LC-QTOF-MS/MS for tentative identification of antioxidant peptides in defatted Spirulina platensis cakes obtained by supercritical CO extraction.

This work tackles a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of microalga spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) to recover potential products from a nutritional and bioactive point of view. The execution of a response-surface model (RSO) through Box-Behnken design yielded 86% defatting, which significantly contrasts traditional Soxhlet extraction (9%). Contrarily to most of the reported works in the literature that focused on the analysis of the recovered oil, this study points out the added value of the remaining cakes after processing (spirulina residues).

Sustainable Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Medium- and Long-Chain Alkyl Levulinates from Biomass-Derived Levulinic Acid.

Alkyl levulinates (ALs) represent a family of bio-compounds derived from levulinic acid (LA), a platform chemical obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. Medium- and long-chain ALs (pentyl levulinate or longer) have shown potential as biofuel and fuel additives due to their relatively low oxygen content and resemblance to biodiesel. This study reports a fast and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing ALs via microwave (MW)-assisted LA esterification, laying emphasis on medium- and long-chain ALs.

Nutrients and Quality Aspects Characterizing Cultivated in Valli di Comacchio (Northern Italy) Across Different Seasons.

The quality aspects of () cultured in Valli di Comacchio were examined across different seasons. Nutritional quality parameters, antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and contaminants were determined in winter, summer, and autumn (December, June, and October). Seasonal variations in nutritional parameters were observed.

HPLC-MS/MS and ICP-MS for Evaluation of Mycotoxins and Heavy Metals in Edible Insects and Their Defatted Cakes Resulting from Supercritical Fluid Extraction.

Edible Insects (EIs) are an alternative source of bioactive compounds such as proteins or fatty acids and micronutrients as vitamins or minerals, thus showing potential to replace traditional foodstuffs in an economical and environmentally friendly way. Nonetheless, EIs can accumulate hazardous chemicals such as mycotoxins and heavy metals. The aim of the present study is to determine mycotoxins and heavy metal content in raw insect samples and those resulting products obtained after supercritical fluid extraction (SFE).

One-pot, microwave (MW)-assisted production of furfural from almond-, oil-, and wine-derived co-products through biorefinery-based approaches.

This work outlines the first microwave (MW)-assisted protocol for the production of biofuel precursor furfural (FF) from the raw agricultural waste almond hull (AH), olive stone (OS), and the winemaking-derived grape stalk (GS), grape marc (GM) and exhausted grape marc (EGM) through a one-pot synthesis process. To enhance the overall yield, a catalytic process was firstly developed from xylose, major constituent of hemicellulose present in lignocellulosic biomass. This method afforded FF with 100 % selectivity, yielding over 85 % in isolated product when using HSO, as opposed to a 37 % yield with AlCl·6HO, at 150 °C in only 10 min.

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities.

Microwave radiation-assisted synthesis of levulinic acid from microcrystalline cellulose: Application to a melon rind residue.

The circular economy considers waste to be a new raw material for the development of value-added products. In this context, agroindustrial lignocellulosic waste represents an outstanding source of new materials and platform chemicals, such as levulinic acid (LA). Herein we study the microwave (MW)-assisted acidic conversion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) into LA.

Valorization of Wastewater from Table Olives: NMR Identification of Antioxidant Phenolic Fraction and Microwave Single-Phase Reaction of Sugary Fraction.

The table olive industry is producing a huge amount of wastewater, which is a post-processing cost and an environmental concern. The present study aims to valorize this processing by-product to obtain a value-added product, thereby enhancing resource efficiency and contributing to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this sense, a chemical reaction-based platform was developed to obtain valuable components, such as levulinic acid (LA) and 5-hydromethylfurfural (HMF).

Novel Quinolylnitrones Combining Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Properties.

We describe here the preparation, neuroprotective analysis, and antioxidant capacity of 11 novel quinolylnitrones (QN). The neuroprotective analysis of QN1-11 in an oxygen-glucose deprivation model, in primary neuronal cultures, has been determined, allowing us to identify QN6 as a very potent neuroprotective agent, showing significant high value at 0.5 and 10 μM (86.