DPPH Scavenging Research Articles

Microfluidics assisted green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extract of Ipomoea quamoclit L. with its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

IntroductionGreen nanosynthesis of medicinal plants are useful for the development of antibiotic agents. In this work, we have explored the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of green synthesised copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) from tropical medicinal plant Ipomoea quamoclit L. MethodsWith the aid of microfluidic technology, a low-cost, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lab-on-chip micromixer for green nanosynthesis of CuO nanoparticle using Ipomoea quamoclit is presented. The UV–Vis characteristics, Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectrum, antimicrobial and antioxidant response using DPPH and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were reported. The antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesised CuO-NPs is tested against two-gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, two gram negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and two fungi species Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger. ResultsUV–Vis spectrum for the synthesised CuO-NPs showed the absorbance at 670 nm, scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the presence of spherical shaped nanoparticle sized between 65 and 94.5 nm. The presence of bioactive functional groups of N-H, C-H and C=0 stretching was identified using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The maximum mean zone of inhibition obtained was 10.45±0.25 mm for fungi A. niger. The antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay showed the IC50 value 33.94 μg/ml and 42.54 μg/ml respectively. ConclusionsThe obtained results reveal the potential of CuO-NPs synthesised from I. quamoclit L. as a remarkable medicinal entity for wound healing, respiratory infection, fungal infection and urinary tract infection along with the improved antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

Comparative Analysis of the Phytochemicals, Minerals, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria Leafs

In this study, the phytochemicals, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria leaves were determined and compared. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, mineral and B vitamin composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial properties of both extracts were determined using standard protocols. Precise analysis of R. vomtoria revealed that the moisture content of the leaves was 8.90%, ash content was 7.70% and crude fiber content was 20.00%. The carbohydrate content of the leaves was 41%, crude protein content was 17. 00% and total fat content was 5.28%. Cardiac glycosides, tannins, phenols, saponins, phytates, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids were detected in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. However, significantly higher concentrations of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phytates were detected in the ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract. There was no significant difference in the amount of phenols and terpenoids in the two extracts (p>0.05). The thiamine content in the aqueous extract was 0.20 whereas that in the ethanolic extract was 0.27. The riboflavin content was higher in the ethanolic extract (1.80) than in the aqueous extract (1.40). Similarly, the niacin content of the ethanolic extract was 0.81 whereas that of the aqueous extract was 0.81. There was no significant difference in the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus values recorded for the two extracts (p>0.05). In contrast, there was a significant difference in the sodium, potassium, zinc, iron and copper contents of the two extracts with the aqueous extract containing higher amounts of potassium and zinc. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts had zones of inhibition against Enterobacter faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Cetrobacter freundii and Shigella flexlerii. However, the zone of inhibition of the ethanolic extract against the tested organisms was higher than that of the aqueous extract. At a concentration of 10%, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed 87.29% and 92.03% DPPH scavenging activity, respectively. The percentage of inhibitory activity of the extracts against DPPH radical increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the ethanolic extract showing the highest DPPH radical inhibitory activity at a concentration of 50%. The results confirm that ethanol is a suitable solvent for the extraction of biologically active molecules from R.vomtoria leaves.

Phytochemical Profile of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Lemongrass Essential Oil from Northeastern Thailand and Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Attributes and Cytotoxic Effects on HT-29 Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in Thailand, prompting the search for alternative or preventive treatments using natural constituents. In this study, the authors employed hydrodistillation to extract Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass) essential oil (LEO) from plants in northeastern Thailand and assessed its chemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. The LEO displayed potent antioxidant activities in DPPH and hydroxyl scavenging assays with IC50 values of 2.58 ± 0.08 and 4.05 ± 0.12 mg/mL, respectively, and demonstrated antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Cutibacterium acnes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus at 8-10 µg/mL. At 48 h, the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the LEO exhibiting low cell viability (3%) at concentrations of 200-400 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 82.46 ± 1.73 µg/mL, while in the clonogenic assay it exhibited a lower IC50 value of 23.11 ± 1.80 µg/mL. The GC-MS analysis identified citral (79.24%) consisting of 44.52% geranial and 34.72% neral, and β-myrcene (5.56%). The addition of LEO significantly influenced apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bax, p21, and Caspase-3) and proteins, as indicated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot studies. Results suggested that LEO initiated apoptosis through intrinsic pathways and demonstrated potential as a chemopreventive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant agent with substantial health advantages.

