Tocopherol Research Articles

Effects of pentoxifylline and tocopherol on an osteoradionecrosis animal model

PurposeOsteoradionecrosis (ORN) is known to be a refractory disease in the oral and maxillofacial field. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and tocopherol (TP) on an ORN animal model focused on bone healing. Materials and methodsA total of 48 Sprague–Dawley rats were used: 40 received a single irradiation dose of 35 Gy on the left mandible, and eight were used as the nonirradiated control group. The rats received PTX (T1, C1), TP (T2, C2), a combination of PTX and TP (T3, C3), or normal saline (T4, C4). Three weeks after irradiation, the mandibular posterior teeth were extracted. The rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after extraction. ResultsIn the T3 group, bone volume/tissue volume was 19.62 ± 16.03 (%), bone mineral density was as 0.31 ± 0.16 (g/cm3) in the micro-CT analysis, which were higher than that of other groups (p = 0.025, p = 0.012, respectively). In the histological analysis, bone regeneration was the most prominent in the T3 group. The ratio of empty lacunae was the highest in the T4 group, 68.77 ± 15.47 (%, p = 0.004). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of TNF-α was relatively lower in the T3 than in the T4 or T2 groups. The RT-qPCR showed the expression level of PECAM, VEGF-A, and osteocalcin was more than twofold as high as in the T3 group compared to the other groups. ConclusionThe combination of PTX and TP appears to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis in a rat ORN model. Therefore, PTX and TP might be useful in the treatment and prevention of ORN.

Chitosan-modified hyaluronic acid-based nanosized drug carriers

Fabrication possibilities, detailed size and structural characterization of biodegradable chitosan (Chit) polysaccharide-modified hyaluronic acid (HyA)-based colloidal carriers are demonstrated. The negatively charged and highly hydrophilic HyA polymer chains have been ionically modified by positively charged pure Chit and crosslinked Chit macromolecules at various Chit/HyA weight ratios, which resulted in the formation of carrier nanoparticles (NPs) having three different nanostructures depending on the polymer concentrations. Electrostatically-compensated Chit/HyA polymer coils with loose colloidal structure, tripolyphosphate (TPP)-crosslinked Chit-TPP/HyA NPs having interpenetrating polymer network and well-defined Chit-TPPcore-HyAshell NPs with diameters of 100–300 nm were also prepared and were loaded with tocopherol (TCP) and cholecalciferol (D3) having Vitamin E and D activity, respectively. By using rheological, particle charge titration and conductivity studies we first confirmed that the expected 1:1 Chit/HyA monomer molar ratio is strongly influenced by the pH of the polymer solutions as well as the deacetylation degree of Chit which are crucial factors for the solubility, purity and the quality of the commercially available biocompatible Chit in aqueous medium. Encapsulation studies revealed that D3 could be better incorporated in every system, especially in Chit-TPP/HyA NPs, while for TCP the simple Chit/HyA polymer coils were the most promising carriers.

Serum nonenzymatic anti-oxidants in Nigerian children with severe pneumonia: Association with complications and hospital outcomes

Background: Tissue damaging effects of free radicals generated during the acute inflammation processes of childhood pneumonia may be ameliorated by antioxidants. This study aimed to determine the serum non-enzymatic antioxidants {Total Phenols, Carotenoids, Flavoids, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherols and Total Antioxidant Contents (TAC)} of Nigerian children with or without severe pneumonia (SP) and relate these to the presence of parapneumonic effusions (PPE) and length of hospitalisation (LOH). Methods: Consecutive children two months to 14 years admitted with severe pneumonia and their age and sex matched controls were recruited over a 12-month period at a Nigerian Health facility. Serum antioxidants were assayed using chromatography method and related to PPE and LOH. Results: The majority (86.1%) of the 144 children (72 each with SP and controls) were under-fives and eight (11.1%) of SP group had PPE. Median (IQR) LOH was 5.0 (4.0 – 7.0) days and 45 (62.5%) had prolonged (≥5 days) hospital stay with 3 (4.2%) mortality. Serum Tocopherols, 10.1 (4.7) vs. 13.2 (7.6) µg/dl; total flavoids 1.0 (0.6) vs. 1.3 (0.8) µg/dl and TAC 6.1 (4.4-8.9) vs. 7.4 (5.0 – 13.3) ng/dl were significantly lower in children with SP (p

Quantification of Tocopherols, Tocotrienols and γ-Oryzanol Contents of Local Rice Varieties in Northeastern Thailand.

