Content Of Antioxidant Compounds Research Articles

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of The Stem Bark Extract of Sterculia Foetida L.

Free radicals are compounds that contain one or more unpaired electrons which are very reactive, causing damage to cells or tissues and implication in the emergence of various degenerative diseases. Several methods of exploring medicinal plants have been carried out to find new sources of natural antioxidants and antibacterials that can reduce the use of synthetic drugs. This study aimed to examine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the stem bark extract of the plant Sterculia foetida L. The antioxidant activity of S. foetida was tested using the ABTS radical method (2,2-Azinobis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid). The principle of this method is that the color intensity or absorbance of the ABTS solution is inversely proportional to the concentration of antioxidant compounds. ABTS absorbance measurements were carried out at a wavelength of 734 nm. The results showed that the bark extract of the plant S. foetida could inhibit ABTS radicals with an IC50 value of 5.54 g/mL. The antibacterial activity of S. foetida was tested by measuring the optical density (OD) at a wavelength of 630 nm and expressed by the Inhibition Concentration 50 (IC50) value of 10442.29 g/mL.

Foliar spray of commercial seaweed and amino acid-derived biostimulants promoted phytoremediation potential and salinity stress tolerance in halophytic grass, Puccinellia distans

Plants pretreatment with various chemicals has often been used to diminish salinity stress impact on plants. An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliar spray of two commercially available biostimulants (Algabon® [0.5 g/l] and Bonamid® [2 g/l]) on the growth and tolerance of halophytic grass, Pucccinellia distans under non-salinity condition (NSC) and salinity condition (SC). The greenhouse experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three treatments repeated three times. Our results showed that biomass, leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content, K+ content, K+/Na+ ratio, and protein and N contents were all negatively affected by 300 mM NaCl. The results obtained in the present study showed the beneficial effects of the pretreatments of two biostimulants on P. distans seedlings under non-salinity stress conditions with respect to increasing plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, K+ content, the content of proteins, and nitrogen percentage. The results suggested that foliar spray of Bonamid® could partly diminish NaCl-caused stress on P. distans seedlings, probably due to higher accumulation of shoot biomass, photosynthetic pigments, K+/Na+ ratio, protein and N contents, phytoremediation potential, as well as upregulation of Na+/H+ antiporters located in plasma membranes and vacuoles. The highest phytoremediation potential (PP) of shoots and total biomass was detected in the plants sprayed with Bonamid® by 50.8 and 42.7% respectively, relative to that in salinity-stressed control plants. Interestingly, foliar spray with two biostimulants decreased osmoprotectants and antioxidant compounds content of shoots under salinity stress conditions. Collectively, it could be concluded that a noticeable feature of pretreatment of P. distans seedlings with Algabon® and Bonamid® is the increase in growth under NSC, whereas under SC only pretreated plants with amino acid-derived biostimulant (Bonamid®) can (partly) diminish the NaCl-induced deleterious effects in P. distans seedlings through the compartmentalization of salts in vacuoles (by upregulation of Na+/H+ antiporters).

Cider apple pomace as a source of nutrients: Evaluation of the polyphenolic profile, antioxidant and fiber properties after drying process at different temperatures.

Apple pomace, the by-product of the cider industry, contains a high content of antioxidant compounds and dietary fiber. Drying would allow its preservation for a later use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the drying temperature on the drying kinetics, antioxidant properties and the fiber characteristics. For this, drying experiments were performed at different temperatures (40-120°C). The increase in temperature enhanced the drying rate, as was shown by the effective diffusivity and mass transfer coefficient identified by modelling. The influence of temperature was quantified through the activation energy (38.21kJ/mol). Regarding the retention of antioxidant properties, the best results were found at 80-100°C while 40-60°C was the best temperature range for the fiber characteristics. Therefore, 80°C could be an adequate temperature for drying of cider apple pomace, as it represents a good balance between kinetics, and antioxidant and fiber properties.

