The Health Potential of Fruits and Vegetables Phytochemicals: Notable Examples

Fruit and vegetables are essential components of a healthy diet. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an intake of five to eight portions (400–600 g) daily of fruits and vegetables to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, poor cognitive performance, and other diet-related diseases, as well as for the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Much of their potential for disease prevention is thought to be provided by phytochemicals, among which the preventive activity of antioxidants is most well documented. Since numerous meta-studies published indicate variable and often contradictory results about the impact of isolated phytochemicals on health, their consumption as supplements must be carried out with care, because doses may exceed the recommended nutritional intake. Nonetheless, there is a general consensus that whole fruit and vegetable intake is more important in providing health benefits than that of only one of their constituent, because of additive and synergistic effects. This review describes the most recent literature regarding the health benefits of some selected fruits and vegetables. Importantly, since some phytochemicals regulate the same genes and pathways targeted by drugs, diets rich in fruits and vegetables in combination with medical therapies are being considered as novel approaches to treatment. Therefore, phytochemicals in fruits and vegetable might be a promising tool for the prevention and/or amelioration of a wide range of diseases.     

Factors influencing levels of phytochemicals in selected fruit and vegetables during pre- and post-harvest food processing operations

Phytochemicals are important natural bioactive compounds of fruit and vegetables and are widely recognised for their nutraceutical effects and health benefits. This review analyses different factors influencing the level of phytochemicals in selected fruit and vegetables at different processing stages in the production chain. The level of phytochemicals present in fruit and vegetables may vary within and across cultivars. Available literature correlates the level of phytochemicals with many factors including cultivar type, environmental and agronomic conditions, harvest and food processing operations, and storage factors. The optimisation of food processing and storage factors is an essential step to reduce the degradation of phytochemicals for potential health benefits. Cultivar selection and maturity at harvest may be critical for food processors to maintain high levels of phytochemicals in fruit and vegetables.     

香辛料中植物化学物对肉制品品质及健康功效影响研究进展

香辛料是肉类食品加工过程中常用的一种辅料,其在改善食品风味、抑菌防腐以及延长食品保质期方面的能力得到了广泛的认可。香辛料中的植物化学物种类丰富,在食品加工以及贮藏过程中,可能与肉制品中的营养成分以及风味成分发生相互作用,从而改善食品的营养品质以及风味特性。同时,大多数香辛料中的植物化学物具有一定的抗氧化、抗炎等作用,能够改善食品的生物活性,对人体起到一定的食疗保健作用。本文主要对香辛料中植物化学物对肉制品营养品质、感官品质、防腐保鲜以及健康功效的影响进行了总结,以期为后续探究香辛料中植物化学物在食品体系中的应用及相关作用机理提供参考。     

Phytochemical phenolics in organically grown vegetables

Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated with risks for several chronic diseases in humans. Phytochemicals, and in particular, phenolic compounds, present in plant foods may be partly responsible for these health benefits through a variety of mechanisms. Since environmental factors play a role in a plant's production of secondary metabolites, it was hypothesized that an organic agricultural production system would increase phenolic levels. Cultivars of leaf lettuce, collards, and pac choi were grown either on organically certified plots or on adjacent conventional plots. Nine prominent phenolic agents were quantified by HPLC, including phenolic acids (e. g. caffeic acid and gallic acid) and aglycone or glycoside flavonoids (e. g. apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, and quercetin). Statistically, we did not find significant higher levels of phenolic agents in lettuce and collard samples grown organically. The total phenolic content of organic pac choi samples as measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, however, was significantly higher than conventional samples (p < 0.01), and seemed to be associated with a greater attack the plants in organic plots by flea beetles. These results indicated that although organic production method alone did not enhance biosynthesis of phytochemicals in lettuce and collards, the organic system provided an increased opportunity for insect attack, resulting in a higher level of total phenolic agents in pac choi.     

