Total Polyphenol Content Research Articles

Effect of Traditional and Non-Traditionally Processed Blue Corn Tortilla Consumption During the Gestation of Rats in the Dentate Gyrus of Pups

The effect of consuming traditionally and non-traditionally processed blue corn tortillas on the dentate gyrus of rat pups during gestation was evaluated. Blue corn tortillas were made from grains steeped or not steeped in a solution of gallic acid and processed by traditional or microwave nixtamalization. Total polyphenol and total anthocyanin contents were analyzed. At day 20 of gestation, the pups were analyzed according to the diet administered to the pregnant rats, as follows: the control group fed with standard diet; the TN group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by traditional nixtamalization; the TNGA group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by traditional nixtamalization + gallic acid; the MN group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by microwave nixtamalization; and the MNGA group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by microwave nixtamalization + gallic acid. The cell density and soma size of the dentate gyrus in pups, along with the number of pups per litter and the litter weight, were recorded. The highest polyphenol and anthocyanin content were found in blue corn tortillas made from grains steeped in gallic acid and processed by microwave nixtamalization. The MNGA group showed larger litters as well as higher cell density (33%) and soma size (50% in the range of 30–50 μm2) in the dentate gyrus of pups as compared to the control.

Chemical Composition of Extracts from Various Parts of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) and Their Antioxidant, Protective, and Antimicrobial Activities

Tanacetum parthenium is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family that can be applied externally in the case of various skin diseases. The aim of the study was to perform a phytochemical analysis of hydroethanolic extracts from the aerial parts (herb), flower heads, and leaves of feverfew and to assess their biological properties. Hydrodistilled oils were analyzed using GC-MS. The chemical composition of the extracts was estimated using spectrophotometry and the HPLC method. Moreover, the extracts were evaluated to determine their antioxidant potential using DPPH and FRAP and measuring the intracellular level of ROS. The cytotoxicity of extracts toward keratinocytes and fibroblasts was also analyzed, as well as their antimicrobial properties against 12 microorganisms. The results of the research revealed that chrysanthenone and α-thujone were the dominant volatile compounds in the essential oil from the flowers, while camphor, trans-chrysanthenyl acetate, and camphene were predominant in the essential oil from the leaves and herb. The results of HPLC showed that the major polyphenol compounds present in the hydroethanolic extracts from various parts of T. parthenium were 3,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3,4-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid. The extract from feverfew flowers was shown to have the highest content of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, as well as the highest antioxidant potential. In turn, the herb extract had the highest content of condensed tannins and terpenoids and exhibited the most effective antimicrobial properties against the 12 bacterial and fungal strains. Moreover, the hydroethanolic extracts from different parts of T. parthenium plants were shown to have a potent protective effect on skin cells. The present study supports the potential applications of Tanacetum parthenium in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Optimization of Ultrasonication Probe-Assisted Extraction Parameters for Bioactive Compounds from Opuntia macrorhiza Using Taguchi Design and Assessment of Antioxidant Properties

Opuntia macrorhiza, commonly referred to as red prickly pear, is a type of cactus fruit. The Opuntia macrorhiza (OM) fruit is rich in polyphenols and contains a high amount of ascorbic acid and betalains. The fruit peels have demonstrated many biological abilities, including antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. Ultrasound probe-assisted extraction (UPAE) is a highly promising method for efficiently extracting valuable molecules from natural sources. The objective of this study is to optimize the parameters of UPAE, including the appropriate solvent, liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction duration, and pulsation level. The aim is to maximize the yield of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, betalains, and ascorbic acid) from OM fruits (pulps and peels) and assess their antioxidant activities using Taguchi design. The optimal extraction conditions through the partial least squares method for OM pulp were determined to be aqueous extraction for 12 min with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 60 mL/g and 48 pulses/min, while for OM peels they were determined to be aqueous extraction for 20 min with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 60 mL/g and a pulsation of 48 pulses/min. The optimum UPAE conditions were compared with the values obtained from the optimum extraction under stirring extraction (STE). Overall, UPAE exhibited higher yields than STE. The obtained total polyphenol content ranged from 10.27 to 13.07 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, while the betalain content ranged from 974 to 1099 μg/g dry weight. Overall, these fruits demonstrated potential as new components for food and medicinal uses due to their good health effects and lack of toxicity.

