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Nutritional composition and bioactivity of Umbilicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy: An underexploited edible wild plant

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Abstract

The inclusion of edible wild plants in human diet has been receiving an increasing attention, as they represent an easily accessible source of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. In this work, the leaves of Umbelicus rupestris (Salisb.)Dandy, an edible species for which only scarce data is available in literature, were thoroughly evaluated for its nutritional profile, chemical characterization and bioactive properties. Being considered a succulent plant, the leaves revealed a very high content of moisture, with several beneficial compounds, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and different polyphenols. A total of twelve flavonoids, three phenolic acids and one phenylpropanoid glucoside were identified in the decoction and/or hydroethanolic extracts, with most of them being described for the first time in this plant. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity and potential to inhibit some of the assayed bacteria, while not presenting cytotoxic effects on a non-tumour primary cell culture.

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... The Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists [62] were implemented for the assessment of proximal composition (proteins, lipids, ash, carbohydrates, and total energy) of seeds and seed cakes of pumpkin samples. Protein content was assessed by the macro-Kjeldahl method (conversion factor = 6.25), via acid digestion, distillation, and titration [63]. Crude fat content was estimated after extraction for 7 h with petroleum ether in a Soxhlet apparatus, while the ash content was evaluated after incineration (550 ± 10 • C) in a muffle furnace. ...
... Crude fat content was estimated after extraction for 7 h with petroleum ether in a Soxhlet apparatus, while the ash content was evaluated after incineration (550 ± 10 • C) in a muffle furnace. Total carbohydrates and energetic value were calculated according to the formulas provided by Harumi Iyda et al. [63]. ...
... ethanol/water mixture at 25 • C). The combined extracts were concentrated using a Büchi R-210 rotary evaporator (Flawil, Switzerland) at 40 • C and lyophilized with a FreeZone 4.5 system (Labconco, Kansas City, MO, USA) [63]. ...
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The goal of the current work was to assess the nutritional profile and phytochemical properties of cucurbit (Cucurbita maxima L.) seeds, seed oils and oil extraction by-products (e.g., seed-cakes). Our results suggest a high nutritional value for both cucurbit seeds and cucurbit cake, while γ-tocopherol was the richest compound, with traces of α, β and δ-tocopherol compounds also detected. Regarding the free sugars composition, there were recorded significant statistical differences between seeds and cucurbit seed-cake, although sucrose content was the highest for both matrices (1.97 and 2.9 g/100 g dw, respectively) followed by trehalose (0.26 and 0.25 g/100 g dw, respectively), fructose (0.20 and 0.34 g/100 g dw, respectively) and glucose (0.21 and 0.19 g/100 g dw, respectively). In terms of organic acids, oxalic was the only compound detected in seed cake (0.006 g/100 g dw), while in seeds only traces of oxalic and malic acid were detected. In relation to fatty acid composition, linolenic acid was the most abundant compound in both seeds and seed-cake (43.9% and 41.5%, respectively), while oleic acid (37.0% and 36.3%, respectively), palmitic acid (12.2% and 14.0%, respectively) and stearic acid (4.83% and 5.46%, respectively) were detected in lesser amounts. Moreover, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the major fatty acids class (44.5% and 42.3% in seeds and seed cake, respectively) compared to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA; 37.4% and 36.7% in seeds and seed cake, respectively) and saturated fatty acids (SFA; 18.1% and 21.0% in seeds and seed cake, respectively) which were detected in lower amounts. Furthermore, the tested extracts did not present any cytotoxic or hepatoxic activity at the maximum tested concentration (GI50 > 400 μg/mL), while seed oils presented satisfactory antimicrobial properties with inhibitory activity against the studied bacterial strains and fungi. Our findings provide valuable knowledge regarding the exploitation of pumpkin seeds and seed by-products as valuable natural sources of nutrients and phytochemicals in the food industry sector within the context of a circular economy.
... This plant is a bulbiferous geophyte with pentameric and pentacyclic flowers, with five sepals and five petals fused at the base [12]. Regarding the properties of Oxalis pes-caprae, several studies reported its antioxidant (mainly due to the action of polyphenols) and antiinflammatory properties, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activity, possible neuroprotective effects, antibacterial, antifungal activity and inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase; therefore, it seems quite reasonable to think that this plant can be considered an interesting natural source of phytochemicals with potential application in pharmacological applications [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. To our knowledge, no studies have been carried out about the content of amino acids, sugars, volatile composition, or even the proximal composition of the different parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Oxalis pes-caprae L. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the nutritional and chemical composition of the different parts of the Oxalis pes-caprae L. plant. ...
... Although the number of SFAs was higher, the unsaturated FAMEs predominated The three most abundant compounds were C18:3n3 (-linolenic), C18:2n6c (linoleic), and C16:0 (palmitic). In previous studies on wild edible plants, these three same compounds, along with oleic acid, were the predominant ones [14,50,51]. Regarding linolenic acid (FA27), there were significant differences among the tissues under analysis, with leaves having the highest content (53.57%). ...
... The three most abundant compounds were C18:3n3 (-linolenic), C18:2n6c (linoleic), and C16:0 (palmitic). In previous studies on wild edible plants, these three same compounds, along with oleic acid, were the predominant ones [14,50,51]. Regarding linolenic acid (FA27), there were significant differences among the tissues under analysis, with leaves having the highest content (53.57%). ...
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(1) Background: Oxalis pes-caprae L. is a plant considered within the group of so-called Wild Edible Plants (WEPs). The particularity of these plants is that they grow only with the natural resources at their disposal. Unfortunately, these types of plants are undervalued, being regularly uprooted from the fields. (2) Methods: Therefore, this study aimed to valorize the Oxalis pes-caprae plant, analyzing the proximate composition (sugars, organic acids, minerals, amino acids profile, fatty acids content, and volatile profile) of the plant shoots (flower, leaves, and stem) to demonstrate the full potential of this WEP. (3) Results: The results showed that Oxalis pes-caprae can be considered a natural source of minerals; furthermore, 19 essential and non-essential amino acids were found. Regarding the fatty acid profile, flowers are an important source of linoleic acid, and leaves present a high amount of α-linolenic acid. (4) Conclusions: Therefore, this research provides new information that reaffirms the capacity of Oxalis pes-caprae L. (WEP) to be a plant with great future progression due to its nutritional quality since it could be used in the food, nutritional, or pharmaceutical fields. Further research must be conducted to assay the biomass production and the costs of recommending farmers not to destroy this plant in their fields.
... As can be seen in Table 3, the most representative FAs in WEPs were palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. [27,32,46,56,70]. It is important to highlight that this compound was present in a wide range of families. ...
... Regarding oleic acid, the highest content was found in Glechoma hederacea with 35.1% [27], followed by Portulaca oleracea with 12% [57]; whilst, the WEP with the lowest content of oleic acid was Umbilicus rupestris (0.6%) [46]. ...
... In the references evaluated in this review, instudying up to 115 WEPs (from 47 families), the total phenolic contents (TPC) were provided for 100 plants; for 51 plants, the total flavonoids content (TFC) was also provided (Table 4) [5,30,32,36,39,42,46,54,56,57,67,69,72,80,81]. Regarding TPC and TFC, the most commonly studied families were Asteraceae (17) > Brassicaceae (7) > Fabaceae (6) = Lamiaceae (6). ...
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1) Background: Wild Edible Plants (WEPs) are plants that grow without human help, by simply using the available resources. These types of plants are undervalued, because there is a lack of knowledge about their bioactive composition and nutritional/functional potential. (2) Scope and Approach: The main aim of this review is to fully identify the potential uses and importance of WEPs in certain regions based on (i) their sustainability, because they grow with their own resources, (ii) their content of bioactive compounds and consequently nutritional and functional value, (iii) their socioeconomic relevance, and (iv) their ability to be useful in the agri-food industry in the short term. (3) Results: This review found evidence that a consumption of between 100 and 200 g of some of these WEPs can cover up to 50% of the recommended daily intake of proteins and fiber, being also a natural source of macro-and micro-minerals. Regarding their bioactive composition, most of these plants contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which determine their antioxidant capacity. (4) Conclusions: These reported results clearly demonstrate the high potential of the WEPs from a nutritional, economic and social point of view; although further studies are needed to gather deeper scientific information about their potential role in the socioeconomic sustainability of specific groups of farmers worldwide.
