Current status of genus Impatiens: Bioactive compounds and natural pigments with health benefits

The market for edible flowers has grown exponentially due to consumers demand. This has been motivated by the concern to include healthier foods in the daily diet, leading to a great interest in these natural matrices. However, and although the consumption of this type of matrices are popularly associated with health benefits, scientific studies are still scarce. The industry seeks to satisfy the consumers demands and, at the same time, seeks to launch new challenges in the sector, in order to outline new conservation and production strategies. Although there are several flowers with edible potential in nature, many are still little explored or unnoticed, so this type of study is increasingly sought after. Scope and approach: The present review intendeds to explore the context of edible flowers as well as their conditions of production and consumption. Then, focusing on the characterization of the genus Impatiens, which, although is still little explored, gathers data on its chemical and nutritional characterization, bioactivities, and the possible exploration of natural pigments and industrial application. Key findings and conclusions: Several studies have been focused on the chemical characterization of flowers, evaluation their edibility, as well as validating their bioactive potential. In particular, the genus Impatiens is characterized by presenting perennial and succulent herbs with attractive colors, normally found in tropical forests. There are countless studies on the bioactive activities present in these edible flowers. In addition, its pigmentation has a direct relationship with the presence of several compounds, especially anthocyanins and their derivatives. These bioactive compounds have a great interest to the food industry and consumers, due to their diverse health benefits that are provided by their regular consumption.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/ MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). L. Barros would like to thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. To the project AllNat for the contract of C. Caleja (Project AllNat POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463). The authors are also grateful to the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P. This work is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural ®, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042: Project GreenHealth. This work was also financed by ERDF, through the Incentive System to Research and Technological Development, within the Portugal2020 Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program, for the project POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046112: BIOMA.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploring the chemical and bioactive properties of: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces from Guinea-Bissau (West Africa)

Different external factors influence the chemical characteristics of natural products, varying according to the geographic origin. The present study determined the nutritional and chemical composition of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. dried calyces (Guinea-Bissauan origin), as well as the phenolic composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of its infusion and hydroethanolic extracts. Among the chemical composition, glucose and quinic acid showed the major concentration for sugars and organic acids, respectively. Palmitic acid and α-tocopherol were the most abundant lipophilic compounds. The individual phenolic compounds were analysed through HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Thirteen compounds were identified in the hydroethanolic extract, while twelve were identified in the infusion, being 3- O-caffeoylquinic acid the major non-anthocyanin compound. Three anthocyanins were identified, being delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside the most abundant. Both extracts showed promising results in all the bioactive assays. This study exhibited beneficial properties of H. sabdariffa and also emphasized the potential applications of this plant in different industrial sectors.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), as also for L. Barros contract. The authors are also grateful to the Interreg España-Portugal for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE and project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247- FEDER-024479: ValorNatural®, and to the Ministry of Education, Sciences and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, grant No. 173032.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nutritional profiling, fiber content and in vitro bioactivities of wheat-based biscuits formulated with novel ingredients

This study evaluated the nutritional profile and fiber content of innovative formulations of wheat-based biscuits enriched with chia seeds, carob flour and coconut sugar. The in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were also investigated to understand the potential health advantages of the incorporation of these new ingredients. The novel biscuits demonstrated significant improvements in protein and mineral content, with increases of 50% and 100% in chia biscuits, and up to 20% and 40% in carob biscuits, respectively. Fiber also notably increased, particularly in samples containing 10% carob flour, which increased four times as compared to wheat-based samples. The new ingredients exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica (minimum inhibitory concentration 1.25 mg mL(-1) in coconut sugar) and Aspergillus fumigatus (minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum fungicidal concentrations 2.5/5 mg mL(-1) in chia seeds). However, the final biscuits only displayed antifungal properties. Carob flour and chia seeds had a remarkably high capacity to inhibit the formation of TBARS and promoted greater antioxidant activity in biscuit formulations, with EC50 values decreasing from 23.25 mg mL(-1) (control) to 4.54 mg mL(-1) (15% defatted ground chia seeds) and 1.19 mg mL(-1) (10% carob flour). Only chia seeds exhibited cellular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity, attributes that were lost when seeds were added into the biscuits. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of these ingredients, particularly when incorporated in new wheat-based formulations.This work was supported by the Community of Madrid and European funding from FSE and FEDER programs (project S2018/BAA-4393, AVANSECAL-II-CM). The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros and R. Calhelha contracts, through the individual scientific employment program-contract for E. Pereira (2021.03908.CEECIND). C. Caleja are grateful to the VIIAFOOD-Plataforma de Valorizac & atilde;o, Industrializac & atilde;o e Inovac & atilde;o comercial para o AgroAlimentar project for her contract (No. C644929456-00000040), a project supported under the PRR (https://www.recuperarportugal.gov.pt; accessed in 22 July 2023), and financed by the European Union/Next Generation EU. project for her contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stability of a cyanidin-3-O-glucoside extract obtained from Arbutus unedo L. and incorporation into wafers for colouring purposes

