Terminalia Ferdinandiana Research Articles

Antimicrobial Activity, Total Phenolic and Ascorbic Acid Content of Terminalia Ferdinandiana Leaves at Various Stages of Maturity

This work investigated the effect of leaf development (maturity) on morphology, antimicrobial activity, total phenolic (TPC) and ascorbic acid content in leaves of Terminalia ferdinandiana, an endemic plant of Australia. The results of this study indicated that total ascorbic acid was in the range of 23.0 to 35.5 mg/100 g dry weight (DW), showing an increase with advance of maturity. TPC in water and methanolic extracts were in the range of 237.3 - 598.6 and 210.3 - 319.6 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/ g DW, respectively. Leaf extracts exhibited pronounced inhibitory activity towards Staphylococcus aureus where total ascorbic acid and TPC were positively correlated with the observed antimicrobial activity. These results indicated that leaves extracts might be used as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents, with a great potential for application as an environmentally friendly sanitizer in the hospitality and healthcare industries.

Interactions Between Phytochemicals and Minerals in Terminalia ferdinandiana and Implications for Mineral Bioavailability.

Oxalic and phytic acid are phytochemicals considered to be anti-nutritional factors as they are predominantly found as oxalates and phytates bound to minerals like calcium and potassium. Studies have associated excessive oxalate consumption with increased urinary excretion of oxalate (hyperoxaluria) and calcium oxalate kidney stone formation, and excessive phytate consumption with decreased bioaccessibility and bioavailability of certain minerals and reduced utilization of dietary protein. However, other studies suggest that dietary consumption of phytate may be beneficial and inhibit formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. In light of these conflicting reports, dietary intake of oxalate and phytate enriched plants should be considered in relation to potential health outcomes following consumption. Terminalia ferdinandiana is one such plant and is investigated here with respect to oxalate, phytate, and mineral contents. Assessment of oxalate and phytate contents in T. ferdinandiana fruit, leaf, and seedcoat tissues through hydrolysis into acid forms revealed oxalic acid contents ranging from 327 to 1,420 mg/100 g on a dry weight (DW) basis whilst phytic acid contents ranged from 8.44 to 121.72 mg/100 g DW. Calcium content in the different tissues ranged from 131 to 1,343 mg/100 g. There was no correlation between oxalic acid and calcium, however a significant, positive correlation was observed between phytic acid and calcium (r = 0.9917; p < 0.001), indicating that tissues rich in phytic acid also contain higher levels of calcium. The high content of phytic acid in comparison to oxalic acid in T. ferdinandiana fruit found in this study and the dietary significance of this in terms of calcium bioavailability, needs to be investigated further.

An Infrared Analysis of Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell [Combretaceae] Fruit and Leaves—Towards the Development of Biospectroscopy Tools to Characterise Uniquely Australian Foods

Knowledge about the inherent complexity of the composition, nutrition, and physiology of different plant tissues and parts is required as this will allow for the discovery of new or improved properties (e.g. new bioactive compounds with health-benefitting activities, antimicrobial substances to reduce food spoilage activity). This paper reports the use, analysis and interpretation of the mid-infrared spectra of different plant parts (fruits and leaves) from an Australian native tropical plant, Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell [Combretaceae]. The use of infrared spectroscopy together with chemometric techniques will allow to obtain different levels of information about the chemical composition of leaf and fruit samples associated with maturity. Freeze-dried powder and puree of Terminalia ferdinandiana is commercially available as a functional food ingredient, whereas leaves or any other tissues are not considered as functional ingredients. The use of mid-infrared spectroscopy can provide an initial screening tool for the discovery and development of new ingredients and products. This technology can be an easy to use, cost-effective and high throughout method to ensure quality and authenticity of food products throughout the value chain. The incorporation of these techniques might be considered the base of bio spectroscopy analysis as proxies to study tropical species with distinctive bioactive properties and nutritional value such as Terminalia ferdinandiana.