... In addition to being a potential source of income, these plants are crucial for the traditional food, fodder, medicine, socio-cultural, and general well-being of rural dwellers, especially in mountainous areas [2,3]. WEPs are an inexpensive source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants and a cultural heritage that should be protected worldwide [4]. In addition to their nutritional content, these plants are increasingly attracting people's attention due to diversifying dietary habits and promoting ecological and biodiversity sustainability [5]. ...
... In addition to their nutritional content, these plants are increasingly attracting people's attention due to diversifying dietary habits and promoting ecological and biodiversity sustainability [5]. Recently, a new trend in some developed countries and Europe is using local edible wild plants in modern cuisines, both for their health benefits and as an element of cultural identity [6,4]. WEPs are an alternative raw material for clean-label food production in the food industry thanks to their bioactive compounds [7]. ...
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Smilax excelsa L., an edible wild plant whose leaves and shoots are frequently consumed in the daily diet and used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine, grows in certain regions of Türkiye, especially in the Black Sea Region. This study aims to determine the phytochemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of S. excelsa with different solvents. In this study, the shoots of S. excelsa were extracted with water, 70% ethanol, and 80% methanol solvents and an ultrasound-assisted extraction method was used. It was found that the total phenolic contents of the extracts obtained from the plant were higher in the ethanol (75.09 mg/g) and methanol (74.72 mg/g) extracts compared to the water extract (49.62 mg/g). While the water extract had the highest amount of flavonoids (22.96 mg/g), the 80% methanol extract had the highest amount of total anthocyanins (0.52 mg/g). The efficacy of the extracts against various pathogens was also investigated. It was determined that in the Petri dish in which Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 pathogen was cultivated, a clear zone was formed around the disc into which only the water extract was impregnated. The zone diameter was 2.10 ± 0.08 cm. As a result of the study, it can be said that especially the ethanol and methanol extracts were effective in terms of both the phytochemical properties and antioxidant activities and therefore they exhibited high antioxidant properties.
... Plants are a major source of medicinal compounds; over half of the pharmaceutical drugs are made from plant extracts and about 60% of the total world population use herbs to treat some diseases [1]. As a result, edible plants have attracted considerable research interest owing to their role in natural home remedies and their role as important sources of nutrients in plant-based traditional foods/dishes and beverages. ...
... Wild food plants (WFPs) have been an essential component of traditional diets throughout human history, as they are free and are a rich source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidant compounds. In recent years, WEPs have been one of the top trends in healthy eating, emerging in several European countries and other developed countries [1]. The Mediterranean region harbors a wide variety of wild edible plants, including queen-of-the-Alps (Qors aane), cheeseweed (Khebbayze), asparagus, and S. phaeopappa (Al Meshe)-the plant that is the object of our study-which have always been an important food source for people living in rural areas [19]. ...
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Wild edible plants have attracted increasing interest from researchers because of their richness in biologically active phytochemicals. These are found to be a potential remedy for oxidative-stress-mediated diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In this study, total phenol, total terpene, and total flavonoid content as well as antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Scorzonera phaeopappa Boiss from Lebanon were determined. Using dichloromethane, dichloromethane ammonia, methanol, acetone, and ethanol, extracts were prepared from the edible leaves. The antioxidant activity and the antidiabetic activity were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging, Fe2+-chelating and α-amylase/α-glucosidase inhibitory assays, respectively. Dichloromethane ammonia was found to have the highest extraction capacity on phenols (2.73 mg GAE /100 mg extract) and terpenes (232.42 mg LE/100 mg extract). Methanol was found to have the highest extraction capacity on total flavonoids (63.05 mg QE/100 mg extract). The methanol extract exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 0.07 mg/mL) and the highest chelating activity as compared to other extracts (0.08 mg/mL, chelating activity 50%). The acetone extract was two times more active than acarbose against α-amylase enzyme and was the most active against α-glucosidase (6.3 mg/mL). Significant positive correlations were observed between total phenol content and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay and total terpene content and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay.
... In many regions of the world, self-grown vegetables are still widely used and have a vital role in the nutrition of people living mainly in rural areas. In addition to acting as an important resource for humanity as a cultural heritage that must be protected around the world edible wild plants are also a cheap source of nu-trients, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals [Harumi Iyda et al. 2019]. The chemical compositions of edible wild plants are of increasing interest in the scientific community as well as the food industry and consumers. ...
... The chemical compositions of edible wild plants are of increasing interest in the scientific community as well as the food industry and consumers. Also recently, as a new trend in Europe and some developed countries, it is increasingly observed that THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION, PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF WILD EDIBLE Smilax excelsa L. SHOOTS INTRODUCTION local wild plants are used in contemporary cuisines both as an element of cultural identity and for health related advantages [Geraci et al. 2018, Harumi Iyda et al. 2019. ...
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The present study examines the fatty acid composition, phytochemicals content and antioxidant potential of Smilax excelsa L. shoots, which grows spontaneously and is consumed as food in rural areas of Düzce (Türkiye) province, was investigated. DPPH, ABTS and OH radical scavenging tests were utilized to put forth the antiradical properties of the extracts of this plant. In addition, the metal chelating potential of this plant was also evaluated. The higher the inhibition % value calculated in these tests, the higher the antioxidant activity was considered and the results were evaluated. The average ABTS radical cleaning test results of Smilax excelsa extracts prepared in different concentrations of methanol, ethanol and pure water were found to be 98.14%, 98.16%, 90.20%, respectively. The average DPPH radical cleaning test results of the extracts of this plant prepared in different concentrations of methanol, ethanol and pure water were determined as 87.48%, 76%, 46.53%, respectively. The OH radical cleaning test results of methanol, ethanol and pure water extracts of the Smilax excelsa were determined as 54.79%, 72.54%, none, respectively. In addition, the metal chelation test results of methanol, ethanol and pure water extracts of this plant were determined as 87.26%, 89.36%, 53.70%. The highest protein (85.91 mg BSA/g), proanthocyanidin (55.39 mg CE/g) and phenolic (4957.57 μg GAE/g) content of Smilax excelsa pure water extract was determined. It has been determined that gallic acid (117.33 μg/g), vanillic acid (33.89 μg/g), caffeic acid (4.55 μg/g), ferulic acid (93.78 μg/g), rosmarinic acid (0.33 μg/g) and hydrocynamic acid (0.33 μg/g) are found in different proportions in the Smilax excelsa. It has been stated that Smilax excelsa is an important source of palmitic acid (20.52%), stearic acid (4.95%), oleic acid (4.74%), linoleic acid (20.99%), γ-linolenic acid (2.26%), alpha-linolenic acid (34.29%) and docosahexaenoic acid (2.79%). It has been found that this plant has a low content of fat-soluble vitamins and phytosterols, with the exception of β-sitosterol (6.43μg/g).
... The production of lentils and their chemical composition are largely influenced by their resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, which are conditioned not only by their variety but also by the climatic conditions and the composition of the soils in which they grow (Harumi Lyda et al., 2019). Lentils are usually sown in the fall and harvested at the end of a hot dry summer; a delay in this process results in losses in both quality and quantity parameters, mainly owing to breaks, lodging, loss of pods, disease, and moisture content (Chelladurai & Erkinbaev, 2020). ...
