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20 pages, 2385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elucidation of the Lipid Composition of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Products by Means of Gas Chromatography and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Detection

by Paola Arena, Francesca Rigano, Paolo Guarnaccia, Paola Dugo, Luigi Mondello and Emanuela Trovato

Molecules 2022, 27(10), 3358; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27103358 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

The growing demand in natural matrices that represent a source of dietary and nutraceutical molecules has led to an increasing interest in Cannabis sativa, considered to be a multipurpose, sustainable crop. Particularly, the considerable content in essential fatty acids (FAs) makes its [...] Read more.

The growing demand in natural matrices that represent a source of dietary and nutraceutical molecules has led to an increasing interest in Cannabis sativa, considered to be a multipurpose, sustainable crop. Particularly, the considerable content in essential fatty acids (FAs) makes its derived-products useful food ingredients in the formulation of dietary supplements. In this research, the FA and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of hempseed oils and flours were investigated using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection as well as liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), respectively. Furthermore, a recently introduced linear retention index (LRI) approach in LC was successfully employed as a useful tool for the reliable identification of TAG species. A total of 30 FAs and 62 glycerolipids were positively identified in the investigated samples. Relative quantitative analyses confirmed linoleic acid as the most abundant component (50–55%). A favorable omega6/omega3 ratio was also measured in hemp-derived products, with the α-linolenic acid around 12–14%. Whereas, γ-linolenic acid was found to be higher than 1.70%. These results confirm the great value of Cannabis sativa as a source of valuable lipids, and the further improvement of the LRI system paves the way for the automatization of the identification process in LC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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13 pages, 3878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Characterization of Rhus coriaria L. Extracts by Headspace Solid-Phase Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography, Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography, and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation

by Katia Arena, Emanuela Trovato, Francesco Cacciola, Ludovica Spagnuolo, Elisa Pannucci, Paolo Guarnaccia, Luca Santi, Paola Dugo, Luigi Mondello and Laura Dugo

Molecules 2022, 27(5), 1727; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27051727 - 07 Mar 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as sumac, has been used since ancient times for many different applications, and nowadays is used mostly as a spice obtained from its in the Mediterranean and the Middle ground fruits and employed for flavoring and garnishing [...] Read more.

Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as sumac, has been used since ancient times for many different applications, and nowadays is used mostly as a spice obtained from its in the Mediterranean and the Middle ground fruits and employed for flavoring and garnishing food, predominantly Eastern regions. Traditionally, sumac has been also used in popular medicine for the treatment of many ailments including hemorrhoids, wound healing, diarrhea, ulcers, and eye inflammation. Sumac drupes are indeed rich in various classes of phytochemicals including organic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and others, which are responsible of their powerful antioxidant capacity, from which treatment of many common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer could benefit. In this work we evaluated the influence of fruit ripeness, conservation, and processing. To this aim, a phytochemical characterization of six different samples of Rhus coriaria L. was carried out. Specifically, headspace solid-phase micro extraction gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection, were employed. A total of 263 volatile compounds, including terpene hydrocarbons, acids, and aldehydes, as well as 83 polyphenolic compounds, mainly gallic acid derivatives, were positively identified. All samples showed a significant antioxidant activity by means of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, in line with their polyphenolic content and composition. Such findings set a solid ground to support the utilization of this plant as an attractive target for novel nutraceutical approaches and for drug discovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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13 pages, 2827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lowering the Intraocular Pressure in Rats and Rabbits by Cordyceps cicadae Extract and Its Active Compounds

by Li-Ya Lee, Jui-Hsia Hsu, Hsin-I Fu, Chin-Chu Chen and Kwong-Chung Tung

Molecules 2022, 27(3), 707; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27030707 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3792

Abstract

Cordyceps cicadae (CC), an entomogenous fungus that has been reported to have therapeutic glaucoma, is a major cause of blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, mostly due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Here, an ethanolic extract of [...] Read more.

