Polyphenols

The influence of temperature (10-45°C), feed flow rate (300-500 L/h) and sweeping gas flow rate (1.2-2 m 3 /h) on the recovery of berry fruit juice aroma compounds by sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD) was examined on an aroma model solution and on black currant juice in a lab scale membrane distillation set up. The data were compared to recovery of the aroma compounds by vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). The flux of SGMD increased with an increase in temperature, feed flow rate or sweeping gas flow rate. Increased temperature and feed flow rate also increased the concentration factors (C permeate /C feed ) of the aroma compounds. At 45°C the most volatile and hydrophobic aroma compounds obtained the highest concentration factors: 12.1-9.3 (black currant juice) and 17.2-12.8 (model solution). With black currant juice a volume reduction of 13.7% (vol.%) at 45°C, 400 L/h, resulted in an aroma recovery of 73-84 vol.% for the most volatile compounds. Compared to VMD, the aroma recovery with SGMD was less influenced by the feed flow rate but more influenced by the temperature. Higher fluxes were achieved during concentration by VMD and this reduced the operation time, which in turn reduced the degradation of anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds in the juice. Industrial relevance: High temperature evaporation is the most widely used industrial technique for aroma recovery and concentration of juices, but membrane distillation (MD) may provide for gentler aroma stripping and lower energy consumption. This study gives important clues about the fate of berry juice aroma compounds and polyphenols during concentration by MD, and identifies the main factors influencing the aroma recovery efficiency with MD. Both SGMD and VMD are promising techniques for gentle stripping of berry juice aroma compounds and deserve further consideration as alternative techniques for gentle aroma stripping in industrial fruit juice processing.

Polyphenols are found ubiquitously in plants and their regular consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and neurodegenerative disorders. Rather than exerting direct antioxidant effects, the mechanisms by which polyphenols express these beneficial properties appear to involve their interaction with cellular signaling pathways and related machinery that mediate cell function under both normal and pathological conditions. We illustrate that their interactions with two such pathways, the MAP kinase (ERK, JNK, p38) and PI3 kinase/Akt signaling cascades, allow them to impact upon normal and abnormal cell function, thus influencing the cellular processes involved in the initiation and progression of cancer, CVD and neurodegeneration. For example, their ability to activate ERK in neurons leads to a promotion of neuronal survival and cognitive enhancements, both of which influence the progression of Alzheimer's disease, whilst ERK activation by polyphenols in vascular endothelial cells influences nitric oxide production, blood pressure and ultimately CVD risk. The main focus of this review is to provide an overview of the role that polyphenols play in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. We present epidemiological data, human intervention study findings, as well as animal and in vitro studies in support of these actions and in each case we consider how their actions at the cellular level may underpin their physiological effects.

Objectives Mango (Mangifera indica), one of tropical fruit that grows abundantly in Indonesia has big potencies to be developed into highly-valued products instead of eaten raw, namely as a mango sugar. There are several scientific researches that depict mango as a fruit rich in dietary fiber, quercetin, kaempferol, vitamin E, β-carotene, and vitamin C which have the potential to improve lipid profiles and lower blood glucose. This study was conducted to produce crystalized sugar from mango and determine vitamin C content. Methods Mango sugar extraction was carried out on 3 samples with different amounts (mango flesh: water) for 3 samples respectively S1 (900:0), S2 (850:150) and S3 (800:200). Samples were blended and crystallized using Freeze Driyer for 60 hours. The next step was Vitamin C analysis from 3 samples of mango sugar using Titration Iodometric Method, to determine the amount of Vitamin C (mg/100 mg). Statistical tests to determine the differences between mango and water...

This paper presents researches regarding the content of essential oils, flavonoids, polyphenolic and phenolic compounds in leaf parsley from an organic culture and the methods of extraction used for determinations. The obtained results highlight the medicinal properties of parsley, both the alimentary and economic importance, as a vegetable aromatic plant used for human consumption worlwide.

