Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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Author: search.filters.author.Rashidinejad A

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    Development of a validated efficient HPLC-DAD analysis for assessing polyphenol transformation during black tea processing
    (Elsevier Inc, 2025-12-01) Muthulingam P; Popovich DG; Nimal Punyasiri PA; Nanayakkara CM; Mesarich CH; Rashidinejad A
    Tea (Camellia sinensis) is valued for its polyphenolic compounds, which define its sensory and health attributes. Accurate quantification across processing stages is hindered by analytical and extraction challenges. We developed and validated a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for simultaneous analysis of 12 key constituents - gallic acid, theobromine, caffeine, (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), theaflavin (TF), theaflavin-3-gallate (TF3G), theaflavin-3′-gallate (TF3’G), theaflavin-3,3′-digallate (TF3–3’G), in green and black tea. The method achieved superior linearity (r² > 0.9995), high sensitivity (LOD: 0.03–1.68 µg/mL), strong precision (RSD < 4.68 %), and high recovery, while also resolving co-elution with a 40-min runtime. Extraction was optimized using ultrasonication with 70 % methanol, which outperformed hot water and ISO-standard methods. Applied to black tea processing, the method revealed a 79.1 % reduction in catechins, post-rolling theaflavin peaks, and dynamic fluctuations in gallic acid, caffeine, and theobromine. These changes were associated with enzymatic oxidation, leaching, and cultivar effects. The validated HPLC-DAD method provides a robust tool for tea polyphenol profiling and enables improved understanding of processing-induced transformations. It holds potential for use in quality control, nutritional labeling, and functional food research in tea and other polyphenol-rich systems.
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    Comparative efficiency of extraction techniques for bioactive compounds in Cinnamomum zeylanicum
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2025-11-30) Culas MS; Kaur L; Popovich DG; Rashidinejad A
    Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a plant well-known for its antioxidant-rich bioactives. This study assessed its total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant activity, and key bioactives (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and cinnamic acid) using two extraction methods: accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), with solvents including ethanol, methanol, acetone, and water. ASE with 50 % ethanol yielded the highest TPC (6.83 ± 0.31 mg GAE/g), TFC (0.50 ± 0.01 mg QE/g), cinnamaldehyde (19.33 ± 0.002 mg/g), eugenol (10.57 ± 0.03 mg/g), and cinnamic acid (0.18 ± 0.004 mg/g), making it superior to UAE. However, UAE with 50 % ethanol showed the strongest antioxidant activity via ABTS (IC50 = 3.26 μg/mL), while antioxidant activity showed no significant differences. A strong correlation (R = 0.81) between TPC and TFC in ASE extracts indicated that flavonoids are major contributors. This study addresses a research gap by systematically comparing UAE and ASE for extracting key bioactives from Cinnamomum zeylanicum in optimising its bioactive recovery for application in functional foods.
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    Nanodelivery systems of thymoquinone for improving its bioavailability and efficiency in the food and biomedical applications
    (Elsevier B V, 2025-10-15) Shaddel R; Rashidinejad A; Karimkhani MM; Tarhan O; Jafari SM
    Thymoquinone (TQ), a hydrophobic bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, has garnered attention for its potential in treating various ailments due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, TQ's hydrophobicity, instability in varying pH environments, photosensitivity, rapid hepatic metabolism, and low bioavailability present major challenges for its application in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Nanotechnology offers innovative nanocarriers that can overcome these limitations. Notable among these are lipid-based nanocarriers (e.g., nano-liposomes, nano-emulsions, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers), biopolymeric systems (e.g., nano-hydrogels, nanofibers, nanotubes, and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes), and inorganic nanocarriers. These delivery systems are designed to enhance TQ's solubility, protect it from degradation, and improve its bioavailability and therapeutic performance. Despite numerous advances, the clinical and industrial translation of these nano-delivery systems remains limited, primarily due to scalability issues, regulatory constraints, and a lack of standardized evaluation protocols for food and biomedical use. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these nanocarriers, emphasizing their mechanisms for TQ encapsulation, controlled release, and bioaccessibility enhancement. It also highlights current limitations and outlines future directions for their development. Unlike previous reviews, this work offers a comparative evaluation of nanocarrier systems for both food and biomedical applications, addressing their effectiveness, limitations, and readiness for real-world translation. The key takeaway is that among the various approaches, lipid-based and biopolymeric nanocarriers have demonstrated the greatest potential for enhancing TQ delivery, particularly in oral and functional food formulations, as well as targeted cancer therapy, due to their biocompatibility, scalability, and effective release profiles.