The increase of antioxidant capacity of broccoli sprouts subject to slightly acidic electrolyzed water

The growing recognition of a healthy lifestyle framework has promoted the development of novel functional foods or superfoods with abundant nutrients and health-promoting properties. Therefore, the influence of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) as an elicitor on broccoli sprouts was investigated. The increase of electrolyte leakage percentage, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and proline concentration indicated that the defense system of broccoli sprouts had responded to stress caused by SAEW. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzymes and secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds, were evaluated and revealed the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidases, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) activities and phenolic compounds content in broccoli sprouts with SAEW treatment. The major groups of phenolic composition in broccoli sprouts were phenolic acids and flavonoids. The Folin-Ciocalteu index and antioxidant activity assay also proved the enhancement of antioxidant capacity of broccoli sprouts with SAEW treatment. Results from this study indicated that SAEW treatment could increase the antioxidant ability of broccoli sprouts.

Screening the Antioxidant Activity of Thermal or Non-Thermally Treated Fruit Juices by In Vitro and In Vivo Assays

The health benefits of fruit juices have been associated with their high content of antioxidant compounds. Commercial juice has been traditionally heat-processed to destroy microorganisms and enzymes. However, high temperatures induce undesirable changes in the nutritional value of the juice. High-intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) are being studied as an alternative to heat treatments. In addition, in vitro and in vivo methods have been recommended to determine the antioxidant potential of juices in a complementary manner. Thus, the antioxidant activity of untreated, high-intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) or heat-treated fruit juices (tomato, apple, pineapple and orange) was studied using in vitro (TEAC, DPPH, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu) and in vivo assays (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Vitamin C and total phenolic compounds in these juices were determined. The highest antioxidant activities (12.01 mmol of Trolox/L) were obtained through the Folin-Ciocalteu assay in orange juices. The lowest values (0.119 mmol of Trolox/L) were found in apple juice analysed by the FRAP assay. Vitamin C content varied from 10 mg/L (orange juice) to 344 mg/L (orange juice). The highest concentration of total phenolic compounds was determined in orange juice (1238 mg/L), whereas the lowest value was found in tomato juices (149 mg/L). The effect of HIPEF and thermal processing on the antioxidant potential of juices depended on the fruits used to prepare the juices and the antioxidant activity assay conducted. Vitamin C concentration was directly related to the antioxidant activity analysed by Folin-Ciocalteu and FRAP methods and the S. cerevisiae growth rate. S. cerevisiae yeast can be used as a feasible in vivo assay to further determine the antioxidant activity of fruit juices.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of solvent fractions of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) sprout

Crude methanol extract (ME) of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) sprout was fractioned by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The contents of total polyphenols (19.89 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (10.06 mg RE/g) were significantly higher in the butanol fraction (BF) than in the other fractions. The BF showed the highest DPPH (EC50 = 0.524 mg/mL) and ABTS (EC50 = 0.180 mg/mL) radical scavenging activities. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of crude ME showed that the most abundant phenolic compounds were rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, catechin, and p-coumaric acid. The contents of quercetin, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid were higher in the ethyl acetate fraction (EF) and BF than in the other fractions. Antioxidant activity and phenolic compound contents were correlated, suggesting that phenolics were responsible for the antioxidant activity. The hexane fraction (HF) and chloroform fraction (CF) decreased the viability of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and the CF had the highest antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 69.47 mg/mL). The CF also suppressed the stemness characteristics of BCSCs and induced apoptotic cell death. The most abundant characteristic peak in CF was identified as oleic acid (area = 35.05%) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Therefore, the broccoli sprout BF contained high levels of phenolic compounds that contributed to its antioxidant activity, and CF had a marked anti-proliferative effect on BCSCs.

Use of Natural Microtalcs during the Virgin Olive Oil Production Process to Increase Its Content in Antioxidant Compounds

During the olive oil production process, certain olive varieties, such as ‘Hojiblanca’ and ‘Picual’, create pastes from which it is difficult to separate the oil, resulting in low extraction yields. To improve oil extraction, one alternative is the addition of natural microtalcs (NMT). In the present study, a NMT of great purity (CaCO3 concentration less than 6 wt.%) and small average particle size (ϕ ≤ 2.1 µm) was added in the malaxation stage on an industrial scale at two olive mills. In one of them and using ‘Hojiblanca’ olives, the performance of the high-purity NMT was compared with that of a traditional NMT, while in the other, the effect of its dosage in the quality of ‘Picual’ oils was assessed. The performance of the high-purity NMT was evaluated in terms of industrial oil yield, extractability index, quality parameters and oxidative stability of the resulting oils. The addition of the high-purity NMT not only increased the extraction yields but also improved the quality of the virgin olive oils, especially in relation to antioxidant compounds (tocopherols and phenolic compounds). Increases of 10.4% in phenolic compounds and of 21.5% in the tocopherols were found, thus enhancing the oxidative stability of the oils.

