High-Value Compounds in Papaya By-Products (Carica papaya L. var. Formosa and Aliança): Potential Sustainable Use and Exploitation.

BACKGROUND: Food waste is a global and growing problem that is gaining traction due to its environmental, ethical, social, and economic repercussions. Between 2022 and 2027, the worldwide papaya market is expected to have a huge increase, meaning a growth in organic waste, including peels and seeds. Thus, this study evaluated the potential use of peels and seeds of two mature papaya fruits as a source of bioactive compounds, converting these by-products into value-added products. Proximate analysis (AOAC methods), mineral content (ICP-MS), free sugars (HPLC-ELSD), fatty acid composition (GC-FID), vitamin E profile (HPLC-DAD-FLD), and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays) were evaluated. RESULTS: Both by-products showed high total protein (20-27%), and dietary fiber (32-38%) contents. Papaya peels presented a high ash content (14-16%), indicating a potential application as a mineral source. 14 fatty acids were detected, with α-linolenic acid (30%) as the most abundant in the peels and oleic acid (74%) in the seeds. Both by-products showed high antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Papaya by-products display great potential for industrial recovery and application, such as formulation of new functional food ingredients.

Algae Incorporation and Nutritional Improvement: The Case of a Whole-Wheat Pasta.

Algae contain high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds, making them promising alternative ingredients. Since pasta is consumed worldwide, it can be an effective vehicle for incorporating algae. This study compares the nutritional and antioxidant composition of whole-wheat pasta without and with enrichment of an algae mixture (containing Himanthalia elongata and Spirulina) and ascertains the influence of the cooking procedure on their features. Spirulina and H. elongata were also analyzed in parallel for comparison purposes. Macronutrients, chlorides and salt, total and free amino acid profiles, and antioxidant properties (total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were analyzed using AOAC, Mohr's, high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The results show a significant increase in fat (70.4%), protein (29.7%), ash (26.5%), and total amino acid (except for serine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and threonine) contents in the raw algae-enriched pasta. The antioxidant activity was also higher (4.15 versus 3.68 g ferrous sulfate eq./g dw, respectively). After cooking, protein, dietary fiber, total amino acids (except threonine) and antioxidant activity were stable in the algae-enriched pasta. Thus, algae can be an excellent ingredient for food applications with health benefits.

Bioactive Potential and Chemical Composition of Coffee By-Products: From Pulp to Silverskin.

Processing the coffee cherry into roasted beans generates a large amount of by-products, which can negatively impact the environment. The aim of this study was to analyze the bioactive potential and chemical composition of different coffee by-products (pulp, husk, parchment, silverskin, defective beans, and green coffee sieving residue) having in mind their bioactive potential for health and well-being. The coffee by-products showed a distinct nutritional composition. The content of ash, protein, fat, and total dietary fiber was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in coffee pulp (10.72% dw), silverskin (16.31% dw), defective beans (8.47% dw), and parchment (94.19% dw), respectively. Defective beans and the sieve residue exhibited a higher content of total phenolics (6.54 and 5.11 g chlorogenic acid eq./100 g dw, respectively) as well as higher DPPH• scavenging activity (3.11 and 2.85 g Trolox eq./100 g, respectively) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (17.68 and 17.56 g ferrous sulfate eq./100 g dw, respectively). All the coffee by-products considered in this study are sources of caffeine and chlorogenic acids, in particular 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5.36-3787.58 mg/100 g dw, for parchment and defective beans, respectively). Thus, they can be recycled as functional ingredients for food, cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical industries, contributing to the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the coffee industry.

Brazilian berry waste as a source of bioactive compounds: grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) as a case study.

