Highest DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity Research Articles

Chemical profiling, in-vitro and in silico α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Hypotrachyna cirrhata (Fr.) Hale ex Sipman

Natural products are essential in drug development, with increasing interest in lichen-derived compounds for their therapeutic potential. This study investigates the bioactivity of the methanolic extract of Hypotrachyna cirrhata through in vitro and in silico approaches. The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 of 10.37 ± 0.62 μg/mL, while the methanolic extract exhibited an IC50 of 72.30 ± 0.55 μg/mL. For α-glucosidase inhibition, the ethyl acetate fraction and crude extract showed IC50 values of 1.17 ± 0.50 μg/mL and 5.00 ± 0.45 μg/mL, respectively. Antibacterial assays revealed zones of inhibition of 12 and 11 mm against Staphylococcus aureus at 25 mg/mL, with the strain showing sensitivity to the methanolic extract (MIC of 20.0 × 10−4 mg/mL). LC-MS analysis identified eight metabolites in the ethyl acetate extract, salazinic acid (1), roccellaric acid (2), constictic acid (3), protolichesterinic acid (4), mannitol (5), penta hydroxyicosatrienoicacid (6), methyl pentahydroxyoxoheptacosanoate (7), and one unknown compound. Five major compounds (1-5) were selected for computational analysis and highlighted that salazinic acid as a potential lead compound, displaying a non-competitive binding with α-glucosidase and a binding affinity of −9.9 kcal/mol. These findings suggest salazinic acid's promise as an α-glucosidase inhibitor.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Ameliorate Selenium Stress and Increase Antioxidant Potential of Zea mays in Seleniferous Soil.

The indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores were isolated from rhizosphere soil associated with maize plants grown in natural selenium-impacted agricultural soils present in north-eastern region of Punjab, India (32°46' N, 74°46' N), with selenium concentration ranging from 2.1 to 6.1 mg kg-1 dry weight, and their role in plant growth promotion, mitigation of selenium stress and phytochemical and antioxidant potential of host maize plants in natural seleniferous soil were examined. Soils with selenium content between 2 and 200 mg kg-1 and producing plants with 45 mg selenium kg-1 dry weight are considered seleniferous soils. AMF inoculum consisting of indigenous AMF spores multiplied in pot cultures were inoculated to maize seeds at the time of sowing alongside control maize seeds in a total of 12 plots (6 replicates) made in seleniferous agricultural fields and sampled at maturity, i.e. 3 months. Asignificant difference was observed in plant growth parameters between control and AMF-inoculated maize plants. AMF-inoculated plants had 24.0 cm and 101.1 cm higher root and shoot length along with 27.2 g, 119.4 g and 28.1 g higher root, shoot and maize cob biomass in comparison to control plants. Se uptake studies through measurement of the emission spectrum of piazselenol complex by fluorescence spectrometry revealed that AMF inoculation led to 6.3 µg g-1 more selenium accumulation in mycorrhizal maize roots in comparison to control roots but lesser translocation to shoots and seeds, i.e. 17.17 µg g-1 and 19.58 µg g-1 lesser. AMF increased total phenolic content by 13 µg GAE mg-1 and total flavonoid content by 13.4 µg QE mg-1 in inoculated maize plants when compared to control plants. Antioxidant studies revealed that AMF inoculation also led to significant rise in enzyme activities by a difference of 115 and 193 EU g-1 in catalase, 140 and 93 EU g-1 in superoxide dismutase, 15 and 37 EU g-1 in ascorbate peroxidase and 19.8 and 23.6% higher DPPH radical scavenging activities, respectively, in shoots and roots of plants with AMF inoculation. The findingsof this study imply that AMF inoculated to maize plants in seleniferous field boost their plant growth and phytochemical and antioxidant properties, as well as minimize Se bioaccumulation in shoots and seeds of plants inoculated with AMF in comparison to control plants.

