Phenolic Compounds Research Articles

Foliar Application of Equisetum arvense Extract Enhances Growth, Alleviates Lipid Peroxidation and Reduces Proline Accumulation in Tomato Plants Under Salt Stress

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that affects physiological and biochemical processes in plants, reducing the growth, yield, and quality of crops. This problem has been intensified with the reduction of the cultivated area. This study evaluated the response of hydroponically grown tomato plants under salt stress to foliar applications of E. arvense extracts. Macro- and micronutrients, as well as silicon and phenolic compounds, were extracted using magnetic stirring and water reflux methods, the latter being the most effective. To evaluate the efficacy of E. arvense extracts, spraying was applied at two different doses: EQ-R-1 (23.6 mg·L−1 Si and 0.5 mM phenolic compounds) and EQ-R-2 (5.9 mg·L−1 Si and 0.125 mM phenolic compounds). Foliar application of both extracts alleviated salinity effects by reducing sodium uptake. E. arvense extracts mitigated oxidative stress by a decrease in electrolyte leakage by 29% and malondialdehyde and H2O2 concentrations by 69% and 39%, respectively, for the extract with the lowest dose. In addition, EQ-R-2 was also more effective by reducing 51.5% proline accumulation. These findings showed the potential use of E. arvense extracts as biostimulants to enhance plant tolerance to salinity providing new perspectives in agricultural systems.

Malícia honey (Mimosa quadrivalvis L.) produced by the jandaíra bee (Melipona subnitida D.) shows antioxidant activity via phenolic compound action in obese rats

Background and aimsObesity is a disease associated with increased oxidative stress in humans and animals, and consumption of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols can minimise it. These compounds are abundant in malícia (Mimosa quadrivalvis L.) honey produced by stingless bees. This study aimed to evaluate whether administration of Mimosa quadrivalvis L. honey to obese rats could reduce oxidative stress in vital organs through phenolic compound action.MethodsWistar rats (228 ± 14.69 g) were randomly divided into two groups: a healthy group (HG, n = 20) fed a control diet and an obese group (OG, n = 20) fed a cafeteria diet for the initial 8 weeks. After this period, these groups were again randomised into four subgroups: healthy (HG, n = 10), obese (OG, n = 10), healthy with malícia honey administration (1,000 mg/kg; HGH, n = 10), and obese with malícia honey administration (1,000 mg/kg; OGH, n = 10) for the final 8 weeks fed the previously mentioned diets. The rats were euthanised at the end of the experiment to collect brain, gut, kidney, and liver tissues to evaluate parameters related to oxidative stress and phenolic profile.ResultsThe administration of malícia honey reduced energy intake and weight gain in the OGH in comparison to the OG. Total antioxidant capacity increased in the brain, liver, and gut in both groups treated with honey compared to respective controls. Lipid peroxidation decreased in the brain, gut, and kidney of the OGH. Both treated groups showed elevated phenolic compound deposition, including catechin, procyanidins, and flavonoids, across all organs. Specifically, the brain in the OGH showed greater procyanidin B2 and gallic acid deposition; the liver showed increased procyanidin B1 and B2, epicatechin, and myricetin concentrations; the gut showed higher procyanidin B2 and kaempferol 3-glucoside concentrations; and the kidneys had increased catechin, procyanidin B1 and B2, and gallic acid deposition compared to the OG.ConclusionHistologically, the OGH displayed reduced neuronal damage and prevention of hepatic steatosis induced by the cafeteria diet. Malícia honey effectively reduced oxidative stress via modulation of phenolic compounds in the brain, gut, kidney, and liver of cafeteria diet-induced obese rats.

Ultraviolet-A Radiation (UVA) as a Stress and the Influence of Provenance and Leaf Age on the Expression of Phenolic Compounds by Eucalyptus camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) represents a significant abiotic stress, affecting green plants. Phenolic compounds have been suggested as components involved in plant photoprotective adaptation. We used a unique combination of experimental (LED lighting and leaf tagging) and analytical (unbiased, or untargeted, metabolomics) approaches to study the effects of high (approximating mid-summer) and low (approximating winter) levels of UVA on the expression of phenolic compounds. These consisted of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis) of five provenances. The geographically separated provenances used in our study spanned the lowest and highest latitudes of the range of this subspecies. The concentrations of gallotannins and ellagitannins (i.e., hydrolysable tannins) increased most under high levels of UVA, but responses only differed slightly among provenances. The most substantial changes in the composition of phenolic compounds were associated with leaf age. Overall, 3-month-old (herein, termed ‘young’) leaves had substantially different phenolic compositions to 6- and 12-month-old (‘old’) leaves. Hydrolysable tannins were more abundant in young leaves, whereas pedunculagin, catechin, and kaempferol galloyl glucoses were more abundant in old leaves. High levels of UVA altered the expression of phenolic compounds, but our experimental saplings were unlikely to experience photoinhibition because they were not exposed to high levels of light and low temperatures, nor were they nitrogen-limited. We expect that changes in phenolic compounds would have been more pronounced if we had induced photoinhibition.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВИН С ГЕОГРАФИЧЕСКИМ СТАТУСОМ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ООО «ШУМРИНКА»

