Novel Food Processing and Extraction Technologies of High-Added Value Compounds from Plant Materials
Some functional foods contain biologically active compounds (BAC) that can be derived from various biological sources (fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, wastes, and by-products). Global food markets demand foods from plant materials that are “safe”, “fresh”, “natural”, and with “nutritional value” while processed in sustainable ways. Functional foods commonly incorporate some plant extract(s) rich with BACs produced by conventional extraction. This approach implies negative thermal influences on extraction yield and quality with a large expenditure of organic solvents and energy. On the other hand, sustainable extractions, such as microwav…
Functional Foods: Product Development, Technological Trends, Efficacy Testing, and Safety
Functional foods is a very popular term in the social and scientific media; consequently, food producers have invested resources in the development of processed foods that may provide added functional benefits to consumers’ well-being. Because of intrinsic regulation and end-of-use purposes in different countries, worldwide meanings and definitions of this term are still unclear. Hence, here we standardize this definition and propose a guideline to attest that some ingredients or foods truly deserve this special designation. Furthermore, focus is directed at the most recent studies and practical guidelines that can be used to develop and test the efficacy of potentially functional foods an…
Bioavailability and food production of organosulfur compounds from edible Allium species
Abstract Allium members are known for their wide use in culinary dishes and the content of their bioactive compounds. In this aspect, edible Allium members, such as garlic (A. sativum), onion (A. cepa), leeks (A. porrum), chives (A. schoenoprasum), and shallots (A. ascalonicum), have been widely studied with respect to their functional properties in vivo. Their beneficial effects on humans are closely associated with bioavailability of organosulfur compounds (OSCs) in allyl and methyl forms. However, the OSCs are thermally unstable, so it is important to identify critical processing types/parameters that have destructive effects on bioavailability of the OSCs, and possibly to avoid them in …
Enzyme-assisted extraction of anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) press cake: From processing to bioactivities
The effects of commercial enzymes (pectinases, cellulases, beta-1-3-glucanases, and pectin lyases) on the recovery of anthocyanins and polyphenols from blackcurrant press cake were studied considering two solid:solvent ratios (1:10 and 1:4 w/v). β-glucanase enabled the recovery of the highest total phenolic content – 1142 mg/100 g, and the extraction of anthocyanins was similar using all enzymes (∼400 mg/100 g). The use of cellulases and pectinases enhanced the extraction of antioxidants (DPPH − 1080 mg/100 g; CUPRAC – 3697 mg/100 g). The freeze-dried extracts presented antioxidant potential (CUPRAC, DPPH), which was associated with their biological effects in different systems: antiviral a…
An integrated strategy between food chemistry, biology, nutrition, pharmacology, and statistics in the development of functional foods: A proposal
Abstract Background Much research has been conducted to attest that different food and herbal extracts display functional properties in humans when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. However, most studies only relate one or some in vitro and/or in vivo functionalities of these extracts, without performing clinical trials to attest the alleged functionality. For instance, while some studies focus on the existence of statistical correlation between antioxidant activity and antidiabetic properties and the phenolic composition of a certain herb, others aim to assess the effects of different extraction methods ( i.e., pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, and supercritical fluid extrac…
Toxicological and bioactivity evaluation of blackcurrant press cake, sea buckthorn leaves and bark from Scots pine and Norway spruce extracts under a green integrated approach
Aqueous extracts from blackcurrant press cake (BC), Norway spruce bark (NS), Scots pine bark (SP), and sea buckthorn leaves (SB) were obtained using maceration and pressurized hot water and tested for their bioactivities. Maceration provided the extraction of higher dry matter contents, including total phenolics (TPC), anthocyanins, and condensed tannins, which also impacted higher antioxidant activity. NS and SB extracts presented the highest mean values of TPC and antioxidant activity. Individually, NS extract presented high contents of proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and some phenolic acids. In contrast, SB contained a high concentration of ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and quercetin, exp…
Pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) for the green recovery of bioactive compounds and steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves are a natural source of diterpenic glycosides, and various bioactive compounds. The objectives were to characterize antioxidants and steviol glycosides in the extracts obtained from Stevia after "green" pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE). PHWE extracts were obtained at different temperatures (100, 130, 160 °C); static extraction times (5 and 10 min), and cycle numbers (1, 2, 3) using a constant pressure of 10.34 MPa. Temperature was the most important parameter for extraction, where the highest recoveries of all bioactive compounds (except for carotenoids) were at 160 °C. Extracts obtained at longer static times had more steviol glycosides, condensed ta…
Current perspectives in cell-based approaches towards the definition of the antioxidant activity in food
Abstract Background Foods are natural sources of antioxidant compounds, that are known for their role in preventing many human diseases. Although several methods to assess the antioxidant activity/capacity of foods and their bioactive components have been developed, a simple universal method has not been proposed. Since both in vitro and in vivo assays have limitations, cell-based assays are gaining plenty of attention as a more suitable middle ground between in vitro chemical assays and in vivo studies. Scope and approach This review highlights the need for a transition to more biologically relevant cellular assays, and explores the latest developments and applications in the field. Lastly…
Effects of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Solvent on the Phenolic Profile, Bacterial Growth, and Anti-Inflammatory/Antioxidant Activities of Mediterranean Olive and Fig Leaves Extracts
© 2020 by the authors.
