Quantification Of Phenolic Compounds Research Articles

Chlorophyll a fluorescence and phytochemical response in blackberry species (Rubus sp) cultivated in the high tropics

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of chlorophyll fluorescence activity is a useful tool for rapid and effective assessments of the effect of abiotic factors on the physiology of different crops. In Rubus, this type of measurements describes tolerance to high temperatures, sensitivity to heat and morphological alterations in flowering and chlorophyll content, as a result of plant stress. OBJECTIVE: The present research estimated chlorophyll fluorescence and the presence of some phenolic compounds in the leaves of three cultivars of blackberry (Rubus sp.) established in the central region of Colombia, under conditions of open air between 2400 and 2800 masl. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was done through the measurement of chlorophyll a (Junior-PAM II modulated fluorometer), the quantification of phenolic compounds (Folin Ciocalteu), the determination of antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS) and the study of phenolic profiles (UHPLC) in leaves of three blackberry cultivars. RESULTS: Cultivars R. alutaceus (0.66), R. glaucus (0.73) and R. alpinus (0.76), presented values lower than the optimum (0.83), for the parameter F v /F m . In addition, the direct relationships between the parameters that define the behavior of PSII and the accumulation of different polyphenols were described. Reference was also made to the content of phenolic compounds (ranging from 125 to 150 mg GA g–1 dw), which did not show significant statistical differences. The heat map and principal component analysis show the close relationship between the parameters that characterize the functioning of PSII and the accumulation of phenolic compounds, as a mechanism of adaptation to the adverse conditions of the blackberry cultivars studied. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal that the leaves of the Rubus studied could be a source of functional ingredients for use in the cosmetic, nutraceutical and food industries and epigallocatechin was attributed the greatest responsibility for the antioxidant capacity.

Quantification of phenolic compounds in dietary supplements and antioxidant activities

Dietary supplements (DS) are products that are recommended for the treatment of various health issues, especially during the global pandemic, and the accuracy of the labeling information of these supplements plays a significant role in human health. In this study, a novel high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated to determine the accuracy of the labeling information of commercial dietary supplements containing phenolic compounds (rutin, quercetin, and resveratrol). The mobile phase, flow rate, and column temperature were optimized. Validation studies were carried out to prove the validity of the developed method. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values ​​of rutin, quercetin, and resveratrol were found in the range of 4.83-6.62 ng/mL and 16.09-22.07 ng/mL, respectively. Recoveries% were calculated in the range of 99.52-100.19% and 99.78-100.34% in the intra-day and inter-day analysis, respectively. The IC50 values of the dietary supplement extracts obtained by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method ranged from 0.08 to 0.76 mg/mL. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) values of DS1, DS2, DS3, DS4, DS5, measured employing the Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) method, were found to be 0.09, 0.03, 0.10, 0.10 and 0.40 mmol trolox per gram of extract, respectively. KEY WORDS: Dietary supplement, HPLC-DAD, Phenolic compound, Antioxidant activity Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(4), 853-862.                                                              DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i4.3

Microbiological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) and Propolis Film Coatings for Cheese Preservation.

Dairy products are highly susceptible to contamination from microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and propolis film as protective coatings for cheese. For this, microbiological analyses were carried out over the cheese' ripening period, focusing on total mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacteriaceae. Physicochemical parameters (pH, water activity, colour, phenolic compounds content) were also evaluated. The statistical analysis (conducted using ANOVA and PERMANOVA) showed a significant interaction term between the HPMC film and propolis (factor 1) and storage days (factor 2) with regard to the dependent variables: microbiological and physicochemical parameters. A high level of microbial contamination was identified at the baseline. However, the propolis films were able to reduce the microbial count. Physicochemical parameters also varied with storage time, with no significant differences found for propolis-containing films. Overall, the addition of propolis to the film influenced the cheeses' colour and the quantification of phenolic compounds. Regarding phenolic compounds, their loss was verified during storage, and was more pronounced in films with a higher percentage of propolis. The study also showed that, of the three groups of phenolic compounds (hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids), hydroxycinnamic acids showed the most significant losses. Overall, this study reveals the potential of using HPMC/propolis films as a coating for cheese in terms of microbiological control and the preservation of physicochemical properties.