Grumixama, Eugenia brasiliensis Lam., is a Brazilian berry little explored commercially and scientifically. However, local small producers market this fruit in the form of frozen pulp, which generates bioresidues, composed of seeds and peels. With the view to propose strategies for valuing grumixama, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition and assess the bioactivities of the hydroethanolic extracts of the whole residue (GR), seed (GS) and peel (GP) fractions of E. brasiliensis. From the results, GP had the highest concentration of organic acids (oxalic, malic, ascorbic and citric acids), total tocopherols, condensed tannins, anthocyanins, and other flavonoids. On the other hand, GS showed the highest content of monounsaturated fatty acids and hydrolysable tannins, whereas GR displayed a mixture of compounds detected in each of its parts. Regarding the bioactivities, low extract concentrations were required in two in vitro antioxidant assays, namely TBARS (EC50 = 0.90-1.34 µg mL-1) and OxHLIA (IC50 = 21-65 µg mL-1). Furthermore, GP had the highest inhibition activity of cellular oxidation in the CAA assay (80 ± 0.6%), while GS showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity via nitric oxide production inhibition (EC50 = 98.0 ± 0.5 µg mL-1). All samples induced cell growth inhibition of the tested tumor cells (GI50 = 14.7-186 µg mL-1) besides antibacterial and antifungal effects at low concentrations, but all samples were harmful to normal cells at moderate concentrations (GI50 = 145-268 µg mL-1). Therefore, E. brasiliensis residue could be a good source of bioactive compounds to be used in several areas. However, additional studies are needed to confirm its safety as well as to unravel the mechanisms behind its biological activities.

Effect of Different Time/Temperature Binomials on the Chemical Features, Antioxidant Activity, and Natural Microbial Load of Olive Pomace Paste.

Olive pomace is a by-product from olive oil production that can be further processed to obtain olive pomace paste. In this work, the influence of different time/temperature binomials (65 °C/30 min; 77 °C/1 min; 88 °C/15 s; and 120 °C/20 min) on the nutritional quality, chemical composition, and efficiency on control/elimination of natural microbial load of olive pomace paste was ascertained. The treatments significantly impacted the contents of ash, fat, vitamin E, phenolics (including hydroxytyrosol), flavonoids, and antioxidant activity, but not the fatty acids profile. The binomial 88 °C/15 s showed the greatest potential since it better preserved the phytochemical and antioxidant properties as well as the protein and fiber contents. This binomial is also faster and easy to be implemented at an industrial level, allowing the obtention of a safe functional ingredient to satisfy consumers' demands for novel sustainable products, simultaneously, responding to food safety and food security concerns.

Insights into the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Bioactive Properties of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Pericarp.

The industrial processing of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) generates high amounts of waste, as ~60% of the fruit is formed by an inedible pericarp. However, its pericarp has been explored as a source of xanthones; nevertheless, studies addressing the recovery of other chemical compounds from such biomass are still scarce. Hence, this study intended to elucidate the chemical composition of the mangosteen pericarp, including fat-soluble (tocopherols and fatty acids) and water-soluble (organic acids and phenolic compound non-xanthones) compounds present in the following extracts: hydroethanolic (MT80), ethanolic (MTE), and aqueous (MTW). In addition, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antibacterial potentials of the extracts were assessed. The mangosteen pericarp showed a composition with seven organic acids, three tocopherol isomers, four fatty acids and fifteen phenolic compounds. Regarding the extraction of phenolics, the MT80 was the most efficient (54 mg/g extract), followed by MTE (19.79 mg/g extract) and MTW (4.011 mg/g extract). All extracts showed antioxidant and antibacterial activities; however, MT80 and MTE extracts were more efficient than MTW. Only MTW did not show anti-inflammatory properties, whereas MTE and MT80 showed inhibitory activities towards tumor cell lines. Notwithstanding, MTE showed cytotoxicity towards normal cells. Our findings support the idea that the ripe mangosteen pericarp is a source of bioactive compounds, although their recovery is dependent on the extraction solvent.

Characterization of Chia Seeds, Cold-Pressed Oil, and Defatted Cake: An Ancient Grain for Modern Food Production.

The increasing demand for superfoods has resulted in an increase in chia seeds consumption. The reintroduction of this ancient crop in agriculture is useful to ensure food security since it can grow in high-stress conditions. The current study aimed to characterize chia seeds, cold-pressed oil, and defatted cake (the oil extraction by-product) to improve their value and to meet consumer's expectations (low-fat products). Chia seeds presented a significantly higher energy value than cake (444 vs. 284 kcal/100 g, respectively) due to fat removal (33 vs. 7%). The cake showed higher contents of total minerals (6 vs. 5%), protein (27 vs. 18%), and fiber (48 vs. 38%) in comparison to the seeds, and was hence considered a promising food ingredient. The major fatty acid in oil, seeds, and cake was α-linolenic acid (62-66%), and the vitamin E content was 409, 200, and 44 mg/kg, respectively. The major amino acid in the seeds and cake was glutamic acid (49 vs. 36 mg/g). The oil had a low oxidative stability (1 h), and the total phenolics content was 1.3 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g. Chia cake incorporation in food formulations will follow consumer's interests, and the obtained oil can be used to improve the oil supply for different applications. This approach adds value to the concept of "one health" since it includes the culture, the environment, and the consumers.

