Attila Kiss
59910754800
Publications - 8
Optimizing mung bean and soybean hydrolysis for the generation of bioactive peptides of potential functional food applications
Publication Name: Food Chemistry X
Publication Date: 2025-08-01
Volume: 30
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study investigates the enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean (Glycine max L.) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) proteins using bromelain, ficin, papain, and pepsin to improve digestibility and functional properties. We hypothesized that mung bean's less compact structure would yield higher degree of hydrolysis (DH) and bioactive peptides compared to soybean, enhancing antioxidant capacity for functional foods. Mung bean showed significantly higher proteolysis, with a maximum DH of 46.5 ± 2.1 % (p ≤ 0.05) using 10 % bromelain for 12 h, versus soybean's 26.9 ± 1.5 % (p ≤ 0.05). Bromelain and ficin outperformed papain and pepsin, producing up to 62.3 ± 3.2 % oligopeptides and 32.4 g/100 g free amino acids in mung bean. Mung bean hydrolysates exhibited superior antioxidant activity, reaching 78.4 ± 2.5 % DPPH scavenging (p ≤ 0.05), compared to soybean's 58.9 ± 2.0 % (p ≤ 0.05), due to increased 200–1000 Da peptides. Optimal conditions (10 % enzyme, 12 h) improved solubility and bioactivity, highlighting mung bean's potential and bromelain's efficacy for sustainable food applications, warranting further protease research.
Open Access: Yes
Comparative Study on Antioxidant Capacity of Diverse Food Matrices: Applicability, Suitability and Inter-Correlation of Multiple Assays to Assess Polyphenol and Antioxidant Status
Publication Name: Antioxidants
Publication Date: 2025-03-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Antioxidants play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three antioxidant assays—DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP—in quantifying the antioxidant capacity of 15 plant-based spices, herbs, and food materials from five distinct plant families. The relationship between these assays and total polyphenol content (TPC) as well as total flavonoid content (TFC) was also investigated. The results showed that FRAP exhibited the strongest correlation with TPC (r = 0.913), followed by TEAC (r = 0.856) and DPPH (r = 0.772). Lamiaceae species, such as rosemary and thyme, consistently demonstrated high antioxidant activities across all assays. The study highlights the complementary nature of these assays in assessing antioxidant capacity and underscores their utility in profiling polyphenol- and flavonoid-rich plants for potential nutritional and therapeutic applications.
Open Access: Yes
Effects of herbal plant supplementation on immunity and antioxidant status in mid-lactation dairy cows
Publication Name: Animal Feed Science and Technology
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 330
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
High-yield dairy farms have maximised their productivity, which is a challenge concerning animal physiology even beyond the transition period. While several studies have verified a wide range of beneficial effects of plant essential oils during the periparturient period in dairy cows, their effects in mid-lactation are less studied. However, this period is critical for maintaining milk production and metabolic stability in high-yielding cows. The objective of the present study is to determine the effects of supplementation with herbal plants on immunity and antioxidant status in mid-lactation dairy cows. Thirty-six Holstein-Friesian cows used in this experiment were randomly assigned to 6 groups (1 control and 5 treatments, n = 6/group). The treatments were conducted using oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, or yarrow, while the control was exempt from any supplementation. The feeding experiment lasted 14 days. Milk samples were collected on days 1 and 14 to assess milk quality. Milk and blood samples for molecular analysis were collected on day 15, following the 14-day feeding trial. The applied herbs were standardised to two grams of essential oil/cow/day. All parameters were analyzed by a linear mixed model and expressed relative to the control group. The basil essential oil resulted in a significant increase in the total immunoglobulin level in milk, and the serum IgM level was found to be significantly higher in the rosemary. Significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values were detected in the oregano, thyme, rosemary, and yarrow groups. Significant increases were observed in milk TAC for groups given oregano and thyme. The activity of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) was found to be significantly higher in the oregano group, and significantly lower C-reactive protein levels, an indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress, were measured in the oregano and rosemary groups. Of the antioxidant-related genes, a significantly higher expression of the SOD gene was detected in the oregano group, while for the glutathione peroxidase gene, significantly higher mRNA expression was observed in the oregano and thyme groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary supplementation with oregano and thyme improves antioxidant status in mid-lactation dairy cows. These findings may support the development of more precisely tailored feeding protocols to enhance well-being and promote the health and performance of dairy cows during mid-lactation.
