Phenolic compounds profile, nutritional compounds and bioactive properties of Lycium barbarum L.: A comparative study with stems and fruits

Abstract

The increasing awareness of the possible health benefits of berry fruits (Lycium barbarum L.) has led to a higher consumption of this type of food products. One of the many examples are the fruits from Lycium genus, traditionally used due to their beneficial properties and health benefits associated with liver, kidney, eyesight, immune system, circulation and longevity disorders. In the present study fruits and stems of Lycium barbarum L. (goji) were characterized in terms of nutritional profile, sugars, organic acids, fatty acids and tocopherols. Furthermore, a phenolic characterization of their hydromethanolic extracts was performed and correlated with bioactive properties such as antioxidant, hepatotoxic and antibacterial activities. Stems presented higher values of energy, MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), tocopherols and flavonols. Stems also showed greater antioxidant and antibacterial (against Gram-negative bacteria) activities. Otherwise, fruits revealed higher contents of sugars, PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and greater activity against Gram-positive bacteria. This is an innovative study that shows the high potential of goji stems and fruits as sources of bioactive compounds, which could be used in nutraceutical formulations, or incorporated into food products with functional properties. Furthermore, the use of stems could bring industrial sustainability as a valuable by-product, which has been scarcely reported.

Jabuticaba residues (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) are rich sources of valuable compounds with bioactive properties

“…For the antimicrobial activity, the jabuticaba epicarp extract was tested against five Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morgannim, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and three Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)). The bacteriostatic action of the jabuticaba extract was established following a methodology described by Pires et al (2018) and the results were expressed as MIC (mg/ml), which correspond to the minimal inhibitory concentration for cell multiplication. The bactericidal action was determined according to Corrêa et al (2015) and the results were expressed as MBC value (mg/ml), meaning the minimal bactericidal concentration.…”

Large-Scale Screening of 239 Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plant Extracts for Their Antibacterial Activities against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Cytotoxic Activities

“…These results suggest that polyphenols might contribute to antibacterial properties of plant extracts. The antibacterial activity of polyphenols can involve various mechanisms of action such as disrupting the cell integrity, destroying membrane proteins, increasing permeability of cell membrane, inhibiting biofilm formation, inactivating microbial enzymes, up/down-regulating proteins involved in DNA and RNA synthesis, and deprivation of metal iron by their chelating ability [69,70]. For instance, some phenolics such as chlorogenic acid, tannic acid, and caffeic acid inhibited on the bacterial growths due to hyperacidification at the plasma membrane interface, resulting in disrupting H + -ATPase pump and thereby causing cell death [53].…”

Coupling Ultrafiltration-Based Processes to Concentrate Phenolic Compounds from Aqueous Goji Berry Extracts

“…Goji berries were introduced in Europe and North America at the beginning of the 21th century and their consumption has increased rapidly due to their claimed nutritional and beneficial properties [3]. In particular, Goji berries, advertised as "superfood" in Western Countries, are widely consumed as dried fruits or as concentrated extracts, as well as transformed into functional products or dietary supplements with different formulations (juices, yogurt products, cake, medicinal foods and cosmetics) [1,4].…”