Total and individual carotenoids, fatty acid composition of total lipids, and main lipid classes of 16 fresh bee-collected pollen samples from Romania were determined by high-performance liquid ...chromatography with photodiode array detection and capillary gas chromatography with mass detection. Analyzed samples were found rich in lutein, whereas β-criptoxanthin and β-carotene were present in a wide range of amounts correlated with predominant botanical origin of the samples. High amounts of lutein were correlated with the presence of Callendula officinalis, Taraxacum officinale and Anthylis sp. The highest amount of total lipids was found in samples where pollen from Brassica sp. was predominant. Lipid classes were dominated by polyunsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids were determined in variable amounts. Lipid and carotenoid contents present great variability, explained by the various botanical species present in the samples.
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•Gamma irradiation on callus cultures from of Hypericum triquetrifolium increased bioactive compounds accumulation.•Growth index (GI) of callus and different types of the explants was ...dependent on the irradiation doses.•10Gy irradiation dose is the most suitable for enhancing the production of bioactive compounds.•Hypericin and pseudohypericin were identified in experimental variants.
The present study investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on biomass formation and yield of pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites in callus cultures induced from different seedling parts (leaf, stem and root). Calli induction and maintenance were performed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mgL−1 IAA and 0.4mgL−1 TDZ and all parameters were recorded after the third 21days successive subculture post-elicitation. Fresh callus biomass (FCB) expressed as growth index (Gi) was investigated and the higher Gi value (1109%) was recorded on callus culture from leaf explants and irradiated with 10Gy dose, as compared to untreated control (757%). H. triquetrifolium callus cultures exhibited quantitatively different phenolic compounds (p-OH-benzoic and chlorogenic acid, epicatechin) and naphtodiantrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin). The chromatographic analysis of callus extracts revealed that after gamma rays elicitation with 10Gy dose, the higher amount of p-OH-benzoic acid was recorded on calli from leaf explant (4.35mg 100g−1 DW material) while root callus recorded the highest amount of chlorogenic acid (12.91mg 100g−1) over the control (3.55mg 100g−1 and 10.22mg 100g−1, respectively). The 10Gy and 20Gy irradiation doses stimulate the epicatechin accumulation on calli from leaf and stem (126.39 and 148.80mg 100g−1) compared to the control samples (98.81 and 101.72 respectively).
In this study, small amount of hypericin and pseudohypericin were identified and quantified on irradiated callus cultures initiated from stem and leaf of Hypericum triquetrifolium, but not in root calli. Callus induced from leaf and irradiated with 10Gy showed the higher amounts of hypericin and pseudohypericin content (0.29 and 4.00mg 100g−1 DW material). Phytochemical screening carried out on different elicited callus cultures variants reveal, for the first time, the stimulatory effects of gamma irradiation on the production of phenolic compounds and naphtodiantrones in Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. The results of this study are interesting and offer an innovative approach of elicitation, not yet widely studied for the Hypericum genus.
The carotenoid and phenolic acid contents in fresh, stored and processed (blanched, frozen and boiled) spinach were comparatively determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses. The major ...carotenoids identified after HPLC analysis in saponified samples were lutein (37–53μg/kg), β-carotene (18–31μg/kg), violaxanthin (9–23μg/kg) and neoxanthin (10–22μg/kg). These carotenoids were all affected by storage and/or heating. The content of carotenoids was best preserved after storage for one day at 4°C.
The total phenolic content in the fresh spinach was 2088mg GAE/kg FW. After LC–MS analysis three phenolic acids were identified and quantified. These being ortho-coumaric acid (28–60mg/kg FW), ferulic acid (10–35mg/kg) and para-coumaric acid (1–30mg/kg) depending on the sample type. After storage of spinach at different temperatures (4°C or −18°C) the amount of total phenolic compounds decreased by around 20%, while the amount of individual phenolic acids increased by four times on average.
Bee products have been extensively employed in traditional therapeutic practices to treat several diseases and microbial infections. Numerous bioactive components of bee products have exhibited ...several antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Apitherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses the bioactive properties of bee products to prevent and/or treat different diseases. This review aims to provide an elaborated vision of the antiviral activities of bee products with recent advances in research. Since ancient times, bee products have been well known for their several medicinal properties. The antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of bee products and their bioactive components are emerging as a promising alternative therapy against several viral infections. Numerous studies have been performed, but many clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the potential of apitherapy against pathogenic viruses. In that direction, here, we review and highlight the potential roles of bee products as apitherapeutics in combating numerous viral infections. Available studies validate the effectiveness of bee products in virus inhibition. With such significant antiviral potential, bee products and their bioactive components/extracts can be effectively employed as an alternative strategy to improve human health from individual to communal levels as well.
Total phenolic phytochemical concentration was measured in 12 honeybee-collected pollens of selected floral species as well as their antioxidant capacity. The content of total polyphenols was ...measured spectrophotometrically using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid as standard. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant Capacity procedure and Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay. A great variability regarding the correspondence between the antioxidant activity and the content of total polyphenols of honeybee-collected pollens with different botanical origin was found. Antioxidant activities were different for each floral species and were not clearly associated to their total phenolic content.
