Good Source Research Articles

Diversity and Bioactivities of Ulleung Island-Derived Marine Actinomycetes

Actinomycetes are key producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, sediment samples were collected using a grab sampler from the coast of Ulleung Island and inoculated on various agar media by stamping to isolate Actinomycetes. As a result, 69 Actinomycete strains were isolated and laboratory-cultured from the sediment samples. The isolates were assigned to the genera Streptomyces (44 strains), Nocardia (6 strains), Rhodococcus (6 strains), Mycobacterium (6 strains), Micromonospora (3 strains), Nocardioides (2 strains), Marmoricola (1 strain), and Oerskovia (1 strain) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The antibacterial activity and potential toxicity of the culture broth extracts were tested for all isolates. Extracts from some strains exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii 04 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, some extracts were toxic to brine shrimp. This study confirms that marine Actinomycetes from Ulleung Island encompass unique and diverse taxonomic groups and are a good source of bioactive natural products.

Impact of Phytoremediated Sewage Water and Organic Inputs on the Growth and Yield of Okra

Okra belongs to family Malvaceae, it is a good source of nutrition as well as for farmer economy. This experiment was based on two years field work. During the year 2021-22 and 2022-23 it was aimed to study the Effect of phytoremediated sewage water irrigation, organic manures & biofertilizers on growth and yield of okra var. Kashi chaman in Prayagraj agro climatic condition. The experiment was designed as Randomized block design consist of 16 treatments and 3 replicates of each. Among which the treatment T15 with the combination of Azotobacter @4 kg/ha + PSB(Pseudomonas) @2 kg/ha +Vermicompost + treated sewage water, emerged as most effective in promoting highest Number of branches (4.61) number of leaves (28.52) leaf area LAI (124.12 cm2) Root length per plant (15.15 cm) maximum fruit yield (464.72 g) was found significant at 0.05 level of critical difference. Whereas maximum plant height (127.11 cm) was recorded in T9 (Vermicompost+ Azotobacter @4 kg/ha and TSW). So it can be concluded that this treatment combination can enhance plant growth and yield attributes of okra variety Kashi chaman along with sustaining nutrient levels in the soil. Ultimately, by applying these practices it offers an alternative way for resource-limited farmers to achieve long-term productivity.

Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from Peels of Selected Fruits

Pectin, a polysaccharide is one of the possible products produced from fruit wastes and it finds its usefulness in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this study was to extract and characterize pectin from banana, orange, mango, watermelon, and pineapple waste peels. The peels of the fruits were collected, dried, and ground into fine powder. Pectin was extracted from the dried powdered peels using a cold extraction method and physiochemical properties and structural analysis via FT-IR spectroscopy were determined. Bananas gave the highest yield of pectin while pineapple gave the lowest. The colour derived from pectin extracted ranged from light to dark brown and in appearance was flakish and powdery. The pectins were found to be HMP i.e. high methoxyl pectins based on their acetyl values. Structural analysis from the Fourier transforms (FT-IR) gave almost the same peaks and functional groups. Conclusively, the pectin extracted from these fruit wastes showed promise as good sources for the pharmaceutical and gelling industries.

Comparative effectiveness of Moringa leaf extract, a natural biostimulant, with inorganic NPK fertilizer for regulating growth and the activities of enzymatic antioxidants in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Bio-stimulants include a range of compounds effective enough to enhance certain physiological processes that promote crop ontogeny and development, so that the use of synthetic fertilizers can be greatly decreased. Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) is a good source of fertilizers alterative to NPK and other macro- and micro-nutrients. MLE has the ability of promoting healthy and safe foods that are environment-friendly. Therefore, the use of safe natural bio-stimulants such as MLE to enhance the growth and productivity of food crops is indispensable these days. The present study was designed to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of MLE with respect to NPK fertilizers on two spring wheat varieties, Akbar-2019 and Ujala-2016. Pot experiments were conducted in the Botanical Garden of the University of Gujrat, Gujrat., Pakistan. The experiments were laid down in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Three levels of Moringa leaf extract (0%, 10%, and 20%) and three levels of NPK fertilizers (0%, 10%, and 20%) were applied after two weeks of seed germination. It was found that 10% and 20 % of both MLE and NPK enhanced the crop growth by increasing foliage growth, and antioxidative enzymes activities. MLE applied as 10% showed better results in terms of enhancing the crop growth as compared to NPK. MLE was also more effective than NPK in promoting the activities of key enzymatic antioxidants such as SOD, CAT and POD. Of the two varieties of wheat, Ujala-2016 had better response to MLE 10% in terms of growth and biochemical attributes measured in this study. It was concluded that MLE, being cost-effective and eco-friendly, can be applied as a potential source of fertilizers to improve growth and yield of wheat.

