Theobromacacao Criollo var. Beans: Biological Properties and Chemical Profile

Abstract: Theobroma cacao provides precious products such as polyphenol-rich beans that are useful for nutraceutical purposes. The geographical area may influence the chemical composition of raw cocoa beans in terms of the polyphenols and biological qualities of the products. This work aimed to investigate the biological properties and the chemical composition of two different samples of Criollo var. cocoa raw beans coming from two areas (Indonesia; Peru). Beans underwent biphasic extraction obtaining lipophilic and hydroalcoholic extracts. The extracts were tested for antiradical, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic effects. Cell viability inhibition toward breast, gastric/esophageal colorectal adenocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma human cell lines was evaluated. Extracts were chemically investigated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF MS/MS). Results showed that the Indonesian bean hydroalcoholic extracts were able to scavenge 20 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cation radical better than the Peruvian hydroalcoholic extracts (ECs50: 72.63 vs. 322.20 µg/mL). Extracts showed antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity. The viability inhibitory effect on breast and hepatic cancer cells was reached only for the Indonesian hydroalcoholic extracts at hundreds of µg/mL. Phenylpropenoyl-Lamino acids, hydroxycinnamoyl aminoacids conjugates, and procyanidin compounds were found mainly in the hydroalcoholic extracts, whereas fatty acids and lyso-phospholipids were found mainly in lipophilic fractions. Fatty acid and (epi)catechins appeared to be affected by different environmental conditions of the geographical areas

Antioxidant activity of coatings containing eugenol for flexible aluminium foils to preserve food shelf-life

Active food packaging is an innovative system that avoids food deterioration ensuring quality, safety and shelf-life extension of food. Herein, two novel eugenol vinyl-based resins were used for coating flexible aluminium foils with potential packaging applications. Coatings were prepared with single eugenol or loaded eugenol in Santa Barbara Amorphous15 (SBA-15) mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and their antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH, ABTS, ORAC, TBARS assays and by the hydroxyl free radicals’ generator method with HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity was also evaluated exposing the coatings to various food simulants. Both coatings revealed adequate antioxidant capacity when exposed to fatty food simulants and to vapour phase hydroxyl free radicals (scavenging > 50%). The incorporation of eugenol in SBA-15 reduced its release to 65%, promoting eugenol beneficial antioxidant effects over time. The release of eugenol from the coatings into food simulants is not required for the activity of free radical scavenging

Novel eugenol‐based antimicrobial coatings on aluminium substrates for food packaging applications

Active packaging systems, interacting directly with the enclosed food, can delay or inhibit those phenomena responsible for food quality decay, contributing to the food shelf-life extension. In this work a vinyl resin-based coating containing free or loaded eugenol (EG) in Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA)15 mesoporous silica nanoparticles is designed to coat flexible aluminium foils to obtain an antimicrobial material. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a good loading capacity of eugenol in SBA15 (48% wt/wt). SEM analysis shows a good dispersion of free EG in the hosting polymeric matrix, whereas some EG/SBA15 particles aggregations are observed in the material. Water contact angle highlights a higher hydrophobicity of the eugenol based-materials (>90°) compared to the pristine vinyl coating (85°). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy highlights no corrosion phenomena of the VIN/5%(EG/SBA15EG) coating and corrosion phenomena of the VIN/5%EG coating after 7 days of exposure to lactic acid pH = 4. Finally, the two active coatings are studied to evaluate their antibacterial activity using the ISO 22196. Interestingly, results demonstrate that when eugenol is loaded in the SBA15 mesoporous silica nanoparticles the antimicrobial activity of the material significantly increases against both foodborne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria, achieving the highest microbial growth reduction on S. aureus (R = 3.62 log)

Characterization of Complexes between Imidacloprid and β-Cyclodextrin: Evaluation of the Toxic Activity in Algae and Rotifers

The development of new formulations can be driven by the knowledge of host–guest complexes using cyclodextrins which have the ability to include guest molecules within their hydrophobic cavities, improving the physicochemical properties of the guest. To rationally explore new pesticide formulations, the effects of cyclodextrins on the properties of such guest molecules need to be explored. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid systemic insecticide used worldwide. In this study, the inclusion complexes of Imidacloprid (IMI) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were prepared in the solid state by co-precipitation and the physical mixing method, with a stoichiometry of 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios. The obtained products, Imidacloprid:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (IMI:β-CD), were characterized in the solid state by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). In solution, the 1:1 stoichiometry for the inclusion complexes was established by the Job plot method, and the binding constant of IMI:β-CD was determined by UV–vis titration. The toxicity was determined in producers and primary consumers of the freshwater trophic chain, the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, respectively. The results indicated that Imidacloprid forms inclusion complexes with CDs showing improved physicochemical properties compared to free Imidacloprid. The formation of the inclusion complex reduced the chronic toxicity in rotifers when IMI concentrations were close to those of environmental concern (tenths/hundredths of micromoles/L). Therefore, CD inclusion complexes could provide important advantages to be considered for the future industrial production of new formulations