Resveratrol is a natural molecule with antioxidant action. Moreover, resveratrol is also considered to be a molecule with anti-inflammatory action, an effect attributed to suppression of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in most red wines, on reactive oxygen species formation as well as on arachidonic acid (AA) release, cyclooxygenase expression, and PG synthesis in murine resident peritoneal macrophages. Results show that resveratrol exerted a strong inhibitory effect on superoxide radical (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or phorbol esters (PMA). Resveratrol also significantly decreased [3H]AA release induced by LPS and PMA or by exposure to O2− or H2O2. Resveratrol treatment caused a significant impairment of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction stimulated by LPS and PMA or by O2− or H2O2 exposure. These effects of resveratrol on [3H]AA release and COX-2 overexpression were correlated with a marked reduction of PG synthesis. Our results indicate that the antioxidant action of resveratrol affects AA mobilization and COX-2 induction.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of four Leuzea carthamoides flavonoids, namely eriodictyol, patuletin, eriodictyol-7-β βglucopyranoside, and 6-hydroxykaempferol-7-O-(6"-O-acetyl-β β-Dglucopyranoside), is presented. Using this method, quantitative composition of flavonoids ranged from 0.011% to 0.574% in dried plant material was determined. This method could be used in the future for the quantitative evaluation of major phenolic compounds in L. carthamoides.

It was investigated the effect of particle size, use of infrared radiation, and type of freeze-drying (vacuum or atmospheric) on some nutritional properties of blueberries. Particle size and type of freeze-drying had negative effects on ascorbic acid and total polyphenols content, while the use of infrared radiation had positive effects on them. Particle size negatively affected antioxidant activity. Ascorbic acid was significantly decreased in freeze-dried blueberries compared to fresh fruit, in all the conditions studied. The total polyphenols content was significantly lower in atmospheric freezedried blueberries compared to the fresh ones, unlike in vacuum freeze-drying, where this nutritional property was increased. Antioxidant activity of freeze-dried blueberries did not differ significantly from that found in fresh fruits. In order to minimize the impairment of the nutritional properties of freeze-dried blueberries, it is suggested to use infrared radiation, a relatively small particle size and vacuum freeze-drying.

Plant-derived phenolic compounds, including polyphenols (e.g., tannins), flavonoids, and phenolic acids, have been under investigation for their anticancer therapeutic and chemoprevention properties. Recently, certain mechanisms underlying the differential effects of GTPPs on tumor versus normal cells have been determined. These suggest that GTPPs may simultaneously activate multiple pathways. However, existing screening methods are insufficient for the identification of agents that possess both a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells and a protective effect on normal cells. The current study describes the establishment of an in vitro survival/apoptosis testing system based on detecting these mechanisms by a double-fluorescence method. This system is able to screen potential chemopreventive or therapeutic agents from (but not limited to) plant-derived compounds based on the pathways differentially activated by the agents. Tumor cell death and normal cell survival are detected simultaneously, in a device that co-cultures normal human cells adjacent to human tumor cells.

The antiradical and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activities were estimated in twenty-five, aged red wines from different areas in Greece. The antiradical activity (A AR ) was determined by means of the wellknown DPPH . method, and its values ranged from 24.7 to 125.1. A novel, chemiluminescence-based, highly sensitive assay was applied for determination of the hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity (SA HFR ), which varied from 1.62 to 12.22 mM quercetin equivalents. The values from the two assays correlated very well (r 2 ¼ 0.8542, P<0.001), which confirmed an important relationship between SA HFR and A AR . This tendency in aged red wines, which may be significant in evaluating the antioxidant behaviour of red wine polyphenols, is discussed on the basis of previous research and relevant data.

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the qualitative and quantitative changes of wine polyphenols during in vitro digestion process conducted in a gastrointestinal tract model. Wines selected for these experiments were red grape, white grape and chokeberry wines. Following the stages of in vitro digestion-stomach, small and large intestine-qualitative and quantitative changes particularly in phenolic acids were monitored. Decomposition of resveratrol and chlorogenic acid, secretion of caffeic acid and formation of other derivatives characterized with high antioxidant activity were determined. As a second focus of this work the evaluation of interactions between human fecal microflora (Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium) and polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives secreted during the digestion were performed.

