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Phenolics, volatiles, squalene, tocopherols, and fatty acids of virgin olive oils (VOO) from adult and young olive trees of the Oueslati variety, typically cultivated in the Center of Tunisia, were analyzed at three different harvesting periods. Significant differences in contents of saturated fatty acids ( p  < 0.05), squalene ( p  < 0.05), alpha-tocopherol and total tocopherol ( p  < 0.02) and oxidized form of decarboxymethyl oleuropein aglycon ( p  < 0.05) were seen between VOO from adult and young trees during maturation. Moreover, the volatile profiles of VOO from adult and young trees showed significant differences in the amounts of hexanal, 1-penten-3-ol ( p  < 0.05), ( Z )-3-hexenal and ( Z )-2-penten-1-ol ( p  < 0.01). Principal component analysis showed that olives from adult trees should be harvested at the cherry stage of maturation to obtain a satisfactory level of oil quality, while olives from young trees should be harvested at the black maturation stage.

In this study, the effects of cultivar, harvest year and the geographical regions were investigated by determining the sensory and chemical characteristics (Fatty acids, Triacyglycerid and Tocopherols compositions) of the cultivars from different geographical origins (Tunisia, Portugal, France and Turkey) over a 2-year harvest period. Parameters such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and oxidative stability were found to be significantly affected according to the region and cultivar. The highest linoleic and lowest oleic acid content were detected in Tunisia. The amount of palmitic acid was found to be higher in some cultivar (Tunisia and Turkey) than in others (Portugal and France). Nevertheless, principal component analysis allowed us to highlight the Tunisian olive oils for its interesting oxidative stability.

Several compositional parameters (fatty acids, tocopherols, polar phenols and volatiles) in virgin olive oils from varieties located at the center of Tunisia, namely Baldi, Chemchali, Neb Jmel, Tounsi and Besbessi from Gafsa and Chemchali and Sehli cultivated in Sidi Bouzid, were studied. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the chemical composition of virgin olive oils (VOO) from Sidi Bouzid. Significant differences were found between varieties from Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa in monounsaturated saturated fatty acid levels, some volatile compounds and γ-tocopherol amounts. Notably, Tounsi and Baldi VOOs showed the highest six carbon atoms alcohol contents, whereas Neb Jmel VOO revealed the highest aldehyde six carbon atoms content. Fatty acid composition, as well as tocopherol content, showed differences among different VOO. Principal component analysis and hierarchical component analysis on polar phenols, fatty acids, tocopherols and volatiles data evidenced a good discrimination among oils from the different investigated varieties.

This paper reports the quality indices, the volatile components, phenolic compounds and the oxidative stability of monovarietal Tunisian cultivar (cv. Neb Jmel) extra-virgin olive oils cultivated in eight regions. Headspace solid-phase microextraction and HPLC–DAD were applied to analyze and quantify the volatile and phenolic compounds of the obtained extra-virgin olive oils. Twenty compounds have been identified and quantified, revealing the complex profile of Neb Jmel EVOO, composed, in order of abundance, by secoiridoids, phenolic alcohols, lignans, flavonoids and phenolic acids. A total of 40 volatile compounds belonging mainly to esters, aldehydes, ketones, aliphatic alcohols and hydrocarbons were determined. Significant differences in the proportions of volatile and phenolic constituents of oils from different geographical origins were observed. The major volatile component was the C 6 aldehyde (hexanal and ( E )-2-hexenal) fraction, whose content was highly variable between the areas studied. The content of ( E )-2-hexenal ranged from 50.9 % in the Melloulech EVOO to approximately 39.8 % for El-Ala EVOO.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natural Pomegranate juice supplementation on performance and acute and delayed responses of muscle soreness and biomarkers of muscle damage after a weightlifting training session. Nine elite weightlifters (21±0.5 years) performed two Olympic-Weightlifting-sessions after either placebo (PLA) or natural pomegranate juice (POMj) supplementations. Heart rate, blood pressure and blood samples (hematological parameters, muscle damage and C-reactive protein (CRP)) were collected at rest, 3min and 48h after each session. Weightlifting performance, RPE, and DOMS were also assessed after each training session. T-test showed higher performance (+8.30%) and lower RPE values (-4.37%) using POMj supplementation (p<0.05) in comparison with PLA. For the DOMS values, a significant improvement (13.4%) was shown only for the knee extensors (p<0.01) using the POMj. Compared to PLA condition, POMj attenuated the acute (i.e., 3min) increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP), HR, CK and LDH (p<0.05; -4.46%, -1.81%, -8.75%, -1.64%, respectively) and blunted the significant increase of ASAT, PAL and CRP (p>0.05). Additionally, during the 48h following the training session, POMj improved the recovery kinetic of SBP (p<0.01, 7.97%), CK (p<0.001, 11.34%), LDH (p<0.05, 7.30%) and ASAT (p<0.05, 6.77%). Indeed, the present study showed that 48h of recovery associated to natural POMj supplementation was sufficient to reach the resting values of the selected muscle damage markers after intensive training session. Natural POMj seems to ameliorate the capacity to adhere to an intensive training program. Therefore, elite weightlifters are advised to use natural POMj during intensive training program and competition to accelerate muscle recovery. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02697903.