Green/Roasted Coffee and Silverskin Extracts Inhibit Sugar Absorption by Human Intestinal Epithelial (Caco-2) Cells by Decreasing GLUT2 Gene Expression.

Moderate coffee ingestion has been associated with a decrease in type 2 diabetes risk, mainly due to its richness in chlorogenic acids (CGA). To explore this, extracts of green beans, roasted beans, and silverskin were prepared by aqueous ultrasound-assisted extraction and characterized by a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (RP-HPLC-DAD). The effects on the uptake of glucose and fructose by human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells and the influence on the expression of sugar transporter genes (by RT-qPCR) were investigated and compared. The uptake of 3H-deoxy-D-glucose and 14C-fructose by Caco-2 cells was significantly reduced by all the extracts, with green coffee (which also contained higher amounts of CGA) achieving the highest efficiency. Although silverskin presented the lowest amounts of CGA and caffeine, it promoted an inhibitory effect similar to the effects of green/roasted beans. In the case of glucose uptake, the effect was even higher than for roasted coffee. This activity is explained by the ability of the extracts to markedly decrease GLUT2, but not GLUT5 gene expression. In addition, a decrease in SGLT1 gene expression was also found for all extracts, although not at a statistically significant rate for silverskin. This study also revealed a synergistic inhibitory effect of caffeine and 5-CQA on the uptake of sugars. Thus, silverskin appears as an interesting alternative to coffee, since the valorization of this by-product also contributes to the sustainability of the coffee chain.

Nutritional and Chemical Characterization of Poppy Seeds, Cold-Pressed Oil, and Cake: Poppy Cake as a High-Fibre and High-Protein Ingredient for Novel Food Production.

Currently, society demands natural healthy foods with improved nutritional characteristics. Accordingly, poppies (Papaver somniferum) are a traditional crop, cultivated for food and pharmaceutical purposes, whose seeds meet consumers' preferences, making them a promising candidate for incorporation into the formulation of novel functional foods. This work performed an overall chemical characterization of poppy seeds, cold-pressed oil, and press cake, a by-product of the oil industry. The proximate composition, fatty acids, and vitamin E profiles of the oil fraction were analysed with respect to the whole seeds and the cake. The cold-press oil extracted from the poppy seeds was also characterized. Since poppy cake is a partially defatted product, it has a lower fat content than the seeds, but higher content of the rest of its elements, namely, ash (10%), protein (26%), and fibre (38%). Regarding protein composition, the major amino acid in the cake and seeds was determined to be glutamic acid (59 and 36 mg/g, respectively). All the samples presented α- and γ-tocopherols (>21 and >25 mg/kg, respectively) and the fatty acids profile of the oil fraction was mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acids, where linoleic acid predominates (>50%). The oil's oxidative stability was low (2.8 h), according to the predominance of unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, poppy cake may be considered as an ingredient with great potential for incorporation into products in the food industry according to its high content in protein and fibre, and the remaining fat content, where polyunsaturated fatty acids predominate.

Agri-Food Surplus, Waste and Loss as Sustainable Biobased Ingredients: A Review.

Ensuring a sustainable supply of food for the world's fast growing population is a major challenge in today's economy, as modern lifestyle and increasing consumer concern with maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is an important challenge for the agricultural sector worldwide. This market niche for healthier products, especially fruits and vegetables, has increased their production, consequently resulting in increased amounts of agri-food surplus, waste, and loss (SWL) generated during crop production, transportation, storage, and processing. Although many of these materials are not utilized, negatively affecting the environmental, economic, and social segments, they are a rich source of valuable compounds that could be used for different purposes, thus preventing the losses of natural resources and boosting a circular economy. This review aimed to give insights on the efficient management of agri-food SWL, considering conventional and emerging recovery and reuse techniques. Particularly, we explored and summarized the chemical composition of three worldwide cultivated and consumed vegetables (carrots, broccoli and lettuce) and evaluate the potential of their residues as a sustainable alternative for extracting value-added ingredients for the development of new biodynamic products.