Cordyceps cicadae (CC), an entomogenous fungus that has been reported to have therapeutic glaucoma, is a major cause of blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, mostly due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Here, an ethanolic extract of C. cicadae mycelium (CCME), a traditional medicinal mushroom, was studied for its potential in lowering IOP in rat and rabbit models. Data showed that CCME could significantly (60.5%) reduce the IOP induced by microbead occlusion after 56 days of oral administration. The apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rats decreased by 77.2%. CCME was also shown to lower the IOP of normal and dextrose-infusion-induced rabbits within 60 min after oral feeding. There were dose effects, and the effect was repeatable. The active ingredient, N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine (HEA), was also shown to alleviate 29.6% IOP at 0.2 mg/kg body weight in this rabbit model. CCME was confirmed with only minor inhibition in the phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 (pMLC2) pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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11 pages, 1516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Active Site Ligands in the Human Metabolome

by Anna Maria Sardanelli, Camilla Isgrò and Luigi Leonardo Palese

Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1409; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26051409 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3446

Abstract

In late 2019, a global pandemic occurred. The causative agent was identified as a member of the Coronaviridae family, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, we present an analysis on the substances identified in the human metabolome capable [...] Read more.

In late 2019, a global pandemic occurred. The causative agent was identified as a member of the Coronaviridae family, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, we present an analysis on the substances identified in the human metabolome capable of binding the active site of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro). The substances present in the human metabolome have both endogenous and exogenous origins. The aim of this research was to find molecules whose biochemical and toxicological profile was known that could be the starting point for the development of antiviral therapies. Our analysis revealed numerous metabolites—including xenobiotics—that bind this protease, which are essential to the lifecycle of the virus. Among these substances, silybin, a flavolignan compound and the main active component of silymarin, is particularly noteworthy. Silymarin is a standardized extract of milk thistle, Silybum marianum, and has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antineoplastic, and antiviral activities. Our results—obtained in silico and in vitro—prove that silybin and silymarin, respectively, are able to inhibit M^pro, representing a possible food-derived natural compound that is useful as a therapeutic strategy against COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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12 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Impact of Formulation on the Content of Phenolic Compounds in Snacks Enriched with Dracocephalum moldavica L. Seeds: Introduction to Receiving a New Functional Food Product

by Tomasz Oniszczuk, Kamila Kasprzak-Drozd, Marta Olech, Agnieszka Wójtowicz, Renata Nowak, Robert Rusinek, Jarosław Szponar, Maciej Combrzyński and Anna Oniszczuk

Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1245; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26051245 - 25 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

A new type of multigrain snack has been designed containing varied additions of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) seeds. The antioxidant properties and the general health benefits of this plant material have already been widely acknowledged. The research discussed herein aimed to [...] Read more.

A new type of multigrain snack has been designed containing varied additions of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) seeds. The antioxidant properties and the general health benefits of this plant material have already been widely acknowledged. The research discussed herein aimed to investigate the influence of the formulation and expansion method (frying) on the content of polyphenolic compounds, individual phenolic acids, and antiradical properties of innovative snacks enriched with dragonhead seeds. The highest content of polyphenols (0.685 mg GAE/mL), free phenolic acids (47.052 µg/g of dry matter), and highest radical scavenging activity (96.23% towards DPPH) were found in the fried snacks enriched with 22% of seeds. In these samples, 11 phenolic acids were detected. Strong positive correlations were seen between the addition of dragonhead and the polyphenol content (r = 0.989) and between the quantity of the enriching additive and the content of free phenolic acids (r = 0.953). The research has shown that such innovative snacks have the potential to supply health-benefiting free phenolic acids, e.g., salicylic, isoferulic, ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic. Our studies provide an introduction to the development of a new range of functional foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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21 pages, 2863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Secoiridoids in Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oils: Impact of Olive Plant Cultivars, Cultivation Regions and Processing

by Ilario Losito, Ramona Abbattista, Cristina De Ceglie, Andrea Castellaneta, Cosima Damiana Calvano and Tommaso R.I. Cataldi

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 743; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26030743 - 31 Jan 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3720

Abstract

In the last two decades, phenolic compounds occurring in olive oils known as secoiridoids have attracted a great interest for their bioactivity. Four major olive oil secoiridoids, i.e., oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones, oleacin and oleocanthal, were previously characterized in our laboratory using reversed-phase [...] Read more.

In the last two decades, phenolic compounds occurring in olive oils known as secoiridoids have attracted a great interest for their bioactivity. Four major olive oil secoiridoids, i.e., oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones, oleacin and oleocanthal, were previously characterized in our laboratory using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization-Fourier transform-mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-FTMS). The same analytical approach, followed by multivariate statistical analysis (i.e., Principal Component Analysis), was applied here to a set of 60 Italian extra-virgin olive oils (EVOO). The aim was to assess the secoiridoid contents as a function of olive cultivars, place of cultivation (i.e., different Italian regions) and olive oil processing, in particular two- vs. three-phase horizontal centrifugation. As expected, higher secoiridoid contents were generally found in olive oils produced by two-phase horizontal centrifugation. Moreover, some region/cultivar-related trends were evidenced, as oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones prevailed in olive oils produced in Apulia (Southern Italy), whereas the contents of oleacin and oleocanthal were relatively higher in EVOO produced in Central Italy (Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria). A lower content of all the four secoiridoids was generally found in EVOO produced in Sicily (Southern Italy) due to the intrinsic low abundance of these bioactive compounds in cultivars typical of that region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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14 pages, 1166 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combining Normal/Reversed-Phase HPTLC with Univariate Calibration for the Piperine Quantification with Traditional and Ultrasound-Assisted Extracts of Various Food Spices of Piper nigrum L. under Green Analytical Chemistry Viewpoint

by Mohammed H. Alqarni, Prawez Alam, Ahmed I. Foudah, Magdy M. Muharram and Faiyaz Shakeel

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 732; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26030732 - 31 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2859

Abstract

Due to unavailability of sustainable analytical techniques for the quantitation of piperine (PPN) in food and pharmaceutical samples, there was a need to develop a rapid and sensitive sustainable analytical technique for the quantitation of PPN. Therefore, the current research presents a fast [...] Read more.

Due to unavailability of sustainable analytical techniques for the quantitation of piperine (PPN) in food and pharmaceutical samples, there was a need to develop a rapid and sensitive sustainable analytical technique for the quantitation of PPN. Therefore, the current research presents a fast and highly sensitive normal/reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique with classical univariate calibration for the quantitation of PPN in various food spices of black pepper with traditional (TE) and ultrasound-assisted extracts (UBE) of various food spices of Piper nigrum L. under green analytical chemistry viewpoint. The amount of PPN in TE of four different spices of black pepper—namely BPMH, BPLU, BPSH, and BPPA—was found to be 309.53, 304.97, 282.82, and 232.73 mg g⁻¹, respectively using a sustainable normal-phase HPTLC technique. However, the amount of PPN in UBE of BPMH, BPLU, BPSH, and BPPA was recorded as 318.52, 314.60, 292.41, and 241.82 mg g⁻¹, respectively using a sustainable normal phase HPTLC technique. The greenness of normal/reversed-phase HPTLC technique was predicted using AGREE metric approach. The eco-scale was found to be 0.90, suggested excellent greenness of normal/reversed-phase technique. UBE of PPN was also found to be superior over TE of PPN. Overall, the results of this research suggested that the proposed normal/reversed-phase densitometry technique could be effectively used for the quantitation of PPN in food and pharmaceutical samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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Review

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24 pages, 1105 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Fish Waste to Value: An Overview of the Sustainable Recovery of Omega-3 for Food Supplements

by Vincenzo Gabriele Alfio, Cosimo Manzo and Raffaella Micillo

Molecules 2021, 26(4), 1002; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26041002 - 13 Feb 2021

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 8342

Abstract

The disposal of food waste is a current and pressing issue, urging novel solutions to implement sustainable waste management practices. Fish leftovers and their processing byproducts represent a significant portion of the original fish, and their disposal has a high environmental and economic [...] Read more.

The disposal of food waste is a current and pressing issue, urging novel solutions to implement sustainable waste management practices. Fish leftovers and their processing byproducts represent a significant portion of the original fish, and their disposal has a high environmental and economic impact. The utilization of waste as raw materials for the production of different classes of biofuels and high-value chemicals, a concept known as “biorefinery”, is gaining interest in a vision of circular economy and zero waste policies. In this context, an interesting route of valorization is the extraction of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) for nutraceutical application. These fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have received attention over the last decades due to their beneficial effects on human health. Their sustainable production is a key process for matching the increased market demand while reducing the pressure on marine ecosystems and lowering the impact of waste production. The high resale value of the products makes this waste a powerful tool that simultaneously protects the environment and benefits the global economy. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the sustainable exploitation of fish waste to recover ω-3 FAs for food supplement applications, covering composition, storage, and processing of the raw material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation, Identification and Bioactivity of Food-Derived Compounds)

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