Extraction Optimization of Quercus cerris L. Wood Chips: A Comparative Study between Full Factorial Design (FFD) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN).

From a circular bio-economy perspective, biomass valorization requires the implementation of increasingly efficient extraction techniques to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of biorefining processes. This research focuses on optimizing the specialized metabolite extraction of Turkey oak chips from Quercus cerris L. by applying a 3 levels Full Factorial Design (FFD). The goal is to obtain an extract with the highest antioxidant activity [evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays] and specialized metabolites content [measured as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), condensed tannin content (CTC), and hydrolysable tannins content (THC)]. With this objective, three different variables were investigated and compared: temperature (20 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C), solvents EtOH/H2O (0%, 20%, 40%), and time (3 h, 6 h, 24 h), resulting in 27 different extracts. Following the FFD analysis, the optimal extractive conditions were determined to be 80 °C, 40% EtOH/H2O, and 19.8 h. Finally, the prediction ability of FFD was compared with that of artificial neural network (ANN) for DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP, and TPC data based on the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicated that ANN predictions were more precise than FFD ones; however, both methods were useful in optimizing the extraction process as they returned comparable optimized extraction parameters.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-hyperlipidemic Effect of Tridax Procumbens L. Flower Extract by in Vitro Method

This study assessed the in vitro antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of Tridax procumbens Linn methanolic and hydro alcoholic flower extract. The amount of antioxidant activity was measured using techniques including DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl) and nitric oxide. We analyzed the percentage of different free radicals that were scavenged using ascorbic acid, a common antioxidant. Using the TBARS assay and lipid peroxidation measurements, the extracts anti-hyperlipidemic potential was also assessed. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis of the floral extracts that were methanolic and hydroalcoholic revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, and tannins in substantial amounts. Significant antioxidant activity was found (P<0.001) for DPPH scavenging at various flower extract doses. The methanolic extract's IC50 value and % inhibition were higher than hydro-alcoholic extracts.

UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS identification of metabolites in cereal beverage ‘Borde’ and its anti-obesity efficacy in Caenorhabditis elegans model

This research explores the remarkable impact of fermented cereals such as sorghum, maize, and wheat with Pediococcus acidilactici WS07, a strain isolated from Ethiopia's traditional borde beverage. The fermented cereal extracts were thoroughly evaluated for antioxidant activity, inhibition of pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase, metabolite identification through UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, and in vivo efficacy using the C. elegans model. The results revealed significant enhancements in the bioactive compounds of fermented cereals, demonstrating promising directions for obesity prevention strategies. Notably, the fermented sorghum extracts improved lipase (88.23 %) and α-glucosidase (85.62 %) inhibitory activities compared to its unfermented counterparts. The antioxidant properties of all fermented samples were confirmed through improved DPPH (67.77–71.86 %) and ABTS (59.91–65.49 %) scavenging activities. Fermentation also led to a notable increase in polyphenols and flavonoids, with detailed metabolite analysis revealing a dynamic shift in the composition of these bioactive compounds. Additionally, C. elegans indicates that fermented extracts extend lifespan, reduce lipid accumulation, and lower triglycerides, highlighting their potential as functional foods for health enhancement and obesity management. This study not only underscores the efficacy of P. acidilactici WS07 fermentation in transforming cereals into nutrient-rich functional foods but also provides insight into how microbial fermentation can unlock the health-promoting potential of traditional diets.

