Highest Scavenging Activity Research Articles

Study on the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract and Fractions Based on Indicator Compound Content

The skin, as a barrier against environmental stressors, is highly affected by rapid industrialization and pollution, leading to oxidative stress, aging, and inflammation. Growing interest in natural antioxidants, especially in functional cosmetics, has highlighted the need for safe, effective alternatives to synthetic ingredients. <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> is traditionally known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but research on its specific fractions remains limited. This study explores both the overall and fraction-specific efficacy of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract for potential use in skincare. This study summarizes the evaluation of various biological activities of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract and its fractions. In the first stage, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were investigated, identifying fractions with higher scavenging activity than the extract itself. In the second stage, cell viability was tested to determine concentrations that do not induce cytotoxicity. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, inflammation was induced using LPS, and the suppression of Nitrite production demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects. In HaCaT cells, skin inflammation was induced with TNF-α and IFN-γ, and the reduction in interleukin (IL)-6 production was observed. Additionally, specific fractions exhibited a significant ability to regulate key chemokines like IL-8, RANTES, and TARC. The study also showed that the inhibition of ICAM-1 expression helped control cellular adhesion in the early stages of inflammation. Moreover, HPLC analysis confirmed that specific fractions contained higher concentrations of active ingredients compared to the extract, reinforcing their potential as natural cosmetic ingredients. <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> fractions showed exceptional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, even in small amounts, indicating their potential use in functional cosmetics and anti-aging products. Future studies are expected to explore the development of natural cosmetic ingredients from these fractions, contributing to the growth of the functional cosmetics and anti-aging market.

Evaluating the Antioxidant Capacity, Phenolic Contents, and Anticancer Potential of Caralluma europaea Extracts

Background: Caralluma europaea (C. europaea) is a genus of shrubs in the Apocynaceae family, endemic to the Mediterranean region. Assessing the anticancer properties, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of different C. europaea extracts were the aim of this study.Methods: To determine antioxidant activity, we used three free radical scavenging assays: DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using colorimetric methods. The anti-important activity was evaluated by MTT assay.Results: Our findings showed that the efficacy of the extract in MCF7 cells decreased in the system containing chloroform, methanol, ethyl acetate, and water. The strength of the extract for U87 cells decreased according to methanolic, chloroform and water, where ethyl acetate was the strongest. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was found in methanol extract. All extracts showed a high scavenging activity of DPPH. Methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in the NO assay of the solution, followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous extract. In the H2O2-based antioxidant activity assay, the methanol extract again showed the highest activity, followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous extracts.Conclusions: Extracts of C. europaea have shown great potential as natural antioxidants and anticancer agents in this study, suggesting that they deserve further investigation into the food and pharmaceutical fields.Keywords: Phenolic content; Flavonoid content; Antioxidant activity; Anti-cancer activity

Assessment of the conceivable inhibitory activity of pathogenic microorganisms extracted from seaweed using phytochemicals, antioxidants, and in-silico molecular dynamic simulation

Turbinaria ornata, Polycladia myrica, and Padina pavonica is a perennial Mediterranean-native seaweed that is commonly used for mass display. The principal aims of this reconnaissance were the isolation of various compounds from methanolic seaweeds extraction and screening the potential effect as antibacterial, and antioxidant. The micro-dilution method was used to measure antibacterial activity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC. Mass) abused to analyze the chemical components of the methanolic seaweed extract. The existence of 19 secondary metabolites was discovered using GC–MS analysis: 8 different compounds for each seaweed's species. Among these bioactive compounds, 4 compounds from P. pavonica extract showed the binding affinity and ability to react with Beta-ketoacyl synthase (PDB ID 1EK4) of Escherichia coli. The phytocompounds' drug-like and poisonous characteristics were predicted. Auto Dock was used to examine the ligand receptor complexes' binding strength. T. ornate and P. pavonica had the highest activity against K. pneumonia, with 22.50 mm (0.78 µg/ml) and 22.23 mm (5.10 µg/ml) obtained, respectively. In a concentration-dependent manner, the extract components demonstrated substantial antioxidant activity. P. pavonica had the highest scavenging activity (78.00%, IC50 = 6.35 µg/ml), while ascorbic acid had a 96.45% scavenging impact. Because the chemicals bind to the Lipinski Ro5, they have drug-like characteristics. The compounds had no hepatotoxic effects. P. pavonica extract has the prospect of being used as a source of medicinal drug-like chemicals. The docking investigation found a strong correlation between the experimental results and the docking results. Finally, brown seaweed extract, particularly P. pavonica extract, demonstrated strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and free radical scavenging properties.

