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Showing papers in "Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2021"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review highlights the potential and challenges for the use of anthocyanins as pH-responsive color-changing films for intelligent food packaging applications, which may be beneficial for further development of smart color indicator films for practical use.
Abstract: Recently, interest in smart packaging, which can show the color change of the packaging film according to the state of the food and evaluate the quality or freshness of the packaged food in real-time, is increasing. As a color indicator, a natural colorant, anthocyanin, drew a lot of attention due to their various colors as well as useful functions properties such as antioxidant activity and anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. In particular, the pH-responsive color-changing function of anthocyanins is useful for making color indicator smart packaging films. This review addressed the latest information on the use of natural pigment anthocyanins for intelligent and active food packaging applications. Recent studies on eco-friendly biodegradable polymer-based color indicator films incorporated with anthocyanins have been addressed. Also, studies on the use of smart packaging films to monitor the freshness of foods such as milk, meat, and fish were reviewed. This review highlights the potential and challenges for the use of anthocyanins as pH-responsive color-changing films for intelligent food packaging applications, which may be beneficial for further development of smart color indicator films for practical use.

211 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings suggest that the policy and market context is favorable in the near future, but that consumer beliefs, perception and understanding has to change further for the business opportunity to grow on a larger scale.
Abstract: The food sector is increasingly turning toward sustainability issues. A sustainable food system should provide sufficient, nutritious food for all within limited natural resources. Plant-based food...

179 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Based on developments in analytical chemistry tools, cheminformatics, and bioinformatics methods, the current applications of metabolomics in food safety, food authenticity and quality, and food traceability are highlighted.
Abstract: As one of the omics fields, metabolomics has unique advantages in facilitating the understanding of physiological and pathological activities in biology, physiology, pathology, and food science. In this review, based on developments in analytical chemistry tools, cheminformatics, and bioinformatics methods, we highlight the current applications of metabolomics in food safety, food authenticity and quality, and food traceability. Additionally, the combined use of metabolomics with other omics techniques for "foodomics" is comprehensively described. Finally, the latest developments and advances, practical challenges and limitations, and requirements related to the application of metabolomics are critically discussed, providing new insight into the application of metabolomics in food analysis.

161 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The factors that influence the content of polyphenols in plants and plant extracts are described and the effects of plant extracts on the shelf-life of meat and meat products are discussed.
Abstract: Plant extracts contain large amounts of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols. Polyphenols inhibit the growth of microorganisms, especially bacteria. Their mechanism of action is still not fully understood but may be related to their chemical structure. They can cause morphological changes in microorganisms, damage bacterial cell walls and influence biofilm formation. Polyphenols also influence protein biosynthesis, change metabolic processes in bacteria cells and inhibit ATP and DNA synthesis (suppressing DNA gyrase). Due to the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of phenolic compounds, plant extracts offer an alternative to chemical preservatives used in the meat industry, especially nitrates (III). They can inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microflora, suppress oxidation of meat ingredients (lipids and proteins) and prevent discoloration. In this paper, we describe the factors that influence the content of polyphenols in plants and plant extracts. We present the antimicrobial activities of plant extracts and their mechanisms of action, and discuss the effects of plant extracts on the shelf-life of meat and meat products.

153 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Studies regarding the effect of drying techniques and pre-drying treatments on the aroma and color of dried herbs are reviewed with the aim of providing an overview of different technological strategies developed for improving the quality of aromatic herbs for their industrial drying.
Abstract: A large number of herb-drying studies have been conducted in recent decades and several herb-drying techniques have been introduced. However, the quality of commercial dried herbs is still lower than that of fresh herbs. In this paper, studies regarding the effect of drying techniques and pre-drying treatments on the aroma and color of dried herbs are reviewed with the aim of providing an overview of different technological strategies developed for improving the quality of aromatic herbs for their industrial drying.

110 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This critical review addresses the current state of the production of microalgae proteins for multifarious applications, and possibilities to concatenate theproduction of proteins and advanced biofuels.
