Nutritive Value and Bioactivities of a Halophyte Edible Plant: Crithmum maritimum L. (Sea Fennel).

Crithmum maritimum L. (sea fennel), an edible xerophyte of coastal habitats, is considered an emerging cash crop for biosaline agriculture due to its salt-tolerance ability and potential applications in the agri-food sector. Here, the nutritional value and bioactive properties of sea fennel are described. Sea fennel leaves, flowers, and schizocarps are composed of carbohydrates (>65%) followed by ash, proteins, and lipids. Sea fennel's salty, succulent leaves are a source of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. Extracts obtained from flowers and fruits/schizocarps are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and show antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis. Plant material is particularly rich in sodium (Na) but also in other nutritionally relevant minerals, such as calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), beyond presenting a potential prebiotic effect on Lactobacillus bulgaricus and being nontoxic to human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 model cells, up to 1.0% (w/v). Hence, the rational use of sea fennel can bring nutrients, aroma, and flavor to culinary dishes while balancing microbiomes and contributing to expanding the shelf life of food products.

Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Fed with Pelvetia canaliculata-Supplemented Diets: An Insight towards the Valorization of Seaweed Biomass.

Seaweeds are a sustainable source of protein and lipids that may be used to replace fish by-products in aquaculture feed. This study aimed at using the macroalgae Pelvetia canaliculata as an ingredient in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) feed, either as freeze-dried powder or as algae residue (waste) that was obtained after the supplementation of sunflower oil. The formulated diets and the fish muscle were analyzed concerning the proximate composition and the fatty acid profile. The health lipid indices hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H), atherogenic (AI), thrombogenic (TI), as well as n-3/n-6 and polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) ratios were calculated. Additionally, the peroxidizability index (PI) was determined. No differences were observed in the proximate composition of fish muscle regardless of the diet used. Fish fed a diet supplemented with 10% of algae waste (W10) stand out for the highest content in oleic acid (C18:1 n-9), and the lowest in both linoleic (C18:2 n-6) and palmitic (C16:0) fatty acids. All fish samples showed values of health lipid indices within the limits recommend for a nutritional balanced diet. These results highlight that fish fed diets supplemented with P. canaliculata are sources of healthy lipids that might be consumed on a regular basis to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Enrichment of Sunflower Oil with Ultrasound-Assisted Extracted Bioactive Compounds from Crithmum maritimum L.

Crithmum maritimum L., or sea fennel, is an edible halophyte plant, rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, that naturally grows in Mediterranean coasts. This study aims to incorporate bioactive compounds extracted from lyophilized Crithmum maritimum to sunflower oil assisted by ultrasounds (UAE), to improve its biological value and oxidative stability. UAE conditions were optimized as a function of time (5-20 min) and lyophilized plant concentration (5-20% m/v). The experiments were dictated by a central composite rotatable matrix. Oxidation products were not influenced by UAE conditions. Acidity, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were affected by both factors, while total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (FRAP method) only increased with plant concentration. Response surfaces were fitted to these experimental results. Flavonoids were highly related with oil antioxidant activity. No sensory defects were detected in supplemented oil (12.5% m/v plant/5 min UAE). The oxidative stability of this oil was evaluated at 60 °C/12 days. Chlorophylls, phenols, radical scavenging (DPPH), and antioxidant activities decreased over time but were always higher than the values in non-supplemented oil (8.6 and 7-fold with FRAP and DPPH, respectively). C. maritimum presented high amounts of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, adequate for sunflower oil supplementation by UAE.

Argan Oil as a Rich Source of Linoleic Fatty Acid for Dietetic Structured Lipids Production.

Argan oil is rich in long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (FA), mostly oleic and linoleic, and natural antioxidants. This study addresses the production of low-calorie structured lipids by acidolysis reaction, in a solvent-free system, between caprylic (C8:0; system I) or capric (C10:0; system II) acids and argan oil, used as triacylglycerol (TAG) source. Three commercial immobilized lipases were tested: Novozym® 435, Lipozyme® TL IM, and Lipozyme® RM IM. Higher incorporation degree (ID) was achieved when C10:0 was used as acyl donor, for all the lipases tested. Lipozyme® RM IM yielded the highest ID for both systems (28.9 ± 0.05 mol.% C10:0, and 11.4 ± 2.2 mol.% C8:0), being the only catalyst able to incorporate C8:0 under the reaction conditions for biocatalyst screening (molar ratio 2:1 FA/TAG and 55 °C). The optimal conditions for Lipozyme® RM IM in system II were found by response surface methodology (66 °C; molar ratio FA/TAG of 4:1), enabling to reach an ID of 40.9 mol.% of C10:0. Operational stability of Lipozyme® RM IM in system II was also evaluated under optimal conditions, after eight consecutive 24 h-batches, with biocatalyst rehydration between cycles. The biocatalyst presented a half-life time of 103 h.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Pelvetia canaliculata to Sunflower Oil.

