Germana Torre

Characterization of 12 Capsicum varieties by evaluation of their carotenoid profile and pungency determination.

In this research 12 different varieties of Capsicum cultivars belonging to three species (Capsicum chinense, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens) and of various colour, shape, and dimension have been characterised by their carotenoids and capsaicinoids content. The berries were cultivated in the region Emilia-Romagna, in Northern Italy. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In total, 52 carotenoids have been identified and considerable variation in carotenoid composition was observed among the various cultivars investigated. Among the cultivars with red colour, some Habanero, Naga morich and Sinpezon showed an high β-carotene content, whereas Serrano, Tabasco and Jalapeno showed an high capsanthin content and the absence of β-carotene. Habanero golden and Scotch Bonnet showed a high lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene amounts, and Habanero orange was rich in antheraxanthin, capsanthin and zeaxanthin. Cis-cryptocapsin was present in high amount in Habanero chocolate. The qualitative and quantitative determination of the capsaicinoids, alkaloids responsible for the pungency level, has also been estimated by a validated chromatographic procedure (HPLC-DAD) after a preliminary drying step and an opportune extraction procedure. Results have also been expressed in Scoville units. Dry matter and water activity have also been established on the fresh berries. The dried peppers of each variety were then submitted to the evaluation of the total nitrogen content, measured by a Dumas system, permitting to provide information on the protein content that was found to be in the range between 7 and 16%.

Bioaccessibility of pistachio polyphenols, xanthophylls, and tocopherols during simulated human digestion

OBJECTIVE The bioaccessibility of bioactives from pistachios has not been previously evaluated. In the present study we quantified the release of polyphenols, xanthophylls (lutein), and tocopherols from pistachios (raw pistachios, roasted salted pistachios, and muffins made with raw pistachios) during simulated human digestion. METHODS A dynamic gastric model of digestion that provides a realistic and predictive simulation of the physical and chemical processing and accurately mimics the residence time and the luminal environment within the human stomach was used for the digestion studies. RESULTS More than 90% of the polyphenols were released in the gastric compartment, with virtually total release in the duodenal phase. No significant differences were observed between raw shelled and roasted salted pistachio. The presence of a food matrix (muffin) decreased the bioaccessibility of protocatechuic acid (78%) and luteolin (36%). Almost 100% bioaccessibility of lutein and tocopherols was found after duodenal digestion, with no difference among the three samples. CONCLUSION The rapid release of the assayed bioactives in the stomach maximizes the potential for absorption in the duodenum and contributes to the beneficial relation between pistachio consumption and health-related outcomes.

Ultra high pressure in the second dimension of a comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatographic system for carotenoid separation in red chili peppers.

A comprehensive normal-phase × reversed-phase (NP-LC × RP-LC) liquid chromatography system was developed, and applied for analysis of the intact carotenoid composition of red chili peppers, with photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection. A micro-bore cyano column (250 mm × 1.0 mm, 5 μm d.p.) was chosen for the first dimension ((1)D) separation, interfaced to a second dimension ((2)D) C18 column (30 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.7 μm d.p.) packed with fused-core particles. Subsequently, two columns of the same stationary phase were coupled serially for second dimension separation, and operated under ultra high pressure LC conditions (UHPLC), within a cycle time of 1.50 or 1.00 min, and equal modulation times. Performances of the three different set-ups were evaluated, in terms of peak capacity values (n(c)), and afterwards corrected by taking into account both the under-sampling, and the orthogonality effects. After these adjustments, the peak capacity values were estimated as follows: n(c) 526, for the NP-LC × RP-LC system, n(c) 373, for the NP-LC × RP-UHPLC system with a 1.50 min modulation time, n(c) 639, for the NP-LC × RP-UHPLC system, with a 1.00 min modulation time. A total of 33 compounds were separated into 10 different chemical classes in the two-dimensional space, and identified by accurate IT-TOF (ion trap-time of flight) MS detection.