Aging is a complex and inevitable biological process that is associated with numerous chronically debilitating health effects. Development of effective interventions for promoting healthy aging is an active but challenging area of research. Mechanistic studies in various model organisms, noticeably two invertebrates,Caenorhabditis elegansandDrosophila melanogaster, have identified many genes and pathways as well as dietary interventions that modulate lifespan and healthspan. These studies have shed light on some of the mechanisms involved in aging processes and provide valuable guidance for developing efficacious aging interventions. Nutraceuticals made from various plants contain a significant amount of phytochemicals with diverse biological activities. Phytochemicals can modulate many signaling pathways that exert numerous health benefits, such as reducing cancer incidence and inflammation, and promoting healthy aging. In this paper, we outline the current progress in aging interv...

Six polyphenolic acid esters were synthesized and their antioxidative properties were evaluated in three model systems [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced lipid peroxidation system, and the dye-bleaching assay of peroxynitrite radical]. Among these compounds, we found that compounds 4 [3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid-(2-phenoxyethyl ester)], and 5 [3,4-dihydroxy-cinnamic acid-(2-phenoxyethyl ester)] provided comparable activity to caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the DPPH model. Compound 3 [2,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid-(2-phenoxyethyl ester)], was found to be more active than CAPE in the AAPH system, it also displayed about 2-fold greater activity than CAPE in the peroxynitrite radical model. These results suggest that these phenolic acid ester derivatives, with their potent anti-oxidant activities, may have useful applications as antioxidants.

The CpG island methylator phenotype is characterized by DNA hypermethylation in the promoters of several suppressor genes associated with the inactivation of various pathways involved in tumorigenesis. DNA methylation is catalyzed by specific DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Dietary phytochemicals particularly catechol-containing polyphenols were shown to inhibit these enzymes and reactivate epigenetically silenced genes.

Background: Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a plant that grows exclusively in the Peruvian Central Andes, where ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is predominant. Objective: Determine if two extracts of maca can provide dermal protection against UVR. Methods: We have administered two maca extracts (0.13 mg/ml), one obtained after boiling and the other without boiling, on the dorsal surface of male Holtzman rats exposed to UVC radiation once a week during 3 consecutive weeks. A dose-response effect of an aqueous extract of maca after a boiling process under exposure of rats to UVA, UVB, or UVC was also studied. A commercial sunscreen was used as a positive control. Results: UVR caused significant increase in skin epidermal thickness. The epidermal height in animals treated with maca was similar to those who did not receive UVR. The aqueous extract of maca after a boiling process had better effect than maca extract without a boiling process. A dose-response effect was observed with increasing doses of aqueous extract of maca after a boiling process. Maca extract had benzyl glucosinolates and polyphenols. Conclusions: Maca extracts protect the skin of rats against UV irradiations and can be suggested as an alternative means of solar protection.

Twelve aroma compounds were monitored and quantified by dynamic headspace analysis after their addition in refined olive oil model systems with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) biophenols to simulate EVOO aroma. The influence of polyphenols on aroma release was studied under simulated mouth conditions by using human saliva, and SPME-GC/MS analysis. While few differences were observed in orthonasal assay (without saliva), interesting results were obtained for retronasal aroma. Biophenols caused generally the lowest headspace release of almost all volatile compounds. However, only ethyl esters and linalool concentrations were significantly lower in retronasal than orthonasal assay. Saliva also caused higher concentration of hexanal, probably due to hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) action on linoleyl hydroperoxides. Epicatechin was compared to EVOO phenolics and the behaviour was dramatically different, likely to be due to salivary protein-tannin binding interactions, which influenced aroma headspace release. These results were also confirmed using two extra virgin olive oils.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of four mango varieties cultivated in Brazil were analyzed. The profile of flavonol-Oglycosides and xanthone-C-glycosides was characterized in pulps from Haden, Tommy Atkins, Palmer, and Ubá cultivars and in the agro-industrial residues from Ubá variety by LC-ESI-MS analysis. The first three varieties were collected from conventional production, whereas Ubá was obtained from organic production. The total phenolic content of the peels and seed kernel extracts was analyzed utilizing Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent. The aqueous-methanolic extracts of pulp, peel and seed kernels were analyzed for antioxidant activity (AA) by free radical-scavenging and reducing power. A total of 12 flavonoids and xanthones were identified in the pulps, peels and seed kernels, with larger amounts of these compounds being present in the organically grown Ubá variety. The Ubá mango pulp presented higher AA and the peel and seed kernel extracts showed higher AA than did a commercial standard.

