The Influence of the Agroecological Resources of Crimea on thePrimary and Secondary Metabolites of AligoteGrapes

This research focused on examining the interrelationships between the natural conditions for growing grapes, as well as the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the harvest. These are important criteria for the scientifically grounded selection of a territory for planting a vineyard, selecting varieties and determining the use of the resulting products. The characteristics of six model vineyards of the Aligote cultivar, located in various natural zones and viticultural regions of the Crimea, were analyzed. The values of climatic indicators were calculated, including the growing degree days above 10∘C (∑Т ∘С10), growing degree days above 20∘C (∑Т ∘С20), Huglin index, Winkler index, average growing season temperature, average September temperature, ratio ∑Т ∘С20/∑Т ∘С10,total precipitation during the year, total precipitation during the growing season, total precipitation in September, and Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient. These were calculated usinggeoinformation and mathematical modeling for the locations of the analyzed vineyards. The content of the primary metabolites (total sugars, titrated acids and calculated indicators based on them) and secondary metabolites (phenolic components, oxidase activity) of grapes from the model vineyards were analyzed. The range of variation in the studied indicators within the analyzed territories was calculated, and the nature and magnitude of the relationships between the indicators were revealed. A cluster analysis of the analyzed vineyards was carried out and clusters were distinguished according to the degree of similarity in climatic parameters, as well as the content of the primary and secondary metabolites of the grapes. Keywords: grapes, agroecological factors, primary and secondary grape metabolites, ampeloecological zoning, terroir

Chemical and in vitro evaluation of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) Leaves as a Substitute of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with/without Rejected Green Banana Fruits (Musa paradisiaca)

Leucaena leaves and rejected green banana fruits can be promising to cope with feed gaps in arid and semi-arid Mediterranean regions. The present study evaluated the feeding value and secondary active compounds of Leucaena leaves and rejected green banana fruits for ruminants using a semi-automated gas production (GP) system. Comparisons were made with the traditional feeds as alfalfa, and Dichanthium spp. grass hay. Analysis of HPLC was performed for the feed ingredients to characterize the main phenolic components. The in vitro evaluation was carried out for the experimental feed ingredients and diets. Four diets were formulated as the first diet consisted of alfalfa and grass hay at a ratio of 35:65 (AG), the second diet composed of alfalfa, grass hay, and green banana fruits at a ratio of 35:55:10 (AGB), third and fourth diets were prepared by replacing alfalfa in AG and AGB with Leucaena leaves to be LG and LGB, respectively. Leucaena leaves showed a high content of valuable phenolic components that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and naringenin. Moreover, Leucaena leaves and diet had higher crude protein, total phenols, and total tannins than alfalfa, which was reflected on the chemical composition of diets, and recorded the lowest total accumulative GP at 24 hours leading to low CH4 and CO2 production. Banana fruits recorded the lowest ruminal pH, ammonia concentration, and degraded neutral detergent fiber, compared to other feed ingredients, while it had the highest GP and degraded organic matter. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use Leucaena leaves in animals’ diets with/without rejected green banana fruits as an alternative feed resource with potential environmental and animal health benefits.

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds for the Determination of Grafts (in) Compatibility Using In Vitro Callus Cultures of Sato-Zakura Cherries

The aim of this study was to prove that under in vitro conditions, the adhesiveness of the callus between rootstock and scion, the development of callus cells at the points of fusion, and the presence of phenolic components are closely related to the level of (in) compatibility of the grafting combinations between Sato-zakura cherry cultivars (‘Amanogawa’, ‘Kanzan’, and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’) and commercial rootstocks. Prunus avium, Prunus ‘Colt’, Prunus mahaleb and Prunus serrulata were used as compatible and Prunus serotina and Pyrus communis ‘Pyrodwarf’ were used as two potentially incompatible rootstocks. The results indicated the significant manifestations of the early signs of the incompatibility on the callus junction. Phenols, as well as tissue senescence, were very precisely localized by toluidine blue and alcian blue as well as safranin staining, which can indicate the early signs of the callus incompatibility in some grafting unions. In the callus unions of Prunus avium with ‘Amanogawa’ and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’ the results of chemical analyses indicated that the existence of several flavonols, flavones and phenol acids could be involved in the incompatibility process in grafted combination. The detection of flavonol astragalin in the unions can be a biomarker of compatibility between scion and the rootstock, while some polyphenols, such as neochlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, ellagic acid, caffeic acid, baicalein, naringenin, apigenin and luteolin can be used as the indicators of graft incompatibility. p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid could be used for detection of delayed incompatibility.

Fungal Laccases: The Forefront of Enzymes for Sustainability

Enzymatic catalysis is one of the main pillars of sustainability for industrial production. Enzyme application allows minimization of the use of toxic solvents and to valorize the agro-industrial residues through reuse. In addition, they are safe and energy efficient. Nonetheless, their use in biotechnological processes is still hindered by the cost, stability, and low rate of recycling and reuse. Among the many industrial enzymes, fungal laccases (LCs) are perfect candidates to serve as a biotechnological tool as they are outstanding, versatile catalytic oxidants, only requiring molecular oxygen to function. LCs are able to degrade phenolic components of lignin, allowing them to efficiently reuse the lignocellulosic biomass for the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, or clean energy, while minimizing the use of chemicals. Therefore, this review aims to give an overview of fungal LC, a promising green and sustainable enzyme, its mechanism of action, advantages, disadvantages, and solutions for its use as a tool to reduce the environmental and economic impact of industrial processes with a particular insight on the reuse of agro-wastes.

