Wood Waste from Fruit Trees: Biomolecules and Their Applications in Agri-Food Industry

In the European Union (EU), a total of 11,301,345 hectares are dedicated to the cultivation of fruit trees, mainly olive orchards, grapevines, nut trees (almond, walnut, chestnut, hazelnut, and pistachio), apple and pear trees, stone fruit trees (peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry, and plum), and citrus fruit trees (orange, clementine, satsuma, mandarin, lemon, grapefruit, and pomelo). Pruning these trees, together with plantation removal to a lesser extent, produces a huge amount of wood waste. A theoretical calculation of the wood waste in the European Union estimates approximately 2 and 25 million tons from wood plantation removal and pruning, respectively, per year. This wood waste is usually destroyed by in-field burning or crushing into the soil, which result in no direct economic benefits. However, wood from tree pruning, which is enriched in high added-value mol-ecules, offers a wide spectrum of possibilities for its valorization. This review focuses on the contri-bution of wood waste to both sustainability and the circular economy, considering its use not only as biomass but also as a potential source of bioactive compounds. The main bioactive compounds found in wood are polyphenols, terpenes, polysaccharides, organic compounds, fatty acids, and alkaloids. Polyphenols are the most ubiquitous compounds in wood. Large amounts of hydroxyty-rosol (up to 25 g/kg dw), resveratrol (up to 66 g/kg dw), protocatechuic acid (up to 16.4 g/kg), and proanthocyanins (8.5 g/kg dw) have been found in the wood from olive trees, grapevines, almond trees and plum trees, respectively. The bioactivity of these compounds has been demonstrated at lower concentrations, mainly in vitro studies. Bioactive compounds present antioxidant, antimicro-bial, antifungal, biostimulant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anticarcinogenic properties, among others. Therefore, wood extracts might have several applications in agriculture, medicine, and the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries. For example, olive tree wood extract reduced thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in vitro; grapevine tree wood extract acts a preservative in wine, replacing SO2; chestnut tree wood extract has antifungal properties on post-harvest pathogens in vitro; and stone tree wood extracts are used for aging both wines and brandies. Moreover, the use of wood waste contributes to the move towards both a more sustainable development and a circular economy.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad RTA2015-00005-C02-0

J. Agric. Food Chem.

Stilbene metabolites are attracting great interest because many of them exhibit similar or even stronger biological effects than their parent compounds. Furthermore, the metabolized forms are predominant in biological fluids; therefore, their study is highly relevant. After hemisynthesis production, isolation, and structural elucidation, three glucuronide metabolites for oxyresveratrol (ORV) were formed: trans-ORV-4′-O-glucuronide, trans-ORV-3-O-glucuronide, and trans-ORV-2′-O-glucuronide. In addition, two glucuronide metabolites were obtained for gnetol (GN): trans-GN-2′-O-glucuronide and trans-GN-3-O-glucuronide. When the metabolism of ORV and GN is studied in vitro by human and rat hepatic enzymes, four of the five hemisynthesized compounds were identified and quantified. Human enzymes glucuronidated preferably at the C-2′ position, whereas rat enzymes do so at the C-3 position. In view of these kinetic findings, rat enzymes have a stronger metabolic capacity than human enzymes. Finally, ORV, GN, and their glucuronide metabolites (mainly at the C-3 position) decreased nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor α production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages

Screening of wood/forest and vine by-products as sources of new drugs for sustainable strategies to control fusarium graminearum and the production of mycotoxins

Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that can colonize small-grain cereals and maize and secrete type B trichothecene (TCTB) mycotoxins. The development of environmental-friendly strategies guaranteeing the safety of food and feed is a key challenge facing agriculture today. One of these strategies lies on the promising capacity of products issued from natural sources to counteract crop pests. In this work, the in vitro efficiency of sixteen extracts obtained from eight natural sources using subcritical water extraction at two temperatures was assessed against fungal growth and TCTB production by F. graminearum. Maritime pine sawdust extract was shown to be extremely efficient, leading to a significant inhibition of up to 89% of the fungal growth and up to 65% reduction of the mycotoxin production by F. graminearum. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of this active extract revealed the presence of three families of phenolics with a predominance of methylated compounds and suggested that the abundance of methylated structures, and therefore of hydrophobic compounds, could be a primary factor underpinning the activity of the maritime pine sawdust extract. Altogether, our data support that wood/forest by-products could be promising sources of bioactive compounds for controlling F. graminearum and its production of mycotoxins.Développement d'une infrastructure française distribuée pour la métabolomique dédiée à l'innovatio

Circulating human serum metabolites derived from the intake of a saffron extract (Safr’Inside™) protect neurons from oxidative stress: Consideration for depressive disorders

