Exploring the potential of phenolic compounds from the coffee pulp in preventing cellular oxidative stress after in vitro digestion

The coffee pulp, a by-product of the coffee industry, contains a high concentration of phenolic compounds and caffeine. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion may influence these active compounds’ bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity. Understanding the impact of the digestive metabolism on the coffee pulp's phenolic composition and its effect on cellular oxidative stress biomarkers is essential. In this study, we evaluated the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the coffee pulp flour (CPF) and extract (CPE) on their phenolic profile, radical scavenging capacity, cellular antioxidant activity, and cytoprotective properties in intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) and hepatic (HepG2) cells. The CPF and the CPE contained a high amount of caffeine and phenolic compounds, predominantly phenolic acids (3′,4′-dihydroxycinnamoylquinic and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids) and flavonoids (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone derivatives). Simulated digestion resulted in increased antioxidant capacity, and both the CPF and the CPE demonstrated free radical scavenging abilities even after in vitro digestion. The CPF and the CPE did not induce cytotoxicity in intestinal and hepatic cells, and both matrices exhibited the ability to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species. The coffee pulp treatments prevented the decrease of glutathione, thiol groups, and superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities evoked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide elicitation in IEC-6 and HepG2 cells. Our findings suggest that the coffee pulp could be used as a potent food ingredient for preventing cellular oxidative stress due to its high content of antioxidant compoundsThis research was funded by the COCARDIOLAC project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RTI 2018-097504-B-I00) and the Excellence Line for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid and the UAM (2019-2023). M. Rebollo-Hernanz received funding from the FPU program of the Ministry of Universities for his predoctoral fellowship (FPU15/04238) and his grant for the requalification of the Spanish university system (CA1/RSUE/2021-00656

Revalorization of coffee husk: Modeling and optimizing the green sustainable extraction of phenolic compounds

This study aimed to model and optimize a green sustainable extraction method of phenolic compounds from the coffee husk. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to model the impact of extraction variables (temperature, time, acidity, and solid-to-liquid ratio) on the recovery of phenolic compounds. All responses were fitted to the RSM and ANN model, which revealed high estimation capabilities. The main factors affecting phenolic extraction were temperature, followed by solid-to-liquid ratio, and acidity. The optimal extraction conditions were 100◦C, 90 min, 0% citric acid, and 0.02 g coffee husk mL−1 . Under these conditions, experimental values for total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, o-diphenols, and in vitro antioxidant capacity matched with predicted ones, therefore, validating the model. The presence of chlorogenic, protocatechuic, caffeic, and gallic acids and kaemferol-3-O-galactoside was confirmed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The phenolic aqueous extracts from the coffee husk could be used as sustainable food ingredients and nutraceutical productsThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, SUSCOFFEE (grant number AGL2014–57239-R), COCARDIOLAC (grant number RTI 2018-097504-B-I00) projects, and the Community of Madrid and UAM Agreement (2019–2023). M. Rebollo-Hernanz thanks to the FPU program of the Ministry of Universities for his predoctoral fellowship (grant number FPU15/04238

Inhibition of the Maillard reaction by phytochemicals composing an aqueous coffee silverskin extract via a mixed mechanism of action

This work aimed to evaluate the contribution of isoflavones and melatonin to the aqueous extract obtained from the coffee silverskin (CSE) antiglycative properties, which has not been previously studied. To achieve this goal, two model systems constituted by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and reactive carbonyls (glucose or methylglyoxal) in the presence or absence of pure phytochemicals (chlorogenic acid (CGA), genistein, and melatonin) and CSE were employed. Glucose was used to evaluate the effect on the formation of glycation products formed mainly in the early stage of the reaction, while methylglyoxal was employed for looking at the formation of advanced products of the reaction, also called methylglyoxal-derivative advanced glycation end products (AGE) or glycoxidation products. CGA inhibited the formation of fructosamine, while genistein and melatonin inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products and protein glycoxidation. It was also observed that phenolic compounds from CSE inhibited protein glycation and glycoxidation by forming BSA-phytochemical complexes. CSE showed a significant antiglycative effect (p < 0.05). Variations in the UV-Vis spectrum and the antioxidant capacity of protein fractions suggested the formation of protein-phytochemical complexes. Fluorescence quenching and in silico analysis supported the formation of antioxidant-protein complexes. For the first time, we illustrate that isoflavones and melatonin may contribute to the antiglycative/antiglycoxidative properties associated with CSE. CGA, isoflavones, and melatonin composing CSE seem to act simultaneously by different mechanisms of actionM.R.H thanks the JAE Intro fellowship (JAEINT_15_00086) and the FPU predoctoral program of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (FPU15/04238

