Phenolic-rich Extracts Research Articles

Phenolic rich Cocos nucifera inflorescence extract ameliorates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and toxin-induced murine models

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the acetone extract of Cocos nucifera (CnAE), an important ingredient in several traditional drugs, have been studied using different in vitro and in vivo models. CnAE did not show any observable toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages by MTT assay. The calorimetric analysis (total COX, 5-LOX, MPO, iNOS and NO), ELISA (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2) and qRT-PCR (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB) were performed in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Phosphorylation of NF-κBp65 and IκB was determined by western blotting. CnAE (100µg/mL) remarkably inhibited total COX (68.67%) and 5-LOX (63.67%) activities, and subsequent release of iNOS, NO and PGE2 (p ≤ 0.05) in RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS. ELISA showed CnAE markedly decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p ≤ 0.001), IL-6 (p ≤ 0.001) and TNF-α (p ≤ 0.001) in LPS treated RAW264.7 cells. CnAE (100µg/mL) also significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, p ≤ 0.05; IL-6, p ≤ 0.01 and TNF-α, p ≤ 0.001) and NF-κB (p ≤ 0.001) against LPS-induction. Moreover, LPS-induced phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB p65 was significantly inhibited by CnAE (100µg/mL). In vivo anti-inflammatory studies showed that CnAE (400mg/kg) significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced acute paw oedema (59.81%, p ≤ 0.001) and formalin-induced chronic paw oedema (52.90%, p ≤ 0.001) in mice. CnAE at a dose of 400mg/kg also showed a significant anti-nociceptive effect on acetic acid-induced writhing (48.21%, p ≤ 0.001) and Eddy's hot plate methods. These findings suggest that CnAE has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties, mainly attributed to the inhibition of NF-κB/IκB signalling cascade.

Phenolic rich extracts from cowpea sprouts decrease cell proliferation and enhance 5-fluorouracil effect in human colorectal cancer cell lines

Abstract It is known that diets high in legumes can help in the prevention and/or reduction of colorectal cancer. These effects may result, in part, from their high phenolic content. The aims of this study were to characterize the effect of sprouting on phenolic content and antioxidant activity, and test the anti-colorectal cancer effects including possible potentiation of 5-fluorouracil efficacy. Sprouting increased 1.7-fold the total phenolic content and 2.8-fold the antioxidant activity relative to raw extracts. The extract from sprouts produced a significant decrease in cell viability particularly in HCT116 and HCT15. The sprout extracts also induced significant cell death in all cell lines. The combination of extracts of cowpea sprouts with 5-fluorouracil increased sensitivity to the drug in the most resistant cells. Overall, spouting increased the anti-colorectal cancer activity of cowpea and potentiated 5-fluorouracil efficacy which warrants further research on the potential of cowpea sprouts as anti-colorectal cancer functional foods.

Phenol-Rich Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) Extracts Protect Human Red Blood Cells from Mercury-Induced Cellular Toxicity.

Plant polyphenols, with broadly known antioxidant properties, represent very effective agents against environmental oxidative stressors, including mercury. This heavy metal irreversibly binds thiol groups, sequestering endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione. Increased incidence of food-derived mercury is cause for concern, given the many severe downstream effects, ranging from kidney to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the possible beneficial properties of Feijoa sellowiana against mercury toxicity were tested using intact human red blood cells (RBC) incubated in the presence of HgCl2. Here, we show that phenol-rich (10–200 µg/mL) extracts from the Feijoa sellowiana fruit potently protect against mercury-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Peel and pulp extracts are both able to counteract the oxidative stress and thiol decrease induced in RBC by mercury treatment. Nonetheless, the peel extract had a greater protective effect compared to the pulp, although to a different extent for the different markers analyzed, which is at least partially due to the greater proportion and diversity of polyphenols in the peel. Furthermore, Fejioa sellowiana extracts also prevent mercury-induced morphological changes, which are known to enhance the pro-coagulant activity of these cells. These novel findings provide biochemical bases for the pharmacological use of Fejioa sellowiana-based functional foods in preventing and combating mercury-related illnesses.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with Callistemon citrinus Phenolics Exhibited Anticancer Properties against Three Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Fruit and vegetable diets rich in phenolic compounds reduce the risk of various cancers and offer multiple other health benefits due to their bioactivity and powerful antioxidant properties. However, the human health benefits of most phenolic compounds are restricted due to their limited aqueous solubility, low absorption, restricted passive cellular efflux, and poor gastrointestinal stability. Nanotechnology has been used to deliver various therapeutic drugs to specific targets overcoming many of the limitations of direct treatments. This study was designed to develop poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoencapsulated phenolic-rich extracts from Callistemon citrinus and berberine and to evaluate their effectiveness against extremely invasive MDA-MB 231, moderately invasive MCF-10A, and minimally invasive MCF-7 breast cancers. We have achieved about 80% encapsulation of phenolics from C. citrinus. Most encapsulated nanoparticles were polygonal with particles sizes of 200 to 250 nm. Release of phenolics from encapsulation during storage was biphasic during the first week and then levelled off thereafter. Nanoencapsulated phenolics from C. citrinus extract, berberine, and combination of both enhanced their bioactivity against the three breast cancer cell lines by nearly 2-fold. Growth inhibition of cells was a linear curve relative to phenolic concentration, with a maximum inhibition of nearly 100% at 0.1 mg/ml compared to control.

