An extract of Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae increases health span and mobility in Caenorhabditis elegans

Background Members of the Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae families which include fruits such as cherries, tomatoes and ginger are known to have health promoting effects. There is growing interest in consuming these “functional foods” as a means to increase health and healthy ageing. However, many studies explore the effect of these foods in isolation, not as a blend of multiple functional foods. Methods In this study, an extract containing the dried berries, fruits, and roots of members of these families was prepared, which we called Bioact®180. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate the effects of Bioact®180 on lifespan and health endpoints, including muscle and mitochondria structure and locomotion. Results Exposure to the 1000 µg/mL of Bioact®180 extract, containing 4% total phenols, were healthier, as observed by an increase in mean lifespan with and small but significant increase in maximal lifespan. Nematodes exposed to Bioact®180 displayed better mobility in mid-life stages as well as enhanced mitochondrial morphology, which was more comparable to younger animals, suggesting that these worms are protected to some degree from sarcopenia. Conclusions Together, our findings reveal that Bioact®180, a blend of fruits and roots from Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae family members has anti-aging effects. Bioact®180 promotes health and lifespan extension in C. elegans, corresponding to functional improvements in mobility.

Influence of Nitrogen Sources Applied by Fertigation to an Enriched Soil with Organic Compost on Growth, Mineral Nutrition, and Phytochemicals Content of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in Two Successive Harvests

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen source applied by fertigation to an enriched soil with organic compost on plant growth, mineral nutrition, and phytochemical contents in two successive harvests in coriander. The treatments were as follows: unfertilized soil, soil enriched with organic compost, and soil enriched with organic compost to which 60 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate and as ammonium sulfate applied by fertigation were added. Ammonium nitrate addition allowed to obtain a high total fresh yield (3.6 kg m−2) with a low inorganic nitrogen input. Ammonium nitrate increased plant shoot dry weight; fresh yield; and shoot N, K, and Ca uptake in the first harvest. Ammonium nitrate relative to organic compost and to ammonium sulfate increased fresh yield by approximately 57 and 25%, respectively. However, ammonium sulfate in the first harvest greatly increased shoot total phenols, from 137 mgGAE/100 g FW in ammonium nitrate to 280.4 mgGAE/100 g FW. Coriander’s fresh yield, in the second harvest, was unaffected by nitrogen addition. However, ammonium nitrate increased shoot total phenols and FRAP activity. Overall, the shoot phytochemical accumulation in the second harvest was lower than in the first. The combined application of ammonium nitrate and organic compost is a strategy to reduce inorganic nitrogen application.

Effect of Graft and Nano ZnO on Nutraceutical and Mineral Content in Bell Pepper

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of grafting, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and their interaction on the nutritional composition of bell pepper plants. The treatments evaluated included grafted and non-grafted pepper plants with four concentrations of ZnO NPs (0, 10, 20, 30 mg L−1) applied to the foliage. The following parameters were evaluated: content of N, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, total antioxidants, ascorbic acid, total phenols, glutathione, total proteins, fruit firmness, and total soluble solids. Grafting increased the content of N 12.2%, P 15.9%, K+ 26.7%, Mg2+ 20.3%, Mn2+ 34.7%, Zn2+ 19.5%, Fe2+ 18.2%, Cu2+ 11.5%, antioxidant capacity 2.44%, ascorbic acid 4.63%, total phenols 1.33%, glutathione 7.18%, total proteins 1.08%, fruit firmness 8.8%. The application of 30 mg L−1 ZnO NPs increased the content of N 12.3%, P 25.9%, Mg2+ 36.8%, Mn2+ 42.2%, Zn2+ 27%, Fe2+ 45%, antioxidant activity 13.95%, ascorbic acid 26.77%, total phenols 10.93%, glutathione 11.46%, total proteins 11.01%, and fruit firmness 17.7% compared to the control. The results obtained demonstrate the influence of the use of grafts and ZnO NPs as tools that could improve the quality and nutrient content in fruits of bell pepper crops.

Investigating antioxidant and antibacterial activity of functional cookies enriched with beetroot during storage

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the plants that contain biologically active compounds that have a function in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The study aims to design new cookies that will support certain groups, such as schoolchildren who may be anaemic. Also, to determine four cookie treatments that were planned to substitute white wheat flour with extraction rate of 72% as follows: T₀ (0%), T₁ (2.5%), T₂ (5.0%), T₃ (7.5%), and T₄ (10%) of beetroot powder to replace 100 g of flour; the cookies were baked at 180 °C for 30–35 min. The chemical composition was assessed, included total phenols, flavonoids, and minerals. Furthermore, during a three-week storage period, antioxidant activity and betalain pigments were evaluated, and sensory evaluation and microbiological assessment were done. Sensory evaluation revealed that the replacement ratio of 10% beetroot was acceptable to the cookies manufactured from white wheat flour with extraction rate of 72%. Compared to the control, a slight decrease was found in the total count of bacteria, fungi, and moulds. We recommend baking beetroot-enriched cookies since it enhances the organoleptic and microbiological characteristics.