The effect of the introduction of distilled rosemary leaves into the diet of the Murciano-Granadina goat on the polyphenolic profile of the goats' milk during the physiological stages of gestation and lactation was studied. The inclusion of rosemary leaves into the animal diet modified neither animal productivity (milk yield) nor milk quality. The following components were found in increased concentration (P < 0.05) in the goats' milk after the introduction of rosemary leaves into their diet: flavonoids hesperidin, naringin, and genkwanin; gallic acid; and phenolic diterpenes carnosol and carnosic acid. With regard to the transfer of polyphenols to the plasma of the suckling goat kid, a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and carnosol concentrations was detected. From this point of view, distillate rosemary leaves can be proposed as an ingredient in ruminant feed because they both alter neither the yield nor the quality of Murciano-Granadina goats' milk and allow for an increased concentration of polyphenolic components in the goats' milk and in the plasma of the suckling goat kid.

Assessment of the UV protecting potential of an aqueous methanol leaf extract of Harpephyllum caffrum proved that it possesses a distinct radical scavenging effect and inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 by human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) following UV radiation. Phytochemical investigation of this extract led to isolation and structural determination of the hitherto unknown phenolics, kaempferol 3-O-(2″-sulphatogalactopyranoside), its quercetin analogue and 3-methoxyellagic acid 4-O-galactopyranoside in addition to 18 known phenolic compounds. The structures were determined by spectroscopic and conventional methods of analysis. Flavonoid sulphatoglycosides which have been rarely found in nature were major phenolic constituents of this plant, and this is the first report of the isolation of any of them from Anacardiaceae. The extract was found to diminish UV phototoxic reaction of keratinocytes. However, the isolated kaempferol sulphatogalactopyranoside did not interact with UVB triggered IL-6 production of HaCaT keratinocytes.

A solvent extraction procedure of freeze-dried aliquots followed by the analysis of phenolic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with photodiode array detection (DAD) has been developed for the analysis of polyphenolic compounds in fruit juices. This methodology is focussed on the characterization of fruit juices, mainly for quality control purposes. The effects of experimental variables, such as solvent composition and volume and time and temperature on extraction, have been studied. A unique gradient program for the separation of several phenolic classes (hydroquinones, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavan-3-oles, hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarins, flavanones, flavones, dihydrochalcones and flavonols) has been optimized, using standards of 55 commercially available phenolic compounds present in fruits, as well as representative real extracts from fruit juices. All phenolic compounds showed a high repeatability within-day (n = 5) and between days (n = 3) in peak area (RSD < 8%) and excellent stability of their retention times. High precision was also observed in calibration slopes (RSD < 8%). Detection limits ranged between 0.005 and 0.03 g/mL for the different detected polyphenols. Complete recoveries (98-100%) were obtained for the majority of the phenolic structures of all representative phenolic families present in fruits. The method was successfully employed to measure diverse phenolic families in juices from 18 different fruits and consequently could be used for evaluate the quality of fruit juices.

Enzymes, being remarkable catalysts, are capable of accepting a wide range of complex molecules as substrates and catalyze a variety of reactions with a high degree of chemo-, stereo- and regioselectivity in most of the reactions. Biocatalysis can be used in both simple and complex chemical transformations without the need for tedious protection and deprotection chemistry that is very common in traditional organic synthesis. This current review highlights the applicability of one class of biocatalysts viz.…

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)deficient subjects are vulnerable to chemical-induced hemolysis if exposed to oxidative agents. Recent studies reported that green tea and its constituents might act as pro-oxidants. Our objective was to investigate effects of tea and its polyphenolic components on the oxidative status of human G6PD-deficient erythrocytes. Erythrocytes of G6PD-deficient (n=8) and normal (n=8) subjects were incubated with water extracts of 3 types of tea samples (black tea, green tea and decaffeinated green tea extract) and 6 polyphenols. The resulting levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulphide (GSSG), methemoglobin and plasma hemoglobin were quantified by HPLC and biochemical assays. The tea extracts significantly reduced GSH and increased GSSG levels in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/ml), but not in normal erythrocytes. Similar dose-dependent responses to (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), but not to the other polyphenols, were observed. In G6PD-deficient cells, GSH was reduced by 43.3% (EGC at 0.05 mg/ml) and 33.3% (EGCG at 0.5 mg/ml), compared with pre-challenged levels. The concentration of methemoglobin was increased significantly when challenged with tea extracts, and EGC. Plasma hemoglobin levels were higher in G6PDdeficient samples after exposure to tea extracts, EGCG, EGC and gallic acid, compared with those in normal blood. Tea extracts and polyphenols significantly altered the oxidative status of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro as demonstrated by the decrease of GSH, and increased GSSG, methemoglobin and plasma hemoglobin. Our data caution against the excessive consumption of concentrated tea polyphenolic products by G6PD-deficient subjects.

