Highest DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity Research Articles

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.

Conception of pH-sensitive calcium alginate/poly vinyl alcohol hydrogel beads for controlled oral curcumin delivery systems. Antibacterial and antioxidant properties

Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has gained widespread attention for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. However, its poor aqueous solubility, instability and limited bioavailability have hindered its clinical applications.New beads formulations based on sodium alginate biopolymer (SA) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) were successfully prepared and evaluated as a potential drug vehicle for extended release of curcumin (Cur). Pristine and curcumin loaded calcium alginate/poly vinyl alcohol beads (CA/PVA and CA/PVA/Cur) at different compositions of SA and PVA were prepared by an ionotropic gelation method of SA followed by two freeze-thawing (FT) cycles for further crosslinking of PVA. Characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to confirm the successful microencapsulation of curcumin within the CA/PVA microcapsules. Furthermore, the swelling of pristine beads, pH-sensitive properties and in vitro release studies of curcumin loaded beads were investigated at 37 °C in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and simulated colonic fluid (SCF). The effect of the polymer blend ratio, the encapsulation efficiency (EE %) of curcumin, the loading capacity (LC μg/mg), the sphericity factor (SF), the antioxidant activity of the elaborated beads and their antimicrobial properties against bacteria and fungi were just as much evaluated.The obtained results indicate that the swelling and the behavior of the developed beads were influenced by the pH of the test medium and the PVA content. The introduction of PVA into the SA matrix greatly enhanced the physicochemical properties, the encapsulation efficiency and the loading capacity of the elaborated microparticles. Results also suggested that the antioxidant activity of the loaded beads (CA/PVA/Cur) showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity while the bacterial and fungal strains proved sensitive to the different formulations used in the assay. Moreover, the important drug encapsulation efficiency and the sustainable drug release of these materials make them promising for the development of new drug carrier systems for colon targeting.

Development of micronutrients and bioactive compounds rich malted drink with selected plant-based ingredients.

The study aims to develop a micronutrients and bioactive compounds rich, new malted drink formula using malted green gram (Vigna radiata), soybeans (Glycine max), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed kernel and ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes. The sensory analysis data revealed that the formula which contains 52.17 % of soybean flour, 26.00 % of malted green gram flour, 17.39 % of watermelon seed kernel flour and 4.34 % of ginger powder has the highest overall acceptability. This selected formula contained moisture (3.27 ± 0.29 %), total ash (3.96 ± 0.39 %), total fat (12.93 ± 0.19 %), protein (33.58 ± 0.64 %), crude fiber (2.70 ± 0.49 %), carbohydrate (43.56 ± 0.89 %), reducing sugars (4.98 ± 0.13 %) and dietary fiber (18.67 ± 0.36 %). Considerable amounts (mg/100 g) of Potassium (2332.19 ± 5.69), Phosphorus (1003.78 ± 9.12) and Magnesium (374.07 ± 3.36) were reported. The fatty acid profile was dominated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (60.53 %) including Linoleic acid (56.40 %) and α-Linolenic Acid (4.13 %). The detected amounts of prominent micronutrients and α-Linolenic Acid adequately comply with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values. Moreover, the new formula possessed 2.3 ± 0.11 mg GAE/g of total phenolic compounds and exhibited significantly high DPPH (12.81 ± 2.19 mg/ml) and ABTS (25.16 ± 0.41 mg/ml) radical scavenging activities.

Assessment of physicochemical parameters, and antioxidant properties of mango concentrate during different storage intervals

ABSTRACT Pakistan is one of the biggest mango producing country in the world. Post-harvest losses of mango occur due to lack of storage facilities. Mango can be converted into concentrate to utilize it for longer period. In the current study, the physicochemical profile and storage stability of mango concentrate was investigated to evidence the opportunity of preservation method. Three different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%) of citric acid, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were applied. All chemical preservatives significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased viscosity, total soluble solids (TS), reducing sugar (RS), non-reducing sugar (NRS), total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA), while the moisture content, pH, DPPH antioxidant activity, TPC (total phenolic content), TFC (total flavonoid content) and the level of texture acceptance decreased during the storage. The moisture content was decreased from 43.4% to 34.9% during storage. Phytochemical analysis showed that mango concentrate is a potential source of antioxidant compounds and has higher DPPH radical scavenging activity. Regarding preservation solution, it is suggested that sodium benzoate and citric acid might be utilized for industrial applications.

