Scavenging peptides, antioxidant activity, and hypoglycemic activity of a germinated amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) beverage fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.

Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. is a pseudocereal with nutritional properties. Some bioactive peptides have been identified from amaranth protein isolates. The metabolic reactions developed during seed germination have produced different functional foods. The present research aimed to develop a non-dairy germinated amaranth-based functional beverage fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) strain using Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota (LCS) as control. The content of betalains (BT), total phenolic compounds (TFC), antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), color changes, and scavenging bioactive peptides were determined. BT in the original base was significantly increased after fermentation by LP and LCS (from 1.276 ± 0.030 to 2.732 ± 0.196 and 1.904 ± 0.760 mg/100 ml, respectively). TFC increased after fermentation; however, no significant differences were found between the two strains (p > .05). The fermentation did not decrease the antioxidant content of the germinated amaranth base. However, a slight increase in the antioxidant capacity was found by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP in the beverage fermented by LP compared with the LCS one. Moreover, the peptidomic approach suggested 18 peptides with scavenging activity. Thus, a bioactive food product with antioxidant properties was obtained by germination of A. hypochondriacus and its subsequent fermentation by LP. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Non-dairy fermented beverages are novel carriers for probiotics and beneficial metabolites. This research evaluated the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity of a fermented drink made with amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) and a potential probiotic strain (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum). The results led to conclude that it is possible to develop functional drinks with potential antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities and provide the biochemical basis for further research and development.

Cyperus spp.: A Review on Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Health-Promoting Effects.

Cyperaceae are a plant family of grass-like monocots, comprising 5600 species with a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and tropical regions. Phytochemically, Cyperus is one of the most promising health supplementing genera of the Cyperaceae family, housing ≈950 species, with Cyperus rotundus L. being the most reported species in pharmacological studies. The traditional uses of Cyperus spp. have been reported against various diseases, viz., gastrointestinal and respiratory affections, blood disorders, menstrual irregularities, and inflammatory diseases. Cyperus spp. are known to contain a plethora of bioactive compounds such as α-cyperone, α-corymbolol, α-pinene, caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, germacrene D, mustakone, and zierone, which impart pharmacological properties to its extract. Therefore, Cyperus sp. extracts were preclinically studied and reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidepressive, antiarthritic, antiobesity, vasodilator, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, and estrogenic biofunctionalities. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence is still sparse regarding its clinical applications on human diseases. Further studies focused on toxicity data and risk assessment are needed to elucidate its safe and effective application. Moreover, detailed structure-activity studies also need time to explore the candidature of Cyperus-derived phytochemicals as upcoming drugs in pharmaceuticals.

Ergosterol Peroxide Isolated from Oyster Medicinal Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes), Potentially Induces Radiosensitivity in Cervical Cancer.

Every year, more than 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer globally. Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines show promise as a protective measure, HPV-related cancers remain a public health problem since the vaccines, which are only specific to certain viral types, are unavailable for mass distribution. Furthermore, the effects of toxicity following ionizing radiation therapy have reoriented views toward the search for radiosensitizers that can reduce toxicity as a consequence of decreased radiation doses. Here, we isolated ergosterol peroxide (EP) from Pleurotus ostreatus and purified it to test its potential effects in vitro. We thus observed that a gradual increase in EP dose correlates with a loss of viability in HeLa and CaSki cervical cell lines. Dose/response curves were constructed using cervical cancer cell lines, as well as normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The selectivity of EP in human lymphocytes and cervical cancer cell lines was tested, and no toxicity was found in normal cells. A combination of treatments revealed a radiosensitizer effect in HeLa cells, when measuring the exposure to EP followed by irradiation with 137Cs. Our findings suggest that EP may be effective as a radiosensitizer in treating cervical cancer.

Malva species: Insights on its chemical composition towards pharmacological applications.

Malvaceae family is typical from the Mediterranean region, contains 240 genera and more than 4,200 species. They are most commonly used as ornamental plants, although they can also be conceived as a food resource and remedy for various diseases, such as digestive, respiratory, genitourinary, throat infections, and skeletal and skin disorders, as also injuries where they are profoundly applied for skin care and as antiseptic and demulcent. They also possess diuretic, lenitive, spasmolytic, and laxative effects, besides to be used as antidiarrheal. Thus, the present review provides in-depth data on Malva spp. potential applications and phytochemical composition for food and pharmaceutical industries. Habitat and cultivation conditions and the clinical reports related to its biological effects are also emphasized. Malva spp. possess a wide variety of chemical constituents (such as polysaccharides, coumarins, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins, terpenes, and tannins) found in different plant organs, especially in leaves and flowers, connected to their biological activity. In general, Malva spp. have rather moderate antimicrobial activity, high antiinflammatory and wound healing activities, strong antioxidant activity, and anticancer properties. Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments encourage more in-depth studies, namely clinical trials, towards to improve knowledge on the use of Malva spp. for the treatment of various health conditions in humans.

Edible Insects Processing: Traditional and Innovative Technologies.

Insects are part of the human diet in many parts of the world. Their nutritional value is widely recognized. Currently, most edible insects are harvested from the wild, although semi-domestication and indoor farming have increased insect availability and the sustainability of production. In traditional cultures, insects are processed in a number of ways (steaming, roasting, smoking, frying, stewing, and curing, among others) to improve their sensory and nutritional qualities as well as their shelf-life. In order to increase consumer interest in the West, various technologies have been developed that are aimed primarily at using insects as ingredients in a non-recognizable form, such as powders or flour. These technologies include drying (sun-drying, freeze-drying, oven-drying, fluidized bed drying, and microwave-drying) and new processing methods (ultrasound-assisted extraction, cold atmospheric pressure plasma, and dry fractionation) designed mainly for protein, fat, and/or chitin extraction. Insect-based ingredients are sold for the production of cookies, chocolates, tortilla-style chips, and other snacks. This review focuses on edible insect production, processing technologies, and commercialization using strategies ranging from traditional to novel as a sustainable approach for improving food security worldwide.