Microwave-assisted Extraction Technique Research Articles

Hypoglycemic Properties of Leccinum scabrum Extracts-An In Vitro Study on α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibition and Metabolic Profile Determination.

Type-2 diabetes affects an increasing percentage of the world's population and its control through dietary management, involving the consumption of health-promoting foods or their derived supplements, is a common strategy. Several mushroom species have been demonstrated to be endowed with antidiabetic properties, resulting from their ability in improving insulin sensitivity and production, or inhibiting the carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase. This study aimed to investigate for the first time the hypoglycemic properties of the edible mushroom Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Gray. Mushroom extracts were prepared through the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique using green solvents with different polarity degrees. The inhibition activity of all the obtained extracts on both α-glucosidase and α-amylase was evaluated and the highest activity was observed for the EtOAc extract which showed an IC50 value about 60-fold lower than the reference compound 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) on α-glucosidase (0.42 ± 0.02 and 25.4 ± 0.6 µg/mL, respectively). As expected on the basis of the literature data concerning both α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, a milder inhibition activity on pancreatic α-amylase was observed. Preliminary in vivo tests on Drosophila melanogaster carried out on the most active obtained extract (EtOAc) confirmed the in vitro observed hypoglycemic activity. Finally, the EtOAc extract metabolic profile was determined through GC-MS and HRMS analyses.

Biosynthesis and Extraction of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Anthocyanins, and Betalaine In Vivo and In Vitro.

As natural bioactive compounds, plant pigments play crucial roles not only in plant phenotype, growth, development, and adaptation to stress but also hold unique value in biotechnology, healthcare, and industrial applications. There is growing interest in the biosynthesis and acquisition of plant pigments. Thus, this paper explores emerging extraction methods of natural pigments and elucidates the biosynthesis pathways of four key plant pigments, chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalaine in vivo and in vitro. We comprehensively discuss the application of solvent, supercritical fluid [extraction], ultrasonic, and microwave-assisted extraction techniques, as well as introducing key enzymes, precursors, and synthetic pathways involved in pigment synthesis. δ-Aminolevulinic acid represents a pivotal initiating enzyme for chlorophyll synthesis, whereas isopentenylpyrophosphate, (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, (DMAPP) are closely associated with carotenoid biosynthesis. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are critical substances for anthocyanin and betalaine synthesis, respectively. Hence, crucial genes such as chlI, crtB, PGT8, CYP76AD1, and BvDODA can be employed for heterologous biosynthesis in vitro to meet the demand for increased plant pigment amount. As a pivotal determinant of plant coloration, an in-depth exploration into the high-quality acquisition of plant pigments can provide a basis for developing superior pigments and offer new insights into increasing pigment yield.

Improving the Extraction of Polyphenols from Cocoa Bean Shells by Ultrasound and Microwaves: A Comparative Study.

The extraction of bioactive compounds from food by-products is one of the most important research areas for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), either alone or in combination, of phenolic compounds from cocoa bean shells (CBSs). These extraction techniques were compared with conventional methods, such as under simple magnetic stirring and the Soxhlet apparatus. After the preliminary characterization of the gross composition of CBSs, the total polyphenol content and radical scavenging of extracts obtained from both raw and defatted cocoa bean shells were investigated. Quantification of the main polyphenolic compounds was then performed by RP-HPLC-DAD, identifying flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as clovamide. The application of MAE and UAE resulted in a similar or superior extraction of polyphenols when compared with traditional methods; the concentration of individual polyphenols was variously influenced by the extraction methods employed. Combining MAE and UAE at 90 °C yielded the highest antiradical activity of the extract. Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the presence of high-molecular-weight melanoidins, which were present in higher concentrations in the extracts obtained using MAE and UAE, especially starting from raw material. In conclusion, these results emphasize the efficiency of MAE and UAE techniques in obtaining polyphenol-rich extracts from CBS and confirm this cocoa by-product as a valuable biomass for the recovery of antioxidant compounds, with a view to possible industrial scale-up.

Unripe bael pulp pectin extraction and characterization using the microwave assisted method.