Significance of sample preparation in developing analytical methodologies for accurate estimation of bioactive compounds in functional foods

Functional foods are defined as foods or food components that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition (for the intended population). Increased interest in bioactive food components and phytochemicals has arisen from numerous epidemiological studies that suggest that certain phytochemicals can reduce risk of chronic diseases. Sales of functional foods containing high concentrations of bioactive components have increased dramatically during the past two decades. This paper illustrates with examples the significance of sample preparation in developing analytical methodologies for accurate estimation of potentially bioactive compounds present in functional foods using phenolic phytochemicals as model substrates. The primary three steps in any analysis are sampling, sample preservation, and sample preparation. These three initial steps are often overlooked and considered ‘as a means to an end’ and are often not well documented in the published literature. This paper outlines a systematic protocol for optimizing extraction of phytochemicals from different plant matrices. Accurate analysis of bioactive compounds is critical for their precise and reproducible quantification in different foods, establishing appropriate dietary intake and safety guidelines, and understanding their role in human health and nutrition. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Beneficial phytochemicals in potato — a review

Potato contains several phytochemicals such as phenolics, flavonoids, polyamines, and carotenoids, which are highly desirable in diet because of their beneficial effects on human health. The concentration and stability of these constituents are affected by several factors such as genotype, agronomic factors, postharvest storage, cooking and processing conditions. The advances in analytical techniques have made possible the identification and understanding the functions of phytochemicals, particularly their antioxidant properties. The potatoes are stored and processed into a variety of products before consumption. In the present review, phytochemicals present in potatoes, factors affecting their content, stability and health benefits are discussed. Processing the potatoes rich in phytochemicals can play an important role in promoting the health of a large segment of population in the countries where potatoes form a substantial part of daily diet.     

The contribution of fruits and vegetables to dietary intake of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in a Mexican rural diet: Importance of fruit and vegetable variety

There is mounting evidence of the health-protective role of the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are the major contributors to dietary polyphenol intake. Lack of knowledge about the consumption of phytochemicals in the Mexican diet makes it difficult to evaluate their health significance. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the contribution of fruit and vegetable consumption to dietary polyphenol intake and dietary antioxidant capacity in a rural population in Mexico. Despite a low intake of fruits and vegetables (< 400 g/day) in the Mexican rural diet, the mean daily intake of dietary polyphenols (> 800 mg/day) and dietary antioxidant capacity (1000-2000 ??mol trolox equivalents/day) from fruits and vegetables was similar to those determined in the Spanish Mediterranean diet. Local fruits and vegetables consumed in the Mexican rural diet are rich in polyphenols with antioxidant properties and are important source of bioactive compounds and dietary fibers. Fruit and vegetable intake needs to be promoted and lifestyle and environmental factors enhanced to improve the health status of obese Mexican rural populations.     

果蔬加工中果胶甲基酯酶活性抑制的研究进展

果胶甲基酯酶（pectin methylesterase,PME）是一种广泛存在于高等植物、真菌和细菌的果胶降解酶,其残余活性会导致果蔬汁和鲜切果蔬等产品产生分层沉淀、析水结块、质构软化等品质劣变。因此,在果蔬加工过程中实现对PME活性的有效抑制是加工的重要目的。目前生产中对于PME活性的抑制主要以热加工方式为主,但这会对热敏性果蔬产品品质造成不可逆转的不良影响。随着人们生活水平和健康意识的提高,为了满足人们对更高品质产品的追求,一些新型热加工和非热加工技术以及PME抑制剂逐渐被研究并应用于PME活性的抑制。本文综述当前热、非热加工方式和抑制剂对于PME的抑制效果及其机理,并列举不同加工方式联合处理或加工手段与抑制剂联合处理在PME抑制方面的应用情况,以期为未来更高品质果蔬产品的加工提供理论指导。     

Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) throughout the food production chain

Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant with adverse effects on human health. Since dietary intake plays an important role in human exposure, the transfer of PFOS throughout the food chain needs further investigation. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of PFOS concentrations and transfer for the various chain steps from farm-to-fork. This reveals that most research focused on levels of PFOS in surface water and fish but data on soil and crops are largely missing. Furthermore, the uptake of PFOS by farm animals and subsequent transfer into meat and animal products needs further attention, as these products will eventually be consumed by the human population. Once the necessary data gaps are filled, the contribution of the various chain steps on the total PFOS intake can be established. Moreover, the effect of pollution events on the food chain can be established enabling appropriate actions in order to protect consumer health.     