Bovine mastitis a major disease that is commonly associated with bacterial infection. The common treatment is with antibiotics administered intramammary into infected quarters of the udder. The ...excessive use of antibiotics leads to multidrug resistance and associated risks for human health. In this context, the search for alternative drugs based on plants has become a priority in livestock medicine. These products have a low manufacturing cost and no reports of antimicrobial resistance to these have been documented. In this context, the main objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of extracts and products of several indigenous, or acclimatized plants on pathogens isolated from bovine mastitis. A total of eleven plant alcoholic extracts and eight plant-derived products were tested against 32 microorganisms isolated from milk. The obtained results have shown an inhibition of bacterial growth for all tested plants, with better results for
,
and
. Moreover,
, Populus nigra, and L. angustifolia presented small averages of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations. Among the plant-derived products, three out of eight have shown a strong anti-microbial effect comparable with the effect of florfenicol and enrofloxacin, and better than individual plant extracts possibly due to synergism. These results suggest an important anti-microbial effect of these products on pathogens isolated from bovine mastitis with a possible applicability in this disease.
Beebread (BB) is a fermented bee product made from plant pollen, honey and bee saliva. The nutritive and biological compounds of BB vary greatly depending on the diversity of flora and the season of ...pollen collection by bees. In order to evaluate this valuable bee product potential, thirteen BB samples were analyzed on the nutritive proprieties and biologically active compounds, correlated with their botanical origin. The obtained results shows that BB comes with a high content of proteins with values ranging between 18.96 and 23.11 g/100 g, lipids ranging between 4.89 and 14.74 g/100 g, and free sugars, fructose being present in the highest amount (17.27 g/100 g). Analyzed samples contain all the essential amino acids, methionine being the most abundant, 86.93–12.38 mg/100 g, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, ω-6/ω-3 ratio varying between 0.02 – 1.07. BB samples have also high amount of natural antioxidants, from the class of polyphenols and flavonol glycoside derivative. These findings suggest that BB could be used as a source of potential value-added nutrients and bioactive compounds and contributes to the chemical knowledge of this natural product.
•Biochemical and nutritional composition of beebread was evaluated.•Microscopic identification of botanical origin in beebread samples was determined.•High content of essential amino acids, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids are responsible for beebread bio-potential.•Beebread is a source of value-added nutrients and bioactive compounds.
Royal jelly (RJ), a highly nutritious natural product, has gained recognition for its remarkable health-promoting properties, leading to its widespread use in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic ...industries. Extensive investigations have revealed that RJ possesses a broad spectrum of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-aging, and antibacterial activities. Distinctive among bee products, RJ exhibits a significantly higher water and relatively lower sugar content. It is characterized by its substantial protein content, making it a valuable source of this essential macronutrient. Moreover, RJ contains a diverse array of bioactive substances, such as lipids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and hormones. This review aims to provide an overview of current research on the bioactive components present in RJ and their associated health-promoting qualities. According to existing literature, these bioactive substances hold great potential as alternative approaches to enhancing human health. Notably, this review emphasizes the anti-inflammatory properties of RJ, particularly in relation to inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Furthermore, we delve into the antitumor and antioxidant activities of RJ, aiming to deepen our understanding of its biological functions. By shedding light on the multifaceted benefits of RJ, this review seeks to encourage its utilization and inspire further investigation in this field.
Propolis composition depends on several factors. The classification of propolis is based on its geographical location, color and agricultural characteristics. It is also classified according to the ...flora where the bees collect the resins, which represent the raw material for propolis production. Propolis possesses high antioxidant activity determined by its phenolic compounds. Due to diverse composition and possible impact on human health, eight samples of propolis were evaluated for their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Samples of Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Uruguayan origin propolis were used for phenolic spectrum determination using high performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection and in vitro DPPH and ABTS methods were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the extracts. PCA and HCA models were applied to evaluate the correlation between isolated polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results confirmed variability in propolis composition depending on the geographical region of collection and the plant sources, and correlation between chemical composition and antioxidant activity. Results of PCA and HCA analyses confirm that Polish propolis is similar to that from different provinces of Romania, while Turkish and Uruguay are completely different. Polish and Romanian propolis belong to the poplar type. The assessed phenolic compounds of propolis samples used in the study are responsible for its antioxidant effect. The observed antioxidant activity of the analyzed samples may suggest directing subsequent research on prophylactic and therapeutic properties concerning cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cancerous diseases, which are worth continuing.
The growing consumer awareness of climate change and the resulting food sustainability issues have led to an increasing adoption of several emerging food trends. Some of these trends have been ...strengthened by the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution (or Industry 4.0), and its innovations and technologies that have fundamentally reshaped and transformed current strategies and prospects for food production and consumption patterns. In this review a general overview of the industrial revolutions through a food perspective will be provided. Then, the current knowledge base regarding consumer acceptance of eight traditional animal-proteins alternatives (e.g., plant-based foods and insects) and more recent trends (e.g., cell-cultured meat and 3D-printed foods) will be updated. A special focus will be given to the impact of digital technologies and other food Industry 4.0 innovations on the shift toward greener, healthier, and more sustainable diets. Emerging food trends have promising potential to promote nutritious and sustainable alternatives to animal-based products. This literature narrative review showed that plant-based foods are the largest portion of alternative proteins but intensive research is being done with other sources (notably the insects and cell-cultured animal products). Recent technological advances are likely to have significant roles in enhancing sensory and nutritional properties, improving consumer perception of these emerging foods. Thus, consumer acceptance and consumption of new foods are predicted to continue growing, although more effort should be made to make these food products more convenient, nutritious, and affordable, and to market them to consumers positively emphasizing their safety and benefits.
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