Search Results (1,611)

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility and biostability of carotenoids, vitamin E isomers, and individual polyphenolic compounds after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of two types of berries (raspberry and blackberry fruits). The results of the polyphenols analysis showed that raspberry fruits contained higher concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and flavonols compared to blackberry fruits, but exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility values for all the studied polyphenol classes. Ellagic acid represented 13.63% and 2.65% of the hydroxybenzoic acids in raspberry and blackberry fruits. The hydroxybenzoic acids exhibited the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of berries, and gallic acid emerged as one of the most bioaccessible phenolic compounds. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids ranged between 15.7 and 17.30% for lutein, 5.52 and 7.56% for astaxanthin, and 7.85 and 9.93% for canthaxanthin, with elevated values being observed in raspberry fruits. Although vitamin E and carotenoids follow a similar path for absorption, the bioaccessibility of vitamin E isomers was higher than that of carotenoids, with γ-tocopherol being the most bioaccessible isomer in both raspberries and blackberries. Knowing the bioaccessibility of food constituents during digestion is crucial, as the potential effectiveness of bioactives for human health largely depends on the bioavailability of these molecules. Full article

Phytosterols in vegetable oils have gained attention for their nutritional benefits in foods and food supplements. However, the use of vegetable oils in emulsions for infant formulas and parenteral nutrition has raised some concerns, as phytosterols may contribute to phytosterolemia in the case of infant formulas and, in a second scenario, to parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. The present study proposes removing phytosterols from soybean oil using a synthetic amorphous silica Trisyl^® (E551) as an adsorbent material. The process is simple and involves stirring the oil at a high temperature under vacuum conditions followed by filtration to remove the adsorbent. A rotational factorial design of experiments, considering the adsorbent/oil ratio, temperature, and time was carried out to determine the optimal conditions. Additionally, the effects on tocopherols levels and formation of trans fatty acids were explored. The total sterol content in the initial refined soybean oil was 2540 mg/kg, with 32% in ester form (813 mg/kg). The treatments effectively reduced the sterol concentration, achieving a reduction of nearly 70% when 10% Trisyl^®, 140 °C, and a 90-min treatment were applied. Under these conditions, nearly 80% of the oil was recovered. Campesterol and stigmasterol levels were almost halved. Tocopherol losses were found to be below 20%. Thermal degradation, as analyzed by triacylglycerol polymers and trans fatty acids, was not observed in the treatments. Full article

Background: Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, often adversely affects physical, mental, sexual, and emotional well-being due to low estrogen levels. This study examines the impact of vaginal ovules with tocopherol acetate (Filme Gyno-V^® ovules, manufactured by Panin Srl and distributed by Hulka Srl, Italy), 500 mg per ovule, on vaginal health in pre- and menopausal women. Methods: Fifty women aged 50–70 were divided into menopausal (28) and premenopausal (22) cohorts and treated with the ovules for two weeks, with assessments before and after treatment. Results: The findings showed that distressing symptoms of vaginal atrophy, such as dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse, were resolved post-treatment. A molecular analysis revealed a reduction in Escherichia coli in both cohorts and an increase in three species of Lactobacillus in premenopausal patients. Conclusions: This study concludes that Filme Gyno-V ovules may benefit vaginal health by alleviating atrophy symptoms and promoting healthy vaginal microbiota. Full article

