Phenolic-Rich Extracts from Circular Economy: Chemical Profile and Activity against Filamentous Fungi and Dermatophytes.

Fungal infections represent a relevant issue in agri-food and biomedical fields because they could compromise quality of food and humans' health. Natural extracts represent a safe alternative to synthetic fungicides and in the green chemistry and circular economy scenario, agro-industrial wastes and by-products offer an eco-friendly source of bioactive natural compounds. In this paper, phenolic-rich extracts from Olea europaea L. de-oiled pomace, Castanea sativa Mill. wood, Punica granatum L. peel, and Vitis vinifera L. pomace and seeds were characterized by HPLC-MS-DAD analysis. Finally, these extracts were tested as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic filamentous fungi and dermatophytes such as Aspergillus brasiliensis, Alternaria sp., Rhizopus stolonifer, and Trichophyton interdigitale. The experimental results evidenced that all extracts exhibited a significant growth inhibition for Trichophyton interdigitale. Punica granatum L., Castanea sativa Mill., and Vitis vinifera L. extracts showed a high activity against Alternaria sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer. These data are promising for the potential applications of some of these extracts as antifungal agents in the food and biomedical fields.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Protection in Chronic Kidney Disease.

The high mortality related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not only due to the disease itself; in fact, CKD also represents an important risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Among the functional foods that seems to have cardioprotective action, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) plays a pivotal health-promoting role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effects of an EVOO containing a very high content (>900 ppm) of minor phenolic compounds (MPCs). The selected EVOO was analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS to establish the MPC content. The Olea extract obtained from the selected EVOO was tested against the RAW 264.7 cell line in order to investigate its anti-inflammatory activity. We enrolled 40 CKD patients under conservative therapy for in vivo clinical testing. All CKD patients consumed 40 mL/day of raw EVOO for 9 weeks (T1). At baseline (T0) and at T1, we monitored the patients' blood and urinary parameters. The patients' body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) using ultrasound imaging. At T1, we observed a decrease in inflammatory parameters, CIMT, and oxidative stress biomarkers. We also noticed improvements in lipid and purine metabolism, atherogenic indices, and body composition. Thus, this study highlighted the cardioprotective action of EVOO in nephropathic patients.

Preliminary Study on Pasta Samples Characterized in Antioxidant Compounds and Their Biological Activity on Kidney Cells.

Pasta is one of the basic foods of the Mediterranean diet and for this reason it was chosen for this study to evaluate its antioxidant properties. Three types of pasta were selected: buckwheat, rye and egg pasta. Qualitative-quantitative characterization analyses were carried out by HPLC-DAD to identify antioxidant compounds. The data showed the presence of carotenoids such as lutein and polyphenols such as indoleacetic acid, (carotenoids from 0.08 to 0.16 mg/100 g, polyphenols from 3.7 to 7.4 mg/100 g). To assess the effect of the detected metabolites, in vitro experimentation was carried out on kidney cells models: HEK-293 and MDCK. Standards of ß-carotene, indoleacetic acid and caffeic acid, hydroalcoholic and carotenoid-enriched extracts from samples of pasta were tested in presence of antioxidant agent to determine viability variations. ß-carotene and indoleacetic acid standards exerted a protective effect on HEK-293 cells while no effect was detected on MDCK. The concentrations tested are likely in the range of those reached in body after the consumption of a standard pasta meal. Carotenoid-enriched extracts and hydroalcoholic extracts showed different effects, observing rescues for rye pasta hydroalcoholic extract and buckwheat pasta carotenoid-enriched extract, while egg pasta showed milder dose depending effects assuming pro-oxidant behavior at high concentrations. The preliminary results suggest behaviors to be traced back to the whole phytocomplexes respect to single molecules and need further investigations.

Characterization of Volatile and Flavonoid Composition of Different Cuts of Dried Onion (Allium cepa L.) by HS-SPME-GC-MS, HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF and HPLC-DAD.

Onion is widely used worldwide in various forms for both food and medicinal applications, thanks to its high content of phytonutrients, such as flavonoids and volatile sulfur compounds. Fresh onion is very perishable and drying is widely applied for extending shelf-life, thus obtaining a very easy-to-use functional food ingredient. The flavonoid and volatile fractions of different onion cuts (flakes, rings) prepared through different drying cycles in a static oven, were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector HPLC-DAD, Head Space-Solid Phase Micro Extraction followed by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and Head-Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction followed by comprehensive two-dimensional Gas-Chromatography (HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF). Onion flakes showed a significantly higher flavonoid content (3.56 mg g-1) than onion rings (2.04 mg g-1). Onion flakes showed greater amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (127.26 mg g-1) than onion rings (42.79 mg g-1), with different relative amounts of di- and trisulfides-disulfides largely predominate the volatile fraction (amounts over 60% on the total volatile content), followed by trisulfides and dipropyl disulfide and dipropyl trisulfide were the most abundant VOCs. HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF allowed for the detection of the presence of allylthiol, diethanol sulfide, 4,6-diethyl1,2,3,5-tetrathiolane, not detected by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and provided a fast and direct visualization and comparison of different samples. These results highlight different nutraceutical properties of dried onion samples processed otherwise, only differing in shape and size, thus pointing out potentially different uses as functional ingredients.

Polyphenols and Volatile Compounds in Commercial Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Products.

Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott commercial products (dried fruit, juice and compote) were analyzed for their polyphenol content by chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses in order to ascertain the fate of this group of compounds when fresh fruit is processed and sold in different forms on the market. Different classes of polyphenols were investigated: hydroxycinnamic derivatives ranged from 0.65 mg/g to 4.30 mg/g, flavonoids from 0.36 mg/g to 1.12 mg/g, and anthocyanins from 0.65 to 7.08 mg/g sample. 4-O-Caffeoyl-quinic acid was tentatively identified for the first time in Aronia. In order to characterize better chokeberry juice, a GC profile of aroma compounds was obtained. The aroma juice compounds belong mainly to the chemical classes of alcohols (48.9%) and ketones (30.28%). The most abundant compound is 3-penthen-2-one (23.6%).

Quality control and analytical test method for Taxus baccata tincture preparation.

The homeopathic tincture of Taxus baccata L. is monographed in the current German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB 2009). However, the described identification test is a common comparative TLC procedure that might be updated. The purpose of the current work was the quali-quantitative analysis by HPLC/DAD/MS of Taxus tincture. In this study we characterized polyphenolic compounds, in particular four hydroxycinnamic derivatives (0.85 mg/mL) and four flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and xylosyl glucosides); the total polyphenol content was 1.265 mg/mL of tincture. Starting from the official German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia method of preparation, the aim of this work was to optimize a rapid and reproducible method for the analysis of herbal drugs and tincture, directly prepared in store or the herbalist's shop, to ensure safety and efficacy of the preparation. The procedure has to ensure validation, robustness of the results, and provide a quick response about the composition of compounds in the herbal drug preparation.

Polyphenol content of modern and old varieties of Triticum aestivum L. and T. durum Desf. grains in two years of production.

Antiradical activity and total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of modern and old varieties of durum (9 varieties) and soft (17 varieties) wheat grains, sampled over two years (summer 2007 and 2008) in the same site, were determined in order to point out differences among varieties and between old and modern varieties. Nine compounds were identified by means of HPLC/MS, and their amount was determined. No correlation was found between antiradical activity and polyphenol or flavonoid contents. The temperature conditions in the 30 days before harvesting were the principal factor which differentiated the quantitative profile of polyphenols and the antiradical activity of the seeds (p < 0.001): high temperatures cause a drop in polyphenol content.

HPLC/DAD/MS and antioxidant activity of isoflavone-based food supplements.

Isoflavones are polyphenolic compounds found mainly in legumes the benefits of which have been widely studied and attributed in particular to their phytoestrogenic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quali-quantitative composition of food supplements based on soy isoflavones (Glycine max L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Six commercial food supplements (five soy-based and one red clover-based) were analyzed by HPLC/DAD/MS. Genistein, daidzein, glycitein, biochanin A and formononetin derivatives (glycosides and acylglycosides) were identified in the analyzed samples. Also the antiradical activities (towards the DPPH* radical) and Fe2+ chelating abilities were compared.

Extraction and HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds in leaves, stalks, and textile fibers of Urtica dioica L.

In the present study the phenolic composition of leaves, stalks, and textile fiber extracts from Urtica dioica L. is described. Taking into account the increasing demand for textile products made from natural fibers and the necessity to create sustainable "local" processing chains, an Italian project was funded to evaluate the cultivation of nettle fibers in the region of Tuscany. The leaves of two nettle samples, cultivated and wild (C and W), contain large amounts of chlorogenic and 2- O-caffeoylmalic acid, which represent 71.5 and 76.5% of total phenolics, respectively. Flavonoids are the main class in the stalks: 54.4% of total phenolics in C and 31.2% in W samples. Anthocyanins are second in quantitative importance and are present only in nettle stalks: 28.6% of total phenolics in C and 24.4% in W extracts. Characterization of phenolic compounds in nettle extracts is an important result with regard to the biological properties (antioxidant and antiradical) of these metabolites for their possible applications in various industrial activities, such as food/feed, cosmetics, phytomedicine, and textiles.

Genistein accumulates in body depots and is mobilized during fasting, reaching estrogenic levels in serum that counter the hormonal actions of estradiol and organochlorines.

Isoflavones are important dietary compounds that are consumed with the daily diet and elicit important biological actions. Here we report on the ability of genistein to partially accumulate in body depots of male mice, be released following fasting, and modulate the actions of estradiol and environmental estrogens in reproductive and nonreproductive target organs of estrogen-reporter mice (ERE-tK-luciferase). After the consumption of 50 mg/kg/day for 3 days, genistein accumulates in body compartments where it remains at functionally active levels for at least 15 days. Following 48 h of fasting, its concentration increased in serum from 99 +/- 13 to 163 +/- 17 nM. These levels are sufficient to exert an estrogenic effect in the testis and liver, as revealed by a twofold increase in luciferase gene expression. beta-Benzene-hexachloride (betaBHC) given at the concentration of 100 mg/kg/day for 3 days also accumulates in the body and is released by fasting, reaching serum levels of 176 +/- 33 nM, upregulating the luciferase gene in the liver and inhibiting its expression in the testis. When genistein was given in combination with betaBHC at doses sufficient to induce accumulation of both in body depots, the genistein mobilized by fasting reversed the action of the mobilized betaBHC in the testis. Acute administration of nutritional doses of genistein inhibited the action of estradiol and reversed the antiestrogenic action of o,p'-DDT: 1,1,1,-trichloro-2(p-chlorophenyl)-2-(o-chlorophenyl)ethane in the liver and the antiestrogenic action of betaBHC in the testis. Genistein had an additive effect with the ER agonist p,p'-DDT: 1,1,1,-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane in the liver. The observed effects may be relevant to a protective action of phytoestrogens against estrogen receptor-interacting pollutants as well as the dietary modulation of estradiol action.