In Vitro Analysis of Selected Antioxidant and Biological Properties of the Extract from Large-Fruited Cranberry Fruits.

This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant and biological properties of ethanol extracts obtained from the fruits of the highbush cranberry. The produced extracts exhibited a high content of polyphenols (1041.9 mg 100 g d.m.-1) and a high antioxidant activity (2271.2 mg TE g 100 d.m.-1 using the DPPH method, 1781.5 mg TE g 100 d.m.-1 using the ABTS method), as well as a substantial amount of vitamin C (418.2 mg 100 g d.m.-1). These extracts also demonstrated significant in vitro biological activity. Studies conducted on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cellular model revealed the strong antioxidant effects of the extract, attributed to a significant reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cells, confirming the utility of the extracts in mitigating oxidative stress. Moreover, inhibitory properties were demonstrated against factors activating metabolic processes characteristic of inflammatory conditions. It was observed that the cranberry extract inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) non-selectively. Additionally, the extract was found to be a highly active inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), potentially suggesting the applicability of this extract in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Phenolic Extracts of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. Fruits and Leaves.

Increasing interest in new sources of secondary metabolites as biologically active substances has resulted in an advanced study of many plant species. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. = Rhaphiolepis bibas (Lour.) Galasso & Banfi, Rosaceae family), an evergreen, subtropical fruit tree, native to China and Japan, but cultivated in southern countries of Europe, is a species commonly used in folk medicine and may be an excellent source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the profile of the phenolic constituents of E. japonica fruits and leaves originating from Tuscany (Italy), as well as their in vitro antioxidant and chemopreventive activities on human cancer cell lines breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2 and HT-29), and glioblastoma (U87MG). Results revealed that the extract of leaves displayed higher antioxidant and anticancer potential than the fruit extract and contained 25 individual phenolic compounds that have been characterized and quantified by the UPLC-PDA-MS method. The antiproliferative activity was correlated with the content of polyphenolic compounds indicating that both fruits and leaves are a good source of antioxidants and may be exploited as nutraceuticals enriching food or as components for the cosmetic/pharmaceutical industry.

Antimicrobial Properties and Assessment of the Content of Bioactive Compounds Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Cultivated in Southern Poland.

Lavender is a valued plant due to its cosmetic, perfumery, culinary, and health benefits. A wide range of applications is related to the composition of bioactive compounds, the quantity and quality of which is determined by various internal and external factors, i.e., variety, morphological part of the plant, and climatic and soil conditions during vegetation. In the presented work, the characterization of antimicrobial properties as well as the qualitative and quantitative assessment of bioactive compounds in the form of polyphenols in ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. intended for border hedges, cultivated in the region of southern Poland, were determined. The composition of the fraction of volatile substances and antioxidant properties were also assessed. The conducted research shows that extracts from leaves and flowers significantly affected the viability of bacterial cells and the development of mold fungi. A clear decrease in the viability of bacteria and C. albicans cells was shown in the concentration of 0.32% of extracts. Leaf extracts were characterized by a much higher content of polyphenols and antioxidant properties than flower extracts. The composition of volatiles measured by GC-MS was significantly different between the extracts. Linalyl acetate and ocimene isomers mix dominated in flower extracts, whereas coumarin, γ-cadinene, and 7-methoxycoumarin were identified as dominant in leaf extracts.

Impact of the Addition of Fruits of Kamchatka Berries (L. caerulea var. kamtschatica) and Haskap (L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx) on the Physicochemical Properties, Polyphenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity and Sensory Evaluation Craft Wheat Beers.

Kamchatka berry (Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica) and haskap (Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx) fruit are important sources of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, but also macro- and microelements. Physico-chemical analysis showed that wheat beers with added fruit were characterised by an average 14.06% higher ethanol content, lower bitterness and intense colour compared to the control, which was a wheat beer without added fruit. Wheat beers enriched with kamchatka berry fruit, including the "Aurora" variety, had the highest polyphenolic profile (e.g., chlorogenic acid content averaged 7.30 mg/L), and the antioxidant activity of fruit-enriched wheat beers determined by the DPPH method showed higher antioxidant activity of wheat beers enriched with kamchatka berry fruit, while those determined by the FRAP and ABTS methods showed higher antioxidant activity of wheat beers enriched with haskap fruit, including the "Willa" variety. Sensory evaluation of the beer product showed that wheat beers enriched with kamchatka berry fruits of the "Duet" variety and haskap fruits of the "Willa" variety were characterised by the most balanced taste and aroma. On the basis of the conducted research, it follows that both kamchatka berry fruits of the "Duet" and "Aurora" varieties and haskap fruit of the "Willa" variety can be used successfully in the production of fruity wheat beers.