Process Optimization and Characterization of Polysaccharides with Potential Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activity from Cissus repens.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Cissus repens polysaccharides (CRPs) was optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD). The maximum CRPs yield (16.18 %) was achieved under the optimum extraction conditions: extraction time 72 min, extraction temperature 74 °C, extraction power 240 W. Then three-phase partitioning (TPP) method combined with gradient alcohol precipitation was used to obtained CRP20, CRP40, CRP60 and CRP80 from CRPs, and CRP80 has a higher purity than others. The primary chemical and structural characteristics of CRP80 were investigated by UV, FT-IR, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC). CRP80 is mainly composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose and mannose, with a molecular weights of approximately 2.95 kDa. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and hypoglyceamic activity of CRP80 in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that CRP80 had strong scavenging activities on ABTS, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, as well as high scavenging activities on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Our research provided an efficient method for the extraction of polysaccharides from C. repens and CRP80 has potential as a promising source of natural antioxidants and hypoglycemic agent for the functional food and medicinal industries.

Functional Properties and Components of Koenigia alpina Extract.

Koenigia alpina (All.) T.M.Schust. & Reveal (alpine knotweed) is a perennial herb belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Several studies have examined Polygonaceae species' potential applications as cosmeceutical materials; however, the potential of K. alpina as a cosmeceutical has not yet been studied. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipopolysaccharide were used to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and H2O2 were used to evaluate the free-radical scavenging activity of K. alpina extract and its protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell damage. The whitening, antiaging, and cell proliferation/migration effects of the extracts were evaluated via tyrosinase inhibition, collagenase/elastase inhibition, and wound healing assays, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect was confirmed by evaluating nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV, and MS/MS were used to determine the main components of the extract and fractions. The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction and its aglycone fraction showed very high free-radical scavenging activities (47.5 and 47.1µg/mL, respectively). The extract/fractions also showed significant tyrosinase inhibition (IC50 = 0.38mg/mL in EA fraction), collagenase inhibition (IC50 = 0.21mg/mL in EA fraction), and elastase inhibition (IC50 = 0.57mg/mL in aglycone fraction). NO production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells was inhibited by the extract/fractions. The extract also promoted the closure of scratch wounds in HaCaT cells. The K. alpina extract/fractions contained cardamonin, quercetin, and quercitrin. K. alpina extracts/fractions showed antioxidant, antiaging, whitening, and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting they may have potential as antiaging cosmeceuticals.

Preparation and characterization of novel antioxidant peptides from protein hydrolysate of Ophiocordyceps gracilis

Ophiocordyceps gracilis is a type of fungus commonly utilized in both health food and Chinese medicine. Herein, we prepared antioxidant hydrolysate from O. gracilis, and isolated and purified the prepared hydrolysate to obtain O. gracilis peptides-4–3–1 (OGP-4–3–1) grade with the highest scavenging activity on DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals. Three new peptides with high antioxidant capacity were identified as LFNHF, PLDRHPF and YPFLRPL, respectively. The three peptides can reduce the proportion of senescent cells conveying positive expression of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) and increase survival pace of H2O2-induced human hepatocellular carcinomas (HepG2 cells), and the protective effects on cellular against senescence might be related to their increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as the decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular docking results indicated that they could form durable hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds with critical amino acid residues of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), which could potentially modulate pathway of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in conjunction with Keap1. In conclusion, the current research offers a theoretical foundation for the further development of the anti-aging effect of OGP, which has a broad application prospect in the fields of functional food and cosmetics.

