Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes

This study explores the incorporation of bergamot juice and olive extract as functional ingredients in craft beer and their effects on antioxidant activity and cellular oxidative stress. Lyophilized beer samples were applied to human fibroblast cells at concentrations of 0.31 and 0.62 µg/µL for 24 a...

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Main Authors: Maria Laura Matrella, Bruna Amenta, Francesco Canino, Angela Maffia, Tiziana Cocco, Mariateresa Russo, Adele Muscolo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2012
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author Maria Laura Matrella
Bruna Amenta
Francesco Canino
Angela Maffia
Tiziana Cocco
Mariateresa Russo
Adele Muscolo
author_facet Maria Laura Matrella
Bruna Amenta
Francesco Canino
Angela Maffia
Tiziana Cocco
Mariateresa Russo
Adele Muscolo
author_sort Maria Laura Matrella
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the incorporation of bergamot juice and olive extract as functional ingredients in craft beer and their effects on antioxidant activity and cellular oxidative stress. Lyophilized beer samples were applied to human fibroblast cells at concentrations of 0.31 and 0.62 µg/µL for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and antioxidant gene expression were evaluated. Beers enriched with bergamot (Heraclea) and olive extract (Elais) significantly reduced ROS levels compared to base beers (Blanche and Weiss), particularly at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times. However, prolonged treatment showed variable effects, suggesting possible concentration- and time-dependent pro-oxidant behavior. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme SOD2 in all samples except Elais under oxidative stress, indicating differential cellular responses. These findings suggest that functional beers enriched with plant extracts may offer antioxidant benefits and support cellular defense mechanisms, representing a promising direction in wellness-oriented brewing.
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spelling doaj-art-3581aaf90bb64db884d991bca2e9494b2025-08-20T02:21:11ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011412201210.3390/foods14122012Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant EnzymesMaria Laura Matrella0Bruna Amenta1Francesco Canino2Angela Maffia3Tiziana Cocco4Mariateresa Russo5Adele Muscolo6Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, Biochemistry Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, Biochemistry Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, Mediterranea University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, Mediterranea University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience “DiBraiN”, Biochemistry Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, Mediterranea University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, Mediterranea University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyThis study explores the incorporation of bergamot juice and olive extract as functional ingredients in craft beer and their effects on antioxidant activity and cellular oxidative stress. Lyophilized beer samples were applied to human fibroblast cells at concentrations of 0.31 and 0.62 µg/µL for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and antioxidant gene expression were evaluated. Beers enriched with bergamot (Heraclea) and olive extract (Elais) significantly reduced ROS levels compared to base beers (Blanche and Weiss), particularly at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times. However, prolonged treatment showed variable effects, suggesting possible concentration- and time-dependent pro-oxidant behavior. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme SOD2 in all samples except Elais under oxidative stress, indicating differential cellular responses. These findings suggest that functional beers enriched with plant extracts may offer antioxidant benefits and support cellular defense mechanisms, representing a promising direction in wellness-oriented brewing.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2012functional craft beerantioxidant propertiesbergamot juiceolive extractoxidative stress
spellingShingle Maria Laura Matrella
Bruna Amenta
Francesco Canino
Angela Maffia
Tiziana Cocco
Mariateresa Russo
Adele Muscolo
Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
Foods
functional craft beer
antioxidant properties
bergamot juice
olive extract
oxidative stress
title Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
title_full Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
title_fullStr Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
title_full_unstemmed Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
title_short Bergamot and Olive Extracts as Beer Ingredients: Impact on Cell Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, and RNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes
title_sort bergamot and olive extracts as beer ingredients impact on cell viability reactive oxygen species and rna expression of antioxidant enzymes
topic functional craft beer
antioxidant properties
bergamot juice
olive extract
oxidative stress
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2012
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