Highest Antioxidant Activity Research Articles

Ultrasonic Fabrication of Catechin Nanoemulsions from Green Tea with Enhanced Stability and Antioxidant Activity Optimized by Box-Behnken Design

Nanoemulsions are emulsions, either O/W (oil in water) or W/O (water in oil), with droplet diameters typically ranging from 50 to 1,000 nm. Research indicates that nanoemulsions are highly effective in enhancing the bioavailability, bioactivity, digestibility, stability, safety, quality and sensory attributes of food components. The study aimed to determine the optimum formulation and ultrasonic condition for fabricating catechin nanoemulsion (Ca-NE) from green tea with improved physical stability and antioxidant activity using response surface methodology. The effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil concentration (7.5 - 12.5 % w/w), Tween® 80 concentration (1 - 5 % w/w) and sonication time (5 - 15 min) on the droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI) and antioxidant activity presented by DPPH value of the Ca-NE were investigated using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The results found that droplet size and antioxidant activity of the Ca-NE were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the proposed parameters, whereas the PDI value was slightly affected by those factors. The BBD results suggested that the Ca-NE fabrication condition was optimized with 7.5 % (w/w) oil concentration, 5 % (w/w) Tween® 80 concentration and a sonication time of 10.87 min. The optimum nanoemulsion showed good physical stability in terms of droplet size and PDI and had higher antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. This study showed that catechin nanoemulsions fabricated by ultrasonication had good stability and antioxidant activity and, hence, had high potential for food and beverage applications in the food industry. HIGHLIGHTS The optimum nanoemulsion had good physical stability regarding droplet size and PDI when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. The ultrasonic fabrication of Ca-NE results in better retention of antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins. The ultrasonic fabrication provided the Ca-NE with good stability and high antioxidant activity. The results suggest that the obtained nanoemulsion of catechins has great potential in food or pharmaceutical applications. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Brazilin Content, Color Stability, and Antioxidant Activity of Sappan Wood (Caesalpinia Sappan L.) Traditional Drink by Different Blanching and Drying Methods

Caesalpinia sappan L (CS) heartwood is used as a natural red colorant in several Asian ethnic traditional drinks both as sole ingredient or mixed with other herbs. However, the pigment is unstable and easily degraded during storage which affects consumer acceptance. This research aimed to investigate the effect of different blanching and drying methods on the color stability, brazilin content, and antioxidant activity of CS heartwood drinks. Steam blanching, water blanching, sun drying and cabinet drying were examined in this study. The most common method applied in traditional production, without blanching and sun drying, was used as a control. The experimental design used was complete randomized design with triplicates. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed by SPSS statistics version 20. The results showed that blanching and drying methods affected the color intensity. For a pure CS heartwood herbal drink, the sample prepared with water blanching and cabinet drying (BCD) showed the highest red value, leading to a 48 % improvement compared to the control. This red value is in accordance with the brazilin content. Sample BCD showed the highest brazilin content, which was 376 % higher than that of the control. Similarly, the BCD sample had the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic content, with IC50 values of 98.99 ppm and 213.12 mg GAE g–1, respectively. This result revealed that brazilin might act as an antioxidant. Similar to the pure CS drink, the highest quality of mixed herbal drink was obtained by BCD sample. The results suggest that the combination of water blanching and cabinet drying (BCD) was the best method to improves the quality of CS heartwood drink both in pure and mixed herbal drinks as a functional drink. HIGHLIGHTS Samples treated with blanching and drying had higher brazilin content of Sappan heartwood drink There is a correlation between brazilin content and color intensity as well as antioxidant activity Blanching and cabinet drying improved the color stability of Sappan heartwood drink Blanching and cabinet drying increased the total phenolic and flavonoid content of Sappan heartwood drink GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, and haemolytic properties of hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts from Tabernaemontana crassa Benth. fruit

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiulcer, and cytotoxic properties of hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts from the fruits of Tabernaemontana crassa were investigated. Four phenolic compounds, including three phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, and chlorogenic acids) and one flavonol (rutin), were detected by HPLC-PDA. The hydroethanol extract (HE) exhibited high antioxidant activity and inhibition of haemolysis against red blood cells. Administration of HE (200 mg kg−1) significantly decreased the paw edoema induced by carrageenan compared to diclofenac sodium (20 mg kg−1). At the same dose, HE exhibited appreciable gastric cytoprotective capacity compared to Lanzoprazole (20 mg kg−1). These results were further supported by the histological analysis. Crude fruit extracts demonstrated a low haemolytic effect against rat red blood cells. Our findings support the use of T. crassa fruit in pharmacological and therapeutic fields.

