Source Of Bioactive Compounds Research Articles

Valorization of guabirobeira leaf extracts (Campomanesia xanthocarpa) through pressurized liquid extraction and aqueous infusion: assessment of phytochemical composition, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe leaves of guabirobeira contain important phenolic and flavonoid compounds, known for their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antinociceptive activities. The purpose of this work was to obtain extracts from guabirobeira leaves through aqueous infusion and pressurized liquid extraction with water, ethanol, and a combination of water–ethanol (ratio 1:1, v/v; PLE‐W:E). Subsequently, we used liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to identify the chemical compounds, and to study the antioxidant activity in rat brain cells; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria were also seen.RESULTSAccording to the findings, all four extracts contained a significant amount of phytochemical compounds. Among them, the PLE‐W:E extract showed a higher concentration of flavonoids, demonstrating significant antioxidant activity in in vitro assays of TBARS and ROS in rat brain cells. It also exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.CONCLUSIONGuabirobeira leaf extracts hold promise as a potential source of bioactive compounds. These extracts can be applied across various sectors, including cosmetics and skincare products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, natural preservatives, and functional materials. By exploring these potential applications, valuable contributions can be made to the field of sustainable chemistry and pharmacy, furthering the utilization of guabirobeira leaf extracts in diverse industries. This approach also aligns with the promotion of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Profiling the Bioactive Compounds in Broccoli Heads with Varying Organ Sizes and Growing Seasons

Broccoli is a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds, but how their contents are influenced by different growing seasons and variations in broccoli head sizes remains elusive. To address this question, we quantified sixteen known bioactive compounds and seven minerals in broccoli with varying head sizes obtained in two different growing seasons. Our results suggest that the contents of vitamin C, total phenols, carotenoids, and glucoraphanin were significantly higher in samples from the summer–autumn season, showing increases of 157.46%, 34.74%, 51.80%, and 17.78%, respectively, compared with those from the winter–spring season. Moreover, chlorogenic acid is a phenolic compound with relatively high contents among the six detected, while beta-sitosterol is the sterol with relatively high contents. Further, principal component analysis was conducted to rank the comprehensive scores of the profiles of phenolic compounds, phytosterols, and minerals, demonstrating that the broccoli samples grown during the summer–autumn season achieved the highest composite scores. Our results indicate that broccoli heads from the summer–autumn season are richer in a combination of bioactive compounds and minerals than those from the winter–spring season based on the composite score. This study extends our understanding of the nutrition profiles in broccoli and also lays the foundation for breeding broccoli varieties with improved nutrition quality.

Bioactive Compounds from Organic Waste

The reuse and reincorporation of waste are the principles of circular economies. Compost, biofuels, animal feed, dyes, and bioactive compounds can be obtained from the revaluation of organic waste. Research on this subject is scarce and limited to specific sectors, such as agriculture and agroindustry, leaving aside others that generate large quantities of organic waste, such as floriculture. The remains of these sectors have a low decomposition rate compared to other organic wastes. They are a source of bioactive compounds (e.g., essential oils, pigments, phenols) that can be reincorporated into the production chain of various industries. This review describes the composition of waste from agroindustry, agriculture, and floriculture, analyzing their potential revalorization as a source of bioactive compounds and an alternative supply source.

Optimization and Validation of Procyanidins Extraction and Phytochemical Profiling of Seven Herbal Matrices of Nutraceutical Interest

Several medicinal herbal plants are extensively used as sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on human health. This study assessed the procyanidin and polyphenol profiles together with the antioxidant potential of seven herbal medical matrices. To achieve this aim, procyanidin extraction from grape pomace was optimized and validated by monitoring monomeric-trimeric procyanidins. The proposed quantification method was applied to the seven medical herbs, and it proved to be a very efficient protocol for procyanidin-rich extracts analysis. In addition, the Paullinia cupana Kunth. seed was identified as a very rich source of procyanidins (about 5 mg/g dry matrix of each dimeric and about 3 mg/g dry matrix trimeric) with high antioxidant properties. The polyphenolic profile was assessed by HPLC-HESI-MS/MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay to explore the antioxidant properties of the extracts, which were substantially higher in Peumus boldus Molina leaves extracts (935.23 ± 169 μmol of Trolox equivalent/g of dry weight) concerning the other matrices. Moreover, a high Pearson coefficient value was observed between the total flavonoid content (TFC) and DPPH in comparison with the total polyphenol content (TPC) and DPPH, indicating flavonoids as the principal bioactive with antioxidant activity in the extracts.

