Ultrasound treatment is recognized as a potential technique for improvement in the nutritional values of fruit juices. This study was initiated with the objective of evaluating bioactive compounds ...and some important quality parameters of black (BC), red (RC) and white (WC) currant juices obtained from fruit mash preliminarily treated by enzymes combined with ultrasound. Individual and total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanins, color parameters, ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), juice yield, pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids were investigated. Significant increases in the levels of TPC and antioxidant capacity of sonicated samples were observed. However, ultrasound treatment had no effect on individual phenolic compounds of juices. Sonication of mash before juice pressing did not cause any noticeable changes in ascorbic acid content. Only in the case of WC was an increase in content of vitamin C noticed. The color of juices obtained after treatment was similar to the control sample. It was demonstrated that enzymatic combined with ultrasound treatment of mash for different colored currant fruit did not have any dismissive effect and could even improve some parameters of the juice obtained.
Phenolic compounds constitute an essential part of the plant’s secondary metabolites and play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, including nutrient cycling and plant defence against biotic and ...abiotic stressors. Quantifying the phenolic compounds across global biomes is important for monitoring the biological diversity and ecosystem processes. However, our understanding of foliar phenolic compounds remains limited, particularly regarding how they vary among temperate tree species and whether their variation and absorption features can be assessed using spectroscopy at the leaf level. In this study, we examined the relationships between the spectral properties of fresh leaves from temperate tree species and two ecologically important phenolic compounds (i.e., total phenol and tannin). We sampled the leaves of four dominant tree species (i.e., English oak, European beech, Norway spruce, and Scots pine) across two European temperate forest sites. Continuum removal was applied to the leaf spectra to enhance the assessment of the subtle absorption features that correlate with the phenolic content. Total phenol and tannin concentrations were estimated by comparing the performance of two empirical methods, namely partial least squares regression (PLSR) and Gaussian processes regression (GPR). Our results showed a large range of variation in total phenol and tannin between temperate tree species (p < 0.05). Spectral analysis revealed persistent and distinct phenolic absorption features near 1666 nm in the spectra of English oak, Norway spruce and European beech, whereas Scots pine exhibited a weaker absorption feature near 1653 nm. Regression results showed that both PLSR and GPR accurately estimated total phenol and tannin across temperate tree species, with informative bands for predicting these two traits well-corresponded between the two models utilised. Our results also suggested that total phenol was overall more accurately predicted than tannin regardless of employed methods. The most accurate estimations were achieved using PLSR with the continuum-removed SWIR spectra (total phenol: R2=0.79, NRMSE=9.95%; tannin: R2=0.59, NRMSE=14.53%). Testing the models established for individual species or forest types revealed variability in their prediction performances, with these specific models demonstrating lower accuracy (R2=0.47–0.69 and 0.34–0.54 for total phenol and tannin, respectively) compared to the cross-species model. Our study extends the understanding of absorption features of phenolic compounds in common temperate tree species and demonstrates the potential for a generalised spectroscopy model to predict foliar phenolic compounds across temperate forests. These findings provide a foundation for mapping and monitoring phenolic compounds in temperate forests at the canopy level using airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy.
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•Noni fruit phenolic extract (NFE) supplementation alleviated liver injury in HFD-induced NAFLD;•NFE supplementation restored the gutmicrobiotadysbiosis in NAFLD mice;•NFE ...supplementation regulated liver metabolite profile in NAFLD mice;•NFE supplementation suppressed inflammatory reaction in liver via the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
The liver-protective activity of phenolics has been consistently reported, but the underlying protective mechanism of phenolic extract from noni fruit (NFE) against high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. Mice were fed with HFD or combination of HFD and NFE for 10 weeks, and then the gut microbiota and liver metabolites were compared. In this study, NFE supplementation alleviated HFD-induced liver injury and metabolic comorbidities, as evidenced by reduced liver function markers, decreased lipid profile levels, and improved obesity and insulin resistance. NFE supplementation restored the composition of gut microbiota with a remarkable elevation in the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Akkermansia and a significant reduction in Helicobacter, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Desulfovibrio, Mucispirillum at the genus level. Liver metabolomics demonstrated that NFE supplementation favorably regulated the metabolic pathways involved in oxidative stress and inflammation, including purine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, galactose metabolism etc. Furthermore, NFE supplementation inhibited the HFD-induced activation of the liver endotoxin − TLR4 − NF-κB pathway, and alleviated liver inflammation. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide new evidences supporting that NFE can be used as a therapeutic approach for HFD-induced NAFLD via modulating the gut microbiota composition, liver metabolite profile and suppressing inflammatory reaction.