A total of 101 local rice varieties, composted of 85 glutinous and 16 non-glutinous varieties grown in wet season 2016, were analyzed for tocopherols (TOC), tocotrienols (T3) and γ-oryzanol (Orz). Two popular varieties, RD6 and KDML105, were used as standard checks for glutinous and non-glutinous varieties, respectively. γ-TOC was found in all glutinous varieties (0.47-9.78 mg/kg), which were higher than RD6 (0.16 mg/kg). α-TOC was found in 40 varieties (1.02-6.29 mg/kg), only 6 varities were higher than RD6 (3.95 mg/kg). δ-T3 was found in 81 varieties (0.57-7.00 mg/kg), mostly varities were higher than RD6 (0.67 mg/kg). γ-T3 was found in all glutinous varieties (8.00-22.1 mg/kg), while RD6 contained 13.3 mg/kg. For α-T3, it was found in 39 glutinous varieties (1.52-9.94 mg/kg), mostly varities were higher than RD6 (2.62 mg/kg). Orz was found in all glutinous rice varieties (276-638 mg/kg), while RD6 contained 423 mg/kg. γ-TOC was found in all non-glutinous varieties (0.67-5.21 mg/kg), which were higher than KDML105. α-TOC was found in only 5 varieties (1.92-2.83 mg/kg), while KDML105 contained 2.23 mg/kg. δ-T3 was found in all non-glutinous varieties (1.64-8.87 mg/kg), which were higher than KDML105 (0.71 mg/kg). γ-T3 was also found in all non-glutinous varieties (8.80-17.58 mg/kg), while KDML105 contained 15.8 mg/kg. α-T3 was found in 9 non-glutinous varieties (4.56-8.93 mg/kg),while KDML105 contained only 0.86 mg/kg. Orz was also found in all those non-glutinous varieties (272-469 mg/kg), while KDML105 contained 469 mg/kg. These results indicate that γ-T3 was the highest vitamin E isomer present in all rice samples, while γ-TOC, α-TOC, δ-T3 and α-T3 were present in trace amounts. Orz was found in all local rice varieties.

Calcium availability regulates antioxidant system, physio-biochemical activities and alleviates salinity stress mediated oxidative damage in soybean seedlings

Salinity is considered as one of the devastating abiotic stress factors and global climate change has further worsened the situation. Present experiments were aimed to evaluate the role of calcium (Ca) availability on growth and salinity tolerance mechanisms in soybean. Seedlings were grown with (2 mM Ca) and without Ca supplementation and modulation in key physiological and biochemical parameters were studied. Salinity (100 mM NaCl) stress resulted in growth reduction in terms of height and biomass accumulation, which was more pronounced in Ca-deficient plants. Relative to control (Ca deficient) and NaCl stressed plants, Ca supplemented seedlings exhibited higher relative water content, pigment synthesis and the photosynthetic efficiency. Ca availability affected the synthesis of proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars under normal and saline growth conditions. Optimal Ca supplementation up-regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes assayed and the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate, glutathione, and tocopherol) thereby reflecting in amelioration of NaCl induced oxidative damage. Moreover, increased accumulation of phenols due to Ca supplementation and the amelioration of NaCl mediated decline if nitrate reductase activity was observed. More importantly, Ca availability reduced the accumulation of Na under control and NaCl stressed conditions restricting the damging effects on metabolism. Availability of optimal Ca potentially regulates the salinity tolerance mechanisms in soybean by maintaining osmoregulation and antioxidant metabolism.

