Encapsulation of anthocyanin-rich extract from black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace by spray drying using different coating materials.

Anthocyanin-rich extract obtained from black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace was microencapsulated with spray drying by using different wall materials, i.e., maltodextrin with dextrose equivalent 6 (MD6), maltodextrin with dextrose equivalent 20 (MD20) and the combination of MD20 with gum Arabic (MD : GA, 15 : 5 w/w), whey protein isolate (MD : WPI, 19 : 1 w/w), and xanthan gum (MD : XG, 19.5 : 0.5 w/w). Spray drying conditions were chosen as follows: inlet temperature of 150 °C, outlet temperature of 90 °C, 4.5 mL min-1 feed flow rate, 0.357 m3 h-1 air flow rate, and an aspirator capacity of 100%. Physicochemical characteristics of the powders such as moisture content, particle size, capsule morphology, color, spray drying yield, encapsulation efficiency, total anthocyanin content, total and individual phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity were investigated. With all the parameters evaluated, MD : GA wall material provided better results particularly in terms of production yield and encapsulation efficiency. To conclude, black chokeberry by-product can be used as a source of polyphenols to produce value-added colored powders with bioactive properties which might have the potential to be used in food, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries.

Cucurbits Plants: A Key Emphasis to Its Pharmacological Potential.

Cucurbita genus has received a renowned interest in the last years. This plant species, native to the Americas, has served worldwide folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites, among other clinical conditions. These pharmacological effects have been increasingly correlated with their nutritional and phytochemical composition. Among those chemical constituents, carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, and functional carbohydrates and polysaccharides are those occurring in higher abundance. However, more recently, a huge interest in a class of triterpenoids, cucurbitacins, has been stated, given its renowned biological attributes. In this sense, the present review aims to provide a detailed overview to the folk medicinal uses of Cucurbita plants, and even an in-depth insight on the latest advances with regards to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer effects. A special emphasis was also given to its clinical effectiveness in humans, specifically in blood glucose levels control in diabetic patients and pharmacotherapeutic effects in low urinary tract diseases.

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.