Potential Source Research Articles

Optimization of Anthocyanin extraction from black hollyhock flower: Process efficiency, stability, and cytotoxicity assessment

Black hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. nigra) flower (BHF) serves as a plentiful natural pigment source. However, limited research has been conducted on the extraction and characterization of the anthocyanins present in BHF. This work aims to develop an environmentally friendly extraction method for efficiently obtaining natural pigments from BHF. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), the extraction variables were adjusted to optimize the overall anthocyanin content. The optimized conditions, entailing extraction lasting 7 min at 65°C, employing acidified water at a solvent: feed (S:F) ratio of 100:1 (v/w), resulted in extraction yield of 53 ± 2.5 % and the total anthocyanin content (TAC) of 65.7 ± 0.5 mg/ gdry weight based on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents (CGE). Furthermore, the extraction from pomace, which represents the residue subsequent to the initial extraction, exhibited 11 and 2 mg CGE/g dry weight after second and third steps of extraction, respectively. Characterization of the obtained extracts was conducted through HPLC-DAD MS analysis, and six anthocyanins were identified. The kinetic data associated with degradation of anthocyanins was well fitted with a zero-order model, which showed a half-life (t1/2) of approximately 200 days. Additionally, BHF extract exhibited no significant cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblast cells as MTT assay indicated. This investigation introduces a potent source for anthocyanin which can be comparable to other sources and their extraction conditions in terms of stability, TAC, and extraction yield.

Dynamics of metal/metalloid bioaccumulation and sensitivity in post-larvae shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) exposed to settleable atmospheric particulate matter from an industrial source

The metallurgy industry is a potent global source of particulate matter (PM) atmospheric emissions. A portion of this PM may settle in aquatic (SePM) carrying metal/metalloid particles and metallic nanoparticles. Surprisingly, this form of contamination has not received due attention from most environmental monitoring agencies. We analyzed the effect of exposure to SePM on shrimp post-larvae, a critical stage for the viability of shrimp populations and for the trophic chain. After acclimation, shrimp were exposed to contaminants using a randomized experimental design—a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 factors: exposure time (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and SePM concentration (0.00, 0.01, 0.10, and 1.00 g L−1). The bioaccumulation of metals, contamination rates, mortality, and ROS-related biomarkers (lipid peroxidation – LPO; DNA strand breakage DNA SB and metallothionein content – MTs;) were evaluated. After contamination, the water contained 27 different metals/metalloids. Post-larvae accumulated metals, such as Cd, Pb, Al, As, Se, Sr, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, W, and Hg. However, the rise in SePM did not result in a proportional bioaccumulation rise, indicating that effective biological barriers may work for some metals. Although the different levels of SePM changed mortality dynamics, they resulted in a similar final lethality (60–80 %). SePM caused significant damage to lipids (increased LPO), genetic material (DNA SB), and increased Mts. Such effects may reflect a particularly deleterious ecological problem as it is present at such an early stage of life. These results identified a clear environmental risk since the lower level of exposure used was 102 times lower than that measured in the habitats affected by local industry. Consequently, our results emphasize the need for clear protocols for monitoring the effects of SePM in aquatic environments.

Herbal Candies: A Potential Source of Health Benefits

Abstract: Candy is a popular product consumed by children, young and elderly alike. The major ingredient sugar makes it an instant source of energy, mostly blended with a variety of flavors and colors for sensory and aesthetic appeal. Flavors such as caramel, chocolate, peppermint, butterscotch, and vanilla are the most popular among many, that comprises of more than 2000 kinds. Although synthetic flavors and colors are predominant, natural sources such as herbs are being increasingly used. Herbal (made from herbs) products have lesser effects, more therapeutic effects, and health benefits. The advantages of herbs used in candy manufacturing are safe, with good efficacy, lower side effect, compatibility with the human body, and wide cultural acceptability. Herbal candies are used as an efficient delivery system for vitamins, minerals, and numerous bioactive compounds like anthocyanin, lycopene, ascorbic acid, etc. They are a remedy of choice in case of cough, sore throat, digestive and stomach problems. The choice of herb often is influenced based on the target health problem, reduced side effects, availability, and preferences. Apart from sugar, these candies are also manufactured using sweetening agents. Sugar and sweeteners consumption is associated with various myths and prejudices owing to increased health concerns. The review is thus designed to justify various aspects of herbal candy like production process, ingredients, historical importance, and types of herbal candies, myths, facts and risks, consumer awareness towards herbal candies. The paper will also draw a roadmap for the future of herbal candy amongst today’s health-wary consumers.

