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This work aimed to propose the reuse of processing waste from the Sicilian almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.) cultivar Tuono for the formulation of a new functional baked product (muffin) that is gluten- and lactose-free. Muffins were prepared using orange juice, rice flour, extra virgin olive oil, and enriched almond skin (3% and 6% w/w). The chemical-physical parameters, total phenols, and flavonoids (TPC and TFC), as well as the biological properties of the ingredients and muffins, were evaluated. Sensory analyses were also conducted. DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene bleaching, and FRAP tests were applied to measure the antioxidant potential. Muffin extracts were also tested against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Muffins enriched with 6% almond skin (M6) showed the highest TPC and TFC with values of 26.96 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 24.12 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g, respectively. M6 exerted a promising antioxidant activity as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, with an IC50 of 15.44 μg/mL at 30 min incubation. Moreover, muffin M6 showed a promising α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (IC50 of 51.82 μg/mL). Based on the obtained results and supported by sensory analysis, muffins enriched with almond skin should be proposed as a promising example of upcycling for the development of a new functional bakery product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and consumption of almonds occur in several locations worldwide, yielding immense volumes of trash, mainly skin. The current study evaluated the adsorptive manners of almond skin (AS) without modification for clearing Basic Red 46 dye (BR46) from water. XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDX, BET, and pHpzc are among the many analytical tools used to investigate AS's surface features. BR46 adsorption over AS was efficient at pH 8 and 2 g/L of AS, conferring 57.45 mg.g−1 within 120 min. The Langmuir was seen to accurately present the equilibrium curves, exhibiting qmax = 66.90 mg.g−1, whereas the PSO model precisely resembled the empirical results. The thermodynamic results proclaimed that BR46 adsorption was favorable, with spontaneity (ΔG° < 0) and endothermicity ΔH° (5.03 kJ.mol−1). Further, the AS reusability prospect was investigated, revealing excellent regeneration potential even after 4 adsorption/desorption runs. These findings suggest the potential of valorizing almond skin as a sustainable resource, which could be a promising prospect for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almonds are one of the most produced nuts worldwide and numerous studies have shown that they have nutritional and medicinal characteristics, which gives them the possibility of being applied in various products. However, several by-products are generated during their production, which have characteristics of interest but remain underutilised, namely, the almond skins. This work aimed to study samples of waffles supplemented with almond skins. The waffles were evaluated for their total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, total flavonoids, ortho-diphenols, soluble sugars, starch, texture, and colour. They were also sensorially evaluated using a panel of tasters specialised in this type of evaluation and a quantitative descriptive analysis test (QDA) sensory test. The results showed that the waffles with the highest levels of phenolic compounds as well as the highest antioxidant activity (by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods) were the waffles supplemented with 10% almond skin. The total phenol contents obtained for the prepared extracts varied between 0.127 mg GAE/g and 0.415 mg GAE/g, the flavonoid contents ranged from 0.067 mg CAE/g to 0.339 mg CAE/g and the ortho-diphenol contents varied between 0.163 mg ACE /g and 0.303 mg ACE/g. Regarding the quantification of soluble sugars, the values were presented in percentage of fresh weight, and ranged from 30.148 to 38.054%; regarding the quantification of starch, the percentages varied from 14.488 to 21.982%. Sensorially, we verified that the samples were statistically different in terms of the descriptors "colour", "roasted aroma", and "dissolubility", with a higher score in these descriptors for the waffles with 10% of almond skin. This process of obtaining waffles, which can be industrialised, is interesting from both a nutritional point of view and for the possibility of creating new, differentiated, and innovative products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond skins are known for their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which are mainly due to the presence of polyphenols. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of almond skin extract (ASE) obtained from the Sicilian cultivar "Fascionello" and to evaluate the possible mechanisms of action using an in vitro model of human monocytic U937 cells as well as an in vivo model of carrageenan (CAR)-induced paw edema. The in vitro studies demonstrated that pretreatment with ASE inhibited the formation of ROS and apoptosis. The in vivo studies showed that ASE restored the CAR-induced tissue changes; restored the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione; and decreased neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation, and the release of proinflammatory mediators. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ASE could be associated with the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory nuclear NF-κB and the activation of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathways. In conclusion, almond skin could reduce the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress and could be beneficial in the treatment of several disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the industrial processing of almond fruits, tons of almond skins are generated. Valorization of blanched almond skin wastes by recovering natural polyphenols using water, instead of organic solvents, for direct application of aqueous baths for dyeing of wool fabrics was studied in this work. The results showed that it was possible to recover polyphenols from almond skins and use them as a dye for wool fibres. Kinetics of extraction was modelled by using the diffusion-based Chrastil's model and Peleg's empirical model, obtaining excellent fit in both cases (R2 > 0.96). The amount of polyphenol extracted was enough to achieve correct direct dyeing with excellent washing, rubbing and perspiration fastness although the shades obtained were dull. Nevertheless, it was possible to achieve a better coloration by using ion(II) sulfate as the mordant resulting in dyeings with reasonable good washing and rubbing fastness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived as a healthy food, almond beverages are gaining ever-increasing consumer preference across nonalcoholic vegetable beverages, ranking in first place among oilseed-based drinks. However, costly raw material; time and energy consuming pre- and posttreatments such as soaking, blanching and peeling; and thermal sterilization hinder their sustainability, affordability and spread. Hydrodynamic cavitation processes were applied, for the first time, as a single-unit operation with straightforward scalability, to the extraction in water of almond skinless kernels in the form of flour and fine grains, and of whole almond seeds in the form of coarse grains, up to high concentrations. The nutritional profile of the extracts matched that of a high-end commercial product, as well as showing nearly complete extraction of the raw materials. The availability of bioactive micronutrients and the microbiological stability exceeded the commercial product. The concentrated extract of whole almond seeds showed comparatively higher antiradical activity, likely due to the properties of the almond kernel skin. Hydrodynamic cavitation-based processing might represent a convenient route to the production of conventional as well as integral and potentially healthier almond beverages, avoiding multiple technological steps, while affording fast production cycles and consuming less than 50 Wh of electricity per liter before bottling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The careful selection of carbon precursors for chemical activation is critical in obtaining cost-effective and efficient porous activated biocarbons with multifunctional properties. Herein, we report on utilising almond skin to synthesize porous activated biocarbons via solid-state KOH activation. Through precise manipulation of the impregnation ratio of KOH to the non-porous carbon, a range of materials with intriguing properties including high surface area, large pore volume, tunable micro and mesopores, and surface functionalization with oxygen were synthesized. The optimized material ASPC5-4 displayed an extremely high surface area (3535 m2 g−1), a large pore volume (1.9 cm3 g−1), a high proportion of mesopores (96.5 %) and a notable surface oxygen content (6.93 wt %). These excellent features allowed ASPC5-4 to adsorb a record amount of CO 2 at 0 °C/30 bar (39.81 mmol g−1). Another material ASPC5-2 exhibited a high content of micropores and adsorbed 5.92 mmol g−1 of CO 2 at 0 °C/1 bar. ASPC5-4 also exhibited great potential as a supercapacitor electrode, displaying a high specific capacitance in both a three-electrode (354 F g−1/0.5 A g−1) and two-electrode (203 F g−1/0.5 A g−1) systems. It also demonstrated high power and energy densities of 638 W kg−1 and 47 W h kg−1, respectively. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived as a healthy food, almond beverages are gaining ever-increasing consumer preference across nonalcoholic vegetable beverages, ranking in first place among oilseed-based drinks. However, costly raw material; time and energy consuming pre- and posttreatments such as soaking, blanching and peeling; and thermal sterilization hinder their sustainability, affordability and spread. Hydrodynamic cavitation processes were applied, for the first time, as a single-unit operation with straightforward scalability, to the extraction in water of almond skinless kernels in the form of flour and fine grains, and of whole almond seeds in the form of coarse grains, up to high concentrations. The nutritional profile of the extracts matched that of a high-end commercial product, as well as showing nearly complete extraction of the raw materials. The availability of bioactive micronutrients and the microbiological stability exceeded the commercial product. The concentrated extract of whole almond seeds showed comparatively higher antiradical activity, likely due to the properties of the almond kernel skin. Hydrodynamic cavitation-based processing might represent a convenient route to the production of conventional as well as integral and potentially healthier almond beverages, avoiding multiple technological steps, while affording fast production cycles and consuming less than 50 Wh of electricity per liter before bottling.

The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of almond skin extracts on herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) replication. Drug-resistant strains of HSV frequently develop following therapeutic treatment. Therefore, the discovery of novel anti-HSV drugs deserves great effort. Here, we tested both natural (NS) and blanched (BS) polyphenols-rich almond skin extracts against HSV-1. HPLC analysis showed that the prevalent compounds in NS and BS extracts contributing to their antioxidant activity were quercetin, epicatechin and catechin. Results of cell viability indicated that NS and BS extracts were not toxic to cultured Vero cells. Furthermore, NS extracts were more potent inhibitors of HSV-1 than BS extracts, and this trend was in agreement with different concentrations of flavonoids. The plaque forming assay, Western blot and real-time PCR were used to demonstrate that NS extracts were able to block the production of infectious HSV-1 particles. In addition, the viral binding assay demonstrated that NS extracts inhibited HSV-1 adsorption to Vero cells. Our conclusion is that natural products from almond skin extracts are an extraordinary source of antiviral agents and provide a novel treatment against HSV-1 infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond skin was used as a biosorbent by solid-phase extraction for the preconcentration of manganese(II) before the determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Characterization of almond skin was performed by infrared spectroscopy. The functional groups of the almond skin surface were shown to be beneficial for the adsorption of manganese(II). At pH 6.0, the manganese(II) ions were retained on the almond skin and afterward quantitatively eluted using 1.5 mol L−1nitric acid. The pH, flow rate and volume of sample, concentration, and flow rate of eluent and interfering ions were characterized. Using a sample size of 30 mL, a linear dynamic range of 1–120 µg L−1was obtained. A detection limit of 0.24 µg L−1manganese(II) and a relative standard deviation of 1.6% at 30 µg L−1were achieved. The accuracy of the present procedure was evaluated by the determination of manganese(II) in a certified reference material (GSB07-1189-2000). The protocol was also used for the determination of manganese(II) in wastewater. The fortified recoveries were from 99.0 to 99.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reinforced poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/almond skin (AS) biocomposites were prepared by extrusion and injection moulding at different AS contents (0, 10, 20, 30 wt%) in order to revalorize this agricultural residue. AS particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hemicelluloses were the first compound thermally degraded (263 ± 2 °C) followed by cellulose (330 ± 5 °C) and lignin (401 ± 3 °C) with a remaining residue of 20% which was associated to the fibre content present in AS. Mechanical, morphological, thermal, and water absorption properties; and enzymatic degradation using Pseudomonas lipase were evaluated for the obtained biocomposites. A significant improvement in Young's modulus with a gain of 73% at 30 wt% AS loading was obtained compared to neat PCL. An increase in Shore D hardness and decrease in elongation at break and impact energy were also observed with increasing AS content caused by the reinforcement effect. Lower DSC thermal enthalpies and higher crystallinity were obtained for the biocomposites. Some decrease in thermal stability and higher water absorption values were also found with AS addition. Finally, the presence of AS retarded the enzymatic degradation of PCL, showing neat PCL higher weight loss after 25 days of study followed by PCL with 10 wt% AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ε-caprolactone), PCL, degradation by microorganisms is a very interesting feature for its potential use in massive applications, such as food packaging. Blends of PCL with natural fibres, such as those from agricultural and food processing wastes, have proved effective by permitting a substantial reduction of the material