Nano-phytosome loaded Retama raetam extract/colistin: antibacterial, antioxidant activities and in vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced-neurotoxicity inhibition.

Antibiotics are misused nowadays, leading to the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains; causing the world to move towards natural medicine. Retama raetam had wide medicinal use. In the present study, R. raetam ethanolic extract proved to be active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC values ranged from 15.62 to 250µg/ml. Antioxidant analysis showed that the extract had high scavenging activity reached 92.40%. GC/MS analysis revealed that Sparteine and Tributyl acetylcitrate represent the extract major components. Furthermore, the combination between Retama raetam extract and colistin showed a synergistic effect. Moreover, nano-phytosome was designated and optimized to encapsulate Retama raetam extract/Colistin. Nano-phytosome characterized by particle size, Zeta potential, polydispersity index and Entrapment efficiency percentage of 16.92-32.85nm, -30.40 mV, 0.26 and 89% respectively. The antibacterial activity of the prepared nano-phytosome formula against P. aeruginosa showed promising MIC, MBC, MIC index, and IZ diameter reaching 7.81, 15.62µg/ml, 2, and 39mm, respectively. While TEM examination of P. aeruginosa cells treated with nano-phytosome formula revealed cell wall breakage which led to cell death. Finally, P. aeruginosa LPS was used to induce neurodegenerative disease in rat model. Rats treated with nano-phytosome formula showed normal histoarchitecture organization and the cerebral cortex was partially restored compared to control groups.

Chemical and green synthesized Co/Ni-doped hematite nanoparticles for enhancing the photocatalytic and antioxidant properties

This research focuses on developing environmentally friendly and economically viable Co/Ni-doped hematite nanoparticles (HNPs) through both chemical and green synthesis methods and evaluated their potential for biomedical and environmental applications. The chemical synthesis employs polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), while the green approach utilizes Azadirachta indica (A. indica) leaf extract as a stabilizing agent. Co/Ni-doped HNPs are crystalline size ranging from 14 to 21 nm, morphology analysis revealed that the NPs exhibited a quasi-spherical, with an average particle size ranging from 15.98 to 25.91 nm, and dopants confirmed to contain by the XPS spectra. VSM study explains magnetic parameters, coactivity, residual magnetism, and magnetization. A. indica plants contain quinones, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Characterization of the nanoparticles reveals optimized Co/Ni-doped HNPs with enhanced photocatalytic activity. These nanoparticles exhibit a remarkable 93%–95% degradation of UV-reactive dyes (methyl orange and methylene blue) within 90 min, attributed to structural and surface modifications that improve light absorption and enhance charge separation. The study concludes that green-synthesized Co/Ni-doped HNPs outperform chemically synthesized counterparts as superior photocatalysts. Additionally, antioxidant evaluations using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) assays suggest significant antioxidant capabilities. A high scavenging activity percentage, ranging from 83% to 88%, was observed, which increased with higher concentrations of the synthesized Co/Ni-doped HNPs making these nanoparticles suitable for biomedical and environmental applications that require a magnetic system. In this study, the IC50 values for the antioxidant activity of chemically and green synthesized Co/Ni-doped hematite nanoparticles against the DPPH/NO assay were calculated to be 18.33 μg ml−1 and 16.09 μg ml−1, respectively. The research highlights the multifunctional properties of Co/Ni-doped HNPs, addressing the demand for tailored inorganic magnetic nanoparticles with minimal ecological impact.

Influence of white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) powder on the quality characteristics of set-type yogurt during cold storage

ABSTRACT The quality attributes of a set-type yogurt fortified with different levels (0%, 2%, and 4%) of white radish powder (WRP) during cold storage were evaluated. WRP contains high total phenolic content (TPC, 276.8 mg GAE/100 g) and fiber (11.8%) and possessed high DPPH scavenging activity (63.35% inhibition). WRP increased the ash, fiber, TPC, DPPH scavenging activity, viscosity, acidity, water holding capacity (WHC), a*, b*, cohesiveness, springiness, and storage modulus (G´) and reduced the pH, total solids, syneresis, hardness, adhesiveness, protein, fat, L*, thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), gumminess, color, flavor, taste, smoothness, sourness, and general acceptability of yogurt. The pH, viscosity, WHC, hardness, gumminess, adhesiveness, TPC, DPPH scavenging activity, and sensory characteristics were reduced, whereas syneresis, acidity, a*, b*, G´, TBARS were augmented in all yogurt during storage with WRP-yogurt showed less changes indicating high storage stability of WRP-yogurt. Conclusively, WRP improved the quality attributes and storage stability of a set-type yogurt.

Phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins in Solanum lasiocarpum from Borneo: In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical profiling via LCMS Q-TOF

Phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are compounds that reported play important roles in plant defence mechanism system. Antioxidant activity is mostly derived from these phytochemical groups, which have a wide range of pharmaceutical properties, including antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-allergy, anti-fertility, hypoglycemic, anti-histamine, antioxidant, antiviral, analgesic, anti-ulcerogenic, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, immuno-secretory, cardiovascular, anti-platelet aggregation, antibacterial, anticancer, and hepatoprotective activities. However, these compounds in Solanum lasiocarpum from Borneo areas are remaining unclear. In this experiment, we performed comprehensive evaluation on effect of extraction solvents on phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin's contents and further on the scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate, DPPH; 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), ABTS; and ferric-reducing antioxidant power, FRAP). High phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents be found in low polar solvent. Antioxidant assay showed acetone was higher activity with IC50 of 6.36 mg/mL compared to methanol (12.1 mg/mL) and hexane (17.8 mg/mL). Furthermore, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry quadrupole-time of flight (LCMS Q-TOF) mass spectrometer detected N-Acryloylglycine, butoctamide hydrogen succinate, eruberin B, emmotin A and N-Cyclohexanecarbonylpentadecylamine that important in natural polymers, serve as sleep disorders treatment agents, anti-fibrotic property, immunomodulatory activity, and act as differentiator between N-palmitoylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NPAA) compared to fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), respectively. The limitation of this research is the assessment of antioxidant properties related to the polarity of the extraction solvent. Polar solvents may exhibit high scavenging activity, but phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are found in higher concentrations in non-polar solvents. We encourage further investigation into phytochemical profiles due to the abundance from non-polar solvents.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Two Helianthemum Species Growing in Greece

Helianthemum nummularium (HN) and Helianthemum oelanticum subsp. incanum (HO) are plant species, among Cistaceae, that are highly distributed in the Mediterranean region. In the current study, extracts of the aerial parts from both species have been analyzed phytochemically. The non-polar extract analysis resulted in the identification of 15 compounds in each species, mainly terpene and fatty acid derivatives, through GC–MS. The methanolic extract analysis, conducted through UHPLC–MS/MS, led to the identification of 39 metabolites in HN and 29 in HO, respectively, the majority of which were phenolics. Among the identified compounds, several have also been isolated and structurally determined (from HN: rutin, linoleic acid, gallic acid, and isoquercetin, and from HO: quercetin-3-O-(2″-O-galloyl)-galactopyranoside, methyl gallate, catechin-3-O-glucopyranoside, and astragalin, while hyperoside, and cis- and trans-tiliroside have been determined in both species). Furthermore, the methanolic extracts of HN and HO displayed a high total phenolic content (177.2 mg GA/g extract and 150.6 mg GA/g extract, respectively) and considerable free-radical scavenging activity against the DPPH radical (94.6% and 94.0% DPPH inhibition, respectively). Antimicrobial testing showed stronger inhibition of HN against Gram (+) bacterial strains (MIC values 0.07–0.15 mg/mL), while both extracts exhibited low tyrosinase-inhibitory activity. Considering the lack of studies conducted on the chemistry and biological activities of the genus Helianthemum, the chemical characterization of extracts could contribute to new sources of bioactive metabolites to be explored and exploited for further potential applications such as food and/ or the cosmetic industry.