In vitro protein digestive properties and peptidomic characterization of five whole component plant protein beverages using a pepsin-pancreatin model

Plant protein has received great attention for its potential nutrition and health benefits. In this study, the digestive properties and peptidomics of whole component plant protein beverages from soybean, chick pea, pea, oat, and quinoa were characterized using an in vitro pepsin-pancreatin digestion model. The study found that quinoa beverage had a higher in vitro protein digestibility (80.49 %), followed by pea, soybean, chick pea, and oat beverage (79.25–70.89 %). Additionally, quinoa and soybean beverage showed comparably higher in vitro digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) of 81–97, while chick pea and pea beverage had lower in vitro DIAAS of 58–79 due to low concentration of sulfur-containing AA (SAA). Meanwhile, peptides with molecular weight (MW) below 1 kDa occupied more than 93 % of the digested fraction in quinoa beverage, which might result in its higher DPPH scavenging activity, ABTS scavenging activity and ACE inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 2.80, 0.20 and 0.90 mg/mL, respectively. Peptidomics characterization combined with rapid screening by PeptideRanker and BIOPEP database further suggested that cereals, especially oat and quinoa, released potentially bioactive peptides with a higher percentage (30.89 % and 22.81 %, respectively) compared to legumes like soybean and chick pea (13.30–18.52 %). Additionally, the identified active peptides were more likely to be derived from globular proteins. The methods and data here provided a reference for a better understanding of the digestive properties and nutritional recommendations of whole component plant protein product.

Preparation of antibacterial composite film based on arginine-modified chitosan and its application in the preservation of ready-to-eat sea cucumber

An edible composite film was developed and applied for ready-to-eat sea cucumber storage to improve the product quality. The PAC film base is first prepared by mixing 0.5 % glycerin (GL) with 4 % polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1 % arginine-modified chitosan (Arg-CTS) in the same volume. After the addition of nano-ZnO (ZnO) and thymol (Thy) to the PAC film base, the mechanical properties and functions were tested. Compared to the PAC film, the PAC-ZnO-ThyH composite film showed a 1.34-fold increase in the DPPH scavenging rate and a 2.19-fold increase in the ABTS scavenging rate. Contrary to the PAC film, the inhibition zone diameter of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus significantly increased by 2.35 and 4.08 folds in the PAC-Zno-ThyH film, respectively. After applying the PAC-ZnO-ThyH film to store ready-to-eat sea cucumber for 10 days, there was a significant reduction in weight loss, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and lipid oxidation levels to 1.47 and 1.26 folds to the Ctrl group. After preservation, the hardness and chewiness of ready-to-eat sea cucumber were maintained at 1079.62 ± 138.86 N and 913.73 ± 175.79 N, respectively. The novel PAC-ZnO-ThyH composite film can be used as an active food packaging for promising seafood applications.

Evaluation of phytochemical, trace metals content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Bonnaya Ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng: An ethnomedicinal plant of North Eastern India

Bonnaya ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng is an ethnomedicinal plant widely found in Manipur, a northeastern state of India and it belongs to the Linderniaceae family. The study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical content, trace metals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of this ethnomedicinal plant in various extracts including chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts. Phytochemical analysis was done using standard protocols, trace metals content by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), antioxidant by DPPH, Reducing Power and ABTS assay. Antimicrobial activity of the plant was also determined by Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) assay. Phytochemicals such as phenol, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were detected in the water extract, whereas tannin, glycoside, flavonoid, steroid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were found in the plant extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Trace elements detection using AAS revealed the presence of Fe (0.298 ± 0.011 mg/g), Zn (0.083 ± 0.003 mg/g), Cu (0.024 ± 0.002 mg/g) and Mn (0.014 ± 0.002 mg/g) in the plant. Further, evaluation of antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging assay in chloroform and methanol extracts recorded 411.59 ±2.62 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) and 80.96 ± 0.68 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) respectively. Reducing power activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts showed 249.27 ± 1.48 μM FeSO4/mg sample and 44.55 ± 0.47 μM FeSO4/mg sample, respectively, and for ABTS assay, 281.82 ± 2.19 TEAC/g dw and 168.65 ± 2.06 TEAC/g dw are recorded respectively. The antimicrobial study of the chloroform and petroleum ether extracts showed negative results for all the selected pathogens of bacterial and fungal strains. At the same time, the methanol extract showed positive for bacterial strains including Micrococcus luteus (17.50 ±0.54) mm and Escherichia coli (15.0 ± 2.0) mm, while negative for all the fungal strains. The results of the study demonstrated for the first time that B. ruellioides plant has notable phytochemical, essential trace metals, promising antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. Thus, the findings of our study will contribute a scientific insight into the therapeutic applications of this ethnomedicinal plant in folklore medicines and enable the prediction of further applications in drug development.

