The ever-growing consumer demand for natural food ingredients has stimulated the flavour industries to look for sources of natural flavourings. Seafood is rich in precursors of umami peptides, amino acids, and flavour 5′-nucleotides, which can serve as worthy ingredients for the production of natural flavourings. This review provides an overview of conventional and innovative techniques used for the production of natural seafood flavourings. It was also an insight into the formation mechanisms of flavour compounds underlying the sensory characteristics of seafood flavourings. Also, an overview of food applications of natural seafood flavourings was discussed. The research outcomes showed that microbial, enzymatic, and thermal processes and their combination are major conventional processes for the bio-generation of natural seafood flavourings. Ultrasound, microwave, pressurised carbon dioxide, hot-compressed water and, subcritical water processes are key innovative techniques used for the production of natural seafood flavourings. The key compounds underlying the sensory quality of seafood flavouring are synthesised from nucleotides, amino acids, fatty acids metabolisms as well as Maillard reaction. Seafood flavourings are used to improve the sensory characteristics of various food preparations.

Phytochemical study of the root barks of Cassia arereh resulted in the isolation of a new phenolic ester, 3 '-hydroxy-4 '-methoxystyrenyl-(E)-p-coumarate (1) isolated for the first time from natural source, alongside eight known compounds (2-9). Compounds 1, 7 and 8 are depicted for the first time from Cassia genus. The structures of all compounds were established through NMR analysis (1D and 2D), High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and comparison with previously reported data in literature. Antioxidant activity was investigated through DPPH method while the antibacterial activity was done by the disc diffusion method on Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium strains. Results showed that the methanol extract and compound 7 displayed significant (p < 0.01) DPPH radical scavenging activity which is comparable to BHT used as standard with IC50 values of 118.04 and 122.24 g/mL respectively. Otherwise, the same extract and compound 7 also showed significant antibacterial activity against S. typhi and E. coli with MIC values of 30 and 40 mu g/mL, respectively. This research confirm the traditional use of Cassia arereh to treat ailments and provide supplementary data on its chemical profile and pharmacological potential.

Gout is a metabolic arthritis that originates from increased accumulation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints. This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the hydromethanolic extract of Gnidia kraussiana (HEGK) using model of Gouty arthritis on mice. The total polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin content and the antioxidant activity of HEGK were also evaluated. MSU-injected mice were treated daily for 3 days with HEGK (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Indomethacin and colchicin were used as reference drugs. Paw oedema and body temperature were measured at different time intervals post-injection. Malondialdehyde, acid phosphatase, β-Galactosidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were evaluated. HEGK is rich in polyphenol (129.93 mg/100 g), flavonoid (67.78 mg/100 g) and tannin conferring it a high antioxidant activity. Acute oral toxicity of HEGK resulted in LD50 greater than 2000 mg/kg. Oral administration of HEGK induced a significant decrease in the oedema of legs injected with urate crystals and reduced the release of acid phosphatase and β-Galactosidase. A model of oxidative damage was successfully established, revealing a significant increase in malondialdehyde and inhibition of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activity. Thus, HEGK can actively inhibit the effect of inflammatory mediators in gouty arthritis.

Gari is a partially gelatinized roasted fermented granular white or yellowish product made from storage roots of cassava. It is consumed as fast foods in many countries across the world. Physicochemical composition, particle size, colour, and antioxidant activities of five gari (92/0326, 96/1414, IRAD4115, EN, and AD) processed from fresh storage roots harvested at 12 months after planting (MAP) and 15MAP compared to four (4) commercial gari (M1, M2, M3, and M4) were evaluated. The analytical results revealed that colour value b∗ and particle size varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the gari samples. Bound flavonoid contents were lower than free flavonoids (3.93 to 10.50 mgQE/100 g and 2.40 to 8.85 mgQE/100 g, respectively). Fourier transform infrared confirmed the functional groups in all gari samples. The antioxidant activity of the bound phenolics showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher DPPH scavenging ability than free phenolics (gari M2: 2.70 μgTE/g). Similarly, the bound phenolics showed significant (p < 0.05) variation of HRSA scavenging activity (0.18-35.09 μgTE/g). However, the best HRSA scavenging activity was found with bound phenolics of gari 96/1414, whereas HRSA scavenging activity was not detected in gari 92/0326, 96/1414, and AD. The value of ABTS scavenging activity of gari varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 20.60 to 30.17 μgTE/g and from 20.70 to 34.39 for free and bound phenolics, respectively, while free phenolics showed higher FRAP value (7.97 mgTE/g) than the bound phenolics (4.59 mgTE/g). Additionally, phenolics and antioxidant activities showed significantly (p < 0.05) a positive correlation. The present study has provided an insight into the physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities of various gari processed at different season and maturity period of harvesting. It reveals that consumers of cassava gari can get health benefits apart from the nutritional values.

