A New Advancement in Germination Biotechnology of Purple Creole Corn: Bioactive Compounds and In Situ Enzyme Activity for Water-Soluble Extract and Pan Bread.

Germination is a simple and cost-effective technology that enhances the technological, sensory, and nutritional potential of grains, making them more attractive for use in the food industry. Germinating indigenous seeds is an alternative to increase noticeability and add value to these grains, which hold social and economic significance in the regions where they are cultivated, such as creole purple pericarp corn (PPCC) from the Couto Magalhães de Minas region in Brazil. This study aimed to optimize the germination parameters of time (24-96 h) and temperature (18-32 °C) for PPCC to produce water-soluble extracts and bread. Endogenous enzymes resulting from the germination process significantly enhanced (p < 0.10) the technological (total reducing sugars, total soluble solids, and soluble proteins) and biological properties (γ-aminobutyric acid, total soluble phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity) of the water-soluble extracts. The optimum point for obtaining the extracts was found to be at 85.3 h at 30.46 °C (with desirability of 90.42%), and this was statistically validated. The incorporation of germinated PPCC flours into bread was also promising (p < 0.10) and had a positive impact on the dough property (dough volume increase) and the final product, especially in terms of instrumental texture (springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience), resulting in a softer texture (lower firmness and hardness). The addition of PPCC flours did not alter instrumental color parameters, which may lead to greater consumer acceptance due to imperceptible differences in color to untrained individuals, with the optimized point at 96 h at 29.34 °C, with a desirability of 92.60%. Therefore, germinated PPCC shows promise for use as a base for obtaining water-soluble extracts and in bread as a replacement for commercial flour improvers, while also adding value to a raw material that is part of the local culture and agrobiodiversity.

Exploring Anthocyanin and Free and Bound Phenolic Compounds from Two Morphotypes of Araçá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) by LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS.

Araçá is a Brazilian native fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Although some studies already prove its health benefits, it is still necessary to explore the phenolic compounds in all its parts separately. This study aimed to investigate the free, esterified, glycosylated, and insoluble phenolics in two morphotypes of araçá, red and yellow, evaluating peel, pulp, and seed separately, using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS). Fourteen phenolics and five anthocyanins were quantified in both morphotypes. The peels presented the highest contents, followed by the pulp and seeds. Red araçá stood out over the yellow one only in the phenolic fractions resulting from the peel, with the yellow araçá being superior in the phenolic fractions of the pulp and seed. The highest antioxidant capacities were detected for the pulp-esterified phenolics (498.3 µmol g-1) and peel-free phenolics (446.7 µmol g-1) of yellow araçá. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated specific markers to differentiate the samples. All parts of the araçá proved to be a rich source of phenolic compounds, in different fractions, mainly in the peel. This information will be beneficial to stimulate the consumption of native fruits and their possible use in the development of new products.

Increase in the Bioactive Potential of Olive Pomace Oil after Ultrasound-Assisted Maceration.

Olive pomace oil is obtained when a mixture of olive pomace and residual water is subjected to a second centrifugation. This oil has small amounts of phenolic and volatile compounds compared with extra-virgin olive oil. This study aimed to promote the aromatization of olive pomace oil with rosemary and basil using ultrasound-assisted maceration (UAM) to increase its bioactive potential. For each spice, the ultrasound operating conditions (amplitude, temperature, and extraction time) were optimized through central composite designs. Free fatty acids, peroxide value, volatile compounds, specific extinction coefficients, fatty acids, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, polar compounds, and oxidative stability were determined. After obtaining the optimal maceration conditions assisted by ultrasound, pomace oils flavored with rosemary and basil were compared to pure olive pomace oil. Quality parameters and fatty acids showed no significant difference after UAM. Rosemary aromatization by UAM resulted in a 19.2-fold increase in total phenolic compounds and a 6-fold increase in antioxidant capacity, in addition to providing the most significant increase in oxidative stability. Given this, aromatization by ultrasound-assisted maceration is an efficient method to increase, in a short time, the bioactive potential of olive pomace oil.

