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It is widely recognized that dietary polyphenols have a strong tendency to interact with proteins, specifically those rich in proline residues. So far, the impact of a matrix rich in polyphenols, like coffee, on the bioavailability of amino acids (AAs) and bioactive peptides (BAPs) from collagen hydrolysates (CH) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to compare the bioavailability of the signature AAs and BAPs from bovine CH dissolved in coffee in healthy human volunteers. The clinical trial was carried out as randomized, cross-over design. CH were dissolved in water or coffee, respectively, and provided as single dose in a fasting state. The uptake of the CH signature AAs hydroxyproline (Hyp), glycine (Gly) and proline (Pro) and BAPs (Pro-Hyp, Hyp-Gly, Gly-Pro-Hyp) into the bloodstream was followed over a period of 360 min. Plasma concentrations were determined with UPLC-MS/MS. The peak concentrations of the free signature AAs after intake of CH dissolved in water occurred between 60 and 120 min. Notably, there were significant variations in the increase of plasma concentrations over time of Hyp and Pro when CH was dissolved in coffee. However, when considering the uptake of BAPs, the pharmacokinetic endpoints iAUC, ΔCmax, and Tmax demonstrated similarity between water and coffee. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding how different food matrices, such as water vs. coffee, affect the absorption of bioactive compounds from dietary sources, in this case from CH. Ongoing research aims to explore the connection between food matrices, BAPs and human health with the goal of optimizing dietary interventions for promoting overall well-being.

Exhaustive exercise causes muscle damage accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation leading to muscle fatigue and muscle soreness. Lemon verbena leaves, commonly used as tea and refreshing beverage, demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a proprietary lemon verbena extract (Recoverben®) on muscle strength and recovery after exhaustive exercise in comparison to a placebo product.

We modeled red blood cell (RBC)-folate response to supplementation and developed personalized folate supplementation concepts.

A.B.O.S. (A Better Omic System; version 1.1.0; Ars Nova AG, Esslingen, Germany) a simple, interactive software for the analysis of omics data has recently been developed to classify and evaluate biological properties or processes in complex datasets. The tool utilises self-learning algorithms that exploit group-specific properties from large datasets and applies a combination of multivariate analysis techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), weighting the different variables/parameters according to their discriminatory power. Unlike PCA, however, the program can handle data that are not normally distributed and accounts for the presence of outliers and missing data. The software carries out predictive identifications based on pre-assigned learning groups that can be either detected automatically or defined manually. By combining all parameters shared by the members of each learning groups, the software calculates two ideal reference groups and classifies unknown elements based on their relative distance to these groups. Along with the proposed classification of samples, it also identifies the most important parameters that allow differentiating between classes.

Aloysia citriodora (L.) leaves are used as food and food supplements. A proprietary standardized Aloysia citriodora leaf extract was investigated for its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). Two isozymes were tested, ovine COX-1 isozyme and human recombinant COX-2 isozyme. Aloysia citriodora leaf extract showed significant dose-dependent effects to inhibit cyclooxygenases, demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity. Results may indicate beneficial effects for sports nutrition to prevent muscle soreness, muscle damage, and to improve recovery after physical exercise.

Folate required to achieve desirable red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations within 4-8 weeks pre-pregnancy is not known. We studied the effect of supplementation with 400 or 800 µg/day folate in achieving RBC-folate ≥906 nmol/L.