Vanilla from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: In vitro and in silico toxicity assessment and high-resolution metabolomic analysis of Vanilla spp. ethanolic extracts.

The natural vanilla market, which generates millions annually, is predominantly dependent on Vanilla planifolia, a species characterized by low genetic variability and susceptibility to pathogens. There is an increasing demand for natural vanilla, prized for its complex, authentic, and superior quality compared to artificial counterparts. Therefore, there is a necessity for innovative production alternatives to ensure a consistent and stable supply of vanilla flavors. In this context, vanilla crop wild relatives (WRs) emerge as promising natural sources of the spice. However, these novel species must undergo toxicity assessments to evaluate potential risks and ensure safety for consumption. This study aimed to assess the non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic properties of ethanolic extracts from V. bahiana, V. chamissonis, V. cribbiana, and V. planifolia through integrated metabolomic profiling, in vitro toxicity assays, and in silico analyses. The integrated approach of metabolomics, in vitro assays, and in silico analyses has highlighted the need for further safety assessments of Vanilla cribbiana ethanolic extract. While the extracts of V. bahiana, V. chamissonis, and V. planifolia generally demonstrated non-mutagenic properties in the Ames assay, V. cribbiana exhibited mutagenicity at high concentrations (5000 µg/plate) in the TA98 strain without metabolic activation. This finding, coupled with the dose-dependent cytotoxicity observed in WST-1 (Water Soluble Tetrazolium) assays, a colorimetric method that assesses the viability of cells exposed to a test substance, underscores the importance of concentration in the safety evaluation of these extracts. Kaempferol and pyrogallol, identified with higher intensity in V. cribbiana, are potential candidates for in vitro mutagenicity. Although the results are not conclusive, they suggest the safety of these extracts at low concentrations. This study emphasizes the value of an integrated approach in providing a nuanced understanding of the safety profiles of natural products, advocating for cautious use and further research into V. cribbiana mutagenicity.

Vanilla beyond Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla × tahitensis: Taxonomy and Historical Notes, Reproductive Biology, and Metabolites.

Vanilla is a worldwide cherished condiment, and its volatile market is associated with the so-called "vanilla crisis". Even though only two species (Vanilla planifolia and V. × tahitensis) are cultivated on a large scale for commercial purposes, the Vanilla genus is comprised of 140 species. The present review article discusses the facets of this crisis, and vanilla crop wild relatives (WRs) are showcased as alternatives to overcome them. Historical, taxonomic, and reproductive biology aspects of the group were covered. Emphasis was given to the metabolic characterization of the vanilla crop WRs, highlighting their main chemical classes and the potential flavor descriptors. Many of these species can produce important flavor compounds such as vanillin, vanillic acid, and acetovanillone, among others. Overall, this review compiles valuable information that can help unravel new chapters of the history of this treasured product by evidencing the biotechnological potential of vanilla crop WRs.

Vanilla flavor: Species from the Atlantic forest as natural alternatives.

The volatility of the vanilla market calls attention to the so-called vanilla crisis. There is a growing worldwide demand for natural vanilla with a concomitant reduction in global supply. However, commercial crops are threatened with extinction due to the lack of gene pool variability, susceptibility to climate change and pandemic diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new Vanilla spp. as alternative sources vanilla. Therefore, using undirected LC-MS/MS metabolic profiling and chemometrics, the present study demonstrates the great bioeconomic potential of two Atlantic Forest species - V. bahiana and V. chamissonis - by annotation of important flavor compounds associated with the commercial species and reveals distinct flavor descriptors associated with both wild species. Such similarities and dissimilarities are crucial to the ongoing quest to Vanilla gene pool improvement. Compounds remarkably and frequently associated with vanilla flavor were annotated or identified in this study such as vanillin and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.