Environmentally-friendly synthesis of platinum nanoparticles: phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of Cichorium intybus in different solvents

Cichorium intybus, a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family, has long been utilized in traditional medicine across South and North Africa. This study explores the phytochemical profile, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of C. intybus leaf extracts and develops a green synthesis method for platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) using these extracts. Extracts were prepared using five solvent systems: 80% methanol, 80% ethanol, 100% methanol, 100% ethanol, and de-ionized water. The 80% methanolic extract showed the highest yield (12.79 g/100 g DW), total phenolic content (93.24 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid content (8.92 mg CE/g DW). Antioxidant activity assays revealed that the 80% methanolic extract had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Additionally, the green synthesis of PtNPs was achieved using C. intybus extracts, indicated by a color change and a surface plasmon resonance band at 295 nm in UV–visible spectroscopy. Optimal synthesis conditions were pH 9, 120 min reaction time, and 90 °C. UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis and stability of the PtNPs. These findings highlight the medicinal importance of Cichorium intybus and present a sustainable approach for synthesizing platinum nanoparticles, offering significant contributions to phytochemistry and nanotechnology.

Phytochemical Analysis, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Anti-coccidian Activities of Vitis vinifera Leaves Grown in Saudi Arabia

Background: Natural products are essential for medicinal purposes in developing countries. Traditional and contemporary medicine utilized plant products as alternative treatments for parasitic diseases. Objectives: The purpose of the investigation is to analyze and assess the bioactive compounds in Vitis vinifera leaf extracts, as well as their effect on coccidiosis. Materials and methods: Several analytical techniques were utilized, such as infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, we assessed the total phenol, tannin, flavonoid examination, and cytotoxicity of the plant extracts using an MTT assay and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). Moreover, the samples’ levels of antioxidant activity (measured with DPPH and ABTS) were analyzed. Results: The leaf extract's GC-MS study identified many bioactive elements linked to plant secondary metabolites. Further, the total phenol, tannin, and flavonoid were 160.217 ± 0.652, 65.872 ± 0.263, and 34.0463 ± 0.545 (mg TAE/g DW), respectively. It also contains these extracts with a high antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This reflects the number of bioactive chemicals that are present in these extracts. Conclusions: The findings of this research discuss techniques in phytochemical analysis of Vitis vinifera leaf extracts and the identification of biologically active components that support and justify the utilization of grape leaves in folk medicine in developing countries.

Biological Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Phytochemical Content of Leaf Extracts of Matoa (Pometia pinnata) and Pulasan (Nephelium ramboutan-ake) From the Sapindaceae Family

This study sought to assess the leaf extracts of matoa (Pometia pinnata) and pulasan (Nephelium ramboutan-ake) for antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, besides phytochemical content. Four extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water) were obtained from each plant via sequential extraction. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated using colorimetric broth microdilution methods. The antioxidant activities were studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The cytotoxicity was examined using mouse fibroblasts NIH/3T3 while the phytochemical content was detected using various chemical tests. Among the extracts, only the water extract of matoa and ethyl acetate extract of pulasan exerted bactericidal effects on Bacillus cereus (minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC): 0.63 mg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MBC: 1.25 mg/mL), respectively. In contrast, all extracts, except hexane extract, of both plants exhibited fungicidal effects with minimum fungicidal concentrations of 0.31-1.25 mg/mL. All extracts of matoa leaves displayed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP than the extracts of pulasan leaves. Notably, the water extract of matoa showed the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 9.88 ± 1.70 µg/mL and the highest FRAP value of 6.11 ± 0.51 mmol Fe2+ equivalent/g extract (n=3). These antioxidant activities were significantly correlated (p<0.01) with the amounts of phenolic compounds in the extracts. All extracts of both plants, except water extracts, showed significant toxicities (p<0.05) towards NIH/3T3 cells. Alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and glycosides were detected in the leaves of both plants. The matoa and pulasan leaves contained bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities.

