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- Natural sporopollenin microcarriers: Morphological insights into their functional performance for drug encapsulation and releasePublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Peixoto, Andreia F.; Akyuz, Lalehan; Vale, Nuno; Freire, Cristina; Vilas-Boas, MiguelNatural sporopollenin microcapsules (SMCs) derived from pollen offer versatility and efficiency for different applications, from environmental remediation to food and therapeutics delivery. A critical gap remains in understanding the relationship between SMCs morphologies and their effectiveness in drug loading and delivery. Herein, we encapsulated 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a model anticancer drug, into SMCs derived from seven bee monofloral pollens, each exhibiting distinct morphological features, and examined how their loading and release performance correlated with their morphology. Microscopic and particle size analyses revealed that the chemically purified SMCs were hollow, with sizes ranging from 11.0 to 35.6 μm, without significant size changes after drug loading. Encapsulation efficiency achieved through vacuum-assisted loading (18–28 %) generally surpassed that of passive and compression loading techniques. Moreover, there was a trend of increasing encapsulation efficiency with larger SMC sizes, albeit with some exceptions. In a sequential release environment simulating the in vitro gastrointestinal tract and colonic fermentation, smaller SMCs exhibited a faster release profile, whereas larger ones demonstrated a slower sustained release. The quantity and shape of apertures on SMCs walls significantly impacted their drug-loading capacity and release characteristics. Additionally, natural SMCs remained structurally intact even in the presence of digestive enzymes, varying pH levels, and colonic bacteria, indicating minimal degradation under these conditions. Overall, the findings highlight the significant influence of SMCs morphologies on their functional performance and provide a list of SMCs-based microstructures to guide drug release applications.
- Production of chitosan-based biodegradable active films using bio-waste enriched with polyphenol propolis extract envisaging food packaging applicationsPublication . Carli, Cristiane de; Aylanc, Volkan; Mouffok, Kheira; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Barreiro, M.F.; Tomás, Andreia; Pereira, Celeide; Rodrigues, Paula; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Falcão, SoraiaDeveloping biodegradable active films has been a promising green approach to overcoming global concerns over the environmental pollution and human health caused by plastic utilization. This study aimed to develop active films based on chitosan (CS), produced from waste crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) shells enriched with bioactive extract (5–20%) of propolis (PS) and to characterize its properties, envisaging food packaging applications. The chromatographic profile of PS extract confirmed its richness, with 41 phenolic compounds. With increasing extract addition to the chitosan, the thickness of the films increased from 61.7 to 71.7 μm, causing a reduction in the light transmission rate, along with a greenish colour shift. The interactions between PS extract and CS was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, at the same time that the microstructural integrity of the films was checked on the scanning electron microscopy micrographs. The findings also showed that addition of PS enhanced the films thermal stability and mechanical properties e.g., tensile modulus, yield strength, and stress at break. Besides, it improved the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Overall, CS-based composite films seem a promising green alternative to petroleum-based synthetic plastics allowing to extend the shelf life of food products due to their eco-friendly nature.
- Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity of mono- and polyfloral moroccan bee pollen by characterizing phenolic and volatile compoundsPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Larbi, Samar; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Rezouga, Feriel; Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; El Ghouizi, Asmae; Lyoussi, Badiâa; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelBee pollen is frequently characterized as a natural source of bioactive components, such as phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its pharmaceutical potential and nutritional properties. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive compound contents of mono- and polyfloral bee pollen samples using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods and established links with their antioxidant and antitumor activity. The findings demonstrated that the botanical origin of bee pollen has a remarkable impact on its phenolic (3-17 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (0.5-3.2 mg QE/g) contents. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 35 phenolic and 13 phenylamide compounds in bee pollen, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed its richness in volatiles, such as hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, ketones, etc. The concentration of bioactive compounds in each sample resulted in a substantial distinction in their antioxidant activity, DPPH (EC50: 0.3-0.7 mg/mL), ABTS (0.8-1.3 mM Trolox/mg), and reducing power (0.03-0.05 mg GAE/g), with the most bioactive pollens being the monofloral samples from Olea europaea and Ononis spinosa. Complementarily, some samples revealed a moderate effect on cervical carcinoma (GI(50): 495 mu g/mL) and breast adenocarcinoma (GI(50): 734 mu g/mL) cell lines. This may be associated with compounds such as quercetin-O-diglucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, which are present in pollens from Olea europaea and Coriandrum, respectively. Overall, the results highlighted the potentiality of bee pollen to serve health-promoting formulations in the future.
