Levels Of Total Phenolic Compounds Research Articles

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) Pod Residue: A Source of Phenolic Compounds as Valuable Biomolecules

This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and a selected group of bioactivities of jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) pod residue. An aqueous extract (deionized water; AE) and a hydroethanolic extract (ethanol: deionized water, 70:30 v/v; ETOH) were obtained via maceration. Ten phenolic compounds were characterized via LC-DAD-ESI/MSn: seven procyanidins, two quercetin derivatives and one taxifolin derivative, with dimers and trimers of procyanidins being the main components of both extracts. Total phenolic compound levels of 2.42 ± 0.06 and 11 ± 1 mg/g were found in AE and ETOH, respectively; however, only seven compounds were identified in ETOH. The jatoba pod residue extracts showed notable antioxidant activities: ETOH had greater antioxidant potential in the OxHLIA and DPPH assays (IC50 = 25.4 μg/mL and 0.71 μg/mL, respectively); however, EA demonstrated greater potential in the FRAP system (IC50 = 2001.0 µM TE/mg). Only AE showed antiproliferative potential, being effective against cell lines of gastric (GI50 = 35 ± 1 µg/mL) and breast (GI50 = 89 ± 4 µg/mL) adenocarcinomas. Likewise, only AE showed modest anti-inflammatory potential (IC50 = 225 ± 2 µg/mL) in mouse macrophages. Bacteriostatic effects against bacteria were exerted by both extracts. Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes (MICs = 2.5 mg/mL) were especially sensitive to the ETOH extract. Taken together, the results suggest potential for jatoba pod residue as a source of molecules with biological activities and with possible industrial applications.

Towards the Valorization of Elderberry By-Product: Recovery and Use of Natural Ingredients for Sorbet Formulations

One of the food industry’s greatest challenges is to find natural ingredients capable of conferring antioxidant and color properties. In addition, the agri-food industry generates by-products that are often treated as waste, despite their abundance of phytochemicals that can be recovered and used as food ingredients. This study explores the potential of elderberry pomace, an industrial by-product of juice processing rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, as a natural food additive in blueberry sorbet. Elderberry pomace was incorporated into the sorbet formulation in powder form or as aqueous extracts at two different concentrations. The analysis of the pomace extract by UHPLC-DAD-MS showed the presence of four anthocyanins: cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside-5-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The physicochemical properties of the sorbets such as pH, °Brix, overrun, melting rate, and color were evaluated, as well as their levels of total phenolic compounds, total monomeric anthocyanins, and in vitro antioxidant activity. The potential of sorbets to stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria was evaluated and a sensory analysis was conducted to assess consumer acceptance. Results indicated that the sorbet containing the more concentrated extract presented higher overrun, faster melting rate, higher contents of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, and higher antioxidant activity compared to the control. Additionally, this formulation showed a darker hue (lower L* value) and a tendency to stimulate probiotic bacteria. Moreover, the sorbets with pomace in their composition had good consumer acceptability. These findings highlight the potential of elderberry pomace to be used as a natural, sustainable ingredient in the ice cream industry, aligning with growing consumer trends towards healthier and eco-friendly products.

Phytochemical Analysis, Total Phenolic Content, Hemolytic and Anti-hemolytic Activities of Centaurea iberica (Asteraceae)

Several plants contain chemical substances that have various biological activities, but they also probably cause harmful effects on cellular membranes. This work deals with the Centaurea iberica (Iberian starthistle) plant. The objective of this study is to identify the main chemical groups in the methanolic extract 80% of the plant, determine its total phenolic content, evaluate its toxic effect on human erythrocytes, and also assess its activity in the protection of normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme-deficient human erythrocytes membranes against oxidative hemolysis. Phytochemical analysis revealed that C. iberica extract contains several bioactive compounds. The results also showed that the plant extract contained good level of total phenolic compounds. The extract exhibited a low hemolytic effect. It also showed excellent activity in the protection of normal and G6PD-deficient human erythrocytes against oxidative hemolysis. KEYWORDS Erythrocytes, G6PD, Iberian starthistle, methanolic extract, toxic effect, oxidative hemolysis

