Monitoring Changes in the Volatile Profile of Ecuadorian Cocoa during Different Steps in Traditional On-Farm Processing.

The present work was conducted to evaluate the volatile profile of Ecuadorian Forastero, CCN-51, ETT103 and LR14 cocoa beans during traditional fermentation in laurel wood boxes followed by a sun-drying process. Fifty-six volatiles were identified with HS-SPME-GC-MS. Aldehydes, alcohols and ketones were the compounds that mainly characterized the fresh cocoa. The main compounds formed during the anaerobic fermentation step were esters and acids, while in the aerobic fermentation step, an increase in ester-, aldehyde- and acid-type compounds was observed. Finally, after the drying step, a notable increase in the acid (i.e., acetic acid) content was the predominant trend. According to the genotypes, ETT103 presented high contents of terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones and low contents of unfavorable acid compounds. The CCN-51 and LR14 (Trinitarian) varieties stood out for their highest amounts in acids (i.e., acetic acid) at the end of primary processing. Finally, the Forastero cocoa beans were highlighted for their low acid and high trimethylpyrazine contents. According to the chemometric and Venn diagram analyses, ETT-103 was an interestingly high-aromatic-quality variety for cocoa gourmet preparations. The results also showed the need for good control of the processing steps (using prefermentative treatments, starter cultures, etc.) on Ecuadorian genotypes of Trinitarian origin.

Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces?

Isotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in faeces is a reliable methodology for studying ecology in wildlife. Here, we tested this technique to detect variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in two different intrasexual competition scenarios of male Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) using faeces of individuals collected during hunting actions in South-eastern Spain. The carbon isotopic ratio (δ13C) was not found to be significant, likely due to similar diet composition in all individuals. However, the nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ15N) was found to be lower in populations where sexual competition between males during the rut was higher compared to low-competition populations. Therefore, this study suggests a different use of proteins by an individual male red deer depending on the sexually competitive context in which he lives. Although further research is needed, these results show the potential of isotopic analysis as a tool for studying individual and populational variations in the level of intrasexual competition, with implications in evolutionary ecology and population management.

Effect of Black Garlic Consumption on Endothelial Function and Lipid Profile: A Before-and-After Study in Hypercholesterolemic and Non-Hypercholesterolemic Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Black garlic is obtained from raw garlic (Allium sativum L.), by a fermentation process, under humidity and heat treatment, showing a high concentration of organosulfur compounds, which have been related to benefits in the prevention or delay of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The objective of the research was to evaluate whether long-term consumption of black garlic improves endothelial function and lipid profile in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Single center, controlled clinical trial with two branches: Hypercholesterolemia vs. Healthy condition. Sixty-two subjects of both sexes were distributed in two groups, the hypercholesterolemia group (n = 31) (total cholesterol (TC) range 200-300 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol range 135-175 mg/dL) and the healthy group (n = 31). The intervention consisted of the ingestion of 4 cloves of black garlic (12 g) daily for 12 weeks. RESULTS: significant increases in Apolipoprotein (Apo)A1 occurred in both groups: Hypercholesterolemia (Δ 11.8 mg/dL p < 0.001) vs Healthy (Δ 11.1 mg/dL p < 0.001). Besides, significant reductions for endothelial adhesion molecules monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (Δ -121.5 pg/mL p = 0.007 vs. Δ -56.3 pg/mL p = 0.015), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (Δ -39.3 ng/mL p < 0.001 vs. Δ 63.5 ng/mL p < 0.001), and vascular cyto-adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (Δ -144.4 ng/mL p < 0.001 vs. Δ -83.4 ng/mL p = 0.061) were observed, for hypercholesterolemic and healthy subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that black garlic consumption could improve some parameters related to endothelial function and lipid profile, which may have a favorable impact on the risk of CVDs, although more long-term studies are necessary to confirm.

Exploring the potential links between gut microbiota composition and natural populations management in wild boar (Sus scrofa).