Влияние фитохимического и антиоксидантного составов необработанных водных экстрактов Chlorella vulgaris на рост Saccharomyces cerevisiae в спиртовой среде

Chlorella vulgaris is rich in secondary metabolites that defend against environmental stress and aid in detoxification. In particular, bioactive compounds extracted from C. vulgaris may enhance the growth of microorganisms and detoxify them in an ethanolic medium. We aimed to effectively extract and characterize bioactive compounds found in C. vulgaris and further test them for their beneficial effects on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured in an ethanolic medium. Bioactive compounds in C. vulgaris were extracted using ultrasound and water as solvents. The extracts were analyzed for total phenol and flavonoid contents as part of their phytochemical composition. Their DPPH radical activity and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity were examined to determine their antioxidant properties and protective potential for S. cerevisiae in an ethanolic medium. Further, the extracts were added at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4% w/v concentrations into S. cerevisiae culture induced with 1% v/v ethanol for 23 days. The yeast cells’ density and viability were measured after 2, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 23 days. The extracts of C. vulgaris were rich in phenols and flavonoids, which are important bioactive compounds. Higher concentrations of the extracts increased total phenols up to 47.67 GAE mg/L and total flavonoids up to 218.67 QE mg/L. The extracts’ antioxidant composition showed high DPPH activity (70.12%) and H2O2 scavenging activity (4.97%). After 23 days, the samples treated with C. vulgaris extracts maintained a high viability of the yeast cells. In particular, the samples with 2, 4, 0.1, and 1% of the extract had a cell viability of 95.75, 94.04, 89.15, and 74%, respectively. The positive control (1% ethanol alone) and negative control (yeast alone) had 47.71 and 21.01% viability, respectively. This drastic reduction in viability was due to lysis of the yeast cells caused by ethanol. Ultrasound extraction with water as a solvent produced abundant beneficial secondary metabolites from C. vulgaris. The addition of C. vulgaris extract increased the viability and cell density of S. cerevisiae after 27 days, thereby protecting the yeast cells from the toxic effects of ethanol.

Antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of spirulina against 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary cancer

Background Breast cancer is the most abundant malignancies worldwide; however, its current therapies encounter drug resistance or exhibit numerous side effects. Marine and freshwater algal biomasses, such as spirulina, are rich with many biological active components. Objective The main objective of the current study was to investigate the therapeutic, antioxidant, and immune-modulating efficiency of spirulina on breast tumor modelled female rats, especially through the inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Materials and methods 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer rats were ingested with spirulina (500 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks, then blood and tissue samples of normal and spirulina-treated cancer rats were obtained and tested for biochemical, immunological, and histopathological assessments. Cancer model is used in this experiment. Results The results showed that spirulina is rich in phenolic compounds that have high scavenger activity and reducing power reflecting the antioxidant potential of spirulina. Treatment of DMBA-induced mammary cancer rats with spirulina resulted in improvement in mammary oxidative stress status that was distorted due to DMBA administration; meanwhile, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione values were elevated significantly coupled with a marked drop in nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. In addition, spirulina boosts the immune-modulating response against tumor as the serum proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interlukin-1 beta, and interlukin-6) were markedly downregulated, and associated with inhibition of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin pathway; this in turn suppress the tumor proliferation and progression. Furthermore, the prognosis of the treatment was indicated by the clear reduction of serum cancer antigen 15.3 level accompanied by elevation in serum level of the apoptotic biomarkers (caspase-3 and CD4) inferring the upregulation of tumor suppressor genes. Similarly, spirulina ameliorated lipid profile and the biochemical markers of hepatorenal functions (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, urea, and creatinine) that were disturbed by DMBA; therefore, it has a positive impact on the body health. These biochemical improvements were associated with a notable improvement in the histological architecture of the mammary tissue. Conclusion In conclusion, spirulina has proved considerable antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities against DMBA-induced mammary cancer.