Total and bioaccessible minerals in edible cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaves (ECLs) harvested at differentmaturity stages and seasons were assessed by microwave plasma atomicemission spectroscopy. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) variations at maturity stages across seasons. A two-wayanalysis also showed significant effects of the variety and periodof harvest. However, the highest content of total minerals was obtainedat 6 months after planting (MAP), except for Mn, Zn, and Cu. The totalmacromineral contents (mg/100 g) were K (64.14-3532.94), Ca(34.19-543.57), Mg (25.84-365.03), and Na (73.84-727.70),and micromineral contents (& mu;g/100 g) were Mn (779.98-7550.89),Zn (55.47-997.70), Cu (31.76-7288.18), and Fe (8.57-30.85mg/100 g). The bioaccessibilities of minerals were Fe (0.56-63.85%),Mn (0.49-63.64%), and Zn (1.77-60.82%), while bioaccessibilitiesof Ca (0.22-48.30%) and Na (1.53-46.80%) were low. Besides,the bioaccessibility of minerals at 6MAP was lower than that in advancedstages of maturity. The variety TMS 96/1414 showed the highest bioaccessibleminerals (Mn 93.35 & mu;g/100 g and Cu 53.01 & mu;g/100 g) at9MAP, while IRAD4115 presented the highest bioaccessible minerals(Fe 7.79 & mu;g/100 g and Zn 133.64 & mu;g/100 g) at 9MAP and12MAP, respectively. A significant (p < 0.01)positive correlation was found between the total and bioaccessiblemineral contents. The study reveals that minerals in ECLs harvestedat different stages were bioaccessible, with high values at maturestages, which can be recommended as mineral sources for consumers.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are severe metabolic diseases due to inappropriate lifestyle and genetic factors and their prevention/treatment cause serious problems. Therefore, searching for effective and safe approaches to control obesity and T2D is an essential challenge. This study presents the knowledge regarding the possible use of traditional fermented condiments (TFC), a known major source of bioactive compounds (BACs), as an adjuvant treatment for obesity and T2D. Data on antiobesity, antidiabetic, and different mechanisms of BACs action of TFC were collected using a methodical search in PubMed, Scopus databases, Web of Science, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library. We discuss the mechanisms by which BCs prevent or treat obesity and T2D. The effects of TFC on obesity and T2D have been found both in animal, human, and clinical studies. The findings demonstrated that BACs in TFC confer potential promising antiobesity and antidiabetic effects. Because of the potential therapeutic significance of bioactive ingredients, the consumption of TFC could be recommended as a functional condiment. Nevertheless, further investigation is required in more clinical studies of TFC to support the formulation of functional fermented condiments and nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

A new glycoiridoid (1) together with seven (7) known compounds were isolated from the methanol crude extract of the root bark of Stereospermum kunthianum using chromatography methods. Their structures were elucidated using HR-ESI-MS, 1 D- & 2 D-NMR spectroscopies in comparison with previous literature. The antioxidant activity was investigated by using FRAP, DPPH, ABTS and HRSA methods while the antibacterial activity was assays on Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC14028) strains. The results showed that the isolated compounds had significantly (p < 0.01) high radical scavenging (IC50) and reducing power activity. All bacteria strains showed important minimal inhibitory concentration activity against isolated compounds started at 5 mg/mL with an inhibition zone of 6 mm. Thus, the isolated compounds in S. kunthianum justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases in humans. These isolated compounds can be used for formulation of new drug discovery to treat infectious diseases.