Blueberry surface color is determined in large part by anthocyanin pigments and is one of the most important quality traits influencing consumer preference. Postharvest changes in fruit surface color ...and phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, have been reported in blueberries; however, the relationships between these changes had not yet been investigated. A total of 25 anthocyanins and 14 flavonols were quantified across 20 blueberry genotypes at harvest and during four weeks of postharvest storage in 2019 and 2020. Total anthocyanin concentration ranged from 585.4 to 2556.4 mg kg‐1 across genotypes and was higher than total flavonol concentration that ranged from 129.3 to 331.0 mg kg‐1. Malvidin glycosides were the major anthocyanins in all genotypes; however, distinct anthocyanin profiles were observed among genotypes based on differences in the type of glycosylation. Quercetin 3-O-galactoside was the most abundant flavonol in all genotypes. Changes in total anthocyanin and total flavonol concentrations showed various trends during storage, depending on the genotype and the season. In contrast, anthocyanin and flavonol profiles for each genotype remained constant during storage and between seasons. Surface color parameters (lightness, chroma, and hue angle) showed weak correlations (r < 0.4) with anthocyanin concentrations measured at harvest and during postharvest storage. However, the color changes (Δ color) over four weeks of storage showed a strong correlation (r > 0.7) with changes in anthocyanin concentrations. This study provides novel understanding of the relationship between changes in anthocyanins and fruit surface color during postharvest storage in blueberries.
•Anthocyanin profiles vary among blueberry genotypes by the type of glycosylation.•Season and postharvest storage time have limited effects on anthocyanin profiles.•Variations in anthocyanins at harvest do not determine variations in fruit color.•Postharvest changes in anthocyanin levels and fruit color do correlate.
In the present research two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest salicylic acid (SA), acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), and methyl salicylate (MeSa), applied as a foliar spray ...to pomegranate “Mollar de Elche,” on crop yield, fruit quality parameters, and bioactive compounds at harvest and during storage. In the 2017 experiment, trees were treated with SA, ASA, and MeSa at 1, 5, and 10 mM and a higher crop yield (kg tree
–1
and number of harvested fruit tree
–1
) and quality parameters (firmness, aril color, and individual sugars and organic acids) at harvest were obtained, as well as a higher concentration of phenolics, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid. The best results were achieved with 10 mM dose of the three assayed compounds, which was chosen for the 2018 experiment, and results for crop yield and fruit quality attributes were confirmed. These quality traits and the concentration of phenolics, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid were maintained at higher levels in pomegranate fruit from treated trees than in controls during prolonged storage at 10°C. In addition, the effects of salicylate treatments on increasing total and individual anthocyanin concentration in pomegranate arils led to arils with a deeper red color (
Graphical Abstract
) and, in turn, fruit that would be more appreciated in the international market. This fact, together with the increased crop yield, would contribute to the increased profit of this crop. Thus, pre-harvest treatment with salicylates, and especially SA at 10 mM concentration, could be a safe, natural, and new tool to improve fruit quality and its content on antioxidant compounds with health beneficial effects (namely, ascorbic acid, phenolics, and anthocyanins) at harvest and during storage.
Experimental design for preharvest salicylate treatments and main results on increasing aril colour.
Rubus hyrcanus
Juz. (Rosaceae), known as Caspian blackberry, is wildly distributed around the Caspian Sea. This study focused on antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities of total extracts ...and different fractions from the roots and leaves of this species. The total phenolics and flavonoid contents were also evaluated. Finally, the phenolic profiles of selected fractions were determined using HPLC–DAD and LC–MS/MS. The results indicated that the total phenolics content (TPC) of root total extract (RTE) was 3.5 times that of leaves (340.4 and 102.7 mg GAE/g, respectively). The TPC of three root fractions ranged from 226.6 to 392.9 mg GAE/g, while in leaves fractions, it ranged between 68.3 and 101.8 mg GAE/g. The total extract of leaves had higher contents of total flavonoids than roots (70.5 and 8.9 mg QE/g, respectively). The methanol fractions of both parts had the highest amounts of flavonoids. The root methanol fraction (RMF) had the best antioxidant effect in both DPPH radical scavenging assay (IC
50
: 9.16 μg ml
−1
) and total antioxidant capacity test (1010.5 mg ɑTE/g). The RMF and RTE had potent antibacterial activities against
Bacillus subtilis
and
Staphylococcus aureus
(MIC 1.5 mg ml
−1
). In the MTT assay, ethyl acetate fractions of roots and leaves exhibited the best cytotoxicity (IC
50
247 and 227 μg ml
−1
, respectively) and the highest selectivity indexes (4.73 and 5.31, respectively). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid in leaves ethyl acetate fraction, chlorogenic acid in leaves methanol fraction, and gallic acid in the root ethyl acetate fraction.
