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Vicia faba L. is a leguminous plant with seeds rich in nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols and L-dopa, a dopamine precursor and first-line treatment for Parkinson's symptoms. Recently, its by-products have been revalued as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. In this study, aqueous extracts of Lucan broad bean pod valves (BPs) were characterized to evaluate their potential use as adjuvants in severe Parkinson's disease. L-dopa content, quantified by LC-UV, was much higher in BPs than in seeds (28.65 mg/g dw compared to 0.76 mg/g dw). In addition, vicine and convicine, the metabolites responsible for favism, were not detected in pods. LC-ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap/MS2 allowed the identification of the major polyphenolic compounds, including quercetin and catechin equivalents, that could ensure neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease. ESI(±)-FT-ICR MS was used to build 2D van Krevelen diagrams; polyphenolic compounds and carbohydrates were the most representative classes. The neuroprotective activity of the extracts after MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells was also investigated. BP extracts were more effective than synthetic L-dopa, even at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL, due to the occurrence of antioxidants able to prevent oxidative stress. The stability and antioxidant component of the extracts were then emphasized by using naturally acidic solutions of Punica granatum L., Ribes rubrum L., and gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) as extraction solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is influenced by light spectrum, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and the photoperiod. To investigate the effects of different lighting on growth, chlorophyll content, and secondary metabolism, basil plants were grown from seedlings to fully expanded plants in microcosm devices under different light conditions: (a) white light at 250 and 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 under 16/8 h light/dark and (b) white light at 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 under 16/8 and 24/0 h light/dark. A higher yield was recorded under 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 compared to 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 (fresh and dry biomasses 260.6 ± 11.3 g vs. 144.9 ± 14.6 g and 34.1 ± 2.6 g vs. 13.2 ± 1.4 g, respectively), but not under longer photoperiods. No differences in plant height and chlorophyll content index were recorded, regardless of the PPFD level and photoperiod length. Almost the same volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected under the different lighting treatments, belonging to terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and ketones. Linalool, eucalyptol, and eugenol were the main VOCs regardless of the lighting conditions. The multivariate data analysis showed a sharp separation of non-volatile metabolites in apical and middle leaves, but this was not related to different PPFD levels. Higher levels of sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were detected in plants grown under 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 and 380 μmol·m−2·s−1, respectively. A low separation of non-volatile metabolites based on the photoperiod length and VOC overexpression under longer photoperiods were also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor farming of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under artificial lighting to support year-round produce demand is an area of increasing interest. Literature data indicate that diverse light regimes differently affect downstream metabolic pathways which influence basil growth, development and metabolism. In this study, basil was grown from seedlings to fully developed plants in a microcosm, an innovative device aimed at growing plants indoor as in natural conditions. Specifically, the effects of white (W) and blue-red (BR) light under a photosynthetic photon flux density of 255 μmol m−2 s−1 on plant growth, photochemistry, soluble nutrient concentration and secondary metabolism were investigated. Plants grew taller (41.8 ± 5.0 vs. 28.4 ± 2.5 cm) and produced greater biomass (150.3 ± 24.2/14.7 ± 2.0 g vs. 116.2 ± 28.3/12.3 ± 2.5 g fresh/dry biomass) under W light compared to BR light. The two lighting conditions differently influenced the soluble nutrient concentration and the translocation rate. No photosynthetic stress was observed under the two lighting regimes, but leaves grown under W light displayed higher levels of maximum quantum yield of PSII and electron transport rate. Sharp differences in metabolic patterns under the two lighting regimes were detected with higher concentrations of phenolic compounds under the BR light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a multi-analytical approach, this paper aimed to investigate the effect of apple juice enrichment with Arbutus unedo and Diospyros kaki fruits, Myrtus communis berry extract, Acca sellowiana, or Crocus sativus flower by-products on both bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity. Physico-chemical parameters, vitamin C, sugars, organic acids, total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and sensory attributes were evaluated. An LC-PDA/MS QTof analysis allowed for the identification of 80 different phenolic compounds. The highest polyphenol content (179.84 and 194.06 mg of GAE/100 g fw) and antioxidant activity (CUPRAC, 6.01 and 7.04 mmol of Fe2+/100 g fw) were observed in products with added A. sellowiana and D. kaki, respectively. Furthermore, the study showed a positive correlation between polymeric procyanidins and antioxidant activity (0.7646–0.8539). The addition of A. unedo fruits had a positively significant influence on the increment of vitamin C (23.68 ± 0.23 mg/100 g fw). The obtained products were attractive to consumers, especially those with 0.1% C. sativus flower juice, M. communis berry extract, and persimmon D. kaki fruits. The synergy among the different analytical techniques allowed us to obtain a complete set of information, demonstrating that the new apple smoothies were enriched in both different beneficial molecules for human health and in antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]