Flesh Extract Research Articles

Natural pigment of red-fleshed Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) as dental plaque disclosing agent- A preliminary study

Background and Aims: Dental plaque as the main etiological factor for caries and periodontal disease is transparent, colorless and not easily visible. Visualized dental plaque can be an aid for patients to develop an efficient system of plaque removal. Several disclosing agents have been developed and applied to clinical and home-care use, yet people are still searching for a natural coloring agent which could be considered safe for long term use. Methods: In this study, various concentrations of Pitaya flesh extract were tested to stain dental plaque taken from 30 volunteers. A disclosing agent of basic-fuchsin already marketed was used as a positive control. The dental plaque specimens were divided into 5 groups and each group was randomly stained either with 0.05 mL of basic fuchsin as a positive control, or 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% Pitaya flesh extract. The specimens were then analyzed using a spectrophotometer. Results: The results showed that Pitaya flesh extract exhibited dental plaque staining ability. The concentration of 75% Pitaya was similar to the staining ability of basic-fuchsin, while 100% was superior to that of basic-fuchsin. Conclusion: Under the limitations of this study, 75% and 100% extract of pitaya flesh exhibited dental plaque staining in vitro as assessed by a spectrophotometer.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Citrus sinensis and Moringa oleifera Against the Pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

ContextThe plant Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae), generally termed as drumstick tree, and Citrus sinensis Linn (Rutaceae) fruit have the ability to treat multiple human infections. A biofilm is none other than a complicated microbial community whose nature is greatly resistant to antimicrobial elements. The development of biofilms in abiotic and biotic surfaces has a connection with higher levels of mortality and morbidity. Along with that, it is regarded as a vital element of bacterial pathogenicity.AimThe present study evaluated the inhibitory effect and anti-biofilm activity of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) and Citrus sinensis (C. sinensis) extracts against those of pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).Materials and methodsTwo plant materials were collected from the local market of Tabuk city and two human pathogenic microbial strains were used in the study: S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Further, a series of morphological, physiological, and conventional biochemical tests were performed to identify the selected microorganisms. In addition to this, the study conducted the following tests: antibiotic sensitivity test, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) production, biofilm formation in 96-well microtiter plates, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, the effect of sub-MICs of C. sinensis extract and M. oleifera extract on the viability of test bacteria, and finally, measurement of the inhibition of biofilm.ResultsA remarkable result of the research is that the peel extract of C. sinensisand the flesh extract of M. oleifera efficiently inhibited biofilm formation by the addition of sub-inhibitory concentrations of (1/16 x MIC - 1/2 x MIC) MRSA and ESBL, respectively. P. aeruginosa shows high resistance to piperacillin (85.0%). Similarly, the resistance of MRSA was also high (65%) against gentamycin and amikacin antibiotics. Regarding ESBL, 12 (60%) isolates showed confirmed positive and 45% of S. aureus showed MRSA activity. On observing the 12 ESβL-positive P. aeruginosa, it was found that five strains (PS1, PS4, PS6, PS8, and PS11) have formed strong biofilm, methicillin-resistant S. aureus while four strains showed strong biofilm activity (SA2, SA4, SA5, and SA8). The MIC of C. sinensis extract and M. oleifera extract against strong biofilm producers had a range of 50-2000 µg/ml concentration after overnight incubation. The study results revealed that the antibiofilm activity comparatively showed the extract of M. oleifera was better than C. sinensisagainst the mixed culture (PS1+SA8, PS6+SA2, and PS8+SA4). Hence, it is recommended to use M. oleifera as an option to monitor the development of microbial biofilms or as a model for looking for better medicines.ConclusionThe presence of antimicrobial activity found in M. oleifera and C. sinensis extracts offers convincing evidence of their likely action as antimicrobial metabolites against the studied microorganism. Anti-biofilm assay findings have shown that M. oleifera and C. sinensis extracts have effectively blocked MRSA and ESBL development in the biofilm matrix.

Nutritional Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Seven Sweet Potato Cultivars and Clones (Ipomoea batatas L.)

