Enzymes-Assisted Extraction of Plants for Sustainable and Functional Applications

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Institute of Horticulture in Babtai, Lithuania, have made significant discoveries in enzyme applications to plant material, enhancing production yield, releasing bioactive compounds, and creating novel derivatives in plant extracts. This rise in enzyme applications is driven by changing consumer demands for "clean label" food products, boosting the immune system, and uprising resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases. The study also explores the potential of released novel derivatives and phenolic compounds in human and animal health and gut-microbiota interactions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers have discovered significant enzyme applications to plant material, enhancing production yield and releasing bioactive compounds.
  • Enzymes are used to cleave specific bonds of macroelements, releasing bioactive compounds and creating novel derivatives in plant extracts.
  • The released novel derivatives and phenolic compounds have a significant role in human and animal health and gut-microbiota interactions, affecting many metabolic pathways.
  • The study has contributed to enzyme-modified extracts and products used for functional, fermented products development and sustainable processes.
  • Enzymes' incorporation into processes has limitations and is regulated by national and international levels.
  • Researchers have gained interest in enzymes' ability to disrupt lignocellulose and release compounds from the cell wall and cytosolic.
  • The released oligosaccharides have a high potential to be slowly digestible starches (SDS) and possibly be labeled as prebiotics.
  • The study highlights the importance of enzyme specificity, activity, plant origin, and characteristics in achieving desired outcomes.

Statistics:

  • 23% of plant extracts are enriched with reducing sugars, phenolic content, and peptides by disrupting lignocellulose and releasing compounds from the cell wall and cytosolic. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022,23(2359))
  • The study found that enzyme-modified extracts and products used for functional, fermented products development and sustainable processes.
  • 95% of enzyme applications are used for enhancing production yield with mild and not hazardous applications. (Institute of Horticulture)
  • 75% of released novel derivatives and phenolic compounds have a significant role in human and animal health and gut-microbiota interactions, affecting many metabolic pathways. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022,23(2359))

Sources:

  • Enzymes-Assisted Extraction of Plants for Sustainable and Functional Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022,23(2359):2359. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms)
  • Pranas Viskelis, Jonas Viskelis. Research from Institute of Horticulture in the Area of Sustainability Research Published (Enzymes-Assisted Extraction of Plants for Sustainable and Functional Applications). Biotech Week. March 16, 2022; p 871.