Phytochemical and morpho-physiological response of Melissa officinalis L. to different NH4+ to NO3̄ ratios under hydroponic cultivation

BackgroundThe utilization of nutrition management, has recently been developed as a means of improving the growth and production of phytochemical compounds in herbs. The present study aimed to improve the growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using different NH4+ (ammonium) to NO3̄ (nitrate) ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) under floating culture system (FCS).ResultsThe treatment containing 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄ ratio showed the most remarkable values for the growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of M. officinalis. The results demonstrated that maximum biomass (105.57 g) earned by using the ratio of 0:100 and minimum at 75:25 ratio of NH4+: NO3̄. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄) showed the greatest concentration of total phenolics (60.40 mg GAE/g DW), chlorophyll a (31.32 mg/100 g DW), flavonoids (12.97 mg QUE/g DW), and carotenoids (83.06 mg/100 g DW). Using the 75:25 - NH4+:NO3̄ ratio caused the highest dry matter (DM), N and K macronutrients in the leaves. The highest antioxidant activity by both DPPH (37.39 µg AAE/mL) and FRAP (69.55 mM Fe++/g DW) methods was obtained in 75:25 - NH4+:NO3̄ treatment. The p-coumaric acid as a main abundant phenolic composition, was detected by HPLC analysis as the highest content in samples grown under 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄ treatment. Also, the major compounds in M. officinalis essential oil were identified as geranial, neral, geranyl acetate and geraniol by GC analysis. With increasing NO3̄ application, geraniol and geranyl acetate contents were decreased.ConclusionsThe findings of present study suggest that the management of NH4+ to NO3̄ ratios in nutrient solutions could contribute to improving growth, physiological and phytochemical properties of M. officinalis. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (especially 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄) showed the greatest effects on improving the growth and production of morpho-physiological and phytochemical compounds. By comprehensively understanding the intricate dynamics among nitrogen sources, plants, and their surroundings, researchers and practitioners can devise inventive approaches to optimize nitrogen management practices and foster sustainable agricultural frameworks.

Chemical profiling and bioactivity analysis of shoots and roots essential oil of Indian Blumea mollis D. Don (Merr.)

Aromatic plants contain essential oils, potent extracts renowned for therapeutic benefits. Essential oils are commonly utilized due to their diverse range of phytochemicals that possess therapeutic properties. The present study analyses the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from shoots and roots of Blumea mollis (Family: Asteraceae), using GC-FID and GC-MS techniques. A total of 49 and 46 compounds were identified from shoots and roots accounting for 95.6 % and 88.4 % respectively. β-caryophyllene is reported as major compound 36.2 ± 0.50 % in essential oil of the shoots and 33.8 ± 0.55 % in essential oil of the roots. Both essential oils of shoots and roots were dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (59.2–76.4%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpene (14.9–20.3%). The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH radical scavenging activity, H2O2 radical scavenging activity, and Iron(II) complexing activity. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in root essential oil of B. mollis. The oils also inhibited the activity of α-amylase with IC50 of 3.53 ± 0.04 μg/ml (shoot), 3.45 ± 0.04 μg/ml (root). Root oil also showed good activity for protein denaturation with IC50 of 3.02 ± 0.03 g/ml as compared to shoot essential oil. This is first time that essential oil constituent and biological activity of B. mollis roots and shoots have been characterized from India.