In this study, pectin was extracted from unripe bael using a microwave-assisted extraction technique. Optimization was done based on independent and dependent parameters. Pectin yield was the dependent variable in the study, whereas the independent factors were microwave power, time, and solid solvent ratio. Pectin extraction was carried out using different combinations of microwave power (180, 360, 540 watts), time (1, 2, 3 minutes), and the ratio of solid-solvent (1:20, 1:30, 1:40 g/mL). Using Box-Behnken response surface methodology, 17 experimental runs were performed. A microwave power of 360 watts, a time of 3 minutes, and a solid solvent ratio of 1:20 g/mL were the ideal parameters that achieved the maximum pectin yield of 19.8%. The yield of pectin was analyzed using multiple regression statistical analysis. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pectin yield was studied, which revealed an equivalent weight of 263.15, a methoxyl content of 9.92 percent, anhydrouronic acid content of 123.2%, and a degree of esterification of 45.71%.

Recovering bioactive compounds from yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) using the ultrasonic-microwave-assisted extraction technique

The aim of this study was to recover bioactive compounds from Smallanthus sonchifolius roots, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, vitamin C, and reducing sugar contents, as well as to examine antioxidant activities using ultrasonic-assisted and microwave-assisted extraction technique. Single-factor experiments were employed to explore the impact of various independent variables, including concentration, extraction method, power, duration, temperature, and pH, on the dependent variables of yacon extraction using the ultrasonic-microwave-assisted extraction method. The Plackett-Burman Design Model was used to screen the parameters that significantly influenced the extraction efficiency. Box-Behnken Design Model was utilized to optimize the ultrasonic-microwave-assisted extracting process to acquire bioactive compounds. The highest yield of total flavonoid contents was obtained with 4.00 of pH, 743.33 W of microwave power, and 39.08°C of ultrasonic temperature. According to reducing sugar contents yield optimization, the optimum conditions were 3.98 of pH, 36.17 seconds of microwave time and 40°C of ultrasonic temperature. To optimize vitamin C concentration, the optimized conditions were 1:40 g/mL of sample-to-solvent ratio, 3.99 of pH, 45.33 seconds of microwave time, and 451.09 W of ultrasonic power. Regarding total terpenoids yield, optimized conditions for extracting were 1:40 g/mL of sample-to-solvent ratio, 2.48 of pH, 30.49 seconds of microwave time, and 49.48 °C of ultrasonic temperature. Under optimized conditions, the recovery yield of flavonoid, terpenoid, vitamin C, and reducing sugar contents were 7.95 mg rutin equivalents/g, 47.93 mg ursolic acid equivalents/g, 107.78 mg ascorbic acid/g, and 230.39 mg D-glucose equivalents/g, respectively. Ultrasonic-microwave-assisted extraction showed significantly higher performance than singular extracting methods and is regarded as a sustainable and effective approach to recover target compounds from yacon roots.

Microwave-assisted extraction, encapsulation, and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from organic tomato industry by-product

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a widely consumed fruit in the world. Discarded biomass has a huge potential, as tomato peel is rich in carotenoid content. This study focuses on the recovery of carotenoids from tomato industry agro-wastes, specifically peel and seeds. Initially, the conventional method was employed to analyze the sample, determining a total carotenoid content of 3.19 ± 0.23 mg β-carotene eq/g dry matter. A carotenoid profiling of the sample revealed high concentration of 5-cis-lycopene (1340.1 ± 15.6 μg all-trans-β-carotene eq/g dry matter), 9-cis lycopene (1062.7 ± 12.8 μg all-trans-β-carotene eq/g dry matter) and all-trans-β-carotene (1246.4 ± 1.7 μg all-trans-β-carotene eq/g dry matter). Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was employed as a green extraction method to optimize biomass-solvent ratio (BSR), extraction time (ET), and microwave power (MP) for achieving maximum recovery of carotenoids. A surface response methodology based on a Box-Behnken design was used. The optimized extract (BSR 1:10 g:mL, ET 60 s, and MP 283.84 W) was microencapsulated using maltodextrin (MD) combined with either gum arabic (GA) or whey protein isolate (WP) as wall materials. Freeze-drying was utilized for capsule sealing. The properties of the encapsulates were characterized, including moisture content (0.99 ± 0.04% for MD:GA and 0.80 ± 0.07% for MD:WP), water activity (0.087 ± 0.01 for MD:GA and 0.084 ± 0.01 for MD:WP), dissolution rate (140.4 1 ± 6.41 s for MD:GA and 86.49 ± 1.68 s for MD:WP), tapped density (0.48 ± 0.01 g/mL for MD:GA and 0.44 ± 0.01 g/mL for MD:WP), drying yield (90.73 ± 3.34% for MD:GA and 89.73 ± 3.47% for MD:WP), and encapsulation efficiency (68.12 ± 1.42% for MD:GA and 74.55 ± 1.62% for MD:WP). Bioaccessibility studies for encapsulated extract revealed values of 27.68% ± 0.72 and 25.10% ± 0.04 for MD:GA and MD: WP, respectively. This research highlights the potential of tomato agro-wastes as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. The implementation of MAE and microencapsulation techniques demonstrates effective strategies for their recovery and preservation obtaining the optimal conditions for the MAE (BSR 1:10 g: mL, ET 60 s, and MP 283.84 W) and for the encapsulation (MD: WP mixture). These findings contribute to the valorization of tomato industry by-products and their potential application in functional food products.