A Review on Medicinal Plants and its Importance from Glycosides

Glycosides are one of the important constituents in medicinal plants worldwide. According to chemical classification, Glycosides are having different types like Anthraquinones, Saponins, Flavonoids, Flavonols, Coumarins, Furanocoumarins, etc. Various plants like Digitalis, Thevetia, Senna, Senega, Brahmi, Rhuberb, Aloe, Cascara, etc fall into this category. Glycosides are basically used Purgative, Cardiotonic, anti-depressant, coloring agent, diuretic, flavoring agent, antifungal, antidiabetic, antipyretic, stomachic, anthelmintic, antirheumatic agent, etc. Different parts of these plants like rhizomes, seeds, bark, leaves, etc are used as the potent sources of glycosides. These plants are grown in worldwide. In this review article, we focussed that the basic introduction and importance of glycosides, classification, their tests, distribution of different plants and their significance.

Greenhouse gas emissions from inland water bodies and their rejuvenation: a review

ABSTRACT Inland water bodies are observed as major sources of the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). This study shows that these entities (e.g. wetlands, constructed wetlands, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, and rivers) have a major contribution in GHG flux. However, understanding of the carbon dynamics of these water bodies is not well described. It was noticed that the emissions of GHGs from inland water bodies is a result of heavy supply of organic matters into them. Approximately 2.2–3.7% of the Earth's non-glaciated land area and inland waters are having almost similar amounts of carbon emission as also observed in case of both net terrestrial productivity and net oceanic uptake. Wetlands and lakes are among the most studied water bodies. However, efforts should be made to understand the emission dynamics from ponds and rivers as recent studies say these are also among the potent sources of GHG emissions in the atmosphere. This review paper aims to highlight and give an elaborate insight into the contribution of inland waters to the global carbon cycle along possible remediative measures.

Polymorphic insertions of DcSto miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements reveal genetic diversity structure within the cultivated carrot.

Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are a potent source of polymorphisms in plant genomes. A genotyping system, named DcS-ILP, based on polymorphic insertions of Stowaway MITEs (DcStos) localized in introns and identified in the reference genome DH1, has been developed for carrot. Here, we report an extension of the DcS-ILP genotyping system by incorporation of non-reference insertions identified in resequenced genomes representing the eastern gene pool. We genotyped 52 carrot accessions representing the eastern and western carrot gene pools with 92 markers developed previously (western DcS-ILP panel) together with 84 newly developed markers (eastern DcS-ILP panel). Overall, the DcS-ILP markers revealed a highly structured genetic diversity separating the eastern and the western carrot accessions at K = 2 and differentiating Indian breeding lines from the eastern accessions at K = 3. The eastern DcS-ILP panel proved to be more robust with respect to the eastern carrot gene pool, while it provided little information on the western accessions, as many of the DcSto insertions present in the eastern gene pool were absent in the western gene pool. As the western carrot accessions represent improved cultivars, DcSto insertional polymorphisms allowed detection of a selection-driven bottleneck at the improvement stage. Selection in the course of the improvement stage generally operated on standing variation, as the subset of DcSto insertions present in the western carrot likely originated from transposition events preceding the separation of both gene pools. However, occasional frequency shifts in the opposite direction were also revealed, possibly indicating selection for favorable variants associated with DcSto insertions.

