High Polyphenol Content Research Articles

Photochemoprevention of topical formulation containing purified fraction of Inga edulis leaves extract.

Natural antioxidants have attracted attention for their therapeutic use as photochemopreventive agents. Inga edulis leaves extract and its purified fraction have high polyphenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. In addition, they presented UV photostability and low citotoxicity in fibroblast cells. In this context, this study first aimed at development of topical formulation containing purified fraction of I. edulis extract and the evaluation of skin penetration of the compounds. Moreover, the photoprotective/photochemopreventive potential of the formulation containing I. edulis purified fraction were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The topical formulation containing 1% of the purified fraction of I. edulis increased the endogenous antioxidant potential of the skin, and vicenin-2 and myricetin compounds were able to penetrate the epidermis and dermis. Additionally, the purified fraction (25 and 50 mg/mL) showed a photoprotective effect against UVA and UVB radiation in L929 fibroblast cells. In vivo studies have shown that the formulation added with purified fraction provided an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin of animals after UVB exposure, since it was observed a reduction in MPO activity, IL-1β and TNF-α cytokines, and CXCL1/KC chemokine concentrations. In conclusion, the purified fraction of I. edulis, rich in phenolic compounds, when incorporated in topical formulation, appears as an alternative to prevent skin damages induced by UV radiation, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pecans and Its Polyphenols Prevent Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis and Diabetes by Reducing Dysbiosis, Inflammation, and Increasing Energy Expenditure in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are considered a functional food due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and polyphenols. To determine the effect of whole pecans (WP) or a pecan polyphenol (PP) extract on the development of metabolic abnormalities in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet, we fed C57BL/6 mice with a Control diet (7% fat), HF diet (23% fat), HF containing 30% WP or an HF diet supplemented with 3.6 or 6 mg/g of PP for 18 weeks. Supplementation of an HF diet with WP or PP reduced fat mass, serum cholesterol, insulin and HOMA-IR by 44, 40, 74 and 91%, respectively, compared to the HF diet. They also enhanced glucose tolerance by 37%, prevented pancreatic islet hypertrophy, and increased oxygen consumption by 27% compared to the HF diet. These beneficial effects were associated with increased thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue, mitochondrial activity and AMPK activation in skeletal muscle, reduced hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration of subcutaneous and visceral adipocytes, reduced hepatic lipid content and enhanced metabolic signaling. Moreover, the microbial diversity of mice fed WP or PP was higher than those fed HF, and associated with lower circulating lipopolysaccharides (~83-95%). Additionally, a 4-week intervention study with the HF 6PP diet reduced the metabolic abnormalities of obese mice. The present study demonstrates that WP or a PP extract prevented obesity, liver steatosis and diabetes by reducing dysbiosis, inflammation, and increasing mitochondrial content and energy expenditure. Pecan polyphenols were mainly condensed tannin and ellagic acid derivatives including ellagitannins as determined by LC-MS. Herein we also propose a model for the progression of the HF diet-mediated metabolic disorder based on early and late events, and the possible molecular targets of WP and PP extract in preventive and intervention strategies. The body surface area normalization equation gave a conversion equivalent to a daily human intake dose of 2101-3502 mg phenolics that can be obtained from 110-183 g pecan kernels/day (22-38 whole pecans) or 21.6-36 g defatted pecan flour/day for an average person of 60 kg. This work lays the groundwork for future clinical studies.

Discrimination of Green Coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora) of Different Geographical Origin Based on Antioxidant Activity, High-Throughput Metabolomics, and DNA RFLP Fingerprinting.