Raspberry Extract as a Strategy to Improve the Oxidative Stability of Pork Burgers Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Hydrogelled emulsions (HEs) of linseed oil and pea protein (PP) were produced with four levels (0, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of raspberry extract obtained by a green extraction technique (microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity-MHG). HEs were applied in burgers to replace 50% of pork backfat content. The products' technological, nutritional, oxidative, microbiological, and sensory properties were evaluated. Besides reducing the fat level by approximately 43%, the reformulation reduced the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio to healthy levels, decreased the diameter reduction by 30%, and increased the cooking yield by 11%. Including 7.5 and 10% of raspberry extract in the HEs decreased the oxidative defects caused by the enrichment of the burgers with omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the raspberry extract did not cause alterations in the mesophilic aerobic count and the burgers' sensory profile.

Bioactive compounds of pequi pulp and oil extracts modulate antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity in cocultured blood mononuclear cells and breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) is a fruit from Brazilian Cerrado rich in bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols and tocopherols, which can modulate the death of cancer cells. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the main bioactive compounds of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of pequi oil and pulp were identified and were verified if they exert modulatory effects on oxidative stress of mononuclear cells cocultured with MCF-7 breast cancer cells. STUDY DESIGN: Identification and quantification of the main compounds and classes of bioactive compounds in pequi pulp and oil, hydrophilic, and lipophilic extracts were performed using spectroscopy and liquid chromatographic methods, while the beneficial effects, such as antioxidant capacity in vitro, were determined using methods based on single electron transfer reaction or hydrogen atom transfer, while for antioxidant and antiproliferative activities ex vivo, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MN) were collected, and cellular viability assay by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide), superoxide anion evaluation, and CuZn-superoxide dismutase determination (CuZn-SOD) in MN cells, MCF-7 cells, and coculture of MN cells and MCF-7 cells in the presence and absence of pequi pulp or oil hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts were performed. RESULTS: In the hydrophilic extract, the pequi pulp presented the highest phenolic content, while in the oil lipophilic extract, it had the highest content of carotenoids. The main phytosterol in pequi oil was ß-sitosterol (10.22 mg/g), and the main tocopherol was γ-tocopherol (26.24 µg/g sample). The extracts that had highest content of bioactive compounds stimulated blood mononuclear cells and also improved SOD activity. By evaluating the extracts against MCF-7 cells and coculture, they showed cytotoxic activity. CONCLUSION: The results support the anticarcinogenic activity of pequi extracts, in which the pequi pulp hydrophilic extracts presented better immunomodulatory potential.

Gelatine/PVA copolymer film incorporated with quercetin as a prototype to active antioxidant packaging.

Films that incorporate antioxidant agents are widely used and improve the stability of food products that are prone to oxidation. This work evaluated the potential antioxidant activity of PVA/gelatine films incorporated with quercetin. The films were prepared by the casting method and characterised by TG-DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, optical microscopy and swelling index. Antioxidant properties were evaluated with DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. According to the thermal characterisation results, the film was stable up to 68 °C and entirely degraded at 632 °C. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis indicated that there was a physical interaction between the quercetin and the polymeric film, and microscopy indicated a homogeneous and uniform film. The film showed DPPH (315.4 ± 8.2) and ABTS radical potential activity (199.4 ± 9.7), as well as potential iron reduction activity-FRAP (740.6 ± 8.9) mainly when analysed in ethanol: water (95:5 v/v) system, all results expressed as milligram of Trolox per gram of film. Hence, PVA/gelatine films incorporated with quercetin have properties that allow a potential application in active packaging systems to delay oxidative processes in food.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES): A strategy to improve the bioavailability of blueberry phenolic compounds in a ready-to-use extract.