Abstract: Many countries have been experienced an increase in protein consumption due to the population growth and adoption of protein-rich dietaries. Unfortunately, conventional-based protein agroindustry is associated with environmental impacts that might aggravate as the humankind increase. Thus, it is important to screen for novel protein sources that are environmentally friendly. Microalgae farming is a promising alternative to couple the anthropic emissions with the production of food and feed. Some microalgae show protein contents two times higher than conventional protein sources. The use of whole microalgae biomass as a protein source in food and feed is simple and well-established. Conversely, the production of microalgae protein supplements and isolates requires the development of feasible and robust processes able to fractionate the microalgae biomass in different value-added products. Since most of the proteins are inside the microalgae cells, several techniques of disruption have been proposed to increase the efficiency to extract them. After the disruption of the microalgae cells, the proteins can be extracted, concentrated, isolated or purified allowing the development of different products. This critical review addresses the current state of the production of microalgae proteins for multifarious applications, and possibilities to concatenate the production of proteins and advanced biofuels.

108 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review aims to highlight the impact of polyphenols on gut health and the modes of action could be through modulation of intestinal barrier function, innate and adaptive immune response, signaling pathways, as well as the ability to modify gut microbiota composition.
Abstract: Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants and they are the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet. Due to their considerable structural diversity, this largely influences their bioavailability. Since a large proportion of polyphenols remains unabsorbed along the gastrointestinal tract, they may accumulate in the large intestine, where most of them are extensively metabolized by the intestinal microbiota. The formation of bioactive polyphenol-derived metabolites may also benefit the health status of the subjects, although the mechanisms have not been delineated. This review aims to highlight the impact of polyphenols on gut health and the modes of action could be through modulation of intestinal barrier function, innate and adaptive immune response, signaling pathways, as well as the ability to modify gut microbiota composition. The review will conclude by presenting future perspective and challenges of polyphenols application in food products to be used for preventing or treating diseases.

107 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The purpose of this review was to gather and present the strategies utilized for release controlling of active compounds from food AP systems and benefit future prospects of exploring other innovative release controlling methods in food CRP.
Abstract: Active packaging (AP) is a new class of innovative food packaging, containing bioactive compounds, is able to maintain the quality of food and extend its shelf life by releasing active agent during storage The main challenge in designing the AP system is slowing the release rate of active compounds for its prolonged activity Controlled-release active packaging (CRP) is an innovative technology that provides control in the release of active compounds during storage Various approaches have been proposed to design CRP The purpose of this review was to gather and present the strategies utilized for release controlling of active compounds from food AP systems The chemical modification of polymers, the preparation of multilayer films and the use of cross-linking agents are some methods tried in the last decades Other approaches use molecular complexes and irradiation treatments Micro- or nano-encapsulation of active compounds and using nano-structured materials in the AP film matrix are the newest techniques used for the preparation of CRP systems The action mechanism for each technique was described and an effort was made to highlight representative published papers about each release controlling approach This review will benefit future prospects of exploring other innovative release controlling methods in food CRP

106 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this review is to present the bacterial strains exhibiting probiotic properties, the microencapsulation techniques which are applied for their protection, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Abstract: Probiotic strains are claimed to confer health benefits to human organisms when consumed in adequate amounts. Thus, over the last decades there has been an increased interest in the production of functional foods containing probiotic bacteria. However, in order to display optimal probiotic functionality, these bacteria should survive through the gastrointestinal tract (GI) in high populations, reaching 106-107cfu (colony-forming unit)/g or mL at the end of product's shelf life. The food products that can be used as probiotic bacteria carriers exhibit limitations concerning the viability of the cells, associated with parameters such as the acidity of the food matrices or their processing and storage conditions. Moreover, the acid environment of the GI system may be crucial for their survival. Thus, techniques such as microencapsulation and enrichment with prebiotic substances are proposed for their protection. Aim of this review is to present the bacterial strains exhibiting probiotic properties, the microencapsulation techniques which are applied for their protection, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the characteristics of the most important food products that have been used as possible matrices for microencapsulated probiotic cells are described.