The purpose of research is to study white and red dry wines with a geographical indication produced by Shumrinka LLC for the content of cations, anions, microelements, phenolic compounds and color characteristics to identify the ranges of their variation. The characteristic content of potassium cations in white wines was in the range of 342–1110 mg/dm3, in red wines – 869–2070 mg/dm3. The ranges of variation in the mass concentration of chloride ions and sulfate ions in all wines studied were 9.8–28.5 and 188.3–821.3 mg/dm3. The established ranges of trace element content in the wines of a given manufacturer (strontium – 0.410–0.859 mg/dm3, rubidium – 0.373–1.806, titanium –3.614–6.415 μg/dm3) can be additional quality control indicators when assessing the geographical origin of wines and determining their compliance with the assessed typicality factors. The color composition of white wines is dominated by yellow-brown pigments, which is typical for aged wines. When comparing the color shade values of the studied wines, it was found that for white wines this indicator was at the level of 1.533–3.467, and for red wines – 0.667–0.870, therefore, anthocyanins played a significant role in the formation of the color of red wines, and condensed polyphenols played a significant role in the formation of the color of red wines. The results of a study of the color of wines, expressed in the values of color coordinates L*, a* and b* using the CIELab system, are presented. The L* coordinate (lightness) in white wines was at the level of 99.58–99.86, and in red wines it was in the range of 65.64–74.73. The cation-anion and microelement composition, mass concentration of coloring substances, optical characteristics and chromatic color coordinates of the wines under study reflected the characteristics of the production technology and the vineyard growing area.

Processing Raw Rice Bran to Potential Functional Food for Human Consumption

Background: Rice bran despite its nutritious value is largely underutilized. It is partly used for edible oil extraction and as animal feed or discarded as garbage. The present study was carried out with the objective of developing rice bran into a functional food ingredient for human consumption. Methods: The collected rice bran was exposed to four different treatments that included application of edible acid for activation of phytase, followed by drying at different temperatures to inactivate lipase. Standard biochemical methods were used to analyze the nutrients, anti nutrients and acid value. Result: Processing led to the reduction of phytic acid up to 43.6% and acid value up to 85.2% in comparison to raw rice bran (control) together with observation of absence of microbial load. Moreover, the processing led to the development of potential functional product with the better retention of ash, fiber, phenolic compound and crude protein content of the raw rice bran. The organoleptic evaluation revealed that the processed product can be utilized as ready-to-cook food ingredient, which might help to improve nutrition.

Spanish chickpea gene-bank seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) offer an enhanced nutritional quality and polyphenol profile compared with commercial cultivars.

In the global socioeconomic context and the current climate change scenario, investigating the nutritional and bioactive characteristics of landraces can provide interesting profiles with technological applications and benefits for human health. The purpose of this work was to improve our knowledge regarding the nutritional and phenolic composition of several chickpea accessions preserved in a gene bank compared with widely consumed cultivars, as a first approach to establish their potential nutritional interest. CIELab colour, mineral content, protein, and amino acids were determined, as well as a comprehensive characterization of free and bound phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The chickpea accessions displayed a superior macro-mineral profile and higher levels of protein, arginine, and bound phenolic compounds than commercial cultivars did. The total phenolic content ranged from 307.55 to 940.46 μg g-1 dry weight and clearly categorized the crops into desi or kabuli types. The ratio of free to bound phenolic compounds ranged between 2.8 and 50.2 in the kabuli seeds and 0.4-1.3 in the desi type. The most remarkable finding was the quantification of a total of 42 phenolic compounds, nine of them reported for the first time in chickpea seeds (methyl and dimethyl citric acids, glabranin, 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid, myricetin 3-O-rutinoside, dihydromyricetin, phlorizin, kaempferol 7-(6″-p-succinylglucoside) and phloretin). Despite variations in genetic backgrounds and specific agronomic conditions, this research unveils a sufficiently attractive nutritional and phenolic profile to justify further investigations aimed at exploring the future expansion and applications of these chickpea accessions. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustainable Integration of Ora-Pro-Nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) in Gluten-Free and Lactose-Free Sweet Bread: Impacts on Quality and Functional Properties