PERBEDAAN AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN MINUMAN SEGAR DAN MINUMAN INSTAN DARI JAHE (Zingiber officinale var rubrum), PALA (Myristica fragrans Houtt) DAN SERAI (Cymbopogon nardus L)

This study aims to obtain fresh and instant drink formulas from ginger, nutmeg and lemongrass that are accepted by the panelists and have the best antioxidant activity. This study used the RAL method with 6 treatments 3 replications, and fresh drink formulations of FA1: ginger 300mL, nutmeg 100mL, lemongrass 100mL, FA2: ginger 300mL, nutmeg 50mL, lemongrass 150mL, FA3: ginger 300mL, nutmeg 25mL, lemongrass 175 mL and instant drinks FA4: ginger 300mL, nutmeg 100mL, lemongrass 100mL, FA5: ginger 300mL, 50mL of nutmeg, 150mL of lemongrass, FA6: ginger 300mL, nutmeg 25mL, lemongrass 175 mL, then analyzed for total phenol content, antioxidant activity as an antidote to free radicals, then using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the highest total phenol content was in the FA3 treatment of 10.81 mgGAE / g, and the lowest was in the FA4 treatment of 0.22 mgGAE / g. The results of the analysis of antioxidant activity as an antidote to DPPH free radicals at a concentration of 100ppm showed that the highest percentage of inhibition was obtained in the FA3 treatment of 52.18% and the lowest was in the FA4 treatment, namely 42.59%. Whereas for the IC50 value, the highest value was found in the FA3 treatment with a concentration of 56.8 ppm, and the lowest was in the FA4 treatment with a concentration of 116.05 ppm. The best treatment based on the sensory test of instant drinks, the most preferred by the panelists was in the FA5 treatment with a value of 4.35, and the lowest was in the FA6 treatment with a value of 4. The results of this study can be concluded that the fresh drinks that have the best total phenols are found in the FA3 treatment, where as for instant drinks that have the best total phenols in the FA5 treatment, and for fresh drinks and instant drinks that have the best antioxidant activity are in the FA3 treatment, for pelyan persistic preferences testing FA5.Keywords: Ginger, Nutmeg, Lemongrass, Total Phenol, Antioxidant.

Effect of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilization on dystrophic soil on the content of secondary metabolites in Hydrocotyle umbellata L. var. bonariensis (Lam.) Spreng

The knowledge of medicinal plants is of great importance for popular health. On the other hand, the levels of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants is an important parameter to be evaluated. The study of the nutrition of plants and the production of metabolites can provide the identification of beneficial factors and also find out if there are harmful effects of this fertilization/nutrition. In this study, three experiments were carried out (nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilization) in the culture of Hydrocotyle umbellata L. var. bonariensis (Lam.) Spreng on dystrophic Red Latosol on metabolite production (total phenols, total flavonoids and hibalactone content). It was used the soil of a rural property in the municipality of Anápolis – Goiás (Brazil). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a controlled environment. The experiment involved the following dosages of fertilization: nitrogen (0; 30; 45; 60 e 75 kg of N.ha-1); phosphate (0; 120; 150; 180 e 210 kg of P2O5.ha-1) and potassium (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100 kg of K2O.ha-1). The maximum contents of total phenols were with the medium level of nitrogen, zero level of phosphorous and highest level of potassium. For the total flavonoid, the maximum contents were obtained with the medium levels of nitrogen and potassium and zero level of phosphorus. Finally, the hibalactone content was favored by highest level of nitrogen and zero levels of phosphorus and potassium.

