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Communications Biology Feb 2024Phenolic compounds are industrially versatile chemicals, also the most ubiquitous pollutants. Recently, biosynthesis and biodegradation of phenols has attracted...
Phenolic compounds are industrially versatile chemicals, also the most ubiquitous pollutants. Recently, biosynthesis and biodegradation of phenols has attracted increasing attention, while phenols' toxicity is a major issue. Here, we evolved phloroglucinol-tolerant Escherichia coli strains via adaptive evolution, and three mutations (ΔsodB, ΔclpX and fetAB overexpression) prove of great assistance in the tolerance improvement. We discover that phloroglucinol complexes with iron and promotes the generation of hydroxyl radicals in Fenton reaction, which leads to reducing power depletion, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis-like cell death of E. coli. Besides phloroglucinol, various phenols can trigger ferroptosis-like death in diverse organisms, from bacteria to mammalian cells. Furthermore, repressing this ferroptosis-like death improves phloroglucinol production and phenol degradation by corresponding strains respectively, showing great application potential in microbial degradation or production of desired phenolic compounds, and phloroglucinol-induced ferroptosis suppresses tumor growth in mice, indicating phloroglucinol as a promising drug for cancer treatment.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Hydroxyl Radical; Escherichia coli; Ferroptosis; Phenols; Phloroglucinol; Mammals
PubMed: 38368473
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05903-5 -
Nature Sep 2023Plywood is widely used in construction, such as for flooring and interior walls, as well as in the manufacture of household items such as furniture and cabinets. Such...
Plywood is widely used in construction, such as for flooring and interior walls, as well as in the manufacture of household items such as furniture and cabinets. Such items are made of wood veneers that are bonded together with adhesives such as urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins. Researchers in academia and industry have long aimed to synthesize lignin-phenol-formaldehyde resin adhesives using biomass-derived lignin, a phenolic polymer that can be used to substitute the petroleum-derived phenol. However, lignin-phenol-formaldehyde resin adhesives are less attractive to plywood manufacturers than urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins owing to their appearance and cost. Here we report a simple and practical strategy for preparing lignin-based wood adhesives from lignocellulosic biomass. Our strategy involves separation of uncondensed or slightly condensed lignins from biomass followed by direct application of a suspension of the lignin and water as an adhesive on wood veneers. Plywood products with superior performances could be prepared with such lignin adhesives at a wide range of hot-pressing temperatures, enabling the use of these adhesives as promising alternatives to traditional wood adhesives in different market segments. Mechanistic studies indicate that the adhesion mechanism of such lignin adhesives may involve softening of lignin by water, filling of vessels with softened lignin and crosslinking of lignins in adhesives with those in the cell wall.
Topics: Adhesives; Formaldehyde; Lignin; Phenols; Urea; Water; Wood; Biomass; Hot Temperature
PubMed: 37553075
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06507-5 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Oct 2023Cranberry (poly)phenols may have potential health benefits. Circulating (poly)phenol metabolites can act as mediators of these effects, but they are subjected to an... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cranberry (poly)phenols may have potential health benefits. Circulating (poly)phenol metabolites can act as mediators of these effects, but they are subjected to an extensive inter-individual variability. This study aimed to quantify both plasma and urine (poly)phenol metabolites following a 12-week intake of a cranberry powder in healthy older adults, and to investigate inter-individual differences by considering the existence of urinary metabotypes related to dietary (poly)phenols. Up to 13 and 67 metabolites were quantified in plasma and urine respectively. Cranberry consumption led to changes in plasma metabolites, mainly hydroxycinnamates and hippuric acid. Individual variability in urinary metabolites was assessed using different data sets and a combination of statistical models. Three phenolic metabotypes were identified, colonic metabolism being the main driver for subject clustering. Metabotypes were characterized by quali-quantitative differences in the excretion of some metabolites such as phenyl-γ-valerolactones, hydroxycinnamic acids, and phenylpropanoic acids. Metabotypes were further confirmed when applying a model only focused on flavan-3-ol colonic metabolites. 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone derivatives were the most relevant metabolites for metabotyping. Metabotype allocation was well preserved after 12-week intervention. This metabotyping approach for cranberry metabolites represents an innovative step to handle the complexity of (poly)phenol metabolism in free-living conditions, deciphering the existence of metabotypes derived from the simultaneous consumption of different classes of (poly)phenols. These results will help contribute to studying the health effects of cranberries and other (poly)phenol-rich foods, mainly considering gut microbiota-driven individual differences.
Topics: Phenol; Vaccinium macrocarpon; Phenols; Cluster Analysis; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37689939
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113187 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Secondary varieties of date fruits are often discarded because they do not have commercial value. However, their phytochemicals are very similar to those of the primary...
