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Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) residues.

Inhibition of triglyceride absorption by purple tea suggests antiobesity activity and is likely to occur by two different mechanisms.

In recent years, the interest in products of natural origin has boosted the exploitation and use of plants as food and sources of bioactive compounds, especially wild plants widely used in different cultures for several purposes. Commelina erecta is a wild edible plant (WEP) traditionally used as food and medicine, about which few studies exist. Thus, this study aimed at enhancing the knowledge about its nutritional, chemical and bioactive profile, considering different plant parts and development stages, in order to increase its inclusion in the diet of South American communities. The nutritional profile was found to be similar to other WEP frequently consumed in Brazil. Thirteen phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were tentatively identified, with apigenin, luteolin and quercetin derivatives being the most abundant. Fructose and oxalic acid were the major sugar and organic acid, respectively, in the aerial parts of C. erecta, and four isoforms of tocopherols were also identified. Regarding the plant’s antioxidant activity, the EC50 values varied between 18.4 and 1060 µg/mL in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation assay (TBARS) and between 53 and 115 µg/mL in the oxidative haemolysis inhibition (OxHLIA) assay. The hydroethanolic extract obtained from stems at the flowering stage also presented anti-inflammatory activity. In general, all the extracts evidenced promising antimicrobial activity. Altogether, these results reinforce the traditional use of this plant species as food and medicine to support the diet of needier populations and also promote food sovereignty and sustainability.

