In this work, a bioactive persimmon extract was produced from discarded fruits. A central composi... more In this work, a bioactive persimmon extract was produced from discarded fruits. A central composite design was used to evaluate the effect of different extraction parameters and ripeness stages of persimmon fruits on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the resulting extracts. Significantly greater phenolic contents were obtained from immature persimmon (IP) fruits. The optimum IP extract with the conditions set by the experimental design was industrially up-scaled and its composition and functional properties were evaluated and compared with those obtained under lab-scale conditions. Both extracts contained significant protein (>20%) and phenolic contents (∼11-27 mg GA/g dry extract) and displayed significant antiviral activity against murine norovirus and hepatitis A virus. Moreover, the extract showed no toxicity and significantly reduced the fat content and the cellular ageing of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) without affecting the worm development. The...
Electrosprayed agar nanocapsules were developed using an acetic acid solution as solvent. The rol... more Electrosprayed agar nanocapsules were developed using an acetic acid solution as solvent. The role of solution properties (viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity) in the formation of agar particles was assessed, together with the effect of both agar and acetic acid concentrations on the size and morphology of the resulting particles. Agar solutions with a concentration below 10% w/v were not suitable for electrospraying. Furthermore, the agar–acetic acid ratio was also critical for the formation of agar nanostructures (with an optimum ratio of 1:2). A decrease in particle size was also observed when decreasing agar concentration, with particle diameter values ranging between 50 and 400 nm. Moreover, the suitability of the electrosprayed agar nanocapsules as carriers for a model bioactive compound, chlorophyllin sodium copper salt (CHL), was also evaluated. The release profile of encapsulated CHL, with an estimated encapsulation efficiency of around 40%, was carried out in food...
This presentation reports on an innovative protective technology based on electrohydrodynamic pro... more This presentation reports on an innovative protective technology based on electrohydrodynamic processing for the dry stabilization and shelf-life extension of added-value bioactives using carbohydrates as encapsulation matrices. This technology does not make use of temperature or require toxic solvents and can be adjusted to modify the morphology and size of the dry capsules processed.
Small-angle scattering reveals structure on the one- to several hundred-nanometre-length scale, a... more Small-angle scattering reveals structure on the one- to several hundred-nanometre-length scale, a size range of critical importance in food materials. We briefly describe the technique, highlighting its complementarity to more conventional characterisation methods and explain the advantages of performing experiments with both X-ray and neutron sources. We proceed to highlight a number of selected studies that have examined structure across a diverse range of food systems including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, complexes, whole foods, encapsulation, and food packaging. We conclude with an outlook for future opportunities for its application.
espanolLa biomasa acuatica representa un recurso altamente inexplorado y con un tremendo potencia... more espanolLa biomasa acuatica representa un recurso altamente inexplorado y con un tremendo potencial para el desarrollo de estructuras biopolimericas con aplicacion en el area de envasado alimentario. En general, la celulosa es el biopolimero mas ampliamente utilizado como aditivo en estructuras de envase alimentario, pero las hemicelulosas presentes en la biomasa vegetal en general y, mas concretamente, en la biomasa acuatica, pueden aportar propiedades muy interesantes a los materiales. Por ello, en este articulo se describen metodologias simplificadas para la obtencion de distintas fracciones a partir de algas y plantas acuaticas y su utilizacion para el desarrollo de distintos tipos de estructuras y/o aditivos de envase biodegradables y sostenibles EnglishAquatic biomass represents a highly unexplored resource with a tremendous potential for the development of biopolymeric structures with application in the food packaging area. In general, cellulose is the most widely used biopoly...
In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to preve... more In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to prevent excess adiposity and other metabolic complications characteristic of obesity, such as low-grade inflammation and oxidative status. Among them, fungi have gained popularity for their high polysaccharide content and other bioactive components with beneficial activities. Here, we use the C. elegans model to investigate the potential activities of a Grifola frondosa extract (GE), together with the underlying mechanisms of action. Our study revealed that GE represents an important source of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds with in vitro antioxidant activity. Treatment with our GE extract, which was found to be nongenotoxic through a SOS/umu test, significantly reduced the fat content of C. elegans, decreased the production of intracellular ROS and aging–lipofuscin pigment, and increased the lifespan of nematodes. Gene expression and mutant analyses demonstrated that the in vivo anti-...