Extraction of phenolic compounds from cocoa shell: modeling using response surface methodology and artificial neural networks

This work's objective was to model and optimize a green extraction method of phenolic compounds from the cocoa shell as a strategy to revalorize this by-product, obtaining novel high-value products. According to a Box-Behnken design, 27 extractions were carried out at different conditions of temperature, time, acidity, and solid-to-liquid ratio. Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids, o-diphenols, and in vitro antioxidant capacity were assessed in each extract. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to model the effect of the different parameters on the green aqueous extraction of phenolic compounds from the cocoa shell. The obtained mathematical models fitted well for all the responses. RSM and ANN exhibited high estimation capabilities. The main factors affecting phenolic extraction were temperature, followed by solid-to-liquid ratio, and acidity. The optimal extraction conditions were 100 °C, 90 min, 0% citric acid, and 0.02 g cocoa shell mL−1 water. Under these conditions, experimental values for the response variables matched those predicted, therefore, validating the model. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS revealed the presence of 15 phenolic compounds, being protocatechuic acid, procyanidin B2, (−)-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin, the major ones. Spectrophotometric results showed a significant correlation with the UPLC results, confirming their potential use for screening and optimization purposes. Aqueous phenolic extracts from the cocoa shell would have potential use as sustainable food-grade ingredients and nutraceutical productsThis work was supported by UAM-Santander (grant number 2017/ EEUU/01) and COCARDIOLAC (grant number RTI2018-097504-B-I00) projects, and Community of Madrid and UAM Agreement (2019–2023). M. Rebollo-Hernanz thanks to the FPU program of the Ministry of Universities for his predoctoral fellowship (grant number FPU15/04238

Effect of Supplementation with Coffee and Cocoa By-Products to Ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome Alterations Induced by High-Fat Diet in Female Mice

Coffee and cocoa manufacturing produces large amounts of waste. Generated by-products contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suitable for treating metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to compare the efficacy of aqueous extracts and flours from coffee pulp (CfPulp-E, CfPulp-F) and cocoa shell (CcShell-E, CcShell-F) to ameliorate MetS alterations induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Bioactive component content was assessed by HPLC/MS. C57BL/6 female mice were fed for 6 weeks with HFD followed by 6 weeks with HFD plus supplementation with one of the ingredients (500 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week), and compared to non-supplemented HFD and Control group fed with regular chow. Body weight, adipocyte size and browning (Mitotracker, confocal microscopy), plasma glycemia (basal, glucose tolerance test–area under the curve, GTT-AUC), lipid profile, and leptin were compared between groups. Cocoa shell ingredients had mainly caffeine, theobromine, protocatechuic acid, and flavan-3-ols. Coffee pulp showed a high content in caffeine, protocatechuic, and chlorogenic acids. Compared to Control mice, HFD group showed alterations in all parameters. Compared to HFD, CcShell-F significantly reduced adipocyte size, increased browning and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and normalized basal glycemia, while CcShell-E only increased HDL. Both coffee pulp ingredients normalized adipocyte size, basal glycemia, and GTT-AUC. Additionally, CfPulp-E improved hyperleptinemia, reduced triglycerides, and slowed weight gain, and CfPulp-F increased HDL. In conclusion, coffee pulp ingredients showed a better efficacy against MetS, likely due to the synergic effect of caffeine, protocatechuic, and chlorogenic acids. Since coffee pulp is already approved as a food ingredient, this by-product could be used in humans to treat obesity-related MetS alterationsThis research was funded by the Knowledge Transfer Project from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM, Madrid, Spain) and AORA Health S.L. (Madrid, Spain), grant number PFTC-19; The Excellence Line (2019–2023) for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid (Spain)-UAM; and the Spanish Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research (2021–2023; PEICTI) within the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience thought the Projects Oriented to the Ecological Transition and to the Digital Transition (Ministry of Science and Innovation; Spain), grant number TED2021-129262A-I00