The efficiency of moringa leaf (Moringa Oleifera) as green material carbon steel corrosion inhibitor for different concentration of sea water.

Carbon steel as materials of pipe is used in the plural oil and gas industry in Malaysia, but the corrosive working environment conditions create this type of pipe prone to corrosion. In electrical industries, Aluminum-conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) are the most commonly used in transmission line systems due to aluminum’s light weight and cost, and carbon steel’s strand is high mechanical strength. Corrosion is an absolute phenomenon that occurs in carbon steel, but the rate of corrosion can be controlled by certain techniques. One of which is the use of environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors or so-called green corrosion inhibitors. Moringa Leaf (Moringa Oleifera) is known to have a high content of antioxidant compounds and the use of this benefit only limited to water purification and as a food ingredient. From this issue, research was carried out on the use of Moringa leaf extract as green corrosion inhibitor on carbons steel. This research uses variations Moringa leaf powder concentration in 200 ml static seawater conditions (0 rpm) give the concentration of 200, 400, and 600, 800 and 1000 ppm to get optimal work. The linear polarization method used to determine the performance of Moringa leaf powder to reduce the corrosion reaction. In the tafel test, it was found that moringa leaf powder that is added suitable to work as inhibitor. Addition of the concentration able to reduce the corrosion rate up to 0.124 mmpy with efficiency from polarization resistance of 49.69 %, while efficiency from corrosion rate and corrosion current of 70.5% in static seawater conditions. Consequently, in inhibited solutions, the corrosion rate is indicative of the number of the free corrosion sites remaining after some sites have been blocked by inhibitor adsorption. Tafel test results found that a protective passive layer is formed on the surface of the steel make contact between the metal and sea water is reduced with existing of moringa leaf powder so that corrosion can be inhibited.

Comparative Evaluation of the Content of Antioxidant Polyphenolic Compounds in Selected Bulgarian Medicinal Plants

Abstract Polyphenols are strong antioxidants of plant origin that exhibit protective role against the development of several chronic degenerative diseases. Quantitative data on the content of polyphenolic antioxidants in Bulgarian medicinal plants are sporadic and unsystematic. The aim of the study is to determine polyphenols content in series of extracts, infusions and decocts of selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits and to compare their polyphenolic profile. Materials and Methods: In the present study 18 Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits have been analyzed for Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, along with HPLC analysis for their level of the individual flavonoids (+)-Catechin, (-)-Epicatechin and Rutin. Comparative evaluation of the content of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds was performed by hierarchical cluster analysis. The results show that infusions of Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna) flowers have the highest values of Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, forming a separate Cluster in the analysis of the Agglomeration schedule coefficients. Within fruits, data for Total Phenolics and Total Flavonoids content are more homogenic as the cluster analysis shows distribution of 6 elements in a high mean value group. Elderberry (Sambicus nigra) flowers and fruits are the richest source of Rutin in the selected plants studied. Conclusion: In the present study new data for polyphenolic content in selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits are presented and their degree of similarity in methanolic extracts, infusions and decocts have been assessed in order to provide new data for development of effective antioxidant medicinal plant compositions.

Effect of the use of Chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) seeds on antioxidant status and anthropometric parameters in obese, type 2 diabetics and/or hypertensive patients

Background and aims: Chia seeds have been explored owing to its dense concentrations of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as recognized benefit on anthropometric measures. This study evaluated the potential effect of Chia intake on plasma antioxidant status and anthropometric parameters in individuals with chronic diseases. Methods: Fifty-nine participants were selected, including patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and/or hypertension (SAH) and/or obesity (group A, n=34) and healthy volunteers (group B, n=25). Plasma antioxidant status was determined by the MTT (tetrazolium salt) reduction test and weight (W), abdominal circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI), that were determined before (T0) and after 6 months (T6) of ingestion of 20 g/day of Chia seeds. Results: After Chia seeds consumption, the plasma antioxidant potential increased in both group A and group B (p < 0.0001). It was also observed a reduction in W, AC, WC and BMI in both groups, with all p-values being less than 0.05. High content of antioxidant compounds may explain these effects and polysaccharide gel formation in the digestive tract, which gives satiety and consequently provides a reduction in anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: In the field of nutrition, the chia seed can be a potential alternative to increase antioxidant status and reduce anthropometric measurements, improving the health status of patients, especially those who suffer from chronic disease.