Exploration of the Lipid Profile of Edible Oleaginous Microgreens by Mass Spectrometry-Based Lipidomics.

The spreading awareness of the health benefits associated with the consumption of plant-based foods is fueling the market of innovative vegetable products, including microgreens, recognized as a promising source of bioactive compounds. To evaluate the potential of oleaginous plant microgreens as a source of bioactive fatty acids, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was exploited to characterize the total fatty acid content of five microgreens, namely, chia, flax, soy, sunflower, and rapeseed (canola). Chia and flax microgreens appeared as interesting sources of α-linolenic acid (ALA), with total concentrations of 2.6 and 2.9 g/100 g of dried weight (DW), respectively. Based on these amounts, approximately 15% of the ALA daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority can be provided by 100 g of the corresponding fresh products. Flow injection analysis with high-resolution Fourier transform single and tandem mass spectrometry enabled a semi-quantitative profiling of triacylglycerols (TGs) and sterol esters (SEs) in the examined microgreen crops, confirming their role as additional sources of fatty acids like ALA and linoleic acid (LA), along with glycerophospholipids. The highest amounts of TGs and SEs were observed in rapeseed and sunflower microgreens (ca. 50 and 4-5 μmol/g of DW, respectively), followed by flax (ca. 20 and 3 μmol/g DW). TG 54:9, 54:8, and 54:7 prevailed in the case of flax and chia, whereas TG 54:3, 54:4, and 54:5 were the most abundant TGs in the case of rapeseed. β-Sitosteryl linoleate and linolenate were generally prevailing in the SE profiles, although campesteryl oleate, linoleate, and linolenate exhibited a comparable amount in the case of rapeseed microgreens.

Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds, Food Applications, and Health Benefits of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.): A Review

ABSTRACTPigeon pea is one of the most multipurpose grain legumes in the tropical and subtropical world. It is highly resilient to climate change due to drought tolerance. It ranks sixth following common beans, chickpeas, field peas, cowpeas, and lentils globally. Pigeon pea is an excellent source of high‐quality protein, essential amino acids, and minerals. Furthermore, pigeon pea is endowed with valuable water‐soluble vitamins such as thiamin, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and niacin. With low levels of saturated fat and sodium and being cholesterol free, pigeon peas emerge as a nutritious dietary choice. Pigeon peas are rich sources of bioactive compounds with various potential health properties, including anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antidiabetic effects. Pigeon peas can be consumed in diverse forms, including whole seeds, split seeds (known as dhal), vegetables using green seeds, and fresh pods. Moreover, pigeon peas find application in a variety of food products, including bread, pasta, noodles, snacks, and biscuits. Despite their nutritional and medicinal properties, pigeon peas remain among the least utilized legumes globally. This review paper aims to provide up‐to‐date information on the nutritional compositions, bioactive compounds, food applications, and health benefits of pigeon peas.

Hydrothermal Hydrolysis of Cocoa Bean Shell to Obtain Bioactive Compounds

Cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product from the chocolate industry, is an interesting source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the effects of time and pH on the hydrothermal hydrolysis of CBS were evaluated with the aim of maximizing the extraction of antioxidant and functional compounds from this biomass. In general, all treatments tested led to improvements in the extraction of bioactive compounds compared to untreated samples. The maximum values for antioxidant activity (187 µmol TE/g CBS dw) and phenolic compounds (14.5 mg GAE/g CBS dw) were obtained when CBS was treated at pH 4 for 10 min. In addition, maximum amounts of flavonoids (10.1 mg CE/g CBS dw), tannins (6.5 mg CE/g CBS dw) and methylxanthines (9 mg/g CBS dw) were obtained under mild pH conditions (4–5). It is noteworthy that these values are higher than those reported in the literature for other vegetable substrates, highlighting the potential of CBS to be valorized as a source of different value-adding products.