Comparative Study on the Proximate and Selected Sugar Composition of Raw and Processed Breadfruit

Introduction: African bread fruit possesses great promise as a dietary source for humans. Its seeds, when processed are considered to be nutritious and healthy. There are limited information on the sugar profiles of African breadfruit, which has limited its utilization as a dietary source for humans. Objective: The study evaluated the proximate composition and sugar profiles of raw and processed breadfruit. Methods: The samples used were the raw, boiled and toasted forms of breadfruit. Standard procedures were followed for the proximate composition and gas chromatography was used to determine the sugar composition. The statistically differences between the groups at p<0.05 was tested using ANOVA. Results: The study’s findings showed that in comparison to the boiled and toasted forms, the raw form had significantly higher percentage of carbohydrate (81.10), crude protein (1.73), ash (2.93) and crude fibre (4.80). The boiled had significantly higher moisture (19.49) than raw and toasted forms. The sugar profiling revealed that the concentration(mg/100g) of glucose (13.77), and xylose (3.42) was significantly higher in the raw compared to the processed forms. D-fructose (3.93) was significantly higher in the boiled form while D-Galacturonic acid (5.76) and D-Glucuronic acid (8.57) were significantly higher in the toasted form. Conclusion: The findings suggest that breadfruit is a good source of carbohydrates and can be used as sustainable food and can help to alleviate malnutrition among humans.

Multi-Omics Analysis Provides Insights into Green Soybean in Response to Cold Stress

Green soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a highly nutritious food that is a good source of protein and fiber. However, it is sensitive to low temperatures during the growing season, and enhancing cold tolerance has become a research hotspot for breeding improvement. Background/Objectives: The underlying molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance in green soybean are not well understood. Methods: Here, a comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome was performed on a cold-tolerant cultivar treated at 10 °C for 24 h. Results: Compared to control groups, we identified 17,011 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 129 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). The DEGs and DEMs were further subjected to KEGG functional analysis. Finally, 11 metabolites (such as sucrose, lactose, melibiose, and dehydroascorbate) and 17 genes (such as GOLS, GLA, UGDH, and ALDH) were selected as candidates associated with cold tolerance. Notably, the identified metabolites and genes were enriched in two common pathways: ‘galactose metabolism’ and ‘ascorbate and aldarate metabolism’. Conclusions: The findings suggest that green soybean modulates the galactose metabolism and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism pathways to cope with cold stress. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms enabling green soybeans to better avoid low-temperature damage.

NUTRITIVE AND ANTI-NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF SKINNED EDIBLE BULLFROG PYXICEPHALUS ADSPERSUS FOR AQUAFEED

An investigation on proximate, mineral and anti-nutrition properties of Pyxicephalus adspersus was conducted with the view to evaluating its appropriateness as aquafeed source and food source. Standard analytical methods were used to determine proximate, minerals (macro and micro nutrients) and selected anti-nutrients. Pyxicephalus adspersus samples were purchased and treated to skinning and oven drying at 60oC. Triplicate samples were analysed. The proximate composition showed crude protein content of 34.29%, ash 8.18%, while dry matter, moisture, crude fibre, crude lipid, and NFE were 93.12%, 5.60%, 11.82%, 16.79% and 22.04%, respectively. Pyxicephalus adspersus was found to have values (mg/100g) of phosphorus 29.20, calcium 10.60, potassium 4.52, sodium 1.50, and magnesium 1.28. Anti-nutritional compositions (mg/100g) were 5.40, 2.68, 2.06, and 3.05 for tannin, oxalate, saponin and alkaloid, respectively. This result shows that Pyxicephalus adspersus could be used as protein source in meeting aquafeed standard without adverse effects. The crude protein (34.20%) content can be used to substitute the most expensive fishmeal in aquafeed and livestock. Also, the carbohydrate content of 22.04% suggests that it is a good source of energy.