Property-Wound Healing Relationship of Manuka-, Anzer- and Chestnut-Honey: Characterization, Antibacterial Properties and Cell Culture Applications

Honey is known to be a natural food product with antibacterial and wound-healing properties. Among its different types, some attributed more with medical applications including Manuka honey. In this study, some wound healing-related parameters were systematically investigated on two different types of Turkish honey (Chestnut and Anzer), in comparison with Manuka honey. Chestnut honey had considerable amount of hydrogen peroxide (5 μg/mL) whereas Manuka and Anzer honey did not contain any. Additionally, Chestnut honey had the highest acidity among all tested samples (24.50 meq/kg), as well as higher antioxidant activity (IC50 ; 2.45 mg/ml) than those of Anzer (13.02 mg/ml) and Manuka honey (6.27 mg/ml). It was also demonstrated that Chestnut honey displayed a considerable antimicrobial activity against selected pathogens. On the other hand, in the scratch assay performed as a model for the wound healing process, Anzer honey induced the highest cell proliferation corresponding to almost total wound closure for all concentrations tested. Overall, the results showed that the Turkish Chestnut and Anzer honey samples had distinguished characteristics for wound healing that is comparable to Manuka honey, and therefore are both promising candidates for use in clinical applications.

Assessment of the Nutritional Value and Antioxidant Properties of Plant-Based Yogurt from Chickpeas

Plant-based yogurts are becoming more and more popular. These are vegan products for people with food allergies or intolerances, athletes, and ordinary consumers. The use of chickpea “milk” allows one to obtain a plant-based yogurt with a high protein content, dietary fiber and antioxidant potential. This study assessed the content of polyphenols, selected nutrients, and antioxidant properties in chickpea yogurt. The vegetable chickpea yogurt was rich in protein (4.34–7.90 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (2–4%). It was also characterized by a high antioxidant activity (DPPH = 2.61 to 4.32 μmol TE/g, FRAP = 3.11 to 48.33 μmol TE/g). The use of 3-day soaking and inoculation with Vegurt or a kefir bacterial inoculum allowed us to obtain a high protein content. The addition of honey increased the polyphenol content and antioxidant potential of the plant-based yogurt (139–148 GAE mg/100 g). This research will be used in future research into optimizing the conditions for obtaining plant-based yogurts with chickpeas. Further research should include models for testing health-promoting properties.

Bioactive compounds and in vitro biological properties of Arthrospira platensis and Athrospira maxima: a comparative study

Cyanobacteria, especially Arthrospira, are valuable resources of nutrients and natural pigments with many beneficial health-related properties. This study optimized the extraction conditions of Arthrospira to achieve high phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. Under optimized extraction conditions, the bioactive compounds (phenolics and pigment components), antioxidant activities, and inhibitions of the key enzymes relevant to some non-communicable diseases were compared between Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. Optimized extraction conditions were determined as 2 h shaking time, 50 °C extraction temperature, and 1% (w/v) solid-to-liquid ratio, giving effective phenolic and phycocyanin contents using aqueous extraction, while 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanolic extraction provided high total chlorophyll content. Most antioxidant activities were higher using 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanolic extracts. Both Arthrospira species inhibited the key enzymes involved in controlling non-communicable diseases including hyperlipidemia (lipase), diabetes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV), Alzheimer’s disease (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and β-secretase), and hypertension (angiotensin-converting enzyme). High inhibitory activities were detected against β-secretase (BACE-1), the enzyme responsible for β-amyloid plaque formation in the brain that acts as a significant hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Arthrospira extract and donepezil (Alzheimer’s disease drug) synergistically inhibited BACE-1, suggesting the potential of Arthrospira extracts as effective BACE-1 inhibitors. Interestingly, A. maxima exhibited higher bioactive compound contents, antioxidant activities, and key enzyme inhibitions than A. platensis, indicating high potential for future food and medicinal applications.

Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Relevance of Rice Beverages Available on the Market

