Pomegranate Seeds Research Articles

Pomegranate Seed Oil as a Source of Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLnA) Has No Effect on Atherosclerosis Development but Improves Lipid Profile and Affects the Expression of Lipid Metabolism Genes in apoE/LDLR-/- Mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of pomegranate seed oil as a source of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) (cis-9,trans-11,cis-13; punicic acid) compared to linolenic acid (LnA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (cis-9,trans-11) in apoE/LDLR-/- mice. In the LONG experiment, 10-week old mice were fed for the 18 weeks. In the SHORT experiment, 18-week old mice were fed for the 10 weeks. Diets were supplied with seed oils equivalent to an amount of 0.5% of studied fatty acids. In the SHORT experiment, plasma TCh and LDL+VLDL cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in animals fed CLnA and CLA compared to the Control. The expression of PPARα in liver was four-fold increased in CLnA group in the SHORT experiment, and as a consequence the expression of its target gene ACO was three-fold increased, whereas the liver's expression of SREBP-1 and FAS were decreased in CLnA mice only in the LONG experiment. Punicic acid and CLA isomers were determined in the adipose tissue and liver in animals receiving pomegranate seed oil. In both experiments, there were no effects on the area of atherosclerotic plaque in aortic roots. However, in the SHORT experiment, the area of atherosclerosis in the entire aorta in the CLA group compared to CLnA and LnA was significantly decreased. In conclusion, CLnA improved the lipid profile and affected the lipid metabolism gene expression, but did not have the impact on the development of atherosclerotic plaque in apoE/LDLR-/- mice.

Anti-inflammatory effect of two pomegranate seed oils obtained by green technologies in Caco-2 cells using the bioaccessible fraction from in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Pomegranate seeds contain up to 20% oil with a high content of punicic acid (85%), which is responsible for several biological activities. In this work, two pomegranate oils obtained by a two-step sequential extraction, first with an expeller and then via supercritical CO2 technologies, have been studied in a static gastrointestinal in vitro digestion model to evaluate their bioaccessibility. The micellar phases obtained were evaluated by an in vitro model of intestinal inflammation and Caco-2 cells exposed to the inflammatory mediator lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inflammatory response was assessed by measuring the production of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and by evaluating the monolayer integrity. The results obtained indicate that expeller pomegranate oil (EPO) provides the highest amount of micellar phase (ca. 93%) with free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols as major components. The micellar phase obtained with supercritical CO2 pomegranate oil (SCPO) is ca. 82% with similar lipid composition. Micellar phases of EPO and SCPO showed high stability and adequate particle size. EPO shows an anti-inflammatory response, reducing the production of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in LPS stimulated caco-2 cells and increasing the integrity of the cell monolayer as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). In the case of SCPO, the anti-inflammatory effect was only evident for IL-8. The present work demonstrates good digestibility, bioaccessibility and anti-inflammatory response of both EPO and SCPO oils.

Potential of pomegranate seed powder as a novel natural flocculant for pulp and paper wastewater treatment: Characterization, comparison and combination with alum

Using natural flocculants for water and wastewater treatment through coagulation-flocculation process has received growing attention due to its simplicity and safety process. In this research, the performance of pomegranate seed powder as a novel natural flocculant in treating pulp and paper wastewater (PPWW) was evaluated. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction and turbidity removal from PPWW were monitored using different dosages of pomegranate seeds and alum salt. In addition, the synergistic effect of dual flocculation between pomegranate seeds and alum on PPWW treatment was investigated and optimized. Zeta potential (ZP), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted to elucidate the flocculation mechanism. The results revealed that pomegranate seeds composed of active substances such as protein, polysaccharides and fiber contents that contribute to its coagulating ability. The highest removal efficiencies of 60% and 87% were achieved for COD and turbidity, respectively when using pomegranate seeds at the optimal dosage of 600 mg/L after 30 min treatment. Dual flocculation of pomegranate seeds and alum showed a synergistic effect, resulting in a maximum removal of 81% of COD and 98% of turbidity under optimal condition: Alum = 400 mg/L and pomegranate seeds = 800 mg/L at much shorter treatment time (2 min). The ZP and FTIR test results and SEM images revealed that charge neutralization and sweeping mechanism induced by alum combined with bridging mechanism by pomegranate seeds led to the synergy.

