Papers by Laura Alessandroni
Food chemistry, Oct 1, 2024
Current research in food science, May 1, 2024
Food chemistry. X, Jun 1, 2024
Future postharvest and food, Mar 11, 2024
Nutrients, Jan 9, 2024
Vitamin D has historically been associated with bone metabolism. However, over the years, a growi... more Vitamin D has historically been associated with bone metabolism. However, over the years, a growing body of evidence has emerged indicating its involvement in various physiological processes that may influence the onset of numerous pathologies (cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatological diseases, fertility, cancer, diabetes, or a condition of fatigue). This narrative review investigates the current knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying fatigue and the ways in which vitamin D is implicated in these processes. Scientific studies in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were reviewed with a focus on factors that play a role in the genesis of fatigue, where the influence of vitamin D has been clearly demonstrated. The pathogenic factors of fatigue influenced by vitamin D are related to biochemical factors connected to oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. A role in the control of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin has also been demonstrated: an imbalance in the relationship between these two neurotransmitters is linked to the genesis of fatigue. Furthermore, vitamin D is implicated in the control of voltage-gated calcium and chloride channels. Although it has been demonstrated that hypovitaminosis D is associated with numerous pathological conditions, current data on the outcomes of correcting hypovitaminosis D are conflicting. This suggests that, despite the significant involvement of vitamin D in regulating mechanisms governing fatigue, other factors could also play a role.
Meat technology, Dec 31, 2022
Poultry meat is appreciated by consumers for its nutritional value, low fat content, versatility ... more Poultry meat is appreciated by consumers for its nutritional value, low fat content, versatility of use in various cuisines and affordable prices. However, its susceptibility to spoilage due to multiple pre-slaughter and processing factors poses challenges for the meat industry, especially in developing countries. To improve the safety of poultry products, synthetic preservatives like nitrites, butylated hydroxytoluene and sulphites are used. Currently, these additives/preservatives have, however, raised concerns about their impact on human health, prompting a shift from consumers toward natural alternatives, such as medicinal and aromatic plants. Therefore, this paper delves into the potential of plant extracts as natural preservatives for improving the quality and shelf-life of chicken meat and processed products. It provides an overview of the various plant extracts and essential oils that have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties, without compromising the sensory attributes of the products. Different incorporation methods are discussed, including direct incorporation or marination in aqueous and/or alcoholic extracts, and the use of essential oils, including for in vivo animal feed supplementation. Overall, each method influences the final product quality differently. We further summarised the current knowledge about the mechanisms of action of the plant extracts tested, even though they are not fully elucidated. Despite the benefits of these compounds, some challenges have to be addressed, including standardising the composition of the extracts, harmonising the sensitivity of the bioactive compounds with the processing conditions, ensuring cost effectiveness and obtaining regulatory approvals for their use. The scaling up of production to meet industry demands also presents some technical challenges. Overall, the application of natural plant preservatives not only enhances chicken meat quality, but also could support the meat industry to align with the evolving consumer expectations for sustainable food products.
European Food Research and Technology, Dec 18, 2023
Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, Dec 31, 2023
Journal of Proteomics, Apr 1, 2023
Pharmaceuticals, Oct 3, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Foods
An untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach combined with sensory analysi... more An untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach combined with sensory analysis was used to present the effects of different extraction methods (i.e., Pure Brew, V60, AeroPress, and French Press) on specialty graded Coffea arabica from Kenya. Partial Least Square Discriminant analysis and hierarchical clustering were applied as multivariate statistical tools in data analysis. The results showed good discrimination and a clear clustering of the groups of samples based on their volatile profiles. Similarities were found related to the filter material and shape used for the extraction. Samples extracted with paper filters (V60 and AeroPress) resulted in higher percentages of caramel-, and flowery-related compounds, while from metal filter samples (Pure Brew and French Press), more fruity and roasted coffees were obtained. Discriminant analysis allowed the identification of eight compounds with a high VIP (variable important in projection) discriminant value (i.e., &g...
Molecules
Strawberries are the most popular berry fruit in the world, due to their distinctive aroma, flavo... more Strawberries are the most popular berry fruit in the world, due to their distinctive aroma, flavor, and known health properties. Because volatile substances play a large role in strawberry flavor, even little alterations can have a big impact on how the fruit tastes. Strawberries are thought to have a complex aroma. Fresh strawberry fruits contain more than 360 volatile compounds, including esters, furans, terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and sulfur compounds. Despite having far lower concentrations than esters, terpenoids, furanones, and sulfur compounds, all have a considerable impact on how people perceive the aroma of strawberries. With a focus on the active aroma components and the many analytical methods used to identify them, including gas chromatography, electronic nose sensing, and proton-transfer- reaction mass spectrometry, the present review’s aim was to provide a summary of the relevant literature. Additionally, strawberry fruits are frequently dried to create a ...
Food materials research, 2023
Microorganisms
The physiological changes associated with ageing contribute to the incidence of diseases, morbidi... more The physiological changes associated with ageing contribute to the incidence of diseases, morbidity, and mortality. For modern society, it is essential to find solutions to improve elderly people’s health and quality of life. Among promising strategies, the PROBIOSENIOR project proposed a daily six-month supplementation with new probiotic functional foods and nutraceuticals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the modulating effects of the probiotic diet on inflammatory markers and nutritional status. Ninety-seven elderly volunteers were randomly assigned to either a placebo-diet group or a probiotic-diet group (SYNBIO®). Faeces, urine, and blood samples were collected before and after the supplementation to determine serum cytokines, biogenic amines, and inflammation markers. Comparing the results obtained before and after the intervention, probiotic supplementations significantly decreased the TNF-α circulating levels and significantly increased those of IGF-1. Biogenic-amine lev...
Pharmaceuticals
The lentil (Lens culinaris L.) is one of the most important legumes (family, Fabaceae). It is a n... more The lentil (Lens culinaris L.) is one of the most important legumes (family, Fabaceae). It is a natural functional food rich in many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, saponins and phytosterols. Several studies have demonstrated that the consumption of lentils is potentially important in reducing the incidence of a number of chronic diseases, due to their bioactive compounds. The most common polyphenols in lentils include phenolic acids, flavan-3-ol, flavonols, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins, and anthocyanins, which play an important role in the prevention of several degenerative diseases in humans, due to their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, lentil polyphenols are reported to have antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. Lentil saponins are triterpene glycosides, mainly soyasaponins I and βg. These saponins have a plasma cholesterol-lowering effect in humans and are important in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. Moreover...
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Papers by Laura Alessandroni