Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Cocoa Shell Subjected to In Vitro Digestion and Its Antioxidant Activity in Intestinal and Hepatic Cells

Abstract

The cocoa shell is a by-product generated by the cocoa processing industry that could be used as a nutraceutical owing to the significant amounts of bioactive compounds it contains. This work aimed to study the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds present in the flour (CSF) and an aqueous extract (CSE) from cocoa shells through an in vitro simulated digestion and to assess their antioxidant capacity in vitro by using intestinal and hepatic cell culture models (IEC-6 and HepG2 cells). The bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds was determined using a simulated in vitro digestion model (INFOGEST). Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity were measured using in vitro techniques. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated in IEC-6 and HepG2 cells after t-BOOH stimulation. TPC present in CSE were more bioaccessible than phenolic compounds present in CSF. During digestion, the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from CSF fluctuated in the gastric (2.8 mg/g), intestinal (7.6 mg/g), and colonic (5.7 mg/g) phases. Similarly, for the phenolics of CSE, the bioaccessibility increased from 50.6 mg/g in the gastric phase to 53.4 mg/g in the intestinal phase and decreased in the colonic phase to 37.2 mg/g. The in vitro antioxidant capacity followed a similar behavior, increasing throughout the digestion in CSF (8.8- to 10.6-fold) and CSE (6.0- to 7.4-fold). Digested CSF and CSE were not cytotoxic for IEC-6 and HepG2 cells and protected their viability under oxidative stress conditions (93–100%). t-BOOH-induced ROS were prevented by CSF (72–88%) and CSE (81–94%) bioaccessible fractions in both intestinal and hepatic cells. In conclusion, cocoa shells are a source of potentially bioavailable antioxidant phenolic compounds that may protect cells from oxidative stress.

Vasoactive Properties of a Cocoa Shell Extract: Mechanism of Action and Effect on Endothelial Dysfunction in Aged Rats

“…We have previously demonstrated the presence of NADPH oxidase in the vascular wall of systemic arteries and pulmonary arteries and the elimination of NO by locally produced superoxide anion [ 32 , 33 ]. Based on the previously demonstrated antioxidant actions of CSE in cell cultures [ 34 ], we assessed the capacity of the extract to scavenge basal superoxide anion, using the fluorescent indicator DHE in intact arteries. Our results indicate the capacity of CSE to reduce superoxide anion levels.…”

Role of the Phytochemicals from the Cocoa Shell on the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome by an Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis

“…Similarly, phytochemicals in the cocoa shell present the potential ability to stimulate antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD (10.2-43.6%) and CAT (13.1-52.3%). Recently, several studies have demonstrated the ability of cocoa shell extracts rich in phenolic compounds in the prevention of ROS production [9,10,18].…”

“…(13.1-52.3%). Recently, several studies have demonstrated the ability of cocoa shell extracts rich in phenolic compounds in the prevention of ROS production [9,10,18].…”

Digestão >i<in vitro>/i< e transporte de polifenóis de própolis orgânica do Sul do Brasil por mmeio de células humanas Caco-2

“…Entretanto, dentre os compostos fenólicos que Comportamento semelhante foi observado por Barak et al (2019), em um estudo de bioacessibilidade com extrato de cranberry europeia, em que houve uma diminuição de aproximadamente 64% no teor de compostos fenólicos totais entre o extrato bruto e a fase intestinal. Cañas et al (2020) constataram que o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais presentes na farinha e no extrato de casca de cacau também foram significantemente maiores (p<0,05) que nas respectivas frações digeridas. Seraglio et al(2017) trabalhando com três tipos de melato de bracatinga brasileira, e utilizando a mesma metodologia de digestão do presente estudo, também verificaram uma diminuição na quantidade de compostos fenólicos após a digestão das três amostras.…”