CUPRAC Values Research Articles

Assessing multi-target antiviral and antioxidant activities of natural compounds against SARS-CoV-2: an integrated in vitro and in silico study

There is an urgent need for preventive and therapeutic drugs to effectively treat and prevent viral diseases from resurfacing as they emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess the antiviral effects of four natural compounds commonly used in traditional medicine to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cytotoxicity, dose-dependent, and plaque reduction assay was performed on Vero CCL-81 cells to figure out their effects on the cells. Quantification of cytokines was assessed. In silico analysis for the selected compound was also evaluated. Results revealed that the compounds could disrupt the viral replication cycle through direct inhibition of the virus or immune system stimulation. The cytotoxicity assay results revealed that the compounds were well tolerated by the cells, indicating that the compounds were not toxic to the cells. This study evaluated the antioxidant capacities of propolis, curcumin, quercetin, and ginseng using ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, revealing that propolis exhibited the highest antioxidant activity of ABTS with 1250.40 ± 17.10 μmol Trolox eq/g, with FRAP values reaching 1200.55 ± 15.90 μmol Fe2⁺ eq/g and CUPRAC values of 1150.80 ± 14.20 μmol Trolox eq/g at 1000 µg/mL, highlighting its potential as a potent natural antioxidant. The results of the plaque reduction assay revealed that the compounds could reduce the size and number of plaques, indicating that the compounds could inhibit the virus replication cycle. Subsequently, using molecular docking to analyze the effect of propolis, curcumin, quercetin, and ginseng as inhibitors, it was unveiled that the four compounds are likely to have the potential to inhibit the protease activity, spike protein S1, and RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and the virus titer was reduced by 100% after post-infection using propolis as an inhibitor control.Graphical

Antioxidant potential and xanthine oxidase inhibition of flavonol glycosides from Phyllanthus emblica L. leaves

Context: Hyperuricemia is the cause of gout in the inflammatory joint condition. The xanthine oxidase enzyme is a therapeutic target for gout treatment because it plays a role in the generation of uric acid. Allopurinol is used to treat gout. It prevents the xanthine oxidase enzyme from producing as much uric acid. When selecting a medication, one must consider the various adverse effects of allopurinol. Phyllanthus emblica plants are among the medicinal plants that can be used as an alternative treatment for gout. Aims: To evaluate isolated compounds from the Phyllanthus emblica as antihyperuricemia candidates. Methods: The isolated compounds were characterized using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis and Thin Layer Chromatography-Densitometry. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and cupric ion (CUPRAC) antioxidant capacity procedures were used to develop the antioxidant activity index. The ability to inhibit xanthine oxidase was determined using a spectrophotometer. Results: Compound 1 was indicated as rutin having antioxidant capacity with an antioxidant activity index (AAI) DPPH value of 7.89 ± 0.03 and AAI CUPRAC value of 15.83 ± 0.04 stronger than compound 2 (quercitrin) with an AAI DPPH value of 3.72 ± 0.01 and AAI CUPRAC 3.24 ± 0.03. The IC50 for quercitrin's inhibition of xanthine oxidase is 23.85 ± 2.04, which was higher than rutin’s IC50 value of 32.77 ± 4.49 µg/mL. Conclusions: Flavonol glycosides present in the ethanol extract of Phyllanthus emblica leaves gave potent xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity stronger than the extract. Quercitrin gave stronger xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, but this compound has weaker antioxidant capacity compared to rutin.

Investigation of the Antioxidant Capacity of Taraxacum Officinale L. Leaf Extract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potent antioxidant capacities of Taraxacum officinale leaf extract. Asteraceae family, the genus Taraxacum is widespread in the Mediterranean countries, with approximately 2000 species worldwide. Taraxacum officinale, a species that stands out in phytotherapy, is a perennial plant with yellow flowers commonly found in the warm regions of Asia and Europe. Initially used in folk medicine for liver diseases, it has been observed over time that it is also used for various diseases such as dyspepsia and urinary system disorders. T. officinale contains numerous phenolic compounds contributing to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of aqueous and ethanol-water extracts prepared from T. officinale leaves. Antioxidant capacities were assessed using spectrophotometric methods in DPPH, FRAP, and CuPRAC forms. The results showed that the DPPH, FRAP, and CuPRAC values were higher in the 50% ethanol extract of T. officinale leaves: 137.1 mg Trolox/g (DPPH method), 132.7 mg Trolox/g (FRAP method), and 409.9 mg Trolox/g (CuPRAC method). In conclusion, Taraxacum officinale leaves clearly demonstrate to be a rich source of polyphenols with high antioxidant properties. It has no seious side effect or toxicity. Considering its lack of serious side effects and toxicity, when formulated into herbal medicine, it could be effective in the treatment of various diseases, especially common liver and bile diseases, based on its biological activity studies.