Estimation of Antioxidant, Anticancer and Cytotoxic Properties of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Eurycoma longifolia</i> roots hold traditional medicinal value, but scientific evaluation of their bioactivity and safety is lacking. This study investigated the antioxidant and anticancer potential of <i>E. longifolia</i> extracts and assessed cytotoxicity. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Methanol and ethyl acetate extraction were used to obtain <i>E. longifolia</i> root extracts. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH assay and antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects were assessed against various cell lines. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the IC<sub>50</sub> values among the different groups. <b>Results:</b> The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was detected in methanol extract (IC<sub>50</sub> = 65.50±6.74 μg/mL) and ethyl acetate extract (IC<sub>50</sub> = 463.52±59.81 μg/mL). The methanol extract displayed potent cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines, with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 4.71-6.70 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity towards the non-cancerous LLC-MK2 cell line (IC<sub>50</sub> = 25.00±5.64 μg/mL), but retained high cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and HeLa), with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 6.09±1.32 and 6.70±1.87 μg/mL, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Methanol extract displayed strong antioxidant and antiproliferative activity, but also cytotoxicity in both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Further research using <i>in vivo</i> models is needed to assess safety and identify specific bioactive compounds for responsible future use.

Production and biological activities of exopolysaccharides synthesized by thermophilic bacilli isolated from hot springs in Türkiye.

Thermophilic bacteria able to produce exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have become attractive in recent years. EPSs synthesized by thermophiles are worth investigating due to their unexplored structural and biological properties. In this study, EPSs from thermophilic, Gram-positive bacterial isolates were purified and tested for their biological activities. A total of one hundred seven thermophilic bacteria were screened for their ability to produce exopolysaccharides. Nine isolates belonging to Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, Aeribacillus, and Anoxybacillus genera with highest EPS production were chosen, and purified EPSs (20, 61, 74, 76, 78, 89, 106, 134, and 261) were used for biological activity studies. EPS yields of selected thermophilic bacteria ranged between 117 and 419mg/L. Among the tested EPSs, 61, 106, and 261 showed antibacterial effect against E. faecalis JH2-2 at a final concentration of 1.5mg/mL. EPS samples had significantantioxidant capacity, especially EPS 134, with the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 100% at a concentration of 5mg/mL and the strongest reducing power.EPS 20 showed the highest lipid peroxidation inhibition effect at a rate of 31%. EPSs displayed weak alpha-amylase inhibition activity when compared with standard acarbose. The prebiotic indices of EPSs 20, 61, 76, 89, 134, and 261 were found to be higher than that of inulin, a representative prebiotic carbohydrate for all tested lactic acid bacteria in the study. All examined EPSs inhibited the biofilms formed by various bacteria depending on the test strain. Results indicated that thermophilic EPSs had remarkable antioxidant, prebiotic, and antibiofilm activities. Therefore, EPSs characterized in this study may have technological applications in health and food fields.

Structural analysis and biological activity of cell wall polysaccharides and enzyme-extracted polysaccharides from pomelo (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.)

Pomelo peel is a valuable source of pectin, but research on its cell wall polysaccharides is limited. This study compared the cell wall polysaccharides of pomelo peel, enzyme-extracted polysaccharides of pomelo peel, and enzyme-extracted polysaccharides of whole pomelo fruit. Cell wall polysaccharides, including water-soluble pectin (WSP), chelator-soluble pectin (CSP), sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (NSP), 1 mol/L KOH soluble hemicellulose (KSH-1), and 4 mol/L KOH soluble hemicellulose (KSH-2), were obtained by sequence-extraction method. Total polysaccharides from whole pomelo fruit (TP) and peel-polysaccharides from pomelo pericarps (PP) were obtained using enzyme-extraction method. The structural, thermal, rheological, antioxidant properties, and wound healing effect in vitro were described for each polysaccharide. WSP had a uniform molecular weight distribution and high uronic acid (UA) content, suitable for commercial pectin. NSP had the highest Rhamnose (Rha)/UA ratio and a rich side chain with highest viscosity and water retention. PP displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity at 0.1 to 2.0 mg/mL concentration range, with an IC50 of 1.05 mg/mL for DPPH free radicals. NSP also demonstrated the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and promoted Human dermal keratinocyte proliferation and migration at 10 μg/mL, suggesting potential applications in daily chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Utilisation of agricultural residues for antioxidant exopolysaccharide production by Bacillus spp.