Evaluation of enzyme and microwave-assisted conditions on extraction of anthocyanins and total phenolics from black soybean (Glycine max L.) seed coat

The present study compares three methods viz. microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) and conventional solvent extraction (CSE) for extraction of polyphenolic compounds from Black Soybean Seed coat (BSSC). Box-Behnken design using response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate and optimize the MAE and EAE for maximum bioactive content, antioxidant activity, colour density and minimum degradation parameters from BSSC. Optimized MAE conditions for BSSC were: microwave power of 569.46 W, extraction time of 262.54 s, solvent to solid ratio of 40:1 and ethanol concentration (59.99). The predicted anthocyanin content was 5021.47 mg/l, close to experimental optimized value of 5094.9 mg/l with minimum values of degradation parameters viz., Polymeric Colour (PC) (0.131 ± 0.01), Browning Index (BI) (0.202 ± 0.02) and Degradation Index (DI) (0.140 ± 0.02). Overall results clearly indicate that MAE is the best suited method for extraction in comparison to EAE and CSE. The phenolic rich extract can be used as an effective functional ingredient in foods.

Phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of extracts from two spice herbs under different extraction solvents

Mountain fennel (Zaravschanicamembranacea) and Ferulagoangulata belonging to the Apiaceae family are important aromatic and spice plants in Iran, which the aerial parts of these herbs are used as flavoring agents in dairy foods. This investigation was devoted to the determination of total phenols and flavonoids contents of Z.membranacea and F.angulata after their extraction using three solvents (ethanol, n-hexane, and methanol), as well as the determination of the antioxidant and the antibacterial activities of all obtained extracts. The results indicated that methanol appeared the most effective solvent for polyphenols and flavonoids’ extraction for both herbs. In fact, the highest total phenols and flavonoids contents among the six prepared extracts from two herbs were found in the methanol extract of Z.membranacea. The results indicated that the extracts of have diverse antioxidant capacities, however, the methanol extract of Z.membranacea exhibited the highest antioxidant activities by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of different extracts was evaluated using the disk diffusion agar method against Salmonellaenterica and Pseudomonasaeruginosa, and Bacillussubtilis and Staphylococcusepidermidis. The highest inhibition zone was obtained from the methanol extract of Z.membranacea for four bacteria. Similarly, the maximum antibacterial activity (MIC) also was obtained from the methanol extract of Z.membranacea for four bacteria. Positive and significant correlations were noted between the phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities by DPPH, FRAP, and TEAC assays. In conclusion, methanol was found to be the best solvent of choice for the extraction of phenolic and flavonoid compounds rich extracts with free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities. Further studies should focus on the isolation and identification of active secondary metabolites from the extracts from Iranian herbs.

