Sustainability, Innovation, and Green Chemistry in the Production and Valorization of Phenolic Extracts from Olea europaea L.

This paper describes a circular economy process based on environmentally and economically sustainable procedures which was applied to the sector of olive oil processing on an industrial scale. Olea europaea L. tissues and by-products represent a renewable and low-cost source of polyphenols, in particular hydroxytyrosol (HTyr), a naturally occurring compound well known for its biological properties. Specifically, green leaves (GL), dried leaves (DL), and pitted olive pulp were treated with water in a pneumatic extractor to obtain the corresponding polyphenolic extracts. Three standardized fractions, named Soft Extract Olea GL, Soft Extract Olea DL, and Soft Extract Olea HTyr resulted after the following two steps: a separation process carried out by membrane technology, and a concentration step performed under reduced pressure and low temperature. The polyphenolic fractions showed antiradical activity and have potential industrial applications in the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, feed, and agronomic fields. Novel functionalized extracts containing hydroxytyrosol methyl carbonate (HTyr-MC) were obtained from Soft Extract Olea HTyr through an innovative approach based on green chemistry procedures, which appear to be a promising tool to increase the applications of the polyphenolic extracts

Analysis of aroma and polyphenolic compounds in Saperavi red wine vinified in Qvevri

The purpose of this study is to analyze and characterize a Georgian red wine from Saperavi grape, obtained in Qvevri (Georgian traditional winemaking method), by using innovative techniques for the determination of the polyphenolic content, aroma, and its correlation to the sensory characteristics. This peculiar red wine, after high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐MS), headspace solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS), and HS‐SPME‐GCxGC‐MS/TOF (two‐dimensional gas chromatography) chemical characterization showed a high polyphenol content (19.6 × 10(2) mg/L, 38.4% anthocyanins) and a wide range of volatile compounds, among which terpenes were associated with the aroma of flowers, lemongrass, and wood. Analyses were also conducted to determine the total polyphenol content correlated to antioxidant activity with the Folin–Ciocalteu spectrophotometric in vitro method (4.650 g GAE/L). In conclusion, for the first time on Saperavi wine, innovative techniques such as HPLC‐DAD‐MS, GC‐MS, and GCxGC‐MS/TOF were simultaneously applied in association with the traditional analytic techniques to perform a complete chemical characterization. These activities are part of a project about circular viticulture in the Georgian territory that will lead the production of traced quality wines and the valorization of the Georgian wine sector

HPLC/DAD, GC/MS and GC/GC/TOF analysis of Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) sample as standarlized raw material for food and nutraceutical uses

Melissa officinalis L., commonly known as lemon balm, is a perennial herb belonging to Lamiaceae family. Traditionally administered in infusion form, it has therapeutic properties, such as sedative, carminative and antispasmodic, but also it is used for treatment of headache, rheumatism, indigestion and hypersensitivities. Lemon balm has a complex chemical composition. The aim of this work was the comprehensive characterization of secondary metabolites of a dried Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) sample, through HPLC/DAD, GC/MS and GC/GC/TOF analysis, as raw material for the standardized phyto-complexes production useful for food and nutraceutical application. This sample contained rosmarinic acid (caffeic acid dimer) as the main compound of phenolic fraction (32.4 mg g-1). Citronellal was the most abundant compound in the volatile fraction, followed by α-citral and β-caryophyllene. The total citral amount, in terms of sum of α- and β-citral, was 149.4 mgcitral kg-1. Comprehensive two-dimensional GC fingerprint analysis of lemon balm produced rationalized peak patterns for up to 200 volatile compounds

Personalizing Cancer Pain Therapy: Insights from the Rational Use of Analgesics (RUA) Group

Introduction: A previous Delphi survey from the Rational Use of Analgesics (RUA) project involving Italian palliative care specialists revealed some discrepancies between current guidelines and clinical practice with a lack of consensus on items regarding the use of strong opioids in treating cancer pain. Those results represented the basis for a new Delphi study addressing a better approach to pain treatment in patients with cancer. Methods: The study consisted of a two-round multidisciplinary Delphi study. Specialists rated their agreement with a set of 17 statements using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree and 4 = totally agree). Consensus on a statement was achieved if the median consensus score (MCS) (expressed as value at which at least 50% of participants agreed) was at least 4 and the interquartile range (IQR) was 3–4. Results: This survey included input from 186 palliative care specialists representing all Italian territory. Consensus was reached on seven statements. More than 70% of participants agreed with the use of low dose of strong opioids in moderate pain treatment and valued transdermal route as an effective option when the oral route is not available. There was strong consensus on the importance of knowing opioid pharmacokinetics for therapy personalization and on identifying immediate-release opioids as key for tailoring therapy to patients’ needs. Limited agreement was reached on items regarding breakthrough pain and the management of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction. Conclusion: These findings may assist clinicians in applying clinical evidence to routine care settings and call for a reappraisal of current pain treatment recommendations with the final aim of optimizing the clinical use of strong opioids in patients with cancer