Quantitative Analysis of the Polyphenols Contained in the Mucilage Extracted from Barks and Baobab Leaves (<i>Adansonia digitata L</i>)

This work focuses on a phytochemical study of the mucilage contained in the leaves and barks of African baobab (<i>adansonia digitata L</i>). The objective of this phytochemical study is to determine the presence of polyphenols in the mucilage derived from baobab leaves and bark. These phenolic compounds are vital for maintaining optimal health, as they combat the presence of fats and cardiovascular disease. To achieve this, we used several samples. The leaves or barks samples were collected from three different sites: Boof Poupouye (Fatick region), Ngohé (Diourbel region) and Tanime (Thiès region). Ethanol and acetone were used as extraction solvents. To extract total polyphenols or each type of polyphenol contained in the mucilage, appropriate extraction methods was performed. Thus, to determine the rates of total polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins and water-soluble tannins contained in the mucilage extracted from barks and leaves, we used respectively the method of Folin-Ciocalteu, Marinova and collaborators, and one based on the reaction with iron trichloride and the colorimetric method. The content of polyphenols depends to many factors such as the site, the extraction solvent and plant organs (barks or leaves). Indeed, in all the sites studied, the results showed that the concentration of total polyphenols and flavonoids were relatively higher in the leaves than in the barks. A similar result was obtained for tannins within the sites of Boof Poupouye and Tanime. On the other hand, in the Ngohé site, the rates of condensed tannins and water-soluble tannins were higher in the barks. In all the cases studied, the highest rates were noted in the ethanolic extracts. The predominance of some factors (site, extraction solvent and plant organ) on variations of polyphenols and flavonoids was confirmed by statistical studies (ANOVA) while the tannins difference were more relatives to the chemical nature or operating methods.

Study of red vine phenotypic plasticity across central-southern Italy sites: an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and weather indices through WGCNA

The grapevine (Vitis spp., family Vitaceae) is characterized by marked phenotypic plasticity. Its ability to withstand specific environmental conditions depends on the activation of highly coordinated responses resulting from interactions among genotypes (G) and environmental factors (E). In this study, the transcriptomes of commercially ripe berries of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Aglianico genotypes grown in open fields at three different sites in central-southern Italy (Campania, Molise and Sicily) were analyzed with RNA sequencing. These transcriptomic data were integrated with a comprehensive set of weather course indices through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of 11,887 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were retrieved, most of which were associated with the Aglianico genotype. The plants from the Sicilian site presented the greatest number of DEGs for both genotypes. Most of the weather course data (daily maximum air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, dew point, and hours of sun radiation) were significantly correlated with the “lightcyan1” module, confirming WGCNA as a powerful method for identifying genes of high biological interest. Within this module, the gene encoding the ACA10 cation transporter was highly expressed in plants of both genotypes from Campania, where the lowest anthocyanin content was recorded. The transcriptome was also correlated with quality traits, such as total soluble solids and polyphenol content. This approach could lead to the identification of a transcriptomic profile that may specifically identify a genotype and its growing site and to the discovery of hub genes that might function as markers of wine quality.

Diversity and Chemical Characterization of Apple (Malus sp.) Pollen: High Antioxidant and Nutritional Values for Both Humans and Insects

Pollen represents a reward for pollinators and is a key element in plant–insect interactions, especially in apples, which are entomophilous species and require cross-pollination to produce economically valuable yields. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical content of the pollen in 11 apple cultivars (‘Red Aroma’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Summerred’, ‘Rubinstep’, ‘Elstar’, ‘Dolgo’, ‘Professor Sprenger’, ‘Asfari’, ‘Eden’, ‘Fryd’ and ‘Katja’) grown in Norway and try to establish a relationship between them and insect attractiveness. In the applied chemical analysis, 7 sugars and sugar alcohols, 4 organic acids, 65 phenolic compounds, 18 hydroxycinnamic acid amides (phenylamides), a large number of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 300 kDa to <6.5 kDa, lipids, carotenoids, starch, pectin and cellulose were determined. The crab apples ‘Dolgo’ and ‘Professor Sprenger’, which are used as pollenizers in commercial orchards, had the highest level of sucrose, total polyphenol content (prevent oxidative damages in insects), antioxidant capacity, hydroxybenzoic acids and derivatives, quercetin and derivatives, dihyrochalcone, epicatechin, putrescine derivates, and proteins with molecular weight 66–95 kDa and >95 kDa, which made them interesting for insect pollenizers. Only the pollen of the crab apples contained quercetin-3-O-(2″-O-malonyl)-hexoside, which can be used as a marker for the apple species Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. Apple floral pollen is a rich source of bioactive components and can be used to prevent and/or cure diseases or can be included in diets as a “superfood”.