Phenolic profile and chronic gastric ulcer healing effects of Cameroonian propolis

BackgroundGastric ulcers continue to affect millions of people worldwide, with reported cases of fatalities and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment constitute a burden on the patients especially in case of chronic ulcers which are difficult to treat. Natural medicines such as propolis provide suitable therapeutic alternatives in the treatment and curation of ulcers. ObjectiveThis work focused on the evaluation of the phenolic profile and healing effect of Cameroonian propolis on gastric ulcers in rats. MethodsIdentification and quantification of phenolic compounds in the propolis extract was done using HPLC-DAD. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced using ethanol (70%; 1 mL/200 g p.o.)/indomethacin (1 mg/kg p.o.), and “unhealed” gastric ulcerations were induced using acetic acid (30%)/indomethacin (1mg/kg p.o.). The animals were administered with the vehicle (tween 20, 1 mL/100 g p.o.), propolis extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg p.o.) or sucralfate (50 mg/kg p.o.), once daily for ten to fourteen days. At the end of each treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and ulcer indices, gastric mucus weight, histological and oxidative stress parameters were assessed. ResultsEight phenolic compounds were identified and quantified and most abundant were Caffeic acid (45.31±0.25 µg/g), Chrysin (37.65±0.17 µg/g) and p-Hydroxy benzoic acid (34.14±0.21 µg/g). The treatment of ulcerated rats (chronic and unhealed gastric ulcer models) with propolis extract at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg resulted in reduction of ulcer index compared to negative controls in both models. Histological observation of stomach tissues showed that treatment with propolis extract led to a dose-dependent normalization of the mucosa. There was a significant increase (P < 0.5; P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) in mucus weight that accompanied the healing of the ulcers. Furthermore, doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of the propolis extract induced an increase in the amounts of SOD, catalase, nitrite and GSH while MDA concentrations decreased in both models. ConclusionThe healing effect of propolis extract is due to the stimulation of mucus production followed by an improvement of in vivo antioxidant status. These results support the use of propolis in the development of new pharmacological strategies for the management of peptic ulcers disease.

Development and application of a high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) method for the simultaneous quantification of phenolic compounds in the aerial part of Glehnia littoralis

Glehnia littoralis, a medicinal herb employed in traditional practices for alleviating fatigue, cough, and a dry throat, is recognized for its beneficial properties due to a diverse array of active compounds found in its extracts. For example, the G. littoralis roots (Radix Glehniae) mainly contain coumarins and phenolic acids, serving as the primary focus of this study. Despite the widespread use of the tools in various industries and the development of multiple analytical methods for their examination, the edible aerial parts have industrial potential, and there is currently no analytical method available to identify their key components. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) was developed to simultaneously detect 16 phenolic compounds previously reported to be present in the edible aerial parts of G. littoralis. The proposed approach included using gradient elution to change the solvent system from water/acetonitrile to water/methanol. Furthermore, the method validation was conducted, assessing its linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery, all of which demonstrated satisfactory results. Subsequently, the developed method was applied to quantify the phenolic compounds in various G. littoralis samples obtained from different organs, solvent extraction processes, and processing methods. Moreover, the online HPLC-ABTS (2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of individual constituents, identifying four important antioxidants and estimate the overall antioxidant capacity of the G. littoralis extract.