Effect of sample presentation on the near infrared spectra of wild harvest Kakadu plum fruits (Terminalia ferdinandiana)

Consumer awareness of the health value of native and tropical fruits and its products, is increasing, where demands for new applications are driving food industry to find novel applications of these fruits as functional ingredients. Kakadu plum fruit (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is endemic to Australia and has been used as a functional food or ingredient. This fruit is sold as whole fruit, puree or powder. Critical to the commercialization of this fruit is the development and use of methods and tools to better monitor and understand the quality of these products throughout the value chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate four scanning positions used to collect near infrared (NIR) spectra of Kakadu plum fruits wild harvested, in order to develop a rapid and high throughput method to monitor fruit chemical composition. A portable NIR instrument (Micro-NIR, Viavi, Milpitas, CA, USA) was used to collect the spectra of whole fruit (four positions) samples from the Kimberley region in Western Australia. The NIR data was analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression models for moisture and total soluble solids. The results showed that the scanning position affected the performance of the models (standard error of cross validation). It was concluded that NIR spectroscopy is a promising method to assure the integrity of the value chain of these products. However, a more robust protocol must be defined when whole fruit are analysed.

Assessing the interaction between drying and addition of maltodextrin to Kakadu plum powder samples by two dimensional and near infrared spectroscopy.

The effect of drying (oven and freeze-drying) and the addition of maltodextrin as a carrier to Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) puree powder samples were evaluated using a combination of two dimensional (2DCOS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Fruit powder samples were obtained from an experiment where oven and freeze-drying methods were compared together with the addition of seven levels of maltodextrin to the samples (control, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% w/w). Samples were scanned using a FT-NIR instrument (Tango, Bruker, Germany) and data analysed using 2DCOS. Asynchronous and synchronous 2DCOS spectroscopy were used to analyse and interpret the effects of the method of drying and the addition of maltodextrin on the NIR spectra of the fruit samples. The utilization of 2DCOS combined with NIR spectroscopy showed how the drying method affect the NIR spectra and thus the main implications of developing an effective, quick, and easy to use protocol for determining the drying method.

Old Ways, New Ways—Scaling Up from Customary Use of Plant Products to Commercial Harvest Taking a Multifunctional, Landscape Approach

Globally, the agricultural sector is facing many challenges in response to climate change, unsustainable farming practices and human population growth. Despite advances in technology and innovation in agriculture, governments around the world are recognizing a need for transformative agricultural systems that offer solutions to the interrelated issues of food security, climate change, and conservation of environmental and cultural values. Approaches to production are needed that are holistic and multisectoral. In planning for future agricultural models, it is worth exploring indigenous agricultural heritage systems that have demonstrated success in community food security without major environmental impacts. We demonstrate how indigenous practices of customary harvest, operating in multifunctional landscapes, can be scaled up to service new markets while still maintaining natural and cultural values. We do this through a case analysis of the wild harvest of Kakadu plum fruit by Aboriginal people across the tropical savannas of northern Australia. We conclude that this system would ideally operate at a landscape scale to ensure sustainability of harvest, maintenance of important patterns and processes for landscape health, and incorporate cultural and livelihood objectives. Applied to a variety of similar native products, such a production system has potential to make a substantial contribution to niche areas of global food and livelihood security.

Complexities in developing Australian Aboriginal enterprises based on natural resources

Across the world’s rangelands, livelihoods of millions of people are dependent on customary and commercial use of wildlife. Many Australian Aboriginal communities also aspire towards developing natural resource-based enterprises but there is a unique combination of historical, legislative and cultural factors that make this process complex. Typically, government support for Indigenous enterprise development has focussed largely on development of ‘social enterprise’, with subsidies coming from various government community development programs. This has resulted in some increase in participation and employment, but often inadequate attention to economic aspects of enterprise development leading to low levels of business success. This paper will examine historical, legislative and institutional dimensions in business development in Aboriginal communities. It does this through a case study of business enterprise development of the Kakadu Plum products by the Indigenous people of the Thamarrurr Region of the Northern Territory, Australia, using a participant observation research method. We found that attention on important economic criteria was subsumed by a focus on social enterprise priorities during the development of this natural resource-based enterprise. This resulted in a very slow transition of the ‘social enterprise’ to the ‘financial enterprise’, due largely to fragmented business decisions and inefficient value chains. We call for a refocus of natural resource-based enterprise development programs in remote Australian Aboriginal townships to incorporate greater emphasis on business acumen within the complex social, cultural and political fabric.