Ora-pro-nobis (OPN) enriches gluten- and lactose-free bread, while improving nutritional quality and sustainability due to its high nutritional value, adaptability to diverse climates, and low resource requirements for cultivation. This study evaluated the impact of incorporating different concentrations of OPN (0–24%) on the physicochemical (e.g., centesimal composition, specific volume, and color analysis), functional (e.g., total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity), and sensory quality (e.g., acceptance test and purchase intent) of gluten-free and lactose-free sweet bread. The results revealed that the addition of OPN led to a 63% increase in protein content and a 65% increase in ash content (p < 0.05). Higher OPN concentrations also enhanced the specific volume by up to 35% (p < 0.05), yielding softer and more voluminous loaves. Texture analysis showed reductions in crumb hardness and chewiness by up to 74.8% and 59.4%, respectively (p < 0.05), attributed to OPN’s water retention and gas-trapping abilities during fermentation. Furthermore, OPN addition resulted in a darker crust and a dark green crumb, with a remarkable increase in total phenolic compounds (up to 464%) and antioxidant capacity (up to 503%) (p < 0.05). Sensory evaluations indicated that OPN did not affect the overall impression compared to the control bread (p > 0.05), with all samples achieving purchase intention scores >3.0 points. Thus, incorporating OPN in gluten-free and lactose-free bread not only enhances nutritional and functional properties but also supports sustainable food production, presenting an innovative solution for consumers with dietary restrictions seeking health-oriented, eco-friendly products.

A comparative study of chemical composition, phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity of wild grown, field and greenhouse cultivated Physalis (P. alkekengi and P. peruviana)

Phytochemical properties and antioxidant activity of medicinal Physalis alkekengi fruit (wild and cultivated genotypes) and P. peruviana commercial species, were investigated (ten samples). Ripe fruits of P. alkekengi in comparison to P. peruviana, which is already regarded as an extremely functional fruit, possessed higher values of phytochemicals as well as antioxidant activity. In this present study, greatest phenolics content and antioxidant activity was observed in cultivated Physalis. The uppermost antioxidant activity was obtained in the fruit extract of cultivated P.alkekengi in C5 (Silvana) with 44.13% by DPPH method and C8 (Urmia) with 0.40 μM Fe++ g −1 FW by FRAP assay. Extracts obtained C8 and C4 (Khoy) possessed the highest total phenolic (34.12 mg GAE g−1 FW) and total flavonoid (7.06 mg QUE g−1 FW) contents, respectively. Additionally, the utmost amount of total carotenoid (614.18 mg100g−1 FW), β-carotene (0.47 mg/100 g FW), and ascorbic acid (84.61 mg g−1 FW) was obtained in C5. Ferulic acid (in C2 sample: Maragheh) and quercetin (in WA sample: Qaradag) were found to be the most abundant phenolic acid and flavonoid by HPLC–MS/MS analysis, respectively. No flavonoid of kaempferol was detected in the studied extracts from different regions. Wild and cultivated species in different regions were classified into four major clusters, according to hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) method. Considering the cultivation of medicinal plants such as Physalis, the growing conditions must be carefully chosen because they affect the phytochemical components and especially the metabolism of polyphenols.Graphical

Pharmacological Evaluation of (Piliostigma thonningi) Root Extract: Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Medicinal plants have been widely explored for their therapeutic potential due to their rich phytochemical composition. Piliostigma thonningii, a widely used plant in traditional medicine, is known for its diverse bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol root extract of Piliostigma thonningii. Standard qualitative methods revealed the presence of anthraquinones, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, phytosterols, and saponins, while cardiac glycosides, glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids were absent. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH radical-scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays, revealing dose-dependent radical inhibition. The root crude extract of Piliostigma thonningii exhibits dose-dependent antioxidant activity across DPPH, FRAP, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays, with higher concentrations showing increased efficacy. The presence of bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, contributes to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit free radicals. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro via albumin denaturation inhibition and in vivo using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. At 100 mg/kg, the extract exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory effects, with paw edema peaking at 4 hours (9.093 ± 0.071) and declining at 5 hours (7.362 ± 0.089). However, higher concentrations (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed increased inflammation, peaking at 4 hours (19.621 ± 0.033) and 5 hours (20.001 ± 0.056), respectively. Diclofenac (negative control) demonstrated controlled inflammatory responses, with edema peaking at 4 hours (10.585 ± 0.066) and declining by 5 hours (9.207 ± 0.022). These findings suggest that while the extract has notable anti-inflammatory effects at lower doses, higher doses may exhibit pro-inflammatory tendencies. This study highlights the potential of Piliostigma thonningii root extract as a natural source of anti-inflammatory agents, warranting further investigation for therapeutic applications.