Recently, more consumers have reached for plant-based milk substitutes, mainly for health, dietary, and flavour reasons. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and bioactive properties and sensory profile of 10 selected rice drinks available on the EU market. Assessment of the physicochemical characteristics included measurement of soluble solids, pH, osmolality, foaming properties and colour parameters. Analysis of bioactive compounds involved the determination of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Based on the manufacturer’s data, the composition and nutritional value of the above-mentioned beverages were also analysed in this study. The tested beverages were characterised by a low fat content of 0.6–1.3 g/100 mL, derived mainly from added sunflower oil, but are a good source of energy (energy value of 37–55 kcal/100 mL), derived mainly from naturally occurring carbohydrates whose content ranged from 8.0–11.0 g/100 mL. The protein content of all rice drinks was shallow, not exceeding 0.5 g/100 mL. Of the ten rice drinks analysed, in only two were vitamins B12 and D added (0.38 μg/100 mL and 0.75 μg/100 mL, respectively) and in only three was calcium (120 mg/100 mL) added. In evaluating the physicochemical characteristics, the drinks showed a pH close to neutral (mean 6.85 ± 0.01). The average soluble solids content was about 11%, which was determined by the carbohydrate content. The osmolality of the beverages averaged 324.73 ± 70.17 mOsm/kg H2O, with four beverages classifiable as hypertonic ones (osmolality > 330 mOsm/kg H2O), three as isotonic ones (with osmolality between 270–330 mOsm/kg H2O), and three as hypotonic beverages (osmolality < 270 mOsm/kg H2O). Only two rice drinks evaluated in this study showed foaming properties. The high whiteness index (81.79 ± 2.55) indicated high white colour saturation of the tested beverages. The rice drinks were characterised by a relatively diverse sensory quality regarding aroma and flavour notes. The overall sensory quality was rated highest for the beverages with the highest sugar content. The tested beverages were characterised by a low content of total polyphenols (average 1.40 ± 0.62 mg GAE/100 mL) and relatively high antioxidant activity (average 418.33 ± 59.65 µM TEAC/100 mL). Based on the research conducted and the analysis of the manufacturer’s data, it can be concluded that the rice drinks studied in this paper can be included in the daily diet, providing a rehydrating beverage that shows free radical-neutralizing properties and provides carbohydrates. At the same time, it should be highlighted that the studied drinks have a low nutritional value and cannot be recommended as milk substitutes due to low protein levels and lack of milk-specific vitamins and minerals.

Bio-functional properties of Jilungin (Terminalia canescens).

Jilungin (Terminalia canescens) is a native Australian plant and the Indigenous "Nyul Nyul" people of the Kimberleyregion of Western Australia use its leaves to make herbal tea. Due to the rise in the popularity of drinking Jilungin tea among the consumers in Australia and internationally, it is important to study the nutritional and health-beneficial properties as well as safety of Jilungin leaves. This study aims to determine the nutritional composition, anti-nutritional factors, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties of Jilungin leaves. Also, the phytochemical profiling using UHPLC-MS/MS (Ultra-performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry) and antioxidant activity of Jilungin methanolic extracts and herbal infusion were investigated. The safety of the leaves and infusion was also investigated by using in vitro mammalian cell lines (Caco2, HT29, and HepG2) through cell viability assays. The leaves are rich in dietary fiber (43.9%) and linoleic acid (30.4% of total fatty acids). Phytochemical profiling revealed ellagic acid, geraniin, pedunculagin, and punicalagin as the major bioactive compounds. The results also demonstrated that Jilungin has strong antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. A significant (p<0.01) strong positive correlation was observed between the high antioxidant activity of Jilungin infusion with the major bioactive compounds. Jilungin extracts (50mg/mL) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Its infusion and methanolic extract were safe on the studied cell lines (Caco-2, HT29, and HepG2) at higher concentrations of 66.6 and 98mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, Jilungin teas or infusions could be a safe and effective way to promote health and well-being. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Jilungin tea is very popular among consumers in Australia and is gaining popularity worldwide. The current study will increase knowledge on the nutritional aspects and safety of the Jilungin use.

Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Crude Procyanidin Extract from Green Soybean Seed and the Stability of Bioactive Compounds in an Anti-Aging Skin Care Formulation

Green soybean (Glycine max L.) seed contains a high procyanidin content and high antioxidant activity. Moreover, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has proved to be advantageous in providing high extraction efficiency. Hence, this study aimed to extract procyanidins from green soybean seeds (GSSs) using UAE. This study also evaluated the inhibitory activities of tyrosinase and the cytotoxic effects of crude procyanidin extract. The extract exhibited maximum levels of bioactive components and antioxidant capacity when subjected to a temperature of 15 °C and an extraction time of 20 min. The crude procyanidin extract at a concentration of 10 mg/mL inhibited the tyrosinase enzyme by more than 60%, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value obtained for the extract was 6.85 ± 0.81 mg/mL. This result was much greater than the IC50 value obtained for kojic acid (0.089 ± 0.08 mg/mL), which was used as a positive control. For the cytotoxicity assessment, the results indicated that the crude procyanidin extract showed no cytotoxicity and actually stimulated the growth of human skin fibroblast cells. More than 80% of the bioactive compounds (total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), procyanidin content (PC)) and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP) of the crude extract powder were retained at 38.68 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g, 16.07 ± 0.01 mg CAE/g, 9.24 ± 0.01 mg PC/g, 359.8 ± 0.72 μM Trolox eq/g, and 1640 ± 2.86 μM Trolox eq/g, respectively, after 12 weeks of storage at 25 °C. The crude procyanidin extract powder was then included in a facial serum formulation and tested for pH value and physical evaluation. The stability of the crude procyanidin extract facial serum was shown to be greater for bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity when stored at a temperature of 4 °C than when stored at a temperature of 25 °C. These results suggest that the GSS extracts obtained via ultrasonication show promise for use in cosmeceutical formulations for whitening skincare products.