Development of biodegradable film from cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica) mucilage loaded with acid-leached kaolin as filler

Nowadays, substituting petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable polymers made from polysaccharides loaded with various reinforcing materials has recently gained attention due to the impact of conventional plastics wastes. In this study, polysaccharidic mucilage from Ethiopian cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica) was derived using microwave-assisted extraction technique to develop biodegradable polymers that were inexpensive, readily available, simple to make, and ecofriendly. The effect of microwave power 300–800 W, solid-liquid (cactus-sodium hydroxide solution) ratio 1:5–1:25, sodium hydroxide concentration 0.1–0.8 mol/L, and extraction time 2–10 min on mucilage extraction were studied and the maximum yield of mucilage was attained at optimized parameters of 506 W, 1:20, 0.606 mol/L, and 9.5 min, respectively. Biodegradable polymers made with mucilage alone have poor mechanical characteristics and are thermally unstable. Thus, to overcome the stated problems, glycerol as a plasticizer and acid-leached kaolin crosslinked with urea as a reinforcing material were used. Moreover, the effect of acid-leached kaolin and glycerol on the physico-chemical properties of the films was studied, and a maximum tensile strength of 6.74 MPa with 18.45 % elongation at break, thermally improved biodegradability of 26 %, were attained at 10 % acid-leached kaolin and 20 % glycerol crosslinking with 2 % urea. But the maximum degradability of 53.5 % was attained at 30 % glycerol content. The control and reinforced biodegradable films were characterized using TGA, FTIR, SEM, and XRD to determine the thermal, functional group, morphology, and crystallinity of the bioplastics, respectively. These biodegradable plastics may be used for packaging application.

Chemical and biological characterization of Ocimum basilicum L. phenolic extract and essential oil derived through ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction techniques

Plant-derived bioactive molecules are increasingly utilized in food processing as natural additives, driven by a growing interest in healthier lifestyles. This trend has spurred industries to reformulate products to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers. This study investigates the phenolic extract and essential oil of O. basilicum L. obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction, respectively. Characterization using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) for the basil phenolic extract (BPE) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the basil essential oil (BEO) identified 82 compounds in BPE and 51 compounds, with rosmarinic acid and estragole as the main constituents, respectively. Both BPE and BEO exhibited significant antioxidant capacity. BPE showed higher antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 0.740 ± 0.023 mg/mL against DPPH•, 0.408 ± 0.02 mg/mL for ABTS+•, and 0.289 ± 0.02 mg/mL for iron chelation. Conversely, BEO demonstrated IC50 values of 16.296 ± 0.394 mg/mL, 0.6870 ± 0.0203 mg/mL, and 3.9 ± 0.12 mg/mL for DPPH•, ABTS+• scavenging assays, and iron chelation, respectively. The growth inhibitory effect of BEO surpassed that of BPE against microbial strains, achieving total growth inhibition against C. albicans with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.04 mg/mL. BPE exhibited inhibitory effects against MRSA with a zone of inhibition of 19 ± 1.15 mm, while the lowest MIC value was observed against E. coli at 0.38 ± 0.03 mg/mL. These findings underling basil's potential health-boosting, emphasizing its abundance in phenolic and volatile compounds.

