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Chronic inflammatory diseases pose a substantial health challenge globally, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality. Addressing this issue requires the use of effective anti-inflammatory strategies with fewer side effects than those provoked by currently used drugs. In this study, a range of phytochemicals (phenolic di-caffeoylquinic acid (Di-CQA), flavonoid cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (Cy3,5DiG), aromatic isothiocyanate sinalbin (SNB) and aliphatic isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN)) sourced from vegetables and fruits underwent assessment for their potential anti-inflammatory activity. An in vitro model of human macrophage-like cells treated with a low dose of LPS to obtain a low degree of inflammation that emulates a chronic inflammation scenario revealed promising results. Cell viability and production of the key pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed in the presence of various phytochemicals. The compounds Di-CQA and Cy-3,5-DiG, within low physiologically relevant doses, demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory effects by significantly reducing the production of key pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 without affecting cell viability. These findings underscore the potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds as valuable contributors to the prevention or treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. These results suggest that these compounds, whether used individually or as part of natural mixtures, hold promise for their inclusion in nutritional interventions designed to mitigate inflammation in associated pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arazá is a fruit native to the Amazonian region with characteristic properties such as aroma, texture, color, and marked acidity. Additionally, the fruit is rich in bioactive compounds in its three fractions (seed, pulp, and peel), such as ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds (and their derivatives), and carotenoids, which have been extensively investigated in the literature for their beneficial properties for human health. However, it is a little-known fruit, and the role it can play in health-promoting activities related to the treatment and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) when incorporated into the diet is also unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to know the profile of bioactive compounds and the biological properties Arazá possesses, which is the aim of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar radiation and the incorporation of compost into soil is a practice for disinfecting soil that could have some other effects on spinach cultivation. The quality of spinach leaves after two types of soil disinfection, non-amended soil (NAS) and compost-amended soil (CAS), was compared in order to find biomarkers of both types of disinfection. These practices did not show significant differences in nutrient composition (N-P-K) compared to the control soil (CS). However, the amount of harmful nutrients such as NO2− was significantly lower in CAS (65.74 mg kg−1 FW) and NAS (49.99 mg kg−1 FW) than in CS (114.39 mg kg−1 FW). In addition, NO3− levels did not exceed the EU-recommended limit (<3500 mg kg−1 FW). Both types of disinfected soils produced higher concentrations of total phenols and more individual flavonoids in spinach leaves than the control. Combined chemometric analysis of the HRAMS data showed different clustering depending on the type of disinfection (NAS and CAS). Fifteen metabolite compounds could be identified, seven of which are beneficial for health and were more abundant in spinach grown in CAS compared to that grown in NAS or CS. Such beneficial metabolites measured with non-target analysis as markers of CAS-grown spinach. However, more studies are necessary in order to determine the differences between the metabolites of spinach grown in NAS or CAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the impact of chicory root addition (20–40%) and extrusion conditions (moisture content from 16.3 to 22.5%, and screw speed from 500 to 900 rpm) on bioactive compounds content (inulin, sesquiterpene lactones, and polyphenols) of gluten-free rice snacks. Chicory root is considered a potential carrier of food bioactives, while extrusion may produce a wide range of functional snack products. The mineral profiles were determined in all of the obtained extrudates in terms of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu contents, while antioxidative activity was established through reducing capacity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) tests. Chicory root addition contributed to the improvement of bioactive compounds and mineral contents, as well as antioxidative activities in all of the investigated extrudates in comparison to the pure-rice control sample. An increase in moisture content raised sesquiterpene lactones and minerals, while high screw speeds positively affected polyphenols content. The achieved results showed the important impact of the extrusion conditions on the investigated parameters and promoted chicory root as an attractive food ingredient in gluten-free snack products with high bioactive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the myeloid blood cells mainly treated with chemotherapy for cancer remission, but this non-selective treatment also induces numerous side effects. Investigations with bioactive compounds from plant-derived foods against cancer have increased in the last years because there is an urgent need to search for new anti-leukemic agents possessing higher efficacy and selectivity for AML cells and fewer negative side effects. In this study, we analyzed the anti-leukemic activity of several phytochemicals that are representative of the major classes of compounds present in cruciferous foods (glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins) in the human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60. Our results revealed that among the different Brassica-derived compounds assayed, sulforaphane (SFN) (an aliphatic isothiocyanate) showed the most potent anti-leukemic activity with an IC50 value of 6 µM in dose-response MTT assays after 48 h of treatment. On the other hand, chlorogenic acid (a hydroxycinnamic acid) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (an anthocyanin) also displayed anti-leukemic potential, with IC50 values of 7 µM and 17 µM after 48 h of incubation, respectively. Importantly, these compounds did not show significant cell toxicity in macrophages-like differentiated cells at 10 and 25 µM, indicating that their cytotoxic effects were specific to AML cancer cells. Finally, we found that these three compounds were able to induce the NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting SFN as the most potent NRF2 activator. Overall, the present evidence shed light on the potential for using foods and ingredients rich in anticancer bioactive phytochemicals from Brassica spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study the absorption, metabolism and potential health benefits of plant bioactives derived from radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus cv. Rambo), a Brassicaceae species rich in glucosinolates and other phytochemicals. Flies were subjected to a diet supplemented with lyophilized radish sprouts (10.6 g/L) for 10 days, containing high amounts of glucoraphenin and glucoraphasatin, which can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the isothiocyanates sulforaphene and raphasatin, respectively. We demonstrate that Drosophila melanogaster takes up and metabolizes isothiocyanates from radish sprouts through the detection of the metabolite sulforaphane-cysteine in fly homogenates. Moreover, we report a decrease in the glucose content of flies, an upregulation of spargel expression, the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian PPARγ-coactivator 1 α, as well as the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. Overall, we show that the consumption of radish sprouts affects energy metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster which is reflected by lower glucose levels and an increased expression of spargel, a central player in mitochondrial biogenesis. These processes are often affected in chronic diseases associated with aging, including type II diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elicitation is a good strategy to induce physiological changes and stimulate defense or stress-induced responses in plants. The elicitor treatments trigger the synthesis of phytochemical compounds in fruits, vegetables and herbs. These metabolites have been widely investigated as bioactive compounds responsible of plant cell adaptation to the environment, specific organoleptic properties of foods, and protective effects in human cells against oxidative processes in the development of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Biotic (biological origin), abiotic (chemical or physical origin) elicitors and phytohormones have been applied alone or in combinations, in hydroponic solutions or sprays, and in different selected time points of the plant growth or during post-harvest. Understanding how plant tissues and their specific secondary metabolic pathways respond to specific treatments with elicitors would be the basis for designing protocols to enhance the production of secondary metabolites, in order to produce quality and healthy fresh foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Brassicaceae are known for their contents of nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals, including glucosinolates. The concentrations of these chemopreventive compounds (glucosinolate-degradation products, the bioactive isothiocyanates) may be modified under salinity. In this work, the effect of the aliphatic glucosinolate sinigrin (2-propenyl-glucosinolate) on plant water balance, involving aquaporins, was explored under salt stress. For this purpose, water uptake and its transport through the plasma membrane were determined in plants after NaCl addition, when sinigrin was also supplied. We found higher hydraulic conductance (L0) and water permeability (Pf) and increased abundance of PIP2 aquaporins after the direct administration of sinigrin, showing the ability of the roots to promote cellular water transport across the plasma membrane in spite of the stress conditions imposed. The higher content of the allyl-isothiocyanate and the absence of sinigrin in the plant tissues suggest that the isothiocyanate is related to water balance; in fact, a direct effect of this nitro-sulphate compound on water uptake is proposed. This work provides the first evidence that the addition of a glucosinolate can regulate aquaporins and water transport: this effect and the mechanism(s) involved merit further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many bioactive peptides, such as hormones and neuropeptides, require amidation at the C terminus for their full biological activity. Peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) performs the first step of the amidation reaction-the hydroxylation of peptidylglycine substrates at the Cα position of the terminal glycine. The hydroxylation reaction is copper- and O-dependent and requires 2 equiv of exogenous reductant. The proposed mechanism suggests that O is reduced by two electrons, each provided by one of two nonequivalent copper sites in PHM (Cu and Cu). The characteristics of the reduced oxygen species in the PHM reaction and the identity of the reactive intermediate remain uncertain. To further investigate the nature of the key intermediates