An extract from Arbutus unedo fruits, rich in anthocyanins, was studied as a natural colorant with bioactive properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic). The aqueous stability of the extract was monitored using the anthocyanins’ content as response (determined by HPLC-DAD) in function of time, temperature and pH. Aided by mechanistic/phenomenological models, the conditions that favours the stabilization of the extract were provided, highlighting the suitability of the colorant for pastry/bakery products. As a case study, the extract was incorporated into wafers and the changes on the nutritional profile, free sugars, fatty acids and antioxidant properties were monitored during 6 days of storage. The results provide information for: i) potential application of the rich extract in anthocyanins for producing a natural colorant with bioactive properties; and ii) shelf-life predictions. The extract incorporation did not cause changes in the nutritional components of wafers but added colorant and antioxidant properties.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), L. Barros contract and C. Caleja (SFRH/BD/93007/2013) grant. This work is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE and project Mobilizador Norte-01- 0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural®. The authors are also grateful to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. To Xunta de Galicia for financial support for the post-doctoral researcher of M.A. Prieto.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Castanea sativa male flower extracts as an alternative additive in the Portuguese pastry delicacy "pastel de nata"

Replacing artificial additives by natural compounds is a current trend in the food industry. In addition to their preserving effect, naturally obtained ingredients often exhibit important levels of bioactivities. Generally, plant species represent better sources of natural ingredients, since their compounds are less prone to causing unpleasant taste or odour. Chestnut male flower (CMF) was reported to have high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Hence, it was tested as an alternative to potassium sorbate in the most treasured Portuguese delicacy: “pastel de nata”. Different nutritional, chemical, physical and bioactive parameters were compared in two different periods: baking day and two days after baking. All samples presented similar nutritional and chemical profiles, but those added with CMF revealed higher contents of reducing agents and radical scavengers. Accordingly, the newly obtained formulation is expected to have better effects on consumers’ health, maintaining the chemical characteristics, besides rendering a novel, economically profitable, application to CMF.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros and R. C. Calhelha contracts; to the project AllNat for the contract of C. Caleja (Project AllNat POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463). This work is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Suitability of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) extract rich in rosmarinic acid as a potential enhancer of functional properties in cupcakes

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and its extracts have been frequently reported as possessing bioactive properties, offering the potential for use in development/enrichment of food products with additional functional capabilities, providing health benefits to consumers. The antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity of lemon balm extract, as well as its potential hepatotoxicity were thoroughly evaluated. The extracts were then incorporated into cupcakes and their preserving effect, chemical composition, colour parameters and antioxidant activity were compared with those provided by potassium sorbate. In general, the variables with the largest differences among different storage times were energy level, sucrose, glucose, palmitic acid (C6:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n9). On the other hand, L ∗ (top), a ∗ (top), b ∗ (top), pH, capric acid (C10:0) and lauric acid (C12:0) showed the greatest variation according to cupcake formulation. The results observed indicate that the lemon balm extract rich in rosmarinic acid can provide advantageous functional properties to bakery products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Challenges of traditional herbal teas: Plant infusions and their mixtures with bioactive properties

In order to characterize and study the bioactivities of individual plant species and to determine how these characteristics are modified when preparing blends, five different plant species were selected: Erica australis L., Genista tridentata L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha spicata L., and Prunella vulgaris L. Infusions prepared from each plant species and from three selected mixtures were analyzed in terms of nutritional values, phenolic compositions, and bioactive properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities). The major compound detected in M. officinalis, M. spicata, and P. vulgaris infusions was rosmarinic acid, whilst in E. australis and G. tridentata flavonoid derivatives such as quercetin and genistein were identified. P. vulgaris and M. officinalis presented the best results in TBARS and OxHLIA assays, respectively. M. spicata and all mixtures presented anti-inflammatory activity. M. spicata showed the best cytotoxic properties and antimicrobial activity, and none of the infusions showed hepatotoxicity for non-tumour cells.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019); national funding by FCT, P. I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros and R. C. Calhelha, and Carla Pereira’s contract though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5 and 6 of article 23° of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29th August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July; the FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E; and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE. The authors also thank the company Ervital (Castro Daire, Portugal) for providing the samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pineapple by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with potential for industrial food application