This study investigated whether a ready-to-use extract obtained using a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) affects the pharmacokinetic profile of blueberry phenolic compounds compared to organic solvent (SORG)-extracted compounds. SORG extract was administered as an aqueous solution after solvent removal. Wistar rats received a single dose of crude extract of blueberry obtained using NADES (CE-NADES) or SORG (CE-SORG), followed by LC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of blood and cecal feces. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that CE-NADES increased the bioavailability of anthocyanins by 140% compared to CE-SORG. CE-NADES increased the stability of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion by delaying gastric chyme neutralization. These results suggest that besides being an eco-friendly solvent for the extraction of phytochemicals, choline chloride:glycerol:citric acid-based NADES can be used as a ready-to-use vehicle for increasing oral absorption of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-based blueberry extracts protect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Blueberry is a polyphenol-rich fruit bearing great bioactive potential. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) emerged as putatively biocompatible solvents that could substitute for toxic organic solvents in the extraction of fruit phenolic compounds for developing nutraceuticals or functional foods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects and the biocompatibility of a blueberry crude extract (CE) obtained using NADES and of the extract fractions (anthocyanin-rich fraction - ARF; non-anthocyanin phenolic fraction - NAPF) in a model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. CE was the NADES-containing, ready-to-use extract that was obtained using choline chloride:glycerol:citric acid NADES (0.5:2:0.5 M ratio). ARF and NAPF were the NADES-free fractions obtained by solid phase purification of CE and were investigated to identify the bioactive fraction responsible for the effects of CE. Animals were treated for 14 days with water, NADES vehicle, CE, ARF, NAPF or lansoprazole (intragastric) and then received ethanol to induce gastric ulcer. CE decreased ulcer index and preserved the integrity of gastric mucosa. The pretreatment with CE or ARF reduced glutathione depletion and the inflammatory response. All treatments, including NADES vehicle reduced protein oxidation and nitric oxide overproduction in ethanol-treated rats. Additionally, ARF increased short-chain fatty acids in feces. These findings suggest that NADES can be used to obtain biocompatible extracts of blueberry that exhibit gastroprotective effects with no need of solvent removal. The gastroprotective effects were mainly associated to ARF but NAPF and even NADES vehicle also contributed to some protective effects.

Role of light emitting diode (LED) wavelengths on increase of protein productivity and free amino acid profile of Spirulina sp. cultures.

LEDs have specific wavelengths that can positively influence the production of microalga biomass and biomolecules of interest. Filling the gaps in the literature, this study evaluated the effect of different LED wavelengths and photoperiods on protein productivities and free amino acid (FAA) profile of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultures. The best protein productivity results were obtained in red and green LED cultures using integral and partial photoperiods, respectively. In these experiments, protein productivities increased 2 and 1.6 times, respectively, compared to the control culture using fluorescent light. Green LEDs in partial photoperiod provided also the highest concentrations of essential and non-essential FAA, about 1.8 and 2.3 times higher, respectively, than control cultures. LEDs showed to be a promising sustainable light source for increasing protein productivity and FAA concentration in Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultures.

Effect of drying methods on the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Brazilian winemaking byproducts and their stability over storage.

This work aimed to study the antioxidant capacity by different methods, the total content of polyphenols and the stability over time of dried byproducts from Brazilian hybrids and Vitis vinifera varieties. Oven-dried at 50 °C and spray-dried samples were monitored for 90 days of storage. Under testing conditions, BRS Violeta grapes showed the greatest stability and initial high levels of total phenolics and anthocyanins remained almost unchanged until the end of storage period. The same behavior was observed in BRS Violeta freeze-dried skins, seeds and lees (8557, 9520 and 4261 mg GAE/100 g DM, respectively, and 829 and 257 mg mv-3-glc/100 g DM in skin and lees, respectively). In all methodologies tested, BRS Violeta also showed higher values for antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that dried winemaking byproducts can be used as rich sources of polyphenol compounds for industrial extractions with high stability and antioxidant capacity.

Biochemical Characterization of Dovyalis hebecarpa Fruits: A Source of Anthocyanins with High Antioxidant Capacity.

