Page 22 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2024. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih / Health of Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press

Enhancing Metabolic Health: Exploring the Role of Plant-Based
Bioactives

Aleksandra Mišan, Anamarija Mandić, Nemanja Teslić, Milica Pojić, Alena Stupar
Institute of Food Technology in Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS), defined as a combination of central obesity,
glucose intolerance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure, and related
comorbidities, poses substantial healthcare challenges among older individuals.
Methods: A considerable amount of research conducted at the Institute of Food Tech-
nology has focused on formulating cereal-based products for individuals with MS.
Three strategic directions have been explored: changing the base recipe, adding “func-
tional ingredients,” and valorizing fruit and vegetable by-products rich in bioactives.
Results: We have demonstrated that the use of buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour
can significantly enhance the functionality of cereal-based products by increasing the
content of dietary fibers and flavonoids, such as rutin and quercetin, through a dietetic
and a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention studies. In addition to,
we proved that pomace, a juice production by-product, when added to cookies, pos-
zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | health of working-age and older adults
itively affects cardiovascular risk factors and liver function indicators in healthy wom-
en volunteers.
Discussion and conclusions: A significant group of secondary biomolecules consists of
plant polyphenols, which are found abundantly in vegetables, fruits, cocoa beans, tea,
and herbal medicine. These molecules possess various beneficial properties that can
ameliorate metabolic syndrome, such as anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, anti-
oxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. Unfortunately, large quantities of plant polyphenols
are wasted. Our research group is currently working on finding “green” and sustain-
able solutions for valorizing these compounds from byproducts and waste streams.
Acknowledgment: This work is a part of a bilateral project between Slovenia and Ser-
bia: “Sustainable food for healthy future”, 2023-2025.
Keywords: metabolic syndrome, plant phenolics, cereal based products, “green” ex-
tracts

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