Oilseed meal proteins: From novel extraction methods to nanocarriers of bioactive compounds.

The global demand for animal proteins is predicted to increase twofold by 2050. This has led to growing environmental and health apprehensions, thereby prompting the appraisal of alternative protein sources. Oilseed meals present a promising alternative due to their abundance in global production and inherent dietary protein content. The alkaline extraction remains the preferred technique for protein extraction from oilseed meals in commercial processes. However, the combination of innovative techniques has proven to be more effective in the recovery and functional modification of oilseed meal proteins (OMPs), resulting in improved protein quality and reduced allergenicity and environmental hazards. This manuscript explores the extraction of valuable proteins from sustainable sources, specifically by-products from the oil processing industry, using emerging technologies. Chemical structure, nutritional value, and functional properties of the main OMPs are evaluated with a particular focus on their potential application as nanocarriers for bioactive compounds.

Spectrophotometric Methods for Measurement of Antioxidant Activity in Food and Pharmaceuticals.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of antioxidants in food and pharmaceuticals due to their association with beneficial health effects against numerous oxidative-related human diseases. The antioxidant potential can be measured by various assays with specific mechanisms of action, including hydrogen atom transfer, single electron transfer, and targeted scavenging activities. Understanding the chemistry of mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of the methods is critical for the proper selection of techniques for the valid assessment of antioxidant activity in specific samples or conditions. There are various analytical techniques available for determining the antioxidant activity of biological samples, including food and plant extracts. The different methods are categorized into three main groups, such as spectrometry, chromatography, and electrochemistry techniques. Among these assays, spectrophotometric methods are considered the most common analytical technique for the determination of the antioxidant potential due to their sensitivity, rapidness, low cost, and reproducibility. This review covers the mechanism of actions and color changes that occur in each method. Furthermore, the advantages and limitations of spectrophotometric methods are described and discussed in this review.

Phenolics from Defatted Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa L.): Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Optimization, Comparison, and Antioxidant Activity.

An ultrasound-assisted method was used for the extraction of phenolics from defatted black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.), and the effects of several extraction factors on the total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were investigated. To improve the extraction efficiency of phenolics from black cumin seed by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: ethanol concentration of 59.1%, extraction temperature of 44.6 °C and extraction time of 32.5 min. Under these conditions, the total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity increased by about 70% and 38%, respectively, compared with conventional extraction. Furthermore, a complementary quantitative analysis of individual phenolic compounds was carried out using the HPLC-UV technique. The phenolic composition revealed high amounts of epicatechin (1.88-2.37 mg/g) and rutin (0.96-1.21 mg/g) in the black cumin seed extracts. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction can be a useful extraction method for the recovery of polyphenols from defatted black cumin seeds.

Optimization of extraction and deamidation of edible protein from evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oil processing by-products and its effect on structural and techno-functional properties.

The optimization of ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction and enzymatic deamidation by protein-glutaminase (PG) on evening primrose seed cake (EPSC) protein and its effect on structure (amino acid composition, secondary structure and electrophoresis pattern) and techno-functional properties (water-holding and oil-binding capacities, solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties) of EPSC protein were evaluated. The optimum conditions of the both processes were measured using response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum yield (26.4%) and protein content (86.1%) were reached at the optimized extraction conditions. Optimal conditions of PG deamidation based on reaching a high degree of deamidation (DD) with a simultaneously low degree of hydrolysis (DH). Under these conditions, DD and DH were 39.40 and 2.11%, respectively. Ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction and enzymatic deamidation by PG have great potential to produce edible EPSC protein with modified techno-functional characteristics that can be used for several aims in the food and pharmaceutical applications.

Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with clove essential oil: Characterization, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

One of the recent trends in the food industry is application of natural antioxidant/antimicrobial agents. In this study, essential oil of clove buds was extracted and encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles using a two-step technique of emulsion-ionic gelation. A good retention rate (55.8-73.4 %) of clove essential oil (CEO) loaded in chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed. Also, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed the success of CEO encapsulation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images illustrated regular distribution and spherical shape of nanoparticles with a size range of 223-444 nm. The antioxidant activity of CEO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles was higher than free CEO. Similarly, CEO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles had a high antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes and S. aureus (inhibition halo diameter of 4.80-4.78 cm). This technique could improve the efficiency of CEO in food products and a delivery system for novel applications such as active packaging.

Optimisation and kinetic study of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of total saponins from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and its bioaccessibility using the response surface methodology.

The ultrasonic-assisted extraction of total saponins from alfalfa leaves was optimised by the simultaneous maximization of the yield and bioaccessibility as a factor with increasingly great relevance in the biological activity by Response Surface Methodology. The kinetics of total saponins and bioaccessibility were investigated for the optimum ultrasound-assisted method compared to conventional method by the pseudo-first order model. The optimum extraction conditions were of solvent/raw material ratio of 11.4 mL/g, extraction time of 2.84 h, extraction temperature of 76.8 °C, ultrasound power of 112.0 w and ethanol concentration of 78.2%. The yield of total saponins and bioaccessibility was 1.61 and 18.6%, respectively. The yield rate constant for the ultrasound extraction was almost two times more than that of the heat-reflux method. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, comparing to conventional method, had greater efficiency for the extraction yield and bioaccessibility of total saponins.