Temperature Optimization by Electrochemical Method for Improving Antioxidant Compound Extraction Efficiency from Origanum vulgare L. and Its Application in a Bread Production

This study aims to evaluate the effect of extraction temperature on the electrochemical activity of antioxidant compounds in oregano extract and its application in a bread production. Temperature optimisation was performed by determining the electrochemical index (EI), calculated on the parameters of individual peaks observed on the square wave voltammograms (SWV). The highest value of EI (2.5758 µA/V) was observed at 85 °C for the oregano extract. The composition of several types of bread with oregano extract or dried oregano leaves was then proposed. To specify bread samples, both newly prepared and during their storage, their antioxidant properties were determined using FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and CUPRAC (Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) methods. The study revealed that the addition of extract from oregano or oregano leaves increased the antioxidant compounds content in the bread from 30% to more than 138% compared to the control bread samples. The performed sensory evaluation of the bread samples revealed their high acceptability. It was found that the stored bread with oregano leaves changed sensory qualities to a lesser extent compared to the bread with oregano extract.

Improving the nutraceutical value of mango during ripening by postharvest irradiation with blue LEDs via enhancing of antioxidant enzyme activities

SummaryLight‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging as a clean technology for improving the postharvest preservation of fruits. Mangoes were irradiated with blue LEDs (75 µmol s‐1 m−2) and then stored for 15 days. The fruit quality, including the content of antioxidant compounds and activities of antioxidant enzymes, was evaluated during storage. The treatment with blue LEDs delayed the changes associated with the senescence processes, including the changes in softening, weight loss, total soluble solids content, and titratable acidity. Treatment also caused increases in the antioxidant capacity (1.33‐fold), ascorbic acid (1.69‐fold), total phenolic (1.33‐fold), flavonoids (1.50‐fold), and carotenoids content (1.18‐fold) compared to control. At the end of storage, blue LEDs treatment maintained higher phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (1.28‐fold), peroxidase (1.58‐fold), catalase (2.21‐fold), and ascorbate peroxidase (1.51‐fold) activities. Our findings indicate that blue LEDs might be a potential elicitor that modulates oxidative homeostasis and improves the antioxidant and nutritional status of mango by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Development Of Carrots (Daucus Carota L.) Flour Steamed Brownies

Background: Carrots production in Indonesia is quite abundant but has not been used optimally. How to process carrots is very necessary so that they become foods that have a high selling value while maintaining the content of antioxidant compounds contained therein One way to optimize is to make carrot flour that can reprocess into food products, steamed brownies. This research was conducted to increase the selling value of carrots, to determine the quality and antioxidant activity of carrot flour steamed brownies.
 Methods: The research type is quantitative with a design of descriptive research. Determination of the quality of carrots flour and carrots flour steamed brownies included water and ash content assays. A qualitative assay using color reaction assays, quantitative analysis, and antioxidant activity using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry. 
 Results: The quality assay result content of water and ash in carrots flour was 4.1% and 0.5% and in carrots flour steamed brownies was 26.8% and 1.8%. A qualitative assay using a color reaction assay with antimony trichloride showed positive results, both for carrot flour and carrot flour steamed brownies. The result of antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 241.4822 ± 2,1294 ppm
 Conclusion: The quality assay results in carrots flour and carrots flour steamed brownies in accordance with the flour parameters of SNI 3751: 2009 and SNI 01-3840-1995 for steamed brownies. The result of antioxidant activity for carrots flour steamed brownies including a medium level. It is necessary to carry out proximate tests such as fat, protein, carbohydrate, and microbiological tests on carrot flour and carrots flour steamed brownies.

Enrichment of Refined Olive Oils with Phenolic Extracts of Olive Leaf and Exhausted Olive Pomace.

