The disposal of waste generated in the agri-food industry is one of the greatest challenges in achieving sustainable development. Although agri-food residues are a potential source of bioactive compounds with proven health benefits, they are largely unused and disposed of as organic waste. The recovery of bioactive compounds from agri-food waste to obtain products with high biological value, such as functional foods and nutraceuticals, is an idea that stems from the concept of bioeconomy and combines environmental issues with economically viable production. Some of the main agri-food wastes in Serbia that have the potential to be recycled into value-added products are apple, plum, grape, tomato, and beet pomace, and oilseed cakes. Bioactive compounds isolated from these wastes include polyphenols, fibers, essential fatty acids, minerals, various volatiles and pigments. This article focuses on the most common food wastes and the potential reuse of these undervalued material to produce value-added products such as functional foods, nutraceuticals or food additives.

Dietary supplementation with sugar cane derivates may modulate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels. The purpose of this study was to determine if dietary supplement (DS), containing Octacosanol (20 mg) and vitamin K2 (45 µg), could restore the disrupted physiologic relation between LDL-C and serum PCSK9. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center study including 87 patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy was conducted. Eighty-seven patients were randomized to receive DS (n = 42) or placebo (n = 45), and followed for 13 weeks. Serum PCSK9 levels, lipid parameters and their relationship were the main efficacy endpoints. The absolute levels of PCSK9 and LDL-C were not significantly different from baseline to 13 weeks. However, physiologic correlation between % change of PCSK9 and % change of LDL-C levels was normalized only in the group of patients treated with DS (r = 0.409, p = 0.012). This study shows that DS can restore statin disrupted physiologic positive correlation between PCSK9 and LDL-C. Elevated PCSK9 level is an independent risk factor so controlling its rise by statins may be important in prevention of cardiovascular events.

Background: The uneven lipid-lowering statin effects and statin intolerance raise interest regarding the involvement of coadministration of statins and dietary supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of octacosanol supplementation on markers of redox status in cardiovascular patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-centre study was conducted. Redox status homeostasis parameters [i.e., advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), total protein sulfhydryl (SHgroups), and paraoxonase 1 (PO N 1) activity] were assessed in 81 patients. According to favorable changes in lipid profile, patients were classified into two groups: responders (n = 35) and non-responders (n = 46), and followed for 13 weeks. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore the effect of octacosanol supplementation and the relationship between investigated parameters as predictors of responders' and non-responders' status. Results: Significant decrease in Oxy-score value was found at the endpoint compared to baseline in responders' group (21.0 (13.4-25.5) versus 15.1 (12.4-18.0); P < 0.01). PCA analysis extracted 4 significant factors in the both groups, whereas extracted factors containing "octacosanol status" variable explained 14.7% and 11.5% of the variance in responders' and non-responders' subgroups, respectively. Conclusions: Octacosanol supplementation leads to an improvement of lipid profile and markers of redox status in responders' group. New studies are needed to validate our results in order to find the best approach for personalized supplementation as a useful adjunct to standard statin therapy.

Plants are sources of compounds with important effects on health, but plant-based food industry generates substantial waste amounts, especially in oil production. This study aimed to characterize flours derived from oilseed by-products, pumpkin, sunflower, and apricot seed residues, and compare them with conventional grain flours (white and whole wheat). Nutritional composition was analyzed with emphasis on amino acid profiles performed by ion chromatography. Mineral profiles were determined by ICP-MS. Total phenolics and antioxidant activity were assessed using in vitro colorimetric microassays. Oil press cake flours showed significantly higher levels of protein and fiber compared to wheat flours (p < 0.05), while the latter contained more carbohydrates. Among the examined flours, pumpkin and apricot seed flours stood out with the highest potassium, while sunflower seed flour led in calcium content. Despite higher polyphenol content in wheat flours, apricot seed flour exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity, likely due to its diverse profile of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds. These findings highlight oil press cakes as nutritionally valuable ingredients for protein-enriched and other innovative food products, aligning with circular economy principles and promoting resource efficiency in the agri-food sector.

Food additive is any substance not normally consumed as a food, the intentional addition of which to food for a technological purpose results in it or its by-products becoming a component of such foods. The use of each new additive is preceded by a risk analysis consisting of three interrelated components: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. At the international level in the Codex Alimentarius system, risk assessment is performed by the Joint (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and risk management by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) that, based on the results of the risk assessment, prepares international standards and recommendations that Member States incorporate into national regulations. At the level of the European Union (EU), risk assessment is performed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a basis for risk management by the European Commission (EC) that prepares food additive legislation, and member states authorities responsible for official control of additives on the market. Risk communication takes place between all stakeholders including academia, food producers and consumers. The regulation on additives in the Republic of Serbia is fully harmonized with the EU legislation in this area.

The immune system defends the host from many pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi, including a large number of specific cell types, interrelated molecules, and biological responses. Due to infections, heightened immune system activity is accompanied by expanded metabolic activities, requiring appropriate energy supply, precursors for biosynthesis and regulatory molecules. Numerous vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in supporting body's immunity and fighting against viral infections. Other bioactive compounds like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid, quercetin) are also important in the immune response. COVID-19 may develop mild symptoms to severe damage of the respiratory epithelium followed by a cytokine storm. Many studies show that vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and selenium are critical in defending against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Intestinal dysbiosis is a feature of many infectious diseases, including COVID-19, so dietary approaches to establishing a healthy microbiota are essential for improving immune function. This paper reviews the data on the roles and potential effectiveness of selected nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.