European Food Research and Technology最新文献

This study explores the chemical fingerprinting of 18 different extracts from Moroccan Cannabis sativa L. variety (seed, leaves, and resin) using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. C. sativa parts were extracted using an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) method with different solvents (n-hexane, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol, ethanol-water (7:3)). The extracts were analyzed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to obtain and identify their fingerprints and the main functional groups. Chemometric analysis included Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 2D-FTIR Correlation, and Pearson Correlation Matrix Plot Analysis was carried out to investigate possible correlations between the studied extracts. The 2D-FTIR Correlation revealed that seed extracts are rich in carboxylic acid groups based on analysis of their characteristic bands appearing in the regions of 2500–3300 cm^− 1 for OH groups and 1700–1725 cm^− 1 for carbonyl groups. The analysis of 1D-FTIR spectra of resin extracts in the region of 1700–1725 cm^− 1 confirmed the absence of characteristic carboxylic acid bands, while the 1D-FTIR spectra of seed extracts showed much stronger signals in this region. The statistical analysis by PCA allowed confirmation of the differences in terms of chemical composition of various extracts from seeds, leaves, and resin. The anti-inflammatory activities showed that ethanol-water (7:3) extracts exhibited the best activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 29.57 to 44.62 µg/mL compared to other extracts. Tukey’s comparison test was performed to detect significant differences between groups (seeds, leaves, and resin extracts) at the p < 0.05 level. These findings open the door to potential applications in both traditional and modern medicine. We recommend performing a comprehensive in vitro study on the active extracts to better understand their pharmacological effects.

Rosa pisiformis, an endemic rosehip species, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and therapeutic potential through an integrated LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, enzyme inhibition, molecular docking, and bioinformatic approach. LC-MS/MS identified twenty major phenolic compounds, with quinic acid (1343.87 ± 13.17 µg/g in methanol extract) and gallic acid (772.31 ± 36.18 µg/g in ethanol extract) as the dominant constituents. GC-MS profiling revealed abundant fatty acid methyl esters, notably methyl oleate and methyl linolenate. Ethanol and aqueous extracts showed potent cholinesterase inhibition (AChE EEIC₅₀: 62.27 ± 1.40 µg/mL; BChE EEIC₅₀: 19.41 ± 0.24  µg/mL) and tyrosinase inhibition (AEIC₅₀: 25.63 µg/mL), while dichloromethane and methanol extracts displayed notable α-glucosidase (IC₅₀:103.11 µg/mL) and α-amylase (IC₅₀: 43.96 µg/mL) inhibition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) effectively discriminated between the methanol and ethanol extracts based on the dominance of quinic and gallic acids, respectively. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities of quinic acid to AChE, BChE, and lipase via multiple hydrogen bonds. Bioinformatic enrichment analyses linked these compounds to detoxification, lipid metabolism, hormone biosynthesis, inflammatory regulation, and cancer-related pathways. These results provide the first systems-level evidence for the multifunctional therapeutic potential of R. pisiformis in managing neurodegenerative, metabolic, and dermatological disorders.

In recent years, the risk of seafood adulteration has increased dramatically worldwide. The two main concerns regarding legal fishing regulations are the sustainability of resources (natural/artificial) and the protection of consumer health and rights. The aim of this research was to use the DNA barcoding technique to detect potential cases of seafood mislabelling and fraud in processed products sold on the Turkish market, and to verify whether the information consumers receive from food labels is accurate. Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 40 frozen fish samples, and a fragment of approximately 650 bp encoding Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced from each DNA sample. With 98–100% nucleotide identity and 99–100% coverage in the GenBank database, all samples were correctly identified to species level. Of the 40 samples examined, eight were found to be misidentified. The results of this study revealed a worrying lack of standardisation in the packaging and labelling of processed and frozen seafood products sold in Türkiye, highlighting the need for action and regulation against seafood fraud.

