Extraction optimization of bioactive compounds from ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) leaves and their in vitro antioxidant and antihemolytic activities.

Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) is a non-conventional food plant common in Brazil. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction of bioactive phenolic compounds from ora-pro-nobis leaves by employing solvent mixtures. Ten extracts were obtained with water, ethanol, acetone, and their binary and ternary mixtures, evaluating the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and bioactivities in vitro. The response surface methodology was applied to model the results and calculate the optimal solvent composition, which is 60% water, 40% ethanol and 0% acetone. The optimized extract is rich in phenolic compounds (64 mg GAE/g) and proteins (823 mg/g) and presents antioxidant activity (in intracellular media as well) and inhibits lipid peroxidation (32%) along with hypotonic hemolysis (H50 = 0.339%), it does not present toxicity in vitro against cancer and normal cells. This is the first report of chicoric, caffeoyl-hexaric and coumaroyl-hexaric acids and some glycosylate derivatives of flavonols in ora-pro-nobis leaves.

Effect of Strain, Wood Substrate and Cold Treatment on the Yield and ß-Glucan Content of Ganoderma lucidum Fruiting Bodies.

Wood residues from forestry industries can be potential raw materials for specialty and edible mushroom production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of wood residues for the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum originating from boreal forests. The substrates tested included sawdust and wood chips of Betula spp., Populus tremula, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Larix sp. The suitability of the substrates and the ability of the strains to develop fruiting bodies and produce ß-glucan were evaluated. Fruiting body formation was supported by applying two different cold shock treatments to substrate bags. The highest yields were observed with MUS192 strain and Betula spp. and P. tremula wood-based substrates. ß-Glucan content in the fruiting bodies was highest with the MUS75 and P. tremula wood-based substrate. Based on these findings, the combination of P. tremula wood residues and the MUS192 strain is proposed to enhance the yield and ß-glucan content of the fruiting bodies. A cold treatment of 5 °C is suggested to induce primordia formation and to increase fruiting probability. This is the first time that strains of G. lucidum originating from boreal forests have been compared and successfully cultivated simulating commercial indoor cultivation.

Nutritional Value of Commercial Protein-Rich Plant Products.

The goal of this work was to analyze nutritional value of various minimally processed commercial products of plant protein sources such as faba bean (Vicia faba), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), rapeseed press cake (Brassica rapa/napus subsp. Oleifera), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), oil hemp seed (Cannabis sativa), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Basic composition and various nutritional components like amino acids, sugars, minerals, and dietary fiber were determined. Nearly all the samples studied could be considered as good sources of essential amino acids, minerals and dietary fiber. The highest content of crude protein (over 30 g/100 g DW) was found in faba bean, blue lupin and rapeseed press cake. The total amount of essential amino acids (EAA) ranged from 25.8 g/16 g N in oil hemp hulls to 41.5 g/16 g N in pearled quinoa. All the samples studied have a nutritionally favorable composition with significant health benefit potential. Processing (dehulling or pearling) affected greatly to the contents of analyzed nutrients.

Identification and Quantification of Avenanthramides and Free and Bound Phenolic Acids in Eight Cultivars of Husked Oat ( Avena sativa L) from Finland.

Finland is the second largest oat producer in Europe. Despite the existing knowledge of phenolics in oat, there is little information on the phenolic composition of oats from Finland. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of free and bound phenolic acids, as well as avenanthramides in eight Finnish cultivars of husked oat ( Avena sativa L.). Seven phenolic acids and one phenolic aldehyde were identified, including, in decreasing order of abundance: p-coumaric, ferulic, cinnamic, syringic, vanillic, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic, and o-coumaric acids and syringaldehyde. Phenolic acids were mostly found as bound compounds. Significant varietal differences ( p < 0.05) were observed in the cumulative content of phenolic acids, with the lowest level found in cv. 'Viviana' (1202 ± 52.9 mg kg-1) and the highest in cv. 'Akseli' (1687 ± 80.2 mg kg-1). Avenanthramides (AVNs) 2a, 2p, and 2f were the most abundant. Total AVNs levels ranged from 26.7 ± 1.44 to 185 ± 12.5 mg kg-1 in cv. 'Avetron' and 'Viviana', respectively.

