Flavonoid Content Research Articles

ANALISIS KADAR ALKALOID DAN FLAVONOID SEDUHAN RAMBUT JAGUNG (Zea mays L. ) DENGAN METODE SPEKTROFOTOMETRI UV-VIS

Corn silk is generally a waste of sweet corn plants after being harvested and is rarely used, however, on the other hand, corn silk is also used by the community as herbal medicine and is believed to reduce the risk of hypertension and other types of chronic diseases such as kidney infections. Corn silk is thought to contain metabolite compounds such as flavonoids, essential oils, steroids, and alkaloids. Alkaloid compounds can function as drugs and strong activators for immune cells that can destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Flavonoid compounds are compounds that have various bioactive effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and antioxidants. it is necessary to measure the levels of alkaloids and flavonoids from corn silk infusion to determine the levels of alkaloid and flavonoid compounds in corn silk infusion. The method used in this study is the Uv-Vis spectrophotometry method. The alkaloid content was calculated using the regression formula y = 0.0895x - 0.3046, the results obtained in the corn hair infusion extract were 46.36 mg / g extract, and the flavonoid content was calculated using the regression formula y = 0.0144 x - 0.025 and the results obtained in the corn hair infusion extract were 85.42 mg / g extract. So it can be concluded that corn hair infusion contains more flavonoid compounds, namely with alkaloid compound levels of 46.36 mg / g extract and flavonoid compounds of 85.42 mg / g extract.

Influence of Goji Berry EM Fermentation and Saccharification Products as Cosmetic Raw Materials on Hair Protection

Purpose: Recently, as the number of cases of side effects due to exposure to chemicals has increased, consumers' anxiety about chemicals has deepened, and interest in cosmetics using natural extracts that do not use chemical ingredients has increased. No-chemicals are being created and scientific research using natural extracts is expanding. Accordingly, Goji berry, which is a natural product handed down from the private sector and is rich in various functional ingredients such as carotinoids, choline, and zeatin, and is said to be excellent for antioxidation effects, was fermented and the active ingredients and effectiveness (in vitro) were investigated.
 Method: Goji berry, which has been found to contain large amounts of functional ingredients such as betaine and rutin, is extracted through double fermentation using EM (Effective Microorganisms) and malt to obtain total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, total sugar content, DPPH radical scavenging ability, and SOD. Effectiveness (in vitro) was examined through activity, catalase activity, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxidase verified.
 Results: As a result of the measurement, the sugar content increased when the EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermented product was enzymatically fermented after extracting Goji berry fruit with purified water. The difference depending on the enzyme fermentation temperature was also higher when the enzyme fermented at 60°C compared to immediately after fermentation. The sugar content increased by about two-fold. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid content decreased when the EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation product of the sealed pressurized hot water extract was enzymatically fermented at 60°C.
 Conclusion: The extract double-fermented from Goji berry fruit through EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation and malt enzyme fermentation has excellent antioxidant ability, suggesting the possibility of using Goji berry fruit and EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation as a natural antioxidant. I confirmed that it exists. In particular, it has antioxidant and antibacterial functions, and its feasibility as a natural raw material used in hair products was found.

Responses to exogenous elicitor treatment in lead-stressed Oryza sativa L.

