To prevent losses before consumption due to the rapid ripening of bananas, turning unripe bananas into flour and using it in bakery products can both enhance the functional properties of the product and transform bananas into a high-value product. In this study, it is aimed to enhance the functional properties of banana flour through fermentation, thereby investigating its potential use in the production of healthy snack biscuits which are widely consumed, especially by children and busy people. Different proportions (0%, 15%, and 30%) of unripe banana flour (UBF) and fermented unripe banana flour (FUBF) were added to biscuits, evaluating their impact on physical (color, diameter, thickness, spread ratio), textural (hardness), and functional properties (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, dietary fiber, glycemic index). The effect of FUBF on biscuit spread ratio compared to UBF was positive (p < 0.05). The addition of UBF or FUBF significantly increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05), with the highest TPC (1167.88 mg GAE/kg) observed in biscuits containing 30% FUBF (p < 0.05). Fermentation showed no significant effect on antioxidant activity of samples (p > 0.05). The glycemic index (GI) values were notably high across all samples, with the control at 78.59 and the 30% FUBF sample at 72.74 (p < 0.05), indicating all samples fell into the high GI food category. Biscuit hardness decreased significantly with UBF or FUBF addition (p < 0.05), while fermentation had no significant impact on hardness (p > 0.05). This study underscores the potential of UBF or FUBF to contribute to healthier snack options with improved functional characteristics.

The current study focused on the valorization of carrot leaves, Daucus carota L. because of their high amount of ascorbic acid (AA), phenolic compounds, and the related antioxidant activity. In this study, the changes in carrot leaves caused by different drying techniques (freeze, vacuum, microwave-assisted infrared, oven) and different storage conditions (room temperature and refrigerator) were investigated. AA contents of fresh, dried, and stored carrot leaf samples were chromatographically determined. Additionally, analysis of TPA (total phenolic content), TAC (total antioxidant capacity), total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and color were carried out. Additionally, fresh leaves were analyzed to compare their results with the corresponding values of processed or stored samples. TPA, TAC, AA, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid values of the samples stored in the refrigerator were 889 ± 63 mg/100 g d.b., 504 mg/100 g d.b., 269 A.A./100 g d.b., 253 mg/100 g d.b., and 2497 mg/100 g d.b., respectively, while the values of the samples dried at room temperature 620 ± 35 mg/100 g d.b., 303 ± 15 mg/100 g d.b., 110 ± 21 mg A.A./100 g d.b., 44 ± 3 mg/100 g d.b., 641 ± 16 mg/100 g d.b., respectively. Consequently, fresh carrot leaves have a higher vitamin C content than many leafy vegetables and even its own family, parsley. Fresh samples stored at room temperature and in the refrigerator for 7 days provided high ascorbic acid retention. Dried leaves with the MW + IR combined system provided better protection than others in terms of bioactive components. However, OD treatment at 40°C provided better protection and was one step ahead in terms of AA content.

The main objective of this work was to determine the significant physicochemical and bioactive parameters of honeys originating from Iraqi Kurdistan. For this purpose, honey samples (n = 16) were taken directly from Kurdish beekeepers from different places of Dohuk and Erbil Governorate in 2018 and 2022. The following parameters were analyzed: moisture content, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, pH, free acidity, content of saccharides, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, color, color intensity and DPPH, FRAP. Another objective of this work was to compare the properties of Kurdistan honeys with the requirements of European Union law and with the honeys of Central Europe. A total of 48 honey samples were included in the comparison. It was detected that the honeys produced in Iraqi Kurdistan met the strict quality criteria set by European law, which is important information for local beekeepers and experts in relation to honey production and an opportunity to set local limits of honey quality. Despite the different climatic and topographical conditions, the available flora, and the different species of bees, the properties of Iraqi Kurdistan honeys were similar to the properties of honeys from the Czech and Slovak Republics.