An In-Depth Examination into How Genotype, Planting Density, and Time of Sowing Affect Key Phytochemical Constituents in Nigella sativa Seed

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is esteemed for its rich reservoir of health-benefitting phytoconstituents nestled within its seeds. The composition of its seeds can be influenced by factors such as genotype diversity and agricultural practices. Understanding these dynamics is important for maximizing the nutritional and medicinal attributes of the seeds. This study investigated how different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times affect oil yield and phytoconstituents of Nigella seeds in Northern Australia. The aim was to find the optimal combination of these factors to maximize desirable compounds. Our findings revealed variability in oil yield and phytoconstituents among different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times. No single genotype stood out as having elevated levels of all desired compounds. For instance, genotype AVTKS#5 had high total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity, while AVTKS#8 and AVTKS#7 excelled in thymoquinone (TQ) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), respectively. Planting density had a nuanced impact, with no significant effect on oil yield and CUPRAC values, but higher densities decreased TPC, FRAP, and TQ. Interestingly, seeds cultivated at 20 and 30 plants/m2 had higher ratios of MUFAs/SFAs, PUFAs/SFAs, and (MUFAs + PUFAs)/SFAs, indicating the importance of planting density in shaping fatty acid profiles. Sowing times also had a noticeable effect, with late sowing leading to a decrease in oil yield from 19% to 14%. May-sown seeds had higher TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and fatty acid ratios, while TQ levels peaked in June-sown seeds. Our study highlighted positive correlations among TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and TQ, emphasizing their collective contribution to the nutritional and medicinal potency of Nigella seeds. Fatty acids, on the other hand, showed no significant correlation with these parameters, indicating independent regulation. In summary, our comprehensive analysis provides insights into the factors (genotype and agronomic practice) that shape the phytochemical profile of Nigella seeds, and suggests better genotype, planting density, and time of sowing for the cultivation and quality production.

Green Solvent Extraction of Antioxidants from Herbs and Agro-Food Wastes: Optimization and Capacity Determination

Herbs and agro-food wastes are rich sources of bioactive compounds vital for organisms and valuable for many fields of industry. Therefore, in this study, green deep eutectic solvents (DESs) such as choline chloride/citric acid (ChCl:CitA), glucose/citric acid (Gu:CitA), glucose/urea (Gu:U), betaine/citric acid (B:CitA), and betaine/urea (B:U) at a molar ratio of 1:1 for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of antioxidants from four herbs (chamomile—Cha, lemon balm—LB, mint—M, and nettle—N) and two agro-food wastes (buckwheat husk—BH and chokeberry pomace—ChoP) were proposed. The antioxidant capacity (AC) of the obtained extracts was evaluated utilizing three antioxidant assays: cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC = 0.0–429.9 μmol of Trolox (TE)/g); 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS = 0.0–146.5 μmol TE/g); and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH = 11.9–170.3 μmol TE/g). The LB extracts revealed the highest CUPRAC (59.3–429.9 μmol TE/g), ABTS (30.7–144.3 μmol TE/g), and DPPH (32.6–170.3 μmol TE/g) values. Due to the lowest antioxidant potential of LB extracts prepared using ChCl:CitA (AC = 30.7–59.3 μmol TE/g) and the highest AC demonstrated by extracts based on B:U (AC = 144.3–429.9 μmol TE/g), the UAE conditions using a new DES consisting of ChCl and U were optimized by the Box–Behnken design (BBD). Effects of three independent variables, molar ratios of the ChCl and U (mol/mol), water content (%), and sonication time (t) on the AC of LB extracts were studied by response surface methodology (RSM). The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) demonstrated that different DESs had great differences in the extraction of antioxidant compounds from herbs and agro-food residues.

