Higher Peak Area Research Articles

Impact of freeze drying on the properties of palmitic acid extracted from Plantain stalk waste

The challenge of effectively preserving and concentrating palmitic acid from plantain stalk waste is compounded by the loss and degradation of the compound during traditional drying and extraction methods, which may lead to reduced yield and altered properties of the extracted palmitic acid. This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of the freeze-drying process on the properties of palmitic acid extracted from plantain stalk waste. The study involved preparing plantain stalks, applying freeze-drying or non-freeze-drying methods, extracting palmitic acid, and characterizing the samples using GC-MS, FTIR, XRD, EDX, and SEM. The GC-MS analysis revealed that freeze-drying significantly increased the concentration of palmitic acid compared to non-freeze-drying, as indicated by the higher peak area and height. FTIR spectra demonstrated that freeze-drying better preserved the structural integrity of palmitic acid, while XRD analysis showed enhanced crystalline structure and increased crystallite size in the freeze-dried sample. Additionally, EDX showed that freeze-drying increased the carbon content and decreased the oxygen content of the material, while SEM analyses indicated that freeze-drying resulted in a more porous and irregular surface compared to the denser, smoother structure of the non-freeze-dried sample. The mass, energy, and cost analysis revealed that freeze-drying resulted in a higher yield of palmitic acid compared to non-freeze-drying methods, which, despite being more cost-effective and requiring less energy, demonstrated a notable trade-off in extraction efficiency. The study showed that freeze-drying significantly improved the preservation, concentration, and structural integrity of palmitic acid extracted from plantain stalk waste compared to the non-freeze-drying method.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Stachys maritima via Quantum Dots and Molecular Docking.

Stachys maritima is a species of plant belonging to the Lamiaceae, commonly known as common sea lavender. The extraction of S. maritima involves drying the aerial parts, grinding them into powder, followed by extraction with methanol. ST-CQDs (S. maritima carbon quantum dots) were synthesized from S. maritima extract via pyrolysis. An optimal synthesis condition of 7 hours of pyrolysis was determined to yield ST-CQDs with high absorption in the visible-UV range. Characterization techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) confirmed the spherical and homogeneous nature of the carbon quantum dots. S. maritima methanol extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with a DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) IC50 value of 0.114±0.001 mg/mL. Similarly, ST-CQDs showed strong antioxidant properties with a DPPH IC50 value of 0.69±0.03 mg/mL. Moreover, the methanol extract of S. maritima demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, with effective MIC values of 25 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. However, ST-CQDs did not show antimicrobial effects against the tested microorganisms (E. coli ATCC 25922, S. aureus ATCC 25923, K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, and C. albicans ATCC 10231). Molecular docking simulations suggested that compounds derived from S. maritima (such as 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid and palmitic acid) could interact effectively with TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha), indicating potential anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights that the methanol extract of S. maritima possesses potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and ST-CQDs exhibit similar antioxidant properties. However, ST-CQDs did not demonstrate antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Molecular docking simulations also suggest potential anti-inflammatory properties of compounds derived from the plant.

Characterization and In vitro Release & In vivo Behavior Study of Self-Assembled Nano-Emulsion in XiaoYao Pill for Enhanced Drug Delivery.

Traditional Chinese medicine formulations often contain hydrophobic components with limited solubility and stability, leading to low oral bioavailability. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANs) have shown promise in enhancing oral bioavailability of these components. However, whether un-decocted Chinese herbal pellets can generate SANs and the impact of SANs formed by multiple components on pharmacokinetic parameters remains unexplored. In this study, single-factor approach was employed to determine the optimal separation method of nano-emulsion phase of XiaoYao pill (N-XY). Morphological and particle size analyses confirmed the nanoscale nature of N-XY. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint analysis was conducted to compare the distribution of active ingredients among three different phases of XiaoYao pill (XY pill). In vitro release studies were performed to evaluate the release mechanism of four ingredients from N-XY. Additionally, in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution behaviors were investigated in rats. N-XY exhibited uniform and stable characteristics as a water-in-oil (O/W) nano-emulsion. Fingerprint analysis identified 25 characteristic peaks and 8 key ingredients in N-XY, with the highest peak areas. In vitro release studies showed a sustained release behavior of N-XY. The pharmacokinetics study showed that the ferulic acid of N-XY had a 1.37-fold higher AUC, 1.44-fold lower Vd/F, 1.39-fold lower CL/F, and a prolonged t1/2 than A-XY, indicating enhanced bioavailability due to reduced elimination. Furthermore, the tissue distribution revealed that the levels of paeoniflorin and ferulic acid from N-XY significantly increased in liver, spleen, lungs, uterus and ovaries, exhibiting targeting characteristics. This study comprehensively explored the formation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics of nano-emulsion in XY pill, introducing novel perspectives and initiating preliminary research on potential SANs in un-decocted traditional Chinese medicine formulations. It also emphasized the importance of enhancing pharmacokinetics of hydrophobic components in Chinese herbal formulations and laid the foundation for future nano-formulation research for XY pill.

Biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction of indigenous municipal solid waste for green energy generation and contribution towards circular economy: A case study of urban Pakistan

In this study, biocrude was successfully produced by the hydrothermal liquefaction of municipal solid waste collected from the landfill site of Lahore, the capital of Punjab, Pakistan, boasting a population of 12 million and an annual waste collection of 10 million tons. The hydrothermal liquefaction process was performed at reaction parameters of 350 °C and 165 bars with 15 min of residence time. The solid waste was found to have 78 % dry matter, 22 % moisture contents, 22.2 % ash, 22.69 MJ/kg higher heating value, 52.062 % C, 8.007 % H, 0.764 % N, and 39.164 % O. Non-catalytic process only produced 10.57 % oil, however when using the catalytic process, the biocrude yield improved to 17.61 %, with 22.61 % energy recovery for biocrude and 12.14 % for solids, when using 2 g dose of K2CO3. The resultant biocrude has a 28.61 MJ/kg higher heating value, having 60.28 % C and 9.28 % H. In contrast, the aqueous phase generated had 4.43 pH, 71.5 g/L TOC, and 1.35 g/L Total Nitrogen. TGA indicated that biocrude contains approximately 80 % of volatile fractions of different fuels. The organic compounds having the six highest peak areas in GC-MS were Ethyl ether 25.74 %, 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl 9.08 %, 2-propanone, 1,1-dimethoxy 5.62 %, Silane, dimethyl (docosyloxy) butoxy 5.08 %, 1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl 4.53 %, and. Phenol 4.07 %. This work makes the first-ever successful use of indigenous solid waste from a landfill dumping site in Lahore to successfully produce useful biocrude with aims of waste reduction and management, circular economy, and energy recovery.

A lipidomic and volatilomic approach to map the lipid profile and related volatile compounds in roasted quail meat using circulating non-fried roast technology

Lipids play a significant role in aroma formation. However, lipid variations and their impact on aroma during the processing of quail meat remain unknown. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of lipids and aroma compounds was conducted in circulating non-fried roasted quail meat. Nineteen odorants were identified as key aroma compounds in the roasted quail meat at 40 min with OAVs of >1. The concentrations of most key odorants significantly increased in circulating non-fried roasted (CNR) quail meat within the first 30 min of roasting, reaching maximum values at 40 min. Phospholipids, neutral lipids, and sphingolipids emerged as potential markers for distinguishing different samples. Neutral lipids had the highest peak areas and significantly contributed to the aroma retention. Phospholipids and neutral lipids with unsaturated fatty acids, particularly C18 acyl groups, played a crucial role in aroma formation. This study provides valuable insights into the role of lipids in determining aroma quality.

Moringa oleifera as a potential bioactive agent against Gram-positive and negative bacteria: In-silico analysis of 1YN5 and 3RG1 receptor binding