Oven-Dried Cupuaçu and Bacuri Fruit Pulps as Amazonian Food Resources

The Amazon is one of the largest and most diverse biomes on the planet. Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum) and bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) are Amazonian fruit species appreciated for their sensory characteristics and promising availability of bioactive compounds. However, high moisture levels (>80%) make these pulps susceptible to deterioration during storage. In this study, the oven-drying process was monitored to produce dry and more stable pulps. The process was monitored at 40 °C, 55 °C and 70 °C, and the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity were determined as quality indicators. In general, drying at 70 °C for 340 min produced dried cupuaçu and bacuri pulps with high levels of total phenolic compounds: 288 and 652 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The hygroscopic evaluation suggested that both of the dried pulps should be stored at a relative humidity of <40% to avoid rapid water adsorption and it is advised to carry out the oven-drying process until up to 12% moisture is reached for cupuaçu and 9% for bacuri to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. Thus, this study expands the potential of bacuri and cupuaçu pulps for application in food industries, contributing to the economic and social development of the Amazon region.

Photophysiological and Oxidative Responses of the Symbiotic Estuarine Anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica to the Impact of UV Radiation and Salinity: Field and Laboratory Approaches.

The estuarine anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica and its symbiont Philozoon anthopleurum are continuously exposed to intense fluctuations in solar radiation and salinity owing to tidal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tidal cycle, solar radiation, and salinity fluctuations on the photosynthetic and cellular responses (lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity) of the symbiont complex over a 24 h period in the Quempillén River Estuary. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the specific photobiological responses to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and salinity. Our field results showed that the photosynthetic parameters of the symbiont complex decreased with increasing ambient radiation; however, no relationship was observed with changes in salinity. Increased peroxidative damage, total phenolic compound levels, and antioxidant activity were mainly related to increased UVR and, to a lesser extent, PAR. During the dark period, only PAR-exposed organisms returned to the basal levels of photosynthesis and cell damage. Laboratory exposure confirmed the deleterious effects of UVR on the photosynthetic response. The present study suggests that the ability of A. hermaphroditica to acclimate to natural radiation stress is mediated by the concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that occur at different times of the day, under varying levels of environmental stress.

Metabolic profile of fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and methylxanthines of cocoa kernels (Theobroma cacao L.) from different cultivars produced in cabruca and full sun farming systems

The demand for high-quality cocoa beans has increased in line with the growing global demand for chocolate. The chemical composition of cocoa beans can vary according to their origin and growing conditions. In this context, this study evaluated the influence of the cultivar type (CCN51 and PS1319) and the cocoa management system (cabruca and full sun) on the chemical composition of unfermented cocoa kernels. The cultivation system influenced the fatty acid composition of cocoa kernels, with higher values of linoleic acid associated with the full sun system, although higher total lipid contents were obtained in the cabruca system. The cultivar influenced the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and the saturated/unsaturated ratio (S/U). Lower levels of total phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins and antioxidant properties were found in the full sun system, especially in the PS1319 cultivar. Higher levels of epicatechin and catechin were found in the cocoa kernel of the CCN51 cultivar. Theobromine and caffeine were not influenced by the treatments. Neither the PCA of total lipids and fatty acids, nor the PCA of antioxidant properties, phenolic compounds and methylxanthines indicated an isolated clustering between cultivar and cultivation system. The results showed that the factors under study influenced the chemical composition of the unfermented cocoa kernel. Furthermore, they indicated that the migration from traditional systems, such as cabruca, to full sun systems can reduce the total lipids and phenolic compounds content of the cocoa beans. When planning new plantations, the choice of genetic material should also be carefully considered to produce higher-quality cocoa butter and beans with a higher phenolic compound content.