Solid-state fermentation as a sustainable method for coffee pulp treatment and production of an extract rich in chlorogenic acids

In this study, coffee pulp was used as carbon source in solid-state fermentation to produce a phenol-rich extract for industrial applications. Fermentations were carried out at laboratory (0.4 kg), semi-pilot (12 kg) and pilot (90 kg) scales in presence of 2.5 g kg−1 yeast strains and with three different coffee pulp materials. The extract stability was investigated using different stabilizing agents: SO2, ascorbic and acetic acids. Then, a study was conducted to determine the effect of ultrasound treatment on extraction yields. Results showed that higher concentrations of chlorogenic acids were obtained with fermentation without ultrasound treatment and by adding sulfite at 0.5 wt% at 8 h of fermentation. Despite of variations in coffee pulp composition, the process was validated at semi-pilot and pilot scales, providing an extract 400% richer in chlorogenic acids (600 mg kg of coffee pulp) and with lower sugar amounts to separate during the downstream processing.

The Effects of Crude Phenolic-Rich Extract from Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) on Shelf-Life Extension and Quality Attributes of the Feta Like Cheese

The Effects of Crude Phenolic-Rich Extract from Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) on Shelf-Life Extension and Quality Attributes of the Feta Like Cheese

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activities of saskatoon berry fruit and pomace

Total phenolic chromatographic indices (TPCI) of three commercially grown saskatoon berry varieties and a pomace from commercial juice production were determined. Northline was shown to have the highest TPCI of 504.2 mg/100 g FW. These results agreed with total phenolic content results for these varieties. The TPCI of the commercial pomace was 404.2 mg/100 g pomace indicating that a significant concentration of phenolics were present in this co-product, showing the commercial relevance of this material. A phenolic rich extract (PRE; 500 ppm) of the Northline variety was compared to BHT (0.02% w:w) and Rosamox (0.2% w:w) for delaying the oxidation of borage oil via rancimat analysis. Induction times were 1.46 h (borage oil), 1.44 h (Rosamox), 2.18 h (BHT), and 2.42 h (PRE), which was a ∼65% delay in the oxidation of borage oil. These results clearly support the value of this material as an antioxidant ingredient in foods, pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals and cosmetics.

Encapsulation and stability of a phenolic-rich extract from mango peel within water-in-oil-in-water emulsions

Abstract Mango peel is an excellent source of compounds with nutritional and functional properties, especially phenolic compounds (PC). However, it is usually discarded due to its unpleasant taste and its difficulty to be added to food products. As a solution, we evaluated the feasibility of encapsulating a phenolic-rich extract from mango peel (MPPE) within water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions, using different surfactants (Tween 20, Tween 80 and lecithin). Time and amplitude conditions of ultrasound treatment were evaluated to form the MPPE loaded water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, using polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a surfactant. Regarding of W1/O/W2 emulsions, the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was observed in those with Tween 20 and lecithin (98.65 ± 1.14% and 96.11 ± 1.37%, respectively). However, emulsions with Tween 80 had the best physical and encapsulation stability (ES) during storage. These results demonstrate that PC can be successfully encapsulated within efficient and stable emulsion-based systems by selecting the appropriate surfactants.

Wpływ ekstraktów z liści kaliny koralowej (Viburnum opulus L.) na wzrost ludzkich komórek jelita

Introduction. Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) is a plant rich in phenols. Chlorogenic acid is a main compound responsible for its antioxidant activity. This plant also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, for this reason it is used for prevention, as well as for the treatment of many diseases, mainly those of the genitourinary tract, but also of the heart or lungs. So far, there are few studies that suggest V. opulus has anti-cancer activity and could become a supplement in such therapies. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the effect of both leaf extract (ELK) and phenol-rich leaf extract from cranberrybush (FELK) on the growth of colon cancer and normal colon cells. Material and methods. The HPLC method allowed to estimate the chemical composition of ELK and FELK. In addition, two colon cancer cell lines HT29 and SW480 were used, as well as normal epithelial cells CCD841CoN. The cells were treated with various concentrations of V. opulus extracts. The cell viability was assessed by MTT test after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. Results. ELK and FELK extracts had moderate effect on the inhibition of HT29 cell growth. The cell viability of SW480 was much more pronounced after ELK and FELK treatment. The FELK extract inhibited the growth of HT29 and SW480 more significantly compared to ELK. The growth of CCD841CoN cells was higher after FELK treatment than ELK. Conclusions. The purified leaf extract of V. opulus (FELK) was richer in phenolic compounds than the unpurified ELK, more significantly inhibited the growth of HT29 and SW480 colon cancer cells as well as had a more gentle influence on the growth of normal epithelial CCD841CoN colon cells.