Valorizing Coffee Silverskin Based on Its Phytochemicals and Antidiabetic Potential: From Lab to a Pilot Scale.

This study investigates the possibility of valorizing coffee silverskin through the recovery of its bioactive compounds using a sustainable extraction method that could be industrially applied. For that, aqueous extracts were prepared using ultrasonic-assisted extraction (laboratorial scale) and, for comparison, a scale-up of the process was developed using the Multi-frequency Multimode Modulated technology. A concentration procedure at the pilot scale was also tested. The three types of extracts obtained were characterized regarding caffeine and chlorogenic acids contents, and the effects on intestinal glucose and fructose uptake (including sugar transporters expression) in human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells were ascertained. The phytochemical contents of the extracts prepared at the laboratory and pilot scale were comparable (caffeine: 27.7 vs. 29.6 mg/g freeze-dried extract; 3-, 4-, and 5-caffeoylquinic acids: 0.19 vs. 0.31, 0.15 vs. 0.42, and 1.04 vs. 1.98 mg/g, respectively; 4- and 5- feruloylquinic acids: 0.39 vs. 0.43 and 1.05 vs. 1.32 mg/g, respectively). Slight differences were noticed according to the extracts preparation steps, but in general, all the extracts promoted significant inhibitions of [1,2-3H(N)]-deoxy-D-glucose and 14C-D-fructose uptake, which resulted mainly from a decrease on the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 (SGLT1) genes expression but not on the expression of the facilitative glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5) gene. Moreover, a synergistic effect of caffeine and 5-caffeoylquinic acid on sugars uptake was found. The results clearly show that the Multi-frequency Multimode Modulated technology is a viable option to be applied at an industrial level to recover bioactive components from silverskin and obtain extracts with antidiabetic potential that could be used to develop functional food products or dietary supplements.

Exploring Gunnera tinctoria: From Nutritional and Anti-Tumoral Properties to Phytosome Development Following Structural Arrangement Based on Molecular Docking.

Gunnera tinctoria, an underexplored invasive plant found in Azores, Portugal, was studied regarding its nutritional, antioxidant, and antitumoral properties. Higher antioxidant activity was found in baby leaves, followed by adult leaves and inflorescences. A phenolic fraction of the plant was enriched using adsorbent resin column chromatography (DiaionTM HP20LX, and Relite EXA90). Antitumoral effects were observed with the enriched fractions in breast (MCF-7) and pancreatic (AsPC-1) cancer cell lines, being more pronounced in the latter. To improve protection and membrane absorption rates of phenolic compounds, nano-phytosomes and cholesterol-conjugated phytosomes coated with natural polymers were loaded with the enriched fraction. The particles were characterized, and their physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared. All samples presented anionic charge and nanometer size in relation to the inner layer and micrometer size regarding the external layers. In addition, the molecular arrangement of phenolics within both types of phytosomes were studied for the first time by molecular docking. Polarity and molecular size were key factors on the molecular arrangement of the lipid bilayer. In conclusion, G. tinctoria showed to be an interesting source of nutrients and phenolic compounds with anti-tumoral potential. Moreover, phytosome loading with these compounds can increase their stability and bioavailability having in view future applications.

Whole or Defatted Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum L.)? The Effect of Cold Pressing on Oil and Cake Quality.

Whole sesame seeds and sesame oil, which is obtained after cold pressing the seeds, are foodstuffs globally consumed due to their nutritional characteristics. The press cake that remains from the oil extraction process can be ground to form a defatted flour that can be incorporated into the human diet, contributing to the valorisation of this product. The nutritional comparison between the whole seeds and the press cake reveals the potential of this by-product to be incorporated in the formulation of diverse foodstuff, since it is richer than the seeds in proteins (30%) and fibre (25%) and still contains a proportion of oil (32%) with a fatty acid pattern characterized by the abundance of unsaturated fatty acids. The protein fraction of both the seeds and the cake shows a balanced composition regarding amino acid composition, with all the essential amino acids included. On the other hand, the oil obtained by cold pressing is shown as a high-quality oil, where the predominant fatty acids are oleic (42.66%) and linoleic (41.25%), which are essential fatty acids because they are not synthetised in the organism and must be obtained through the diet. In addition, it is rich in vitamin E, especially in γ-tocopherol, that was the main isomer found. Regarding these results, all products (sesame seeds, oil and press cake) are components suitable to be included in a healthy diet.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: A Multi-Benefit Potential to Be Exploited.