Preparation and Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Kombucha Tea Produced from Beijing Bamboo Leaf Tea (Dendrocalamus sp.) and Green Tea

Beijing bamboo (Dendrocalamus sp.), belonging to the Poaceae family, has been largely neglected and underutilized, particularly its leaves. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Beijing bamboo leaf and Beijing bamboo leaf kombucha. Hot air drying was conducted at temperatures of 60, 65, and 70ºC, with results indicating that 65ºC is the optimal drying temperature for achieving the highest levels of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Beijing bamboo leaf tea underwent a 21-day fermentation process with a kombucha consortium comprising yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. The results showed that the changing trends of pH, total acidity, and total soluble solids were similar between kombucha produced from Beijing bamboo leaf tea and green tea. Fermentation notably enhanced the antioxidant activity of the kombucha, as evidenced by DPPH and FRAP assays, which correlated with increases in phenolics and flavonoids. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed through the agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), revealing that both Beijing bamboo leaf tea and green tea suppressed the growth of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella Typhimurium DMST 562, E. coli DMST 4242, Bacillus cereus DMST 5040, Staphylococcus aureus DMST 8840, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa DMST 4739. Notably, kombucha from green tea exhibited superior antimicrobial effects compared to Beijing bamboo leaf tea kombucha. Additionally, fermentation of Beijing bamboo leaf tea resulted in higher counts of yeast, acetic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria throughout the fermentation process than those observed in green tea kombucha. These findings highlight the potential of Beijing bamboo leaves as a valuable resource for developing functional properties in underutilized plant resources, offering promising applications in the food and health industries.

Phytochemical composition, simulated digestive bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity of Ficus auriculata Lour. fruits: In vitro and in silico insights

Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae) is an underutilized wild edible fruit widely consumed for its nutritional properties. The present study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties of the F. auriculata fruit extracts through in vitro digestion (oral, gastric and intestinal phases). The extracts were obtained by hot extraction and cold maceration methods using aqueous and methanolic solvents. Major phytoconstituents identified through LC-MS was subjected to molecular docking against the target proteins. The elemental analysis shows the presence of major elements; high levels of total phenolic compounds (124.61 ± 0.82 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), flavonoids (76.38 ± 0.82 mg quercetin equivalent/g), vitamin E (32.48 ± 0.09 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalent/g), and carbohydrate (34.59 ± 0.45 mg glucose equivalent/g) in hot extracted methanolic undigested extract (HEM UD) and high level of total protein (124.71 ± 0.34 mg bovine serum albumin equivalent/g) in cold extracted methanolic undigested fruit extract were found. HEM UD showed high antioxidant activity in 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl, and superoxide radical scavenging assays with IC50 of 53.30 ± 0.57, 80.69 ± 0.12, and 65.47 ± 1.13 μg/mL, respectively. The HEM UD extract also potentially inhibited the enzyme activity of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and protein denaturation (IC50 of 67.76 ± 1.22, 83.18 ± 1.23, 87.24 ± 1.15, and 65.76 ± 0.60 μg/mL). The most potent extract (HEM UD) was studied for its anticancer effects by MTT assay against the MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with the IC50 of 89.80 ± 0.56 and 60.76 ± 0.04 μg/mL, respectively. The LC-MS analysis elucidated ten phytoconstituents. Based on the molecular docking study, querciturone could potentially be an effective constituent in treating diabetes and inflammation-related issues. The findings indicated the ability of F. auriculata fruits as a promising functional food.

In vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and antioxidants of soursop (Annona muricata L.) peel and pulp

We evaluated the nutritional composition and quantified the bioactive compounds present in the soursop pulp and peel and investigated the impact of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion on antioxidants and phenolic compounds of soursop. Soursop peel had a significant amount of fiber (17.6 g.100 g−1 w.b.), particularly insoluble fiber (16.8 g.100 g−1 w.b.), and higher levels of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity than pulp. The pulp has 30% higher levels of ascorbic acid than the peel (40.2 mg ascorbic acid 100 g−1). Gallic acid, benzoic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and hesperidin were detected in the peel and pulp of soursop. After in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, results show that total phenolic compounds of the peel exhibited stability throughout the gastric and intestinal stages. In the pulp, simulated digestion showed an increase in total phenolic compounds on enteric II stage. About antioxidant compounds, peel showed stability in DPPH assay and higher accessibility in the enteric II stages (40% and 29%) on ABTS and FRAP assays. Soursop pulp increased accessibility in the gastric stage on DPPH and FRAP assay. In the ABTS assay, soursop pulp showed the highest values in enteric phase II. The in vitro accessibility of these compounds offers insights into their potential utilization by the organism. This knowledge holds significant implications for nutrition experts, as it can advise the development of healthier dietary habits.

