Bioaccessibility and Cellular Uptake of Carotenoids Extracted from Bactris gasipaes Fruit: Differences between Conventional and Ionic Liquid-Mediated Extraction.

Currently, on an industrial scale, synthetic colorants are used in many fields, as well as those extracted with conventional organic solvents (COSs), leading to several environmental issues. Therefore, we developed a sustainable extraction and purification method mediated by ionic liquids (IL), which is considered an alternative high-performance replacement for COSs. Carotenoids are natural pigments with low bioaccessibility (BCT) and bioavailability (BV) but with huge importance to health. To investigate if the BCT and cellular uptake of the carotenoids are modified by the extraction method, we conducted a comparison assay between both extraction procedures (IL vs. COS). For this, we used the Amazonian fruit Bactris gasipaes, a rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, to obtain the extract, which was emulsified and subjected to an in vitro digestion model followed by the Caco-2 cell absorption assay. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids using IL was better than those using COS (33.25%, and 26.84%, respectively). The cellular uptake of the carotenoids extracted with IL was 1.4-fold higher than those extracted using COS. Thus, IL may be a feasible alternative as extraction solvent in the food industry, replacing COS, since, in this study, no IL was present in the final extract.

Bioaccessibility and cellular uptake by Caco-2 cells of carotenoids and chlorophylls from orange peels: A comparison between conventional and ionic liquid mediated extractions.

Native extracts from orange peels were obtained by a conventional method using acetone and, an alternative method using ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl)). The bioaccessibilities and cellular uptakes of carotenoids, esters and chlorophylls were evaluated, since the influence of esterification on bioaccessibility and bioavailability is not well established. For this, the extracts were emulsified, submitted to in vitro simulated digestion model according to the INFOGEST protocol, followed by uptake by Caco-2 cells. Compounds were separated, identified and quantified by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. After digestion, 22.0% and 26.2% of the total carotenoids and 45.9% and 68.7% of the chlorophylls were bioaccessible from the acetone and [C4mim]Cl extracts, respectively. The bioaccessibilities of xanthophylls and carotenes were significantly higher than those of the mono- and diesters. The uptake by Caco-2 cells varied from 130.2 to 131.9 ng/mg cell protein for total carotenoids and from 243.8 to 234.2 ng/mg cell protein for chlorophylls in the acetone and [C4mim]Cl extracts, respectively. In general, xanthophylls and esters were better absorbed than carotenes.

Chemical characterization of unconventional palm oils from Hyophorbe indica and two other endemic Arecaceae species from Reunion Island.

Chemical characteristics of novel seed oils, yet not investigated, from three endemic Arecaceae (palm) species from Reunion Island are described. Fatty acid profiles are performed using two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Carotenoid contents are determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results of the investigations emphasize the particular composition of the unconventional red seed oil from Hyophorbe indica. Characteristic features of this oil reveal a high degree of unsaturation (50% of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a high content (17%) of omega-3), which is possibly a unique fatty acid composition in the Arecaceae family. The two other palm oils from Dictyosperma album and Latania lontaroides contain high level of saturated fatty acids very similar to that of the edible palm oil. H. indica oil is also very rich in valuable carotenoids; in particular, lutein, ß-carotene and lycopene are detected in a high content (respectively 45, 23 and 35 mg.kg-1 in oil).

Green Extraction Approaches for Carotenoids and Esters: Characterization of Native Composition from Orange Peel.

Orange peel is a by-product produced in large amounts that acts as a source of natural pigments such as carotenoids. Xanthophylls, the main carotenoid class found in citrus fruit, can be present in its free form or esterified with fatty acids, forming esters. This esterification modifies the compound's chemical properties, affecting their bioavailability in the human body, and making it important to characterize the native carotenoid composition of food matrices. We aimed to evaluate the non-saponified carotenoid extracts of orange peel (cv. Pera) obtained using alternative green approaches: extraction with ionic liquid (IL), analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), followed by supercritical fluid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection (SFC-APCI/QqQ/MS) in an online system. Both alternative green methods were successfully applied, allowing the total identification of five free carotenoids, one apocarotenoid, seven monoesters, and 11 diesters in the extract obtained with IL and analyzed by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS, and nine free carotenoids, six carotenoids esters, 19 apocarotenoids, and eight apo-esters with the SFE-SFC-APCI/QqQ/MS approach, including several free apocarotenoids and apocarotenoid esters identified for the first time in oranges, and particularly in the Pera variety, which could be used as a fruit authenticity parameter.

Ionic liquid associated with ultrasonic-assisted extraction: A new approach to obtain carotenoids from orange peel.

