Nutritional and Bioactive Properties of Arbutus unedo, Myrtus communis, and Lavandula stoechas: Implications for Functional Foods
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
In response to the growing demand for natural and alternatives to synthetic food preservatives, this study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive potential of Arbutus unedo, Myrtus communis, and Lavandula stoechas. These Mediterranean herbs, traditionally valued for their medicinal properties, offer promising applications in functional food design due to their rich bioactive profiles. Although these plants have been used for centuries, their antioxidant properties remain underexplored in the context of food preservation. This research investigates key attributes such as fiber content, protein levels, pH, and bioactive compounds. Among the plants studied, Arbutus unedo exhibited the highest fiber content (55.83% neutral detergent fiber) and potent antioxidant activity, making it suitable for functional diets aimed at promoting health. Myrtus communis demonstrated the highest flavonol content (6.21 mg quercetin equivalents per gram) and protein levels (9.45%), highlighting its potential for health-conscious food products. Utilizing hexane extraction, Lavandula stoechas revealed the highest lipid content (11.87%) and a distinctive profile for flavoring and cosmetics applications. These findings emphasize the potential of these plants as natural additives, providing environmentally friendly and health-promoting solutions for food preservation. By exploring the characteristics of these species, this study contributes valuable insights into the development of innovative functional food design strategies.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Chaachouay N, Zidane L. Plant-Derived Natural Products: A Source for Drug Discovery and Development. DDC. 2024;3(1):184–207.
Amarowicz R, Pegg RB. Natural antioxidants of plant origin. In: Advances in Food and Nutrition Research. Elsevier; 2019. p. 1–81.
Beya MM, Netzel ME, Sultanbawa Y, Smyth H, Hoffman LC. Plant-Based Phenolic Molecules as Natural Preservatives in Comminuted Meats: A Review. Antioxidants. 2021;10(2):263.
Donno D, Turrini F. Plant Foods and Underutilized Fruits as Source of Functional Food Ingredients: Chemical Composition, Quality Traits, and Biological Properties. Foods. 2020;9(10):1474.
Schlaeppi K, Gross JJ, Hapfelmeier S, Erb M. Plant chemistry and food web health. New Phytol. 2021;231(3):957–962.
Brahmi F, Mokhtari O, Idrissi Yahyaoui M, Zraibi L, Eddine Bentouhami N, Abdeslam A, Bouchra L. Phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antifungal activity of essential oil from Myrtus Communis, L. Mater Today Proc. 2023;72:3826–3830.
Bachiri L, Echchegadda G, Ibijbijen J, Nassiri L. Phytochemical Study and Antibacterial Activity of Two Native Lavender Species in Morocco: «Lavandula stoechas L. et Lavandula dentata L.». Eur Sci J ESJ. 2016;12(30):313.
Agnolucci M, Avio L, Palla M, Sbrana C, Turrini A, Giovannetti M. Health-Promoting Properties of Plant Products: The Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Associated Bacteria. Agronomy. 2020;10(12):1864.
Dordevic, S., Dordevic, D., Sedlacek, P., Kalina, M., Tesikova, K., Antonic, B., Tremlova, B., Treml, J., Nejezchlebova, M., Vapenka, L., Rajchl, A., Bulakova, M. Incorporation of Natural Blueberry, Red Grapes and Parsley Extract By-Products into the Production of Chitosan Edible Films. Polymers. 2021;13(19):3388.
McClements DJ, Grossmann L. A brief review of the science behind the design of healthy and sustainable plant-based foods. Npj Sci Food. 2021;5(1):17.
Soukoulis C, Gaiani C, Hoffmann L. Plant seed mucilage as emerging biopolymer in food industry applications. Curr Opin Food Sci. 2018;22:28–42.
Pattnaik S, Mohapatra B, Gupta A. Plant Growth-Promoting Microbe Mediated Uptake of Essential Nutrients (Fe, P, K) for Crop Stress Management: Microbe–Soil–Plant Continuum. Front Agron. 2021;3:689972.
Streimikyte P, Viskelis P, Viskelis J. Enzymes-Assisted Extraction of Plants for Sustainable and Functional Applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(4):2359.
Alexandre AMRC, Matias AA, Bronze MR, Cocero MJ, Mato R. Phenolic Compounds Extraction of Arbutus unedo L.: Process Intensification by Microwave Pretreatment. Processes. 2020;8(3):298.
Bebek Markovinović, A., Brdar, D., Putnik, P., Bosiljkov, T., Durgo, K., Huđek Turković, A., Brčić Karačonji, I., Jurica, K., Pavlić, B., Granato, D., Bursać Kovačević, D.. Strawberry tree fruits (Arbutus unedo L.): Bioactive composition, cellular antioxidant activity, and 3D printing of functional foods. Food Chem. 2024;433:137287.
Belfekih F, Yahyaoui OE, Chleh M, Abdellahi LO, Sammama A, Aicha L. Phytochemical Screening of Arbutus unedo L. Am. J. Innov. Res. Appl. Sci. 2017;5(3):237–245
Aidi Wannes, W., Mhamdi, B., Sriti, J., Ben Jemia, M., Ouchikh, O., Hamdaoui, G., Kchouk, M. E., Marzouk, B. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts from myrtle (Myrtus communis var. italica L.) leaf, stem and flower. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010;48(5):1362–1370.