Over the past decade many scientific and medical studies have focused on green tea for its longpurported health benefits. There is convincing evidence that tea is a cup of life. It has multiple preventive and therapeutic effects. This review thus focuses on the recent advances of tea polyphenols and their applications in the prevention and treatment of human cancers. Of the various polyphenols in tea, (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant, and active compound studied in tea research. EGCG inhibits several molecular targets to inhibit cancer initiation and modulates several essential survival pathways to block cancer progression. Herein, we describe the various mechanisms of action of EGCG and also discuss previous and current ongoing clinical trials of EGCG and green tea polyphenols in different cancer types.

Pomegranate peel is a nutritive-rich byproduct whose amounts are extensively growing due to the exponential increase in the production of pomegranate juice and "ready to eat" arils. Pomegranate peel is a rich source for antioxidants and thus may serve in the prevention of cattle diseases and in the improvement of beef products, making it an attractive component in beef cattle diets. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of commonly used storage practices on the nutritive and antioxidative properties of pomegranate peel. In general, storage conditions preserved most antioxidant capacity. Ensiling ambivalently affected the nutritive values of the peel and promoted increased levels of antioxidative components. In addition to polyphenols, nonphenolic components, such as R-and γ-tocopherols, contributed to the total antioxidative capacity, and several minerals found in the peel added to its nutritional value. Dietary supplementation with fresh peels promoted significant increases in feed intake and R-tocopherol concentration in the plasma, with positive tendency toward increased weight gain of bull calves. All in all, the nutritive value and the antioxidant capacity of pomegranate peel turn it into a favorable health-promoting constituent of feedlot beef cattle diet.

This pilot randomized-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an over-the-counter multistep herbal smoking cessation regimen, SmokeRx, that employs four different herbal formulations taken at different times during the program. Twenty-two subjects were randomized to a placebo group and 20 to the SmokeRx program. The results show that the odds of reduced or validated cessation of smoking were not significantly different between the groups at any juncture over the 6 months of the trial but that there was a trend for higher odds in the SmokeRx group. Subjects were also more likely to drop out of the placebo group (p = .06), suggesting a possible positive effect of the SmokeRx regimen. Overall, early dropouts (at 2 week follow-up) appeared less motivated to quit smoking, as they were more likely to be younger, had smoked more than 5 years, had greater difficulty refraining from smoking in places where it is forbidden, had fewer previous quit attempts, did not inte...

Purpose Red yeast rice (RYR), sugar cane-derived policosanols (SCdP) and artichoke leaf extracts (ALEs) are currently incorporated alone or in combination into dietary supplements for their potential low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol)-lowering effects. Yet, there is no information supporting the efficacy of this association on the reduction in LDL-cholesterol. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a new dietary supplement (DS) with RYR, SCdP and ALEs on LDLcholesterol.

Phoenix dacylifera is an ancient palm species rich in (poly)phenols. These phenolic compounds were tentatively identified by using liquid chromatography coupled with ion spray mass spectrometry in tandem mode (LC/MS/MS) with negative ion detection. Negative identification of the compounds was based on their retention times and mass spectra in full scan mode (MS), and in different MS/MS modes. For the first time, complete hypothesis, and routs for both p-coumaroylshikimic acids (CoSA) and caffeoylshikimic acids (CSA) were suggested and confirmed by Density Fonctional Theory (DFT) study. Notably, of the 53 compounds characterized, 19 hydroxycinnamates derivatives were tentativelycharacterized in male flowers of date palm and 15 of them were recorded for the first time. In addition, five organic acids, six B-type proanthocyanidins, two anthocyanidin and 21 flavonoid derivatives have been tentatively characterized. Identification of B-type proanthocyanidins were based on the diagnostic ions resulting from heterocyclic ring fission (HRF) and retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) reaction of flavan-3-ol provided information on the hydroxylation pattern and the type of inter-flavan bond proanthocyanidins. The sequence of proanthocyanidins was detected through ions extracted from quinone methide (QM) cleavage of the inter-flavan bond.