The current work aims to evaluate the yield of sweet potato clones which suitable for human and animal feeding and compare it with local cultivar, in addition to determine the antioxidant activity and active ingredients in different sweet potato cultivar. Two years of field trials 2018 and 2019 were achieved at the Research Farm, Sids Horticulture Research Station, ARC. Twenty-six property (8 vegetative criteria) and 18 chemical constituents were evaluated. Dark orange-fleshed Beauregard recorded the highest values for many vegetative properties and chemical constituents such as the number of branches/plant, total marketable yield (kg/plot), total yield, total starch, inulin, and secondary metabolites. From the results, it can use Beauregard, Abees, SP1 and SP4 as a source of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids (TPCs conc. 25.75 – 122.17 mg/g in skin extract, 25.42 – 52.33 mg/g in flesh extract and TFs conc. 8.33 – 106.15 µg/g in skin extract, 6.22 – 61.81 µg/g in flesh extract) among the various sweet potato sample extracts. The order of antioxidant activity of the clone extracts was found to be in the skin extract as follows, Beauregard > Sp1 > Sp2 and in the flesh extracts as follows, Beauregard > Abees at high concentration of extract (50 μg/ml) However, Beauregard skin extract showed the highest FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential) value (922.43 µM trolox/100 g dry weight) and (748.43 µM trolox/100 g dry weight) in the flesh extract. The Beauregard extract possesses a significant free radical scavenging ability (20.78%) compare to the standard trolox (95.5%).

Phytochemical Screening and Toxicity Activities of Eleiodoxa conferta Plant Extracts

Researchers are actively exploring the locally available fruits that may use for therapeutic remedies. Eleiodoxa conferta is an underutilized Malaysian fruit. This study was conducted to examine bioactive compounds and toxicity activities of different parts of E. conferta using 100% ethanol, 50% ethanol, and water for extraction. Results showed that Ethanol (50% v/v) was the best extraction solvent. The highest and lowest yield shown in the flesh extract and seed extract at 39.247% and 4.89%, respectively. The peel of E. conferta always showed higher Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) as compared to other parts of the plant. Phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, phenol, tannin, to name a few, were abundantly present in most extractions. The toxicity screening revealed that the toxicity level was high in the seed part of E. conferta while low toxicity shown in the flesh of the fruit. Overall, this fruit is rich in bioactivities. Further studies can be done to uncover its true potential application, especially the application of those bioactive components as antimicrobial agents in preserving food.

Electroactive Phenolic Contributors and Antioxidant Capacity of Flesh and Peel of 11 Apple Cultivars Measured by Cyclic Voltammetry and HPLC-DAD-MS/MS.

In this study, 11 apple cultivars were characterized by their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant, reducing, and chelating capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays; and ferrous ion chelating capacity. The phenolic compounds in flesh and peel were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and diode array detector (HPLC–DAD–MS/MS) and their electroactivity by CV. The results showed higher TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity by DPPH test in the peels of all apple cultivars as compared to the respective flesh. The peel extracts also showed two-fold higher FRAP values as compared to the flesh extracts. The reducing capacity of the peel and flesh determined by CV measurements confirmed the results achieved by spectrophotometric methods of evaluating antioxidant capacity. There was no significant difference in chelating capacity in the peel and flesh. The HPLC–DAD–MS/MS analysis showed the presence of 11 phenolic compounds in the peel and flesh which varied in antioxidant, reducing, and chelating activity. The order of the phenolic compound content in flesh and peel in Quinte cultivar, which showed the highest antioxidant capacity, was as follows: epicatechin > chlorogenic acid > quercetin 3-arabinoside > quercetin 3-glucoside > cyanidin 3-galactoside > quercetin 3-rhamnoside > catechin > phloridzin > rutin > phloretin = quercetin. CV results were highly correlated with those obtained by spectrophotometry and HPLC–DAD–MS/MS, providing evidence to support the use of cyclic voltammetry as a rapid method to determine the phenolic profile and reducing the power of apple flesh and peel. The association between antioxidant assays and phenolic compound content showed that the highest contribution to the antioxidant capacity of apple peel and flesh was provided by catechin, epicatechin, and cyadinin-3-galactoside, while phloretin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid were the main contributors to chelating activity. Results from this study clearly indicate that removing the peel from apples may induce a significant loss of antioxidants.