English

Gene transfer into the plant cell is a key step towards its successful genetic modification and its efficiency is heavily dependent on plant and bacterial cell biological status and a wide array of physical conditions. Gene transfer efficiencies in East African Highland Banana (EAHB) cell lines remains low compared to other monocotyledonous crops like rice and wheat due to factors such as high oxidative stress. The use of antioxidants is fundamental in influencing gene transfer events during Agrobacterium-plant cell co-cultivation. Here we report significant enhancement of gene transfer efficiency in the EAHB cultivar ‘Nakinyika’ (EA-AAA) by supplementing co-cultivation medium with antioxidants; ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), tocopherol (TOC) and silver nitrate (SN). The most enhancing antioxidant by number of blue foci after histochemical assay, as a parameter of gene transfer efficiency, was ascorbic acid (174 cells) at a concentration of 40 mg/L, followed by glutathione (91 cells) and tocopherol (91 cells) both at 50 mg/L. The least enhancement was observed when ascorbic acid (39 cells), silver nitrate (41 and 31 cells) were used at concentrations of 20, 4 and 6 mg/L compared to 72 cells in controls (no anti-oxidants).  Regeneration efficiency increased from 29 cells in controls to 46% for SN at 8 mg/L; 43% for GSH at 100 mg/L; 30% for TOC at 75 mg/L; and 48% for AA at 20 mg/L. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results using gusA specific primers showed that these regenerants were putative transformants and grew normally during regeneration, rooting and multiplication. GSH and TOC significantly enhanced gene transfer efficiency while AA and SN showed significant increases in shoot regeneration compared to controls. The current results show that antioxidants significantly enhance gene transfer and regeneration efficiency in recalcitrant banana cell lines and could significantly enhance the overall transformation efficiencies in cases where numerous transgenic lines are required in a short time.   Key words: Highland bananas, transgenic, browning, transformation efficiency, agrobacterium.

Effects of pentoxifylline and tocopherol on a rat-irradiated jaw model using micro-CT cortical bone analysis.

A combination of pentoxifylline (PTX) and tocopherol (TP) is believed to reduce chronic fibrosis and induce bone healing in osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible, but evidence of its therapeutic effectiveness for cortical bone is lacking. This study was designed to determine the effect of combined PTX and TP (PTX + TP) on mandibular cortical bone remodeling in a rat model of ORN, using micro-CT and histological analysis. Forty-eight 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into irradiated (n = 40) and non-irradiated (n = 8) groups. Animals in the irradiated group were divided into four sub-groups, including PTX, TP, PTX + TP, and normal saline. Three weeks after irradiation, mandibular posterior tooth extraction was performed, and animals were sacrificed 7weeks after irradiation. The mandibles were analyzed using micro-CT and histological evaluation. The alveolar bone height, cortical bone thickness, cortical bone volume, and total cortical bone surface of the PTX + TP group were significantly greater than those of other irradiated groups (p < 0.05). In 3D reconstructed images, the residual volumes of cortical and cancellous bone were inadequate in the irradiated groups. We found that a combination of PTX and TP improved quality and quantity of cortical bone in irradiated rat mandibles, thus providing supporting evidence of its utility as a treatment and prophylactic agent in ORN. We observed inadequate volumes of cortical and cancellous bone in ORN mandibles, suggesting that cortical bone could play an important role in further ORN studies.

Vitamin E and cancer: an update on the emerging role of γ and δ tocotrienols.

Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the latter still remains a fatal disease due to the lack of prevention, early diagnosis, and effective drugs. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are not only expensive but produce a number of side effects that are detrimental to the patients' quality of life. Therefore, there is a great need to discover anti-cancer therapies that are specific to cancer cells and affordable, safe, and well tolerated by the patients. Vitamin E is a potential candidate due to its safety. Accumulating evidence on the anti-cancer potency of vitamin E has shifted the focus from tocopherols (TOCs) to tocotrienols (TTs). γ-TT and δ-TT have the highest anti-cancer activities and target common molecular pathways involved in the inhibition of the cell cycle, the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, and the inhibition of invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Future directions should focus on further investigating how γ-TT and δ-TT (solely or in combination) induce anti-cancer molecular pathways when used in the presence of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. These studies should be carried out in vitro, and promising results and combinations should then be assessed in in vivo experiments and finally in clinical trials. Finally, future research should focus on further evaluating the roles of γ-TT and δ-TT in the chemoprevention of cancer.

Tocotrienols and Cancer: From the State of the Art to Promising Novel Patents.

Tocotrienols (TTs) are vitamin E derivatives naturally occurring in several plants and vegetable oils. Like Tocopherols (TPs), they comprise four isoforms, α, β, γ and δ, but unlike TPs, they present an unsaturated isoprenoid chain. Recent studies indicate that TTs provide important health benefits, including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cholesterol lowering and immunomodulatory effects. Moreover, they have been found to possess unique anti-cancer properties. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the state of the art of TTs role in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as to describe recent patents proposing new methods for TTs isolation, chemical modification and use in cancer prevention and/or therapy. Recent literature and patents focusing on TTs anti-cancer applications have been identified and reviewed, with special regard to their scientific impact and novelty. TTs have demonstrated significant anti-cancer activity in multiple tumor types, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, they have shown synergistic effects when given in combination with standard anti-cancer agents or other anti-tumor natural compounds. Finally, new purification processes and transgenic sources have been designed in order to improve TTs production, and novel TTs formulations and synthetic derivatives have been developed to enhance their solubility and bioavailability. The promising anti-cancer effects shown by TTs in several preclinical studies may open new opportunities for therapeutic interventions in different tumors. Thus, clinical trials aimed at confirming TTs chemopreventive and tumor-suppressing activity, particularly in combination with standard therapies, are urgently needed.

Thymol, alpha tocopherol, and ascorbyl palmitate supplementation as growth enhancers for broiler chickens.

Consumer concern on the quality of products and animal welfare has greatly increased during the past decades. Dietary synthetic antibiotic products used as growth promoters have been restricted or banned in many countries. Edible plants, essential oils, or their main components were suggested as natural feed supplements to improve growth, products' quality, and welfare-related parameters. Thymol (THY), a main component of oregano essential oil, has been proved as an effective antimicrobial and antioxidant compound. Tocopherol (TOC) evidenced antioxidant activity with potential as a growth promoter and a synergic antioxidant activity between TOC and ascorbyl palmitate (AP) has also been reported. Herein, we evaluated whether broiler diet supplementation with THY, and THY with a formulation mix containing TOC and AP (1:0.5:0.5, respectively) have potential as growth enhancers under commercial conditions. Potential protective effects against foot pad dermatitis and hock burns were also evaluated. Newly hatched male broiler chicks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 groups (4 replicates each) as follows: Basal (no feed supplements added), Promotor (Basal + 6.26μmol flavomycin/kg feed), BHT (Basal + 1.33mmol of buthylated hidroxytoluene (BHT)/kg feed), Prom-BHT (Basal + 6.26μmol flavomycin/kg feed + 1.33mmol of BHT/kg feed), TOC-AP (Basal + 0.67 mmoles of TOC + 0.67 mmoles of AP/kg feed), THY (Basal + 1.33 mmoles of THY/kg feed), and THY-TOC-AP (Basal + 0.67 mmoles of THY + 0.67 mmoles of a mix 1:1 of TOC-AP). Along 7 wk, BW, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. Skin injuries were assessed at 35 d of age. At the end of the study (42 d), compared to Basal group, similarly enhanced final BW were observed in all groups but TOC-AP. No main differences between groups were detected in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or skin injuries. Findings suggest that THY itself or in combination with TOC-AP may have value as a natural growth enhancer alternative for broilers.