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    β-Hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB) supplementation elevates testosterone levels without significant changes to cortisol, IGF-1, or growth hormone in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials
    (Frontiers Media S A, 2025-06-19) Bideshki MV; Sadeghi B; Behzadi M; Jozi H; Eskandari Damaneh H; Rashidinejad A; Liu H-X
    Background and aim: Increasing interest in improving physical performance and muscle mass in adults has highlighted the potential benefits of β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB) supplementation. While numerous studies have been conducted in this area, the hormonal response to HMB remains unclear. We hypothesized that HMB supplementation would significantly increase anabolic hormone levels, particularly testosterone, while not affecting the cortisol, IGF-1, or growth hormone levels in adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, was performed to identify relevant studies until January 2024. The protocol was registered with Prospero (CRD42024552074). The studies evaluated the impact of HMB supplementation on hormonal outcomes, including testosterone, cortisol, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH). Utilizing a random-effects model, the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed, and the GRADE framework was applied. Results: A total of 15 controlled trials (CTs) comprising 712 participants were included. HMB supplementation significantly increased testosterone levels (SMD: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.29, p = 0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in the cortisol (SMD: −0.39, 95% CI: −0.92, 0.14, p = 0.14), IGF-1 (SMD: −0.18, 95% CI: −0.54, 0.18, p = 0.33), and GH (SMD: 0.04, 95% CI: −0.73, 0.82, p = 0.91) levels. According to the GRADE criteria, the quality of evidence was rated as ranging from low to high. Conclusion: HMB supplementation significantly elevates testosterone levels in adults without distinct impacts on other hormonal pathways. However, it does not appear to significantly influence the cortisol, IGF-1, or GH levels.
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    Novel rutin-casein composites as functional dry ingredients for the delivery of high concentration of rutin in dairy beverages: in vitro bioaccessibility, cytotoxicity, absorption, and intestinal barrier integrity
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2026-02-01) Ahmad R; Singh A; Purba A; Rashidinejad A
    Rutin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has poor solubility (highly hydrophobic) and is unstable during gastrointestinal digestion, limiting its use in functional foods. To overcome this challenge, we developed two rutin-caseinate composites (RCC1 and RCC2) as delivery vehicles for incorporation into functional foods/beverages. While both systems deliver rutin at high concentration, they differ in terms of methodology, loading capacity, and applications. The gastrointestinal stability, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant potential of these delivery systems, both alone and incorporated into a functional dairy beverage (flavoured milk), were assessed. We also examined the cytotoxicity, absorption, and intestinal barrier integrity of rutin using an intestinal epithelial cell model. The bioaccessibility of rutin from RCC1 and RCC2 was found to be 63 % and 45 %, respectively, compared to untreated rutin (UR), which was undetectable due to precipitation. Additionally, RCC2 exhibited superior intestinal barrier integrity with a trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of 1655 Ω/cm2 for 24 h, outperforming both RCC1 (1384 Ω/cm2) and UR (915 Ω/cm2). Intracellular antioxidant activity was significantly higher for both composites in terms of lower relative fluorescent units (RFU); 44 RFU for RCC1 and 42 RFU for RCC2, compared to 63 RFU for UR, demonstrating their enhanced protective effects. Caco-2 cell viability of the composite samples was higher, with no cytotoxicity observed compared to UR, confirming their safety. When incorporated into milk, both systems improved rutin bioaccessibility, with RCC1 showing a stronger antioxidant response (87 RFU) than RCC2 (100 RFU) and untreated rutin (140 RFU) during extended incubation. These findings suggest that both RCC1 and RCC2 are stable, soluble, and safe for physiological systems. Their incorporation into dairy matrices enhances rutin bioaccessibility and antioxidant potential, making them a promising approach for functional foods development.
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    Targeted dairy fortification: leveraging bioactive compounds to enhance nutritional value
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-06-30) Bagheri H; Akhavan-Mahdavi S; Sarabi-Aghdam V; Mirarab Razi S; Singh Beniwal A; Rashidinejad A
    Dairy products, rich in nutrients, are crucial for human health and disease prevention. Recent trends focus on enhancing their nutritional value by fortifying them with bioactive compounds from plant and animal sources. Scientific evidence suggests these compounds can improve public health by potentially treating and preventing diseases, including cancer. This systematic review discusses advances in dairy product fortification with health-promoting compounds, highlighting their role in correcting nutritional deficiencies and reducing chronic disease risk. Innovative delivery systems are being developed to improve the stability and functionality of these compounds in fortified dairy products. Despite challenges in maintaining the physical, textural, and sensory qualities of dairy products, fortification is a promising public health strategy. The review calls for interdisciplinary research to better understand the bioavailability, effectiveness, and long-term health impacts of bioactive compounds in dairy foods. Such research could inform best practices and policy recommendations. Using dairy products as carriers for bioactive compounds can significantly improve nutritional status and reduce the global burden of chronic diseases, making it a strategic approach to public health nutrition. This review cautiously evaluates current evidence, particularly regarding chronic disease prevention, and emphasizes the need for further research on specific populations, such as children and the elderly.
