Application of solvent pH under pressurized conditions using accelerated solvent extraction and green solvents to extract phytonutrients from wild berries

Berry fruits are known as“superfoods”due to health benefits associated with the high content of bioactive compounds or phytonutrients.Organic extraction solvents are fundamentally volatile compounds acquired from non-renewable resources,i.e petroleum-based solvents are presumed to be harmful to both human health and the environment.Owing to the new emphasis on environmental and safety protections and the development of green chemistry,finding alternative solvents to replace the organic ones has recently become a major concern.Indeed,there is a great interest in the scientific community to develop a suitable green approach to allow the extraction and recovery of the bioactive phytonutrients from berry sources for applications in improving human health and nutrition.In this study,the phytonutrient composition of three popular wild berries:blueberry(Vaccinium angustifolium),partridgeberry(Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)and Rosehipberry(Rosa canina),were evaluated following extraction using biphasic green solvents at pH 2.5,7.0,and 11.5 under pressurized conditions using Accelerated Solvent Extraction(ASE)system.The total phenolic content and composition,antioxidant activity,vitamin and mineral content of the berry extracts were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu assay,Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay(FRAP),Ultra-High-pressure Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(UHPLC-MS)and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),respectively.The highest total antioxidant activity(p≤0.05)and phenolic content were observed in rosehip berry followed by blueberry and partridgeberry in the hydroethanolic extracts at pH 11.5.Nevertheless,the highest extraction efficiency of total fat-soluble vitamins(FSV)and total B vitamins were also observed in the hydroethanolic extract at pH 11.5.Both in rosehipberry and partridgeberry the highest vitamin C content was observed in hydroethanolic extract at pH 11.5,whereas in blueberry it was observed in the pH 2.5 hydroethanolic extract.In the present study,results demonstrated that using the green solvent system(hydroethanolic,70:30 v/v)at alkaline pH(11.5)as a pressurized fluid in the ASE system provided significant recovery of phytonutrients from wild berries.This green environmentally friendly system of extraction could represent a suitable alternative for the preparation of food grade or green solvent-based extracts for applications in the food and nutraceutical industry.

Germination: an alternative source to promote phytonutrients in edible seeds

Consumption of less phytonutrient foods has shown to cause different chronic diseases,despite over 50,000 edible plant breed available in various countries around the globe.These edible plants consist of seeds that can be consumed which possessed high health benefits.Moreover,nutritive values such as phytochemicals of edible seeds increased after germination.Therefore,germination has been reported to enhance various bioactive compounds such asγ-amino butyric acid,polyphenols,and vitamins which lead to greater bioactivity such as anti-diabetic,anti-bacteria,and anti-cancer effects when these seeds are consumed.Consequently,germination can be regarded as a cheap and effective way to enhance the nutritional value of edible seeds.

Omics Meets Phytonutrients in Vegetable Brassicas: For Nutritional Quality Breeding

Consumers understand the health benefits of eating vegetables nowadays and thus there is currently a high demand for phytonutrient products.Recent advances in genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics and metabolomics have allowed the investigation of the genetic mechanism involved in Brassica phytonutrient metabolism.We discuss the application and opportunity of an omics approach to reveal the underlying genetics of the accumulation and regulation of various phytonutrients,such as well-known glucosinolates,carotenoids,anthocyanin and vitamins,which may assist in molecular breeding and metabolic engineering designed for nutritional quality enhancement of vegetable Brassica crops.

Effects of phytonutrients on growth performance, antioxidative status,and energy utilization of broilers fed low energy diets

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of phytonutrients(PN)on growth performance.antioxidant status,intestinal morphology,and nutrient utilization of birds fed low energy diets.In Exp.1.a total of 1.440 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups,with 16 replicates per treatment(48 pens;30 birds per pen).Birds in treatment 1 were fed diets with normal energy content(NE).Birds in treatment 2 were fed NE diet but with 60 kcal removed(LE).Birds in treatment 3 were assigned to LE diet supplemented with PN(LE + PN).Results indicated that LE diet increased feed conversion ratio(FCR)compared with NE from d 1 to 38.while LE + PN diet prevented this response(P= 0.02).At d 26.birds in the LE + PN group had the highest ileal and jejunal villus height to crypt depth(VH:CD)ratio.At d 39.PN supplementation improved ileal and jejunal VH:CD ratio,compared with LE group.Moreover,birds fed PN diets received a better economic profit,In Exp.2,360 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were used in a metabolism study.The treatments used in Exp.2 were the same as those in Exp.1,with 4 replicates(pens)and 30 birds in each replicate.Dietary apparent metabolism energy(AME),energy and protein digestibility were determined between 21 and 28 d of age.Results showed that chickens fed LE + PN diet tended to have greater AME(P= 0.02)and nictrogen-corrected apparent metabolism energy(AMEn)(P= 0.03)than birds fed LE diets.It was concluded that LE+ PN showed a potential advantage to improve feed conversion and gut health of broilers,as well as economic profits.