101 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Trends of developing the Raman spectroscopy in monitoring the frozen foods should focus on reducing overlapping signals, achieving real noninvasive detection, eliminating misclassification and quantification errors, establishing standardized Raman database, and controlling cost.
Abstract: Frozen foods are among the most popular food products and the development of techniques for the rapid detection of their structures and quality is important for the frozen food industry. In the cur...

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized aspects involved with obesity, such as changes in the immune response, nutritional factors, physiological factors, and the gut-lung axis, that impact the viral response and the COVID-19 prognosis.
Abstract: The current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents a huge challenge for health-care systems worldwide. Many different risk factors are associated with disease severity, such as older age, diabetes, hypertension, and most recently obesity. The incidence of obesity has been on the rise for the past 25 years, reaching over 2 billion people throughout the world, and obesity itself could be considered a pandemic. In this review, we summarize aspects involved with obesity, such as changes in the immune response, nutritional factors, physiological factors, and the gut-lung axis, that impact the viral response and the COVID-19 prognosis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Carotenoids are isoprenoids widely distributed in foods that have been always part of the diet of humans as mentioned in this paper, and they are also attracting interest in the context of nutricosmetics, as they have been shown to provide cosmetic benefits when ingested in appropriate amounts.
Abstract: Carotenoids are isoprenoids widely distributed in foods that have been always part of the diet of humans. Unlike the other so-called food bioactives, some carotenoids can be converted into retinoids exhibiting vitamin A activity, which is essential for humans. Furthermore, they are much more versatile as they are relevant in foods not only as sources of vitamin A, but also as natural pigments, antioxidants, and health-promoting compounds. Lately, they are also attracting interest in the context of nutricosmetics, as they have been shown to provide cosmetic benefits when ingested in appropriate amounts. In this work, resulting from the collaborative work of participants of the COST Action European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health (EUROCAROTEN, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview) research on carotenoids in foods and feeds is thoroughly reviewed covering aspects such as analysis, carotenoid food sources, carotenoid databases, effect of processing and storage conditions, new trends in carotenoid extraction, daily intakes, use as human, and feed additives are addressed. Furthermore, classical and recent patents regarding the obtaining and formulation of carotenoids for several purposes are pinpointed and briefly discussed. Lastly, emerging research lines as well as research needs are highlighted.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The influence of polyphenols in preventing aging disorders and augmenting lifespan based on the influence of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and gut microbiota is highlighted, and research on novel polyphenol-based strategies and clinical trials are encouraged to develop a nutrition-oriented holistic anti-aging therapy.
Abstract: Naturally occurring compounds polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants, comprised several categories, namely, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and stilbenes. The biological aging process is driven by a series of interrelated mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inflammation status, and autophagy function, through diverse signaling pathways. Moreover, the crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating aging and health status was widely demonstrated. In recent years, the potential anti-aging benefits of polyphenols have been gaining increasing scientific interest due to their capability to modulate oxidative damage, inflammation, autophagy, and gut microbiota. This review highlights the influence of polyphenols in preventing aging disorders and augmenting lifespan based on the influence of oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and gut microbiota, and encourages research on novel polyphenol-based strategies and clinical trials to develop a nutrition-oriented holistic anti-aging therapy.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review will summarize the recent advances on the source, molecular structure and physiological activity of marine oligosaccharides, emphasizing their application as functional food additives, and outlook toward potential applications for preparing the functional oligosACcharides in food biotechnology and agriculture fields.