The genus Coffea is known for the two species C. arabica (CA) and C. canephora (CC), which are used to prepare the beverage coffee. Proper identification of green beans of coffee varieties is based on phenotypic and phytochemical/molecular characteristics. In this work, a combination of chemical (UV/Vis, HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, GC-MS, and GC-FID) and molecular (PCR-RFLP) fingerprinting was used to discriminate commercial green coffee accessions from different geographical origin. The highest content of polyphenols and flavonoids was always found in CC accessions, whereas CA showed lower values. ABTS and FRAP assays showed a significant correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity in most CC accessions. We identified 32 different compounds, including 28 flavonoids and four N-containing compounds. The highest contents of caffeine and melatonin were detected in CC accessions, whereas the highest levels of quercetin and kaempferol derivatives were found in CA accessions. Fatty acids of CC accessions were characterized by low levels of linoleic and cis octadecenoic acid and high amounts of elaidic acid and myristic acid. Discrimination of species according to their geographical origin was achieved using high-throughput data analysis, combining all measured parameters. Lastly, PCR-RFLP analysis was instrumental for the identification of recognition markers for the majority of accessions. Using the restriction enzyme AluI on the trnL-trnF region, we clearly discriminated C. canephora from C. arabica, whereas the cleavage performed by the restriction enzymes MseI and XholI on the 5S-rRNA-NTS region produced specific discrimination patterns useful for the correct identification of the different coffee accessions. This work extends our previous studies and provides new information on the complete flavonoid profile, combining high-throughput data with DNA fingerprinting to assess the geographical discrimination of green coffee.

Dragon's Blood Sap Microencapsulation within Whey Protein Concentrate and Zein Using Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas Technology.

Dragon's blood sap (DBS) obtained from the bark of Croton lechleri (Müll, Arg.) is a complex herbal remedy of pharmacological interest due to its high content in polyphenols, specifically proanthocyanidins. In this paper, electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) was first compared with freeze-drying to dry natural DBS. Secondly, EAPG was used for the first time to entrap natural DBS at room temperature into two different encapsulation matrices, i.e., whey protein concentrate (WPC) and zein (ZN), using different ratios of encapsulant material: bioactive compound, for instance 2:1 w/w and 1:1 w/w. The obtained particles were characterized in terms of morphology, total soluble polyphenolic content (TSP), antioxidant activity, and photo-oxidation stability during the 40 days of the experiment. Regarding the drying process, EAPG produced spherical particles with sizes of 11.38 ± 4.34 µm, whereas freeze-drying produced irregular particles with a broad particle size distribution. However, no significant differences were detected between DBS dried by EAPG or freeze-drying in TSP, antioxidant activity, and photo-oxidation stability, confirming that EAPG is a mild drying process suitable to dry sensitive bioactive compounds. Regarding the encapsulation process, the DBS encapsulated within the WPC produced smooth spherical microparticles, with average sizes of 11.28 ± 4.28 µm and 12.77 ± 4.54 µm for ratios 1:1 w/w and 2:1 w/w, respectively. The DBS was also encapsulated into ZN producing rough spherical microparticles, with average sizes of 6.37 ± 1.67 µm and 7.58 ± 2.54 µm for ratios 1:1 w/w and 2:1 w/w, respectively. The TSP was not affected during the encapsulation process. However, a slight reduction in antioxidant activity measured by DPPH was observed during encapsulation. An accelerated photo-oxidation test under ultraviolet light confirmed that the encapsulated DBS showed an increased oxidative stability in comparison with the non-encapsulated DBS, with the stability being enhanced for the ratio of 2:1 w/w. Among the encapsulating materials and according to the ATR-FTIR results, ZN showed increased protection against UV light. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of EAPG technology in the drying or encapsulation of sensitive natural bioactive compounds in a continuous process available at an industrial scale, which could be an alternative to freeze-drying.

Development of a Cosmetic Spray With Photoprotective Properties Based on Green Tea

Sunburn is the result of the skin’s protective response to damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The melanin found in human skin absorbs ultraviolet light, helping to protect it, but some (light-skinned people) have less of it in their skin, which immediately increases the risk of sun damage. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation adversely affects human skin. Active cohesion of basal cells and increased division of corneocytes thickens the stratum corneum of the epidermis, protecting underlying cells and basal keratinocytes from damage. The aim of the work is to search for and analyze natural components that have photoprotective properties that do not pose a danger to humans. One of these components are polyphenols, which form a natural photoprotective defense mechanism in plants. Green tea extract contains polyphenols capable of capturing ultraviolet radiation, therefore it is a promising environmentally friendly analogue of physical and chemical UV filters. Analysis of the developed liquid cosmetic spray based on green tea extract showed a high content of polyphenols, which may indicate the prospect of development in this direction.

Microbial Diversity and Bioactive Compounds in Dried Lycium barbarum Fruits (Goji): A Comparative Study.

