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Item Comparative efficiency of extraction techniques for bioactive compounds in Cinnamomum zeylanicum(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-11-30) Culas MS; Kaur L; Popovich DG; Rashidinejad ACinnamomum 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.Item How distinctive are ‘Gewürztraminer’ vineyard terroirs in South Tyrol for wine production? A metabolomics-based approach(Elsevier B.V., 2024-07-17) Duley G; Ferretti CG; Morozova K; Longo E; Imperiale S; Ding Y; Poggesi S; Scampicchio M; Boselli EVitis vinifera L. ‘Gewürztraminer’ produces distinctive, aromatic wines that are strongly influenced by their terroir. This metabolomic study used a data-driven approach, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multifactorial Analysis (MFA), to correlate a quali-quantitative multivariate concept of terroir (including soil characteristics, and altitude) with sensory, phenolic, antioxidant, and volatile profiles of wines. The study analyzed wines from seven ‘Gewürztraminer’ vineyards, chosen to minimize the variability due to climate differences. Based on the soil data, the vineyards were clustered into two distinct groups: clay silicate (Group A) and dolomitic (Group B) soils. Group A exhibited lower levels of aromatic compounds such as linalool and higher levels of phenolic compounds such as gallocatechin than Group B. These findings indicate that even small changes in terroir within the same region can significantly impact the chemical, functional (antioxidant), and sensory properties of ‘Gewürztraminer’ wines, highlighting the importance of terroir in wine production. Statistical analyses confirmed the significance of these correlations (p < 0.05), highlighting the need for further research into the intricate relationship between terroir and wine quality.Item Synthesis and characterisation of Mānuka and rosemary oil-based nano-entities and their application in meat(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-03-15) Kaur R; Gupta TB; Bronlund J; Singh J; Kaur LMānuka (MO) and rosemary oils (RO) -containing nanoemulsions and nanocapsules made of sodium alginate and whey protein, were designed and compared for their antioxidant effect. Mānuka oil-nanoemulsions and nanocapsules had smaller particle sizes (343 and 330 nm), less negative zeta potential (-12 mV and -10 mV), higher phenolic content, and antiradical characteristics than RO-nano-entities. However, nano-entities of both oils showed more thermostability and sustained release than free oils. Further, the antioxidant effect of essential oils and their nano-entities was compared against sodium nitrite (SN)-added and without antioxidants-added (controls) and Wagyu and crossbred beef pastes (14 days refrigerated storage). No significant difference among MO, RO and their nano-entities was noticed in crossbred pastes, while in Wagyu, nanoemulsions showed the lowest oxidation values than controls and SN-added pastes. Hence, nano-entities can be alternatives to chemical preservatives as natural antioxidants in meat preservation, along with improved thermal stability and release than free oils.Item Effects of Green and Gold Kiwifruit Varieties on Antioxidant Neuroprotective Potential in Pigs as a Model for Human Adults.(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-04-09) Kanon AP; Giezenaar C; Roy NC; Jayawardana IA; Lomiwes D; Montoya CA; McNabb WC; Henare SJ; Digiacomo MKiwifruit (KF) has shown neuroprotective potential in cell-based and rodent models by augmenting the capacity of endogenous antioxidant systems. This study aimed to determine whether KF consumption modulates the antioxidant capacity of plasma and brain tissue in growing pigs. Eighteen male pigs were divided equally into three groups: (1) bread, (2) bread + Actinidia deliciosa cv. 'Hayward' (green-fleshed), and (3) bread + A. chinensis cv. 'Hort16A' (yellow-fleshed). Following consumption of the diets for eight days, plasma and brain tissue (brain stem, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex) were collected and measured for biomarkers of antioxidant capacity, enzyme activity, and protein expression assessments. Green KF significantly increased ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) in plasma and all brain regions compared with the bread-only diet. Gold KF increased plasma ascorbate concentration and trended towards reducing acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain compared with the bread-only diet. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between FRAP in the brain stem, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus with the total polyphenol concentration of dietary interventions. These findings provide exploratory evidence for the benefits of KF constituents in augmenting the brain's antioxidant capacity that may support neurological homeostasis during oxidative stress.Item Validity and reliability of Raman spectroscopy for carotenoid assessment in cattle skin(Elsevier BV, 2021-09) Mehta M; Naffa R; Zhang W; Schreurs NM; Waterland M; Cooper S; Holmes GCarotenoids are powerful antioxidants capable of helping to protect the skin from the damaging effects of exposure to sun by reducing the free radicals in skin produced by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and they may also have a physical protective effect in human skin. Since carotenoids are lipophilic molecules which can be ingested with the diet, they can accumulate in significant quantities in the skin. Several studies on humans have been conducted to evaluate the protective