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Author Contributions: Conceptualization: E.C.-B., J.N.d.H. and D.M.; formal analysis: E.C.-B. and M.d.l.N.S.-S.; funding acquisition: S.S. and L.J.; investigation: E.C.-B. and MdlNS-S; methodology: J.N.d.H., L.J., S.S. and D.M.; project administration: S.S., L.J. and D.M., supervision: J.N.d.H. and D.M.; writing-original draft: E.C.-B.; writing—review and editing: E.C.-B., J.N.d.H., L.J., S.S. and D.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript., Saponins, both steroidal and triterpenoid, exhibit distinct bioactivities. However, they are not commonly found together in natural sources; instead, sources tend to be rich in one type or another and mainly in the form of saponins rather than the sapogenin aglycones. Developing co-extracts containing both saponin or sapogenin types would be a strategy to harness their respective bioactivities, yielding multibioactive extracts. Therefore, this study evaluates the bioactivity (hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities) of co-extracts from fenugreek seeds (steroidal-rich saponins) and quinoa husk (triterpenoid-rich saponins), co-extracted at varying proportions, alongside their respective sapogenin-rich hydrolysates. Pancreatic lipase inhibition increased with fenugreek content in co-extracts, especially in sapogenin-rich variants. The latter substantially interfered with cholesterol bioaccessibility (90% vs. 15% in sapogenin-rich extracts). Saponin-rich co-extracts exhibited reduced cytokine release with increased fenugreek content, while sapogenin-rich counterparts showed greater reductions with higher quinoa husk content. Limited cellular antioxidant activities were observed in all extracts, with improved post-hydrolysis bioactivity. Therefore, simultaneous co-extraction of steroidal and triterpenoid sources, such as fenugreek and quinoa husk, as well as their subsequent hydrolysis, are innovative strategies for obtaining multibioactive natural extracts., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Sección Dptal. de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos (Veterinaria), Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Table S1 in the Supplementary Material (Phenolic compounds identified in yarrow samples by using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) in the original paper [1] was updated after a revision of the chromatographic identification. The update adds additional information, which affects some of the previously reported MS/MS ions (m/z), as some of them were omitted (e.g., vicenin 2), contained typographical errors (e.g., apigenin, diosmetin), or included an inaccurate m/z or abundance of the detected ions (e.g., amentoflavone, apigenin-C-hexoside-C-pentoside, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, schaftoside, schaftoside isomer). In addition, the classification of vitexin was inappropriate and was updated (moved from flavonols to the flavones section), as was the accurate mass (m/z) of ferulic acid, which was reported with a typographical error. The authors state that the changes made only affect the results shown in Table S1 and enhance the information given therein, without affecting in any way the scientific conclusions of the published work. The authors would like to thank Franski et al. for their comments, which have allowed us to correct these minor issues in Table S1. Table S1 was updated on 4 July 2023.

Marjoram is a culinary herb that has been widely employed in folk medicine and presents a high content in phenolics. Thus, the aim of this project was to design formulations to encapsulate phenolic compounds from marjoram to allow their release in the colon. For this purpose, pectin was used as an encapsulating agent, applying two different encapsulation techniques (ionic gelation and spray-drying), followed by a CaCl2 bath. The ionic gelation technique showed a higher yield (77%) compared to spray-drying (31%), and the particles obtained were smaller (267 nm). However, the microparticles obtained by spray-drying presented a higher encapsulation efficiency (93%). Moreover, spray-dried microparticles protected a higher percentage of the encapsulated phenolics from the action of gastrointestinal pHs and enzymes. Hence, the results showed that spray-drying was a more appropriate technique than ionic gelation for the encapsulation of marjoram phenolics in order to protect them during the gastrointestinal step, facilitating their arrival in the colon. These microparticles would also be suitable for inclusion in food matrices for the development of phenolic colon delivery systems.

Synergies between compounds in food ingredients have been commonly obtained by the mixing of extracts produced individually. A different approach, based on the coextraction of plants and a new theoretical framework to identify synergistic and antagonistic effects in the coextracts, has been proposed in this study for the first time. The Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) of rosemary and marjoram with parsley at several plant ratios was carried out and the antioxidant activity (ABTS and cellular assays) and phenolic compounds of the extracts were evaluated. Synergistic effects on the antioxidant activity of the extracts were identified from all the plant combinations. The HPLC-PAD analysis of the samples did not show a relation between the concentration of the main phenolic compounds in the coextracts and the observed antioxidant synergistic effects. The proposed theoretical framework may be successfully used for the determination of synergies in the bioactivity of extracts obtained by coextraction.