This study compares the microbial diversity and content of bioactive compounds in dried goji berries available on the Polish market to those of the most highly valued goji berries from the Ningxia region in China. The content of phenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids were determined, as well as the antioxidant capacities of the fruits. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the microbiota inhabiting the fruits was assessed using metagenomics by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina platform. The highest quality was demonstrated by naturally dried fruits from the Ningxia region. These berries were characterized by a high content of polyphenols and high antioxidant activity, as well as high microbial quality. The lowest antioxidant capacity was shown by goji berries cultivated in Poland. However, they contained a high amount of carotenoids. The highest microbial contamination was found in the goji berries available in Poland (>106 CFU/g), which is important in terms of consumer safety. Despite the widely accepted benefits of consuming goji berries, both the country of cultivation and the preservation method may influence their composition, bioactivity, and microbial quality.

Ecofriendly hair dye extraction from wastewater pericarp processing by-products of water caltrop (Trapa quadrispinosa): Optimization and evaluation

As an alternative approach for toxicological effects of synthetic hair dyes, water caltrop (Trapa quadrispinosa) pericarp pigment extracted by 50% ethanol at 40 °C for 30 min was used as an ecofriendly and natural hair dye. Water caltrop pericarp (WCP) of seven regions were experimented to develop eco-friendly dyes intended for application in alternative chemical synthesis hair dyeing products. The results showed that the highest content of polyphenol was extracted from WCP in Jiaxing, which was used as a follow-up study. The optimization method was mordant dyeing first and then dyeing. Optimal dyeing conditions were identified as 4% Fe3+ at 25 °C with a total dyeing time of 65 min, and WCP hair dye showed better resistance to washing. The results of SEM and DSC showed that WCP hair dye could replace synthetic hair dyes and has some restorative function for damaged hair. This study provides a valuable reference for the development of more environmentally friendly hair dyes.

The Use of Carbon Dioxide as a Green Approach to Recover Bioactive Compounds from Spent Coffee Grounds.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) contain bioactive compounds. In this work, given the increasing demand to valorize waste and use green technologies, SCG were submitted to extraction by carbon dioxide (CO2) in supercritical and liquid conditions. The extraction parameters were varied to obtain the maximum yield with the maximum antioxidant activity. The use of supercritical and liquid CO2 with 5% ethanol for 1 h provided yields (15 and 16%, respectively) comparable to those obtained by control methods for 5 h and extracts with high total polyphenolic contents (970 and 857 mg GAE/100 g oil, respectively). It also provided extracts with DPPH (3089 and 3136 μmol TE/100 g oil, respectively) and FRAP (4383 and 4324 μmol TE/100 g oil, respectively) antioxidant activity levels higher than those of hexane extracts (372 and 2758 μmol TE/100 g oil, respectively) and comparable to those of ethanol (3492 and 4408 μmol TE/100 g oil, respectively). The SCG extracts exhibited linoleic, palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids (predominant fatty acids) and furans and phenols (predominant volatile organic compounds). They were also characterized by caffeine and individual phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids) with well-known antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; therefore, they could be used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food sectors.

Phytochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Several Allium Extracts.

Microbial infections affect both the human population and animals. The appearance of more and more microbial strains resistant to classical treatments led to the need to develop new treatments. Allium plants are known for their antimicrobial properties due to their high content of thiosulfinates, especially allicin, polyphenols or flavonoids. The hydroalcoholic extracts of six Allium species obtained by cold percolation were analyzed regarding their phytochemical compounds and antimicrobial activity. Among the six extracts, Allium sativum L. and Allium ursinum L. have similar contents of thiosulfinates (approx. 300 μg allicin equivalents/g), and the contents of polyphenols and flavonoids were different between the tested species. The HPLC-DAD method was used to detail the phytochemical composition of species rich in thiosulfinates. A. sativum is richer in allicin (280 μg/g) than A. ursinum (130 μg/g). The antimicrobial activity of A. sativum and A. ursinum extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis can be correlated with the presence of large amounts of thiosulfinates. Both extracts have shown results against Candida species (inhibition zones of 20-35 mm) and against Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zones of 15-25 mm). These results demonstrate the antimicrobial effect of the extracts and suggest their use as an adjuvant treatment for microbial infections.