Impact of calcined temperatures on the crystalline parameters, morphological, energy band gap, electrochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolysis behavior of nanocrystalline tin oxide

To construct a battery, the precipitation-synthesized SnO2 products at 450 °C and 650 °C were separately taken and mixed with graphite as the anode and PbO2,V2O5, and graphite materials as cathode materials to make the pellets and examine their open circuit voltage (OCV) values. The microstrain, lattice parameter, and crystallite size values of the above-mentioned tin oxide compounds were obtained through Rietveld refinement-MAUD fit analysis. The microstrain and lattice parameter values of tin oxide were significantly varied at a higher calcined temperature. Surface particle grain growth was increased with the increased calcined temperature from 450 to 650 °C as evidenced by FE-SEM study. Particle size distributions of SnO2 and polycrystalline behavior have been discussed with the aid of TEM analysis. From the UV–visible spectra, optical band gap (Eg) values reduced from 3.73 to 3.69 eV for the SnO2 products with an increase in calcined temperatures from 450 to 650 °C. The antimicrobial responses of the two different calcined SnO2 samples at 450 °C and 650 °C against two different bacterial pathogens (gram-positive-S. aureus and gram-negative-E.coli) were investigated. From the microbicidal assessment, a relatively higher diameter of the zone of inhibition (DZOI) of tin oxide at 650 °C samples was measured to be 19 ± 2 mm and 21 ± 2 mm for S. aureus and E. Coli than the DZOI of SnO2 at 450 °C samples (15 ± 1 mm for S. aureus and 18 ± 1 mm for E. coli. DPPH scavenging activity at 100 μg/ml shows that SnO₂ calcined at 450 °C achieves 68 ± 1 %, while SnO2 calcined at 650 °C exhibits a significantly higher activity of 86 ± 1 %. A slight increase in hemolysis was observed for SnO2 calcined at 650 °C, reaching 1.3 % at higher concentrations, but overall, hemolysis remained below 5 %, indicating high hemocompatibility.

Green biorefinery of walnut husk: Phenolic extraction and ethanol production

Microwave and ultrasound techniques were utilized on walnut green husk (WGH) to extract valuable phenolic compounds and enhance the residual biomass's susceptibility to hydrolysis for subsequent ethanol production. The aim was to optimize process variables in order to achieve an integrated biorefinery with the zero-waste-base standpoint. For microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), four-time levels (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5 min) and power settings (300, 450, 600, and 800 W) were tested. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was conducted at a frequency of 28 kHz and power of 100 W over varying time intervals (2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 min). Generally, higher power settings and longer extraction times produced higher contents. Specifically, the maximum total phenolic content (TPC) (220.13 mg GAE/g-DW), total flavonoid content (TFC) (63.21 mg catechin/g-DW), and DPPH scavenging activity (86.13 %) were achieved using the highest power and longest extraction time for MAE. Similarly, the longest UAE time resulted in the highest TPC (214.32 mg GAE/g-DW), highest TFC (58.44 mg catechin/g-DW), and DPPH scavenging activity (76.15 %). Moreover, increased microwave power and longer extraction times favored glucose and ethanol yields, with maximum yields of 55.30 % and 36.67 %, respectively, obtained at 800 W for 5 min. For UAE, the highest glucose and ethanol yields (52.33 % and 34.16 %, respectively) were obtained at 22 min. Conversely, lower extraction times and power settings for microwave, as well as shorter ultrasound times, were beneficial for lignin removal. The application of MAE and UAE in the WGH biorefinery process enhanced the extraction of phenolics and improved biomass hydrolysis, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable production of biofuels and bioproducts.

