Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Dec 3;28(23):7913.
doi: 10.3390/molecules28237913.

A Green Bioactive By-Product Almond Skin Functional Extract for Developing Nutraceutical Formulations with Potential Antimetabolic Activity

Patrizia Picerno  1 , Lucia Crascì  2 , Patrizia Iannece  3 , Tiziana Esposito  1   4 , Silvia Franceschelli  1 , Michela Pecoraro  1 , Virgilio Giannone  5 , Anna Maria Panico  2 , Rita Patrizia Aquino  1   4 , Maria Rosaria Lauro  1
Affiliations

A Green Bioactive By-Product Almond Skin Functional Extract for Developing Nutraceutical Formulations with Potential Antimetabolic Activity

Patrizia Picerno et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

(1) Background: almond peels are rich in polyphenols such as catechin and epicatechin, which are important anti-free-radical agents, anti-inflammatory compounds, and capable of breaking down cholesterol plaques. This work aims to evaluate the biological and technological activity of a "green" dry aqueous extract from Sicilian almond peels, a waste product of the food industry, and to develop healthy nutraceuticals with natural ingredients. Eudraguard® Natural is a natural coating polymer chosen to develop atomized formulations that improve the technological properties of the extract. (2) Methods: the antioxidant and free radical scavenger activity of the extract was rated using different methods (DPPH assay, ABTS, ORAC, NO). The metalloproteinases of the extracts (MMP-2 and MMP-9), the enhanced inhibition of the final glycation products, and the effects of the compounds on cell viability were also tested. All pure materials and formulations were characterized using UV, HPLC, FTIR, DSC, and SEM methods. (3) Results: almond peel extract showed appreciable antioxidant and free radical activity with a stronger NO inhibition effect, strong activity on MMP-2, and good antiglycative effects. In light of this, a food supplement with added health value was formulated. Eudraguard® Natural acted as a swelling substrate by improving extract solubility and dissolution/release (4) Conclusions: almond peel extract has significant antioxidant activity and MMP/AGE inhibition effects, resulting in an optimal candidate to formulate safe microsystems with potential antimetabolic activity. Eudraguard® Natural is capable of obtaining spray-dried microsystems with an improvement in the extract's biological and technological characteristics. It also protects the dry extract from degradation and oxidation, prolonging the shelf life of the final product.

Keywords: ABTS; AGEs; DPPH; Eudraguard® Natural; MMP-2; MMP-9; MMT assay; ORAC test; almond skins; spray-drying technologies.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
AGEs inhibition of DSA lio and catechin in comparison with AMG assay standard control. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation of three determinations, * p < 0.05 significantly different versus control (BSA with fructose).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Unprocessed almond skin lyophilized extract (DSA lio), processed almond skin lyophilized extract (DSA sd), Processed Eudraguard® Natural (EN sd), 1:1 EN/DSA lio microsystems (ENDSA1), and 3:1 EN/DSA lio microsystems (ENDSA3) at different magnification (Mag): DSA lio, 67 X; DSA sd, 142 X; EN sd, 10.00 KX, ENDSA1, 5.0 KX, ENDSA3, 8.5 KX. Frame average, N = 1.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Dissolution/release profile of DSA, ENDSA1, and ENDSA3 in water.
Figure 4
Figure 4
DSC thermograms of unprocessed extract (DSA lio), unloaded microparticles (EN sd), and loaded microparticles (ENDSA 1 and ENDSA3).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Kelm M.A., Hammerstone J.F., Beecher G., Holden J., Haytowitz D., Gebhardt S., Gu L., Prior R.L. Concentrations of proanthocyanidins in common foods and estimations of normal consumption. J. Nutr. 2004;134:613–617. doi: 10.1093/jn/134.3.613. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Milbury P.E., Chen C.-Y., Dolnikowski G.G., Blumberg J.B. Determination of flavonoids and phenolics and their distribution in almonds. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006;54:5027–5033. doi: 10.1021/jf0603937. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Monagas M., Garrido I., Lebrón-Aguilar R., Bartolome B., Gómez-Cordovés C. Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) skins as a potential source of bioactive polyphenols. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2007;55:8498–8507. doi: 10.1021/jf071780z. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Esposito K., Giugliano D. The metabolic syndrome and inflammation: Association or causation? Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 2004;14:228–232. doi: 10.1016/S0939-4753(04)80048-6. - DOI - PubMed
    1. De Pascual-Teresa S., Moreno D.A., García-Viguera C. Flavanols and anthocyanins in cardiovascular health: A review of current evidence. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010;11:1679–1703. doi: 10.3390/ijms11041679. - DOI - PMC - PubMed