Secondary varieties of date fruits are often discarded because they do not have commercial value. However, their phytochemicals are very similar to those of the primary ones and therefore, they can be valorized as a source of compounds of interest, mainly phenols and dietary fiber. Their chemical composition changes with ripening, so their characterization throughout this process is of great significance. Date fruit samples were harvested at Khalal, Rutab, and Tamer stages, and a mixture of fruits from ornamental date trees was also analyzed. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were studied for their phenolic composition. In aqueous extracts, phenols decreased with ripening, while in the ethanolic ones having higher phenolic content. Chelidonic acid, a γ-pyrone, was the major compound found in all extracts, but in the ethanolic ones, flavonoids were also present in similar amounts. After purification by adsorption chromatography, all extracts were assayed for their antimicrobial activity. Those from the Tamer stage showed the highest activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. The fibrous residues after aqueous and ethanolic extractions were also characterized. Their chemical composition suggested that they can be considered as a good source of prebiotic arabinoxylans and antioxidant fiber, whose antiradical activity correlated with their phenolic content. Date fruits from secondary varieties are promising as a worthwhile starting point for obtaining new value-added products.
Topics: Phoeniceae; Plant Extracts; Antioxidants; Flavonoids; Fruit; Phenols
PubMed: 37570777
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155807 -
International Journal of Biological... Jul 2023Lignin modifying enzymes (LMEs) have gained widespread recognition in depolymerization of lignin polymers by oxidative cleavage. LMEs are a robust class of biocatalysts... (Review)
Review
Lignin modifying enzymes (LMEs) have gained widespread recognition in depolymerization of lignin polymers by oxidative cleavage. LMEs are a robust class of biocatalysts that include lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), versatile peroxidase (VP), laccase (LAC), and dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP). Members of the LMEs family act on phenolic, non-phenolic substrates and have been widely researched for valorization of lignin, oxidative cleavage of xenobiotics and phenolics. LMEs implementation in the biotechnological and industrial sectors has sparked significant attention, although its potential future applications remain underexploited. To understand the mechanism of LMEs in sustainable pollution mitigation, several studies have been undertaken to assess the feasibility of LMEs in correlating to diverse pollutants for binding and intermolecular interactions at the molecular level. However, further investigation is required to fully comprehend the underlying mechanism. In this review we presented the key structural and functional features of LMEs, including the computational aspects, as well as the advanced applications in biotechnology and industrial research. Furthermore, concluding remarks and a look ahead, the use of LMEs coupled with computational framework, built upon artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), has been emphasized as a recent milestone in environmental research.
Topics: Lignin; Artificial Intelligence; Peroxidases; Biotechnology; Laccase; Phenols
PubMed: 37217044
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124968 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023Grape stems have emerged as a promising natural ingredient in the cosmetics industry due to their abundance of phenolic compounds, known for their antioxidant and... (Review)
Review
Grape stems have emerged as a promising natural ingredient in the cosmetics industry due to their abundance of phenolic compounds, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds have shown great potential in promoting skin health, fighting signs of aging, and shielding against environmental stressors. With high concentrations of resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins, grape stems have garnered attention from cosmetic scientists. Research has indicated that phenolic compounds extracted from grape stems possess potent antioxidant abilities, effectively combating free radicals that accelerate aging. Moreover, these compounds have demonstrated the capacity to shield the skin from UV damage, boost collagen production, and enhance skin elasticity. Cosmetic formulations incorporating grape stem extracts have displayed promising results in addressing various skin concerns, including reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots, leading to a more youthful appearance. Additionally, grape stem extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin and diminishing redness. Exploring the potential of grape stem phenolic compounds for cosmetics paves the way for sustainable and natural beauty products. By harnessing the beauty benefits of grape stems, the cosmetics industry can provide effective and eco-friendly solutions for consumers seeking natural alternatives. Ongoing research holds the promise of innovative grape stem-based formulations that could revolutionize the cosmetics market, fully unlocking the potential of these extraordinary botanical treasures.
Topics: Vitis; Antioxidants; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Cosmetics
PubMed: 37511513
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411751 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Phenol, an important bioactive substance in jujube fruit, is one of the most important indexes of fruit quality. In order to clarify the phenolic substance composition,...
Phenol, an important bioactive substance in jujube fruit, is one of the most important indexes of fruit quality. In order to clarify the phenolic substance composition, content and distribution characteristics of different varieties of jujube fruits, this study measured and compared the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and phenolic substance composition in different parts of fruits of six jujube varieties, and combined with the principal component analysis, the results showed that: Fourteen phenolic substances were identified in the fruits of different jujube varieties, and proanthocyanidins, epicatechin, catechin and rutin were the main components, accounting for 58.60%, 16.08%, 13.56% and 5.57% of the total phenolic substances, respectively. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of jujube fruits of each variety were between 18.11 and 21.45 mg GAE/g DW and 10.56-20.25 mg RE/g DW, respectively, and the differences in the contents between the varieties were significant, and the contents of 'Junzao' and 'Jinlingyuanzao' were higher than those of other varieties.The phenolic content of different parts of jujube fruits showed spatial distribution differences, manifested as the total phenols, total flavonoids and their fractions of the peel were significantly higher than that of the pulp, while the content of the pulp near the kernel was significantly higher than that of other parts of the pulp, This study provides a theoretical basis for analysing the differences in phenolic substances in jujube fruits.