Altitudinal Variation of Metabolites, Mineral Elements and Antioxidant Activities of Rhodiola crenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H.Ohba

Rhodiolacrenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H.Ohba is an alpine medicinal plant that can survive in extreme high altitude environments. However, its changes to extreme high altitude are not yet clear. In this study, the response of Rhodiola crenulata to differences in altitude gradients was investigated through chemical, ICP-MS and metabolomic methods. A targeted study of Rhodiola crenulata growing at three vertical altitudes revealed that the contents of seven elements Ca, Sr, B, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Cd, the phenolic components, the ascorbic acid, the ascorbic acid/dehydroascorbate ratio, and the antioxidant capacity were positively correlated with altitude, while the opposite was true for total ascorbic acid content. Furthermore, 1165 metabolites were identified: flavonoids (200), gallic acids (30), phenylpropanoids (237), amino acids (100), free fatty acids and glycerides (56), nucleotides (60), as well as other metabolites (482). The differential metabolite and biomarker analyses suggested that, with an increasing altitude: (1) the shikimic acid-phenylalanine-phenylpropanoids-flavonoids pathway was enhanced, with phenylpropanoids upregulating biomarkers much more than flavonoids; phenylpropanes and phenylmethanes upregulated, and phenylethanes downregulated; the upregulation of quercetin was especially significant in flavonoids; upregulation of condensed tannins and downregulation of hydrolyzed tannins; upregulation of shikimic acids and amino acids including phenylalanine. (2) significant upregulation of free fatty acids and downregulation of glycerides; and (3) upregulation of adenosine phosphates. Our findings provide new insights on the responses of Rhodiola crenulata to extreme high altitude adversity.

Formulation of a Sugar-Free Cereal-Based Bar with Improved Nutritional Value: Biological and Sensory Analysis

Cereal bars are eaten regularly due to their nutritive values and ease of consumption. Furthermore, new cereal bars were recently introduced to serve the growing market of functional food. In this work, we aimed at developing an innovative sugar-free cereal bar with high protein and fibre content, showing functional effects and with improved sensory properties over cognate commercial bars. We developed an innovative recipe by substituting honey with a xanthan gum/erythritol mixture as binder, and by manufacturing bars in a conventional industrial apparatus. The new formula was characterised by high content of proteins (27.7%) and fibres (8.7%), whereas carbohydrates resulted drastically reduced (26.7%). Panel test analysis showed that bars hold satisfactory sensory properties (aroma, flavour and taste), whereas some texture parameters were positively changed, as hardness and adhesiveness were significantly reduced. In vitro challenge experiments showed that the phenolic components isolated from the bar matrix significantly increased the levels of glutathione and glutathione reductase in Caco-2 cells, a model of enterocytes (P<0.05). In conclusion, we produced a sugar-free cereal bar on an industrial scale with antioxidant properties, and with improved nutritional and texture parameters in comparison with a conventional product.

Preventive Effects of Phenolic Compound Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on the Incidence of Hand Foot Syndrome Induced Capecitabine

Hand foot syndrome (HFS) is a reaction that occurs on the skin of the palms and soles. feet, caused by the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs with symptoms such as tingling, pain, erythema, dry skin, swelling, increased pigmentation and itching. This condition is still a problem in the treatment of patients given capecitabine. Although HFS does not cause death, in severe cases it can affect the quality of treatment and interfere with daily activities. The cause of HFS is still unclear but from research it is known that capecitabine and its metabolites will increase the expression of the COX-2 enzyme, inhibit the arachidonic pathway, increase PGE2 activity, causing inflammatory reactions in the form of erythema, edema and pain. The phenolic components contained in EVOO, namely oleocanthal and hydroxytyrosol compounds in several studies have the same properties as celecoxib and ibuprofen as anti-COX-2, will inhibit the arachidonic synthesis pathway, reduce prostaglandin activity and reduce inflammatory reactions.

Impact of Drying Methods on Phenolic Components and Antioxidant Activity of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Berries from Different Varieties in China

Sea buckthorn berries are rich in bioactive compounds and can be used for medicine and food. The variety and drying method used have an important influence on quality. In this study, different sea buckthorn varieties from China were selected and dried with four common drying methods. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), contents of 12 phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of two wild sea buckthorn berries were higher than those of three cultivated berries, and for the same varieties, measured chemical contents and antioxidant activity of the freeze-dried fruit were significantly higher than those obtained with three conventional drying methods. In addition, forty-one compounds in sea buckthorn berry were identified by UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS, most of which were isorhamnetin derivatives. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed narcissin and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside varied significantly in sea buckthorn berries of different varieties and with different drying methods; they were potential quality markers. Strong correlations were found between TPC, gallic acid and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). The results revealed how components and antioxidant activity varied in different sea buckthorn, which provides a valuable reference for quality control and further development and utilization of sea buckthorn.