Heavy metal toxicity adversely affects plants by changing physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. Lead (Pb) is one of the most common heavy metal pollutants. Hence this study investigated changes caused by exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA; 20 and 100 µM) and salicylic acid (SA; 2 and 20 mM) elicitors in local Karacadağ rice exposed to Pb stress (0, 100, and 400 ppm). The effects of elicitors on photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total carotenoid), proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolic and flavonoid, Pb, and total protein contents in stressed plants were evaluated. All parameters studied increased and decreased at varying rates in the treatment groups compared to the Pb-free group (control), indicating that rice plants were affected by Pb stress. The elicitors (MeJA, SA, and MeJA + SA) were applied by foliar spraying. The elicitor treatments increased photosynthetic pigment content, total protein, proline, total flavonoid, and phenolic contents depending on the elicitor type and concentration. MDA and Pb contents, increasing with Pb toxicity, decreased with elicitor treatments, and the stress degree was reduced. When the elicitors were compared, SA was more effective than MeJA in total flavonoid content at 400 ppm Pb toxicity. However, MeJA was more effective in photosynthetic pigment contents, MDA, total protein, Pb, total phenolic, and proline contents. The best results for all parameters examined in rice plants exposed to Pb toxicity were obtained from the 400 ppm Pb + 2 mM SA + 20 µM MeJA treatment group. In conclusion, this study showed that the combined application of MeJA + SA alleviated the harmful effects of Pb by reducing MDA and increasing photosynthetic pigments, total protein, proline, and secondary metabolites, especially at high Pb concentrations. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the combined use of MeJA and SA in rice plants eliminated the negative effects of stress quite effectively, even at high Pb concentrations. Therefore, future studies should focus on the synergistic application of different elicitors to better understand the effects of heavy metal toxicity on plant growth and development.

NMR Metabolite Profiling and Antioxidant Properties of Spartan, Jewels, Misty, and Camelia Blueberries.

The health-promoting properties of blueberries are widely recognized and are mainly attributed to anthocyanins. However, fruit's chemical composition includes also other components and strongly depends on varieties and climatic conditions. Here, 1H NMR metabolite profiling and biological activity of four blueberry cultivars (Spartan, Jewels, Misty, Camelia) grown in Central Italy over two years were reported. Untargeted and targeted NMR analyses allowed the quantification of sugars, organic acids, amino acids, anthocyanins, lipids, and other compounds. Spectrophotometric assays evaluated total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and enzyme inhibitory activity toward cholinesterase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between chemical composition and biological activity, revealing markers specific to blueberry cultivars (quinic acid, quercitrin, myo-inositol, myrtillin, and petunidin-3-O-glucoside). Almost all antioxidant assays were correlated with the chlorogenic acid levels. A strong effect of harvesting on chemical composition and biological activities was observed, with Misty cultivar having the highest antioxidant activity.

Comparison of the content of active compounds in cell suspensions and aqueous extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis L. with those in the Endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata

The current study was carried out to detect the active compounds in both the aqueous extract of a Rosmarinus officinalis L. plant and the extract of cell suspensions and compare with the extract of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata isolated from the leaves of a R. officinalis plant. Callus was induced from the leaves of rosemary plants, and the highest induction of callus formed reached 100% when treated with a concentration of 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA)2.0 mg. L-1, compared to the control treatment, which had an induction rate of 0%. the highest fresh weight of callus was 1.628 gm in the presence of NAA. The callus induced in the presence of NAA was charactrized by its fragile texture. cell suspensions were also obtained from it. fungus extract was superior in its content of active compounds to the aqueous extract and cell suspension cultures at 21 days. The total alkaloid content which were 6.65%, phenolic content were 117.25 mg.gm, flavonoid content were 104.35 mg.gm, total terpenoid content was 6.65%, total steroid content was 6.05% and the concentration of rosmaric acid was 154.7%. The results of the current study confirm the single receptor of endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants as one of the important sources of effective compounds.

Sodium alginate edible films incorporating cactus pear extract: antimicrobial, chemical, and mechanical properties

The potential benefits of biodegradable and functional food packaging materials have garnered increasing attention in recent years. Sodium alginate (SA), a commonly utilized polysaccharide, is particularly noteworthy for producing biodegradable films for food packaging. This study aimed to investigate SA-based edible films enriched with various proportions of cactus pear peel extract (CPPE). We assessed the films and extracts for total phenolic content, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, as well as mechanical properties. Cactus pear peels powder (CPPP) exhibited higher contents of total polyphenols (1243.82 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoids (18.92 mg QE/100 g), and betalains (2.28 mg/100 g). The main constituents detected were catechol, pyrogallol, catechin, and alpha-coumaric acid, with concentrations of 1013.82, 223.45, 148.21, and 101.02 ppm, respectively, contributing about 45.71%, 9.85%, 6.54%, and 4.46% of the total phenolic compounds. The thickness of the SA films increased from 0.220 mm to 0.265 mm. The tensile strength values ranged from 1.98 to 3.12, while the elongation at break values for SA-CPPE films decreased relative to the plain SA film. Moreover, the inclusion of CPPE improved the barrier characteristics (with water vapor permeability values for SA films with 1%, 2%, and 3% CPPE ranging from 0.72 × 10−5 g·h−1·m−1·Pa−1 to 1.68 × 10−5 g·h−1·m−1·Pa−1) and induced variations in flexibility and resistance. The plain SA film did not exhibit any inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi. However, the inclusion of CPPE in alginate films showed favorable antibacterial properties, which improved progressively with increasing CPPE concentration. These findings highlight the potential of incorporating active alginate-based films in food preservation.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ И СТАНДАРТИЗАЦИЯ ПОЛИЭКСТРАКТА ПЛОДОВ ЗИЗИФУСА ОБЫКНОВЕННОГО