function of carotenoids against various diseases, but there is very limited published information available to understand the mechanism of carotenoid bioavailability in animals. The current study was conducted to investigate the skin carotenoid level (SCL) in two cattle skin sets - weaners with an unknown feeding regime and New Generation Beef (NGB) cattle with monitored feed at three different ages. Rapid analytical and sensitive Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be of interest as a powerful technique for the detection of carotenoids in cattle skin due to the strong resonance enhancement with 532 nm laser excitation. The spectral difference of both types of skin were measured and quantified using univariate and linear discriminant analysis. SCL was higher in NGB cattle than weaners and there is a perfect classification accuracy between weaners and NGB cattle skin using carotenoid markers as a basis. Further work carried out on carotenoid rich NGB cattle skin of 8, 12 and 24 months of age identified an increasing trend in SCL with age. The present work validated the ability of Raman spectroscopy to determine the skin carotenoid level in cattle by comparing it with established HPLC methods. There is an excellent correlation of R2 = 0.96 between the two methods that could serve as a model for future application for larger population studies.Item Onco-Preventive and Chemo-Protective Effects of Apple Bioactive Compounds(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-11) Nezbedova L; McGhie T; Christensen M; Heyes J; Nasef NA; Mehta SCancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Epidemiological studies have strongly linked a diet high in fruits to a lower incidence of cancer. Furthermore, extensive research shows that secondary plant metabolites known as phytochemicals, which are commonly found in fruits, have onco-preventive and chemo-protective effects. Apple is a commonly consumed fruit worldwide that is available all year round and is a rich source of phytochemicals. In this review, we summarize the association of apple consumption with cancer incidence based on findings from epidemiological and cohort studies. We further provide a comprehensive review of the main phytochemical patterns observed in apples and their bioavailability after consumption. Finally, we report on the latest findings from in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting some of the key molecular mechanisms targeted by apple phytochemicals in relation to inhibiting multiple ‘hallmarks of cancer’ that are important in the progression of cancer.Item Effect of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage: a narrative review(Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature, 2022-07-13) Nanavati K; Rutherfurd-Markwick K; Lee SJ; Bishop NC; Ali ACurcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from turmeric, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In the past few decades, curcumin's ability to impact chronic inflammatory conditions such as metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and cancer has been widely researched, along with growing interest in understanding its role in exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). EIMD impacts individuals differently depending on the type (resistance exercise, high-intensity interval training, and running), intensity, and duration of the exercise. Exercise disrupts the muscles' ultrastructure, raises inflammatory cytokine levels, and can cause swelling in the affected limb, a reduction in range of motion (ROM), and a reduction in muscular force-producing capacity. This review focuses on the metabolism, pharmacokinetics of various brands of curcumin supplements, and the effect of curcumin supplementation on EIMD regarding muscle soreness, activity of creatine kinase (CK), and production of inflammatory markers. Curcumin supplementation in the dose range of 90-5000 mg/day can decrease the subjective perception of muscle pain intensity, increase antioxidant capacity, and reduce CK activity, which reduces muscle damage when consumed close to exercise. Consumption of curcumin also improves muscle performance and has an anti-inflammatory effect, downregulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. Curcumin may also improve oxidative capacity without hampering training adaptations in untrained and recreationally active individuals. The optimal curcumin dose to ameliorate EIMD is challenging to assess as its effect depends on the curcumin concentration in the supplement and its bioavailability.Item Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of by-products (peels and seeds) from 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 6 May 2028.(Massey University, 2023) Shi, DanxiaBackground: ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is the most common variety of avocado grown for the global market. Avocado is rich in fibre; vitamins C, B, and E, unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids); potassium; and other nutrients. Avocado oil production discards a large amount of by-product, which could be a potential source of bioactive molecules. Avocado peel and seed are rich in vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, and other bioactive substances. The main phytochemicals found in avocado seed and peel are procyanidins, flavanols, catechins, hydroxybenzoic acids, and hydroxycinnamic acids. Extracts of avocado by-product have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, cancer-preventing, and anti-cariogenic properties. Objective: There is a lack of New Zealand (NZ) research on the chemical composition and biological activity of ‘Hass’ avocado seed and peel. The utilization of avocado by-products (peel and seed) could provide a potential value-added resource for the NZ avocado industry. This thesis aimed to investigate the bioactive components, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activities of NZ ‘Hass’ avocado seed and peel extracts. Methods: In this thesis, the total polyphenol content (TPC) was measured by the Folin−Ciocalteu assay, the tannin content (TTC) was measured with a microplate assay kit, and the procyanidin content (PC) was measured by the HCl-n-butanol assay. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for characterizing and quantifying the procyanidin B2 content of NZ ‘Hass’ avocado by-products. The in-vitro antioxidant activity of ‘Hass’ avocado by-products (peel and seed) was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was developed for characterizing the in vitro antibacterial activity of NZ ‘Hass’ avocado by-products. In addition, thin-layer chromatography was combined with direct microbiological detection to show the areas of antibacterial activity from the separated compounds of hexane extracts of NZ ‘Hass’ avocado by-products. Mass spectrometry analysis was used to characterize the target components from hexane extracts of avocado peel and seed. The main antibacterial compounds (Fragment Ion Search score > 80 or match score > 80) have been tentatively identified by Compound Discoverer 3.3. Results: In this study of NZ ‘Hass’ avocado by-products, the ripe seed extract showed the highest TPC (64.55 ± 2.26 mg GAE/g) than the extracts of ripe peel, mature unripe seed, and mature unripe peel. After flash chromatography separation, the low-polarity fraction of the ripe peel had the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities (90 ± 0.08%; 93 ± 0.05%) compared with other extracts. In addition, the phytochemical content, in vitro antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity were compared among NZ, Chinese, and Chilean ‘Hass’ avocado by-products. The extract from ripe seeds of NZ avocado had a higher TPC (52.82 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g) than the corresponding extracts from Chinese and Chilean avocados. The TTC and PC values showed non-significant differences (p > 0.05) among extracts from Chinese, Chilean, and NZ ‘Hass’ avocado by-products. Chilean ripe avocado seed extracts had the greatest inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (98.21% ± 0.98) of all the extracts. Chilean ripe avocado seed extracts had the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities (90.94 ± 0.94 % and 92.83 ± 0.62 %, respectively). Moreover, (15Z)-9,12,13-trihydroxy-15-octadecenoic acid, (±)9-HpODE, and NP-011548 are three antibacterial fatty acids tentatively identified from hexane extracts of avocado peel, and (2E,4E,6E)-12-hydroxy-2,4,6-heptadecatrienoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, ascorbyl oleate, and ascorbyl stearate are the antibacterial fatty acids found in hexane extracts of avocado seed. Conclusion: NZ ‘Hass’ avocado seed and peel contain several valuable phytochemical components (polyphenols, tannins, procyanidins, and fatty acids). Moreover, they showed good antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The peel and seed from NZ ‘Hass’ avocado could be considered as a natural antibacterial and antioxidant in developing food additives in the future.Item Dietary antioxidants and the efficiency of oxygen transport and uptake during endurance exercise : a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Sport and Exercise, College of Health, Massey University(Massey University, 2018) Crum, Emma MayThis thesis aimed to determine whether various dietary antioxidant supplementation protocols could enhance the efficiency of oxygen (O2) transport during endurance cycling, and subsequently improve exercise performance. Two naturally-sourced supplements (keratin; KER and pomegranate extract; POMx) were selected for investigation, based on their rich content of either thiols (KER) or polyphenols (POMx). Study One was a crossover study which compared the effect of chronic KER intake compared to a sodium caseinate placebo (CAS) of equal protein content. Fifteen endurance-trained males consumed the supplement on six days per week, for a period of four weeks (0.8 g.kg-1d-1), while participating in endurance cycling training. Blood samples collected throughout each intervention period were unchanged by either supplement for any parameter measured (all p > 0.05). Likewise, neither the O2 consumption (VO2) required to sustain a given level of submaximal cycling exercise, nor the maximal VO2 attained during a graded exercise test to exhaustion were affected by KER or CAS (submaximal VO2, p = 0.13; VO2max, p = 0.25). Further, the maximal power output obtained in the VO2max test was not significantly different between treatments (p = 0.51). Consequently, KER was not recommended as an ergogenic aid for athletes. Study Two investigated the effects of acute POMx supplementation on VO2 during submaximal and maximal cycling exercise, in normoxic (sea-level; SEA) and hypoxic (1657m altitude; ALT) environments. In a randomized, double-blinded, crossover study design, eight highly-trained cyclists ingested 1000 mg of POMx or a placebo (PLAC), 2.5 hours prior to completing three stages of submaximal cycling at 50%, 65% and 80% of maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), followed by a time trial to exhaustion at a workload calculated to elicit 