Distribution of Main Bioactive Compounds from Saffron Species as a Function of Infusion Temperature and Time in an Oil/Water System

Most research on saffron has focused on its composition and beneficial effects, while the culinary perspective to enhance its gastronomic potential remains unexplored. This study aims to define the transfer of the main compounds responsible for color, flavor, and aromatic properties, evaluating three critical variables: temperature (60 °C, 80 °C and 100 °C), infusion time (ranging from 10 to 30 min), and the composition of the medium (water, oil, and water/oil). Samples were analyzed using the LC-QTOF MS/MS and ISO 3632-1:2011 methods. The major compounds were crocins, including trans-crocin and picrocrocin. Among the flavonoids, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside stands out. Regarding extraction conditions, crocins, glycoside flavonoids, and picrocrocin were enhanced in water, the former in 100% water and at low temperatures, while picrocrocin proved to be the most stable compound with extraction favored at high temperatures. The variable with the greatest incidence of picrocrocin isolation seemed to be the concentration of water since water/oil compositions reported higher concentrations. Safranal and kaempferol were enriched in the oil phase and at lower temperatures. This study provides a chemical interpretation for the appropriate gastronomic use of saffron according to its versatility. Finally, the determination of safranal using the ISO method did not correlate with that obtained using chromatography

Monitoring the partition of bioactive compounds in the extraction of extra virgin olive oil

The content of phenols and triterpenes in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is strongly influenced by the extraction process. However, the partition of individual compounds among the involved phases (pastes, wastewater and oil) has not been deeply evaluated. In this research, we aimed at monitoring individual bioactive compounds in different samples obtained in the olive oil production process. Two cultivars with recognized different profile in bioactive components, ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Picual’, were evaluated to obtain complementary results. The transference of main secoiridoids (oleuropein aglycone, ligstroside aglycone, oleocanthal and oleacein) to EVOO was especially favored in ‘Arbequina’ by comparing relative contents in EVOO, pomace and wastewater. Hydroxytyrosol and its glucoside and acetate derivatives remained preferentially in pomace while hydroxytyrosol was preferentially partitioned between pomace and wastewater. Finally, lignans were only detected in final oils, whereas flavonoids and triterpenes remained predominantly in olive pomace; particularly, oleanolic acid and maslinic acid were low detected in EVOOs

Serum Phospholipids Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Risk by Pathological Subtype

This study evaluates whether serum phospholipids fatty acids (PL-FAs) and markers of their endogenous metabolism are associated with breast cancer (BC) subtypes. EpiGEICAM is a Spanish multicenter matched case-control study. A lifestyle and food frequency questionnaire was completed by 1017 BC cases and healthy women pairs. Serum PL-FA percentages were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Conditional and multinomial logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of PL-FA tertiles with BC risk, overall and by pathological subtype (luminal, HER2+ and triple negative). Stratified analyses by body mass index and menopausal status were also performed. Serum PL-FAs were measured in 795 (78%) pairs. Women with high serum levels of stearic acid (odds ratio (OR)T3vsT1 = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-0.66), linoleic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.49-0.90) and arachidonic to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ratio (OR T3vsT1 = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.48-0.84) presented lower BC risk. Participants with high concentrations of palmitoleic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.20-2.26), trans-ruminant palmitelaidic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.12-2.02), trans-industrial elaidic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.14-2.03), and high oleic to stearic acid ratio (ORT3vsT1 = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.45-2.87) showed higher risk. These associations were similar in all BC pathological subtypes. Our results emphasize the importance of analyzing fatty acids individually, as well as the desaturase activity indices

Another new ring nematode, Xenocriconemella andreae sp. nov. (Nematoda, Criconematidae), from the Iberian Peninsula

Nematode surveys in natural environments in the Iberian Peninsula detected three unidentified Xenocriconemella populations that closely resembled the X. macrodora-species complex, but utilization of integrative taxonomy confirmed that they comprised a new taxon described in this paper as X. andreae sp. nov. Only females were detected in the new species (considered parthenogenetic) and delineated with a bare body (274–353 µm); lip region with two annuli, continuous with body delineation; second lip annulus enclosed by the first one. Flexible and thin stylet (88.0–99.0 µm), representing 30.4–47.8% of total body length. The excretory pore is positioned 2–3 annuli posterior to the level of stylet knobs, at 101.5 (87–107) µm from the lip region. Female genital tract: monodelphic, prodelphic, large, and representing 34.4–52.4% of the body length; vagina slightly ventrally curved. The anus is located at (6–9) annuli from the rear end. Tail short, conoid, and blunt round terminus. Ribosomal and mitochondrial markers (D2-D3 expansion domains of 28S, ITS, partial 18S rRNA, and COI), as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses of sequences, confirmed this new taxon, and it was clearly delineated from X. macrodora and species within the species complex (X. costaricense, X. iberica, X. paraiberica, and X. pradense).This work was supported by the Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación-Junta de Andalucia, Qualifica Project (QUAL21_023 IAS). A. Archidona-Yuste is funded by the Ramón y Cajal program (RYC2021-031108-I), and I. Criado-Navarro is funded by the Juan de la Cierva programs (JDC2022-048855-I), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and UE “Next Generation EU/PRTR.”Peer reviewe

Monitoring the partition of bioactive compounds in the extraction of extra virgin olive oil

The content of phenols and triterpenes in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is strongly influenced by the extraction process. However, the partition of individual compounds among the involved phases (pastes, wastewater and oil) has not been deeply evaluated. In this research, we aimed at monitoring individual bioactive compounds in different samples obtained in the olive oil production process. Two cultivars with recognized different profile in bioactive components, 'Arbequina' and 'Picual', were evaluated to obtain complementary results. The transference of main secoiridoids (oleuropein aglycone, ligstroside aglycone, oleocanthal and oleacein) to EVOO was especially favored in 'Arbequina' by comparing relative contents in EVOO, pomace and wastewater. Hydroxytyrosol and its glucoside and acetate derivatives remained preferentially in pomace while hydroxytyrosol was preferentially partitioned between pomace and wastewater. Finally, lignans were only detected in final oils, whereas flavonoids and triterpenes remained predominantly in olive pomace; particularly, oleanolic acid and maslinic acid were low detected in EVOOs

Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acids Levels, Anthropometric Variables and Adiposity in Spanish Premenopausal Women

This study investigates the still uncertain association between serum phospholipid fatty acids (PL-FA), and anthropometric and adiposity variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1443 Spanish premenopausal women. Participants answered an epidemiological and a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables were measured using a bioimpedance scale. Serum PL-FAs levels were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The association between body mass index (BMI), weight gain, body fat percentage, visceral fat index, and waist circumference with serum PL-FAs and desaturation indices was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models. BMI was positively associated with the relative concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (β = 0.94, q-val = 0.001), and with palmitoleic, dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA), arachidonic (AA) and α-linolenic acids, and was inversely associated with oleic, gondoic, trans-vaccenic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. Total fat percentage was positively associated with DGLA and AA, and inversely with linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. Low relative concentrations of some SFAs and high levels of n-6 PUFAs were associated with greater waist circumference. While the oleic/stearic and AA/DGLA acid ratios were inversely associated with BMI, DGLA/linoleic acid ratio was positively related to almost all variables. In addition to BMI, total fat percentage and waist circumference were also associated with certain individual fatty acids.This research was funded by the Carlos III Institute of Health (AESI intramural health action PI15CIII/0029). The article presents independent research. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Carlos III Institute of Health.S