Search

During the development of novel, standardized peppermint extracts targeting functional applications, it is critical to adequately characterize raw material plant sources to assure quality and consistency of the end-product. This study aimed to characterize existing and proprietary, newly bred varieties of peppermint and their corresponding aqueous extract products. Taxonomy was confirmed through genetic authenticity assessment. Non-target effect-directed profiling was developed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography–multi-imaging–effect-directed assays (HPTLC–UV/Vis/FLD–EDA). Results demonstrated substantial differences in compounds associated with functional attributes, notably antioxidant potential, between the peppermint samples. Further chemical analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array/mass spectrometry detection (HPLC–PDA/MS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–flame ionization/MS detection (headspace SPME–GC–FID/MS) confirmed compositional differences. A broad variability in the contents of flavonoids and volatiles was observed. The peppermint samples were further screened for their antioxidant potential using the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and the results indicated concordance with observed content differences of the identified functional compounds. These results documented variability among raw materials of peppermint leaves, which can yield highly variable extract products that may result in differing effects on functional targets in vivo. Hence, product standardization via effect-directed profiles is proposed as an appropriate tool.

Spore-forming bacteria of the Bacillus genus have demonstrated potential as probiotics for human use. Bacillus clausii have been recognized as efficacious and safe agents for preventing and treating diarrhea in children and adults, with pronounced immunomodulatory properties during several in vitro and clinical studies. Herein, we characterize the novel strain of B. clausii CSI08 (Munispore®) for probiotic attributes including resistance to gastric acid and bile salts, the ability to suppress the growth of human pathogens, the capacity to assimilate wide range of carbohydrates and to produce potentially beneficial enzymes. Both spores and vegetative cells of this strain were able to adhere to a mucous-producing intestinal cell line and to attenuate the LPS- and Poly I:C-triggered pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in HT-29 intestinal cell line. Vegetative cells of B. clausii CSI08 were also able to elicit a robust immune response in U937-derived macrophages. Furthermore, B. clausii CSI08 demonstrated cytoprotective effects in in vitro cell culture and in vivo C. elegans models of oxidative stress. Taken together, these beneficial properties provide strong evidence for B. clausii CSI08 as a promising potential probiotic.

Non-viable preparations of probiotics, as whole-cell postbiotics, attract increasing interest because of their intrinsic technological stability, and their functional properties, such as immune system modulation, gut barrier maintenance, and protection against pathogens. However, reports on Bifidobacteria-derived postbiotics remain scarce. This study aims to demonstrate the functional properties of a heat-treated (HT), non-viable, Bifidobacterium longum strain, CECT-7347, a strain previously selected for its anti-inflammatory phenotype and ability to improve biomarkers of intestinal integrity in clinical trials. The study used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and HT-29 cell cultures as eukaryotic model systems. Our results show that HT-CECT-7347 preserves the capacity to protect against oxidative stress damage, while it also reduces acute inflammatory response and gut-barrier disruption, and inhibits bacterial colonization, by activating pathways related to innate immune function. These findings highlight the interest of the ingredient as a novel postbiotic and pave the way to broaden the range of HT-CECT-7347 applications in gut health.