Could elderberry fruits processed by modern and conventional drying and extraction technology be considered a valuable source of health-promoting compounds?

The influence of drying and extraction processes on the phytochemical composition and biopotential of elderberry is challenging for the food industry. For this reason in this research two drying techniques (lyophilization and natural convection) and three extraction techniques (ultrasound (UAE), microwave (MAE), and conventional (maceration (MAC)) was applied using two"green" solvents (water and 50 % ethanol). Results of the research showed that lyophilization was a better way of drying than natural convection, while MAE extraction was the most efficient technique for the isolation of secondary metabolites. The most abundant phenolic compounds established by LC-MS/MS analysis, were chlorogenic acid and rutin, identified in extracts of lyophilized elderberries. Elderberry extracts achieved great antioxidant (CUPRAC: 2.30-5.13 mg TE/mL) and enzyme inhibitor potential (α-amylase: 0.51-8.34 mg ACAE/mL). The results suggest that elderberry is a rich natural source of bioactive compounds and could be used for the future development of dietary supplements and functional foods.

The functional food production: Application of stinging nettle leaves and its extracts in the baking of a bread.

Stinging nettle is an annual plant. This plant is known for applications in folk medicine, and as the human diet. The stinging nettle leaves has been used to obtain extracts, which are expected to be with a high content of biologically active compounds. Prepared microwave extracts were applied in the formulation of the functional products. The article completes preparation of the bread with addition of the stinging nettle leaves and its extract, and bread's composition in phenolic acids, flavonoids, micro elements, and macro elements. The biological activity of the prepared bread samples showed significant antioxidant activity. This was especially true against DPPH radicals. It has been shown that it holds a high cytotoxic activity. Leaves themselves decreased the quality of the bread, while the extract improved the quality. It was sensorially confirmed. The article concluded that the extract substitutes leaves in bread as a product of a high benefit.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) juice as a novel functional product rich in health-promoting compounds.

The medicinal herbs of the Balkan Peninsula are highly represented in traditional medicine. The connection between traditional and modern life and health is reflected in the creation of new food products with added value. In this study, the plant species Sambucus nigra L. was used to obtain freshly pressed juice, whose chemical composition and various biological activities were evaluated. The most abundant compounds were phenolic acids: protocatechuic and chlorogenic acid, as well as flavonoids: quercetin-3-O-hexoside, quercetin, and rutin. The analyzed juice was very rich in total phenolic compounds (1945 mg GAE per mL juice), and a significant anthocyanin concentration was observed (30.85 mg Cy-3-GE per mL juice). Bioactivity testing revealed that elderberry juice was an extremely potent agent in the process of neutralizing NO free radicals (53.06 g TE per L juice), while in reducing over-enzyme activity, the best result was achieved in the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme (54.70 mg KAE per g of juice).

Biological activity and chemical profile of Lavatera thuringiaca L. extracts obtained by different extraction approaches.

BACKGROUND: Lavatera thuringiaca L. is herbaceous perennial plant from Malvaceae family, which is known for its biological activity and richness in polyphenolic compounds. Despite this, the information regarding the biological activity and chemical profile is still insufficient. PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to investigate biological potential and chemical profile of Lavatera thuringiaca L., as well as influence of applied extraction technique on them. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two conventional and four non-conventional extraction techniques were applied in order to obtain extracts rich in bioactive compound. Extracts were further tested for total phenolics, flavonoids, condensed tannins, gallotannins and anthocyanins contents using spectrophotometric assays. Polyphenolic profile was established using HPLC-DAD analysis. Biological activity was investigated regarding antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Four antioxidant assays were applied as well as three different cell lines for cytotoxic and fifteen bacterial strain for antibacterial activity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results showed that subcritical water extraction (SCW) dominated over the other extraction techniques, where SCW extract exhibited the highest biological activity. Study indicates that plant Lavatera thuringiaca L. may be used as a potential source of biologically compounds.

Fatty acid profiles of four wild mushrooms and their potential benefits for hypertension treatment.

Mushrooms are useful in balancing human diet and treating different health problems. The main determinant of the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes and rheologic properties of blood is the lipid composition of the membrane, which directly depends on lipids present in the diet. Lipid profiles of 4 European wild edible mushrooms, as well as the ability of mushroom lipids to modify the fluidity of erythrocyte membrane, were examined by using gas chromatography-mass spectometry, gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, and electron paramagnetic resonance spin probing technique. Lipids from 2 species--Macrolepiota procera and Collybia platyphylla--provoked an increase in erythrocyte membrane fluidity. Therefore, introduction of these and other wild mushrooms with similar lipid profiles to the human diet could be very beneficial in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases related to decreased fluidity of erythrocyte membranes.