We surveyed wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations using 16S rRNA gene analysis of the gut microbiota in fresh faeces taken from 88 animals hunted in 16 hunting estates. The wild boar is a very convenient model system to explore how environmental factors including game management, food availability, disease prevalence, and behaviour may affect different biological components of wild individuals with potential implications in management and conservation. We tested the hypotheses that diet (according to stable carbon isotopes analyses), gender (i.e., animal behaviour studying males and females), and both health (analyses of serum samples to detect exposure to several diseases) and form statutes (i.e., thoracic circumference in adults) are reflected in changes in the intestinal microbiota. We focused on a gut functional biomarker index combining Oscillospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae vs. Enterobacteriaceae. We found that gender and the estate (population) were explanatory variables (c.a. 28% of the variance), albeit a high degree of overlapping among individuals was observed. The individuals with higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae showed a gut microbiota with low diversity, mostly in males. Significant statistical differences for thoracic circumference were not found between males and females. Interestingly, the thoracic circumference was significantly and inversely related to the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in males. Overall, we found that diet, gender, and form status were major factors that could be related to the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. A high variability was observed in the biomarker index for populations with natural diet (rich in C3 plants). Although, we noticed a marginally significant negative trend between the index (higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae) and the continuous feeding of C4 plants (i.e., supplementary maize) in the diet of males. This result suggests that continuous artificial feeding in hunting estates could be one of the factors negatively influencing the gut microbiota and the form status of wild boars that deserves further investigations.

UHPLC-HRMS Spectrometric Analysis: Method Validation and Plasma and Urinary Metabolite Identification after Mango Pulp Intake.

After an acute intake of 300 g of mango purée by 10 subjects, 0 and 24 h urine and plasma samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. The method was first validated for 44 reference polyphenols in terms of linearity, specificity, limits of detection and quantification, intra-day and inter-day precision, recovery, and matrix effects in two biological matrices. After method validation, a total of 94 microbial-derived phenolic catabolites, including 15 cinnamic acids, 3 phenylhydracrylic acids, 14 phenylpropanoic acids, 12 phenylacetic acids, 28 benzoic acids, 2 mandelic acids, 15 hydroxybenzenes, and 5 hippuric acid derivatives, were identified or tentatively identified in urine and/or plasma. These results establish the value of the UHPLC-HRMS protocol and the use of authentic standards to obtain a detailed and accurate picture of mango polyphenol metabolites, together with their phase II conjugated metabolites, in human bioavailability studies.

Excretion by subjects on a low (poly)phenol diet of phenolic gut microbiota catabolites sequestered in tissues or associated with catecholamines and surplus amino acids.

Phenolic catabolites excreted by fasting subjects with a functioning colon and ileostomists on a low (poly)phenol diet have been investigated. Urine was collected over a 12 h fasting period after adherence to a low (poly)phenol diet for 36 h. UHPLC-HR-MS quantified 77 phenolics. Some were present in the urine of both groups in similar trace amounts and others were excreted in higher amounts by participants with a colon indicating the involvement of the microbiota. Most were present in sub- or low-µmol amounts, but hippuric acid dominated accounting on average for 60% of the total for both volunteer categories indicating significant production from sources other than non-nutrient dietary (poly)phenols. The potential origins of the phenolics associated with the low (poly)phenol diet, include endogenous catecholamines, surplus tyrosine and phenylalanine, and washout of catabolites derived from pre-study intakes of non-nutrient dietary (poly)phenols.

Urinary excretion of organosulfur compounds after acute ingestion of black onion.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) and its newly derived product "black onion" are characterised by the presence of compounds with potential bioactivity, particularly organosulfur compounds (OSCs). However, little is known about the metabolism, distribution, and excretion of these compounds as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract. This study monitored healthy subjects after an acute intake of black onion and analysed the excretion of OSCs using UHPLC-HRMS. A total of 31 OSCs were detected in urine after the acute ingestion of black onion, the main components being S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (methiin) (13.6 ± 3.9 µmol), isoalliin (12.4 ± 4.7 µmol) and S-propyl-L-cysteine (deoxypropiin) (3.1 ± 0.7 µmol). Moreover, N-acetylated metabolites of the major OSCs detected in black onion, namely, N-acetyl-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide (NAS1PCS) and N-acetyl-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine (NAS1PC), were found in urine after black onion consumption. The N-acetylation reaction takes place in the kidneys and liver, and metabolism pathways are proposed to explain the excretion of OSCs in urine. The basis of the identification of OSCs as urinary metabolites after black onion consumption is described for the first time and provides the basis for further research.