... The nutritional and chemical composition of plants is strongly influenced by the soil composition and climate conditions of the cultivation locations, the harvest season, and different agricultural practices, among other factors (Harumi Lyda et al., 2019). In order to assess whether these variables lead to this type of alterations, the lentils under investigation were collected at different locations in the Armuña region (Salamanca, "Lenteja de La Armuña" PGI) and in the province of Guadalajara (not a PGI). ...
Article
Lentils (Lens culinaris spp.) are a type of edible pulse consumed and produced worldwide; they are known for their valuable nutritional assets. The nutritional and chemical profiles of 34 Armuña lentil samples were assessed together with their antioxidant capacity. In addition, the influence of both the climatic conditions during the growing season and the soil type in which they grow (Luvisol and Cambisol) on nutritional and chemical profiles was also evaluated. Our results showed large amounts of valuable nutrients, such as carbohydrates, of which approximately 47.06 % and 29.11 % consist of fibers and starch respectively and significant amounts of proteins (20.47 to 25.56 g/100 g fw) and ashes. Sucrose stood out as the main free sugar in this variety, and oxalic and γ-tocopherol as the main organic acid and tocopherol isoform respectively. Fatty acid assessment showed the prevalence of PUFAs (45.3 to 63.7 %). A high antioxidant capacity (TBARS and OxHLIA) was also observed. Our results indicate that the growing season has a significant impact on the major nutrients in lentils such as the concentration of fat, ashes, fibers, and fructose and to a lesser extent proteins and sucrose. In addition, the two different soil types in this study do not seem to affect any of the parameters analyzed.
... The Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) [25] were implemented for the determination of proximal composition (proteins, lipids, ash, dietary fibers, carbohydrates, and total energy) of the samples. Protein content was assessed by the macro-Kjeldahl method (conversion factor = 6.25), via acid digestion, distillation, and titration [26]. Crude fat content was estimated after extraction for 7 h with a Soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether as a solvent. ...
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In this study, leaves and roots from three beetroot cultivars (cv. Albina Vereduna (white roots), cv. Burpee’s Golden (golden roots), and cv. Pablo F1 (red roots)), as well as Swiss chard leaves (also known as “rhubarb chard”, or Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens) were evaluated in terms of their chemical profile and bioactive properties. Roots were characterized by high carbohydrate content, which also contributed to greater energy values. In contrast, fibers were the predominant macronutrient in leaves, followed by carbohydrates. In both leaves and roots, the most abundant organic acids were quinic and oxalic, while the major free sugar was sucrose. The profile of fatty acid varied between the studied plant parts, with saturated fatty acids prevailing in root samples, while leaves exhibited higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Regarding phenolic composition, a total of 19 compounds were tentatively identified in leaves (including derivatives of vitexin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and ferulic, sinapic, and p-coumaric acids), while the roots exhibited a less diverse composition, with a total of eight compounds identified (e.g., derivatives of ferulic, sinapic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids). A total of eight betalains were also identified, out of which seven were classified as betacyanins and one as betaxanthin. The leaves of Swiss chard presented compounds from both classes, while the roots and leaves of cv. Pablo F1 were characterized only by the presence of betacyanins, and those of cv. Burpee’s Golden only by betaxanthin. All samples exhibited relevant activity against Y. enterocolitica, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus, although leaf samples demonstrated better antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, beetroot leaves outperformed their corresponding roots in terms of chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity, suggesting their high potential as nutrient-rich and functional ingredients in a diverse and well-balanced diet.
... [16][17][18] In addition to its anti-aging effects, identified by Park et al., an in vitro study also demonstrated the inhibitory capacity of a polyphenolic apple extract on the fat type produced in sebaceous cells, [19] suggesting that these secondary metabolites might regulate sebum production, relieve skin diseases such as acne, [20] and reduce dermal inflammation, a capacity attributed to their inherent antioxidant assets. [6,21] The galacturonic acid content in apples extracted by the acid-base method is 69.0-73.8%, by the alkali method 76.1%, by neutral extraction method, and 76.8-77.5% by the acid method. ...
... This sample also had the highest content of oxalic acid, which can promote kidney stones and interfere in calcium absorption. Although the stems were richer in this acid compared with the leaves, the contents found were still lower than those reported for widely consumed vegetables such as Spinacia oleracea (spinach), root Apium graveolens (celery), and Petroselinum crispum (parsley), as well as for some other wild edible plants such as Raphanus raphanistrum L. (wild radish, 706 mg/100 g fw) [4,39]. The stems also presented a considerable content of shikimic acid, which is in agreement with previous studies that identified this compound in C. erecta stems [26]. ...
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In recent years, the interest in products of natural origin has boosted the exploitation and use of plants as food and sources of bioactive compounds, especially wild plants widely used in different cultures for several purposes. Commelina erecta is a wild edible plant (WEP) traditionally used as food and medicine, about which few studies exist. Thus, this study aimed at enhancing the knowledge about its nutritional, chemical and bioactive profile, considering different plant parts and development stages, in order to increase its inclusion in the diet of South American communities. The nutritional profile was found to be similar to other WEP frequently consumed in Brazil. Thirteen phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were tentatively identified, with apigenin, luteolin and quercetin derivatives being the most abundant. Fructose and oxalic acid were the major sugar and organic acid, respectively, in the aerial parts of C. erecta, and four isoforms of tocopherols were also identified. Regarding the plant’s antioxidant activity, the EC50 values varied between 18.4 and 1060 µg/mL in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation assay (TBARS) and between 53 and 115 µg/mL in the oxidative haemolysis inhibition (OxHLIA) assay. The hydroethanolic extract obtained from stems at the flowering stage also presented anti-inflammatory activity. In general, all the extracts evidenced promising antimicrobial activity. Altogether, these results reinforce the traditional use of this plant species as food and medicine to support the diet of needier populations and also promote food sovereignty and sustainability.
... The valorization of edible wild plants is increasing owing to their nutritional value and accessibility. Harumi Iyda et al. [104] determined the tocopherol composition of navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris), a wild plant from the Mediterranean region. The edible leaves contained 10.50 mg/100 g fw of tocopherols, with α-tocopherol representing the predominant homologue (52%). ...
Article
Vitamin E comprises a group of vitamers that includes tocopherols and tocotrienols. They occur in four homologues according to the number and position of methyl groups attached to the chromanol ring. Vitamin E, a liposoluble antioxidant, may participate as an adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, neurological, and aging-related diseases. Furthermore, vitamin E has applications in the food industry as a natural additive. In this contribution, the most recent information on the dietary sources of vitamin E, including common, novel, and unexplored sources, is presented. Common edible oils, such as those of corn, olive, palm, rice bran, and peanut, represent the most prominent sources of vitamin E. However, specialty and underutilized oils such as those obtained from tree nuts, fruit seeds, and by-products, emerge as novel sources of this important micronutrient. Complementary studies should examine the tocotrienol content of vitamin E dietary sources to better understand the different biological functions of these vitamers.
... Nonetheless, in many studies MWEPs and antibiotics are used at the very same concentration (mg/mL) to compare their antimicrobial activities. In several cases, MWEPs extracts do work like conventional antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin), if not at lower concentrations [8,12,16,17,21,26,30,[36][37][38][39]44], especially for bacterial species known for displaying ABR. In future studies, it will be advisable to analyze the effectiveness of the extracts formulated with different nanocarriers. ...
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1) Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is estimated to be the cause of a major number of deaths by 2050 if we do not find strategies to slow down the rise of drug resistance. Reviews on Mediterranean wild edible plants (MWEPs) with antimicrobial properties are scarce in the main databases (PubMed, Scopus, and WoS). Hence, we proceeded to conduct a new review of the studies on MWEPs. (2) Methods: We used 'wild edible plant' and 'antimicrobial' as keywords. Within this group, exclusion criteria were reviews, studies concerning non-Mediterranean plants or non-edible plants, studies on topics other than plants or containing no description of antimicrobial properties, or off-topic studies. (3) Results: Finally, out of the one hundred and ninety-two studies we had started with, we reviewed thirty-eight (19.8%) studies concerning the antimicrobial properties of seventy-four MWEPs species belonging to twenty-five Families. Fifty-seven (77%) species out of seventy-four proved to be antimicrobial, with a stringent threshold selection. (4) Conclusions: Studies are still very heterogeneous. We still know too little about MWEPs' properties; however, what we already know strongly recommends carrying on investigation.
