Antioxidant activity and polyphenol composition of Pistacia terebinthus fruit from Tessala (Western Algeria)

Background: Consumption of traditional herbal beverages has been generally increased in the last decades, Terebinth coffee, known as ‘‘menengic coffee’’ in Turkish, is one of the most consumed herbal coffees in Turkey, turpentine tree is one of the components of the Mediterranean bush, particularly in Algeria, known as Betoum el Kiffan is largely used as food and in traditional medicine. Aims: In this study, Total phenol, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of three extracts of Pistacia trebinthus fruit growing in Algeria was measured using radical scavenging activity tests and metal-related tests including, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The chemical composition profile of the fruits and the coffee brands was identified by thin-layer chromatography, the effects of roasting method of this fruit was rivaled also. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. All extracts of the terebinth fruits and coffee brands displayed a high DPPH scavenging effect. Results: The results of the ferric-reducing antioxidant power show that the reduction capacity is proportional to the increase in the concentration of the samples. All the extracts of the plant exhibit antioxidant activities lower than those of the reference product besides the infusion extract of the P. terebinthus roasted coffee, which is the most active with an optical density of 1.68 nm at a concentration of 400 μg/mL. The chromatography results show that the various extracts of Pistacia terebinthus fruit carry a large number of polyphenols, in particular the carboxylic acids phenols. Conclusions: The plant can be considered as a coffee substitute and opens up promising avenues for the food and pharmaceutical industry in Algeria. Keywords: Antioxidant, Pistacia terebinthus, Coffee, FRAP, polyphenol.

Kasani beej (Cichorium intybus): Ayurvedic View, Folk View, Phytochemistry and Modern Therapeutic Uses

Cichorium intybus is commonly known as Chicory, kasani. It is a recognized medicinal plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This plant is a well-known traditional herb used in various medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicinal system to treat variety of diseases ranging from wounds to diabetes. The species is native to the European region (Mediterranean region) but can also grow in the temperate and semi-arid regions. The juice extracted from this plant is used as a traditional remedy to cure uterus cancer and tumors. The plant is well-known for its roots that are used as an additive in coffee as it provides bitterness in taste without the caffeine. It is also reported that the roots of the plant contain 40% inulin and acts as an anti-diabetic agent. Historically, the plant was cultivated by ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant, vegetable crop, coffee substitute and also used as animal forage. Cichorium intybus contains various phytochemical constituents mainly sesquiterpene lactones, caffeic acid derivatives, inulin flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, steroids terpenoids and many more. The reported pharmacological properties of the C. intybus plant include hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardiovascular, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antimalarial, anti-allergic and gastroprotective activities. In this review article, the medicinal and ayurvedic importance of C. intybus plant along with its phytochemicals are briefly explained.

The Common Cichory (Cichorium intybus L.) as a Source of Extracts with Health-Promoting Properties—A Review

Natural products are gaining more interest recently, much of which focuses on those derived from medicinal plants. The common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), of the Astraceae family, is a prime example of this trend. It has been proven to be a feasible source of biologically relevant elements (K, Fe, Ca), vitamins (A, B1, B2, C) as well as bioactive compounds (inulin, sesquiterpene lactones, coumarin derivatives, cichoric acid, phenolic acids), which exert potent pro-health effects on the human organism. It displays choleretic and digestion-promoting, as well as appetite-increasing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, all owing to its varied phytochemical composition. Hence, chicory is used most often to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Chicory was among the plants with potential against SARS-CoV-2, too. To this and other ends, roots, herb, flowers and leaves are used. Apart from its phytochemical applications, chicory is also used in gastronomy as a coffee substitute, food or drink additive. The aim of this paper is to present, in the light of the recent literature, the chemical composition and properties of chicory.

Nutritional Education Is an Effective Tool in Improving Beverage Assortment in Nurseries in Poland

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of education on improving the assortment of beverages served in nurseries in Poland. This analysis focused on beverages served to children with meals and between meals. We examined: water, tea, juices, soft/fruit drinks, compote, milk, cocoa, and coffee substitute. The study involved 93 nurseries enrolled in the Eating Healthy, Growing Healthy project and was conducted from 2015 to 2017. Nutritional education was carried out by dieticians or nutritionists and included 24 h of lectures given to the staff of nurseries. Training was conducted in a form of workshops that were divided into 12 topics. Additionally, consultations regarding infants and young children nutrition were available to the staff. Typically, education training was completed within 1–2 months in each nursery. The effectiveness of education was verified based on data on beverage supply in 186 ten-day menus, 1860 daily inventory reports before (at baseline), and 3–6 months after staff training (post baseline). Data were analyzed in a total group, and separately for public and non-public nurseries. Statistical analyses for categorical variables were done with Chi2 Pearson test. The differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. After education, a significant increase in the supply of water as a beverage served with meals was observed in all nurseries (68% vs. 87%; p = 0.002), both in public (72% vs. 90%, p = 0.036) and non-public (62% vs. 84%, p = 0.017) ones. Moreover, a decrease in served tea was noted: in all nurseries (71% vs. 44%, p < 0.001) and in public nurseries (77% vs. 42%, p < 0.001). Water was available between meals in almost all nurseries. Nutritional education for staff is an important tool for improving adherence to the nutritional recommendation in the case of core beverage supply in Polish nurseries.

The Effect of Trade Policy on The Position of Indonesian Coffee Market among The Major Importing Countries

Indonesia is the largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia, but it was confronted with market problems. This paper, therefore, analysed the demand system as the position market for Indonesian coffee, either green bean or roasted coffee in the main importing countries such as Germany, Japan and The United States. The linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to analyse the position of Indonesian coffee and its competitors. Time series data from 1996 to 2017 were obtained for the analysis. Empirical results indicated that most of the slope coefficients were statistically significant and in accordance with microeconomic theory. The variables of trade policy effected the Indonesian coffee trade. Indonesian green bean was found to be elastic in Germany, Japan, and The United States. Then, Indonesian roasted coffee was found to be inelastic in Japan. Indonesian green bean was a luxury good only in Germany, but Indonesian roasted coffee was an inferior good in Germany and The United States. Both Indonesian green bean and roasted coffee were a necessity in Japan. Almost Indonesian coffee substitute for Brazilian coffee and Colombian coffee, and complementary with Vietnamese coffee as its competitor.

PROXIMATE, ANTIOXIDANT AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF COFFEE SUBSTITUTE DEVELOPED FROM SEEDS OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA L. AND PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.

The use of coffee as a beverage is a widespread practice all over the world. However, the adverse effects of caffeine is a challenge for consumers, hence the need for development of coffee substitutes. This study explored the proximate, free-radical scavenging (DPPH) and sensory properties of coffee substitute developed from seeds of Adansonia digitata L. and Phoenix dactylifera L. Seeds were processed into coffee through drying, roasting and milling. Analytical procedures were carried out following standard procedures. Sensory properties of the two coffee substitutes were compared to that of a commercial coffee. Baobab coffee had significantly higher (p<0.05) ash, protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrate content than those from date palm seeds. While the normal coffee scored higher in aroma and flavor compared to the coffee substitutes, the overall acceptability of baobab coffee was comparable to that of normal coffee. In conclusion, these coffee substitute have nutritional benefits and are acceptable by consumers. However, further technological developments are required to improve the aroma and flavor to a level comparable to that true coffee.

β-Carbolines in Experiments on Laboratory Animals

Some studies have ascribed a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases to the β-carbolines harman (H) and norharman (NH), which occur mostly in coffee and coffee substitutes. We determined the concentrations of β-carbolines and undesirable compounds (such as acrylamide) in roasted coffee substitute ingredients and found that chicory coffee was optimal. Two in vivo experiments were conducted with seventeen-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats fed a diet with the addition of pure carboline standards in the first stage, and chicory in the second. We observed an increase in the level of H and NH in blood plasma, as well as higher activity of animals in the battery behavioral test, particularly in the second stage. The results of in vitro studies—particularly the level of the expression in brain tissue of genes associated with aging processes and neurodegenerative diseases—clearly show the benefits of a diet rich in β-carbolines.

Roasted Rye as a Coffee Substitute: Methods for Reducing Acrylamide

Acrylamide is assumed to be a potential carcinogen, and reference values have therefore been implemented in EU legislation. Thus, the food industry needs to reduce the acrylamide content in consumer products to the lowest possible value. In this study, roasted rye was evaluated for its suitability as a coffee substitution product with respect to its acrylamide content. The influence of process modifiers, free asparagine content, storage, and rye type on the final content of acrylamide was investigated. Changes in carbohydrate composition and brightness caused by the roasting process were described. Sample analysis was conducted via GC-MS and HPLC-CAD. Existing methods were adapted to roasted rye as the sample matrix. CaCl2 and asparaginase treatment as well as pH adjustments prior to roasting did not prove to reduce the acrylamide content. A significantly (* p < 0.027) lower free asparagine content in the raw material resulted in a lower formation of acrylamide in the final product. The acrylamide content significantly decreased (**** p < 0.0001) after 3 (1100 ± 18 µg kg−1) and 6 (490 ± 7 µg kg−1) months of long-term storage. Only samples stored for 6 months (490 ± 7 µg kg−1) met the EU acrylamide content requirements (<500 µg kg−1) for grain-based coffee substitution products.

Sensory Metabolite Profiling in a Date Pit Based Coffee Substitute and in Response to Roasting as Analyzed via Mass Spectrometry Based Metabolomics

Interest in developing coffee substitutes is on the rise, to minimizing its health side effects. In the Middle East, date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits are often used as a coffee substitute post roasting. In this study, commercially-roasted date pit products, along with unroasted and home-prepared roasted date pits, were subjected to analyses for their metabolite composition, and neuropharmacological evaluation in mice. Headspace SPME-GCMS and GCMS post silylation were employed for characterizing its volatile and non-volatile metabolite profile. For comparison to roasted coffee, coffee product was also included. There is evidence that some commercial date pit products appear to contain undeclared additives. SPME headspace analysis revealed the abundance of furans, pyrans, terpenoids and sulfur compounds in roasted date pits, whereas pyrroles and caffeine were absent. GCMS-post silylation employed for primary metabolite profiling revealed fatty acids’ enrichment in roasted pits versus sugars’ abundance in coffee. Biological investigations affirmed that date pit showed safer margin than coffee from its LD50, albeit it exhibits no CNS stimulant properties. This study provides the first insight into the roasting impact on the date pit through its metabolome and its neuropharmacological aspects to rationalize its use as a coffee substitute.