In this work, a bioactive persimmon extract was produced from discarded fruits. A central composi... more In this work, a bioactive persimmon extract was produced from discarded fruits. A central composite design was used to evaluate the effect of different extraction parameters and ripeness stages of persimmon fruits on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the resulting extracts. Significantly greater phenolic contents were obtained from immature persimmon (IP) fruits. The optimum IP extract with the conditions set by the experimental design was industrially up-scaled and its composition and functional properties were evaluated and compared with those obtained under lab-scale conditions. Both extracts contained significant protein (>20%) and phenolic contents (∼11-27 mg GA/g dry extract) and displayed significant antiviral activity against murine norovirus and hepatitis A virus. Moreover, the extract showed no toxicity and significantly reduced the fat content and the cellular ageing of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) without affecting the worm development. The...
Electrosprayed agar nanocapsules were developed using an acetic acid solution as solvent. The rol... more Electrosprayed agar nanocapsules were developed using an acetic acid solution as solvent. The role of solution properties (viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity) in the formation of agar particles was assessed, together with the effect of both agar and acetic acid concentrations on the size and morphology of the resulting particles. Agar solutions with a concentration below 10% w/v were not suitable for electrospraying. Furthermore, the agar–acetic acid ratio was also critical for the formation of agar nanostructures (with an optimum ratio of 1:2). A decrease in particle size was also observed when decreasing agar concentration, with particle diameter values ranging between 50 and 400 nm. Moreover, the suitability of the electrosprayed agar nanocapsules as carriers for a model bioactive compound, chlorophyllin sodium copper salt (CHL), was also evaluated. The release profile of encapsulated CHL, with an estimated encapsulation efficiency of around 40%, was carried out in food...
This presentation reports on an innovative protective technology based on electrohydrodynamic pro... more This presentation reports on an innovative protective technology based on electrohydrodynamic processing for the dry stabilization and shelf-life extension of added-value bioactives using carbohydrates as encapsulation matrices. This technology does not make use of temperature or require toxic solvents and can be adjusted to modify the morphology and size of the dry capsules processed.
Small-angle scattering reveals structure on the one- to several hundred-nanometre-length scale, a... more Small-angle scattering reveals structure on the one- to several hundred-nanometre-length scale, a size range of critical importance in food materials. We briefly describe the technique, highlighting its complementarity to more conventional characterisation methods and explain the advantages of performing experiments with both X-ray and neutron sources. We proceed to highlight a number of selected studies that have examined structure across a diverse range of food systems including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, complexes, whole foods, encapsulation, and food packaging. We conclude with an outlook for future opportunities for its application.
espanolLa biomasa acuatica representa un recurso altamente inexplorado y con un tremendo potencia... more espanolLa biomasa acuatica representa un recurso altamente inexplorado y con un tremendo potencial para el desarrollo de estructuras biopolimericas con aplicacion en el area de envasado alimentario. En general, la celulosa es el biopolimero mas ampliamente utilizado como aditivo en estructuras de envase alimentario, pero las hemicelulosas presentes en la biomasa vegetal en general y, mas concretamente, en la biomasa acuatica, pueden aportar propiedades muy interesantes a los materiales. Por ello, en este articulo se describen metodologias simplificadas para la obtencion de distintas fracciones a partir de algas y plantas acuaticas y su utilizacion para el desarrollo de distintos tipos de estructuras y/o aditivos de envase biodegradables y sostenibles EnglishAquatic biomass represents a highly unexplored resource with a tremendous potential for the development of biopolymeric structures with application in the food packaging area. In general, cellulose is the most widely used biopoly...
In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to preve... more In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to prevent excess adiposity and other metabolic complications characteristic of obesity, such as low-grade inflammation and oxidative status. Among them, fungi have gained popularity for their high polysaccharide content and other bioactive components with beneficial activities. Here, we use the C. elegans model to investigate the potential activities of a Grifola frondosa extract (GE), together with the underlying mechanisms of action. Our study revealed that GE represents an important source of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds with in vitro antioxidant activity. Treatment with our GE extract, which was found to be nongenotoxic through a SOS/umu test, significantly reduced the fat content of C. elegans, decreased the production of intracellular ROS and aging–lipofuscin pigment, and increased the lifespan of nematodes. Gene expression and mutant analyses demonstrated that the in vivo anti-...
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