Effects of roasting conditions on sensory attributes, polyphenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

Roasting is considered the commonest processing method applied to foods, it affects both phytochemicals and sensory attributes. In the present study, the effect of varying roasting parameters on sensory attributes was determined, as well as scavenging property against free radicals (DPPH) and polyphenolic content (TPC and TFC) of whole peanut kernels. Whole peanut kernels were roasted at different temperatures (130-150 °C) with various durations (5-20 min). Finding revealed that peanuts roasted at 130, 140, and 150 °C for 15, 10, and 5 min, respectively, received significantly the highest (p<0.05) sensory scores in all the parameters investigated. Therefore, they were selected for TPC, TFC, and DPPH assays. All three assays were found to increase during roasting compared to the unroasted counterpart. Peanuts that were roasted at 140 °C for 10 min, had the highest total phenolic contents of 67.26 ± 1.77 mg GAE/g while those roasted at 150 °C for 5 contained the highest TFC of 12.91 ± 0.56 mg QE/g. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was detected in the sample roasted at 140 °C for 10 min with an IC50 value of 417.44 μg/mL. Roasting significantly affected the bioactive contents as well as the scavenging activity of the whole peanut.

Ultrafiltration fractionation of rice protein hydrolysates: Physicochemical properties and potential biological activities of different rice protein hydrolysate fractions

In this study, rice protein hydrolysate (RPH) was separated by membrane ultrafiltration, and three ultrafiltration fractions (UFs) with distinct molecular weights (RPP-1, RPP-2 and RPP-3) were yielded. The physicochemical properties and in vitro bioactivities of these fractions were characterized. Among RPH and its UFs, RPP-1 exhibited highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 4.42 ± 0.08 mg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (84.21 mg GSH/g). RPP-3 exhibited the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.97 ± 0.01 mg/mL). All the samples exhibited angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity (5.38% ± 0.76%–54.14% ± 3.04%) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (−38.90% ± 3.20%–99.99% ± 0.01%). In addition, the activation of alcohol dehydrogenase by RPH and its UFs was observed in this study, with an activation percentage of 46.20% ± 4.96%–199.77% ± 7.71%. However, no inhibitory activity towards acetylcholinesterase was detected. In present study, the potential antialcohol and hepatoprotective activity of RPH was observed. Overall, this study would provide a new idea for the high-value utilization of RPH and a theoretical foundation for the development of bioactivity peptides derived from rice protein.

Enzymatic Properties of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Leaf, Root Pulp, and Peel.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris</i> L.) is botanically classified as a herbaceous biennial belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family and has several varieties with bulb colors ranging from yellow to red. Peroxidases are widely occurring in organisms including microorganisms, plants, and animals, and have been involved in various physiological and biochemical functions. The study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of enzyme extracts from red beet leaves, root pulp, and peel. The enzyme extraction involved the homogenization of the sample and filtrate in cold acetone and then the filtrate was homogenized in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer, pH 7. The protein content was determined using the Lowry assay using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a standard protein. Then, enzymatic activity was determined by peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and catalase assays. The patent for biological activity of enzymes was obtained from the Office of Career Development, Haramaya University. The antioxidant activities of the enzyme extract were conducted by using DPPH and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activities. The result indicated that the Enzymatic activity of crude enzyme extract of red beet leaf, root pulp and peel indicated that significantly the highest total soluble protein (16.68 mg/ml), peroxidase activity (PODA, 111.50 U/ml), polyphenol oxidase activity (PPOA, 170.90 U/ml), polyphenol oxidase specific activity (PPOspa, 10.25 U/mg), catalase activity (CATA, 180.50 U/ml) and catalase specific activity (CATspa, 10.82 U/mg), were recorded for red beet leaf enzyme extract. The antioxidant activity of the enzyme extracts demonstrated that significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activity of leaf extract (59.16) and peel extract (61.92) were recorded. The Pearson correlation coefficient of enzyme activity parameters and free radical scavenging activities presented that protein content was significantly and positively correlated with CATA, PPOA, and PPOspa. Catalase- specific activity (CATspa) was significant and positively correlated only with HPSA. Peroxidase-specific activity (PODspa) was significant and positively correlated with PODA and DPPH. Based on the plot for principal component PC2 vs. PC1 for D statistics DPPH, PODA, and PODspa have close PC1 and PC2 scores (with vector angle < 90° showing similar/correlated effects. In this study, B. vulgaris</i> has shown promising peroxidase enzyme activity. Beetroot peel contained higher antioxidant compounds thus promising a more intense utilization of the peels in food and nutraceuticals.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Lallemantia royleana leaf Extract: Their Bio-Pharmaceutical and catalytic properties