Pineapple is a tropical fruit consumed fresh or processed into various food products. However, the peel and crown of this fruit are not industrially exploited, thus generating tons of by-products that represent an economic and environmental concern. In order to promote the upcycling of these by-products, this work aimed to characterize the phenolic profile of its hydroethanolic extracts obtained from pineapple peel and crown leaves and to evaluate their in vitro bioactivity. The HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis allowed the identification of 25 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. The antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activity assays highlighted the peel extract as the most promising and, therefore, it was incorporated into a traditional Portuguese pastry cake as a functional ingredient. The nutritional parameters of the developed food were not affected by the incorporation of the extract, but it promoted the antioxidant activity during its shelf-life. Overall, pineapple peel and crown appeared as promising by-products to be exploited by the food industry, which can be achieved through a circular economy approach.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). R. C. Calhelha and L. Barros acknowledge the national funding by FCT, P. I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract, and J. Pinela and M. Carocho through the individual scientific employment program-contract (CEECIND/01011/2018 and CEECIND/00831/2018, respectively). C. Caleja is thankful for her contract through the project Healthy- PETFOOD (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-047073). Conducted under the project “BIOMA – Bioeconomy integrated solutions for the mobilization of the Agro-food market” (POCI-01-0247- FEDER-046112), by “BIOMA” Consortium, and financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Incentive System to Research and Technological development, within the Portugal2020 Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program. This work has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (451-03-9/ 2021-14/200007).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Properties of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Native Nothofagus Patagonian Forests

Nothofagus forests of the Andean Patagonian region are home to numerous wild edible mushroom (WEM) species with interesting organoleptic characteristics, although many of them have unknown nutritional and nutraceutical profiles. The proximal composition, fatty and organic acids, soluble sugars, phenolic compounds, ergosterol, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of 17 WEMs were analyzed. Carbohydrates, the most abundant macronutrients, varied between 49.00 g/100 g dw (C. magellanicus) and 89.70 g/100 g dw (F. antarctica). Significantly higher values were found for total fat in G. gargal (5.90 g/100 g dw) followed by A. vitellinus (4.70 g/100 g dw); for crude protein in L. perlatum (36.60 g/100 g dw) followed by L. nuda (30.30 g/100 g dw); and for energy in G. gargal (398 Kcal/100g) and C. hariotii (392 Kcal/100g). The most effective extracts regarding the TBARS antioxidant capacity were those of Ramaria. This is the first time that a study was carried out on the chemical composition of G. sordulenta, C. xiphidipus, F. pumiliae, and L. perlatum. The promotion of sustainable use of WEMs, including their incorporation in functional diets that choose WEMs as nutritious, safe, and healthy foods, and their use in an identity mycogastronomy linked to tourism development, requires the detailed and precise nutritional and nutraceutical information of each species.Fil: Rugolo, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Mascoloti Spréa, Rafael. Instituto Politécnico de Bragança; PortugalFil: Dias, Maria Inês. Instituto Politecnico de Braganca; PortugalFil: Pires, Tânia C. S. P.. Instituto Politecnico de Braganca; PortugalFil: Añibarro Ortega, Mikel. Instituto Politecnico de Braganca; PortugalFil: Barroetaveña, Carolina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caleja, Cristina. Instituto Politecnico de Braganca; PortugalFil: Barros, Lillian. Instituto Politecnico de Braganca; Portuga

Chemical composition and bioactive properties of byproducts from two different kiwi varieties

Kiwis are an example of fruits with excellent bioactive properties worldwide appreciated and consumed generating tons of waste. Thus, the objective of this work was to compare two varieties of kiwi: Actinidia deliciosa cv. “Hayward” (green) and Actinidia spp. (red) regarding the nutritional value of their pulps, chemical composition and bioactivities of each pulp and peel. The results revealed that pulps have a high water content and low amount of other macronutrients. Both parts of red kiwi presented the highest tocopherols content and red kiwi pulp presented the highest content in ascorbic acid. In general, the peels exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and green kiwi peels showed cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity, which could be related to its higher content in phenolic compounds, especially B-type (epi)catechin dimer. Therefore, kiwi components currently underutilized may be indicated as a source of natural functionalizing ingredients with several benefits for human health.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science andTechnology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 forfinancial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros and R. Calhelha’s contract, and Carla Pereira’s contract though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4,5 and 6 of article 23° of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29th August,amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July; to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme forfinancial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. The authors are grateful for financial support to the Ministry of Education. Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, grant number 173032. The authors also thank the company Kiwi Coop (Oliveira do Bairro, Portugal) for providing the kiwi samplesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio