Natural bioactive compounds from winery by-products as health promoters: A review

The relevance of food composition for human health has increased consumers’ interest in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods enriched in bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals. This fact has led to a growing attention of suppliers on reuse of agro-industrial wastes rich in healthy plant ingredients. On this matter, grape has been pointed out as a rich source of bioactive compounds. Currently, up to 210 million tons of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are produced annually, being the 15% of the produced grapes addressed to the wine-making industry. This socio-economic activity generates a large amount of solid waste (up to 30%, w/w of the material used). Winery wastes include biodegradable solids namely stems, skins, and seeds. Bioactive compounds from winery by-products have disclosed interesting health promoting activities both in vitro and in vivo. This is a comprehensive review on the phytochemicals present in winery by-products, extraction techniques, industrial uses, and biological activities demonstrated by their bioactive compounds concerning potential for human health. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This work was supported by national funds from FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects PEst-OE/AGR/UI4033/2014 and Project INNOFOOD-INNovation in the FOOD sector through the valorization of food and agro-food by-products-NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-0000029, financed by the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (ON.2–O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The authors also express their gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the funding through the CICYT project AGL2011-23690, and the CYTED Program (Ref. 112RT0460) CORNUCOPIA Thematic Network [192]. We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer Reviewe

Biological Active Ecuadorian Mango ‘Tommy Atkins’ Ingredients—An Opportunity to Reduce Agrowaste

Mango is a commercially important tropical fruit. During its processing, peel and seed kernel are discarded as waste but they could be recovered as an excellent and cost-effective source of health-promoting ingredients. This study aimed to characterize some of them, including carotenoids like the provitamin A β-carotene and lutein, with an interest beyond its role in eye health. Other health-promoting compounds like tocopherols and polyphenols were also evaluated, as well as the in vitro antioxidant capacity of mango by-products. Regarding isoprenoids, α-tocopherol was mainly found in the peels and carotenoids concentration was higher in the pulps. β-carotene was the most abundant carotene in pulp and seed kernel, whereas peel was the only source of lutein, with violaxanthin the most abundant xanthophyll in the different mango organs tested. With regard to polyphenols, peels exhibited greater variability in its phenolic composition, being the total content up to 85 and 10 times higher than the pulp and seed kernels, respectively. On the other hand, peels also stood out for being a very rich source of mangiferin. Seed kernels and peels showed higher antioxidant capacity values than the pulps. These results contribute to the valorization of mango by-products as new natural ingredients for the pharma and food industries.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad COOPB20125Ecuador, Escuela Politécnica Nacional PIS 12-21 and PIMI 14-14Secretaría General Iberoamericana, 112RT0460-CORNUCOPIA, 112RT0445-IBERCAROTEcuador, Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación PROMETEO-CEB-018-201

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) affects glucose metabolism and enhances fitness and life span in Drosophila melanogaster

In this study, we tested whether a standardized epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) rich green tea extract (comprising > 90% EGCG) affects fitness and lifespan as well as parameters of glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Following the application of the green tea extract a significant increase in the mean lifespan (+ 3.3 days) and the 50% survival (+ 4.3 days) as well as improved fitness was detected. These effects went along an increased expression of Spargel, the homolog of mammalian PGC1α, which has been reported to affect lifespan in flies. Intriguingly, in flies, treatment with the green tea extract decreased glucose concentrations, which were accompanied by an inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. Computational docking analysis proved the potential of EGCG to dock into the substrate binding pocket of α-amylase and to a greater extent into α-glucosidase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EGCG downregulates insulin-like peptide 5 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, major regulators of glucose metabolism, as well as the Drosophila homolog of leptin, unpaired 2. We propose that a decrease in glucose metabolism in connection with an upregulated expression of Spargel contribute to the better fitness and the extended lifespan in EGCG-treated flies

Cruciferous Sprouts as Healthy Foods: Elicitation os Phytochemicals and Functionality

Cruciferous sprouts are fresh plant foods very interesting because of their higher levels of nutrients and bioactive compounds compared to adult plants. Germinating seeds for 8 days has been established as optimum for harvest and consumption, allowing manipulation while the content of phytochemicals remains higher than in other vegetables, even though, the bioactive compounds contents decrease during germination. Determining the bioactive compounds (phenolics, glucosinolates and isothiocyanates/indoles) in cruciferous sprouts, as well as selecting the suitable species and the germination time, have been found to be of great importance to maximize the health-promoting properties of sprouts for consumption. Elicitation practices with phytohormones (MeJA, JA and SA), sugars (sucrose and glucose) and amino acids (methionine), by priming seeds and using exogenous spray applications enhanced the contents of glucosinolates, precursors of the bioactive isothiocyanates and indoles, which have been widely studied because of their anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Once broccoli and radish sprouts were selected due to their high content in glucoraphanin and glucoraphenin, respectively, among other health-promoting glucosinolates and phenolic compounds, certain biological activities were evaluated. The metabolism and antiproliferative effect of broccoli sprouts was studied in vitro using cell cultures. The effects of radish sprouts cv. Rambo modulating the energy metabolism was determined in the Drosophila melanogaster model, and the antinociceptive effect of broccoli sprouts was evaluated using rodent models. Finally, shelf-life quality and safety of these sprouts was studied for 7 and 14 days under refrigerated storage. This multidisciplinary work open views to design studies of cruciferous foods for human nutrition, since their incorporation to diet and regular consumption will likely provide positive effects for health and disease prevention.Los brotes de crucíferas son alimentos de origen vegetal de gran interés debido a su mayor contenido en nutrientes y compuestos bioactivos en comparación con el vegetal adulto. No obstante, un objetivo en nuestra investigación es maximizar sus propiedades beneficiosas relacionadas con el contenido en compuestos bioactivos (glucosinolatos y compuestos fenólicos), para ello los estudios de la selección de la especie y el tiempo óptimo de germinación para su recolección y consumo, son factores fundamentales que nos permiten una adecuada manipulación y mantener un contenido en fitoquímicos más alto que el que encontramos en otros vegetales, a pesar de que el contenido en compuestos bioactivos disminuye con la germinación. Para incrementar el contenido en glucosinolatos (precursores de los isotiocianatos e índoles), se empleó la elicitación con fitohormonas (MeJA, JA and SA), azúcares (sacarosa y glucosa), y amino ácidos (metionina) como inductores de semillas y aplicados en spray sobre los brotes. Con todo ello, se seleccionaron los brotes de brócoli y rábano por su alto contenido en glucorafanina y glucorafenina, respectivamente, así como en otros glucosinolatos y compuestos fenólicos, y se evaluaron algunas de sus actividades biológicas. Concretamente se estudió el efecto antiproliferativo de los brotes de brócoli así como la absorción y metabolismo de sus compuestos utilizando cultivos celulares. Por otro lado, se demostró el efecto de los brotes de rábano cv. Rambo sobre el metabolismo energético con el modelo Drosophila melanogaster y, por último, se evaluó el efecto antinociceptivo de los brotes de brócoli utilizando modelos de roedores. Finalmente, y con el objetivo de estudiar la vida útil de los brotes, se analizó su contenido microbiológico y de compuestos bioactivos durante 7 y 14 días de almacenamiento, estableciendo que los brotes bajo condiciones de refrigeración son alimentos seguros para los consumidores. Este trabajo multidisciplinar abre diferente

Drosophila melanogaster as a Model Organism for Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus by Applying High-Sugar and High-Fat Diets

Several studies have been published introducing Drosophila melanogaster as a research model to investigate the effects of high-calorie diets on metabolic dysfunctions. However, differences between the use of high-sugar diets (HSD) and high-fat diets (HFD) to affect fly physiology, as well as the influence on sex and age, have been seldom described. Thus, the aim of the present work was to investigate and compare the effects of HSD (30% sucrose) and HFD (15% coconut oil) on symptoms of metabolic dysfunction related to obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus, including weight gain, survival, climbing ability, glucose and triglycerides accumulation and expression levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptides (dIlps). Female and male flies were subjected to HSD and HFD for 10, 20 and 30 days. The obtained results showed clear differences in the effects of both diets on survival, glucose and triglyceride accumulation and dIlps expression, being gender and age determinant. The present study also suggested that weight gain does not seem to be an appropriate parameter to define fly obesity, since other characteristics appear to be more meaningful in the development of obesity phenotypes. Taken together, the results demonstrate a key role for both diets, HSD and HFD, to induce an obese fly phenotype with associated diseases. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms how both diets differently affect fly metabolism

Metabolic Activity of Radish Sprouts Derived Isothiocyanates in Drosophila melanogaster

We used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study the absorption, metabolism and potential health benefits of plant bioactives derived from radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus cv. Rambo), a Brassicaceae species rich in glucosinolates and other phytochemicals. Flies were subjected to a diet supplemented with lyophilized radish sprouts (10.6 g/L) for 10 days, containing high amounts of glucoraphenin and glucoraphasatin, which can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the isothiocyanates sulforaphene and raphasatin, respectively. We demonstrate that Drosophila melanogaster takes up and metabolizes isothiocyanates from radish sprouts through the detection of the metabolite sulforaphane-cysteine in fly homogenates. Moreover, we report a decrease in the glucose content of flies, an upregulation of spargel expression, the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian PPARγ-coactivator 1 α, as well as the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. Overall, we show that the consumption of radish sprouts affects energy metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster which is reflected by lower glucose levels and an increased expression of spargel, a central player in mitochondrial biogenesis. These processes are often affected in chronic diseases associated with aging, including type II diabetes mellitus

New Insights in (Poly)phenolic Compounds: From Dietary Sources to Health Evidence

© 2020 by the authors.Nowadays, there is a gap between the theoretical bioactivity of (poly)phenols and their real influence in health, once ingested. Due to this, new studies, including in vitro and in vivo models that allow for exploring bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity, need to be developed to understand the actual importance of consuming functional foods, rich in these plant secondary metabolites. Moreover, current new strategies need to be developed to enhance the content of these foods, as well as setting up new formulations rich in bioaccessible and bioavailable compounds. Altogether, it could give a new horizon in therapy, expanding the use of these natural functional compounds, ingredients, and foods in the clinical frame, reducing the use of synthetic drugs. As a result, the joint contribution of multidisciplinary experts from the food science, health, and nutrition areas, together with the industrial sector, would help to reach these objectives. Taking this into account, diverse studies have been included in this study, which comprises different strategies to approach these objectives from different, complementary, points of view, ranging from the enrichment of by-products in bioactive compounds, through different agricultural techniques, to the assimilation of these compounds by the human body, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as by clinical studies.Peer reviewe

Elicitation: A tool for enriching the bioactive composition of foods

Elicitation is a good strategy to induce physiological changes and stimulate defense or stress-induced responses in plants. The elicitor treatments trigger the synthesis of phytochemical compounds in fruits, vegetables and herbs. These metabolites have been widely investigated as bioactive compounds responsible of plant cell adaptation to the environment, specific organoleptic properties of foods, and protective effects in human cells against oxidative processes in the development of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Biotic (biological origin), abiotic (chemical or physical origin) elicitors and phytohormones have been applied alone or in combinations, in hydroponic solutions or sprays, and in different selected time points of the plant growth or during post-harvest. Understanding how plant tissues and their specific secondary metabolic pathways respond to specific treatments with elicitors would be the basis for designing protocols to enhance the production of secondary metabolites, in order to produce quality and healthy fresh foods. © Molecules 2014.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) CICYT (AGL2012-40175-C02-01 and AGL2013-46247-P) and by the Seneca Foundation-Regional Agency for Science and Technology of the Murcia Region (CARM; Project Ref. 08753/PI/08, and the Excellence in research Grant 04486/GERM/06). N. Baenas was funded by a FPU (Formación Profesorado Universitario) grant of the Fellowship Programme from the Spanish Ministry of Education – European Social Funds. We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer Reviewe

<i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> as a Model Organism for Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus by Applying High-Sugar and High-Fat Diets

Several studies have been published introducing Drosophila melanogaster as a research model to investigate the effects of high-calorie diets on metabolic dysfunctions. However, differences between the use of high-sugar diets (HSD) and high-fat diets (HFD) to affect fly physiology, as well as the influence on sex and age, have been seldom described. Thus, the aim of the present work was to investigate and compare the effects of HSD (30% sucrose) and HFD (15% coconut oil) on symptoms of metabolic dysfunction related to obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus, including weight gain, survival, climbing ability, glucose and triglycerides accumulation and expression levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptides (dIlps). Female and male flies were subjected to HSD and HFD for 10, 20 and 30 days. The obtained results showed clear differences in the effects of both diets on survival, glucose and triglyceride accumulation and dIlps expression, being gender and age determinant. The present study also suggested that weight gain does not seem to be an appropriate parameter to define fly obesity, since other characteristics appear to be more meaningful in the development of obesity phenotypes. Taken together, the results demonstrate a key role for both diets, HSD and HFD, to induce an obese fly phenotype with associated diseases. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms how both diets differently affect fly metabolism

Elicitation: A Tool for Enriching the Bioactive Composition of Foods

Elicitation is a good strategy to induce physiological changes and stimulate defense or stress-induced responses in plants. The elicitor treatments trigger the synthesis of phytochemical compounds in fruits, vegetables and herbs. These metabolites have been widely investigated as bioactive compounds responsible of plant cell adaptation to the environment, specific organoleptic properties of foods, and protective effects in human cells against oxidative processes in the development of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Biotic (biological origin), abiotic (chemical or physical origin) elicitors and phytohormones have been applied alone or in combinations, in hydroponic solutions or sprays, and in different selected time points of the plant growth or during post-harvest. Understanding how plant tissues and their specific secondary metabolic pathways respond to specific treatments with elicitors would be the basis for designing protocols to enhance the production of secondary metabolites, in order to produce quality and healthy fresh foods