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Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 8257

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Interests: plant-based foods; antioxidant activity; glycaemic index; antitumor and antidiabetic activity of plant-based food; toxins in food
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nature has been a source of inspiration for pharmacists for centuries, and plant extracts with high health-promoting potential are of interest to many scientists. Significant advances in research methods, which allow the discovery of ever newer, previously unknown bioactive substances have also contributed to increased interest in this field. The epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major social problem, generating high costs for society. Appropriate prevention, for example, through changes in lifestyle and immune support using naturally occurring substances with powerful therapeutic effects seems to be the only reasonable route.

Prof. Dr. Joanna Kapusta-Duch
Prof. Dr. Barbara Borczak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • novelty research methods
  • nutraceuticals
  • plant secondary metabolites
  • anticancer and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) agents
  • prevention of diseases

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1236 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Chemical Composition and Radical-Scavenging Activities in Two Wheat Cultivars
by Nari Yoon, Sung-Hwan Jeong, Jong-Suk Park, Woo Jung Kim and Sanghyun Lee
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10763; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210763 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 338
Abstract
Triticum aestivum (wheat) is one of the most significant crops worldwide. This study compares the chemical composition and radical-scavenging activities of two cultivars of T. aestivum, Saekeumkang wheat (SW) and Baekkang wheat (BW). Sprouted wheatgrass extracts of SW and BW were analyzed [...] Read more.
Triticum aestivum (wheat) is one of the most significant crops worldwide. This study compares the chemical composition and radical-scavenging activities of two cultivars of T. aestivum, Saekeumkang wheat (SW) and Baekkang wheat (BW). Sprouted wheatgrass extracts of SW and BW were analyzed using assessments of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array (HPLC-PDA). Radical-scavenging activities were evaluated using 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS·+) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The results indicated that SW had a higher total polyphenol content than BW, while no significant differences were observed regarding total flavonoid content. HPLC-PDA analysis, guided by LC-ESI/MS, identified four compounds—saponarin, schaftoside, isoorientin, and isovitexin—with isoorientin (3.02 mg/g extract) and schaftoside (4.23 mg/g extract) present in higher concentrations in SW compared to BW. In the ABTS·+ assay, the two samples did not show noticeable differences, with SW displaying a scavenging ability with an IC50 of 3.36 mg/mL, and BW with an IC50 of 3.19 mg/mL. Contrarily, the DPPH assay results showed an inverse trend, suggesting that the radical-scavenging behavior may be influenced by the synergistic and antagonistic interactions of the compounds in SW and BW extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications)
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17 pages, 1184 KiB  
Article
Effects of Allium ursinum L. Leaves and Egg Amount on Quality Attributes, Polyphenol Content, and Antioxidant Capacity of Pasta
by Cristina Adriana Rosan, Mariana Florica Bei, Alexandra Cristina Tocai (Moţoc), Manuel Alexandru Gitea and Simona Ioana Vicas
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7517; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177517 - 25 Aug 2024
Viewed by 839
Abstract
Pastas enriched with vegetables are premium nutritious products and their consumption can bring significant health benefits. Recent studies have reported a high content of bioavailable phytochemical compounds in Allium ursinum L.; as such, it can be used in the development of functional food [...] Read more.
Pastas enriched with vegetables are premium nutritious products and their consumption can bring significant health benefits. Recent studies have reported a high content of bioavailable phytochemical compounds in Allium ursinum L.; as such, it can be used in the development of functional food products. This study involved the evaluation of 10 varieties of pasta. Five of these varieties were made from white flour and varying amounts of egg (Ctrl_1–Ctrl_5). The other five varieties (AU_1–AU_5) contained fresh shredded wild garlic leaves in equal proportions (20 g) in addition to the corresponding ingredients (white flour and egg). All pasta variants were investigated for their cooking properties and the presence of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in the raw and cooked pasta. Sensory analysis was conducted on all types of cooked pasta, and results indicated that the pasta with the least quantity of eggs was the most favoured variant. Additionally, the pasta that was enhanced with wild garlic leaves received the highest rating for “overall quality”. According to our results, the optimal cooking time (OCT) increased when the quantity of eggs was raised, but when wild garlic leaves were present, OCT decreased in comparison to the control samples. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the cooking parameters, swelling index, and water absorption was observed in both egg pasta (Ctrl) and egg pasta enriched with A. ursinum L. (AU). However, compared to the corresponding egg pasta, the presence of wild garlic in pasta generally produced higher values in SI and WA. Pastas enriched with wild garlic are rich in polyphenols (TPh), with a content ranging from 82.44 to 94.62 µg GAE/g dw, and also exhibit antioxidant properties. The amount of total polyphenol significantly decreases (p < 0.05) during cooking varies depending on the composition of the pasta. The pasta with the highest egg content (AU_5) had the lowest loss of polyphenols, equivalent to 55.35%. Our investigations indicate that producing pasta with eggs and fresh wild garlic leaves results in a valuable food product with a good sensory score, enriched in bioactive components, with essential nutrients that maintains cooking qualities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications)
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19 pages, 4692 KiB  
Article
In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Green Tomato Extract: Perspectives on Topical Application
by Daniela Cunha, Catarina Faria-Silva, Filomena A. Carvalho, Lia Ascensão, Pedro Simões, Manuela Carvalheiro and Sandra Simões
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7309; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167309 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are among the fastest-growing nanomaterials due to the simplicity, efficiency, and sustainability of their biosynthesis using phytochemicals as reducing and coating agents. The agro-food industry generates large quantities of organic waste, a renewable source of biomolecules for AgNP biosynthesis. [...] Read more.
Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are among the fastest-growing nanomaterials due to the simplicity, efficiency, and sustainability of their biosynthesis using phytochemicals as reducing and coating agents. The agro-food industry generates large quantities of organic waste, a renewable source of biomolecules for AgNP biosynthesis. The main objective of this work was to prepare and characterize biogenic AgNP using a green tomato waste extract (TE) obtained by subcritical water extraction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of such an extract in the synthesis of AgNP. The effects of the TE and AgNO3 concentrations, reaction time, pH, and temperature on AgNP physico-chemical characteristics and on in vitro cytotoxicity against HaCaT and THP-1 cells were assessed. Antimicrobial activity was determined in vitro and ex vivo. The wound-healing capability of AgNP was evaluated in vivo in an incisional wound mouse model. The developed AgNP have a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band between 402 and 406 nm and a size of ±60 nm, and they are negatively charged (−42 mV) and spherical. In vitro and ex vivo studies prove that AgNP do not compromise skin cells and can decrease cutaneous irritation. The AgNP formulated in a gel revealed similar wound-healing properties to a commercial silver-containing topical ointment. Overall, the biogenic synthesis of AgNP employing an extract of agricultural waste obtained by an eco-friendly method is simple and cost-effective and presents the potential for application in skin disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications)
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Review