- Differentiating between monofloral portuguese bee pollens using phenolic and volatile profiles and their impact on bioactive propertiesPublication . Larbi, Samar; Aylanc, Volkan; Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Rezouga, Feriel; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelNowadays, bee products are commended by consumers for their medicinal and dietary properties. This study aimed to differentiate between monofloral bee pollens originating from Portugal using phenolic and volatile profiles and investigate their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were recorded between 2.9-35.8 mg GAE/g and 0.7-4.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The LC/DAD/ESI-MSn analytical results allowed us to identify and quantify a total of 72 compounds, including phenolic and phenylamide compounds, whereas GC-MS results revealed the presence of 49 different compounds, mostly ketones, aldehydes, esters, hydrocarbons, and terpenes. The highest DPPH center dot radical scavenging activity, EC50: 0.07 mg/mL, was recorded in the sample dominated by Castanae sp. pollen, whereas the Rubus sp. (1.59 mM Trolox/mg) and Cistaceae sp. (0.09 mg GAE/g) pollen species exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in ABTS center dot+ and reducing power assays, respectively. Regarding the anti-carcinogenic activity, only Carduus sp. showed remarkable cytotoxic potential against MCF-7.
- Assessment of bioactive compounds under simulated gastrointestinal digestion of bee pollen and bee bread: Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activityPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Tomás, Andreia; Russo-Almeida, Paulo; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelBee pollen and bee bread have always been regarded as excellent natural resources for application in food and pharmaceutical fields due to their rich nutrient content and diversity of bioactive compounds with health-improving properties. Extensive studies on both bee products as ingredients for a healthy diet were reported, although the data concerning their metabolization on the gastrointestinal tract is quite limited. Here, we report, at each digestive stage, the bioactive profile for both bee products, their bioaccessibility levels and the antioxidant activity evaluation. The findings indicated that the average bioaccessibility level of total phenolic and total flavonoid content for bee pollen was 31% and 25%, respectively, while it was 38% and 35% for bee bread. This was reflected in a decrease of their antioxidant capacity at the end of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, both in free radicals scavenging capacity and in reducing power. Moreover, within the 35 phytochemicals identified, the most affected by gastrointestinal digestion were phenylamides, with a complete digestibility at the end of the intestinal phase. Overall, our results highlight that bioactive compounds in both raw products do not reflect the real amount absorbed in the intestine, being bee bread more accessible in bioactive content than bee pollen.
- From the hive to the table: Nutrition value, digestibility and bioavailability of the dietary phytochemicals present in the bee pollen and bee breadPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Falcão, Soraia; Ertosun, Seymanur; Vilas-Boas, MiguelBackground: Consumption of natural products has increased significantly due to the idea that if nutrition improves, this leads to improved health, general well-being and reduces the risk of developing certain diseases. Bee products, especially bee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB), have demonstrated several nutritional and bioactive properties, which make them functional foods par excellence. Thus, understanding the digestibility and the changes of phytochemicals along the digestive tract, which give BP and BB the functional food attribute, is crucial. Scope and approach: This review describes the digestibility, bioavailability, and absorption behaviors of dietary phytochemicals present in BP and BB. It also addresses possible factors that may adversely affect the human health due to its intake and highlights food practices for the industry. Key findings and conclusions: Many studies have been conducted on BP and BB, which mostly evaluated the nutritional values and the bioactive compounds. However, few studies have addressed the nutritional and phytochemical content of BP and BB after digestion. Topics such as changes in the digestive tract, post-digestive bioaccessibility, tissue absorption scores and the degree of presence in the circulatory system of the phytochemicals that provide strong biological properties to BP and BB, should be taken into consideration in future researches.
- Propolis application in food preservation: development of chitosan-based edible filmsPublication . Carli, Cristiane de; Aylanc, Volkan; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Pereira, Celeide; Sousa, Miguel; Barreiro, M.F.; Rodrigues, Paula; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Falcão, SoraiaEdible films derived from chitosan highlight for its potential as coating packages, due to their antimicrobial activity and low oxygen permeability, while propolis has shown effective as a natural additive due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Thus, its combination to produce edible films, provides a promising approach to enhance the life spam of easily perishable foods. The present study describes the development of edible films based on chitosan produced from chitin extracted crawfish shell, modified with propolis. Chitosan-based films prepared incorporating different concentrations of poplar propolis extracts (0% to 20%), where characterized by FTIR, TGA and SEM. Additionally, mechanical properties, water-solubility, colour and optical transmittance tests were performed to assess the film specificities. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the coating were also studied. The FTIR spectra of the extracted material enable the identification of all major peaks associated to chitosan, corroborating the extraction procedure of chitin/chitosan from crawfish. The addition of propolis to the films decreased the water solubility compared to control. Besides, all films exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The output clear indicates that films enriched with propolis may be an alternative candidate for food packing.
