Filters
Effect of the roasting level on the content of bioactive and aromatic compounds in Arabica coffee beans
Phytochemical content of roasted seeds of three white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) varieties differing in their glucosinolate and erucic acid content
Residues of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Tea Infusions/Water Extracts as a Valuable Source of Tocotrienols: An Extraction Study
Hypericum perforatum L., commonly known as St. John’s wort, is a widely distributed herbaceous plant utilized in traditional and phytomedicinal applications, particularly for its hydrophilic bioactive compounds. It is often used for treating early depressive states. In this study, we focused on reporting the tocotrienols—lipophilic phytochemicals with health-promoting properties—in St. John’s wort. H. perforatum flowerheads predominantly contained tocotrienols compared with tocopherols (54 and 30 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively). The major tocotrienols (T3) were δ-T3 and α-T3 (34.0 and 17.6 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively). Tocopherols and tocotrienols are lipophilic phytochemicals that cannot be present in St. John’s wort water extracts (tea infusions), but they can be recovered from the remaining residues of H. perforatum tea infusions by using hydroethanolic solutions. A 50.0% (v/v) hydroethanolic solution was not effective in the recovery of tocochromanols. The greatest increase in the extractability of tocochromanols was observed for 70.0–80.0% (v/v) hydroethanolic extracts, while increasing the ethanol concentration from 90.0% to 96.2% (v/v) only slightly improved extractability (not statistically significant). For each ethanol concentration, the recovery was proportionally higher for tocotrienols than for tocopherols. Residues of H. perforatum tea infusions can be proposed as valuable by-products rich in tocotrienols.
Physicochemical characteristics of cold-pressed blackcurrant-, strawberry-, and raspberry seed oils during storage and its influence on thermo-oxidative stability
The Effect of High-Temperature Heating on Amounts of Bioactive Compounds and Antiradical Properties of Refined Rapeseed Oil Blended with Rapeseed, Coriander and Apricot Cold-Pressed Oils
Cold-pressed oils are rich sources of bioactive substances, which may protect triacylglycerols from degradation during frying. Nevertheless, these substances may decompose under high temperature. This work considers the content of bioactive substances in blends and their changes during high-temperature heating. Blends of refined rapeseed oil with 5% or 25% in one of three cold-pressed oils (rapeseed, coriander and apricot) were heated at 170 or 200 °C in a thin layer on a pan. All non-heated blends and cold-pressed oils were tested for fatty acid profile, content and composition of phytosterols, tocochromanols, chlorophyll and radical scavenging activity (RSA) analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Moreover, the stability of phytosterols, tocochromanols, DPPH and ABTS values was determined in heated blends. All tocochromanols were lost during the heating process, in particular, at 200 °C. However, there were some differences between homologues. α-Tocopherol and δ-tocopherol were the most thermolabile and the most stable, respectively. Phytosterols were characterized by very high stability at both temperatures. We observed relationships between ABTS and DPPH values and contents of total tocochromanols and α-tocopherol. The obtained results may be useful in designing a new type of fried food with improved health properties and it may be the basis for further research on this topic.
Rare Prenyllipids in Wild St. John’s Wort During Three Harvest Seasons
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a medicinal plant known for its bioactive compounds, including tocopherols and tocotrienols, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds play vital roles in the plant’s metabolism and have potential applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, the content of these compounds in different anatomical parts of the plant, as well as the influence of environmental factors, such as the year of collection, remain underexplored. This study examined the content of tocochromanols in H. perforatum leaves, flowers, and flower buds, collected in Poland during the years 2022–2024. The results revealed that tocopherols predominantly accumulated in the leaves, while tocotrienols were more abundant in the flowers and flower buds. The year of collection had a significant effect on tocopherol levels, while tocotrienol content showed lower sensitivity to environmental fluctuations, indicating their higher stability. St. John’s wort can be considered a valuable source of biologically active compounds, especially tocotrienols, which exhibit higher stability and less susceptibility to environmental variability. The results underline the importance of considering both the plant’s anatomical parts and the year of collection when aiming to maximize the production of bioactive compounds.
Combining Targeted Metabolomics with Untargeted Volatilomics for Unraveling the Impact of Sprouting on the Volatiles and Aroma of False Flax (Camelina sativa) Cold-Pressed Oil
Unravelling the importance of seed roasting for oil quality by the non-targeted volatilomics and targeted metabolomics of cold-pressed false flax (Camelina sativa L.) oil and press cakes
The effect of ultrasound-assisted maceration of selected cold-pressed oils with lyophilized mullein flowers (Verbascum thapsus L.) on their oxidative stability and chemical composition
Modification of the Protein Amino Acid Content in Hen Eggs as a Consequence of Different Concentrations of Lupine and Soy in Feed
The effect of the diet modification (soybean and lupine addition) on the content of protein and amino acids (AA) in eggs was studied. Both the sampling day and the diet influenced the total protein content. In albumen, the lowest protein content (10.6%) was noted after administering a diet containing 25% lupine; in the same egg the yolk contained the most proteins (16.7%). In the content of nonessential AA (NAA) in egg yolks, differences were noted only for cysteine, with its the highest content in the yolks of the control group. The stable content of essential yolk amino acids (EAA) was observed only for isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. The highest contents of EAA and NAA were recorded in the yolks of the control group (~47 and ~53 g/100 g of protein, respectively) and in the group with 25% additions of lupine (~42 and ~51 g/100 g of protein, respectively). AA with constant content in the tested albumens were methionine, tryptophan and alanine. The highest content of EAA (>~42 g/100 g of protein) and NAA (>~62 g/100 g of protein) were determined in albumen of eggs determined in the group with at least 20% additions of lupine. The highest content of EAA for humans delivered eggs from groups 4–6 (with the addition of soy into the diet ≤5%). The protein sources used in the hen diet significantly influenced the content of protein and individual AA in the produced eggs.
Corrigendum to ‘Phytochemical content of roasted seeds of three white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) varieties differing in their glucosinolate and erucic acid content’ [Ind. Crops Prod. 220 (2024) 119207]
Assessment of the Quality, Bioactive Compounds, and Antimicrobial Activity of Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Syrian Black Cumin Oils
Background: The oils obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa, also named black cumin, are rich in bioactive compounds that strengthen immunity and support human health. This study aimed to compare Nigella sativa oils pressed from Egyptian (Eg-NSSO), Ethiopian (Et-NSSO), and Syrian (Sy-NSSO) seeds. Methods: The analyzed oils were obtained from a local company. The content of phenolic compounds, tocochromanols, phytosterols, volatile compounds, triglycerides, and fatty acids composition was determined using chromatographic methods. The oxidative stability was determined by Rancimat technique as well as the determination of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity. As an assessment of bioactivity, the antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic properties of oils were evaluated. Results: Ethiopian oil had highest content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, phytosterols, and tocochromanols and was characterized by the longest induction period (IP = 7.89 h). The share of thymoquinone was the highest in Ethiopian oil (34.84%), followed by Egyptian (27.36%), then Syrian (22.59%). Ethiopian oil recorded a high antibacterial activity, while Egyptian oil showed a unique antifungal activity against toxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins’ secretion into liquid medium containing NSSO was reduced, especially with Egyptian oil.