An upcycled dietary fiber rich in bioactives from hemp hulls supports digestive comfort in healthy adults: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Dietary fiber is a key component of a health-promoting diet, and it is acknowledged as a short-fall nutrient in most Western diets. Some sources of dietary fiber, such as hemp hull fiber, also include inherent small molecule bioactive that further promote health and well-being. While dietary fiber is a key component that supports digestive health, certain types of fiber can cause digestive discomfort. Digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, belly pain, and the resulting decrease in digestive quality of life are common among adults. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in digestive comfort, after consuming a proprietary dietary fiber supplement from hemp hull to a dietary fiber supplement made from inulin in individuals who currently experience digestive discomfort. Methods: This study was a completely virtual, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of healthy adults. The parallel arm study tested two fiber supplements at a practical dose yielding a “Good Source of Fiber” based on United States Dietary Reference Intakes (2.8 grams of fiber per day) and a digestible control (Maltodextrin) for six weeks. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06009614. Results: Five hundred seventy-nine randomized participants provided follow-up outcomes data. Digestion-associated quality of life questionnaire, belly pain, and gas and bloating scores were assessed and found to be superior after hemp hull fiber intake compared to inulin intake at multiple time points (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a practical dose of bioactive-rich fiber from hemp hull is well-tolerated, provides superior digestive comfort relative to both placebo and inulin fiber, and can aid in reaching total fiber intake goals. Keywords: dietary fiber; hemp hull fiber; inulin; digestive tolerance; gas, bloating; abdominal pain

Phytochemical Analysis of Dried Hevea brasiliensis (Will. Ex Adr. De Juss.) Muell. et Arg Leaves Collected from the Ovitrap with Mosquito Larvae

In the modern culture the paddy fields are converted into rubber plantations and its plays a good breeding source for mosquitoes especially during rainy seasons. Our present investigation is to find out the phytochemical constituents present in Hevea brasiliensis dried leaves collected from the ovitrap as a preliminary study to find out the mosquito repellent activity. The obtained result suggests that the control showed the presence of terpenoid, phenol, alkaloid and tannin. Similarly methanol extract showed the presence of phenol, tannin and steroid; chloroform extract showed the presence of terpenoid, flavonoid, tannin and steroid; acetone extract showed the presence of alkaloid, tannin, steroid and aminoacid and aqueous extract showed the presence of steroid and aminoacid. Moreover, the results suggest that the dried leaf collected from the ovitrap contains various phytoconstituents which can be utilized for industrial use.

