Untargeted metabolomics of gut-derived metabolites from in vitro colonic fermentation of garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans)

Garambullo is a polyphenols and fiber-rich fruit, but its performance during in vitro fermentation and potential derived health benefits have yet to be explored. This study aimed to perform untargeted metabolomics with enrichment analysis of metabolites derived from the in vitro colonic fermentation of Garambullo. Additionally, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), were identified and quantified due to their biological relevance. The fermented extract (0, 6, and 24 h-fermentation) was analyzed through untargeted metabolomics. A total of 50 metabolites, such as benzene, indoles, phenols, and fatty acids were identified. Butyric acid, one of the produced SCFAs, was increased (p < 0.05) after 24 h. Metabolomic enrichment analysis from colonic metabolites indicated the potential modulation of several conditions. These results suggested that garambullo colonic metabolism generates bioactive molecules that might beneficially impact intestinal and systemic health. Although results from enrichment analysis should be interpreted cautiously, they warrant further research on garambullo's health benefits

Molecular mechanisms of chronobiotics as functional foods

The establishment of chrononutrition as an emerging topic within chronobiology has a peculiar history. Empirical observations on rhythmic “sunrise to sunset” patterns in living organisms, the object of study in chronobiology (a.k.a. circadian biology), comes from the Hippocratic era, the term desynchronosis and its relationship of environmental light and temperature with sleep patterns date from the fifties (Folk Jr,!1957). The first review on chronobiology indexed in Scopus appeared in 1920 (Halberg,!1969). Jürgen Aschoff and Collin Pittendrigh are considered the fathers of modern chronobiology with their pioneer- ing work on the natural entrainment (synchronization) of circadian (circa “around” or “approximately”, diem “day”) systems, derived from their so- called “resonance” and “bun- ker" experiments (Daan,! 2000). Konopka and Benzer (1971) were perhaps the first to report!that certain genes located in the X chromosome controls the timekeeping system in D. melanogaster, while the CLOCK (circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput) gene reported by Takahashi in 1997 is one of the circadian genes controlling a plethora of physi- ological process (including the sleep–wake cycle) in mammals (Semenova, Madaeva, & Kolesnikova,!2021). However, the 2017!Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael Young for their work on the mecha- nism underlying the circadian rhythm. Concurrently to modern chronobiology, chrononu- trition was also leaving its mark...

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion and simulated colonic fermentation of pistachio nuts determine bioaccesibility and biosynthesis of chronobiotics

Chronodisruption leads to obesity and other metabolic disorders that can be alleviated by food-derived potential chronobiotics, such as phytomelatonin (PMT), phenolic compounds (PCs) and dietary fiber rich pistachios. Pistachios with (PN + SC) or without (PN) the seed coat were investigated for their in vitro chronobiotic potential since they are one of the main reported PMT sources. Consequently we evaluated the bioaccessibility, permeability, and biosynthesis of pistachio chronobiotics, particularly PMT, during gastrointestinal and colonic fermentation. The maximum in vitro bioaccessibility and apparent permeability (efflux-prone) of PCs, flavonoids and PMT were sample-specific [∼1.3% (both), 27 and 3.4% (PN + SC)], but additional amounts (flavonoids > PCs > PMT) were released under simulated colonic conditions. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; 38 mM; >50% butyrate, PN + SC > PN) and some metabolites (e.g., indole, benzaldehyde, phenolic acids, and aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons) were detected depending on the sample. The predominant pistachio butyrate production during in vitro colonic fermentation can improve chronodisruption and benefit obese individuals. Pistachio’s digestion increases the bioaccessibility and intestinal permeability of potential chronobiotics (PMT and PCs) and the biosynthesis of colonic metabolites (SCFAs, among others) also with chronobiotic potential

Potential Anticancer Activity of Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> L.) Fruits of Different Color: In Vitro and In Silico Evidence

Pomegranate (PMG; Punica granatum L.) fruits possess a well-balanced nutrient/phytochemical composition, with proven adjuvant benefits in experimental cancer chemotherapy; however, such bioactivity could be affected by PMG’s phenogenotype (varietal). Here, the chemical and phytochemical (UPLC-DAD-MS2) composition, antioxidant capacity and anticancer potential [in vitro (MTT assay) and in silico (foodinformatics)] of three PMG fruits of different aryl color [red (cv. Wonderful), pink (cv. Molar de Elche), and white (cv. Indian)] were evaluated. The macro/micronutrient (ascorbic acid, tocols, carotenoids), organic acid (citric/malic), and polyphenol content were changed by PMG’s varietal and total antioxidant activity (ABTS, alcoholic > hexane extract) in the order of red > pink > white. However, their in vitro cytotoxicity was the same (IC50 > 200 μg.mL−1) against normal (retinal) and cancer (breast, lung, colorectal) cell lines. Sixteen major phytochemicals were tentatively identified, four of them with a high GI absorption/bioavailability score [Ellagic (pink), vanillic (red), gallic (white) acids, D-(+)-catechin (white)] and three of them with multiple molecular targets [Ellagic (52) > vanillic (32) > gallic (23)] associated with anticancer (at initiation and promotion stages) activity. The anticancer potential of the PMG fruit is phenogenotype-specific, although it could be more effective in nutraceutical formulations (concentrates)

Low temperature conditioning of garlic (Allium sativum L.) “seed” cloves induces alterations in sprouts proteome

Low-temperature conditioning of garlic seed cloves substitutes the initial climatic requirements of the crop and accelerates the cycle. We have reported that seed bulbs from ‘Coreano’ variety conditioned at 5 °C for five weeks reduces growth and plant weight as well as the crop yields and increases the synthesis of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Therefore, this treatment suggests a cold stress. Plant acclimation to stress is associated with deep changes in proteome composition. Since proteins are directly involved in plant stress response, proteomics studies can significantly contribute to unravel the possible relationships between protein abundance and plant stress acclimation. The aim of this work was to study the changes in the protein profiles of garlic seed cloves subjected to conditioning at low-temperature using proteomics approach. Two sets of garlic bulbs were used, one set was stored at room temperature (23 °C), and the other was conditioned at low temperature (5 °C) for five weeks. Total soluble proteins were extracted from sprouts of cloves and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein spots showing statistically significant changes in abundance were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS and identified by database search analysis using the Mascot search engine. The results revealed that low-temperature conditioning of garlic seed cloves causes alterations in the accumulation of proteins involved in different physiological processes such as cellular growth, antioxidative/oxidative state, macromolecules transport, protein folding and transcription regulation process. The metabolic pathways affected include protein biosynthesis and quality control system, photosynthesis, photorespiration, energy production, and carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolism. These processes can work cooperatively to establish a new cellular homeostasis that might be related with the physiological and biochemical changes observed in previous studies