in the PHM cycle, we determined the structure of the oxidized form of PHM complexed with hydrogen peroxide. In this 1.98-Å-resolution structure (hydro)peroxide binds solely to Cu in a slightly asymmetric side-on mode. The O-O interatomic distance of the copper-bound ligand is 1.5 Å, characteristic of peroxide/hydroperoxide species, and the Cu-O distances are 2.0 and 2.1 Å. Density functional theory calculations using the first coordination sphere of the Cu active site as a model system show that the computed energies of the side-on LCu(II)-O species and its isomeric, end-on structure LCu(I)-O are similar, suggesting that both these intermediates are significantly populated within the protein environment. This observation has important mechanistic implications. The geometry of the observed side-on coordinated peroxide ligand in LCu(II)O is in good agreement with the results of a hybrid quantum mechanical-molecular mechanical optimization of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Broccoli has risen as rich in bioactive phytochemicals (glucosinolates and phenolic compounds) closely linked with the reduction of cancer risk. Green tea infusion is a beverage that also contains anticarcinogenic compounds, mainly represented by flavanols. The compounds present in new broccoli-enriched green tea drinks and their potential antitumoral activity in vitro were evaluated. The distinct compounds present in the prepared beverages were identified by HPLC–PAD–ESI-MSn and quantified by HPLC–PAD. Caco-2 and CCD-18Co cell lines were exposed to growing percentages (0.2–5%) of infusions of distinct combinations of plant material. The time-dependent cytotoxicity on the malignant cells was also achieved. Cell death was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion and a more efficient specific cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells was observed on the cells incubated with the mixture of broccoli and green tea than on cells exposed to control infusions. Broccoli added to green tea resulted in a combination of phytochemicals with antitumoral activity with potential for further developments in mechanistic models and the design of novel foods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considering the health potential of lemon and berry fruits, different functional beverages rich in antioxidant phytochemicals, which demonstrated beneficial effects, were developed. To fulfill this objective, lemon juice was combined with 2 different concentrates, elderberry and grape, in a proportion of 5% (w/v). Bioactive composition (flavonoids and vitamin C) and color stability, as well as the antioxidant capacity of mixtures, during a period of 56 d of storage, were studied. A protective role of anthocyanins on ascorbic acid preservation was noted for both lemon-berry blends, keeping vitamin C stable until the end of the storage. In addition, the new drink combining lemon and elderberry performed better than the grape-lemon mixture in terms of health-promoting phytochemicals content, just as in vitro antioxidant capacity and color characteristics. Practical Application: Beverages made from lemon juice and berries could contribute to develop new drinks with a prolonged preservation of bioactive compounds throughout storage, keeping an attractive color and a high antioxidant activity during long periods of time. The information obtained in the present work is in agreement to the rules of health and safety for juices established by the Directive of European Commission Dir2001/112/CE incorporated to the Spanish law through the RD1050/2003 regulation. Consequently, an improved performance of industrial products would be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to increase the concentrations of bioactive compounds in broccoli sprouts, exogenous elicitors: methionine, tryptophan, chitosan, salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were sprayed at different concentrations during germination. The effects of the elicitors on vitamin C, phenolic compounds and glucosinolate levels were assessed in 3, 5 and 7-days old seedlings. The application of 200, 300μM SA and 0.01% chitosan induced increases, by 26%, 18% and 54%, respectively in the content of vitamin C in 5days old broccoli sprouts. Flavonoid concentration was also increased by 31% and 33% after 10μM MeJA and 100μM SA treatments, respectively in 7days old broccoli sprouts. In contrast, methionine or tryptophan solutions did not positively affect the vitamin C or the phenolic compounds in the sprouts. The individual classes of glucosinolates respond differently to the elicitor treatment. Methionine, a sulphur-containing amino acid, applied at 5mM, significantly increased, by 32%, the levels of aliphatic glucosinolates. However, indole glucosinolates presented a significant response to the induction with tryptophan, SA or MeJA treatments. Tryptophan at 10mM concentration augmented by 1.8-fold the indole glucosinolate concentration in 7days old broccoli sprouts, and the treatments of 100μM SA and 25μM MeJA also induced significantly higher amounts of indole glucosinolates (by 33% and 51%, respectively) in 7days old treated broccoli sprouts. Therefore, the application of elicitors could be a useful tool for improving the bioactive metabolites in broccoli sprouts for fresh consumption or functional ingredients for nutraceuticals foods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Organic green tea, one of the most-consumed beverages worldwide, is rich in bioactive compounds (flavonols and flavanols) with healthy properties. Broccoli byproducts, consisting of leaves and stalks, are rich in bioactive compounds, including nitrogen–sulphur compounds (glucosinolates and isothiocyanates) and phenolics (chlorogenic and sinapic acid derivatives, and flavonoids), as well as essential nutrients (minerals and vitamins). They are of high