The efficiency of the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique on recovering nutritional and bioactive oils from salmon (Salmo salar) side streams was evaluated and compared to Soxhlet extraction. The response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a central composite rotatable design was used to optimize time, microwave power, and solid/liquid ratio of the MAE process in terms of oil yield. The optimal MAE conditions were 14.6 min, 291.9 W, 80.1 g/L for backbones, 10.8 min, 50.0 W, 80.0 g/L for heads, and 14.3 min, 960.6 W, 99.5 g/L for viscera, which resulted in a recovery of 69% of the total lipid content for backbones and heads and 92% for viscera. The oils obtained under optimal MAE conditions showed a healthy lipid profile as well as cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or antimicrobial properties. These results highlight that oils from underutilized salmon by-products could be exploited by different industrial sectors under the circular economy approach. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). To FCT for the contracts of J. Pinela (CEECIND/01011/2018) and L. Barros (through the institutional scientific employment program-contract). This work was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program (POCI), within the scope of project HealthyPETFOOD (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-047073), and by BBI-JU through the H2020 Project AQUABIOPRO-FIT “Aquaculture and agriculture biomass side streams proteins and bioactives for feed, fitness, and health promoting nutritional supplements” (Grant number 790956). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Hydroethanolic extracts of cardoon petioles collected at sixteen growth stages (P1–P16) were characterized in terms of their phenolic composition and bioactive potential (antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities). Fifteen phenolic compounds were tentatively identified (i.e., ten phenolic acids and five flavonoid glycosides); the main compounds were 5-O-caffeoylquinic and 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids. Samples collected at early maturity (P1–P4) presented a weak positive correlation between the higher content in polyphenols (P3: 101-mg/g extract) and better inhibition capacity against thiobarbituric acid reactive substance formation (TBARS; P3: IC50 = 5.0 µg/mL). Samples at intermediate maturation stages (P9) presented higher cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory potential. Moreover, immature petioles showed greater antihemolytic (OxHLIA; P4: IC50 = 65 and 180 µg/mL for Δt of 60 and 120 min, respectively) and antibacterial activity. The antifungal activity varied depending on the maturation stage and the fungi strain. In conclusion, the maturation stage may greatly affect the polyphenols composition and content and the bioactive potential of cardoon petioles. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), for the F. Mandim PhD grant (SFRH/BD/146614/2019), and the J. Pinela (CEECIND/01001/2018) and M.I. Dias and L. Barros contracts through individual and institutional scientific employment program contracts. The authors are also grateful to the project TRANSCoLAB (0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P), to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project GreenHealth, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042, and to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007). GIPUSAL was funded by Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) through Project SA093P20 and the Strategic Research Program for Units of Excellence (ref. CLU-2018-04). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Cardoon seeds collected in Greece at four different maturity stages (samples S1 to S4) were analysed in terms of chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities. The content of phenolic compounds (six compounds in total) increased with increasing maturity, and 3,5-O-dicaffeyolquinic (14.8–33.8 mg/g extract) acid was the compound detected in higher abundance. Mature seeds (sample S4) also revealed the highest content in lipids (23 g/100 g extract) and tocopherols (29.62 mg/100 g dw) and demonstrated the highest cytotoxic (GI50 of 97–216 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 148 µg/mL) activities, and capacity to inhibit the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (IC50 = 5 µg/mL). Cardoon seed hydroethanolic extracts also revealed high antibacterial and antifungal potential, particularly samples S3 and S1, respectively. This study proved the multifaceted potential associated with valorisation of cardoon seeds, while their biological and chemical composition can be influenced by the maturity stage. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); for the F. Mandim PhD grant (SFRH/BD/146614/2019) and the J. Pinela (CEECIND/01001/2018), and M.I. Dias and L. Barros contracts through the individual and institutional scientific employment program-contract. The authors are also grateful to the project TRANSCoLAB (0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P), to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project GreenHealth, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042, and Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/ 2020-14/200007). The GIP-USAL is funded by Junta de Castilla y Le´on (Spain) through the Project SA093P20 and the Strategic Research Program for Units of Excellence (ref. CLU-2018-04). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In the present study petioles were collected from cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var altilis) plants in central Greece at sixteen harvest dates (samples P1-P16) and nine growth stages (principal growth stages (PGS) 1–9). The main objective of this study was to study the influence of petioles’ growth cycle on their chemical composition. The lipidic content, fatty acids, free sugars, organic acids, and tocopherol composition were analyzed. A total of 27 fatty acids were identified, being the palmitic acid (C16:0, 12.42–50%) the most abundant, except for samples P4 and P5 where linoleic acid revealed the highest relative abundance (C18:2n6c, 46.5 and 39.05%, respectively). The α-, β-, and γ-tocopherols were the identified isoforms of vitamin E, with sample P1 recording the highest tocopherol content. The detected organic acids were oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids with the highest content being observed in sample P1. Sucrose was the major sugar in all the analyzed samples, followed by fructose, glucose, trehalose, and raffinose. The obtained results allowed us to characterize the chemical composition of cardoon petioles throughout its growth cycle and, consequently, to valorize the species through the exploitation of underutilized plant tissues. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and the research contract of L. Barros through the institutional scientific employment program-contract), and F. Mandim PhD grant (SFRH/BD/146614/2019). The GIP-USAL is funded by Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) through the Project SA093P20 and the Strategic Research Program for Units of Excellence (ref. CLU- 2018-04). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) bracts were collected at different maturation stages to investigate seasonal changes in the phenolic compounds profile and in vitro bioactivities. Among the 12 phenolic compounds tentatively identified, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (21.83 mg/g extract) and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide (10.6 mg/g extract) were the most abundant. Immature bracts (C1: principal growth stage (PGS) 5) had the highest phenolic compounds content, and anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 72 µg/mL) and cytotoxic (GI50 of 30–79 µg/mL) activities. Moreover, extract C1 inhibited efficiently the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; IC50 = 26.8 µg/mL), while extract C8 (PGS 8/9) was more effective against oxidative haemolysis (IC50 38 and 75 µg/mL). The highest antibacterial and antifungal activities were attributed to samples C1 and C6 (PGS 7/8) and samples C2 (PGS 5/6) and C4 (PGS 6/7), respectively. Overall, the obtained results suggest the seasonal changes of polyphenolic composition and bioactivity of cardoon bracts of variable maturity. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). National funding by FCT, through the institutional scientific employment program-contract with M.I. Dias, J. Pinela, and L. Barros. To FCT for the PhD grant (SFRH/BD/146614/2019) of F. Mandim. The authors are also grateful to FEDERInterreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E; to the project TRANSCoLAB (0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P), and to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Pathogenic and deteriorating bacteria are a great concern to food safety. In this sense, the present study evaluated the fight against microbial contamination through the use of nanoparticles containing curcumin, in addition to analyzing the physical properties of these nanoparticles. Efficient curcumin encapsulation was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectra evaluation and differential scanning calorimetry. Transmission electron microscopy images showed irregular shaped nanoparticles with broad size distribution (20–250 nm). The antibacterial activity was considered satisfactory, since curcumin in the form of nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial and antibacterial activity superior to curcumin in its free form, against both pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 125 μg/mL), and deteriorates, such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (MIC 62.5 μg/mL). Since curcumin nanoparticles may be consumed as a food additive, the bioactive properties of the nanoencapsulated curcumin were also evaluated in relation to antioxidant capacity (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and oxidative hemolysis inhibition assays) and cytotoxicity against four carcinoma cell lines, as well as two non-tumor cells. As a proof of concept, nanoparticles were incorporated in orange juice, with the juice maintaining satisfactory pH, °Brix, and color stability, during three days of storage (8 °C). This study was financed in part by the Coordenaç˜ao de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. The authors thank the “Central Analítica Multiusu´ario da UTFPR Campo Mourão” (CAMulti-CM) for the analyses. Fernanda V. Leimann (process 039/2019) would like to thank Fundação Araucária (CP 15/2017- Programa de Bolsas de Produtividade em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico) and CNPq (process number 421541/2018-0, Chamada Universal MCTIC/CNPq n◦ 28/2018). The authors are also grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/ 2020); L. Barros and C. Pereira also thank FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The presented case study illustrates the possibility of adding value to the biological surplus remaining from the mushroom cultivation industry. In essence, the unused mushroom parts were submitted to UV-C irradiation, with the purpose of increasing the vitamin D2 content and validating its extraction. Vitamin D2 concentration in three different mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, A. bisporus Portobello, and Pleurotus ostreatus) was obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), by means of an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The method was validated using an A. bisporus Portobello sample, and its reproducibility and accuracy were confirmed. Independently of the UV-C irradiation dose, the effect on vitamin D2 concentration was significant, allowing it to increase from less than 4 µg/g dry weight (dw) to more than 100 µg/g dw in all mushroom species. These results are good indicators of the feasibility of industrial surplus mushrooms as sustainable vitamin D2 food sources, besides contributing to strengthen the circularity principals associated to the mushroom production chain.