Brown algae (Sargassum subrepandum) found on the shores of Mediterranean Sea in Egypt are an important source of bioactive compounds

Brown algae (Sargassum subrepandum) found on the shores of Mediterranean Sea in Egypt are an important source of bioactive compounds

Exploring the therapeutic potential of Cynanchum tunicatum (Retz.) Alston- assessment of phytochemicals and biological activities

Cynanchum tunicatum (Retz.) Alston is native to the Asian region and is distributed in the tropical areas of India and Sri Lanka. The aim of this study is to explore the phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and anti-inflammatory properties of C. tunicatum. Metabolic profiling was carried out using phytochemical screening to detect and quantify the secondary metabolites. To evaluate the potential secondary metabolites using the standard methods, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) from organic extracts of C. tunicatum and its biological activities. FTIR investigated peaks that represent alkane and aromatic compounds. GC–MS revealed the presence of 22 constituents such as 1-Hexacosene (0.145 %), l-(+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate (8.129 %), Campesterol (5.243 %), Beta −Amyrin (10.614 %), Lupeol (13.061 %), Octadecanoic acid (0.751 %) are the major active compounds present. HPTLC fingerprinting confirms the bioactive compounds such as colchicine, strychnine, coumarin etc. which are represented with corresponding Rf values. Among all the extracts of C. tunicatum methanolic extract showed highest antioxidant activities. In 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl method exhibit the IC50 of (38.91 µg/mL), Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (1.6 µg/mL), total antioxidant assay (IC50 = 32.91 µg/mL) and IC50 of anti-inflammatory activity (42.31 µg/mL) respectively. These findings enrich the knowledge of the species Cynanchum tunicatum for the possible application as a source of bioactive compounds in drug discovery.

Comparative metabolomics profiling reveals the unique bioactive compounds and astringent taste formation of rosehips

Rosehips are a prominent source of numerous bioactive compounds. However, despite their extensive potential, the metabolic profiles among different rosehip species have not been fully elucidated. In this study, 523 secondary metabolites from rosehips of 12 Rosa species were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. They were primarily composed of flavonoids and phenolic acids. A K-means analysis revealed the characteristic metabolites in different rosehips. For example, R. persica contained a more abundant supply of phenolic acids, while R. roxburghii harbored a richer array of terpenoids. A total of 73 key active ingredients were screened from traditional Chinese medicine databases, and they indicated that R. persica is more promising for use in functional foods or health supplements compared with the other fruits. Moreover, a differential analysis identified 47 compounds as potential contributors to the astringent taste of rosehips, including ellagic acid 4-O-glucoside and cadaverine. This study provides valuable information to develop new functional foods of rosehips and improve the quality of their fruits.

Production of Polyphenolic Natural Products by Bract-Derived Tissue Cultures of Three Medicinal Tilia spp.: A Comparative Untargeted Metabolomics Study