Phytochemical Composition and Characterization of In Vitro Bioactivities from Pinus Using Green Process

Pinus species are notable in Mediterranean regions due to their ecological and economic importance. Various parts of these species are widely used in traditional medicine, especially pinecones, which are a significant source of bioactive compounds. The current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and biological properties of the aqueous extracts obtained by maceration from three Pinus petal fractions, from P. halepensis Mill., P. brutia Ten., and P. pinea L. (APW, BPW, and PPW respectively), and the core fractions of the same species (ACW, BCW, and PCW respectively). The results showed that APW demonstrated superior performance compared to other species and fractions (p ≤ 0.05), with the highest total polyphenol content (203.51 mg GAE/g DW) and the highest antioxidant potential (IC50 = 13.51 µg/mL) against DPPH free radical. All extracts showed high anticancer activity against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and low inhibition against HEK-293, a normal cell line (<15%), indicating that none of extracts have any toxicity effect. Furthermore, only APW exhibits a significant inhibition against α-glucosidase with 77.20% at 50 µg/mL. HPLC-DAD analysis was conducted to identify 14 compounds. GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify 28 compounds, of which 11 were detected for the first time in this species. This study offers valuable insights into phytochemistry and potential therapeutic applications of pinecones.

Investigating the effect of fermentation byLactobacillus reuteri on biochemical properties of Ceylon Cinnamon

Abstract Introduction Fermentation is an important biotechnological process that improves the biochemical properties of natural raw materials by transforming high molecular compounds into more beneficial low molecular compounds through microbial biotransformation. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), globally recognized as 'true cinnamon', contains high molecular weight, complex compounds that are responsible for its renowned antioxidant, antibacterial, and therapeutic properties, making it a vital component in medicinal applications1. Aims The present study aimed to investigate the effect of fermentation by Lactobacillus reuteri on selected phytochemical contents, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of bark extracts of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and to determine the optimum conditions for fermentation of Cinnamon bark extract by L. reuteri. Method Authenticated Ceylon cinnamon bark (CCB) was extracted into water using the decoction method. The water extract was fermented by L. reuteri under controlled conditions (pH 6, incubation at 35 ºC) and optimized using two parameters; the inoculum density (1.5×108 cfu/ml and 7.5×108 cfu/ml) and incubation time (2 and 4 days). After fermentation, total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity of non-fermented extracts (NFE) and fermented extracts (FE) of CCB were evaluated. Antibacterial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ethical approval was not required since no human or animal study was done during the study. Results The extract fermented with an inoculum density of 7.5×108 cfu/ml and incubated for 4 days showed the highest TFC (19.3 ± 0.3 mg RE/g) and antioxidant activity (IC50: 97.2 ± 0.8 µg/ml) in comparison to that of NFEs (TFC:13.3 ± 0.3 mg RE/g and DPPH activity: IC50: 233.7 ± 12.8 µg/ml). Moreover, the fermented samples showed a reduction in TPC, indicating possible biotransformation of compounds. and no significant change in the antibacterial activity in comparison to the non-fermented samples. Discussion and Conclusion This study was mainly focused on investigating the effect of fermentation of Ceylon cinnamon bark aqueous extract by Lactobacillus reuteri. The increased antioxidant activity and total flavonoid content are notable and could be attributed to chemical transformations of some complex flavanols including catechin gallate and epicatechin gallate present in aqueous cinnamon to catechin and epicatechin monomers by the action of enzymes secreted by L. reuteri during the fermentation process2. Hence, this study suggests that fermentation using L. reuteri has a considerable positive impact on certain biochemical properties of cinnamon water extract. Cinnamon bark is a complex matrix containing various phytochemicals that could interact with bacterial strains in ways that are not fully understood. These interactions could lead to unexpected effects or limitations during fermentation.

