Jacek Jachuła

Bee bread contains numerous bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, which have been associated with antioxidant properties. In this study, we determined the phenolic composition of Polish bee bread collected over three consecutive years using HPLC-DAD. We also measured total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity, expressed as DPPH radical scavenging activity. The highest concentrations were observed for p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and caffeic acids, as well as for two flavonoids—rutin and hesperidin. The contents of individual phenolic compounds varied across the years of sample collection, with the exception of p-coumaric and vanillic acids. Despite year-to-year differences in TPC, no significant correlation with antioxidant activity (>90% in all samples) was observed, indicating a substantial contribution of non-phenolic compounds to antioxidant capacity. Principal Component Analysis revealed that almost all samples clustered into three groups according to their year of collection. We conclude that the year-to-year variation in phenolic compound content in bee bread is likely attributable to differences in available pollen sources. Our findings expand the current knowledge of the nutritional value of bee bread produced in Poland and strengthen the premises for its use as a functional food.

Organic acids shape the organoleptic properties of honey and are linked to its health-beneficial properties. Their composition is affected by botanical and geographical origin, and some acids have even been proposed as markers for authentication of varietal honeys. Organic-acid composition was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) in 152 samples of monofloral (willow, acacia, rape, phacelia, linden, heather, buckwheat and goldenrod) and honeydew (deciduous and coniferous) honeys from Poland. The deciduous and coniferous honeydew honeys were distinguished by high content of L-(+)-lactic acid and the presence of succinic acid as well as high total content of acids. Buckwheat honey was the only variety for which the presence of D-(−)-tartaric acid was quantified. These three honey varieties were clearly separated from the others using principal component analysis (PCA). Samples from the other varieties formed one cluster. We conclude that while some promising results were obtained for distinguishing honeydew and buckwheat honeys from other varieties, further investigation is needed, including analysis of additional acids and possibly other physicochemical parameters.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, characterized by high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. Natural compounds, particularly terpenoids, have gained attention for their chemopreventive potential and anticancer properties. These plant-derived compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, e.g., cell viability and proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, cell cycle regulation, and immune system modulation. The review evaluates the current state of the art on the chemopreventive and anticancer activity of lupane- (betulinic acid), oleanane- (oleanolic acid, β-amyrin, escin, hederagenin, glycyrrhetinic acid), and ursane-type (ursolic acid, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, α-amyrin) triterpenoids in melanoma, highlighting their mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, and challenges in clinical application.

Honey contains natural biologically active compounds, and its preventive and healing properties are primarily linked to its antioxidant activity. The antioxidant properties of honey can be related to the botanical origin and content of phenolic compounds. We tested 84 honey samples from Poland, representing eight honey varieties: acacia, phacelia, buckwheat, linden, rapeseed, heather, goldenrod, and honeydew. High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was used to determine the phenolic compound composition of honey extracts. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and DPPH radical-scavenging activity were also evaluated. We detected vanillin aldehyde, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and trans-ferulic acid, as well as flavonoid pinocembrin, in all honey varieties. The results of our study showed that honeys with high antioxidant activity were characterized by significantly higher total phenolic compounds content. Neither clustering method nor principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear separation of each honey variety, possibly due to high intra-variety diversities. We suppose that the variability of qualitative and quantitative phenolic compound composition within honey varieties may result from the region of origin, secondary nectar sources, and the time of harvest.

Anthropogenic and natural particulate matter (PM) affects urban and agricultural areas and contaminates the bodies of Apis mellifera (honeybee) and Bombus terrestris (buff-tailed bumblebee). Although both species accumulate PM, scientific interest has primarily focused on A. mellifera as a pollution indicator. This study directly compared the efficacy of honeybees and bumblebees as indicators of PM and its associated trace elements (TEs). Insects were collected from ecological and conventional apple orchards and underwent quantitative analysis of total PM, PM size fractions, and TEs. To establish an environmental context, plant samples and bee products were obtained from both plantations, and screened for PM and/or TEs. Bombus terrestris accumulated 191.3 μg total PM per individual, whereas A. mellifera accumulated 64 μg. Particular PM size fractions were also significantly more abundant on bumblebees. Accumulation patterns of total and large PM on bumblebees differed between the ecological and conventional orchards. Total PM accumulated by both species combined correlated strongly with the total PM covering apple tree foliage in the ecological orchard (r = 0.836) and with grass in the conventional orchard (r = 0.851). The amount of total PM accumulated by B. terrestris strongly correlated with the concentrations of Fe (r = 0.927) and Mn (r = 0.91) in this species. Accumulation of Fe by A. mellifera correlated with the content of this metal in pollen (r = 0.912) and bee bread (r = 0.91), whereas the reverse trend was found for Mo in bee bread (r = –0.912). The results indicate that B. terrestris is a more accurate pollution indicator, with potentially greater efficacy in more polluted areas. The observed differences are most likely attributed to the distinct morphology and behavior of the species.

Primary and metastatic tumors of the nervous system represent a diverse group of neoplasms, each characterized by distinct biological features, prognostic outcomes, and therapeutic approaches. Due to their molecular complexity and heterogeneity, nervous system cancers (NSCs) pose significant clinical challenges. For decades, plants and their natural products with established anticancer properties have played a pivotal role in the treatment of various medical conditions, including cancers. Anthraquinone derivatives, a class of tricyclic secondary metabolites, are found in several botanical families, such as Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, and Rubiaceae. In a comprehensive review, recent advancements in the anticancer properties of 1,8-dihydroanthraquinone derivatives—such as emodin, aloe-emodin, hypericin, chrysophanol, rhein, and physcion—were analyzed. These compounds have been studied extensively, both used individually and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, using in vitro and in vivo models of nervous system tumors. It was demonstrated that 1,8-dihydroanthraquinone derivatives induce apoptosis and necrosis in cancerous cells, intercalate into DNA, disrupting transcription and replication in rapidly dividing cells, and alter ROS levels, leading to oxidative stress that damages tumor cells. Additionally, they can influence signaling pathways involved in oncogenesis, such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt, or others crucial for the survival and the proliferation of NSC cells. The exploration of 1,8-dihydroanthraquinone derivatives aims to develop novel therapies that could overcome resistance and improve cancer patients’ outcomes.

Fermentation is used not only to preserve food but also to enhance its beneficial effects on human health and achieve functional foods. This study aimed to investigate how different treatments (spontaneous fermentation or fermentation with the use of starter culture) affect phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity in different kale cultivars: ‘Halbhoner Grüner Krauser’, ‘Scarlet’, and ‘Nero di Toscana’. Chosen samples were further tested for their protective potential against the Caco-2 cell line. HPLC-MS analysis revealed that the fermentation affected the composition of polyphenolic compounds, leading to an increase in the content of rutin, kaempferol, sinapinic, and protocatechuic acids. In general, kale cultivars demonstrated various antioxidant activities, and fermentation led to an increase in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Fermentation boosted anti-cholinesterase activity most profoundly in ‘Nero di Toscana’. Extracts of spontaneously fermented ‘Scarlet’ (SS) and ‘Nero di Toscana’ (NTS) showed cytoprotective properties, as revealed by the malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) assays. Additionally, strong anti-inflammatory activity of NTS was shown by decreased release of cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Collectively, the conducted studies suggest fermented kale cultivars as a potential source for functional foods.