methodology. The carrot puree was assessed for its physical, chemical and nutraceutical properties. Significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was recorded for bostwick consistency, sedimentation index, phase volume, color, particle size distribution and β-carotene content. Process optimization was based on the selected responses through a desirability function. Ultrasonication for 9 min followed by mechanical homogenization for 1 min, subjected to 3 passes, gave the optimum results with d (0.1), d (0.5) as 142.19 and 327.89 μm; β-carotene (1471.58 μg/g) and "a" value (21.42) with a composite desirability (0.85). The variation between the predicted and experimental values was <12%. This study is the first attempt towards using a combination of ultrasonication and mechanical homogenization for carrot puree processing. [Display omitted] • Multiple-pass ultrasonication and mechanical homogenization used for carrot processing. • Allows minimum 86.7% retention of β-carotene and 16.73% fiber in processed puree. • d (0.1) and d (0.5) ranged between 132.94172.52 and 309.95–400.18 μm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is an increasing interest in blue maize (Zea mays L.) due to its nutraceutical properties. Improved blue maize populations have been developed using landraces as genetic background and tested for its yield stability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical and nutraceutical profiles of 25 promising blue maize hybrids developed at INIFAP-Bajio and tested on two subtropical locations during 2008. Biophysical properties and nutraceutical grain traits (free phenolic acids, FPA, bound phenolic acids, BPA, and bound ferulic acid, BFA, soluble protein, SP, total monomeric anthocyanin content, TMA, and antioxidant capacity, AOX) were evaluated. Results indicated that hybrids showed biophysical characteristics that are demanded by the tortilla industries. Significant differences (p <0.001) were found among the 25 hybrids in terms of FPA, BPA, ORAC, BFA and TMA. High levels of FPA (107mg GAE/100g), BPA (255mg GAE/100g) and BFA (222mg/100g) were also found in improved hybrids together with elevated levels of SP (4.5%), TMA (460mg/kg) and AOX (3.7 and 38.9mM trolox equival/100g for FPA and BFA respectively). This study reported for the first time the availability of high productive blue maize hybrids with 42% of vitreous endosperm adapted to subtropical environments. These hybrids contained high levels of nutraceuticals similar to blue maize landrace and could be considered for the commercial production of tortillas and related products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• H. dulcis was studied to increase the knowledge about its phytochemical composition. • This is among the first phytochemical studies for the Northern hemisphere. • Catechins are the most prominent phenolic components. • H. dulcis is a potential source of ferulic acid with health-promoting properties. • The results show pseudofruits may be good candidates for food applications. Hovenia dulcis Thunberg is widely distributed in East Asia, where it is well known as a food, but it is rarely consumed in Western countries. Information about its composition is scarce and focused on southern hemisphere genotypes. In the present research, the main bioactive compounds of H. dulcis pseudofruits were characterised using phytochemical analysis (HPLC fingerprint) to improve knowledge about this plant and support development of potential food applications. These preliminary results showed high levels of catechins (157.18 ± 34.34 mg/100 g FW) and other phenolic compounds responsible for antioxidant properties. Concentrations of ferulic acid were particularly high (9.66 ± 1.76 mg/100 g FW) and further studies would advance exploitation of this plant-food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) under the family Polygonaceae is an ancient pseudocereal with stupendous but less studied nutraceutical properties. The gluten free nature of protein, balanced amino acid profile and health promoting bioactive flavonoids make it a golden crop of future. Besides a scanty basic research, not much attention has been paid to the improvement of plant type and breeding of nutraceutical traits. Scanning of scientific literature indicates that adequate genetic variation exists for agronomic and nutritional traits in mainstream and wild gene pool of buckwheat. However, the currently employed conventional approaches together with poorly understood genetic mechanisms restrict effective utilization of the existing genetic variation in nutraceutical breeding of buckwheat. The latest trends in buckwheat genomics, particularly avalilabity of draft genome sequences for both the cultivated species (F. esculentum and F.tataricum) hold immense potential to overcome these limitations. Utilizing the transgenic hairy rot cultures, role of various transcription factors and gene families have been deduced in production and biosynthesis of bioactive flavonoids. Further, the acquisition of high-density genomics data coupled with the next-generation phenotyping will certainly improve our understanding of underlying genetic regulation of nutraceutical traits. The present paper highlights the application of multilayered omics interventions for tailoring a nutrient rich buckwheat cultivar and nutraceutical product development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sufficient supply of intracellular NADPH may be due to the combined activities provided by G6PDH and 6PGDH. • Higher AOX gene expression may have contributed by the sufficient supply of intracellular NADPH. • Sufficient supply of intracellular NADPH triggered the accumulation of phenols and anthocyanins. • Higher AA and GSH accumulation may arise from sufficient supply of intracellular NADPH. In this study, the mechanism activated by melatonin treatment at 100 µM for maintaining nutraceutical properties in pomegranate fruits during storage at 4 °C for 120 days was investigated. Our results showed that the higher G6PDH and 6PGDH activities in pomegranate fruits treated with melatonin may be responsible for sufficient supply of intracellular NADPH. Also, higher AA and GSH accumulation in pomegranate fruits treated with melatonin may ascribe to higher APX and GR activities coincided with lower AAO activity. In addition, pomegranate fruits treated with melatonin exhibited significantly higher PAL activity resulting in higher phenols and anthocyanins accumulation as well as higher DPPH scavenging capacity. Additionally, higher AOX gene expression in pomegranate fruits treated with melatonin may be beneficial for ROS scavenging molecules accumulation. Therefore, maintaining nutraceutical properties of pomegranate fruits treated with melatonin may ascribe to sufficient intracellular NADPH supply by promoting G6PDH and 6PGDH activities during cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]