In the present investigation, 13% ± 0.84 of the extracted and purified phycocyanin from Phormidium versicolor was obtained, with a purity of 0.69 following dialysis. FT-IR analysis of purified phycocyanin revealed stretching vibration peaks in the profiles of the functional groups of N–H, O–H, C = O, N–H, C = O, and C = NH+. The phycocyanin had a significant DPPH radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.02 mg mL−1) confirmed with FRAP assay, and it exhibited microbiological activity between 1.25 and 2.5 mg mL−1 against Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. Phycocyanin showed no cytotoxic and improved the viability of HEK-293. It was added to skin cream at a rate of 6 mg g−1 because of its significant yield extraction and biological activity. At 10 mg mL−1, a bactericidal activity has been noted, inhibiting the growth of bacteria responsible for inflammatory skin conditions. For 60 days, the emulsion’s stability was monitored at room temperature, 25 °C, and 45 °C. The appearance of the batch kept at 45 °C was changed to beige after 7 days, while the others were kept for 15 days. Skin creams enhanced with phycocyanin were found to be stable over the course of storage at both room temperature and 25 °C, based on centrifugation stability analysis. But starting on the fifteenth day, the items kept at 45 °C were unstable. Thus, the current study’s findings are in favor of using phycocyanin as an antioxidant in cosmetic products. However, further investigation is required before using it in clinical trials.

Background It is well-documented that listening to music has the potential to improve physical performance during intense physical exercise. Less information is available on the timing of music application. This study aimed to investigate the effects of listening to preferred music during the warm up of a subsequent test or during the test on performance of repeated sprint sets (RSS) in adult males. Methods In a randomized cross-over design, 19 healthy males (age, 22.1 ± 1.2 years; body mass, 72.7 ± 9.3 kg; height, 1.79 ± 0.06 m; BMI, 22.6 ± 2.2 kg m −2 ) performed a test including 2 sets of 5*20-m repeated-sprints under one of three conditions: listening to preferred music during the test; listening to preferred music during the warm-up; or not listening to music. The assessed parameters comprised RSS performance indices, blood lactate, heart rate, the pacing strategy profile, rating of perceived exertion, and a feeling scale. Results For performance indices during set 1 of the RSS test, we found a significant decrease in total sum sequence, fast time index and fatigue index in the listening to preferred music condition compared to the no music condition (total sum sequence: p = 0.006, d = 0.93; fast time index: p = 0.003, d = 0.67; fatigue index: p < 0.001; d = 1.30) and the listening to preferred music during the warm-up condition (fast time index: p = 0.002; d = 1.15; fatigue index: p = 0.006; d = 0.74). However, there was no significant effect of listening to preferred music on physical performance during set 2 of the RSS test. Compared to the no music condition, blood lactate concentrations were higher in the listening to preferred music during the test condition (p = 0.025; d = 0.92). In addition, listening to preferred music appears not to have an effect on heart rate, the pacing strategy profile, perceived exertion, and affective responses before, during and after the RSS test. Conclusion Findings from this study revealed that RSS performances were better (FT and FI indices) in the PMDT compared with the PMWU condition. Moreover, in set 1 of the RSS test, better RSS indices were found in the PMDT compared to NM condition.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pomegranate juice supplementation would blunt acute and delayed oxidative stress responses after a weightlifting training session. Nine elite weightlifters (21.0 ± 1 years) performed two Olympic-Weightlifting sessions after ingesting either the placebo or pomegranate juice supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. Compared to the placebo condition, pomegranate juice supplementation attenuated the increase in malondialdehyde (−12.5%; p < 0.01) and enhanced the enzymatic (+8.6% for catalase and +6.8% for glutathione peroxidase; p < 0.05) and non-enzymatic (+12.6% for uric acid and +5.7% for total bilirubin; p < 0.01) antioxidant responses shortly (3 min) after completion of the training session. Additionally, during the 48 h recovery period, pomegranate juice supplementation accelerated (p < 0.05) the recovery kinetics of the malondialdehyde (5.6%) and the enzymatic antioxidant defenses compared to the placebo condition (9 to 10%). In conclusion, supplementation with pomegranate juice has the potential to attenuate oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant responses assessed acutely and up to 48 h following an intensive weightlifting training session. Therefore, elite weightlifters might benefit from blunted oxidative stress responses following intensive weightlifting sessions, which could have implications for recovery between training sessions.