Pomegranate seed oil extraction by cold pressing, microwave and ultrasound treatments

AbstractIn this study, pomegranate seed oil was extracted by microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and cold pressing techniques. Dimethyl succinate was the solvent of microwave and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. The optimum conditions were determined by using response surface methodology (RSM, Design Expert software version 7.0 and Box-Behnken design). The ultrasound-assisted extraction technique was found to be superior to the microwave-assisted extraction technique in terms of extraction efficiency. The maximum extraction efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction was 22.01% under the optimized conditions (liquid/solid ratio, 5/1; time, 3 min; and microwave power, 300 W). The maximum extraction efficiency obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction was 26.31% under the optimized conditions (liquid/solid ratio, 10/1; pulse duration/pulse interval ratio, 1; temperature 60 °C; and time, 20 min). The extraction efficiencies were compared at the optimum conditions with hexane, which is the most used solvent for pomegranate seed oil extraction, and the difference was insignificant. The results of this study are very important, especially in the field of green chemistry and chemical engineering.

Shrimp Waste Upcycling: Unveiling the Potential of Polysaccharides, Proteins, Carotenoids, and Fatty Acids with Emphasis on Extraction Techniques and Bioactive Properties.

Shrimp processing generates substantial waste, which is rich in valuable components such as polysaccharides, proteins, carotenoids, and fatty acids. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the valorization of shrimp waste, mainly shrimp shells, focusing on extraction methods, bioactivities, and potential applications of these bioactive compounds. Various extraction techniques, including chemical extraction, microbial fermentation, enzyme-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and pressurized techniques are discussed, highlighting their efficacy in isolating polysaccharides, proteins, carotenoids, and fatty acids from shrimp waste. Additionally, the bioactivities associated with these compounds, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties, among others, are elucidated, underscoring their potential in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications. Furthermore, the review explores current and potential utilization avenues for these bioactive compounds, emphasizing the importance of sustainable resource management and circular economy principles in maximizing the value of shrimp waste. Overall, this review paper aims to provide insights into the multifaceted aspects of shrimp waste valorization, offering valuable information for researchers, industries, and policymakers interested in sustainable resource utilization and waste-management strategies.

Maximizing Curcuminoid Extraction from Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Rhizomes via Environmentally Friendly Microwave-Assisted Extraction Technique Using Full Factorial Design.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. contains a high content of curcuminoids, which can be utilized for cosmetic purposes. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction conditions of C. aromatica rhizomes in castor oil to maximize curcuminoid content using a simple and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted extraction method. A 32 full factorial design was employed, with two factors-microwave power and time-varying between 600-800 W and 30-90 s, respectively. Five responses were monitored, including extraction yield, bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, curcumin, and total curcuminoid contents. The results demonstrated that increasing microwave power and time led to an increase in all five responses. The optimal condition, which simultaneously maximized extraction yield and total curcuminoid content, was achieved at a microwave power of 800 W for 90 s. This condition resulted in an extraction yield of 71.020%, bisdemethoxycurcumin content of 0.036%, demethoxycurcumin content of 0.210%, curcumin content of 0.080%, and total curcuminoid content of 0.326%. The computer program accurately predicted the results with a percentage error of less than 2%. Stability data revealed that the total curcuminoid content remained stable with a percentage remaining above 90% when stored at 4°C, 30°C ± 75%RH, and 40°C ± 75%RH for three months. In summary, this study successfully applied a full factorial design to maximize curcuminoid extraction from C. aromatica rhizomes using an environmentally friendly microwave-assisted extraction method for cosmetic purposes.

