Browsing by Author "Taofiq, Oludemi"
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- Agaricus blazei Murril - a potential ingredient for nutraceutical outcomesPublication . Taofiq, Oludemi; Rodrigues, Francisca; Barros, Lillian; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; González-Paramás, Ana María; Barreiro, M.F.; Oliveira, Beatriz; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.The concept of bio-economy has emerged to overcome some sustainability challenges, and this involves conversion of agricultural residues and waste streams into high value-added products that can be utilized as ingredients for several bio-based industrial processes, delivering both economic growth, scientific interest and a better environment. The present work was carried out to re-utilize discarded Agaricus blazei Murill. Its nutritional composition was evaluated and ethanolic extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction to be further evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase and cytotoxic properties against different tumor cell lines (SRB assay). MTT and LDH assays were also used to determine cell viability and cell death respectively in Caco-2 and HT29 cells lines. Essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fat, were found; twenty fatty acids were detected, sugars (mannitol and trehalose), α-tocopherol and oxalic acid were also present. The extracts, up to 100 μg/mL, were able to maintain viability of Caco-2 and HT29 cells. The extracts also presented anti-tyrosinase activity (EC50 1.33±0.02 mg/mL) and with no toxicity in tumor cells. The results obtained suggested that the extracts obtained from Agaricus blazei Murill residues can be utilized as an inexpensive and sustainable source of nutraceutical and functional food ingredients.
- Agaricus blazei Murrill from Brazil: An ingredient for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applicationsPublication . Taofiq, Oludemi; Rodrigues, Francisca; Barros, Lillian; Peralta, Rosane M.; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, BeatrizOperations for sorting mushrooms at the industrial level usually generate large amounts of bio-residues not conforming to strict morphological criteria for commercial purposes, even though their biological content is not compromised. In this context, the present work aimed at evaluating the potential for reutilizing industrially discarded Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM). Thus, the content of essential nutrients and the chemical composition were determined, and MTT and LDH assays were used to evaluate the viability and cell death of Caco-2 and HT29 cell lines of an ethanolic extract prepared from ABM (preliminary safety tests for nutraceutical applications). The extract was incorporated into a semi-solid base cosmetic cream and cell viability effects of the extract, and of the final cream formulation, on a keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) were studied (preliminary safety tests for cosmeceutical applications). Essential nutrients, such as proteins and carbohydrates, and a low fat content were determined for ABM. Twenty-two fatty acids were detected, with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (∼53%) being the most abundant fraction. The cell viabilities of Caco-2 and HT29 cells were maintained up to 100 μg mL−1. After incorporation into the base cream, a formulation with a pale yellow colour and favourable pH was obtained. The cell viability of HaCaT cells in the presence of the extract and the final cream formulation was maintained in a concentration dependent manner, which indicates the safety of this extract for cosmeceutical applications. The results suggest that ABM residues can be used as an inexpensive and sustainable source of nutraceutical and cosmeceutical ingredients.
- Anti-inflammatory activity of mushrooms extracts, identified phenolic acids and their possible metabolitesPublication . Taofiq, Oludemi; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Barros, Lillian; Martins, Anabela; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Queiroz, Maria João R.P.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Mushrooms are rich sources of many bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, that play an important role in the organism, acting as antioxidants, antitumors, antimicrobials, immunomodulators, among others. However, their anti-inflammatory activity has not been deeply studied. In the present study, the ethanolic extracts of fourteen edible mushroom species were firstly characterized in terms of phenolic acids and related compounds by HPLC-PDA, followed by the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of those extracts and corresponding identified compounds, by using LPS (lipopolysaccharide) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages and measuring the inhibition in NO production. Furthermore, methylated and glucuronated derivatives of the identified compounds (p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids) were synthesised and evaluated for the same bioactivity to understand the contribution of these compounds for the overall activity of the extracts, and to establish structure-activity relationships. Pleurotus ostreatus, Macrolepiota procera, Boletus impolitus and Agaricus bisporus revealed the strongest anti-inflammatory potential, presenting also the highest concentration in cinnamic acid, which was also the individual compound displaying the highest activity. The derivative compounds of p-coumaric acid revealed the strongest properties, especially the compound CoA-M1 (presenting an ester instead of the carboxylic group), that exhibited a very similar activity to the one showed by dexamethasone, used as anti-inflammatory standard. On the contrary, p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives revealed the lowest activity. Overall, the conjugation reactions change the chemical structure of phenolic acids and may increase or decrease their activity; nevertheless, the glucuronated and methylated derivatives of the studied compounds are still displaying anti-inflammatory activity.