Mass spectrometry-based analysis of whole-grain phytochemicals

Whole grains are a rich source of several classes of phytochemicals, such as alkylresorcinols, benzoxazinoids, flavonoids, lignans, and phytosterols. A high intake of whole grains has been linked to a reduced risk of some major noncommunicable diseases, and it has been postulated that a complex mixture of phytochemicals works in synergy to generate beneficial health effects. Mass spectrometry, especially when coupled with liquid chromatography, is a widely used method for the analysis of phytochemicals owing to its high sensitivity and dynamic range. In this review, the current knowledge of the mass spectral properties of the most important classes of phytochemicals found in cereals of common wheat, barley, oats, and rye is discussed.     

Mapping flows of embodied emissions in the global production system

Environmentally extended multiregional input-output (MRIO) analysis can be used to investigate final production and consumption attributions of emissions. As the distinction between the two attributions has been brought to the attention of policy-makers, there is an ever greater need to understand how and why they differ, by analyzing the connections between production and consumption activities. Seeking to meet this need, we present an approach for mapping flows of embodied emissions through a Leontief production system. The approach, seen as an extension of Structural Path Analysis (SPA), provides an exhaustive map of supply chain linkages between final production and consumption attributions of emissions. Whereas SPA is traditionally used to extract and rank individual supply chains according to the emissions occurring at the end of each chain, the mapping approach considers emissions embodied in the flows of intermediate products linking different economic sectors along supply chains. Illustrative results are presented from a global MRIO model and CO(2) emissions for 2004. The emissions embodied in a sector's total output of products is also of interest: a method for calculating this is presented and shown to provide further insight into where in the production system a sector's overall emissions impact is concentrated.     

A Review of the Process-Induced Changes in the Phytochemical Content of Cereal Grains: The Breadmaking Process

The importance of cereal grains in human nutrition is well documented. Especially the impact of whole grains consumption on human health has attracted much attention over the last decades. The health benefits are associated with the high content of cereal grains in dietary fiber but also recent research has shown that cereal grains are rich in bioactive compounds, which are unique in composition and different to phytochemicals from other sources such as fruit and vegetables. Cereal grains however are processed before human consumption. Depending on the process, the levels and the composition of the available bioactive compounds can be affected. Knowledge of the effect of these processes on the phytochemical compounds is essential to ensure the products generated are nutritious and can convey health benefits to the consumers. This article reviews the literature on the effect of milling and breadmaking processes on the levels and profile of bioactive compounds. Milling and breadmaking are two of the most common processes used universally to prepare the grains for consumption. These processes involve several stages and many variable factors, which can alter the levels and profile of the available phytochemicals in the end-product.     

Convenience may increase vegetable intake among young consumers

Current food trends such as healthy eating, plant-based diets and sustainability encourage consumers to eat more vegetables. However, it is a challenge for many, including the younger generations, to meet the dietary recommendations regarding vegetable intake. The purpose of this study was to investigate if vegetable convenience products can increase the daily intake of vegetables among young consumers. A total of 100 participants were randomly allocated to receive either regular or convenience vegetables for a week and filled in questionnaires about vegetable use and consumption before after the intervention. Results showed that participants who received convenience vegetable products significantly increased their daily vegetable consumption by 19% (p = 0.005), but there was no significant difference between the groups during the intervention period. Furthermore, convenience vegetable products were used and perceived differently from regular vegetables. It was found that especially the preparation of the convenient vegetable products had an impact on how the products were perceived. Participants indicated that they were not willing to buy or pay more for convenience in relation to vegetables. In conclusion, convenience vegetable products may increase vegetable intake among young consumers. However, this specific consumer group may find barriers within their values regarding food, consumerism and sustainability, which prevent them from buying convenience food products.     

The role of red and processed meat in colorectal cancer development: a perspective

This paper is based on a workshop held in Oslo, Norway in November 2013, in which experts discussed how to reach consensus on the healthiness of red and processed meat. Recent nutritional recommendations include reducing intake of red and processed meat to reduce cancer risk, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC). Epidemiological and mechanistic data on associations between red and processed meat intake and CRC are inconsistent and underlying mechanisms are unclear. There is a need for further studies on differences between white and red meat, between processed and whole red meat and between different types of processed meats, as potential health risks may not be the same for all products. Better biomarkers of meat intake and of cancer occurrence and updated food composition databases are required for future studies. Modifying meat composition via animal feeding and breeding, improving meat processing by alternative methods such as adding phytochemicals and improving our diets in general are strategies that need to be followed up.     

