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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2021) | Viewed by 43544

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Mazzoni

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Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 10, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Interests: fruits; breeding; diversity; traditional uses; ethnoveterinary; characterization of phytochemicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maria Teresa Ariza Fernández

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Guest Editor

Breeding and Biotechnology, Instituto Andaluz de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera (IFAPA), IFAPA-Centro de Churriana, Cortijo de la Cruz, s/n, 29140 Málaga, Spain
Interests: breeding programs; fruit quality; antioxidants; phenolic compounds; antioxidant capacity; bioactive compounds; bioavailability; health-promoting properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Franco Capocasa

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Guest Editor

Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche 10, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Interests: breeding programs; fruit quality; nursery, rootstock; water management; antioxidant capacity; phenolic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of the journal Applied Sciences, “Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables”, which aims to present recent findings on the relationship between fruits and vegetables and the prevention of disease occurrence.

As plant-based foods, both vegetables and fruits have been clearly associated with the presence of high amounts of bioactive compounds, and have been demonstrated as having a central role in the prevention of diseases. Many scientists of different research fields have lavished great effort both to characterize the bioactive compounds’ compositions and to deepen understanding regarding the mechanisms of action through which fruits and vegetables exert their health-promoting and/or disease-preventing properties. In this Special Issue, studies on the bioactive compounds’ composition of the main fruit and vegetable species, on their health effects as fresh-consumed, transformed products or applied in in vitro models, and on their mechanisms of actions against human pathologies will be welcome.

Dr. Luca Mazzoni
Dr. Maria Teresa Ariza Fernández
Prof. Dr. Franco Capocasa
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Bioactive compounds
Antioxidants
Human diseases
Nutrition
Vegetables
Fruit
Trees
Plants
Herbs
Breeding
Vitamins
Polyphenols
Antinutrients
Liquid chromatography
Gas chromatography
Spectroscopy
Immunology
Biochemistry
In vitro model
Pathologies
In vivo study
Cell culture
Animal model

Related Special Issue

Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables II in Applied Sciences (14 articles)

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 205 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

by Luca Mazzoni, Maria Teresa Ariza Fernández and Franco Capocasa

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 8951; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11198951 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2952

Abstract

In recent decades, the consciousness of consumers regarding the importance of a balanced diet to prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases has significantly increased [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

Research

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13 pages, 430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Gynura bicolor on Glycemic Control and Antioxidant Ability in Prediabetes

by Chu-Hsuan Hsia, Yu-Tang Tung, Yu-Sheng Yeh and Yi-Wen Chien

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 5066; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11115066 - 30 May 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2580

Abstract

There exists an intermediate group of individuals whose glucose levels do not meet the criteria for diabetes yet are higher than those considered normal (prediabetes mellitus (preDM)). Those people have a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future. Gynura bicolor (GB) is a red-purple-colored vegetable, which is common in Taiwan. GB has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects in previous studies. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of serving two serving sizes of GB every day on the glycemic control and antioxidant ability of preDM subjects. According to the age and anthropometry data of the participates, we assigned them into a control or GB group for the 8-week intervention and 4-week washout period. Data of anthropometry and biochemical analysis were collected at 0, 8 and 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed, and we collected dietary records on the baseline and Week 8. Both groups received nutrition education and a diet plan individually. After intervention, the fasting glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) values were significantly decreased in the GB group. HOMA-IR and QUICKI values were improved, and antioxidant activity was increased in the GB group. GB could improve glycemic control and decrease oxidative stress because of its large amounts of polyphenols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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13 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular Antioxidant Effects and Bioavailability of Food Supplements Rich in Hydroxytyrosol

by Cecilia Bender, Sarah Straßmann and Pola Heidrich

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4763; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11114763 - 22 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2107

Abstract

The present study evaluates the effect of olive (Olea europaea L.) vegetation water on human cells regarding its antioxidant properties and radical scavenger bioactivities. To this aim, two food supplements containing concentrated olive water in combination with 6% lemon juice or 70% grape juice, respectively, were assessed in different oxidation assays. From the investigated polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol, present in olives and in a lesser extent in grapes, was found to be the most abundant in both formulations, followed by tyrosol and oleuropein for the olive-derived concentrate with lemon juice, and by proanthocyanidins and tyrosol for the olive concentrate with grape juice. Cellular studies suggest that both formulations are effective antioxidants. In particular, the combination of olive and grape extracts showed a remarkable superoxides-, hydroxyl radicals-, and hydrogen peroxides-scavenging activity, while the formulation containing 94% olive concentrate wasmore potent in protecting the cells against lipoxidation. Both products showed a significant and similar effect in preventing advanced glycation end products’ (AGEs) formation. In addition, preliminary data indicate that hydroxytyrosol is absorbed into the human body when administered via these hydrophilic matrices, as confirmed by the urinary excretion of free hydroxytyrosol. Since the availability of phytochemicals largely depends on the vehicle in which they are solved, these findings are of relevance and contribute to supporting the healthful effects here assessed in a cellular environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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11 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thiosulfinate-Enriched Allium sativum Extract as an Adjunct to Antibiotic Treatment of Sepsis in a Rat Peritonitis Model