Cancer cell mitochondria are functionally different from those in normal cells and could be targeted to develop novel anticancer agents. The aryl-ureido fatty acid CTU (16({[4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-carbamoyl}amino)hexadecanoic acid) is the prototype of a new class of targeted agents that enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that disrupt the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) and kill cancer cells. However, the mechanism by which CTU disrupts the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and activates apoptosis is not clear. Here, we show that CTU-mediated ROS selectively dysregulated the OMA1/OPA1 fusion regulatory system located in the IMM. The essential role of ROS was confirmed in experiments with the lipid peroxyl scavenger α-tocopherol, which prevented the dysregulation of OMA1/OPA1 and CTU-mediated MDA-MB-231 cell killing. The disruption of OMA1/OPA1 and IMM fusion by CTU-mediated ROS accounted for the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and the activation of apoptosis. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that CTU depolarises the mitochondrial membrane, activates ROS production, and disrupts both the IMM and OMM, which releases cytochrome c and activates apoptosis. Mitochondrial-targeting agents like CTU offer a novel approach to the development of new therapeutics with anticancer activity. Full article

Background and Objectives: The significance of periodontal disease as a public health issue prompts the exploration of effective treatments, including the potential use of tocopherol (Vitamin E) due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The PICO statement (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) was as follows: In patients with periodontal disease, does tocopherol (Vitamin E) supplementation compared to no supplementation or insufficient Vitamin E intake improve clinical outcomes such as gingival inflammation, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels? This study searched through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to June 2024 focused on studies involving human subjects with various forms of periodontal disease, analyzing the impact of tocopherol through dietary or supplementary intake. Primary outcomes evaluated included improvements in gingival inflammation, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels, with data synthesis conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Quality assessment and risk of bias were meticulously performed for the included observational studies and randomized controlled trials. Results: The meta-analysis incorporated 8 studies that were used for data extraction, totaling 12,832 patients, revealing a heterogeneous response to tocopherol supplementation, with a pooled odds ratio for efficacy in reducing periodontal disease severity at about 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96–0.98). Noteworthy findings indicated a statistically significant increase in clinical attachment loss and pocket depth with odds ratios ranging from 1.15 to 9.33 when Vitamin E was insufficient. However, the considerable heterogeneity (I² = 88.35%) underscores variations in tocopherol’s effectiveness across different populations and study designs. Conclusions: While tocopherol supplementation shows a modest benefit in managing periodontal disease, particularly in reducing clinical attachment levels and pocket depth, the variability in outcomes emphasizes the necessity for more research to establish standardized treatment protocols and dosages. Full article

This study developed, validated, and tested a simple method for tocopherol analysis on five different food matrices (sunflower oil, mackerel fillets, almonds, spinach, and avocado pulp). Tocopherol extraction from foods was carried out by the Folch method and with n-hexane, and the identification and quantification of tocopherol isoforms (α, β, γ, and δ) was performed using normal-phase liquid chromatography with ultraviolet–visible detection (NP-HPLC–UV–Vis). The normal-phase column fully separated the four tocopherol isoforms in less than ten minutes. Linearity was shown to be excellent for the four isoforms in the assayed range (10–375 ppm, R² > 0.99). Furthermore, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.32 to 0.63 ppm, and from 1.08 to 2.11 ppm, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision were assessed at different concentrations (10, 100, and 250 ppm) for each tocopherol isoform and they were within the range of acceptable values. Recovery rates were above 80% in most cases for all of the assayed food matrices, regardless of the extraction method (Folch solvents or n-hexane). α-Tocopherol was the main isoform found in all tested foods, and sunflower oil was the sample with the highest content, followed by almond, avocado pulp, mackerel fillet, and spinach. This method provides a convenient alternative for obtaining a complete profile of the four tocopherol isoforms in a variety of food matrices and for tracking the potential degradation kinetics of fortified foods during their processing and storage. Full article