Protective Effect of Pomegranate Seed Oil against D-Galactose-Induced Aging in Rats

Protective Effect of Pomegranate Seed Oil against D-Galactose-Induced Aging in Rats

The mythopoetics of narcissus/asphodel in Ivan V. Lalic’s poem Exercise

The mythopoetic framework of Lalic?s poem Exercise implies complex figures of Demeter, Persephone and Hades and their manifestations within the Eleusinian Mysteries. The paper focuses on the floral symbolism associated with the mythological figuration of Kore/Persephone, ?the flower-faced maiden?, as characterized in The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, since at the root of this Greek myth lies a floral symbolism (initial fascination with the flowers: roses, irises, violets, saffron, hyacinths, then picking the fatal daffodil, and lastly consuming pomegranate seeds). The dual nature of Kore/Persephone is also indicated through the symbolism of the flowers that determine her destiny - the narcissus/asphodel. Lalic?s poem is concentrated on this binary opposition. The Asfodel in the underground world appears as a counterpart of the daffodil, it is placed as a central symbol in Lalic?s poem and recognized as a variant of the afterlife daffodil - a fallen daffodil. The title of Lalic?s poem suggests that it is not just a mere reproduction of a myth, but it can be viewed as a kind of poem-poetics within which the lyrical subject engages in thinking about the creative process itself. This interpretation is supported by the fact that a specific species of white daffodil is called Narcissus poeticus, in our culture also known as sunovrat, and such a pale-faced flower symbolizes the poet himself.

Assessment of Basic Nutritional Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Pakistani Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Varieties

Background: Pomegranate seeds are the remains of industrial processing of pomegranate fruit into various products such as juice, jam, and jelly that cause environmental pollution and a loss of lipid and water-soluble bioactive compounds. The seeds comprise 15-25% of the whole fruit weight. Its lipid fraction has a distinct fatty acid profile with high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents such as punicic acid (PA) (50-80%), tocopherols, and phenolic compounds.
 Objective: The objective of the current study was to characterize the three main Pakistani pomegranate varieties (Desi, Kandhari, and Bedana), supporting waste exploitation strategies. The physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid profile, antioxidant potential of all three varieties were studied.
 Methodology: The extracted oils samples were investigated for their lipid contents, fatty acid composition, physicochemical properties, and antioxidant potential on the varietal base.
 Results: Total lipid contents ranged from 8.70-15.9% dry matter with conjugated linolenic acid (68.5-76.7% of total fatty acids) as the predominant fatty acid in all samples, followed by linoleic, oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. Further characterization revealed that Desi was superior regarding acidity and oxidation stability over the other two varieties associated with higher total phenolic and tocopherol contents with potent antioxidant activities.
 Conclusion: The present results demonstrate a preferable fatty acid pattern in pomegranate seed oil (PSO), which may be potential functional ingredient for product development in food and non-food applications in combination with high antioxidant contents.

An Analysis of the Path of Developing Ideological and Political Education in the Course of Comprehensive English in Private College

On May 28th, 2020, the Ministry of Education deliberated and passed the Guidelines for Ideological and Political Construction of Courses in Colleges and Universities, which requires that ideological and political education be integrated into the talent training system, comprehensively promote ideological and political construction of courses in colleges and universities, give full play to the role of each course in educating people, and improve the quality of talent training in colleges and universities. For college English majors, the ideological and political curriculum is a new teaching reform. While cultivating students' language skills, teachers should subtly combine the contents of the texts learned to carry out ideological and political education, help students deeply understand China's excellent traditional culture and the great achievements of socialist modernization, generate a sense of national pride and identity, and enhance the "four self-confidence". Especially for students in ethnic minority areas, it is necessary to improve students' awareness of building a Chinese national community in teaching, knowing that all ethnic groups should hold together like pomegranate seeds. Only when ethnic groups unite with one family can we build the Chinese Dream together.

Uso de aceite de semillas de frutas como antioxidante natural para prolongar la vida útil en carnes frescas

In this review work it has been demonstrated that the seeds of pomegranate (Punica granatum), grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), papaya (Carica papaya), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), guava (Psidium guajava), oregano (Origanum vulgare), cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), which are fruit residues containing oils that play an important role in extending the shelf life of fresh meats. The shelf life of fresh meats is being affected by lipid action resulting from exposure to oxygen of meats stored under refrigeration. This exposure of meats to oxygen causes changes in the conformation of myoglobin by the action of oxygen into oxymyoglobin due to the presence of oxygen during storage. The antioxidants in the seeds will increase shelf life by up to 20 days, making the preservation of fresh meat, maintaining its odor and flavor. It is concluded that it is necessary to minimize the action of oxygen to prolong the shelf life of fresh meat, reducing the use of oxygen by 30 to 40%, thus avoiding rapid deterioration; likewise, consumers are becoming more demanding every day, requiring natural and safe foods.