Physiochemical and nutritional composition of aonla (Emblica officinalis): A potential functional food for health benefits

Aonla, also known as Indian gooseberry, a traditional fruit that has become increasingly popular due to its high nutritional and therapeutic value. Aonla is a member of the Euphorbeaceae family and is indigenous to China, India, Ceylon, and Malaya. Aonla is known for its high content of polyphenols and vitamin C, and is used in Ayurvedic and Unani medical systems to treat cough and jaundice. The fruit is available from October to January and has a short shelf life. It is typically consumed raw, boiled, or in pickle form, and is also used to make various products, including murrabas, juice, jam, cheese, candy, powder, and chutney. The paper highlights the various physicochemical parameters of Aonla that play a critical role in the processing and preservation of this valuable fruit.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Garcinia mangostana

Abstract Aim of this study is to present microbiological quality, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the mangosteen fruit in two forms: freeze-dried powder and fresh fruit. During the identification of the mangosteen microbiota using a MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper mass spectrophotometer, the presence of B. cereus and Saccharomyces spp. has been detected. The best antimicrobial activity was achieved against Micrococcus spp. Mangosteen fruit (Garcina mangostana) is characterized by a high content of polyphenols at the following levels: fresh fruit 3.22 ±0.68 mg GAE.g−1; powder form 2.17 ±0.64 mg GAE.g−1. Mangosteen shows a high antioxidant capacity of the fruit in the two forms presented in the work. It was 21.18% (fresh fruit) and 14.46% (freeze-dried fruit). Mangosteen also shows an antibacterial activity in relation to the strains of bacteria tested in our work.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Extract and Solvent Fractions of Hemistepta lyrata Bunge

This study investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in order to confirm the possibility of functional materials that can improve skin diseases using <i>Hemistepta lyrata</i> Bunge extracts and solvent fractions. As a result of measuring the total polyphenol content, the content was high in EtOAc fraction, and then the BuOH fraction is next. As a result of measuring DPPH free radical scavenging activities, it was confirmed that BuOH fractions had superior antioxidant activity compared to other solvent fractions. In particular, in the case of EtOAc fraction, it was confirmed that the antioxidant ability was excellent even at a low concentration compared to other fractions in ABTS and FRAP assay. Through this, it was confirmed that the higher the total polyphenol content, the higher the antioxidant effect. In addition, as a result of verifying the inflammatory efficacy of the extract and the solvent fraction using the J774 cell line, it was confirmed that the NO level decreased when the extract and the solvent fraction were treated. In particular, it is determined that the ethyl acetate fraction having a high total polyphenol content has superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and contains more active substances than other fractions. Therefore, in order to conduct additional research, it is determined that research on the compounds contained in the ethyl acetate fraction is necessary.

Vitis vinifera (Vine Grape) as a Valuable Cosmetic Raw Material.

This review refers to botanical, ecological and phytochemical characteristics of Vitis vinifera L. (vine grape)-a species, the valuable properties of which are widely exploited in the food industry and in recent times in medicine as well as in phytocosmetology. The general characteristic of V. vinifera, followed by the chemical composition and biological activities of different extracts obtained from the plant (fruit, skin, pomace, seed, leaf and stem extracts), are provided. A concise review of the extraction conditions of grape metabolites and the methods of their analysis are also presented. The biological activity of V. vinifera is determined by the presence of high contents of polyphenols, mainly flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol), catechin derivatives, anthocyanins and stilbenoids (e.g., trans-resveratrol, trans-ε-viniferin). The review pays particular attention to the application of V. vinifera in cosmetology. It has been proven that V. vinifera possesses strong cosmetological-related properties, such as anti-ageing properties, anti-inflammatory properties and skin-whitening properties. Moreover, a review of studies on V. vinifera biological activities, which are of particular interest for dermatologic problems, are disclosed. Furthermore, the work also emphasises the importance of biotechnological studies on V. vinifera. The last part of the review is addressed to the safety of the use of V. vinifera.