Comparing the effects of thermal and non-thermal technologies on pomegranate juice quality: A review.
The consumption of pomegranate juice (PJ) has increased substantially since scientific literature reported its therapeutic benefits that are attributable to antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, and anti- inflammatory properties. The growing consumer demands for fresh and high-quality food products have led to the interest in non- thermal technologies for preservation of fruit juices. Although thermal pasteurization is the most widely used preservation technology, it has adverse effects on the nutritional and sensory quality of juices. Conversely, non- thermal technologies are suitable alternatives for preservation and without negative effects on the quality. However, there is limi…
Innovative technologies for the recovery of phytochemicals from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves: A review.
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has gained increased industrial and scientific interests in the last 20 years, representing a suitable nutritional alternative to sucrose and artificial sweeteners. Moreover, this plant contains polyphenols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids that may be extracted for production of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Because of nutritional and technological advantages over sucrose, innovative approaches for the extraction of highly valued compounds from Stevia leaves have been developed and optimized. In contrast to conventional alternatives, innovative extraction methods allow higher yields in a shorter time, less usage of organic solvents, and reduced energy consumpt…
Application of chemometrics to assess the influence of ultrasound frequency, Lactobacillus sakei culture and drying on beef jerky manufacture: Impact on amino acid profile, organic acids, texture and colour
The effects of ultrasound (US) frequency, addition of Lactobacillus sakei culture and drying time on key nutritional (protein, amino acids, and organic acids) and physicochemical properties (texture and colour) of cultured and uncultured beef jerky were evaluated. Cultured and uncultured jerky samples were subjected to US frequencies of 25 kHz, 33 kHz and 45 kHz for 30 min prior to marination and drying. Principal component analysis demonstrated a significant effect of beef jerky processing conditions on physicochemical properties. Taurine content of jerky samples was found to increase with an increase in ultrasonic frequencies for cultured samples. No significant changes in colour values w…
Application of modern computer algebra systems in food formulations and development: A case study
Abstract Background Nutritional security determines the level of public health within a population while inadequate nutrition is one of the major factors in development of various health problems. This can be alleviated with sufficient and affordable access to currently available or newly designed nutritious foods. Scope and approach Formulation of new foods can be very costly, so methods able to lower design expanses are of utmost importance to the industry. Hence, the purpose of this work was to rationalize utilization of modern computerized algebraic systems (CAS) in solving traditional problems for formulating food mixtures by food combinatoric principles (FCP). Key findings and conclus…
From the forest to the plate – Hemicelluloses, galactoglucomannan, glucuronoxylan, and phenolic-rich extracts from unconventional sources as functional food ingredients
This study aimed to characterise pressurised hot water (PHW) extracts from nonconventional sources of functional carbohydrates and phenolic compounds in terms of antioxidant capacity, antiviral activity, toxicity, and human erythrocytes’ protection antidiabetic potential. PHW extracts of Norway spruce bark (E1 + E2) and Birch sawdust (E3 + E4) contained mostly galactoglucomannan and glucuronoxylan. In contrast, samples E5 to E9 PHW extracted from Norway spruce, and Scots pine bark are rich sources of phenolic compounds. Overall, phenolic-rich extracts presented the highest inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase and protection against stable non-enveloped enteroviruses. Additionally, all …
An overview of organosulfur compounds from Allium spp.: From processing and preservation to evaluation of their bioavailability, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties
The use of Allium species and their extracts has been known since immemorial times due to their health beneficial properties. It is known that functional properties of Allium genus come from the high content of bioactive compounds. The biological activity of Allium extracts will be conditioned by the type of Allium variety, agricultural conditions, and specific extraction process used since all these factors affect the content and the profile of bioactive compounds. Innovative extraction techniques in comparison to conventional processes could be considered as a promising tool to recover bioactive compounds from Allium spp. with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Trying to fill…
Berries extracts as natural antioxidants in meat products: A review.
The aim was to evaluate antioxidants from berries as replacement food additives for inhibition of lipid and protein oxidation in meat and meat products, since meats are highly susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation can be delayed/retarded by synthetic antioxidants with phenolic structures (e.g. butylated hydroxytoluene). However, new natural alternatives are needed for synthetic antioxidants due to the controversy regarding their possible negative health effects and consumers' demand for more ‘natural’ food additives. Berries are a good source of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, which can be used as the potential alternative. Reviewed berries included bearberry (Arctostaphylos sp.)…