Medicinal plant tissue cultures are potential sources of bioactive compounds. In this study, we report the chemical characterization of the callus cultures of three medicinal Tilia spp. (Tilia cordata, Tilia vulgaris and Tilia tomentosa), along with the comparison to bracts and flowers of the same species. Our aim was to show that calli of Tilia spp. are good alternatives to the calli of T. americana for the production of polyphenols and are better sources of a subset of polyphenolic metabolites, compared to the original organs. Calli were initiated from young bracts and grown on woody plant medium containing 1 mg L−1 2,4-D and 0.1 mg L−1 BAP. For chemical characterization, a quality-controlled untargeted metabolomics approach and the quantification of several bioactive compounds was performed with the use of LC-ESI-MS/MS. While bracts and flowers contained flavonoid glycosides (astragalin, isoquercitrin) as major polyphenols, calli of all species contained catechins, coumarins (fraxin, esculin and scopoletin) and flavane aglyca. T. tomentosa calli contained 5397 µg g DW−1 catechin, 201 µg g DW−1 esculin, 218 µg g DW−1 taxifolin and 273 µg g DW−1 eriodictyol, while calli from other species contained lower amounts. T. cordata and T. tomentosa flowers were rich in isoquercitrin, containing 8134 and 6385 µg g DW−1, respectively. The currently tested species contained many of the bioactive metabolites described from T. americana. The production of catechin was shown to be comparable to the most efficient tissue cultures reported. Flowers and bracts contained flavonoid glycosides, including tiliroside, resembling bioactive fractions of T. americana. In addition, untargeted metabolomics has shown fingerprint-like differences among species, highlighting possible chemotaxonomic and quality control applications, especially for bracts.

Characteristics of mountain vs. lowland dairy products

SummaryBesides the clean environment, mountain pastures are important sources of bioactive compounds that contribute to the quality of dairy products resulting from animals grazing there. This review aimed to compare the main differences among mountain and lowland dairies in terms of chemical composition, physical and sensory properties and microflora. The most important factors influencing final product properties are the biodiversity of pastures and the abundance of plants in terpenes and fatty acids, farm practices, animal breeds and climatic conditions. Differences between dairies from lowland and mountain products were observed regarding the sensory profile, microflora and nutritional and functional value. The comparisons of the results presented in the literature concluded that some mountain dairies presented more than 50% higher content of terpenes compared to lowland products. Furthermore, the amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were more than 15% greater in mountain products compared to lowland ones, conjugated linoleic acids more than 35%, n−6 and n−3 PUFA more than 10%, while the saturated fatty acids content was reported to be more than 3% lower in mountain dairies. In conclusion, mountain dairy products can be distinguished from lowland ones, especially by their content of terpenes and fatty acid profile, along with the microflora which are influenced by livestock management.

Grape pomace in diets for European sea bass: influence on oxidative status, intestinal microbiota, and fillet quality

Grape pomace in diets for European sea bass: influence on oxidative status, intestinal microbiota, and fillet quality

Comparative study on effect of pomegranate peel powder as natural preservative and chemical preservatives on quality and shelf life of muffins

This research aims to investigate the potential of utilizing pomegranate peel powder (PPP) as a natural preservative in muffin preparation. Pomegranate peel is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, which possess high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The In-Vitro antifungal activity of pomegranate peel powder (8% PPP), potassium sorbate (0.1% PS) and calcium propionate (0.5% CP) was assessed against Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. using poison food technique. The PPP showed the anti-fungal activity by delaying the growth of microorganism on media plate similar to the PS and CP. The effect of utilization of PPP on quality characteristics of muffins were compared with the muffins with chemical preservatives (0.1% PS and 0.5% CP). The viscosity and specific gravity of batter significantly increased from 7.98 to 11.87 Pa s and 1.089–1.398 respectively on addition of 8% PPP. The optical microscopic structure of PPP added batter revealed the decrease in the number of air cells from 24 to 12 with radius range of 6.42–72.72 μm and area range of 511.03–15,383.17 µm2. The functional properties of flour with PPP had higher water absorption capacity, foaming stability, emulsification activity and emulsion stability than others. The addition of PPP significantly increase the weight (32.83 g), and decrease the height (31.3 mm), volume (61.43 cm3), specific volume (1.67 cm3/g) and baking loss (10.19%). The 418.36% increase in fibre content, 14.46% and 18.46% decrease in carbohydrates and energy value was observed in muffin with 8% PPP as compared to control respectively. The total phenols was increased from 0.92 to 12.5 mg GAE/100 g, total tannin from 0.2 to 8.27 mg GAE/100 g, In-vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH from 6.97 to 29.34% and In-vitro antioxidant activity by FRAP from 0.497 to 2.934 mg AAE/100 g in muffins added with 8% PPP. The muffin with PPP was softer than control and muffin with 0.1% PS. The addition of PPP resulted to improve in muffin texture but taste slightly bitter. During the storage of muffins at room temperature (27–30 °C), the moisture content of muffin with PPP was reduced from 17.04 to 13.23% which was higher than the rest of the treatments. Similarly, the hardness of sample with PPP was higher than the sample with 0.5% CP, but lowers than control and sample with 0.1% PS throughout the storage period. The results suggest that pomegranate peel powder can be successfully used as a natural preservative in place of chemical preservatives in muffins, to extend the shelf life. This study provides the opportunity to use PPP as functional ingredient and natural preservative in different bakery products.

