Pinosylvins as novel bioactive compounds in food applications

Abstract

Pinosylvin and its derivatives are chemically very similar to resveratrol, a stilbene found in grapes and berries.Resveratrol has been associated with many beneficial human health effects. In this study the extraction ofpinosylvin and pinosylvin monomethylether from Pinus trees was optimized and their biological activities werescreened using different in vitro techniques. While the age and growth conditions of the trees affected thepinosylvin contents, the recovery was generally high after relatively straightforward organic extractions. Bothpinosylvin and pinosylvin monomethylether proved to be efficient antibacterial and antifungal compounds, andthe effects of pinosylvin on the energy metabolism of cultured human cells closely resembled that of resveratrol.Provided that the safety aspects of pinosylvin and pinosylvin monomethylether can be satisfactorily addressed,these compounds could be used as novel biocides and even as nutraceuticals.