interest as a source of health-promoting compounds, useful as ingredients for the development of functional foods. This work analyses minimally-processed broccoli byproducts as a source of bioactive ingredients to design novel beverages, using organic green tea as a food matrix. Green tea enriched with broccoli concentrates showed improved physical quality, phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity. The functional quality of these novel beverages depends on the proportion of broccoli extracts added to the green tea. The results obtained in the present work should encourage the use of broccoli byproducts as ingredients in novel functional foods. Industrial relevance: The industrial use of broccoli byproducts as an ingredient in the development of novel, functional foods may help to add value to the large amount of plant wastes generated in every cropping season, thus reducing their environmental impact. The objectives and aims of the EU producers, industry and stakeholders on the relationships between foods, nutrition and health, and therefore, the use of suitable ingredients from the agriculture to have impact on human health and the environment, with a sustainable use of natural resources are in agreement with this work, adding value to broccoli byproducts and encouraging the production of novel products and applications for nutritional and/or health claims under the EU Regulations (EC) No. 1924/2006 and 834/2007. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The regular dietary intake of broccoli on a weekly basis has been related to better health, but industrial use of broccoli by-products (crop remains) is negligible. Adding value to broccoli by-products in a country such as Spain, one of the main broccoli producers for the EU, is of scientific and economic interest. The present article is focused on the bioactive compounds (glucosinolates, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) and nutrients (vitamin C, minerals, and trace elements), as well as the in vitro radical-scavenging capacity (DPPH· test), of the broccoli products (harvest remains) resulting from greenhouse cultivation using 80 mM NaCl treatment, representative of the currently available irrigation water in the production areas of Murcia (SE Spain). The bioactive compounds and nutrient contents varied according to the cultivar, organ (leaves or stalks), and the saline stress (80 mM NaCl), in the cultivars Marathon, Nubia, and Viola. Cultivar Nubia was not affected dramatically by 80 mM NaCl and the contents of phytochemicals and nutrients in the by-products of Nubia fell within the range of health-promoting levels of edible commercial parts (inflorescences or flower heads). Therefore, adding value to broccoli agrowaste by obtaining bioactive ingredients and nutrients could benefit the food and drug industry. Practical Application: Many by-products of the agrifood industry may be useful as sources of nutrients and potentially functional ingredients, giving the opportunity to obtain added-value products. Previous studies have been focused on edible florets, but in this case we are interested in adding value to broccoli by-products that represent a real problem in the production sites because no intended use for this material has been envisaged. Therefore, the aim of this study was to add value to the broccoli-derived by-products, since recycling all this agrowaste to obtain bioactive ingredients for industry can boost profits and reduce costs and environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nowadays, the interest in dietary antioxidants, mainly present in fruits and vegetables, has prompted research in the field of commercial polyphenol-rich beverages. The main objective of the present work was to produce new polyphenol-rich beverages using lemon and pomegranate juices in different proportions (at 25%, 50% and 75% for both juices). The bioactive composition (flavonoids and vitamin C) of the mixtures as well as its stability, antioxidant capacity and changes in colour over a 70 days storage period were studied. Our results suggest that the new drink made of 75% of pomegranate juice (PJ) and 25% of lemon juice (v:v), has potential for development of new healthy beverages or food products, emphasised by its high antioxidant capacity determined by its phenolic composition – punicalagin isomers, anthocyanins and vitamin C – and improved colour properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two clonal selections of lemon trees (‘Verna-62’ and ‘Verna-50-2’), were studied in aiming to ascertain the influence of genetic (clone) and environmental (season) factors on the human-health bioactive compounds of the lemon juice (vitamin C and flavonoids) and the possible relationship between composition and in vitro antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) of the juice. The average values determined in bioactives were 13–26mg·100mL−1 in total of analysed phenolics and 23–29mg·100mL−1 in vitamin C content. Variability in the weather conditions and internal physiological phenomena of the fruits such as biosynthesis and transport, could determine, at least in part, differences in the contents of lemon juice bioactives more importantly than the genetic background, providing the food industry with phytochemically rich and nutritive lemons for processing and functional ingredients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluated the phenolic profile and the antioxidant capacity of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch., cv. Primoris) cultivated under reduction of nitrogen and adverse irrigation conditions (high salinity), such as those prevailing in Almeria (south-eastern Spain). The phenolic compound and anthocyanin profiles were analysed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn, and the antioxidant activity. Nineteen phenolic compounds were quantified, mainly