Biological activities of derived pigments and polyphenols from the newly recorded alga Phyllymenia gibbesii

The newly recorded Phyllymenia gibesii in the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria coast of Egypt is regarded as a significant source of bioactive substances and is applied as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. According to the HPLC chromatograms, the acetone extract of P. gibesii comprised ten photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-d, α-carotene, β-carotene, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, antheraxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and violaxanthin). Total carotenoids were the dominant class in the pigments’ profile, achieving a concentration of 257 g/g dry weight. The P. gibbesii extract had a total content of phenols (146.67 mg/g) and a total content of flavonoids (104.40 mg/g). The capacity of all the investigated biological activities augmented with the concentration of the algal extract. The maximal DPPH scavenging capacity was 81.44%, with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 9.88 μg/mL. Additionally, the highest ABTS scavenging capacity was 89.62%, recording an IC50 of 21.77 μg/mL. The hemolytic activity of P. gibbesii attained a maximum capacity of 49.88% with an IC50 of 100.25 μg/mL. Data also showed the maximum anti-inflammatory effectiveness at 81.25%, with an IC50 of 99.75 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract exhibited antimicrobial capacity against all reference strains, particularly at high concentrations (0.1 mg/mL), with the greatest effect on C. albicans and E. coli.

Study on the effect of ascorbic acid on the biosynthesis of pigment and citrinin in red yeast rice based on comparative transcriptomics.

Pigment is one of the most important metabolites in red yeast rice. However, citrinin may accumulate and cause quality security issues. In the present study, the effect of ascorbic acid (EAA) on the pigment and citrinin was studied, and the metabolic mechanism was discussed using comparative transcriptomics. The introduction of EAA increased the pigment by 58.2% and decreased citrinin by 65.4%. The acid protease activity, DPPH scavenging rate, and total reducing ability also increased by 18.7, 9.0, and 26.7%, respectively. Additionally, a total of 791 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 79 metabolic pathways were annotated, among which carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism were closely related to the biosynthesis of pigment and citrinin. Ethanol dehydrogenase (M pigC), oxidoreductase (M pigE), reductase (M pigH), and monooxygenase (M pigN) may be related to the increase of pigment. ctnC and pksCT contributed to the decline of citrinin.

Storage stability and antioxidant activity of astaxanthin and beta-carotene as affected by the architecture of O/W emulsions of milk proteins

Astaxanthin and β-carotene are among the potential anti-oxidant carotenoids with strong health promoting features. However, their sensitivity to light, heat and mechanical forces limit their application in food processing and storage conditions. The design of food matrix system, such as emulsions, that could prevent them from exposure to environmental factors will be utmost importance to slow down their degradation. In this study, O/W emulsion systems containing sunflower oil were prepared by applying ultrasound treatment and using different stabilizers (i.e. whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate; NaCAS), co-surfactants (pectin and lecithin) while their performance against physical and chemical stability were investigated. The WPI– lecithin system produced emulsion droplets with Average diameter in the range of 560–2900 nm with a zeta-potential in the range of (−31) – (−34) mV, whereas the NaCAS – lecithin systems produced emulsion droplets with average diameter in the range of 230–240 nm and zeta potential of (−44) – (−48) mV. These values have a direct effect on the physical stability and chemical stability of the carotenoids in the emulsions. Astaxanthin was found to be more sensitive than β-carotene to ultrasound processing conditions. The designed emulsion systems slowed down the degradation of the carotenoids and maintained their DPPH scavenging properties during storage with astaxanthin loaded emulsions exhibiting better DPPH activity than β-carotene loaded emulsions.

