Due to the side effects and resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics and most drugs on the market, a great deal of attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from plant species used in herbal medicine. For this purpose, we investigated two Artemisia species, with different tissues and from different years of vegetation. The growing year of the plants positively influence the activity of S. aureus, in the sense that MIC and MBC values for extracts from Artemisia absinthium L. growing year I are higher than those from growing year II. As a physiological part of the plant, the leaf, which is richer in compounds, has higher antimicrobial activity compared to the stems, and the second year of vegetation also positively influences the bacterial inhibition activity. A. absinthium leaf extract from the second year of vegetation showed higher antioxidant capacity as a Trolox antioxidant capacity equivalent, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, in correlation with flavonoid and phenolic acid contents. So, based on the most recent literature, we can hypothesize the possible application of new therapeutic protocols for resistant infectious diseases, based on the use of natural extracts of Artemisia. Artemisia species with high biological values are a potential source of health and well-being .

Introduction

Antioxidants have gained significant attention in nutrition due to their potential in reducing the risk of various diseases, including cancer. These antioxidants can scavenge free radicals and mitigate the process of aging.

Objective

The primary aim of this study was to develop energy bars from traditional and underutilized fruits and vegetables found in Pakistan, namely, Kachnar (Bauhinia variegate), Moringa (Moringa Oleifera), Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), and Ber (Jujuebe Ziziphus).

Methodology

A total of 12 treatments were formulated by combining different proportions of the above fruits and vegetables to create energy bars. To enhance the nutritional value and healthfulness of the bars, honey was used as a sweetening agent. Proximate analysis and antioxidant level assessments were conducted on the developed products. Additionally, a sensory evaluation was carried out by a panel of experts.

Results

The combination of Ber, Loquat, and Moringa exhibited the highest antioxidant levels, ranging from 150 mg to 250 mg per energy bar. The combination of Ber and Loquat showed the highest antioxidant levels, ranging from 80 mg to 100 mg. Kachnar, on the other hand, demonstrated the least variation in its antioxidant levels. The remaining treatments exhibited antioxidant levels ranging from 50 mg to 80 mg, with those containing Kachnar showing the least variation. During the sensory evaluation, the experts categorized Ber, Moringa, and Loquat among the best for taste.

Conclusion

The antioxidant levels of Kachnar are not well documented in the literature, and further research is necessary to understand its exact mechanism and the beneficial effects of combining these fruits and vegetables. Moreover, an efficacy study on humans could also be conducted to assess its effectiveness. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of utilizing underutilized local produce to develop nutrient-dense and antioxidant-rich energy bars.

Kombucha is one of the fastest-growing fermented beverages in popularity worldwide due to the health benefits its regular consumption may provide, such as reducing cholesterol and blood sugar levels and combating oxidative stress, among others. However, there are still few studies evaluating the in vitro cytotoxic potential of the beverage against cancer cell lines. Therefore, we produced kombucha using green tea cultivated in the city of Registro, Brazil, characterized its phenolic profile using UPLC-MS^E, and tested the cytotoxic potential of the beverage against lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549), human colon carcinoma cells (HCT8), human liver cancer cells (HepG2), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and normal human lung fibroblast cell lines (IMR90). The green tea kombucha presented 92 phenolic compounds, most of which were classified as flavonoids. The kombucha demonstrated a cytotoxic profile in all tested cancer cell lines, evidenced by growth inhibition (GI50), decreased cell viability (IC50), and lethal concentration (LC50). In line with this, we observed that the extract presented a selective index (A549 = 2.84; HCT8 = 1.74; HepG2 = 1.4; and HUVEC = 1.23) in relation to the normal cell line, as IMR90 was not affected by the treatment (IC50, IG50, and LC50 > 500 µg GAE/mL). It is believed that the flavonoids, which are the most abundant in kombucha, are capable of acting on crucial signaling pathways for tumor development. Our findings indicate that green tea kombucha is effective in promoting cellular health in vitro, and complementary studies with animal and human models will be crucial to confirm these tested biological activities.

