{rfName}
Un

Indexed in

License and use

Icono OpenAccess

Citations

4

Altmetrics

Grant support

This research was funded by the COCARDIOLAC (RTI 2018-097504-B-I00) project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Excellence Line for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid and the UAM (2019-2023) . The authors thank Rebeca Ferreras-Charro and Montserrat Duen as for formally analyzing the phytochemical profile.

Analysis of institutional authors

Gil Ramirez, AliciaAuthorCañas Rodríguez, SilviaAuthorRebollo Hernanz, MiguelAuthorBenitez Garcia, VanesaAuthorArribas, Silvia MAuthorMartin Cabrejas, M AngelesCorresponding AuthorAguilera Gutierrez, YolandaCorresponding Author

Share

October 14, 2024
Publications
>
Article
Sí

Uncovering cocoa shell as a safe bioactive food ingredient: Nutritional and toxicological breakthroughs

Publicated to:Future Foods. 10 100461- - 2024-12-01 10(), DOI: 10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100461

Authors: Gil-Ramirez, Alicia; Canas, Silvia; Cobeta, Ignacio Monedero; Rebollo-Hernanz, Miguel; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Pilar; Benitez, Vanesa; Arribas, Silvia M; Martin-Cabrejas, Maria A; Aguilera, Yolanda

Affiliations

UAM, Inst Food Sci Res CIAL, CSIC, C Nicolas Cabrera 9, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Fac Med, Dept Physiol, C Arbobispo Morcillo 2, Madrid 28029, Spain - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Fac Sci, Dept Agr Chem & Food Sci, C Francisco Tomas & Valiente 7, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Food Oxidat Stress & Cardiovasc Hlth FOSCH Res Grp, Ciudad Univ Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the cocoa shell flour (CSF) and aqueous extract (CSE) and conduct acute and sub-chronic toxicity assays to ensure safety. CSF was composed of 59.1 % dietary fiber, primarily insoluble fiber (48.1 %). CSE consisted entirely of soluble fiber (72.8 %), mainly pectic polysaccharides. The amino acid profile revealed CSF's potential as a high-quality plant protein source, whereas CSE was rich in free amino acids, especially leucine, valine, and alanine (59.6-62.5 mg 100 g(-1)). Higher levels of macroelements, especially potassium, were found in CSE. Silicon was the most abundant microelement, and heavy metal levels were within acceptable limits for both cocoa shell matrices. This study confirmed the bioactive potential of CSF and CSE, enriched in phenolic compounds and methylxanthines, including theobromine, caffeine, gallic acid, (+)-catechin, as well as N-phenylpropenoyl-l-amino acids. The high theobromine content in both matrices, especially in CSE (2605.3 mg 100 g(-1)), did not harm the mice's health; acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies demonstrated the safety of oral administration of CSF and CSE in mice, showing no lethality or remarkable histopathological changes. This research supports the safe use of CSF and CSE, establishing these ingredients as suitable for incorporation into food products.

Keywords

Amino acidsAmino-acidsBioactive compoundsCocoa shellDietary fiberFood ingredientMetabolismMineralsPod huskProductToxicitToxicity

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Future Foods due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 12/173, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Food Science & Technology. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-07-08:

  • Scopus: 3

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-08:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 60 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://repositorio.uam.es/handle/10486/716722

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (GIL RAMIREZ, ALICIA) and Last Author (AGUILERA GUTIERREZ, YOLANDA).

the authors responsible for correspondence tasks have been MARTIN CABREJAS, M. ANGELES and AGUILERA GUTIERREZ, YOLANDA.