The aim of this study was to develop a new method for carotenoid extraction from orange peel, using ionic liquid (IL) to replace conventional organic solvents, assisted by ultrasound. Four different IL were tested: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([HMIM][Cl]). Response surface methodology was applied in order to optimize the carotenoid extraction conditions, and Amberlite XAD-7HP resin was used to separate the carotenoids from the IL, allowing their recovery. Determination of carotenoids was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MSn). Thermal stability at different temperatures (60 °C and 90 °C) and peroxyl radical scavenging activity of the carotenoid extracts obtained with acetone and IL were evaluated. [BMIM][Cl] was the most effective IL, leading to a total carotenoid content of 32.08 ±â€¯2.05 µg/g, while 7.88 ±â€¯0.59 µg/g of dry matter was obtained by acetone extraction. IL and carotenoid recoveries using XAD-7HP resin were in the range of 59.5-63.8% and 52.2-58.7%, respectively. A carotenoid extract was successfully obtained with IL, finally isolated just by using ethanol, besides being more stable and presenting higher antioxidant activity than that obtained with acetone.

Modulatory Effect of Polyphenolic Compounds from the Mangrove Tree Rhizophora mangle L. on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet Obese Mice.

No scientific report proves the action of the phytochemicals from the mangrove tree Rhizophora mangle in the treatment of diabetes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of the acetonic extract of R. mangle barks (AERM) on type 2 diabetes. The main chemical constituents of the extract were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and flow injection analysis electrospray-iontrap mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS). High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used as model of type 2 diabetes associated with obesity. After 4 weeks of AERM 5 or 50 mg/kg/day orally, glucose homeostasis was evaluated by insulin tolerance test (kiTT). Hepatic steatosis, triglycerides and gene expression were also evaluated. AERM consists of catechin, quercetin and chlorogenic acids derivatives. These metabolites have nutritional importance, obese mice treated with AERM (50 mg/kg) presented improvements in insulin resistance resulting in hepatic steatosis reductions associated with a strong inhibition of hepatic mRNA levels of CD36. The beneficial effects of AERM in an obesity model could be associated with its inhibitory α-amylase activity detected in vitro. Rhizophora mangle partially reverses insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis associated with obesity, supporting previous claims in traditional knowledge.

Application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting associated with macroscopic and histological analysis for Plantago major herbal infusions quality control.

The present study demonstrates the need to conduct an integrative quality control of teas marketed as Plantago major. In the present study, quality control checks were performed through macroscopic, microscopic and chemical analyses of commercial brands. Leaves with parts not allowed for consumption were found in all brands. Six brands showed histological similarity <50% with the authentic P. major. Eight brands demonstrated low chemical similarity (40 to 60%), indicating that they do not have the same compounds from the authentic P. major. All commercial samples are contaminated with aflatoxins, indicative of fungicide contamination and consequent degradation of phenolic compounds and reduction of antioxidant activity from the commercial samples. The difference in the present study is the integrative application of methods for success in the quality control of P. major, which can be applied to other species. Thus, more rigorous inspection actions in the production of teas to guarantee the therapeutic benefit of these products.

Alterations in phenolic compound levels and antioxidant activity in response to cooking technique effects: A meta-analytic investigation.

The aim of this study was to review prior studies that have evaluated the effects of cooking techniques on polyphenol levels and antioxidant activity in vegetables and to release a meta-analysis of the findings. Meta-analysis with a random effect model was conducted using the weighted response ratios (R*) that were calculated for each experiment. Baking (R* = 0.51), blanching (R* = 0.94), boiling (R* = 0.62), microwaving (R* = 0.54) and pressure cooking (R* = 0.47) techniques precipitated significant reductions in the polyphenol levels. Significant decreases in the antioxidant activity levels were noted after baking (R* = 0.45) and boiling (R* = 0.76), while significant increases were observed after frying (R* = 2.26) and steaming (R* = 1.52).

Cooking techniques improve the levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in kale and red cabbage.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different home cooking techniques (boiling, steaming, and stir-frying) in kale and red cabbage, on the levels of bioactive compounds (carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds) determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS(n)), and on the antioxidant activity evaluated by ABTS, ORAC and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays. The steaming technique resulted in a significant increase in phenolic content in kale (86.1%; p<0.001) whereas in red cabbage it was significantly reduced (34.6%; p<0.001). In the kale, steaming resulted in significant increases in antioxidant activity levels in all of the evaluation methods. In the red cabbage, boiling resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant activity using the ABTS assay but resulted in a significant decrease using the ORAC assay. According to the CAA assay, the stir-fried sample displayed the highest levels of antioxidant activity.