Background: Female breast cancer (BC) remains the most common cause of total cancer deaths around the world. Several studies have investigated BC biomarkers, but vital circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis of malignancy are still scarce. Thus, finding sensitive, selective and accurate biomarkers is required to get better BC outcome and to prolong patients’ survival. Therefore, this review investigated the feasibility of using circulating trace elements (TEs) as the new promising biological biomarkers for BC diagnosis and prevention. Methods: We systematically searched EMBASE, Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus databases or Web of Science for orginal studies presenting the significant changes in the concentrations of circulating TEs in terms of serum, plasma or blood from female breast cancer patients. Results: The search yielded 2697 articles, of which 39 were considered for this review. The study showed that four essential TEs (Se, Cu, Zn and Mn) significantly decreased when only one essential trace elemnt (Fe) increased consistently, while five toxics circulating TEs (Cd, Cr, Pb, Co, Mo) increased significantly with a significant difference compared to healthy groups. The essential TEs, Se and Cu were reported to decrease the most in fifteen and twenty-one studies, respectively. However, regarding the toxic circulating TEs, Cd and Pb were found to increase most significantly in seven studies. Among the essential TEs, Se and Zn were reported to have the most potential, with Cd and Pb having the most potential for use as new promising biomarkers to diagnose or prevent BC. Conclusion: The findings provide an insight into the TEs circulating biomarkers for early BC diagnosis and prevention. Due to its high heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not assessed; hence, futher investigation may be required on their clinical outcomes in BC with high sensitivity and specificity for accurate therapeutic response.

Edible cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta) were consumed as vegetables for their bioactive compounds, however the effect of harvesting time on these bioactive compounds and their antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities were scarcely reported in the literature. Phenolics from edible leaves harvested at different times were assessed using HPLC-DAD, and their antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities were investigated before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed a significant (P < .05) effect of harvesting time on phenolic contents. Bound phenolics showed higher lipase inhibitory activity than their free fractions. However, phenolic contents decreased after in vitro digestion, while they showed high antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities. The present study demonstrated that edible leaves harvested at different times are rich in flavonoids, stilbenes, tannins and saponins. These bioactive compounds are highly potent against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, we recommend edible cassava leaves for important biological active compounds for the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

COVID-19 has created enormous challenges for health systems around the world. An immense range of digital health technologies has been considered as strategies. The aim of this article is to describe the implementation of digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic in prevention, diagnosis and treatment globally. Relevant articles published electronically in English using the following terms "COVID-19", "2019-nCov", "coronavirus", terminologies, "severe acute respiratory syndrome 2", SARS-CoV-2", "access to digital health, telemedicine and e-health, challenges and opportunities, in different data sources were researched. A total of 455 articles were found, and 46 published articles about prevention, treatment, and diagnosis approaches were selected. Digital technologies were useful in holistic control, care management and prevention, digital information, data collection, transfer and storage, frontline protection, risk reduction, analysis and adequate system of monitoring information during the pandemic situation, applying teleservice, consultations to specialists via online/offline, intelligent health system, which decreased the burden of patients to health professionals in institutions. In addition, it helped provide safe, rapidly and adequate patient data; and to avoid contamination for healthcare providers, the general population and patients. Still, the use of digital technologies in health is insufficient in many countries. It is essential to expand alternative ways of adapting digital technologies in health practices, but also to implement other studies on the use of digital health technologies beyond the focus on COVID-19.

Since 1990 it has been observed a significant increase of the global aged population with a perspective of 1.5 billion of older individuals by 2050 and 3 billion by 2100 due to increased longevity. To guarantee healthy longevity to this population, public policies focused in economic, social and health aspects are crucial. Healthy longevity is influenced by genetics, habits (i.e. healthy nutrition, physical activity, non-smoking) and environment. Several changes occur in organs and tissues during the ageing process, therefore the immune system also suffers alterations that could play a role in age-related conditions (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, tumoral, and infectious). Recently we had a clear example of how an infectious disease (COVID-19) is exacerbated in aged patients with high morbidity and mortality (mainly in those with comorbidities). It was found an association between elevated morbidity/mortality after SARS-CoV-2 and increased expression of inflammageing and immunosenescence markers. To fight immunosenescence it has been proposed that healthy nutrition and supplements (vitamins B, D, C, or E, essential minerals, and amino acids) could be used. In addition, physical activity has been suggested for the maintenance of adequate function of respiratory and cardiovascular systems, memory, and immune system. Considering the complexity of healthy longevity, this introduction will briefly comment some alterations occurring in the innate and adaptive immunity during the ageing process and possible alternatives of intervention in order to reach old age with functionality. The complete discussion about these changes will be distributed in the Chaps. 2 – 9 .