Contamination levels, influencing factors, and risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust of northern Serbia.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of compounds that, due to their applications, are considered mainly indoor contaminants. To obtain the first information about the presence of PBDEs in Serbia, dust samples (n = 50) were collected in settlements in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina. The selected/target congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were extracted from house dust by microwave-assisted extraction technique, and purified extracts were analyzed on a dual-column gas chromatograph with micro-electron capture detectors. A wide range of ΣPBDEs was detected (0.295 to 394 ng g-1 dust), which reflects large differences in contamination among the examined homes. For the majority of samples (72%), ΣPBDEs were lower than 5 ng g-1 indicating that people living in Vojvodina province are exposed to low concentrations of PBDEs present in their households. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), balcony areas and age of the house positively correlate with the PBDE congeners with higher detection frequencies (≥ 50%), namely, with BDE-99, BDE-153, and BDE-183. Statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was obtained for BDE-99 and the number of household's members. Estimated daily intakes (EDItot) were calculated for ingestion and dermal absorption of dust for two age groups-adults and toddlers. These arethe first data on PBDE status in the area of the Western Balkan, and the health risk assessment indicates that PBDE levels obtained in household dust do not pose a risk for human health.

Characterization and Extraction of Bioactive Compounds in Ethanolic Extract of Moringa concanensis, Nimmo Leaf, Using Microwave-assisted and Soxhlet Techniques

Background: The extraction of Moringa concanensis (Nimmo leaf) was done in ethanol using Soxhlet and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) techniques to obtain bioactive compounds. Methods: The standard techniques were used to carry out phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract. The analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and saponins, and also the absence of anthraquinones. Moreover, the extract was evaluated for antioxidant activities using DPPH and ABTS assays. The IC50 value of the extract was also determined. Results: A clear correlation between the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts was obtained. Conclusion: This study suggests that a high amount of phenolic compounds could be obtained from Moringa concanensis (Nimmo leaf) by using the microwave-assisted extraction technique, which may be responsible for its antioxidant activity.

A Review: Microwave Assisted Extraction

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique involves heating solvents in contact with a sample using microwave energy in order to separate analytes from the sample matrix into the solvent. The primary benefit of MAE is its intrinsic capacity to quickly heat the sample solvent mixture. The ability of microwave radiation to penetrate and mix with a substrate allows for accurate and regulated heating. As a result, the electromagnetic energy can be specifically engineered to be transported by the microwave process to the desired location of the compounds in the substrate. The utilisation of short processing periods and energy- saving variables results in lower manufacturing costs, better product yields and consistency, and higher- quality products as compared to alternative extraction procedures. This review summarizes the basic principle involved in the MAE and its instrumentation. It also gives an overview of some of the applications of the MAE. Keywords: Microwave assisted Extraction (MAE), microwave radiation, closed vessel syste , open focused system

Microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction techniques with citric acid of pectin from Pomelo (Citrus maxima) peel

This current research attempted to obtain pectin from Pomelo (Citrus maxima) peels using conventional heating, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques with organic citric acid. In order to characterize pectin extracted using conventional heating, MAE, and UAE, yield, pH, solubility, ash content, equivalent weight, anhydrouronic acid content, degree of esterification methoxyl content were taken into consideration. On physicochemical properties, the extraction techniques had a significant effect. The findings demonstrated that the MAE method produced the highest amount of pectin (26.63 ± 0.21 %). On the basis of the Degree of Esterification (DE) value, pectins were all classified as high-methoxypectins (HMP). According to anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content, the extracted pectins were extremely pure. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to structurally characterize pectin that was extracted using three different methods, and the results revealed that pectin has functional groups between 1740 and 800 cm-1 spectrally.

Effect of microwave-assisted drying and extraction of 6-Shogaol from Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingeberaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used as food, spice, or flavoring agent worldwide. 6-Shogaol is a compound of prime interest in exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and chemopreventive effects. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of microwave-assisted drying (MAD) followed by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) so as to produce 6-Shogaol enriched Ginger with improved therapeutic benefits. Various drying techniques viz. shade drying, tray drying, microwave-assisted drying and osmotic dehydration as a pretreatment were used for drying Ginger rhizomes. The dried rhizomes were extracted by conventional solvent extraction and microwave-assisted extraction techniques and tested for content of 6-Shogaol using the newly developed HPLC method whereas total flavonoid and polyphenol content were determined using the UV spectrophotometric method. Subjecting the microwave dried Ginger to microwave-assisted extraction for 45 min at constant power level of 284 W resulted in a significant rise in the extractability of 6-Shogaol (1.660 ± 0.018), total polyphenols (855.46 ± 5.33) and flavonoids (617.97 ± 6.40) compared to the conventional method of extraction. The proposed Ginger processing method of microwave drying followed by microwave extraction outperforms traditional methods in terms of speed, convenience, and performance thus can be scaled up to industrial levels.

