Núñez Gómez, Vanesa

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Núñez Gómez, Vanesa

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Núñez Gómez, Vanesa

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Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Tecnología de los Alimentos,Nutrición y Bromatología

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Open Access
Systematic review on the metabolic interest of glucosinolates and their bioactive derivatives for human health
(MDPI, 2023-03-15) Núñez Gómez, Vanesa; Costa-Pérez, Antonio; Baenas Navarro, Nieves; Di Pede, Giuseppe; Achour, Mariem; Manach, Claudine; Mena, Pedro; Del Rio, Daniele; García-Viguera, Cristina; Moreno, Diego A.; Domínguez-Perles, Raúl; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
In the last decade, most of the evidence on the clinical benefits of including cruciferous foods in the diet has been focused on the content of glucosinolates (GSL) and their corresponding isothiocyanates (ITC), and mercapturic acid pathway metabolites, based on their capacity to modulate clinical, biochemical, and molecular parameters. The present systematic review summarizes findings of human studies regarding the metabolism and bioavailability of GSL and ITC, providing a comprehensive analysis that will help guide future research studies and facilitate the consultation of the latest advances in this booming and less profusely researched area of GSL for food and health. The literature search was carried out in Scopus, PubMed and the Web of Science, under the criteria of including publications centered on human subjects and the use of Brassicaceae foods in different formulations (including extracts, beverages, and tablets), as significant sources of bioactive compounds, in different types of subjects, and against certain diseases. Twenty-eight human intervention studies met inclusion criteria, which were classified into three groups depending on the dietary source. This review summarizes recent studies that provided interesting contributions, but also uncovered the many potential venues for future research on the benefits of consuming cruciferous foods in our health and well-being. The research will continue to support the inclusion of GSL-rich foods and products for multiple preventive and active programs in nutrition and well-being.
Open Access
Microbial catabolism of coffee pulp (poly)phenols during in vitro colonic fermentation
(Elsevier, 2024-09-18) Núñez Gómez, Vanesa; Cañas, Silvia; Tosi, Nicole; Del Rio, Daniele; Mena, Pedro; Martín-Cabrejas, María A.; Aguilera, Yolanda; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
Coffee pulp is a by-product characterized by its richness in phenolic compounds. This study examined the catabolism of (poly)phenols in digested coffee pulp flour (CPF) and extract (CPE) during in vitro colonic fermentation. After a simulated gastrointestinal digestion, samples were fermented using human microbiota and (poly)phenol transformations were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Digested CPF and CPE contained high amounts of phenolic acids, notably 3′,4′-dihydroxycinnamic (99.7–240.1 μmol 100 g−1) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (174.1–491.4 μmol 100 g−1). During the in vitro fecal fermentation, phenylpropanoic acids (1.5- to 2.6-fold), phenyl-γ-valerolactones (1.3- to 23-fold), phenylvaleric acids (1.1- to 2-fold) and benzene derivatives (1.5-fold) increased; while benzoic and cinnamic acids, cinnamoylquinic derivatives, flavonols, benzaldehydes and diphenylpropan-2-ols decreased. The (poly)phenols in CPF were catabolized more slowly than in CPE, suggesting protection of the fibrous matrix against phenolic degradation. Coffee pulp may be a promising food ingredient rich in (poly)phenols contributing to the prevention of intestinal diseases.
Open Access
Antibacterial effect of Spanish honeys of different botanical origins against Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MDPI, 2024-06-15) Núñez Gómez, Vanesa; San Mateo Molina, Marta; Sánchez Martínez, Lorena; Periago Castón, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
Honey is traditionally used for its medicinal properties attributed to its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. It is considered a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics. This effect has been attributed to their physico-chemical properties, as various chemical parameters can synergistically influence this effect. The aim of this study is to assess Spanish honeys of diverse botanical origins for their antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus epidermidis, correlating their physico-chemical attributes, (poly)phenol content, and antioxidant activity. The methods included colour determination via two methodologies, acidity, pH, moisture content, and sugar concentration. (Poly)phenol content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteau method, while antioxidant activity was evaluated via the FRAP method. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. epidermidis were investigated with different concentrations of honeys. The results revealed a direct relationship between honey darkness, (poly)phenol concentration, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial efficacy. Darker honeys exhibited higher (poly)phenol levels, greater antioxidant activity, and consequently, lower MIC and MBC values, showing enhanced antibacterial properties. These findings underscore the potential of honey as a therapeutic agent against S. epidermidis, particularly in wound healing applications to avoid infection. Further research into honey’s multifaceted properties is warranted to unveil novel therapeutic avenues in healthcare
Open Access
In vitro colonic fermentation of orange peel fibres: effect on microbial modulation, SCFAs production and carotenoid degradation
(Elsevier, 2025-02-12) Núñez Gómez, Vanesa; Gómez-Gallego, Carlos; Kolehmainen, Marjukka; González-Barrio, Rocío; Periago Castón, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
Orange peel by-products are valuable for their content of dietary fibre and bioactive compounds that offer health benefits, such as the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and modulation of gut microbiota. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prebiotic effect of three fibre-rich fractions of orange peel (orange peel extract, OP; insoluble fibre fraction, IFF; and water-soluble extract, WSE) by means of in vitro fermentation. Degradation of carotenoids during fermentation was examined to explore their interaction with the microbiota. The results indicate that in vitro fermentation of fibre-rich ingredients increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations. WSE, rich in bioactive compounds, increased Bifidobacterium by 2.5 times compared with the other fractions, and gave a 1.5-fold higher total SCFAs production and a noteworthy evolution of butyrate. Moreover, although carotenoids decreased during fermentation, they remained detectable at the end of the process, suggesting that they are not efficiently metabolized by microbiota and could persist in the colon for a longer period. These findings open up new avenues of research in the use of by-products to develop novel ingredients. In addition, future research should focus on investigating the behaviour of carotenoids during digestion, as well as their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbiota-modulating effects.
Open Access
Transformations of phenolic compounds in cocoa shell during in vitro colonic fermentation
(Elsevier, 2024-11-17) Cañas, Silvia; Tosi, Nicole; Núñez Gómez, Vanesa; Del Rio, Daniele; Mena, Pedro; Aguilera, Yolanda; Martín-Cabrejas, María A.; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
Cocoa shell is a by-product generated by the cocoa processing industry, notable for its high content of phenolic compounds and methylxanthines, and recognized for their biological properties. The majority of cocoa phenolic compounds are not absorbed in the small intestine and reach the colon, where they can be catabolized by the gut microbiota, influencing their bioavailability and bioactivity. This research aimed to study the changes that phenolic compounds from cocoa shell flour (CSF) and extract (CSE) undergo during colonic fermentation after gastrointestinal digestion, using an in vitro model and a targeted metabolomics approach. A decrease in the concentration of most parental phenolic compounds was observed, with a simultaneous increase in phenyl-γ-valerolactones, phenylvaleric acids, and phenylpropanoic acids. Benzoic acids, phenylpropanoic acids, phenylacetic acids, and benzaldehydes were the compounds found in the highest concentrations. Additionally, phenolic compounds in CSF were metabolized more slowly than those in CSE. This may be due to the matrix effect that protects the compounds from degradation during colonic fermentation. These findings further support the potential of cocoa shells as a food ingredient rich in phenolic compounds and bioavailable metabolites, which may exert beneficial effects in the colon and at the systemic level.