Phenolic, amino acids, and fatty acids profiles and the nutritional properties in the fresh and dried fruits of black rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L.)

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the raw materials of plants as a source of biologically active substances. Black rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L.) fruits could be a good resource for potential functional components in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Also, drying can influence the composition of heat-sensitive phytochemicals. However, less attention is given to comparing black rosehip bioactive compounds particularly compositions of fatty acid, amino acids, and phenolic content in fresh and dried fruits. So in this study, the amino acid constituents (by amino acid analyzer), fatty acids (by GC–MS), mineral elements (by atomic absorption spectrometer), antioxidant (by DPPH) and phenolic compounds (by HPLC) present in fresh and dried fruits of black rosehip naturally grown in Iran were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that dried fruits had a lower level moisture by 51.55%, and a higher level of total phenolic compounds and total sugar by 786.20 mg GAE/100 g and 15.77 g/100 g, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and gallic acid were the major phenolic compounds (109.3 mg/g). Whilst, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidic acid (85.34%) were the most dominant fatty acids. The most dominant amino acids were glutamic acid, phenylalanine, and arginine (29.41 g/100 g). Also, Fe and Mn as micro-elements were the most dominant elements. In general, the results illustrated the potentials and differences of black rosehip fruits grown in the Arasbaran region as promising resources for food sources, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and breeding programs. Also, these findings confirm that black rosehip fruits contain significant amounts of secondary metabolites that may positively affect human health.

Investigation of the phytochemical profiling and antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and MDA-MB-231 cell line antiproliferative potentials of extracts from Ephedra alata Decne

Ephedra is one of the many medicinal herbs that have been used as folk/traditional medicine in Jordan and other countries to cure various illnesses. Plants of this genus are well known for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. In this study, three different solvents were used to obtain Ephedra extracts. When evaluated, the Ephedra alata Decne ethanolic extract reportedly had the greatest levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid compounds (TFC). The aqueous extracts displayed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH and ABTS assays, demonstrating their considerable capacity to neutralize free radicals. However, when evaluated using the FRAP method, the acetone extracts showed the strongest antioxidant activity, indicating their high reducing power. LC–MS/MS, a potent method of analysis that combines the liquid chromatographic separation properties with mass spectrometry detection and identification capabilities, was used in this study to detect and measure phytochemical content of a total of 24 phenolic compounds and 16 terpene compounds present in the extracts of Ephedra alata Decne. Various concentrations of these chemicals were found in these extracts. The extracts’ inhibitory effects on albumin denaturation and alpha-amylase activity were also assessed; the findings demonstrated the potentials of these extracts as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic medicines, with the acetone extract having the lowest IC50 values in the concomitant tests (306.45 µg/ml and 851.23 µg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, the lowest IC50 value (of 364.59 ± 0.45 µg/ml) for the 80% ethanol extract demonstrated that it has the strongest antiproliferative impact regarding the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. This finding indicates that this particular extract can be potentially used to treat cancer.

Characterization of Marigold Flower (Tagetes erecta) Extracts and Microcapsules: Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Subsequent Microencapsulation by Spray Drying.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction using response surface methodology was employed to extract marigold flower, resulting in a marigold flower extract (MFE) with elevated levels of total phenolic compounds (TPCs), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carotenoid content (TCC), and antioxidant activity, as assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, under conditions of 40 °C temperature, 15 min extraction time, and 68% ethanol concentration. The MFE was subsequently encapsulated using spray drying with 45% maltodextrin (MD) (MFE-MD; 1:1, 1:2) and 20% gum arabic (GA) (MFE-GA; 1:2, 1:3). The MD (1:2 ratio) sample showed the highest encapsulation yield, while the 45% MD (1:1 ratio) sample exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (p ≤ 0.05). Samples containing 45% MD (1:1 ratio) and 20% GA (1:2 ratio) had the highest moisture content, with the 45% MD (1:1 ratio) sample showing the lowest water activity (p > 0.05). These samples also displayed higher L* and a* values compared to the 20% GA samples, which had increased b* values (p ≤ 0.05). Micrographs of the 20% GA (1:3 ratio) and 45% MD (1:2 ratio) samples revealed spherical shapes with smooth surfaces. The 20% GA (1:2 ratio) microcapsules exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) among the samples (p ≤ 0.05). Thus, ultrasound-enhanced extraction combined with response surface methodology proved effective in producing functional food ingredients from plants.