A comparative study of different solvents and extraction techniques on the anti-oxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) fruit pulp

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), also known as Baobab, is well known in Africa for its significant role in international trade and as important source of food, folk medicine and income to rural communities in Africa. The fruit pulp have been used in Sudan and many other countries as beverages and in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, fever and many gastrointestinal diseases. The objective of the study was to determine the best method for extraction of phenolic rich crude extracts from A. digitata fruit pulp with high anti-oxidant (phosphomolybdenum, antiradical, reducing power and ferrous chelating) activity and enzyme inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase. Water, ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts were prepared using maceration, decoction and microwave techniques. Fruit pulp of A. digitata showed significant (p < .05) variable phenolic contents, anti-oxidant and enzyme inhibition capacity among solvent type and method of extraction. Microwave technique showed the highest polyphenolic content (66.40 ± 0.32 mg GAE/g) extracted by 50% EtOH, flavonoids (42.15 ± 0.12 mg QE/g) and anthocyanidin contents (2.37 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g) obtained by water. The highest anti-oxidant activity in all the five assays used, was obtained from EtOH extract subjected to maceration. Moreover, microwave technique improved significantly the anti-oxidant activity of 50% EtOH extract. The highest AChE inhibition activity was observed in the three techniques used when using 50% EtOH as solvent while maceration and decoction were effective for EtOH solvent. The highest activity against BChE was performed by EtOH extract subjected to microwave extraction. Epicatechin or (+)-Catechin were the major compounds obtained in all extracts except for 50% EtOH extracts obtained by maceration and decoction which were dominated by the presence of prorocatechuic acid. It is argued that the solvent used and extraction method had an influence on anti-oxidant and enzyme inhibition activities of extracts. In conclusion, maceration and ethanol are recommended as the appropriate extraction method and solvent to obtain phytoconstituents with highest anti-oxidant activities from fruit pulp of Baobab for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.

Optimization of a polyphenol extraction method for sweet orange pulp (Citrus sinensis L.) to identify phenolic compounds consumed from sweet oranges.

The consumption of sweet oranges has been linked to several health benefits, many of which are attributed to hesperidin, a flavanone that is present in high amounts in these fruits. However, other phenolic compounds can contribute to the bioactivity of sweet orange. To link those effects to their phenolic profile, the complete characterization of the phenolic profile is mandatory. Although many studies have profiled the phenolic composition of orange juices, their pulps, which retain phenolic compounds, are overlooked. This fact is particularly relevant because dietary guidelines recommend the consumption of whole fruits. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a specific method for the optimal extraction of phenolics from orange pulp and to use this method to characterize these fruits grown at different locations by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The extraction conditions that reported the highest total polyphenol content (TPC) and hesperidin contents were 20 mL/g, 55 °C, and 90% methanol. The extraction time and number of sequential steps were further evaluated and optimized as 20 min and two extraction steps, respectively. Although lower extraction rates were achieved when using ethanol as the extraction solvent, high TPC and hesperidin yields were obtained, suggesting the potential use of this methodology to produce phenolic-rich extracts for the food industry. By applying the optimized methodology and analyzing the extracts by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, geographic cultivation regions were demonstrated to affect the phenolic profiles of oranges. In short, we developed a quick, easy-to-perform methodology that can be used to extract orange phenolics from pulp for their identification and quantification and to evaluate the factors that affect the phenolic profile in sweet orange pulps.

Valorisation of black carrot pomace: microwave assisted extraction of bioactive phytoceuticals and antioxidant activity using Box-Behnken design.

The present study compares three methods viz. microwave assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and conventional solvent extraction (CSE) for extraction of phenolic compounds from black carrot pomace (BCP). BCP is the major by-product generated during processing and poses big disposal problem. Box-Behnken design using response surface methodology was employed to investigate and optimize the MAE of phenolics, antioxidant activity and colour density from BCP. The conditions for maximum recovery of polyphenolics were:microwave power (348.07W), extraction time (9.8min), solvent-solid ratio (19.3mL/g) and ethanol concentration (19.8%).Under these conditions, the extract contained total phenolic content of 264.9 ± 10.02mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100mL, antioxidant capacity (AOC) of 13.14 ± 1.05µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/mLand colour density of 68.63 ± 5.40 units. The total anthocyanin content at optimized condition was 753.40 ± 31.6mg/L with low % polymeric colour of 7.40 ± 0.42. At optimized conditions, MAE yielded higher colour density (68.63 ± 5.40), polyphenolic content (264.9 ± 10.025mg GAE/100mL) and AOC (13.14 ± 1.05µmol TE/mL) in a short time as compared to UAE and CSE. Overall results clearly indicate that MAE is the best suited method for extraction in comparison to UAE and CSE. The phenolic rich extract can be used as an effective functional ingredient in foods.