The Inhibitory Effects of the Herbals Secondary Metabolites (7α-acetoxyroyleanone, Curzerene, Incensole, Harmaline, and Cannabidiol) on COVID-19: A Molecular Docking Study.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, researchers and studies are continuing to find drugs and/or vaccines against the disease. As shown before, medicinal plants can be very good sources against viruses because of their secondary compounds which may cure diseases and help in survival of patients. There is a growing trend in the filed patents in this field. In the present study, we test and suggest the inhibitory potential of five herbal based extracts including 7α-acetoxyroyleanone, Curzerene, Incensole, Harmaline, and Cannabidiol with antivirus activity on the models of the significant antiviral targets for COVID-19 like spike glycoprotein, Papain-like protease (PLpro), non-structural protein 15 (NSP15), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and core protease by molecular docking study. The Salvia rythida root was extracted, dried, and pulverized by a milling machine. The aqueous phase and the dichloromethane phase of the root extractive were separated by two-phase extraction using a separatory funnel. The separation was performed using the column chromatography method. The model of the important antivirus drug target of COVID-19 was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and modified. TO study the binding difference between the studied molecules, the docking study was performed. These herbal compounds are extracted from Salvia rhytidea, Curcuma zeodaria, Frankincense, Peganum harmala, and Cannabis herbs, respectively. The binding energies of all compounds on COVID-19 main targets are located in the limited area of 2.22-5.30 kcal/mol. This range of binding energies can support our hypothesis for the presence of the inhibitory effects of the secondary metabolites of mentioned structures on COVID-19. Generally, among the investigated herbal structures, Cannabidiol and 7α- acetoxyroyleanone compounds with the highest binding energy have the most inhibitory potential. The least inhibitory effects are related to the Curzerene and Incensole structures by the lowest binding affinity. The general arrangement of the basis of the potential barrier of binding energies is in the order below: Cannabidiol > 7α-acetoxyroyleanone > Harmaline> Incensole > Curzerene. Finally, the range of docking scores for investigated herbal compounds on the mentioned targets indicates that the probably inhibitory effects on these targets obey the following order: main protease> RNA-dependent RNA polymerase> PLpro> NSP15> spike glycoprotein.

Pasta: is it an unhealthy refined food?

Pasta is a low glycemic index food, is an essential part of the Mediterranean diet and is a good source of fiber. Pasta is generally made from durum wheat semolina, which comprises coarse endosperm with largely structurally intact cell walls (i.e. dietary fiber), unlike finely milled wheat flour that contains fragmented endosperm cells. Yet, pasta is considered a refined carbohydrate food and classified under "unhealthy plant-based diets" despite the health benefits and lack of negative effects observed in epidemiological and clinical trial data. There is, therefore, a need to redefine dietary carbohydrates, as the current terminology is no longer sufficient to understand their structural complexity nor to fully define all positive attributes.

Unlocking the Nutritional Potential of Australian Yam (Dioscorea spp.)

Yam (Dioscorea spp.), a staple food among Australia's First Nations people, has nutritional, cultural, and historical significance, connecting them to their land, identity, and well-being. However, information on the nutritional value and quality characteristics of the tubers and their main nutritional component (starch) are lacking in literature. This study investigates the nutritional composition of the flesh and peel from two yam species (D. alata (DaF and DaP) and D. bulbifera (DbF and DbP)), as well as the physicochemical properties of their starch, which can affect their food and non-food uses. The flesh and peel of the tested yam species had a high moisture content (high fresh weight), with starch being the main component in the flesh of both species (DaF-55.8%, DbF-68.9%). The peel and flesh are low in fat and protein, a good source of dietary fibre, with fructose, glucose and sucrose being the main sugars present. The flesh and peel are high in minerals (K, Ca, Na and P), trace (Cu) and ultra-trace elements (Rb, B), as well as essential amino acids. The starch peak gelatinization (Da-78.0 and Db-78.1°C) and pasting temperature (Da-84.0 and Db-84.1°C) in both species were relatively high, with the D. alata peak viscosity (8000cp) significantly (p <0.05) higher than that of D. bulbifera (7701cp). This study affirms First Nations Peoples traditional knowledge of yams’ nutritional value, highlighting their potential for integration into the Australian ‘mainstream’ diet. Promoting indigenous foods is also a successful strategy to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable supply chains.