Short-Term Liquid Nitrogen Storage of Pyrostegia venusta Embryos: Effects on Germination, Phenotypic and Biochemical Characteristics, and In Vitro Secondary Metabolite Production

In this study, short-term liquid nitrogen (LN) storage was used as a strategy to conserve Pyrostegia venusta embryos, and its effects on in vitro germination, phenotypic and biochemical characteristics, and in vitro secondary metabolite production were assessed. Embryos stored in LN for 1 and 7 days presented a higher germination rate and germination speed index compared to those of the control (non-cryostored embryos). Short-term LN storage also favored the phenotypic characteristics of seedlings. LN storage significantly affected the proteins (PTN), soluble sugar (SS) and reducing sugar (RS) contents, oxidative metabolism, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, as well as the total phenolic compound, flavonoid, phytosterol, and alkaloid levels in seedlings regenerated from embryos cryostored for 7 days. Benzoic acid derivatives and flavonoids were observed in regenerated non-acclimatized seedlings. LN storage did not affect the survival rate or phenotypic characteristics of seedlings during acclimatization. Acclimatization promoted significant changes in PTN, SS and RS contents, oxidative metabolism, and PAL activity in seedlings from embryos cryostored for 7 days. Roots from acclimatized seedlings exhibited the highest phenolic, phytosterol, and total alkaloid levels. Differences in the chromatographic profiles of the acclimatized seedlings compared with the non-acclimatized seedlings were observed. LN storage can be an effective means of ex situ conservation of P. venusta genetic resources.

Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Wound-healing Properties of the Methanolic Extracts from Hedera helix Fruits and Leaves

Common Ivy (Hedera helix L.) is an ornamental plant that is known for its aesthetic qualities and ability to provide natural greenery. It is also associated with potential health benefits. When evaluating the phytochemical constituents of H. helix methanolic extracts, the fruit extract had the highest levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC) at 100 GAE mg/g extract, compared to 89.47 GAE mg/g in the leaves extract. In contrast, total flavonoid compounds and total tannin were higher in leaves extracts, 37.14 TE mg/g extract and 24.79 GAE mg/g extract respectively. fruit extracts showed the greatest level of antioxidant properties in the FRAP test 75.5 and 62.35 AscE mg/g extract also in DPPH tests, the IC50 were 3.49 and 8.79 mg/ml for fruit and leaves respectively, demonstrating their potent capacity to neutralize free radicals and high reducing power. However, when evaluated by the ABTS method, the leaves extracts indicated the strongest antioxidant activity, suggesting their potent capacity to neutralize free radicals, the IC50 were 4.54 and 8.69 mg/ml for fruit and leaves respectively, the extracts' inhibitory effects on albumin denaturation were also assessed. The findings demonstrated the potential of the extracts as anti-inflammatory, with the leaf extract having the lowest IC50 values in these tests 75.26± 3.87 µg/ml and 115.62± 56.47 µg/ml, for ripe fruit extract. Furthermore, the lowest contraction value was 81.12% for pure ointment alone, followed by drug ointment and fruit ointment at 86.43 %and 90.21%, respectively, and the extract had the highest contraction rate at 95.82%, which demonstrated the strongest wound healing activity.