Bioactive Peptides from Fermented Foods: Production Approaches, Sources, and Potential Health Benefits

Microbial fermentation is a well-known strategy for enhancing the nutraceutical attributes of foods. Among the fermentation outcomes, bioactive peptides (BAPs), short chains of amino acids resulting from proteolytic activity, are emerging as promising components thanks to their bioactivities. Indeed, BAPs offer numerous health benefits, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on the production of bioactive peptides during the fermentation process, emphasizing how different microbial strains and fermentation conditions influence the quantity and quality of these peptides. Furthermore, it examines the health benefits of BAPs from fermented foods, highlighting their potential in disease prevention and overall health promotion. Additionally, this review addresses the challenges and future directions in this field. This comprehensive overview underscores the promise of fermented foods as sustainable and potent sources of bioactive peptides, with significant implications for developing functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of bioactive constituents in acetone extract of seeds of Hydnocarpus pentandra

Ethnoveterinary medicine focuses on the practical use of community or area based traditional and indigenous knowledge including the collection, preparation and administration of medicinal plants or plant parts for curing diseases of animals. Hydnocarpus pentandra is a plant endemic to South India which is traditionally known for the antileprotic activity of its seed oil. Diverse pharmacological activities of the plant extracts depend on the presence of its secondary metabolites. The present research was conducted to explore the phytochemical constituents present in the acetone solvent extract of the seeds of H. pentandra. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract using colorimetric reactions revealed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of different compounds which included paromomycin, D-streptamine, carnegine, 4-propyl acridine and R-limonene. The acetone extract could be considered as a potent source of new molecules with different pharmacological actions. Keywords: Hydnocarpus pentandra, phytochemical screening, secondary metabolites

Nanoparticulate Herbal Formulation for the Management of Fungal Infection

Abstract: Fungal infections have been more common during the past few years as a result of an increase in the population of immunocompromised people, including those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and organ transplant recipients. It has been reported that fungal infection is brought on by different pathogens. The main focus of this review is the use of nanosized plant components to stop fungal infections for the pharmaceutical industry and research projects. According to research about 40 million people have fungal infections. Echinocandins, griseofulvin, azoles, allylamines, and flucytosine are only a few antifungal medications used in clinical settings to treat fungal infections. Skin infections caused by fungi are among the most prevalent dermatological issues of today. Fungal infections at the skin's surface or under the skin's surface may harm the skin, keratinous tissues, and mucous membranes. Therefore, there is a high need for producing an antifungal agent that may act selectively on new targets while having minor side effects and can belong to a variety of structural classes. Natural goods offer limitless prospects for innovative medicine development due to their typically unrivaled chemical variety, whether in the form of pure phyto-compounds or standardized plant extracts. Plants have been an excellent source of medicine since the beginning of time. When compared to synthetically produced medications, phytochemicals from various plant species have been versicolor as a more potent source of therapy. Novel cell targets and antifungal chemicals, as well as new methods for the delivery of drugs based on nanotechnology, are all currently being studied.

Tunisian wild rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils: phytochemical profiling, antibacterial and antibiofilm properties and molecular docking studies

Despite rapid advances in drug production, bacteria have adopted several drug resistance strategies, such as biofilm production. Therefore, research to develop and/or discover alternative antibacterial agents, such as natural products from plants becomes a necessity. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a well-known potent source of bioactive molecules with antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition, to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Tunisian wild rosemary essential oils (REOs). Molecular docking tools were used to investigate the antibacterial effects of REOs bioactive molecules. GC-MS analysis revealed thirty-one compounds. The main components that define the chemotype were eucalyptol, camphor and α-pinene. The antibacterial activity evaluated by disc diffusion and the microdilution methods and the antibiofilm activity assessed by crystal violet test proved that REOs had strong activity against all the bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium). The molecular docking study revealed that the investigated main compounds of REOs exhibited the best binding scores with two target proteins (Fts-Z and FimH). These results prove that REOs exhibited interesting biological activities as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents which could be explored for complementary medicine, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Stability of phenolic antioxidants in coffee leaf beverage during pasteurization