Consumer interest in foods with enhanced nutritional quality has increased in recent years. The nutritional and bioactive characterization of fruits and their byproducts, as well as their use in the formulation of new food products, is advisable, contributing to decrease the global concerns related to food waste and food security. Moreover, the compounds present in these raw materials and the study of their biological properties can promote health and help to prevent some chronic diseases. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (prickly pear) is a plant that grows wild in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, being a food source for ones and a potential for others, but not properly valued. This paper carries out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of prickly pear and its constituents, as well as its main biological activities and applications. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Many of its natural compounds have interesting biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial. The antioxidant power of prickly pear makes it a good candidate as an ingredient of new food products with fascinating properties for health promotion and/or to be used as natural extracts for food, pharmaceutic or cosmetic applications. In addition, it could be a key player in food security in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world, where there are often no more plants.

Enzyme-Assisted Release of Antioxidant Peptides from Porphyra dioica Conchocelis.

The conchocelis life cycle stage of P. dioica represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to generate and characterise, for the first time, hydrolysates of conchocelis using a specific combination of proteases (Prolyve® and Flavourzyme®). Hydrolysate molecular mass distribution and free amino acid contents were assessed, and the antioxidant activity was determined using a range of in vitro assays. The protein content and the total amino acid profiles of conchocelis were also studied. Conchocelis contained ~25% of protein (dry weight basis) and had a complete profile of essential amino acids. Direct sequential enzymatic treatment modified the profile of the generated compounds, increasing the amount of low molecular weight peptides (<1 kDa). There was a significant improvement in the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates compared with the control (up to 2.5-fold), indicating their potential as a novel source of antioxidant ingredients.

Fresh-Cut Bell Peppers in Modified Atmosphere Packaging: Improving Shelf Life to Answer Food Security Concerns.

The influence of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 10% O2 and 45% CO2) on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut green, red and yellow bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. var annuum) was investigated. Packaging film bags (Krehalon MLF40-PA/PE) with fresh-cut bell peppers were stored for up to 17 days at 5 °C. The in-package O2 level ranged between 10 and 15%, respecting the current recommendations for fresh-cut vegetable products. Initial CO2 levels were higher than commonly used (from 5 to 10%), decreasing progressively over time due to the permeability of the selected polyethylene film. At the end of the storage period, they stabilized between 2 and 5%. A small variation in texture, moisture, titratable acidity, pH and microbial growth was observed during the storage period, as well as a good color retention and sensory properties maintenance. Negligible losses in the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds (total phenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin and carotenoid content) were noted at the end of the study. Sensory analysis showed that panelists could not detect significant differences among sampling periods. A PCA with predictive biplots confirmed the existence of significant correlations. The products retain their initial characteristics without severe loss of quality until at least the 17th storage day. Given the current commercial shelf life of fresh-cut bell peppers, ranging from 9 to 14 days, the described treatment enabled an increase of at least 3 days (20%) of the products shelf life, reducing food waste and contributing to food security.

Influence of Olive Pomace Blending on Antioxidant Activity: Additive, Synergistic, and Antagonistic Effects.

Food innovation is moving rapidly and comprises new categories of food products and/or ingredients with a natural and ecological origin. Monocultivar olive pomaces, individually or combined, can be a source of natural bioactive compounds suitable for food or cosmetic applications. This work aimed to assess the phenolics content and antioxidant activity of four monocultivar olive pomaces (Arbosana, Koroneiki, Oliana, and Arbequina) and forty-nine blends prepared with different proportions of each. Additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects were studied. Among the monocultivar pomaces, Koroneiki and Arbosana were the richest in total phenolics (~15 mg gallic acid eq./g). Most of the interactions found in the blends were additive or synergistic, while very few antagonistic effects were observed. The best results were obtained for those blends where the Koroneiki variety predominated: (i) 90% Koroneiki, 4.75% Oliana, 3.75% Arbequina, 1.5% Arbosana; (ii) 65% Koroneiki, 29% Oliana, 3.25% Arbequina, 2.75% Arbosana; and (iii) 85% Koroneiki, 8.75% Arbequina, 3.5% Arbosana, 2.75% Oliana. In sum, these combinations can be advantageous in comparison to the individual use of monocultivar pomaces, presenting a higher potential to be used as functional ingredients or for bioactive compounds extraction, having in view the obtention of natural preservatives or food/cosmetic formula enhancers.