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Selected Varieties of L. caerulea var. kamtschatica and L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx.

Lonicera caerulea fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. The fruits of the L. caerulea var. kamtschatica cultivars 'Duet' and 'Aurora' and the L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx cultivars 'Lori', 'Colin' and 'Willa' were used in this study. L. emphyllocalyx fruit, especially the cultivar 'Willa', was characterised as having a higher acidity by an average of 29.96% compared to L. kamtschatica. The average ascorbic acid content of the L. kamtschatica fruit was 53.5 mg·100 g-1 f.w., while L. emphyllocalyx fruit had an average content that was 14.14% lower. The antioxidant activity (determined by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) varied according to the cultivar and the species of fruit analysed. The total polyphenol content differed significantly depending on the cultivar analysed; fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar 'Willa' were characterised by the lowest content of total polyphenols-416.94 mg GAE·100 g-1 f.w.-while the highest content of total polyphenols-747.85 GAE·100 g-1 f.w.-was found in the fruits of the L. emphyllocalyx cultivar 'Lori'. Lonicera caerulea fruits contained 26 different phenolic compounds in their compositions, of which the highest content was characterised by cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (average: 347.37 mg·100 g-1). On the basis of this study, it appears that both L. kamtschatica fruits and L. emphyllocalyx fruits, especially of the cultivars 'Lori' and 'Willa', can be used in food processing.

Chemical Profiling, Bioactive Properties, and Anticancer and Antimicrobial Potential of Juglans regia L. Leaves.

The aim of this study was to assess the biological potential of the polyphenolic fraction isolated from J. regia leaves, collected in the Subcarpathian region (Poland). The phenolic profile was determined using the UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method. Biological activity was determined by evaluating the antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Prior to this study, the purified polyphenolic fraction was not been tested in this regard. A total of 40 phenolic compounds (104.28 mg/g dw) were identified, with quercetin 3-O-glucoside and quercetin pentosides dominating. The preparation was characterized by a high ability to chelate iron ions and capture O2•- and OH• radicals (reaching IC50 values of 388.61, 67.78 and 193.29 µg/mL, respectively). As for the anticancer activity, among the six tested cell lines, the preparation reduced the viability of the DLD-1, Caco-2, and MCF-7 lines the most, while in the antibacterial activity, among the seven tested strains, the highest susceptibility has been demonstrated against K. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, and S. aureus. Depending on the needs, such a preparation can be widely used in the design of functional food and/or the cosmetics industry.

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Sprouts Modified with Probiotic Yeast.

Buckwheat sprouts are a source of various nutrients, e.g., antioxidant flavonoids, which have a positive effect on human health. This study analyzed the content of phenolic compounds and assessed their impact on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and dietary fiber in modified buckwheat sprouts. For this purpose, the buckwheat seeds were modified by adding Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii. The modified buckwheat sprouts showed a higher content of total phenol compounds (1526 µg/g d.w.) than the control sprouts (951 µg/g d.w.) and seeds (672 µg/g d.w.). As a consequence, a higher antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect were noted. Probiotic-rich sprouts also had the highest content of total dietary fiber and its soluble fraction. A correlation between phenolic compounds and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as dietary fiber, was shown. The interaction between dietary fiber and phenolic compounds affects the bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity of phenolic compounds in food. The introduction of probiotic yeast into the sprouts had a positive effect on increasing their nutritional value, as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. As a consequence, the nutraceutical potential of the raw material changed, opening a new direction for the use of buckwheat sprouts, e.g., in industry.

Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antiproliferative Activity of Juglans regia L. Male Flowers.

