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Winemaking leads to by-products with high added value, which can be used for new productions in different fields. The reuse of grape seed is addressed in the production of oil and related oil-processing by-products. The main residue from seed oil processing is represented by grape seed flour. A focus on grapeseed oil and health by literature quantitative research analysis is presented. Chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and biological and functional properties ofgrape seed oil and oil-processing by-products are described, and databases containing data and information on grape seed by-products are highlighted. Due to their contents of nutrients and bioactive molecules, grape seed oil and oil-processing by-products raise interest for use in different fields. A picture of food and nonfood applications of extracts and bioactive compounds from grape seed oil and oil-processing by-products is presented.

The present study evaluated the content of glycoalkaloids (α-chaconine and α-solanine) in the edible portion of six hybrid potato clones coming from the Italian potato breeding programme focused on resistance against the potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller). To evaluate the influence of agro-climatic conditions on glycoalkaloid content, the potato clones were grown for two consecutive years in the four main potato production areas in Italy. The effect of genotype, cultivation area and year, and the interaction among these factors, were studied. A large variability in glycoalkaloid concentration was found (from 16.8 to 227 mg kg−1). Among the new potato clones, three (ISCI 181/10–4, ISCI 182/10–1 and ISCI 232/12–1) had low glycoalkaloid concentrations. Only one potato clone (ISCI 207/11–1) was over the safety limit of 200 mg kg−1. Genotypic variation was the main factor influencing glycoalkaloid accumulation, although the influence of agro-climatic conditions was also highlighted.

To meet consumers’ demand for natural foods, edible oil producers and food processing industries are searching for alternatives to synthetic antioxidants to protect oils against oxidation. Antioxidant compounds extracted from different plant parts (e.g., flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds) or sourced from agri-food industries, including residues left after food processing, attract consumers for their health properties and natural origins. This review, starting from a literature research analysis, highlights the role of natural antioxidants in the protection of edible oils against oxidation, with an emphasis on the emerging and sustainable strategies to preserve oils against oxidative damage. Sustainability and health are the main concerns of food processing industries. In this context, the aim of this review is to highlight the emerging strategies for the enrichment of edible oils with biomolecules or extracts recovered from plant sources. The use of extracts obtained from vegetable wastes and by-products and the blending with oils extracted from various oil-bearing seeds is also pointed out as a sustainable approach. The safety concerns linked to the use of natural antioxidants for human health are also discussed. This review, using a multidisciplinary approach, provides an updated overview of the chemical, technological, sustainability, and safety aspects linked to oil protection.

Introduction [...]

The by-products/wastes from agro-food and in particular the fruit industry represents from one side an issue since they cannot be disposed as such for their impact on the environment but they need to be treated as a waste. However, on the other side, they are a source of bioactive healthy useful compounds which can be recovered and be the starting material for other products in the view of sustainability and a circular economy addressing the global goal of zero waste in the environment. An updated view of the state of art of the research on fruit wastes is here given under this perspective. The topic is defined as follows: (i) literature quantitative analysis of fruit waste/by-products, with particular regards to linkage with health; (ii) an updated view of conventional and innovative extraction procedures; (iii) high-value added compounds obtained from fruit waste and associated biological properties; (iv) fruit wastes presence and relevance in updated databases. Nowadays, the investigation of the main components and related bioactivities of fruit wastes is being continuously explored throughout integrated and multidisciplinary approaches towards the exploitation of emerging fields of application which may allow to create economic, environmental, and social value in the design of an eco-friendly approach of the fruit wastes., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Great attention has been given in recent years to the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food. This study aims at providing an analysis of the literature regarding the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food. The Scopus online database has been used to extract bibliometric data throughout the search string: TITLE-ABS-KEY (Metrology* AND Agriculture* OR Food*), and the VOSviewer bibliometric software was used to visualize results as bubble maps. The novelty character of this perspective paper is to indicate and point out the main research themes/lines addressing the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food by analyzing: (i) the authors of the published papers; (ii) the type of paper; (iii) the countries and institutions where the research is developed. Bibliometrics allows one to holistically examine entire scientific areas or sub-fields to get new qualitative and quantitative insights. These results represent a useful tool for identifying emerging research directions, collaboration networks, and suggestions for more in-depth literature searches., This research received no external funding., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Moderation in the use of salt (sodium chloride) in food and food preparations prevents the tendency of blood pressure to increase with age, and this is documented by many studies in current literature [...]