Therapeutic Potential of Vitamin C: An Overview of Various Biological Activities

Vitamins are vital nutrients that are required for different body functions properly, and they are provided to the body externally through diet. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that is required for the proper running of different body functions. It is a water-soluble vitamin and lost during the processing of food. The main sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits (kakadu plum, acerola cherries, guavas, kiwi, lemon, lychees, kale, oranges, peaches, tomatoes, black currant, thyme, parsley, rose hips, kale and strawberries), green leafy vegetables (chilli peppers, tomato, sweet yellow peppers, parsley, brussel sprouts, potatoes, mustard spinach and broccoli), fortified cereal and some animals. Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, which mainly affects older, malnourished adults. Vitamin C acts as a strong antioxidant, and this property enriches various biological activities. It is believed that high dose of vitamin C may help in reducing the risk of various diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, blood pressure, respiratory syndromes, common cold, reproduction, cognitive diseases, skin problems, age-related muscular degeneration, cataract and may enhance immunity. This mini-review article has been planned to discuss sources, deficiency symptoms, daily requirements, therapeutic potential, and various biological activities of vitamin C. Various therapeutic and pharmacological activities of vitamin C will be discussed in detail with suitable examples.

Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) as a Sustainable Indigenous Agribusiness

Kakadu Plum(Terminalia ferdinandiana) as a Sustainable Indigenous Agribusiness. In northern Australia, commercial use of plant products can provide Aboriginal people with important livelihood opportunities. Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell.) is a species endemic to northern Australia with exceptional phytochemical properties and industry applications. Aboriginal people have a long history of customary use of many parts of this plant, and as scientific research provides evidence for commercial applications, it is under increasing demand. It has the highest level of ascorbic acid of any fruit in the world and also commercially important antioxidants. This paper reviews the unique characteristics of T. ferdinandiana fruit as a commercial plant product, the people and landscapes in which it grows, and the current state of knowledge for building a successful agribusiness based on these factors. It demonstrates the great potential T. ferdinandiana has as a sustainable Indigenous business and identifies the important research and development gaps that need to be addressed. These include improved understanding of taxonomy, floral biology, and drivers of variability in the properties in T. ferdinandiana leaves and fruit; better understanding of aspirations of Aboriginal suppliers for participation in the agribusiness supply chain; and specific supply chain models that suit Aboriginal suppliers of T. ferdinandiana to service a range of potential national and international markets.

Terminalia ferdinandiana Fruit and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Growth.

The development of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria has vastly depleted our repertoire of effective antibiotic chemotherapies. The development of multi-β-lactam-resistant strains are particularly concerning due to our previous reliance on this class of antibiotics because of their initial efficacy and broad-spectrum activity. With increases in extended-spectrum β-lactam-resistance and an expanded resistance to other classes of antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the development of effective new antibiotic therapies. Terminalia ferdinandiana is an endemic Australian plant known for its high antioxidant and tannin contents. T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts have strong antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens. However, T. ferdinandiana extracts have not been tested against ESBL and MRSA antibiotic-resistant pathogens. An objective of this study was to screen T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts for bacterial growth inhibitory activity by disc diffusion assay against β-lactam-sensitive and -resistant E. coli strains and against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was quantified by liquid dilution techniques. The fruit methanolic extract, as well as the methanolic, aqueous, and ethyl acetate leaf extracts strongly inhibited the growth of the MRSA, with MICs as low as 223 µg/mL. In contrast, the extracts were ineffective inhibitors of ESBL growth. Metabolomic fingerprint analysis identified a diversity and relative abundance of tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, several of which have been reported to inhibit MRSA growth in isolation. All extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia nauplii and HDF toxicity assays, further indicating their potential for medicinal use.

Bioactive compounds sourced from Terminalia spp. in bacterial malodour prevention: an effective alternative to chemical additives.