The study of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis based-green methods become more interesting recently due to their low-cost preparation, eco-friendly and non-toxic precursors. The present study approved the ability of the Lallemantia royleana (Benth. in Wall.) Benth. leaf extract for the synthesis of AgNPs for the first time. The synthesized AgNPs were physico-chemical characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, tannin contents, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and cytotoxic activities of L. royleana leaf extract and the synthesized AgNPs were investigated. The biocatalytic activity of prepared AgNPs was assessed on methylene blue as a pollutant organic dye. The TEM examination showed that the synthesized AgNPs were predominantly spherical with some mixed shapes and crystalline with average size 34.47 ± 1.6 nm, and showed a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 425 nm. The zeta potential value was −24.1 mV indicating the stability of produced AgNPs. The new prepared AgNPs have lower total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, tannin contents than L. royleana leaf extract. In addition, the new prepared AgNPs demonstrated the higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (87 %) and the ABTS radical scavenging activity (77 %) at the maximum prepared concentration of 250 μg mL−1 as compared to the L. royleana leaf extract (62 % and 58 %, respectively). The produced AgNPs also exhibited the higher antimicrobial activity against both the Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and the Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri) bacteria and the Candida strains (Candida glabrata and Candida albicans) as compared to the L. royleana leaf extract. The resulting AgNPs indicated a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect on human red-blood cell (RBC) membrane stabilization assay and had more activity (72 %) compared to the L. royleana leaf extract (61 %) at 250 µg mL−1. The prepared AgNPs showed promising in vitro anti-arthritic activity evaluated by 73 % compared to 58 % in case of L. royleana leaf extract. The new produced AgNPs showed the higher cytotoxic effect against the human hepatoma (Hep-G2) and the human breast (MCF-7) cancer cells compared to the L. royleana leaf extract with 79.3 % and 77.2 % at 250 µg/mL, respectively. The obtained results revealed also that the green synthesized AgNPs were capable to catalyze MB dye. Therefore, the obtained results provide a promising route of the green synthesis of AgNPs using L. royleana leaf extract with considerable biopharmaceuticals and catalytic applications.

Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Neuroprotective Activities and Phytochemical Analysis of Germinated Shoots

This study evaluated the antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective activities of germinated shoots (cotyledon and true leaves) of wild plants and measured their total phenol, flavonoid, quercetin, and vitamin C contents. The ethanol extract of Geum aleppicum (GA) showed high DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. GA treatment also significantly increased cell viability against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells, indicating that GA had antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In AGS gastric cancer cells, the cotyledon of Pinus densiflora (PD1) and the true leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa (CHA2) significantly inhibited cell proliferation, showing that PD1 and CHA2 elicited anticancer effect. The total phenol content was the highest in the shoots of GA, and the total flavonoid content was the highest in the shoots of true leaves of P. densiflora. The quercetin and vitamin C contents were the highest in the CHA2 and the cotyledon of GA, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggested the antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective activities of the germinated shoots of wild plants and their high total phenol, flavonoid, quercetin, and vitamin C contents. These findings were noteworthy in the case of the germinated shoot of GA and provided a basis for studying functional forestry income resources. Practical Applications. Our results demonstrated that GA exerts strong DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. It also plays a neuroprotective role in oxidative stress-induced cell damage. These effects can be linked to their polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the extract. Moreover, PD1 treatment has inhibitory effect on gastric tumor cells growth and exhibited an effective ∙OH radical scavenging property. These findings indicated that germinated shoot extracts have potential for development of functional food with therapeutic applications.