Biomass from five microalgal species, Porphyridium cruentum, Isochrysis galbana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis gaditana, produced at an industrial plant in outdoor photobioreactors, was studied with the aim to evaluate their suitability to the food and nutraceutical sectors. Microalgal biomass was analyzed for proximates, nonprotein nitrogen, energy, fatty acids, minerals, trace elements and mercury contents. Proximate analyses showed wide differences among microalgal species, in accordance with their different taxonomic position, especially as regards protein (19.6–33.2% dry mass), carbohydrate (15.9–42.2% dry mass) and lipid (5.7–31.1% dry mass) contents. All species proved to be a good source of minerals and trace elements and of polyunsaturated fatty acids (47.4–59.1% of total fatty acids) with varying profiles. N-3 fatty acids were prevalent in P. tricornutum, N. gaditana, I. galbana and T. suecica (32.6–36.4% of total fatty acids), whereas n-6 fatty acids, mainly arachidonic (C20:4) and linoleic (C18:2) acids, were prevalent in P. cruentum (43.3% of total fatty acids). N. gaditana, P. tricornutum, and P. cruentum were rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (36.0, 29.3%, and 15.9% of total fatty acids, respectively), while I. galbana was a good source of stearidonic (C18:4, 12.2% of total fatty acids) and docosahexaenoic (9.0% of total fatty acids) acids, undetectable or present at low levels in the other species. I galbana and T. suecica showed also high percentages of α-linolenic acid (C18:3, 12.2%–15.7% of total fatty acids). All microalgae were characterized by good nutrient contents and confirmed to be potentially valuable ingredients for nutritional or nutraceutical purposes.

The carotenoid profiles of biomass from five eukaryotic microalgae, Porphyridium cruentum, Isochrysis galbana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis gaditana, produced at an industrial plant in outdoor photobioreactors, were investigated. Pigments were solvent-extracted after an ultrasonic pre-treatment and separated by HPLC-photodiode-array using a reversed-phase C18 column. Microalgae showed species-specific carotenoid profiles. Carotenoids were mostly in their free form, with a prevalence of xanthophylls over carotenes. Beta-carotene was the only carotenoid common to all species. The Rhodophyta P. cruentum exhibited the lowest total carotenoid content (167.2 mg 100 g−1 dw) and the simplest profile, with (all-E)-zeaxanthin (94.2 mg 100 g−1 dw, 56% of total carotenoids) and (all-E)-β– carotene (53.4 mg 100 g−1 dw, 32% of total carotenoids) as the major carotenoids. The Haptophyta Isochrysis galbana and the Bacillariophyta Phaeodactylum tricornutum were the species with the highest total carotenoid content (1760 mg and 1022 mg 100 g−1 dw, respectively). These species were characterized by similar carotenoid profiles, with (all-E)-fucoxanthin as the chief compound (1346 mg and 776.8 mg 100 g−1 dw for I. galbana and P. tricornutum, respectively), accounting for about 76% of total carotenoids. The Chlorophyta Tetraselmis suecica was the species showing the greatest variety of carotenoids, with both α- carotene and β- carotene and their derivatives present. (All-E)-lutein (85.4 mg 100 g−1 dw) and (all-E)-violaxanthin (81.8 mg 100 g−1 dw) were the major pigments in this species. In the Ochrophyta Nannochloropsis gaditana, (all-E)-violaxanthin was the prevalent carotenoid (336.7 mg 100 g−1 dw), followed by (all-E)-β-carotene (100.1 mg 100 g−1 algal dw). The carotenoid content of the microalgal biomass studied compared favourably to that of major vegetable sources. Due to their characteristics, these microalgae, most of them currently finding their main application in aquaculture, may be also regarded as valuable sources of carotenoids to be used in the formulation of functional food and nutraceuticals.