Juglans regia L., walnut, is a large, long-living tree, cultivated in temperate climates around the world. It is highly appreciated for its nutritional kernels and high-quality timber. Its barks, leaves, and husk are used as dyes and in folk medicine as herbal remedies for several diseases. From a biological and chemical standpoint, relatively little is known about the male flowers of the tree. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the phenolic profile as well as in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activity of male Juglans regia L. flowers. Phenolic content was determined by UPLC/PDA/MS/MS analyses; antioxidant activity was assessed by five different methods; antimicrobial activity was evaluated against the six most common pathogenic strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and antiproliferative properties were assessed against six cell lines. Most of the analyses carried out in this study were performed for the first time for this raw material. J. regia flower extract was characterized by a strong ability to scavenge DPPH˙ free radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and chelating metal ions. Among the examined bacterial strains and neoplastic lines, the strongest antimicrobial activity was shown against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and B. cereus, and cytotoxic activity against breast cancer, glioblastoma, and astrocytoma cells. Male J. regia flowers have also been found to be a rich source of phenolic compounds. The content of polyphenols in the extract was 4369.73 mg/100 g d.w., and 24 compounds from the group of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and juglunosides were identified. Additionally, a strong correlation between the content of polyphenols and the antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity was observed. This is why the tested J. regia flowers are an excellent source of effective natural antioxidant, antibacterial, and chemopreventive compounds that have potential to be used in the pharmaceutical or food industries.

Bioaccessibility of Antioxidants in Blackcurrant Juice after Treatment Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

Blackcurrant juice (Ribes nigrum L.) was subjected to supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCD) at 10, 30, and 60 MPa for 10 min at 45 °C, as well as thermally treated at 45 and 85 °C for 10 min to determine the stability, antioxidant capacity (AC), and bioaccessibility (BAc) of vitamin C, total anthocyanins, and their individual monomers. An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model completed with dialysis was used to assess BAc. The use of SCCD at each of the pressures applied improved the stability of vitamin C, total anthocyanins, and AC before in vitro digestion. As a result of digestion, the total content of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and AC decreased. The highest BAc of vitamin C was noted in fresh juice (FJ) (40%) and after mild heat treatment at 45 °C (T45) (46%). The highest BAc of total anthocyanins was also noted in the FJ (4.4%). The positive effect of the application of SCCD on the BAc of the delphinidin-3-O-glycosides was observed compared to T45 and thermal pasteurization at 85 °C (T85). Although SCCD did not significantly improve the BAc of vitamin C and total anthocyanins, the higher AC of SCCD samples after intestinal digestion (ABTS+• and DPPH•) and in dialysate (ABTS+•) compared to thermally treated was observed. The protocatechuic acid was detected by UPLC-PDA-MS/MS as the major metabolite formed during the digestion of delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside. This may indicate the influence of SCCD on improvement of the accessibility of antioxidants for digestion, thanks to which more metabolites with high antioxidant activity were released.

Characterisation of Some Phytochemicals Extracted from Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Flowers Subjected to Ozone Treatment.

Elderflowers are a well-known source of bioactive compounds. The amount of isolated bioactive compounds may be increased by applying various abiotic and biotic factors. Gaseous ozone (10 and 100 ppm) was used in the process of preparing flowers. Next, the flowers were treated with sugar syrup to extract bioactive compounds. It was shown that this treatment, including the influence of extraction temperature, significantly affects the contents of polyphenols (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods) and vitamin C, as well as the antioxidant potential (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC method)), the profile of volatile substances (head space-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME methods)) and the colour of the syrup (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* methods). The findings show that an increased dose of ozone and higher extraction temperature applied in the process of syrup production resulted in higher contents and different compositions of bioactive compounds. The highest contents of bioactive compounds were identified in syrup obtained from raw material treated with ozone for 15 min (concentration = 10 ppm) and extraction with sugar syrup at a temperature of 60 °C.

Identification of a Biostimulating Potential of an Organic Biomaterial Based on the Botanical Extract from Arctium lappa L. Roots.