Abstract. Thasmi CN, Hafizuddin H, Husnurrizal H, Dasrul, Sutriana A, Gani BA, Nazar M. 2024. Moringa oleifera as a potential bioactive agent against Gram-positive and negative bacteria: In-silico analysis of 1YN5 and 3RG1 receptor binding. Biodiversitas 25: 3411-3421. The natural antioxidant extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. simultaneously possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-infertility, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. This research aims to investigate the active chemical compounds isolated from the leaves of M. oleifera and examine the chemical interaction between the selected compounds and the 1YN5 and 3RG1 proteins based on the molecular docking model. M. oleifera leaves were collected from the Kajhu Village, District of Aceh Besar, Province of Aceh, Indonesia. The bioactive compounds were isolated through cold extraction by using the maceration technique. Chemical analysis and characterization of bioactive compounds were carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant bioactivity/Free Radical Scavenging Potency (FRSP) was determined using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. The molecular docking process refers to the modified MOE software docking protocol. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaf contains 38 bioactive compounds. Several bioactive compounds have high peak area percentages, including Oxirane, hexadecyl- (20.22%), TRICYCLO [20.8.0.0E7,16] TRIACONTA (14.35%), acetic acid (CAS), ethyl acetate (11.32%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (8.94%), and oleic acid (8.12%). Molecular docking showed that oleic acid, oxirane, hexadecyl, and 1-Heptacosanol have greater affinity to the 1YN5 gene, while octadecanoic acid and tetracontane have better binding affinity to the 3RG1 proteins. The bioactive compound 1-Heptacosanol bound both to the 1YN5 and 3RG1 proteins. The ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves possessed better IC50 (6.07 ppm), relatively twice lower when compared to the positive standard, Vitamin C (10.58 ppm). The M. oleifera ethanol extract exhibits antioxidant bioactivity in the very strong category. The bioactive compound 1-Heptacosanol shows binding affinity with both 1YN5 and 3RG1 proteins.

Analysis of GC-MS from Acetone Extract of Canarium odontophyllum Miq Stem Bark (Dabai)

Canarium odontophyllum or dabai is a natural plant found along the river banks of the Sarikei, Kapit and Kanowit in Sarawak and it comes from the 'Burseraceae' family. C. odontophyllum also known as 'dabai' and this dabai fruit is eaten by the community in Sarawak. The fruit is a seasonal natural fruit that is less used because of its short lifespan. A few studies show that acetone extract of Canarium odontophyllum stem bark (dabai) exhibit antiproliferative and cytotoxicity effect on cancer colorectal cells. However, there is currently no analysis of bioactive compounds in acetone extract of Canarium odontophyllum stem bark (dabai). The various bioactive compounds detected in acetone extract were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 24 phytoconstituents were detected in this acetone extract. It was found that major peaks represented bicyclo [3.1.0] hex-2-ene,2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-, bicyclo [3.1.0] hexane,4-methylene-1-(1-methylethyl)-, alpha cubebene, 1H cyclopenta [1,3] cyclopropa [1,2] benzene, octahydro-7-methyl-3-methylene-4-(1-methylethyl)-,[3aS-(3a.alpha., 3b.beta., 4.beta., 7.alpha., 7aS*)]-, phenol,2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-, spathulenol, copaene, 9-Eicosene, (E)-, hexadecane, 5-Octadecene, (E)-, hexadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-, nonadecane, n-Hexadecanoic acid, heptacosane, 1-chloro-, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester, octadecanoic acid, 10-Heneicosene (c,t), heptafluorobutyric acid, hexadecyl ester, dehydroabietic acid, phenol, 2,4-bis(1-phenylethyl)-, beta sitosterol, beta-amyrin and alpha-amyrin. The highest peak area (%) for this acetone extract is alpha-amyrin (16.6644%) followed by beta-amyrin (4.6159%), beta sitosterol (3.3369%) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (3.2045%). In conclusion, various bioactive compounds detected in acetone extract of Canarium odontophyllum stem bark (dabai) were demonstrated various medicinal properties while alpha and beta-amyrin may be responsible for the cytotoxicity and apoptotic effect against HCT 116 cell.

Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Ricinus communis Linn leaf and seeds extracts

The study investigates phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of leaf and seeds extracts of Ricinus communis L. Ricinus communis L. commonly known as castor plant belongs to the family Euphorbiacea. Phytochemical screening showed that both seeds and leaves of Ricinus communis L. have various secondary metabolites such as: tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes and coumarins, while anthraquinones were not detected. Antioxidant potentials were assessed on the basis of radical scavenging effect of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH). Leaf methanol Soxhlet extract showed the maximum antioxidant activity (85±0.01%) with IC50 value of (0.121±0.02mg/ml). Seed methanol maceration extract showed high antioxidant activity (80.7±0.01%) while petroleum ether extracts of both leaf and seeds showed no antioxidant activity. Spectroscopic analysis using GC-MS of the methanol maceration extract of leaf showed the presence of various compounds such as n-hexadecanoic acid with the highest peak area 22.02%, 4-methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile with peak area 17.41%, gamonelic acid with peak area 10.40%, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one with peak area 4.84% and 2-pyrrolidinone with peak area 3.98%.