Host plant quality can influence insect larval performance and subsequent adult fitness. Advanced hybrid potato clones (donor species: Solanum berthaultii Hawkes) and their parents were evaluated for resistance to the potato tuber moth (PTM) and examined for several biochemical, molecular and physical traits in order to investigate the mechanisms which underlie PTM-resistance. Resistant parent recorded 57% of mortality of pupae in comparison to the 23% observed in the susceptible parent. Expression patterns of specific genes involved in the phenolic biosynthetic pathway show that hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H) reflect chlorogenic and caffeic acid levels in the skin of all the genotypes (0.7 ≤ r ≤ 1.0). Skin α-chaconine and skin caffeic acid strongly and significantly related with PTM larval mortality (r2 = 0.99 and r = 0.90, respectively). This study suggests that skin α-chaconine and skin caffeic acid could play a defensive role against PTM and proposes a PTM resistant clone with high level of these bio-compounds, useful in breeding projects for plant defense and nutritional value purposes.

The relationship between wine polyphenols and health has been receiving growing scientific attention in the last few years. To confirm this point, the proposed paper identifies the major contributors to academic journals regarding the relationships between wine polyphenols and health. The endpoints of the proposed study are to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of the literature regarding the relationships between wine polyphenol and health based on a bibliometric analysis. Bibliometric data were extracted from the Scopus online database using the search string TITLE-ABS-KEY (wine AND polyphenol* AND health OR (french paradox OR cardiovascular disease* OR atherosclerosis OR microbiota) and analyzed using the VOSviewer bibliometric software to generate bubble maps and to visualize the obtained results. This perspective paper analyzes: (i) the research themes addressing the relationships between wine polyphenols and health; (ii) the major contributors origin, e.g., country and/or regions; (iii) the institutions where the research is based; (iv) the authors; and (v) the type of paper. These results represent a useful tool to identify emerging research directions, collaboration networks, and suggestions for more in-depth literature searches., Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of a Portuguese honey harvested over two consecutive years., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The family Cactaceae (commonly known as cactus) comprises plants with a wide applications in traditional folk medicine as well as in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among the geographically spread species in Africa, America, and the Mediterranean basin, Opuntia spp. has received particular attention attributed to its valuable functional and therapeutic compounds. Phenolic acids, antioxidants, biopeptides, pigments, soluble fibers are among those compounds of pharmaceutical and nutritional value. This chapter aims to comprehensively review recent studies and methodologies used to identify these compounds in the various parts of the plant and the biomass wasted during cultivation and fruit processing.

The plant-based biologically active ingredients are commonly molecules with therapeutic activities for various medical conditions. Opuntia spp., belonging to the family Cactaceae, contain a high level of bioactive compounds, which deserved attention in the past decade to evaluate the bioactivity of a whole extract or a specific purified compounds. This chapter aims to describe the chemical constituents and bioactive compounds in Opuntia spp., notably polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, organic acids, and their beneficial properties.