Coffee leaf beverage is prepared from pasteurized Robusta coffee leaves. This work aimed to study the stability of phenolic antioxidants in coffee leaf beverages during pasteurization. Robusta coffee leaves were dried using the smoking method. They contained 6.82 g gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g of total phenolic compounds and 71.15% antioxidant activity. Dried coffee leaves were brewed and pasteurized under different conditions: two different temperatures (70°C and 90°C), two duration of times (15 mins and 30 mins) and two different pH conditions (adjusted and non-adjusted). The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of pasteurized beverages ranged between 0.48-0.61 g GAE/L and 14.72-18.58%, respectively. Caffeoylquinic acids were stable during pasteurization at 90°C for 30 mins without pH adjustment. Our results indicate that pasteurized coffee leaf beverages may be a potent source of phenolic antioxidants.

Prototype optical enhancement cavity for steady-state microbunching.

The innovative mechanism of steady-state microbunching (SSMB) promises a potent light source, featuring high repetition rate and coherent radiation. The laser modulator, comprising an undulator and an optical enhancement cavity, is pivotal in SSMB. A high-finesse prototype optical enhancement cavity for SSMB with an average power of 55 kW is described in this paper. Preliminary design of the laser modulator, experimental setup, and methods to address frequency degeneracy and power coupling issues are discussed. D-shaped mirrors are utilized to successfully suppress the modal instability. This study is the first to illustrate the finesse reduction caused by high-order mode damping during experiments. The experimental and simulation results match closely. A cavity power coupling model is established, and the experimental results verify the correctness of the coupling model. A method for estimating the absorption coefficient through thermal-induced evolution of cavity mode has been implemented. Experimental results demonstrate a high-average-power enhancement cavity with a finesse of 16 518 ± 103 and an estimated average absorption coefficient of 12 ppm for the cavity mirrors. The findings contribute to the advancement of SSMB by providing insights into the design and operation of high-power optical enhancement cavities.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cow-level factors affecting milk urea nitrogen and urinary nitrogen output under pasture-based diets

With dairy cattle farming under pressure to lower its environmental footprint it is important to find effective on-farm proxies for evaluation and monitoring of management practices aimed at reducing the risk of nitrogen (N) losses and optimizing N use efficiency of dairy farm systems. Urinary N (UN) is regarded as the most potent source of N emissions. In contrast to confinement systems, there have been few studies from pasture-based systems associating on-farm animal and nutritional factors with UN output. Thus, the aims of this meta-analysis were to collate a database from pasture-based research to: (a) investigate the associations of management, dietary, and animal variables with MUN concentration, and daily UN output; (b) describe the MUN-UN association; and (c) assess whether animal, management, and dietary factors influence the relationship. We developed a data set consisting of 95 observations representing 919 lactating dairy cattle fed pasture-based diets, which was compiled from 32 unique research publications that reported both MUN and UN output. Multi-level, mixed meta-analysis regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Initially, all variables were assessed as the sole fixed effect in a 2-level random effects model, accounting for within publication heterogeneity. Meta-regression techniques were then used to assess the relationship of all variables with MUN and UN output, respectively, accounting for 3 sources of variability: the sampling error of the individual observation, within publication heterogeneity, and among publication heterogeneity. At the univariable level, despite more than 10 dietary, animal, or management variables being significantly associated with MUN, none explained a large amount of the MUN variation. The variables that explained the greatest amount of variation were dietary crude protein (CP) content and the nitrogen: metabolizable energy content ratio, which explained about 33% and 31% of the variation in MUN concentrations, respectively. Combining factors in multiple regressions improved the model fit, such that the variation within publications explained by dietary CP and N intake increased to 40.0% in the final multiple meta-regression model. For UN output, individual variables explained a greater proportion of variance reported among observations, compared with MUN, whereby diet CP content (pseudo R2 = 66.1%), N to metabolizable energy intake ratio (pseudo R2 = 64.0%), N intake (pseudo R2 = 58.3%), and MUN (pseudo R2 = 43.5%) explained the greatest amount of the total variation. Milk urea nitrogen, N intake and dry matter intake were associated with UN output in the final multiple meta-regression model. Substantial heterogeneity existed in both MUN and UN among publications, with among publication heterogeneity accounting for 73.4% of all the variation noted in MUN, and 88.6% of all the variation in UN output. As such, the meta-analyses could not predict MUN and UN to any great extent. It is recommended that a consistent approach to measuring and reporting MUN concentrations and UN output is carried out for all future research in pasture-based systems.