A review of bioactive factors in human breastmilk: A focus on prematurity

Preterm birth is an increasing worldwide problem. Prematurity is the second most common cause of death in children under 5 years of age. It is associated with a higher risk of several pathologies in the perinatal period and adulthood. Maternal milk, a complex fluid with several bioactive factors, is the best option for the newborn. Its dynamic composition is influenced by diverse factors such as maternal age, lactation period, and health status. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding some bioactive factors present in breastmilk, namely antioxidants, growth factors, adipokines, and cytokines, paying specific attention to prematurity. The revised literature reveals that the highest levels of these bioactive factors are found in the colostrum and they decrease along the lactation period; bioactive factors are found in higher levels in preterm as compared to full-term milk, they are lacking in formula milk, and decreased in donated milk. However, there are still some gaps and inconclusive data, and further research in this field is needed. Given the fact that many preterm mothers are unable to complete breastfeeding, new information could be important to develop infant supplements that best match preterm human milkThis work was supported by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (grant number FEM2015-63631-R) to SMA and the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain) (grant number RTI2018-097504-B-100) to SMA and MAM-C. Both grants were co-financed with FEDER fund

First trimester elevations of hematocrit, lipid peroxidation and nitrates in women with twin pregnancies who develop preeclampsia

Twin pregnancies are considered a risk factor for preeclampsia, an obstetric complication with high maternal and infant morbi-mortality. We hypothesize that alterations in maternal hematocrit, plasma lipid peroxidation and nitrates in the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with preeclampsia development in twin pregnancies. Blood samples were extracted from 102 healthy women with twin pregnancies at tenth week of gestation to assess hematological parameters and plasma levels of malondialdehyde and nitrates. Logistic regression model showed an association between red blood cells (OR = 38.8; p-value = 0.009), hematocrit (OR = 1.6; p-value = 0.017), malondialdehyde (OR = 1.5; p-value = 0.002), and nitrates (OR = 1.1; p-value = 0.045) and preeclampsia development. These parameters are potential biomarkers for early preeclampsia detection in twin pregnancies. Future research is needed to assess their value in predictive algorithmsThis work was supported by Multidisciplinary Research Project [CEMU, 2013-10], Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) and collaborative project Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Khon Kaen University [KKU: 0514.7.I.12-1948

Antioxidant foods and cardiometabolic health

This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Foods and Cardiometabolic Health.This research was funded by the COCARDIOLAC project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RTI 2018-097504-B-I00) and the Excellence Line for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid and the UAM (2019–2023).Peer reviewe

High hydrostatic pressure in astringent and non-astringent persimmons to obtain fiber-enriched ingredients with improved functionality

This study examined the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing on dietary fiber, cell wall sugars, cell wall-modifying enzymes, and techno-functional properties of astringent and non-astringent persimmon flesh. The fruits were subjected to 200 and 400 MPa for 1, 3, and 6 min, at 25 °C. Dietary fiber and alcohol insoluble residue (AIR) were affected significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Soluble fraction of fiber (SDF) decreased, and AIR content increased up to 46% after application of high pressure. HHP reduced total sugar content of AIRs and promoted changes in the contribution of uronic acids (UA) and glucose, obtaining pectin-enriched materials (from 45 to 61% UA) in astringent persimmons treated by pressure. Pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity increased independently of the astringency level of persimmons (from 1.7- to 2.0-fold), while polygalacturonase (PG) activity was highly dependent on pressure and time conditions of HHP treatments. The application of HHP enhanced techno-functional properties of persimmon AIRs. Great water-absorption (21–31 mL/g AIR) and oil-holding (10–14 mL/g AIR) capacities were obtained for HHP-treated astringent and non-astringent persimmons, respectively, which showed the potential of HHP technology to add value to persimmons.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through project AGL2008-04798-C02-01/ALI, and “Agrupación Nacional de Exportación de Cooperativas Citrícolas” (ANECOOP) for providing the persimmon samples. Rodríguez-Garayar is also grateful to Department of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Government for the FPI fellowship awarded.Peer Reviewe