The main quality indicator for polyextracts is the content of biologically active substances (BAS). Depending on the presence of various groups of biologically active substances, the consistency and stability of the extracts, the regulatory documentation for the extracts contains requirements regarding their composition and quality. Liquid extracts are standardized according to the content of ethyl alcohol. Thick and dry extracts are assessed by their moisture content. Heavy metals are determined in all extracts. Standardization of plant extracts is carried out in accordance with the current regulatory documentation, namely the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation [1-4]. In this study, using the following methods: GC - MS, TLC and UV spectrophotometry, we studied extracts of the fruits of the common jujube Ziziphus Jujuba Mill., obtained by cascade extraction of raw materials with a solvent system with increasing polarity for maximum depletion of raw materials according to the main groups of biologically active substances. As a result of the work, the quality indicators of the polyextract of jujube fruits were determined and the drug was standardized in terms of the content of total flavonoids and total polysaccharides. The work was carried out in accordance with the research topic of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution VILAR FGUU-2022-0011.

Induced resistance to control postharvest stem-end rot by methyl jasmonate in mango fruit

Induced resistance is an alternative disease control strategy for postharvest fruits and vegetables. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a crucial phytohormone in the defense response to biotic and abiotic stresses. The effect and relevant mechanism of MeJA on the control of postharvest disease in mango fruit remain unclear. This study investigated the effect and possible mechanism of MeJA against stem-end rot caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in mango fruit. The results showed that MeJA significantly inhibited the lesion expansion on mango fruit inoculated with L. theobromae. 10 μM MeJA treatment effectively induced disease resistance against L. theobromae during postharvest storage. MeJA enhanced the activities of defense-related enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), and chitinase (CHT), increased the accumulation of endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) contents, up-regulated the expressions of the related genes on JA pathway (AOS, JAR1, MYC2, and COI1) and SA pathway (ICS, and PR1), stimulated the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, and inhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, MeJA delayed the ripening and senescence of the fruit by inhibiting the peel yellowing, flesh softening and change in soluble solids content (SSC) of mango fruit. The results indicated that the enhanced resistance of MeJA-treated mango to stem-end rot was potentially due to the activation of defense responses induced by synergistic interaction between JA and SA pathways, as well as delayed postharvest ripening. The MeJA treatment is a promising strategy to control stem-end rot of mango fruit.

Protective Effects of Purple Corn (Zea mays L.) Byproduct Extract on Blue Light-Induced Retinal Damage in A2E-Accumulated ARPE-19 Cells.

This study investigated the antioxidative characteristics of Zea mays L. purple corn cob and husk extract (PCHE) and its potential protective effects against blue light (BL)-induced damage in N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E)-accumulated ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells. PCHE had a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging capacity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of 1.28±0.43 mM Trolox equivalents (TE)/g and 2,545.41±34.13 mM TE/g, respectively. Total content of anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids in the PCHE was 11.13±0.10 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g, 227.90±7.38 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, and 117.75±2.46 mg catechin equivalents/g, respectively. PCHE suppressed the accumulation of A2E and the photooxidation caused by BL in a dose-dependent manner. After initial treatment with 25 µM/mL A2E and BL, ARPE-19 cells showed increased cell viability following additional treatment with 15 µg/mL PCHE while the expression of the p62 sequestosome 1 decreased, whereas that of heme oxygenase-1 protein increased compared with that in cells without PCHE treatment. This suggests that PCHE may slow the autophagy induced by BL exposure in A2E-accumulated retinal cells and protect them against oxidative stress.