Analysis of the chemical constituents of Myrcia glomerata G.Burton &amp; E.Lucas leaves and assessment of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm potential against pathogenic microorganisms

The Myrtaceae family plays a significant role in the Angiosperm landscape in Brazil, standing out as one of the most relevant. Within this context, the genus Myrcia ranks as the fourth largest, and its plant extracts and essential oils from these species are recognized as a valuable source of plant bioactives. In this context, Myrcia glomerata, popularly known as guamirim, stands out. Despite belonging to the Myrtaceae family, there is a lack of detailed research on its biological activities and chemical composition. The phytochemical investigation of the different plant extracts: ethanolic (EE), methanolic (ME), hexane (HE), acetone (AE), ethyl acetate (EAE) and dichloromethane (DE) revealed the presence of saponins, free steroids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonols, xanthones, chalcones, aurones, flavononols and tannins, leading to the quantification of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids). The essential oil of the leaves, identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 29 compounds, corresponding to 97.54% of the total area of the essential oil of M. glomerata. The main compounds found were sesquiterpenes, Elemicin (76.85%), Elixene (3.99%), E-caryophyllene (2.25%). EE showed the best antimicrobial potential, with concentrations ranging from 0.39 to 25 mg.mL-1, with Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis strains being more susceptible in EE, ME and AE, showing 98.72%, 96.23% and 88.60% antioxidant activity, respectively. As for the antibiofilm potential, ME showed the greatest biomass reduction (90.53%) for Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, with cell viability of 9.02%. These results demonstrate the potential of EE and ME extracts from M. glomerata, representing a possible source of natural bioactives to be used in pharmaceuticals for the control of resistant microorganisms.

HPLC profiling for the simultaneous estimation of antidiabetic compounds from Tradescantia pallida

Diabetes is a long-term metabolic disease epitomized by postprandial hyperglycemia. The prolonged use of synthetic drugs renders distinct side effects, necessitating the development of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate, evaluate the antidiabetic potential and HPLC method development for simultaneous estimation of antidiabetic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. The leaves were extracted, fractionated and subjected to column chromatography. The isolated compounds' antidiabetic potential was evaluated using α-amylase and glycosylation of hemoglobin assays. The study employed molecular docking to scrutinize interactions between antidiabetic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein. Prime MM-GBSA calculations determined binding energies of ligand–protein complexes. Further analysis of morin and catechin involved exploring dynamic and thermodynamic constraints through molecular dynamics simulations under specific biological conditions. A rapid HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of isolated compounds. The column chromatography culminated in the isolation of four antidiabetic compounds (syringic acid, catechin, p-coumaric acid and morin). The in vitro analyses revealed that morin and catechin exhibited 72.67 % and 78 % α-amylase inhibition and 67 % and 71.66 % inhibition of hemoglobin glycosylation, respectively. In silico studies substantiated the in vitro assay, confirming the stability of catechin and morin complexes via root mean square deviation analysis. Interactions, encompassing hydrophilic, hydrophobic, water bridges, and ionic interactions, identified key residues involved in these processes. The validated HPLC method exhibited excellent correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9909 to 0.9997. The antidiabetic compounds were quantified from the extract in the range of 0.072 – 0.160 µg/mL. The study concluded that the isolated compounds from Tradescantia pallida have remarkable antidiabetic activity, and the developed method can be successfully used for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in Tradescantia pallida and other plant-derived matrix.

Chemical Characterization, Phenolic Compounds Quantification, and Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities of Byrsonima sericea DC fruits.

Byrsonima sericea is a species native to Brazil that is widely used in traditional medicine. The seed ethanol extract (SEE) had the highest content of total phenols (179.35 mg GAE g-1 extract) and flavonoids (10.42 mg QE g-1 extract) and was the most active in relation to antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC50 =4.25 μg mL-1 and ABTS: IC50 =4.82 μg mL-1 ). The peel/pulp ethanol extract (PEE) had the best anticholinesterase activity (IC50 =6.02 μg mL-1 ). Chromatographic investigation identified gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone in SEE, and gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and rutin in PEE. Six fatty acid methyl esters and seven triterpenes were identified, highlighting oleic acid in the seed hexane extract (61.85 %) and in the peel/pulp hexane extract (52.61 %), and betulin in the peel/pulp hexane extract (5.25 %). The substances and biological activities identified in B. sericea characterize this fruit as a functional food for future studies.

