Recent Technological Advances in Phenolic Compounds Recovery and Applications: Source of Nutraceuticals for the Management of Diabetes

Featured Application: This review can be used as a guide for comprehensive research linking polyphenols with antidiabetic activity and their application as functional food ingredients using nanotechnology. Background: Phenolic compounds are food-derived bioactive compounds well-known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are in the spotlight for the management of diabetes due to their positive effects on glucose homeostasis. Materials and methods: We have performed a literature review on the main topics related to the application of phenolic compounds as functional food ingredients. This includes extraction and purification from vegetable sources and agro-industrial by-products, encapsulation to improve their solubility and bioavailability, and preclinical and clinical evidence linking these compounds with anti-diabetic activity. Objectives: (1) provide an understanding of the role of phenolic compounds on diabetes; (2) identify green technologies for phenolic compounds extraction from agri-food by-products following a biorefinery scheme; (3) underline the relevance of encapsulation techniques using nanotechnology to improve their bioavailability; (4) discuss the therapeutic efficacy of polyphenols. Results: This review compiles recent relevant research on phenolic compounds extraction from renewable resources, their purification from agri-food by-products, and encapsulation strategies using eco-friendly processes. It also highlights the preclinical and clinical evidence on phenolic compounds’ antidiabetic activity, giving insight into their mechanisms of action. Conclusions: This review explores the latest advances in polyphenols and how their benefits in glucose homeostasis can be applied toward improving the health of patients with diabetes and related conditions.

The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Maria Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 778388 (H2020 MSCA-RISE-2017) project Food for Diabetes and Cognition (FODIAC), the project cLabel+ (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046080) co-financed by Compete 2020, Lisbon 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Bacteriophage-releasing nanostructured smart packaging materials for the control of food-borne pathogens–PACKTERIOPHAGE (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032594). The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIN) of Spain funded AR through the grant RYC2020-030690-I.

Peer reviewed