Open Access: Yes
β-Casomorphin-7 as a Potential Inflammatory Marker: How β-Casomorphin-7 Induces Endothelial Dysfunction in HUVEC/TERT2 Cell Lines
Publication Name: Biomedicines
Publication Date: 2025-11-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background/Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction plays a central role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. β-Casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), a biologically active peptide generated during the digestion of A1 β-casein, is presumed to contribute to this process; however, its direct effects on endothelial cells have not been previously investigated. Here, we aimed to assess whether BCM-7 treatment induces endothelial cell dysfunction through inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods: In our study, we analyzed the effects of BCM-7 (5 µg/mL) in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/mL) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs/TERT2). The cell viability, apoptosis, necrosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species were measured. Furthermore, proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes involved in the regulation of inflammation were assessed with quantitative real-time PCR. The gene and protein expression of enzymes that regulate inflammation and vascular function, thus maintaining endothelial homeostasis were assessed. Results: BCM-7 enhanced intracellular ROS production p ≤ 0.001, increased the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) p ≤ 0.001, and was more effective when used in combination with LPS p ≤ 0.001. It decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) p ≤ 0.05, during 4 h of exposure, whereas it increased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) p ≤ 0.001, lipoxygenase-5 (LOX-5) p ≤ 0.01, and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) p ≤ 0.001; prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) (p ≤ 0.05), expression was also increased after short treatment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that BCM-7 may contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction, especially in the presence of LPS, by enhancing oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
Open Access: Yes
From waste to wealth: innovations in the recovery of bioactive compounds from agro-food by-products
Publication Name: European Food Research and Technology
Publication Date: 2026-02-01
Volume: 252
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The valorization of food waste biomass for the extraction of bioactive compounds presents a sustainable solution to global food waste challenges while offering significant economic and environmental benefits. This review comprehensively examines advanced green extraction technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) for recovering polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and other high-value compounds from fruit, vegetable, cereal, and animal-derived waste. Highlighting optimized extraction parameters showed that modern techniques outperform conventional methods in yield, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, with UAE reducing manufacturing costs by up to 84% compared to Soxhlet extraction. The review also addresses pretreatment strategies, purification innovations (e.g., flash chromatography), and emerging solvents like natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) with lower environmental impact, higher efficiency, recyclability and biodegradability. Challenges such as contamination risks, temperature sensitivity, and scalability are critically analyzed, alongside future directions integrating nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and hybrid extraction systems. By bridging gaps in waste classification, compound identification, and process optimization, this study underscores the potential of food waste as a resource for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, aligning with circular economy goals and sustainable development.
Open Access: Yes
Optimizing Thermal Pretreatment for Volatile Bioactive Profiling in Medicinal Plants Using HS-GC-MS Analysis
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) are aromatic medicinal plants rich in bioactive volatile compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study presents a simple, solvent-free, and eco-friendly headspace GC-MS method for VOC profiling. Optimized thermal pretreatment (40–90 °C) enhanced compound detection, particularly at 70–90 °C, without loss of reproducibility. The approach lowers analytical costs and waste generation, supporting green analytical practices and the sustainable valorization of medicinal herbs as natural functional ingredients.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app16021031
Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Calicivirus Infections in Cattle
Publication Name: Animals
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The family Caliciviridae encompasses a diverse group of non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses that are significant pathogens in veterinary medicine. This narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the clinical, molecular, and epidemiological features of the three calicivirus genera identified in bovine hosts: Norovirus, Nebovirus, and Vesivirus. Bovine noroviruses and neboviruses are neglected enteric pathogens, frequently detected in association with neonatal calf diarrhea and often present in co-infections with other enteric agents. Clinical presentations for these enteric viruses range from severe, watery diarrhea to asymptomatic shedding, with distinct pathogenic profiles observed between norovirus genotypes GIII.1 and GIII.2. In contrast, the genus Vesivirus exhibits a broad host range, and bovine vesivirus strains are phylogenetically linked to vesiviruses identified in pigs and marine animals. Bovine vesivirus infections are associated with a broader spectrum of clinical manifestations, including respiratory disease, vesicular lesions, and abortion. Serological and virological surveys indicate that exposure to these viruses is ubiquitous in cattle populations globally. While direct evidence of human infection by bovine noroviruses and neboviruses remains limited, vesiviruses possess a confirmed capacity for cross-species transmission to humans. Significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding in vitro culture systems, necessitating further research to facilitate vaccine development and clarify transmission dynamics.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/ani16050829
Rapid, Matrix-Dependent Changes in Polyphenols and Antioxidant Capacity of Methanol Plant Extracts During Short-Term Storage: Implications for Analytical Timing
Publication Name: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Date: 2026-05-01
Volume: 27
Issue: 9
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Throughout this study, the short-term stability of methanol extracts was evaluated in cases of 15 distinctive, antioxidant-rich plant materials over 3, 7, and 14 days under refrigeration (4 °C), dark room-temperature, and light-exposed room-temperature conditions. A great variability in the matrix-dependent stability of the antioxidants, as well as the pronounced impact of the implied storage conditions on their plausible degradation, was revealed and featured. Initial total polyphenol content (TPC) ranged from 50.50 ± 0.44 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g DW (rosemary) to only 0.02 ± 0.006 mg GAE/g DW (amaranth). After 14 days, pigment-rich vegetable extracts (basil, beetroot powder, spinach powder, dried onion, tomato powder, and yarrow tail) lost 86.2–89.2% of TPC and 80–99% of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) activity across all conditions, even under refrigeration. In contrast, for Lamiaceae species, markedly higher levels of the referred parameters were to be observed after 14-day-long storage. Decrease in TPC values was found to be 43.7% (rosemary), 50.6% (thyme), and 42.9% (oregano), respectively, while DPPH values were reduced by only 17–29%. Turmeric and walnut flour showed intermediate stability. Refrigeration consistently minimized the degradation of antioxidants (e.g., rosemary’s decrease in DPPH was only 20.3% at 4 °C vs. >70% under ambient conditions), while light exposure significantly accelerated losses of antioxidants in nearly all samples. Methanol extracts of many dietary plants, particularly pigment-rich ones, exhibit rapid and pronounced changes during short-term storage. Comparison with values obtained immediately after extraction shows that even brief storage can lead to substantial deviations. Although the current sampling intervals do not capture changes within the first hours, the results clearly indicate the need to minimize delays and standardize analytical timing to avoid underestimating phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, these findings demonstrate that measured antioxidant properties are not solely inherent to the plant material but are strongly influenced by the extract matrix and methodological conditions. Consequently, antioxidant data should be regarded as matrix- and protocol-dependent, with important implications for their interpretation, comparability, and reproducibility across studies.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27093723