Antioxidant Valorization of PLE Extracts from Macroalgae (Cladophora glomerata): In Vitro Assessment of Nanoemulsions Against Oxidative Stress

Driven by a growing global interest in natural products, macroalgae have emerged as a prime source for nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical applications. In the current research, the effect of oven-drying (OD) and freeze-drying (FD), as well as the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) conditions, were investigated in relation to the polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and tocochromanols levels in Cladophora glomerata extracts. The ethanol–water extracts (1:1) obtained with PLE-150 °C from macroalgae oven-dried (OD)-80 °C displayed the highest total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFCs), reaching 29.62 mg GAE/g and 5.92 mg QE/g. Aqueous extracts using PLE-200 °C were also an excellent environmentally friendly option for TPC and TFC isolation, which were the main factors accounting for the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidant activity of the extracts. The remarkable effects of drying conditions positively affect the carotenoids, chlorophyll α-tocopherol, and α-tocotrienol levels from extracts showing 1.3–6 times higher amounts in extracts of Cladophora glomerata OD at 80 °C compared with other research approaches. Nanotechnology approaches allowed the formulation of antioxidant-loaded nanoemulsions from Cladophora glomerata extracts, providing stability and a great internalization rate that ameliorates to 85% the ROS levels, attenuating the oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in J774.1 macrophage cell line.

Maximizing the Hesperidin Extraction Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol: Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Results

Agroindustrial waste can be valorized towards the obtaining of several products such as pigments, proteins, fibers, and polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity. Orange peel waste is a promising source of polyphenolic compounds such as hesperidin. However, conventional extraction techniques present some environmental limitations such as high solvent consumption and high wastewater generation. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has emerged as a green extraction technique due to the low use of solvent. The aim of this study was to maximize the hesperidin extraction based on theoretical predictions of the operating conditions from empirical thermodynamic models using SFE with carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent. The theoretical conditions were validated experimentally on a semi-pilot scale. The extracts were evaluated in terms of hesperidin content, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity. Thermodynamic prediction of the operating conditions showed that the ethanol used as a co-solvent promotes hesperidin extraction. The optimum operating conditions were 25 °C, 80 bar, and a volumetric co-solvent concentration of 10%. The validation of the operating conditions resulted in a final hesperidin concentration of 11.5 ± 0.03 g/kg of orange peel waste. The experimental results were 30.26-times higher using 10% vol of ethanol than the extraction of hesperidin with pure ethanol as a co-solvent. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity resulted in 831.92 ± 40.01 mg Galic acid/100 g orange peel waste, 15.41± 0.91 EC50/mL, and 5.31 ± 0.67 µMolTrox/100 g orange peel. Finally, the prediction of operating conditions from empirical thermodynamic models such as the Peng–Robinson equation of state with some modifications (Stryjek Vera) for solid–gas equilibrium solubility calculations, allows for maximizing the content of the polyphenolic compounds using SFE.

Assessment of Pudding Formulations Using Lyophilized Apricot, Plum, and Plum–Apricot Powders: Texture, Bioactivity, and Sensory Quality

The food sector is constantly responding to consumers’ increased demands concerning healthy nutrition and beneficial ingredients. This study presented the development of three pudding alterations using lyophilized fruit (apricots, plum–apricots, and plums) powders. The same concentrations of fruit powder fully substituted the sugar in each formulation. The results showed that each new formulation formed a thick gel consistency and had full water-holding capacity at 24 h of storage. The color differed according to the established CIE-lab data. The lightness varied from 42.57 ± 1.97 (pudding formulation using plum powder) to 81.91 ± 1.18 (control sample). The total soluble solids and titratable acidity showed that the control sample was different from each new formulation. The water activity was similar in all studied samples varying from 0.978 ± 0.003 to 0.989 ± 0.001, and the plum and plum–apricot formulations had a pH near the control samples, at 6.54 and 7.23, respectively. The antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, and total flavonoid content were also evaluated. The ABTS assay revealed the highest results compared to the other three applied methods. The sensory evaluation showed that it is necessary to further improve the recipes for better consumer perception.