Low temperature and high humidity affect dynamics of chlorophyll biosynthesis and secondary metabolites in Cucumber.

During the cold season, low temperature (LT) and high relative humidity (HRH) are significant environmental factors in greenhouses and plastic tunnels, often hindering plant growth and development. The chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis inhibitory mechanisms under LT and HRH stress are still widely unclear. To understand how cucumbers seedlings respond to LT and HRH stress, we investigated the impact of these stressors on Chl biosynthesis. Our results revealed that individual LT, HRH and combined LT + HRH stress conditions affected chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, reducing the levels of these pigments. The levels of Chlorophyll precursors were also markedly reduced under LT and HRH stresses, with the greatest reduction observed in cucumber seedlings exposed to LT + HRH conditions (9/5℃, 95%HRH). The activities of glutamate-1-semialdehyde transaminase (GSA-AT), ALA dehydratase (ALAD), Mg-chelatase, and protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) were increased under individual LT, HRH, conditions but decreased by combination of LT + HRH stress condition. In addition, Chl biosynthesis related genes (except PBG) were upregulated by the HRH stress but were significantly downregulated under the LT + HRH stress condition in cucumber seedlings. Furthermore, the content of phenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids (cinnamic acid and caffeic acid) were significantly surged under LT + HRH treatment over the control. Histochemical observation showed higher O2- and H2O2 content in cucumber leaves during the LT and HRH stress. The results indicate that LT + HRH stress significantly impairs chlorophyll biosynthesis in cucumber seedlings by drastically reducing pigment accumulation, altering enzyme activity and gene expression. Additionally, LT + HRH stress induces oxidative damage, which further exacerbates the decline in chlorophyll content and affects overall cucumber metabolism.

Antioxidant and antiamylase activities of leaf and root extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam is a plant species widely used in Mali for its medical virtues to treat various diseases including Diabetes. The present study aims to examine the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of leaf and root extracts of Z. mauritiana Lam collected in Bamako. Phytochemical screening and assay were carried out using conventional methods. The DPPH test was used to evaluate the anti-radical activity, and the antidiabetic potential of the extracts was estimated via the α-amylase inhibition test. Characterization tests revealed the presence of free tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, saponins and anthraquinones in all our extracts. The root extracts revealed higher contents of polyphenols (561.40±22.4 to 218.00±30.2 mg EAG/g) and flavonoids (54.26±4.9 to 132.56±6, 82 mg EQ/g) whatever the solvent, with the exception of Ethyl Acetate. Ethanol extracts showed the best anti-radical potentiel. The IC50was 58.13±1.85 µg/mL for roots and 85.19±0.415 µg/mL for leaves. The results provide a better understanding of the medicinal properties of Z. mauritiana Lam and pave the way for management strategies for diabetes and diseases associated with oxidative stress.

The effect of hot extraction on total flavonoid content in Moringa leaves aquous extract

Moringa oleifera leaves extract is some natural compound rich in antioxidants such as vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins, and saponins. Until recently, this plant has been widely used as an antioxidant source and as a vegetable in the Indonesian community. Previous studies have demonstrated that the extraction with methanol and ethanol are effective because they have the ability to extract both the lower and higher molecular sizes of antioxidant compounds. However, the extraction of this compound using water has not yet been established. In this report, we investigated the total phenolic compound of Moringa leaves extract. Moreover, the flavonoid compound of Moringa oleifera leaves aquous extract has been characterized by using of several temperatures (40⁰, 70⁰, and 100⁰ C) in order to mimic the real-life condition in the community. Here we showed that the phenolic compound in Moringa oleifera leaves aquous extract is 1.01%. Moreover, using quercetin standard, we evaluate the concentration of flavonoid in Moringa oleifera leaves aquous extract. We found that the flavonoid compound of Moringa oleifera leaves aquous extract with the temperature of 40⁰, 70⁰, and 100⁰ C were for 5.245 μg/ml; 7.725 μg/ml; 5.728 μg/ml respectively. This report confirms the optimum temperature for Moringa leaves aquous extract is 70°C in order to obtain the maximum flavonoid compound.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics of wild red-fleshed apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) in the North and Northeast of Iran