by Francisco Javier Redondo-Calvo, Omar Montenegro, David Padilla-Valverde, Pedro Villarejo, Víctor Baladrón, Natalia Bejarano-Ramírez, Rocío Galán, Luis Antonio Gómez, Natalia Villasanti, Soledad Illescas, Vicente Morales, Lucía Medina-Prado, José Ramón Muñoz-Rodríguez and José Manuel Pérez-Ortiz

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4760; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11114760 - 22 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1959

Abstract

Up to now, there are no studies that have shown a decrease in morbidity and mortality in the context of sepsis and septic shock, except for antibiotic therapy and the objective-guided resuscitation strategy. The goal was to evaluate the use of thiosulfinate-enriched Allium sativum extract (TASE) as an adjuvant in the management of sepsis. An experimental in vivo study was carried out with male Sprague Dawley^® rats. Animals were randomized in three treatment groups: the control group (I), antibiotic (ceftriaxone) treatment group (II) and ceftriaxone plus TASE treatment group (III). All animals were housed and inoculated with 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/15 mL of intraperitoneal Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Subsequently, they received a daily treatment according to each group for 7 days. Clinical, analytical, microbiological, and histopathological parameters were evaluated. Statistically significant clinical improvement was observed in the ceftriaxone plus TASE vs. ceftriaxone group in weight, ocular secretions, whiskers separation and physical activity level (p ≤ 0.05). When comparing interleukins on the third day of treatment between II and III, we found statistically significant differences in IL-1 levels (p < 0.05). Blood and peritoneal liquid cultures of group I were positive for multisensitive E. coli. Group II and III cultures were negative for E. coli, although an overgrowth of Enterococcus faecalis was found. In conclusion, TASE used as an adjuvant to antibiotic treatment in the management of sepsis could improve response profiles with sepsis attenuation, thus reducing overall mortality after an animal peritonitis model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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21 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenolic Profiling of Five Different Australian Grown Apples

by Heng Li, Vigasini Subbiah, Colin J. Barrow, Frank R. Dunshea and Hafiz A. R. Suleria

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2421; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11052421 - 09 Mar 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4111

Abstract

Apples (Malus domestica) are one of the most widely grown and consumed fruits in the world that contain abundant phenolic compounds that possess remarkable antioxidant potential. The current study characterised phenolic compounds from five different varieties of Australian grown apples (Royal Gala, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Fuji and Smitten) using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and quantified through HPLC-PDA. The phenolic content and antioxidant potential were determined using various assays. Red Delicious had the highest total phenolic (121.78 ± 3.45 mg/g fw) and total flavonoid content (101.23 ± 3.75 mg/g fw) among the five apple samples. In LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, a total of 97 different phenolic compounds were characterised in five apple samples, including Royal Gala (37), Pink Lady (54), Red Delicious (17), Fuji (67) and Smitten (46). In the HPLC quantification, phenolic acid (chlorogenic acid, 15.69 ± 0.09 mg/g fw) and flavonoid (quercetin, 18.96 ± 0.08 mg/g fw) were most abundant in Royal Gala. The obtained results highlight the importance of Australian apple varieties as a rich source of functional compounds with potential bioactivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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21 pages, 4226 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Influence of Post-Flowering Climate Conditions on Anthocyanin Profile of Strawberry Cultivars Grown from North to South Europe

by Erika Krüger, Frank Will, Keshav Kumar, Karolina Celejewska, Philippe Chartier, Agnieszka Masny, Daniela Mott, Aurélie Petit, Gianluca Savini and Anita Sønsteby

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1326; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11031326 - 02 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