Marine seaweed endophytic fungi-derived active metabolites promote reactive oxygen species-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Endophytic fungi have an abundant sources rich source of rich bioactive molecules with pivotal pharmacological properties. Several studies have found that endophytic fungi-derived bioactive secondary metabolites have antiproliferative, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, but the molecular mechanism by which they induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis pathways is unknown. This study aimed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer property of the endophytic fungi derived active secondary metabolites on human breast cancer cells. In this study, we identified four endophytic fungi from marine seaweeds and partially screened its phytochemical properties by Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Moreover, the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer property of these active secondary metabolites (FA, FB, FC and FE) on human breast cancer cells were examined on MCF-7 cells by TT assay, Apoptotic assay by Acridine orang/Ethidium Bromide (Dual Staining), DNA Fragmentation by DAPI Staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination by DCFH-DA assay, Cell cycle analysis was conducted Flow cytometry and the apoptotic signalling pathway was evaluated by westernblot analysis. Doxorubicin was used as a positive control drug for this experiment. The GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of endophytic fungi from the marine macro-algae revealed the different functional groups and bioactive secondary metabolites. From the library, we observed the FC (76%), FB (75%), FA (73%) and FE (71%) have high level of antioxidant activity which was assessed by DPPH scavenging assay. Further, we evaluated the cytotoxic potentials of these secondary metabolites on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells for 24h and the IC50 value were calculated (FA:28.62 ± 0.3µg/ml, FB:49.81 ± 2.5µg/ml, FC:139.42 ± µg/ml and FE:22.47 ± 0.5µg/ul) along with positive control Doxorubicin 15.64 ± 0.8µg/ml respectively by MTT assay. The molecular mechanism by which the four active compound induced apoptosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells was determined H2DCFDA staining, DAPI staining, Acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) dual staining, flowcytometry analysis with PI staining and apoptotic key regulatory proteins expression levels measured by westernblot analysis. Our findings, revealed the anticancer potential of endophytic fungi from marine seaweed as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with anticancer properties and underscore the significance of exploring marine-derived endophytic fungi as a promising avenue for the development of novel anticancer agents. Further investigations are necessary to isolate and characterize specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to validate their therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical settings.

Phlomis crinita Cav. From Algeria: A source of bioactive compounds possessing antioxidant and wound healing activities