Introduction: Excess body fat disturbs the delicate balance of calcium in the body by influencing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and vitamin D metabolism, often leading to lower magnesium levels. Recent research suggests that single-strain probiotics can positively influence gut health and mineral balance in obese individuals. Yet, the potential of multi-strain probiotics in addressing these issues among obese postmenopausal women remains largely unexplored. This study seeks to uncover how multi-strain probiotic supplementation, administered at varying doses, impacts magnesium and calcium metabolism in this specific demographic.

Materials and Methods: Three groups of postmenopausal women with obesity, comprising 30 subjects each, received a nine-strain oral probiotic supplement in a daily dose of 2.5×10⁹colony forming units (CFUs) in the low dose (LD) group, 1×10¹⁰ CFUs in the high dose (HD) group, or a placebo for 12 weeks. The probiotic mixture contained bacterial strains (Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, B. lactis W51, B. lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, L. brevis W63, L. casei W56, L. salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Lc. lactis W58) in equal parts. The excipient was composed of maize starch and maltodextrins. The placebo group received the excipient alone packed in identical sachets.

Samples were washed in acetone and deionized water, dried at 105–110 °C, and weighed; permed or dyed hair was excluded. The Ca and Mg contents of hair and serum were determined after digestion in 65% spectra pure HNO3 using a Microwave Digestion system, followed by measurement with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The accuracy of the method was verified using certified reference materials, achieving a 95%–98% accuracy for Ca and 99%–103% for Mg.

Results: Following the intervention, both supplemented groups exhibited elevated magnesium (Mg) levels in their hair compared to the placebo group. Conversely, hair calcium (Ca) content was higher in the placebo group compared to the low dose (LD) group post-intervention. Serum Mg concentration was notably higher in the LD group but lower in the high dose (HD) group compared to the placebo. Serum Ca concentration in the LD group was lower than that observed in both the placebo and HD groups post-intervention. Additionally, hair Ca content was significantly reduced compared to the HD group following the intervention.

Conclusion: This study indicates a clear impact of probiotic supplementation on Mg levels, as well as more nuanced effects on Ca levels, which are more complex and dosage-dependent.

Protein hydrolysates, created by enzymatic protein hydrolysis, enhance the physicochemical properties of proteins and generate bioactive peptides. Peptides extracted from food proteins have attracted much attention due to their special physiological functions, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antibacterial activity. The choice of enzymes and hydrolysis conditions is crucial in producing biologically active peptides, and suitable proteases can exert maximum biological activity. This study aimed, for the first time, to obtain hydrolysates from macauba kernel protein isolate (MKPI) using different enzymes and hydrolysis conditions and evaluating their antioxidant capacity. Two enzymatic methods were employed: one simulating gastrointestinal digestion (HD) using pepsin and pancreatin at varying conditions (HD1: 5% for 2 hrs, HD2: 7.5% for 2 hrs, HD3: 5% for 4 hrs) and another using alcalase (HA) at different concentrations (HA1: 1%, HA2: 1.5%, HA3: 2%). The protein profile of the hydrolysates was determined by SDS-PAGE, and antioxidant capacity was assessed using the ABTS method, with MKPI as a control. Gel electrophoresis revealed that hydrolysis reduced protein sizes to below 35 kDa, with HD producing proteins smaller than 20 kDa and HA smaller than 35 kDa. MKPI contained proteins up to 60 kDa, showing effective hydrolysis by the enzymes. Antioxidant capacity was higher in HD (HD1: 102%, HD2: 101%, HD3: 101%) compared to HA (HA1: 92%, HA2: 77%, HA3: 70%) and MKPI (52%). This study highlights hydrolysates from macauba kernels with significant antioxidant activity and bioactive peptides, particularly those produced through gastrointestinal digestion simulation, which showed higher concentrations of smaller proteins (20 kDa) and greater antioxidant capacity. Future research should identify peptides with the strongest biological activity and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Grape pomace, a byproduct of the wine and juice industry, is rich in bioactive compounds that have been shown to improve intestinal health. Yet, its disposal is costly and contributes to landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. With the poultry industry seeking alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) due to rising antibiotic resistance, grape pomace offers a natural, healthier substitute and a valuable ingredient for human food production.