Abstract: Marine polysaccharides originated from seaweeds, including agar, alginate, carrageenan, and fucoidan, possess various kinds of physiological activities and have been widely used in food, agricultural and medical areas. However, the application has been greatly limited by their poor solubility and low bioavailability. Thus marine oligosaccharides, as the degradation products of those polysaccharides, have drawn increasing attentions due to their obvious biological activities, good solubility and excellent bioavailability. This review will summarize the recent advances on the source, molecular structure and physiological activity of marine oligosaccharides, emphasizing their application as functional food additives. Furthermore, the relationship between the structure and the physiological activity of marine oligosaccharides is also elucidated and highlighted. The review concludes with an outlook toward potential applications for preparing the functional oligosaccharides in food biotechnology and agriculture fields.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is indicated that DNA-functionalized metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are a novel nanomaterial with unique biological and physical properties for developing electrochemical, fluorescent, colourimetric and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, etc.
Abstract: The frequent occurrence of food safety incidents has given rise to unprecedented concern about food contamination issues for both consumers and the industry. Various contaminations in food pose serious threats to food safety and human health. Many detection methods were studied to address the challenge. Recently, biosensors relying on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-functionalized nanoparticles have been developed as an efficient and effective detection method. In the current review, the strategies for DNA assembly metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are elaborated, recent applications of the sensors based on DNA-functionalized nanoparticles in food contaminant detection are discussed. Pathogenic bacteria, heavy metal ions, mycotoxins, antibiotics, and pesticides are covered as food contaminants. Additionally, limitations and future trends of functionalized nanoparticles-based technology are also presented. The current review indicates that DNA-functionalized metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are a novel nanomaterial with unique biological and physical properties for developing electrochemical, fluorescent, colourimetric and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, etc. Compared with conventional detection techniques, DNA-functionalized metal and metal oxide nanoparticles have considerable advantages with high accuracy, high specificity, micro-intelligence, and low cost. Nevertheless, the stability of these sensors and the limitations of real-time detection are still under discussion. Therefore, more tolerant, portable, and rapid DNA sensors should be developed to better the real-time monitoring of harmful contaminants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The influence of various polysaccharides on human bowel health and the mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, and a wide range of beneficial effects including anti-inflammation, gut epithelial barrier protection, and immune modulation through both microbiota-dependent and -independent mechanisms are described.
Abstract: Polysaccharides that contain many sugar monomers include starch and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) together with resistant starch (RS). Dietary polysaccharides are well known to have a wide range of biological benefits for bowel health. Gut microbiota and their fermentative products, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which have recently been highlighted as metabolic regulators, are thought to mediate the function of dietary complex carbohydrates and bowel health. We discuss the influence of various polysaccharides on human bowel health and the mechanisms underlying these effects. We also describe their biological effects on intestinal health and the mechanisms underlying their activity; the polysaccharides were divided into three categories: dietary, microbial, and host-derived polysaccharides. Physiological impacts of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and resistant starch (RS), both of which pass through the small intestine nearly intact and can be fermented by gut microbiota in the large intestine, are similar to each other. They exert a wide range of beneficial effects including anti-inflammation, gut epithelial barrier protection, and immune modulation through both microbiota-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Bacterial polysaccharides usually found in the cell wall generally act as immune modulators, and host-derived polysaccharides not only protect host cells from pathogenic microbial neighbors but also affect overall intestinal health via interactions with gut microbes. Considering these observations, further studies on polysaccharides will be important for bowel health.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The current review addresses advances in the biopolymeric nanocomposites as alternatives to petroleum plastics in the food packaging industry and gives general information about different metal NPs with an emphasis on their influence on the emerging characteristics of biodegradable films.
Abstract: New food packaging materials provide an attractive option for the advancement of nanomaterials. The poor thermal, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of biopolymers and their inherent per...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Concerns regarding methodological approaches are evident and the biochemical mechanisms underlying such effects require further investigation.
Abstract: Pulses are nutrient-dense foods that have for a long time been empirically known to have beneficial effects in human health. In the last decade, several studies have gathered evidence of the metabo...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DBD ACP is a promising technology that can improve food safety with minimal impact on food quality under optimal conditions and once the issues pertinent to scale-up of plasma sources are appropriately addressed, the DBDACP technology will find wider adaptation in food industry.