BackgroundRed-flesh apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) have attracted attention from consumers and researchers due to their pleasant appearance and taste. These exotic apples are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting polyphenols and phenolics. This study aimed to investigate morphological (40 quantitative and 13 qualitative traits) and biochemical (5 traits) characteristics of four socioeconomically important red-fleshed apple populations in North and Northeast region of Iran, which are understudied and under serious extinction risk.ResultsThe examined characters exhibited wide and statistically significant variations, especially in leaf color (68.86%) and the number of seeds per fruit (61.61%), and more dramatically in the total flavonoids (146.64%) and total phenolics contents (105.81%). There were also strong variations in fresh fruit weight and fruit length, diameter, and flesh thickness. Red, with 34 accessions, was the dominant ripe fruit skin color. All biochemical traits also showed high variations, particularly in total flavonoid content. Red-fleshed Gavramak and Kalateh Khij apples contained the highest biochemical and morphological values, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first five principal components together accounted for more than 60.83% variation of the total observed variations. Moreover, the cluster dendrogram analysis based on Ward’s method indicated three different clusters based on the characters measured, indicating high variation among the accessions.Conclusionred-flesh apples can be considered suitable sources of natural antioxidants with great potential as healthy foods and nutraceutical applications. Based on the commercial characters, Red-fleshed Gavramak and Kalateh Khij apples showed the highest fruit quality with proper size and thus can be suggested as superior for cultivation or use in breeding programs due to having higher quality fruits.

Physicochemical and phytochemical analysis of three melon fruit (canary melon, watermelon, and muskmelon) peels, and their valorization in biscuits development

IntroductionMelons are highly sought after worldwide due to their exquisite and delectable taste. However, the peels of these fruits, which are rich in phytochemicals and sustainable components for innovative culinary formulations, are often discarded as waste.MethodsThis study explored the phytochemistry and valorization of three melon fruit, i.e., canary melon (Cucumis melo, var. Fonzy), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus, var. Augusta), and muskmelon (Cucumis melo, var. Cantaloupe), peels in food applications by incorporating into wheat flour biscuits. Peels of fruits were separated, dried and powders were extracted with 70% ethanol.Results and discussionComparing the muskmelon fruit peel to the peels of the other two fruits, the muskmelon fruit peel had the significantly (p < 0.05) high ash (8.36%), fiber (12.06%), fat (1.21%), protein (5.02%), mineral contents (Mg 233, Ca 364, K 1605, Fe 49.72, and Zn 2.39 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (167.49 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (79.16 mg QE/100 g) and total antioxidant activity (56.92 mg Trolox equivalent/100 g). Results of the antimicrobial experiments of three melon peels showed that extracts from all peels showed enough antimicrobial activities, nearly comparable to the reference drugs (ampicillin and nystatin), which still showed the highest inhibition zones. Among three extracts, highest zone of inhibition against three bacterial species, i.e., Bacillus cereus (12.03 mm), Escherichia coli (10.02 mm), and Streptococcus aureus (18.08 mm), and fungal species, i.e., Candida albicans (8.09 mm), Aspergillus niger (7.06 mm), and Mucor meihi (7.02 mm) was exhibited by muskmelon peel extract. Moisture, ash, fat, fiber, minerals, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of biscuits were increased as a result of incorporating peel flours. Correlation showed TPC and TAA were highly correlated in watermelon (10%; 1). Using principal component analysis, adding 5% canary watermelon peel powder to biscuits improved their healthful and active elements while maintaining sensory features. Baking with 10% muskmelon or watermelon peel powder boosted nutrition and antioxidant activity. After the control, biscuits fortified with 5% melon peel powder exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) high sensory scores. These findings highlight the value of melon peels as sustainable ingredients, promoting waste reduction and enhancing the dietary and functional benefits of food products.

