Bioactive Components and Biological Activities of Crocus sativus L. Byproducts: A Comprehensive Review.

The production of saffron spice results in numerous byproducts, as only 15 g of spice can be produced from 1 kg of flowers, indicating that over 90% of the saffron flower material is eventually discarded as waste. In view of this, the paper reviews current knowledge on the natural active components in saffron byproducts and their biological activities, aiming to lay a theoretical and scientific foundation for the further utilization. Saffron byproducts contain a variety of phytochemical components, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic acids, monoterpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and saponins. The activities of saffron byproducts and their mechanisms are also discussed in detail here.

Effects of combined treatment of electrolytic water and chitosan on the quality and proteome of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during refrigerated storage.

The labeled quantitative proteomic method was used to study the changes in muscle proteins of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) treated with electrolytic water (EW) and chitosan (CHI) combined preservation during 12 days of refrigeration storage (4 °C). The analysis indicated that the freshness instructed by total viable count (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and K value was significantly maintained after combined preservation during storage at 4 °C for 12 days (CS12). Furthermore, 46 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were detected in storage at 4 °C for 12 days (S12) compared to the freshness group (F), which bioinformatics confirmed were mainly skeletal proteins and enzymes. Correlation analysis showed that 19 highly correlated DAPs could be used as potential protein markers of freshness. Changes in the relation of freshness and protein were shown in further correlative analysis of F and CS12, which were caused by combined preservation. Therefore, combined preservation is promising in the quality and stability of large yellow croakers.

Supplementation of cooked broccoli with exogenous moringa myrosinase enhanced isothiocyanate formation.

Brassica vegetables, especially broccoli, have health benefits such as anticancer activity, which are attributed to isothiocyanate (ITC), products of glucosinolate hydrolysis. This study aimed to explore the effect of cooking time and addition of exogenous myrosinase (MYR) from moringa seeds on the yield of ITCs. The results showed that raw broccoli produced a significantly high amount of ITCs, which decreased by almost 40% after microwaving the broccoli for 1 min. Introducing exogenous MYR by adding ground moringa seeds to cooked broccoli caused a notable increase in ITC of 38%. At pH 4.0-6.0, MYR showed optimal activity, and the thermal stability of MYR from moringa seeds was better than that from broccoli. The kinetic parameters indicated that MYR from moringa seeds had a higher affinity to sinigrin than that from broccoli seeds. This study was novel in reporting that adding ground moringa seeds to cooked broccoli enhanced ITC formation.

Acidified glycerol as a one-step efficient green extraction and preservation strategy for anthocyanin from blueberry pomace: New insights into extraction and stability protection mechanism with molecular dynamic simulation.

In present work, green and efficient glycerol solvent system was coupled with pulse-probe ultrasonication for one-step extraction and preservation of anthocyanin from blueberry pomace. Under optimal conditions (40 min, 174 W, 18.6 mL/g, 20% of glycerol fraction), extraction yield was 23.07 ± 0.09 mg C3GE/g DW. The extracted anthocyanins were characterized by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS and 10 anthocyanins compounds were tentatively identified. Stability of anthocyanins influenced by solvents were evaluated in varying temperature, pH and light exposure conditions, demonstrating higher stability of anthocyanins in glycerol solvent system than methanol one. Furthermore, mechanism of high efficiency extraction and stability of anthocyanin using glycerol were investigated by quantum chemical calculation with molecular dynamic simulation. Larger solvent accessible surface area (127.16 nm2), hydrogen bonds number (228.16) and hydrogen bonds lifetime (4.35 ps), and lower intermolecular interaction energy (-1080.48 kJ/mol) between anthocyanin and glycerol were responsible for better extraction and preservation of anthocyanins using glycerol system.

Effect of advanced/hybrid oxidation process involving ultrasonication and ultraviolet radiation (sonophotolysis) on anthocyanin stability: Degradation kinetics and mechanism.