Abstract: Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is an emerging technology in the food industry with a huge antimicrobial potential to improve safety and extend the shelf life of food products. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a popular approach for generating ACP. Thanks to the numerous advantages of DBD ACP, it is proving to be successful in a number of applications, including microbial decontamination of foods. The antimicrobial efficacy of DBD ACP is influenced by multiple factors. This review presents an overview of ACP sources, with an emphasis on DBD, and an analysis of their antimicrobial efficacy in foods in open atmosphere and in-package modes. Specifically, the influence of process, product, and microbiological factors influencing the antimicrobial efficacy of DBD ACP are critically reviewed. DBD ACP is a promising technology that can improve food safety with minimal impact on food quality under optimal conditions. Once the issues pertinent to scale-up of plasma sources are appropriately addressed, the DBD ACP technology will find wider adaptation in food industry.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on summarizing the growing role of fish collagen for biomedical applications, including wound healing, tissue engineering and regeneration, drug delivery, cell culture and other therapeutic applications, and the recent advances in various biomedical applications are discussed in detail.
Abstract: During the processing of the fishery resources, the significant portion is either discarded or used to produce low-value fish meal and oil. However, the discarded portion is the rich source of valuable proteins such as collagen, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. Collagen is a vital protein in the living body as a component of a fibrous structural protein in the extracellular matrix, connective tissue and building block of bones, tendons, skin, hair, nails, cartilage and joints. In recent years, the use of fish collagen as an increasingly valuable biomaterial has drawn considerable attention from biomedical researchers, owing to its enhanced physicochemical properties, stability and mechanical strength, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review focuses on summarizing the growing role of fish collagen for biomedical applications. Similarly, the recent advances in various biomedical applications of fish collagen, including wound healing, tissue engineering and regeneration, drug delivery, cell culture and other therapeutic applications, are discussed in detail. These applications signify the commercial importance of fish collagen for the fishing industry, food processors and biomedical sector.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The extrusion technologies discussed in the review are hot-melt extrusion, melt injection extrusion process, co-extrusion, and electrostatic extrusion which helps to reduce the particle size of encapsulated bioactive compounds which increase their application in the food industry.
Abstract: This review described and explains the encapsulation of bioactive compounds by extrusion technologies. Bioactive compounds have many health benefits, but several drawbacks such as a high organoleptic impact due to the bitterness and acrid taste of some compounds, and limited shelf life reduce the utilization of bioactive compounds in food. Encapsulation of bioactive compounds to prevent their several drawbacks and to increase their utilization in food has been achieved by 'extrusion' technology. The extrusion technologies discussed in the review are hot-melt extrusion, melt injection extrusion process, co-extrusion, and electrostatic extrusion. Extrusion technology as a mode of encapsulation of bioactive compounds as increased the number of bioactive compounds that can be encapsulated. Also, extrusion technology helps to reduce the particle size of encapsulated bioactive compounds which increase their application in the food industry. The reduction in the particle size of the extrudate helps to increase the shelf life of encapsulated bioactive compounds and aid-controlled release in the targeted site in the body.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review presents an up-to-date overview of the available literature data regarding the use of environmentally friendly treatments for starch modification, and highlighted an innovative chemical treatment (ozone), as well as the modern pulsed electric field (PEF), the emerging ultrasound (US) technology, and two other treatments based on heating.
Abstract: Starch is a versatile and a widely used ingredient, with applications in many industries including adhesive and binding, paper making, corrugating, construction, paints and coatings, chemical, phar...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The overview of the link among immune function, nutrition and gut microbiota, paying particular attention at the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the immune system, and the possible role of the main one functional supplements on immune function are provided.
