Non-Thermal Technologies as Tools to Increase the Content of Health-Promoting Compounds in Whole Fruits and Vegetables While Retaining Quality Attributes

Fruits and vegetables contain health-promoting compounds. However, their natural concentration in the plant tissues is low and in most cases is not sufficient to exert the expected pharmacological effects. The application of wounding stress as a tool to increase the content of bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables has been well characterized. Nevertheless, its industrial application presents different drawbacks. For instance, during the washing and sanitizing steps post-wounding, the primary wound signal (extracellular adenosine triphosphate) that elicits the stress-induced biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is partially removed from the tissue. Furthermore, detrimental reactions that affect the quality attributes of fresh produce are also activated by wounding. Therefore, there is a need to search for technologies that emulate the wound response in whole fruits and vegetables while retaining quality attributes. Herein, the application of non-thermal technologies (NTTs) such as high hydrostatic pressure, ultrasound, and pulsed electric fields are presented as tools for increasing the content of health-promoting compounds in whole fruits and vegetables by inducing a wound-like response. The industrial implementation and economic feasibility of using NTTs as abiotic elicitors is also discussed. Whole fruits and vegetables with enhanced levels of bioactive compounds obtained by NTT treatments could be commercialized as functional foods.

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Bioactive Compounds and Health-Promoting Properties of Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Fruits

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25194444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (19) ◽

pp. 4444

Author(s):

Joanna Kolniak-Ostek ◽

Dagmara Kłopotowska ◽

Krzysztof P. Rutkowski ◽

Anna Skorupińska ◽

Dorota E. Kruczyńska

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Antiproliferative Activity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Reducing Ability ◽

Pyrus Communis L ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Excellent Source ◽

Cox 1

Consuming food that is rich in antioxidants reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases and oxidative stress. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of substances with antioxidant and pro-health properties. Such raw materials, characterized by a high content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, include pear fruits. In this study, the concentrations of bioactive compounds, as well as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activity in fruits of five selected pear cultivars were determined and compared. LC–MS and UPLC–PDA methods were used to determine the polyphenolic, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and triterpenoid profiles and content, and the antioxidant activity was analyzed using DPPH and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. The cytotoxic activity of the test compounds was assessed against six tumor cell lines. The results showed that the major group of phenolic compounds in all cultivars was phenolic acids. In the group of chromoplastic pigments, chlorophyllide a and 9-cis-β-carotene were the major compounds, while in the triterpene group, ursolic acid was dominant. The antioxidant potential correlated with the content of polyphenols and carotenoids, and was the strongest for the ‘Radana’ cultivar. The highest antiproliferative activity in all varieties was established for bladder cancer.

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In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds from Citrus Pomaces and Orange Pomace Biscuits

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26123480 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (12) ◽

pp. 3480

Author(s):

Adriana Maite Fernández-Fernández ◽

Eduardo Dellacassa ◽

Tiziana Nardin ◽

Roberto Larcher ◽

Adriana Gámbaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Total Phenol Content ◽

No Production ◽

Food Ingredient ◽

Potential Health ◽

Raw264.7 Macrophages ◽

In Vitro Bioaccessibility ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Orange Pomace

The present investigation aimed to provide novel information on the chemical composition and in vitro bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds from raw citrus pomaces (mandarin varieties Clemenule and Ortanique and orange varieties Navel and Valencia). The effects of the baking process on their bioaccessibility was also assessed. Samples of pomaces and biscuits containing them as an ingredient were digested, mimicking the human enzymatic oral gastrointestinal digestion process, and the composition of the digests were analyzed. UHPLC-MS/MS results of the citrus pomaces flavonoid composition showed nobiletin, hesperidin/neohesperidin, tangeretin, heptamethoxyflavone, tetramethylscutellarein, and naringin/narirutin. The analysis of the digests indicated the bioaccessibility of compounds possessing antioxidant [6.6–11.0 mg GAE/g digest, 65.5–97.1 µmol Trolox Equivalents (TE)/g digest, and 135.5–214.8 µmol TE/g digest for total phenol content (TPC), ABTS, and ORAC-FL methods, respectively; significant reduction (p < 0.05) in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) formation under tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1 mM)-induced conditions in IEC-6 and CCD-18Co cells when pre-treated with concentrations 5–25 µg/mL of the digests], anti-inflammatory [significant reduction (p < 0.05) in nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages], and antidiabetic (IC50 3.97–11.42 mg/mL and 58.04–105.68 mg/mL for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition capacities) properties in the citrus pomaces under study. In addition, orange pomace biscuits with the nutrition claims “no-added sugars” and “source of fiber”, as well as those with good sensory quality (6.9–6.7, scale 1–9) and potential health promoting properties, were obtained. In conclusion, the results supported the feasibility of citrus pomace as a natural sustainable source of health-promoting compounds such as flavonoids. Unfractionated orange pomace may be employed as a functional food ingredient for reducing the risk of pathophysiological processes linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carbohydrate metabolism, such as diabetes, among others.