Cardoon is a multi-purpose crop for several industries. In this study, cardoon seeds were separated according to the viability and characterized for their chemical composition and bioactivities. Viable seeds contained higher levels of α-tocopherol (6.7 mg/100 g), lipids (23.11 g/100 g, manly oleic and linoleic acids), and free sugars (5.4 g/100 g) than the unviable ones. The hydroethanolic extract of viable seeds presented a higher concentration of phenolic compounds, namely 5-O-caffeoylquinic (8.0 mg/g) and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic (43.9 mg/g) acids, and greater in vitro antioxidant activity. Both extracts showed antibacterial properties, but the best results were achieved with unviable seeds. The extracts had similar antifungal activity but did not reveal anti-inflammatory capacity or cytotoxicity to the tested cell lines. Therefore, while viable seeds contained antioxidant phytochemicals and an energy and carbon source for germination, unavailable seeds stood out for their potential to be used in the development of bio-based antibacterial ingredients.

The phenolic profile and the antibacterial activity against pathogenic commensal vaginal bacteria exhibited by different fractions of the acetone extract of heather was assessed. The acetone extract of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography through an eluent system of increasing polarity, obtaining 10 different fractions (Fr 1 to Fr 10). The phenolic profile was analyzed by HPLCDAD- ESI/MS. Type B (epi)catechin dimers, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin were the main phenolic compounds present in the fractions. The antibacterial activity was also analyzed against pathogenic bacteria and the effect in the beneficial microflora was also accessed. Some of the obtained fractions revealed the capacity to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms without affecting the beneficial microflora, especially Fr 7 and Fr 8. For instance, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was inhibited by both of the fractions, while Fr 7 was more active against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Morganella morganii, and Fr 8 against methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), without affecting Lactobacillus strains. This study corroborates the therapeutic use of this matrix in traditional medicine. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programmer PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019), CQ-VR (UID/QUI/00616/2013), and to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal program for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. The authors are also grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for Sandrina A. Heleno (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014) grant and L. Barros contract. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The present study evaluated the effect of maturity stage on the chemical composition of cardoon bracts. Plant material was collected in Greece at eight different maturation stages (C1&ndash, C8) and the chemical composition was analyzed in regard to lipidic fraction and the content in fatty acids, tocopherols, organic acids, and free sugars. Samples of late maturity (C6&ndash, C8) revealed the lowest lipidic content, while a total of 29 fatty acids was identified in all the samples, with palmitic, stearic, oleic, and eicosatrienoic acids present in the highest levels depending on harvesting time. Immature (C1) and mature (C8) bracts were more abundant in saturated fatty acids (SFA) than bracts of medium-to-late maturity (C5, C6), where the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the prevalent class. The &alpha, and &gamma, tocopherols were the only identified isoforms of vitamin E, while the highest content was observed in sample C8 (199 &micro, g/100 g dry weight (dw). The detected organic acids were oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids, while fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, and raffinose were the main detected sugars. The results of the present study allowed us to reveal the effect of maturity stage on cardoon bracts chemical composition and further valorize this byproduct by improving its bioactive compounds content.

