Production, Purification, and Potential Health Applications of Edible Seeds’ Bioactive Peptides: A Concise Review

Edible seeds play a significant role in contributing essential nutritional needs and impart several health benefits to improve the quality of human life. Previous literature evidence has confirmed that edible seed proteins, their enzymatic hydrolysates, and bioactive peptides (BAPs) have proven and potential attributes to ameliorate numerous chronic disorders through the modulation of activities of several molecular markers. Edible seed-derived proteins and peptides have gained much interest from researchers worldwide as ingredients to formulate therapeutic functional foods and nutraceuticals. In this review, four main methods are discussed (enzymatic hydrolysis, gastrointestinal digestion, fermentation, and genetic engineering) that are used for the production of BAPs, including their purification and characterization. This article’s main aim is to provide current knowledge regarding several health-promoting properties of edible seed BAPs in terms of antihypertensive, anti-cancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities.

Use of pseudo cereals in food production

Pseudo-cereals grains, edible seeds, which belong to dicotyledonous plants, are becoming in demand in the human diet as gluten-free grains with excellent nutritional and nutraceutical value. Quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat are the most important pseudo-cereals. Recently, pseudo-cereals have attracted attention because of their high nutritional value of proteins, and their storage proteins are not toxic to celiac patients. In addition, seeds are an important source of dietary fibre and phenols, which are beneficial to health. Research has shown the suitability of amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat flour as a substitute for grain flour in the production of gluten-free biscuits. The article represents data on the chemical and functional composition of amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat and considers the production possibility of gluten-free biscuits using an experimental mixture design to optimize a ternary mixture of amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat flour in terms of colour parameters, specific volume and hardness. Nutritional and sensory aspects of the optimized formulation were also assessed. The resulting biscuits based on the flour blend of pseudo-cereals were characterized as a product rich in dietary fibre, a good source of essential amino acids, linolenic acid and minerals, with good sensory acceptability. The data presented testify to the possibility of using the flour blend of amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat as an alternative ingredient for gluten-free biscuits.

Effect of Germination on Alfalfa and Buckwheat: Phytochemical Profiling by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, Bioactive Compounds, and In-Vitro Studies of Their Diabetes and Obesity-Related Functions

Germination can be used to enhance nutritional value and health functions of edible seeds. Sprouts are considered healthier than raw seeds because they are richer in the basic nutritional components (carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals) and also contain more bioactive components responsible for various biological activities. The effect of sprouting on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity activities, and metabolite profiles of alfalfa and buckwheat seeds was investigated in this study. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in buckwheat sprouts followed by alfalfa sprout, buckwheat seed, and alfalfa seed, respectively. ABTS radical scavenging potential showed a similar trend as DPPH with buckwheat sprouts exerting the best scavenging capacity. Alfalfa sprout and buckwheat seed exhibited the highest percentage inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase (96.6 and 96.5%, respectively). Alfalfa sprouts demonstrated the strongest inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase (57.12%) while alfalfa seed showed the highest advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation inhibitory potential (28.7%). Moreover, thirty-three (33) metabolites were characterized in the seed and sprout samples. Sprouts demonstrated a higher level of metabolites compared to raw seeds. Hence, depending on the type of seed and the target activity, sprouting is a good technique to alter the secondary metabolites and functional properties of edible seeds.

The traditional and medicinal use of African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne): an underutilized ethnic food of the Ibo tribe of South East, Nigeria

African breadfruit is an underutilized food security crop which is a delicacy for the Ibo ethnic group of South East Nigeria. It is commonly found in West and Central Africa. It is an evergreen large tree that bears about 20–30 pods containing edible seeds, annually. The edible seeds are used as specialty dishes by the Ibo tribe of South East Nigeria. African breadfruit meals have high dietetic value. The pods, leaves and roots are use in traditional medicine. The leaves are particularly rich in carbohydrates, phytochemicals (flavonoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones) and minerals. These constituents contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing properties. The stem bark extract is used as a cough remedy and has antimicrobial properties. The water and ethanoic extracts of the root possess antihyperglycaemic properties and also discourage the development of secondary complications of type 2 diabetes. Many of the perceived medicinal and chemical properties have not been scientifically investigated. Although other members of the mulberry family (especially the Artocarpus species) have received some research attention, Treculia africana remains underutilized despite its great potentials as a food security and medicinal crop.