É indiscutível o papel da dieta e dos alimentos na manutenção da saúde e na redução do risco de DCNT. Estudos epidemiológicos mostram que o aumento do consumo de alimentos de origem vegetal influencia positivamente a saúde, enquanto estudos in vitro e in vivo em modelo animal elucidam os mecanismos pelos quais compostos bioativos não nutrientes, presentes nos alimentos, atuam na manutenção da saúde e na redução do risco de doenças. A modulação da expressão de genes que codificam proteínas envolvidas em vias de sinalização celular ativadas em DCNT é um dos mecanismos de ação dos compostos bioativos, sugerindo que estes possam ser essenciais à manutenção da saúde. A biodisponibilidade dos compostos bioativos de alimentos, as suas rotas metabólicas e o modo de ação de seus metabólitos são importantes fatores no seu efeito nas DCNT. Todos esses aspectos são temas de investigações recentes, cujos resultados contribuem para a compreensão da ocorrência e desenvolvimento das DCNT e da sua r...

The wild olive trees or oleaster (var. sylvestris) and the cultivated olive trees (var. europaea) constitute the two botanical varieties of Olea europaea L. from Mediterranean. In this study, a partial chemical profile was conducted including the total lipids, the fatty acid profiles, soluble proteins, polyphenols, flavanoids contents and antioxidants activities of stone from six oleaster trees. The comparison was made by two olive cultivars cultivated in the same region. The oleaster and cultivar stones were richer in oil content having an average of 8.99 and 7.38 % dry weight basis (DW), respectively. Qualitatively, all studied oils have the same fatty acids profile with the oleic acid C18:1n-9 as the major fatty acid. The oleaster stone oils were richer in monounsaturated fatty acids having an average of 64.87%. They, also, richer in protein content with an average of 198.86 mg/g DW.The globulin is the major fraction, followed by the albumin, the prolamin and the glutemin fractio...

The hydrothermal stability of the collagen matrixes treated with plant polyphenols (tannins) depends on not only the strength of the polyphenol-collagen interactions but also the distribution uniformity of polyphenolic molecules within the collagen fibrils. Traditional methods of uniformity tests rely heavily on the expertise of workers and are thus subjective. This paper describes a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study of the sheepskin collagen samples treated with hydrolyzable tannins, including two commercial tannins' extracts (chestnut and valonea), two pure ellagitannins (vescalagin and castalagin), and six synthetic gallotannins (di-galloyl-ethylene glycol (DGE), tri-galloyl-glycerol, tetragalloyl-meso-erythritol, penta-galloyl-adonitol, penta-galloyl-glucose, and hexa-galloyl-ducitol). The collagen sample without polyphenol treatment and the sample treated with DGE showed a single sharp peak in their DSC thermogram with a full peak width at half height (fwhh) of 3-4°C. The samples treated with other tannins all showed multiple peak DSC profiles with the fwhh of each peak at about 3-4°C. These multiple peak profiles imply that in these polyphenol-treated samples, there is a distribution of collagen molecules having different hydrothermal stability. The results have demonstrated that DSC offers an objective method to detect the stability heterogeneity of collagen matrixes in the solid state, providing a useful tool for the leather industry to evaluate the uniformity of leather tanning.

Berries contain powerful antioxidants, potential allergens, and other bioactive compounds. Genetic and environmental factors affect production and storage of such compounds. For this reason breeding and biotechnological approaches are currently used to control or to increase the content of specific health-related compounds in fruits. This work reviews the main bioactive compounds determining the nutritional quality of berries, the major factors affecting their content and activity, and the genetic options currently available to achieve new genotypes able to provide, under controlled cultivation conditions, berries with the proper balance of bioactive compounds for improving consumer health.

