Advanced Extraction Techniques for Bioactive Compounds from Berry Fruits: Enhancing Functional Food Applications.

The modern functional food market is developing dynamically, responding to the growing demand for products combining nutritional and health-promoting values. At the center of this evolution are natural bio-organic extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins, which can enrich traditional food products, including fruit juices, increasing their health-promoting values. The aim of the research was to compare the efficiency of extraction of bioactive compounds from various forms of plant raw material (dried, freeze-dried, frozen material) using innovative techniques: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE).

Enhancing wound healing with zinc and silver nanocomposites synthesized with β-lactoglobulin: antimicrobial properties, collagen deposition, and systemic effects in a C57BL/6J mouse model.

This study explores the potential of zinc and silver nanocomposites, synthesized with β-lactoglobulin, a whey protein, in promoting wound healing, using the C57BL/6J mouse model. Our research is distinct in its dual focus: assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of these nanocomposites and their impact on wound healing processes. The antimicrobial properties were investigated through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assessments and colony-forming unit (CFU) tests, providing insights into their effectiveness against wound-associated microorganisms.

Comparative Studies of Extracts Obtained from L. Plants at Different Stages of Growth by Isolation and Determination of Isothiocyanates: An Assessment of Chemopreventive Properties of Broccoli.

The main goal of this work was to develop analytical procedures for the isolation and determination of selected isothiocyanates. As an example, particularly sulforaphane from plants of the or Juss family. The applied methodology was mainly based on classical extraction methods and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Fluoroalkylated Benzopyranones and 3-Coumaranones via -Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Intramolecular Annulations.

A highly enantioselective intramolecular NHC-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of fluoroalkylated benzopyranones and 3-coumaranones with all-carbon quaternary stereocenters is presented. This reaction is catalyzed by -heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and involves annulation reactions between in situ generated acyl anion intermediates and highly substituted trifluoromethyl-β,β-disubstituted Michael acceptors. The method can also be extended to perfluoroalkyl homologues.

Functionalization of Alpha-Lactalbumin by Zinc Ions.

Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) and binding of zinc cations to protein were studied. Molecular characteristics of protein was determined by MALDI-TOF/MS and electrophoresis SDS-PAGE, and also, for complexes, it was determined by spectroscopic techniques (ATR-FT-IR and Raman) and microscopic techniques (SEM along with an EDX detector and also TEM). The pH dependence of zeta potential of α-LA was determined in saline solution.

Isolation and Identification of and Strains from Fermented Beetroot and an Investigation of Their Properties as Potential Starter Cultures and Probiotics.

The presence of certain microorganisms in dairy products or silage is highly desirable. Among them are probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which show many beneficial features, including antimicrobial properties that support the development of beneficial microflora; in addition, owing to their biochemical activity, they influence the nutritional, dietary, and organoleptic properties of food products. Before being placed on the market, each strain requires separate testing to determine its probiotic properties and effectiveness.

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of bovine lactoferrin supersaturated complex with iron (III) ions.

The aim of the study was to investigate the process of Fe binding to bLTF. Moreover, the physicochemical characterization of the respective supersaturated complex was studied. The knowledge should be important for the description of processes that may take place in dairy products fortified with iron.

Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, and Antibacterial Performance of Silver-Lactoferrin Complexes.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose one of the major threats to human health worldwide. The issue is fundamental in the case of chronic wound treatment. One of the latest trends to overcome the problem is the search for new antibacterial agents based on silver.

Nanostructured Layer of Silver for Detection of Small Biomolecules in Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

A facile approach for the synthesis of a silver nanostructured layer for application in surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of low-molecular-weight biomolecules was developed using electrochemical deposition. The deposition was carried out using the following silver salts: trifluoroacetate, acetate and nitrate, varying the voltage and time. The plate based on trifluoroacetate at 10 V for 15 min showed intense SALDI-MS responses for standards of various classes of compounds: fatty acids, cyclitols, saccharides and lipids at a concentration of 1 nmol/spot, with values of the signal-to-noise ratio ≥50.

as a Modulator of Fatty Acid Compositions and Vitamin D3 in Cream.

Butter is an important source of essential fatty acids, lipid-soluble vitamins, and antioxidants in the diet. However, this study showed that the presence of the strain has a great influence on the fatty acid profile as well as provitamin D3 and vitamin D3 content in the cream-the raw material from which the butter is obtained. The addition of this lactic acid bacteria enriches the cream in 9-hexadecenoic acid, oleic acid, octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid, which exhibit antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties.

New sources of lactic acid bacteria with potential antibacterial properties.

In the face of the growing demand for functional food, the search for new sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) becomes a priority. In our research, we used multiplied culture conditions followed by identification via the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for seeking LAB strains in plant- and animal-derived sources. Furthermore, the selected LAB isolates were examined for their proteolytic activity as well as antimicrobial action against different bacterial pathogens.