Characterization of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) through the Morphoanatomical and Lipid Profile of Seeds for the Valorisation of Italian Accessions

Pomegranate produces fruit with high nutritional value. Of particular interest is the woody part of the seed, which influences consumer acceptability and is rich in bioactive components. The aim of this study was to morphoanatomically and biochemically characterize the tegmen of local and commercial pomegranates grown in Italy. SEM and a texturometer were used for morphoanatomical and hardness analysis, respectively, and gravimetric and Soxhlet extraction, as well as a GS-MS instrument, were used for chemical analysis. In addition to the classic morphometric parameters, we described, for the first time, the bundles on pomegranate tegmen, identifying four forms (FAN, TREE, COMB and RAMIFIED); local cultivars showed a higher variability compared to the commercial cultivars. Lignin content showed no correlation with seed strength. We developed a new hierarchical model in which geometric parameters and the resistant volume of the lignified tissue can explain the variability in hardness observed in the tests. Quantitative differences were observed in total lipids and unsaponifiable fractions; in particular, all oils were rich in unsaturated fatty acids. We propose that bundles form as a novel trait for characterization and a new hierarchical model to evaluate the hardness of seeds. The content of fatty acids and other biocompounds in pomegranate seeds can promote their valorization as a resource rather than a waste product.

Co-milling process of olives and oleaginous matrices with high nutritional value: a preliminary characterisation of the obtained oils

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), grape seeds (GS) and pomegranate seeds (PS) are very popular for human consumption because of their nutraceutical properties. A co-milling of olives with GS or PS was carried out with the aim of a preliminary study of the lipidic and phenolic characteristics of the obtained vegetable oils, also during their shelf life. Results show that the use of GS and PS in the olive co-milling enriches the oil in healthy compounds, such as punicic acid and γ-tocopherol. However, the co-milling process must be re-evaluated, since the compositional profile of the co-milled oils is just slightly different from EVOO. The oxidative state of the oils obtained suggests the use of a protective packaging combined with small containers in order to ensure a rapid consumption. With an appropriate formulation the co-milled oils could bring health-positive compounds and, simultaneously, raw materials could be valorised.

Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Seed Oil: Study of Punicic Acid Properties by Coupling of GC/FID and FTIR.

Over the last decades, we have witnessed an increasing interest in food-related products containing vegetable oils. These oils can be obtained either by extraction or by mechanical pressing of different parts of plants (e.g., seeds, fruit, and drupels). Producers of nutraceuticals have ceaselessly searched for unique and effective natural ingredients. The enormous success of argan oil has been followed by discoveries of other interesting vegetable oils (e.g., pomegranate oil) containing several bioactives. This work describes the pomegranate fruit extract and seed oil as a rich source of conjugated linolenic acid as a metabolite of punicic acid (PA), deriving from the omega-5 family (ω-5). Through the chemical characterization of PA, its nutritional and therapeutic properties are highlighted together with the physiological properties that encourage its use in human nutrition. We analyzed the composition of all fatty acids with beneficial properties occurring in pomegranate seed oil using gas chromatography (GC) with flame-ionization detection (FID) analysis combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Pomegranate seed oil mainly consists of 9,11,13-octadic-trienoic acid (18:3), corresponding to 73 wt % of the total fatty acids. Nine components were identified by GC in PSO, varying between 0.58 and 73.19 wt %. Using midinfrared (MIR) spectroscopy, we compared the composition of pomegranate seed oil with that of meadowfoam seed oil (MSO), which is also becoming increasingly popular in the food industry due to its high content of long chain fatty acids (C20-22), providing increased oil stability. From the results of FTIR and MIR spectroscopy, we found that punicic acid is unique in PSO (73.19 wt %) but not in MSO.