Impact of a (poly)phenol-rich extract from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum on DNA damage and antioxidant activity in an overweight or obese population: a randomized controlled trial

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a diet rich in (poly)phenols has beneficial effects on many chronic diseases. Brown seaweed is a rich source of (poly)phenols. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability and effect of a brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) (poly)phenol extract on DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in vivo. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was conducted in 80 participants aged 30-65 y with a body mass index (in kg/m2)≥25. The participants consumed either a 400-mg capsule containing 100 mg seaweed (poly)phenol and 300 mg maltodextrin or a 400-mg maltodextrin placebo control capsule daily for an 8-wk period. Bioactivity was assessed with a panel of blood-based markers including lymphocyte DNA damage, plasma oxidant capacity, C-reactive protein (CRP), and inflammatory cytokines. To explore the bioavailability of seaweed phenolics, an untargeted metabolomics analysis of urine and plasma samples after seaweed consumption was determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Consumption of the seaweed (poly)phenols resulted in a modest decrease in DNA damage but only in a subset of the total population who were obese. There were no significant changes in CRP, antioxidant status, or inflammatory cytokines. We identified phlorotannin metabolites that are considered potential biomarkers of seaweed consumption including pyrogallol/phloroglucinol-sulfate, hydroxytrifurahol A-glucuronide, dioxinodehydroeckol-glucuronide, diphlorethol sulfates, C-O-C dimer of phloroglucinol sulfate, and C-O-C dimer of phloroglucinol. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first comprehensive study investigating the bioactivity and bioavailability of seaweed (poly)phenolics in human participants. We identified several potential biomarkers of seaweed consumption. Intriguingly, the modest improvements in DNA damage were observed only in the obese subset of the total population. The subgroup analysis should be considered exploratory because it was not preplanned; therefore, it was not powered adequately. Elucidation of the biology underpinning this observation will require participant stratification according to weight in future studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02295878.

The involvement of phenolic-rich extracts from Galician autochthonous extra-virgin olive oils against the α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition

‘Brava’ and ‘Mansa de Figueiredo’ extra-virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are two varieties identified from north-western Spain. A systematic phenolic characterization of the studied oils was undertaken by LC-ESI-IT-MS. In addition, the role of dietary polyphenols from these EVOOs has been evaluated against the inhibition of key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM).Oleuropein and ligstroside derivatives comprised 83% and 67% of the total phenolic compounds in ‘Brava’ and ‘Mansa de Figueiredo’ EVOOs, respectively. The main secoiridoids from oleuropein were DOA (3,4-DHPEA-EDA, 59 and 22 mg kg−1, respectively) and the main isomer of OlAgl (3,4-DHPEA-EA, 74 and 23 mg kg−1). The main secoiridoids from ligstroside were D-LigAgl (p-HPEA-EDA or oleocanthal, 23 and 167 mg kg−1) and the main isomer of LigAgl (p-HPEA-EA, 214 and 114 mg kg−1).For α-glucosidase, both EVOO extracts displayed stronger inhibitory activity (IC50 values of 60 ± 8 and 118 ± 9 μg mL−1, respectively) than the commercial inhibitor acarbose (IC50 = 356 ± 21 μg mL−1). Nevertheless, for α-amylase, only ‘Brava’ extracts showed anti-α-amylase capacity. A daily VOO intake lower than the requirements of EFSA seem to be enough to reach both 50% for α-glucosidase and 25% for α-amylase inhibition.These findings support the potential health benefits derived from Galician EVOOs that might be probably linked to the outstanding high concentration levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Comparison of selected clean and green extraction technologies for biomolecules from apple pomace.