Recently, our group reported that extracts prepared from the Australian native plant Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. are potent inhibitors of the growth malodorous bacteria with similar efficacy to triclosan and through these results, we highlighted a potential biological alternative to the current chemical additives. Other members of the genus Terminalia are also well documented for their antibacterial potential and tannin contents and thus were investigated as potential deodorant additives. Solvent extractions prepared from of selected Indian, Australian and South African Terminalia spp. were screened by disc diffusion and liquid dilution assays against C.jeikeium, S.epidermidis, P.acnes and B.linens. The antibacterial activity was quantified by liquid dilution MIC assays. The extracts were screened for toxicity using Atremia franciscana nauplii and HDF cell viability bioassays. High-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) LC-MS and GC-MS headspace fingerprint analysis was used to detect tannin, flavonoid and terpenoid components in the extracts. Bacterial growth inhibition was observed in all Terminalia extracts with the methanolic T.chebula, T.carpenteriae and T.sericea extracts the most promising bacterial growth inhibitors, yielding MIC values as low as 200µgmL-1 . Toxicity analyses of the extracts were favourable, and we determined that the methanolic T.chebula, T.carpenteriae and T.sericea extracts were all non-toxic. Using previously detected T.ferdinandiana antimicrobials as benchmarks, LC-MS and GC-MS fingerprint analyses revealed similar compounds in the methanolic T.chebula, T.carpenteriae and T.sericea extracts. Through these results, we propose that Terminalia spp. extracts may be useful deodorant additives to inhibit the growth of axillary and plantar malodorous bacteria, offering a biological alternative to their chemically synthesized counterparts.

Australian native fruits: Potential uses as functional food ingredients

Abstract As an island continent, Australia experiences diversified climatic conditions, giving a unique botanical diversity with many plants native to Australia. Australian flora including native fruits have been used for many years as food and medicine. Many native fruits have unique qualities and potential uses as functional ingredients. Among the native fruits, eleven prominent native species have been commercially produced in Australia including bush tomato, Davidson’s plum, desert lime, finger lime, Kakadu plum, lemon aspen, muntries, quandong, Tasmanian pepper berry, and Illawarra plum. As the global demand for high quality and functional natural products is steadily growing, native fruits have great opportunities to be used as a rich source of nutrients, flavouring and colouring agents, natural preservatives and functional ingredients. This review outlines production, highlights the nutritive and bioactive components, reviews traditional and current uses, and discusses potential applications of the eleven commercialised Australian native fruits for future utilisation and research.

Terminalia ferdinandiana, a traditional medicinal plant of Australia, alleviates hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and inflammation, in vitro.

Background Oxidative stress and inflammation are the underlying factors in many chronic debilitating diseases and commonly intertwined. Terminalia ferdinandiana is a traditional medicinal plant, endemic to Australia and is a rich source of many bioactive phytochemicals such as ellagic acid (EA) with known antioxidant capacity. Methods We investigated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of an aqueous food grade EA enriched (EAE) extract of T. ferdinandiana. Caco-2 and KERTr cell lines were treated with EAE or pure EA (used as reference control), followed by the exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and gene expression of molecular markers associated with oxidative stress and inflammation were monitored. Results Significant reduction in ROS production was observed in both cell types treated with 100 or 200 µg/mL EA or EAE. Treatment of cells with EAE or EA showed upregulation of mRNA expression of the antioxidative gene superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2 and downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), soluble cell adhesion molecule (sICAM), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Neither EAE nor EA had any effect on the constitutively expressed COX1. Conclusions The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of T. ferdinandiana extract on mammalian cells exposed to H2O2 suggests the potential of using this traditional medicinal plant in preventing oxidative damage and inflammation related diseases.

Antioxidant Rich Extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana Inhibit the Growth of Foodborne Bacteria.

Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) is a native Australian plant containing phytochemicals with antioxidant capacity. In the search for alternatives to synthetic preservatives, antioxidants from plants and herbs are increasingly being investigated for the preservation of food. In this study, extracts were prepared from Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit, leaves, seedcoats, and bark using different solvents. Hydrolysable and condensed tannin contents in the extracts were determined, as well as antioxidant capacity, by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activity using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Total phenolic content was higher in the fruits and barks with methanol extracts, containing the highest TPC, hydrolysable tannins, and DPPH-free radical scavenging capacity (12.2 ± 2.8 g/100 g dry weight (DW), 55 ± 2 mg/100 g DW, and 93% respectively). Saponins and condensed tannins were highest in bark extracts (7.0 ± 0.2 and 6.5 ± 0.7 g/100 g DW). The antimicrobial activity of extracts from fruit and leaves showed larger zones of inhibition, compared to seedcoats and barks, against the foodborne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration in response to the different extracts ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy images of the treated bacteria showed morphological changes, leading to cell death. These results suggest that antioxidant rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruits and leaves have potential applications as natural antimicrobials in food preservation.