Effects of the Mouthwash Containing Pomegranate Seed Oil on Improving Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Effects of the Mouthwash Containing Pomegranate Seed Oil on Improving Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

One-pot phyto-mediated combustion technicality for synthesizing Pd adorned Cu2O@CuO heterojunction with great efficiency in CO oxidation and epoxidation applications

In this work, Pd nanoparticles immobilized Cu2O@CuO heterojunction catalysts were synthesized through a facile one-pot green solution combustion technicality using the pomegranate seed extract as reducing mediator/capping fuel during the combustion process. The findings showed that pomegranate seeds extract within a feasible content of biogenic capping components demonstrate a microspheres Pd/Cu2O@CuO with Hydrangea flower-like fibrous structure, higher porosity, the adaptable ratio of Cu+/Cu2+, and Pd°/Pd2+. Even further, the bio-inspired Pd/Cu2O@CuO heterojunction catalysts were exploited in CO oxidation and olefins epoxidation. The bio-inspired 0.5 wt% Pd/Cu2O@CuO provides 100 % conversion of CO at 99 °C and 99 % for cyclohexene epoxidation compared to 220 °C and 81 % for Cu2O@CuO. CuO and Cu2O NPs offer distinctive active centers for respectively, the dissociation of oxygen and CO oxidation. The nanoscale spacing between CuO and Cu2O zone and Pd NPs dispersion are beneficial to the quick movement of the adatom oxygen over Cu2O to cover the vacancies of oxygen on CuO and thereby enhance the catalytic activity for low-temperature CO oxidation and epoxidation processes through a synergetic mechanism.

The Effect of Selected Fruit (Apple, Bitter Orange and Grape) Juice Concentrates Used as Osmotic Agents on the Osmotic-Dehydration Kinetics and Physico-Chemical Properties of Pomegranate Seeds

This work aimed to study the osmotic-dehydration kinetics of pomegranate seeds (PSs) (Punica granatum L.) using three fruit (apple, bitter orange and grape) juice concentrates as osmotic solutions (OSs) (ratio (1/4) m/v, 55° Brix, at 50 °C). The osmodehydration time, pomegranate-seed water loss, solute gain and weight reduction were determined during the osmodehydration process. The equilibrium time periods of osmodehydration were 20, 60, 80 and 60 min for sucrose solution, and bitter-orange, apple and grape juice concentrates, respectively. The physico-chemical, biological and textural properties of PSs were significantly affected by the changes in OS. At the end of osmodehydration, the dry-matter and the Brix values were higher in all fruit-based OSs compared with sucrose OS. The color of PSs became darker in apple and grape OSs and brighter in bitter-orange OS compared with sucrose OS. On the other hand, all osmodehydrated PSs showed important antioxidant activity, with seeds osmodehydrated in grape-juice OS attaining an IC50 of 49.25 meq GA/100 g DM. All observed changes were attributed to the difference in the composition of the different OS matrices. Moreover, the hedonic analysis showed that consumers preferred osmodehydrated PSs obtained using bitter-orange juice as OS.

Successive extraction using natural deep eutectic solvents and pressurized liquids for a greener and holistic recovery of proteins from pomegranate seeds

This work describes a novel and sustainable strategy for the recovery of proteins by successive extractions using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). This strategy was applied to the valorisation of pomegranate seeds. Nine different NADES were screened and that constituted by choline chloride and acetic acid was chosen due to its best performance. A Response Surface Methodology was employed to optimize other conditions in this extraction step: time, temperature, amount of sample, and HIFU amplitude. Protein recovery, under optimal conditions, was 13.3 g of proteins/100 g of milled and dried defatted seeds. Proteins were next characterized by their separation using RP-HPLC, SDS-PAGE, isoelectrofocusing electrophoresis, and by the evaluation of their digestibility and antioxidant properties. Comparison of these results with those from extracts obtained by other techniques supported the interest of combining the extraction using acid NADES with PLE, under alkaline conditions. The successive extraction by both methodologies enabled to double the total recovery of proteins. The analysis of samples by UHPLC-MS/MS, after a simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and de novo identification revealed the presence of 19 peptides in the NADES hydrolysate, while the successive extraction by PLE enabled to observe 15 additional peptides. Additional 83 peptides were found by database searching against Punica granatum and by homology with other organisms. Differences between peptides and the proteins in both hydrolysates confirmed the different protein selectivity of both strategies and the potential of NADES for extracting larger proteins and PLE for the extraction of smaller ones. Some phenolic compounds, amino acids, and fatty acids were also co-extracted with proteins in both extractions.