Effect of Processing Methods on the Micronutrient Profile, Colour, and Anti-nutritive Components of Justicia heterocarpa (mwidu)

Justicia heterocarpa (mwidu) is a popular indigenous leafy vegetable picked wild in rural regions of Morogoro, Tanzania, during the wet seasons. This research examined the impact of processing on micronutrients, total phenols, and anti-nutrient content. The fresh leaves (FL) underwent direct shade drying (UBLDDR), blanched shade drying (BLDR), blanched oven drying (BLDO), fermentation (FFL), and gas and microwave cooking (FLCO5, FLCO10, and FLMCO2). Vitamins, chlorophyll, minerals, phenolic compounds, and anti-nutrients were analyzed. All laboratory experiments adhered to procedures and guidelines. The pH dropped more significantly to <3.5 in a 3% salt-3% sugar brine solution with 1.328 ± 0.006 mg/100 g of lactic acid compared to its counterpart. Blanched leaves dried in 5 days, but unblanched leaves took 15 days. Fermented samples demonstrated a notable reduction in total chlorophyll concentration (0.0964 ± 0.075 mg/g) compared to other processing techniques. The nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Justicia heterocarpa showed significant change (P < 0.05) depending on processing methods. The results indicated a significant loss of vitamin C in the fermented and ten-minute cooked samples, at 74.57% and 61.64%, respectively.Cooked FLMCO2 (107.4%, 11.29 ± 0.03 mg/100g) and FLCO5 (86.26%, 10.51 ± 0.02 mg/100g) exhibited more than a two-fold increase in beta-carotene compared to fresh leaves (3.67 mg/100g). In comparison to alternative processing procedures, samples cooked for 10 minutes exhibited significant mineral leaching, whereas unblanched direct shade drying preserved the highest mineral concentration. Fermented samples (532.83 ± 14.91 GAE/100 g) exhibited a 64.19% increase in total Phenolic compounds compared to fresh leaves (190.83 ± 14.91 GAE/100 g). Nonetheless, tannins increased by 68.1% (254.44 ± 7.45 GAE/100g) in the fermented samples. Samples exposed to extended cooking (17.8 ± 3.17 mg/100 g) and fermentation (40.28 ± 3.34 mg/100 g) exhibited the lowest levels of phytates. The oxalate concentration was significantly decreased in the cooked samples. Justicia heterocarpa may serve as a sustainable food supply in areas of Tanzania experiencing nutritional deficits.

Investigation of the Influence of the Extraction System and Seasonality on the Pharmacological Potential of Eugenia punicifolia Leaves

The chemical complexity of natural products, such as Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. plant, presents a challenge when extracting and identifying bioactive compounds. This study investigates the impact of different extraction systems and seasonal variations on the chemical profile and pharmacological potential of E. punicifolia leaves using NMR spectroscopy for chemical analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) for bioactivity correlation. Extracts obtained with methanol (M), ethanol (E), methanol/ethanol (1:1, ME), and methanol/ethanol/water (3:1:1, MEW) were analyzed for antioxidant, antiglycation, and antiviral activities. Quantitative ¹H NMR, combined with the PULCON method, was used to quantify phenolic compounds such as quercetin, myricetin, catechin, and gallic acid. The results showed that the MEW extract obtained in the rainy season exhibited the highest antioxidant and antiglycation activities, with a greater than 93% of advanced-glycation end-products (AGEs) inhibition capacity. Furthermore, our results showed that all the extracts were able to inhibit over 94% of the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Vero E6 cells. The CCA established strong correlations between the phenolic compounds and bioactivities, identifying gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin as key chemical markers. This study demonstrates the importance of selecting appropriate extraction systems and considering seasonality to optimize the pharmacological potential of E. punicifolia leaves and highlights the efficacy of NMR in linking chemical composition with bioactivities.