Ethnopharmacological relevancePhlomis crinita Cav. (Lamiaceae), locally known as “El Khayata” or “Kayat El Adjarah”, is traditionally used in Algeria for its wound-healing properties. Aim of the studyInvestigate, for the first time, the phytochemical profile, safety, antioxidant and wound-healing activities of the flowering tops methanolic extract of P. crinita (PCME) collected from Bouira Province in the North of Algeria. Materials and methodsPreliminary phytochemical assays were carried out on PCME to quantify the main classes of bioactive compounds, such as total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. An in-depth LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis was carried out to elucidate the phytochemical profile of this plant species. Antioxidant activity was investigated by several colorimetric and fluorimetric assays (DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, β-carotene bleaching and ferrozine assay). The acute oral toxicity of PCME (2000 mg/kg b.w.) was tested in vivo on Swiss albino mice, whereas the acute dermal toxicity and wound-healing properties of the PCME ointment (1–5% PCMO) were tested in vivo on Wistar albino rats. Biochemical and histological analyses were carried out on biological samples. ResultsThe phytochemical screening highlighted a high content of phenolic compounds (175.49 ± 0.8 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), mainly flavonoids (82.28 ± 0.44 mg of quercetin equivalents/g of dry extract). Fifty-seven compounds were identified by LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis, belonging mainly to the class of flavones (32.27%), with luteolin 7-(6″-acetylglucoside) as the most abundant compound and phenolic acids (32.54%), with salvianolic acid C as the most abundant compound. A conspicuous presence of phenylethanoids (15.26%) was also found, of which the major constituent is forsythoside B. PCME showed a strong antioxidant activity with half-inhibitory activity (IC50) ranging from 1.88 to 37.88 μg/mL and a moderate iron chelating activity (IC50 327.44 μg/mL). PCME appears to be safe with Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) ≥ 2000 mg/kg b.w. No mortality or toxicity signs, including any statistically significant changes in body weight gain and relative organs’ weight with respect to the control group, were recorded. A significant (p < 0.001) wound contraction was observed in the 5% PCMO-treated group with respect to the untreated and petroleum jelly groups between 8 and 20 days, whereas no statistically significant results were observed at the two lower doses (1 and 2% PCMO). In addition, the 5% PCMO-treated group showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) wound healing activity with respect to the reference drug-treated group, showing, at the end of the study, the highest wound contraction percentage (88.00 ± 0.16%). ConclusionPCME was safe and showed strong antioxidant and wound-healing properties, suggesting new interesting pharmaceutical applications for P. crinita based on its traditional use.

Encapsulation of Japanese grape (Hovenia dulcis) pseudofruits by freeze drying: characterization and antioxidant potential

&lt;p&gt;The pseudofruit of &lt;em&gt;Hovenia dulcis&lt;/em&gt; is known as a source of bioactive compounds; however, like the majority of fruits, it is easily susceptible to deterioration. Encapsulation techniques have been used to protect and stabilize compounds, in addition to minimizing changes in the characteristics of the supplemented product. In the present study, the freeze-drying pulp of &lt;em&gt;H. dulcis&lt;/em&gt; pseudofruit (HD) and pulp of pseudofruits microencapsulated by freeze-drying using whey protein concentrate and gum arabic as coating materials (En-HD) were investigated. The samples (HD and EN-HD) were characterized for the physicochemical properties, total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH), α-amylase inhibition, particle size distribution, and scanning electron microscopy. The microencapsulation retained 95.8% TPC after 75 days of storage at -80 ºC. En-HD showed higher antioxidant activity by the ABTS assay, and inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme, demonstrating the protective effect of the microencapsulation technique, which can be promising for controlling blood sugar levels. The En-HD presented a smaller particle size and higher solubility when compared to HD (76% higher), probably due to the coating materials used in the microencapsulation process, as well as the freeze-drying of the encapsulated sample made with HD previously subjected to freeze-drying. En-HD proved to be a promising candidate to provide functional properties for use as additive in food industries.&lt;/p&gt;

Optimizing the drying conditions of date plum (Diospyros lotus L.) to conserve its phenolic content and antioxidants for preparing a highly bioaccessible polyphenol-rich tea

AbstractDate plum (Diospyros lotus L.) fruits are a good source of bioactive compounds and antioxidants. Drying can increase the shelf life of the fruit and its applications in the food development industry. Optimizing the drying conditions can help to produce prime-quality dried date plum fruits and conserve nutrients including phytochemicals. This study used a two-factor graphics-optimal design to optimize convective drying considering the air velocity and drying temperature of date plum fruits. The independent factors considered included drying temperature (43.78–86.21 °C) and air velocities (0.54–1.96 m/s), and the responses included total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of date plum fruit. The optimized drying conditions (68 °C and 1.75 m/s) resulted in desirable TPC, TFC, FRAP, and DPPH values. The findings indicated that long drying time at low temperatures significantly decreased the phenolics and antioxidants. Date plum tea with different decoction times (5, 10, and 15 min) was prepared from fruits dried at optimum conditions. A decoction time of 5 min resulted in the highest catechin, vanillic, epicatechin, syringic acid, and quercetin-3-glucoside content, which were 2.45 ± 0.04, 11.06 ± 0.11, 22.03 ± 0.11, 12.95 ± 0.08, and 9.37 ± 0.10 mg/L; respectively. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion revealed that the tea product can be a source of highly bioaccessible (&gt; 80%) gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, and quercetin-3-glucoside. Applying optimized drying conditions to dehydrate date plum fruit can be useful in preparing a highly bioaccessible polyphenol-rich tea.