Acute Toxicity Assay from Seeds and Flesh of Tarap Fruit (Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco) Ethanolic Extract against Daphnia magna Larvae

Tarap (Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco) is one of the plants in the tropics that are consumed by dayak tribe in East Kalimantan. Toxicity tests on seeds and bark have been done but there is no data regarding the acute toxicity of Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco seeds and flesh of fruit causing the need for acute toxicity tests. This Research to know the acute toxic effects of tarap (Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco) seed and flesh extracts on larvae of Daphnia magna. Tarap seeds and flesh (Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco) was taken from dayak market in Samarinda, is East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The seeds and flesh of the tarap fruit are extracted by maceration with ethanol solvent. An acute toxicity test was performed by exposing Dapnia magna larvae aged ≤ 24 hours with a solution of the experimental group and the control group for 48 hours. Toxicity test results are expressed in percentage of immobilization of larvae of Daphnia magna calculated by probit test to obtain EC50 (Half maximal effective concentration) values. Extracts are toxic if the EC50 value > 1000ppm. EC50 Ethanol extract of tarap seeds obtained values ( 3922,301 ± 324,590 ) for EC50 24h and ( 2964,498 ± 412,498 ) for EC50 48h. The EC50 value of ethanol extract from flesh of tarap fruit is ( 12224.514 ± 2186. 899 ) EC50 24h and ( 6165,235 ± 1940,006 ) EC50 48h.Ethanol extract of tarap fruit and flesh is non toxic to larvae of Daphnia magna.

In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Mangifera indica Leaf Extracts

In this study, we aimed to identify the utility of pruned mango (Mangifera indica ‘Irwin’) leaves as a resource for ingredients with antioxidant activity. Firstly, we examined the antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from the pericarps, flesh, flowers, barks, seeds, young dark reddish brown leaves (YDL-ext), young yellow leaves (YYL-ext), and pruned old dark green leaves (OML-ext) obtained from ‘Irwin’ mango. Among them, methanolic extract of flower and OML-ext showed the most potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. The flesh extract showed weak DPPH radical scavenging activity, but did not show SOD-like activity. Secondly, we investigated the relationship between the maturation of leaves and their antioxidant activity by considering the contents of their two active polyphenolic components, 3-C-β-D-glucosyl-2,4,4’,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (1) and mangiferin (2), in addition to chlorophyll (3) and anthocyanins represented by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (4). The DPPH radical scavenging activity of YDL-ext, YYL-ext and OML-ext were mainly attributable to 1, 2 and 3, whereas their SOD-like activity was partly attributable to 2. The DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of YDL-ext and YYL-ext were attributable to 1 and 2. These activities were also due to anthocyanins whose content is highest in YDL-ext. Considering the amounts of leaves obtained from pruning, old dark green leaves may be a reasonable natural resource for preparing cosmetics and/or supplemental ingredients with health-enhancing properties, antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on AGEs formation and pancreatic lipase.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities in the fruit peel, flesh and seed of Ceri Terengganu (Lepisanthes alata Leenh.)

Malay cherry fruit or locally known as Ceri Terengganu (Lepisanthes alata Leenh.) is a local tropical exotic fruit and it is native to Malaysia. The Ceri Terengganu tree is widely distributed in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia particularly in Terengganu, Pahang and Johor and commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in the villages and gardens. A limited number of studies had been done on the proximate analysis and postharvest quality of Ceri Terengganu fruit, but the studies on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Ceri Terengganu fruit extract are still lacking. Hence, this study aimed to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity in the peel, flesh and seed extracts of Ceri Terengganu. The Ceri Terengganu was extracted using 60% ethanol and the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total monomeric anthocyanins, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were measured using standard methods. The results showed that the seed of Ceri Terengganu had the highest amount of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, followed by the peel and flesh extracts whilst the peel extract had the highest total monomeric anthocyanins content. Furthermore, all three extracts of Ceri Terengganu showed inhibition against selected pathogens tested. In conclusion, the seed of Ceri Terengganu possessed the greatest potential to be explored as a source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent in the food industry, and thus warrant further investigation.