Impact of the pre-drying process on the volatile profile of on-farm processed Ecuadorian bulk and fine-flavour cocoa varieties.

Aiming to improve the quality of cocoa, preconditioning of cocoa after harvesting and before fermentation has become an on-farm processing step of great interest in recent times. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of a pre-drying process on the volatile composition of Ecuadorian bulk (Forastero and CCN-51) and fine-flavour (ETT103 and LR14) cocoa at the end of primary processing. A total of 63 volatile compounds including aldehydes, alcohols, acids, ketones, esters, terpenes, lactones and other miscellaneous compounds were identified in cocoa samples by HS-SPME-GC-MS. The use of a pre-drying step revealed a varietal homogenization and a reduction in the fermentation time, making this preconditioning step an inexpensive and attractive option for farmers. Moreover, different varietal behaviour was observed after pre-drying, the fine-flavour varieties obtaining a clear improvement in aromatic quality with higher levels of compounds imparting positive notes.

Bioavailability of Organosulfur Compounds after the Ingestion of Black Garlic by Healthy Humans.

The consumption of black garlic has been related to a decreased risk of many human diseases due to the presence of phytochemicals such as organosulfur compounds (OSCs). However, information on the metabolization of these compounds in humans is limited. By means of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), this study aims to determine the OSCs and their metabolites excreted in urine 24 h after an acute intake of 20 g of black garlic by healthy humans. Thirty-three OSCs were identified and quantified, methiin (17,954 ± 6040 nmol), isoalliin (15,001 ± 9241 nmol), S-(2-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine (8804 ± 7220 nmol) and S-propyl-L-cysteine (deoxypropiin) (7035 ± 1392 nmol) being the main ones. Also detected were the metabolites N-acetyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine (NASAC), N-acetyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (NASACS) and N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine (NACPC), derived from S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), alliin and S-(2-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine, respectively. These compounds are potentially N-acetylated in the liver and kidney. The total excretion of OSCs 24 h after the ingestion of black garlic was 64,312 ± 26,584 nmol. A tentative metabolic pathway has been proposed for OSCs in humans.

Effect of Drying Technique on the Volatile Content of Ecuadorian Bulk and Fine-Flavor Cocoa.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the most widely consumed edible seeds in the world affected by on-farm processing. This study investigated the effect of different drying techniques, namely oven drying (OD), sun drying (SD), and a modification of sun drying using black plastic sheeting (SBPD), on the volatile profile of fine-flavor and bulk cocoa varieties analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS. A total of sixty-four volatile compounds were identified in fresh and dried cocoa. As expected, the volatile profile was clearly modified after the drying step, showing strong differences among cocoa varieties, this factor and its interaction with the drying technique having greater influence according to the ANOVA simultaneous component analysis. A principal component analysis revealed a close relationship between the volatile content of bulk cocoa samples dried by the OD and SD techniques, whereas slight volatile modifications were perceived among fine-flavor samples dried using the three different techniques under study. Overall, the results provide the basis for the potential application of the simplest inexpensive SBPD technique in order to accelerate the drying process of sun drying and produce cocoa with similar (fine-flavor cocoa) or improved (bulk cocoa) aromatic quality to that formed using the traditional SD or the small-scale OD.