The optimization growth of Dracocephalum forrestii in RITA® bioreactor, and preliminary screening of the biological activity of the polyphenol rich extract

Dracocephalum forrestii is a medicinal plant growing in China. The aim of the present study was to large-scale cultivation of D. forrestii transformed shoots in a temporary immersion system based on previously-optimized Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L N-benzyl-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)-adenine (BPA) and 0.2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and physical (under blue LED) conditions. Shoot proliferation, and biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation in the shoots were assessed after a three-week growth period in a RITA® bioreactor. The levels of polyphenols in four types of extract (hydromethanolic extracts – mixtures with a 20%, 50%, and 80% methanol content and infusion) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Within three weeks, the culture increased its biomass 283-fold, with a proliferation ratio of 40.5 shoots or/and buds per explants. The most efficient solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds from raw material turned out to be 80% methanol solution; the highest polyphenol content was 40 mg/g DW (dry weight) with acacetin rhamnosyl-trihexoside (12.97 mg/g DW) and rosmarinic acid (10.68 mg/g DW) predominating. The intensive growth of the biomass of the culture allowed 570 mg of polyphenolic compounds to be obtained per liter of the medium. The antioxidant potential of extract of D. forrestii shoots was evaluated using three free radical-scavenging tests, and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation assay. In the study, the cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal potentials of the extract were also determined.

Cocoa Bean Shell: A By-Product with High Potential for Nutritional and Biotechnological Applications.

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is one of the main solid wastes derived from the chocolate industry. This residual biomass could be an interesting source of nutrients and bioactive compounds due to its high content in dietary fibres, polyphenols and methylxanthines. Specifically, CBS can be employed as a raw material for the recovery of, for example, antioxidants, antivirals and/or antimicrobials. Additionally, it can be used as a substrate to obtain biofuels (bioethanol or biomethane), as an additive in food processing, as an adsorbent and, even, as a corrosion-inhibiting agent. Together with the research on obtaining and characterising different compounds of interest from CBS, some works have focused on the employment of novel sustainable extraction methods and others on the possible use of the whole CBS or some derived products. This review provides insight into the different alternatives of CBS valorisation, including the most recent innovations, trends and challenges for the biotechnological application of this interesting and underused by-product.

Detect Polyphenol and Fatty Acid Content of Two Wild Plants Collected in Mazne Sub-district, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Celtis tournefortii Lam and Prosopis farcta plant's antioxidant and polyphenolic characteristics have been attributed to the various phytochemicals, including phenolic and fatty acids, present in the crude extract in the leaves, fruits, pods, and seeds. This study's aim is to determine the entire phytochemical compositions of the leaf and fruit reflect Celtis tournefortii Lam, while pod and seed represent Prosopis farcta from Mazne sub-district, including proximate analysis, total antioxidant capacity, total organic acids, ascorbic acids, polyphenols, and fatty acids following established procedures. Pods have higher levels of fiber (41± 0.05 mg/100 g), protein (20.3±0.05%), and vitamin C (26.47±0.03 mg/100 g) from Prosopis farcta, although fruit has higher levels of total antioxidants (89.54± 0.28%) and organic acid (1576±0.57 mg/kg) from Celtis tournefortii Lam. Gallic acid (10.56±0.03 mg/kg) had the highest concentration of polyphenols, whereas the pod contained the highest concentrations of quercetin (11.27±0.14 mg/kg), rutin (13.0±0.57 mg/kg), coumaric acid (2140.57 mg/kg), and chlorogenic acid (659.0±0.57 mg/kg). Oleic acid 32.60±0.24%, Cis-11-Eicosenoic 3.20±0.11%, and Cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-Docosahexaenoic 2.10±0.05% were the most prevalent unsaturated fatty acids in the seed, whereas palmitic 17.40±0.05% and tricosanoic 6.40±0.05% were the most prevalent saturated fatty acids in the leaves. Overall, seeds had the highest concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (74.44%), while leaves had the highest concentration of saturated fatty acids (44.42%). This study identifies two untamed plants, Celtis tournefortii Lam and Prosopis farcta, as potential new sources of natural oil and beneficial natural ingredients.

Comparative Study of Antioxidant Capacity, Polyphenol and Flavonoid Content of Water, Ethanol and Water-Ethanol Hibiscus Extracts

Hibiscus is a widely used plant, which has been proven to have numerous positive effects on human health, such as lowering blood pressure, maintaining optimal blood cholesterol levels, liver protection, prevention of oxidative stress, etc. In this study, the content of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity of aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic (50/50 v/v) hibiscus extracts, prepared by maceration and ultrasonic extraction, was analyzed. Analysis of antioxidant activity was performed in vitro, using FRAP and DPPH methods. The results showed that the mixture of water and ethanol had a significantly higher effect of extraction of bioactive components from hibiscus than the remaining two solvents. The lowest content of polyphenols and flavonoids, and thus the weakest antioxidant activity was recorded in extracts prepared in absolute ethanol. By comparing the efficiency of the techniques used, maceration proved to be slightly more efficient in the case of aqueous and hydroethanol extracts, while higher polyphenol content and higher antioxidant activity were observed in ethanolic extracts prepared by ultrasonic extraction.