The extraction of phytocompounds from Achocha (Cyclanthera pedata) vegetable juice using traditional methods often results in suboptimal yields and efficiency. This study aimed to enhance the extraction process through the application of thermosonication (TS). To achieve this, an artificial neural network (ANN) and a genetic algorithm (GA) were utilized to simulate and optimize the process parameters. The study investigated the influence of ultrasonic amplitude (30%-50%), temperature (30 °C-50 °C), and sonication duration (15-60 min) on total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (AOA), and ascorbic acid content (AA). Remarkably, the ANN-GA optimization resulted in optimal TS conditions: an ultrasonic amplitude of 40%, a temperature of 40 °C, and a sonication duration of 30 min. Subsequent analysis of extraction kinetics and thermodynamics across various temperatures (30 °C-50 °C) and extraction times (0-30 min) demonstrated R2 (0.98821) and χ2 (1.74773) for TPC with activation energy (Ea) 26.0456, R2 (0.99906) and χ2 (0.07215) for TFC with Ea 26.2336, R2 (0.99867) and χ2 (0.03003) for AOA with Ea 26.0987, R2 (0.99731) and χ2 (0.13719) for AA with Ea 26.0984, validating the pseudo second-order kinetic model. These findings indicate that increased temperature enhances the saturation concentration and rate constant of phytochemical extraction.

The Musa spp. represents the most commonly produced, transitioned, and consumed fruit around the globe, with several important applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Moko disease is produced by Ralstonia solanacearum-a factor with a high impact on all crops in Ecuador, representing one of the biggest phytosanitary problems. Four of the most common varieties of Musa spp. were tested to identify the metabolic reaction of plants facing Moko disease. The phenolic and flavonoid content has been evaluated as a defense system, and the α-diphenyl-α-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging method (DPPH), free-radical-scavenging activity (ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) have been adapted to analyze the active compounds with the antioxidant capacity necessary to counteract the pathogenic attack. Our results indicate that all the studied varieties of Musa spp. react in the same way, such that the diseased samples showed a higher accumulation of secondary metabolites with antioxidant capacity compared with the healthy ones, with high active compound synthesis identified during the appearance of Moko disease symptoms. More than 40 compounds and their derivatives (from kaempferol and quercetin glycosides) with protective roles demonstrate the implication of the Musa spp. defense system against R. solanacearum infection.

Lignosus cameronensis holds promise for exploration given its morphological likeness to the renowned Lignosus rhinocerus, or tiger milk mushroom. Investigating its potential medicinal and industrial applications addresses a significant knowledge gap in this field. A comparative analysis with other Lignosus species and cultivars provides insights into biopharmacological potential. L. cameronensis cold water extract (LC-CWE) displayed moderate antioxidant activity, demonstrating promising Trolox equivalent antioxidant -capacity. Variable cytotoxicity was observed in different cell lines, with an IC50 of 215 μg/ml against breast cancer cells (MCF-7) cells. LC-CWE exhibited anti-inflammatory potential with an ED50 of 60 mg/kg in a λ-carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. Comparison with other Lignosus species and cultivars emphasised LC-CWE\'s distinct attributes, including high phenolic content and moderate antioxidant capacity. LC-CWE displayed potential in selectively inhibiting MCF-7 cells and reducing inflammation, highlighting its medicinal promise. This research expands our understanding of L. cameronensis and underscores the need for further mechanistic exploration.

The pollution caused by petroleum-derived plastic materials has become a major environmental problem that has encouraged the development of new compostable and environmentally friendly materials for food packaging based on biomodified polymers with household residues. This study aims to design, synthesize, and characterize a biobased polymeric microstructure film from polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan reinforced with holocellulose from spent coffee grounds for food-sustainable packaging. Chemical isolation with a chlorite-based solution was performed to obtain the reinforced holocellulose from the spent coffee ground, and the solvent casting method was used to obtain the films to study. Physicochemical and microscopic characterizations were conducted to identify and select the best formulations using a simplex-centroid design analysis. The response surface methodology results indicate that the new packaging material obtained with equal amounts of polymers and reinforced material (1:1:1) possesses the appropriate barrier properties and microstructural character to prevent water attack and hydrophobic behavior and thus could be used as an alternative for food packaging materials.

