Plant by-products, which are discarded into the environment, are rich in valuable compounds. The aim of this research was to determine the antibacterial activity of Rubus idaeus L. morphological parts and its correlation with total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The authors also aimed to evaluate the plant’s potential as added-value products. New aspects were revealed for further use and for making novel and natural products. The study’s results indicated that raspberry leaves, inflorescences, and fruits could effectively combat three Gram-positive bacteria. According to the findings, among the various plant parts, root and seed extracts had the lowest antibacterial activity. Data revealed moderate, weak, or very weak correlation between the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content parameters. These findings underscore the viability of substituting synthetic antimicrobials with natural alternatives. The present study is significant for preparing novel products as antibacterials by appropriate and optimized processing using all raspberry morphological parts, and the research results show promising prospects for future purposeful utilisation of nature-based products. Raspberry plant parts can find applications in emerging fields that generate economic and environmental value.

Because of the recent global crises and lifestyle trends, anthocyanin-rich fruits are receiving more attention due to their medicinal qualities. Many studies have concluded that higher anthocyanin consumption tends to correlate with health benefits. Furthermore, research has shown great promise for anthocyanin application in treating fever and neurodegenerative processes. Once the industrial application difficulties are solved, anthocyanins might prove to be a crucial component in helping to treat the diseases that are becoming more common—viral infections and illnesses associated with aging. Fruit extracts that contain large quantities of anthocyanins have antimicrobial and antiviral (against SARS-CoV-2 virus) properties. Most of the synthesized anthocyanins in the fruit-bearing fruits are stored in the fruits. The aim of this review article is to indicate the fruit species that have the most potential for anthocyanin extraction from fruits, to overview the antimicrobial and antiviral capabilities of anthocyanin and the main sample preparation and extraction methods that preserve polyphenolic compounds and reduce the time expenditure.

The aim of this study was to characterize the variation in biologically active compounds, antioxidant activity and physico-chemical properties in naturally grown bilberries gathered from different sites in Northern Europe. The variability in the biologically active compounds, antioxidant capacity and physico-chemical properties, as well as the development of tools for the authenticity and quality control of wild bilberries (V. myrtillus L.) in different geographical locations was evaluated. The berries of bilberries were handpicked during the summers of 2019 and 2020 during the time periods when they are typically harvested for commercial purposes in Northern Europe (Norway (NOR), Finland (FIN), Latvia (LVA) and Lithuania (LTU)). Berries from locations in NOR were distinguished by their higher mean TPC (791 mg/100 g FW, average), whereas the mean TPC of samples from the most southern country, LTU, was the lowest (587 mg/100 g FW). The TPC of bilberries ranged from 452 to 902 mg/100 g FW. The TAC values of investigated bilberry samples varied from 233 to 476 mg/100 g FW. A high positive correlation was found between TPC and antioxidant activity of the bilberry samples (R = 0.88 and 0.91 (FRAP and ABTS assays, respectively)), whereas the correlation between TAC and antioxidant activity was lower (R = 0.65 and 0.60). There were variations in the TPC and TAC values of investigated berries, suggesting that genotype also affects the TPC and TAC in berries. In 2020, the pH values and TSS contents of berries were significantly lower than in 2019. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive reported evaluation of the biologically active compounds in wild bilberries from different Northern European countries using one laboratory-validated method.

Fungi, including filamentous organisms such as yeasts, play essential roles in various processes such as nutrient exchange in ecosystems, the cultivation of mushrooms, and solid-state fermentation (SSF). SSF involves microbial growth on solid substrates without free water, leading to the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, and biofuels. This fermentation method offers advantages like lower production costs, reduced waste disposal issues, and the efficient utilization of agricultural residues and fruit and vegetable by-products. Filamentous fungi excel in SSF due to their enzyme secretion capacity and ability to produce valuable compounds. The process is influenced by biological, physico-chemical, and environmental factors, requiring careful optimization for optimal results. Fruit and vegetable by-products are increasingly recognized as valuable substrates for SSF, offering rich sources of bioactive compounds and high nutritional value. The optimization of SSF processes, compatibility with various substrates, and potential for producing diverse value-added products make SSF a promising method for sustainable resource utilization and enhanced product development. Future research should focus on improving process efficiency, expanding the substrate range, enhancing product quality and yield, and integrating SSF with other technologies for enhanced production capabilities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of macroalgae (Cladophora rupestris, Furcellaria lumbricalis, Ulva intestinalis) and microalgae (Arthrospira platensis (Sp1, Sp2), Chlorella vulgaris) extracts, including micro- and macroelement transition to extract, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties, the concentrations of chlorophyll (-a, -b), and the total carotenoid concentration (TCC). In macroalgae, the highest TCC and chlorophyll content were found in C. rupestris. In microalgae, the TCC was 10.1-times higher in C. vulgaris than in Sp1, Sp2; however, the chlorophyll contents in C. vulgaris samples were lower. A moderate negative correlation was found between the chlorophyll-a and TCC contents (r = −0.4644). In macroalgae extract samples, C. rupestris and F. lumbricalis showed the highest total phenolic compound content (TPCC). DPPH antioxidant activity and TPCC in microalgae was related to the TCC (r = 0.6191, r = 0.6439, respectively). Sp2 extracts inhibited Staphylococcus haemolyticus; C. rupestris, F. lumbricalis, U. intestinalis, and Sp2 extracts inhibited Bacillus subtilis; and U. intestinalis extracts inhibited Streptococcus mutans strains. This study showed that extraction is a suitable technology for toxic metal decontamination in algae; however, some of the desirable microelements are reduced during the extraction, and only the final products, could be applied in food, feed, and others.

Recent evidence indicates that elevating plasma nitrites through dietary nitrates (NO3−) supplementation is associated with enhanced muscle efficiency, fatigue resistance and performance. Beetroot (in various forms) is the dominant source of dietary NO3− primarily due to its vast availability and the simple form of preparation suitable for final consumption. After a few years of research and experimentation, our scientific team identified alternative source rich with dietary NO3− as possible nitric oxide precursor, amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) with a standardized concentration 9–11% of NO3−. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of single-dose (±400 mg of dietary NO3−) and long-term (6 days) supplementation of amaranth concentrate derived dietary NO3− on aerobic capacity in physically active young people. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study. Thirteen healthy and physically active young male participants were randomized into experimental and placebo groups. The aerobic capacity was tested during increasing cycling exercise (ICE) with pulmonary gas exchange recording and analysis. The peak power of the ICE, the maximum oxygen consumption and the first ventilatory threshold were significantly increased after long-term consumption of dietary amaranth (from 4.44 ± 0.50 to 4.55 ± 0.43 W/kg; from 37.7 ± 2.7 to 41.2 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and from 178.6 ± 30.3 to 188.6 ± 35.2 W, p < 0.05; respectively) in experimental group. Long-term (6 days) use of dietary NO3− from amaranth may improve the aerobic capacity during ICE in young physically active male persons. It can be recommended as the nutritional supplement during last week of preparation for competition in endurance events.