The emergence of numerous cannabinoid designer drugs has been tied to large spikes in emergency room visits and overdoses. Identifying these substances is difficult for the following reasons: (1) the compounds are novel, closely structurally related, and do not usually test positive in drug screens; (2) novel analogs rapidly appear on the market; (3) no standard protocols exist for their identification; and (4) customized and extensive sample preparation/extraction and analysis procedures are required to demonstrate their presence. METHODS: Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) employing collision-induced dissociation (CID) provided confirmatory structural information that was useful in characterizing the various cannabinoid analogs, including those contained in mixtures. CID analysis illustrated that, although closely related compounds fragment in a similar fashion, their structural differences still resulted in multiple diagnostic peaks that provided additional confidence towards structural identification. RESULTS: DART-MS spectra were acquired under CID conditions to rapidly differentiate among five synthetic cannabinoids contained within 'herbal' products purchased locally in New York State (USA). The spectra exhibited [M+H] + ions and product ions unique to each cannabinoid that corresponded to major structural features. Five different cannabinoid analogs, alone and as mixtures of at least two cannabinoids, were identified in six herbal products and differentiated by their CID product ion patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Illicit synthetic cannabinoid products continue to be readily available despite national and international restrictions. These products contain a wide range of active components, and, in many cases, multiple active ingredients. DART-MS allows rapid analyses of these synthetic cannabinoids based on the exact masses of their [M+H] + ions and product ion peaks generated using CID.

Two-phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) is a semisolid effluent that is rich in contaminating polyphenols and is produced in large amounts by the industry of olive oil production. Laboratory-scale bioreactors were used to investigate the biodegradation of TPOMW by its indigenous microbiota. The effect of nutrient addition (inorganic N and P) and aeration of the bioreactors was studied.

Antioxidant activity of the phenolic fraction of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) was measured by means of a chemical and an electrochemical method. Both methods were tested in predicting the oxidative spoilage and stability to oxidation of 22 EVOO samples and resulted correlated with peroxide values and oxidative stability measured by Rancimat. The main phenolic compounds of EVOOs were detected by HRGC. To study the contribution of single polyphenols (PPs) to antioxidant activity of phenolic fraction and oxidative stability of EVOOs, multivariate statistical analyses were applied on HRGC data. An isomer of oleuropein aglycon was shown to affect significantly antioxidant activity of phenolic fraction but not oil stability to oxidation. No individual compounds was identified as the main cause of the overall antioxidant activity, and the total polyphenol determination by the Folin reagent was better correlated to antioxidant activity and oxidative stability than each tested PP or PPs groups such as o-diphenols.

Polymeric procyanidins, phenolic carboxylic acids and flavonoids of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) were fractionated prior to HPLC analysis using column chromatography and solid-phase extraction (SPE). The flavonoid fraction also contained (−)-epicatechin. The three groups of phenolics, each with clearly different UV spectra, were examined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. The average repeatability of the method (RSD) was in the range of 8-13% for chlorogenic acid, (−)-epicatechin and hyperoside. The polymeric procyanidins of hawthorn flowers consisted mainly of (−)-epicatechin subunits, and their mean degree of polymerization (DP) was 22.2. The HPLC methods developed can be used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of different phenolic compounds in hawthorn plant material and their extracts.

Identifying natural variation of health-promoting compounds in staple crops and characterizing its genetic basis can help improve human nutrition through crop biofortification. Some varieties of sorghum, a staple cereal crop grown worldwide, have high concentrations of proanthocyanidins and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We quantified total phenols, proanthocyanidins, and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in a global sorghum diversity panel (n = 381) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and characterized the patterns of variation with respect to geographic origin and botanical race. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 404,628 SNP markers identified novel quantitative trait loci for sorghum polyphenols, some of which colocalized with homologues of flavonoid pathway genes from other plants, including an orthologue of maize (Zea mays) Pr1 and a homologue of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) TT16. This survey of grain polyphenol va...