Probiotic activities of lactic acid bacteria from Cassava and Ogi effluents

The Cassava and Ogi effluents include substantial quantities of bacteria, particularly lactic acid (LABs), which has garnered much attention as probiotics to improve human health. The potential desirable characteristics of the LAB as a probiotic have necessitated the screening of various fermentative compounds to identify a good source of LAB for probiotic use. This was designed to evaluate the probiotic activities of 10 Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains previously isolated from Cassava and Ogi effluents. Probiotic activities, including pH, titratable acidity, bile salt tolerance, and safety (DNase, hemolysis, and antibacterial activity) were examined using standard laboratory techniques. The pH and total titratable acidity (TTA) of last stage effluents samples generated during Ogi, and Cassava fufu production revealed that the pH of the samples ranges from 3.1 to 5.3 and the TTA ranges from 0.21 to 0.26 %. The pH and TTA of the samples clearly showed that they were acidic. It revealed that the maximum optical density values at 0.2% and 0.3% bile tolerance were 2.40±0.75 and 3.62±0.11 for LAB 9. All the isolates showed appropriate growth in the presence of bile and acid tolerance pH3-pH7. The safety evaluation of the LAB strains revealed negative hemolysis (Gamma hemolysis) and negative DNase activity. Results of antibacterial activity indicate that the LAB strains from Ogi and Cassava last stage effluent samples were found to inhibit the growth of most of the pathogenic clinical strains of S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and B. subtilis with the highest inhibition zones exhibited from the LAB strains was 23 mm. LAB1, LAB 2, LAB 3, LAB5, LAB6, LAB9, and LAB10 showed no inhibition activity against E. coli. Our overall findings indicate that 10 LAB strains displayed varying species-specific inhibition and their varying in vitro bioassay should not undermine the potential probiotics' desirable characteristics but rather substantiate their role in vivo evaluation of the strain for their potential as desirable probiotics that could be harnessed and used for the formulation of nutriceutical supplement to improve human wellbeing.

Hydrocarbon potential, source correlation, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Jurassic interval in the Zey Gawra Oilfield, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

A comprehensive geochemical analysis for the Sargelu, Naokelekan, and Najmah formations cutting rock and crude oil samples from Z1, Z3, and Z5 wells of Hawler Block, Kurdistan Region, Iraq have been studied for source rock evaluation. Depending on the total organic carbon (TOC) content from pyrolysis analyses, the Sargelu and Naokelekan formations are regarded as very good source rocks, and fair source rock for the Najmah Formation. The organic matter in the Sargelu Formation is characterized by types II and mixed II and III kerogens. However, the Naokelekan and Najmah formations are characterized by type II kerogen. The Sargelu and Naokelekan formations’ organic matters are at mature stages; hence, in the oil window, whereas Najmah Formation’s organic matter is at immature stage. Pyrolysis study shows that the Sargelu Formation is oil and gas prone, while the Najmah and Naokelekan formations are oil prone. The biomarkers and bulk properties of the selected oils from Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis show that they originated by the same source rocks. The geochemical characteristics indicate a carbonate source in a reducing environment for the studied formations and oils. Based on the oleanane index, tricyclic terpane indices, C28S/C29S ratios, and gammacerane index, the relative age of the oils and cuttings of Sargelu, Naokelekan, and Najmah formations is Middle to Late Jurassic and deposited under moderate saline condition. The biomarkers parameters show evidence that molecules from the cutting rocks of the Sargelu and Naokelekan formations are related to the oils in Z1, Z3, and Z5 wells. However, they are not related to the Najmah Formation.

Impact of heat treatment and high moisture extrusion on the in vitro protein digestibility of sunflower and pea protein ingredients

This study aimed to evaluate the protein quality of sunflower and pea protein and how processing (fermentation, mild heating, and high moisture extrusion) would affect their digestibility. The protein quality was assessed by the amino acid profile (calculated scores) and in vitro protein digestibility via the degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) using the INFOGEST digestion model. The amino acid profile indicated that sunflower protein was deficient only in lysine (0.62) and leucine (0.86), while pea protein lacked tryptophan (0.83) and sulfur-containing amino acids (0.96). The blend of these materials (1:1) provided a complete amino acid profile reaching a score above 1 for all the essential ones. Fermentation and blending did not have a significant impact of the protein digestibility of the raw materials. The DH of sunflower protein concentrate increased from 33.6 to 46.9% (p < 0.05) after mild heat treatment (15% solids, 90 °C, 15 min) and up to 52.8% (p < 0.05) after high-moisture extrusion. Differently, the digestibility of pea protein or the blends was not affected by any of the heat treatments. The extruded sunflower protein had a similar DH than the beef reference (47.5%) and mixing beef with plant-based ingredients did not affect the DH. These results highlight the potential of sunflower as good protein source, especially when blended with pea protein or extruded into meat analogs.