Refined olive oils (ROOs) are commonly enriched with synthetic antioxidants. Antioxidant extracts obtained from natural products can be used to improve the stability of these oils. In this study, ROOs were enriched through the addition of phenolic extracts from olive leaves (OLs) and exhausted olive pomace (EOP). In addition to replacing synthetic antioxidants with natural ones, this results in the valorization of these olive-derived biomasses. The most suitable method for mixing and enriching refined oils was probe-type ultrasonication using lecithin as the emulsifier. Thereafter, the change in the content of antioxidant compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the oils at 25, 35, and 45 °C were studied over 28 and 50 days of storage. The experimental results were fitted using a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The oxidative stability index of the ROO enriched with a 2 g/L OL extract (70 h) was higher than that of a commercial ROO (46.8 h). Moreover, the oxidative stability index of the refined olive pomace oil (ROPO) enriched with a 2 g/L EOP extract (44.1 h) was higher than that of a commercial ROPO (38.9 h). In addition, the oxidative stabilities and antioxidant capacities of the oils were significantly correlated.

Optimization of water-based ultrasonic-microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) of bioactive compounds from Garcinia mangostana pericarp.

Garcinia mangostana (GM) pericarp extract recognizes for relieving skin disorders. It becomes a household fruit juice due to its high concentration of antioxidant compounds, including phenolic and α-mangostin. The purpose of this study was to optimize the conditions of Ultrasonic-Microwave Assisted Extraction (UMAE) of GM pericarp. GM pericarp was extracted by UMAE and conventional decoction extraction. UMAE was created in nine different individuals and combined ultrasonic and microwave power. The amount of phenolic compound, "caffeic acid, ferulic acid", α-mangostin, and total phenolic content (TPC) were compared. The optimized parameters were particle size of grounded raw material, microwave power, and ultrasonic power during water extraction. The optimized UMAE conditions combined 200W microwave power and 200W ultrasonic power to extract raw material grounded to 22.6μm diameter particles (p≤0.05). The synergistic effect of ultrasonic and microwave-assisted extraction significantly (p≤0.05) impacted on the TPC, the yield of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and α-mangostin. Overall, the synergistic effect of ultrasonic and microwave extraction resulted in a significantly higher amount of bioactive compounds when compared to conventional decoction extraction (p≤0.001). These results demonstrated the advantages of UMAE for preparing GM pericarp extract for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PURSLANE PLANT (Portulaca oleracea L.) EXTRACT AS AN ANTIAGING SERUM IN SPRAY GEL USING DPPH METHOD

Skin aging is a problem for women caused by external factors, namely exposure to free radicals such as sunlight, antiaging cosmetic products containing antioxidants have been widely circulated to maintain skin health from the effects of free radicals. The content of antioxidant chemical compounds in the purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea L.) is believed to be able to prevent free radicals. Purslane plant extract serum preparations were made by formulating preparations with ingredients such as HPMC, chitosan, tween 80. Furthermore, antioxidant testing of extracts and preparations of serum spray formulas was carried out using the DPPH method, after which evaluation of the preparations included homogeneity, pH, adhesion, viscosity, and hedonic. The preparation of purslane plant extract serum in the spray gel preparation produces a brownish green color, has a slightly sour smell and has a soft texture. The resulting viscosity in the serum ranged from 1330 - 1362 cPs with a pH value in the range of 5.67 - 5.72. From the hedonic test carried out, the results obtained were that the color and aroma were less favored by the panelists while for the convenience of using spray gel the panelists liked the texture of all purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract formulas. Based on this research, the IC50 value of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract was 132.87 ppm, while the formula had an IC50 value of 83.91 ppm. Therefore, antiaging serum in spray gel formulation has stronger antioxidant activity than purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PURSLANE PLANT (Portulaca oleracea L.) EXTRACT AS AN ANTIAGING SERUM IN SPRAY GEL USING DPPH METHOD

Skin aging is a problem for women caused by external factors, namely exposure to free radicals such as sunlight, antiaging cosmetic products containing antioxidants have been widely circulated to maintain skin health from the effects of free radicals. The content of antioxidant chemical compounds in the purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea L.) is believed to be able to prevent free radicals. Purslane plant extract serum preparations were made by formulating preparations with ingredients such as HPMC, chitosan, tween 80. Furthermore, antioxidant testing of extracts and preparations of serum spray formulas was carried out using the DPPH method, after which evaluation of the preparations included homogeneity, pH, adhesion, viscosity, and hedonic. The preparation of purslane plant extract serum in the spray gel preparation produces a brownish green color, has a slightly sour smell and has a soft texture. The resulting viscosity in the serum ranged from 1330 - 1362 cPs with a pH value in the range of 5.67 - 5.72. From the hedonic test carried out, the results obtained were that the color and aroma were less favored by the panelists while for the convenience of using spray gel the panelists liked the texture of all purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract formulas. Based on this research, the IC50 value of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract was 132.87 ppm, while the formula had an IC50 value of 83.91 ppm. Therefore, antiaging serum in spray gel formulation has stronger antioxidant activity than purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) plant extract.