Chemical characterization, in vivo anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of Peperomia pellucida in modulating vascular tone in Swiss mice exposed to aluminium chloride

BackgroundRegulation of balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation has become a therapeutic target to vascular complications. However, Aluminium chloride, a naturally abundant environmental toxicant has been reported to disrupt this balance via increased oxidative stress and inflammation in several studies. Whether Peperomia pellucida, a popular medicinal plant known for its pharmacological benefits can modulate vascular tone in mice exposed to aluminium chloride is yet to be unravelled. This study investigated the effect of Peperomia pellucida ethanol leaf extract on aluminium chloride induced vascular dysfunction in male Swiss mice. MethodsPhytochemical profiling of Peperomia pellucida was done using GC-MS and vascular effect of Peperomia pellucida was investigated by administering 50 mg and 100 mg of the extract alongside aluminium chloride orally for 14 days. Aorta was harvested for biochemical (SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA, nitrites), ELISA (endothelin-1, TNF-α and IL-6) assays as well as immunohistochemical studies (occludin and caspase-3). ResultsGC-MS profiling showed 8 phytocompounds with 3,5-Dimethoxybenzamide as the highest peak area. Antioxidant armouries such as SOD catalase, glutathione as well as vascular occludin expression was significantly enhanced by Peperomia pellucida (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) against aluminium chloride perturbations while suppressing TNF-α, IL-6, ET-1 activities and caspase-3 expression against increase caused by aluminium chloride intoxication. ConclusionOur result showed that Peperomia pellucida leaf extract modulated vascular tone via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and ant-apoptotic properties which was mediated by its phytocompounds

Evaluation of highly adsorptive Guefoams (multifunctional guest-containing foams) as a potential sorbent for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by means of thermal desorption

The present work delves into the feasibility of employing a novel structured sorbent referred to as GFAD (Guefoam Adsorption Device) for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in liquid samples. The chosen method has been static headspace sorptive extraction-thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HSSE-TD-GC–MS). The GFAD comprises an aluminum cellular material with a distinct replication structure and a solid guest phase consisting of activated carbon particles dispersed within the cavities of the cellular aluminum. The extensive specific surface area, robustness, and exceptional thermal conductivity of this pioneering material offer distinct advantages over commercially available polydimethylsiloxane-based Twister® devices. Therefore, the trapping efficiency for volatile organic compounds is enhanced, and it is possible to perform the analysis of concentrated samples. According to computational simulations, it has been demonstrated that GFAD has a high heat conductivity. As a result, the desorption efficiency is improved, and minimal temperature gradients are generated throughout the GFAD during the heating process. Besides, the energy consumption is significantly lowered, thus aligning with environmentally conscientious and sustainable analytical practices.The experimental results give a proof of the suitability of the GFAD for determining gaseous compounds in liquid samples through HSSE-TD-GC–MS. For volatile species, the new material provides higher peak areas and lower limits of detection than a commercially available Twister® device. Furthermore, the GFAD is reusable, its adsorbing properties remaining unchanged during, at least, 100 consecutive analyses. In addition, unlike to the Twister®, no intense siloxane peaks are observed in the chromatograms obtained with the GFAD. The feasibility of qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis with the new accessory has been demonstrated with both standards and a cereal bioethanol real sample.Graphical abstract

Comparative study on volatile compounds and taste components of various citrus cultivars using electronic sensors, GC-MS, and GC-olfactometry.

Various citrus fruits' flavor compounds were analyzed using an electronic sensor (E-sensor), and odor-active compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). In the E-tongue analysis, the intensity of sweetness, saltiness, and bitterness was highest in Citrus unshiu, while sourness and umami were highest in C. setomi. A total of 43 volatile compounds were detected in the E-nose analysis, and the compound with the highest peak area was limonene, a type of terpenoid, which exhibited a prominent peak area in C. unshiu. Principal component analysis between flavor compounds and each sample explained a total variance of 83.15% and led to the classification of three clusters. By GC-MS-O, 32 volatile compounds were detected, with limonene being the most abundant, ranging from 20.28 to 56.21mg/kg. The odor-active compounds were identified as (E)-2-hexenal, hexanal, α-pinene, β-myrcene, limonene, γ-terpinene, nonanal, and D-carvone, respectively.