The Effect of Water Stress on Bioactive Compounds in Australian-Grown Black Sesame

Sesame is an emerging crop of interest in Australia and has attracted widespread interest due to the health-benefitting properties of its bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, lignans, and polyphenols. This study aimed to investigate the impact of drought stress on these bioactive compounds, using eleven cultivars of black sesame seeds grown in Australia. Specific varieties responded positively to water deficit (WD) conditions, showing increased levels of TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and lignans. Varieties 1, 4, 7, and 12 showed significantly increased FRAP values ranging from 158.02 ± 10.43 to 195.22 ± 9.63 mg TE/100 g DW in the WD treatment compared to the well-watered (WW) treatment, whereas varieties 7, 10, 12, 13, and 18 demonstrated the highest CUPRAC values of all varieties (2584.86 ± 99.68–2969.56 ± 159.72 mg TE/100 g) across both WW and WD conditions, with no significant variations between irrigation regimes. Moreover, lignan contents (sesamin and sesamolin) were higher in varieties 1, 2, 5, and 8 grown in WD conditions. Compared to the optimal unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (Σ UFA/Σ SFA ratio) of 0.45, all sesame genotypes showed superior ratios (ranging between 1.86 and 2.34). Moreover, the ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio varied from 33.7–65.5, with lower ratios in varieties 2, 4, 5, 8, and 18 under WD conditions. The high levels of phenolic compounds and healthy fats suggest the potential of black sesame to be incorporated into diets as a functional food. Furthermore, the enhanced phytochemistry of these cultivars in WD conditions is promising for widespread adoption. However, larger trial studies to confirm these findings across different geographic locations and seasons are warranted.

Antioxidant activity, anthocyanin profile, and mineral compositions of colored wheats

The antioxidant activities (ABTS and CUPRAC) of 40 different colored wheat genotypes were investigated, and some of the diverse wheat genotypes were selected to investigate their anthocyanin profiles and mineral compositions. The ABTS values of free and bound fractions were in the range of 15.61-157.36 mg TE/100 g and 33.26-189.48 mg TE/100 g, respectively. For the free and bound fractions of the colored wheat samples, the CUPRAC values were determined between 25.73 and 229.20 mg TE/100 g, and between 82.00 and 348.93 mg TE/100 g, respectively. The anthocyanin profiles of the colored wheats varied depending on the genotypes. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride was abundant in the samples w3, w8, w17, w18 and w20 while malvidin-3-O-glucoside chloride was the major anthocyanin for the samples w13, w23, w14, w30 and w34. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride was significantly higher in w18 than others (p<0.05). Cyanidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside was only found in the free extracts of the two samples (w17 and w20). The best accessions with high antioxidant activity and anthocyanin profile were identified for their potential utilization in wheat breeding programs. According to the results, the w17 sample (line BW 49880–Dark colored P, F4) was chosen as the best sample due to its highest antioxidant activity (p<0.05) and the best anthocyanin profile. The macronutrients Ca, K, and Mg highly varied among the genotypes studied. The trace elements, Zn and Fe were significantly higher in purple-grained lines than that of the red-grained variety. The study’s outcomes are likely to support breeding programs to generate new wheat cultivars with greater nutritional benefits.

Modern and traditional cooking methods affect the antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content of Trachystemon Orientalis (L.) G. Don.

Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don is a medicinal plant with beneficial effects on human health. Its antioxidant and phenolic compound content is higher than most natural plants. This is the first study on the cooking of this consumed plant. This study investigated how different cooking methods and times affect the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content of Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don. The Folin-Ciocalteu method (FCR), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), copper-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC). Phenolic compounds were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microwave cooking, stir-frying and sous vide increased TPC and antioxidant activity (p<0.05). Steaming decreased TPC and antioxidant activity (p<0.05). It was determined that the best cooking method and time was stir-frying for 15 minutes (TPC, CUPRAC and FRAP values 45.18±3.91 mg GAE/g DW, 15559.39±106.90 mmol Troloks/g DW and 555.10±24.05 μmol Fe (II)/g DW, respectively). Raw Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don was detected with caffeic acid (31.53±0.25 mg/100 g DW). New phenolic compounds (protocatechuic acid and p-coumaric acid) were formed by boiling, stir-frying, microwaving, and sous vide methods. In conclusion, regarding antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don; the best cooking methods are microwave, stir-frying, and sous vide (p<0.05). The most wrong cooking method is steaming (p<0.05).

Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles using Green Coffee Beans: An Optimization Study.

In this study, ultrasonication extraction of some bioactive compounds from green coffee beans was optimized with the response surface method using Box-Behnken experimental design. The best condition was selected as 90.90 W ultrasonic power, 33.63 min sonication time and 30 % solid concentration. The responses obtained under optimum conditions had TPC, DPPH and CUPRAC values identified as 6603.33±2025.94 ppm GAE, 9638.31±372.17 ppm TE and 98.83 mmol, respectively. Microwave-assisted selenium nanoparticle production was carried out using the extract obtained under optimized conditions. The produced selenium nanoparticles showed absorbance between 350-400 nm. The surface morphology and size of the nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spherical nanoparticles of about 100 nm were produced. Functional groups affecting the reduction were determined by FTIR analysis. In addition, the produced selenium nanoparticles had amorphous (non-uniform) structure and could maintain their stability at high temperatures.

Milk thistle extracts could enhance the UV-protection efficiency and stability of mineral filters in sunscreen formulations

This paper was aimed to determine the total silymarin content, total antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging activity of methanolic extracts obtained by ultrasonic assisted extraction of defatted milk thistle fruits, as well as to evaluate the sunscreen activity of the cream formulation containing milk thistle extract (MTE) using in vitro SPF method. Antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of extract was also evaluated. Moreover, the probable mode of action for the antioxidant activity of the extract detected via the in vitro assay was explored through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The total amount of silymarin in MTE was determined spectrophotometrically as silibinin equivalent. While the total antioxidant capacity of MTE and cream containing MTE was determined by the copper ions (Cu2+) reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, the radical scavenging capacity was determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) method. Total tocopherol content was determined spectrophotometrically. In the present study, the amount of silymarin in the MTE was determined as 330.19 ± 1.95 mg silibinin equivalent/g-extract. The CUPRAC and DPPH values of MTE were calculated to be 2.49 ± 0.03, 0.675 ± 0.0006 mmol TE/g-extract, respectively, while the CUPRAC and DPPH values of the cream containing MTE were 0.327 ± 0.003, 0.156 ± 0.0006 mmol TE/g-cream, respectively. The total tocopherol content of the oils of milk thistle fruits was found to be 383.43 mg/kg oil. According to microbial tests results the MIC values of S. aureus and E. coli was detected 0.15625 and 0.3125, respectively. And inhibition rate of extract on biofilm formation on P. aeruginosa PAO1 was found 33 % rate. The molecular docking study demonstrated that the major constituent, silibinin, had a high potential of binding to the human peroxiredoxin 5. On the other hand, the MD simulation of the enzyme-silibinin complex revealed that the compound could be unstable in the binding region of the enzyme. The addition of MTE, which has antioxidant properties, to creams improved its effectiveness on sun protection and contributed to obtaining high SPF values. At the end of day 28 under accelerated test conditions, the combination of ZnO and MTE exhibited greater ability for sun protection compared to the cream containing ZnO as a sun filter agent. Additionally, milk thistle extracts is an ideal filter agent as an ingredient in sunscreens.

A Comparative Study on UHPLC-HRMS Profiles and Biological Activities of Inula sarana Different Extracts and Its Beta-Cyclodextrin Complex: Effective Insights for Novel Applications.