Cellular and Molecular Evidence of the Synergistic Antitumour Effects of Hydroxytyrosol and Metformin in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the tumour pathology with the second highest incidence among men worldwide. PCa is strongly influenced by obesity (OB), which increases its aggressiveness. Hence, some metabolic drugs like metformin have emerged as potential anti-tumour agents against several endocrine-related cancers. Likewise, a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with lower rates of OB and a reduction in PCa aggressiveness since this diet contains phenolic bioactive compounds such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) that is mainly present in extra virgin olive oil. Thus, we decided to analyse the therapeutic potential of the combination of HT + metformin in different PCa cell models. Specifically, combinations of different doses of HT and metformin were evaluated by analysing the proliferation rate of LNCaP, 22Rv1, DU-145, and PC−3 cells using the SynergicFinder method. The results revealed a synergistic effect of HT + metformin in significantly reducing proliferation, especially in LNCaP cells. This anti-tumour effect of HT + metformin was also confirmed in migration and tumoursphere formation assays in LNCaP. The effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis were also assessed by flow-cytometry, and a cycle arrest in the G1 phase and an increase in late apoptosis were observed with the combination of HT + metformin. The phosphorylation levels of critical components of different oncogenic pathways were measured which revealed that the combination of HT + metformin significantly reduced the activity of multiple components of the MAPK, AKT, and TGF-β pathways. Overall, the combination of HT + metformin might represent a new therapeutic avenue for the management of PCa patients, an observation that certainly warrants further investigation through a well-designed clinical trial.

Antimicrobial Phenolic Materials: From Assembly to Function.

Infectious diseases pose considerable challenges to public health, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens that globally cause high mortality rates. These pathogens can persist on surfaces and spread in public and healthcare settings. Advances have been made in developing antimicrobial materials to reduce the transmission of pathogens, including materials composed of naturally sourced polyphenols and their derivatives, which exhibit antimicrobial potency, broad-spectrum activity, and a lower likelihood of promoting resistance. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the fabrication of antimicrobial phenolic biomaterials, where natural phenolic compounds act as active antimicrobial agents or encapsulate other antimicrobial agents (e.g., metal ions, antimicrobial peptides, natural biopolymers). Various forms of phenolic biomaterials synthesized through these two strategies, including antimicrobial particles, capsules, hydrogels, and coatings, are summarized, with a focus on their application in wound healing, bone repair and regeneration, oral health, and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. The potential of these advanced phenolic biomaterials provides a promising therapeutic approach for combating antimicrobial-resistant infections and reducing microbial transmission.

Antimicrobial Phenolic Materials: From Assembly to Function

AbstractInfectious diseases pose considerable challenges to public health, particularly with the rise of multidrug‐resistant pathogens that globally cause high mortality rates. These pathogens can persist on surfaces and spread in public and healthcare settings. Advances have been made in developing antimicrobial materials to reduce the transmission of pathogens, including materials composed of naturally sourced polyphenols and their derivatives, which exhibit antimicrobial potency, broad‐spectrum activity, and a lower likelihood of promoting resistance. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the fabrication of antimicrobial phenolic biomaterials, where natural phenolic compounds act as active antimicrobial agents or encapsulate other antimicrobial agents (e.g., metal ions, antimicrobial peptides, natural biopolymers). Various forms of phenolic biomaterials synthesized through these two strategies, including antimicrobial particles, capsules, hydrogels, and coatings, are summarized, with a focus on their application in wound healing, bone repair and regeneration, oral health, and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. The potential of these advanced phenolic biomaterials provides a promising therapeutic approach for combating antimicrobial‐resistant infections and reducing microbial transmission.

Chemiluminescent determination of total reducing capacity of phenolic compounds and analysis of oxidizable compounds in infusions with Oxone® decomposition

Chemiluminescent determination of total reducing capacity of phenolic compounds and analysis of oxidizable compounds in infusions with Oxone® decomposition

Effects of phenolic compounds on broiler’s diet: a systematic review

Effects of phenolic compounds on broiler’s diet: a systematic review

Functional Properties and Potential Applications of Wheat Bran Extracts in Food and Cosmetics: A Review of Antioxidant, Enzyme-Inhibitory, and Anti-Aging Benefits