In vitro bioaccessibility of antioxidant compounds from structured fruits developed with gellan gum and agar

This study aims to evaluate the bioaccessibility of antioxidant compounds of structured fruits. Samples were prepared with 50% of each pulp (mango/caja, mango/cashew apple and mango/acerola), agar and gellan gum (low acyl-LA and high acyl-HA) in LA:HA ratios of: 100:0, 75:25 and 50:50, in a concentration of 0.75%. There was a reduction in the antioxidant compounds contents after in vitro digestion. The bioaccessible ascorbic acid levels ranged from 15.10% (LA100/HA0 mango/acerola) to 71.18% (LA50/HA50 mango/cashew apple); Total Extractable Polyphenols (TEP) ranged from 24.58% (mango/caja pulp) to 75.50% (LA75/HA25 mango/acerola); antioxidant activity ranged from 21.10% (LA75/HA25 mango/caja) to 51.05% (LA75/HA25 mango/acerola). Mango/acerola ascorbic acid bioaccessibility was lower and the mango/cashew apple HA gellan gum sample antioxidant activity was higher than pulp, probably due to temperature increasing at processing. It was concluded that the agar and gellan gum (HA and LA) hydrocolloids were able to contain these compounds in the production process of the structured and during digestion, which proves the similarity of structured fruits with fresh pulps.

Concentration of Antioxidant Compounds from Calendula officinalis through Sustainable Supercritical Technologies, and Computational Study of Their Permeability in Skin for Cosmetic Use.

The growing interest in the cosmetic industry in using compounds of natural and sustainable origin that are safe for humans is encouraging the development of processes that can satisfy these needs. Chlorogenic acid (CHA), caffeic acid (CAF) and ferulic acid (FA) are three compounds widely used within the cosmetic industry due to their functionalities as antioxidants, collagen modifiers or even as radiation protectors. In this work, two advanced separation techniques with supercritical CO2 are used to obtain these three compounds from Calendula officinalis, and these are then evaluated using a computational skin permeability model. This model is encompassed by the COSMO-RS model, the calculations of which make it possible to study the behaviour of the compounds in the epidermis. The results show that both CAF and FA are retained in the stratum corneum, while CHA manages to penetrate to the stratum spinosum. These compounds were concentrated by antisolvent fractionation with super-critical CO2 using a Response Surface Methodology to study the effect of pressure and CO2 flow rate. CHA, CAF and FA were completely retained in the precipitation vessel, with concentrations between 40% and 70% greater than in the original extract. The conditions predicted that the optimal overall yield and enrichment achieved would be 153 bar and 42 g/min.

Pilot Cultivation of the Local Endemic Cretan Marjoram Origanum microphyllum (Benth.) Vogel (Lamiaceae): Effect of Fertilizers on Growth and Herbal Quality Features

Wild phytogenetic resources are threatened by overexploitation. This pressure on species and natural ecosystems can be alleviated in part by recruiting and domesticating wild-growing species under pilot cultivation with tailor-made fertilization schemes. This study focused on the pilot cultivation of Origanum microphyllum—a critically endangered local endemic plant of Crete, Greece—investigating the effect of conventional and integrated nutrient management (ΙΝΜ) fertilizers by foliar or root application and biostimulant. Above-ground biomass together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and color (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. Leaf chlorophyll, antioxidant compound (carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids), and nutrient contents were also assessed. The results showed that fertilization did not significantly affect plant growth and leaf nutrient content. Root fertilization was associated with greener leaves compared to foliar. The same trend was generally evident for antioxidant compound content. The small size of leaves may have impeded the efficiency of the foliar application. In conclusion, root application of conventional or INM fertilizers seems more suitable to promote visual quality and herbal antioxidant profile of O. microphyllum, than the foliar one.