In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract of microalgae strain MRB-1, MRB-2, and MRB-3

Abstract The awareness growth of human health encourages market demand of functional food. Microalgae are promoted as natural resources for functional food, food additives and food preservatives, considering their metabolites and nutrient-rich components with diverse pharmacological activities. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemicals, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of aqueous extracts of microalgae strain MRB-1, MRB-2, and MRB-3. The morphological surface of microalgae cells was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The metabolites of the extract were conducted using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (LC-HRMS) with positive and negative ion modes. In addition, the antioxidant activity was evaluated using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar disk-diffusion method against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739). The total phenolic contents (TPC) of the extract was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The result revealed that the aqueous extract of microalgae strain MRB-1 had the highest scavenging activity toward DPPH radicals with a value of 24.33±1.44% at 0.8 mg/mL. This data was in accordance with the TPC of the extract, whereas the highest TPC was also obtained from strain MRB-1 extract (17.73±0.64 mg GAE/g extract). Meanwhile, the MRB-2 extract had the highest inhibition activity against S. aureus, with a value of 11.78±2.06 mm at 18 mg/mL. The results of this study indicated that microalgae from the peatlands potentially benefit to human health as a natural antioxidant and antibacterial source.

Polyphenolic Profiling and Antioxidant Activity in Berry Extracts of Pyracantha Wild Varieties from the Mediterranean Region.

Pyracantha is a genus of wild perennial shrubs native in an area extending from Southwest Europe to Southeast Asia, and it is used in traditional medicine for the diuretic, cardiac, and tonic properties of its fruits, which can also be cooked to make jellies, jams, and sauces. This work aims to study and compare the antioxidant activity and the phenolic and anthocyanin composition of three varieties of Pyracantha coccinea: Red Column (PCR), Orange Glow (PCO), and Soleil d'Or (PCS), and one of Pyracantha angustifolia: Orange glow (PAO), collected from the spontaneous flora of the Mediterranean region (Southern Italy). Two different extraction processes were tested using methanol and an aqueous methanol solution (80% MeOH) to evaluate the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of freeze-dried berries. The highest total phenolic content was found in PCR and PAO berries (174.21 ± 0.149 and 168.01 ± 0.691 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry matter, respectively) extracted with an aqueous methanol solution (80% MeOH). Polyphenolic extracts analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS confirmed the presence of rutin, quercetin hexose, neoeriocitrin, procyanidin B, and resveratrol. Moreover, the total antioxidant activity of the berries' extracts was measured by comparing two different spectrophotometric methods (ABTS and DPPH), showing that the varieties with the highest total phenolic content, PCR and PAO, also had the highest scavenging activity. Finally, a suitable extraction process was chosen for the evaluation of the anthocyanins' composition of all frozen berries, and in all MS spectra of Pyracantha varieties, two ionic species at 449 m/z attributable to two cyanidin derivatives were found.

Comparative studies of antioxidant activity and profile of some spices

Compounds that prevent or slow down the oxidation of lipids or other molecules like free radicals are known as antioxidants. The Study evaluated the antioxidant capacity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity, and total flavonoid and phenol contents of six spices. Dried samples of spices were extracted in distilled water and analyzed using spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods. TAC results ranged from 232.79 - 64.32 mg/100g, with clove and black cardamom exhibiting the highest and lowest antioxidant activity respectively. The H2O2 scavenging activities result had clove and rosemary with the highest scavenging activity. Rosemary had the highest total phenol (5060 mg/100g) and flavonoid (1339 mg/100g) contents while black cardamom had the lowest values in both. Spices could be substituted for synthetic antioxidants in the food industry and as dietary sources of natural antioxidants.

Hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.) seeds nutritional aspects and food production perspectives: A review

This review is devoted to an analysis of the hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds’ nutritional aspects and food production perspectives, that can become a valuable source of multifunctional components for functional food production. Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose crop with lowenvironmental impact traditionally cultivated in Western cultures for fiber production. The propagation of synthetic fibers and the production of intoxicating drugs from certain narcotic strains resulted in the banning of its cultivation. Thus, culturing the varieties that are widely known as „industrial hemp“ has only been practiced for the past two decades. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is grown not only for its economic importance but also for the seeds’ nutritional value. Hemp seeds consists of 25–35% lipids with perfectly balanced fatty acids (FAs); 20–25% proteins, which are easy to digest and contain all essential amino acids; 20–30% carbohydrates, mainly dietary fiber; and vitamins and minerals. Besides its nutritional value, hempseed is also rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds such as bioactive peptides, polyphenols with high free radicals scavenging activity, and cannabinoids. Therefore, this study reviews the scientific knowledge about Cannabis sativa L. seeds and their progressive aspects of cultivation, functional and therapeutic potential, and its use in functional food production.