Effect of Controlled Microbial Fermentation on Nutritional and Functional Characteristics of Cowpea Bean Flours.

This study aimed to optimize bean flours fermentation through the use of appropriate technological procedure and, thereby, to obtain a high quality and safe product. In this line, cowpea bean flours with different moisture conditions (10, 20 and 30%) were incubated with (1) a single culture of Lactobacillus plantarum, or (2) a consortium of lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria, together with one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effects of inoculation of cowpea beans flours on stability (i.e., evaluated by the decrease in pH), and variations in nutritional characteristics (i.e., protein, starch, water soluble carbohydrates, total dietary fibre) were investigated. In both fermented flours, the effect of fermentation was more noticeable in total water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration during the fermentation process (P < 0.001), accounted for by metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The pH values progressively decreased (P < 0.001) through the fermentation process, particularly in flours fermented with a single culture of L. plantarum. By contrast, titratable acidity increased (P < 0.001) throughout the fermentation process in F2 and F3, although more noticeable in F3. Total dietary fibre (TDF) was not variable over the time. In relation to the protein content, the fermentations behaved very similarly; F2 had a variation over the time, but the effect was not significant (P = 0.0690). Results revealed small changes in chemical composition except in the case of pH and sugar contents with the values lower in the fermented products (i.e., single- or mixed-culture fermentation), leading to a more stable and safety product. These results indicate that fermented dry beans flours have the potential as functional ingredients for new food formulations.

Cashew Nut Allergy: Clinical Relevance and Allergen Characterisation.

Cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale L.) is the most relevant species of the Anacardium genus. It presents high economic value since it is widely used in human nutrition and in several industrial applications. Cashew nut is a well-appreciated food (belongs to the tree nut group), being widely consumed as snacks and in processed foods by the majority of world's population. However, cashew nut is also classified as a potent allergenic food known to be responsible for triggering severe and systemic immune reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis) in sensitised/allergic individuals that often demand epinephrine treatment and hospitalisation. So far, three groups of allergenic proteins have been identified and characterised in cashew nut: Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 (cupin superfamily) and Ana o 3 (prolamin superfamily), which are all classified as major allergens. The prevalence of cashew nut allergy seems to be rising in industrialised countries with the increasing consumption of this nut. There is still no cure for cashew nut allergy, as well as for other food allergies; thus, the allergic patients are advised to eliminate it from their diets. Accordingly, when carefully choosing processed foods that are commercially available, the allergic consumers have to rely on proper food labelling. In this sense, the control of labelling compliance is much needed, which has prompted the development of proficient analytical methods for allergen analysis. In the recent years, significant research advances in cashew nut allergy have been accomplished, which are highlighted and discussed in this review.

Antiproliferative Activity of Neem Leaf Extracts Obtained by a Sequential Pressurized Liquid Extraction.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) extracts have been used in pharmaceutical applications as antitumor agents, due to their terpenes and phenolic compounds. To obtain extracts from neem leaves with potential antiproliferative effect, a sequential process of pressurized liquid extraction was carried out in a fixed bed extractor at 25 °C and 100 bar, using hexane (SH), ethyl acetate (SEA), and ethanol (SE) as solvents. Extractions using only ethanol (EE) was also conducted to compare the characteristics of the fractionated extracts. The results obtained by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry suggested a higher concentration of terpenes in the SEA extract in comparison to SH, SE, and EE extracts. Therefore, antiproliferative activity showed that SEA extracts were the most efficient inhibitor to human tumor cells MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa, and HepG2. Hepatocellular cells were more resistant to SH, SEA, SE, and EE compared to breast, lung, hepatocellular, and cervical malignant cells. Neem fractioned extracts obtained in the present study seem to be more selective for malignant cells compared to the non-tumor cells.