A comparative analysis on impact of drying methods on antioxidants, antidiabetes and antiobesity activities in green algae Caulerpa lentillifera: In vitro study

Marine algae, particularly Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera), have gained attention as potent sources of bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. Despite its promising bioactivity, the influence of drying methods on its health-promoting properties remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of different drying methods on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities of C. lentillifera. Fresh samples (GACL-FS) and those dried using air-fryer (GACL-AFD) and microwave (GACL-MD) methods were evaluated for carrageenan content, protein composition, and bioactive potentials. GACL-MD preserved the highest levels of protein, while fresh samples retained the highest carrageenan content. Antioxidant assays revealed superior performance in GACL-MD samples, showing significant DPPH and ABTS inhibition compared to Trolox standards. Similarly, antidiabetic assays demonstrated comparable α-glucosidase inhibition across all drying methods, suggesting robust retention of antidiabetic properties. Antiobesity activity, evaluated through lipase inhibition assays, highlighted GACL-MD's efficacy at lower concentrations, akin to Orlistat, while fresh and air-fryer dried samples showed varied results. In conclusion, C. lentillifera exhibits substantial potential as a functional food ingredient, with the drying method significantly influencing its bioactive profile. Microwave drying emerged as optimal for preserving antioxidant and antiobesity activities, emphasizing the need for tailored drying strategies to enhance nutritional benefits. Future research should focus on optimizing processing techniques and elucidating underlying mechanisms to fully harness C. lentillifera's health-promoting properties in functional food development and public health interventions.

Bioguided isolation of anti-inflammatory and anti-urolithiatic active compounds from the decoction of Cissus gongylodes leaves

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe Cissus gongylodes has traditionally been used in the diet of indigenous people in Brazil and in traditional medicine for kidney stone removal and inflammatory diseases. The active compounds responsible for these pharmacological activities are unknown. Aim of the StudyThis study aims to isolate, for the first time, the compounds in the decoction of C. gongylodes leaves responsible for their anti-inflammatory and anti-urolithiatic ethnopharmacological properties. Materials and MethodsThe most active fractions of the C. gongylodes leaf decoction were fractionated using SPE-C18 and the compounds were purified through HPLC-UV-DAD. The decoction fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-urolithiatic activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using an ex vivo assay in human blood induced by LPS and calcium ionophore, measuring inflammatory mediators, PGE2 and LTB4. The anti-urolithiatic activity was evaluated using an in vitro experimental model with human urine to determine the dissolution of the most recurrent calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. Additionally, the decoction was chemically characterized through metabolomic analysis using UHPLC-ESI-HRMS. ResultsThe isolated compounds from the decoction of C. gongylodes, including rutin, eriodictyol 3’-O-glycoside, and isoquercetin, have demonstrated significant multi-target actions. These components act as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting the release of main inflammatory mediators, PGE2 and LTB4. Additionally, they exhibit anti-urolithiatic properties, promoting the dissolution of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. Furthermore, the characterization of the decoction by UHPLC-ESI-HRMS revealed a high content of flavonoids, mainly glycosylated flavonoids. ConclusionsThe results support the traditional use of C. gongylodes decoction, identifying the compounds responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-urolithiatic effects. The decoction fractions and isolated compounds exhibited dual anti-inflammatory activity, effectively inhibiting key inflammatory pathways and potentially presenting fewer adverse effects while also promoting the dissolution of CaOx crystals associated with urolithiasis. The multi-target action displayed by C. gongylodes is particularly desirable in the treatment of urolithiasis, as inflammation and PGE2 production precede and contribute to the formation of CaOx crystals in the kidneys. Based on these actions, C. gongylodes emerges as a potent source of active compounds for the development of new treatments for urolithiasis.