Investigating seasonal variation in the phytochemical and antioxidant capacities of different Sphagnum taxa

This study investigated the phytochemical content and antioxidant activities of four Sphagnum taxa (S. centrale, S. palustre, S. teres and, S. auriculatum) collected from the Black Sea region of Turkey during two different seasons. The phytochemical groups in the methanol extracts of Sphagnum taxa were identified using qualitative screening methods. The total phenol content of these taxa was quantitatively determined using Folin-ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid equivalents as the standard their antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging ability (DPPH), the CUPRAC test, and phosphomolybdenum assay. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts showed that phenols, tannins, and saponins were present in the extracts, whereas alkaloids and flavonoids were absent. The highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed in 100 µgmL-1 S. teres methanol extract (74.47±0.001% in the first season, September 2021 and 75.37±0.002% in the second season, May 2022). The highest total antioxidant capacity was found in 100 µgmL-1 S. palustre extract (81.00±0.027% in the first season and 84.87±0.002% in the second season). The results of our experiment showed that Sphagnum taxa collected in spring had higher antioxidant activity than those collected in autumn.

Preparation of a chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol-based dual-network hydrogel for use as a potential wound-healing material for the sustainable release of drugs

Treating chronic wounds poses significant challenges in clinical medicine due to bacterial infection, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and excessive inflammation. This study aimed to address these issues by developing a wound dressing with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Chitosan was functionally modified with acrolein to covalently bind to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), enabling a high EGCG load. Subsequently, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and EGCG-modified chitosan were crosslinked to prepare a new double-network hydrogel with added cysteine (CSAEC/P50). CSAEC/P50 demonstrated optimal mechanical properties (low swelling rate, high water retention, and optimal flexibility), low hemolysis, high coagulation properties, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Cell scratch tests indicated that CSAEC/P50 can promote NIH3T3 cell migration. Immunofluorescence results showed that CSAEC/P50 promoted the transformation of proinflammatory M1 macrophages to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. These findings suggest that CSAEC/P50 has significant potential for use in wound dressing applications.

Optimization of the Deproteinization Process via Response Surface Methodology, Preliminary Characterization, and the Determination of the Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Vitis vinifera L. SuoSuo.

In this study, the response surface method (RSM) was used to optimize the deproteinization process of polysaccharides from Vitis vinifera L. SuoSuo (VTP). The antioxidant capacities of polysaccharides before and after deproteinization were evaluated. The structure of deproteinized VTP (DVTP), which has relatively strong antioxidant activity, was characterized, and the protective effect of DVTP on H2O2-induced HT22 cell damage was evaluated. The results of the RSM experiment revealed that the ideal parameters for deproteinization included a chloroform/n-butanol ratio (v/v) of 4.6:1, a polysaccharide/Sevage reagent (v/v) ratio of 2:1, a shaking time of 25 min, and five rounds of deproteinization. Preliminary characterization revealed that the DVTP was an acidic heteropolysaccharide composed of seven monosaccharides, among which the molar ratio of galacturonic acid was 40.65. FT-IR and the determination of uronic acid content revealed that DVTP contained abundant uronic acid and that the content was greater than that of VTP. In vitro, the antioxidant activity assay revealed that the hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity of DVTP were greater than those of VTP. In the range of 0.6~0.8 mg/mL, the DPPH scavenging capacities of VTP and DVTP were greater than that of vitamin C. In addition, cell viability was measured via a CCK-8 assay, which revealed that DVTP had a strong defense effect on H2O2-induced damage to HT22 cells. These findings suggest that DVTP has high antioxidant activity and could be used as a natural antioxidant in functional foods and medicines.