Within this particular framework, the extracts obtained from Inula sarana using a variety of solvents, included n-hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane (DCM), 70% ethanol, ethanol, and water. The extracts obtained from n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and DCM were then subjected to a specific method for their incorporation into β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The establishment of complex formation was validated through the utilization of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The identification of phytochemical components was executed using UHPLC-HRMS. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the AlCl3 method. Subsequently, the determination of antioxidant capacity was conducted utilizing DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, Frap, PBD, and MCA assays. The enzyme inhibitory activities of the samples (extracts and β-CD complexes) were also examined by AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase. The findings indicated that water and 70% ethanol extracts contained the highest phenolic content. One hundred and fourteen bioactive compounds were identified by UHPLC-HRMS analysis. This study unveiled a substantial array of flavonoids, phenolic acid-hexosides and caffeoylhexaric acids within I. sarana, marking their initial identification in this context. Among the various extracts tested, the 70% ethanol extract stood out due to its high flavonoid content (jaceosidin, cirsiliol, and eupatilin) and hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid hexosides. This extract also displayed notably enhanced antioxidant activity, with ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP test values of 106.50 mg TE/g dry extract, 224.31 mg TE/g dry extract, and 110.40 mg TE/g, respectively. However, the antioxidant values of the complex extracts with β-CD were generally lower than those of the pure extracts, an observation warranting significant consideration. In terms of enzyme inhibition activity, the ethanol and 70% ethanol extracts exhibited higher inhibitory effects on AChE, tyrosinase, and α-glucosidase. Conversely, n-hexane displayed stronger inhibitory activity against BChE. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated elevated amylase inhibitory activity. However, the antioxidant values of the complex extracts with β-CD were generally lower than those of the pure extracts, a noteworthy observation, while water and extracts from the I. sarana complex with β-CD exhibited minimal or negatable inhibitory activity against specific enzymes.

Comparison of biochemical and antioxidant activities of ultrasonic-assisted extraction with different solvents in olive leaf

Olive leaves are considered to have great potential as natural sources of antioxidants and phenolic compounds. In this study, dried olive leaves were extracted using four different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and 80:20(v/v) methanol-water) with ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The biochemical (total phenolics and flavonoids, total protein, free amino acids, total soluble, and reducing sugars) and antioxidant activities (CUPRAC, DPPH, FRAP, and FIC) of these extracts were evaluated. Total phenolics content was significantly affected by the different solvents and the highest total phenolics content was obtained in methanol-water (234 mg g-1) extraction. The highest total flavonoid (47 mg g-1) and total protein (5.1 mg g-1) content were obtained in methanol extraction. Yield of the free amino acids was lowest in ethanol (1.5 mg g-1), while it was highest in water (2.3 mg g-1) and methanol-water (2.2 mg g-1) extractions. The highest total soluble sugars were obtained from methanol-water (70.4 mg g-1) and ethanol (65.4 mg g-1) extractions, while the highest total reducing sugar contents were obtained from methanol (112.2 mg g-1) and methanol-water (111.6 mg g-1). While methanol-water extraction showed the highest antioxidant capacity with 0.63 mmol TR g-1 CUPRAC value, it also showed the strongest radical scavenging activity with 1.09 mmol TR g-1 DPPH radicals value and 0.065 mmol TR g-1 FRAP potential value. FIC capacity was higher in water than in other solvent extraction methods. Methanol and methanol-water solvents were the most effective solvents for measuring phenolic and antioxidant activities in olive leaves.

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Synthetic Hexaploid Wheats.

In this study, 21 synthetic hexaploid wheat samples were analyzed and compared for phenolic content (the Folin-Ciocalteu method), phenolic compositions, and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC). The aim of the study was to determine the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of synthetic wheat lines developed from Ae. Tauschii, which has a wide genetic diversity, to be used in breeding programs for developing new varieties with better nutritional properties. Bound, free, and total phenolic contents (TPCs) of wheat samples were determined as 145.38-258.55 mg GAE/100 g wheat, 188.19-369.38 mg GAE/100 g wheat, and 333.58-576.93 mg GAE/100 g wheat, respectively. Phenolic compositions were detected by the HPLC system. Gallic acid was found in the highest concentrations in free fractions, whereas gallic, p-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid were generally found in the highest concentrations in bound fractions of the synthetic hexaploid wheat samples. The antioxidant activities (AA%) of the wheat samples were evaluated by the DPPH assay. AA% in the free extracts of the synthetic red wheat samples ranged from 33.0% to 40.5%, and AA% values in the bound extracts of the synthetic hexaploid wheat samples varied between 34.4% and 50.6%. ABTS and CUPRAC analyses were also used to measure antioxidant activities. The ABTS values of the free and bound extracts and total ABTS values of the synthetic wheat samples ranged from 27.31 to 123.18, 61.65 to 263.23, and 93.94 to 308.07 mg TE/100 g, respectively. The corresponding CUPRAC values of the synthetic wheats were between 25.78-160.94, 75.35-308.13, and 107.51-364.79 mg TE/100 g. This study revealed that synthetic hexaploid wheat samples are valuable resources for breeding programs for developing new wheat varieties with higher concentrations and better compositions of health-beneficial phytochemicals. The samples w1 (Ukr.-Od. 1530.94/Ae. squarrosa (629)), w18 (Ukr.-Od. 1530.94/Ae. squarrosa (1027)), and w20 (Ukr.-Od. 1530.94/Ae. squarrosa (392)) can be used as a genetic resource in breeding programs to enhance the nutritional quality of wheat.