This study tested the antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by eight Bacillus spp. from Thai milk kefir utilising four agricultural by-products in Thailand; copra meal, mangosteen peel, sorghum, and para rubber sawdust as carbon sources. Sorghum showed the highest starch and sugar content of 73.33% while copra meal showed the lowest (13.08%). B. tequilensis PS21 produced the highest dry weight EPS, followed by B. amyloliquefaciens KW1 and B. tequilensis PS22 from four substrates. B. tequilensis PS21 generated the most EPS with sorghum (0.75 ± 0.09 g DW/100 mL culture), followed by mangosteen peel (0.61 ± 0.07 g). EPS from B. amyloliquefaciens KW1 using copra meal displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 33.39 ± 1.34% and EPS from the same bacteria using sorghum displayed the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 49.78 ± 0.86%. This approach demonstrated a bio-circular green economy paradigm in converting agricultural biowastes into valuable EPS biomaterials with potential applications.

Effect of foaming conditions and drying temperatures on total polyphenol content and drying rate of foam-mat dried banana powder: Modeling and optimization study

This study aims to optimize the parameters of the foam-mat drying to produce banana powder. Input parameters of the foam drying such as foaming agent (egg albumin) concentration used from 5 to 15 %, the foam stabilizer (maltodextrin) used from 1 to 3 % and the drying temperature varied between 60 and 80 °C. Factors with 3 levels are arranged according to the Box-Behnken design, which further modelled by RSM (response surface methodology) and ANN (artificial neural network), and optimized. The drying rate and total polyphenol content (TPC) of banana powder under the studied conditions were determined as the target output. The moisture, color, total polyphenol, antioxidant activity and some physical parameters of final fine powder were analyzed. Increasing temperature has increased the drying rate. In addition, increasing the concentrations of egg albumin and maltodextrin maintained the highest TPC and maximum drying rate. ANN model showed the higher forecasting capacity than that of RSM. Moreover, simultaneous optimization of two responses (TPC and drying rate) was selected to maximize the desired value at the concentration of albumin, maltodextrin and drying temperature of 11.86 %, 1.92 %, 74.94 °C, respectively, corresponding to the highest TPC value and drying rate of 1.31 mgGAE/g DW and 2.48 g water/g dry matter/min. At this condition, the drying time was recorded as 103 min. Validation of the optimal ratios showed that the experimental values of TPC and drying rate were in good agreement with the model predicted data. The moisture content and water activity of product were found to be 5.87 ± 0.07 % and 0.37 ± 0.01. The product had bright colors with L*, a* and b* values were measured as 86.4 ± 0.5, 1.75 ± 0.08 and 15.2 ± 0.3, respectively. The high DPPH radical scavenging activity was detected (53.5 %) with the water solubility index and water absorption index of banana powder was determined at value of 56.98 % and 5.17 g/g, respectively. Foam mat dried banana powder was well preserved in paper packaging with aluminum foil.

Chitosan‒gellan gum polyelectrolyte hydrogel beads containing tea tree oil microcapsules: Preparation, characterization and application

Encapsulation can be applied for essential oil protection, increasing the probability of its application in food preservation. In this study, tea tree oil (TTO) microcapsule powder (MP) was prepared by a spray‒drying approach with soy protein isolate (SPI) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) as wall materials and were subsequently further encapsulated by chitosan (CH) and gellan gum (GG) via a polyelectrolyte complex coacervation approach. The hydrogel beads prepared with a GG mass ratio of 25% presented the best appearance and the densest internal structure. FTIR and Raman spectral analyses demonstrated the generation of hydrogen bonds between CH and GG. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that complex coacervates formed by CH and GG as wall materials can improve the thermal stability of TTO. Owing to the excellent barrier properties of the hydrogel beads, the hydrogel beads maintained high DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities after storage. Moreover, the sustained release of TTO hydrogel beads has potential for preserving fresh-cut banana. These discoveries indicate that hydrogel beads can be used as ideal carriers of essential oils such as TTO and may be used in food preservation in the future.