Characteristics of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel polyphenols encapsulated with whey protein isolate and β-cyclodextrin by spray-drying

Pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPPs) are recognized as promising food additives due to their diverse bioactivities; however, their application is limited by poor stability. To address this critical issue, three types of PPPs microcapsules were prepared using β-cyclodextrin (CD), whey protein isolate (WPI), and a composite material of CD-WPI through ultrasound treatment (US). Results revealed that ultrasound treatment can enhance the PPPs-wall material interaction, as evidenced by MD simulations. The encapsulation efficiency of CD-WPI-PPPs was 93.73 %, which was significantly higher than that of CD-PPPs and WPI-PPPs (p < 0.05). The degradation rate constant of CD-WPI-PPPs was reduced by 95.83 %, and its t1/2 was extended by 23-fold compared to that of unencapsulated PPPs. Furthermore, CD-WPI-PPPs exhibited greater DPPH scavenging activity and inhibited polyphenol release during oral and gastric digestion while promoting release during intestinal digestion. These outcomes were attributed to enhanced integrity and interactions between PPPs and composite materials in the microcapsules formed through ultrasound treatment, as supported by SEM images and FT-IR spectra. Consequently, the application of US in the preparation of PPPs microcapsules presents a promising strategy for developing natural nutrient additives for food applications, thereby enhancing the functional properties of food products.

Comprehensive phenolic profiling and biological evaluation of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae)

The present investigation focused on the comprehensive analysis of the phenolic profile of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae) and the assessment of its diverse biological activities. Utilising LC-MS/MS, the phytochemical composition of the 70% methanol extract of Centaurea glastifolia (CG-ME) was thoroughly elucidated, revealing the presence of 30 distinct phytochemical compounds. Notably, major phenolic constituents identified in the extract included quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, luteolin, and apigenin-7-O-glucoside. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities of CG-ME were investigated. The CG-ME exhibited a moderate capacity for scavenging DPPH radicals (IC50: 50.05 ± 1.58 µg/mL) and FRAP (63.96 ± 0.39 mg TE/g extract), indicating a moderate level of antioxidant activity. Moreover, CG-ME demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects (GI50: 1.10 and 1.30 µg/mL) on cancer cells (C6 and HTC cancer cell lines, respectively) while displaying low cytotoxicity towards normal cells (LC50: >1000 µg/mL). In terms of antibacterial activity, CG-ME was found to be inactive against tested both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (MIC > 500 µg/mL). The extracts had a promising antiproliferative effect on C6, HeLa, and HT29 cancer cell lines with a less cytotoxic effect (10.5–14.2%) against normal cells.

Selenylated Analogs of Tacrine: Synthesis, In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Toxicology and Antioxidant Properties.

We present our results on the synthesis and preliminary in silico and in vitro studies of the toxicology and antioxidant properties of selenylated analogs of Tacrine. Initially, we synthesized 2-aminobenzonitriles containing an organic selenium moiety, resulting in sixteen compounds with various substituents linked to the portion derived from diorganyl diselenide. These compounds were then used as substrates in reactions with cyclic ketones, in the presence of 1.4 equivalents of trifluoroboroetherate as a Lewis acid, to synthesize selenylated analogs of Tacrine with yields ranging from 20 % to 87 %. In silico studies explored computational parameters related to antioxidant activity and hepatotoxicity. In vitro studies elucidated the antioxidant effects of Tacrine and its selenium hybrid (TSe) in neutralizing ABTS radicals, scavenging DPPH radicals, and reducing iron ions. Additionally, the acute oral toxicity of one synthesized compound was evaluated.

Functional characterization and biotechnological applications of exopolysaccharides produced by newly isolated Enterococcus hirae MLG3-25-1.