High variability in flavonoid contents and composition between different North-European currant (Ribes spp.) varieties.

This study provides information on the variation of anthocyanin and flavonol contents and composition in 32 black and 12 redcurrant varieties, as well as flavonol contents and composition in two green-fruited blackcurrant (green currant) and one white currant varieties conserved in a national ex situ germplasm field collection in Finland, North Europe. Flavonols were analysed as aglycones and anthocyanins as authentic compounds using HPLC methods. In blackcurrants, total anthocyanin content varied 1260-2878mg/100g dry weight and total flavonol content 43.6-89.9mg/100g dry weight. In redcurrants, the content of anthocyanins and flavonols varied 138-462mg/100g dry weight and from not detectable to 17.7mg/100g dry weight, respectively. The green currants contained flavonols 26.1 and 15.4mg/100g dry weight, while in the white variety no flavonols were detected. A positive correlation was found between the total content of anthocyanins and flavonols in both black and redcurrants. Berry size was negatively related to the flavonoid content in redcurrants but not in blackcurrants. The results revealed that some old varieties may be of particular interest when high contents or special composition of flavonoids are desired.

Determination of benzoxazinoids in wheat and rye beers by HPLC-DAD and UPLC-QTOF MS.

Phenolic compounds in beer have received considerable interest. Besides the more typical phenolic acids and flavonoids, beer contains also lesser-known compounds, such as hordatines, their agmatine precursors and other phenolamines. Current work shows that beers brewed from wheat or rye malts, in addition to barley malts, contain benzoxazinoids, a group of nitrogen containing secondary metabolites typical to wheat and rye. In this work, HPLC-DAD was used for the quantification of major benzoxazinoids in 32 wheat and four rye beers. Of the wheat beers 22 samples and all of the rye beers contained benzoxazinoids, or their breakdown products. Concentrations of DIBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) (as aglycon) varied from 1.7 to 21.9mg/l in wheat beers and from 5.6 to 31.6mg/l in rye beers. Breakdown products BOA (benzoxazolin-2-one), found in 15 beers, and MBOA (6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2-one), found in two beers, were measured at concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 10.7mg/l and 8.4 to 10.5mg/l, respectively. Identification of benzoxazinoids by UPLC-QTOF MS was done on selected beers. Benzoxazinoid profiles varied greatly between different wheat beers, and compared to rye beers the chemical diversity of benzoxazinoids was higher. As far as the authors know, this is the first time that other benzoxazinoids, rather than just the decomposition products BOA or MBOA, have been reported in beer. The results also show that benzoxazinoids can be present in beer glycosylated with three or four hexose units.

Effects of dietary cold-pressed turnip rapeseed oil and butter on serum lipids, oxidized LDL and arterial elasticity in men with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Rapeseed oil is the principal dietary source of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the Northern Europe. However, the effect of rapeseed oil on the markers of subclinical atherosclerosis is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dietary intake of cold-pressed turnip rapeseed oil (CPTRO) and butter on serum lipids, oxidized LDL and arterial elasticity in men with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-seven men with metabolic syndrome completed an open and balanced crossover study. Treatment periods lasted for 6 to 8 weeks and they were separated from each other with an eight-week washout period. Subjects maintained their normal dietary habits and physical activity without major variations. The daily fat adjunct consisted either of 37.5 grams of butter or 35 mL of Virgino R CPTRO. Participants were asked to spread butter on bread on the butter period and to drink CPTRO on the oil period. The fat adjunct was used as such without heating or frying. RESULTS: Compared to butter, administration of CPTRO was followed by a reduction of total cholesterol by 8% (p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol by 11% (p < 0.001). The level of oxidized LDL was 16% lower after oil period (p = 0.024). Minimal differences in arterial elasticity were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cold-pressed turnip rapeseed oil had favourable effects on circulating LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL, which may be important in the management of patients at high cardiovascular risk.