Extraction and Characterisation of Type I Collagen from the Scales of Redcoat Sargocentron rubrum

Abstract: Collagen, one of the most important biopolymers, is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its functional and technological properties. Alien species, especially of Indo-Pacific origin, entering Mediterranean waters can exert pressure on native species and cause ecological and economic effects. In this study, we produced collagen from the scale of Sargocentum rubrum to bring this species to the economy and to reduce the pressure on our infested marine ecosystem as a surplus value. Acid-soluble collagen was extracted; a characteristic sodium dodecyl SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis profile for type I collagen was obtained from the S. rubrum scales. The yield of collagen extracted from the scales of S. rubrum by the ASC method was calculated as 11.2%. The results of the analyses show that the collagen obtained from S. rubrum scales was Type I collagen with high yields. It has been proved that non-economic alien species as S. rubrum used in our study can be used as an alternative source instead of terrestrial animal collagen. The results obtained show that collagen obtained from S. rubrum scales can be a good alternative source for biomedical and other cosmetic industries.

Effect of calcium on quality parameters in three varieties of tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. at harvest and after four and eight months of cold storage conservation

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is one of the most important food crops worldwide, being a carbohydrate-rich food and &amp;nbsp;resenting a good source of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, the mineral enrichment of potatoes through foliar application &amp;nbsp;as been implemented over the years, namely in calcium (Ca). As such, this study aimed to assess the Ca effect on some &amp;nbsp;uality parameters in three varieties of tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. plants produced in Portugal (Agria, Picasso, and &amp;nbsp;ossi) and submitted to Ca biofortification process carried out with two types of Ca (CaCl2 and Ca-EDTA) and two different &amp;nbsp;oncentrations (12 and 24 kg.ha-1), at harvest and after four and eight months under cold storage conservation. The Ca &amp;nbsp;ontent increased with the biofortification treatments in the three varieties relative to control tubers and different &amp;nbsp;orrelations were observed between the mineral elements analyzed (Ca, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mg). Only Agria (the control and &amp;nbsp;reatment with 24 kg.ha-1 of Ca-EDTA) was found suitable for industrial processing in the three periods analyzed (harvest, 4M and 8M) and overall, both in raw and cooked tubers, there were differences between each variety considering the work strength, adhesiveness and CIELAB parameters (L, a*, and b*).

A Comparative Study on the Antioxidant Potentials of Hybrid and Generic Papayas Available in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Generic papaya is a tropical plant abundant in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it has been used therapeutically as it is a good source of polyphenols, carotenoids and an excellent source of vitamins that are powerful antioxidants. Specially, unripe fruit and leaf of papaya are recognized as a remedy for cancer and heart diseases due to their high antioxidant content. Recently, consumption of hybrid papaya fruits has increased as they are readily available in the local markets. However, the phytochemical constituents and quantity of these hybrid papaya varieties may differ from those available in the generic plant and hence their antioxidant potentials may also vary. Meanwhile there is concern within the community whether hybrid papaya has the same nutritional values as generic papaya. However, there have been no investigation done on the antioxidant activity of hybrid papaya available in Jaffna. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the in-vitro antioxidant potential of leaf and unripe fruit of generic and selected hybrid papaya varieties using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The unripe fruits and leaves of generic and selected hybrid (Red lady, Maradona, Tanin and Vega F1) varieties were collected from the Agricultural Research and Training Centre in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The unripe fruit was sliced after removing the skin and seeds. The sliced unripe fruit and leaves were shade dried and powdered. The powdered plant materials were macerated with methanol and ethyl acetate separately for 48 hours at room temperature. The DPPH assay was carried out on the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the individual plant materials by employing ascorbic acid as the standard. The obtained data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at 5% significance level and a significant difference between the antioxidant activities of the standard (IC50 value = 12.394 μg/mL) and the selected papaya extracts (IC50 values vary from 430.641 – 6,652.267 μg/mL) was found. Further, the selected hybrid papayas exhibited better antioxidant properties than the generic one; but, did not show a common trend within them. The leaf extracts were found to possess more antioxidant potential than the unripe fruit extracts of the same papaya variety. With respect to the solvents employed in extraction, methanolic extracts of the selected papayas showed better antioxidant activity than the corresponding ethyl acetate extracts. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaf and unripe fruit extracts of hybrid papayas revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols and glycosides, which could be responsible for their antioxidant activity. The finding of the study revealed that hybrid papaya could be used as a raw material for functional food as generic papaya. However, there is a need to evaluate the other nutritional values to confirm it further.