Determination of Antimicrobial, Anticarcinogenic Activity of Bioactive Components of Hypericum Perforatum L. Plant

Hypericum perforatum L. (St John's wort), although primarily utilized in traditional medicine, is also frequently employed in modern therapy. Within the scope of the study, H. perforatum was collected from Kahramanmaraş region and dried. Extracts derived from above-ground parts were analyzed to determine their levels of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, as well as their antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Following the GC-MS analysis of the extracts, a total of 18 distinct fatty acids were identified. The main fatty acid components were identified as behenic (37.90 %), linoleic (21.22 %), gamma-linolenic (15.87 %), oleic (9.45 %) and palmitic acid (7.64 %). The plant extracts were found to have a total phenolic content of 60.22 mg GAE g-1 and a flavonoid content of 7.68 µg QE g-1, as determined through analysis. Additionally, FRAP and IC50 values were determined as 26.96 µg AAE g-1 and 0.44 µg mL-1, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of H. perforatum extracts were investigated among a total of 11 microorganisms, including 9 bacteria and 2 yeasts. It has been observed that extracts possess significant antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. H. perforatum extracts were observed to have dose-dependent inhibition of all organisms. It was observed that H. perforatum extracts killed cancer cells at concentrations of 0.1 mg mL-1 and above on H1299, MCF-7 and HUVEC cancer cell lines.

Small but strong: herbivory by sap-feeding insect reduces plant progeny growth but enhances direct and indirect anti-herbivore defenses.

The transmission of resistance traits to herbivores across subsequent generations is an important strategy employed by plants to enhance their fitness in environments with high herbivore pressure. However, our understanding of the impact of maternal herbivory on direct and indirect induced chemical defenses of progeny, as well as the associated costs, is currently limited to herbivory by leaf-chewing insects. In this study, we investigated the transgenerational effects of a sap-feeding insect, the green peach aphid Myzus persicae, on direct and indirect chemical defenses of bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum), and whether the effects entail costs to plant growth. Aphid herbivory on parental plants led to a reduced number of seeds per fruit, which exhibited lower germination rates and produced smaller seedlings compared to those from non-infested parental plants. In contrast, the progeny of aphid-infested plants were less preferred as hosts by aphids and less suitable than the progeny of non-infested plants. This enhanced resistance in the progeny of aphid-infested plants coincided with elevated levels of both constitutive and herbivore-induced total phenolic compounds, compared to the progeny of non-infested plants. Furthermore, the progeny of aphid-infested plants emitted herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that were more attractive to the aphid parasitoid Aphidius platensis than those emitted by the progeny of non-infested plants. Our results indicate that herbivory by sap-feeding insect induces transgenerational resistance on progeny bell pepper plants, albeit at the expense of vegetative growth.

Enhancing mangosteen peel drying: Impact of ethanol pre-treatment, vacuum pulsing, and blaching on process efficiency and bioactive compound levels

The processing of mangosteen yields a substantial volume of waste material. One efficient method for harnessing the potential of mangosteen peels is through their exposure to a drying process. This study investigated pre-treatment methods, ethanol (E), blanching (B), and vacuum pulsing (V), individually and in combination, to mitigate the effects of temperature during the drying of mangosteen peel. The mangosteen peels were dryied, three different models were employed to fit the experimental data: the empirical models of Page and Midilli, and a diffusive model with type I boundary conditions. The combination of pre-treatments (BE, BV, and BEV) at 80 °C significantly reduced drying time to 95 min. Furthermore, the pre-treatments led to reductions in the activation energy (Ea), enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy compared to the control sample (C), while entropy increased. The pre-treated samples exhibited a lighter reddish hue compared to the C sample. The pretreatments had significant effects on the levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC), anthocyanins (A), and flavonoids (F). The BEV sample exhibited notable increases, reaching up to 101% for TPC, 47% for A, and 97% for F at a drying temperature of 80 °C. The combination of pre-treatments B, E, and V resulted in the production of high-quality flour.