Evaluation of oxidative stress, biochemical parameters and in silico markers in different pea accessions in response to drought stress.

ARG6 and ARG10 pea accessions exhibited better tolerance to drought by keeping drought-associated attributes stable and higher, that is, stable chlorophyll content, high antioxidant activity, and the presence of polymorphic bands with stress-responsive EST-SSR markers. Each year, a significant portion of crops is lost due to various abiotic stresses, and even pea (Pisum sativum) crop growth and yield are severely affected by the challenges posed by drought stress. Drought is a critical factor that limits crop growth and development, and its impact is exacerbated by changes in the magnitude of climatic conditions. Drought induces oxidative stress in plants, leading to the accumulation of high concentrations of reactive oxygen species that damage cell structures and vital functioning of cells. The primary objective was to identify stress-tolerant plants by evaluating different morphological and biochemical attributes, such as biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and DPPH scavenging activity, as well as protein, proline, and phenolic content. Our study revealed that pea accessions (ARG6 and ARG10) were more resilient to drought stress as their chlorophyll, relative water, protein, and proline contents increased under drought conditions. Antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, APX, and DPPH activities, also increased under drought stress in ARG10 and ARG6, suggesting that these accessions could bolster the antioxidant defense system in response to drought stress. Based on putative (cellular, biological, and metabolic) functions, ten EST-SSR primers were selected for the amplification study. Three EST-SSR primers, AUMP06_110, AUMP18_300, and AUMP31_250, were used for ARG6 and ARG10. Based on the correlation between the presence or absence of specific EST-SSR alleles, various physiological and morphological traits, and DPPH scavenging activity, both ARG10 and ARG6 demonstrated resistance to drought stress.

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) of Aqueous Extracts and Fractions from Verbesina sphaerocephala Stems.

The Verbesina gender represents the second most diverse group from the Asteraceae family in Mexico; Verbesina sphaerocephala is one of the most distributed species along the Mexican territory. This species has been poorly studied, reporting the presence of some bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial activity. In this study, phenolic and flavonoid contents and composition, antioxidant and antifungal activities of aqueous extracts of the stem of V. sphaerocephala and its fractions were determined. The results showed that the highest antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea was shown by the aqueous extract (IC50: 0.10 mg/mL) and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50: 14.8 mg/mL). In addition, the aqueous extract and the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest phenolic (21.40 and 21.26 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively) and flavonoid contents (11.53 and 3.71 mg rutin equivalents, respectively) and high antioxidant activity determined by the Total Antioxidant Capacity (20.62 and 40.21 mg ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively), Ferric Reducing Power (74.76 and 129.57 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively), DPPH (IC50: 12.38 and 7.36 mg/mL, respectively), and ABTS (IC50: 5.60 and 7.76 mg/mL, respectively) methods. Twelve phenolic compounds were detected in the aqueous extract using UPLC-MS analysis, of which the major ones were protocatechuic, vanillic, and hydroxybenzoic acid, while in the ethyl acetate fraction, the presence of 18 phenolic compounds were identified, of which the majority were vanillin, rutin, and hydroxybenzoic acid. The results of this research demonstrate that the aqueous extract of V. sphaerocephala stems has phenolic compounds with antifungal and antioxidant activity.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Wild and Cultivated Blueberry Leaves and Their Phenolic Compound

Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and polyphenol and flavonoid content of blueberry leaves, which could have positive effects on human health. Area of study: The research was conducted in three cities of Türkiye's Karadeniz region, where blueberry cultivation is prevalent: Giresun, Trabzon, and Rize. Material and method: In this study, 29 blueberry leaves (27 cultivated and two wild) were selected as sample materials. The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu method), total flavonoid content (aluminum (III) chloride method), and total antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) of the samples were analyzed. Phenolic characterization was performed using HPLC. Main results: The total phenolic content varied between 8.36 and 121.61 mg GAE/g, whereas the total flavonoid content ranged from 0.91 to 3.07 mg QE/g. The results revealed that blueberry leaves had high antioxidant activity and contained considerable amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids. Chlorogenic acid was identified as the dominant compound in all leaves samples. Research highlights: These findings indicate that blueberry leaves could be a valuable source of antioxidants in the food and cosmetic industries, comparable to the fruit itself.

