bims-antpol 2023-11-19 papers

Issue of 2023–11–19
two papers selected by
Rick Sheridan, EMSKE Phytochem

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 02. pii: 15914. [Epub ahead of print]24(21):

Polyphenol Extraction from Food (by) Products by Pulsed Electric Field: A Review.

Vassilis Athanasiadis, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Konstantina Kotsou, Dimitrios Kalompatsios, Eleni Bozinou, Stavros I Lalas.

Nowadays, more and more researchers engage in studies regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds from natural sources. To this end, plenty of studies have been published on this topic, with the interest in the field growing exponentially. One major aim of such studies is to maximize the extraction yield and, simultaneously, to use procedures that adhere to the principles of green chemistry, as much as possible. It was not until recently that pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has been put to good use to achieve this goal. This new technique exhibits many advantages, compared to other techniques, and they have successfully been reaped for the production of extracts with enhanced concentrations in bioactive compounds. In this advancing field of research, a good understanding of the existing literature is mandatory to develop more advanced concepts in the future. The aim of this review is to provide a thorough discussion of the most important applications of PEF for the enhancement of polyphenols extraction from fresh food products and by-products, as well as to discuss the current limitations and the prospects of the field.

Keywords: PEF; antioxidants; electroporation; flavonoids; food by-products; fresh food products; green extraction; non-thermal technique; polyphenols

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115914

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Oct 27. pii: 15667. [Epub ahead of print]24(21):

Electrochemistry of Flavonoids: A Comprehensive Review.

Ana-Maria Chiorcea-Paquim.

Flavonoids represent a large group of aromatic amino acids that are extensively disseminated in plants. More than six thousand different flavonoids have been isolated and identified. They are important components of the human diet, presenting a broad spectrum of health benefits, including antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, vasodilatory and cardioprotective properties. They are now considered indispensable compounds in the healthcare, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biotechnology industries. All flavonoids are electroactive, and a relationship between their electron-transfer properties and radical-scavenging activity has been highlighted. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview concerning the electron-transfer reactions in flavonoids, from the point of view of their in-vitro antioxidant mode of action. Flavonoid redox behavior is related to the oxidation of the phenolic hydroxy groups present in their structures. The fundamental principles concerning the redox behavior of flavonoids will be described, and the phenol moiety oxidation pathways and the effect of substituents and experimental conditions on flavonoid electrochemical behavior will be discussed. The final sections will focus on the electroanalysis of flavonoids in natural products and their identification in highly complex matrixes, such as fruits, vegetables, beverages, food supplements, pharmaceutical compounds and human body fluids, relevant for food quality control, nutrition, and healthcare research.

Keywords: antioxidant; electrochemical sensing; electrochemistry; flavonoids; phenolic compounds; polyphenols

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115667