Al-Snafi, A. E., Teibo, J. O., Shaheen, H. M., Akinfe, O. A., Teibo, T. K. A., Emieseimokumo, N., Elfiky, M. M., Al-Kuraishy, H. M., Al-Garbeeb, A. I., Alexiou, A., Papadakis, M., Mahana, H. A. M., Younes, A. M., Elbanna, O. A., Qasem, A. A. R., Shahin, I. Y. I., Batiha, G. E.-S. The therapeutic value of Myrtus communis L.: an updated review. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024;397(7):4579–4600.
Algieri, F., Rodriguez-Nogales, A., Vezza, T., Garrido-Mesa, J., Garrido-Mesa, N., Utrilla, M. P., González-Tejero, M. R., Casares-Porcel, M., Molero-Mesa, J., Contreras, M. D. M., Segura-Carretero, A., Pérez-Palacio, J., Diaz, C., Vergara, N., Vicente, F., Rodriguez-Cabezas, M. E., Galvez, J. Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Lavandula dentata L. and Lavandula stoechas L. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;190:142–158.
Kong X, Xie J, Wu X, Huang Y, Bao J. Rapid Prediction of Acid Detergent Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Acid Detergent Lignin of Rice Materials by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. J Agric Food Chem. 2005;53(8):2843–2848.
Raffrenato E, Ross DA, Van Amburgh ME. Development of an in vitro method to determine rumen undigested aNDFom for use in feed evaluation. J Dairy Sci. 2018;101(11):9888–9900.
Raffrenato E, Van Amburgh ME. Technical note: Improved methodology for analyses of acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin. J Dairy Sci. 2011;94(7):3613–3617.
Magomya AM, Kubmarawa D, Ndahi JA, Yebpella GG. Determination of Plant Proteins via the Kjeldahl Method and Amino Acid Analysis: A Comparative Study. IJSTR. 2014;3(4):68–72
Manirakiza P, Covaci A, Schepens P. Comparative Study on Total Lipid Determination using Soxhlet, Roese-Gottlieb, Bligh & Dyer, and Modified Bligh & Dyer Extraction Methods. J Food Compos Anal. 2001;14(1):93–100.
Güçlü-Üstündağ Ö, Mazza G. Saponins: Properties, Applications and Processing. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47(3):231–258.
Sparg SG, Light ME, Van Staden J. Biological activities and distribution of plant saponins. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;94(2–3):219–243.
Martins GR, Monteiro AF, Do Amaral FRL, Da Silva AS. A validated Folin-Ciocalteu method for total phenolics quantification of condensed tannin-rich açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seeds extract. J Food Sci Technol. 2021;58(12):4693–4702.
Herald TJ, Gadgil P, Perumal R, Bean SR, Wilson JD. High-throughput micro-plate HCl-vanillin assay for screening tannin content in sorghum grain: High-throughput HCl-vanillin assay for screening tannin in sorghum. J Sci Food Agric. 2014;94(10):2133–2136.
Shraim AM, Ahmed TA, Rahman MM, Hijji YM. Determination of total flavonoid content by aluminum chloride assay: A critical evaluation. LWT. 2021;150:111932.
Fikselová M, Šilhár S, Mareček J, Frančáková H. Extraction of carrot (Daucus carota L.) carotenes under different conditions. Czech J Food Sci. 2008;26(4):268–274.
Abdelfattah B, Mrabet A, Simou A, Khaddor M. Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Cistus ladanifer Leaves from Northern Morocco (Tangier). Ecol Eng Environ Technol. 2024 ;25(6):316–330.
Mrabet A, Abdelfattah B, El Mansouri F, Simou A, Khaddor M. Bay Laurel of Northern Morocco: A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Phytochemical Profile, Mineralogical Composition, and Antioxidant Potential. Biophysica. 2024;4(2):238–255.
Miguel M, Faleiro M, Guerreiro A, Antunes M. Arbutus unedo L.: Chemical and Biological Properties. Molecules. 2014;19(10):15799–15823.
Moore KJ, Jung HJG. Lignin and Fiber Digestion. J Range Manag. 2001;54(4):420.
Fangueiro, J. F., Mota de Carvalho, N., Antunes, F., Mota, I. F., Estevez Pintado, M., Madureira, A. R., Santos Costa, P. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse as a prebiotic additive for poultry feed. Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 ;239:124262.
Frei M. Lignin: Characterization of a Multifaceted Crop Component. Loor JJ, Nikolic M, Uzun B, Velasco L, Wilson BR, editors. Sci World J. 2013;2013(1):436517.
Langsdorf A, Volkmar M, Holtmann D, Ulber R. Material utilization of green waste: a review on potential valorization methods. Bioresour Bioprocess. 2021;8(1):19.
Wang H, Pu Y, Ragauskas A, Yang B. From lignin to valuable products–strategies, challenges, and prospects. Bioresour Technol. 2019;271:449–461.