Increases in oxidative stress have been reported to play a central role in the vulnerability to depression, and antidepressant drugs may reduce increased oxidative stress in patients. Among the plants exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, is also known for its positive effects on depression, potentially through its SSRI-like properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and their health benefits for humans are currently unclear. Using an original ex vivo clinical approach, we demonstrated for the first time that the circulating human metabolites produced following saffron intake (Safr’Inside™ ) protect human neurons from oxidative-stress-induced neurotoxicity by preserving cell viability and increasing BNDF production. In particular, the metabolites significantly stimulated both dopamine and serotonin release. In addition, the saffron’s metabolites were also able to protect serotonergic tone by inhibiting the expression of the serotonin transporter SERT and down-regulating serotonin metabolism. Altogether, these data provide new biochemical insights into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial impact of saffron on neuronal viability and activity in humans, in the context of oxidative stress related to depression

Stilbènes de la vigne et d’essences forestières (pin, épicéa) : Etude phytochimique et recherche d’activités anti-oomycète et insecticide.

Nowadays, is a priority to turn towards a more eco- and consumer friendly agriculture resulting in the reduction of the chemical inputs. In a context of a sustainable development, the investigation of natural products to fight against diseases and pests raised a renewed interest. In this thesis, hydroalcoholic extracts derived from grapevine (cane, wood, root) and forest species (spruce bark, pine knot) by-products have demonstrated to be a great source of bioactive polyphenols, and particularly in complex stilbenes. Indeed, these extracts have proved to confer a broad spectrum of activities against different major plant diseases. In particular, an oomycide potential against downy mildew of the vine and an insecticidal capacity against Solanaceae pest were reported. Furthermore, the relevant use of “green chemistry” to extract stilbenes as an alternative method of organic solvents has been highlighted. The present findings strengthen an original line of research to advance in a more sustainable viticulture and agriculture, using less toxic and biodegradable biocontrol products, being this a possible and realistic solution to combat plant pathogens.De nos jours, il y a une volonté générale de se tourner vers une agriculture plus respectueuse de l’environnement et du consommateur se traduisant notamment par une démarche de réduction des intrants chimiques. Dans un contexte de développement durable, la recherche de produits naturels pour lutter contre les maladies et les ravageurs suscite un regain d’intérêt. Dans cette thèse, des extraits hydro-alcooliques issus de coproduits de la vigne (sarment, cep, racine) et d’essences forestières (écorce d'épicéa, nœud de pin) se sont révélés être une excellente source de polyphénols bioactifs, en particulier en stilbènes complexes. En effet, ces extraits ont démontré un large spectre d’activités contre différentes maladies végétales. En particulier, un potentiel oomycide contre le mildiou de la vigne et une capacité insecticide contre un parasite des Solanacées sont rapportés. En outre, la pertinence de l'utilisation de la « chimie verte » pour extraire les stilbènes comme méthode alternative aux solvants organiques a été mise en évidence. Les présents résultats renforcent une voie de recherche originale pour faire progresser une viticulture et une agriculture plus durables, en utilisant des produits de biocontrôle moins toxiques et biodégradables, constituant ainsi une solution possible et réaliste pour lutter contre les pathogènes des plantes

Stilbenes of grapevine and forest species (pine, spruce) : Phytochemical study and research of anti-oomycete and insecticide activities.

De nos jours, il y a une volonté générale de se tourner vers une agriculture plus respectueuse de l’environnement et du consommateur se traduisant notamment par une démarche de réduction des intrants chimiques. Dans un contexte de développement durable, la recherche de produits naturels pour lutter contre les maladies et les ravageurs suscite un regain d’intérêt. Dans cette thèse, des extraits hydro-alcooliques issus de coproduits de la vigne (sarment, cep, racine) et d’essences forestières (écorce d'épicéa, nœud de pin) se sont révélés être une excellente source de polyphénols bioactifs, en particulier en stilbènes complexes. En effet, ces extraits ont démontré un large spectre d’activités contre différentes maladies végétales. En particulier, un potentiel oomycide contre le mildiou de la vigne et une capacité insecticide contre un parasite des Solanacées sont rapportés. En outre, la pertinence de l'utilisation de la « chimie verte » pour extraire les stilbènes comme méthode alternative aux solvants organiques a été mise en évidence. Les présents résultats renforcent une voie de recherche originale pour faire progresser une viticulture et une agriculture plus durables, en utilisant des produits de biocontrôle moins toxiques et biodégradables, constituant ainsi une solution possible et réaliste pour lutter contre les pathogènes des plantes.Nowadays, is a priority to turn towards a more eco- and consumer friendly agriculture resulting in the reduction of the chemical inputs. In a context of a sustainable development, the investigation of natural products to fight against diseases and pests raised a renewed interest. In this thesis, hydroalcoholic extracts derived from grapevine (cane, wood, root) and forest species (spruce bark, pine knot) by-products have demonstrated to be a great source of bioactive polyphenols, and particularly in complex stilbenes. Indeed, these extracts have proved to confer a broad spectrum of activities against different major plant diseases. In particular, an oomycide potential against downy mildew of the vine and an insecticidal capacity against Solanaceae pest were reported. Furthermore, the relevant use of “green chemistry” to extract stilbenes as an alternative method of organic solvents has been highlighted. The present findings strengthen an original line of research to advance in a more sustainable viticulture and agriculture, using less toxic and biodegradable biocontrol products, being this a possible and realistic solution to combat plant pathogens