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Technologies and Extraction Methods of Polyphenolic Compounds Derived from Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peels. A Mini Review

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 236

Author(s):

Dimitrios Lampakis ◽

Prodromos Skenderidis ◽

Stefanos Leontopoulos

Keyword(s):

Electric Fields ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

New Technologies ◽

Ohmic Heating ◽

Punica Granatum ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Added Value ◽

Green Solvents ◽

Ultrasound Assisted Extraction ◽

Functional Product

The interest in using plant by-product extracts as functional ingredients is continuously rising due to environmental and financial prospects. The development of new technologies has led to the achievement of aqueous extracts with high bioactivity that is preferable due to organic solvents nonuse. Recently, widely applied and emerging technologies, such as Simple Stirring, Pressure-Applied Extraction, Enzymatic Extraction, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Pulsed Electric Fields, High Hydrostatic Pressure, Ohmic Heating, Microwave Assistant Extraction and the use of “green” solvents such as the deep eutectic solvents, have been investigated in order to contribute to the minimization of disadvantages on the extraction of bioactive compounds. This review is focused on bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels and highlighted the most attractive extraction methods. It is believed that these findings could be a useful tool for the pomegranate juices industry to apply an effective and economically viable extraction process, transforming a by-product to a high added value functional product.

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Pinus Species as Prospective Reserves of Bioactive Compounds with Potential Use in Functional Food—Current State of Knowledge

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10071306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1306

Author(s):

Marcin Dziedziński ◽

Joanna Kobus-Cisowska ◽

Barbara Stachowiak

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Functional Food ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Food Ingredients ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Pine Tree ◽

Pine Trees ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Few Data

The pine (Pinus L.) is the largest and most heteromorphic plant genus of the pine family (Pinaceae Lindl.), which grows almost exclusively in the northern hemisphere. The demand for plant-based remedies, supplements and functional food is growing worldwide. Although pine-based products are widely available in many parts of the world, they are almost absent as food ingredients. The literature shows the beneficial effects of pine preparations on human health. Despite the wide geographical distribution of pine trees in the natural environment, there are very few data in the literature on the widespread use of pine in food technology. This study aims to present, characterise and evaluate the content of phytochemicals in pine trees, including shoots, bark and conifer needles, as well as to summarise the available data on their health-promoting and functional properties, and the potential of their use in food and the pharmaceutical industry to support health. Various species of pine tree contain different compositions of bioactive compounds. Regardless of the solvent, method, pine species and plant part used, all pine extracts contain a high number of polyphenols. Pine tree extracts exhibit several described biological activities that may be beneficial to human health. The available examples of the application of pine elements in food are promising. The reuse of residual pine elements is still limited compared to its potential. In this case, it is necessary to conduct more research to find and develop new products and applications of pine residues and by-products.

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Changes of health-promoting bioactive compounds and related enzymes of ‘Hutai No.8’ grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in response to deficit irrigation

The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology ◽

10.1080/14620316.2020.1869107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Xiaojuan An ◽

Yinli Liang ◽

Shuaimeng Zhu ◽

Lan Mu ◽

Hongfei Yin

Keyword(s):

Vitis Vinifera ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Health Promoting

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Going “Green” in the Prevention and Management of Atherothrombotic Diseases: The Role of Dietary Polyphenols

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10071490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1490

Author(s):

Ana Reis ◽

Sara Rocha ◽

Victor de Freitas

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Cholesterol Biosynthesis ◽

Dietary Polyphenols ◽

Nutritional Strategy ◽

Flavonoid Intake ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Socio Economic Impact ◽

The Impact

During the 20th century processed and ready-to-eat foods became routinely consumed resulting in a sharp rise of fat, salt, and sugar intake in people’s diets. Currently, the global incidence of obesity, raised blood lipids, hypertension, and diabetes in an increasingly aged population contributes to the rise of atherothrombotic events and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mortality. Drug-based therapies are valuable strategies to tackle and help manage the socio-economic impact of atherothrombotic disorders though not without adverse side effects. The inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids to human diets, as recommended by WHO offers a valuable nutritional strategy, alternative to drug-based therapies, to be explored in the prevention and management of atherothrombotic diseases at early stages. Though polyphenols are mostly associated to color and taste in foods, food flavonoids are emerging as modulators of cholesterol biosynthesis, appetite and food intake, blood pressure, platelet function, clot formation, and anti-inflammatory signaling, supporting the health-promoting effects of polyphenol-rich diets in mitigating the impact of risk factors in atherothrombotic disorders and CVD events. Here we overview the current knowledge on the effect of polyphenols particularly of flavonoid intake on the atherothrombotic risk factors and discuss the caveats and challenges involved with current experimental cell-based designs.

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Seasonal Variation of Health-Promoting Bioactives in Broccoli and Methyl-Jasmonate Pre-Harvest Treatments to Enhance Their Contents

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101371 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1371 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vanesa Nuñez-Gómez ◽

Nieves Baenas ◽

Inma Navarro-González ◽

Javier García-Alonso ◽

Diego A. Moreno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Methyl Jasmonate ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

High Performance ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Diode Array ◽

Total Carotenoids ◽

Health Promoting

Broccoli is a source of bioactive compounds that provide an important nutritional value. The content of these compounds can vary depending on agronomic and environmental conditions, as well as on elicitation. In this study, three crop trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of the cultivation season, the application of different dosages of methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) on the overall quality and on the total content of bioactive compounds of ‘Parthenon’ broccoli cultivated under the field conditions of southeastern Spain. Color parameters, chlorophyll content, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were measured to evaluate the overall quality. Moreover, individual carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector coupled to mass spectrometer using electro spray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The content of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were higher in autumn compared with spring, showing increases of 2.8-fold, 2-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. Moreover, a double application of MeJA increased the contents of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates by 22%, 32% and 39%, respectively, relative to the untreated samples. Considering our results, the controlled and timely application of 250 µM MeJA to the aerial parts of the plants four days before harvest, on two consecutive days, seems to be a valid agronomic strategy to improve the health-promoting capacity of Parthenon broccoli, without compromising its overall quality.

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