A HPLC method coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and tandem MS was optimized for the analysis of tocotrienols, tocopherols, retinol, squalene, phytosterols and carotenoids in lipid matrices. The aim of the research was to obtain a specific, rapid and robust method for bioactive compounds in by-products from the agri-food industry, in order to discover new high added-value products. The separation of 21 analytes, by non-aqueous reverse phase (NARP) liquid chromatography, was optimized by using design of experiments and response surface methodology. The best compromise among peak resolution and rapidity consisted in a run of 25 min. The problem of coelution of some substances was overcome thanks to the mass detection in multiple reaction monitoring mode, which also allowed maximization of sensitivity. The instrumental method was characterized by calibration curves with R2 of 0.989–0.999, limits of detection in the range 0.6–27 µg L-1, relative standard deviation always

The Museum of Genova holds an historically important collection of more than 500 monotreme and marsupial specimens, the most part collected during the late nineteenth century. The collection houses a number of type specimens, including nine holotypes, five lectotypes, three syntypes, one paralectotype and three paratypes. The authors present revised identifications of all the specimens in the collection, with their collecting data.

The bioactive ingredients derived from various plants have commonly therapeutic potentials for different diseases. Opuntia spp., belonging to the Cactaceae family, carry a significant number of bioactive compounds with applications in food, drug, and cosmetics industries. This chapter aimed to evaluate the use of bioactive compounds derived from Opuntia spp. applied in cosmetics and drug industries.

This perspective study addresses the main causes of adverse reactions to foods in humans, by taking into account the main allergic reactions that may occur as a result of food ingestion, as well the main allergens present in food and how their allergenicity change as a result of food preparation. In addition, European legislation on food labeling and novel foods was taken into account. The case study of this perspective is on the potential allergenicity of edible flowers as well as evidence of phytochemistry and toxic compounds and the risk associated with their ingestion. Regarding edible flowers, a key issue to address is if they are safe to consume or not. In the framework of the project “Innovative activities for the development of the cross-border supply chain of the edible flower” (ANTEA), we considered 62 different species and varieties of edible flowers. The results obtained by consulting two databases on allergens, COMPRISE and Allergen Nomenclature, marked two alerts for two species of edible flowers selected in the project. Moreover, based on edible flower consumption, about ten grams per serving, and on their protein content, we can also state that the risk of allergic reactions due to edible flower ingestion is very low.

First-generation biofuel biorefineries may be a starting point for the development of new value chains, as their by-products and side streams retain nutrients and valuable molecules that may be recovered and valorized for high-value applications. This study provides a chemical characterization of post-fermentation corn oil and thin stillage, side streams of dry-grind corn bioethanol production, in view of their valorization. An overall long-term study was conducted on the two co-products collected over 1 year from a bioethanol plant. Water content, acid value, sedimentation, mineral composition, and fatty acid profiles were analyzed on post-fermentation corn oil. Results highlighted that its acid value was high (19.72&ndash, 24.29 mg KOH/g), indicating high levels of free fatty acids, but stable over the year due to standardized operating conditions. The fatty acid profile was that typical of corn oil, with a prevalence of linoleic (54&ndash, 59% of total fatty acids) over oleic (23&ndash, 27%) and palmitic (12&ndash, 17%) acids. Macronutrients, fatty acid, and mineral profiles were investigated in thin stillage. Results revealed the acidic pH (4.05&ndash, 4.68) and high dilution (90&ndash, 93% water) of this side stream. The dry mass was composed of fats (19&ndash, 30%), proteins (8.8&ndash, 12.8%), ash (8.7&ndash, 9.5%), and fiber (7.3&ndash, 9.8%). The concomitant presence of a variegate complex of molecules of nutritional interest in corn bioethanol co-products, with several potential high-value market applications, make the perspective of their recovery a promising strategy to create new cross-sector interconnections according to circular economy principles.

The water-holding capacity (WHC) is among the key factors in determining the quality of meat and its value, which is strongly influenced by the content and quality of the connective tissue proteins like collagen. Therefore, the factors that influence the proteins’ stability, e.g., pH, ionic strength, and the antioxidants which are used to increase the meat shelf-life, also affect the WHC. The interaction of collagen, whose structure is strongly influenced by the interaction with water molecules, can be studied following the behavior of water diffusion by low-resolution 1H NMR experiments. The present study is addressed to study the collagen stability as a function of pH, ionic strength, and phenolic antioxidants like catechin. The experimental study demonstrated how the 1H NMR time domain (TD) experiments are able to evaluate the hydration properties of collagen, not only as a function of ionic strength and pH, but also in determining the ability of catechin to interact both on the surface of the collagen fibrils and inside the fibrillar domain.