Abstract: The interaction between nutrition and the immune system is very complex. In particular, at every stage of the immune response, specific micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals play a key role and often synergistic, and the deficiency of only one essential nutrient may impair immunity. An individual's overall nutrition status and pattern of dietary intake (comprised of nutrients and non-nutritive bioactive compounds and food) and any supplementation with nutraceuticals including vitamins and minerals, can influence positively or negatively the function of the immune system. This influence can occur at various levels from the innate immune system and adaptive immune system to the microbiome. Although there are conflicting evidence, the current results point out that dietary supplementation with some nutrients such as vitamin D and zinc may modulate immune function. An update on the complex relationship between nutrition, diet, and the immune system through gut microbiota is the aim of this current review. Indeed, we will provide the overview of the link among immune function, nutrition and gut microbiota, paying particular attention at the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the immune system, and finally we will speculate the possible role of the main one functional supplements on immune function.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Improved knowledge of the absorption, metabolism, bioactivity, and molecular targets of vitexin is crucial for the better utilization of this emerging nutraceutical as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.
Abstract: vitexin, an apigenin-8-C-glucoside, is widely present in numerous edible and medicinal plants. vitexin possesses a variety of bioactive properties, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, neuron-protection, and cardio-protection. Other beneficial health effects, such as fat reduction, glucose metabolism, and hepatoprotection, have also been reported in recent studies. This review briefly discusses the absorption and metabolism of vitexin, as well as its influence on gut microbiota. Recent advances in understanding the pharmacological and biological effects of vitexin are then reviewed. Improved knowledge of the absorption, metabolism, bioactivity, and molecular targets of vitexin is crucial for the better utilization of this emerging nutraceutical as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of heat on protein-protein interactions is discussed, and it is shown that the experimental tools to study proteinprotein interactions are limited, and that further investigation using novel and dedicated tools is required to fully understand these thermo-mechanical processes.
Abstract: Consumption of plant-based meat analogues offers a way to reduce the environmental footprint of the human diet. High-moisture extrusion cooking (HMEC) and shear cell processing both rely on thermo-mechanical treatment of proteins to product fibrous meat-like products. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are not well understood. In this review we discuss the effect of thermo-mechanical processing on the physicochemical properties and phase behavior of proteins and protein mixtures. The HMEC and shear cell processes are comparable in their basic unit operations, which are (1) mixing and hydration, (2) thermo-mechanical treatment, and (3) cooling. An often overlooked part of the extruder that could be crucial to fibrillation is the so-called breaker plate, which is situated between the barrel and die sections. We found a lack of consensus on the effect of heat on protein-protein interactions, and that the experimental tools to study protein-protein interactions are limited. The different mechanisms for structure formation proposed in literature all consider the deformation and alignment of the melt. However, the mechanisms differ in their underlying assumptions. Further investigation using novel and dedicated tools is required to fully understand these thermo-mechanical processes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between hyperuricemia and the gut microbiota is elucidated, and anti-hyperuricemic mechanisms targeting the intestine are discussed, such as the promotion of purine and UA catabolism by the Gut microbiota, increases in UA excretion by the gut metabolites, regulation of UA absorption or secretion in the intestinal tract by certain transporters.
Abstract: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal uric acid (UA) metabolism, which is a complex physiological process involving multiple organs (liver, kidney, and intestine) Although UA metabolism in the liver and kidneys has been elucidated, only a few studies have focused on the process in the intestine With our growing knowledge of the effects of gut microorganisms on health, the gut microbiota has been identified as a new target for HUA treatment In this review, the relationship between HUA and the gut microbiota is elucidated, and anti-hyperuricemia mechanisms targeting the intestine are discussed, such as the promotion of purine and UA catabolism by the gut microbiota, increases in UA excretion by the gut microbiota and its metabolites, regulation of UA absorption or secretion in the intestinal tract by certain transporters, and the intestinal inflammatory response to the gut microbiota Additionally, probiotics (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) and prebiotics (polyphenols, peptides, and phytochemicals) with UA-lowering effects targeting the intestinal tract are summarized, providing reference and guidance for further research

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the current body of research focusing on pomegranate bioactive constituents and their therapeutic potential against some pathogenic microbes finds compounds to be used in combination with antibiotics or as new antimicrobial sources, such as plant extracts.
