Role of short germination and milling on physical properties, amino acid and metabolomic profiles of high amylose rice fractions.

Short germination is a process that can improve bioactive compounds in rice. This work aimed investigate the physical properties, phenolic compounds (PC), antioxidant activity and amino acids composition of husk + bran, brown and milled rice with high amylose content after short germination (16 h). α-amylase activity (Falling Number, FN) and enthalpy (ΔH) were unchanged (p < 0.05). RVA curve profiles were similar, even though after short germination and milling. Globally, metabolomics analysis identified 117 PC, in which 111 (bound), 104 (free) and 21 revealed in both extracts. p-Coumaric, trans-ferulic and ferulic acids were the most abundant PC revealed in all fractions. The portion husk + bran showed the highest level of total antioxidant activity (709.90 µmol TE) in both free and bound fractions. In terms of total amino acids, there was no statistical difference (p < 0.05) among non-germinated and germinated samples, contrary to free amino acids content. Glutamic acid (Glu) presented the highest values combining short germination and milling (1725-1900 mg/100 g) consequently, leads to higher value of GABA (12.21 mg/100 g). The combination of short germination and milling demonstrated a good strategy to improve the nutritional quality of rice, unless the thermal and pasting properties have been altered, contribute to potential health benefits on human nutrition.

Food Service Kitchen Scraps as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: Disposal Survey, Optimized Extraction, Metabolomic Screening and Chemometric Evaluation.

Untargeted metabolomics is a powerful tool with high resolution and the capability to characterize a wide range of bioactive natural products from fruit and vegetable by-products (FVB). Thus, this approach was applied in the study to evaluate the phenolic compounds (PC) by metabolomic screening in five FVB after optimizing their extraction. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity analyses were able to select the best extractor (SM) and ultrasonication time (US) for each FVB; methanol was used as a control. Although ultrasonication yielded a lower number of PC identifications (84 PC), the US extract was the most efficient in total ionic abundance (+21% and +29% compared to the total PC and SM extracts, respectively). Ultrasonication also increased the phenolic acid (+38%) and flavonoid classes (+19%) extracted compared to SM, while the multivariate analyses showed the control as the most dissimilar sample. FVB extracted from the same parts of the vegetable/fruit showed similarities and papaya seed presented the most atypical profile. The application of the metabolomics approach increased the knowledge of the bioactive potential of the evaluated residues and possibilities of exploring and valorizing the generated extracts.

Omics data reveals the phenolic fingerprint of Brazilian whole wheat flours of different technological qualities.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most consumed staple foods used for bakery products. Outer layers of grain present a great diversity of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic compounds (PC). Free and bound PC were extracted from eight genotypes of whole wheat flours (WWF) presenting different technological classifications. These extracts were comprehensively characterized through untargeted metabolomics applying ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MSE) and spectrophotometric analyses. Chemical composition and colorimetry were also determined by classical analyses. Thirty-eight PC were tentatively identified by UHPLC-MSE belonging to three classes (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and other polyphenols), some of them identified in all WWF samples. Bound hydroxycinnamic acids were the main PC found in WWF, especially the trans-ferulic acid and its isomer. No difference was found in starch and protein contents, whereas low-quality flours showed a higher ash content than the superior and medium-quality flours. Total phenolic content (TPC) ranged between 124.5 and 171.4 mg GAE/100 g WWF, which bound PC were responsible for 60% of TPC. Omics data and multivariate statistical analyses were successfully applied to discern the phenolic profile of WWF from different genotypes and technological qualities. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05665-8.

Metabolomic analysis and ecofriendly enrichment of sunflower meal extract.

