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This study represents the first investigation of the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ononis aurasiaca Förther & Podlech, a plant species endemic to the Aures Mountains of Algeria. The essential oil of the plant aerial parts was analysed using GC-MS. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using three methods. A total of 44 compounds were identified. The major constituents were dodecanal, hexahydrofarnesylacetone, 2-tridecanone, phytol, 1-heneicosene, and n-heneicosane. The oil displayed significant activity in the β-carotene bleaching assay, moderate scavenging activity against DPPH radicals and a low ability to reduce iron ions. Antibacterial tests conducted on four strains revealed effectiveness primarily against Gram-positive strains, specifically Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and ATCC 43300, while showing limited impact on Gram-negative strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Antifungal activity tests involving two moulds revealed a stronger inhibition against Scedosporium apiospermum compared to Aspergillus niger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms play a crucial role in addressing the challenges related to the increasing detrimental effects of intensive agriculture in vineyards by contributing to various aspects, from maintaining soil health and vine vitality to influencing fermentation and the overall wine features. Among microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi are widely distributed in both natural and agricultural ecosystems, and their mutually beneficial relationship with most terrestrial plants provides valuable ecological benefits. Nowadays, the wine industry is increasingly moving toward the production of organic wines, highlighting the need for novel and healthier strategies that prioritize both the consumer well-being and the quality of the final wine product. Following our previous study in collaboration with the Bioma SA Company (Quartino, Switzerland), the investigation was continued by extending the organic practice to the cultivation. The present work, indeed, aimed to evaluate the influence of the treatment with mycorrhizal fungi on the metabolism of "Sangiovese" grapevines. In particular, the chemical parameters, including alcohol content, pH, acidity, phenolic composition, and sulfur dioxide, were assessed on the must, while the analysis of the volatile emission was conducted both on whole and pressed grapes, on must, as well as on the grape skins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the mycorrhizal fungi association effect on the quality of "Sangiovese" grapes and, further, its effect on the VOCs emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As societies undergo shifts in dietary patterns, there is often an increase in nutrition‐related issues. This is particularly evident in the case of wheat bakery products, which have evolved in an unsustainable way. The fortification of wheat flour with vegetables has emerged as a strategy to mitigate the imbalanced composition of white bread. The objective of this study is to address existing knowledge gaps regarding nutritional quality and technological characteristics of food‐to‐food fortified bakery products. A blend of Beta vulgaris powder (up to 5% of the total weight) was incorporated into commercial wheat white flour, and the resulting composition and technological parameters were analysed throughout the bread‐making process, using standard methods (e.g., AAAC, ISO). The sensory assessment of the tested fortified baking products formulations was conducted. The 178 volunteer consumers noted the differences conveyed by B. vulgaris, but scored the taste and colour as acceptable (6 out of 9). Formulations containing moderate amounts of chard (e.g., 2%) were most appreciated. This study demonstrates that B. vulgaris can be employed to enrich white bread, particularly in minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, in a readily actionable manner that is well accepted by consumers. Furthermore, the use of flour blends contributes to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in wheat availability, thereby enhancing food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been significant exploration into the utilization of food by-products as natural reservoirs of bioactive substances, particularly in the creation of functional foods naturally enriched with antioxidants. Citrus peels represent a viable option for formulating enhanced olive oils that contribute to a healthier diet, due to their bioactive compound content. This study aimed to (i) ascertain the compositional characteristics of Citrus reticulata olive oil (CrOO) and (ii) assess its nutraceutical properties in rats with metabolic disorder induced by 3 weeks of feeding with a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed a peculiar phytochemical composition, thanks to the contribution of citrus peels, which are excellent bio-products. In addition, it demonstrated HFD-induced weight gain (18 ± 2% for HFD vs. 13 ± 0.9% for CrOO) and showed protective effects on fasting blood glucose levels (90.2 ± 3.8 mg/dL for HFD vs. 72.3 ± 2.6 for CrOO). Furthermore, a reduction in cardiovascular risk (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol = 5.0 ± 0.3 for HFD vs. 3.8 ± 0.3 for CrOO) and an improvement in myocardial tissue function were observed, as well as a significant reduction in inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, COX-2, and mPGES-1 in aortic vessel tissues, thus preserving endothelial function at the vascular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to develop a nanoemulgel encapsulating a Tunisian Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed oil (PPSO) to assess, for the first time, the in vivo efficacy of this nanoformulation on wound healing. Phytocompounds of this oil have been reported in the literature as having powerful pharmacological activities. However, it remains poorly exploited due to low bioavailability. A nanoemulsion (NE) was designed by determining the required hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) and subsequently characterized. The mean droplet size was measured at 56.46 ± 1.12 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.23 ± 0.01 using dynamic light scattering. The zeta potential was −31.4 ± 1.4 mV, and the morphology was confirmed and assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These characteristics align with the typical properties of nanoemulsions. The gelification process resulted in the formation of a nanoemulgel from the optimum nanoemulsion. The high wound healing efficiency of the nanoemulgel was confirmed compared to that of a medicinally marketed cream. The outcomes of this research contribute valuable insights, for the first time, into the potential therapeutic applications of PPSO and its innovative pharmaceutical formulation for wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. commonly known as fenugreek, is an important economic and medicinal plant cultivated in various regions of the world. Fenugreek produces several important active chemical constituents that determine its pharmacological properties. The aim of this research was to analyze the volatile constituents spontaneously emitted by eight samples of fenugreek seeds purchased from different Middle Eastern drugstores, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, and Iran. A total of 70 constituents belonging to different chemical classes, including monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, phenylpropanoids, apocarotenes, nitrogen/sulfur derivatives, and non-terpene derivatives, were characterized in the volatile emissions of the eight samples, some components with significant olfactory properties were detected such as γ-nonalactone, cumin aldehyde, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, p-anisaldehyde, and eugenol. PCA showed two macro-clusters; the first comprised two sub-groups, while the second included only Yemeni samples. The findings of this study demonstrate that the significant variation for volatile profiles in fenugreek samples which are prone to variations in the geographical origin of these samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]