Basic Chemical Composition, Selected Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity in Various Types of Currant (Ribes spp.) Fruits

Black currants are more popular and consumed more often than red and white ones. These fruits are low in calories, and they are recognised as a rich source of vitamin C. It can be hypothesised that currant fruits, depending on the colour, may differ in the profile of polyphenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and basic composition. The objective of this study was to determine the basic chemical composition, selected polyphenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity of black, red and white currant fruits collected over two years. Red currant fruits had a higher protein content, than black currant fruits, which had the lowest. The highest fat content was found in white currants and the lowest in black currants. The black currant variety was the richest in total carbohydrates. The highest amount of total polyphenols was found in black currant fruits and the lowest in red currant fruits. In all types of currant fruit, catechin was the major phenolic compound. However it showed the highest difference between types of currants. It was observed that red currant fruits had the highest antioxidant activity when tested with the ABTS+ and FRAP methods, and the lowest was found in white currant fruits. The highest antioxidant activity, tested by the FRAP method, occurred in black currant fruits, while the lowest was observed in white currant fruits.

Effect of Different Drying Methods on Colour, Total Phenolic Content, Flavonoid Content, and Antioxidant Activity Retention of Strobilanthes crispus Leaves

Strobilanthes crispus, a medicinal herb, is recognised for its abundant phytochemicals, notably in its leaves, contributing to its high antioxidant activity. However, the crucial step of drying, aimed at extending shelf life, can impact the stability of these bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the impact of different drying methods, which include oven, microwave, freeze drying, and air drying, on the colour, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of S. crispus leaves. The colour analysis of the fresh and dried leaves was assessed using the chromameter. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s and aluminium chloride colourimetric assays, respectively. Antioxidant capacities were analysed via ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that microwave-dried S. crispus leaves exhibited minimal alterations in colour attributes L*, a*, and b*, closely resembling the fresh leaves (p &gt; 0.05). Microwave drying significantly preserved TPC (145.42 ± 1.61 mg GAE/g), TFC (117.27 ± 5.10 mg QE/g), FRAP activity (258.92 ± 0.15 µg TE/g extract), and displayed the most potent DPPH scavenging half-maximal inhibitory concentration (7.58 ± 0.48 µg/ml) compared to other methods (p &lt; 0.05). Notably, the DPPH scavenging potency surpassed that of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. In conclusion, microwave drying appeared to be an efficient method for preserving the colour and antioxidant properties of S. crispus leaves. It highlights its potential as a favourable drying technique for conserving bioactive compounds in medicinal plant materials, offering promising applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

Phytochemical and metagenomic insights into the antioxidant and anticancer properties of Elaeagnus pyriformis wine

AbstractThe luscious fruit‐bearing plant Elaeagnus pyriformis (Hook. f.), sometimes called oleaster or silverberry, is found in northeastern India. Natives from this region consume fruit because it is believed to be nutritious and to offer protection against various diseases. This study aimed to prepare wine from Elaeagnus fruits and assess its nutritional content and antioxidant and anticancer properties in cancer cell lines. GC‒MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) was utilized to determine the active phytocompounds in the wine, which were then docked against cancer‐related proteins. Simultaneously, 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis was conducted to identify the diverse bacterial species present in the wine samples. The results revealed significant amounts of free fatty acids, free amino acids, total sugars, total protein, macroelements, and microelements in Elaeagnus wine (oleaster wine). Oleaster wine exhibited high antioxidant activity, indicating its significant medicinal importance. Eleven putative phytocompounds were identified through GC‒MS analysis and a molecular docking study of these compounds revealed favorable interactions with the studied cancer‐related proteins. A cell line study revealed that the wine possessed noteworthy anticancer activity, supporting its potential medicinal and biological benefits, as demonstrated by the in silico results. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis of the 16S rRNA V3–V4 region revealed that the wine sample and microbial population contained diverse bacterial species, which play a vital role in the anticancer properties. Considering all the in vitro, in silico, and metagenomic data, it can be concluded that the wine offers therapeutic and health benefits.