The feasibility of exploiting secondary raw materials from marine food-chains as a source of molecules of nutritional interest, to create high-value food products and to meet nutritional challenges, is described in this report. A reduction in food waste is urgent as many sectors of the food industry damage the environment by depleting resources and by generating waste that must be treated. The project herein described, deals with the recovery of natural molecules, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and of α-tocopherol, from fish processing by-products. This would promote the sustainable development of new food products for human nutrition, as well as nutraceuticals. The growing awareness of increasing omega-3 fatty acids intake, has focused attention on the importance of fish as a natural source of these molecules in the diet. Therefore, a study on the concentration of these bioactive compounds in such matrices, as well as new green methodologies for their recovery, are necessary. This would represent an example of a circular economy process applied to the seafood value chain. Fish processing by-products, so far considered as waste, can hopefully be reutilized as active ingredients into food products of high added-value, thus maximizing the sustainability of fish production.

The study focuses on the understanding, at molecular level, the mechanism of interaction between protein and flavonoids. Collagen and catechin interactions were investigated by NMR in solution and solid state. The effect of catechin on the stability of collagen to oxidation was also explored. Collagen was treated with two concentrations of catechin solutions. Oxidation was carried out by incubation of collagen solution with three oxidation systems: Fe(II)/H2O2, Cu(II)/H2O2, and NaOCl/H2O2. The effects of oxidation systems were evaluated by high resolution 1 D and 2 D proton spectroscopy and solid state NMR (13C CP MAS) experiments. Interactions between collagen and catechin preferentially occur between catechin B ring and the amino acids Pro and Hyp of collagen. Results showed that both iron and copper oxidation systems were able to interact with collagen by site specific attack. Moreover, catechin protects collagen proline from oxidation by metal/H2O2 systems, preventing copper and iron approach to collagene molecule;this behaviour was more evident for the copper/H2O2 system.

This paper reports data from a characterization study conducted on the unsaponifiable lipid fraction of dry-grind corn bioethanol side streams. Phytosterols, squalene, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and carotenoids were quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in different lots of post-fermentation corn oil and thin stillage collected from a bioethanol plant over a time-span of one year. Fat-soluble bioactives were present at high levels in corn oil, with a prevalence of plant sterols over tocols and squalene. Beta-sitosterol and sitostanol accounted altogether for more than 60% of total sterols. The carotenoid profile was that typical of corn, with lutein and zeaxanthin as the prevalent molecules. The unsaponifiable lipid fraction profile of thin stillage was qualitatively similar to that of post-fermentation corn oil but, in quantitative terms, the amounts of valuable biomolecules were much lower because of the very high dilution of this side stream. Results indicate that post-fermentation corn oil is a promising and sustainable source of health-promoting bioactive molecules. The concomitant presence of a variegate complex of bioactive molecules with high antioxidant potentialities and their potential multifaceted market applications as functional ingredients for food, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical formulations, make the perspective of their recovery a promising strategy to create new bio-based value chains and maximize the sustainability of corn dry-grind bioethanol biorefineries.