Optimization on the design of nano-patterned ZnS:Cu LED surface using FDTD simulation

Communication technology is one of the most important parts of human history and is fast developing. Visible Light Communication (VLC) can be categorized as a Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) communication that uses visible light through a Light Emitting Diode (LED) to transfer data and information. Even though LEDs are considered as very good light sources, they also have problems with effectiveness, which is influenced by their surface structures. The LEDs must also be able to focus the transmitted data and greatly reduce the signal-to-noise ratio. One of the problems encountered with LEDs is the presence of Total Internal Reflection (TIR) due to the large difference in refractive index between the LED and air, which causes photons to be trapped in the LED. Some trapped photons' energy may change into heat, thus reducing the LED's Light Extraction Efficiency (LEE). Using nanopatterns on the surface of LEDs is one way to reduce TIR on LEDs and enhance photon extraction from LEDs. Many parameters can influence the performance of nanopatterns on LEDs, so modelling efforts are needed before fabrication to save time and cost. Ansys Lumerical FDTD can be used to simulate and model the effects of nanopatterns on LED surfaces on LEE and beam focusing effect. In this study, simulations were carried out using Ansys Lumerical FDTD with variations in nanopattern shape parameters in the form of grating, blaze grating, triangular grating, and hemisphere. Apart from that, variations were also made to the height and width parameters of the grating to see the effect of these parameters on the efficiency of the LED. The FDTD simulation codes were validated using the Ansys database. The optimization results show that the most optimum shape is the grating nanopattern with a width of 216 nm and a height of 300 nm, which produces a peak wavelength of 480 nm in the far field pattern and has the highest increase in the LEE of 300 times in ±15° and 5500 times in ±5°. The huge spike in LEE enhancement at ±5° indicates that the nanopattern caused a focusing effect. The simulation results were compared using previous experimental data of Fabricated ZnS:Cu LED. It is shown that the simulation results are in line with the experimental data. The result shows that the simulation is very useful in designing the nano-patterned ZnS:Cu LED surface to achieve the best performance in the LEE and LED focusing effect for a specific application such as the VLC.

Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Safety Profile of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Extract Obtained from Romania.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., also known as licorice, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is one of the most commercially valuable plants worldwide, being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, both for its therapeutic benefits as well as for the sweetening properties of the extract. This study evaluates the phytochemical composition, the biological activities, and the safety profile of a methanolic extract of licorice root (LRE) obtained from Romania. Ten phytocompounds were quantified by the HPLC-DAD-ESI+, the most abundant being the triterpene glycyrrhizin (13.927 mg/g dry extract.), followed by these flavonoids: liquiritin, liquiritigenin-apiosyl-glucoside, and apigenin-rutinoside liquiritigenin. The total phenolic content of the LRE was found to be 169.83 mg gallic acid/g dry extract. (GAE/g d.e.), and the extract showed a maximum of 79.29% antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Good antimicrobial activity of the LRE was observed for Gram-negative bacteria, especially for S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes. The mineral content of the LRE was indicative of the lack of toxicity; heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and cobalt were below the detection limit. The safety profile of the licorice extract was assessed using the in vivo hen egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM protocol), indicating no irritability, good tolerability, and biocompatibility. The phytochemical and biological characterization of the Romanian licorice root extract reveals a good source of glycyrrhizin and polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, along with a safety profile that may be useful for future therapeutic applications.