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    Gymnema lactiferum: A Review of Its Traditional Applications, Phytochemical Constituents, and Biological Properties
    (Wiley Periodicals LLC, 2024-10-16) Weerasinghe DMKP; Brough L; Everett DW; Rashidinejad A
    Humanity has a longstanding reliance on natural plants for medicinal purposes, and Gymnema lactiferum (G. lactiferum) has emerged as a medicinal plant with deep-rooted traditional usage. Throughout history, this plant has been an integral part of traditional medical systems, demonstrating diverse therapeutic effects. Notably, among these effects is its ability to decrease blood glucose concentration in diabetic patients, impart cooling effects, serve as an anabolic and rehydrating agent, stimulate spermiogenesis, and exhibit wormicidal properties. Furthermore, G. lactiferum has been used in treating conditions such as hemorrhoids cancers, anorexia, and as a cardiac stimulant. The primary objective of this review is to comprehensively gather and critically assess research findings regarding the medicinal properties of G. lactiferum, specifically emphasizing the bioactive compounds responsible for these properties. Previous studies have documented the presence of various phytochemicals in G. lactiferum, which are associated with some biological activities, including antioxidative, anti-hyperglycemic, cholesterol-regulating, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, this review explores potential future applications for this plant. Beyond its medicinal significance, extracts derived from G. lactiferum demonstrate promise for future nutritional applications. This review highlights the potential use of G. lactiferum as an herbal medicine by critically assessing research on its medicinal value.
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    Biopolymer-polyphenol conjugates: Novel multifunctional materials for active packaging
    (Elsevier B V, 2024-11) Sahraeian S; Abdollahi B; Rashidinejad A
    The development of natural active packaging materials and coatings presents a promising alternative to petroleum-based packaging solutions. These materials are engineered by incorporating functional ingredients with preservative capabilities. Concurrently, research has highlighted the diverse physicochemical, functional, and health-promoting properties of protein-polyphenol, polysaccharide-polyphenol, and protein-polysaccharide-polyphenol conjugates within various food formulations. However, a critical gap exists regarding the exploration of these biopolymers as active packaging materials. In contrast to conventional approaches for developing active packaging materials, this review presents a novel perspective by focusing on biopolymer-polyphenol conjugates. In this work, we delve into the realm of active packaging materials and coatings constructed from these conjugates, highlighting their potential as multifunctional active components in food packaging and preservation. This review comprehensively investigates the physicochemical properties, functionalities, and health-promoting activities associated with biopolymer-polyphenol conjugates. Their emulsification, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, coupled with enhancements in mechanical strength and permeability properties, contribute to their multifunctional nature. Furthermore, we explore the potential advantages and limitations of utilizing these conjugates in active packaging applications. Finally, the review concludes by proposing crucial research avenues for further exploration of biopolymer-polyphenol conjugates within the domain of active food packaging.
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    Advancements in Non-Thermal Processing Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Quality of Infant and Baby Food Products: A Review
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-09) Pasdar N; Mostashari P; Greiner R; Khelfa A; Rashidinejad A; Eshpari H; Vale JM; Gharibzahedi SMT; Roohinejad S; Moreno DA; Baenas N
    Breast milk is the main source of nutrition during early life, but both infant formulas (Ifs; up to 12 months) and baby foods (BFs; up to 3 years) are also important for providing essential nutrients. The infant food industry rigorously controls for potential physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Although thermal treatments are commonly used to ensure food safety in IFs and BFs, they can negatively affect sensory qualities, reduce thermosensitive nutrients, and lead to chemical contaminant formation. To address these challenges, non-thermal processing technologies such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, radio frequency, and ultrasound offer efficient pathogen destruction similar to traditional thermal methods, while reducing the production of key process-induced toxicants such as furan and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF). These alternative thermal processes aim to overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods while retaining their advantages. This review paper highlights the growing global demand for healthy, sustainable foods, driving food manufacturers to adopt innovative and efficient processing techniques for both IFs and BFs. Based on various studies reviewed for this work, the application of these novel technologies appears to reduce thermal processing intensity, resulting in products with enhanced sensory properties, comparable shelf life, and improved visual appeal compared to conventionally processed products.
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    Phenolic compounds from macadamia husk: An updated focused review of extraction methodologies and antioxidant activities
    (Elsevier Ltd on behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, 2024-12) Ahmed MF; Popovich DG; Whitby CP; Rashidinejad A
    This review explores the potential of agri-food waste materials, with a particular focus on macadamia nut by-products. Industrial processing of macadamia nuts yields a significant volume of by-products, including green husk and woody shell. Recent research has highlighted these by-products as readily available, cost-effective rich sources of phenolic compounds, renowned for their potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This paper emphasizes the importance of selecting an optimal extraction method to fully harness the bioactive potential of these phenolic compounds. In this work, we provide a comprehensive overview of conventional and advanced extraction techniques that are used to extract phenolic compounds from macadamia by-products, with a particular focus on the methods applied to macadamia green husk. Among the various techniques, it appears that ultrasound-assisted extraction, especially when combined with aqueous organic solvents, is more efficient than other methods for this purpose. This review also addresses the challenges in phenolic compound recovery, primarily due to the lack of a standardized extraction process. This often results in the extensive use of extraction solvents to achieve an extract that is rich in phenolic compounds. Overall, this research offers a valuable understanding of the most effective methods for the extraction and recovery of phenolic compounds from macadamia by-products and discusses the potential for scaling up these extraction processes. Hence, it can serve as a useful resource for researchers and industry professionals interested in sustainable and efficient utilization of by-products of the nut industry.