This study attempts to reveal antioxidants in the plant parts of Myxopyrum smilacifolium (Wall.) Blume using antioxidant assays and LC-MS/MS analysis. Methanol is the most effective solvent for collecting antioxidants. The roots-derived methanol extract demonstrates the greatest antioxidant activity, corresponding to the extremely low IC50 values of 16.39 µg/mL and 19.80 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. The high phenolic and flavonoid contents are the primary reason for outstanding total antioxidant capacity (TAC; i.e. 247.73 ± 1.62 mg GA/g or 163.93 ± 0.83 mg AS/g) of the root extract. LC-MS/MS quantification of five phenolic compounds reveals exceptionally high amounts of quercetin and luteolin in the root extract, ranging from 238.86 ± 5.74 to 310.99 ± 1.44 µg/g and from 201.49 ± 7.84 to 234.10 ± 2.54 µg/g, respectively, in the root-derived methanol extract. The achievement highlights M. smilacifolium as a promising source of natural antioxidants for large-scale medical applications.

The aim of this study was the valorisation of cactus (or prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica) seeds growing in six different regions of Morocco. Moisture, proteins, lipids profile, total polyphenols content, oxidative stability, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The Folin-Ciocalteu test highlighted the abundant presence of phenolic compounds (165 to 225 mg EAG/100 g of extract) and a significant antioxidant capacity against DPPH free radicals. The seeds contained protein (7-9.25%) and lipids (2.7-5%). Cactus oil quality indices such as acidity and peroxide value were below 1.2% and 10 mEq.O2/kg, respectively. GC analysis revealed that linoleic and oleic acid percentages ranged from 57.1 to 63.8%, and 13.5 to 18.7%, respectively. Cactus seed oil was rich in tocopherols (500-680 mg/kg) and phytosterols (8000-11,100 mg/kg) with a predominance of γ-tocopherols and β-sitosterol. Triacylglycerols, fatty acids and sterols composition showed small variation depending on the geographical origin, while the individual tocopherol profile was significantly influenced.

In this study, the effect of formaldehyde on phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Agaricus bisporus was investigated. Synthetic compost based on wheat straw was prepared by fermentation and disinfection. After steam pasteurization, 5 g of A. bisporus mycelia were inoculated into 1 kg of compost. To determine the effects of formaldehyde, 2, 4, and 6% concentrations were added to the composts, while compost without formaldehyde was used for the control group. The harvesting period was set at 10 weeks. Total phenolic and flavonoid content, macro- and microelement profile, and phenolic content were analyzed in the harvested A. bisporus samples. Macro- and microelement content was determined by ICP-OES, and phenolic compound profile was determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Formaldehyde levels in A. bisporus samples were determined by the acetylacetone spectrophotometry method. The antioxidant capacity of A. bisporus samples was determined by DPPH scavenging activity; antimutagenic effects of samples were determined by Allium test. Application of 2, 4, and 6% formaldehyde resulted in a 1.12-, 1.19-, and 2.07-fold reduction in total phenolic content, respectively. The total phenolic content was reduced between 34.4% and 71.8%. These changes were confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Compounds such as protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, and 4-OH benzoic acid, which were detected in the control group, could not be detected in the samples treated with 6% formaldehyde, and it was found that the application of formaldehyde reduced the phenolic content. Similar changes were also observed in macro- and microelements, and significant changes in elemental contents were observed after formaldehyde application. While the presence of formaldehyde at a low level, which may be due to natural production, was detected in the control group, a residue of 11.41 ± 0.93 mg/kg was determined in the 6% FMD applied group. All these changes resulted in a decrease in the antioxidant activity of A. bisporus. The DPPH scavenging activity, which was determined in the range of 21.6-73.3% in the control samples, decreased to 12.3-56.7% in the samples treated with formaldehyde. These results indicate that the application of formaldehyde at different stages of A. bisporus cultivation leads to significant changes in the nutritional value and biological activity of A. bisporus.