Multi-Criteria Optimization including Environmental Impacts of a Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Polyphenols and Comparison with an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Process.

Valorization of wastes and by-products using environmentally friendly technologies with an optimal cost-benefit relationship is a current major issue in agri-food industries. An original tool was recently developed for multi-criteria optimization of an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process including the assessment of environmental impacts using Life Cycle Assessment. In the present work, this methodology was adapted and applied to another green extraction process, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), with the same case study, valorization of antioxidant polyphenols from downgraded beet seeds. Once built, the obtained multi-criteria optimization tool was used to investigate performances of the MAE process regarding productivity criteria (polyphenol concentration and antioxidant activity of the extracts), energy consumption and environmental impacts as functions of operating parameters (time, solvent composition, microwave power density, and liquid-solid ratio). The MAE process was optimized under different constraints and compared to the UAE process. For the studied conditions and different investigated scenarios, MAE enabled obtaining extracts with higher polyphenol concentrations and antioxidant activity (approximately 33% and 23% enhancements, respectively), and to strongly reduce extraction duration (by a factor up to 6), whereas UAE enabled reducing the energy consumption (up to 3.6 fold) and the environmental impacts (up to 12% for climate change).

The nematicidal potential of novel fungus, Trichoderma asperellum FbMi6 against Meloidogyne incognita

One of the most damaging pests in vegetable crops is the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) worldwide. The continuous use of nematicide is costly and has unintended consequences for human and environmental health. To minimize nematicides, eco-friendly integrated nematode management is required. Trichoderma, an antagonistic fungus has been explored to control root-knot nematode. The fungal bio-control strain FbMi6 was identified as Trichoderma asperellum (accession no. MT529846.1). T. asperellum FbMi6 showed substantial nematicidal activity in the laboratory, with egg hatch suppression (96.6%) and juvenile mortality (90.3%) of M. incognita. T. asperellum FbMi6 was examined under pot and field conditions (after neem cake enrichment), both alone and in combination, and compared with controls. Application of T. asperellum FbMi6 enriched neem cake (1-ton ha-1) increased (28.3%) the okra yield and decreased (57.1%) nematode population as compared with control. T. asperellum FbMi6 enriched neem cake had higher polyphenol content (resistance enhancer) in okra compared with inoculated check.

Geographical Classification of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Using Total and Synchronous Fluorescence Combined with Chemometric Approaches.

There is an increasing interest in food science for high-quality natural products with a distinct geographical origin, such as saffron. In this work, the excitation-emission matrix (EEM) and synchronous fluorescence were used for the first time to geographically discriminate between Moroccan saffron from Taroudant, Ouarzazate, and Azilal. Moreover, to differentiate between Afghan, Iranian, and Moroccan saffron, a unique fingerprint was assigned to each sample by visualizing the EEM physiognomy. Moreover, principal component analysis (LDA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were successfully applied to classify the synchronous spectra of samples. High fluorescence intensities were registered for Ouarzazate and Taroudant saffron. Yet, the Azilal saffron was distinguished by its low intensities. Furthermore, Moroccan, Afghan, and Iranian saffron were correctly assigned to their origins using PCA and LDA for different offsets (Δλ) (20-250 nm) such that the difference in the fluorescence composition of the three countries' saffron was registered in the following excitation/emission ranges: 250-325 nm/300-480 nm and 360-425 nm/500-550 nm. These regions are characterized by the high polyphenolic content of Moroccan saffron and the important composition of Afghan saffron, including vitamins and terpenoids. However, weak intensities of these compounds were found in Iranian saffron. Furthermore, a substantial explained variance (97-100% for PC1 and PC2) and an important classification rate (70-90%) were achieved. Thus, the non-destructive applied methodology of discrimination was rapid, straightforward, reliable, and accurate.