- Anti-inflammatory potential of mushroom extracts and isolated metabolitesPublication . Taofiq, Oludemi; Martins, Anabela; Barreiro, M.F.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.Background: In the recent years natural resources are being in focus due to their great potential to be exploited in the discovery/development of novel bioactive compounds and, among them, mushrooms can be highlighted as alternative sources of anti-inflammatory agents. Scope and approach: The present review reports the anti-inflammatory activity of mushroom extracts and of their bioactive metabolites involved in this bioactive action. Additionally the most common assays used to evaluate mushrooms anti-inflammatory activity were also reviewed, including in vitro studies in cell lines, as well as in animal models in vivo. Key findings and conclusions: The anti-inflammatory compounds identified in mushrooms include polysaccharides, terpenes, phenolic acids, steroids, fatty acids and other metabolites. Among them, polysaccharides, terpenoids and phenolic compounds seem to be the most important contributors to the anti-inflammatory activity of mushrooms as demonstrated by numerous studies. However, clinical trials need to be conducted in order to confirm the effectiveness of some of these mushroom compounds namely, inhibitors of NF-κB pathway and of cyclooxygenase related with the expression of many inflammatory mediators.
- Bio-residues of Ilex paraguariensis a. St. Hil. as a source of phenolic compounds with preservative potentialPublication . Pereira, Eliana; Menezes, Barbara de Sena Nunes; Caleja, Cristina; Pires, Tânia C.S.; Taofiq, Oludemi; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Pinela, José; Soković, Marina; Leimann, Fernanda Vitória; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, LillianThe use of agro-industrial wastes translates into an advantageous opportunity for the development of by-products [1]. Ilex paraguariensis A. ST. HIL. (yerba mate) is a tree widely cultivated and appreciated with a chemical composition that identifies several beneficial properties to the human body [2]. In this work, a comparison between the extracts of dehydrated yerba mate (EMNP) and bio-waste (EMP) leaves from the yerba mate industry in Brazil was made, as well as the incorporation of the EMP extract in a traditional food product, to evaluate its preservative potential. The individual profile of phenolic compounds was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and the bioactive potential was assessed through in vitro tests for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, as well as cytotoxicity tests, in human tumor cell lines and in a non-tumor cell line. Among the seven phenolic compounds identified, four were found in greater quantity in the extracts of bio-residues of yerba mate (EMP). Regarding the functional properties, the extracts obtained revealed a high antimicrobial potential against the tested strains, as well as a very promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, without toxicity. After incorporating the most promising extract, EMP, in pancakes, the centesimal evaluation and the chemical composition (individual profile of sugars and fatty acids) revealed that after storage for 3 days the natural ingredient proved to show preservative efficiency. This study intended to develop new solutions that allow reduced application of artificial additives in food products.
- Bioactive properties of greenhouse-cultivated green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under biostimulants and water-stress effectPublication . Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.; Taofiq, Oludemi; Fernandes, Ângela; Tzortzakis, Nikos; Ćirić, Ana; Soković, Marina; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.The scarcity of irrigation water is severely affecting global crop production. In this context, biostimulants are increasingly used as alternatives means against abiotic stress conditions. In this study, phenolic compounds composition and bioactive properties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants grown under water stress conditions and biostimulants application were investigated. RESULTS: Sixteen individual phenolic compounds were detected in both pods and seeds with a notable difference in their compositional profile. A significant effect on phenolic compounds content and composition was also observed for the biostimulants tested. Regarding the antibacterial activity, pods of the second harvest and seed extracts showed significant efficacy against Bacillus cereus, especially in water-stressed plants, where all biostimulant treatments weremore effective than positive controls. Moreover, all biostimulant treatments for seed extracts of water-stressed plants were more effective against Staphylococcus aureus compared with ampicillin, whereas streptomycin showed the best results. Extracts from pods of the secondharvest fromnormally irrigatedplants showed thebest results against the fungi tested, except for Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium. Finally, no significant cytotoxic effects were detected. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the biostimulants tested increased total phenolic compounds content compared with control treatment, especially in pods of the first harvest and seeds of water-stressed plants. Moreover, bioactive properties showed a varied response in regard to irrigation and biostimulant treatment. Therefore, biostimulants can be considered as a useful means towards increasing phenolic compoundscontent, and theymay also affect the antimicrobial properties of pods and seeds extracts.
- Biochemistry of secondary metabolism of fungiPublication . Pascoalino, Liege; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Taofiq, Oludemi; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, Lillian; Reis, Filipa S.Fungi, eukaryotic organisms with a kingdom of their own, include microorganisms from moulds and yeasts to the most known and appreciated mushrooms. The incredible biodiversity of these organisms is not limited to their morphology but is reflected in their chemistry, namely in the variety of compounds they produce. Therefore, like other living beings, fungi can be an excellent source of bioactive compounds. Although they may be primary metabolites, fungal bioactive compounds are mainly produced through secondary metabolism. These compounds have an essential role in the fungal survival and adaptation to almost all habitats on earth. Besides, they can also exert beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-UV radiation, or even anti-inflammatory or antitumor activity. Given the wide bioactivity of the molecules produced, fungi have become, over time, an exciting source of compounds with possible application in various industries, including the food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetics industries. Fungal secondary metabolites are mainly produced via acetyl-CoA and via the shikimate pathway. Even though it is possible to find in the literature some different classifications regarding secondary metabolites of fungi, in this manuscript, we define polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, terpenoids, and indole alkaloids as the main structural classes. The present chapter will present a brief introduction to fungal secondary metabolism, including some examples of the most well-known compounds and their principal functions in ecosystems. The biosynthetic pathways of the main classes of fungal secondary metabolites will also be depicted.