Phytochemical characterization and quality evaluation of stirred goat milk yoghurt with added fruit and vegetable puree during storage

PurposeGoat milk yoghurt differs from cow milk yoghurt in that it has a different casein composition and content, which presents several technical challenges, including consistency with an appropriate flavor.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the antioxidant potential and phytochemical profiling of the fruits (pineapple and papaya) and vegetable (carrot) extracts was evaluated and the effect of their purees on the quality and stability of stirred goat milk yoghurt (GMY) were investigated. The qualities of stirred GMY with carrot (CrY), pineapple (PaY) and papaya (PpY) purees were assessed against the product without puree (CY).FindingsThe carrot puree had the highest moisture, ash contents and pH value. The carrot extract had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, while the pineapple extract had the highest total phenolic value (1.59 µg GAE/g) and flavonoids content (0.203 µg CE/g). The scanning of all the puree extracts in GC-MS indicated that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was a major component. The phytochemical quantification of the extracts through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) against 16 compounds showed the presence of sinapic acid, cinnamic acid, pthalic acid, ferulic acid, 4-OH-benzoic acid, 3-OH-benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid in different quantities. The addition of purees and storage period had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the moisture, pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, viscosity, color values and sensory properties of the products. In all the samples after 15 days of storage, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus counts remained above the recommended level of 106CFU/g. Stirred GMY sample produced with pineapple puree showed a higher syneresis and viscosity, but the CrY sample demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The developed formulations remained stable with minimum changes in quality and sensory attribute during refrigerated storage for 10 days.Originality/valueThis study suggests that addition of fruit and vegetable improve the viscosity and sensory perception of the product with minimal use of synthetic flavor and preservatives.

Effect of Paprika Powder on the Antioxidant Capacity of Emulsion-Type Sausages.

Antioxidant activity of freeze-dried paprika powder and storage properties of emulsion-type pork sausages containing diverse concentrations of this powder (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) were analyzed. Antioxidant activities of red and yellow paprika powders were analyzed by evaluating their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenol content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). The yellow paprika powder exhibited remarkably higher DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP values, and TPC than the red paprika powder (p<0.05), while TFC showed no remarkable difference between them (p>0.05). Storage properties of sausages containing the yellow paprika powder were analyzed by evaluating their water holding capacity, cooking yield, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) values. The 3% yellow paprika powder group showed remarkably higher water-holding capacity and cooking yield compared to the 0% group (p<0.05). TBARS values were remarkably lower in the 2% and 3% yellow paprika powder groups than in the 0% group at all weeks (p<0.05). VBN value was remarkably lower in the 3% yellow paprika powder group than in the 0% group at all weeks (p<0.05). Overall, addition of 3% yellow paprika powder improved the storage properties of emulsion-type sausages.

Seaweed-based biostimulants improves quality traits, postharvest disorders, and antioxidant properties of sweet cherry fruit and in response to gibberellic acid treatment