Native carotenoids composition of some tropical fruits

Many tropical fruits can be considered a reservoir of bioactive substances with a special interest due to their possible health-promoting properties. The interest in carotenoids from a nutritional standpoint has recently greatly increased, because of their important health benefits. Here we report the native carotenoids composition in six tropical fruits from Panama, which is considered a region of great biodiversity. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In Corozo 32 different carotenoids were detected, including a high content of β-carotene and lycopene. Sastra showed the highest content of zeaxanthin among the fruit investigated. In Sapote 22 different carotenoids were detected, including β-carotene and 10 different zeaxanthin-di-esters. Frutita showed a very high content of the apo-carotenoid β-citraurin, and of a number of its esters. In Maracuyà chino 14 carotenoids were detected, including a high amounts of mono-esterified lauric acid with β-cryptoxanthin and with cryptocapsin. Mamey rojo was characterised by ketocarotenoids with κ rings, both hydroxylated and not hydroxylated.

Characterisation of lipid fraction of marine macroalgae by means of chromatography techniques coupled to mass spectrometry.

In this work the characterisation of the lipid fraction of several species of marine macro algae gathered along the eastern coast of Sicily is reported. Two species of green marine algae (Chloropyceae), two species of red marine algae (Rhodophyceae) and four species of brown marine algae (Pheophyceae) were evaluated in terms of fatty acids, triacylglycerols, pigments and phospholipids profile. Advanced analytical techniques were employed to fully characterise the lipid profile of these Mediterranean seaweeds, such as GC-MS coupled to a novel mass spectra database supported by the simultaneous use of linear retention index (LRI) for the identification of fatty acid profile; LC-MS was employed for the identification of triacylglycerols (TAGs), carotenoids and phospholipids; the determination of accurate mass was carried out on carotenoids and phospholipids. Quantitative data are reported on fatty acids and triacylglycerols as relative percentage of total fraction.

Determination of Carotenoids and their Esters in Fruits of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS

INTRODUCTION The berries of Hippophae rhamnoides Linnaeus have high nutritional and medicinal values and have been used for centuries as food both in Europe and Asia. The oleoresins represent a potential source of carotenoid esters and can be used as food additives, cosmetic ingredients or nutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to develop a HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS method, with both positive and negative ionisation modes, for the direct identification of the native carotenoid composition in fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides, cv. Serbanesti and Victoria, were collected from an experimental field at the Fruit Research Station of Bacau, Romania. Samples were extracted using methanol:ethyl acetate:petroleum ether (1:1:1, v/v/v). The HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS analyses were carried out on a Shimadzu system using a YMC C₃₀-column and a gradient elution. RESULTS In total 22 compounds were detected, eight were free carotenoids, nine were xanthophylls monoesters and five were xanthophylls diesters. Differences were observed in the relative percentage composition of the identified components among the two cultivars investigated. Zeaxanthin-C16:0,C16:0 was the most abundant diester. The unsaturated palmitoleic acid was directly detected in its esterified form, in zeaxanthin-C16:0,C16:1, which is reported here for the first time. Although present in small amounts the unsaturated oleic, linoleic, linolenic, hexadecadienoic and hexadecatrienoic acids were detected in their esterified forms as lutein monoesters, the last two having been detected in Hippophae rhamnoides for the first time. CONCLUSION A novel (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS) method was developed for the direct identification of the native carotenoid composition in fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides.

A new HPLC method developed for the analysis of oxygen heterocyclic compounds in Citrus essential oils

In 2009, a temporary crisis in the world production of acetonitrile caused the abnormal increase of the price of this substance, commonly used as a solvent and in high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation as a mobile phase. For this reason, a new HPLC method was developed to analyze the oxygen heterocyclic components of Citrus oils, substituting acetonitrile with methanol. The new method described in this article was validated, new components were isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and others were synthesized, to obtain pure standards, not commercially available. The results are evaluated in comparison with methods previously developed. Seven genuine cold-pressed Citrus essential oils – lemon (C. limon (L.) Burm.), Key lime (C. aurantifolia (Christm.) Swing.) type B, bergamot (C. bergamia), grapefruit (C. paradisi Macf.), bitter orange (C. aurantium L.), sweet orange (C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and mandarin (C. deliciosa Ten.) – were analyzed under identical conditions. In conclusion, it was observed that the replacement of acetonitrile with methanol in the mobile phase and the increase of the column temperature (from 30 to 40°C) led to a better separation in terms of resolution and total analysis time. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were comparable with methods previously developed with acetonitrile in the mobile phase.