Inhibition of the growth of human dermatophytic pathogens by selected australian and asian plants traditionally used to treat fungal infections

ObjectiveSyzygium australe (H.L. Wnddl. ex. Link) B. Hyland, Syzygium luehmannii (F. Muell.) L.A.S. Johnson, Syzygium jambos L. (Alston), Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. and Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C.Sm. are used in traditional Australian Aboriginal and Asian healing systems to treat a variety of pathogenic diseases including fungal skin infections, yet they are yet to be examined for the ability to inhibit the growth of human dermatophytes. Materials and methodsThe fungal growth inhibitory activity of extracts produced from selected Australian and Asian plants was assessed against a panel of human dermatophytes by standard disc diffusion and liquid dilution MIC methods. The toxicity of the extracts was evaluated by Artemia lethality and MTS HDF cell viability assays. The phytochemistry of the most promising extracts were examined by GC-MS headspace analysis and some interesting compounds were highlighted. ResultsThe aqueous and methanolic extracts of all plant species were good antifungal agents, inhibiting the growth of all of the dematophytes tested. The methanolic S. australe (SA) and S. luehmannii (SL) extracts were particularly potent fungal growth inhibitors. MIC values of 39 and 53μg/mL were recorded for the methanolic SL fruit extract against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum respectively. Similar MICs were also noted for the methanolic SL leaf extract (88 and 106μg/mL respectively). The methanolic SL leaf extract was a particularly good fungal growth inhibitor, with MIC values≤100μg/mL against the reference C. albicans strain (96μg/mL), E. floccosum (53μg/mL), and T. mentagrophytes (88μg/mL). This extract also produced MICs≤200μg/mL against all other fungal species/strains tested. Similarly good activity was seen for the methanolic S. australe leaf and fruit extracts, as well as the S. lehmannii fruit and S. jambos leaf extracts, with MIC values 100-500μg/mL. Interestingly, these extracts had low toxicity and high therapeutic indices, indicating their suitability for clinical use. GC-MS headspace analysis highlighted several monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids in the methanolic SA and SL extracts. T. ferdinandiana and T. lanceolata extracts also had promising antifungal activity, albeit with substantially higher MICs. ConclusionWhilst multiple extracts inhibited fungal growth, the methanolic S. australe and S. luehmannii leaf extracts and the S. luehmannii fruit extracts showed particularly potent activity against each of these dermatophytes, indicating that they are promising leads for the development of anti-dermatophytic therapeutics.

Understanding the reproductive biology of Terminalia ferdinandiana for improved fruit yields

Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell., also known as the Kakadu plum, is an important food plant endemic to northern Australia. The fruit has substantial commercial demand as it contains sought-after antioxidants and the greatest concentration of ascorbic acid of any fruit known worldwide. Better knowledge of its reproductive biology is required to increase fruit production from wild stands and sustain commercial demand. Experiments demonstrate that T. ferdinandiana is andromonoecious and self-incompatible, relying on cross-pollination for successful fruit production. Wild stocks of this species are pollen limited, likely caused by pollinator satiation in dense, synchronously flowering stands. These findings indicate that enhanced fruit production requires supplementation of suitable pollinators in wild stands.

Evaluation of the antioxidant efficacy of extracts/ ingredients used in skin care products

The so-called active ingredients in skin care product formulations are purported to deliver the intended functions of the product. Active ingredients, such as the antioxidants can efficiently protect the skin if the activities are retained after incorporating into the base matrices in the product formulation. Here, we investigated the antioxidant activities of 24 extracts/compounds that are being used in skin care formulations and their ability to retain the activities (efficacy) after being mixed with the base matrices. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2, 2’-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and diphenyl-picryl hydrazine (DPPH) assays. To test the efficacy of the samples in formulation, the samples were mixed with base cream 1%, 2% and 4% (w:w) and allowed to settle overnight. Results were expressed as either percentage inhibition (%) or IC50 (μg/mL). Out of the 24 samples, ten exhibited significantly high antioxidant activities with resveratrol> pomegranate> green tea> mango> amla> bearberry> ellagic acid> tetrahydrocurcuminoid> Rhodiola rosea> kakadu plum in the ABTS assay. In the DPPH assay, green tea> pomegranate> tetrahydrocurcuminoid> mango> amla> resveratrol> bearberry> Rhodiola rosea>kakudu plum>ellagic acid. Four out of the ten samples (amla, green tea, mango and pomegranate extracts) had IC50 value lower than Trolox standard and were included in the efficacy test. Trolox standard and amla extract seemed to retain their antioxidant activities in the formulations, while green tea and pomegranate extracts had a decrease in activities. Only mango extract had a synergistic effect with the cream base with higher antioxidant activity observed compared with the extract alone. This study demonstrates the potential interaction between active and vehicle compounds, which may hinder or enhance the activities of the active ingredients in the final product. The outcome of the research has an impact in the cosmetic product formulation particularly in the quality control, chemistry and efficacy of the finished products.

Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell: Extracts inhibit Shewanella spp. growth and prevent fish spoilage

Shewanella spp. are major causes of fish spoilage. Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) extracts were investigated for their ability to inhibit Shewanella spp. growth. Leaf and fruit extracts displayed potent growth inhibitory properties against all Shewanella spp. The methanolic leaf extract was a particularly potent inhibitor of S. putrefaciens (DD MIC 93; LD MIC 73 μg/mL), S. baltica (DD MIC 104 μg/mL; LD MIC 85 μg/mL), S. frigidimarina (DD MIC 466 μg/mL; LD MIC 391 μg/mL) and S. loihica (DD MIC 95 μg/mL; LD MIC 55 μg/mL) growth. The aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extracts were also potent growth inhibitors, with MIC values generally substantially <1000 μg/mL. Treatment of Acanthopagrus butcheri Munro fillets with methanolic Kakadu plum extracts significantly inhibited bacterial growth for 15 days at 4 °C. All Kakadu plum extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana bioassay. LC-MS analysis identified several compounds which may contribute to the inhibition of Shewanella spp. growth.

Chemical and Nutritional Composition of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Kernels: A Novel Nutrition Source.

Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) is a native Australian fruit. Industrial processing of T. ferdinandiana fruits into puree generates seeds as a by-product, which are generally discarded. The aim of our present study was to process the seed to separate the kernel and determine its nutritional composition. The proximate, mineral and fatty acid compositions were analysed in this study. Kernels are composed of 35% fat, while proteins account for 32% dry weight (DW). The energy content and fiber were 2065 kJ/100 g and 21.2% DW, respectively. Furthermore, the study showed that kernels were a very rich source of minerals and trace elements, such as potassium (6693 mg/kg), calcium (5385 mg/kg), iron (61 mg/kg) and zinc (60 mg/kg) DW, and had low levels of heavy metals. The fatty acid composition of the kernels consisted of omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid (50.2%), monounsaturated oleic acid (29.3%) and two saturated fatty acids namely palmitic acid (12.0%) and stearic acid (7.2%). The results indicate that T. ferdinandiana kernels have the potential to be utilized as a novel protein source for dietary purposes and non-conventional supply of linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids.

Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. Fruit and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Selected Human Cancer Cell Lines

ABSTRACTTerminalia spp. are characterized by their high antioxidant contents and several species have anticancer activity. This study examined T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts for antiproliferative and apoptotic activities against a panel of human carcinoma cell lines. All extracts inhibited Caco2, HeLa, Jeg-3, JAR, MC3T3-E1, and MG63 proliferation. The leaf ethyl acetate extract was the most potent inhibitor of proliferation (MC3T3-E1 IC50 = of 6 µg/ml; Caco2 IC50 = 102 µg/ml). Furthermore, IC50's < 500 µg/ml were determined against all cell lines tested against that extract. The methanolic leaf extract was also a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation (Jeg-3 IC50 = 147 µg/ml; MC3T3-E1 IC50 = 40 µg/ml). The fruit extracts were also good inhibitors of carcinoma cell proliferation. Cell imaging studies detected morphological features consistent with apoptosis in Caco2 cells exposed to the ethyl acetate, methanolic, and aqueous extracts. Caspase 3 activity was significantly elevated in Caco2 cells exposed to these extracts, indicating that apoptosis was induced. The leaf ethyl acetate extract contained a high diversity and relative abundance of tannins and flavonoids. All T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts displayed either no toxic or low toxicity in the Artemia franciscana bioassay and in a HDF viability assay.