The main aim of this research was to determine whether seaweed-based biostimulants (BIO) have the potential to offset the delaying of fruit maturation and improve fruit quality and antioxidant properties in gibberellic acid (GA3)-treated cherries. Compared to the control, 5 g L−1 BIO applied twice at pit hardening (PH) and straw color (SC) or 3 times at PH, SC, and 1 week before harvest (1WBH) in mid-maturing ‘Bing’ cherries accelerated color development, increased soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity, total phenolics (TP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity at harvest. However, these treatments resulted in smaller and softer fruit. For late-maturing ‘Lapins’ cherries, BIO had no effect on fruit coloration, but increased the levels of antioxidants and antioxidant capacity at harvest, especially in 3 applications. Spraying 5 g L−1 BIO 3 times plus a single application of 10 mg L−1 GA3 at PH on ‘Bing’ cherries effectively increased fruit firmness (FF) and size, but showed a strong delaying effect on color development and SSC at harvest, and reduced resistance to disorders after 4 weeks of storage at 0°C if the combination-treated fruit were late harvested. Decreasing GA3 concentration from 10 to 5 mg L−1, increasing BIO concentration from 5 to 10 g L−1, and extending the harvest date by 5 d could impair the delaying effect of GA3 on fruit maturation, restore the normal fruit size, reduce the rates of decay, stem browning (SB), and surface pitting (SP), and maintain high FF and DPPH radical scavenging activity. In conclusion, pre-harvest 3 applications of 10 g L−1 BIO and 5 mg L−1 GA3 once at PH have the potential to curtail the GA3’s inhibition on fruit maturation, extend the harvest window, improve fruit quality, and increase antioxidants and antioxidant capacity in ‘Bing’ cherries.

Submerged cultivation and phytochemical analysis of medicinal mushrooms (Trametes sp.).

Mushrooms are widely available around the world and have various nutritional as well as therapeutic values. Many Asian cultures believe that medicinal mushrooms can prolong life and improve vitality. This study aims to characterize the phytochemical and polysaccharide content, mainly β-glucan content, of mycelial biomass and fruiting bodies collected from the Himalayan region, particularly Uttarakhand. Through molecular analysis of the LSU F/R-rDNA fragment sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Trametes sp. We performed screening of phytochemicals and polysaccharides in mushroom and biomass extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a PC-based UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The macrofungal biomass was found to be high in saponin, anthraquinone, total phenolic, flavonoid, and β-glucan content. In biomass extract, we observed a high level of saponin (70.6µg/mL), anthraquinone (14.5µg/mL), total phenolic (12.45 µg/mL), and flavonoid (9.500 µg/mL) content. Furthermore, we examined the contents of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, and sterols in the biomass and mushroom extracts; the concentration of these compounds in the ethanol extract tested was minimal. We also looked for antioxidant activity, which is determined in terms of the IC50 value. Trametes sp. mushroom extract exhibits higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (62.9% at 0.5 mg/mL) than biomass extract (59.19% at 0.5 mg/mL). We also analyzed β-glucan in Trametes sp. from both mushroom and biomass extracts. The biomass extract showed a higher β-glucan content of 1.713 mg/mL than the mushroom extract, which is 1.671 mg/mL. Furthermore, β-glucan analysis was confirmed by the Megazyme β-glucan assay kit from both biomass and mushroom extract of Trametes sp. β-glucans have a promising future in cancer treatment as adjuncts to conventional medicines. Producing pure β-glucans for the market is challenging because 90-95% of β glucan sold nowadays is thought to be manipulated or counterfeit. The present study supports the recommendation of Trametes sp. as rich in β-glucan, protein, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities that help individuals with cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Comparative Antioxidant Efficacy of Green-Synthesised Selenium Nanoparticles From Pongamia pinnata, Citrus sinensis, and Acacia auriculiformis: An In Vitro Analysis.