Antioxidant Compounds and Activities of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Decoction Residues from Cordial and Juice Production

Roselle is a popular plant in Malaysia, especially for its use in food and beverage production. The calyces of the roselle plant are commonly decocted to make roselle juice and cordial, resulting in a significant amount of waste in the form of decocted calyces. Surprisingly, these decocted calyces retain their dark red colour and are still intact although soften. However, to date, there is no research on the antioxidant compounds and activities of roselle decoction residues from cordial and juice production have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of the roselle decoction residues. The roselle decoction residues were evaluated for colour, Delta E (∆E), pH, total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing ability assay (FRAP), and ferrous ion chelating (FIC). All assays were also correlated and show positive effect among themselves. The decocted residues reported were still in acidic conditions ranged of pH 2 to 4. The decocted cordial residue (DCR) showed similar colour with control or fresh roselle calyx (FRC), and a bit duller in decocted juice residue (DJR). The DCR showed similar and slightly lower antioxidant content and activity of TAC, TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP and FIC to FRC but much better than DJR. Therefore, the DCR were still rich in anthocyanin contents and had good antioxidant activity without having colour changes. These residues have the capacity to be converted to wealth and could be an alternative source for natural antioxidants. Further research is needed to explore their potential applications in functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals. By harnessing the potential of roselle decoction residues, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to food and beverage production.

Characterization of Physico-Functional, Nutritional, and Antioxidant Properties of Jackfruit By-Product Flour and Assess its Potential Use in the Development of Pasta

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) is a popular seasonally grown crop in Sri Lanka. The by-products generated from jackfruit season are mostly used as animal feed or landfilled without being used. Therefore, this research aimed to characterize the nutritional and functional properties of jackfruit by-product flour (jackfruit core and rags; 3:1 w/w) while exploring its potential use to develop pasta. The physico-functional properties, proximate composition, and antioxidant properties of jackfruit by-product flour compared with commercial wheat flour were analyzed. Composite flour was prepared by substituting wheat flour with different amounts of jackfruit by-product flour (25%, 35%, and 40% w/w). Thirty semi-trained panelists were used to conduct a sensory evaluation to select the best pasta made from a composite flour mixture. Proximate composition, physical properties, and shelf-life of the selected best product were analyzed using standard methods; in comparison to wheat flour, jackfruit by-product flour displayed a higher water absorption capacity (8.77±0.06%) and swelling capacity (46.00±5.66 mL), indicating that it can be used for making bakery products with enhanced properties. The jackfruit by-product flour contained a significantly (p<0.05) high amount of crude fiber (13.00±1.13%) compared to the wheat flour (2.24±0.23%). Further, the total phenolic and flavonoid content of jackfruit by-product flour were 40.9±0.02 mg GAE (Gallic acid equivalent)/100 g and 65.7±0.02 mg QE (Quercetin equivalent)/100 g, respectively, and it showed 8.46 ± 0.01 mg TE (Trolox equivalent)/100 g DPPH radical scavenging activity. The pasta made from 25% (w/w) jackfruit by-product flour showed the highest mean rank values for all the tested sensory attributes. The shelf-life study showed that the developed product could be stored in low-density polyethylene laminated packages for 6 weeks under ambient temperature. In conclusion, jackfruit by-product flour can be used as a partial replacement for wheat flour when preparing pasta.

Phytochemical investigation and spectral characterization of isolated compounds from Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem (syn. Crataegus crenulata Roxb) leaves: evaluation of antioxidant activity and molecular docking analysis

Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem (syn. Crataegus crenulata Roxb.) is an evergreen shrub in the Rosaceae family, notable for its chemical diversity and biological potential. This study isolates and characterises six compounds (Cc-1 to Cc-6), including four new ones, using repeated column chromatography. Structural elucidation employed IR, UV-vis, 1H and 13 C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The DPPH assay was used to test the antioxidant activity in vitro. Compounds Cc-4, Cc-2, Cc-1, and Cc-5 had IC50 values of 15.734 μg/ml, 51.422 μg/ml, 62.864 μg/ml, and 71.622 μg/ml, in that order. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed flavonoid content (22.81 mg/g), tannin content (385.15 mg/g), and total phenolic content (128.78 mg/g). Human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) (PDB ID: 1hck) docked with compound Cc-4, which demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and revealed significant non-bonding interactions. The pkCSM and SwissADME analyses suggested promising drug-like properties for Cc-4, supported by BOILED-Egg diagrams highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Effects of Plant Extracts on Growth Promotion, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Secondary Metabolites in Rice (Oryza sativa) Plants

Plant extracts are widely used in sustainable agriculture practices to enhance crop production and reduce chemical usage in agriculture. This study employed several extraction solutions of various plant extracts to synthesize planting and spraying strategies, assess the persistence efficacy of rice, and investigate the influence of selected water extracts on secondary chemicals at different rice planting stages. Among 17 water extracts that were evaluated on rice seeds, 7 were enhanced to align with the lengths of rice roots 50–70% and shoots 40–50%. The analysis of extraction, spraying, and planting experiments revealed that water extracts, soil application, and transplanting were the most efficient methods for stimulating rice growth, especially 0.1 and 0.5% concentrations. The efficacy of the extracts remained intact also after 14 days of treatment. This study showed that photosynthesis and antioxidant activities may play crucial roles in plant growth. Rice growth stimulation has been linked to photosynthesis, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant enzymes, providing a balanced supply of nutrients for plant growth. Among all tested water extracts, Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum, and Medicago sativa extracts can be used to promote plant growth in organic farming.

The principal component analysis of antioxidant activities of Songgak, a traditional herbal drink in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Songgak is a traditional herbal tea of the Sasak Tribe in Lombok Island, Indonesia, formulated to strengthen people's stamina. Songgak is composed of seven kinds of roasted spices: Piper nigrum L., Coriandrum sativum L., Piper retrofractum Vahl, Myristica fragrans Houtt, Syzygium aromaticum, Elaeocarpus grandiflorus, and Helicteres isora. This study aimed to assess the benefits of Songgak and its constituent spices by evaluating their antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TPC). Antioxidant activity tests were performed on the water extract of Songgak, ethanolic extract of Songgak, and ethanolic extract of seven spices of Songgak including 2,2′- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The antioxidant activity using DPPH method showed that the water extract of Songgak has a strong categorisation of antioxidant activity with DPPH IC50 value of 63.78±4.29 µg/mL. The constituent species of Songgak with the strongest antioxidant activity was S. aromaticum. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of Songgak tea were 26.85±4.29 mg GAE/g and 6.99±0.29 mg RE/gram, respectively. The correlation between TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities was determined using principal component analysis (PCA). The loading plot showed that TPC and TFC were strongly correlated with the antioxidant activity (FRAP method) of Songgak tea and its constituent spices. These results revealed that the presence of flavonoid and phenolic compounds in the seven herbal medicinal plants were responsible for the antioxidant properties of Songgak as a healthy herbal drink. Therefore, consuming Songgak every day can be beneficial for preventing various diseases involving free radicals.

Antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic potentials of the leaves of erythrina fusca lour

Erythrina fusca (Family: Fabaceae) is famous for many traditional healing. In the present study, the leaves of E. fusca were collected, dried, powdered and then extracted with methanol. It was further partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous soluble fractions. All the extracts were subjected to antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic assays. In case of free radical scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction showed highest scavenging activity. In ferric reducing anti-oxidant power assay, the dicholoromethane extract showed highest reduction of ferric ion in a dose dependent manner. In total antioxidant assay, the methanol extract and dichloromethane extract showed stronger capacity as antioxidant. During the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the methanol extract and dichloromethane soluble fraction showed higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. The erythrocyte membrane stabilizing assay revealed the capacities of methanol extract and its aqueous fraction to stabilize the RBC membrane in both hypotonic solution- and heat- induced hemolytic conditions. However, the clot lysis ability of the E. fusca leaf extracts was not so prominent. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 439-445, 2024 (September)