The hybrid oxidation effect of ultrasonics (US) and ultraviolet light (UV-A) on Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) stability were examined. For comparison, sonolysis and photolysis experiments were also conducted. The results showed that under hybrid sonophotolysis and sonolysis treatment, C3G degradation undergoes zero-order kinetics, while under photolysis, first-order degradation kinetic prevailed. The degradation rate increases with the increase in US power, with the lowest, was recorded as 0.70 µg/ml/h (14 W/L) and 0.77 µg/ml/h (28 W/L), and highest as 0.80 µg/ml/h (42 W/L). Similarly, the degradation ability of UV photolysis at 400 µW/cm2 was weak, which increased with increasing UV power (600 µW/cm2). Overall the sonophotolysis degradation rate was significantly higher than that of the individual effect. With the addition of gallic acid (GA), the degradation of C3G was found lower under sonophotolysis; thus, it could be used as a natural protective agent for C3G during food processing.

Analysis of sucrose addition on the physicochemical properties of blueberry wine in the main fermentation.

Introduction: Harvested blueberries can be processed into wine to extend their shelf life and increase their commercial value. In order to produce fruit wine, external sugar is often added prior to fermentation to increase the final alcohol content to a target of 8-12% (v/v) to meet consumer expectations. Method: we explore the effect of 8-14% (w/w) sucrose on the physicochemical properties of blueberry wine throughout the main fermentation process. We monitor changes of alcohol content, sugar, color, phenol, acidity, anthocyanin, and odor. Results and discussion: We notice that sucrose affects the fermentation process and physicochemical composition of the final blueberry wine by fermentation rate, fermentation color and protection of functional substances protection. Additional sucrose extends the total time of fermentation, and increases wine acidity. The color of the wine is also affected, with added sugar darkening and yellowing the final product. Interestingly, the sucrose has a protective effect on anthocyanin levels, although total anthocyanin levels are still substantially reduced following fermentation. Finally, the additional sugar increases accumulation of volatile odor components, particularly alcohols and esters, as measured by an electronic nose. We conclude that an addition of 12% sucrose produces wine with superior physicochemical properties of alcohol, anthocyanin loss and odor relative to other conditions tested and recommend this approach to commercial manufacturers.

Amphiphilic and Biocompatible DNA Origami-Based Emulsion Formation and Nanopore Release for Anti-Melanogenesis Therapy.

Programmable engineered DNA origami provides infinite possibilities for customizing nanostructures with controllable precision and configurable functionality. Here, a strategy for fabricating an amphiphilic triangular DNA origami with a central nanopore that integrates phase-stabilizing, porous-gated, and affinity-delivering effects is presented. By introducing the DNA origami as a single-component surfactant, the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion is effectively stabilized with decreased interfacial tension. Microscopic observation validates the attachment of the DNA origami onto the water-in-oil and oil-in-water interfaces. Furthermore, fluorescence studies and molecular docking simulations indicate the binding interactions of DNA origami with arbutin and coumaric acid at docking sites within central nanopores. These central nanopores are functionalized as molecular gates and affinity-based scaffold for the zero-order release of arbutin and coumaric acid at a constant rate regardless of concentration gradient throughout the whole releasing period. In vivo zebrafish results illustrate the advantages of this zero-order release for anti-melanogenesis therapy over direct exposure or Fickian diffusion. The DNA origami-based W/O/W emulsion presents anti-melanogenic effects against UV-B exposure without cardiotoxicity or motor toxicity. These results demonstrate that this non-toxic amphiphilic triangular DNA origami is capable of solely stabilizing the W/O/W emulsion as well as serving as nanopore gates and affinity-based scaffold for constant release.

Sphingolipids in foodstuff: Compositions, distribution, digestion, metabolism and health effects - A comprehensive review.

Sphingolipids (SLs) are common in all eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses, and played a vital role in human health. They are involved in physiological processes, including intracellular transport, cell division, and signal transduction. However, there are limited reviews on dietary effects on endogenous SLs metabolism and further on human health. Various dietary conditions, including the SLs-enriched diet, high-fat diet, and vitamins, can change the level of endogenous SLs metabolites and even affect human health. This review systematically summarizes the main known SLs in foods concerning their variety and contents, as well as their isolation and identification approaches. Moreover, the present review discusses the role of dietary (particularly SLs-enriched diet, high-fat diet, and vitamins) in endogenous SLs metabolism, highlighting how exogenous SLs are digested and absorbed. The role of SLs family in the pathogenesis of diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, and in recently coronavirus disease-19 outbreak was also discussed. In the post-epidemic era, we believe that the concern for health and the need for plant-based products will increase. Therefore, a need for research on the absorption and metabolism pathway of SLs (especially plant-derived SLs) and their bioavailability is necessary. Moreover, the effects of storage treatment and processing on the content and composition of SLs in food are worth exploring. Further studies should also be conducted on the dose-response of SLs on human health to support the development of SLs supplements. More importantly, new approaches, such as, making SLs based hydrogels can effectively achieve sustained release and targeted therapies.

Simultaneous Hydrolysis and Extraction Increased Erucin Yield from Broccoli Seeds.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are well-known chemopreventive agents that have received significant interest across the nutrition and pharmaceutical industries owing to their anticancer properties, thus it is essential to increase the conversion of glucosinolate to ITCs by myrosinase to maximize their health benefits. In this paper, using broccoli seed meals as a raw material, we comparatively analyzed the outcomes of two extraction methods: (i) hydrolysis followed by extraction (HFE) and (ii) simultaneous hydrolysis and extraction (SHE) in terms of the ITC yield. The results revealed that the SHE method showed a relatively greater erucin production from broccoli seeds and greater antitumor and antioxidant activities. A similar phenomenon was found for the hydrolysates of crude myrosinase and crude glucosinolate separated from broccoli seeds. However, when the crude glucosinolates were hydrolyzed by purified broccoli myrosinase, or when pure glucoraphanin was hydrolyzed by crude myrosinase, no significant effects were noted on the types and yields of ITCs between the SHE and HFE methods.

Enhancing stability and bioaccessibility of chlorogenic acid using complexation with amylopectin: A comprehensive evaluation of complex formation, properties, and characteristics.

Chlorogenic acid (CA) performs numerous bioactivities; however, its usage is currently limited because of low stability and poor bioaccessibility. In this study, a amylopectin-CA complex was formed. FTIR studies confirmed that the new complex formed via hydrogen and CH-π bonding, and was involved with the reorganization of the skeletal α-1,4 glucosidic linkages of amylopectin. DSC and XRD studies suggested that complexation affected starch crystallinity and increased the size of the amorphous region. Under high temperature, complex degradation followed first-order reaction kinetics whereas under low acidity, the complex retained maximum CA content at pH 2.5. In vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion studies showed that maximum digestion of the complex took place during the gastric phase (39%). In addition, 81.14% of the retained CA was absorbed after GI digestion. In conclusion, amylopectin complexation may improve the stability of CA during digestion and under various food-processing operations.

Broccoli ingestion increases the glucosinolate hydrolysis activity of microbiota in the mouse gut.

After consuming broccoli, isothiocyanates can be produced by the hydrolytic action of myrosinase from plant and/or microbiota. Using male C57BL/6 mice, the present study investigated the effects of broccoli ingestion on the myrosinase-like activity, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activity, diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. Compared with the control group, continuously feeding raw or hydrolysed broccoli increased the myrosinase-like activities of the colon and caecum contents, and also improved the NQO1 activity of the colon mucosa. Significant difference between the broccoli and control feeding groups were found. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that broccoli ingestion profoundly affected the composition of the gut bacteria community. The correlation between the gut bacterial community composition and microbiota myrosinase-like activity was also studied. However, one type of glucosinolate, sinigrin, had no effect on these activities, indicating that broccoli component(s), other than glucosinolate, had increased the NQO1 and myrosinase-like activities.

Stability and encapsulation efficiency of sulforaphane microencapsulated by spray drying.

Sulforaphane (SF) has received much attention because of its anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it is quite unstable. Microencapsulation is one way to improve its stability. The aim of this work was to produce microcapsules containing sulforaphane using a spray drying technique. The effects of different wall materials, inlet air temperature and core to wall ratio on the SF stability, encapsulation efficiency, encapsulation yield, moisture content and SF content were determined. The results indicated that optimal encapsulation conditions for SF were: maltodextrin for the wall material, 170 °C for the inlet air temperature and 1:20 for the core/wall ratio. Characterization study showed that the microcapsules had a regular spherical shape. The stability of SF in spray dried microcapsules was greatly enhanced compared with that of free SF.