Topics: Fruit; Ziziphus; Antioxidants; Phenols; Flavonoids; Catechin
PubMed: 37919376
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46228-3 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Olive drupe traits (i.e., ripening index and pericarp water content) and minor components (i.e., phenols and pigments in both fruit and oil) are important for human...
Olive drupe traits (i.e., ripening index and pericarp water content) and minor components (i.e., phenols and pigments in both fruit and oil) are important for human health and are affected by agronomic background. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fruit traits, phenols, and pigments in samples derived from different soil and water management practices. Chromatographic (UHPLC-MS/MS) and spectroscopic (HNMR and near UV-Vis spectroscopy) techniques were employed for the characterization of olive fruits and oils. The use of various techniques allowed the identification of interesting trace compounds. We observed that most of the fruit phenols (a total of 29 compounds) were correlated with the degree of ripening: most of the phenolic acids (and their derivatives), phenolic alcohols, and secoiridoids were negatively correlated, whereas the majority of the studied flavonoids were positively correlated. The relationship between the ripening index and fruit phenolic compounds appears to be dependent on the metabolic pathway that controls the synthesis of each individual compound. Conversely, the secoiridoids and pigments in olive oil showed a negative correlation with pulp moisture, probably because of the influence of the water content on the extractability and transfer in the oil phase of these minor components.
Topics: Humans; Olea; Fruit; Iridoids; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Alcohols; Flavonoids; Water; Olive Oil; Phenols; Plant Oils
PubMed: 37836786
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196943 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by several pathological hallmarks, including the deposition of amyloid-β... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by several pathological hallmarks, including the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Current treatment options include monoclonal antibody drugs, acetylcholinesterase, and n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. Although those treatments provide some improvements in patients' quality of life, they fail to prevent or cure AD. Current research aims to identify novel targets and tools for AD prevention and modification. In this context, several studies showed the beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention and treatment of AD. One integral component of the Mediterranean diet is olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is high in phenolic compounds. EVOO and other olive-related phenolic compounds have been shown to reduce the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which EVOO and phenolic compounds exert neuroprotective effects, including modulation of AD pathologies and promotion of cognitive health. Findings indicate that EVOO and its phenolic constituents influence key pathological processes of AD, such as Aβ aggregation, tau phosphorylation, and neuroinflammation, while also enhancing BBB integrity and reducing oxidative stress. The human studies cited reveal a consistent trend where the consumption of olive oil is associated with cognitive benefits and a decreased risk of AD and related dementias. In conclusion, EVOO and its phenolic compounds hold promising potential for the prevention and treatment of AD, representing a significant shift towards more effective strategies against this complex neurodegenerative disorder.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Olive Oil; Acetylcholinesterase; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Quality of Life; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Phenols
PubMed: 38339193
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031914 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023(Siebold & Zucc.) Planch ex Miq. () is a highly valued vine plant belonging to the lindl genus. It is extensively utilized for its edible and medicinal properties. The... (Review)
Review
(Siebold & Zucc.) Planch ex Miq. () is a highly valued vine plant belonging to the lindl genus. It is extensively utilized for its edible and medicinal properties. The various parts of serve diverse purposes. The fruit is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and vitamin C, making it a nutritious and flavorful raw material for producing jam, canned food, and wine. The flowers yield volatile oils suitable for essential oil extraction. The leaves contain phenolic compounds and can be used for tea production. Additionally, the roots, stems, and leaves of possess significant medicinal value, as they contain a wide array of active ingredients that exert multiple pharmacological and therapeutic effects. These effects include quenching thirst, relieving heat, stopping bleeding, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, dispelling wind, and alleviating dampness. Comprehensive information on was collected from scientific databases covering the period from 1970 to 2023. The databases used for this review included Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI. The objective of this review was to provide a detailed explanation of from multiple perspectives, such as phytochemistry and pharmacological effects. By doing so, it aimed to establish a solid foundation and propose new research ideas for further exploration of the plant's potential applications and industrial development. To date, a total of 539 compounds have been isolated and identified from . These compounds include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, phenylpropanoids, lignin, organic acids, volatile components, alkanes, coumarins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and inorganic elements. Flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and polysaccharides are the key bioactive constituents of . Moreover, phenolics and flavonoids in exhibit remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Additionally, they show promising potential in improving glucose metabolism, combating aging, reducing fatigue, and regulating the immune system. While some fundamental studies on have been conducted, further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action, quality evaluation, and compatibility mechanisms. A more comprehensive investigation is highly warranted to explore the mechanism of action and expand the range of drug resources associated with . This will contribute to the current hot topics of anti-aging and anti-tumor drug research and development, thereby promoting its further development and utilization.
Topics: Actinidia; Plant Extracts; Alkaloids; Polysaccharides; Vitamins; Flavonoids; Phenols; Phytochemicals; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 38067549
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237820