Chemical Characterization and Multidirectional Biological Effects of Different Solvent Extracts of Arum elongatum: in Vitro and in Silico Approaches.

Arum elongatum (Araceae) is widely used traditionally for the treatment of abdominal pain, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, rheumatism and hemorrhoids. This study investigated the antioxidant properties, individual phenolic compounds, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (HPLC/MS analysis), reducing power and metal chelating effects of four extracts obtained from A. elongatum (ethyl acetate (EA), methanol (MeOH), methanol/water (MeOH/water) and infusion). The inhibitory activity of the extracts were also determined against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase and glucosidase enzymes. The MeOH/water extracts contained the highest amount of phenolic contents (28.85 mg GAE/g) while the highest total flavonoid content was obtained with MeOH extract (36.77 mg RE/g). MeOH/water demonstrated highest antioxidant activity against DPPH⋅ radical at 38.90 mg Trolox equivalent per gram. The infusion extract was the most active against ABTS+ ⋅ (133.08 mg TE/g). MeOH/water extract showed the highest reducing abilities with the CUPRAC value of 102.22 mg TE/g and the FRAP value of 68.50 mg TE/g. A strong metal chelating effect was observed with MeOH/water extract (35.72 mg EDTAE/g). The PBD values of the extracts ranged from 1.01 to 2.17 mmol TE/g. EA extract displayed the highest inhibitory activity against AChE (2.32 mg GALAE/g), BChE (3.80 mg GALAE/g), α-amylase (0.56 mmol ACAE/g) and α-glucosidase (9.16 mmol ACAE/g) enzymes. Infusion extract was the most active against tyrosinase enzyme with a value of 83.33 mg KAE/g. A total of 28 compounds were identified from the different extracts. The compounds present in the highest concentration were chlorogenic acids, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, delphindin 3,5-diglucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside and hyperoside. The biological activities of A. elongatum extracts could be due to the presence of compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acids, ellagic acid, epicatechin, catechin, kaempferol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside. Extracts of A. elongatum showed promising biological activities which warrants further investigations in an endeavor to develop biopharmaceuticals.

Effect of Different Drying Techniques on Total Bioactive Compounds and Individual Phenolic Composition in Goji Berries

In recent years, interest in the consumption of dried goji berries has increased due to its high bioactive properties. Alternative drying methods that provide faster drying and better preservation of bioactive properties should be developed. This study aims to investigate the effect of different drying methods on the drying time and quality characteristics of the goji berry; namely, hot-air drying (HAD), ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying (USVD), vacuum drying (VD), freeze-drying (FD), and ultrasound-pretreated freeze-drying (USFD). The drying kinetic, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, phenolic profile, carotenoid profile, and color change of the goji berry fruit were determined. The drying times for VD, USVD, and HAD varied between 275–1330 min. USVD treatment showed faster drying behavior than the other two drying methods. The total phenolic content (TPC) value of dry samples varied between 1002.53–1238.59 mg GAE/g DM. USVD treatments exhibited a higher total phenolic content (TPC) value than all other drying methods. DPPH and CUPRAC values varied between 15.70–29.90 mg TE/g DM and 40.98–226.09 mg TE/g DM, respectively. The total color change (ΔE) value ranged between 4.59 and 23.93 and HAD dried samples showed the highest ΔE of all samples. The results of the phenolic profile were consistent with TPC analysis. HAD caused higher phenolic compound degradation than VD, USVD, and FD. The results of this study showed that different drying techniques significantly affected the drying rate and retention of bioactive components of the goji berry fruit, and the USVD and VD methods could be used as an alternative to the HAD method. This study concluded that USVD and FD could be considered as suitable drying methods and could be used as alternatives to HAD in the drying of goji berries.

Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant Activity of Honey Produced in the Maltese and Gozitan Islands

Honey has always been a prized possession in Malta since it is known for its therapeutical, medicinal and antioxidant properties. The main compounds responsible for such activities are the phenolic compounds. In this study, the chemical profile as well as the antioxidant activity of the honey produced in Malta and Gozo were analysed by several in vitro colourimetric assays, such as the DPPH and ABTS assay, to measure antioxidant activity. The Folin Ciocalteu and the aluminium chloride assays were also implemented in order to measure the total phenolic and flavonoid content respectively. CUPRAC, FRAP and TdPc assays were also performed. From a Kolmogorov Smirnov test it was noted that the data was not normally distributed and therefore a series of non-parametric tests were performed. Correlations were also obtained by implementing a Spearmans rho correlation test. From this study it was observed that the darker honey samples had more phenolic content which resulted in a higher radical scavenging activity. Therefore, this gives a clearer indication that the phenolic compounds are correlated with the antioxidant activity. The Gozitan honey was found to have a much higher phenolic content, a higher scavenging activity and greater FRAP values when compared to the Maltese honey. On the other hand, the Maltese honey showed higher flavonoid content and greater CUPRAC values. No significant differences were seen between the samples collected during 2020 and those collected during 2021.

Assessment of Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal, Mineral and Protein Contents of Some Medicinal Plants Selected in Van

Objective: Rosa canina L., Malus domestica L., Prunus persica L Siebold &amp;amp; Zucc., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Armenica vulgaris Lam., and Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem. are important fruits of the Rosaceae family, used in a wide variety of industries such as food, perfume, cosmetics, paint, beverage, and for economic and medical purposes. Although medicinal plants act with their natural components against diseases, they can cause toxic and unde-sirable side effects. It is important in terms of human health and food safety to examine plants for their heavy metal, mineral, protein and antioxidant capacities before they are used for treatment, food or cosmetic purposes. The heavy metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn), minerals (Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K), protein and antioxidant capacities of some medicinal plants grown in Van-Turkey were determined and their safety in terms of food and in medical uses were evaluated. Material and Method: After the lyophilized plants were solubilized with a wet burning (microwave) device, Al, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K elements were analyzed in the ICPOES device. Protein analyzes were per-formed by the Gerthardt Dumatherm method. Cuprac method was used for antioxidant capacity analysis. Results: The measured values were ranged between (in mg kg−1) Al 10.753-20.407, Co 0.007-9.664, Cr 0.119-0.411, Cu 2.409-6.554, Zn 23.426-33.891, Ca 743.0-2501.7, Fe 31.7-117.6, K 3555.2-4202.9, Mg 498.7-1982.9, Na 839.8-1616.0 and Protein (%) 1.45-5.53. Detected heavy metal amounts are in general within acceptable limits determined by WHO (World Health Organization). While the Cuprac values of the plants ranged between 1.13 and 3.62, the Cuprac values for the standard synthetic antioxidants α-tocopherol and BHT were determined as 2.14 and 3.21 µmol TE g−1DW, respectively. In particular, it was determined that Rosa canina extracts showed high activity (3.62 µmol TE g−1DW) comparable to α-tocopherol and BHT. Conclusion: : For centuries, human beings have benefited from plants in the treatment of diseases. Due to the severe side effects of synthetic drugs, people in the modern world also turn to medicinal plants for the treatment of many diseases. However, conscious consumption of medicinal plants by examining them especially in terms of heavy metal amounts will prevent serious health problems in the long run. The study showed that the heavy metal amounts of some plants belonging to the Rosaceae family, which are cultured, used for therapeutic pur-poses and consumed as fruit by the people of Van, are safe for human consumption and medical uses, and their micronutrient, protein and antioxidant capacities are at the desired level for healthy nutrition and therapeutic uses.