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) on Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) in the determination of the fatty acid content in meat and meat products. The Multivariate calibrations were developed and proposed for Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA), Monounsatured Fatty Acids (MUFA), Polyunsatured Fatty Acids (PUFA) and Palmitic Acid. SFA and MUFA models, developed using the first derivative and the selected region 3022.33–650.15 cm−1, gave the best performance, with a coefficient of calibration r2 0.9834 and 0.9775, respectively, and the relative Root Mean Square Error of Calibration (RMSEC) 0.594 and 0.699. The best model for PUFA was obtained for region 4000.12–650.15 using the first derivative (r2 0.9817, RMSEC 0.724). Palmitic acid, chosen as the case study of single fatty acids, showed a best linear regression for the first derivative approach in region 4000.12–650.15. Results were less satisfactory in prediction in the proposed models.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), a by-product of oilseed extraction connected to the agri-food andbiofuel sectors, is currently used as animal feed and for other low-value purposes. With a biorefineryapproach, RSM could be valorized as a source of bio-based molecules for high-value applications. This study provides a chemical characterization of RSM in the perspective of its valorization. Aqualitative study of main functional groups by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy wasintegrated with a chemical characterization of macronutrients, minerals by inductively coupledplasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), phenolic acids and lipid components by highperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), HPLC-diode arraydetector (HPLC-DAD) and gaschromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detector(GC-MS/FID). The study, conducted on different lots of RSM collected over a one-year periodfrom an oil pressing factory serving a biofuel biorefinery, highlighted a constant quality over timeof RSM, characterized by high protein (31–34%), fiber (33–40%) and mineral (5.5–6.8%) contents. Polyphenol extracts showed a significant antioxidant activity and a prevalence of sinapic acid,accounting for more than 85% of total phenolic acids (395–437 mg kg􀀀1 RSM). Results highlightthe potentialities of RSM for further valorization strategies that may lead to the creation of newcross-sector interconnections and bio-based value chains with improvement of the economicsandsustainability of the bioeconomy sectors involved.

The study provides original data on the compositional profile (macronutrients, dietary fiber, mineral and trace elements, bioactive molecules) of an Italian typical plant foods, Treviso Red Cichory, studying the two cultivars (Early, Late) grown following two different traditional cultivation systems. For two consecutive years plants from three growing areas, were studied. Major, significant differences, between Early and Late cultivars, were observed in minerals (Ca, Mg, P), trace elements (Fe, Zn) and bioactive molecules content. The Late cv. was found the richest in minerals and trace elements content than the Early cv., but for Ca. Treviso Red Cichory was found a valuable source of bioactive molecules such as ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and total polyphenols. The Early cv. showed a significantly higher (p Late cv. (6.15 and 24.38 mg/100g, respectively), by contrast total polyphenols content was significantly higher (p Late cv. A marked variability in bioactive molecules content among the growing areas was found only for the Late cv. The observed differences between the Early and Late cultivars could be strictly related to the traditional growing systems applied during plant’s growth.