Changes of Main Nutrient Components and Volatile Flavor Substances in Processing of Canned Bamboo Shoots

Canned bamboo shoots, a popular endurable storage product preserved by canning, can be used directly as a raw material for preparing dishes and processing many other downstream products. Fermentation and high temperature sterilization are decisive for product quality. During 3 days of fermentation at 25 °C, the protein and total amino acids of bamboo shoots increased remarkably and the total phenols changed a little. After steam sterilization, the total sugar decreased by 56.82%, and the protein of bamboo shoots decreased from 2.41 ± 0.04 g/100 g to 2.03 ± 0.30 g/100 g. The process significantly increased from zero the total sugar, protein and total amino acids in sterilization bamboo shoots soaking solution. GC-MS-ROAV was used for the detection of volatile flavor substances (VFCs) of bamboo shoots and soaking solution in the four processing stages. Fermented bamboo shoots after 72 h showed a strong aroma of orange oil, which was the evaluator’s preferred aroma. In the process of sterilization, Maillard reaction leads to the increase of pyrazines and furans in bamboo shoots and soaking solution, including dibenzofuran, furaneol, trimethyl-pyrazine and 2,3-dimethyl-pyrazine. Due to these volatile flavor components, the sterilized bamboo shoots spread a light caramel and cocoa flavor.

Chemometric Profiling and Bioactivity of Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) Methanolic Extract from Four Localities in Tunisia

This research aimed to study the chemical composition of Aloysia citrodora methanolic extract and its biological activities as an antioxidant, and its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities based on four bioclimatic collection stages. The contents of total phenols, total flavonoids and total tannins were determined. Nine phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD–ESI-MS/MS. The major compound was acteoside, a phenylpropanoid which represented about 80% of the methanolic fraction in the various regions. The antioxidant activities of different locations were measured by different analytical assays, such as DPPH, ABTS and iron reducing power. The results showed that phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities varied with climatic and environmental factors. Moreover, there was a significant dependency between regions and biological activities. The use of a principal component analysis showed that there was a close relationship among phenylpropanoids, phenolic compounds and the studied biological activities.

Reintegration of Brewers Spent Grains in the Food Chain: Nutritional, Functional and Sensorial Aspects

Nowadays, the pandemic situation has encouraged the idea of sustainable healthy foods leading to new trends in food consumption. Brewers spent grain (BSG) represents a potential functional food rich in fiber, protein, lipids, mineral and phenols that needs to be further exploited. In this vein, five different BSG types were collected from local breweries and valorized in cookies manufacturing. Thus, proximate composition (protein, minerals, lipids, ash, crude fiber and carbohydrates) was analyzed using AACC (American Association of Cereal Chemists) methods, DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and Folin Ciocalteu methods were used to determined antioxidant activity and total phenols, while minerals and aroma volatile compounds were performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ITEX/GC-MS (in tube extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) respectively. Color and physical characteristics, together with sensorial analysis, were also evaluated. The results highlighted a significant difference between BSG samples, mainly from the total phenols, antioxidant activity and aroma volatile compounds point of view. BSG volatiles compounds from the aldehydes group such as 2-methyl-propanal, 3-methyl-butanal and 2-methyl-butanal were identified also in the final baked goods, leading to a pleasant and appreciated consumers’ taste and aroma. Furthermore, cookies sensorial analysis emphasized that the sample manufactured with BSG from light and dark malt mixture was more appreciated by consumers, attaining the highest hedonic scores.

Carbohydrates and Secondary Compounds of Alpine Tundra Shrubs in Relation to Experimental Warming

Background: It is critical to understand the sensitivity, response direction and magnitude of carbohydrates and secondary compounds to warming for predicting the structure and function of the tundra ecosystem towards future climate change. Results: Open-top chambers (OTCs) were used to passively increase air and soil temperatures on Changbai Mountain alpine tundra. After seven years’ continuous warming, the vegetation coverage, nonstructural carbohydrates (soluble sugars and starch) and secondary compounds (total phenols, flavonoids and triterpenes) of leaves and roots in three dominant dwarf shrubs, Dryas octopetala var. asiatica, Rhododendron confertissimum and Vaccinium uliginosum, were investigated during the growing season. Warming did not significantly affect the concentrations of carbohydrates but decreased total phenols for the three species. Carbohydrates and secondary compounds showed significantly seasonal pattern and species-specific variation. No significant trade-off between carbohydrates and secondary compounds was observed. Warming significantly increased the coverage of Dr. octopetala var. asiatica, did not change it for V. uliginosum and decreased it for Rh. confertissimum. Rh. confertissimum had significantly lower carbohydrates and higher secondary compounds investment than the other two species. Enhanced dominance and competitiveness of Dr. octopetala var. asiatica was companied by increased trend in carbohydrate concentrations and decreased ratio of secondary compounds to total carbon in the warming OTCs. Conclusions: We, therefore, predict that Dr. octopetala var. asiatica will continue to maintain dominant status, but the competition ability of V. uliginosum could gradually decrease with warming, leading to changes in species composition and community structure of the Changbai tundra ecosystem under future climate warming.