... Free sugars were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a refraction index detector (HPLC-RI). Freeze-dried samples (~1.0 g) were extracted with a water:ethanol mixture (80:20) after being spiked with melezitose (IS, 5 mg/mL), further used as the internal standard, following a previously described methodology [36,37]. The equipment of analysis consisted of an integrated system with a pump (Knauer, Smartline system 1000, Berlin, Germany), a degasser system (Smartline manager 5000), an autosampler (AS-2057 Jasco, Easton, MD, USA), and an RI detector (Knauer Smartline 2300, Berlin, Germany). ...
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The increasing interest in natural foods with functional effects demands progressively higher production levels. Nonetheless, there is an orientation towards practicing more sustainable agriculture, free from environmentally harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Plant biostimulants, a class of bio-based agriculture products designed to improve crop development, represent a feasible alternative to chemical fertilizers, or, at least, an effective way of reducing the employed quantities. Herein, different types of plant biostimulants compatible with organic farming (Phytoalgae, Foliar B, Amino Acids, Soil B, Fitoalgas Green® and Sprint Plus®) were tested in two of the most important nut products worldwide: almonds and hazelnuts, which were tested for nutritional parameters, fatty acids profiles and tocopherols contents. Overall, the most notorious effects in almond samples were obtained with phytoalgae (seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extracts), particularly reflected in the upraising around 10% of γ-tocopherol and β-tocopherol contents. Likewise, hazelnuts treated with NPK + phytoalgae were also characterized by an increase of almost 18% in tocopherols levels, while treatment with NPK alone induced 15.1% higher percentage of linoleic acid.
... Decoction, hydromethanolic (methanol:water, 80:20, v/v), hydroethanolic (ethanol: water, 80:20, v/v), and ethanolic extracts from both apple pomace samples were prepared, and the extracts were used for determination of phenolic compounds and biological activities. Briefly, for decoction extracts, each sample (~1 g) was kept (5 min) in ebullition in 100 mL of distilled water and filtered through Whatman filter paper No 4. The obtained decoctions were freeze-dried (FreeZone 4.5, Labconco, Kansas City, MO, USA) [19]. The remaining extracts were prepared by macerating the dry material with each corresponding solvent [20]. ...
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Currently, there is a general trend towards reutilizing industrial by-products that would otherwise be discarded or considered as waste, aiming to explore them as alternative sources of valuable compounds. The apple pomace remaining from cider and apple juice industries represents a high-potential source of bioactive compounds with putative application in food or pharmaceutical-related products. Accordingly, the work reported herein was conducted to characterize the phenolic compounds in apple pomace from Belgium and Spain, as well as to evaluate its chemical composition and particular types of bioactivity. As a proof of concept, a new hydrogel was prepared, incorporated with the bioactive compounds and pectin extracted from apple pomace, aiming to obtain the most organic formulation possible. Independently of the extracting agent, it became evident that using lyophilization as the drying step is a better choice than thermal processes as it yielded a richer phenolic profile (fifteen individual compounds), with 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid as the major compound (66 to 114 mg/100 g dw) in Belgian samples. In general, the hydroethanolic extracts showed the strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial (particularly against Propionibacterium acnes: MIC = 2.5 mg/mL) activities. This result, together with the lipid nature of human skin, led it to be chosen as the extract type to be incorporated in the hydrogel. In general, apple pomace stood out as a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and pectin, with good potential to be incorporated in dermal formulations.
... However, concerning the total amount of tocopherols, the value for different sub-species of L. sativa (green lettuce, butterhead, Batavia, and oak leaf) was 42-152 mg kg −1 dw [6], while for the studied species this value was 97 mg kg −1 dw. The isoform α-tocopherol represents an important natural antioxidant in plant foods, which can inhibit lipid peroxidation in biological membranes [25]. Caproic acid (C6:0); caprylic acid (C8:0); capric acid (C10:0); lauric acid (C12:0); myristic acid (C14:0); myristoleic acid (C14:1); pentadecanoic acid (C15:0); palmitic acid (C16:0); palmitoleic acid (C16:1); heptadecanoic acid (C17:0); stearic acid (C18:0); oleic acid (C18:1n9); linoleic acid (C18:2n6); α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3); arachidic acid (C20:0); heneicosanoic acid (C21:0); arachidonic acid (C20:4n6); cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3); behenic acid ( ...
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Throughout the world, people’s diet is generally quite restricted regarding the variety of plants used in their daily regime. The Unconventional Food Plant (UFP) Lactuca canadensis L. is an edible species of wild lettuce sparsely described in literature and considered to be native from the eastern and central parts of North America. To valorize this species as potential alternative food, an analysis of its nutritional, chemical, and bioactive properties was performed. The results specify the occurrence of organic acids, mainly quinic acid (127.9 ± 0.6 g/kg dry weight (dw)), polyunsaturated fatty acids (65.3%), among which are linolenic acid (44.4 ± 0.4 %), and tocopherols, mostly α-tocopherol (61.2 ± 0.7 mg/kg dw). Additionally, eight phenolic compounds were also identified, among which luteolin-O-glucuronide was found in larger amounts in both infusion and hydroethanolic extracts (5.46 ± 0.09 and 4.6 ± 0.1 mg/g dw, respectively). Carbohydrates and proteins were the main macronutrients (603 ± 1 and 177.5 ± 0.3 g/kg dw, respectively), followed by ashes (166.5 ± 0.9), indicative of a great amount of minerals. Additionally, good antioxidant and antibacterial activities were detected in the analyzed extracts. In general, our results contribute to extend the range of different, unexploited, and nutritionally balanced plant foods, such as Lactuca canadensis, that can and should be included in the daily diet.
... Wild vegetables are an important resource for humans worldwide, including being a source of new flavours and textures (Harumi Iyda et al., 2019). The food industry and consumers are increasingly interested in wild vegetables. ...
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Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. is a lesser-known yet regularly used vegetable in Mediterranean folk diets for its nutritional and medicinal properties. There is a lack of scientific data on its nutritional value and functionality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional and the phytochemical composition and the effect of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant activity and on individual polyphenols from an ethyl acetate extract. The proximate composition analysis showed good amounts of carbohydrates (72.4% dry weight, dw) and crude proteins (15% dw), while mineral analysis showed considerable amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc among other elements. The lipidic fraction showed potential anti-thrombotic and anti-atherogenic potential with α-linolenic acid (40.8%) and linoleic acid (16.9%) as major compounds. The ethyl acetate fraction showed good amounts of total polyphenols (235 mg GAE/100 g dw), flavonoids (43.5 mg QE/100 g dw) and flavonols (108 mg RE/100 g dw). The fraction showed good radical scavenging ability against 2,2-dipheny l-1-picrylhydrazyl (432 mg Trolox E/100 g dw), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (1240 mM Trolox E/100 g dw) and peroxyl radicals (14200 mM Trolox E/100 g dw) even after in vitro digestion. Caffeic and coumaric acids showed good bioaccessibility between 97 and 102% while catechin and luteolin had lower bioaccessibility ranging from 34.2 to 38.7%. R. macrophyllus Desf. was found to be a good source of nutritional and non-nutritional bioactive compounds with good bioaccessibility, which make its application in food and pharmaceutical industries potentially beneficial.
... In the same way, antioxidants omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids and a phenylpropanoid glucoside were characterized from hydroethanolic extracts of U. rupestris, which also showed antibacterial activities [143]. U. dioica is the unique species of the Urtica genus provided by the pharmaceutical industry. ...