- Biological activities of selected plants of Rosaceae family employed in traditional remediesPublication . Barral Martínez, Marta; García-Oliveira, Paula; Núñez Estévez, Bernabé; Jarboui, Amira; Taofiq, Oludemi; Otero, Paz; Pinela, José; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Barros, LillianDuring human history, people have searched plant species to heal their diseases, elaborating different traditional remedies. Nowadays, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the beneficial biological properties of several plants including species of Rosaceae familywhich appears in various ethnobotanical studies as one of the most used plants in traditional medicine Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Geum urbanum (L.) and Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. are some plants of this family that have been employed in several traditional remedies, but their use is still limited nowadays [1]. The objective of this study was to different biological properties of these species, to potentiate their possible use in several biobased industrial applications. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by different in vitro assays: DPPH radical scavenging assay, TBARS, OXHLIA and reducing power. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the inhibition of inflammation on RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Finally, antitumor activity was tested against four tumour cell lines: MCF-7, CaCo, AGS and NCI-H460. The results showed that all plant extracts had antioxidant effects in the selected assays, especially G. urbanum and P. erecta. Aditionally, P. erecta presented the best anti-inflammatory effect, with EC50 of 50 μg/mL extract. Finally, all the species presented cytotoxic effect against the cell lines, being P. erecta the most effective, with GI50 ranging from 13 to 61 μg/mL of extract. Considering these results, the three species showed promising potential as therapeutic alternatives based on the observed bioactive properties and can be utilised in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
- By-products of walnut (Juglans regia) as source of bioactive compounds for the formulation of nutraceuticals and functional foodsPublication . Chamorro Rivo, Franklin Noel; Carpena Rodríguez, María; Lourenço-Lopes, Catarina; Taofiq, Oludemi; Otero, Paz; Cao, Hui; Xiao, Jianbo; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.The scarcity of natural resources and a higher incidence of diseases related to inappropri-ate eating habits have focused research on the search for food and nutraceutical products with func-tional properties that are respectful of the environment. Agro-industrial by-products are a profitable source for obtaining bioactive compounds, with various biological properties, including antioxi-dant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which contribute to immunity and reduce the negative effects of infections, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In the case of the walnut oil indus-try, various by-products are generated, among which we can mention pomace, green shell, shell, skin and leaves. Therefore, there is an opportunity for the recovery of waste, the recovery of target molecules and the formulation of new products, whether they are nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, or food additives, contributing to the circular economy and consumer health. The nut is commonly characterized by its high content of lipids (58–65%), mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols. In addition, the current literature states that its by-products are rich in phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids, for example total phenolic concentrations in the range 74 to 410 mg/g of GAE/FW are reported. In accordance, it is reported that the antioxidant potential of different extracts of nuts, shells and leaves was studied using different methods such as the reduction potency assay, scavenging effect of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and in-hibition of lipid oxidation by β-carotene linoleate system, with EC50 values less than 1 mg/mL. The results obtained showed that all walnut extracts have a strong antioxidant capacity against ROS species. For this reason, this work focuses on the bibliographic review of the bioactive compounds present in the by-products of the walnut (Juglans regia) industry, as well as mentioning their biolog-ical properties and possible applications in the food industry
- Chemical characterization and bioactive properties of wine lees and diatomaceous earth towards the valorization of underexploited residues as potential cosmeceuticalsPublication . Duarte, Cristina Nogueira; Taofiq, Oludemi; Dias, Maria Inês; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Barros, Lillian; Amaral, Joana S.Annually, wine production is responsible for generating large quantities of residues, which are frequently disposed of and not valorized. So far, different studies have been conducted on grape pomace, yet less attention has been paid to other residues, such as wine lees and diatomaceous earth used in wine filtration. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the phenolic profile of these underexploited winemaking residues and assess their biological potential based on their antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-aging activities (inhibition of tyrosinase and collagenase). Twenty-nine phenolic compounds, including twelve anthocyanins, were tentatively identified in the residues, with red grape pomace showing the highest diversity of compounds. The diatomaceous earth presented the highest content of non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds, being particularly rich in flavan-3-ols and myricetin-O-hexoside, and also presenting two anthocyanins. This sample also showed a high antioxidant activity, evidencing the best result in the reducing power assay. The red wine lees extract, despite showing a low content of phenolic compounds and less antioxidant activity, presented the highest inhibition capacity of bacteria growth. The extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity against keratinocyte (up to 400 mu g/mL) and fibroblast (up to 100 mu g/mL) skin cell lines. However, the capacity of inhibiting tyrosinase and collagenase was low for the lees and diatomaceous earth, contrary to the grape pomace, seeds, and skins extracts that showed promising results, evidencing its potential as a cosmeceutical. Overall, this study highlights for the first time the potential of diatomaceous earth, an underexploited winemaking waste, in the obtention of added-value extracts and/or ingredients for cosmetic industry.