Pyrolytic oil from Muli bamboo (Melocanna baccifera, Roxb.): Biological potential and possible functional attributes

Bamboos with over 160 different species are important sources of food and other value-added products especially among the tribal communities of Northeast India. In the study, bio-oil was extracted from Melocanna baccifera through pyrolysis process and was evaluated for their biological properties. The characterization of the functional attributes responsible for the activities was achieved using advance techniques. The extracted bio-oil was found to be smoky dark brown in colour with a pH of 2.46 ± 0.2. Bio-assays showed that the bio-oil was efficient in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic fungal and bacterial strains such as Fusarium udum, F. proliferatum, Micrococcus luteus, and Salmonella typhimurium in a concentration dependent manner. The bio-oil also exhibit excellent free radical scavenging properties even at concentration of 1% and tend to increase with the concentration of the extract. Similar to previous reports, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the bio-oil were attributed to bioactive compounds like Guaiacol, Catechins, Catechol, Quinol, 2-Methoxy-4-methylphenol, etc. which were further validated by gas chromatography, ICP-MS and FTIR characterization techniques. While the extract did not show any significant phytotoxicity effect either on the seed germination rate or root elongation, they were found to promote the development of secondary roots in Vigna radiate. The present findings offer valuable insights for the further exploration and evaluation of bamboo biomass as possible sources of novel bioactive compounds and also extraction of other high-value added products.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from Vitex megapotamica: A study and selection of variables

AbstractFruits are widely used to obtain and study bioactive compounds. Among them, the tarumã (Vitex megapotamica) is still understudied. The extraction of bioactive compounds from the powdered pulp of the ripe fruit of the tarumã was studied from the selection of several variables of the extraction process through the experimental design Plackett–Burman: the pH, the solid:liquid ratio, agitation, and temperature in an extraction time of 3 h. The extracts obtained were evaluated for antioxidant activity by 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and for total phenolic compounds, as well as the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and identification of bioactive compounds was assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using the experimental design, the best extraction condition was defined with a pH of 5, solid:liquid ratio of 1:30, stirring at 100 rpm, with a temperature of 80°C, obtaining 104.21 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) 100 g−1 for phenolic compounds total, 742.71 μmol Trolox g−1 for ABTS, and EC50 of 2884.98 mg L−1 for DPPH. From HPLC, the presence of fumaric acid, gallic acid, p‐coumaric acid, and caffeic acid in the extracts was detected. Regarding flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, the values obtained were 6.38 mg ECG g−1, 1.67 mg ECG g−1, and 2.89 mg 100 g−1, respectively. The selection of extraction conditions allowed obtaining better levels of bioactive compounds in the powdered pulp of tarumã extract, even with the use of water as a solvent, to avoid the presence of chemical residues in the extract, with antioxidant potential and viability for application in food products.Practical applicationsRecent research suggests a change in perspective regarding the consumption of healthier foods from plants and fruits that have important health properties. In this regard, tarumã (Vitex megapotamica) fruit has been standing out as a potential source of bioactive compounds with significant medicinal properties. The extracts obtained have a significant amount of phenolic compounds, as well as the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, in which all of these have great potential bioactive activities. Thus, a good methodology of extraction and characterization of tarumã extract becomes a crucial part of any food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry sector. In this regard, the present study with experimental design Plackett–Burman extraction is the way ahead due to high bioactive retention and the cost implications of the process.