Phenolic Antioxidant Biosynthesis in Plants for Functional Food Application: Integration of Systems Biology and Biotechnological Approaches

We are applying a dynamic systems biology approach to the development of several phenolic phytochemicals in food-grade plants as ingredients for functional food applications. Phenolic antioxidant phytochemicals from food-grade plants will be an important part of a healthy diet in a global population that is projected to reach 9 billion in the next 50 years. Such phytochemicals are being targeted for designing conventional foods with added health benefits (functional foods). Such value-added foods are needed for dietary support to manage major oxidation-linked diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cognition diseases and cancer. Plants produce phenolic metabolites as a part of growth, developmental and stress-adaptation response. These stress and developmental-modulated phenolic phytochemicals can be targeted for the design of functional foods. In order to design consistent food-grade phytochemical profiles for safety and clinical relevancy, novel tissue culture and bioprocessing technologies have been developed. The strategy for designing these phenolic phytochemicals is based on the model that phenolic metabolites in plants are efficiently produced through an alternative mode of metabolism that links proline synthesis to activity of the pentose-phosphate pathway. Using the proline-linked pentose-phosphate pathway model, techniques have been developed to isolate high phenolic clonal lines of food-grade plants from single heterozygous seeds. Further, using the same model, elicitation concepts and techniques have been applied to over-produce phenolic metabolites in seeds and sprouts. In both clonal and seed sprout systems, exogenous treatment of phenolic phytochemicals from a non-target species elicited endogenous stimulation of phenolic synthesis and, potentially, an antioxidant response. From these investigations, a hypothetical model has been proposed in which the proline-linked pentose-phosphate pathway is critical for modulating protective antioxidant response pathways in diverse biological systems, including humans. This model, when confirmed precisely, may provide a mechanism for understanding the mode of action of phenolic phytochemicals in modulating antioxidant pathways in relation to human health. An understanding of the interconnection of the proline-linked pentose-phosphate pathway and antioxidant response pathway can provide dietary and nutritional mechanisms as well as new strategies to manage oxidation-linked diseases through improvement of host physiological response. In this review we have focused on clonal herbs, fava bean sprouts and cranberry bioprocessing as 3 model systems for understanding biosynthesis of phenolic metabolites for functional food application.     

Is Food Safety Compatible with Food Waste Prevention and Sustainability of the Food Chain?

In a context where the sustainability of food chains and food waste prevention are subjects of interest for public authorities and professionals, it is important to assess if these new objectives of food policy are compatible with food safety. The objective of this work was to develop a global model for a ready-to-eat meat product that provides three different outputs, i.e. energy consumption, percentage of spoiled products and exposure levels of Listeria monocytogenes. First a cold chain model was developed. The cold chain model was then coupled with (i) predictive microbiology models and (ii) energy consumption models for cold equipments. Various scenarios were tested for assessing the consequences of potential changes in cold chain equipment on safety, food waste and energy cost. This global approach could help policy makers in decision making.     

Phenolic Antioxidant Biosynthesis in Plants for Functional Food Application: Integration of Systems Biology and Biotechnological Approaches

We are applying a dynamic systems biology approach to the development of several phenolic phytochemicals in food-grade plants as ingredients for functional food applications. Phenolic antioxidant phytochemicals from food-grade plants will be an important part of a healthy diet in a global population that is projected to reach 9 billion in the next 50 years. Such phytochemicals are being targeted for designing conventional foods with added health benefits (functional foods). Such value-added foods are needed for dietary support to manage major oxidation-linked diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cognition diseases and cancer. Plants produce phenolic metabolites as a part of growth, developmental and stress-adaptation response. These stress and developmental-modulated phenolic phytochemicals can be targeted for the design of functional foods. In order to design consistent food-grade phytochemical profiles for safety and clinical relevancy, novel tissue culture and bioprocessing technologies have been developed. The strategy for designing these phenolic phytochemicals is based on the model that phenolic metabolites in plants are efficiently produced through an alternative mode of metabolism that links proline synthesis to activity of the pentose–phosphate pathway. Using the proline-linked pentose–phosphate pathway model, techniques have been developed to isolate high phenolic clonal lines of food-grade plants from single heterozygous seeds. Further, using the same model, elicitation concepts and techniques have been applied to over-produce phenolic metabolites in seeds and sprouts. In both clonal and seed sprout systems, exogenous treatment of phenolic phytochemicals from a non-target species elicited endogenous stimulation of phenolic synthesis and, potentially, an antioxidant response. From these investigations, a hypothetical model has been proposed in which the proline-linked pentose–phosphate pathway is critical for modulating protective antioxidant response pathways in diverse biological systems, including humans. This model, when confirmed precisely, may provide a mechanism for understanding the mode of action of phenolic phytochemicals in modulating antioxidant pathways in relation to human health. An understanding of the interconnection of the proline-linked pentose–phosphate pathway and antioxidant response pathway can provide dietary and nutritional mechanisms as well as new strategies to manage oxidation-linked diseases through improvement of host physiological response. In this review we have focused on clonal herbs, fava bean sprouts and cranberry bioprocessing as 3 model systems for understanding biosynthesis of phenolic metabolites for functional food application.     