Chemical composition and biological properties of Thymus capitatus plants from Algerian high plains: A comparative and analytical study

Abstract The Lamiaceae family contains bioactive medicinal compounds mostly used as ornamental plants and traditional medicine, as well as in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors. Common uses include treating high cholesterol, diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and food poisoning. These medicinal uses were linked to their components and numerous biological properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidants. The goal of this study was to investigate the phytochemicals and biological activities of the petroleum ether extract of Thymus capitatus plant from two different regions of eastern Algeria (Souk ahras and Guelma), as well as to extract volatile oils using a Clevenger device and then analyze by using GC-MS. The results revealed that the total amount of phenolic compounds was better in the phenolic extract of Souk Ahras (3.41 mg GAE g−1), while the amount of flavonoid compounds was higher in the region of Guelma (26.31 mg QE g−1). Following the quantification of phenolic compounds by HPLC, we observed that the phenolic extracts contained most of the standard compounds in variable proportions. Furthermore, we tested the antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds electrochemically with the cyclic voltammetry method. We concluded that the highest antioxidant content was recorded in the Guelma region extract (3.17 mg GAE g−1). We have also evaluated the antioxidant activity by a chemical method using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and the results showed that the Guelma extract exhibited a high effectiveness in terms of IC50% values. When extracting the volatile oils, it was found that the highest yield was in the Guelma region

Evaluation of phenolic and anthraquinone profiles of Polygonacaeae family from Turkey

The purpose of this research is to compare the content of phenolic compounds (catechin, esculetin, polydatin, rutin, resveratrol, quercetin) and anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion) in Polygonum cognatum Meissn. and Rumex crispus L. plant taxa from the flora of Turkey. Extraction parameters such as solvent, solvent ratio, and time for soxhlet method were optimized, and the most effective extraction was carried out for eight hours with methanol-water (3:1 v/v). The development and validation of an HPLC-DAD method allowed for the simultaneous quantification of phenolic compounds and anthraquinones in the plant extracts. The analytical method conditions were defined through an investigation of various parameters, including mobile phase composition, flow rate, and column temperature. The method was validated with good linearity, precision, sensitivity, and recovery. The LOD and LOQ values of the compounds were in the range of 0.032–0.457 µg/mL and 0.106–1.523 µg/mL, respectively. The findings of the study showed that this analytical method was successfully applied to identify and measure the phenolic and anthraquinone compounds in Polygonum cognatum Meissn. and Rumex crispus L. plants.

Development and validation of a LC–MS/MS method for the quantification of phenolic compounds in human saliva after intake of a procyanidin-rich pine bark extract

Plant-derived phenolic compounds are regularly ingested as food compounds or as food supplements. Concentrations of individual compounds and metabolites are typically measured in serum or urine samples. This, however, allows no conclusion on the distribution into organs and tissues. An easily accessible biofluid is saliva. At this point, it was not clear yet, whether polyphenols circulating in the blood would be secreted or diffuse into saliva. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a method using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for analysis of phenolic compounds in human saliva. Method validation for the quantification of taxifolin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, para-coumaric acid, and protocatechuic acid and the gut microbial catechin metabolite δ-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (M1) in human saliva was performed according to current guidelines for bioanalytical method validation. The lower limit of quantification ranged from 0.82 ng/ml for M1 to 8.20 ng/ml for protocatechuic acid. The method was successfully applied to an authentic saliva sample of a volunteer after swallowing of procyanidin-rich pine bark extract capsules (dietary supplement Pycnogenol®). All polyphenols except ferulic acid were quantified at concentrations ranging from 1.20 ng/ml (M1) to 10.34 ng/ml (gallic acid). Notably, in contrast to serum samples, all phenolic compounds were present without sulfate or glucuronic acid conjugation in saliva, suggesting an enzymatic deconjugation, e.g., by a β-glucuronidase activity, during compound transfer from serum to saliva. Since M1 is only produced in the gut, its presence in saliva ruled out the possibility of sample contamination by phenolic compounds residing in the oral cavity after food intake. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the gut microbiota-derived metabolite M1 has been detected in saliva. To further investigate the role of phenolic compounds in saliva, the described analytical method can be applied in clinical studies investigating the biodistribution of polyphenols and their metabolites.

