Pierluigi Plastina

The INFOGEST protocol is a standardised in vitro digestion model widely utilised to evaluate the digestibility and bioaccessibility of nutrients in diverse food matrices. This review focuses on its application since 2020 (after the publication of the INFOGEST 2.0 model) to milk and dairy products, which often serve as a suitable food matrix in digestion studies. By analysing 50 studies selected using a semi-automated method, this review highlights its strong performance in reproducing general digestive trends, including peptide fingerprint profiling, consistent high-protein digestibility, and matrix-dependent lipid and mineral bioaccessibility. The model is particularly effective in evaluating structural modifications of dairy products and their impact on digestive behaviour. However, its application remains skewed toward bovine systems, limiting broader relevance to other dairy matrices. Methodological variability, including protocol modifications and emerging semi-dynamic adaptations, poses challenges to reproducibility. Furthermore, reliance on simplified downstream models constrains the physiological interpretation of bioactivity and nutrient absorption. Future progress requires harmonised dynamic extensions, expanded use of advanced biological systems, and inclusion of diverse dairy matrices. Collectively, these advances will support a shift from descriptive bioaccessibility toward more predictive assessments of nutrient bioavailability. This six-year, non-topic-dependent bibliometric analysis contextualises the expanding adoption of INFOGEST 2.0 as reflected in its versatility and evolving scope, positioning it as a cornerstone tool for advancing our understanding of dairy nutrition, digestion-derived bioactivity, and ultimately, the relationship between dairy consumption and human health.

Pecan nutshells (PNS), once considered agricultural waste, are now recognized as a sustainable source of natural antioxidants with potential therapeutic benefits against oxidative stress-related diseases. This narrative review synthesized evidence from the last decade, including predominantly in vitro and in vivo studies, with limited clinical evidence. PNS are particularly rich in polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, vanillic acid, catechins), with phenolic and flavonoid concentrations reported to be 5–20 times higher than those in the edible kernels. Their antioxidant actions involve free radical scavenging, metal chelation, enhancement of enzymatic defenses, and modulation of redox signalling. Preclinical findings suggest protective roles in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer, mediated through reduced lipid peroxidation, improved glucose metabolism, neuroprotection, and anticarcinogenic activity. However, variability in extraction methods, cultivar differences, and bioavailability issues remain major challenges. Standardized clinical studies are needed to validate the therapeutic potential of PNS as a sustainable antioxidant source.

This scoping review synthesized evidence from 2015 to 2025 on the anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) kernel extracts, focusing on bioactive composition and cell signaling pathway modulation. Pecan kernels contain diverse phenolic compounds including gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and ellagic acid, along with tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids, exhibiting significant cultivar-dependent variation influenced by ripening stage, processing conditions, and orchard management practices. In vitro studies demonstrate that kernel extracts possess substantial antioxidant capacity and exert antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against various human cancer cell lines, including colon cancer cells, with evidence of apoptosis induction. Extraction methodologies significantly influence bioactive compound recovery and biological activity, with both lipid and phenolic fractions contributing to therapeutic potential. While current evidence highlights promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties mediated through modulation of apoptotic pathways, research remains predominantly limited to compositional analyses and in vitro models. Future investigations should elucidate specific molecular mechanisms, identify precise signaling pathway targets, conduct in vivo validation studies, and optimize processing conditions to maximize bioactive retention for potential therapeutic applications in cancer prevention and treatment.

The rising interest in functional fermented beverages, such as kombucha and water kefir, has stimulated research into their health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the combined bioactive potential of kombucha and water kefir by fermenting a novel medium prepared by mixing them in a 1:1 v/v ratio. The fermentation process involved using both SCOBY and water kefir grains (WKGs) separately, as well as co-cultivation, to explore the bioactive properties of the three fermented beverages. Samples were analyzed at 24, 48, and 72 h for changes in pH, microorganism growth, and concentrations of flavonoids and phenolics. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests, alongside colorimetric analysis and enzyme inhibition assays against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase. The results demonstrated that longer fermentation times increased both bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity. The highest phenolic concentration was found in the WKG-fermented mixture (47.58 ± 2.13 mg GAE/100 mL), while the highest iron-reducing capacity was observed in the product fermented with both WKGs and the co-culture of SCOBY-WKGs. Additionally, SCOBY fermentation showed significant inhibitory activity (over 70%) against digestive enzymes. These findings suggest that co-fermenting kombucha and water kefir represents a promising alternative to traditional water kefir, with improved bioactive compound profiles.

Background/Objectives: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized by an obsession with rigid dietary rules, which leads to an emphasis being placed on food purity and health. Exploring the prevalence rates and understanding the potential risk factors associated with ON is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. This study investigated the prevalence of ON and examined different variables in associations to enhance our knowledge of their impact on ON tendency. Methods: A sample of 500 participants, including 357 women and 143 men, aged between 20 and 60, from an Italian university community was recruited to complete an online survey assessing ON, using the 15-item self-report measure ORTO-15, and Mediterranean diet adherence and lifestyle habits using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE) questionnaires, respectively. Student’s t-test, ANOVA, chi-squared test, and multiple linear regressions were used for analyses. Results: We found that MEDAS and MEDLIFE scores were statistically higher in males than in females, while the ORTO-15 score was significantly lower in females than in males. In the total, ON prevalence was 19.8% (women = 16.08% and men = 21.28%). Multiple regression analyses on the ORTO-15 score and different variables showed that in our population sample, ON was associated with female sex (β = −2.98; p = 4 × 10⁻⁶) and the body mass index (BMI) (β = −0.41; p = 6.71 × 10⁻⁷). When adjusting for sex and the BMI, the resulting ORTO-15 score was associated with health science faculty attendance (β = 1.26, p = 0.003), following a food plan (β = −3.14; p = 1 × 10⁻⁷) and carrying out physical activity (β = −1.20; p = 0.03). Conclusions: This study identified the importance of several factors for ON focusing on lifestyle habits that clinicians should consider when assessing patients at risk for eating disorders. Further studies are warranted to better define the diagnostic criteria of ON and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to promote a healthy relationship with food.