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Tannins are polyphenolic compounds historically utilized in textile and adhesive industries, but also in traditional human and animal medicines or foodstuffs. Since 20th-century, advances in analytical chemistry have allowed disclosure of the chemical nature of these molecules. The chemical profile of extracts obtained from previously selected species was investigated to try to establish a bridge between traditional background and scientific data. The study of the chemical composition of these extracts has permitted us to correlate the presence of tannins and other related molecules with the effectiveness of their apparent uses. The revision of traditional knowledge paired with scientific evidence may provide a supporting background on their use and the basis for developing innovative pharmacology and food applications based on formulations using natural sources of tannins. This traditional-scientific approach can result useful due to the raising consum-ers' demand for natural products in markets, to which tannin-rich extracts may pose an attractive alternative. Therefore, it is of interest to back traditional applications with accurate data while meeting consumer's acceptance. In this review, several species known to contain high amounts of tannins have been selected as a starting point to establish a correlation between their alleged traditional use, tannins content and composition and potential bioaccessibility.
... Since the plants composition is affected by different factors, such as the edaphoclimatic conditions of the different growing sites, agricultural practices, harvesting period, and genetic characteristics, among others (Iyda, Fernandes, Calhelha et al., 2019), the studied samples of M. oleifera were collected at two distinct locations in Guinea-Bissau. Table 1 presents the proximal composition of the M. oleifera seeds, flowers, and fruits collected in Quinhamel and Bissau. ...
Article
Moringa oleifera is an edible medicinal plant used to fight malnutrition in Africa. In this study, M. oleifera flowers, fruits and seeds from Guinea-Bissau were characterized for their nutritional composition and hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared to investigate the phenolic profiles and bioactivities. Seeds presented higher levels of proteins (~31 g/100 g dw), fat (~26 g/100 g dw) and flavan-3-ol derivatives, while carbohydrates, proteins, citric acid, and glycosylated flavonoids were abundant in fruits and flowers, these last samples also being rich in α-tocopherol (~18 mg/100 g dw). Some of the identified polyphenols had never been described in M. oleifera. In general, hydroethanolic extracts contained more polyphenols and were more active against lipid peroxidation, NO production, and tumour cells growth. Significant antimicrobial effects against the tested bacteria and fungi strains were displayed by both hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts. The M. oleifera potential to fight malnutrition and health issues was highlighted.
... In the last few decades, the interest in wild edible herbs has increased thanks to their already known medicinal properties [1][2][3][4], as well as their use in dietary supplements as a source of nutraceutical properties and bioactive compounds [5][6][7][8]. This is due to the high content of phytochemicals found in many wild edible species, which makes them useful as a "new" functional food. ...
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In this study, five wild edible herbs traditionally consumed in the Tuscany region (Italy) were evaluated for their potential in human nutrition. The nutraceutical characterization of Rumex acetosa, Cichorium intybus, Picris hieracioides, Sanguisorba minor, and Plantago coronopus, as well as their sensory profile were reported. Additionally, a preliminary assessment of completely different domestication of the wild species (named “soilless”, pot, and open field) was conducted to verify the possibility of their marketability, which is impossible if the plants are only gathered as wild. The open field domestication allowed to obtain plants with nutraceutical and sensory profiles similar to those of the wild species, especially in C. intybus, P. hieracioides, and S. minor. The pot domestication allow to obtain plants with chlorophyll and carotenoid contents close to those of the wild species, as well as a lower total phenolic and flavonoid content and ascorbic acid content than wild species. In the “soilless” method, R. acetosa and P. coronopus exhibited a high quality in terms of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. Afterward, the sensory profile was strongly affected by the domestication in terms of the palatability, except for R. acetosa and P. coronopus, which displayed Hedonic Index (HI) values close to the consumer acceptability limit (HI = 6). A sensory profile similar to that of wild species was reported in open field domestication, whereas a worse sensory profile was reported in P. hieracioides and C. intybus domesticated using the soilless method. Finally, according to the preliminary assessment carried out in this study through an analysis of the general nutraceutical properties, S. minor was shown to be the most promising species thanks to its intrinsically highest nutraceutical properties considering the marketability of wild edible herbs as “new” functional food. However, further research on the bioavailability and bioactivity tests of nutraceutical compounds present in this species are required to confirm the findings of this study.
... Food is constituted of nutrients and bioactive compounds, phytochemicals that are able to modulate metabolic processes and occasioning the promotion of health benefits. They are dissimilar from nutrients since bioactive compounds are not essential and, presently, there are no recommended daily intake values (Bento-Silva et al., 2019;Caballero, Finglas, & Toldr� a, 2015;Iyda et al., 2019). Although not an essential component, several studies have shown several bioactive properties related to bioactive compounds, capable of improving different body functions or characteristics of the foods to which they have been added. ...
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Bioactive compounds have enlarged attention due to their functional properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial effects; nevertheless, their use has been limited due to their instability during pharmaceutical and food processing, storage, as well as during the digestion. Biomolecules are present in a complex medium, acting synergistically, and in many cases, they are stabilized by the mixture of components present in their natural environment. However, after isolation, their activity is reduced or even completely lost. In this sense, new technologies can be proposed to reduce or even prevent the loss of functionality of these compounds. Nanotechnology is a promising way to turn bioactive compounds more stable, solving their restrictions enlarging their industrial application. The incorporation into nanocomposites, as well as the production of nanocarriers, can increase the action of these compounds, protect the substances, increases solubility, and also allow more precise targeting of molecules in the body. As with any other process in nanoencapsulation, it is necessary to accurately determine the type of system suitable for encapsulating the bioactive compound, requiring the correct selection of encapsulating materials and the determination of encapsulation technique to improve the preservation of the compounds as well as the evaluation of nanostructures characterization methods to verify the maintenance of the bioactivities of the incorporated compound. The perfect match between biomaterial, method, and bioactive compounds for food applications requires intense studies, further attempts of researches, and innovation. The present work aims to study methods, trends, and gaps of knowledge regarding the incorporation of bioactive compounds in nanostructures to ensure their bioactivity in a critical approach to clarify the use of these compounds.
... Organic acids have been evaluated in previous studies regarding different vegetables as they are known to affect the organoleptic characteristics of vegetables, such as their flavour (mainly acidity) and appearance, besides playing important roles in plant metabolism and in microbial interactions. 21 Moreover, organic acids can also influence consumers' acceptability, being frequently used in the food industry as acidifying compounds. A total of six organic acids were identified in the edible aerial parts of L. officinale (Table 1), with oxalic acid being the predominant compound, followed by quinic, citric ...
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Aromatic plants have been used since antiquity as seasoning ingredients to impart unique flavours to foods, but also as folk medicines, and are currently used as a source of several compounds of interest for different industries. Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.J.D. Koch) is an aromatic plant from the Apiaceae family with a strong flavour that has long been used in culinary, in traditional medicine and by the food industry. Despite its interest and relevance, apart from its composition in volatile compounds, there is a scarcity of information about this plant species. To the best of our knowledge, this study documents for the first time the nutritional value and the composition in fatty acids, organic acids, tocopherols of the edible aerial part of lovage, evidencing a low caloric value, a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly α-linolenic acid, oxalic acid as the most abundant organic acid and α-tocopherol as the most abundant vitamin E isoform. The essential oil was mainly characterised by the presence of monoterpenes, showing also a high abundance of phthalides. In addition, a total of 7 phenolic compounds were identified in the decoction and hydroethanolic extracts, which showed interesting antioxidant properties and bacteriostatic activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Only the decoction showed cytotoxicity against a tumoral cell line (HepG2).
... For example, a number of wild plants have been used in the diet including the stems and leaves of Sanguisorba minor, the fruit of Rosa canina, bellota acorns of Quercus ilex [5], leaves of Umbelicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy [10] and wild edible flowers [11]. ...