100%VO2max (TTE100%). The protocol was completed on four occasions: in SEA and ALT, with a POMx, and a PLAC trial in each environment. POMx did not alter VO2 during submaximal exercise in either environment (p = 0.67), or during the TTE100% in SEA (p = 0.46). However, its intake allowed maintenance of SEA VO2 values during intense exercise in hypoxic conditions, as indicated by the VO2 measured five minutes into the TTE100% (+3.8 ml.min-1kg-1, 95% CI, -5.7, 9.5, p = 0.001). However, despite this, POMx did not significantly affect TTE100% performance in either environment (p = 0.41), possibly due to the highly-trained nature of participants, who may have required a longer supplementation period for an ergogenic effect to be observed with POMx. Study Three was based on the above findings, and aimed to determine whether an 8-day supplementation period with POMx would be sufficient to alter VO2 and cycling performance at sea-level. Further, this study explored the benefits of combining thiol and polyphenol antioxidants to take advantage of their theoretically complementary effects on erythrocytes and nitric oxide (NO). Eight trained cyclists completed four supplementation protocols in a randomized, blinded, crossover designed study: placebo (stevia, PLAC), POMx only, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) only and POMx + NAC (BOTH) for eight days (15 mg.kg-1d-1). On the eighth day, 2.5 hours after the final dose, the participants completed a submaximal cycling protocol, as described for Study Two, followed by a five-minute time trial. As opposed to the acute supplementation protocol in the previous study, short-term POMx supplementation decreased the VO2 required to complete each stage of the submaximal part of the exercise test compared to all other supplement conditions (-2.1 ml.min-1kg-1, 95% CI, -2.8, -0.23, p < 0.04). In contrast, NAC significantly increased submaximal VO2 (+1.9 ml.min-1kg-1, 95% CI, 0.26, 3.6, p < 0.03), negating the POMx-lowering effects on POMx when the two were co-supplemented. Regardless, none of the treatments significantly altered performance in the subsequent time trial (p > 0.05). Thus, it is suggested that this test was too short for the increased VO2 efficiency to show any meaningful effects on performance. In conclusion, based on the lack of evidence for enhancement of performance, this thesis does not support the recommendation of the selected dietary antioxidant supplements for athletes, for performance-enhancing effects at least. However, because the primary outcome measure of this thesis, VO2, appears to be altered by POMx, the intake of polyphenol-rich products warrants further investigation. Based on the results of Chapters 6 and 7, it appears that the benefits of POMx become more significant as demands on O2 transport and utilization processes increase. Therefore, the suggested areas of future research would involve exercise of greater duration, and environmental conditions where O2 availability and/or limitations to the various transport parameters differ.Item The effects of berry juice on cognitive decline in older adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2005) Holdaway, Melanie AnneThis study examined the effects of blackcurrant and boysenberry juices on cognitive processes in older adults. Current research suggests that fruits such as these may be able to reverse some of the effects of ageing on cognition. The free radical theory of ageing proposes that individuals age because oxidative damage accumulates in cells and interferes with cell functions. The hardest working tissues such as the brain accumulate the most oxidative damage through respiration. Antioxidants can protect against free radical formation and damage. Anthocyanins can contribute to half of the antioxidant capacity of deeply coloured berry fruit. An increase in dietary antioxidants such as anthocyanins may help to alleviate free radical damage within the brain. Research has shown that oxidative damage within the brain can impair cognitive functioning. Working memory shows age-related decline, along with visuospatial abilities, word retrieval and sustained attention. Some of this decline is thought to be related to oxidative damage of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and areas of the brain such as the hippocampus. Past research with humans has shown that some antioxidants can affect cognitive functioning in an older population. Animal studies have also established that diets enriched with anthocyanins can improve memory, motor control and neurotransmitter functioning. The present study involved giving berry juice drinks to 52 older adults that had been assessed as having a mild impairment of cognitive function. The participants were divided into three groups and drank 200mL a day of either blackcurrant juice, boysenberry juice or a placebo for twelve weeks. The participants were assessed at three different times over the course of the experiment using the RBANS. The RBANS is sensitive to small changes in its tests of memory, visuospatial ability, language and attention. The results of this study did not support previous research on antioxidants and cognitive functioning. There were no significant interactions between berry juices and any of the cognitive domains assessed by the RBANS over the course of the experiment. Some of the limitations of the study may be responsible for a lack of effect. The experiment was short with a low dose of antioxidants, and there was little control over the participants altering their own diet after being informed of the reasoning behind the study.