The development of novel biomaterials based on plant extracts is expected to boost yields without adversely affecting environmental diversity. The potential biostimulating effects have so far been underreported. The assessment of the stimulating effect of botanical biomaterials is essential in the cultivation of economically-important crops. An attempt was undertaken in this study to develop a new biostimulating material in the form of granules, based on an extract from the roots of Arctium lappa L. The scope of the research included the characterization of the new material and the identification of its biostimulating potential. The designed and produced biogranulate is rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and micro- and macro-elements. The analysis of the physicochemical properties of the biomaterial has shown that it had the features of intelligent biopreparations, i.e., slow-release preparations, at the pH appropriate for legume plants. Thus, knowledge about the design of new biomaterials is a milestone in the practical development of new perspectives for enhancing sustainability in agriculture.

Uncovering the multi-level response of Glycine max L. to the application of allelopathic biostimulant from Levisticum officinale Koch.

The interest expressed by the agriculture in the category of innovative biostimulants is due to the intensive search for natural preparations. Our study is the first ever to report a complex approach to the use of allelopathic extracts from Levisticum officinale Koch. roots in soybean cultivation, includes analyses of morphological observations, and analyses of biochemical indicators. Hot method of aqueous extraction was applied. The extracts were administered via foliar application and soil treatment. Lovage extracts had high contents of polyphenolic compounds and rich micro- and macroelemental composition. The infusions did not contain gibberellic acid and indole-3-acetic acid but the abscisic acid and saccharose, glucose, and fructose were found. The extracts modified soybean plant physiology, as manifested by changes in biometric traits. Plants responded positively by increased yield. Seeds from the treated plants had higher contents of micro- and macroelements, as well as total concentrations of lipids (with a slight decrease in protein content). In addition, they featured changes in their amino acid profile and fatty acid composition. The application of allelopathic biostimulant caused increased concentrations of isoflavones and saponins. The natural biostimulants from Levisticum officinale may become a valuable tool in the sustainable agriculture.

Polyphenolic Compounds of Crataegus Berry, Leaf, and Flower Extracts Affect Viability and Invasive Potential of Human Glioblastoma Cells.

Crataegus contains numerous health-promoting compounds that are also proposed to have anti-cancer properties. Herein, we aimed at a contemporaneous evaluation of the effects of polyphenol-rich extracts of berries, leaves, and flowers of six Crataegus species on the viability and invasive potential on the highly aggressive human glioblastoma U87MG cell line. The treatment with the extracts evoked cytotoxic effects, with the strongest in the berry extracts. All extracts not only promoted the apoptosis-related cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) but also substantially inhibited the activity of pro-survival kinases, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and protein kinase B (PKB; also known as Akt), thus indicating the suppression of proliferative and invasive potentials of the examined glioblastoma cells. The qualitative and quantitative characterization of the extracts' content was also performed and revealed that amongst 37 polyphenolic compounds identified in the examined Crataegus extracts, the majority (29) was detected in berries; the leaf and flower extracts, exerting milder cytotoxic effects, contained only 14 and 13 compounds, respectively. The highest polyphenol content was found in the berries of C. laevigata x rhipidophylla x monogyna, in which flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids predominated. Our results demonstrated that a high content of polyphenolic compounds correlated with the extract cytotoxicity, and especially berries were a valuable source of compounds with anti-cancer potential. This might be a promising option for the development of an effective therapeutic strategy against highly malignant glioblastomas in the future.

Potentially Bioaccessible Phenolic and Antioxidant Potential of Fresh and Stored Lentil Sprouts-Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v Enrichment.

The phenolic and antioxidant potential of potentially bioaccessible fractions of lentil sprouts was studied. Sprouts were cocultivated with a probiotic to obtain a new functional product and further stored in cool conditions. The fraction obtained after buffer extraction and gastric digestion had higher content of phenolics compared to the control (by 20% and 46%, respectively); however, a 9% decrease was observed in samples obtained after gastrointestinal digestion. After gastrointestinal digestion, the highest content of phenolics (278 µg/g d.w.) was determined in the fresh control sprouts. Compounds neutralizing ABTS and hydroxyl radicals, chelating metal ions, and exhibiting strong reducing power were effectively released after gastrointestinal digestion (e.g., the values of the gastrointestinal digestibility index for chelating power and ability to quench hydroxyl radicals significantly exceeded 1 in all studied samples). It was proved that the enrichment of sprouts with a probiotic and further storage significantly improved the antioxidant potential; compared to the fresh control sprouts, an increase by 45% and 10% was determined after the gastric and gastrointestinal digestion, respectively. Lentil sprouts enriched with L. plantarum 299v may be a new functional product characterized by the high antioxidant capacity of the potentially bioaccessible fraction.

Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Primula veris L.: Influence of the Extraction Conditions and Purification.

Our experiments may help to answer the question of whether cowslip (Primula veris L.) is a rich source of bioactive substances that can be obtained by efficient extraction with potential use as a food additive. A hypothesis assumed that the type of solvent used for plant extraction and the individual morphological parts of Primula veris L. used for the preparation of herbal extracts will have key impacts on the efficiency of the extraction of bioactive compounds, and thus, the health-promoting quality of plant concentrates produced. Most analysis of such polyphenolic compound contents in extracts from Primula veris L. has been performed by using chromatography methods such as ultra-performance reverse-phase liquid chromatography (UPLC-PDA-MS/MS). Experiments demonstrated that the most effective extraction agent for fresh study material was water at 100 °C, whereas for dried material it was 70% ethanol. The richest sources of polyphenolic compounds were found in cowslip primrose flowers and leaves. The aqueous and ethanol extracts from Primula veris L. were characterized by a quantitatively rich profile of polyphenolic substances, and a high antioxidative potential. Selective extraction with the use of mild conditions and neutral solvents is the first step to obtaining preparations from cowslip primrose with a high content of bioactive substances.

The Content of Phenolic Acids and Flavonols in the Leaves of Nine Varieties of Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.) Depending on Their Development, Grown in Central Europe.

The aim of the study was the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the bioactive components present in the leaves of 9 sweet potato cultivars grown in the moderate climate in Poland, which were harvested at different growth stages according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale (14, 51, 89). It was found that sweet potato leaves contained 7 polyphenolic compounds, including 5 chlorogenic acids-neochlorogenic acid (5-CQA), chlorogenic acid (3-CQA), 4-cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), 34-di-O-caffeoylqunic acid (3,4-CQA), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylqunic acid (3,5-CQA)-and 2 flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-galactoside (Q-3-GA) and quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q-3-GL). Their content depended on the genotype of the examined cultivars and on the stage of leaf development. The mean content of the identified polyphenolic compounds in the examined cultivars ranged from 148.2 to 14.038.6 mg/100 g-1 DM for the leaves harvested at growth stage 14 according to the BBCH scale. In the case of leaves harvested at BBCH stage 51, the concentration of polyphenolic compounds ranged from 144.76 to 5026.8 mg/100 g-1 DM and at BBCH stage 89 from 4078.1 to 11.183.5 mg/100 g-1 DM. The leaves of the Carmen Rubin cultivar collected at stage 14 contained the highest amount of polyphenolic compounds, while Okinava leaves had the highest amount of these compounds at stage 51. The highest content of polyphenolic compounds in leaves at BBCH growth stage 89 was found in the Radiosa variety. The highest concentration levels were found for 3-CQA at all stages of leaf development. Significant correlations between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity measured by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) were found. The results of this experiment revealed that the growth stages and genetic properties of cultivars have a very significant influence on the content of phenolic acids and flavonols in sweet potato leaves. The results are innovative and can have a practical application, as the knowledge of the content of the substances under study makes it possible to determine the optimal management practice of sweet potato leaf harvest in order to obtain more top-quality raw material.

Phytochemical parasite-host relations and interactions: A Cistanche armena case study.