Identification of the Chemical Components Derived from the Two‐Phase Electrocoagulation of Diesel Fuel

AbstractIn this study, two‐phase electrocoagulation (EC) approach was developed and used to investigate blend of bio‐diesel and petro‐diesel (B10) stability under the electrochemical treatment. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) was used to analyze the aliquots before and after the reaction. The major compounds were alkanes and aromatic compounds with the minor contents of aldehydes, ketones, esters, alkenes, alkynes, halogens, oxygenated compounds, and heterocyclic compounds. The selected condition for the reaction was 10 V and 60 min which resulted in 9.9×109 counts per s total peak area of compounds containing from nine to seventeen carbon atoms (C9 to C17) compared with 6.8×108 counts per s for the control. The peak areas of the straight chain alkanes increased from 12 % to 33 % of the total peak areas observed after the experiment. Compounds with higher peak areas were found between C12 to C14 with the retention indices range of 1155–1678. The EC treatment mainly increased the straight and branched alkane and alcohol contents with the decreasing contents of branched cyclic alkanes. The developed system could be adapted to study the stability of other types of fuels. This is cost effective and can be performed within an hour at room temperature under atmospheric pressure.

Characterization and Isolation of Bio-Functional Lipids from Black Sea Urchin Stomopneustes variolaris and its Multi Potential In-vitro Activities

Lipids and lipid fractions isolated from gonads of Stomopneustes variolaris was demonstrated for its bio-functional effects like antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis detected hexatriacontane (17.03%) as the major compound in crude lipid sample and Phenol, 2,4-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) (83.50%) showed high retention peak area in the GC-MS chromatogram of all the three lipid fractions. FTIR spectra confirmed that the esters are the predominant group in the lipid fraction. 1H NMR evaluation spotted peaks of methanol and aromatic groups. Lipid fractions showed bactericidal effect against two Gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), three gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholera) and fungicidal effect against the fungal species (Candida albicans) tested. In-vitro antioxidant assays, such as lipid peroxidation and Diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays also showed positive results towards scavenging free radicals. Hence, bio lipids from Stomopneustes variolaris could be further explored towards the development of new bio-therapeutic formulations.

Phytochemical profiling, heavy metals composition, in silico aphrodisiac potential, and ADMET study of Gardenia erubescens

This study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile, heavy metal composition, in silico aphrodisiac potential, and ADMET study of Gardenia erubescens due to its folkloric acclaimed aphrodisiac use. The phytochemicals were quantified gravimetrically while the identification of bioactive compounds was carried out using a combined Gas spectrophotometer-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Heavy metals were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while the aphrodisiac and ADMET studies were in silico. The result showed the presence of alkaloids (22.33% ±1.45), saponins (20.17% ±1.88), glycosides (0.55% ±0.03), and flavonoids (32.67% ±1.45), with the absence of steroids and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis identified 25 compounds with linoleic acid having the highest peak area (28.01%) next to palmitic acid (14.08%). Chromium, Cadmium, and Lead were present in concentrations of 0.145 ±0.03, 0.001 ±0.00, and 0.065 ±0.03 ppm respectively. Ethyl D-glucopyranoside had the least BA (-8) and Ki (1.35 µM) docked with human arginase II while Tyrosinol had the least BA (-6.2) and Ki (28.21 µM) docked with phosphodiesterase 5 though both were higher than Sildenafil citrate. All the top docked compounds were predicted to be neither substrates nor inhibitors of P-glycoproteins and cytochrome P450 enzymes without CNS permeability and hepatotoxicity. Conclusively, the present study supports the folkloric aphrodisiac application of Gardenia erubescens, and the heavy metals level was below the acceptable regulatory level, thus, might be safe for occasional use. Additionally, the identified compounds might be considered a novel source of therapeutics against erectile dysfunction.

Insecticidal activities of two fig tree leaf extracts against the cotton pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and their impact on the non‐target red worm Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