Although often treated as agricultural waste, stone fruit seeds are now being explored for their valuable bioactive oils, with promising nutraceutical applications. This research focused on the extraction, characterization, and nutraceutical potential of stone fruit oils obtained from the Kashmir Valley (Jammu and Kashmir, Himalayas). Physicochemical evaluation showed following values of parameters for fresh apricot, cherry and peach seed oils (1.74 ± 0.15 mg/g, 7.45 ± 0.32 mg/g and 3.28 ± 0.20 mg/g acid value; 5.08 ± 0.10, 7.2 ± 0.43and 5.4 ± 0.56 meq.peroxide/ kg peroxide value; 6.57 ± 0.20, 9.18 ± 0.23 and 7.60 ± 0.50 micromoles malondialdehyde per gram (MDA/g) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay ranged from a low of 86.77 ± 0.22% for cherry seed oil to 96.25 ± 0.85% for apricot oil. A similar trend was observed for reducing power and metal chelation activity with values ranging from 63.79 ± 0.50 to 76.29 ± 0.55 AAE/g and 1.06 ± 0.02 to 1.67 ± 0.05%, respectively. UV-absorption analysis of the seed oils showed the absorption bands for apricot (215 nm, 250 nm and 265 nm), cherry (210 nm, 220 nm, 230 nm) and peach (210 nm, 250 nm and 260 nm)], indicating high absorbances in UV-B ranges allied with different concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids present in fruit seed oils. Quantification of the phytoconstituents in the seed oil by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) allowed the identification of 70 compounds in apricot, 34 in cherry and 85 in peach oils including bioactive constituents such as phytosterols (campesterol, gamma-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol acetate, 3, 5-proggesterol acetate, gamma tocopherol), squalene, eicosane and oleic acid. The percent α-amylase inhibition of samples varied from 42.65 to 52.8% and alpha-glucosidase inhibition from 32.90 to 34.60%, at 50 µl/mL sample concentration, respectively, highlighting potential anti-diabetic effects. The DNA damage assay demonstrated the protective properties of oil samples against radical-induced DNA damage, with cherry seed oil showing a significant effect. The results emphasize the potential of stone fruit seed oils as rich sources of natural antioxidants and compounds with anti-diabetic properties. Utilizing these oils can support sustainable waste management while promoting the development of functional food ingredients from largely untapped natural resources.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment on microbial communities and ACP-induced oxidation on proteins in crab paste during 6-day storage at 4 °C. 16 S ribosomal RNA (16 S rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing was used to analyze changes in the bacterial community of the crab paste through indices including bacterial composition, alpha diversity, beta diversity, and Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis, while protein changes were assessed by examining the secondary structure and allergenic protein content. The results demonstrated that ACP-treated samples exhibited significantly reduced microbial indices compared to the control group. Vibrio emerged as the predominant species in both groups during the storage. Compared with the control group, ACP treatment eliminated most bacterial genera, including Variovorax, Vibrionimonas, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Hydrogenophaga, and Pseudomonas. Functional prediction analysis indicated that ACP treatment and storage conditions substantially affected metabolic pathways, especially those associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Besides, oxidation induced by ACP treatment- led to substantial alterations in the secondary structure of myofibrillar protein. ACP treatment increased random coil content by 83.33%, while reducing α-helix, β-turn, and β-sheet by 4.88%, 14.29%, and 21.05%, respectively. The content of allergenic proteins, like tropomyosin (TM) and arginine kinase (AK), decreased by 24.31% (from 38.54 to 29.17 ng/g) and 35.35% (from 10.58 to 6.84 ng/g), respectively, which effectively reduced the allergenicity of crab paste. Consequently, ACP treatment successfully suppressed microbial proliferation in crab paste and potentially altered the composition of the microbial population, as well as impacted functional prediction metabolic pathways. This study demonstrated the significant potential of ACP treatment in controlling microbial populations in crab products.

Due to their pharmacological activities, the Sideritis species and herbal teas have attracted great interest. The present work evaluated the chemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and enzyme inhibition effect of Sideritis lanata, S. rubriflora, and S. scardica. The results showed that the methanol extract of S. scardica possessed the highest total phenolic content (66.18 mg GAE/g). The methanol extract of S. rubriflora contained the highest total flavonoid content (100.16 mg RE/g). In the tested extracts, several phenolic compounds were detected, including catechin, chlorogenic acid, benzoic acid, luteolin, hesperidin, and rutin. The main component in the tested extracts was chlorogenic acid. The methanol extract of S. scardica demonstrated the highest DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging (160.20 mg TE/g) and metal chelating activity (34.67 mg EDTAE/g). The methanol extract of S. rubriflora exhibited the most potent reducing power abilities in CUPRAC (Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) (353.82 mg TE/g), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) (255.50 mg TE/g) assays. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts exhibited a significant inhibition against all tested enzymes. The methanol extract of S. lanata had the highest anti-tyrosinase activity (54.18 mg KAE/g). The highest activity against AChE (acetylcholinesterase) (1.03 mg GALAE/g) and BChE (butyrylcholinesterase) (19.63 mg GALAE/g) was provided by the ethyl acetate extract of S. scardica. In α-amylase and α-glucosidase assays, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed higher activity than water extracts in three Sideritis species. The presented results suggest that the tested Sideritis species could be considered as potential sources of bioactive agents for pharmacological, cosmetics, and food applications.