Study on Bioactive Components of Aromatic Cynanchum thesioides (Freyn) K. Schum by Solvent Fractionation

This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract from aromatic Cynanchum thesioides (Freyn) K. Schum. by fractionating it with different solvents, aiming to provide theoretical evidence for the development of products related to aromatic Cynanchum thesioides (Freyn) K. Schum. The yield of the methanol extract was 13.33%, with the water fraction showing the highest yield, followed by n-hexane, n-butanol, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate. Among these fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity, as indicated by total polyphenol content and ABTS radical scavenging activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and SOD-like activity measurements showed no significant difference between the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions, as both showed the highest radical scavenging activity. In the FRAP activity measurement, the n-butanol fraction ranked behind the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions in terms of antioxidant activity. Although the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity, its yield was only 1.29%, making it unsuitable for product production considering productivity and economy. However, the n-butanol fraction showed overall high antioxidant activity and was approximately four times more abundant, with a yield of 5.80% compared to the ethyl acetate fraction. Consequently, considering both productivity and economy, the n-butanol fraction is considered suitable for product development and production.

Response Surface Methodology-Aided Optimization of Bioactive Compound Extraction from Apple Peels Through Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment and Ultrasonication

Apple by-products (i.e., peels) are often thrown away, yet they are highly nutritious and provide numerous advantages as they contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Apple peels also comprise a high level of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols and flavonoids. This research aimed to determine the most efficacious extraction techniques and parameters to accomplish maximum bioactive compounds recovery from apple peels. Several extractions were conducted, including stirring, ultrasonication, and pulsed electric field-assisted extractions. Response surface methodology and several factors such as temperature, extraction duration, and solvent composition were considered to have a major impact on the isolation of bioactive compounds. The findings indicated that the most practical and efficient approach was to combine the pulsed electric field process with ultrasonication and stirring at 80 °C for 30 min, while 75% aqueous ethanol comprised the optimal solvent concentration, demonstrating the critical role of the solvent in optimizing extraction efficiency. The optimal conditions were obtained through response surface methodology with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. The extract exhibited a total polyphenolic content (TPC) of 17.23 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g of dry weight (dw), an ascorbic acid content (AAC) of 3.99 mg/g dw, and antioxidant activity of 130.87 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g dw, as determined by FRAP and 95.38 μmol AAE/g dw from the DPPH assay. The measured antioxidant activity highlighted the significant potential of apple peels as a cost-effective source of exceptionally potent extracts.

Influence of altitudes and development stages on the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth)

BackgroundThe Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth), locally known as “Mora de Castilla,” is a high-altitude fruit rich in phytochemicals, mainly anthocyanins, with potent antioxidant properties. Although its chemical composition has been studied, the influence of altitude on its phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity is still unclear. This research aimed to investigate the effects of development stages and altitude on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of this fruit.MethodsAndean blackberry fruits were collected at different altitudes and development stages in the central Andean region of Ecuador. An hydroalcoholic extraction was used to quantify the compounds and determine the total antioxidant activity, while solid phase extraction (SPE) was performed to separate anthocyanins from other compounds. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD/ESI-MSn) was used to identify anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin phenols, while total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols, total flavonoid content, and total anthocyanin content were quantified spectrophotometrically.ResultsFlavonols and anthocyanins constitute the majority of the flavonoids identified in the Andean blackberry extracts, both in terms of peak areas and number of identified compounds, followed by ellagic and gallic acid derivatives, as well as phenolic acids, mainly hydroxycinnamic acids. Quercetin was identified as the predominant flavonol in unripe berries, where anthocyanins were not significantly present. On the contrary, in ripe berries, cyanidin and its glycosides stood out as the main anthocyanins and predominant compounds. We observed that in the early stages of ripening, the total polyphenol content predominates in the berries and is mainly responsible for their antioxidant capacity. However, as the fruit ripens, the total anthocyanin content increases, becoming the most prominent bioactive compounds in fully ripe berries.ConclusionThe results suggest that higher altitude environmental conditions may improve the composition, concentration of phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of Andean blackberries. Overall, our findings highlight the high functional value of this fruit, supporting its health-protective effects when consumed regularly, either as fresh fruit or in nutraceutical form.