Aim This study aims to synthesise selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using extracts from Citrus sinensis peel (CSP), Millettia pinnata Leaf (MPL), and Acacia auriculiformis bark (AAB) as eco-friendly reducing agents. It seeks to compare the effectiveness of these plant extracts in the production of SeNPsand evaluate the antioxidant activities of the synthesised nanoparticles, establishing a link between the phytochemical constituents of the extracts and the antioxidant capacity of SeNPs for their potential applications in drug development and environmental sustainability. Introduction Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions in various fields, including medicine, environmental science, and materials engineering. SeNPs are of particular interest due to their unique properties and potential applications. The methods for synthesizing nanoparticles often involve hazardous chemicals, posing risks to the environment and human health. In response, green synthesis methods utilizing plant extracts have emerged as a sustainable alternative. This study focuses on utilizing CSP, MPL, and AAB extracts, rich in natural reducing agents such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, for the eco-friendly synthesis of SeNPs. These plant sources are chosen based on their known phytochemical profiles and potential antioxidant activities, and we aim to explore the correlation between the extracts' phytochemical composition and the antioxidant capabilities of the synthesised SeNPs. Methods SeNPs were synthesised using aqueous extracts of CSP, MPL, and AAB through a reduction process, in which selenium ions (Se4+) are reduced to elemental selenium. The presence of SeNPs was first visually monitored by colour change and then confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. The antioxidant activity of the synthesised SeNPs was assessed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and the efficacy of SeNPs synthesised from different plant extracts was compared. Results The UV-Vis spectral analysis indicated a successful synthesis of SeNPs, as evidenced by the characteristic absorption peaks. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of organic molecules derived from the plant components on the outer layer of SeNPs, suggesting successful capping and stabilization of nanoparticles by phytochemicals in the extracts. Among the three types of SeNPs, those synthesised using Citrus sinensis peel extract (CSPE) exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating superior antioxidant properties compared to SeNPs synthesised from Millettia pinnata leaf extract (MPLE) and Acacia auriculiformis bark extract (AABE). This suggests that the antioxidant capacity of SeNPs is significantly influenced by the phytochemical composition of the plant extract used for synthesis. Conclusion The study highlights the potential of CSPE as an effective natural source for synthesising antioxidant-rich SeNPs and underscores the importance of green synthesis approaches in producing environmentally friendly and biologically active nanomaterials.

Impact of Thermal, Ultrasonication, and Thermosonication Processes on the Quality Profile of Watermelon-Beetroot Juice Blend: A Comparative Study

Fruit juices are popular beverages that provide various health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile, but they are prone to microbial spoilage and quality deterioration. Thermal pasteurization is the conventional method to preserve fruit juices, but it causes undesirable changes in the physicochemical and nutritional value of the juices. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative methods to ensure the microbial safety and quality of fruit juices. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of thermal (95-100°C for 4 min), ultrasonication (US) (25 kHz for 5 and 10 min), and thermosonication (TS) (25 kHz at 40 and 50°C) processes on the quality profile of watermelon-beetroot juice blend, a novel juice formulation with enhanced nutritional and functional properties with 50 : 50 formulation. The samples were analysed for physicochemical (colour, pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity), bioactive (phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant, and ascorbic acid contents), and microbiological (total plate count and yeast/molds) properties. The results showed that all the processed samples retained high total phenolic (756.33-842.33 μg GAE/g), total flavonoid (435.33-512.67 μg CE/g), and ascorbic acid (45.23-50.34 mg/100 mL) contents along with a high antioxidant potential (total antioxidant capacity (274.14-305.33 μg AAE/g) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (33.05-42.18%)) while preserving the normal physicochemical characteristics and decreasing the microbial counts of all the processed blend juices. In conclusion, the US treatment (10 min) produced the juice blends with the best quality. The findings of this research suggest that thermal, US, and TS processes are promising technologies for the preservation of fruit juices and that watermelon-beetroot juice blend is a novel juice formulation with high nutritional and functional value. The results of this research might be useful to the processed fruit juice industry and the consumers who are looking for healthy and safe fruit juices.

Inhibition of proliferation of human osteosarcoma cell line (MG63) by ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) plant extract