This in vivo feeding trial explored intestinal health parameters using grape pomace and fermented grape pomace as AGP alternatives in broiler feed. A total of 150 Cornish cross broilers were divided into six groups: i) standard diet wheat-corn-soybean meal, ii) 33% rice bran or non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) known to induce chronic low-grade gut inflammation, iii) NSP + zinc bacitracin (AGP), iv) NSP + 0.5% GP (GP), v) NSP + 0.5% Lactobacillus casei fermented GP, and vi) NSP + 0.5% Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118 fermented GP. On day 42, 21 birds from each group were euthanized, and blood, duodenum, cecum, and right breast muscle were collected.

Results showed that the NSP-fed group had lower body weight and feed intake, but all treatments mitigated this growth reduction. Breast muscle weights did not differ significantly between STD and both FGP groups, while other treatments resulted in lower weights. Cecal bacterial population changes were similar between the AGP and GP groups. GP inclusion significantly increased (P < 0.05) gut-barrier-integrity-related proteins (OCLN, ZO-2, Claudin-3, Claudin-4). Histological analysis showed variations in villus surface area, muscularis thickness, and crypt depth across different groups.

These findings further demonstrate the nutraceutical benefits of grape pomace and suggest that incorporating 0.5% grape pomace could replace AGPs in broiler production. However, fermenting grape pomace did not provide significant additional benefits. Further studies are needed to investigate the benefits of grape pomace in healthy and compromised intestinal health.

It is estimated that 537 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, this number is expected to increase to 643 million by 2030. With such a large population of patients, the market demand for new preparations that allow better tailoring of therapy to the individual needs of patients is growing. As part of the completed project, preliminary studies were conducted to develop technology for the extraction and methodology for assessing the quality of active substances of a natural origin with potential therapeutic significance in the treatment of insulin resistance. For this purpose, plant material with recognized supportive action in the treatment of insulin resistance was used—dried white mulberry leaves. Within the project, a methodology for qualitative studies was developed to verify the quality of the active substance extraction process. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a C-18 column and ultraviolet (UV) optical detection was utilized for this purpose. The possibility of using two solvents for eluting active ingredients—acetonitrile and methanol—was tested, employing both isocratic and gradient programs. Optimal conditions for the extraction process were also determined. The experiments conducted allowed for the verification of the influence of the process duration (ranging from 0 to 180 minutes) and its environment (water, methanol, ethanol) on the efficiency of active substance extraction from plant material. The developed methodologies were used to determine which substances with potential hypoglycemic activity (based on literature reports) are present and can be effectively extracted from dried white mulberry leaves. For this purpose, mulberry leaves from different sources (two different producers) were used as the test material.

Many plant foods, especially vegetables, herbs, and spices, contain natural salicylates, which are beneficial to health. Thus, this study aimed to determine the dietary and total salicylate intake of pregnant/non-pregnant women.

In this survey, an equal number of non-pregnant and pregnant women (35 each) aged between 18 and 49 years participated. The pregnant group was within 25–38 weeks of gestation. Participants completed a validated FFQ questionnaire and a 24-hour recall nutrition interview. Data were analyzed using an original food database and the Aliant software package. BMI was also determined. Statistical analysis was performed through the use of Mann–Whitney test and the Spearman correlation coefficient in Statistica 13.3.

Data analysis indicated that total salicylate intake in pregnant (P) women was higher, at a mean of 1136.09 ± 577.47 µg/day, than that of non-pregnant (NP) women, at 708.63 ± 427.92 µg/day. While none of the non-pregnant (NP) women used supplements containing salicylates or aspirin, 3% of the pregnant women occasionally used aspirin. The most commonly consumed salicylates in the pregnant (P) group were basil, buckwheat, nuts, and pickled cucumbers, along with oregano, whereas in the non-pregnant (NP) group , basil, buckwheat, cauliflower and oregano were most frequently consumed. The analysis of the obtained results indicated a negative association between general BMI and salicylate intake, R= -0.29, while the correlation between BMI and vitamin C intake was positive, equal to R= 0,25. Also, the nutritional survey analysis showed that the mean intake values of total energy, protein, carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper were considerably lower in the pregnant (P) group than in non-pregnant women (NP). Thus, the diet of pregnant women was found to contain less than the RDA for the majority of the nutrients examined.