Effect of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion and Colonic Fermentation on the Stability of Polyphenols in Pistachio (Pistacia Vera L.).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation on the polyphenol compounds from different varieties of pistachio by UHPLC-HRMS analysis. The total polyphenol content decreased significantly, mostly during oral (recoveries of 27 to 50%) and gastric digestion (recoveries of 10 to 18%), with no significant changes after the intestinal phase. After in vitro digestion, the hydroxybenzoic acids and the flavan-3-ols were the main compounds found in pistachio, with respective total polyphenol contents of 73 to 78% and 6 to 11%. More specifically, the main compounds determined after in vitro digestion were 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic hexoside and epigallocatechin gallate. The colonic fermentation affected the total phenolic content of the six varieties studied, with a recovery range of 11 to 25% after 24 h of fecal incubation. A total of twelve catabolites were identified after fecal fermentation, the main compounds being the 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic, 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic, 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acids and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-É£-valerolactone. Based on these data, a catabolic pathway for colonic microbial degradation of phenolic compounds is proposed. The catabolites identified at the end of the process are potentially responsible for the health properties attributed to pistachio consumption.

Bioavailability of orange juice (poly)phenols: ß-glucan-rich oat bran decreases urinary excretion of flavanone phase II metabolites and enhances excretion of microbiota-derived phenolic catabolites.

The impact of ß-glucan-rich oat bran on the bioavailability of orange juice (OJ) flavanones was investigated. Volunteers consumed 500 mL of OJ with and without 22 g of oat bran containing 6 g of ß-glucan (OB-6). Urine collected 12 h prior to and over a 0-24 h period post-supplementation was analysed by UHPLC-HRMS. Sixteen flavanone metabolites and thirty-nine colon-derived phenolic catabolites were identified and quantified. The major compounds were hesperetin-3'-glucuronide, along with hippuric acids and the C6-C3 phenolic acids 3-(3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyphenyl)hydracrylic acid and 3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)propanoic acid. A marked reduction in the 0-24 h excretion of flavanone metabolites from 29.7 µmol (9.3% recovery) to 9.3 µmol (2.9% recovery), occurred following consumption of OB-6 compared to OJ. This appeared not to be an effect of fiber on the rate of transport in the upper gut. After consumption of OJ there was a 163 ± 15 µmol excretion of colon-derived phenolic catabolites, equivalent to 43% of (poly)phenol intake and following OB-6 intake there was a further significant 30% increase. The ß-oat bran in OB-6 contained 5.8 µmol of free and 52 µmol of bound phenolic derivatives compared to 371 µmol of OJ (poly)phenols. The elevated excretion of phenolics after OB-6 consumption appears not to be due to bound phenolics in the bran, rather it is consequence, principally, of a bran-mediated increase in the quantities of flavanones passing from the upper to the lower bowel where they were subjected to microbiota-mediated catabolism. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04867655.

Long-term supplementation with anthocyanin-rich or -poor Rubus idaeus berries does not influence microvascular architecture nor cognitive outcome in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Disruption of microvascular architecture is a common pathogenic mechanism in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the anti-angiogenic activity of berry (poly)phenols, we investigated whether long-term feeding of Rubus idaeus (raspberries) could ameliorate cerebral microvascular pathology and improve cognition in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of AD. Male C57Bl/6J mice (50 wild type, 50 APP/PS-1) aged 4-months were fed for 24-weeks, with a normal diet enriched with either 100 mg/day glucose (control diet) or supplemented with glucose and freeze-dried anthocyanin-rich (red) or -poor (yellow) raspberries (100 mg/day) and assessed/sampled post intervention. Cerebral microvascular architecture of wild-type mice was characterised by regularly spaced capillaries with uniform diameters, unlike APP/PS-1 transgenic mice which showed dysregulated microvascular architecture. Long-term feeding of raspberries demonstrated limited modulation of microbiota and no substantive effect on microvascular architecture or cognition in either mice model although changes were evident in endogenous cerebral and plasmatic metabolites.

Impact of Temperature on Phenolic and Osmolyte Contents in In Vitro Cultures and Micropropagated Plants of Two Mediterranean Plant Species, Lavandula viridis and Thymus lotocephalus.

