Antioxidants for improved skin appearance: Intracellular mechanism,challenges and future strategies

Recent advances in molecular and biochemical processes relevant to the skincare field have led to the development of novel ingredients based on antioxidants that can improve skin health and youthfulness. Considering the plethora of such antioxidants and the many implications for the skin's appearance, this review focuses on describing the critical aspects of antioxidants, including cosmetic functions, intracellular mechanisms and challenges. In particular, specialized substances are suggested for the treatment of each skin condition, such as skin ageing, skin dehydration and skin hyperpigmentation, which treatments can maximize effectiveness and avoid side effects during skin care processes. In addition, this review proposes advanced strategies that either already exists in the cosmetic market or should be developed to improve and optimize cosmetic’ beneficial effects.     

莲房原花青素提取方法、生理功能及其在食品工业中应用的研究进展

莲房是莲科植物莲的成熟花托,是莲的重要组成部分,在民间常被作为一种化瘀止血药使用.研究发现莲房中存在含量较多的原花青素,可作为原花青素提取的重要原料来源,有望替代葡萄籽、树莓籽等作物提取原花青素,以此能够将莲房变废为宝,降低原花青素生产成本,最终实现莲房资源的最大化利用.本文针对性地归纳了近年来有关莲房中原花青素提取工...     

Essential Oils: Extraction,Bioactivities, and Their Uses for Food Preservation

Essential oils are concentrated liquids of complex mixtures of volatile compounds and can be extracted from several plant organs. Essential oils are a good source of several bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. In addition, some essential oils have been used as medicine. Furthermore, the uses of essential oils have received increasing attention as the natural additives for the shelf‐life extension of food products, due to the risk in using synthetic preservatives. Essential oils can be incorporated into packaging, in which they can provide multifunctions termed “active or smart packaging.” Those essential oils are able to modify the matrix of packaging materials, thereby rendering the improved properties. This review covers up‐to‐date literatures on essential oils including sources, chemical composition, extraction methods, bioactivities, and their applications, particularly with the emphasis on preservation and the shelf‐life extension of food products.     

Adding Molecules to Food,Pros and Cons: A Review on Synthetic and Natural Food Additives

The pressing issue to feed the increasing world population has created a demand to enhance food production, which has to be cheaper, but at the same time must meet high quality standards. Taste, appearance, texture, and microbiological safety are required to be preserved within a foodstuff for the longest period of time. Although considerable improvements have been achieved in terms of food additives, some are still enveloped in controversy. The lack of uniformity in worldwide laws regarding additives, along with conflicting results of many studies help foster this controversy. In this report, the most important preservatives, nutritional additives, coloring, flavoring, texturizing, and miscellaneous agents are analyzed in terms of safety and toxicity. Natural additives and extracts, which are gaining interest due to changes in consumer habits are also evaluated in terms of their benefits to health and combined effects. Technologies, like edible coatings and films, which have helped overcome some drawbacks of additives, but still pose some disadvantages, are briefly addressed. Future trends like nanoencapsulation and the development of “smart” additives and packages, specific vaccines for intolerance to additives, use of fungi to produce additives, and DNA recombinant technologies are summarized.     

Almond Polyphenols: Methods of Analysis,Contribution to Food Quality,and Health Promotion

Almond is a nutrient‐dense tree nut recognized for its favorable lipid profile, vitamin E content, and polyphenols. The objectives of this review were to determine the polyphenols reported in almond, summarize the methods of analysis, and determine the polyphenol contribution to almond quality and health‐promoting activity. Approximately 130 different polyphenols have been identified in almond, although not all of these have been quantitated. The mean and 25% to 75% percentile contents reported in literature were 162 mg (67.1 to 257) proanthocyanidins (dimers or larger), 82.1 mg (72.9 to 91.5) hydrolysable tannins, 61.2 mg (13.0 to 93.8) flavonoids (non‐isoflavone), 5.5 mg (5.2 to 12) phenolic acids and aldehydes, and 0.7 mg (0.5 to 0.9) isoflavones, stilbenes, and lignans per 100 g almond. Following solvent extraction of almond, hydrolysis of the residue liberates additional proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and aldehydes, and total phenols. Blanching and skin removal consistently reduces almond polyphenol content, but blanch water and almond skins retain enough polyphenols to be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant ingredients. Roasting and pasteurization have inconsistent effects on almond polyphenols. Almond polyphenols contribute to shelf life by inhibiting lipid oxidation and providing pigmentation, flavor, astringency, and antimicrobial activity. The health‐promoting activity of whole almonds has been widely investigated, but few have considered the contribution of polyphenols. Preclinical studies of polyphenol‐rich almond skin or almond extracts suggest putative effects on antioxidant function, detoxification, antiviral activity, anti‐inflammatory function, and topical use for inhibiting ultraviolet A damage. Therefore, almond has a diverse polyphenol profile contributing to both its food quality and health‐promoting actions.