Avocado Hass peel from industrial by-product: effect of extraction process variables on yield, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity

At present in Peru, a substantial quantity of avocado by-products (peel and seed) is produced due to avocado processing. It is essential to revalue these products. The meticulous selection of parameters in solid–liquid extraction through maceration, which is the industrial preference, is crucial to obtain a greater recovery of phenolic compounds from avocado Hass peels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of process variables (ethanol concentration, temperature and solvent:feed (S/F) ratio) on the global yield of extraction (GY), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH) of avocado Hass peel extract at two different stages of maturity. Furthermore, the quantification of phenolic compounds was using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) and antioxidant capacity using ABTS and FRAP assays were determined in higher yielding extracts. The dry matter content (dm) was determined in the pulp of unripe avocados (UA, 22.57% dm) and ripe avocados (RA, 27.30% dm). The results showed that, for all treatments, ethanol concentration, temperature, S/F ratio had a significant influence (p &amp;lt; 0.05) on GY, TPC, TFC and antioxidant capacity, and the UA peel extracts obtained with 40% ethanol, 49.3°C, S/F ratio (14.3 mL/g) and 60 min showed the highest values of TPC (44.24 mg GAE/g peel dw), TFC (786.08 mg QE/g peel dw) and antioxidant capacity against DPPH (564.82 μmTE/g peel dw), ABTS (804.40 μmTE/g peel dw) and FRAP (1006.21 μmTE/g peel dw). Meanwhile, for the HPLC-DAD analysis, vanillic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid are the main phenolic compounds present in avocado peel extracts. The results of this research indicate that avocado peels are a source of natural phenolic components, with potential application in the food industry as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants, thus reducing their use.

Identification and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds by HPLC-DAD and Bioactivity Assay of Acacia nilotica

Identification and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds by HPLC-DAD and Bioactivity Assay of Acacia nilotica

Development and Validation of an HPLC-DAD Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic compounds are natural substances that exhibit different functional bioactivities and provide health-protective actions against chronic illnesses. The vast potential of these compounds in health and other sectors demands the establishment of analytical procedures for their immediate and simultaneous analysis. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, rutin hydrate, caffeic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, myricetin, resveratrol, and quercetin. The chromatographic separation of the selected polyphenols was carried out in a reversed-phase Inertsil ODS-3 column (250mm x 4.5mm x 5µm) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, injection volume of 20 µL, and column temperature of 30°C. The detection and quantification of phenolic compounds were done at specific wavelengths (254, 275, 305, and 325 nm) using gradient elution for 40 minutes, with acidified water and acetonitrile solution as mobile phase. Validation of the established analytical procedure showed that the coefficient of determination (R2 &gt; 0.99), limit of detection (0.01 to 0.35 µg/mL), limit of quantitation (0.03 to 1.07 µg/mL), recovery values (98.33 to 101.12%), and repeatability (RSD &lt; 5%) respectively indicated a linear, sensitive, accurate, and precise analytical method for the simultaneous chromatographic analysis of the 12 phenolic compounds. Overall, the developed HPLC-DAD procedure can offer adequate confidence for the identification and quantification of specific polyphenols and can be modified or updated for future analysis of phenolic compounds in different plant extracts.