Alcea calvertii'nin Biyolojik Aktivitelerinin İncelenmesi

Herbs are widely used in the treatment of diseases as colds, infections, and cancer. In this work, we evaluate Alcea calvertii, which is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. It spreads in Anatolia and Mediterranean region and has important uses in terms of ethnobotany. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic potentials and to investigate the antioxidant activities of methanol, water, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts of the aerial parts of Alcea calvertii. For that, the antioxidant activity of Alcea calvertii was determined by four different methods [total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), copper reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity potential of extracts was assessed in the human lung cancer cell line (A549) by MTT assay. It was observed that the highest antioxidant activity was in the methanol extract and the antioxidant activity increased with increasing extract concentration; The TPC values were between 62.5 - 414.6 GAE µg mL-1, the FRAP values were between 115.7 - 1321.4 µM Trolox equivalent g-1, CUPRAC values were between 177.1 - 1321.4 µM Trolox equivalent g-1, and IC50 values in DPPH determination were between 0.0089 - 3.5370 mg mL-1. The extracts caused cytotoxicity in a concentration dependent manner, the IC50 values were calculated to be between 36.8 - 62.64 µg mL-1. It is concluded that Alcea calvertii could be an important herb in developing new drugs.

Characterization of pomegranate peel extract loaded nanophytosomes and the enhancement of bio-accessibility and storage stability

Nano-phytosomes are lipid-based nano-carriers and rapidly growing technology for products containing phytochemicals. In this study, pomegranate peel extract (PPE) loaded nanophytosomes (NP) were prepared with phosphatidylcholine (PC) based on thin layer hydration method. The characterization of NP such as entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size, poly-dispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential and microstructural properties was studied and in vitro bioaccessibility and storage stability of bioactive properties were investigated. The highest EE was determined as 94.99 %, indicating a unique ability as nano-carrier. PPE-loaded NPs showed good characteristics, such as lower PDI values (<0.5), lower particle size (166.70–144.40 nm), and spherical shape of microstructure. All NP complexes showed significant bioaccessibility with TPC, CUPRAC, and ABTS values >50 % in the intestinal medium. The lowest TPC and color difference (ΔE) during 28 days of storage were found at 4 °C, although all NP samples showed better stability at all storage temperatures up to 21 days.

The effect of different drying methods on total bioactive properties, individual phenolic compounds, rehydration ability, color, and microstructural characteristics of Asian pear

This study aimed to investigate the effects of FD (freeze drying), USVD (ultrasound-assisted vacuum drying), HAD (hot air drying). and IRD (infrared drying) methods on drying behavior, total phenolic antioxidant activity, individual phenolic distribution, rehydration capacity, Scanning Electron Microscopy image, and color quality of Asian pear. HAD showed the longest drying period with 420 min and followed by USVD with 345 and IRD with 240 min. The method difference had a significant effect on the total phenolic and antioxidant activity values of the samples (p < 0.05). The TPC, DPPH, and CUPRAC value were found as 111.59–316.40 mg/100 g GAE, 336.94–559.41 mg/100 g TE, and 161.00–859.73 mg/100 g TE, respectively. Samples dried with FD showed the highest TPC and AA values, followed by USVD, IRD, and HAD. The effect of drying techniques on the distribution of phenolic compounds was found to be significant (p < 0.05). HAD and the IRD process caused a decrease in the amount of all identified phenolic compounds. While USVD caused an increase in the amount of Chlorogenic acid, FD did not cause a significant change. Higher HMF results were found in samples dried via IRD followed by HAD. While the porous structure was preserved in the samples dried with FD and USVD, the porosity structure of the samples dried with HAD and IRD completely disappeared. FD and HAD showed the highest and lowest rehydration capacity, respectively. FD and USVD showed lower color change than IRD and HAD. The results of this study showed that USVD and FD can be used as an alternative method to HAD in drying Asian pear. Practical Application Pear fruit is one of the most consumed fruits worldwide. Pear fruit is very sensitive to microbial and enzymatic degradation due to its high sugar, bioactive component, and moisture content. To increase the shelf life of the pear fruit and to ensure consumption throughout the year, it must be subjected to a preservation technique. Drying is one of the main methods used to extend the long shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Undesirable changes may occur in the quality characteristics of fruits during drying. Therefore, determining the appropriate drying method is vital for the quality of the final product. In this study, the effects of different drying methods on many quality characteristics of pear fruit were investigated. This study has the potential to provide a new perspective on the drying of pear fruit.