Browsing by Author "Chinchilla, Nuria"
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- Development of a new eco-friendly ultrasound-assisted extraction method to quantify tryptophan in wild mushrooms and determination of its beneficial propertiesPublication . López, Alejandro R.; Ortega-Caneda, Elena; Espada-Bellido, Estrella; Chinchilla, Nuria; Palma, Miguel; Aliaño González, María José; Barbero, Gerardo Fernández; Carrera, CeferinoBioactive compounds in food offer health benefits by influencing cellular and physiological functions. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid and precursor to neurotransmitters like melatonin and serotonin, regulates mood and circadian rhythms. However, its quantification in mushrooms is scarce studied. An eco-friendly ultrasound- assisted extraction (UAE) method has been optimized to quantify tryptophan using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array and fluorescence detector (UHPLC-DAD-Fl). Tryptophan levels were determined in 26 wild mushroom samples of the genus Lactarius and Boletus. The concentrations ranged from 0.042 mg/g to 0.742 mg/g. The extracts' health benefits were assessed for antioxidant capacity using DPPH (17.7 %71.6 %) and ABTS (7.2 %24.9 %) methods, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity ranged from 13.1 % to 49.8 %. Promising results were obtained. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated a correlation between tryptophan concentration, mushroom species, location, and extract properties, highlighting tryptophan's crucial role in these mushrooms' health benefits.
- Enhancing anthocyanin extraction from wine lees: a comprehensive ultrasound-assisted optimization studyPublication . Umsza-Guez, Marcelo A.; Vázquez-Espinosa, Mercedes; Chinchilla, Nuria; Aliaño-González, M. J.; Oliveira de Souza, Carolina; Ayena, Kodjovi; Fernández Barbero, Gerardo; Palma, Miguel; Carrera, CeferinoWine lees, an important by-product of the wine industry, pose a major environmental problem due to the enormous quantities of solid-liquid waste that are discarded annually without defined applications. In this study, the optimization of a method based on a Box-Behnken design with surface response has been carried out to obtain extracts with high anthocyanin content and potent antioxidant activity. Six variables have been considered: %EtOH, temperature, amplitude, cycle, pH, and ratio. The developed method exhibited important repeatability properties and intermediate precision, with less than 5% CV being achieved. Furthermore, these novel methods were successfully applied to diverse wine lees samples sourced from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varieties (Vitis vinifera), resulting in extracts enriched with significant anthocyanin content and noteworthy antioxidant activity. Additionally, this study evaluated the influence of grape variety, fermentation type (alcoholic or malolactic), and sample treatment on anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity, providing valuable insights for further research and application in various sectors. The potential applications of these high-quality extracts extend beyond the winemaking industry, holding promise for fields like medicine, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals, thus promoting a circular economy and mitigating environmental contamination.
- Valorization of arbutus unedo L. Pomace: exploring the recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds from distillation By-productsPublication . Lorenzo, Ritamaria Di; Ferraro, Maria Grazia; Carrera, Ceferino; Iazzetti, Federica; Chinchilla, Nuria; Maisto, Maria; Aliaño González, María José; Piccolo, Vincenzo; Ricci, Lucia; Medronho, Bruno; Marzocchi, Adua; Piccolo, Marialuisa; Romano, Anabela; Tenore, Gian Carlo; Irace, Carlo; Laneri, SoniaThis study explores the potential of Arbutus unedo L. pomace, a by-product of the food industry, as a natural ingredient for skincare applications. In Portugal, A. unedo L. fruits are traditionally used to produce "Aguardente de Medronho", a spirit with a protected geographical indication. The distillation process generates pomace, comprising skins, pulp remnants, seeds, and residual alcohol rich in phenolic compounds, whose levels are significantly increased during distillation. In addition to their documented high antioxidant content, these residues also display notable antimicrobial properties. However, their potential benefits for skin health have not yet been explored. The methodology entailed the preparation of the pomace extract and a comprehensive analysis of its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity under laboratory conditions and in preclinical cellular models. The by-products demonstrated a high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamin C. Bioscreening on human skin models (i.e., dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes) revealed their ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation under oxidative stress in skin cells, highlighting their potential to mitigate skin aging and damage caused by environmental pollutants. Moreover, bioscreens in vitro revealed a high safety profile, without any interference with cell viability at concentrations up to 100 mu g/mL. These findings support the use of A. unedo L. pomace extract as a sustainable ingredient for the development of antioxidant-rich and eco-friendly cosmetic or dermatologic products.