costs, but also playing a role as reinforcement in mechanical properties. This study is focused on the evaluation of morphological, mechanical, thermal, barrier properties and degradation in composting environment of new bio-composites based on PCL and almond skin (AS) filler at different contents (0, 10, 20 and 30 wt%). Results showed a clear improvement in mechanical properties, corresponding to a gain in elastic modulus of 17% at 10 wt% particle loading. Lower melting and crystallization enthalpies and higher crystallinity values were obtained for bio-composites compared with neat PCL. Some decrease in thermal stability and increase in oxygen and water vapour barrier properties were also observed for composites with increasing filler content. PCL/AS composites showed higher biodegradability than pure PCL, which can be explained in terms of the depressed crystallization enthalpy of the polymer matrix and improved hydrophilicity. PCL-based composites reinforced with almond skin filler at 10 wt% loading have shown as promising environmentally-friendly materials for food packaging showing a high disintegration rate, increasing the added-value potential of agricultural wastes and reducing the packaging cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol ( PEG) as a green solvent was employed for the first time to develop the ultrasound-assisted extraction of proanthocyanidins ( PA) and chlorogenic acid ( CA) from almond skin. The optimized extraction parameters were determined based on response surface methodology, and corresponded to an ultrasound power of 120 W, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 20:1 (mL/g), and a PEG concentration of 50% (v/v). Under these optimized conditions, the extraction yields of PAs and CA from almond skin were 32.68 ± 0.22 and 16.01 ± 0.19 mg/g, respectively. Compared with organic solvent extraction, PEG solution extraction produced higher yields. Different macroporous resins were compared for their performance in purifying PAs and CA from almond skin extract. Static adsorption/desorption experimental results demonstrated that AB-8 resin exhibits excellent purification performance at pH 4. Under the optimized dynamic adsorption/desorption conditions on the AB-8 column, the total recovery of purification for PAs and CA was 80.67%. The total content of PAs and CA in the preliminarily purified extract was 89.17% (with respective contents of 60.90 and 28.27%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of natural almond skin (NS) powder in mice subjected to experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in mice by intracolonic instillation of dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). NS powder was administered daily orally (30mg/kg). Four days after DNBS administration, colon NF-κB and p-JNK activation was increased as well as TNF-α and IL-1β productions. Neutrophil infiltration, by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, in the mucosa was associated with up-regulation of ICAM-1 and P-selectin. Immunohistochemistry for i-NOS, nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) showed an intense staining in the inflamed colon. Treatment with NS powder significantly reduced the appearance of diarrhea and body weight loss. This was associated with a significant reduction in colonic MPO activity. NS powder also reduced NF-κB and p-JNK activation, the pro-inflammatory cytokines release, the appearance of i-NOS, nitrotyrosine and PARP in the colon and reduced the up-regulation of ICAM-1 and the expression of P-selectin. The results of this study suggested that administration of NS powder may be beneficial for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Antioxidant films based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) containing almond skin extract (ASE) were developed for food packaging applications. The effect of ASE incorporation on the morphological, structural, colour, mechanical, thermal, barrier and antioxidant properties of the prepared films were evaluated. The structural, tensile and thermal properties of the films were not altered due to ASE addition. Although no significant differences were observed for the oxygen permeability of samples, some increase in water absorption and water vapour permeability was observed for active films due to the hydrophilic character of ASE phenolic compounds, suggesting the suitability of this novel packaging for fatty foods conservation. ASE conferred antioxidant properties to PCL films as determined by the DPPH radical scavenging activity. The efficiency of the developed films was evaluated by the real packaging application of fried almonds at different ASE contents (0, 3, 6 wt.%) up to 56 days at 40 °C. The evolution of peroxide and p-anisidine values, hexanal content, fatty acid profile and characteristic spectroscopy bands showed that active films improved fried almonds stability. The results suggested the potential of PCL/ASE films as sustainable and antioxidant food packaging systems to offer protection against lipid oxidation in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]