In this study, in vitro cultures and micropropagated plants of two Mediterranean aromatic plants, Lavandula viridis L'Hér and Thymus lotocephalus López and Morales, were exposed to different temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C). The effect of temperature on the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation, and osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins), as well as on the phenolic profile by HPLC-HRMS and intermediates of the secondary metabolism (phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and shikimic acid content), was investigated. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was also analyzed. Overall, considering the lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, the extreme temperatures (15 and 30 °C) caused the greatest damage to both species, but the osmoprotectant response was different depending on the species and plant material. In both species, phenolic compounds and related antioxidant activity increased with the rise in temperature in the micropropagated plants, while the opposite occurred in in vitro cultures. L. viridis cultures showed the highest biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid (92.6 g/kgDW) at 15 °C and seem to be a good alternative to produce this valuable compound. We conclude that contrasting temperatures greatly influence both species' primary and secondary metabolism, but the response is different depending on the plant micropropagation stage.

Grape seed extract supplementation modulates hepatic lipid metabolism in rats. Implication of PPARß/δ.

In mammals, the liver is involved in nutrient metabolism and in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis. Multiple studies have described improvements in liver disorders after regular consumption of grape seed extract (GSE). GSE prevents or ameliorates hepatic metabolic dysfunction through AMPK activation, which reduces hepatic lipogenesis while enhancing hepatic lipid oxidation. However, the involvement of ChREBPß and PPARß/δ in these effects has not been fully elucidated. We aim to demonstrate that chronic consumption of GSE at low doses (25 mg kg-1 body weight per day) produces beneficial effects on hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in young lean Wistar rats and that part of these effects involve ChREBPß inactivation and PPARß/δ activation. In our study, increased concentrations of structurally related (-)-(epi)catechin metabolites and 5-carbon ring fission metabolites were found in the serum of GSE-supplemented rats parallel with the reduction in triglycerides and leptin levels, hepatic cholesterol content and visceral adiposity. GSE supplementation inactivates ChREBP and GSK-3ß, which has been linked to improvements in hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, the consumption of GSE promotes the expression of Pparß/δ, as well as Pgc-1α and Acox-1, which control hepatic lipid oxidation. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of PPARß/δ slowed the induction of Pgc-1α and Acox-1, as well as the activation of AMPK triggered by GSE consumption. Our data suggest that PPARß/δ activation is involved in the metabolic reprogramming effects of chronic GSE consumption in young rats, by modulating, at least, part of the transcriptional programs that maintain hepatic and systemic fuel homeostasis.

Response of Thymus lotocephalus In Vitro Cultures to Drought Stress and Role of Green Extracts in Cosmetics.

The impact of drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) on morphological, physiological, (bio)chemical, and biological characteristics of Thymus lotocephalus López and Morales shoot cultures have been investigated, as well as the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as alleviating drought stress agents. Results showed that PEG caused oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner, raising H2O2 levels and reducing shoots' growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, and phenolic compounds production, especially phenolic acids, including the major compound rosmarinic acid. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra analysis revealed that PEG treatment caused changes in shoots' composition, enhancing terpenoids biosynthesis. PEG also decreased the biological activities (antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and photoprotective) of the eco-friendly extracts obtained with a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent. MeJA was the most efficient agent in protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by drought, by improving the biosynthesis of phenolics, like methyl 6-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside and salvianolic acids, as well as improving the extracts' antioxidant activity. Altogether, the obtained results demonstrated a negative impact of PEG on T. lotocephalus shoots and an effective role of MeJA as a mitigating agent of drought stress. Additionally, extracts showed a good potential to be used in the cosmetics industry as skincare products.

Evaluation of Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Eleven Pistachio Cultivars (Pistacia vera L.) Cultivated in Andalusia.

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a nut with a good adaptability to the Mediterranean conditions of cultivation, specifically in the Andalusian region, becoming an emerging crop. Moreover, it has been getting attention in the past years for the great content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. Although some studies have reported the polyphenolic profile of pistachios, most of them have analyzed the hull part, considered as a residue, and not the kernel which is the edible part. Therefore, characterization of eleven varieties of pistachios kernels cultivated in Andalusia and harvested in 2019 and 2020 was carried out by UHPLC-MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry). The identification and quantification of 56 polyphenolic compounds was performed, being the hydroxybenzoic acids group the most abundant with a 71−86% of the total amount followed by flavan-3-ols group that accounted for 8−24%. Moreover, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the main compound in most of the varieties, followed by vanillic acid hexoside. Larnaka, Avdat, Aegina, and Mateur presented the highest amount of total polyphenols, while Kalehghouchi, Joley, Lost Hills, Kerman, and Golden Hills were the varieties with the lowest content. Regarding the harvest season, no significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the total amount of polyphenols between 2019 and 2020. In addition, the antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assays, showing a similar trend as that of the polyphenols.