Unraveling the Impact of Aspergillus sojae—A Food-Grade Fungus—On Phytoalexins, Phenolic Acids, and the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activity of Different Legumes

Legumes are a rich source of polyphenolic compounds known for their ability to promote health. Under stress conditions, legumes have been shown to produce higher levels of secondary metabolites, as a defensive mechanism. Hence, the present study aimed to induce legume seeds (e.g., soybean, chickpea, green pea, and red kidney bean) by inoculating them with Aspergillus sojae (A. sojae) and to evaluate the extracts for phytoalexins, phenolics, and antioxidant, antiobesity, and antidiabetic potentials. The UPLC-DAD findings of A. sojae-induced legumes showed medicarpin and maackiain in chickpea, pisatin in green pea, glyceollin I-III in soybean, and kievitone and phaseollin in red kidney bean. All induced legumes exhibited a higher total polyphenol content compared to the non-induced ones. Among induced legumes, soybean exhibited a higher (4.85 mg GAE/g) polyphenol content. The UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS findings established that legumes contained substantial levels of protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and caffeic acid. The results of antioxidant assays revealed a significantly higher level of activity in induced red kidney bean and soybean, whereas the level of activity in non-induced legumes was markedly lower. Moreover, induced red kidney bean effectively inhibited α-glucosidase (87.2%) and α-amylase (63.90%) at 5 mg/mL. Additionally, the maximum lipase inhibitory effects were displayed by induced soybean (72.54%) at 20 mg/mL.

Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Polyphenol Extraction and Antioxidant Activity from Papaya Peel Using Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network

The objective of the present study is to determine the optimal conditions of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) such as microwave power (MWP), irradiation time (I-time), ethanol concentration (EtOH%), and solvent-to-solid ratio (S/S) for maximizing total polyphenol content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity from papaya peel. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used considering MWP 300–600 W, I-time 60-120 s, EtOH% 30-70%, and S/S 30-70 mL/g. Additionally, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed for modelling, with cross-validation to enhance reliability. These models were combined with the desirability function (DF) and/or genetic algorithm (GA) optimization approaches. Maximizing TPC and DPPH activity while maintaining MWP, I-time, EtOH%, and S/S within their respective ranges using hybrid optimization approaches (RSM-DF: TPC = 1058 mgGAE/100g, and DPPH = 83%, RSM-GA: TPC = 1064 mgGAE/100g and DPPH = 79%, and ANN-GA: TPC = 1086 mgGAE/100g, and DPPH = 83%,) yielded consistent optimal results. An additional optimization approach (RSM-DF: TPC = 955 mgGAE/100g, and DPPH = 90%), aimed at minimizing MWP, I-time, EtOH%, and S/S while maximizing TPC and DPPH activity, showed a significant reduction of approximately 3 L in ethanol consumption for each 100 g of dry samples. The maximized TPC and DPPH activity in all four approaches showed a significant (p < 0.05) alignment with their corresponding validation tests, demonstrating the better performance of these modelling and optimization processes. In terms of assessing the effectiveness of microwave assistance, conventional solvent extraction was also performed, maintaining a 70 mL/g S/S ratio of 55% ethanol at 60°C for 2 h. This method resulted in lower values of TPC (857 ± 23 g GAE/100g) yield and DPPH activity (72 ± 5%) compared to the optimized condition of MAE.

Development of a Spectrophotometric Flow-Based System for the Determination of Total Polyphenol Content in Legume Flours.

Conventional nutritional characterization of legume flours comprises costly and laborious analytical methods for nutrient quantification that establish the quality of seeds, including their macronutrient quantification, fiber, mineral, antioxidant content, and more. The quantification of total polyphenol content (TPC) in legumes is performed using different analytic methods, namely the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method, which is lengthy and employs potentially toxic reagents. Additionally, it is time-consuming and prone to human error if carried out in a conventional batch mode. To develop a semi-automatic method for a faster, greener, and more precise TPC quantification, resorting to flow injection analysis (FIA). The development of the FIA method was based on the FC method. The flow manifold was structured by performing an array of preliminary studies, which led to the establishment of the method that displayed the highest sensitivity (highest slope of the calibration curve). The method was applied to determine the TPC in various legume flours. This novel method resulted in a throughput of 1 analysis per minute, allowing to analyze 20 samples in triplicate within an hour, with a LOD of 4.32 mg L-1, a LOQ of 14.4 mg L-1, and an RSD of 4.4%. The results calculated from the proposed FIA method agreed with those of the reference procedure. By using the FIA system, a lower consumption of reagents was observed. Additionally, as there is no need to reach chemical equilibrium, a high throughput has been achieved, resulting in a faster and greener method for the determination of polyphenols in various types of legumes.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity of Wild Medicinal Plants of Himalayan Range