Cyclodextrin-assisted extraction as a green alternative for the recovery of phenolic compounds from Helichrysum plicatum DC. flowers

Helichrysum plicatum DC. is an important source of bioactive secondary metabolites with a variety of pharmacological activities. To obtain highly potent extracts with the maximum level of phenolic glycosides and total phenolic compounds, this study aimed to establish an eco-friendly cyclodextrin-assisted extraction procedure from H. plicatum flowers. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) by evaluating sonication temperature, time, concentrations of ethanol and two types of cyclodextrins (β-CD and HP-β-CD). Comprehensive statistical validation revealed better predicting capacity of the created ANN models compared to the traditional RSM. The highest positive effects were observed for the ethanol concentration and the extraction temperature. Both types of CDs showed not only positive impact on the extraction efficiency of bioactives, but also on their stability after exposure to stress conditions. Molecular docking was used to additionally reveal interactions within the studied inclusion complexes. Conclusively, the HP-β-CD-assisted extraction conducted at 80 °C for 40 min, utilizing 62% ethanol and 1.60% HP-β-CD, was the most optimal due to its ability to minimize ethanol consumption while achieving maximal recovery of bioactives, in comparison to β-CD (80%). Under these optimized conditions, experimentally obtained results for isoquercitrin (0.50 mg/g DW), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (5.83 mg/g DW), apigenin-7-O-glucoside (1.34 mg/g DW), and total polyphenolic (28.51 mg GAE/g DW) content were in agreement with the values predicted by ANN.

The Potential of Acorn Extract Treatment on PUFAs Oxidative Stability: A Case Study on Fish Cooking Wastewater.

Fish byproducts are valuable sources of Ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Their valorization potentially alleviates pressure on this sector. This study uses a circular economy approach to investigate the oil fraction from sardine cooking wastewater (SCW). Analysis of its fatty acid (FA) profile revealed promising PUFA levels. However, PUFAs are highly susceptible to oxidation, prompting the exploration of effective and natural strategies to replace synthetic antioxidants and mitigate their associated risks and concerns. An antioxidant extract from acorn shells was developed and evaluated for its efficacy in preventing oxidative degradation. The extract exhibited significant levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC: 49.94 and 22.99 mg TAE or GAE/g DW) and antioxidant activities (ABTS: 72.46; ORAC: 59.60; DPPH: 248.24 mg TE/g DW), with tannins comprising a significant portion of phenolics (20.61 mg TAE/g DW). LC-ESI-UHR-QqTOF-MS identified ellagic acid, epicatechin, procyanidin B2 and azelaic acid as the predominant phenolic compounds. The extract demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce the peroxide index and inhibit PUFA oxidation, including linoleic acid (LA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This approach holds promise for developing stable, functional ingredients rich in PUFAs. Future research will focus on refining oil extraction procedures and conducting stability tests towards the development of specific applications.

Melatonin supplementation enhances browning suppression and improves transformation efficiency and regeneration of transgenic rough lemon plants (Citrus × jambhiri).

Enzymatic browning poses a significant challenge that limits in vitro propagation and genetic transformation of plant tissues. This research focuses on investigating how adding antioxidant substances can suppress browning, leading to improved efficiency in transforming plant tissues using Agrobacterium and subsequent plant regeneration from rough lemon (Citrus × jambhiri). When epicotyl segments of rough lemon were exposed to Agrobacterium, they displayed excessive browning and tissue decay. This was notably different from the 'Hamlin' explants, which did not exhibit the same issue. The regeneration process failed completely in rough lemon explants, and they accumulated high levels of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which contribute to browning. To overcome these challenges, several antioxidant and osmoprotectant compounds, including lipoic acid, melatonin, glycine betaine, and proline were added to the tissue culture medium to reduce the oxidation of phenolic compounds and mitigate browning. Treating epicotyl segments with 100 or 200 μM melatonin led to a significant reduction in browning and phenolic compound accumulation. This resulted in enhanced shoot regeneration, increased transformation efficiency, and reduced tissue decay. Importantly, melatonin supplementation effectively lowered the levels of TPC and PPO in the cultured explants. Molecular and physiological analyses also confirmed the successful overexpression of the CcNHX1 transcription factor, which plays a key role in imparting tolerance to salinity stress. This study emphasizes the noteworthy impact of supplementing antioxidants in achieving successful genetic transformation and plant regeneration in rough lemon. These findings provide valuable insights for developing strategies to address enzymatic browning and enhance the effectiveness of plant tissue culture and genetic engineering methods with potential applications across diverse plant species.