Retrotransposon-driven environmental regulation of FLC leads to adaptive response to herbicide.

The mobilization of transposable elements is a potent source of mutations. In plants, several stransposable elements respond to external cues, fuelling the hypothesis that natural transposition can create environmentally sensitive alleles for adaptation. Here we report on the detailed characterization of a retrotransposon insertion within the first intron of the Arabidopsis floral-repressor gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and the discovery of its role for adaptation. The insertion mutation augments the environmental sensitivity of FLC by affecting the balance between coding and non-coding transcripts in response to stress, thus expediting flowering. This balance is modulated by DNA methylation and orchestrated by IBM2, a factor involved in the processing of intronic heterochromatic sequences. The stress-sensitive allele of FLC has spread across populations subjected to recurrent chemical weeding, and we show that retrotransposon-driven acceleration of the life cycle represents a rapid response to herbicide application. Our work provides a compelling example of a transposable element-driven environmentally sensitive allele that confers an adaptive response in nature.

Nutrient Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L) Peel

The present study was conducted to assess the nutri-chemical composition and antioxidant potential of rambutan fruit (Nephelium lappaceum L) peel. Red rambutan fruit peel was used in fresh as well as dried form for the study. The nutri-chemical profiling revealed, fresh peel had 24g/100g of carbohydrate, 2.5g/100g of protein, 0.17g/100 g of fat and 0.89g/100g starch. However, dried peel had 55.45g/100g carbohydrate, 5.25g/100 protein, 10.2g/100g fat and 1.00g/100g starch. Crude fiber content of the fresh and dried peel was 0.77g/100g and 0.068g/100g respectively. Moreover, the fresh peel had higher moisture (73%) content than dried peel (4.2%). Vitamin C being heat liable, was found higher in fresh peel (9.31mg/100g). Sodium and potassium levels was found higher in dried peel powder as 1.55mg/100g and 9.4mg/100g respectively. Phytochemical composition of rambutan peel revealed that total polyphenol was higher in dried peel (580mg/100g) when compared to fresh (310 mg/100 g), meanwhile saponin, tannin and terpenoid was found higher in fresh peel as 47mg/100g, 390mg/100g and 5.101mg/100g respectively. Flavonoid content was dominant in dried peel (20.51mg/100g) than that of fresh peel (9.6mg/100 g). The radical-scavenging activity was expressed as IC50, which reported dried peel (43.79μg/100 mL) had strong antioxidant potential than fresh peel (184.39μg/100mL). However, it is concluded that rambutan peel is a potent source of nutrients, bioactive compounds and antioxidants which in turn has immense therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, valorisation of agri-food wastes and by- products can enhance food security and promote sustainable development.

Feasible biosynthesis of biologically active metabolites in in vitro culture of Macrotyloma uniflorum

Macrotyloma uniflorum, commonly called “Horse gram” is an underutilized pulse crop recognized for its great nutritional significance and a broad range of biological properties. There have been no in vitro studies for the biosynthesis of enhanced bioactive metabolites in the callus culture of M. uniflorum. In the study reported here, we have designed a feasible protocol for high-frequency callus induction and maintenance utilizing a leaf as an explant grown on MS media enriched with various concentrations of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) including α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) either alone or in combination. Among all the tested PGRs, NAA alone resulted in high-frequency callus induction (97%), and maximum biomass accumulation (Fresh weight (FW): 200 g/L: Dry weight (DW): 20.4 g/L). Moreover, hormonally optimized callus cultures exhibit maximum production of phenolic compounds (166.6 mg/L) and flavonoid compounds (351.6 mg/L). The antioxidant potential of calli extracts was also determined by utilizing various antioxidant activities. Maximum antioxidant activities ((2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) ABTS = 497.9; TEAC μM; (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) FRAP = 823 TEAC μM; (Cellular Antioxidant Activity) CAA: 58.2%) were recorded in leaf-derived calli supplemented with different PGRs treatments. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis further revealed maximum biosynthesis of caffeic acid (1.63 mg/g DW), gallic acid (8.92 mg/g DW), kaempferol (0.71 mg/g DW), myricetin (0.39 mg/g DW), apigenin (0.64 mg/g DW) at 10 mg/L BAP and isorhamnetin (0.68 mg/g DW) at 1 mg/L TDZ + 10 mg/L NAA. The objective of this study was to explore in vitro biosynthesis of enhanced bioactive metabolites in the callus culture of M. uniflorum, leveraging a feasible protocol for high-frequency callus induction and maintenance. The results showcase the remarkable efficacy of NAA in callus induction and biomass accumulation, highlighting the hormonally optimized callus cultures as a potent source for enhanced biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites, paving the way for further applications in pharmaceutical and commercial industries.