In this study, Pelvetia canaliculata L. macroalga, collected from the Atlantic Portuguese coast, was used as a source of bioactive compounds, mostly antioxidants, to incorporate them in sunflower oil with the aim of increasing its biological value and oxidative stability. The lyophilized alga was added to the oil, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was performed. Algae concentration and UAE time varied following a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) to optimize extraction conditions. The following parameters were analyzed in the oils: oxidation products, acidity, color, chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids, flavonoids, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays, and sensory analysis. Extraction conditions did not affect the acidity and the amount of oxidation products in the oil. Chlorophylls and carotenoid contents increased with algae concentration, while flavonoid extraction did not depend on algae content or UAE time. Total phenolics in the oil were highly related only to FRAP antioxidant activity. Storage experiments of supplemented oil (12.5% algae; 20 min UAE) were carried out under accelerated oxidation conditions at 60 °C/12 days. Antioxidant activity (FRAP) of supplemented oil was 6-fold higher than the value of non-supplemented oil. Final samples retained 40% of their initial antioxidant activity. The presence of algae extracts contributed to the increased oxidative stability of sunflower oil.

Enhancing oxidative stability of sunflower oil by supplementation with prickled broom (Pterospartum tridentatum) ethanolic extract.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Pterospartum tridentatum flowers in the stability of sunflower oil. The extract was characterized regarding to its antioxidant activity by the 2,2,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging method (EC50 = 76.3 ± 2.6 µg/mL) and total phenolic content (200 ± 8 mg GAE/g). Extracts were added at 500 mg/L (E1) and 1,000 mg/L (E2), and after 30 days of storage at room temperature, E2 oil showed improved quality parameters, with a reduction of 22.4%, 17.2%, and 45.6% in the values of acidity, peroxide, and p-anisidine, respectively. The extract also increased oil stability at 180 °C. After 27 hr, the acidity (0.216 ± 0.016 mg KOH/g) and the total oxidation value (TOTOX) (69.30 ± 0.26) values of E2 oil were significantly lower than the control. These results showed that P. tridentatum effectively improved the shelf-life and thermal stability of sunflower oil, being a promising source of antioxidants for edible oils processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pterospartum tridentatum ethanolic extracts increased stability of sunflower oil during storage at room temperature and at 180 °C. Oil stability increased with extract concentration, being highest for 1,000 mg/L. Therefore, P. tridentatum may be a promising source of antioxidants for edible oils processing.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Structured Lipids at Laboratory Scale.

In this chapter, some examples of laboratory protocols to produce functional structured lipids, namely, human milk fat substitutes, dietetic triacylglycerols, and interesterified fat blends with improved nutritional and rheological properties, catalyzed either by immobilized commercial or noncommercial lipase preparations, are presented. In addition to batch synthesis, the continuous production in packed- or fluidized-bed bioreactors is addressed, as well as the evaluation of operational stability of the biocatalysts used (either in batch reuses or in continuous mode).

Seasonal variation in proximate composition and fatty acid profile of grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) captured along the coast of Portugal.

Proximate composition (ash, moisture, total protein, and fat contents) and fatty acid profile of Balistes capriscus (grey triggerfish) were assessed over a 6-months period (April to September, 2011) in animals captured along the coast of Peniche (Portugal). High protein (18.9% to 21.4%) and low lipid (0.5% to 0.8%) contents were determined. The highest lipid level was found in June-captured animals. High proportions of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) were observed (53.87 ± 2.00%) together with substantial quantities of oleic acid (27.58 ± 1.09%) and palmitic acid (16.52 ± 0.93%). Docosahexaenoic acid accounted for 77% of the total PUFA and was 7 times more abundant than eicosapentaenoic acid, and the n-3/n-6 ratio was 7.2. Gender did not influence lipid levels and the fatty acid profile, but seasonal variations were observed for PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. Overall, the nutritional properties of this underexploited species may be comparable to those of other lean fish species with higher economic value.