Optimization of extraction of bioactive compounds with antiproliferative activity from goji berry and assessment of kinetic models

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis work aims to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds with antiproliferative activity from goji berry (Lycium barbarum) and assess the extraction kinetic models. The extraction was performed by varying the proportion of ethanol/water solvent.RESULTSThe antioxidant activity determination tests indicated a significant difference for the proportion of 60:40 ethanol/water. Conditions for the highest levels of antioxidant activity were 45 °C and 6.71 min for ultrasound and 45 °C and 23.30 h for shaker.CONCLUSIONThe quantification of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and anthocyanins showed that the ultrasound method led to the highest concentrations of these compounds. The extraction kinetics was evaluated, and the So and MacDonald's and second‐order models showed the best fit, with a global maximum deviation lower than 10.0%. High concentrations of extracts produced showed cytotoxic effects for human hepatoma cells by the MTT test. The extract produced by ultrasound reached a cell viability of 37.71%. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Viability of Lactobacillus Helveticus in fresh cheeses seasoned with red Murupi pepper

Probiotic cheeses are excellent functional foods. In this sense, fresh cheeses can be supplemented with probiotic cultures and seasoned with sources of bioactive compounds to create alternative and functional food products. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of Lactobacillus helveticus in fresh cheese seasoned with red Murupi pepper, as well as to quantify the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity over a period of 30 days. The peppers were purchased from a rural producer in the capital city of Boa Vista, located in the state of Roraima, Brazil. They were washed, sanitized, and placed on trays for natural drying. Subsequently, the partially dried peppers were cut, dehydrated in an air circulation oven at 45°C, crushed, and vacuum packed. Pasteurized milk was supplemented with 0.40 mL L-1 of 50% CaCl2, 0.30 mL L-1 of coagulant, and L. helveticus to prepare the cheeses. After coagulation, the mass was cut, mixed, drained, and added salt and pepper powder (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% w/w). The cheeses were then packaged and refrigerated. The analytical methods employed included pH measurement, titratable acidity, water activity, L. helveticus count, quantification of phenolic compounds, and in vitro antioxidant activity assessment (conducted after 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 days of storage). During the first 12 days of storage, the pH values decreased, while the acidity values increased significantly, indicating the occurrence of post-acidification. The probiotic count was higher in cheeses without pepper, and its value increased up to the 12th day of evaluation, remaining within the limits established by legislation. On the other hand, the addition of higher concentrations of pepper resulted in cheeses with higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity. L. helveticus exhibited good viability throughout the study period. In summary, this study successfully developed probiotic fresh cheeses with the addition of red Murupi pepper.

Mechanistic Understanding of the Antiviral Properties of Pistachios and Zeaxanthin against HSV-1.

The search for alternative clinical treatments to fight resistance and find alternative antiviral treatments for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is of great interest. Plants are rich sources of novel antiviral, pharmacologically active agents that provide several advantages, including reduced side effects, less resistance, low toxicity, and different mechanisms of action. In the present work, the antiviral activity of Californian natural raw (NRRE) and roasted unsalted (RURE) pistachio polyphenols-rich extracts was evaluated against HSV-1 using VERO cells. Two different extraction methods, with or without n-hexane, were used. Results showed that n-hexane-extracted NRRE and RURE exerted an antiviral effect against HSV-1, blocking virus binding on the cell surface, affecting viral DNA synthesis as well as accumulation of ICP0, UL42, and Us11 viral proteins. Additionally, the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds by RP-HPLC-DAD confirmed that extraction with n-hexane exclusively accumulated tocopherols, carotenoids, and xanthophylls. Amongst these, zeaxanthin exhibited strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 (CC50: 16.1 µM, EC50 4.08 µM, SI 3.96), affecting both the viral attachment and penetration and viral DNA synthesis. Zeaxanthin is a dietary carotenoid that accumulates in the retina as a macular pigment. The use of pistachio extracts and derivates should be encouraged for the topical treatment of ocular herpetic infections.

Nutritional Assessment of Lactarius drassinus and L. controversus from the Cold Desert Region of the Northwest Himalayas for Their Potential as Food Supplements.