Maple compounds prevent biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes via sortase inhibition.

The Pss exopolysaccharide (EPS) enhances the ability of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to colonize and persist on surfaces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eradicating listeria within EPS-rich biofilms is challenging due to their increased tolerance to disinfectants, desiccation, and other stressors. Recently, we discovered that extracts of maple wood, including maple sap, are a potent source of antibiofilm agents. Maple lignans, such as nortrachelogenin-8'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and lariciresinol, were found to inhibit the formation of, and promote the dispersion of pre-formed L. monocytogenes EPS biofilms. However, the mechanism remained unknown. Here, we report that these lignans do not affect Pss EPS synthesis or degradation. Instead, they promote EPS detachment, likely by interfering with an unidentified lectin that keeps EPS attached to the cell surfaces. Furthermore, the maple lignans inhibit the activity of L. monocytogenes sortase A (SrtA) in vitro. SrtA is a transpeptidase that covalently anchors surface proteins, including the Pss-specific lectin, to the cell wall peptidoglycan. Consistent with this, deletion of the srtA gene results in Pss EPS detachment from listerial cells. We also identified several additional maple compounds, including epicatechin gallate, isoscopoletin, scopoletin, and abscisic acid, which inhibit L. monocytogenes SrtA activity in vitro and prevent biofilm formation. Molecular modelling indicates that, despite their structural diversity, these compounds preferentially bind to the SrtA active site. Since maple products are abundant and safe for consumption, our finding that they prevent biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes offers a viable source for protecting fresh produce from this foodborne pathogen.

Ablating the glutaredoxin-2 (Glrx2) gene protects male mice against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by limiting oxidative distress

In the present study, we investigated the consequences of deleting the glutaredoxin-2 gene (Glrx2−/−) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in male and female C57BL6N mice fed a control (CD) or high-fat diet (HFD). We report that the HFD induced a significant increase in body mass in the wild-type (Wt) and Glrx2−/− male, but not female, mice, which was associated with the hypertrophying of the abdominal fat. Interestingly, while the Wt male mice fed the HFD developed NAFLD, the deletion of the Glrx2 gene mitigated vesicle formation, intrahepatic lipid accumulation, and fibrosis in the males. The protective effect associated with ablating the Glrx2 gene in male mice was due to enhancement of mitochondrial redox buffering capacity. Specifically, liver mitochondria from male Glrx2−/− fed a CD or HFD produced significantly less hydrogen peroxide (mtH2O2), had lower malondialdehyde levels, greater activities for glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, and less protein glutathione mixed disulfides (PSSG) when compared to the Wt male mice fed the HFD. These effects correlated with the S-glutathionylation of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH), a potent mtH2O2 source and key redox sensor in hepatic mitochondria. In comparison to the male mice, both Wt and Glrx2−/− female mice displayed almost complete resistance to HFD-induced body mass increases and the development of NAFLD, which was attributed to the superior redox buffering capacity of the liver mitochondria. Together, our findings show that modulation of mitochondrial S-glutathionylation signaling through Glrx2 augments resistance of male mice towards the development of NAFLD through preservation of mitochondrial redox buffering capacity. Additionally, our findings demonstrate the sex dimorphisms associated with the manifestation of NAFLD is related to the superior redox buffering capacity and modulation of the S-glutathionylome in hepatic mitochondria from female mice.