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29 pages, 2459 KiB  
Review
Substituting Sugar in Pastry and Bakery Products with Functional Ingredients
by Huțu Dana and Amariei Sonia
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8563; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188563 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 3823
Abstract
Replacing the amount of sugar in pastries with functional ingredients may be a strategy of interest to food manufacturers. Reducing the content of sugar in pastries and bakery products could be a measure to reduce diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, tooth [...] Read more.
Replacing the amount of sugar in pastries with functional ingredients may be a strategy of interest to food manufacturers. Reducing the content of sugar in pastries and bakery products could be a measure to reduce diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, tooth decay, and cognitive impairment. Additionally, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming potential are the main issues in sugar beet agricultural production systems. Due to the multiple roles that sugar has in the dough (i.e., provide energy, sweeten, improve the structural characteristics, extend shelf life, limit the swelling of the starch, give color and flavor to ripe products, and ensure the preservation of products), there have been attempts at substituting sugar in percentages of up to 100% in different products such as cakes, muffins, pies, biscuits, cookies, and bread. From the points of view of technology and consumer perception, the best substitutes are apple puree, inulin, oligofructose, stevia, apple pomace, polydextrose, dried apples, Nypa fruticans sap, grape juice/syrup, and date powder/syrup. Depending on the substituent, when substituting sugar in percentages from 10 to 100%, improvements were obtained in terms of texture, rheological properties, sensory properties, consumer acceptability, and physicochemical and nutritional properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications)
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52 pages, 1530 KiB  
Review
Bioactives of the Freshwater Aquatic Plants, Nelumbo nucifera and Lemna minor, for Functional Foods, Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Applications, with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antithrombotic Health Promoting Properties
by Marina Seferli, Christina Kotanidou, Melina Lefkaki, Theodora Adamantidi, Ellie Panoutsopoulou, Marios Argyrios Finos, Grigorios Krey, Nikolaos Kamidis, Nikolaos Stamatis, Chryssa Anastasiadou and Alexandros Tsoupras
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(15), 6634; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156634 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1868
Abstract
Despite significant progress, certain inflammation related to chronic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer, still present high mortality rates. Thus, further study is needed to address such pathologies more appropriately. Apart from classic therapeutics, natural bioactives with less toxic side effects have [...] Read more.
Despite significant progress, certain inflammation related to chronic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer, still present high mortality rates. Thus, further study is needed to address such pathologies more appropriately. Apart from classic therapeutics, natural bioactives with less toxic side effects have gained attention, including those with potential pharmaceutical properties derived from several plants. Within this article, the potential utilization of freshwater aquatic plants as sources of bioactives with antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is outlined. Emphasis is given to a well-established aquatic plant with known but not fully clarified and overviewed bio-functional and pharmaceutical properties, the Chinese lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), as well as to a so far neglected aquatic plant, Lemna minor, which has not yet been thoroughly reviewed for such applications. The latent usually grows naturally in large numbers at the surface of stored water basins of retrieved water from the last stages of wastewater treatment facilities. The continuous growth of this aquatic plant in such conditions further suggests that it can be a sustainable source of natural bioactives, if appropriately valorized, with an economic benefit and in a friendly environmental approach. The abundant content of both freshwater aquatic plants in bioactive components with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities is thoroughly outlined, while their applications as functional ingredients in several functional products (functional foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) are also discussed. The outlined outcomes urge further study of both aquatic plants and especially of Lemna spp. to fully elucidate their potential as alternative sustainable sources of bioactive ingredients for functional foods, supplements, nutraceuticals, nutricosmetics, cosmeceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products with health-promoting properties against inflammation and thrombosis related manifestations and their associated chronic disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Their Applications)
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