Bioaccessibility and bioactive potential of different phytochemical classes from nutraceuticals and functional foods

Abstract

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are composed of especially complex matrices, with polyphenols, carotenoids, minerals, and vitamins, among others, being the main classes of phytochemicals involved in their bioactivities. Despite their wide use, further investigations are needed to certify the proper release of these phytochemicals into the gastrointestinal medium, where the bioaccessibility assay is one of the most frequently used method. The aim of this review was to gather and describe different methods that can be used to assess the bioaccessibility of nutraceuticals and functional foods, along with the most important factors that can impact this process. The link between simulated digestion testing of phytochemicals and their in vitro bioactivity is also discussed, with a special focus on the potential of developing nutraceuticals and functional foods from simple plant materials. The bioactive potential of certain classes of phytochemicals from nutraceuticals and functional foods is susceptible to different variations during the bioaccessibility assessment, with different factors contributing to this variability, namely the chemical composition and the nature of the matrix. Regardless of the high number of studies, the current methodology fails to assume correlations between bioaccessibility and bioactivity, and the findings of this review indicate a necessity for updated and standardized protocols.

Oxidative Stress: The Role of Antioxidant Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Diseases

“…In the context of nutraceuticals, the dosage form plays a crucial role in influencing the ultimate bioavailability of phytonutrients from the matrix. Specific excipients, such as propylene glycol solutions, phospholipid complexes, nanoparticles, and diverse colloidal systems, significantly modify the bioavailability in this regard, and can enhance accessibility to intestinal absorption [ 117 ].…”

Application of Nanoparticles in Human Nutrition: A Review

“…Nutraceutical foods have been extensively researched for their potential in preventing and treating various disorders ( Figure 2 A) [ 34 ]. However, these bioactive compounds face several limitations, including insufficient stability, limited water solubility, and restricted bioavailability [ 35 ]. Consequently, encapsulating these compounds in a suitable carrier is advantageous as it improves their water solubility and protects them from damage caused by environmental and biological factors [ 36 ].…”

A View on the Chemical and Biological Attributes of Five Edible Fruits after Finishing Their Shelf Life: Studies on Caco-2 Cells

“…For example, it was proved [16] that lipids and flavonoids may enhance the carotenoids' bioaccesibility, while minerals may decrease this process; the dietary fibers and proteins are also likely to affect carotenoids bioaccessibility, as well as the copresence of the biliary salts and lipases. Other studies aimed to assess the bioavailability of several polyphenols compounds, particularly anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids, and carotenoids compounds from peaches, plums, prunes, walnuts and tomatoes showed a progressive release of the total phytochemicals along the digestion process [17,18]. Thus, anthocyanins were proved as being the most affected compounds by oral digestion; anthocyanins also presented the best bioaccessibility in humans.…”

“…As a result, current research is directed towards the identification of new green extraction technologies, and the recovery of the most valuable secondary metabolites in the vegetable wastes; due to their valuable content of secondary metabolites, grapes and olives appear to be on the top of the interest list [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Another focus point in the current research consists of understanding the relationships between the matrix and the secondary metabolites embedded in it, by both improving the extraction process and obtaining products with increased bioaccessibility and bioavailability in humans [17][18][19][20][21]. The need for using metabolomics for waste authentication must also be underlined; this is in the context in which the most frequent cases of food falsification occur the in top vegetable-derived products (e.g., olive oil).…”