UNLABELLED: Dovyalis hebecarpa, which is also known as the Ceylon gooseberry, is an attractive exotic purple berry that is produced in the southwest of Brazil with high yields. Current literature lacks information about the nutritional composition and antioxidant capacity of this fruit. As such, this work aimed to evaluate and compare the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant capacity of D. hebecarpa over two seasons through the application of a range of different methods, including FRAP, ABTS, and ORAC assays. The proximate composition and biometric parameters were monitored for quality purposes. The results significantly changed between seasons in accordance with variations in rain incidence and average temperatures. The Ceylon gooseberry contained a similar or higher content of anthocyanins (ACY) than other berries commonly consumed in human diet. These ACY were identified at higher levels in the fruit's skin (284 to 351 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g of fresh weight [FW]) than in its pulp (49 to 69 mg/100 g of FW). The use of an ORAC assay identified higher antioxidant activity (145 µmol of Trolox equivalents [TE]/g in the skins and 179 µmol of TE/g in the pulp on a FW basis) than all other methods used to determine antioxidant activity. Thus, D. hebecarpa is a rich source of ACY that demonstrates high antioxidant activity against the peroxyl radicals formed in ORAC assay conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Ceylon gooseberry fruit is a source of phytochemicals that could be used in the human diet providing defense against free radicals damage. Moreover, the skins of the fruit, which are not typically consumed, contained higher levels of polyphenols than the pulp. This indicates that the skins of the Ceylon gooseberry may represent a promising source of natural pigments and antioxidants for industrial applications.

Antioxidant activity of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of Brazilian blueberries.

Hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of ten cultivars of Highbush and Rabbiteye Brazilian blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. and Vacciniumashei Reade, respectively) that are used for commercial production were analysed for antioxidant activity by the FRAP, ORAC, ABTS and ß-carotene-linoleate methods. Results were correlated to the amounts of carotenoids, total phenolics and anthocyanins. Brazilian blueberries had relatively high concentration of total phenolics (1,622-3,457 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g DW) and total anthocyanins (140-318 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents per 100 g DW), as well as being a good source of carotenoids. There was a higher positive correlation between the amounts of these compounds and the antioxidant activity of hydrophilic compared to lipophilic extracts. There were also significant differences in the level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities between different cultivars, production location and year of cultivation.

Polyphenol extraction optimisation from Ceylon gooseberry (Dovyalis hebecarpa) pulp.

Originally from Asia, Dovyalis hebecarpa is a dark purple/red exotic berry now also produced in Brazil. However, no reports were found in the literature about phenolic extraction or characterisation of this berry. In this study we evaluate the extraction optimisation of anthocyanins and total phenolics in D. hebecarpa berries aiming at the development of a simple and mild analytical technique. Multivariate analysis was used to optimise the extraction variables (ethanol:water:acetone solvent proportions, times, and acid concentrations) at different levels. Acetone/water (20/80 v/v) gave the highest anthocyanin extraction yield, but pure water and different proportions of acetone/water or acetone/ethanol/water (with >50% of water) were also effective. Neither acid concentration nor time had a significant effect on extraction efficiency allowing to fix the recommended parameters at the lowest values tested (0.35% formic acid v/v, and 17.6 min). Under optimised conditions, extraction efficiencies were increased by 31.5% and 11% for anthocyanin and total phenolics, respectively as compared to traditional methods that use more solvent and time. Thus, the optimised methodology increased yields being less hazardous and time consuming than traditional methods. Finally, freeze-dried D. hebecarpa showed high content of target phytochemicals (319 mg/100g and 1,421 mg/100g of total anthocyanin and total phenolic content, respectively).

Phenolic composition of grape and winemaking by-products of Brazilian hybrid cultivars BRS Violeta and BRS Lorena.

The phenolic composition of grapes and winemaking by-products (skins from grape marc, and lees) from Brazilian hybrid cultivars BRS Violeta (red) and BRS Lorena (white) was studied. Two vintages, five classes of phenolic compounds, and recovery yields using three dehydration techniques were considered: oven-drying at 50°C (D50); spray-drying (SD); and freeze-drying (FD). Recovery yields were higher using FD, although less expensive SD was a good alternative for Violeta lees. D50 caused great recovery reduction in Violeta but yielded similar results for Lorena. Violeta winemaking by-products were excellent sources of anthocyanins (mainly non-acylated and p-coumaroylated diglucosides), flavonols (mainly myricetin-based) and hydroxycinnamic derivatives (mainly caffeic-based). Lorena winemaking by-products contained lesser amounts of phenolic compounds, around a tenth of the values found in Violeta grapes for flavonols (mainly quercetin-based), hydroxycinnamic derivatives (mainly caffeic-based) and condensed tannins. Lorena cultivar contained small amounts of trans-resveratrol and its 3-glucoside, which were missing in Violeta cultivar.