BACKGROUND: The presence of phenolic compounds in sunflower is well reported in the literature; however, knowledge is scarce when it comes to the composition of other secondary metabolites in this species and their by-products. This work evaluated, for the first time, the phytochemical composition of sunflower meal produced in Brazil. A combination of mixture design and central composite rotatable design 23 models was then applied to maximize the recovery of bioactive compounds using ecologically friendly solvents and concentrating by applying activated carbon, a sustainable adsorbent. The product of this extraction-concentration was also evaluated by an untargeted metabolomic approach using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A diverse and abundant profile of phenolic compounds was obtained from Brazilian sunflower meal: in total, 51 natural products were tentatively identified, 35 of which for the first time in sunflower. The sorption capacity of the activated charcoal, in the optimized process conditions, was effective in the separation and concentration of minority secondary metabolites. The ecofriendly extract proved to be enriched in plumberoside, p-coumaric acid, and alkaloids. CONCLUSIONS: Investigation of the phytochemical profile of sunflower meal produced in Brazil pointed to several secondary metabolites reported for the first time in sunflower samples, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and terpenes. The use of activated charcoal in an alkaline medium as an adsorbent for the concentration of these phytochemicals, from an aqueous extract, generated a potentially cost-effective, ecofriendly extract, enriched in minor metabolites, indicating a possible innovative way to selectively obtain these compounds from sunflower meal. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rice Bran Lipidome Identifies Novel Phospholipids, Glycolipids, and Oxylipins with Roles in Lipid Metabolism of Hypercholesterolemic Children.

SCOPE: The purpose of the study is to characterize the chemical diversity in rice bran (RB) lipidome and determines whether daily RB consumption for 4 weeks may modulate plasma lipid profiles in children. METHODS AND RESULTS: Untargeted and targeted lipidomics via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) are applied to identify bioactive RB lipids from a collection of 17 rice varieties. To determine the impact of RB (Calrose-USA variety) supplementation on plasma lipid profile, a secondary analysis of plasma lipidome is conducted on data recorded in a clinical study (NCT01911390, n = 18 moderately hypercholesterolemic children) before and after 4 weeks of dietary intervention with a control or RB supplemented (15 g day-1 ) snack. Untargeted lipidomic reveals 118 lipids as the core of lipidome across all varieties among which phospholipids are abundant and oxylipins present. Phytoprostanes and phytofurans are quantified and characterized. Lipidome analysis of the children plasma following RB consumption reveals the presence of polar lipids and oxylipins alongside putative modulations in endocannabinoids associated with RB consumption. CONCLUSION: The investigation of novel polar lipids, oxylipins, phytoprostanes, and phytofurans in RB extracts provides support for new health-promoting properties interesting for people at risk for cardiometabolic disease.

Black tea kombucha: Physicochemical, microbiological and comprehensive phenolic profile changes during fermentation, and antimalarial activity.

This study shows the changes in physicochemical and microbiological composition, and in the phenolic profile of black tea kombucha during fermentation. In addition, the antimalarial potential of the kombucha was evaluated. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry multiplex analysis (UPLC-MSE) results revealed a 1.7 log2 fold-change increase in phenolics with the fermentation time, with emphasis on the increase of phenolic acids (0.3 log2 fold-change). Over time there was degradation of flavonoids such as nepetin, hesperidin and catechin 5-O-gallate, to the detriment of the increase in phenolic acids such as gallic acid and cinnamic acid. In addition, black tea kombucha presented antiplasmodic activity against the 3D7 (sensitive chloroquine) and W2 (resistant to chloroquine) strains. Therefore, important changes in the black tea kombucha phenolic profile take place during fermentation, which may help in the development of kombuchas with higher bioactive potential and contribute to a better understanding of the kombucha fermentation process.

Profile of phenolic compounds in jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) a potential functional ingredient.

Phenolic compounds have attracted a lot of attention due to their benefits to human health. Jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) fruit has been described as an excellent source of these compounds, while Jabuticaba leaf, considered as plant residue, has shown functional effects. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic profile in two different leaves extracts (hydroalcoholic ethanol and butanol) of Myrciaria sp. by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MSE. A total of 40 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified. Jabuticaba leaf extracts presented a rich and diversified composition of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, being ellagic acid, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin the most abundant in butanol extracts. Very distinct phenolic profiles were obtained depending on the the solvent indicating that specific preparations can be obtained from the jabuticaba leaf depending on the desired application. This work emphasized the potential of this residue vegetable to be used as a functional ingredient.