A Review on Flax Seed: A Legume for Longevity

Flax seed, tiny packs of nutrients supply a wealth of health benefits. Dietary flaxseed has an amazing use in a different health conditions. Research evidences on the properties of dietary flaxseed have wide spread information. It has been found that the tiny, edible seeds of the flax plant, have gained superfood status because of its therapeutic values in preventing the diseases. From the past few years, there is growing evidences that the people have become more health conscious. Many trials have been conducted with the upgraded standards of control available in order to provide consistent information on its significance to the general community. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the research that have reinforced the growth of flaxseed as a commodity with importance in the health and medicine fields. Flaxseed is emerging as a vital functional food element because of its rich contents of α- linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders. The role of the Flax protein in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system has been proven. The present review focuses on the evidences of the potential health benefits of flaxseed through human and animals. Its role in enhancing the longevity by alleviating the common health challenges like hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Edible Vegetable Seeds and Oil Samples Available in Pakistani Retail Markets and Estimation of Dietary Intake in Consumers

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites toxic to humans as well as animals. The environmental conditions, conventional agricultural practices, and illiteracy are the main factors which favor the production of AFs in food and feed. In the current study 744 samples of vegetable seeds and oils (soybean, sunflower, canola, olive, corn, and mustard) were collected and tested for the presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total AFs. Liquid-liquid extraction was employed for the extraction of AFs from seeds and oil samples. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detection was used for the analysis. The results have shown that 92 (56.7%) samples of imported and 108 (57.0%) samples of local edible seeds were observed to be contaminated with AFs. All samples of edible seeds have AFB1 levels greater than the proposed limit set by the European Union (EU, 2 µg/kg) and 12 (7.40%) samples of imported seeds and 14 (7.40%) samples of local seeds were found in the range ≥ 50 µg/kg. About 78 (43.3%) samples of imported edible oil and 103 (48.3%) sample of local edible oil were observed to be positive for AFs. Furthermore, 16 (8.88%) and six (3.33%) samples of imported vegetable oil have levels of total AFs in a range (21–50 µg/kg) and greater than 50 µg/kg, respectively. The findings indicate significant differences in AFs levels between imported and local vegetable oil samples (t = 22.27 and p = 0.009) at α = 0.05 and a significant difference in AFs levels were found between vegetable seeds and oil samples (t = −17.75, p = 0.009) at α = 0.05. The highest dietary intake was found for a local sunflower oil sample (0.90 µg/kg/day) in female individuals (16–22 age group). The results have shown considerably high levels of AFB1 and total AFs in seeds and oil samples and emphasise the need to monitor carefully the levels of these toxic substances in food and feed on regular basis.

EDIBLE SEEDS MEDICINAL VALUE, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES-A REVIEW

India has a rich source of tropical fruits containing edible seeds such as chia, hemp, sesame, pumkin, sunflower, mustard, nigella, guava, papaya, mangosteen, honeydew, pomegranate, fennel, fenugreek, cumin, sweet orange, cucumber, jackfruit, mango, melons, avocado and many more. These products such as the seed kernel, which constitutes about 10–35% of the weight, offer high nutritional value and therapeutic applications. This article explores the nutritional, medicinal, therapeutic applications, functional properties and bioactive constituents of the seeds of some fruits, which are analyzed for their functions and applications as sources of food value and bioactive phytochemical constituents. The seeds contain essential bioactive components such as alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, steroids and polyphenolic compounds and that exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, neurological disorders, cardiovascular, skin diseases and chronic diseases. They have remarkable physicochemical properties and a high content of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However extensive research activities can be carried out to determine the efficacy of the nutritional and bioactive components in different seed types, the bioavailability and potency. Extensive research with the seed parts can be investigated to identify the medicinal and functional potentials of these fruit seeds. This review gives an overview on the therapeutic applications and functional properties of seeds present in fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants. The medicinal and nutritional value, phytochemical composition, bioactive phytoconstituents, therapeutic activity, therapeutic applications and uses, proximate analysis, functional properties, analytical methods, spectroscopic methods and human clinical trials of some edible seeds are discussed in this review.