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Wild edible plants have been used in cooking since ancient times. Recently, their value is improving thanks to scientific evidence of their nutraceutical properties. Plants of Sanguisorba minor Scop. (salad burnet) were hydroponically grown and two consecutive cuts took place 15 (C1) and 30 (C2) days after the sowing. An untargeted metabolomics approach was utilized to fingerprint phenolics and other health-related compounds in this species; the approach permits to unveil differences between the two cuts during the growth. S. minor showed a different and complex secondary metabolite profile, which was influenced by cut. In fact, flavonoids increased in leaves obtained from C2, especially flavones. Other secondary metabolites were, however, downregulated in leaves from C2 as compared to those detected in leaves deriving from C1, as evidenced by the combination of VIP score (VIP > 1.3) and the Fold-change (FC > 2). The storage of S. minor leaves for 15 days as fresh-cut products did not induce remarkably changes in the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, a positive aspect for the maintenance of the nutraceutical value. The only differences evidenced during storage were the lower constitutive content of nutraceutical compounds in leaves obtained from C2 than in leaves obtained from C1, except for chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. In conclusion, the cut represented the main factor in inducing the modulation of secondary metabolites in leaves, independently to the storage.
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Aim. To identify economically significant species of segetal plants of agrophytocenoses in the Southern Non‐Chernozem zone and assess their dynamics with changes in anthropogenic load. The study was carried out by analysing geobotanical descriptions of agrophytocenoses in the Southern Non‐Chernozem Zone. The species diversity of economically important species was established during the period of extensive farming (1929–1933), the beginning of intensification (1936–1938), a high level of intensification (1981–1983), and a period of decreasing intensity of farming (2012–2022). At all stages of the study, groups of forage, medicinal and honey plants were round to have a high species diversity. The presence of individual representatives of vegetable, vitamin, insecticidal and ornamental species in agrophytocenoses was established. Changes in the nature and degree of anthropogenic pressure on agrophytocenoses has led to a significant transformation of species composition and abundance of representatives of economically significant groups. The smallest number of these was noted in the 1980s. Currently, species diversity has increased due to a decrease in the intensity of agriculture in the region.
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Ferns are one of the prevalent species of wild edible plants but one of the least explored terrestrial plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the nutrient composition, polyphenol profile and antioxidative properties of four wild edible ferns commonly utilized in northeastern China. We studied the content of ash, polysaccharide, protein, fat and mineral elements of the samples. Furthermore, the samples were found to have good total phenolic and total flavonoid contents and some level of antioxidant capacity as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline) 6-sufonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). They also exhibited different specific accumulation of polyphenol profiles, estimated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Significance analysis revealed a significant correlation between individual phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of the ferns. The results of the study suggest that wild edible ferns are rich in nutritional value and have potential as a natural source of antioxidants.
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Pardo de Santayana, Manuel; Morales, Ramón; Tardío, Javier; Aceituno-Mata, Laura y Molina, María (editores). 2018. INVENTARIO ESPAÑOL DE LOS CONOCIMIENTOS TRADICIONALES RELATIVOS A LA BIODIVERSIDAD. FASE II (2). Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. Madrid. 425 pp
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Background: Wild vegetables in the Mediterranean Basin are still often consumed as a part of the diet and, in particular, there is a great tradition regarding their use in Sicily. In this study, an ethnobotanical field investigation was carried out to (a) identify the wild native taxa traditionally gathered and consumed as vegetables in Sicily, comparing the collected ethnobotanical data with those of other countries that have nominated the Mediterranean diet for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and (b) highlight new culinary uses of these plants. Methods: Interviews were carried out in 187 towns and villages in Sicily between 2005 and 2015. A total of 980 people over the age of 50 were interviewed (mainly farmers, shepherds, and experts on local traditions). Plants recorded were usually collected in collaboration with the informants to confirm the correct identification of the plants. The frequencies of citation were calculated. Results: Two hundred fifty-three taxa (specific and intraspecific) belonging to 39 families, and 128 genera were recorded (26 were cited for the first time). The most represented families were Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Malvaceae, and Polygonaceae. Only 14 taxa were cited by 75% of the people interviewed. The aerial parts of wild plants, including leaves, tender shoots, and basal rosettes, are the main portions collected, while the subterranean parts are used to a lesser extent. For some vegetables, more parts are utilized. Most of the reported vegetables are consumed cooked. In addition to the widely known vegetables (Borago officinalis, Beta spp., Cichorium spp., Brassica spp., Carduus spp., etc.), the so-called ancient vegetables are included (Onopordum illyricum, Centaurea calcitrapa, Nasturtium officinale, Scolymus spp., Smyrnium rotundifolium), and some unique uses were described. Comparing the Sicilian findings to those from other countries, a very high number of vegetable taxa were detected, 72 of which are eaten only in Sicily, while 12 are consumed in all the Mediterranean countries examined. Conclusions: The research shows a high level of Sicilian knowledge about using wild plants as a traditional food source. Wild vegetables are healthy and authentic ingredients for local and ancient recipes, which are fundamental to the revitalization of quality food strictly connected to traditional agroecosystems.
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The chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of twelve wild strains of Ganoderma sp. from Ghana, nine (LS1–LS9) of which were found growing wild simultaneously on the same dying Delonix regia tree, were evaluated. Parameters evaluated included the nutritional value, composition in sugars, fatty acids, phenolic and other organic compounds and some vitamins and vitamin precursors. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by investigating reducing power, radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition using five in vitro assays. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and energy contents ranged between 15.7–24.5 g/100 g·dw, 73.31–81.90 g/100 g, 0.48–1.40 g/100 g, 0.68–2.12 g/100 g ash and 396.1–402.02 kcal/100 g, respectively. Fatty acids such as linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were relatively abundant. Free sugars included rhamnose, fructose, mannitol, sucrose and trehalose. Total tocopherols, organic acids and phenolic compounds’ content ranged between 741–3191 µg/100 g, 77–1003 mg/100 g and 7.6–489 µg/100 g, respectively. There were variations in the β-glucans, ergosterol and vitamin D2 contents. The three major minerals in decreasing order were K > P > S. Ganoderma sp. strain AM1 showed the highest antioxidant activity. This study reveals, for the first time, chemical characteristics of Ganoderma spp. which grew simultaneously on the same tree.
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Umbilicus rupestris (UR) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine against inflammation and irritation of the skin. The aim of this work is to study in vivo on Wistar rats the acute and subacute toxicity of the methanolic extract of U. rupestris (URMeOH), anti -inflammatory effects by using several methods: The inflammation induced by carrageenan, the inflammation induced by the inflammation mediators, arthritis, peritonitis in Wistar rats and finally, effect of URMeOH on the stabilization of erythrocyte membrane in vitro. In the acute toxicity study, the LD50 of URMeOH was found higher than 2000 mg/kg b.w; and this dose did not cause neither death nor signs of toxic manifestations on treated rats. In the subacute toxicity study, no toxic signs were observed after 28 days of treatment with therapeutic doses 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. The inflammation induced by carrageenan, chemical mediators (histamine and serotonin) and formalin solution was significantly inhibited and dosedependent manner compared to the negative control after the administration of URMeOH (100 mg and 200 mg/kg B.w.). Also, the URMeOH revealed that it has an effect on the stabilisation of erythrocyte membrane after induction of hemolysis and it has the anti-peritonitis activity by inhibiting leukocytes migration. This study demonstrated the anti -inflammatory effects of URMeOH and that confirmed its use in traditional medicine.
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The aim of this review is to present an overview of changes in the contemporary use of wild food plants in Europe, mainly using the examples of our home countries: Poland, Italy, Spain, Estonia and Sweden. We set the scene referring to the nutrition of 19th century peasants, involving many famine and emergency foods. Later we discuss such issues as children's wild snacks, the association between the decline of plant knowledge and the disappearance of plant use, the effects of over-exploitation, the decrease of the availability of plants due to ecosystem changes, land access rights for foragers and intoxication dangers. We also describe the 20th and 21st century vogues in wild plant use, particularly their shift into the domain of haute-cuisine.