This study investigated the potential applications of Enterococcus hirae MLG3-25-1 exopolysaccharides (EPS), with a focus on their isolation, identification, production, and functional characteristics. After the bacterial strain was cultured in De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) medium containing 1% glucose at 37°C, the EPS was refined, and the highest yield of 0.85mg/mL was achieved at the 24-h incubation period. Enterococcus hirae MLG3-25-1 was found to be able to produce EPS. The study explored the microstructure of the EPS, which resembles polysaccharide sheets with smooth surfaces, through scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) analysis, the chemical composition, aligning with glycosidic bond characteristics, has been deciphered. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against pathogenic bacteria, particularly Bacillus sp., demonstrated potential applications in combating antibiotic resistance. The EPS exhibited notable antioxidant activity (89.36% DPPH scavenging), along with high water-holding capacity (575%), emulsifying activity, and flocculation activity, suggesting its potential as a stabilizing agent in the food industry. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of Enterococcus hirae MLG3-25-1 EPS, emphasizing its diverse applications in antimicrobial, antioxidant, and food-related industries. These findings lay the groundwork for further exploration and utilization of this EPS in various sectors.

Production and characterization of bioemulsifier from local isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain JZT351: Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects

AbstractThe widespread use and circulation of industrial emulsifiers pose significant health risks, compounded by their limited availability and high cost. Consequently, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of natural sources, such as microorganisms like yeast, for emulsifier production. In this study, 25 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated from 17 distinct local sources. The yeasts were characterized based on cell shape, size, and colony morphology using yeast malt agar, followed by morphological, microscopic, and biochemical analyzes. Among the isolates, AC1 from a vinegar starter demonstrated superior bioemulsifier production. Emulsification efficiency tests revealed that AC1 exhibited values of 7.1 cm, 0.71 nm, and 34.50%, outperforming other isolates. The biomass yield was approximately 4.35 g/L. This strain was registered in the gene bank as JZT351 (OR115510) after a 100% match with S. cerevisiae. Optimal bioemulsifier production conditions for JZT351 were identified using a liquid yeast extract peptone dextrose medium, with date juice replacing 75% of the glucose, at pH 5.5, 30°C, and 72 h. The resulting emulsification activity, index, and oil displacement were 8.69 cm, 0.95 nm, and 39.7%, respectively. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) compared the functional groups of the bioemulsifier with those of conventional emulsifiers. Molecular characterization was confirmed by 1H NMR. FTIR spectra revealed bioemulsifier bands at 3443.28, 2929.34, 1656.559, 1534.09, 807.06, and 1656.55 cm−1. At 0.5–5 ppm, signals and spectral frequencies corresponded to a mannoprotein structure. The bioemulsifier exhibited 58.09% antioxidant activity at 10 mg/mL, as assessed by DPPH scavenging. It showed the highest inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the least against Candida albicans.

Characterisation and biological activities of synthesised copper oxide nanoparticles from the Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract

AbstractNanoparticles can be synthesised by several methods. Due to the long duration, high cost, and toxic by-products of chemical and physical methods, the biological method has become more preferred. Among various sources such as bacteria, fungi, or yeast, the use of plants in biological synthesis has proven to be the most ideal. Many metals can be used in the biological method, including copper oxide (CuO). In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were synthesised using Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract. For characterisation of the CuONPs, UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were performed. The biological activity of the P. anisum extract and CuONPs was determined using DNA cleavage (agarose gel electrophoresis), antioxidant (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity), mutagenic (Ames/Salmonella test), and catalytic (methylene blue degradation) activities. In DNA cleavage activity test, CuONPs completely denatured DNA at high concentrations (100 and 200 μg mL−1) due to their oxidative activity. The results showed that both the extract and CuONPs have antioxidant properties in DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. According to the mutagenicity, CuONPs did not have a mutagenic effect. In catalytic activity, CuONPs degraded methylene blue within 240 min by 99.45%.