Use of Red Wine Polyphenols as a Natural Preservative in Health-Promoting Omega-3 Fatty Acids-Enriched Lamb Patties.

Meat consumption has been related to a higher risk of heart disease due to its saturated fat content. As a consequence, there has been a growth in research on how to increase unsaturated fat content in meat. However, a high content of unsaturated fat favours the development of oxidative processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a red wine extract (RWE) rich in polyphenols (50, 100, and 200 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg meat) as a natural antioxidant in lamb meat patties enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) (100 mg n-3 PUFA/100 g meat), compared to using -tocopherol (TOC) (100 mg/kg meat). Adding RWE delayed metmyoglobin formation, lipid oxidation and loss of n-3 PUFA relative to controls, while TOC had no effect on preventing meat oxidation. Lamb odour was lower (p < 0.01) and odd odour higher (p < 0.001) in patties at the highest dose of RWE, compared to controls, but the overall liking score was not affected. The results suggest that RWE could be used as a natural antioxidant in the meat industry, even when n-3 PUFA content is high.

KARAKTERISTIK SENYAWA BIOAKTIF EKSTRAK SELADA LAUT (Ulva lactuca L.) PADA KONSENTRASI PELARUT ETANOL DAN LAMA EKSTRAKSI

Ulva lactuca L. is a type of Chloro phyta or green algae. Ulva lactuca L. contains many chemical compounds that are useful to be developed. This study were determine the effect of ethanol solvent concentration and duration of extraction on the characteristics of extract bioactive compounds. This study used Factorial Randomized Block Design (RAK) with 2 factors as treatment. Factor I is the concentration of ethanol solvent which consists of 3 levels there are 70%, 80% and 90%. Factor II is the length of extraction consisting of 4 levels there are 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, and 6 hours. The results showed that ethanol solvent concentration and extraction time were very influential on total phenolic content of sea lettuce extract. While the interaction treatment of ethanol concentration and extraction time greatly affect the levels of vitamin C and ?-tocopherol levels. Ethanol concentration of 90% and 5 hours extraction time resulted in the best extract of Ulva lactuca L. with characteristics of vitamin C content of 35.64 mg / 100g., Total phenolic 694.57 mg GAE / 100 g, and ?-tocop herol content of 308.54 mg / 100g.&#x0D; Keywords : Ulva lactuca L, solvent concentration, extraction time, vitamin C, phenolic ?-tokoferol

Oxidative stability of sunflower oil flavored by essential oil from Coriandrum sativum L. during accelerated storage

The aim of the work was to assess the oxidative stability of sunflower oil flavored by the essential oils extracted of Coriandrum sativum (coriander, CEO) during the accelerated storage of 24 days. In the study, CEO was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus, and its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and then, the evaluation for antioxidant effect in vitro displayed that CEO possessed markedly antioxidant potential. Furthermore, after the addition of CEO, acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), p-anisidine value (AnV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acid (FFA), total polar compounds (TPC), tocopherols (TOC) in sunflower oils during the accelerated storage were measured every 4 days, and the results herein exhibited the addition of CEO at 1200 ppm could not only increase the oxidative stability of the sunflower oils, but also exert synergistic effect with TBHQ. Meanwhile, the values of K232 and K268 and fatty acid composition were investigated. The sensory evaluation of the oil samples revealed that the addition of CEO at 1200 ppm could increase aroma flavor and consumers' acceptability, so that it could be developed as convenient condiment.