Effect of high pressure processing or freezing technologies as pretreatment in vacuum fried carrot snacks

Vacuum fried carrot snacks were prepared using high pressure processing or freezing as pretreatment before the vacuum frying process. Physicochemical, organoleptic and antioxidant parameters were evaluated in order to determine the effect of pretreatment on the final product.The results showed that the use of high pressure and freezing pretreatments had significant effects on the final product. Both pretreatments caused cell modification, as observed from microstructural analysis. Pretreatment application helped in maintaining phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the samples, effect which could be observed over storage. Freezing pretreatment increased crispness values of the samples, as compared to HPP-pretreated or control samples. On the other hand, freezing pretreatment also favoured oil absorption. The use of the proposed pretreatments (HPP or freezing) resulted in a feasible approach for improving the nutritional and organoleptic properties of vacuum-fried carrot snacks.Industrial relevanceVegetable consumption remains lower than the recommended intake by health authorities. One possible strategy to increase the consumption of vegetable is the development of snacks. Most of vegetable snacks in the market are made through drying. However, dried products are far from the textural, appearance and mouthfeel properties of deep-fried products. The use of vacuum frying is an option for the development of appealing and yet healthy vegetable snacks. Nevertheless, pre-treatments are required to provide adequate final texture. To this regard, most studies are focused on osmotic pre-treatments. This study demonstrated that freezing and HPP pretreatments can be successfully applied in order to obtain crispy carrot chips. Furthermore, the use of pretreatments helped to maintain phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the snacks.     

Broccoli-Derived By-Products—A Promising Source of Bioactive Ingredients

ABSTRACT: The regular dietary intake of broccoli on a weekly basis has been related to better health, but industrial use of broccoli by-products (crop remains) is negligible. Adding value to broccoli by-products in a country such as Spain, one of the main broccoli producers for the EU, is of scientific and economic interest. The present article is focused on the bioactive compounds (glucosinolates, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) and nutrients (vitamin C, minerals, and trace elements), as well as the in vitro radical-scavenging capacity (DPPH· test), of the broccoli products (harvest remains) resulting from greenhouse cultivation using 80 mM NaCl treatment, representative of the currently available irrigation water in the production areas of Murcia (SE Spain). The bioactive compounds and nutrient contents varied according to the cultivar, organ (leaves or stalks), and the saline stress (80 mM NaCl), in the cultivars Marathon, Nubia, and Viola. Cultivar Nubia was not affected dramatically by 80 mM NaCl and the contents of phytochemicals and nutrients in the by-products of Nubia fell within the range of health-promoting levels of edible commercial parts (inflorescences or flower heads). Therefore, adding value to broccoli agrowaste by obtaining bioactive ingredients and nutrients could benefit the food and drug industry. Practical Application: Many by-products of the agrifood industry may be useful as sources of nutrients and potentially functional ingredients, giving the opportunity to obtain added-value products. Previous studies have been focused on edible florets, but in this case we are interested in adding value to broccoli by-products that represent a real problem in the production sites because no intended use for this material has been envisaged. Therefore, the aim of this study was to add value to the broccoli-derived by-products, since recycling all this agrowaste to obtain bioactive ingredients for industry can boost profits and reduce costs and environmental problems.