Cardoon is a multi-purpose crop with several industrial applications, while the heads (capitula) are edible and commonly used in various dishes of the Mediterranean diet. Several reports in the literature study the chemical composition of the various plants parts (leaves, flower stalks, bracts, seeds) aiming to industrial applications of crop bio-waste, whereas for the heads, most of the studies are limited to the chemical composition and bioactive properties at the edible stage. In the present study, cardoon heads were collected at six different maturation stages and their chemical composition was evaluated in order to determine the effect of harvesting stage and examine the potential of alternative uses in the food and nutraceutical industries. Lipidic fraction and the content in fatty acids, tocopherols, organic acids, and free sugars were determined. Lipidic content decreases with the maturation process, while 22 fatty acids were detected in total, with palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids being those with the highest abundance depending on harvesting time. In particular, immature heads have a higher abundance in saturated fatty acids (SFA), whereas the samples of mature heads were the richest in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The &alpha, tocopherol was the only isoform detected being present in higher amounts in sample Car B (619 &micro, g/100 g dw). Oxalic, quinic, malic, citric and fumaric acids were the detected organic acids, and the higher content was observed in sample Car E (15.7 g/100 g dw). The detected sugars were fructose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose and raffinose, while the highest content (7.4 g/100 g dw) was recorded in sample Car C. In conclusion, the maturation stage of cardoon heads influences their chemical composition and harvesting time could be a useful means to increase the quality and the added value of the final product by introducing this material in the food and nutraceutical industries.

The inflorescences of Calluna vulgaris were nutritionally and chemically characterized. Furthermore, different organic and aqueous extracts were prepared for the evaluation of their bioactive properties. From the obtained results, carbohydrates were the major compounds, followed by protein, lipid and ashes. It was possible to identify the sugars fructose and glucose, five organic acids, 26 individual fatty acids and the four tocopherol isoforms. Concerning the extract composition, 12 phenolic compounds were identified, with myricetin-3-O-glucoside and myricetin-O-rhamnoside predominating. Concerning the bioactive effects, the more polar extracts showed not only the highest amount in phenolic compounds, but also the strongest antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In contrast, for the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic potential, the most effective extracts were the n-hexane and the ethyl acetate extracts, respectively. C. vulgaris presented a wide range of biological effects, highlighting their capacity to inhibit pathogenic bacteria without affecting beneficial microflora, corroborating their use in traditional medicine. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support through CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), CQ-VR (UID/QUI/00616/2013), and S. Heleno (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014) grants, and L. Barros and R. C. Calhelha contracts. The authors are also grateful to the FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. The authors are thankful to Dr Ana Maria Carvalho from the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança for her botanical expertise. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon) has several health benefits mainly attributed to its abundance in polyphenols. In this study, cardoon heads (capitula) were harvested in Greece during the flowering stage, and the hydroethanolic extracts were assessed in terms of phenolic compounds composition and antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The phenolic profile was evaluated by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS to better understand the seasonal changes in the individual compound levels and how these changes correlate with bioactive properties. The main phenolic compounds identified were caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives. Immature heads (Car A: principal growth stage (PGS) 5) had the highest phenolic content (34.3 mg/ g) and cytotoxic (GI50 of 69–268 μg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 of 183 μg/mL) activities. Sample Car D (PGS 6/7) revealed the highest antioxidant (IC50 of 23–227 μg/mL) and antifungal (MIC of 0.26–0.51 mg/mL) potential. Regarding the antibacterial activity, Car E (PGS 7) revealed the best results (MIC of 0.59–1.18 mg/ mL). This study suggests that the maturity stage of the plant influences the phenolic composition and bioactivity. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion