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Hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) and tyrosol (Tyr) are the most well studied phenolic alcohols of olive oil and olive products demonstrating numerous and significant beneficial health effects. However, their activity in the human organism as food bioactives is strongly associated with their bioavailability and metabolism, while manifested through their metabolites. Nevertheless, there are limited studies investigating their biotransformation and mainly catabolism by gut microflora under a holistic interpretation close to the human organism. Thus, in the present study, the GastroIntestinal Dialysis (GIDM)-colon model, a continuous flow in vitro dialysis system mimicking physiological conditions during human gastrointestinal digestion, was used to explore the metabolism of HTyr and Tyr as pure compounds. The GIDM–colon model simulates absorption from the lumen to the mucosa, followed by the colon phase using pooled human fecal suspensions. Samples were collected at different time points and analyzed via LC–Orbitrap MS. An integrated approach combining Multivariate Data Analysis (MVA) and thorough dereplication procedures led to the identification of HTyr and Tyr metabolites in different phases (gastric, small intestine, and colon), yielding also valuable information about metabolites kinetics. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting full spectrometric data of HTyr and Tyr metabolites along with possible transformation mechanisms in the GI tract. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Ruby chocolate was introduced in 2017 as the fourth type of chocolate, in addition to white, milk and dark chocolate. However, until now not much is reported about its phytochemical composition. Therefore, we analyzed ruby chocolate by UPLC-HRMS, together with the three other types of chocolate. Feature-based molecular networking was carried out to aid in the identification, while a set of 51 reference compounds were analyzed simultaneously for targeted quantification. In this way, a total of 54 compounds could be (tentatively) identified in the chocolates, of which 43 were found in the ruby chocolate. Moreover, 19 compounds were quantified, of which 13 in the ruby chocolate. The compounds include flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins and methylxanthines, but also biogenic amines and alkaloids. In general, ruby chocolate contained lower levels of these constituents compared to dark chocolate. However, A-type proanthocyanidins were found to be characteristic for the ruby chocolate. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

There is a rapid increase in the percentage of elderly people in Europe. Consequently, the prevalence of age-related diseases will also significantly increase. Therefore, the main goal of MediHealth, an international research project, is to introduce a novel approach for the discovery of active agents of food plants from the Mediterranean diet and other global sources that promote healthy ageing. To achieve this goal, a series of plants from the Mediterranean diet and food plants from other origins are carefully selected and subjected to in silico, cell-based, in vivo (fly and mouse models), and metabolism analyses. Advanced analytical techniques complement the bio-evaluation process for the efficient isolation and identification of the bioactive plant constituents. Furthermore, pharmacological profiling of bioactive natural products, as well as the identification and synthesis of their metabolites, is carried out. Finally, optimization studies are performed in order to proceed to the development of innovative nutraceuticals, dietary supplements or herbal medicinal products. The project is based on an exchange of researchers between nine universities and four companies from European and non-European countries, exploiting the existing complementary multidisciplinary expertise. Herein, the unique and novel approach of this interdisciplinary project is presented. © 2018 by the authors.

Special Issue: Abstracts of the Fourth International IASSIDD Europe Regional Congress 14-17 July, 2014, Vienna Symposium 2.1. Sexuality and People with IDD - 1