Abstract: Increasing awareness about the use of compounds obtained from natural sources exerting health-beneficial properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, led to increased number of research papers focusing on the study of functional properties of target compounds to be used as functional foods or in preventive medicine. Pomegranate has shown positive health properties due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. Punicalagin is the major antioxidant, abundantly found in pomegranate's peel. Research has shown that pomegranate polyphenols not only have a strong antioxidant capacity but they also inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria like V. cholera, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. virulence factor, and inhibits fungi such as A. Ochraceus, and P. citrinum. Compounds of natural origin inhibit the growth of various pathogens by extending the shelf life of foodstuffs and assuring their safety. Therefore, the need to find compounds to be used in combination with antibiotics or as new antimicrobial sources, such as plant extracts. On the basis of the above discussion, this review focuses on the health benefits of pomegranate, by summarizing the current body of research focusing on pomegranate bioactive constituents and their therapeutic potential against some pathogenic microbes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review provides an overview of the concept and safety issues regarding postbiotics, with emphasis on their biological role in the prevention and treatment of CRC.
Abstract: The occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been rising expeditiously and anticipated that 2.4 million new occasions of CRC will be detected yearly around the world until the year 2035. Due to so...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review focused on absorption, activity, metabolism, and bioavailability of flavonoids is presented, and the potential challenges of nanoparticles as delivery system for flavonoid in the gastrointestinal tract are also discussed.
Abstract: Flavonoids are stored in various plants and widely presented in different kinds of food in variable amounts. Plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits are known to have high amounts of flavonoids. However, flavonoid aglycones are found less frequently in natural products, as it requires bioconversion through bacteria, which provide β-glucosidase to convert them. Recently, flavonoids and its metabolites were applied in the prevention and treatment of various diseases such as cancers, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and osteoporosis in numerous studies. This review focused on absorption, activity, metabolism, and bioavailability of flavonoids. Also authors organized and collected newly-found reports of flavonoids and their absorption barriers of flavonoids in the gastrointestinal tract, providing the latest findings and evidence from the past decade. Particularly, nanoparticles delivery systems are emphasized regarding fabrication methods and their potential benefits on flavonoids. Moreover, the potential challenges of nanoparticles as delivery system for flavonoids in the gastrointestinal tract are also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The potential of phenolic compounds for disease prevention and cosmetics production, as well as their many other uses derived from their antioxidant activity are illustrated.
Abstract: Phenolic compounds in plants are essential components of human nutrition, which provide various health benefits. However, some missing links became the research in phenolic compounds structures and potential applications in a challenging work. Despite universal extraction methods with mixtures of different organic solvents are generally adopted in the analysis of phenolic compounds, a need for establish a specific procedure is still open. The great heterogeneity in food and food by-products matrices and the lack of standardized methods which combine chromatographic with spectrophotometric techniques to calculate the amount of phenolic compounds joined with the absence of specific standards hamper to accurate know the real amount of phenolic compounds. Indeed, the high complexity in nature and chemistry of phenolic compounds clearly difficult to establish a daily intake to obtain certain healthy outcomes. Hence, despite the potential of phenolic compounds to use them in cosmetic and healthy applications have been widely analyzed, some concerns must be considered. The chemical complexity, the interactions between phenolic compounds and other food components and the structural changes induced by food processing joined with the lack in the understanding of phenolic compounds metabolism and bioavailability undergo the need to conduct a comprehensive review of each factors influencing the final activity of phenolic compounds. This paper summarizes the potential of phenolic compounds for disease prevention and cosmetics production, as well as their many other uses derived from their antioxidant activity. This paper illustrates the potential of phenolic compounds for disease prevention and cosmetics production, as well as their many other uses derived from their antioxidant activity.