Source Of Valuable Substances Research Articles

The Effect of the Plant Stabilisation Method on the Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Elderflower (Sambucus nigra L.) Extract

Elderflower extracts are known to be a source of valuable substances that show a wide spectrum of biological activity, including antibacterial and antiviral properties, which demonstrate a degree of effectiveness against SARS CoV-2. In this work, the influence of fresh inflorescence stabilisation methods (freezing, air drying, and lyophilisation) and extraction parameters on the composition and antioxidant properties of the extracts were studied. Wild elderflower plants growing in the Małopolska Region of Poland were studied. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging ability and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the phytochemical profile of the extracts was analysed using HPLC. The obtained results showed that the best method for the stabilisation of elderflower was lyophilisation, and the determined optimal maceration parameters were 60% methanol as a solvent and a process time of 1-2 days.

The Influence of Mechanochemical Activation on Organoleptic and Physicochemical Parameters of Dietary Supplements Obtained from Dry Stevia Leaves

The work aimed to determine the chemical composition of dry stevia leaves, as well as the effect of temperature and mechanochemical activation on organoleptic and physicochemical parameters during their processing. The studies used the methods of liquid chromatography and amperometric detection. Mechanochemical activation of dry stevia leaves was carried out in a vertical rotary-roll disintegrator. The authors describe the quantitative content of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, dietary fibers, extractives, tannins, and ash. The paper presents the dependencies of the influence of mechanochemical activation modes on the content of diterpene glycosides and triterpene saponins and the influence of mechanochemical activation modes on the content of soluble pectin and the water-soluble fraction of proteins. The results obtained confirm the nutritional value of the product obtained after processing in a rotary-roller disintegrator and determine the prospects for its use as a source of valuable substances in the production of functional food products.

Possibilities of Using Biologically Active Substances of Iceland Moss

Despite the emergence of new biotechnological methods of processing plant raw materials, modern medicine and pharmaceuticals are far from fully using phytotherapeutic drugs in treatment, due to the shortage of some types of medicinal plant raw materials. Mainly, a separate study of the constituent components is carried out, which makes it difficult to predict the pharmacological effect of the drug. Iceland moss is widespread in Russia and is a source of valuable substances. The article shows numerous studies of the beneficial properties of plant materials. The analysis of drugs and dietary supplements registered in the Russian Federation based on Iceland moss was carried out. The active substances in plant raw materials were determined, the conditions for the production of infusions and decoctions were proposed.

Fatty Acids Composition of Marine Macroalgae (Review)

Fatty acids (FA) are important nutritional substances and metabolites in living organism. Degenerative diseases related to inappropriate FA consumption form a potential death cause for two thirds of the population living in affluent, industrialized nations. Marine algae represent a considerable part of the littoral biomass. Many algal species have long been used as human food, animal fodder and source of valuable substances. In addition, algal components are of interest from a pharmaceutical point of view. Marine algae are rich in fatty acids (FAs) especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and are of potential value as sources of essential fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 series),which are important in the nutrition of humans and animals. Also the n-6/n-3 ratio of macroalgae, because of their high n-3 content, is lower than 10 which is congruent with WHO recommended. Although each phylum of marine macrophytic algae has its characteristic FA pattern but up to now, only a limited number of algal species have been investigated for their FAs composition. Hence, the objective of this review is to explain briefly synthesis and structure of FAs and also to assess the potential of several Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta macroalgae as a source of FAs especially PUFAs and very long chain PUFAs (VLCPUFAs).

A Simplified Biorefinery Concept for the Valorization of Sugar Beet Pulp: Ecofriendly Isolation of Pectin as a Step Preceding Torrefaction

The valorization of sugar beet pulp (SBP) from sugar industry as a source of valuable substances has been taken in consideration in this work. In particular, the eco-friendly extraction of pectins with citric acid has been adopted as a preliminary step in a simplified biorefinery concept where the pectin-free solid is subsequently subjected to a torrefaction treatment for its upgrading into a commodity solid biofuel. An extensive physicochemical characterization of the raw feedstock and the isolated pectins has also been performed, which may be useful to identify suitable application routes. Results show that the extraction conditions [1.5 pH, 90 °C, 4 h contact time and SBP-to-solvent ratio of 1:30 (g/mL)] selected in this work allow obtaining a relatively high yield (25% wt, db) of high methoxyl pectins (with some impurities), which exhibit the same colorimetric characteristics of commercial citrus pectins and are not conducive to microbial growth. A further purification step of isolated pectins is required to improve the emulsifying properties.