Apple pomace has been considered as a sustainable source for antioxidant phenolic compounds. Previous reports show extraction of total phenolic contents (TPC) by following various conventional and non-conventional techniques; however, a comparative study has not been reported. In the present work, conventional extraction was compared with several non-conventional extraction methods including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), high-speed homogenization (HH). Moreover, efficacy of combined treatments, including high-speed homogenization coupled with MAE and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAEE) was evaluated for the recovery of TPC. The results revealed that UAEE results in the highest TPC (4.62 mg GAE/g), moreover, it simultaneously enabled the recovery of low methoxy pectins with the degree of methylation ranging from 14.03- 28.85%. The LC-Q-Tof analysis revealed the presence of various phenolic acids and flavonoids. The DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that the phenolic rich extracts had IC50 values ranging from 27.1 to 54.6, depending on the extraction parameters. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Encapsulation of grape seed phenolic-rich extract within W/O/W emulsions stabilized with complexed biopolymers: Evaluation of their stability and release

The ability of electrostatic complexes made up of sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and a polysaccharide, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or gum Arabic (GA), to retain polyphenols from grape seed extract when encapsulated in W1/O/W2 emulsions was compared to that of the single NaCAS (1%). Both electrostatic complexes (0.5% NaCAS – 0.375% CMC and 0.5% NaCAS – 0.5%GA at pH 5.6) used as hydrophilic emulsifiers in W1/O/W2 were able to stabilize the O/W2 interface for 14 days, even though their protein content was reduced by a 50% regarding that of the emulsions only stabilized with NaCAS. Moreover, interfacial adsorption did not show significant differences between NaCAS-polysaccharide electrostatic complexes and the single NaCAS. In terms of interfacial barrier properties, the rate of polyphenol release during storage was not affected by the type of hydrophilic emulsifier. Since polyphenol transport in W1/O/W2 emulsions was diffusion controlled, interfacial adsorption was considered the main factor limiting polyphenol retention.

Discovering potential bioactive compounds from Tualang honey

Tualang honey is well known for its biological activities including as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The compounds contributing to the biological activities are still unknown. Therefore, fractionation was carried out to prepare phenolic-rich extract from Tualang honey using ethyl acetate (EA). EA could recover a wide range of phenolic compounds obtained using column chromatography (CC) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) after acid hydrolysis. The yield of the EA fraction from LLE (0.83%) was higher than that from CC (0.39%). The LLE-EA fraction also contained more metabolites, especially organic acids (gluconic acid, succinic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, abscisic acid, hydroxyoctanic acid), phenolic acids (caffeic acid, salicylic acid) and flavonoids (luteolin, hesperetin, kaempferol, apigenin, 3,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone, naringenin, chrysin, fisetin, vitexin, isoorientin and xanthohumol) as revealed in the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The recovered metabolites enhanced the radical scavenging capacity (free radicals and radical cations), reducing power and prostaglandin inhibition in cyclooxygenase assay. The enhancement was evident from the lower effective concentration of EA fractions than in crude honey and the alcohol-based fractions (methanol and butanol) which were used to remove the sugar components in honey.

Mutagenic activity and chemical composition of phenolic-rich extracts of leaves from two species of Ficus medicinal plants

ABSTRACTPlant species from the Ficus genus are widely used as food, and in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agents, although some of these species are known to produce adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the chemical composition as well as in vitro antioxidant and mutagenic activity of the aqueous extracts of leaves from F. adhatodifolia and F. obtusiuscula. Phytochemical screening using thin-layer chromatography identified 6 classes of secondary metabolites in the extracts. Total phenolic content was estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the phenolic profile was determined by UPLC-DAD-ESI/MS/MS. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by the DPPH radical assay and by the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. Mutagenic activity was measured by the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation test with 4 strains, in both the presence and absence of metabolic activation. Flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins were detected in both extracts, and 6 major derivatives were identified as flavone compounds. Antioxidant activities were demonstrated for both extracts, while F. obtusiuscula contained higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. Mutagenic activity of the TA97 strain without metabolic activation was observed for both tested extracts, as well as the TA102 strain with metabolic activation. In addition, the extract of F. adhatodifolia was shown to be mutagenic to the TA102 strain without metabolic activation. Evidence indicates that the use of teas obtained from these two plant extracts in folk medicine may raise concerns and needs further investigation as a result of potential pro-oxidant mutagenic effects in the absence or presence of metabolic activation.