Background Maximal strength-speed exercise is a powerful stimulus to acutely increase concentrations of circulating steroid hormones and homocysteine [Hcy]. There is some evidence that antioxidant beverages rich in polyphenols can attenuate [Hcy] levels and modulate endocrine responses in favor of an anabolic environment. Polyphenols-rich pomegranate (POM) have been reported to possess one of the highest antioxidant capacities compared to other purported nutraceuticals and other food stuffs. Studies focused on proving the beneficial effect of POM consumption during maximal strength exercises have only measured physical performance, muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, while POM effects on [Hcy] and hormonal adaptations are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of consuming natural polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice (POMj) on the acute and delayed [Hcy] and steroidal hormonal responses to a weightlifting exercises session. Methods Nine elite weightlifters (21.0 ± 1 years) performed two Olympic-weightlifting sessions after ingesting either the placebo (PLA) or POMj supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. Results Compared to baseline values, circulating cortisol [C] decreased ( p  < 0.01) and testosterone/cortisol [T/C] ratio increased immediately following the training session in both PLA and POMj conditions ( p  = 0.003 for PLA and p  = 0.02 for POM). During the 48 h recovery period, all tested parameters were shown to recover to baseline values in both conditions with significant increases in [C] and decreases in [T/C] ( p  < 0.01 for PLA and p  < 0.05 for POMj) from 3 min to 48 h post-exercises. Compared to PLA, a lower level of plasma testosterone [T] was registered 3 min post exercise using POMj supplementation ( p  = 0.012) and a significant decrease ( p  = 0.04, %change = − 14%) in plasma [Hcy] was registered during the 48 h recovery period only using POMj. A moderate correlation was observed between [Hcy] and [T] responses ( p  = 0.002, r  = − 0.50). Conclusion In conclusion, supplementation with POMj has the potential to attenuate the acute plasma [T] response, but did not effect 48 h recovery kinetics of [Hcy] following weightlifting exercise. Further studies investigating androgen levels in both plasma and muscular tissue are needed to resolve the functional consequences of the observed acute POMj effect on plasma [T]. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov, ID: NCT02697903 . Registered 03 March 2016 .

Background Pomegranate juice (POMj) contains abundant soluble polyphenolic antioxidant compounds and is recommended for its cardioprotective/atheroprotective properties. However, very few studies have investigated the efficacy of POMj supplementation to alter physiological responses during intensive physical exercise. This placebo-controlled study aimed to examine whether supplementation with natural polyphenol-rich-POMj could influence the ionic or lipid responses to an intensive resistance training session in elite athletes. Methods Nine elite weightlifters (21 ± 1 years) performed two Olympic-weightlifting sessions after ingesting placebo and POMj supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min after each session for assessment of plasma sodium ([Na + ]), potassium ([K + ]), chloride ([Cl − ]), calcium ([Ca 2+ ]), triglyceride ([TG]) and high-density lipoprotein ([HDL-C]), low-density lipoprotein ([HDL-C]) and total ([TC]) cholesterol concentrations. Results Plasma [K + ] and [TG] were lowered post-exercise compared to resting values in the PLA condition ( p  = 0.03 for K + and p  = 0.02 for TG) with no pre-to-post exercise differences in the other plasma ion and lipid markers ( p  > 0.05). Compared to rest, plasma [Na + ] and [Cl − ] were increased ( p  = 0.04, %change = 4.10% for Na + and p = 0.02, %change = 4.44% for Cl − ), but there were no differences in the other plasma ion or lipid markers post-exercise after POMj supplementation ( p  > 0.05). Post-exercise plasma [Na + ], [Cl − ], and [HDL-C] were greater following POMj supplementation compared to PLA ( p  = 0.01 for Cl- and HDL-C, p  = 0.02 for Na+, and p  = 0.04 for TC), with no between-supplement post-exercise differences in the other ion and lipid markers ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, supplementation with POMj has the potential to attenuate the acute imbalance of plasma [K + ] and to improve blood lipid responses (i.e., HDL-C) following resistance exercises in elite weightlifters. However, further large research in both athletic and non-athletic populations is needed to corroborate these preliminary observations and to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms and translational potential of our novel observations. Trial registration Name of the registry: ClinicalTrials.gov PRS The registration number: NCT02697903 . Date of Registry : 03/03/2016 ‘Retrospectively registered’. The registration title: Pomegranate Improve Biological Recovery Kinetics in Elite Weightlifter. Graphical abstract