Modern Methods of Pre-Treatment of Plant Material for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds.

In this review, recent advances in the methods of pre-treatment of plant material for the extraction of secondary metabolites with high biological activity are presented. The correct preparation of the material for extraction is as important as the selection of the extraction method. This step should prevent the degradation of bioactive compounds as well as the development of fungi and bacteria.

Tissue sample preparations for preclinical research determined by molecular imaging mass spectrometry using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - imaging mass spectrometry is an alternative tool, which can be implemented in order to obtain and visualize the "omic" signature of tissue samples. Its application to clinical study enables simultaneous imaging-based morphological observations and mass spectrometry analysis. Application of fully informative material like tissue allows obtaining the complex and unique profile of analyzed samples.

Comparison Study of Cytotoxicity of Bare and Functionalized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

In this paper, a study of the cytotoxicity of bare and functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is presented. The functionalized ZnO NPs were obtained by various types of biological methods including microbiological (intra- and extracellular with strain), phytochemical ( plant extract) and biochemical (ovalbumin from egg white protein) synthesis. As a control, the bare ZnO NPs gained by chemical synthesis (commercially available) were tested.

NHC-catalyzed enantioselective C2-functionalization of 3-hydroxychromenones α,β-unsaturated acyl azoliums.

A novel synthetic method for enantioselective C2-functionalization of 3-hydroxychromenones promoted by N-heterocyclic carbenes the formation of α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium intermediates, which occurs with Coates-Claisen rearrangement is established. This synthetic strategy enabled the rapid assembly of enantiomerically enriched δ-hydroxychromenone-derived esters/amides under mild conditions with good to excellent yields and broad substrate scope.

Comparative Studies of Selected Criteria Enabling Optimization of the Extraction of Polar Biologically Active Compounds from Alfalfa with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

The aim of this research was to provide crucial and useful data about the selection of the optimization criteria of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of alfalfa at a quarter-technical plant. The correlation between more general output, including total phenolics and flavonoids content, and a more specified composition of polar constituents was extensively studied. In all alfalfa extracts, polar bioactive constituents were analyzed by both spectrometric (general output) and chromatographic (detailed output) analyses.

Promising Green Technology in Obtaining Functional Plant Preparations: Combined Enzyme-Assisted Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Flavonoids Isolation from Leaves.

To elaborate a complete extraction protocol for the enhanced release of biologically active compounds from plant cells, this study aimed to optimize together the parameters of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process (temperature, pressure, and percentage of cosolvent) and enzymatic treatment of plant material (pH, enzyme concentration, time, and temperature) by response surface methodology (RSM). L. was selected as a plant material due to its richness in phenolics and flavonoids.

The potential application of supercritical CO in microbial inactivation of food raw materials and products.

The purpose of this study was to review the possibility of using supercritical CO as a green and sustainable technology for microbial inactivation of raw material for further application in the food industry. The history of the development of supercritical CO microbial inactivation has been widely described in this article. The fundamental scientific part of the process like mechanism of bactericidal action of CO or inactivation of key enzymes were characterized in detail.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Arabinogalactan Proteins during Mill. Male Gametophyte and Ovule Interaction.

The role of ArabinoGalactan Proteins (AGPs) in the sexual reproduction of gymnosperms is not as well documented as that of angiosperms. In earlier studies, we demonstrated that AGPs play important roles during ovule differentiation in Mill. The presented results encouraged us to carry out further studies focused on the functions of these unique glycoproteins during pollen/pollen tube and ovule interactions in .

The Influence of Plant Material Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Extraction Conditions on the Polyphenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts: A Green and Efficient Approach.

The aim of this study was to develop a new comprehensive extraction protocol based on green technology for the enhanced release of polyphenolic compounds from plant cells. In this work, extracts from yerba mate and yellow lupine seed were obtained by using three different extraction techniques: maceration, supercritical fluid extraction with co-solvent (SFE) and enzyme assisted-supercritical fluid extraction with co-solvent (EA-SFE). Several experimental parameters such as time, type of solvent and co-solvent as well as CO flow rate were selected to obtain the highest extraction efficiency.

Extraction and Determination of Polar Bioactive Compounds from Alfalfa ( L.) Using Supercritical Techniques.

The aim of this research was to select parameters for supercritical extraction with CO of L., considered as functional food, in quarter-technical plant, providing the highest concentration of bioactive polar constituents and simultaneously maintaining the highest efficiency of the process. For the purpose of optimization, mathematical statistics was used.

Distribution of sapogenins in morphological Medicago sativa L. parts: Comparison of various extraction techniques.

Saponins in plant extracts were indirectly determined by estimation of the content of sapogenins. The first step of determination is extraction with high efficiency. One conventional extraction technique (maceration) and two modern ones (accelerated solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction) were compared.