AbstractExtracts of botanical origin naturally contain a complex mixture of chemicals considered effective in managing lepidopteran pests. Chemical screening of the ethanolic leaf extracts of two fig tree species, Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata, delivered 12 and 15 phyto‐compounds with relatively high peak area percentages in phytol and flavone, respectively. Larvicidal activity against Spodoptera litura yielded higher mortality rates at maximum‐concentration treatment (600 ppm) with Ficus lyrata (91.3%) and Ficus auriculata (98.5%) extracts during the second instar. Sub‐lethal dosages (300 ppm) of both Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata extracts impeded the development and reproduction of lepidopteran pests. The enzyme‐inhibition activity of both fig extracts elicited a significant reduction in the major digestive enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase dose‐responsively. Mid‐gut histological screening of Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata extracts displayed gut lumen disruptions, shape alterations of columnar cells, and brush‐border membrane damage. Further, the non‐target toxicity of fig extracts against the red worm Eisenia foetida was minimal compared with that of the chemical temephos. Overall, the Ficus extracts proved to be eco‐friendly strategies for managing the polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura and are potentially more sustainable and less harmful to non‐target earthworms. Nonetheless, in silico predictions suggest that the active compounds in fig extracts are predominantly toxic against honeybees (16 compounds) and violate TICE rules (10 compounds). Therefore, the biological actions of fig extracts' individual novel chemistries need to be examined on target and non‐target species to develop better pest management strategies.

Bio-efficacy of chloroform crude extracts of chick weed Ageratum conyzoides (Linn.) against the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura (Linn.) and their non-toxicity against the beneficial earthworm

The current study investigates the phyto-chemical screening of chloroform crude extracts of chickweed Ageratum conyzoides (Linn.) (Cm-Ac) and their target and non-target toxicity against the pest Spodoptera litura and beneficial earthworm. Phyto-chemical characterization of Cm-Ac over GC-MS technique revealed thirty four bio-active compounds with highest peak area% observed in Phenol, 2,4-Bis-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-(6.340 PA%), followed by n-Hexadecanoic acid (5.95 PA%) and 1- Octadecene (5.94 %) respectively. Larval toxicity was observed maximum at the dosage of 1000 ppm at second instar (98.23 %) as compared to other dosages. Lethal dosage (LC50) obtained on 2.467 log ppm respectively. The sub-lethal toxic dosage of Cm-Ac (100–500 ppm) displayed adverse impact on larval-pupal growth and development in dose dependent manner. Also, the sub-lethal dosage of Cm-Ac also decreased the level of mid-gut enzymes in dose dependent manner. The mid-gut tissues including Gut Lumen-(GL), Epithelial Layer-(EL), and Brush Border Membrane-(BBM) severely affected at the prominent concentration of 500 ppm as paralleled with control. Non-target activity against Eudrilis eugeniae revealed that the Cm-Ac treatment is less toxic at the prominent concentration of 1000 ppm as paralleled to Cypermethrin treatment. Overall, the current results are promising in developing botanical based insecticides which are bio-degradable and importantly harmless or less toxic to the non-target earthworms.

Identification and characterization of forced degradation products of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) by HPLC, LC-LTQ/Orbitrap and NMR studies

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) is a kind of aldehyde compound with highly active furan ring, which is generated by dehydration of glucose, fructose, and other monosaccharides. It widely exists in drugs, foods, health products, cosmetics, and traditional Chinese medicine preparations with high sugar content. Due to the toxicity, the concentration of 5-HMF was always monitored to identify non-conformities and adulteration, as well as ensure the process efficiency, traceability and safety in foods or drugs in the pharmacopoeias of various countries. Herein, a comprehensive forced degradation study was performed to characterize the degradation products (DPs) of 5-HMF under hydrolytic (neutral, acidic, and alkaline) degradation, oxidative, thermal, humidity, and photolytic degradation conditions. A total of five degradants were identified, and two of them (DP-3 and DP-5) were novel DPs first reported in our study. Major DPs (i.e., DP-1 and DP-2) with relatively high peak areas were isolated using semi-preparative HPLC and characterized by LC-LTQ/Orbitrap and NMR. 5-HMF was only stable in alkaline hydrolysis condition. In addition, the degradation pathways and mechanism of these DPs were also explained using LC-LTQ/Orbitrap. In silico toxicity and metabolism behavior of the DPs were evaluated using Derek Nexus and Meteor Nexus software, respectively. The predicted toxicity data indicated that both the drug 5-HMF and its DPs bear the potential of hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, chromosome damage, and skin sensitisation. Our research may be beneficial for the quality control and suitable storage conditions of 5-HMF.