Biological macromolecule delivery system fabricated using zein and gum arabic to control the release rate of encapsulated tocopherol during in vitro digestion

Nanoparticles were fabricated by adsorbing gum arabic (GA) on zein nanoparticles by antisolvent precipitation. The most stable mass ratio of zein:GA was 1:1.5 with a stable zeta-potential (−32.8 mV) in a pH range of 3.0–9.0. The surface hydrophobicity of zein-GA nanoparticles indicated formation of a stable structure through electrostatic attraction at a pH range of 3.0–6.0 and hydrophobic interaction at pH 7.0–9.0. The FTIR spectrogram showed an additional role of hydrogen bonds to promote the adsorption of GA on zein nanoparticles. Tocopherol (TOC) was encapsulated within the prepared zein-GA nanoparticles with a high loading capacity. The presence of GA not only prevented the precipitation of zein nanoparticles but also controlled the release of TOC from zein-GA nanoparticles during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Zein-GA biopolymer nanoparticles can be stably fabricated in a wide pH range for applications in the food and pharmacy industries.

The evolution of free acidity and oxidation related parameters in olive oil during olive ripening from cultivars grown in the region of Calabria, South Italy

The variation in free acidity and oxidation related parameters was studied in olive oil produced from olives at different stages of ripening from cultivars growing in the Calabria region (South Italy). A three-year study was conducted on twelve cultivars growing in rainfed conditions. The number of bi-weekly samplings per each cultivar varied from 5 to 7 depending on the cultivar characteristics in this geographical area. Free acidity remained within the present legal parameters for an extra virgin olive oil (< 0.8%) in all cultivars until 1st November and was highest in Nocellara Messinese cv (1.23%) and in Sinopolese cv (1.25%) on 3rd January. Phenolic and tocopherol contents were highest in oils from Nociara cv (350 mg kg -1 and 223 mg kg-1 respectively) and in Coratina cv (342 mg kg -1 and 216 mg kg-1 respectively) on 1st October and decreased constantly during olive ripening. Oil stability index was maximum in Itrana cv, from 22.48 h to 8.82 h in two months ripening. Chlorophyll and carotene content decreased with harvest date.

The protective action of tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid on the behavior of rats treated with dioxins.

Dioxins contribute to neurological disorders in humans and animals, causing also neurological disorders in offspring during prenatal and postnatal periods. These compounds significantly affect the development of the central nervous system (CNS) structures, which results in behavioral changes. Tocopherol (TCP) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) may provide protective measures to reduce the inflammatory effects in the CNS associated with free radicals generated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), thus contributing to the reduction of the negative effects of dioxin. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of dioxin on rats and their behavioral functions, and to ascertain whether a combined administration of TCP and ASA to rats treated with TCDD shows the possibility of potential protective effect on the functioning of the CNS. Experiments were performed on 75 female and 12 male Buffalo strain rats, which are offspring of females from particular study groups. TCDD was used in the experiments, TCP and ASA were administered orally every day for 3 weeks. Animals were subjected to behavioral testing: the tail and swimming tests. During the observation of the offspring of both sexes born to females exposed to TCDD, males did not demonstrate any attempt to swim, whereas in females, the immobility time was significantly extended. Assessing the response times from the tail test in the animals treated with dioxins in relation to the control group, it was demonstrated that the response time was extended in the 3rd measurement in both females and males. Dioxin is characterized by neurotoxic effect causing behavioral disorders associated with prolonged response times. The use of TCP after the administration of dioxins causes a significant reduction and improvement of reflex response times. In contrast, ASA reduces the reflex response times also in the offspring of females exposed to TCDD and ASA.

Activation of Non‐Enzymatic Antioxidants by Lepidium sativum L. Exposed to Hg During Assisted Phytoextraction

This study focuses on the physiological response of Lepidium sativum L. to Hg and/or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) during soil reclamation. Greenhouse experiments are conducted in soil contaminated with Hg to final concentrations of 10 or 100 mg kg−1. The influence of Hg and NTA is studied on the growth of L. sativum L. and the activation of its non‐enzymatic antioxidant system, including generation of ascorbic acid (AA) and tocopherols (TOCs). The results shows that Hg is accumulated by L. sativum L. in its aboveground tissues, but increased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 formation in the plant shoots, which is a symptom of oxidative stress. Plants exposed to Hg produced increasing amounts of AA and TOCs to protect their cells from oxidative damage. Application of NTA to polluted soil did not show any toxic effects on L. sativum L. growth or physiological processes. Amendment of polluted soil with NTA significantly increased Hg accumulation in the aerial tissues of L. sativum L., resulting in decreased soil contamination. The use of NTA can therefore be considered for use in assisted phytoextraction of Hg contaminated soil.