Plants that are indigenous to the Himalayas have been exploited for their therapeutic properties for over 6,500 years. Using their deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna, traditional healers in the region are able to treat a wide variety of maladies with herbal treatments. People who live in rural areas of the Himalayas rely on wild medicinal plants for their health, and we need to do everything in our power to ensure that these plants continue to thrive in the harsh desert climate of the Himalayas. Raw materials that are obtained from wild plants are in high demand all around the world, particularly among pharmaceutical companies, ethnomedics, and practitioners of traditional medicine as well as other medical practitioners. India has been a top exporter of raw herbal medications all over the world. This is mostly due to the number of medicinal plants that can be found in the Himalayas. The aim of this study was to determine the Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of various parts of 20 selected wild medicinal plants, found in the Himalayan regions in India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan including Swertia bimaculate, Ficus neriifolia, Rubus treutleri, Periploca calophylla, G. depressa, Buddleja napaulensis, Habenaria edgeworthii, Pyracantha crenulate, Roscoea procera, Allium rubellum, Berberis chitria, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Artemisia maritima, C. glanduliferum, C. distans, Juniperus macropoda, Origanum vulgare, Valeriana jatamansi, Polygonatum verticillatum, Meconopsis aculeate and Fragaria nubicolais. There were several different parts of the species that were examined to determine their total polyphenol, flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin, and tannin concentrations. One fraction of the plant extracts was found to contain a higher quantity of phytochemicals when compared to the other portions. Through the utilisation of the DPPH and FRAP model systems, the antioxidant capacity of a number of different components was assessed. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique can be combined with the DPPH and/or ABTS tests in order to rapidly screen extracts for the presence of active chemicals.

Drying of Red Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): Process Kinetics, Color Changes, Carotenoid Content and Phenolic Profile.

Studies were conducted focusing on the drying of chili pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.), cultivar Cyklon, using convective (AD), convective-microwave (AMD), vacuum (VD), and freeze-drying (FD) methods. The influence of the drying method and temperature on the kinetics of the process and selected quality attributes of the dried product were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the Midilli model best described the drying kinetics for all methods across the entire measurement range. FD and VD produced dried products with the highest brightness and the greatest value of the a* color parameter. The lowest b* color parameter was observed for the product dried using FD at 40 °C, while the highest b* value was noted for samples dried using AMD (100 W) at 60 °C. The highest carotenoid retention was achieved with the FD method at 40 °C, while the lowest carotenoid content was found in the product obtained using the AMD method (100 W) at 60 °C. The smallest losses of capsaicinoids were observed after FD drying at 40 °C, while the largest were found for AMD (100 W) at 60 °C. The analysis of chili pepper fruit extracts revealed the quantitative composition of 12 main phenolic compounds using the UHPLC-UV method. The highest polyphenol content was obtained with FD, while the lowest total polyphenol content was recorded after AD. Regardless of temperature, the total flavonoid content was highest in extracts from FD products, and the lowest flavonoid content was found after AMD at 100 W. For all drying methods analyzed, the total flavonoid content in the pepper extracts decreased with increasing temperature.

Evolution of antioxidant potential during fruit maturation Pancovia laurentii (De Wild.) Gilg ex De (Sapindaceae)

Pancovia laurentii (De Wild.) Gilg ex De (Sapindaceae) is a plant species of the spontaneous flora of Central Africa, which grows easily in the Republic of Congo. It produces very succulent edible fruits. The evaluation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in the pulp and seed of the fruit during its maturation was done by spectrophotometer. The results reveal the increase of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and anthocyanins in the pulp and seed of the fruit during maturation. Flavonoids accumulate more in the seed than in the pulp. At taste maturity, the seed with 400.85 mg EQ/DM is richer in flavonoids than the pulp which has 322.26 mg EQ/DM. Polyphenols and anthocyanins accumulate more in the pulp than in the seed with respectively 432.8 mg EAG/mg DM for polyphenols and 157.50 mg/mL for anthocyanins. The pulp and seed presented a DPPH radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant activity increases during maturation. It is greater than 50%, particularly in the pulp with 0.25 mg/mL and in the seed with 0.37 μg/mL at taste maturity. These results show the existence of a good linear correlation between the content of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, anthocyanins and the antioxidant power of the pulp and seed of the fruit during maturation. With these contents, the fruit can be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.