The effect of cultivar and environmental variations and their interaction on anthocyanin components of strawberry were assessed for six cultivars grown in five locations from North to South of Europe in two different years. To evaluate the impact of latitude- and altitude-related factors, daily mean (T_mean), maximum (T_max) and minimum (T_min) temperature and global radiation accumulated for 3, 5, 10 and 15 days before fruit sampling, was analyzed. In general, fruits grown in the south were more enriched in total anthocyanin and pelargonidin-3-glucoside (pel-3-glc), the most abundant anthocyanin in strawberry. Principal component analysis (PCA) provided a separation of the growing locations within a cultivar due to latitudinal climatic differences, temporary weather changes before fruit collection and cultivation technique. PCA also depicted different patterns for anthocyanin distribution indicating a cultivar specific reaction on the environmental factors. The linear regression analysis showed that pel-3-glc was relatively less affected by these factors, while the minor anthocyanins cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-(6-O-malonyl)-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-(6-O-malonoyl)-glucoside were sensitive to T_max. The global radiation strongly increased cya-3-mal-glc in ‘Frida’ and pel-3-rut in ‘Frida’ and ‘Florence’. ‘Candonga’ accumulated less pel-3-glc and total anthocyanin with increased global radiation. The anthocyanin profiles of ‘Gariguette’ and ‘Clery’ were unaffected by environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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15 pages, 4544 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Comparative Effects of Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems on Trace Elements Contents in Vegetable Brassicaceae: Risk Assessment

by Fernando Cámara-Martos, Jesús Sevillano-Morales, Luis Rubio-Pedraza, Jesús Bonilla-Herrera and Antonio de Haro-Bailón

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 707; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11020707 - 13 Jan 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1744

Abstract

Genotypes selected from 3 plant species (Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Sinapis alba) belonging to the Brassicaceae family were chosen to compare the concentrations of 9 inorganic elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in these varieties, that were grown under both conventional and organic conditions during two agricultural seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) on two different experimental farms (Farm I and Farm II). We found that, together with agriculture practices, the inorganic element concentrations in Brassicas depended on many other factors, including soil characteristics. However, there were no conclusive results indicating a lower heavy metal content or a higher nutritionally beneficial trace elements content in vegetables grown under organic agriculture. Finally, a probabilistic assessment (@Risk) derived from the consumption of 150–200 g of these vegetables showed that organic Brassicas fulfill in comparison with the conventional ones, similar Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) percentages for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Regarding heavy metals (Cd, Ni and Pb), we only found slight differences (mainly in the case of Pb) in the Tolerable Intakes (TI) between both cropping systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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11 pages, 846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Combination of Elderberry and Reishi Extracts on the Duration and Severity of Respiratory Tract Infections in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Carlos Gracián-Alcaide, Jose A. Maldonado-Lobón, Elisabeth Ortiz-Tikkakoski, Alejandro Gómez-Vilchez, Juristo Fonollá, Jose L. López-Larramendi, Mónica Olivares and Ruth Blanco-Rojo

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8259; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10228259 - 21 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8351

Abstract

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to respiratory tract infections, so natural strategies to ameliorate the duration and severity of these infections are of great interest in this population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the consumption of a combination of elderberry and reishi extracts on the incidence, severity, and duration of respiratory tract infections in a group of healthy elderly volunteers. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was performed during the winter season. A group of 60 nursing home residents ≥65 years of age was randomly assigned to receive a combination of 1.5 g of elderberry +0.5 g of reishi or a placebo daily for 14 weeks. Data about the health conditions of the volunteers were evaluated and recorded by a medical doctor every 2 weeks. The incidence of respiratory infections was similar in both groups. However, volunteers in the extract group presented a significantly lower duration of common cold events (2.5 vs. 4.8 days, p = 0.033).and a significantly lower probability of having a high severity influenza-like illness event (p = 0.039). Moreover, the incidence of sleep disturbances was significantly lower in the extract group (p = 0.049). Therefore, the administration of a combination of elderberry and reishi extracts to the elderly population during the winter season might be used as a natural strategy to reduce the duration and severity of respiratory tract infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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22 pages, 2386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Changes and Correlations between Quality Loss Parameters, Antioxidant Properties and Enzyme Activities in Apricot Fruit Treated with Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid during Cold Storage and Shelf-Life

by Ahmed Ezzat, Attila Hegedűs, Szilárd Szabó, Amin Ammar, Zoltán Szabó, József Nyéki, Bianka Molnár and Imre J. Holb

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8071; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10228071 - 14 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2060

