Applications and safety aspects of bioactives obtained from by-products/wastes.

Due to the negative impacts of food loss and food waste on the environment, economy, and social contexts, it is a necessity to take action in order to reduce these wastes from post-harvest to distribution. In addition to waste reduction, bioactives obtained from by-products or wastes can be utilized by new end-users by considering the safety aspects. It has been reported that physical, biological, and chemical safety features of raw materials, instruments, environment, and processing methods should be assessed before and during valorization. It has also been indicated that meat by-products/wastes including collagen, gelatin, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, lipids, enzymes and chitosan; dairy by-products/wastes including whey products, buttermilk and ghee residue; fruit and vegetable by-products/wastes such as pomace, leaves, skins, seeds, stems, seed oils, gums, fiber, polyphenols, starch, cellulose, galactomannan, pectin; cereal by-products/wastes like vitamins, dietary fibers, fats, proteins, starch, husk, and trub have been utilized as animal feed, food supplements, edible coating, bio-based active packaging systems, emulsifiers, water binders, gelling, stabilizing, foaming or whipping agents. This chapter will explain the safety aspects of bioactives obtained from various by-products/wastes. Additionally, applications of bioactives obtained from by-products/wastes have been included in detail by emphasizing the source, form of bioactive compound as well as the effect of said bioactive compound.

Effect of In Vitro Digestion on the Phenolic Content of Herbs Collected from Eastern Anatolia.

Phenolic compounds in herbs have high antioxidant activities, and their consumption as functional foods may impact human health positively. The main objective of this study was to investigate the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents as well as total antioxidant capacities (TAC) of bioactive compounds in various infusions prepared by herbs collected from the Bingöl region of Turkey during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. According to the results, while the highest TPC (5836 ± 373 mg GAE/100 g dw), TFC (2301 ± 158 CE/100 g, dw), and TAC (1347 mg TE/100 g dw) were obtained with Anchusa azurea Mill. species, Crataegus orientalis exhibited the lowest values (863 ± 24 mg GAE/100 g dw, 242 ± 23 CE/100 g dw, 735 ± 47 mg TE/100 g dw, respectively). Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were the most common phenolic compounds in the infusions. In detail, the highest gallic acid was found in E. spectabilis M. Bieb (27.3 ± 0.9 mg/100 g of dw) and the highest chlorogenic acid was observed in F. elaeochytris (919.2 ± 35.7 mg/100 g of dw). After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the highest bioaccessibility values of TPC and TFC were determined as 0.6- and 3-fold of the values observed in undigested C. orientalis, respectively. Besides, C. orientalis Pall. had the highest bioaccessibility of TAC according to the DPPH (6.7-fold increase) and CUPRAC (9.7-fold increase) assays. It can be concluded that the use of these medicinal herbs in human dietary intake due to their high bioactive compounds even after digestion can improve nutritional value and contribute to human health.

Phytochemicals of herbs and spices: Health versus toxicological effects.

Phytochemicals are bioactive plant compounds that can be used as antimicrobial, antibacterial, anticancer agents and are reported to prevent cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Herbs and spices are rich in phytochemicals and can be consumed or used traditionally for medical or dietary purposes since the ancient times. However, there may be serious health risks for some population groups such as pregnant women and infants in the case of their unconscious and uncontrolled consumption. Several in vivo and in vitro studies related with the toxicological effects of phytochemicals in herbs and spices created awareness among consumers. These studies indicate the dose dependent effects of phytochemicals in herbs and spices showing toxicological effects at high doses whereas can also be health promoting at lower doses. In this review, two faces of herbs and spices were evaluated in every aspect.

Potential Use of Turkish Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Various Diseases.

Medicinal plants are sources of health-promoting substances, including phytochemicals and phytoalexins that comprise polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins A, C, E and several other constituents. Many studies have indicated that medicinal plants have been used to treat human diseases for thousands of years owing to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Medicinal plants reduce the oxidative stress in cells and prevent cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative and digestive system disorders. These potential beneficial effects have been attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds that show antioxidant properties by acting as free radical scavengers or metal chelators, reducing the reactions that produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Considering the importance of medicinal plants in terms of their beneficial health effects, some of the medicinally important plants grown in Turkey are covered in this review with respect to their antioxidant potential and phytochemical profile.