Kombuchas from green and black teas reduce oxidative stress, liver steatosis and inflammation, and improve glucose metabolism in Wistar rats fed a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green and black tea kombuchas consumption on adiposity, lipid and glucose metabolism, liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in Wistar rats fed a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Wistar rats, after 8 weeks to induce metabolic alterations, were divided into an AIN-93M control group, HFHF control group, green tea kombucha + HFHF diet (GTK group), and black tea kombucha + HFHF diet (BTK group), for 10 weeks. The kombuchas improved glucose metabolism, plasma total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased nitric oxide concentration. Moreover, both kombuchas reduced systemic inflammation by decreasing the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), reduced the total adipose tissue and blood triglyceride, and reverted liver steatosis (from grade 2 to 1), besides the modulation of genes related to adipogenesis and ß-oxidation. Therefore, kombuchas from green and black teas have bioactive properties that can help control metabolic alterations induced by the HFHF diet.

Effect of extrusion and turmeric addition on phenolic compounds and kafirin properties in tannin and tannin-free sorghum.

Sorghum is a potential substitute for corn/wheat in cereal-based extruded products. Despite agronomic advantages and its rich diversity of phenolic compounds, sorghum kafirins group together and form complex with tannins, leading to a low digestibility. Phenolic content/profile by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MSE and kafirins polymerization by SE-HPLC were evaluated in wholemeal sorghum extrudates; tannin-rich (#SC319) and tannin-free (#BRS330) genotypes with/without turmeric powder. Total phenolic, proantocyanidin and flavonoid contents were strongly correlated with antioxidant capacity (r > 0.9, p < 0.05). Extrusion increased free (+60%) and decreased bound phenolics (-40%) in #SC319, but reduced both (-40%; -90%, respectively) in #BRS330, which presented lower abundance after extrusion. Turmeric addition did not significantly impact antioxidant activity, phenolic content and profile and kafirins profile. Tannins presence/absence impacted phenolic profiles and polymerization of kafirins which appears related to the thermoplastic process. The extrusion improved proteins solubility and can positively enhance their digestibility (phenolic compounds-proteins interactions), making more accessible to proteolysis in sorghum extrudates.

Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel (Jaboticaba) leaf extract: In vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, toxicity assessment and phenolic-targeted UPLC-MSE metabolomic analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, known as Brazilian grape or jaboticaba, is widely used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat infectious and inflammatory disorders. However, several aspects of its biological potential remain unclear, such as toxicity and effects on pathogenic protozoa. AIM OF THE STUDY: Investigate the phenolic composition, the in vitro and in silico toxicity profile, and the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of the phenolics-enriched hydromethanolic extract of P. cauliflora leaf. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phytochemical analysis was performed ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MSE). Mutagenicity, genotoxicity and eukaryotic cytotoxicity was evaluated by Ames test, cytokinesis-block micronucleus and colorimetric assays, respectively, alongside with a computational prediction of the major compound's pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Anti-T. cruzi activity was investigated on T. cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes. RESULTS: A total of 14 phenolic compounds were identified, including 11 flavonoids and 2 phenolic acids. No positive response regarding mutagenic potential was detected in Salmonella strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA104, both in absence or presence of metabolic activation. The extract induced significant dose-response reduction on nuclear division indexes of HepG2 cells, suggesting cytostatic effects, with no micronuclei induction on cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Likewise, it also presented cytotoxic effects, inducing HepG2 and F C3H dose and time dependently cell death through cell membrane damage and more evidently by mitochondrial dysfunction. A dose-response curve of in vitro trypanocidal activity was observed against T. cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes after 2 and 24 h of exposure. In silico predictions of most abundant compounds' structural alerts, pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile indicates a moderately feasible druglikeness profile and low toxicity for them, which is compatible with in vitro results. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that P. cauliflora leaf extract is a potential source of antiparasitic bioactive compounds, however it presents cytotoxic effects in liver cell lines.

Metabolomics of Pigmented Rice Coproducts Applying Conventional or Deep Eutectic Extraction Solvents Reveal a Potential Antioxidant Source for Human Nutrition.