This review examines existing studies on wheat bran extracts (WBEs) to provide an overview of their functional properties, including antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities, highlighting their potential as natural alternatives for applications in both the food and cosmetic industries. Despite variations in extraction techniques, WBEs consistently demonstrated a significant presence of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. In the food industry, WBEs are valued for their nutritional richness, including dietary fiber, proteins, and bioactive compounds such as arabinoxylans. These compounds improve food texture, stability, and baking properties. Additionally, WBEs have demonstrated antimicrobial potential, enhanced product quality, and serve as natural preservatives. Furthermore, WBEs exhibit significant inhibitory effects against collagenase and elastase, suggesting promising anti-aging potential. In the cosmetics sector, WBEs have gained attention due to their emulsion stability, skin-whitening properties, antimicrobial effects, and antioxidant capacities. They have the potential to enhance the stability of cosmetic emulsions, improve skin hydration, and inhibit enzymes linked to skin aging, positioning WBEs as potentially natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients in skincare and anti-aging products. Our recent pilot study also supports that WBEs enhance antioxidant defenses against oxidative stress in rats, highlighting their potential role in anti-aging interventions. To further elucidate the efficacy and bioavailability of the beneficial bioactive compounds in WBEs for both food and cosmetic applications, more comprehensive in vivo studies are required in the future.

The Release of Bound Phenolics to Enhance the Antioxidant Activity of Cornmeal by Liquid Fermentation with Bacillus subtilis

This study investigated the influence of Bacillus subtilis fermentation on the composition of phenolic substances and antioxidant activity in cornmeal. The results indicate that the fermentation process significantly increased both the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). After 5 days of fermentation, the TPC rose from 31.68 ± 1.72 mg/g to 39.46 ± 2.95 mg/g, representing a 24.56% increase, while the TFC increased from 2.13 ± 0.11 mg/g to 7.56 ± 0.29 mg/g, marking a 254.93% increase. Additionally, the proportion of free phenolic compounds in cornmeal increased from 20.24% to 83.98%, while the proportion of bound phenolic compounds decreased from 79.76% to 16.02%. Furthermore, the hydrolytic enzyme activities of cellulase, β-glucosidase, and xylanase were significantly correlated with the free phenolic content (FPC) (r > 0.85, p < 0.05), indicating their crucial role in releasing free phenolic compounds from cornmeal. Employing scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, we inferred that the carbohydrase enzymes produced by the microorganisms disrupted the cellular structure of cornmeal and weakened the interactions between bound phenolics and the food matrix, thereby facilitating the release of phenolic compounds. This release resulted in an overall increase in the antioxidant activity of the cornmeal. The study provided a novel approach to enhancing the bioavailability of phenolic acids in cornmeal, indicating the potential benefits of fermentation in food processing.

Comprehensive Analysis of Elemental and Metabolite Composition in Boraginaceae Species From Türkiye.

Boraginaceae plants, including four endemic species from Türkiye, were analyzed for organic and inorganic compositions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to explore their nutritional, medicinal, and ecological significance. This study examined 18 species, identifying key elements, such as sodium (87 600.359-118 049.272g/kg), potassium (98 876.885-145 587.899g/kg), and iron (70 396.436-116 416.076g/kg), which showed significant variation. Metabolite profiling revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in most samples. Additionally, 42 amino acids and 35 phenolic compounds were detected, with rosmarinic acid and proline being particularly abundant. Rosmarinic acid was most concentrated in Oi and Ml samples, whereas proline levels ranged from 3023.8086 to 7693.8549nmol/mL. The study highlights the intricate metabolic and elemental profiles of Boraginaceae species, shedding light on their ecological adaptations and therapeutic potentials. Spearman correlation analysis suggested significant relationships among phenolic compounds, amino acids, and elemental compositions, indicating potential applications in nutrition, pharmacology, and biodiversity conservation.

In Vitro Study of the Biological Activity of Aloe barbadensis Miller and its Physicochemical Characterization.

Aloe barbadensis is a natural source of bioactive compounds whose combined effects have been linked to the improvement of several diseases. There is scientific evidence obtained through in vitro and in vivo assays showing the possible benefits of aloe gel. The aim of this research was to characterize and determine the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and antibacterial capacities of aloe gel extract. The gel was extracted by removing the exocarp of aloe leaves. Physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity, quantification of phenolic compounds, spectroscopic techniques (Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman, XPS and XRD) and in vitro biological activities were then performed. The aloe gel contained 66.95% of polysaccharides, corresponding to dietary fiber. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy revealed bands of functional groups (e.g., COO-, CO-, and OH) related to the structure of polymannans. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed the presence of minerals such as manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, potassium, sodium, and cobalt. The phenolic compounds identified by HPLC were diverse, highlighting the presence of aloe emodin, aloin and gallic acid. The aloe gel exhibited anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and antibacterial (Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) activities, indicating the possible use of Aloe barbadensis M. as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diseases.