Effect of Preservation on Two Different Varieties of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i>Del. (Bitter) Leaves

Vernonia amygdalina Del. is one of the leafy vegetables that can be used in an attempt to alleviate the problem of micronutrient malnutrition, prominent in tropical Africa. In order to ensure availability in non-growing areas or seasons, the vegetable needs to be preserved. Processing and preservation methods influence the nutrient content of vegetables. The present study was aimed at determining the effects of preservation on two different varieties of V. amygdalina (bitter) leaves (broad and small leaves). To this effect, evaluations were made on the chlorophyll content, phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacity of the two varieties of bitter leaf (V. amygdalina Del.) stored at 4℃ and –20℃ over a period of two weeks. Results showed a significant decrease in all parameters studied for both varieties at –20℃ except for the free radical reducing power (FRAP), DPPH radical scavenging activity (%RSA) and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (%RSA) of V. amygdalina broad leaves where increase in scavenging activity was observed. Thus, it was concluded that to preserve the chlorophyll, phenol, total soluble proteins and reducing sugar levels, preservation at 4℃ is recommended. The present study finding would be useful during short-term preservation of bitter leaves for soup preparation and/or its aqueous extract for ethnomedicinal purposes, especially the small leaf variety.

Effect of seaweed coating on quality characteristics and shelf life of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill)

Seaweeds are the natural marine algae which have several properties to act as natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of perishable foods without affecting their quality and causing side effects.Locally available and cheap fruits such as tomato are perishable very easily due to its high water content.Seaweed gel coating is a good choice,easily available and cheap natural preservative abundantly available in the Indian coasts.The present study was undertaken to extend the shelf life of the tomatoes using seaweed gel coating at different concentrations.Two seaweeds namely Kappaphycus alvarezii(red algae)and Sargassum tenerrimum(brown algae)was selected due to their high gelling property.Selected seaweeds were collected in dry form from Aqua Agri Processing Limited,Mana Madurai(SIPCOT)Tamil Nadu,India.The seaweed extracts were tested for phytonutrients,antibacterial and anti-fungal activity using standard procedures.The shelf life of seaweed coated tomatoes using different concentrations of the seaweed extract(gel)was tested.From the results,it is understood that the phytonutrients namely flavonoids,steroids,saponins and tannins are present in both the selected seaweeds.Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Kappaphycus alvarezii showed higher inhibition zone than S.tenerrimum against common pathogens.Quality characteristics and shelf life evaluation was based on water loss,texture,ascorbic acid content,juice content,total soluble solids(TSS),total acidity and TSS/total acidity ratio,respectively.The results pointed out that K.alvarezii was the most effective in maintaining the quality characteristics of tomato fruits and it also supports the fruit quality during storage period than S.tenerrimum.Thus,from the results of the study it is concluded that the better quality characteristics and shelf life of tomatoes can be increased by coating seaweed gel and it can be used as a bio preservative in fruit and vegetable preservation.

Packed Supercritical Fluid Chromatography for the Analyses and Preparative Separations of Palm Oil Minor Components

This paper depicts a brief review on the applications of packed supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) in palm oil analyses and purifications from early 1990s to date. Packed SFC has been used for the analyses of various palm oil components. The analytical separations have also been scaled up to preparative scale that leads to the recovery of high value components from palm oil. This review encompasses both analytical and preparative SFC in the oil palm processing.