Kargil is a cold desert with hostile ecological conditions such as low temperature and precipitation, as well as difficult terrains. However, several wild mushrooms thrive well under such an extreme environment. Despite their abundance, the chemical composition of indigenous mushrooms has not been explored. This study aimed to assess the potential of two wild edible mushrooms from Kargil, Lactarius drassinus and Lactarius controversus, as food supplements by evaluating their nutritional and nutraceutical properties. Nutritional attributes such as total protein, available carbohydrates, soluble sugars, and vitamins were found to be high in the mushroom species. Furthermore, high mineral accumulation and relatively lower antinutrient concentrations resulted in higher bioavailabilities of Zn, Fe, Ca, and Mg. Gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-based metabolite profiling revealed that although the two mushroom species showed similar metabolite compositions, their relative concentrations differed. Sugars were the predominant compounds identified in both the species, with sugar alcohols being the major contributor. The second most abundant class of compound in L. drassinus was amino acids, with 5-oxoproline as the major contributor. On the other hand, fatty acids were the second most abundant compounds in L. controversus, with high oleic and linoleic acid concentrations. In the ultra-performance-liquid-chromatography-based quantification of phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid was found to be highest in in terms of its concentration in both the mushrooms studied, followed by quercetin dihydrate and gallic acid in L. drassinus and L. controversus, respectively. Moreover, high antioxidant activities attributable to their high phenol, flavonoid, and carotenoid concentrations were observed. Overall, the two mushrooms offer well-balanced sources of nutritional and nutraceutical compounds, making them healthy foods.

Rapid and simultaneous quantification of phenolic compounds in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds using NIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate calibration

Phytochemically, peanuts provide significant nutritional value to humans, animals, and the food industry as a whole. This study was conducted to explore the potential for near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and effective variable selection algorithms to quantify phenolic compounds in peanut seeds. The phenolics were extracted and then identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The spectroscopic data were acquired from the peanut samples using a tabletop NIR spectrometer with a wavelength range of 10,000–4000 cm–1. The acquired spectra were preprocessed using a synergistic effect of first- and second-order derivative (FOD and SOD) preprocessing techniques, and multivariate algorithms were used, examined, and evaluated using correlation coefficients of the validation set (Rp), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), and residual predictive deviations (RPDs). The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling-partial least squares (CARS-PLS) model produced optimum performance for chlorogenic acid (Rp = 0.933, RPD = 2.77), kaempferol (Rp = 0.928, RPD = 2.68), p-coumaric acid (Rp = 0.900, RPD = 2.32), and quercetin (Rp = 0.932, RPD = 2.88), respectively. Therefore, this study proved that NIR spectroscopy in combination with CARS-PLS was capable of nondestructively predicting phenolic content in peanut seeds.

Response Surface Methodology as an Experimental Strategy for Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Artichoke Heads.

The accurate quantification of phenolic compounds (PCs) in foods has become mandatory for a reliable estimation of PCs dietary intake. However, the extraction step of these molecules from the food matrix is a challenging and complex task. To manage the current lack of an official or generally accepted procedure for the recovery of phenolics, the application of statistical and mathematical tools, such as the response surface methodology (RSM), that allow the optimization of extraction parameters and the acquisition of the best output, has become the analytical approach of choice. The aim of this study was to apply an RSM-optimized ultrasound-assisted procedure to extract phenolic compounds from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Hegi, cultivar "Campagnano") heads. The effect of extraction time, temperature, and solvent-to-sample ratio on the profile and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids was investigated. The total phenolic content was 488.13 ± 0.56 mg GAE 100 g-1 dry matter (dm) and total flavonoid content was 375.03 ± 1.49 mg CATeq 100 g-1 dm when the optimum extraction conditions were set. The HPLC analysis showed that caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (i.e., cynarin and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid) were the main compounds in globe artichokes. Caffeic and p-coumaric acids were also identified. In regard to flavonoids, only the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside was identified.