ellagitannins, anthocyanins, and flavan-3-ols. The total phenolic content ranged from 731 to 1521 mg/100 g of dried weight. The flavan-3-ols group compounds from the strawberries were positively affected by saline stress, especially the afz-(e)Catechin content in the first sampling. The reduction of nitrogen and the adverse irrigation conditions for the cultivation of strawberries (cv. Primoris) partially affected the phenolic composition, with the harvesting dates having a greater influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate Andean blueberries (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) from Ecuador as a potential functional ingredient for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The analysis of bioactive compounds by HPLC–DAD–MSn determined a high content of (poly)phenols, mainly anthocyanins, and the presence of the carotenoid lutein. Regarding its biological properties, Andean blueberry did not show toxicity by the zebrafish embryogenesis test, showing also a lack of the antinutrients lectins. Moreover, the results of in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity evaluation suggested its possibility to be used as natural antioxidant. This fruit also exhibited antimicrobial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in low doses. Finally, in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion showed a partial bioaccessibility of (poly) phenols (~50% at the final step), showing high antioxidant capacity in the different GI phases. These results revealed Andean blueberry as an interesting candidate for being used as a functional ingredient and the development of further in vivo and clinical assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli is a source of bioactive compounds that provide an important nutritional value. The content of these compounds can vary depending on agronomic and environmental conditions, as well as on elicitation. In this study, three crop trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of the cultivation season, the application of different dosages of methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) on the overall quality and on the total content of bioactive compounds of 'Parthenon' broccoli cultivated under the field conditions of southeastern Spain. Color parameters, chlorophyll content, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were measured to evaluate the overall quality. Moreover, individual carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector coupled to mass spectrometer using electro spray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The content of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were higher in autumn compared with spring, showing increases of 2.8-fold, 2-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. Moreover, a double application of MeJA increased the contents of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates by 22%, 32% and 39%, respectively, relative to the untreated samples. Considering our results, the controlled and timely application of 250 µM MeJA to the aerial parts of the plants four days before harvest, on two consecutive days, seems to be a valid agronomic strategy to improve the health-promoting capacity of Parthenon broccoli, without compromising its overall quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica vegetables and their components, the glucosinolates, have been suggested as good candidates as dietary coadjutants to improve health in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Different preclinical and clinical studies have been performed in the last decade; however, some concerns have been posed on the lack of established and standardized protocols. The different concentration of bioactive compounds used, time of intervention or sample size, and the lack of blinding are some factors that may influence the studies' outcomes. This review aims to analyze the critical points of the studies performed with Brassica-related biomolecules and propose some bases for future trials in order to avoid biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is becoming more and more important in the health food market as a functional food, since its seeds and oil represent a rich source of bioactive compounds. Its chemical composition is strongly correlated with, and dependent on, genetic characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in seed yield, oil content, fatty acid composition and secondary metabolite profiles between a low-linolenic linseed variety, belonging to the Solin-type group (Solal), and a high-linolenic traditional one (Bethune), cultivated, both as spring crops, in open field conditions of Central Italy. The achieved results pointed out the different behavior of the two varieties in terms of growth cycle, oil content, and some important yield components, such as capsule number per plant and thousand seed weight. There were also significant differences in seed composition regarding total phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant activities as well as in carotenoid, tocopherol, and tocotrienol profiles between the two varieties. In particular, Solal was characterized by the greatest contents of oil, phenols, flavonoids, α- and δ- tocotrienol, together with the highest antioxidant activity. Bethune, on the contrary, showed the highest amounts of carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene). These results indicate a clear effect of the genetic characteristics on the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites and, consequently, on the related antioxidant activity. Our findings suggest that the mutation process, responsible for the selection of the low-linolenic cultivar, is able to modify the biosynthetic pathways of carotenoids and phenolics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cruciferous sprouts (e.g. broccoli