Botanical origin and antioxidant activities of propolis from the Irano-Turanian region

Propolis is a natural bioactive mix and a traditional medicine that has been used for treating several complications. The bioactive properties of propolis are dependent on its botanical origin. This study investigated the pollen composition, antioxidant activities, and the total phenol and total flavonoid content of a propolis sample from the Refahiye (Erzincan, Turkey) region. Melissopalynological analysis conducted according to the relevant literature revealed that the pollen profile of the sample primarily indicated the presence of the Fabaceae (38.4%), Asteraceae (20.2%), and Fagaceae (11.2%) families. The antioxidant ability of propolis extract was analyzed by the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA) (in terms of SC50), ferric reducing antioxidant power capacity (FRAP) (%), DPPH radical scavenging activity (in terms of SC50), metal-chelating activity (%), total phenol content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), which showed the following values: 11.72 ± 0.04 µg/mL, 90.73% ± 0.24%, 18.34 ± 0.08 µg/mL, 89.69% ± 0.12%, 10673.4 ± 3.30 mg GAE/100 g of propolis sample (PS), and 170.65 ± 1.12 mg QE/100 g of PS, respectively. These results were compared using butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and α -tocopherol (TOC) as standard antioxidant compounds. The high biological activity of propolis from the Refahiye region could be attributed to its rich pollen composition. These results indicate that propolis is an important source in terms of its antioxidant activities.

Experimental correction of the oxidizing processes by lipids from freshwater hydrobiontes

Background/Aim : The influence of the liposomal form of seal fat and the concentrate of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the indexes of pro-oxidant and antioxidant rat systems was studied with a representation of experimental dyslipidaemia. Methods : The concentrate of PUFAs was obtained by the complex formation method with urea. Liposomes were obtained by the extrusion method adding alpha -tocopherol. Hyperlipidaemia among the rats was induced by an atherogenic diet. Results: With the development of oxidative stress caused by the atherogenic diet, redox imbalance was observed within the animals, accompanied by a high intensity of lipid peroxidation processes and depletion of antioxidant protection. The level indicators of the oxidation products, the activity of the glutathione antioxidant system and the total content of antioxidants in the blood were restored to the level of intact rats by introducing liposomal suspension with the seal fat and concentrate of PUFAs to the experimental animals. Conclusion : Based on these data, the authors point to the prospects of the use of liposomal forms of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids in the development of dietary supplements and functional food.

Physico-Chemical Characteristic and Fatty Acids Compositions of Cottonseed Oils

In this study, three cotton genotypes of species Gossypium hirsutum L., Cukurova 1518, PAUM 15 and BA 119 were investigated for their some physicochemical properties of oils such as free fatty acids, peroxide value, iodine value, unsaponifiable matter, total carotenoid and tocopherol contents and fatty acids composition in Cukurova region in Turkey. Seed oil content ranged 17.2-19.6% and PAUM 15 was found to be genotype with the highest oil content. The range of other physicochemical properties and their values are as follows; free fatty acids 1.7-2.8%, peroxide value 5.3- 6.0 meq O2 kg-1, unsaponifiable matters 2.1-2.3%, iodine value 102-110, total carotenoid content 119-140 mg kg-1, total tocopherol content 887-920 mg kg-1, linoleic acid 52.00-55.82%, palmitic acid 24.85-25.63%, oleic acid 14.06-17.00%, stearic acid 3.01-3.13% in the cottonseed oils. PAUM 15 was determined to be more suitable for food consumption as edible oil due to its highest oil content and quality characteristics than the others genotypes.