Potential ofAcacia niloticafruit flesh extract as an anti‐oxidative and anti‐microbial agent in beef burger

This work evaluates the potential use of different concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of Acacia nilotica fruit flesh extract (ANFFE) on beef burger quality during storage at 4°C. A. nilotica fruit flesh extracts had high phenolic content (348.13 mg GAE 100g−1) and antioxidant activity (89.88%). Further, ANFFE demonstrated considerable inhibition of the growth of both gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The inclusion of ANFFE had no significant effect on the nutrients of meat burgers. Burgers formulated with 1% and 2% ANFFE had a lower rate of increase in thiobarbituric acid and microbial spoilage throughout the storage period. However, ANFFE significantly (p ≤ .05) improved the cooking properties, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of the burger. Further, overall sensory acceptability was recorded in the burger formulated with 1% ANFFE. In conclusion, ANFFE could serve as a functional component in extending the storage period and enhancing the health benefits of a beef burger. Practical applications Preserving food using natural antioxidants is an important agenda to ensure consumer safety. Meat, in general, is very sensitive to microbial and chemical changes because it is rich in nutrients. The adverse impacts of synthetic preservatives let the consumers to think about natural alternatives. Thus, in order to extend the storage period and to keep the quality of meat, new technologies for meat preservation by following a new system are associated with natural antioxidants. The present study showed the ability of Acacia fruit flesh extract to develop healthy meat products with better shelf-life and quality.

Tyrosinase Inhibition, Antiglycation, and Antioxidant Activity of Xylocarpus granatum

Xylocarpus granatum is mangrove plant that traditionally used as face powder in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia which related to antioxidant, antiglycation and tyrosinase inhibition activities. This study aimed to evaluate the potency of X. granatum as a tyrosinase inhibitor, antiglycation, and antioxidant. The leaves, stem, stem bark, fruit flesh, fruit peel, and kernel of X. granatum were extracted using ethanol then their tyrosinase inhibition, antiglycation, and antioxidant were evaluated. Tyrosinase inhibition activity was evaluated using in vitro assay with L-tyrosine and L-DOPA as the substrate of monophenolase and diphenolase. Antiglycation activity was studied by measuring the excitation and emission fluorescence from glucose and fructose reaction with Bovine Serum Albumin. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The result showed that the ethanolic extract of fruit flesh has higher potency as tyrosinase inhibitor (IC50 of 393.8 mg/L and IC50 of 448 mg/L, respectively for monophenolase and diphenolase). Antiglycation assay showed that the ethanolic extract of stem bark provides the strongest antiglycation activity with an IC50 of 118.1 mg/L. Meanwhile, fruit peel provides the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 5.5 mg/L. Fractionation of ethanolic extracts of each part of X. granatum tree yield fractions with lower bioactivity compared to the crude extract. Moreover, stem extract and fractions from two different locations (Tarakan and Kendari) tend to have different bioactivities strengths. The stem part of X granatum could be developed as new raw material of cosmetic product in Indonesia, while ethanol as the solvent for extraction, and the different bioactivity of stem extract from different location can be the consideration for the industry to standardize the extract prior to production of final product.

Antioxidant potential and identification of active compounds on Kabau seed (Archidendron bubalinum) flesh and husk extract

Kabau (Archidendron bubalinum) is one of the plants that is often used as food ingredients and has the potential to be developed in the health sector. This study aims to determine the antioxidant potential of kabau seeds using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picril hidrazil (DPPH) and ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) methods and to identify active compounds of kabau seeds using GC-MS. Kabau seeds were macerated using 70% ethanol and 99.9% ethanol. The results showed that 99.9% ethanol extract of kabau seed coat had the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 26.75 ppm for the DPPH method and 121.55 ppm for the FRAP method, respectively. Identification of active compounds using GC-MS showed that 99.9% ethanol extract of kabau seed coat contained the most 9,12-octadecadienoic acid compounds (linoleic acid) so that it could be developed as an antioxidant.