Ind. crops prod.

Currently, one of the biggest challenges in viticulture is to valorize the huge amount of biomass, especially grapevine waste. Subcritical water is a sustainable and eco-friendly method of extraction based on the use of water as an extracting agent, corresponding to the strategy called "green chemistry". Application of a high temperature and a high pressure maintains the water in its liquid form allowing polar and less polar compounds to be extracted. Stilbenes are low-polarity compounds that normally require organic solvents for their extraction. This study investigated the possibility of using a subcritical water process to extract complex stilbenes from three vine co-products: cane, wood, and root. Various temperatures (100, 130, 160 and 190 degrees C) and contact times (5, 15 and 30 min) were tested by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). The highest stilbene yield was obtained at 160 degrees C and 5 min for cane (3.62 g/kg dry mass), wood (9.32 g/kg dry mass) and root (12.1 g/kg dry mass). ASE allowed the extraction of monomers, dimers, trimers and tetramers of stilbenes in similar amounts as with conventional organic solvents. In addition, the subcritical extraction conditions led to the formation of an uncommon tetrameric stilbene, named vitisin F. The possibility of using "green chemistry" for extracting oligomeric stilbenes is a step forward in the search for alternatives to organic solvents

Composition and antioxydant activities of stilbene cane extracts from different Vitis species

Poster. 2ème Symposium franco-indien Plants with Health Benefits and Biomolecules of Interest, 2019 Nov. 27-29, Bordeaux, Franc

Diastereomeric stilbenoid glucoside dimers from the rhizomes of Gnetum africanum

International audienceIn a continuing search for neuroprotective stilbenoids, two uncommon diastereomeric stilbenoid glucosides, africanoside A (1) and B (2) as well as fifteen known stilbenes, E-resveratrol, E-gnetifolin E, E-piceid, E-resveratroloside, E-gnetifolin K, E-gnetol, E-isorhapontigenin, E-isorhapontin, E-isorhapontigenin-4′-O-glucopyranoside, E-gnetin C, E-bisisorhapontigenin B, E-gnemonoside A, E-gnemonoside C, E-gnemonoside D, and E-gnetin E, were isolated from rhizomes of Gnetum africanum, using a combination of centrifugal partition chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structure of these two stilbenoids was investigated by NMR, vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. The absolute configurations of 1, and 2 were established by VCD as (7aS,8aS) and (7aR,8aR), respectively. Compound 1 significantly chelated Fe(II) at 100, 250 and 500 μM. The ability of stilbenoids to chelate ferrous ions which are implicated in physiopathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease provides useful data for potential treatment

J. pest sci.

Stilbenes are phenolic compounds which are produced in large amounts in vine and are involved in plant defence as phytoalexins. Oligomeric forms have recently proven to be the most active compounds against a wide range of parasites such as fungi, bacteria or algae. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of a grapevine root extract which is a stilbene oligomer pool against Leptinotarsa decemlineata, a major pest of Solanaceae crops. Analysis by UHPLC-DAD-MS of the stilbene-enriched extract obtained from grapevine root (Riparia Gloire de Montpellier rootstock) highlighted twelve stilbenes at 25% (w/w). The major stilbenes found in root extract were isolated such as the tetramers vitisin B, vitisin A and hopeaphenol; the dimers ampelopsin A and E-epsilon-viniferin and the monomer E-resveratrol. The insecticidal effects of this extract as well as the main compounds were investigated against L. decemlineata larvae. The extract caused chronic toxicity, inhibited larval development and, to a lesser extent, inhibited food intake. The high concentrations of vitisin A and vitisin B in grapevine root contributed to this effect as they are the most toxic compounds. Outdoor pot experiments revealed the efficacy of stilbene-enriched extract with high mortality of L. decemlineata and protection of potato plants. The extract also revealed an absence of toxicity against non-targeted organisms such as earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Thus, these results strongly suggest that grapevine roots are a promising source of bioactive stilbenes for the development of natural insecticides