Rice bran (RB) corresponds to the outer layers of whole grain rice and contains several phenolic compounds (PCs) that make it an interesting functional food ingredient. PC richness is enhanced in pigmented RB varieties and requires effective ways of extraction of these compounds. Therefore, we investigated conventional and deep eutectic solvents (DES) extraction methods to recover a wide array of PCs from red and black RB. The RB were extracted with ethanol/water (60:40, v/v) and two DES (choline chloride/1.2-propanediol/water, 1:1:1 and choline chloride/lactic acid, 1:10, mole ratios), based on Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) components. Besides the quantification of the most typical phenolic acids of cereals, nontargeted metabolomic approaches were applied to PCs profiling in the extracts. Globally, metabolomics revealed 89 PCs belonging to flavonoids (52%), phenolic acids (33%), other polyphenols (8%), lignans (6%) and stilbenes (1%) classes. All extracts, whatever the solvents, were highly concentrated in the main phenolic acids found in cereals (37-66 mg/100 g in black RB extracts vs. 6-20 mg/100 g in red RB extracts). However, the PC profile was highly dependent on the extraction solvent and specific PCs were extracted using the acidic DES. The PC-enriched DES extracts demonstrated interesting DPPH scavenging activity, which makes them candidates for novel antioxidant formulations.

Potential prebiotic effect of fruit and vegetable byproducts flour using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Fruit and vegetable byproducts (FVBP) present high content of bioactive compounds and dietary fibers and have demonstrated a positive modulatory effect upon gut microbiota composition. In the present study, the prebiotic potential of a FVBP flour obtained from solid byproducts after fruit and vegetable processing was evaluated after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. An initial screening with three strains of Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus casei 01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus R11 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5®) and one Bifidobacterium strain (Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis BB12®) was carried out and then the prebiotic effect of FVBP flour was performed with fecal samples of five donors. The changes in gut microbiota were evaluated at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h of fermentation by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method with 16S rRNA-based specific primers. The pH and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production at each fermentation time were assessed. The fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were used as positive control. The impact of FVBP flour upon cell viability was also evaluated. FVBP flour showed higher prebiotic effect than FOS on growth enhancement of Lactobacillus after 48 h of fermentation and similar bifidogenic effect as FOS on Bifidobacterium growth at 12, 24 and 48 h of fermentation. SCFA production was observed when FVBP flour was used as carbon source, including butyrate, which supports the prebiotic potential of this flour. Additionally, it was observed that after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the FVBP flour at 3% promoted cell metabolism of Caco-2 cell line up to 67%. Thus, the present study demonstrates the viability of using a fruit and vegetable byproducts flour as a potential sustainable prebiotic source.

Fruits and vegetable-processing waste: a case study in two markets at Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Fruits and vegetables (FV) consumed in natura or processed produce a significant volume of waste, causing an economic deficit in the productive chain. FV markets feature a significant production of vegetable residues with potential of use, since they commercialize an increasing amount of minimally processed vegetables and fruit juices. To this end, it is important to identify, quantify, and characterize these wastes and to propose feasible and coherent alternatives for their use at regional and worldwide levels. In this paper, a case study of two FV markets in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was conducted to identify and quantify FV processing waste. Over a period of 20 days, the FV residues from 31 vegetables and 17 fruits were identified and weighed. It is estimated by extrapolation that 106,000 kg of FV were processed in 1 year in two units of FV markets and 48.6% of FV were discarded as by-products. This may be a consequence of factors that contribute to waste generation, such as the low preparation and/or training of the manipulators as well as the quality of the equipment and the maintenance thereof. Thus, studies that aim to understand the environmental impact by monitoring the of FV waste are fundamental, since this waste can be used as raw material and converted into value-added products.

Kombuchas from green and black teas have different phenolic profile, which impacts their antioxidant capacities, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities.

UPLC-QTOF-MSE phenolic profile of kombuchas produced from the fermentation of green tea or black tea at 25 °C for 10 days was investigated along with the determination of their antioxidant capacities, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities. Overall, 127 phenolic compounds (70.2% flavonoids, 18.3% phenolic acids, 8.4% other polyphenols, 2.3% lignans and 0.8% stilbenes) were identified, with 103 phenolic compounds reported for the first time in kombuchas. A greater diversity and abundance of phenolic compounds was detected in black tea kombucha, which resulted in a higher antioxidant capacity. However, the green tea kombucha was the only one that presented antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested and an increased antiproliferative activity against the cancer cell lines, which was attributed to the presence of catechins among the most abundant phenolic compounds and verbascoside as an exclusive compound. Thus, the type of tea used in the kombucha production interferes in its bioactive composition and properties.

Metabolite Profiling by UPLC-MSE, NMR, and Antioxidant Properties of Amazonian Fruits: Mamey Apple (Mammea Americana), Camapu (Physalis Angulata), and Uxi (Endopleura Uchi).

The metabolite profiling associated with the antioxidant potential of Amazonian fruits represents an important step to the bioactive compound's characterization due to the large biodiversity in this region. The comprehensive bioactive compounds profile and antioxidant capacities of mamey apple (Mammea americana), camapu (Physalis angulata), and uxi (Endopleura uchi) was determined for the first time. Bioactive compounds were characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-MSE) in aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Globally, a total of 293 metabolites were tentatively identified in mamey apple, campau, and uxi extracts. The main classes of compounds in the three species were terpenoids (61), phenolic acids (58), and flavonoids (53). Ethanolic extracts of fruits showed higher antioxidant activity and total ion abundance of bioactive compounds than aqueous. Uxi had the highest values of phenolic content (701.84 mg GAE/100 g), ABTS (1602.7 µmol Trolox g-1), and ORAC (15.04 µmol Trolox g-1). Mamey apple had the highest results for DPPH (1168.42 µmol TE g-1) and FRAP (1381.13 µmol FSE g-1). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy results showed that sugars and lipids were the substances with the highest amounts in mamey apple and camapu. Data referring to chemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of these fruits can contribute to their economic exploitation.

Identification and action of phenolic compounds of Jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stignocarpa Mart.) on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities and flour effect on glycemic response and nutritional quality of breads.

This study investigated the phenolic profile of jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stignocarpa Mart.) extracts submitted to in vitro digestion, the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities; and the effect of jatobá-do-cerrado flour addition on the nutritional quality, glycemic index (GI) and acceptability of breads. The phenolic composition was determined by UPLC-MS. Bread formulations were developed adding the jatobá-do-cerrado flour at 10, 20 and 30% (w/w) to replace wheat flour. Phenolic compounds of biological relevance such as caffeic acid, kaempferol, quercetin-3-rutinoside and quercetin-3-rhamnoside were present in jatobá-do-cerrado. The phenolic extracts after in vitro digestion significantly inhibited the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Breads with 20% jatobá-do-cerrado flour addition promoted significant reduction (22%) in GI from 70 (control) to 54.3, while 30% addition presented GI of 57.4 and 10% addition a GI of 62.5. The replacement of refined wheat flour by jatobá-do-cerrado flour reduced glycemic response of breads in a non-dose dependent manner. The dietary fibers and the phenolic compounds of jatobá-do-cerrado exerted a synergetic modulation of glucose metabolism by inhibiting sugar metabolic enzymes and glucose absorption. Thus, jatobá-do-cerrado can be included in the diet of healthy individuals and chronic diseases patients, such as diabetics, as an alternative to improve glycemic control.

Differential expression of albumins and globulins of wheat flours of different technological qualities revealed by nanoUPLC-UDMSE.

Soluble proteins were extracted from common wheat flour obtained from nine cultivars of different qualities and were analyzed by nanoUPLC and Ultra Definition Mass Spectrometry (UDMSE) label-free quantitative approach. Collectively, 5894 proteins were identified and quantified with 8 peptides/protein. A total of 414 proteins were found differentially expressed with 85% proteins not yet described in the literature, according to their biological function. Quality-related proteins, such as puroindolines and chaperones, notably involved in the gluten-protein folding process, were up-regulated in superior (SP) and medium (MD) flours qualities and down-regulated in the low (LW) ones. Domains related to the chaperones activity were also found up-regulated in SP and MD and down-regulated in LW. In this work, nanoUPLC-UDMSE analysis was effective to identify and quantify metabolic proteins, allowing a clear distinction of the wheat flours and providing new perspectives for evaluating the technological quality based on the low abundant proteins of wheat endosperm.