Phytoconstituents of Terminalia catappa linn fruits extract exhibit promising antidiabetic activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro and in silico

Terminalia Catappa fruits are recognized for their use in diabetes treatment, yet the mechanism by which they inhibit diabetes-related enzymes remain largely undefined. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic potential and interactions of T. catappa fruit extract through in vitro and in silico approaches. The compounds from T. catappa fruit were extracted using microwave-assisted extraction techniques, followed by qualitative phytochemical screening and quantitative analysis via GC-MS. The physicochemical properties were evaluated according to the Lipinski rule and ADMET criteria. Antidiabetic analyses, both in vitro and in silico, were performed on the secondary metabolites found in T. catappa fruit, targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of T. catappa fruit contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids. These extracts inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner, with the methanol extract of T. catappa showing significantly higher inhibitory activity than pure acarbose (by two- and five-fold, respectively) and the ethyl acetate extract. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was seven times greater than that of the ethyl acetate extract. Molecular docking studies supported these findings, revealing that the ΔG values of gibberellic acid, rescinnamine, and digoxin were comparable to those of acarbose. Notably, digoxin has higher ΔG values against α-amylase than acarbose, while gibberellic acid, rescinnamine, and nerolidol showed ΔG values similar to acarbose. Gibberellic acid, unique to the methanol extract, demonstrated high ΔG values, suggesting its significant role in the extract's enhanced glucosidase and amylase inhibitory activities. This study identifies specific compounds (digitoxin, rescinnamine, gibberellic acid, and nerolidol) and proposes the potential of multi-target drugs in diabetes treatment. Understanding these phytochemical constituents and their effects on diabetes-involved enzymes could benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly those at higher risk of complications.

Optimization of curcumin extraction from Curcuma domestica Vahl. rhizome with microwave-assisted extraction technique in inhibiting nitric oxide production and cell viability

Curcumin is a yellow dye derived from the turmeric plant (Curcuma domestica Vahl.). In turmeric rhizome, there are active compounds that are often used as traditional medicine in the form of curcuminoids. The microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) technique is an extraction technique that utilizes microwave radiation to heat the solvent quickly and efficiently and is also very suitable for extracting compounds that are not resistant to heat. This research was conducted to determine the level of curcumin from C. domestica Vahl. Extract with MAE using virgin coconut oil (VCO) as solvent. Extraction of curcumin was carried out using C. domestica Vahl powder with various weights (1 g, 1.5 g, 2 g, and 2.5 g) and VCO as solvent (mL), with an extraction time of 10 mins and power of 270 W. Curcumin from the extract was measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the method has a limit of detection (LOD), which is 3.57±0.01 µg/mL, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 11.91±0.04 ppm, and good linearity with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9993. The curcumin level was determined with HPLC from each various weight (1.27±0.03 mg/g); 1.5 g (1.20±0.02 mg/ g); 2 g (3.45±0.02 mg/g) and 2.5 g (3.44±0.01 mg/g) respectively. The results showed that the optimum weight for curcumin extraction with MAE is 2 g with 20 mL of VCO with 10 mins extraction time and power (270 W). The best results were shown at a 1.56 µg/mL concentration and had the highest % of living cells, cell viability testing showed that curcumin was not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells. The nitric oxide (NO) production results show that cells stimulated with LPS had higher nitrite levels at 31.25 g/mL and lower nitrite levels at 62.5 µg/mL; 125 µg/mL; 250 µg/mL, implying that curcumin MAE extract can inhibit NO production, whereas extract-stimulated cells showed a decrease in nitrite levels.