Potency of Super Red Dragon Fruit Flesh Extract (Hylocereus costaricencis) in Herbal Lipstick as Colorant, Antioxidant and Antibacterial

Lipstick is one kind of cosmetics which is used as lips colorant to increase self-confidence. Nowadays, lipsticks from natural source is popular to reduce the negative impact of chemical compound or synthetics colorant in lipstick intensively for health. Super red dragon fruit is one kind of natural ingredients which can be used as colorant for lipstick. Moreover, this fruit is rich of antioxidant and antibacterial component that is good for skin health. In this research, extract of super red dragon fruit flesh was added in the lipstick during preparation with variation of concentration 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Antioxidant analysis resulted the IC50 value in 81.55% indicating the strong antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the concentration of dragon fruit extract 40% was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Potency of Super Red Dragon Fruit Flesh Extract (Hylocereus costaricencis) in Herbal Lipstick as Colorant, Antioxidant and Antibacterial

Lipstick is one kind of cosmetics which is used as lips colorant to increase self-confidence. Nowadays, lipsticks from natural source is popular to reduce the negative impact of chemical compound or synthetics colorant in lipstick intensively for health. Super red dragon fruit is one kind of natural ingredients which can be used as colorant for lipstick. Moreover, this fruit is rich of antioxidant and antibacterial component that is good for skin health. In this research, extract of super red dragon fruit flesh was added in the lipstick during preparation with variation of concentration 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Antioxidant analysis resulted the IC50 value in 81.55% indicating the strong antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the concentration of dragon fruit extract 40% was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Physicochemical Properties and Stability of Microencapsulated Betacyanin Pigments from Red Dragon Fruit Peels and Flesh

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is known for its purple-coloured peels and pulp, which can be attributed to the presence of betalains. In this study, the potential of red dragon fruit as a source of natural colorant was investigated. Betacyanins were extracted from red dragon fruit peels and flesh in 1:3 ratio with water. Microencapsulation by spray-drying was done by adding 5% and 10% (w/v) maltodextrin (DE 11.8) to peels and flesh extracts, respectively. The spray-dried colorant powders all obtained <10% moisture content, 5.261-6.409 g/100g hygroscopic moisture content, and 5.317-7.349(mg/100L) betacyanin content. Morphological characterization revealed spherical, agglomerated particles with visible cracks on the surface. The stability study conducted showed that pigment retention was lowest at 70°C and highest at 4°C. Keywords: Hylocereus polyrhizus; Red dragon fruit; Betacyanin; Microencapsulation; Physicochemical properties

Pineapple And Kumquat Powders Used To Combat The Oxidation Stress Induced By Potassium Bromate In Male Albino Rats.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Dietary intake of antioxidants can inhibit or delay the oxidation of susceptible cellular substrates so prevent oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate potential protective and ameliorate effects of pineapple and kumquat powders against potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced oxidative stress using experimental rats. Whole kumquat (seedless), kumquat seeds, pineapple flesh and pineapple leaves were analyzed for phenolic compounds. Measurement of potential of cytotoxicity against the liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2) carried out by SRB assay of the ethanolic extract of whole kumquat seedless, kumquat seeds, whole kumquat, pineapple flesh, pineapple leaves, pineapple (flesh +leaves) and mixture of them.

Regulation of pro-inflammatory enzymes by the dragon fruits from Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) and squalene - its major volatile constituents

Background: Hylocereus undatus produces fruits known as dragon fruit (Pitaya). The fruit and other parts of Hylocereus species are used for the treatment of diuretic, gastritis, kidney problems, and wound healing. Objectives: To investigate anti-inflammatory properties of the flesh and peel of Pitaya and to identify the major bioactive constituent(s). Materials and Methods: The flesh and the peel of the fruit were blended separately with water, vacuum-distilled, freeze-dried, and then used for the bioassay tests against the 5-Lipoxygenase (5-Lipox), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes. Results: Squalene appeared to be the dominant constituent (13.2%) in the flesh of the fruit. The crude flesh extract and the squalene showed strong activities against AChE with inhibition percentage >80% (IC50

Grape extract protect against ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage

Grape extracts of different cultivars (Flame seedless, Kishmish chorni, Red globe and Thompson seedless) were investigated for in vitro antioxidant activity by ABTS assay, and compared protective efficacy against radiation-induced DNA damage. Seed extract showed the highest scavenging activity, followed by skin extract. Among different cultivars, ‘flame seedless’ skin extract showed higher scavenging activity followed by ‘Kishmish chorni’ skin extract. Grape extracts significantly prevented radiation-induced plasmid DNA damage. Super-coiled pBR 322 plasmid DNA (~93%) is completely converted to open circular (~97%) and linear (~2%) form at a dose of 150 Gy γ-radiation. Pretreatment with different grape extracts showed various degree of protection against radiation-induced DNA damage. Pretreatment with 1.6 µg grape skin extract of ‘Thompson seedless’ cultivar or grape flesh extract of any tested cultivar diminished the DNA strand breaks, and there was an increase in the super coiled form of DNA against 150 Gy of γ-radiation. However, pretreated pBR 322 DNA with the skin of ‘Kishmish chorni’ cultivars or seed of ‘red globe’ grape cultivars remained static during electrophoresis and confined in the groove on exposure to 150 Gy γ-radiation treatment. Co-treatment with the skin of red globe cultivar also partially confined plasmid DNA in the groove. The same trend was observed when plasmid DNA was exposed to 1.2 kGy γ-radiation. Our investigation revealed that anthocyanin present in grape skin was probably involved in radio protective activities through the formation of co-pigmentation with DNA.

The antioxidant potential of flesh, albedo and flavedo extracts from different varieties of grapefruits.

The supplementation of antioxidants, in particular those of plant origin, may help to prevent the development of diseases caused by oxidative stress. Therefore, it is important to study plants for their antioxidant contents. Up to now, only a few reports on the antioxidant activity of different varieties and parts of grapefruit have been published. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of different parts and varieties of grapefruit. Moreover, the impact of different extraction parameters on the activity of the obtained extracts was estimated. Extracts of albedo, flavedo and flesh from three varieties of grapefruit – red, white and sweetie – were obtained using ultrasound-assisted extraction (time – 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes; solvents – distilled water as well as 20, 40, 70 and 96% (v/v) ethanol). The samples were evaluated using the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu methods. The extracts of peel (in particular, those of albedo) showed higher antioxidant potential than the samples of flesh. In the majority of cases, the highest potential in the group of flesh and flavedo extracts was observed in the sweetie samples. The highest activity in the group of albedo samples was found in the white grapefruit extracts. Parameters such as the type of solvent and the extraction time had an impact on the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts. Grapefruit, in particular their peels, could be valuable sources of natural antioxidants. However, more detailed studies on the antioxidant properties of the studied plants are required.

The antioxidant potential of flesh, albedo and flavedo extracts from different varieties of grapefruits [pdf

The antioxidant potential of flesh, albedo and flavedo extracts from different varieties of grapefruits [pdf

Comparative Evaluation of the Nutritive, Mineral, and Antinutritive Composition of Musa sinensis L. (Banana) and Musa paradisiaca L. (Plantain) Fruit Compartments.

Banana and plantain contribute significantly to food security and amelioration of malnutrition, earning their status as staples in several localities of tropical and sub-tropical regions. The distribution of metabolites within the various parts also remains as a key essential to their nutritive and therapeutic potential. This study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional and mineral composition of the flesh, peel, and peel extract components of Musa sinensis L. and Musa paradisiaca L. fruits as well as their nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Proximate and antinutritional analyses were carried out using standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), while the mineral constituents were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Proximate analysis revealed that the flesh and peel of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. contain substantial amounts of moisture, fiber, carbohydrates, and low fat content, while minerals K, Mg, Ca, Na, P, and N were substantially concentrated in the peels and peel extracts in particular. The antinutrients alkaloid, oxalate, saponin, and phytate were detected in safe amounts according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The study points out that the peel and its derivative extract, as well as the flesh of M. sinensis L. and M. paradisiaca L. are to be put to more relevant human nutritional and therapeutic use.