To Perform and prepared the Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Antidandruff Shampoo

Shampoos are products that remove excess oil, dust on the skin and scalp. Many of the ingredients in shampoos are chemical and that is why they have been severely attacked due to the potential risk of side effects with their use. The main objective of this study was to eliminate the harmful synthetic ingredient in dandruff anti-dandruff and to replace it with safe natural ingredients. An effort has been made to integrate modern formulation technology into a formula based on natural ingredients. The herbal shampoo was prepared with Ritha fruit, Liquorice stolon's, Bengal gram seeds, Brahmi leaves, Green-gram seeds collected in an Ayurvedic store and remained as Banana roots, pomegranate seeds, leaves Hibiscus, Marigold flowers, and lemon fruit and all the ingredients are extracted and create a unique texture and stability tested with Dove shampoo on the market. Formulation 4 was found to be the best method based on the criteria for testing and stability studies. In a review of research data, the development of four anti-dandruff anti-dandruff anti-dandruff products containing all the positive properties of a suitable shampoo and was found to be safe, effective and economical compared to synthetic Dove anti dandruff shampoo, proved to be a stable improvement., an effective herbal anti-dandruff shampoo that may be commercially available instead of an existing synthetic shampoo is possible.

Antimicrobial Effect of Moringa Oleifera L. and Red Pomegranate against Clinically Isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis: in vitro Study.

Moringa oleifera L. and red pomegranate extracts have been reported to inhibit gram-positive facultative anaerobe growth and inhibit the formation of biofilm on tooth surfaces. The current study aimed to assess the antibacterial effect of M. oleifera L. and red pomegranate extracts and their combinations against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The antimicrobial sensitivity, minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentrations after treatment with the aqueous extracts of M. oleifera L. and red pomegranate as well as their combination against clinically isolated P. gingivalis were determined using agar well diffusion and two-fold serial dilution. The anti-biofilm activity of the extracts and their combination was evaluated using the tube adhesion method. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was found that P. gingivalis was sensitive to aqueous extract of M. oleifera L. seeds and red pomegranate albedo, however, not to M. oleifera L. leaves and red pomegranate seeds. The MIC value of M. oleifera L. seeds, red pomegranate albedo, and their combination were obtained at 12.5 mg/ml, 6.25 mg/ml, and 3.12 mg/ml against P. gingivalis, respectively. The extract combination had the highest anti-biofilm effect than M. oleifera L. seeds and red pomegranate albedo aqueous extracts at the minimum concentrations of 6.25 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, and 12.5 mg/ml, respectively. The combination of red pomegranate albedo and M. oleifera L. seeds showed superior antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against P. gingivalis, followed by red pomegranate albedo and M. oleifera L. seeds. This may highlight a promising alternative to the traditional chemicals that can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Effects of the Addition of Pomegranate Seed Powder as a Nitrite Replacement in Emulsion-Type Chicken Breast Sausage

Effects of the Addition of Pomegranate Seed Powder as a Nitrite Replacement in Emulsion-Type Chicken Breast Sausage

Study the effect of pomegranate seeds and wheat germ oils as Protective against hyperlipidemia in rats

Study the effect of pomegranate seeds and wheat germ oils as Protective against hyperlipidemia in rats

Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Antidandruff Shampoo

Shampoos are products that remove excess oil, dust on the skin and scalp. Many of the ingredients in shampoos are chemical and that is why they have been severely attacked due to the potential risk of side effects with their use. The main objective of this study was to eliminate the harmful synthetic ingredient in dandruff anti-dandruff and to replace it with safe natural ingredients. An effort has been made to integrate modern formulation technology into a formula based on natural ingredients. The herbal shampoo was prepared with Ritha fruit, Liquorice stolon's, Bengal gram seeds, Brahmi leaves, Green-gram seeds collected in an Ayurvedic store and remained as Banana roots, pomegranate seeds, leaves Hibiscus, Marigold flowers, and lemon fruit and all the ingredients are extracted and create a unique texture and stability tested with Dove shampoo on the market. Formulation 4 was found to be the best method based on the criteria for testing and stability studies. In a review of research data, the development of four anti-dandruff anti-dandruff anti-dandruff products containing all the positive properties of a suitable shampoo and was found to be safe, effective and economical compared to synthetic Dove anti dandruff shampoo, proved to be a stable improvement., an effective herbal anti- dandruff shampoo that may be commercially available instead of an existing synthetic shampoo is possible.