Anticonvulsant activity of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. fixed pulp oil against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures

Objectives: Epilepsy is a common brain disease and a major worldwide public health problem. The seizures in a significant number of patients suffering from epilepsy remain inadequately controlled by currently available pharmacological treatments. Accordingly, there is a need for the discovery of new anticonvulsant approaches with improved efficacy and a better safety profile. In this context, natural products can be a valuable source of substances with potential anticonvulsant activity. In the present study, we tested the anticonvulsant potential of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., a plant native from the Brazilian Cerrado biome (tropical savanna ecoregion).Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with increasing doses of the fixed oil obtained from the pulp of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. Seizure activity was induced by PTZ (60 mg/kg, i.p.), and evaluated by behavioral and electrographic methods. Potential adverse effects were investigated in the open-field, rotarod, forced swim, or object recognition tests. The antioxidant potential of the oil was evaluated by the DPPH scavenging assay.Results: Administration of the oil at the dose of 100 mg/kg increased the latency for the first myoclonic jerk and the first generalized tonic–clonic seizures. The duration of generalized convulsions induced by PTZ was not altered. No significant behavioral adverse effects were detected in the open-field, rotarod, forced swim, or object recognition tests. Interestingly, a significant antioxidant activity of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. fixed pulp oil was detected in the DPPH scavenging assay.Discussion: Natural products can be a valuable source of substances with potential anticonvulsant activity and improved safety profile. Further studies are needed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the anticonvulsant effects of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. fixed pulp oil as well as the potential of the oil as a source of new anticonvulsant compounds.

Herbal drugs of the local origin with analgesic activity

Pain is a conscious, unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with the existing (current) tissue damage. In general, pain is whatever the patient says it hurts. In the literature we can find many definitions of pain, but in life this is really the most uncomfortable feeling that occurs in the body, and therefore is not surprising that the best selling medicine today are drugs with analgesic activity (painkillers). One of the most commonly used conventional painkillers today is aspirin, and the main active substance is acetyl - salicylic acid. Salicylates like substances used to relieve inflammation and pain are more present in the nature than the people know. Natural salicylates rarely cause ulcers and other changes in the digestive tract. However, due to a number of side effects of synthetic painkillers, there is an increase of patients who are turning to traditional methods of treatment. In the nature we can find a large number of medicinal plants that exhibit analgesic effect. They are also a valuable source of substances of natural origin, potential analgesics. However, it should be noted that the use of medicinal plants, as the basis of folk medicine, is not always completely safe and without side effects. Therefore, attention should be directed towards a detailed study of the chemical composition and biological activity of medicinal plants in order to confirm its efficacy and safety of use as analgesics.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Juice as a Potential Source of Biological Compounds

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cultivars Jonagold and Red Boskoop), pear (Pyrus communis cv. Conference), and plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. Common Plum) juices were assayed for their quality, organic acids, polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity (determined as a ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]). Cornelian cherry juice revealed the highest titratable acidity-2.58 g malic acid/100 g. The highest polyphenol content was also noted for Cornelian cherry-45.6 mg gallic acid (GA)/g. The medium level of polyphenols was proved for Jonagold apple (22.8 mg GA1/g). The lowest level was recorded for Common Plum (9.60 mg GA/g), followed by Conference pear and Red Boskoop apple (12.3 and 21.3 mg GA/g, respectively). The FRAP values were 1.97 mmol Fe/L for Common Plum juice, 2.37 mmol Fe/L for Conference pear juice, and 3.92 mmol Fe/L for both Red Boskoop and Jonagold apple juices. However, the obtained data indicated outstanding antioxidant properties for Cornelian cherry juice. In this case, FRAP reached 23.5 mmol Fe/L. The calculated correlation coefficient FRAP versus polyphenols indicates that the antioxidant status for Cornelian cherry is not only correlated with polyphenols but also with other biological compounds. The obtained results indicated that Cornelian cherry is a valuable source of substances with a high antioxidant activity.

THE TOBACCO OIL AND ITS QUALITIES

Tobacco is well known by everybody for its use in smoking. Lately there are more and more attempts to use tobacco in a more non-conventional manner as source of valuable substances for pharmaceutical industry, for pesticides and as a source of nutritional facts for human alimentation. Furthermore a use of tobacco seeds was also found; the oil extracted from them can be used for human nutrition.

Characterization of juice in fruits of different Chaenomeles species

The juice in fruits of 21 genotypes of Japanese quince ( Chaenomeles japonica), 1 genotype of Chinese quince ( C. cathayensis), 1 genotype of flowering quince ( C. speciosa) and 1 genotype of a hybrid taxon ( C. × superba), representing plant breeding material, was extracted and characterized. The content of juice in the fruits varied between 41% and 52%, on fresh weight basis. The juice was very acidic (pH 2.6 and a titratable acidity of 3.5% calculated as anhydrous citric acid, on average) and transparent (52 NTU, on average), with low density and viscosity. The content of soluble solids was also low (7.1°Brix, on average). Proteins constituted 26 mg/100 ml juice on average, but no soluble polysaccharides were present. A high content of vitamin C (59 mg/100 ml juice, on average) and phenols (284 mg/100 ml juice, on average), beside the high acidity of the juice, suggests that chaenomeles juice may be an interesting raw material as ingredient for the food industry and a source of valuable substances. A principal components analysis separated the Japanese quince genotypes from the other genotypes studied, thus indicating a clear difference in the characteristics and chemical composition of the juice.