Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot, Chaenomeles superba Lindl. and Cornus mas L. Leaf Extracts as Natural Preservatives for Pork Meat Products.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using Aronia melanocarpa, Chaenomeles superba, and Cornus mas leaf extracts as natural preservatives for pork meat products. Pork sausages were stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (80% N2 and 20% CO2) at 4 °C for 29 days. The total psychrotrophic counts (TPC) were determined during the storage period, along with the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The extracts improved the microbial quality of the meat products but to a lesser extent than sodium nitrate (III). They reduced the amounts of Enterobacteriaceae and LAB. The A.melanocarpa leaf extract showed the strongest preservative effect. The bacterial biodiversity of the meat products was investigated based on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Two predominant bacteria phyla were identified, Proteobacteria and Firmucutes, mostly consisting of genera Photobacterium, Brochothrix, and Carnobacterium. The extracts also influenced microbial community in sausages decreasing or increasing bacterial relative abundance. The extracts significantly inhibited lipid oxidation and improved the water-holding capacity of the meat, with C. superba extract showing the strongest influence. In addition, A. melanocarpa and C. superba improved the redness (a*) of the sausages. The results of this study show that A. melanocarpa, C. superba, and C. mas leaf extracts can extend the shelf life of meat products stored in MAP at 4 °C.

Evaluation of the inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by bioactive coffee compounds protecting serotonin degradation.

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is a major enzyme responsible for the deamination of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-HT) in the central nervous system. The decrease in 5-HT levels is accompanied by disorders at the affective and somatic levels, leading to depression and disorders of the satiety center. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of MAO-A inhibition by chlorogenic acids, as well as green, light-, and dark-roasted coffee extracts and bioactive compounds from beans of the species Coffea canephora and Coffea arabica. Data for analysis was obtained using isothermal titration calorimetry and molecular docking. The results showed that caffeine and ferulic acid, as well as green Robusta coffee, demonstrated the greatest inhibition of MAO-A activity, which may increase the bioavailability of serotonin. We believe that green coffee shows potential antidepressant activity by inhibiting MAO-A, and may be used for treating depression and potentially, type 2 diabetes.

Cicer arietinum L. Sprouts' Influence on Mineralization of Saos-2 and Migration of MCF-7 Cells.

In the present study, we investigated the biological activity of four extracts obtained from Cicer arietinum L. sprouts. The fermentation of the sprouts with Lactobacillus casei and their incubation with ß-glucosidase elevated the concentrations of isoflavonoids, especially coumestrol, formononetin and biochanin A. To study the biological activity of C. arietinum, the human osteosarcoma Saos-2 and human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines were used. The extracts obtained from fermented sprouts exhibited the strongest ability to decrease intracellular oxidative stress in both types of cells. They augmented mineralization and alkaline phosphatase activity in Saos-2 cells, as well as diminished the secretion of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Simultaneously, the extracts, at the same doses, inhibited the migration of MCF-7 cells. On the other hand, elevated concentrations of C. arietinum induced apoptosis in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells, while lower doses stimulated cell proliferation. These results are important for carefully considering the use of fermented C. arietinum sprouts as a dietary supplement component for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Lactic acid fermentation of legume seed sprouts as a method of increasing the content of isoflavones and reducing microbial contamination.

Legume seeds and sprouts are a rich source of phytoestrogens in the form of isoflavonoids. For the first time, lactic acid fermentation of four types of legume sprouts was used to increase the content of isoflavonoids and microbiological safety. After germination, the highest content of isoflavonoids was observed in the clover and chickpea sprouts, which amounted to 1.1 g/100 g dw., whereas the lactic acid fermentation allowed the increase to as much as 5.5 g/100 g dw. The most beneficial properties were shown by fermented chickpea sprouts germinated in blue light. During fermentation the number of lactic acid bacteria increased by 2 Log10 CFU/mL (LU), whereas mold decreased by 1 LU, E. coli and Klebsiella sp. by 2 LU, Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. did not occur after fermentation, similar to Staphylococcus epidermidis, while S. aureus and S. saprophyticus decreased by 3 LU and in some trials were not detected.

Evaluation of estrogenic activity of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) sprouts cultivated under different conditions by content of isoflavones, calorimetric study and molecular modelling.

Isoflavones have an affinity for estrogen receptors (ERs) including beneficial affinity for ERß. Widely used soy is a source of poorly absorbed isoflavones glycosides. Red clover contains mostly easily absorbed free aglycones. Red clover sprouts were cultivated under different conditions (white light, UVA or UVB for 12 or 24 h a day at 18 or 25 °C) to maximise the content of isoflavones, especially of high affinity for ERß. The affinity of isoflavones to ERs was evaluated by molecular modelling and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The richest source of isoflavones, especially formononetin were sprouts cultivated for 10 days under continuous white light and at 25 °C (562 mg/100 g of fresh mass). Formononetin and the above sprouts has been shown to have a high affinity for ERß. Red clover sprouts can be considered as a source of phytoestrogens with high biological activity and as a dietary supplement reducing menopausal symptoms.