The study was carried out to assess the effect of variety on polyphenols in cassava leaves and their stability in antioxidant activity before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed that individual and total polyphenols content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of bound, free and bioaccessible polyphenols were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by variety at harvesting maturity. The bound polyphenols had lower TPC (5.00–19.16 mg GAE/g) than free (39.16–89.61 mg GAE/g) throughout harvesting maturity. The polyphenols were strongly affected after in vitro digestion, however, salicylic, syringic and benzoic acids are the most bioaccessible. The free polyphenols of variety IRAD4115 had the highest value of FRAP (35.17 μg TE/g) at 12 months after planting (MAP), while, bound polyphenols showed the lowest DPPH (6.59 μg TE/g, variety EN at 12MAP). The antioxidant activity value evaluated by DPPH method was decreased significantly after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. However, there was no significant difference between antioxidant activity of bioaccessible polyphenols (77.71 μg TE/g) and methanolic polyphenols (79.17 μg TE/g) assessed by FRAP method. These findings showed the stability of antioxidant potential of polyphenols in cassava leaves harvested at different periods after in vitro digestion. Thus cassava leaves harvested at appropriate maturity can be used as ingredient of functional food for nutraceutical benefits.

Vitamin E and carotenoids belong to a group of bioactive compounds that have an important effect on human health. The present study aims to investigate for the first time the concentration of vitamin E, α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol, and β-carotene in edible cassava leaves during different ages. The analysis was performed using colorimetry and high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) methods. A significant difference was found among α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol concentrations in leaves; γ- and α-tocopherol isomer contents were the predominant in amount, respectively. Among the leaves, AD variety harvested at 6 months after planting (MAP) was the highest in total vitamin E (222 μgα-TE/g). However, the highest γ-tocopherol content (2782 μg/100g) and the content of biologically active vitamin E (1244 μg/100g) were found in EN variety at 6MAP, whereas the highest value (42 μg/g) of β-carotene was found in AD variety at 12MAP. Total vitamin E and tocopherol isomers composition varied among varieties and seasons as did β-carotene. The effects of varieties and harvest ages on the biosynthesis regulation of these compounds were confirmed by principal component analysis (F1x F2: 74.34%). Edible cassava leaves can be considered as sources of vitamin E for natural dietary antioxidant during different ages, and the best time to harvest EN and AD varieties is at 6MAP on the basis of α-tocopherol equivalent or content of biologically active vitamin E content, and EN and AD varieties performed the overall best. Thus, the edible cassava leaves are among the leafy vegetables that could be helpful to suggest as a part of daily meal for health benefits and pharmaceutical purposes.

This study is aimed at evaluating the proximate composition and functional and sensory characteristics of gari obtained from five cassava varieties (EN, AD, TMS92/0326, TMS96/1414, and IRAD4115). These cassavas were harvested during the dry season 12 months after planting (12MAP) and in the rainy season (15MAP). Results showed that the characteristics of gari varied significantly (p < 0.05) with the variety and the harvest period. Gari from EN cassava harvested at 12MAP had the highest total carbohydrates (78.07% dry weight), starch (61%), and proteins content, while gari from TMS 96/1414 variety (12MAP) had high amino acids (10.25 mg/g) and phenolic compounds (9.31 mg/g) content. The gari from IRAD4115 had the highest value of ash content (20.62 mg/g) at 12MAP. The soluble sugar content was high in the gari from cassava harvested at 12MAP while free cyanide reduced significantly in gari from cassava harvested at 12MAP. The water absorption capacity, swelling power, and bulk density were significantly (p < 0.05) high in the gari from EN cassava variety at 12MAP. Compared to commercial gari (3.30), gari from EN local cassava had the best overall acceptability (4.35) followed by those obtained from TMS92/0326 and TMS92/1414 varieties, respectively.

Leaves from five cassava (Manihot esculanta) genotypes including local and improved were evaluated for their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) variations with the different analysed parameters. Leaves from the improved genotype 92/0326 exhibited the highest ash content (2.34 mg/g fresh weight). Mineral elements were more present in IRAD4115 and 92/0326 cassava leaves. Leaves from IRAD4115 exhibited the highest carbohydrates content meanwhile those from local genotype EN presented a high protein content (6.64%). The improved variety IRAD4115 detained the highest total phenolic compounds as well as ascorbic acid (40.51 µg /g) and the highest total antioxidant activity. Cassava leaves are a very important source of macronutrient, micronutrient minerals and antioxidant compounds that can contribute in the strive against chronic malnutrition leading to a better state of health in rural and urban population.