In conclusion, the consumption of natural salicylates in pregnancy was rather high, especially in the second stage of pregnancy. However, overall diet during pregnancy showed a comparatively low density of macro- and micronutrients, potentially affecting fetal development negatively.

Abstract : Beetroot juice (BRJ) contains a high concentration of
inorganic nitrates, previously shown to improve blood flow to skeletal
muscle. Recent studies in males have found that acute BRJ
supplementation can improve aerobic exercise performance. However,
the effects of BRJ supplementation on exercise performance in females
is currently unknown. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the
effect of BRJ supplementation on aerobic performance in females.
Methods: This study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial where
participants (n=18), healthy trained females (22.9 ± 5.6 years, 165.8 ±
7.14 cm, 64.0 ± 0.57 kg), were divided into threedifferent groups: the placebo
group (PLG; n=9), the BRJ group (n=9), and the BRJ concentrate group (50ml) (~8,2 mmol NO3−).
Three hours after taking the supplement, participants completed
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a cycle ergometer at a constant
work rate (W), using a gas exchange measurement, including the uptake of oxygen
(V̇O2) and exhaled carbon dioxide (V̇CO2), with traditional exercise testing
parameters. Results: Results of maximal oxygen consumption in the BRJ group
in the first test and in the second test after 50ml BRJ showed significant
(p<0.001) changes after the second test. Maximal oxygen consumption
(VO2max) increased by 4.82% (from 35.24±5.07 to 36.94±4.91) in contrast
with the PLG where results decreased by 0.57% between the first test and the
second test (from 35.06±4.87 to 34.86±5.01).
Respiratory efficiency (VE/VO2) increased by 0.84% in the PLG (from
34.53±2.67 to 34.79±3.38) and decreased by 4,25% in the BRJ group (from
35.01±2.38 to 33.52±2.10).
Conclusion: This data demonstrate that dietary supplementation
with NO3- can be considered an ergogenic aid and may have therapeutic effects
in hypoxic environments as well as improve cardiovascular health in female
athletes.

Upcycling, or reincorporating waste into consumer goods, has become a spearhead for food sustainability. In addition to reducing waste, studies propose a nutritional benefit of consuming upcycled materials like grape byproducts. Grape skins and pulp contain phenolic compounds strongly associated with anti-inflammatory effects. However, grape byproducts have rarely been challenged in an inflamed in vivo system. Thus, this study assessed grape juice pulp and its impact on induced intestinal inflammation in vivo. We used the intra-amniotic administration (in ovo) model, which harnesses the broiler (Gallus gallus) embryo and its innate consumption of its amniotic fluid on day 17 of incubation. We took a novel double-injection approach where inflammation was induced by first injecting 0.75% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) followed by a second injection of a 3% grape juice pulp extract (GJPE). Treatment groups were randomly assigned and adequately controlled (n=102 divided into six groups). To confirm the induction of inflammation and to assess gut health, we measured intestinal permeability via fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) in the serum, duodenal claudin-1 and occludin expression via RT-qPCR, and duodenal morphology via histology. The FITC-d analysis revealed an ameliorative effect of GJPE on DSS-induced gut permeability. This was further supported by significant decreases in claudin-1 and occludin expression (p<0.05), suggesting that tight junction function was protected by GJPE. Finally, the histological analysis demonstrated significantly greater villus surface area, goblet cell size, and crypt depth (p<0.05) for inflamed groups receiving GJPE compared to the inflamed control. These results re-emphasize grape juice pulp’s potential to attenuate intestinal inflammation. Future long-term feeding trials are needed to confirm an anti-inflammatory effect of grape byproducts in the context of a full diet. Nevertheless, this study provides an important step towards upcycling grape waste streams for nutritional benefit.