Saponins, both steroidal and triterpenoid, exhibit distinct bioactivities. However, they are not commonly found together in natural sources; instead, sources tend to be rich in one type or another and mainly in the form of saponins rather than the sapogenin aglycones. Developing co-extracts containing both saponin or sapogenin types would be a strategy to harness their respective bioactivities, yielding multibioactive extracts. Therefore, this study evaluates the bioactivity (hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities) of co-extracts from fenugreek seeds (steroidal-rich saponins) and quinoa husk (triterpenoid-rich saponins), co-extracted at varying proportions, alongside their respective sapogenin-rich hydrolysates. Pancreatic lipase inhibition increased with fenugreek content in co-extracts, especially in sapogenin-rich variants. The latter substantially interfered with cholesterol bioaccessibility (90% vs. 15% in sapogenin-rich extracts). Saponin-rich co-extracts exhibited reduced cytokine release with increased fenugreek content, while sapogenin-rich counterparts showed greater reductions with higher quinoa husk content. Limited cellular antioxidant activities were observed in all extracts, with improved post-hydrolysis bioactivity. Therefore, simultaneous co-extraction of steroidal and triterpenoid sources, such as fenugreek and quinoa husk, as well as their subsequent hydrolysis, are innovative strategies for obtaining multibioactive natural extracts.

Whey proteins can exhibit antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were to formulate model whey based beverages with well-established antioxidants (plant polyphenols, vitamins and astaxanthin) to investigate (1) the antioxidant shelf life over a 24-week period and (2) the antioxidant activity after upper gastrointestinal transit. Pilot scale processing (pasteurization, ultra-high temperature or spray drying) was used to prepare beverages which were representative of current product formats. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of test samples was performed using the standardised INFOGEST method and antioxidant activity of samples was determined using ABTS, FRAP and ORAC. Results from the antioxidant shelf life study provided evidence that powder products functionality was preserved. Whey beverages (pasteurised or spray dried) increased or maintained antioxidant activity during gastrointestinal transit. Combination of whey with additional antioxidant ingredients increased the bioactivity of formulated products; however, this greater bioactivity was altered after gastrointestinal transit, depending on processing type and antioxidant methodology., Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland, European Union's Horizon 2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 713654, Depto. de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, TRUE, pub

The development of processes for renewable aviation fuel production boosts a sustainable recovery of the aviation sector; in such processes, the application of strategies of energy efficiency can improve its economic and environmental competitiveness. In this work is presented the energy integration of a Jatropha curcas (JC) biorefinery for the production of biojet fuel, as the main product, through the pinch point methodology. The energy integration application is based on the construction of two routes, defined by the material exchanges between the integrated processes. Route 1 (R1) considers 7 and 6 hot and cold streams, respectively; whilst in route 2 (R2), 6 and 8 hot and cold streams, respectively. The results show that it is possible to save 82,41 % and 74,89 % on heating and cooling utilities for R1, whilst up 71 % and 87,28 % of savings on heating and cooling utilities for R2. These savings represent less environmental impact, regarding the biorefinery scheme without integration, due to less consumption of external utilities; thereby, the economy of the process could improve significantly., El desarrollo de procesos para la producción de combustible renovable de aviación coadyuva a la recuperación sostenible del sector de aviación; en tales procesos, la aplicación de estrategias de eficiencia energética puede mejorar su competitividad económica y ambiental. En este trabajo se presenta la integración energética en una biorefinería de Jatropha curcas (JC) para la producción de bioturbosina, como producto principal, mediante la metodología del punto de pliegue. La aplicación de la integración energética se basa en la construcción de dos rutas, definidas por los intercambios de material entre los procesos que las integran. En la ruta 1 (R1) se consideran 7 y 6 corrientes calientes y frías, respectivamente; mientras que para la ruta 2 (R2), 6 y 8 corrientes calientes y frías, respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que es posible ahorrar hasta 82,41 % y 74,89 % de servicios de calentamiento y enfriamiento para R1, mientras que hasta 71 % y 87,28 % de ahorro de servicios de calentamiento y enfriamiento para R2. Estos resultados suponen menor impacto ambiental, respecto al esquema sin integración, debido al menor consumo de servicios externos, lo cual podría mejorar significativamente la economía del proceso.

The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolics compounds of two grape stem extracts with different composition were studied. High polymeric extract (HPE) presented a higher content of total phenolics (TPC), procyanidins, hemicelluloses, proteins, and ashes, whereas low procyanidin extract (LPE) showed a higher fat, soluble sugars, and individual phenolic compounds content. Corresponding to its higher total phenolics content, HPE possesses a higher antioxidant activity (TEAC value). The digestion process reduced the antioxidant activity of the HPE up to 69%, due to the decrease of TPC (75%) with a significant loss of polymeric compounds. LPE antioxidant activity was stable, and TPC decreased by only 13% during the digestion process. Moreover, a higher antioxidant phenolic compounds bioavailability was shown in LPE in contrast to HPE. This behaviour was ascribed mainly to the negative interaction of polymeric fractions and the positive interaction of lipids with phenolic compounds. Therefore, this study highlights the convenience of carrying out previous studies to identify the better extraction conditions of individual bioavailable phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, along with those constituents that could increase their bioaccessibility and bioavailability, such as lipids, although the role played by other components, such as hemicelluloses, cannot be ruled out.

Synsepalum dulcificum (Richardella dulcifica) is a berry fruit from West Africa with the ability to convert the sour taste into a sweet taste, and for this reason, the fruit is also known as the “miracle berry” (MB). The red and bright berry is rich in terpenoids. The fruit’s pulp and skin contain mainly phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which correlate with their antioxidant activity. Different polar extracts have been described to inhibit cell proliferation and transformation of cancer cell lines in vitro. In addition, MB has been shown to ameliorate insulin resistance in a preclinical model of diabetes induced by a chow diet enriched in fructose. Herein, we have compared the biological activities of three supercritical extracts obtained from the seed—a subproduct of the fruit—and one supercritical extract obtained from the pulp and the skin of MB. The four extracts have been characterized in terms of total polyphenols content. Moreover, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypo-lipidemic, and inhibition of colorectal cancer cell bioenergetics have been compared. Non-polar supercritical extracts from the seed are the ones with the highest effects on the inhibition of bioenergetic of colorectal (CRC) cancer cells. At the molecular level, the effects on cell bioenergetics seems to be related to the inhibition of main drivers of the de novo lipogenesis, such as the sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor (SREBF1) and downstream molecular targets fatty acid synthase (FASN) and stearoyl coenzyme desaturase 1 (SCD1). As metabolic reprograming is considered as one of the hallmarks of cancer, natural extracts from plants may provide complementary approaches in the treatment of cancer. Herein, for the first time, supercritical extracts from MB have been obtained, where the seed, a by-product of the fruit, seems to be rich in antitumor bioactive compounds. Based on these results, supercritical extracts from the seed merit further research to be proposed as co

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing receptors (NLRs) are components of the innate immune system, important in coordinating the inflammatory response. Among them, NLRP3 can form inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes activating the inflammatory caspase-1 and leading, through a cell death-mediated signaling cascade, to the release of several proinflammatory cytokines. Dietary polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites, have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, although studies have focused most on their effect on the expression of the final circulating cytokines rather than on the upstream signals activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. The present review explores current knowledge on the potential of dietary polyphenols to regulate the whole NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, in the context of cardiometabolic pathologies (obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), based on in vivo studies. A clear tendency towards a decrease in the expression of the whole NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway when several animal models were supplemented with polyphenols was observed, commonly showing a dose–response effect; these modifications were concomitant with clinical improvements in the pathologies. Nevertheless, the diversity of doses used, the disparity in polyphenol structures tested and, particularly, the scarce clinical trials and exploration of mechanisms of action show the need to develop further research on the topic.

In this study, chitosan particles were used to encapsulate marjoram phenolic compounds as colon-specific drug-delivery systems. The microparticles were prepared by ionic gelation and spray-drying techniques and varying amounts of polymer and extract, along with different method conditions. The spray drying of microparticles (0.75% low molecular weight chitosan dissolved in 0.4% of acetic acid) presented the best encapsulation efficiency (near 75%), with size ranges from 1.55 to 1.68 µm that allowed the encapsulation of 1.25–1.88 mg/mL of extract. Release studies of individual marjoram phenolic compounds at pH 2 and 7.4 showed that most of the compounds remained encapsulated in the microparticles. Only arbutin and vicenin II presented a high initial burst release. As the polarity of the compounds was reduced, their initial release decreased. In addition, after gastrointestinal digestion, most of marjoram phenolic compounds remained encapsulated. These results prove that chitosan microparticlescould protect the marjoram phenolic compounds during gastrointestinal digestion, specifically those related to anticancer activity, which enables their application as colon-specific delivery systems.

[Ethnopharmacological relevance] Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) is an herb traditionally used as a medicine in different countries, as Morocco and Iran, because of its beneficial cardiovascular effects. Some studies suggest that these effects are due, at least in part, to the presence of phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid (RA) and luteolin., [Aim of the study] To analyze the possible cardiprotective effects of a marjoram extract (ME) reducing myocardial damage after coronary ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and its possible antihypertensive effects reducing the response of aorta segments to the vasoconstrictors noradrenaline (NA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)., [Materials and methods] Male Wistar rats (300g) were used. After sacrifice, the heart was immediately removed and mounted in a perfusion system (Langendorff). The aorta was carefully dissected and cut in 2 mm segments to perform vascular reactivity experiments., [Results] In the heart, ME perfusion after IR reduced heart rate and prevented IR-induced decrease of cardiac contractility, possibly through vasodilation of coronary arteries and through the upregulation of antioxidant markers in the myocardium that led to reduced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. In the aorta, ME decreased the vasoconstrictor response to NA and ET-1 and exerted a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Neither RA nor 6-hydroxi-luteolin-O-glucoside, major compounds of this ME, were effective in improving cardiac contractility after IR or attenuating vasoconstriction to NA and ET-1 in aorta segments., [Conclusion] In conclusion, ME reduces the myocardial damage induced by IR and the contractile response to vasoconstrictors in the aorta. Thus, it may be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and hypertension.

La planificación estratégica juega un papel importante en el desarrollo empresarial en Manabí, haciendo énfasis en la importancia y las ventajas que tiene la implementación de la planificación estratégica, ha permitido esbozar que contribuye a mejorar la competitividad, innovación continua, aplicación de estrategias, para posicionarse en este mundo cada vez más globalizado, ayudando a la captación de nuevos clientes lo cual es clave en una administración eficiente y que permita el crecimiento de las empresas. En el presente trabajo investigativo a nivel exploratorio, descriptivo y documental, apoyado en la investigación de campo enmarca la necesidad de la aplicación de la planificación estratégica como aporte al desarrollo empresarial de las Mipymes en la provincia de Manabí, de esta manera permite se concientice a los administradores y colaboradores de que la falta de aplicación de la planificación estratégica no permite mejorar la rentabilidad, conocimiento administrativo, compromiso de los colaboradores para el fortalecimiento empresarial. En atención a la problemática expuesta, es indispensable la participación del Estado con el impulso de políticas sostenibles para el desarrollo y crecimiento tales como: programas de emprendimientos dirigidos al sector económico de producción, proceso de capacitaciones, accesibilidad a fuentes financiamiento en las instituciones financieras, entre otros.

The main objective of this work is to evaluate the potential utility of an Achillea millefolium extract (yarrow extract, YE) in the control of H. pylori infection. The supercritical anti-solvent fractionation (SAF) process of YE allowed the obtaining of two different fractions: yarrow’s precipitated fraction (YPF), enriched in most polar phenolic compounds (luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid), and yarrow’s separator fraction (YSF), enriched in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, mainly containing camphor, artemisia ketone, and borneol. YE was effective in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human gastric AGS cells by 16% to 29%, depending on the H. pylori strain. YPF had the highest inhibitory activity (38–40%) for ROS production. YE modulated the inflammatory response in AGS gastric cells, decreasing IL-8 production by 53% to 64%. This IL-8 inhibition also showed a strain-dependent character. YPF and YSF exhibited similar behavior, reducing IL-8 production, suggesting that both phenolic compounds and essential oils could contribute to IL-8 inhibition. YSF showed the highest antibacterial activity against H. pylori (6.3–7.1 log CFU reduction, depending on the strain) and lower MIC (0.08 mg/mL). Results obtained have shown that YE and SAF fractions (YPF and YSF) were effective as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents regardless of the H. pylori strain characteristics.