Comprehensive Analysis of Phenolic Compounds, Carotenoids, and Antioxidant Activities in Lactuca sativa var. longifolia Cultivated in a Smart Farm System

Smart farming is a promising strategy for future agriculture, and the global market for smart agriculture is growing rapidly. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of agricultural products based on their cultivation method. The components and antioxidant activities of Lactuca sativa (LS) var. longifolia cultivated using conventional agriculture methods (CAMs) and smart farm agriculture methods (SAMs) were compared. ABTS+ and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays were performed to compare the antioxidant activities of LS grown using CAMs and SAMs. High-performance liquid chromatography with a reverse-phase column was employed to analyze the phenolic and carotenoid compounds. In both the SAM and the CAM, β-carotene was found to be the most abundant compound. LS grown using the CAM had high total polyphenol content and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, while LS grown using the SAM had high individual phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This study developed a new method of SAM and confirmed that SAM produces a higher quantity of phenolic compounds and total flavonoid contents than CAM in LS. This study also highlights the SAM’s functioning, gives crop quality inspection guidelines, and standardizes LS. The new SAM is effective for application in undeveloped urban spaces, is more convenient than the CAM, and represents a way to develop and manage LS quality.

Antimelanogenic potential of brewer's spent grain extract through modulation of the MAPK/MITF axis

Beer brewing produces >39 million tons of brewer's spent grain (BSG) per year worldwide. Although BSG is rich in protein, fiber, and phytochemicals, it is mainly used as livestock feed, and some is discarded. In this study, we attempted to assess the antimelanogenesis effects of BSG and identify the functional components. To this end, we investigated the antioxidant and antimelanin synthesis effects of a BSG extract (BSGE). The results showed that BSGE has high DPPH radical-scavenging activity and inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells cultured in both 2D and 3D environments. BSGE also reduced the expression levels of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase in B16F10 cells by regulating the MAPK pathway. We confirmed the skin-whitening effect of BSGE in 3D reconstituted human skin and zebrafish embryo models. HPLC analysis showed that BSGE contains ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, which are known to have whitening effects. Thus, BSGE can be used in multifunctional cosmetics as a sustainable ingredient with antioxidant and skin-whitening properties.

Antioxidant Activities of Konjac Glucomannan Hydrolysates of Different Molecular Weights at Different Values of pH.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide that was originally extracted from the corms (underground storage organs) of Amorphophallus konjac. KGM and its oligomers have been reported as dietary fibers that exhibit an array of health benefits. The depolymerization of KGM via enzymatic hydrolysis at different conditions gives products of low viscosity and can be used for coating materials in microencapsulation. In the present study, konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (KGMHs) were produced by enzymatic hydrolysis using commercial mannanase at pH 4.5 at 70 °C for 5-120 min, then KGMHs' molecular weight (Mw), Degree of Polymerization (DP) and their bioactivities were determined. A longer hydrolysis time resulted in KGMH of a lower DP. Oligoglucomannans (Mw < 10,000) could be obtained after hydrolysis for 20 min. The DP of KGMH rapidly decreased during an early stage of the hydrolysis (first 40 min); DP reached around 7 at the end of the hydrolysis. Antioxidant activities were determined by the DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays of KGMHs prepared at pH 4.5 and evaluated at pH 2.0-8.0 depending on pH. KGMH having lower Mw exhibited higher antioxidant activities. KGMHs having the smallest molecular weight (Mw = 419) exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Mw and pH have a greater impact on KGMHs' bioactivities which can be useful information for KGMHs as functional ingredients.

Phytochemical profiles, potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of betel leaf extracts (Piper betel, Salem Cultivar)

ABSTRACT The phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts of Piper betel, Salem cultivar leaves were investigated. Sodium (3000 ppm) and calcium (6600 ppm) were high, which may be attributed to the soil conditions. High phenolic content (48.0 mg GAE g−1) in acetone extract and flavonoid content (25.3 mg RE g−1) in dichloromethane extract were observed. This may be due to the usage of polarity-varying solvents. Methanol extract demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity, which may be due to the combined effects of polyphenol and metal-chelating activity. Acetone extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

Anti-skin Aging Potential of Sargassum thunbergii Ethanolic Extract: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antiwrinkle Effects on L929 Fibroblast Cells