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The aim of this study was to compare three tests for the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of eleven plant species traditionally used to cure or to enhance animal and/or human wellbeing. In addition to the ability to modulate the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species the effect of the treatment on cell viability was also considered. In the cell-based experiment DCF (2′,7′dichlorofluorescein diacetate) and in the chemical assays DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt), Pistacia lentiscus exhibited high antioxidant capacity, while Cistus creticus and Euphorbia characias were ineffective in cell-culture and displayed high activity in the chemical assays, and others (Malva sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla, Urtica dioica) showed an opposite trend. Olea europaea (sylvestris and europaea) and Umbilicus rupestris displayed highest antioxidant efficacy in both HUVEC and HL-60 cells, and provided also appreciable activity in the chemical assays. The study gives evidence that herbal extracts may have similar antioxidant properties but different effects on cells. Therefore, it is important to combine analytical and biological testing methods in order to measure the antioxidant capacity of natural extracts. Results encourage to explore further the potential nutraceutical and functional properties of Mediterranean plant species related to ethno-botanic traditions for animal health care.
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Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Umbilicus pendulinus afforded in addition to 2-O-caffeoyl malate, isoquercitrin and Z-venusol, the new isomer E-venusol. Special NMR experiments were carried out to elucidate the configuration of the two latter compounds.
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We compare traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in six rural regions of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula as follows: Campoo, Picos de Europa, Piloña, Sanabria and Caurel in Spain and Parque Natural de Montesinho in Portugal. Data on the use of 97 species were collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews with local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document the relative importance of each species and to indicate differences in selection criteria for consuming wild food species in the regions studied. The most significant species include many wild berries and nuts (e.g. Castanea sativa, Rubus ulmifolius, Fragaria vesca) and the most popular species in each food-category (e.g. fruits or herbs used to prepare liqueurs such as Prunus spinosa, vegetables such as Rumex acetosa, condiments such as Origanum vulgare, or plants used to prepare herbal teas such as Chamaemelum nobile). The most important species in the study area as a whole are consumed at five or all six of the survey sites. Social, economic and cultural factors, such as poor communications, fads and direct contact with nature in everyday life should be taken into account in determining why some wild foods and traditional vegetables have been consumed, but others not. They may be even more important than biological factors such as richness and abundance of wild edible flora. Although most are no longer consumed, demand is growing for those regarded as local specialties that reflect regional identity.
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The edible flowers are widely used, but there is still a lot to be done in relation to its bioactive potential and its correlation with the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was determined the individual phenolic profile in the hydromethanolic extracts and infusion preparations of four different flower samples (Dahlia mignon, Rosa damascena ‘Alexandria’ and R. gallica ‘Francesa’ draft in R. canina, Calendula officinalis L., and Centaurea cyanus L.) and their bioactive potential (antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antibacterial capacity). All the studied flowers presented different profiles regarding their phenolic composition and revealed biological potential. The bioactive potential of the studied flowers was moderate, the hydromethanolic extracts of rose petals showed the best results for antioxidant and antibacterial assays, while the antiproliferative properties were only present in some of the tested cell lines, for the hydromethanolic extracts, in which dahlia and rose showed the best results. These results demonstrate that edible flowers can be used as a source of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential, which can be applied in the food sector, as foods and as sources natural ingredients.
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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are widely regarded as cardioprotective. Several large-scale, randomized clinical trials have shown that dietary intake of omega-3 PUFAs improves the prognosis of patients with symptomatic heart failure or recent myocardial infarction. Therefore, dietary consumption of omega-3 PUFA is recommended in international guidelines for the general population to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the precise mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 PUFAs are not fully understood. Omega-3 PUFAs can be incorporated into the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes and can affect membrane fluidity, lipid microdomain formation, and signaling across membranes. Omega-3 PUFAs also modulate the function of membrane ion channels, such as Na and L-type Ca channels, to prevent lethal arrhythmias. Moreover, omega-3 PUFAs also prevent the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory eicosanoids by serving as an alternative substrate for cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase, resulting in the production of less potent products. In addition, a number of enzymatically oxygenated metabolites derived from omega-3 PUFAs were recently identified as anti-inflammatory mediators. These omega-3 metabolites may contribute to the beneficial effects against CVDs that are attributed to omega-3 PUFAs.
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A variety of fatty acids exists in the diet of humans, in the bloodstream of humans, and in cells and tissues of humans. Fatty acids are energy sources and membrane constituents. They have biological activities that act to influence cell and tissue metabolism, function, and responsiveness to hormonal and other signals. The biological activities may be grouped as regulation of membrane structure and function; regulation of intracellular signaling pathways, transcription factor activity, and gene expression; and regulation of the production of bioactive lipid mediators. Through these effects, fatty acids influence health, well-being, and disease risk. The effects of saturated, cis monounsaturated, ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids are discussed. Although traditionally most interest in the health impact of fatty acids related to cardiovascular disease, it is now clear that fatty acids influence a range of other diseases, including metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Scientists, regulators, and communicators have described the biological effects and the health impacts of fatty acids according to fatty acid class. However, it is now obvious that within any fatty acid class, different members have different actions and effects. Thus, it would seem more appropriate to describe biological effects and health impacts of individual named fatty acids, although it is recognized that this would be a challenge when communicating outside of an academic environment (eg, to consumers). © 2015 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
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Background The use of traditional foods can enrich our diet, perpetuating important elements of local knowledge and cultural inheritance. Raw, soaked and cooked samples of two Fabaceae species (Cicer arietinum L. and Lathyrus sativus L.) were characterized regarding nutritional and bioactive properties.ResultsL. sativus gave the highest carbohydrate, protein, ash, SFA and PUFA content, and lowest fat and energy value. Furthermore, it also showed the highest concentration in flavonoids and antioxidant activity. C. arietinum gave the highest concentration of sugars, organic acids and tocopherols. Soaking process did not affect significantly macronutrients, but cooking (boiling) decreased protein, ash, sugars and organic acids, and increased carbohydrates, fat, tocopherols, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. No differences were obtained for fatty acids composition.Conclusion The present study highlights the nutritional profile and bioactive properties of these farmer varieties of C. arietinum and L. sativus pulses, and valorises their traditional consumption and the use in modern diets.
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The chemical composition and biological properties of three wild fruits (strawberry-tree berries, sloes and dog rose hips) were evaluated, in order to valorise these products as sources of nutrients and nutraceuticals. The analysed fruits contain very useful bioactive phytochemicals such as phenolics, vitamins (ascorbic acid and tocopherols) and carotenoids. All the samples proved to have antioxidant activity (measured by four different in vitro assays) being more significant for rose fruits (EC50 values lower than 90 μg/ml). The combination of bioactive compounds and rich nutritional composition (high contents in carbohydrates, low contents in fat with the precious contribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids, precursors of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) of the studied wild fruits make them a very special food. .
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly complex cancer, resistant to commonly used treatments and new therapeutic agents are urgently needed. A total of thirty-two thieno[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives of two series: methyl 3-amino-6-(hetero)arylthieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates (1a-1t) and methyl 3-amino-6-[(hetero)arylethynyl]thieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates (2a-2n), previously prepared by some of us, were evaluated as new potential anti-HCC agents by studying their in vitro cell growth inhibition on human HepG2 cells and hepatotoxicity using a porcine liver primary cell culture (PLP1). The presence of amino groups linked to a benzene moiety emerges as the key element for the anti-HCC activity. The methyl 3-amino-6-[(3-aminophenyl)ethynyl]thieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylate (2f) is the most potent compound presenting GI(50) values on HepG2 cells of 1.2 μM compared to 2.9 μM of the positive control ellipticine, with no observed hepatotoxicity (PLP1 GI(50) > 125 μM against 3.3 μM of ellipticine). Moreover this compound changes the cell cycle profile of the HepG2 cells, causing a decrease in the % of cells in the S phase and a cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. QSAR studies were also performed and the correlations obtained using molecular and 1D descriptors revealed the importance of the presence of amino groups and hydrogen bond donors for anti-HCC activity, and hydrogen bond acceptors for hepatotoxicity. The best correlations were obtained with 3D descriptors belonging to different subcategories for anti-HCC activity and hepatotoxicity, respectively. These results point to different molecular mechanisms of action of the compounds in anti-HCC activity and hepatotoxicity. This work presents some promising thieno[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives for potential use in the therapy of HCC. These compounds can also be used as scaffolds for further synthesis of more potent analogs.
