Increased sugar consumption and unhealthy dietary patterns are key drivers of many preventable diseases that result in disability and death worldwide. However, health awareness has increased over the past decades creating a massive on-going demand for new low/non-caloric natural sweeteners that have a high potential and are safer for consumption than artificial ones. The current study aims to investigate the nutritional properties, in vitro toxicological profile, total/individual polyphenols content, and the antioxidant, anti-cariogenic, and antimicrobial activity of two newly obtained vegan and sugar-free chocolate (VHC1 and VHC2). The energy values for the two finished products were very similar, 408.04 kcal/100 g for VHC1 and 404.68 kcal/100 g for VHC2. Both products, VHC1 and VHC2 present strong antioxidant activities, whereas antimicrobial results show an increased activity for VHC1 compared to VHC2, because of a higher phenolic content. In vitro toxicological evaluation revealed that both samples present a safe toxicological profile, while VHC2 increased cellular turnover of dermal cell lines, highlighting its potential use in skin treatments. The current work underlines the potential use of these vegetal mixtures as sugar-free substitutes for conventional products, as nutraceuticals, as well as topic application in skin care due to antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.
Exploring new sources of natural antioxidants is of great interest to edible oil producers, in line with the toxicological problems generated by the use of synthetic antioxidants. This study assesses the potential of lyophilized Pinot Noir grape pomace extract (GPE) to enhance the sunflower oil stability against thermo-oxidative damage compared to BHT during a prolonged exposure to convective heat at 185 °C. Oil thermo-oxidation was monitored based on specific indices such as peroxide value (PV), para-anisidine value (p-AV), inhibition of oil oxidation (IO), total oxidation (TOTOX) value, conjugated dienes and trienes (CDs, CTs), but also by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), where absorbance ratios A 3009 cm−1/A 2922 cm−1 (RI), A 3009 cm−1/A 2853 cm−1 (RII), A 3009 cm−1/A 1744 cm−1 (RIII) and RIV = A 1744 cm−1/A 2922 cm−1 (RIV) were investigated. GPE showed a significant inhibitory effect on oil thermo-oxidation and this response was concentration-dependent. Substantial decreases in the investigated indices, compared to the control without added antioxidants, were obtained after 4 h and 8 h of heat exposure of the 800 ppm GPE sample: PV (47%; 42%), p-AV (38%; 33%), IO (54%; 46%), TOTOX (41%; 37%), CDs (46%; 39%), CTs (44%; 29%). Oil exposure to heat resulted in changes in RI–RIV attributed to the reduction in the degree of unsaturation, in response to primary and secondary lipid oxidation. FTIR spectroscopy can be used to differentiate untreated and heat-treated oils based on the absorbance ratios. An inhibitory effect close to that of BHT was achieved by 500 ppm GPE, while a dose of 800 ppm provided greater protection against thermo-oxidation. Our results promote GPE as a natural additive to limit the thermo-oxidative damage of plant oils.
Compared with other sources, potato can bring multiple nutritional benefits because it’s naturally low energy food (0.7 kcal), having high water, fiber and starch content. Even if the consummation of potatoes is in decline, it is still considered a source of valuable nutrition. Depending on the method of preparation, potatoes contain significant level of proteins and antioxidants and can offer considerable protection against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Natural antioxidants are present under different forms in all plants, being the base source of these compounds for humans. The objective of this study was to determine the moisture content, crude protein, total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of three assortments of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) available on the Romanian local market (Timis County). The study was carried out on raw, unpeeled, boiled and roasted potatoes. The moisture content was determinate thermogravimetrically using Sartorius thermo balance, crude protein quantified by using a rapid colorimetric method, total antioxidant capacity determinate using CUPRAC method and total polyphenols content using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The experimental results show that blue roasted potatoes present the highest content of crude protein, total antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols content and the lowest water content. The obtained data are used to create a graphical fingerprint of raw and processed potatoes in order to identify the best options to mix different potatoes assortments and to create innovative nutritious food products
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