and red radish) are rich source of health-promoting phytochemicals that are more concentrated than in the adult plant edible organs; however, these tiny microgreens need cold storage conditions to preserve their quality to reach the consumers in microbiologically safe conditions, maintaining their composition and acceptability. In this work, the microbiological status and phytochemical composition of broccoli and radish sprouts were evaluated at harvest (Day 0), and after seven and fourteen days of storage at 5 and 10 °C. Pathogenic microorganisms were absent during shelf-life; nevertheless, the slight growth of Enterobacteriaceae organisms, aerobic mesophilic and psychotropic bacteria, molds and yeasts was assessed. The storage temperature influenced the quality and content of bioactives in the sprouts, and for practical applications, storage at 5 °C is the most suitable option. Moreover, these fresh crucifers remain acceptable for consumers after 14 d storage period, being an interesting option for consuming fresh and naturally-functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pacharán is an aniseed liquor-based beverage made with sloe berry ( Prunus spinosa L.), that has been historically produced in Navarra (Northern Spain). On the other hand, Chilean native maqui berry ( Aristotelia chilensis ) now under increasing study because of its potential health benefits, is not widely known. The aim of this work was to design a new aniseed liquor-based beverage with maqui berry (MBL), characterising its bioactive and volatile composition, antioxidant capacity, sensory quality, and compare it to traditional pacharán (SBP). The results showed that MBL had attractive colour, exhibited higher anthocyanin content and retention during maceration, higher antioxidant capacity, presented similar aroma profile and showed optimal sensory characteristics. Therefore, MBL can be an acceptable new liquor, with better quality characteristics and higher anthocyanin content and retention than pacharán , as well as with great scores in sensory analysis and consumer acceptance, offering a new and tasty beverage for future liquor manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a neurohormone related to a broad array of physiological functions and proven therapeutic properties. Some foods also contain melatonin and their consumption has been considered as an exogenous source, able to increase melatonin circulating levels. In the present work, two well-known pomegranate cultivars, Wonderful and Mollar de Elche, as well as a Coupage of both varieties were assayed for wine elaboration. Melatonin was observed to be absent in pomegranates juices although it was detected for the first time in prominent amounts with respect to other food matrixes (0.54–5.50ng/mL) for all the varietal wines. Thus, the occurrence of this biogenic amine points out these fruit wines as an interesting way for bioactive phytochemicals supplementation. Moreover, the influence of cultivar and winemaking process on the melatonin content of the finished product has been studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cooking Brassica vegetables as a domestic processing method has a great impact on health-promoting bioactive compounds: glucosinolates (GLS), flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and vitamin C. In Galicia (NorthWestern Spain), one of the most consumed horticultural crops is Brassica rapa, by using the leaves (turnip greens) and the young sprouting shoots (turnip tops) in different culinary preparations. In order to determine the effect of cooking, on turnip greens and turnip tops, bioactive GLS, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids and vitamin C were analysed and simultaneously determined. The level of retention of each individual compound after cooking procedures was evaluated in the edible organs, and also in the cooking water, in order to compare their composition to a fresh uncooked control. Steaming, conventional boiling, and high-pressure cooking, traditional processing methods of this kind of vegetables, were the three domestic processing methods used in this work. Results showed that total GLS and phenolics were significantly affected by the cooking procedure and the loss rate varied among individual compounds. Steaming was the method that better preserved GLS and phenolic compounds. Conventional boiling and high-pressure cooking methods presented similar rate of losses of total GLS content (64%) and total phenolic content (more than 70%). Degradation among glucosinolate classes, aliphatic or indolic, was similar. The total flavonoids lost in turnip greens were 64% and 67% for conventional boiling and high-pressure, respectively. The main losses were caused by leaching into the cooking water. The concentration of vitamin C suffered a drastic loss in the process of sample handling and after cooking. Despite the fact that any cooking procedure affected negatively the nutritional composition of the turnip greens and tops, our results showed high retentions of individual compounds in steaming, and the lowest retentions were obtained in the traditional high-pressure cooking. High retention of health-promoting compounds in the cooking water should be considered for increasing the intake of properties of B. rapa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The application of bacterial biofortifiers is an increasingly common technique. In recent years, some strains have been shown to improve the nutraceutical qualities of crops. This work analyses the impact of biofortification with 3 bacterial strains of the genera Rhizobium , Paenibacillus and Lactiplantibacillus on the nutritional characteristics and organic composition of blueberry in Portugal. Paenibacillus sp. VMFR46 treatment showed increase of 71.36 % and 79.88 % in total production. Biofortified treatments were able to increase Brix degree, maturity index (up to 48.05 % for cv. Legacy and up to 26.04 % for cv. Duke) and CIEL*a*b* index respect to uninoculated control. In this way, (poly)phenolic compounds concentration increased in biofortified treatment, and their (poly)phenolic profile was modified, some compounds such as myricetin aglycone or myricetin derivative are exclusive of the fruits from biofortified plants, with increases in (poly)phenolic concentrations related with R. laguerreae PEPV16 or Paenibacillus sp. VMFR46 inoculation in cv. Legacy. These modifications resulted in the improvement of the nutraceutical characteristics of the fruits obtained. [Display omitted] • The application of bacterial biofortifiers induces a differential response in the concentration of polyphenols in blueberries. • Rhizobium is an excellent bacterial biofortifier despite its allochthonous origin. • Indigenous bacterial biofortifiers improves blueberry production but has limited effect on the concentration of polyphenolics. • The use of safe bacterial biofortifiers is a sustainable alternative for the nutritional improvement of blueberry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammatory diseases are major causes of global morbidity and mortality. Acute inflammation is meant to protect the body against foreign agents, but it also plays a major role in tissue repairment. Several mediators are involved in this process, including pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages. Occasionally, if the inflammatory response is not resolved, the acute inflammatory process can evolve into a chronic inflammation. Natural compounds from vegetables are considered as an important source of active agents with potential to treat or prevent inflammatory related pathologies and could be used as an alternative of the therapeutic agents currently in use, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which present several side effects. In this research work we evaluated in vitro the anti-inflammatory activity of a series of ten phytochemicals present in Brassica , measured as the potential of those compounds to reduce the production of key pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) by a human macrophage-like cell model of HL-60 cells Most of the tested phytochemicals (including the most representative bioactive molecules of the major classes of compounds present in cruciferous foods such as glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols and anthocyanins) demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity at micromolar level in the absence of cytotoxic effects in this human macrophage-like cell model. These data confirm that phytochemicals commonly obtained from Brassica may be potential therapeutic leads to treat or prevent human chronic inflammation and related diseases. [Display omitted] • Macrophage-like cells from HL-60 is a good model to test phytochemicals' bioactivity. • Brassica 's phytochemicals have anti-inflammatory activity on macrophage-like cells. • Brassica 's phytochemicals reduce the production of key pro-inflammatory cytokines. • Optimal anti-inflammatory doses of phytochemicals have no cytotoxic side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In recent years, the interest in dietary antioxidants and bioactive compounds, mainly found in vegetables, has prompted research in the field of new polyphenol-rich drinks. The aim of the present work was to design new beverages using lemon juice and maqui (Aristotelia chilensis), rich in flavonoids and vitamin C. The composition of the new beverages as well as their compounds stability, antioxidant capacity and phenolic content over 70 days of storage period were studied. Results showed how anthocyanins and other phytochemicals from maqui preserved vitamin C and other flavonoids in the new mixtures owing to a higher rate of anthocyanin degradation. However, for the colour characteristics, the CIELab parameters displayed only slight variations, and the samples presented attractive colour during storage. The new beverages also had high values of in vitro antioxidant capacity, mainly owed to the maqui polyphenols, with a strong stability throughout study. Therefore, a new designed drink for the growing market of high nutritional and health-promoting food products has been developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• First HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n analysis of a large number of Portuguese sweet cherries. • Quantification of the phenolics via HPLC-DAD of 23 Portuguese sweet cherries. • First report about physicochemical composition of 23 Portuguese sweet cherries. • First report about quality parameters of 23 Portuguese sweet cherries. • Obtention of a regression linear able to predict the sum of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to analyze physicochemical characteristics and phenolic profile of twenty-three sweet cherry cultivars from Fundão region, Portugal. The average length and width ranged between 1.9 and 2.6 and 2.1–2.8 cm, respectively. Weight varied between 4.9 and 11.8 g, firmness ranged from 7.3 to 20.1 N, moisture and ash contents ranged from 75.1 to 88.6% and 0.4 to 2.9%, respectively. Sunburst and Sweetheart presented high values of CIE L ∗, a ∗ and b ∗, and low values regarding total soluble solids and maturity index. A total of 46 phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n and quantified by HPLC-DAD, namely 19 hydroxycinnamic acids, 2 hydroxybenzoic acids, 13 flavonols, 5 flavan-3-ols, 2 flavanones, 1 flavanonol and 4 anthocyanins. Sunburst and Brook's were the richest in non-colored phenolics, while Garnet and Tavora were the richest ones in anthocyanins. Therefore, our results revealed that sweet cherries represent a supply of high-value bioactive compounds, being greatly influenced by the cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]