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Scientific information on antioxidant properties and phenolic content of less widely used plants can be useful. Therefore, the assessment of such properties remains an interesting and useful task, particularly for finding new sources for natural antioxidants, functional foods, and nutraceuticals. As knowledge about antioxidant properties and phenolic content of many plant species used as traditional plant remedies is limited, we determined in vitro the total antioxidant activity and the phenolic content of several plant species traditionally used for ethnoveterinary practices. For 24 extracts (70% acetone) from wild and cultivated plant species traditionally used for health care of animals we determined the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) by the two assays 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS). The phenolic content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method. Total phenolics, calculated as gallic acid equivalent (GAE), showed variation ranging from 3.18 (Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae)) to 147.68 (Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae)) mgGAE/g dry weight (DW). High TEAC values corresponded to high phenolic content, while plants with low antioxidant activity exhibited low total phenolic content. The TEAC determined through each assay and total phenolic content were positively correlated, R² = 0.9152 and R² = 0.8896, respectively, for DPPH and ABTS assay. These findings suggest that phenolic content could be used as an indicator of antioxidant properties. The results of this study encourage investigations on Mediterranean plant species as sources of antioxidants.
Article
Physiological responses to water stress (drought) have been investigated in Umbilicus rupestris (wall pennywort) by comparing control (well-watered) and draughted plants with respect to (i) diurnal fluctuations in the acid content of the leaves, (ii) CO2 exchange patterns and (iii) stomatal conductance. Control plants show no diurnal fluctuations in acid content, whereas after 6 d of drought a clear CAM-type pattern (nocturnal acidification followed by deacidification in the light) is observed. In control plants, the CO2 exchange pattern over a 24 h period is of a typical C-3 ‘square-wave’ type, with extensive CO2 uptake in the light and CO2 output in the dark. In droughted plants the day-time CO2 uptake is confined to a morning ‘burst’, whilst night-time CO2 output is markedly reduced. There is however no net noctural uptake of CO2. In control plants, stomatal conductance is high during the day (especially in the first half of the day) falling to a low level at the onset of darkness, and then rising slowly through the remainder of the night. In droughted plants, stomatal conductance is very low, except that there is morning ‘burst’ of high conductance and a period during the night when conductance is higher than in control plants. These results are discussed in relation to the response of U. rupestris to drought both in laboratory and in field conditions.
Article
Two major polysaccharides, rhamnogalacturonans with mean M(r)s of 13,500 and 13,000, were isolated from dried leaves of Sedum telephium by column chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration on Fractogel TSK HW-50 (S) and Sephacryl 200 HR. The structures were determined mainly by NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis and GC-MS of the partially methylated alditol acetates, carboxyl reduction and by analysis of acidic and enzymatic degradation products. Both polysaccharides exert an anticomplementary effect in vitro, induce TNF-alpha-production, enhance phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.
Article
Plants with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) can be divided into two groups according to the major carbohydrates used for malic acid synthesis, either polysaccharide (starch) or monosaccharide (hexose). This is related to the mechanism and affects energy metabolism in the two groups. In Kalanchoë pinnata and K. daigremontiana, which utilize starch, ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (tonoplast inorganic pyrophosphatase) activity is greater than inorganic pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (tonoplast adenosine triphosphatase) activity, but the reverse is the case in pineapple (Ananas comosus) utilizing hexose. To test the hypothesis that the energy metabolism of the two groups differs, day-night changes in the contents of ATP, ADP, AMP, inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in K. pinnata and K. daigremontiana leaves and in pineapple chlorenchyma were analysed. The contents of energy-rich compounds were measured spectrophotometrically in extracts of tissue sampled in the light and dark, using potted plants, kept for 15 d before the experiments in a growth chamber. In the three species, ATP content and adenylate energy charge (AEC) increased in the dark and decreased in the light, in contrast to ADP and AMP. Changes in ATP and AEC were greater in Kalanchoë leaves than in pineapple chlorenchyma. PPi content in the three species increased in the dark, but on illumination it decreased rapidly and substantially, remaining little changed through the rest of the light period. Pi content of Kalanchoë leaves did not change between dark and light, whereas Pi in pineapple chlorenchyma increased in the dark and decreased in the light, and the changes were far greater than in Kalanchoë leaves. Light-dark changes in PEP content in the three species were similar. These results corroborate our hypothesis that day-night changes in the contents of energy-rich compounds differ between CAM species and are related to the carbohydrate used for malic acid synthesis.
Article
Alpha-tocopherol, one of the eight isoforms of vitamin E, is the most potent fat-soluble antioxidant known in nature. For years, it was thought that alpha-tocopherol only functioned as a scavenger of lipid peroxyl radicals, specifically, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), thereby serving as a chief antioxidant for the prevention of atherosclerosis. In recent years, the many roles of alpha-tocopherol have been uncovered, and include not only antioxidant functions, but also pro-oxidant, cell signaling and gene regulatory functions. Decades of clinical and preclinical studies have broadened our understanding of the antioxidant vitamin E and its utility in a number of chronic, oxidative stress-induced pathologies. The results of these studies have shown promising, albeit mixed reviews on the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Future studies to uncover cellular and systemic mechanisms may help guide appropriate clinical treatment strategies using vitamin E across a diverse population of aging individuals.
Article
Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is among the major hydroxycinnamic acids present in wine; sinapic acid, which is a potent antioxidant. It has also been identified as one of the active antioxidant. In the present study, the antioxidant properties of the caffeic acid were evaluated by using different in vitro antioxidant assays such as 2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging, total antioxidant activity by ferric thiocyanate method, total reductive capability using the potassium ferricyanide reduction method, superoxide anion radical scavenging and metal chelating activities. alpha-Tocopherol, trolox, a water-soluble analogue of tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. At the concentrations of 10 and 30 microg/mL, caffeic acid showed 68.2 and 75.8% inhibition on lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. On the other hand, 20 microg/mL of standard antioxidant such as BHA, BHT, alpha-tocopherol and trolox indicated an inhibition of 74.4, 71.2, 54.7 and 20.1% on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, caffeic acid is an effective ABTS(+) scavenging, DPPH scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, total reducing power and metal chelating on ferrous ions activities.
Article
The oil of several hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) samples was extracted and evaluated for their triacylglycerol (TAG) composition. Trials were conducted in two Portuguese localities (Vila Real and Felgueiras) during three consecutive years and involved a total of 19 cultivars. The samples were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection. Sample preparation was fast and simple, consisting only of the dissolution of the oil in acetone, homogenization, and filtration, allowing this technique to be suitable for routine analyses. All samples presented a similar qualitative profile composed of eleven compounds: LLL, OLL, PLL, OOL, POL, PPL, OOO, POO, PPO, SOO and PSO (P, palmitoyl; S, stearoyl; O, oleoyl; and L, linoleoyl). The main components were OOO, LOO, and POO, reflecting the high content of oleic acid in hazelnut oils. A total of 79 different samples were studied, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. Significant differences were verified in canonical variate plots when cultivars were grouped by country of origin. In general, the American cultivars were richer in TAGs with saturated fatty acids moieties, and the group of French, German, and English cultivars was richer in TAGs containing linoleic acid moieties. Differences were also significant when cultivars were grouped by year of production, showing that besides genetic factors, the TAG composition can be influenced by environmental factors.
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