Effects of colonic fermentation on the stability of fresh and black onion bioactives.

The health properties related to onion intake are attributed mainly to the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic and organosulfur compounds (OSCs). The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effect of an in vitro colonic fermentation on the stability of phenolic and OSCs of fresh and black onion by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with a linear ion trap (UHPLC-LIT-MS). Throughout colonic fermentation, fresh onion showed an increase in the total phenolic content of 45%, mainly due to an increase in the content of the flavonoid family, while the OSCs remained stable along the fermentation. Black onion presented a different behaviour, showing significant decreases in total (poly)phenol and OSC content, 22 and 48%, respectively. The main compounds found after the in vitro colonic fermentation of fresh onion were isorhamnetin (141 µmol L-1), quercetin (95 µmol L-1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (53 µmol L-1), methionine sulfoxide (100 µmol L-1) and S-allylcysteine (SAC) (21.7 µmol L-1), whereas 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (70 µmol L-1), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (68 µmol L-1), methionine sulfoxide (82 µmol L-1) and S-propylmercapto-L-cysteine (SPMC) (10.1 µmol L-1) accounted for the highest concentrations of phenolics and OSCs in fermented black onion. These compounds, presumably present for their absorption and action at the colonic level, could be related to the health benefits of regular consumption of fresh and black onion.

In Vitro Colonic Fermentation of (Poly)phenols and Organosulfur Compounds of Fresh and Black Garlic.

The beneficial properties associated with garlic consumption have been related to the presence of bioactive compounds including (poly)phenols and organosulfur compounds (OSCs). This study aims to assess the effect of in vitro colonic fermentation on fresh and black garlic by determining the transformation of these compounds through ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with a linear ion trap (uHPLC-LIT-MS). Colonic fermentation had a similar influence on the phenolic content of fresh and black garlic, with total respective decreases of 43.8% and 41.7%. Meanwhile, fermentation resulted in a significant decrease (33%) in OSCs in black garlic. Compounds such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, S-allylcysteine (SAC), and methionine sulfoxide were the phenolic compounds and OSCs with the highest concentration in fresh and black garlic after the in vitro fermentation. These compounds, potentially present at the colonic level, might be responsible for the systemic health benefits associated with the consumption of black and fresh garlic.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values in hair reveal management differences and hidden practices in wild boar populations.

The analysis of stable isotopes in different tissues has been widely used to obtain information on the ecology and nutritional patterns of wildlife. The isotope ratios of the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15N) analysed in different tissues are directly related to the animal's diet and, to some extent, to the environment where the individual has growth. Specifically, this type of analysis in hair samples has become relevant as it provides information on the quality and long-term composition of the diet that produced the isotope accumulation during the tissue growth. We took samples of wild boar (Sus scrofa) hair from 7 different populations in the south-west of Spain (Mediterranean habitats), in the 2018/2019 hunting season. The main objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the use of hair stable isotopes to reveal differences in composition and quality of the diet of wild boar within the same population or between populations, and (ii) to use hair isotopes as a tool to uncover hidden management practices that may occur in hunting areas associated with the use of supplementary feeding or even captive breeding and release. Each animal had a hair (long 10 cm) analysed in duplicate, previously cut into parts of equal size (from the oldest part of the hair to the most recent part), that were analysed separately. We found differences in δ13C and δ 15N between hair parts and populations, which can be related to management actions at different times during the hair growth. Moreover, the use of corn, a type of plant not occurring naturally in the study area, can be documented with the isotope analysis to prove unauthorized supplementary feeding or captive origin of wild boar in hunting areas.