The holoparasitic genus Cistanche (Orobanchaceae) has been the most widely used and well known genus in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. This is the first study that reports the phytochemical profile of Cistanche armena - an endemic species from Armenia and evaluates the composition and biological activity in relation to specific organs of the parasite (flowers vs stem with tuber) and its interaction with two host species: Alhagi maurorum (Fabaceae) and Salsola dendroides (Chenopodiaceae). We identified polyphenolic compounds using the UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method and quantified the antioxidative effects; inhibitory activities; polyphenol, nitrate III and nitrate V contents; ABTS+, DPPH, and FRAP activities; and colour parameters. A total of 28 polyphenolic compounds were tentatively identified. In C. armena, 9 compounds belonged to the phenylethanoid glycosides, mainly acteoside, B-hydroxyverbascoside and echinacoside, and in its hosts, 19 compounds belonged mainly to hydroxycinnamic acid and the flavanols. The profile of polyphenols in the host species was qualitatively and quantitatively different than the profile of the compounds in the parasite; this indicates the existence of a unique pathway of compound biosynthesis in the parasite. The colour and the amount and bioactivity of the polyphenolic compounds found in Cistanche were very diverse and depended on both the host plant and their location (organs) in the parasite. The stem and tuber of Cistanche hosted by Salsola had the highest polyphenol content, which was approximately 4 times higher than that in the stem and flowers of Cistanche individuals that parasitized A. maurorum. In addition, the stem and tuber of Cistanche that parasitized S. dendroides was characterized by the highest antioxidant activity (ABTS+, DPPH and FRAP) and high inhibitory activities. Conversely, the amount of polyphenols in the host Alhagi was 12 times higher than that in S. dendroides. These results highlight the importance of C. armena as a promising source of functional and bioactive ingredients (harvested from potential cultivation, not from natural endangered localities) and also draws the attention of future researchers to an important aspect regarding the parasite organ and the host's influence on the harvested material of various parasitic herbs.

The Effect of Adding the Leaves and Fruits of Morus alba to Rape Honey on Its Antioxidant Properties, Polyphenolic Profile, and Amylase Activity.

Two various species of mulberry (Morus sp.) were selected to enrich rape honey with dried leaves or lyophilized fruits (4% w/v). Finally, fruits and leaves of the 'Ukrainska' clone were introduced into the honey during creaming in concentrations from 1 to 4% w/v. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, anthocyanins content, and polyphenolic profile were tested in plant extracts and enriched honeys. Moreover, α-glucosidase, ß-galactosidase, and diastase activities were investigated in honeys. For mulberry extracts, chlorogenic acid isomers and rutin were considered main antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity of honey enriched with mulberry leaves increased even more than 50 times, due to introducing numerous phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides. A significant decrease in the diastase activity in honey depending on the content of added mulberry leaves (almost 50% decrease in the case of 4% addition) was found, suggesting the inhibitory effect of honey with mulberry leaves against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes.

Impact of the Degree of Maturity of Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) and Their Variety on the Antioxidant Potential and the Content of Tocopherols and Polyphenols.

The aim of the study was to characterize the antioxidant properties; establish the profile of polyphenolic compounds and evaluate the content of tocopherols in walnuts of three varieties (Leopold; Apollo; Resovia) differing in the degree of maturity (harvest date). The profile of polyphenolic compounds was established by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. The content of tocopherols was determined by HPLC-FLD. It was found that the content of dry matter and fat increased and the antioxidant properties decreased with the maturation of nuts. Walnuts of the Leopold cultivar harvested in July exhibited the highest content of total polyphenol (2149.08 mg/100 g dry mass). In their polyphenolic profile; 26 compounds were identified; mainly belonging to the class of ellagitannins. The polyphenolic content decreased with the maturation of nuts. The total content of tocopherols in the tested nuts increased with ripening and ranged from 1.76 mg/100g (Apollo VII) to 18.30 mg/100g (Resovia IX).

Protein⁻Phenolic Interactions as a Factor Affecting the Physicochemical Properties of White Bean Proteins.

This study was conducted with an aim to determine the interactions of pure phenolic compounds (gallic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, apigenin, and catechin) and phenolics from plant extracts (green tea and green coffee) with protein fractions of white bean (albumins and globulins). The physicochemical properties of complexes were established through an analysis of the UV-Vis spectrum; relative content of free amino groups, thiol groups, and tryptophan residues; chromatographic (SE-HPLC) and electrophoretic (SD-PAGE, Native-PAGE) properties; and conformational changes reflected by Fourier transform infrared spectra. Further, the effect of pH and ionic strength on the solubility and stability of complexes as well as the binding capacity of phenolics to proteins were determined. Results show that, in most cases, phenolics significantly affected the measured parameters; however, the effects were strongly differentiated by the type of phenolic compounds and protein fraction that were applied. Moreover, it may be that changes in the properties of complexes are reflected in the biological nature of proteins and phenolic compounds such as their bioavailability and physiological activity. However, due to the structural complexity of proteins, and the multitudinous factors that affect their interactions, such studies are a great and long-term challenge for the domain of food science.