Chelation therapy is currently successfully applied to reduce the aluminum burden and its neurodegenerative consequences. In view of a possible application to aluminum chelation therapy, here we have studied the complexation of hydroxybenzoic acids, namely, vanillic, syringic and gallic acids, towards aluminum ion at physiologically relevant conditions as regards temperature (37 °C) and ionic strength (i.e., 0.16 M NaCl). The solubility values and the protonation constants of the hydroxybenzoic acids were primarily assessed to estimate the competition of these acids towards aluminum and H⁺ ions. Then, potentiometric titrations were carried out, and the speciation analysis indicated a pH-dependent complexation occurring at a 1:1 hydroxybenzoic acid-to-aluminum ratio for vanillic and syringic, and 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 ligand-to-Al(III) ratios for gallic. Gallic acid forms more stable complexes with Al(III) ion than vanillic and syringic acids and could therefore represent a good candidate for being used as sequestering agents for Al(III) ion.

Kefiran is a heteropolysaccharide that is considered a postbiotic and is obtained by kefir grains fermented in cow’s milk, while little is known about the donkey milk (DM) variety. Postbiotics are recognised as having important human health benefits that are very similar to probiotics but without the negative effects associated with their ingestion. Donkey is a monogastric animal, as are humans, and when used as an alternative food for infants who suffer from cow milk protein allergies, DM could therefore display more biocompatibility. In this study, the DM kefiran was extracted by ultrasound from kefir grains cultured in donkey milk and fully characterized for its structural and physicochemical properties by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography- Refractive Index (HPLC-RI), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) and rheological analyses. In addition, tests were conducted on keratinocytes cell lines and human red blood cells to assess the nontoxicity and haemolysis degree of the polymer. The extraction yield of the DM kefiran was 6.5 ± 0.15%. The FT-IR analysis confirmed the structure of the polysaccharide by showing that the stretching of the C-O-C and C-O bonds in the ring, which formed two bands at 1157 and 1071 cm⁻¹, respectively, and the anomeric band at 896 cm⁻¹ indicates the β configuration and vibrational modes of glucose and galactose. Results were confirmed by HPLC-RI analysis indicating that the ratio glucose/galactose was 1:0.87. Furthermore, the SEM analysis showed a porous and homogeneous structure. The rheological analysis confirmed the pseudoplastic nature of the polymer, while the DSC analysis highlighted excellent thermal resistance (324 °C). Finally, DM kefiran was revealed to have biologically acceptable toxicity, showing a haemolytic activity of less than 2% when using fresh human red blood cells and showing no cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes. Therefore, kefiran obtained by DM shows an excellent biocompatibility, establishing it as a promising polymer for bioengineering human tissue for regenerative applications.

(1) Objectives: Traditional kombucha (K) is a fermented beverage obtained from black or green tea infusion. Besides traditional substrates, the possibility of using alternative ingredients resulted in changes in metabolic profile and biological activity. The aim of this work was to study an alternative kombucha (KJ) prepared by the addition of jujube powder to black tea. (2) Materials and Methods: Changes in pH, protein, sugars, phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and vitamin C and B12 content were evaluated at different time points over a period of 45 days. The identification of polyphenols by HPLC DAD and the antioxidant capacity by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests of all samples was also carried out. (3) Results: The results showed higher protein, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity in KJ samples than in K ones. Vitamin C content increased during fermentation and reached its maximum concentration on day 45 (7.1 ± 0.3 mg/100 mL) for KJ. Caffeine in the supplemented samples was the main biocompound among those identified. Vitamin B12 formed on day 4 in K and after 24 h in KJ samples, remaining constant at the initial value of 2.30 ± 0.01 mg/100 mL up to day 45. (4) Conclusions: The results highlight that the fortification of kombucha with jujubes improved its biological activity and the content of bioactive compounds.

Red fruits contain bioactive substances including phenolic acids and flavonoids, which provide many health advantages for the human body. Industries find them intriguing because of their color and their ability to prevent chronic ailments such as metabolic, degenerative, and cardiovascular disorders. Nevertheless, the resilience of these organic molecules is influenced by several environmental, physical, and chemical phenomena. Therefore, the beneficial health properties of red fruits may diminish during postharvest processing. In this scenario, many postharvest methods have been implemented to enhance the shelf life and preserve the bioactive components of red fruits. The objectives of this review were to provide a comprehensive assessment of the health benefits of red fruits, and to explore the possibilities of edible coatings in retaining their freshness and protecting their bioactive contents. Co-occurrence networks were built using VOSviewer software to produce a two-dimensional map based on term frequency, and the examination of the 1364 keywords obtained from the scientific papers revealed the presence of at least 71 co-occurrences that provide insight into many natural components used in edible coatings for red fruits, such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, phospholipids, and minerals. The review examined their composition, functioning, application techniques, limits, safety considerations, legal regulations, and potential future developments. This review has shown that an edible coating may act as a protective layer on the surface of the fruit, alter the interior gas composition, reduce water loss, and postpone fruit ripening, thereby enhancing the health-promoting properties.