The extraction of pine nut protein was carried out by an alkali solubilization followed by acid precipitation method, and the extraction conditions of pine nut protein were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface. The physicochemical and functional properties of pine nut protein were studied in comparison with those of three other common commercial proteins (soybean, whey protein, and pea protein). The findings indicated that the factors influencing the extraction rate of pine nut protein were: pH > material-liquid ratio > extraction time. The optimal conditions for pine nut protein extraction were as follows: pH 11, material-liquid ratio of 1:32 g/mL, and an extraction time of 1.5 h. The extraction rate of pine nut protein at this time was 81.59% ± 0.17%. Pine nut protein exhibits a layered structure, with β-folding representing the predominant secondary structure. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the major protein bands of pine nut protein were predominantly detected at approximately 37 kDa. The mean particle size of the pine nut protein sample was found to be 122.5 nm, and the zeta potential was determined to be -21.43 mV. A comparison with the other three proteins revealed that the water- and oil-holding properties of pine nut protein were similar to those of soybean protein. Furthermore, compared with the other three proteins, pine nut protein has better emulsifying, emulsifying stability and foaming stability. This study provides a scientific basis for the application of pine nut protein in food industry.

Mushrooms are recognized as functional foods with noteworthy nutritional, culinary, and pharmacological properties, leading to their growing consumption. The present study aimed to compare the chemical composition and biological properties of six wild species harvested in north-eastern Portugal and two cultivated species (Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus citrinopileatus, purchased in Portuguese retail markets) to evaluate their potential as sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds. The results showed diverse macronutrient proximate profiles, characterized by high carbohydrate, dietary fibre, and protein, along with low-fat content and with moderate antioxidant activity. Notably, glucans were present in high amounts, with β-glucans representing the major fraction. Despite species-specific variations, potassium and phosphorus were the predominant mineral elements. Additionally, lysine and arginine were the most abundant free amino acids in the samples. Overall, this manuscript provides a comprehensive insight into the chemical composition, bioactive properties, and nutritional potential of commercially available and wild mushrooms, supplying the first detailed glucan, mineral and antioxidant profile for five under-studied wild species from north-eastern Portugal.

This research determined the potential utilization of carotenoids extracted from macroalgae collected in the coastal water of Türkiye in the food industry. Carotenoids were extracted from Gracilaria dura, Sargassum acinarium and Ulva rigida collected from Türkiye seas by using ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction. Then, physical and storage stabilities of nanoemulsions including carotenoid and bioaccessibility of β-carotenoid during in vitro digestion were investigated. According to the study findings, carotenoid nanoemulsions were prepared with an encapsulation efficiency ranging approximately between 87% and 94%. The encapsulated carotenoids exhibited a superior ability to maintain stability in terms of both carotenoid content and antioxidant activity during in vitro digestion as compared to their non-encapsulated counterparts (p < 0.05). Chromatographic analysis of carotenoid profiles revealed the presence of β-carotene in nanoemulsions derived from Gracilaria dura, Sargassum acinarium and Ulva rigida. A reduction in the amount of β-carotene was observed in the nanoemulsions during in vitro digestion (p < 0.05). Results from the storage stability study indicate that the oxidative stability of algal carotenoid nanoemulsions was better than that of the control (p < 0.05). Conversely, destabilization occurred in algal carotenoid nanoemulsions on the seventh day of storage due to creaming. Lightness (L*) and color intensity (a*, b*) of the nanoemulsions gradually decreased over the 28-day storage period (p < 0.05). This study emphasizes the potential application of carotenoids from Gracilaria dura, Sargassum acinarium and Ulva rigida macroalgae in food products.

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a valuable tree nut in the Juglandaceae family that is widely consumed through out the world, possesses many bioactive compound which exhibit many health benefits. The importance of walnuts is mostly related to their valuable kernels. Along with the kernel, shells of walnut also shows many valuable features. The effective use of agricultural by-products is definitely a major challenge in waste management. In the walnut fruit processing industry, large amounts of shells are produced as agricultural by-products and discarded or burned produced as fuel. However, their shells are currently experiencing as much interest as their kernels due to the beneficial effects of the shell and their applications in various fields. This review aims to highlight the nutritional composition of walnuts and evaluate the therapeutic effect of walnut such as anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti diabetic activity. The major applications across food and medical demonstrate the adaptability and potential of walnut shells in promoting sustainable and inventive solutions.