Synthesis and Determination of Antimicrobial Efficacies of Secondary Metabolite of Streptomyces longisporoflavus and its 3D-Protein Structural Prediction

Aims: The need for new drug molecules is of high significance considering the rate at which pathogenic bacteria evolve into drug-resistant pathogens. Actinomycetes have been reported as valuable biological agents that possess potent bioactive molecules. This work aims to isolate local strains of actinomycetes in the environment and determine their antimicrobial activities against some clinical isolates.
 Study Design: This was an in-vitro study.
 Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Microbial Resources Research Laboratory, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Nigeria between January 2020 and December, 2021.
 Methodology: Phenotypic and molecular methods of identification of the isolated microorganisms were done. A secondary metabolite of the isolate was obtained. An antibiotic sensitivity test of its metabolites was performed using ten (10) clinical isolates; inhibition zones were measured and recorded for each test organism. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the probable bioactive molecules present in the metabolite. The nucleotide sequences of the isolate were translated using Phyre2 and viewed with PyMOL.
 Results: The isolate was identified as Streptomyces longisporoflavus. Various zones of inhibition were recorded for each of the tested pathogenic organisms. Five (5) bioactive molecules were identified in the metabolites, with butane-1,1-dibutoxy-2 (1H)-quinolone having the highest peak area. The PYMOL result shows that the protein structure has a 64% identity as a binding molecule.
 Conclusion: This study reveals that the local isolates of S. longisporoflavus showed promising antimicrobial potential with bioactive molecules that are potent inhibitors of pathogenic organisms.

Benzothiazole—An Antifungal Compound Derived from Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum against Mango Anthracnose Pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz and (Sacc.))

The present investigation is focused on exploring the possibilities of identifying biomolecules from the fruiting body of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum against the mango anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The fruiting body (cap and stipe portion) of G. lucidum extracted with ethyl acetate solvent at a maximum inhibitory concentration of 1 percent exhibited the maximum mycelial growth inhibition of C. gloeosporioides with 70.10 percent and 40.77 percent, respectively. Furthermore, subjecting the ethyl acetate extracts from the cap portion of G. lucidum through thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of two bands with Rf values of 0.38 and 0.35. The compounds eluted from band 1 recorded with the maximum mycelial growth inhibition of C. gloeosporioides by 53.77 percent followed by band 2 (46.33 percent) using an agar well diffusion test. Similarly, the analysis of ethyl acetate extracts from the cap portion of G. lucidum through Gas Chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed the presence of the organoheterocyclic compound benzothiazole, as expressed in the highest peak area at 22.03 RT with the highest probability percentage (97%). Confirmation of the antifungal nature of benzothiazole was obtained by testing the standard sample of benzothiazole which showed a cent percent of inhibition on mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides at 50 ppm minimum fungicidal concentration. Furthermore, benzothiazole caused abnormality in the mycelial structures, viz., distortion, shrinkage, clumping of mycelium, conidial malformation, and complete arrestment of conidial germination of C. gloeosporioides as observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy. The research on biomolecular extract of G. lucidum could be a novel and interesting concept for the possibility in suppression of plant pathogenic microbes in the natural field.

Isolation and Purification of the Anti-Bacterial Compound of Cinnamon Oil Extracted from South India

Cinnamon oil is derived from the leaves of the cinnamon tree, the essential oil of the plant is extracted by steam distillation, while its bark is used to make cinnamon spice. The present study was conducted to isolate the most important bioactive compounds from cinnamon oil extracted from South India. The thin-layer chromatography (TLC) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine and estimate the isolates obtained. It found that the organic phase's highest retention time was 5.433, and the peak area percentage was 88.8 %. The organic phase sample had a high peak area percentage, indicating that there was a lot of bioactive chemical in it. The broad absorption band at 3270 cm-1 is due to the (-OH) group, 1670 and 1623 cm-1 to the C=C group, 1449 and 1381 cm-1 to the (-C-H) group, and the band at 1120 cm-1 to the (-C-O) group. A pseudo molecular ion peak at m/z 275 for a [M+H] +. This study resulted in finding a peak in the positive mode mass spectra, indicating a molecular weight of 274 and the molecular formula of C15H14O5.1H 13CNMR investigations verified the presence of phenol hydroxide groups, two aromatic ring systems, methylene groups, and a phenoxy carbon in the chemical composition of the compound. Moreover, the composition is quite similar to catechins, and this chemical is separated from the organic phase of cinnamon oil. The potent inhibitory activity of the newly synthesized catechin antagonist against S.aureus and E.coli was found to assess cell death by detection of DNA fragments using agarose gel electrophoresis and SEM analysis.