Several polyphenols have been tested in grape berries from Spain. The flavonoid content is important because of the pharmacological properties of these compounds, whereas resveratrol has been proved to be an antifungal, antiinflammatory and an anticarcinogenic compound. A reversed-phase HPLC method has been developed and applied to determine resveratrol, quercetine, quercitrine and rutine content in several grape berries samples in a single analysis. Covering the grapes with a preservative paper yields a healthier product, but one which has a lower polyphenol content than unprotected grapes.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce oxidative stress (OxS) and inflammation via several mechanisms. These beneficial effects may be due to their high polyphenol content. The aims of the present study are to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic aspects of polyphenols in dried apple peel powder (DAPP) on intestinal inflammation while elucidating the underlying mechanisms and clinical benefits. Induction of intestinal inflammation in mice was performed by oral administration of the inflammatory agent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) at 2.5% for 10 days. Physiological and supraphysiological doses of DAPP (200 and 400 mg/kg/day respectively) were administered by gavage for 10 days pre- and post-DSS treatment. DSS-mediated inflammation caused weight loss, shortening of the colon, dystrophic detachment of the epithelium, and infiltration of mono- and poly-morphonuclear cells in the colon. DSS induced an increase in lipid peroxidation, a down-regulation of antioxidant enzymes, an ...

Euphorbia hirta linn., is a species of Euphorbiaceae family. They are known as asthma plant, barokhervi. The plant E. hirta is famous for its medicinal importance among the tribal population. It is a common practice to use the whole to heal wounds. Several pharmacological properties including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidibetic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticonvulsant, nootropic, antifertility and aphrodisiac properties have already been reported for this plant. The aim of present work was to evaluate the wound healing property in diabetic animals by oral and topical administration of ethanolic extract of E. hirta whole plant. The ethanolic extract of E. hirta was subjected to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content using galic acid and quercetin, respectively as standard. A single injection of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) prepared in normal saline was administered to produce diabetes in rats, after overnight fasti...

Fresh breast fillets, leg fillets, and whole carcass from broilers fed on a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, were analysed for crude composition, energy content, sterols, fatty acids, carotenoids, squalene and tocopherols, and were compared to broilers fed on a conventional diet. DHA supplementation did not cause significant changes of crude composition and sterolsincluding cholesterolcontent. On the contrary, DHA-enriched broiler's whole carcass, breast and legs contained 3.1-5.6 times more DHA, presented lower ω6/ω3 ratios, lower tocopherols content, and contained significantly more carotenoids and squalene compared to conventional samples. The roasting of DHA-enriched breast and leg fillets caused partial loss of DHA, total fat, carotenes, sterols, squalene and tocopherols. The loss of these macro-and microconstituents was more extended in leg fillets compared to breast fillets. The consumption of roasted DHA-rich broiler's breast and legs is expected to cover a significant fraction of daily protein and DHA intake, without overloading the consumer with cholesterol, while providing certain amounts of health promoting microconstituents.

In the last decade we have been working on standardization of propolis extract and determination of active constituents of wine those are rich in polyphenolics and have nutritional as well as therapeutic value. Here we are summarizing our results and providing overview on systematic approach how to analyse natural products rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids.

It is well recognized that oxygen radicals are involved in various pathologies, and that antioxidants could protect the body from oxygen radical-induced damage, llex paraguariensis St. Hilaire ("mate" or "yerba mate") is the most commercialized plant of South America, and it is used to prepare a tea-like beverage, the mate. Some related species of the genus llex are used as substitutes or adulterants of L paraguariensis. Some of these are L theezans C. Martis ex Reisseck; L dumosa Reisseck var dumosa; 1. argentina Lillo; L brevicuspis Reisseck; L pseudobuxus Reisseck. In the present work, the antioxidant activity of a group of llex (llex spp.) was examined, and related to their content of caffeoyl-derivatives. Liposomes were oxidized by incubation (37°C, 60 rain) with 10 mM 2,2"-azobis-(2amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH), in the presence or the absence of Ilex spp. extracts. Lipid oxidation products were measured as 2-thiobarbituric acidreactive substances (TBARS). Caffeoyl-derivatives were estimated spectrophotometrically, using chlorogenic acid as standard. Results showed that all the assayed plants had antioxidant activity when prepared as mate. L paraguariensis had the highest antioxidant activity. Its content of caffeoyl derivatives was 10.71 + 0.40 g chlorogenic acid/100 g dry plant material. A positive and significant correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity and the content of caffeoyl-derivatives of the assayed extracts (r = 0.94, p = 0.0005). The present results suggest that I. paraguariensis and the most widely consumed Southamerican llex spp., have antioxidant properties that they conserve when are prepared as mate. It is possible to speculate that the regular consumption of this beverage may significantly contribute to improve human antioxidant defenses.