Formulation of Antioxidant Gummies Based on Gelatin Enriched with Citrus Fruit Peels Extract.

In this work, the peels of red and blonde oranges as well as lemons were efficiently (5.75-9.65% yield) extracted by hydroalcoholic solution with ultrasound assistance and employed as active molecule sources in the preparation of functional gummies. Antioxidant performances of the hydroalcoholic extracts were characterized by colorimetric assays, whereas LC-HRMS analyses identified the main bioactive compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids). The highest scavenging activity was recorded for lemon extract in an aqueous environment (IC50 = 0.081 mg mL-1). An ecofriendly grafting procedure was performed to anchor polyphenols to gelatin chains, providing macromolecular systems characterized by thermal analysis and antioxidant properties. Scavenger abilities (IC50 = 0.201-0.454 mg mL-1) allowed the employment of the conjugates as functional ingredients in the preparation of gummies with remarkable antioxidant and rheological properties over time (14 days). These findings confirmed the possible employment of highly polluting wastes as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for functional gummies preparation.

Enhancement of the flavor and functional characteristics of cod protein isolate using an enzyme-microbe system.

Cod protein isolate (CPI), a by-product of the cod processing industry, represents a novel source of high value-added products. However, off-flavors in cod protein such as bitterness and fishy odor reduce its acceptability to consumers. Here, CPI was first debittered using aminopeptidase from Streptomyces canus (ScAPase) and then deodorized through probiotic fermentation. This is the first reported demonstration of complete removal of the bitterness of CPI using ScAPase. Subsequently, Syn3 and Syn4, as aromatic CPI (ACPI), were prepared from debittered CPI (DCPI) via fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum, respectively. These products, DCPI and ACPI, were characterized by the absence of bitterness and fishy odor, along with a strong aromatic scent and high overall acceptability. Additionally, these products exhibited improved physicochemical properties, including enhanced oil-holding capacity, emulsifying activity, and resistance to digestion, compared to untreated CPI. However, significant differences were observed in their radical scavenging activities. The highest scavenging activity was detected in Syn3 against DPPH˙ (63.5%) and ˙OH (79.2%), in DCPI against O2- (32.0%), and in post-digestion Syn4 against ABTS˙+ (95.2%). Furthermore, after digestion treatment, these products significantly promoted the proliferation of probiotics. Notably post-digestion Syn4 showed the most substantial proliferation effect on Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium breve compared to other post-digestion samples. These results indicate that the treated CPI has the potential for applications in health food products.

The Effects of Tiger Milk Mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus TM02® (Agaricomycetes) on Leukemogenicity Tyrosine Kinase Cell Lines.

Leukemia can be a result of genetic changes associated with protein tyrosine kinase activity such as in MPL W515L and BCR/ABL genes. However, the current conventional treatment of leukemia produces severe side effects that urge the approach to use natural products. A medicinal mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus shows potential as an anti-cancer treatment. To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of action of the L. rhinocerus cultivar (TM02®) extract on leukemogenic tyrosine kinase cell lines, a cold-water extract (CWE) was produced by using TM02® sclerotia powder at 4°C. The carbohydrate and protein contents were found to be 77.24% and 1.75% respectively. In comparison to the normal Ba/F3 cell, the CWE TM02® shows significant effects on exhibiting proliferation of Ba/F3 expressed MPL W515L and BCR/ABL, possibly due to the presence of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of TM02®, which contribute to act on various signaling pathways, and the reported apoptotic activity of CWE TM02®. In contrast, CWE TM02® significantly exhibited high scavenging activity of both Ba/F3 expressed MPL W515L and BCR/ABL. At concentrations of 125 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL of CWE TM02® decreased 49.5% and 67.5% of cell migration activity of Ba/F3 expressed MPL W515L and BCR/ABL respectively. Therefore, we postulate that CWE TM02® has the capability to mediate the migration route of the leukemogenic tyrosine kinase cell lines.