Advancement in Indoor Vertical Farming for Microgreen Production

With the growing global urban population and the emergence of megacities, there is a huge demand for arable land to meet the food demand and reduce malnutrition. Conventional agricultural practices lead to deforestation of the land for crop production and agricultural intensification to produce higher yield per unit area. These activities have been established to have negative impact on the environment thereby causing soil and water pollution. It is important to consider the use of vertical farming technology, which utilizes both horizontal and vertical space, and efficiently uses nutrients, water, and time (off season production with artificial lighting) more effectively to produce higher yield per unit volume of space than the conventional outdoor farming. Microgreens are taken into consideration to be grown under innovative vertical farming technology since they are rich in phytonutrients and they can be harvested in a short period of time. This paper reviews the current growing conditions of microgreens in vertical farming such as crop selection, media, light, nutrient solution, and containers while identifying knowledge gaps. Further, study in this area may lead to improved growing conditions to help solve the global issues and challenges surrounding food security, safety, and resource optimization.

Study of Edible Spontaneous Herbs in the Republic of Moldova for Ensuring a Sustainable Food System

Recent studies have shown that food systems fail to provide a healthy diet and are unfair and ecologically unsustainable. Sustainable food production will require multidisciplinary approaches, in which human, animal, and environmental health, are inextricably linked. There are various researches that make edible spontaneous herbs (ESP) the protagonists of a new trend in food approach, focused more on health, food safety, and connection with nature. The research consisted of the analysis and capitalization of (ESH) from the territory of the Republic of Moldova (RM) by reviewing their traditional use in local gastronomy and describing the nutritional characteristics. Ethnographic research techniques, such as conversations and interviews, were used to identify knowledge about the use of ESH in the RM. The use, phytochemical profile, and curative effects of the analyzed ESH were taken from the online database Plants For A Future (PFAF) and the phytochemical and ethnobotanical database of the US Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Research. The analysis of the specialized literature on ESH consumption in the world showed that their culinary application in the RM could still be diversified. Some of their properties could possibly be used in the design of new products for people with special diets.

Nutritional Quality of Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon lycopersicum</i>L.) Varieties as Influenced by Combined Application of Human Urine and Rock Phosphate

There has been increasing interest in the quality of food produced in the sub-Saharan Africa and organic fertilizers can be used as palliative for eradicating malnutrition and improving the livelihood of the populace. A study was conducted in two phases, 4 × 5 × 2 and 2 × 4 factorial experiments in a completely randomized design with three replicates at the Department of Agronomy screenhouse, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In the first experiment, five N levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kgN/ha) were combined with two P levels (0 and 20 kgP/ha) using urea and single superphosphate, respectively and four varieties (Roma VF, UC82B, Rio grande and Roma savana) of tomatoes were used. In the second experiment, optimum rates (60 kgN and 20 kgP/ha) from the first experiment formed the basis for the application of urea + SSP, urine + ORP, urea + SSP + urine + ORP and control. The best-performing varieties (Rio grande and Roma savana) in the first experiment were used. Data were subjected to analysis of variance. Combined application of N and P had higher N use efficiency and nutrient uptake than sole application of N or P. Urine + ORP based fertilizer mixtures were best for nutrient uptake and crop utilization of N and P. Increasing N levels led to decrease in nutrient use efficiency. Application of urine + ORP and urea + SSP gave better fruit qualities. The descending order of varietal superiority with respect to nutrient uptake, utilization and quality was: Rio grande > Roma savana > Roma VF > UC82B. Thus, urine + ORP based fertilizer mixtures have great potentials as substitutes for urea + SSP in the production of tomatoes.

A technological breakthrough in developing a state-of-the-art nutraceutical sports nutrition formulation to enhance vitality, mental acuity, vigilance, energy, and stamina

The researchers demonstrate the development of a novel Prodosome technology-derived PL425 PEC phytonutrient-enriched electrolyte formulation and its significant contribution in fluid homeostasis as well as enhanced neuromuscular function, cardio-protection, pulmonary, and other physiological cellular and organ functions. Electrolytes enriched in phytonutrients including polyphenolic bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, saccharides, sulforaphanes, carotenoids and exotic spices, in conjunction with a full spectrum of sea water-derived electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and bicarbonate, along with vitamin C, all of which are encapsulated in the proprietary Prodosome technology enabling enhanced bioavailability. This technology will maintain important biological functions including metabolic and energy homeostasis, pH equilibration, free radical inhibition, cell-to-cell communication, muscular integrity, enhanced neuronal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and kidney functions. Moreover, these phytonutrients and electrolytes enhance energy metabolism, ATP production, and activate nitric oxide production without L-Arginine. Ongoing research studies are in progress.