Jha R, Mishra P. Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization, performance, gut health, and on the environment: a review. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2021;12(1):51.
Popoola-Akinola OO, Raji TJ, Olawoye B. Lignocellulose, dietary fibre, inulin and their potential application in food. Heliyon. 2022;8(8):e10459.
Chebli, Y., El Otmani, S., Hornick, J.-L., Keli, A., Bindelle, J., Cabaraux, J.-F., Chentouf, M. Forage Availability and Quality, and Feeding Behaviour of Indigenous Goats Grazing in a Mediterranean Silvopastoral System. Ruminants. 2022;2(1):74–89.
Elbouzidi, A., Taibi, M., El Hachlafi, N., Haddou, M., Jeddi, M., Baraich, A., Aouraghe, A., Bellaouchi, R., Mothana, R. A., Hawwal, M. F., Mesnard, F., Hano, C., Asehraou, A., Chaabane, K., El Guerrouj, B., Addi, M. Formulation of a Three-Component Essential Oil Mixture from Lavandula dentata, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Myrtus communis for Improved Antioxidant Activity. Pharmaceuticals. 2024;17(8):1071.
Hayes M. Measuring Protein Content in Food: An Overview of Methods. Foods. 2020 S;9(10):1340.
Yadav RKP, Karamanoli K, Vokou D. Bacterial Colonization of the Phyllosphere of Mediterranean Perennial Species as Influenced by Leaf Structural and Chemical Features. Microb Ecol. 2005;50(2):185–196.
Morgado S, Morgado M, Plácido AI, Roque F, Duarte AP. Arbutus unedo L.: From traditional medicine to potential uses in modern pharmacotherapy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;225:90–102.
Vokou, D., Vareli, K., Zarali, E., Karamanoli, K., Constantinidou, H.-I. A., Monokrousos, N., Halley, J. M., Sainis, I. Exploring Biodiversity in the Bacterial Community of the Mediterranean Phyllosphere and its Relationship with Airborne Bacteria. Microb Ecol. 2012;64(3):714–724.
Bouaoudia-Madi N, Dairi S, Aoun O, Kadri N, Madani K, Boulekbache-Makhlouf L. Ultrasound as pre-treatment for microwave drying of Myrtus communis fruits: Influence on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. North Afr J Food Nutr Res. 2022;6(14):126–34.
Cherrat L, Espina L, Bakkali M, García‐Gonzalo D, Pagán R, Laglaoui A. Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of Laurus nobilis L. and Myrtus communis L. essential oils from Morocco and evaluation of their antimicrobial activity acting alone or in combined processes for food preservation. J Sci Food Agric. 2014;94(6):1197–1204.
Saini RK, Prasad P, Shang X, Keum YS. Advances in Lipid Extraction Methods—A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(24):13643.
Omachi DO, Aryee ANA, Onuh JO. Functional Lipids and Cardiovascular Disease Reduction: A Concise Review. Nutrients. 2024;16(15):2453.
Shrestha BL, Baik OD. Methanol-Water Extraction of Saponins From Seeds of Saponaria Vaccaria L. — Calibration Equation, Extraction Condition Analysis, and Modeling. Sep Sci Technol. 2012;47(13):1977–1984.
Kite GC, Porter EA, Simmonds MSJ. Chromatographic behaviour of steroidal saponins studied by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A. 2007;1148(2):177–183.
Liang, Z.-W., Guan, Y.-H., Lv, Z., Yang, S.-C., Zhang, G.-H., Zhao, Y.-H., Zhao, M., Chen, J.-W. Optimization of saponin extraction from the leaves of Panax notoginseng and Panax quinquefolium and evaluation of their antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities. Food Chem X. 2024;23:101642.
Petrochenko, A. A., Orlova, A., Frolova, N., Serebryakov, E. B., Soboleva, A., Flisyuk, E. V., Frolov, A., Shikov, A. N. Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Triterpene Saponins from Aralia elata var. mandshurica (Rupr. & Maxim.) J. Wen. Molecules. 2023;28(8):3614.
Henao-Ardila A, Quintanilla-Carvajal MX, Moreno FL. Emulsification and stabilisation technologies used for the inclusion of lipophilic functional ingredients in food systems. Heliyon. 2024;10(11):e32150.
Tsakni A, Chatzilazarou A, Tsakali E, Tsantes AG, Van Impe J, Houhoula D. Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Plant Extracts of Greek Flora and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity. Separations. 2023;10(7):373.
Al-Maharik N, Jaradat N, Al-Hajj N, Jaber S. Myrtus communis L.: essential oil chemical composition, total phenols and flavonoids contents, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and α-amylase inhibitory activity. Chem Biol Technol Agric. 2023;10(1):41.
Doudach, L., Naceiri Mrabti, H., Al-Mijalli, S. H., Kachmar, M. R., Benrahou, K., Assaggaf, H., Qasem, A., Abdallah, E. M., Rajab, B. S., Harraqui, K., Mekkaoui, M., Bouyahya, A., El Abbes Faouzi, M. Phytochemical, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Acute and Sub-Chronic Toxicity of Moroccan Arbutus unedo Leaves. J Pharmacopuncture. 2023;26(1):27–37.