Plant dietary lipids remain one of the most intriguing and complex classes of biological molecules. Among them, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have garnered recognition for their unique physico-chemical properties and potential health benefits. Despite their classification as saturated fats, they stand apart from other saturated fatty acids due to their distinctive characteristics, positioning them as a valuable component in nutrition. While traditional dietary fats primarily contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs consist of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), naturally found in coconut and palm oils. The structural dissimilarity grants MCTs advantageous attributes, encompassing rapid digestion and absorption, providing a swift source of energy. Importantly, MCT oil derived from coconuts surpasses traditional coconut oil in efficiency and speed of energy conversion due to its higher concentration of readily metabolizable MCTs, making it a superior choice in human nutrition. This comprehensive study delves deeply into the potential of coconut-derived MCT oil, illuminating its chemical constituents, production from coconut oil, distinctive physical and chemical properties, and metabolic characteristics. Additionally, it highlights a range of potential biological activities of the oil, including its efficacy in managing gastrointestinal disorders and promising roles in anticancer, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial effects. The report also discusses the extensive applications of MCT oil across diverse industrial and technological sectors, as well as its utilization in structured lipids, oleogels, and as a carrier for capsaicin. Addressing safety concerns and providing dosage guidelines, this paper emphasizes MCT oil as an alternative to coconut oil in various applications, offering a holistic perspective on its benefits.

The present study was designed to reveal whether long-term consumption of bitter apricot seeds causes changes in lipid profile and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The study group consisted of 12 healthy adult volunteers (5 females and 7 males). The average age of women was 41.60 ± 11.28 years and the average age of men was 36.71 ± 13.70 years. Volunteers consumed 60 mg kg⁻¹ of body weight of bitter apricot seeds divided into 8–12 doses daily for 12 weeks. Volunteers were recruited from the general population of Slovak Republic. After 12 weeks, mean body weight of the participants increased from 77.34 to 78.22 kg (P > 0.05). The average total cholesterol levels decreased from 4.86 mmol L⁻¹ at the beginning of the study to 4.44 mmol L⁻¹ at the end of the study (P < 0.05). We did not observe any significant increase in high-density cholesterol (from 1.55 to 1.60 mmol L⁻¹). The average low-density cholesterol levels decreased from 2.93 mmol L⁻¹ at the beginning of the study to 2.31 mmol L⁻¹ at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Concentration of triglycerides increased significantly over the 12-week intervention period from 0.84 to 1.17 mmol L⁻¹. After the intervention, the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level decreased from 1.92 to 1.23 mg L⁻¹, but results were non-significant (P > 0.05). Creatine kinase serum levels increased from 2.31 to 2.77 mg L⁻¹ (P > 0.05) over the 12-week intervention period. The results suggest that regular intake of bitter apricot seeds may be considered potentially useful for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

This study evaluates rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters after in vivo administration of amygdalin and apricot seeds during a 28-day period. Apricot seeds are potentially useful in human nutrition and amygdalin is the major cyanogenic glycoside present therein. The rabbits were randomly divided into the five groups (Ctrl-Control, P1, P2, P3, P4) with 4 males in each group. Control group received no amygdalin/apricot seeds while the experimental groups P1 and P2 received a daily intramuscular injection of amygdalin at a dose 0.6 and 3.0 mg/kg b.w. respectively during 28 days. P3 and P4 received a daily dose 60 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of crushed apricot seeds mixed with feed during 28 days, respectively. CASA system was used to evaluate for motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement and beat cross frequency. Intramuscular application of amygdalin resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent decrease of spermatozoa motility as well as progressive motility. On the other hand, oral consumption of apricot seeds had no significant effect either on the rabbit spermatozoa motility or progressive motility over the entire course of the study. The analysis of the other motion characteristics revealed a similar trend depicting a continuous, time- and dose-dependent decrease of all parameters following intramuscular AMG administration, with significant differences particularly for the dose 3.0 mg AMG/kg b.w. On the other hand, oral administration of apricot seeds had no significant impact on spermatozoa motility parameters. The present study suggests that short-term intramuscular application of amygdalin decreased rabbit spermatozoa motility in vivo. Whereas, consumption of apricot seeds did not induce any change in rabbit spermatozoa in vivo. Our findings suggest dose-dependent negative effect of pure amygdalin, but not apricot seeds on the rabbit spermatozoa parameters.

Gluten-free bread is increasingly popular among individuals with celiac disease, and The incorporation of mushroom flour offers a novel method to enhance its nutritional profile, antioxidant content, and sensory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and sensory characteristics of gluten-free bread with varying amounts of chaga mushroom flour (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%). The total contents of polyphenols and flavonoids were measured using a spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH and FRAP methods, while textural properties were evaluated using the TPA test. Bread colour was analysed using the CIELab system, and sensory evaluation was performed by a panel of trained consumers. The results showed that gluten-free bread enriched with chaga flour had increased polyphenol and flavonoid content and enhanced antioxidant activity. The highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, DPPH, and FRAP activity were found in bread with 20% chaga. The addition of chaga mushroom significantly affected the bread’s hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness. Specifically, 20% chaga flour had the most pronounced effect on hardness and elasticity, while 15% chaga flour had the greatest impact on chewiness and cohesiveness. The bread’s colour darkened with higher chaga concentrations. The results of sensory evaluation showed a negative correlation between consumer preferences and bread fortified with chaga mushroom flour. The overall consumer acceptability score indicates that only a small addition of mushroom flour (up to 10%) can be used to bake gluten-free bread.

Natural products have been attracting increasing attention in human diet, both due to the possible negative effects of synthetic food additives on human health and the increased consumer perception. Apricot seeds contain a wide variety of bioactive components and their consumption is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of bitter apricot seeds on blood lipid and endocrine profile in Slovak women (n = 18, 41.60 ± 11.28 years) of reproductive age. Volunteers consumed 60 mg.kg⁻¹ of body weight of bitter apricot seeds divided into 8-12 doses daily for 42 days. During the experiment, three blood collections were carried out (at the beginning of the experiment - day 0, and after 21 and 42 days of consumption apricot seeds). Lipid profile was measured in terms of – total cholesterol (T-C, enzymatic photometric method), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C, calculated using the Friedewald equation), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C, direct clearance method), triglycerides (TG, enzymatic colorimetric method) whereas endocrine profile - follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P4), 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone, and androstenedione was assessed by ELISA. The blood levels of T-C, HDL-C and T-C did not change significantly (P > 0.05), however, the level of LDL-C decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after 42 days. On the other hand, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase of T-C and TG after 21 days. The blood level of FSH, testosterone and androstenedione increased significantly (P < 0.05) although the levels of LH, PRL, P4 and E2 did not change (P > 0.05) after 42 days. The level of PRL and testosterone significantly (P < 0.05) increased and E2 significantly decreased after 21 days of apricot seeds consumption. The study suggests that daily consumption of apricot seeds may affect plasma lipid and endocrine profile in women of reproductive age.