Trachyspermum ammi L. (TA), popularly called ajwain, is a well-known spice plant, with fruit pods that are used in Indian traditional medicine. Fruits of this plant were scientifically investigated for medicinal properties, but no studies are reported on the vegetative parts of the plant. Hence, the present investigation is aimed to evaluate the aerial parts of the plant for anti-proliferative and antioxidant effects. Methanolic extract (Me) of TA was subjected to sequential fractionation using the solvents in the increasing order of polarity viz. hexane (He), dichloromethane (Dcm), ethyl acetate (Ea), n-butanol (n-Bu), and water (Aq). Phytochemical analyses, DPPH radical scavenging assay, and in vitro antiproliferative activity on the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line (MTT assay) were performed. Preliminary phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of reducing and non-reducing sugars, amino acids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins. Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest amount of total phenolics (367.90±0.02), followed by n-Bu (287.50±0.04), Dcm (193.56±0.07), Me extract (190.14±0.07), Aq (142.20±0.02) and He (80.74±0.01) fractions. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 =116.74 μg/mL) followed by n-Bu (IC50=133.81 μg/mL) fraction with a correlation to the higher amount of phenolics and flavonoids. However, maximum antiproliferative activity was exhibited by hexane fraction on MG 63 human osteosarcoma cell line which can be attributed to the presence of thymol, a monoterpenoid phenol present in ajwain. The current study indicates that the aerial parts of T. ammi Linn. can be considered as potential antioxidants and therapeutic against osteosarcoma.

Advances in Understanding the Antioxidant and Antigenic Properties of Egg-Derived Peptides.

Pepsin, trypsin and proteinase K were used in the present study to hydrolyse the proteins from whole eggs, yolks or whites, and the resulting hydrolysates were characterised in terms of antioxidant and IgE-binding properties, using a combination of in vitro and in silico methods. Based on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) results, the egg yolk proteins are better substrates for all the tested enzymes (DH of 6.2-20.1%) compared to those from egg whites (DH of 2.0-4.4%). The SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that pepsin and proteinase K were more efficient compared to trypsin in breaking the intramolecular peptide bonds of the high molecular weight egg proteins. For all the tested substrates, enzyme-assisted hydrolysis resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant activity, suggesting that many bioactive peptides are encrypted in inactive forms in the parent proteins. The hydrolysates obtained with proteinase K exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (124-311 µM Trolox/g protein) and the lowest residual IgE-binding capacity. The bioinformatics tools revealed that proteinase K is able to break the integrity of the main linear IgE-binding epitopes from ovalbumin and ovomucoid. It can be concluded that proteinase K is a promising tool for modulating the intrinsic properties of egg proteins.

Phytochemical analysis, GC-MS characterization and antioxidant activity of Hordeum vulgare seed extracts

Barley scientifically known as Hordeum vulgare (HV) is a major grain crop. Over the course of time, great interest has been developed in the usage of barley, because of its various pharmacological activities. Current study is designed to determine the chemical constituents of Hordeum vulgare (HV) seed extract by GC-MS technique, and Invitro antioxidant assays i.e. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) and 2-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) methods. GC-MS identified 16 non-polar compounds in the hexane extract of HV plant, which includes carboxylic acid (6.25%), fatty acid (37.5%), carboxylic acid amide derivative of fatty acid (6.25%), triterpinoids (18.75%), fat soluble vitamin (6.25%), phytosterol (6.25%), stigmastanes (6.25%), beta diketones (6.25%), and cycloartenol (6.25%) respectively. The major compound includes Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (6.84%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (8.58%), 9,12-Octadecanoic acid (Z,Z)-, Methyl Ester (8.04%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) (57.01%), Lup-20(29)-en-3-one (3.57%), γ-Sitosterol (3.31%). Some constituents such as Lup-20(29)-en-3-one, campesterol and squalene were observed and were not previously reported. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content were determined using spectrophotometric technique and calculated as gallic acid equivalents GAE/g dry weight and rutin equivalent RE/g of dry weight respectively.The highest phenolic content exhibited by the acetone extract of HV seedsi.e. 0.0597 mg GAE/g while the highest flavonoid content exhibited by dichloromethane extract i.e. 0.09 mg RE/g and 0.25 mg QE/g of dry weight respectively. All the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS cation decolorization assays. Methanol and dichloromethane extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity i.e. 52.41% and 42.07% at the concentration of 100 mg/ml respectively. Moreover, the IC50 has been determined by the acetone and methanol extract of HV seeds. The high antioxidant activity of its seed extracts has made this plant pharmacologically important. Conclusively, there is a vast scope to further explore the active principals of barley so that more of its pharmacological properties can be identified.