Abstract

The apricot storability is one of the largest challenges, which the apricot industry has to face all over the world; therefore, finding options for prolonging fruit quality during cold storage (CS) and shelf-life (SL) will help to decrease postharvest losses of apricot. The aim of this apricot fruit work was to study the temporal changes and correlations of 10 quality parameters (quality losses, antioxidant properties and enzyme activities) in the postharvest treatments of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) under 1 °C CS (7, 14 and 21 days) and 25 °C SL (4 and 8 days after the 21-day CS) treatments. MeJA and SA significantly decreased the quality loss of chilling injury (CI) and fruit decay (FD) at all dates for both storage conditions. MeJA- and SA-treated fruits increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total soluble phenolic compounds (TSPC) and carotenoids contents (TCC) at all dates of both storage treatments. In contrast, the ascorbic acid content (AAC) increased only until days 14 and 4 in the CS and SL treatments, respectively. Among enzyme activity parameters, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased in the MeJA and SA treatments in all dates of both storage treatments. Catalase (CAT) activity increased in the SA and control treatments, while it decreased in the MeJA treatment in both storage conditions. In both the MeJA and the SA treatments, six pair-variables (FD vs. CI, PAL vs. CAT, PAL vs. SOD, TAC vs. SOD, TAC vs. FD, and AAC vs. CI) were significant in Pearson correlation and regression analyses among the 45 parameters pairs. Principal component analyses explained 89.3% of the total variance and PC1 accounted for 55.6% of the variance and correlated with the CI, FD, TAC, TSPC, TCC, PAL and SOD, indicating strong connections among most parameters. In conclusion, MeJA and SA are practically useful and inexpensive techniques to maintain quality attributes of CI, FD, TAC, TSPC, TCC, PAL, POD and SOD in apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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13 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Characterization of Blue Honeysuckle in Relation to the Genotypic Diversity of Lonicera sp.

by Jacek Gawroński, Jadwiga Żebrowska, Marzena Pabich, Izabella Jackowska, Krzysztof Kowalczyk and Magdalena Dyduch-Siemińska

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6545; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10186545 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2529

Abstract

The phytochemical characteristic analysis of a group of 30 haskap berry genotypes was carried out bearing in mind the concern for the consumption of food with high nutraceutical value that helps maintain good health. Phytochemical fruit composition and antioxidant activity were assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteau, spectrophotometric, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) as well as ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was referred to as the Trolox equivalent. The observed differences in the content of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity allowed us to select genotypes which, due to the high level of the analyzed compounds, are particularly recommended in everyone’s diet. In addition, the analysis of the prospects of increasing the analyzed phytochemical properties, estimated by parameters such as heritability and genetic progress, indicates the effectiveness of breeding in relation to each of the analyzed traits. The results of the presented research can be used in the implementation of future breeding programs for this valuable species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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Review

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21 pages, 534 KiB

Open AccessReview

Environmental Conditions and Agronomical Factors Influencing the Levels of Phytochemicals in Brassica Vegetables Responsible for Nutritional and Sensorial Properties

by Francesca Biondi, Francesca Balducci, Franco Capocasa, Marino Visciglio, Elena Mei, Massimo Vagnoni, Bruno Mezzetti and Luca Mazzoni

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1927; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041927 - 22 Feb 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4185

Abstract

Recently, the consumption of healthy foods has been related to the prevention of cardiovascular, degenerative diseases and different forms of cancers, underlying the importance of the diet for the consumer’s health. Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that act as protective factors for the human body, through different mechanisms of action. Among vegetables, Brassica received a lot of attention in the last years for the phytochemical compounds content and antioxidant capacity that confer nutraceutical value to the product. The amount of healthy bioactive compounds present in the Brassica defines the nutritional quality. These molecules could belong to the class of antioxidant compounds (e.g., phenols, vitamin C, etc.), or to non-antioxidant compounds (e.g., minerals, glucosinolates, etc.). The amount of these compounds in Brassica vegetables could be influenced by several factors, depending on the genotypes, the environmental conditions and the cultivation techniques adopted. The aim of this study is to highlight the main phytochemical compounds present in brassicas used as a food vegetable that confer nutritional and sensorial quality to the final product, and to investigate the main factors that affect the phytochemical concentration and the overall quality of Brassica vegetables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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27 pages, 2238 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Beneficial Health Effects of Vegetables and Wild Edible Greens: The Case of the Mediterranean Diet and Its Sustainability

by Elena Chatzopoulou, Márcio Carocho, Francesco Di Gioia and Spyridon A. Petropoulos

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 9144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10249144 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6365

Abstract

The Mediterranean diet (MD) concept as currently known describes the dietary patterns that were followed in specific regions of the area in the 1950s and 1960s. The broad recognition of its positive effects on the longevity of Mediterranean populations also led to the adoption of this diet in other regions of the world, and scientific interest focused on revealing its health effects. MD is not only linked with eating specific nutritional food products but also with social, religious, environmental, and cultural aspects, thus representing a healthy lifestyle in general. However, modern lifestyles adhere to less healthy diets, alienating people from their heritage. Therefore, considering the increasing evidence of the beneficial health effects of adherence to the MD and the ongoing transitions in consumers’ behavior, the present review focuses on updating the scientific knowledge regarding this diet and its relevance to agrobiodiversity. In addition, it also considers a sustainable approach for new marketing opportunities and consumer trends of the MD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables)

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