The primary product of the oenological sector is wine. Nonetheless, the grape processing produces large amounts of by-products and wastes, e.g., the grape seeds. In the context of a sustainable production, there is a strong push towards reutilizing these by-products and waste for making useful derivatives since they are rich of bioactive substances with high additional value. As it is true for the wine itself, bringing these by-products derivatives to the market calls for quality measures and analytical tools to assess quality itself. One of the main objectives is to collect analytical data regarding bioactive compounds using potentially green techniques. In the present work, the profile of fatty acids and the main phenolic compounds were investigated by conventional methods. The qualitative analysis of the main functional groups was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the successful use of FTIR technique in combination with chemometric data analysis is shown to be a suitable analytical tool for discriminating the grape seeds. Grape seeds of different origin have different content of bioactive substances, making this technique useful when planning to recover a certain substance with specific potential application in health area as food supplement or nutraceutical. For example, Cesanese d’Affile seeds were found to have a rather high fat content with a significant fraction of unsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand, the seeds of Nero d’Avola exhibit the highest amount of phenolic compounds., This research received funding from Italcol SpA, Consulente Enologica Srl and the support of the Project NATUR-BAKERY-INNOV” Innovative production of a bakery line, for well-being and sport, based on functional natural extracts”—POR FESR 2014–2020—CUP 7429.31052017.113000254. Authors thank the support of the project: Nutraceutica come supporto nutrizionale nel paziente oncologico; CUP: B83D18000140007, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Phytochemicals can exert their bioactivity without reaching the systemic circulation; scarcely absorbed antioxidants might reach the large bowel contributing to protection from oxidative damage-induced gastrointestinal diseases. In the present work, we aimed to study the relationship between potential activity of polyphenol-rich extracts fromCichorium intybusL. and changes in morphological characteristics on Caco-2 cells. Phytochemicals content (carotenoids and flavonoids) and total antioxidant activity of Red Chicory of Treviso and Variegated Chicory of Castelfranco were evaluated. The bioactivity of polyphenol-rich extracts from chicories was studied inin vitroCaco-2 cell monolayers model. Morphological characteristics changes to test the antioxidant and/or prooxidant effect were verified by histological analysis and observed by Electronic Scansion Microscopy (SEM). On Caco-2 cell model, the polyphenols fractions from chicories have indicated a moderate antioxidant behavior until 17 μM concentration, while 70 μM and 34 μM exert cytotoxic effects for Treviso’s and Castelfranco’s Chicory, respectively, highlighted by TEER decreasing, increased permeability, and alteration of epithelium. Our findings support the beneficial effects of these products in counteracting the oxidative stress and cellular damage, inducedin vitroon Caco-2 cell model, through interaction with the mucopolysaccharide complexes in the glycocalyx, maintainingin vivoa healthy and effective intestinal barrier.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of growing systems (conventional, organic and biodynamic performed with two types of manuring) on some nutritional traits of the tomato breeding line CXD271BIO (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Experimental fields were in the same geographical area and the cultivations were performed over five years. The content of macronutrients, minerals (Ca, K, Mg, P, Na), trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids) was determined. The biodynamic A growing system showed the highest protein and carbohydrates content compared to the other growing systems. Data on minerals and trace elements content showed significant differences (mainly in Ca, Na, Fe and Zn content) between conventional and biodynamic tomatoes, whereas no major impact of the fertilization among organic and the two biodynamic growing systems was observed. Appreciable differences in phenolic acids biosynthesis were observed, with the year of harvest showing a marked effect especially on chlorogenic, p-cumaric and ferulic acids content. Conversely, the cultivation system did not show major influence. Principal Components Analysis (PCA), performed on mineral and phenolic acids content, substantiated the large effect of the year of harvest, also suggesting an effect of the conventional cultivation system.

Brassicaceae family provides several crops which are worldwide known for their interesting phytochemical profiles, especially in terms of content of glucosinolates. These secondary metabolites show several beneficial effects toward consumers&rsquo, health, and several studies have been conducted to identify cultivation factors affecting their content in crops. One of the agronomic practices which is attracting growing interest is the organic one, which consists in avoiding the use of mineral fertilizers as well as pesticides. The aim of this study is to define the metabolic profile of Brassica oleracea (var. italica) and to compare the samples grown using organic and conventional fertilization methods. The hydroalcoholic and organic extracts of the samples have been analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Forty-seven metabolites belonging to the categories of organic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, sterols, and other molecules have been identified. Thirty-seven metabolites have been quantified. Univariate and multivariate PCA analyses allowed to observe that the organic practice influenced the nitrogen transport, the carbohydrate metabolism, the glucosinolate content and the phenylpropanoid pathway in B. oleracea (var. italica).

Food and agricultural waste represents a growing problem with negative effects on the economy, environment, and human health. Winemaking produces byproducts with high added value, which can be used for new productions in several application fields. From the perspective of biorefinery and circular economy, grape seeds could be exploited by extracting bioactive compounds with high added value before using biomass for energy purposes. The markets concerned are, in addition to the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals sectors, which use bioactive compounds, the sector of biopolymeric materials and of energy for the production of biohydrogen and biomethane. Generally, bioactive components should be investigated through an integrated and multidisciplinary study approach based on emerging analytical techniques; in this context, attention is addressed towards green and sustainable procedures; an update of extraction techniques, innovative technologies, and chemometrics are described. Nowadays, processes so far tested on a pilot scale for grape waste are developed to enhance the extraction yields. Here, a picture of the Italian experience applied to the byproducts of the wine industry is given.