Agricultural waste is rich in bioactive molecules. When evaluating the viability of circular models for the development of health-promoting substances and final products, it is important to highlight that the industrial processing of fruits and other valuable herbal materials generates a considerable number of by-products and significant amounts of waste that contain health-promoting components. These by-products can be utilized purposefully in pharmaceuticals and related areas for the development of health-promoting products. The linear utilization of agricultural waste results in the loss of a range of valuable bioactive compounds, including polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and related compounds), antioxidants from other groups, phytosterols, tocopherols, and fatty acids. As an illustrative example, the waste materials of species belonging to the Vaccinium L. genus represent a notable secondary resource that can be purposefully applied to the development of health-promoting preparations. The fruits of these wasted herbal materials have been found to contain beneficial polyphenols, which play a pivotal role in the prevention of various chronic conditions, including precancerous conditions, inflammatory diseases, and other ailments. In addition, the fruits of blackberries, elderberries, and purple corn—which are similarly rich in anthocyanins—also provide a promising avenue for further development. Phenolic compounds suitable for recycling are also found in the by-products of sugarcane harvesting. Tomato waste contains a significant amount of lycopene, which is a valuable carotenoid. Other physiological functions may be attributed to the aforementioned by-products of fruit processing which, if used properly, can contribute to the prevention of certain diseases and improving quality of life. This review assesses the gaps in the existing literature on the development of health-promoting substances from herbal secondary materials. Full article

Planar catechin (PCat), a natural antioxidant with a fixed 3D catechin structure on a plane, exhibits radical-scavenging activity approximately five times stronger than the conventional catechin. We synthesized a compound, PCat-TrOH, by binding Trolox (TrOH), an α-tocopherol analog, to PCat to enhance its antioxidant effect against oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation. TrOH shows radical-scavenging activity about 6.5 times greater than PCat, and PCat-TrOH exhibited a similar level of radical-scavenging activity to TrOH. Additionally, PCat-TrOH demonstrated twice the radical-scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species compared to PCat or TrOH. This compound is also expected to exhibit an excellent antioxidant effect against lipid peroxidation caused by radical chain reactions, through interactions with vitamin C, similar to that in the case of α-tocopherol. Full article

Sesame seeds and their edible oil are highly nutritious and rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Bioactive compounds such as sterols, tocopherols, and sesamol provide significant medicinal benefits. The high oil content (50%) and favorable mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid balance, as well as resilience to water stress, make sesame a promising candidate crop for global agricultural expansion. However, sesame production faces challenges such as low yields, poor response to agricultural inputs, and losses due to capsule dehiscence. To enhance yield, traits like determinate growth, dwarfism, a high harvest index, non-shattering capsules, disease resistance, and photoperiod sensitivity are needed. These traits can be achieved through variation or induced mutation breeding. Crossbreeding methods often result in unwanted genetic changes. The gene editing CRISPR/Cas9 technology has the potential to suppress detrimental alleles and improve the fatty acid profile by inhibiting polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Even though sesame is an orphan crop, it has entered the genomic era, with available sequences assisting molecular breeding efforts. This progress aids in associating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) with key economic traits, as well as identifying genes related to adaptability, oil production, fatty acid synthesis, and photosynthesis. Additionally, transcriptomic research can reveal genes involved in abiotic stress responses and adaptation to diverse climates. The mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) can identify loci linked to key traits such as capsule size, seed count per capsule, and capsule number per plant. This article reviews recent advances in sesame breeding, discusses ongoing challenges, and explores potential strategies for future improvement. Hence, integrating advanced genomic tools and breeding strategies provides promising ways to enhance sesame production to meet global demands. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is known to affect pulmonary function (PF), thereby leading to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, data on the associations of serum vitamin A and E concentrations with PF parameters and COPD are inconsistent. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate these associations, considering inflammatory status. Participants/Methods: This study included 2005 male and female adults aged ≥40 years who had participated in a population-based national survey. Spirometry without a bronchodilator was conducted to yield PF parameters, such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the FEV1/FVC ratio, which were used to define COPD. Serum vitamin A (retinol) and E (α-tocopherol) concentrations were assayed. Multivariable regression analysis was performed after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results: Serum vitamin A concentration was positively associated with FEV1 (p for trend < 0.01) among all participants. In addition, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the highest serum vitamin A concentration tertile for the prevalence of COPD, which was defined by the FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7, was 0.53 (0.31, 0.90) compared with that of the lowest tertile (p for trend < 0.05). Analysis stratified by a cutoff point of 1 mg/L serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) revealed that such associations with FEV1 and COPD prevalence were stronger in participants with lower hs-CRP levels (p for trend < 0.05). In contrast, serum vitamin E concentration was associated with neither PF parameters nor COPD prevalence. Conclusions: These findings suggest that serum vitamin A concentration may be important in preventing the progressive decline in PF parameters that results in COPD. Further epidemiological investigations are warranted to evaluate the causal associations of antioxidant vitamin status with PF parameters and COPD. Full article