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS profiling of Viola stocksii Boiss. and evaluation of aphrodisiac potential and risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction

Ethnopharmacological relevanceViola stocksii Boiss. locally known as makhni or makhanr booti, is an important medicinal food plant with multiple therapeutic applications, including erectile dysfunction (ED). It is mixed with butter and used for boosting energy and sexual health in the subcontinent. Aims of the studyThis study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, aphrodisiac potential and effect of V. stocksii on the risk factors associated with ED. MethodologyThe hydroethanolic extract of V. stocksii (HEEVS) was prepared through the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique. The chemical composition was evaluated using preliminary phytochemical screening and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Metals and minerals analysis was performed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The aphrodisiac activity of HEEVS was evaluated using an in vivo aphrodisiac model established in male albino rats and the effect on various sexual parameters such as mount, intromission, ejaculation frequencies and mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies, postejaculatory interval, penile reflexes and serum hormone concentration were analyzed. The effect of HEEVS on various risk factors associated with ED, including prostate cancer (PC), bacterial infections, diabetes and obesity, was evaluated using various in vitro assays. Moreover, four compounds were selected from the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS profile and evaluated for in silico computational analysis against phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) for possible interaction. FindingsThe phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites in HEEVS, while 58 compounds were tentatively identified in the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Various important minerals and metals such as zinc, calcium, cadmium and magnesium were detected in the atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. The in vivo aphrodisiac evaluation showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mount, intromission and ejaculation frequencies and a decrease in the mount, intromission latencies and post-ejaculatory intervals at a dose of 300 mg/kg. A marked (p < 0.05) increase was observed in the concentration of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormones in HEEVS treated animals with a significant increase in total penile reflexes. The extract displayed significant anti-prostate cancer activity and a potential antibacterial spectrum against E. coli and S. aureus, with MIC50 values of 215.72 μg/mL and 139.05 μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, HEEVS was found active towards pancreatic lipase (67.34 ± 1.03%), α-glucosidase (3.87 ± 0.54 mmol ACAE/g d.w.) and α-amylase (6.98 ± 1.63 mmol ACAE/g d.w.). The in silico docking study presented a potential interaction between the selected compounds and residues of the active site of PDE-5. ConclusionThis report highlights the aphrodisiac potential of V. stocksii and provides experimental support for its traditional use in ED with an attenuative effect on the risk factors associated with ED. Moreover, the chemical composition displayed the presence of functional phytoconstituents and minerals in HEEVS and paves the way for the isolation of compounds with potent aphrodisiac activity.

Significant Benefits of Environmentally Friendly Hydrosols from Tropaeolum majus L. Seeds with Multiple Biological Activities.

Tropaeolum majus L. is a traditional medicinal plant with a wide range of biological activities due to the degradation products of the glucosinolate glucotropaeolin. Therefore, the goals of this study were to identify volatiles using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) of the hydrosols (HYs) isolated using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG). Cytotoxic activity was tested against a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), human colon cancer cell line (HCT116), human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS), and healthy cell line (RPE1). The effect on wound healing was investigated using human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), while the antibacterial activity of the HYs was tested against growth and adhesion to a polystyrene surface of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Antiphytoviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was determined. The GC-MS analysis showed that the two main compounds in the HYs of T. majus are benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and benzyl cyanide (BCN) using the MAE (62.29% BITC and 15.02% BCN) and MHG (17.89% BITC and 65.33% BCN) extraction techniques. The HYs obtained using MAE showed better cytotoxic activity against the tested cancer cell lines (IC50 value of 472.61-637.07 µg/mL) compared to the HYs obtained using MHG (IC50 value of 719.01-1307.03 μg/mL). Both concentrations (5 and 20 µg/mL) of T. majus HYs using MAE showed a mild but statistically non-significant effect in promoting gap closure compared with untreated cells, whereas the T. majus HY isolated using MHG at a concentration of 15 µg/mL showed a statistically significant negative effect on wound healing. The test showed that the MIC concentration was above 0.5 mg/mL for the HY isolated using MAE, and 2 mg/mL for the HY isolated using MHG. The HY isolated using MHG reduced the adhesion of E. coli at a concentration of 2 mg/mL, while it also reduced the adhesion of S. aureus at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Both hydrosols showed excellent antiphytoviral activity against TMV, achieving100% inhibition of local lesions on the leaves of infected plants, which is the first time such a result was obtained with a hydrosol treatment. Due to the antiphytoviral activity results, hydrosols of T. majus have a promising future for use in agricultural production.