This study gives an overview on the nutritional value, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP) of Bronte’s pistachio (Pistacia vera, L., cv. Bianca) from Sicily (Italy). Bronte’s pistachios are rich in fat, protein, dietary fiber, trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and minerals (Ca, P, K, Mg, Na). Lipids mainly consist of MUFA (33.8 g/100g), primarily oleic acid (32.4 g/ 100g); PUFA is mostly represented by linoleic acid (7.49 g/100g). Bronte’s pistachios are also a valuable source of bioactive compounds such as total polyphenols (501.5 mg/100g), lutein (1.26 mg/100g), β-carotene (0.18 mg/100g), γ-tocopherol (19.2 mg/100g) and phytosterols (134.4 mg/100g). Among phytosterols, the main is β-sitosterol (86% of total content), followed by Δ5-avenasterol (6.3%). Phytic acid content is 1763 mg/100g; Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5 and Ins(1,2,3,4,5,)P5 have been detected too (31 mg/100g and 10 mg/100g, respectively). The antioxidant activity was determined both in hydrophilic and lipophilic fraction of pistachios, showing >80% of the total antioxidant activity in the hydrophilic, predominately due to phenolic compounds.

A total diet study (TDS) provides representative and realistic data for assessing the dietary intake of chemicals, such as contaminants and residues, and nutrients, at a population level. Reproducing the diet through collection of customarily consumed foods and their preparation as habitually eaten is crucial to ensure representativeness, i.e., all relevant foods are included and all potential dietary sources of the substances investigated are captured. Having this in mind, a conceptual framework for building a relevant food-shopping list was developed as a research task in the European Union's 7th Framework Program project, 'Total Diet Study Exposure' (TDS-Exposure), aimed at standardising methods for food sampling, analyses, exposure assessment calculations and modelling, priority foods, and selection of chemical contaminants. A stepwise approach following the knowledge translation (KT) model for concept analysis is proposed to set up a general protocol for the collection of food products in a TDS in terms of steps (characterisation of the food list, development of the food-shopping list, food products collection) and pillars (background documentation, procedures, and tools). A simple model for structuring the information in a way to support the implementation of the process, by presenting relevant datasets, forms to store inherent information, and folders to record the results is also proposed. Reproducibility of the process and possibility to exploit the gathered information are two main features of such a system for future applications. EC’s Program (FP7/2012-2016) under grant agreement 289108 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

BACKGROUND:Greenleafyvegetablescontributegreatlytothetotalintakeofnitratesfromthedailydiet.Thisstudyevaluates the influence of different cultivation systems on nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables. Two varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) (Lattuga Romana, Foglia di Quercia) and two varieties of red radicchio of Treviso (Cychorium intibus L.) (Early, Late) were selected. Lettuce varieties were both organically and biodynamically grown; red radicchio varieties were conventionally grown both in the field and in spring water. RESULTS: Both lettuce varieties biodynamically grown accumulated 1.3‐2 times less nitrate than the respective organically grownplants.Thetwolettucevarietiesshoweddifferencesinnitrateaccumulatingcapacity:FogliadiQuerciawasalmostthree times richer in nitrate than Lattuga Romana. The traditional growing systems applied to the red radicchio of Treviso varieties strongly influenced nitrate accumulation in leaves, the Early variety having up to 15 times higher nitrate than the Late variety. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings on nitrate levels in both lettuce and red radicchio of Treviso varieties suggest that both genetic factorsandcultivationsystems stronglyaffectthenitrateaccumulationcapacity.Thisstudyalso highlightshowthecultivation strategycanreducenitratelevelsinleafyvegetables,suggestingthepossibilityofmodulatingtheN supplyalongtheharvesting time. c � 2011 Society of Chemical Industry