- Natural β-chitin-protein complex film obtained from waste razor shells for transdermal capsaicin carrierPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Ertosun, Seymanur; Akyuz, Lalehan; Koc Bilican, Behlul; Gokdag, Semih; Bilican, Ismail; Cakmak, Yavuz Selim; Yilmaz, Bahar Akyuz; Kaya, MuratIn the literature, the produced β-chitin samples are in powder or flake forms but there is no natural β-chitin based film. Also, the commercially available transdermal patches are produced from synthetic polymers. In this regard,we produced natural β-chitin-protein complex (CPC) film fromthewaste shells of Ensis spp. The obtained natural filmwas characterized by FTIR, TGA and SEM. Additionally, swelling, thickness, contact angle and antioxidant tests were done to learn more about the films. After production and characterization of the film, capsaicin, which is commonly used for pain reliefwas loaded into the film. The loading capacitywas recorded as 5.79%. The kineticmodelswere studied in three different pH, then the resultswere fittedwith Higuchimodelwith high correlation at pH 7.4. After considering all the obtained results, the capsaicin loaded CPC film may be an alternative candidate for transdermal patch instead of the synthetic ones.
- Performance of green and conventional techniques for the optimal extraction of bioactive compounds in bee pollenPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Ertosun, Seymanur; Russo-Almeida, Paulo; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelThe exploitation of phenolic compounds in different fields has motivated researchers to explore eco-friendly and efficient extraction techniques. This study aimed to comparatively reveal that green extraction techniques (microwave- and ultrasound-assisted) are alternative to conventional extraction (maceration and magnetic stirring) with positive impact on the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and bioactive profile of bee pollen extracts. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was reached using the microwave-assisted technique (MAE) with equivalent values of 28 and 8 mg g−1, with magnetic stirring and maceration showing a lower value. The composition profile of the extracts revealed the presence of twenty-six bioactive compounds, including thirteen phenolics and thirteen phenylamides. Although the extraction technique had little impact on the chemical diversity, the amount of bioactive compounds raised significantly with the use of the green extraction techniques, with gains between 40% and 60% for phenolics and up to 200% for phenylamides. The radical scavenging activity and the reducing power of the extracts confirmed that bee pollens are potent antioxidant source, with the most bioactive extracts corresponding to green extraction techniques. Consequently, all findings recommend the use of MAE as the technique most effective for the extraction of bioactive compounds from naturally encapsulated structures such as bee pollen.
- Comparing the bioavailability properties of bee pollen and bee bread using an in vitro digestive systemPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelThe consumption of natural products has increased significantly due to the idea that whether improving nutrition, improves health, general well-being and reduces the risk of developing certain diseases. Bee products, in special bee pollen and bee bread, have demonstrated several nutritional and bioactive properties, which make them functional foods par excellence. Both bee pollen and bee bread are natural products rich in lipid, protein, carbohydrates as well as minor components such as phenolic compounds. Most of the bioactive properties are attributed to the powerful antioxidant and antiradical activity demonstrated by phenolic compounds. Nevertheless, bioactive claims are made without taking into consideration the further modifications to which phenolic compounds are subjected in the gastrointestinal tract. To determine and reveal the physicochemical parameter and the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds in bee pollen and bee bread in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the release of bioactive compounds from these bee products, determination of bioavailability properties and understanding their fate in the organism is crucial. In this context, the purpose of the present work was to compare the bioavailability properties of bee pollen and bee bread using an in vitro digestive system, as well as the determination of the nutritional parameters. The research was based on a series of tasks that started with the collection of bee pollen and bee bread followed by the determination of physicochemical properties like total lipid, protein, soluble sugar, total carbohydrates content and energetic value. The second step was to determine how the bioactive compounds in bee pollen and bee bread are affected in each phase of the in vitro digestive system and their bioaccessibility score and stability. Finally, the changes in their antioxidant capacity were determined. The study has shown that bee pollen and bee bread have different nutritional properties depending on their botanical origin. The results revealed that both bee products are rich sources of lipids, proteins and sugars, with high values in total carbohydrate and energy. The findings indicated a significant reduction in phenolic content in both bee pollen and bee bread samples at the end of gastrointestinal digestion compared to raw samples, and this was reflected in a decrease in their antioxidant capacity. Besides, the bioaccessibility scores for total phenolic content were calculated on average 31% and 38% for bee pollen and bee bread, respectively, whereas the bioaccessibilityscore for total flavonoid content averaged 25% (bee pollen) and 35% (bee bread). The results showed that both bee products are highly affected by in vitro digestion. In conclusion, this study clearly show that bee bread is either more accessible and richer in bioactive compound content compared to bee pollen, and both bee products have strong potential for widespread use in the food industry because of their rich macro and micronutrient content.