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) is an important food crop. However, its growth and development are commonly impacted by black spot disease. To examine the response mechanisms of Chinese cabbage to black spot disease, transcriptome and metabolome sequencing were performed on the leaves of Chinese cabbage genotypes J405 (resistant) and B214 (susceptible), 48 h post-infection (hpi) with Alternaria brassicicola. Expression of essential genes in the jasmonic acid, cytokinin, and auxin signaling pathways of both Chinese cabbage genotypes was inhibited. The expression of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) gene mediated by the salicylic acid pathway is inhibited in the Chinese cabbage genotype B214. The basic endochitase B (CHIB) gene in the ethylene pathway of both Chinese cabbage genotypes was upregulated. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the disease spots of Chinese cabbage genotype J405 was greater than in genotype B214. The respiratory burst oxidase (RBOH) gene in the reactive oxygen species metabolic pathway was significantly upregulated in genotype J405, while no change was observed in genotype B214. We found that oxidation-reduction-related genes such as type-2 peroxiredoxin genes, NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase genes, glutathione peroxidase genes, and glutathione S-transfer genes were differentially expressed across both Chinese cabbage genotypes at 48 hpi. Metabolomics demonstrated that delta-tocopherol and S-hexyl glutathione were all downregulated in genotype J405, while they were upregulated in genotype B214. This approach also identified differential expression of genes in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, the glycinebetaine biosynthesis pathway, as well as in the specific sulfur glycoside metabolism pathway. These findings indicate that ethylene signaling is important in the hormone signaling regulatory network-mediated disease resistance and defense in Chinese cabbage. When facing pathogen infection, hormone transduction pathways associated with growth and development in Chinese cabbage are inhibited. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the outbreak of various secondary metabolites may endow the Chinese cabbage genotype J405 with increased resistance to black spot disease. Full article

Different types of macrophages (Mφ) are involved in atherogenesis, including inflammatory Mφ and foamy Mφ (FM). Our previous study demonstrated that two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) imaging of NADH and FAD autofluorescence (AF) could distinguish experimental models that mimic the different atherosclerotic Mφ types. The present study assessed whether optical differences correlated with phenotypic and functional differences, potentially guiding diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Phenotypic differences were investigated using three-dimensional principal component analysis and multi-color flow cytometry. Functional analyses focused on cytokine production, metabolic profiles, and cellular oxidative stress, in LDL dose-dependent assays, to understand the origin of AF in the FAD spectrum and assess FM ability to transition toward an immunoregulatory phenotype and function. Phenotypic studies revealed that FM models generated with acetylated LDL (Mac) were closer to immunoregulatory Mφ, while those generated with oxidized LDL (Mox) more closely resembled inflammatory Mφ. The metabolic analysis confirmed that inflammatory Mφ primarily used glycolysis, while immunoregulatory Mφ mainly depended on mitochondrial respiration. FM models employed both pathways; however, FM models generated with high doses of modified LDL showed reduced mitochondrial respiration, particularly Mox FM. Thus, the high AF in the FAD spectrum in Mox was not linked to increased mitochondrial respiration, but correlated with the dose of oxidized LDL, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lysosomal ceroid accumulation. High FAD-like AF, ROS, and ceroid accumulation were reduced by incubation with α-tocopherol. The cytokine profiles supported the phenotypic analysis, indicating that Mox FM exhibited greater inflammatory activity than Mac FM, although both could be redirected toward immunoregulatory functions, albeit to different degrees. In conclusion, in the context of immunoregulatory therapies for atherosclerosis, it is crucial to consider FM, given their prevalence in plaques and our results, as potential targets, regardless of their inflammatory status, alongside non-foamy inflammatory Mφ. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive oxygen-containing compounds generated by various factors in the body. Antioxidants mitigate the damaging effects of ROS by playing a critical role in regulating redox balance and signaling. In this study, the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants in the context of lipid dynamics were investigated. The interaction between hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an ROS and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) as an antioxidant was examined. Model membranes containing both saturated and unsaturated lipids served as experimental platforms to investigate the influence of H₂O₂ on phospholipid unsaturation and the role of antioxidants in this process. The results demonstrated that H₂O₂ has a negative effect on membrane stability and disrupts the lipid membrane structure, whereas the presence of antioxidants protects the lipid membrane from the detrimental effects of ROS. The model membranes used here are a useful tool for understanding ROS–antioxidant interactions at the molecular level in vitro. Full article

Tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol are powerful phenolic antioxidants occurring in olive oil and in by-products from olive processing. Due to their high polarity, esterification or other lipophilization is necessary to make them compatible with lipid matrices. Hydroxytyrosol methyl carbonate is a more effective antioxidant than dibutylhydroxytoluene or α-tocopherol and together with tyrosol methyl carbonate exerts interesting pharmacological properties. The purpose of this work was the enzymatic preparation of alkyl carbonates of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. A set of 17 hydrolases was tested in the catalysis of tyrosol methoxycarbonylation in neat dimethyl carbonate to find an economically feasible alternative to the recently reported synthesis of methyl carbonates catalyzed by Novozym 435. Novozym 435 was, however, found to be the best performing catalyst, while Novozym 735, pig pancreatic lipase, lipase F-AK and Lipex 100T exhibited limited reactivity. No enzyme accepted 1,2-propylene carbonate as the acylation donor. Under optimized reaction conditions, Novozym 435 was used in the batch preparation of tyrosol methyl carbonate and hydroxytyrosol methyl carbonate in quantitative yields. The enzymatic methoxycarbonylation of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol can also be used as a method for their selective protection in enzymatic syntheses of phenylethanoid glycosides catalyzed with enzymes comprising high levels of acetyl esterase side activity. Full article

The food industry is encouraged to develop new sustainable foodstuffs, and agri-food by-products can serve as valuable ingredients in these formulations. In this work, olive pomace (OP), a by-product of olive oil production, was incorporated as an ingredient in pasta. The changes in the nutritional composition and consumer acceptance were assessed, aiming to scale up the production. OP contains dietary fibre (55%), fat (9%), α-tocopherol (43 mg/kg), and oleic acid (76%) after moisture elimination. For that, the following two drying procedures were tested: 40 °C for 48 h (OP40) and 70 °C for 24 h (OP70). Both samples were sieved to remove the stone pieces. Drying at 70 °C (OP70) was the fastest method, revealed a better nutritional profile than OP40, and was the product selected for the incorporation into the pasta. The enriched pasta, containing 7.5% of OP70, was compared to a control. It showed an improved nutritional value with higher contents of fat, ash, fibre, vitamin E, oleic acid, phenolics, and flavonoids, a composition related to potential health benefits. Consumers appreciated the appearance, colour, shine, and aroma of the obtained pasta, making it a prototype with commercial viability. However, several improvements need to be implemented, namely, at the textural levels. Corrective actions, such as the optimisation of the amount of incorporated OP, the use of other ingredients for flavour masking, and textural adjustments, are advisable, thereby making this product more appealing and accepted by a larger number of consumers. This prototype can be a good approach for the circular economy, environmental sustainability, and food security. Full article