Increasing life expectancy of the human population has created a demand for functional food with anti-skin aging properties. Skin aging is a degenerative process caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, and matrix destruction. Some secondary metabolites isolated from marine macroalgae have been shown to exhibit potential dermatological benefits. The present study investigated the skin-protective properties of the ethanolic extract from Sargassum thunbergii (STEE) via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiwrinkle effects on mouse fibroblast L929 cells. The optimal extraction conditions for STEE were determined as follows: ratio of liquid to solid 25 : 1 mL/g, concentration of ethanol 40.2%, and extraction time 40 min. STEE was further purified by adsorption using a macroporous resin, SP700. STEE exhibited high DPPH radical and hydroxyl scavenging activity in vitro, enhanced the viability of H2O2-treated L929 cells, and reduced intracellular ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and total antioxidant capacity in H2O2-treated L929 cells were increased while malondialdehyde content was markedly reduced by pretreatment with STEE. The inhibitory effect of STEE on H2O2-induced inflammation was shown by the downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Furthermore, STEE reduced the matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and inhibited collagenase and elastase activities. Moreover, STEE was nonirritating to human skin at 100 mg/mL according to the in vitro skin irritation test using EpiSkin™. Hemolysis assay showed that the hemolysis EC50 (1275 μg/mL) of STEE is much higher than the maximum effective concentration (125 μg/mL) against H2O2 exposure. Our results demonstrate that STEE may be a good candidate for the development of anti-skin aging functional food and cosmetic products.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Soursop (&lt;em&gt;Annona muricata&lt;/em&gt; L.) Fruit at Different Maturity Stages

Purpose: Different maturity stages and extraction methods of soursop fruit could affect the antioxidant activity of the fruit. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of soursop at four different maturity stages namely, Immature Stage (IM), Partially Mature Stage (PM), Fully Mature Stage (FM), and Well Ripened Stage (WR) using four extraction methods.Research Method: Sonication and maceration using a stir plate were used as extraction techniques, while absolute ethanol and 70% v/v ethanol were used as extraction solvents. The Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging activity were used to determine the antioxidant efficacy, while the Folin-Ceocalteu assay was used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC).Findings: From the analyses, the TPC, FRAP assay, and DPPH activity significantly (p&lt;0.05) changed with the maturity stages. The highest TPC (165.67±2.86 mg GAE/g) was observed in the 70% ethanol extract of the WR stage with the sonication extraction method. The highest (p&lt;0.05) FRAP value (393.91±4.23 µmol Fe+2/L) was observed in 70% ethanol extracts of FM with sonication extraction. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 60.13±0.18 ppm) was recorded in 70% ethanol extract of the WR stage with sonication extraction. TPC and antioxidant activity increased (p&lt;0.05) as maturity progressed. Research Limitations: Time was limited to evaluate the IC50 values of the IM, PM, and FM stages.Originality/ Value: Soursop at the WR stage, extracted using 70% ethanol with sonication extraction, comprised a high phenolic content and thus, exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Therefore, the findings explore its potential as a health-promoting antioxidant source.

Anti-Lipase and Antioxidant Activities of the Selected Plant Materials

Pancreatic lipase plays an important role in the efficient digestion of triglycerides. Its action on lipids produces fatty acids, accumulating in excess into various tissues leading to dyslipidaemia and associated co-morbidities. Thus, inhibition of pancreatic lipase is one of the preferable ways to prevent such conditions. The present study is aimed to evaluate the anti-lipase and antioxidant activities of the leaves of Magnifera indica L. (mango), Psidium guajava L. (guava) and Moringa olifera L. (moringa), and fresh rhizomes of Zingiber officinale R. (ginger), Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), and Curcuma amada R. (mango ginger). The selected samples were dehydrated, powdered, and extracted using absolute ethanol. The extracts were analysed for total phenols, flavonoids, DPPH radical scavenging activity and anti-lipase activity. Among the selected leaves, mango leaves had the highest total phenolic content (6300 mg GAE /100 g), total flavonoid content (6930 mg RE /100 g) and highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (14497.3 mgTE /100 g). The highest lipase inhibition (89.07%) was observed in guava leaves. In rhizomes, turmeric contained the highest total phenolic content (6570 mg GAE /100 g) and flavonoid content (14760 mg RE /100 g). Mango ginger possessed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 9038.7 mg TE /100 g and lipase inhibition of 44.83%. The study concludes that guava leaves and mango ginger possess the highest anti-lipase activity among the selected leaves and rhizomes.