In this study, dark chocolates (DCh) containing zinc lactate (ZnL) were enriched with extracts from elderberries (EFrE), elderflowers (EFlE), and chokeberries (ChFrE) to improve their functional ...properties. Both dried plant extracts and chocolates were analyzed for antioxidant capacity (AC) using four different analytical methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu (F–C) assay. An increase in antioxidant properties of fortified chocolates was found, and the bioaccessibility of their antioxidants was evaluated. The highest AC and TPC were found in ChFrE and chocolate with chokeberries (DCh + ChFrE) before and after simulated in vitro digestion. Bioaccessibility studies indicated that during the simulated digestion the AC of all chocolates reduced significantly, whereas insignificant differences in TPC results were observed between chemical and physiological extracts. Moreover, the influence of plant extracts on physicochemical parameters such as moisture content (MC), fat content (FC), and viscosity of chocolates was estimated. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy with dispersive energy spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to analyze surface properties and differences in the chemical composition of chocolates without and with additives.
A collection of herbs from the natural environment remains not only a source of raw material but also provides evidence of chemical differentiation of the local populations. This work aimed at ...performing a phytosociological analysis of seven different stands of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) occurrence. A determination of total phenolic compounds and salicylates and the antioxidant activity of dried meadowsweet inflorescences (Flos ulmariae) was also performed. Active chemical compounds in F. ulmaria inflorescences were related to chemotype and diversified between investigated populations. Geographical distance and variation in phytosociological locations affected chemical composition in different ways, shaping the content of biochemical compounds crucial for herbal material quality. The obtained results can be a valuable indicator for Nexo and Baligród populations, which are good genetic material for research, breeding, and cultivation due to their biochemical composition, especially with respect to salicylates, as major compounds of determining market quality of Flos ulmariae.
Chestnut processing industry generates large amounts of by-products, including leaves, burs and shells that are a source of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to establish an ...ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic and antioxidant compounds from industrial chestnut shells. A central composite design (CCD) was conducted to analyze the effects of time (4-46 min) and temperature (34-76 °C) in the antioxidant activity (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) and total phenolic compounds (TPC) of chestnut shells extracts. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained at 70 °C for 40 min. The optimal extract was characterized regarding phenolic profile, radical scavenging capacity, and effects on intestinal and dermal cell lines. The optimal extract revealed high amounts of ellagic acid (40.4 µg/mg dw), followed by caffeic acid derivative (15.4 µg/mg dw) and epigallocatechin (15.3 µg/mg dw). Indeed, the extract exhibited the highest scavenging efficiencies against NO● (IC
= 0.1 µg/mL) and HOCl (IC
= 0.7 µg/mL) and did not conducted to a decrease on HaCaT and HFF-1 viability up to 100 μg/mL. Oppositely, a decrease on Caco-2 and HT29-MTX viability was observed. This study suggests that UAE could be a sustainable option to valorize chestnut shells as raw material for different industries.
•NIR model was developed for rapid determination of wheat total phenolics.•The NIR method achieved comparable power as the Folin- Ciocalteu method.•The model showed R2 of 0.92 and 0.90 for ...calibration and validation sets.•Wheat breeding programs will be benefitted from this novel method.
Phenolics in whole wheat products provide many health benefits. Wheat breeders, producers, and end-users are becoming increasingly interested in wheats with higher total phenolic content (TPC). Whole wheat flour with higher phenolics may have greater marketing value in the future. However, conventional methods determining TPC are costly and labor-intensive, which are not practical for wheat breeders to analyze several thousands of lines within a limited timeframe. We presented a novel application of near-infrared spectroscopy for TPC prediction in whole wheat flour. The optimal regression model demonstrated R2 values of 0.92 and 0.90 for the calibration and validation sets, and a residual prediction deviation value of 3.4. The NIR method avoids the tedious extraction and TPC assay procedures, making it more convenient and cost-effective. Our result also demonstrated that NIR can accurately quantify phenolics even at low concentration (less than 0.2%) in the food matrix such as whole wheat flour.
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