Jujube Research Articles

Effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba mill.) fruit extracts on oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent studies.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit extracts on oxidative stress levels in rodent models. Animal studies meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Periodical Service Platform. The Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed based on the guidelines provided in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (CHSRI) by using Stata 17.0 software. Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Jujube fruit extracts significantly decreased the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Meanwhile, there was no significant improvement in the catalase (CAT) levels. In addition, there was considerable heterogeneity in the results of the meta-analysis. The results of the subgroup analysis indicated that the animal model, type of extracts, and source of target parameters may have contributed to the heterogeneity. Jujube fruit extracts are healthy and effective antioxidant dietary supplements that may be an effective adjunctive therapy for diseases in which oxidative stress is a major pathological factor. However, the overall methodological quality of the included studies was low, and additional research is warranted.

Effects of high-temperature stress on gene expression related to photosynthesis in two jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) varieties

ABSTRACT Elevated temperatures critically impact crop growth, development, and yield, with photosynthesis being the most temperature-sensitive physiological process in plants. This study focused on assessing the photosynthetic response and genetic adaptation of two different heat-resistant jujube varieties ‘Junzao’ (J) and ‘Fucuimi’ (F), to high-temperature stress (42°C Day/30°C Night). Comparative analyses of leaf photosynthetic indices, microstructural changes, and transcriptome sequencing were conducted. Results indicated superior high-temperature adaptability in F, evidenced by alterations in leaf stomatal behavior – particularly in J, where defense cells exhibited significant water loss, shrinkage, and reduced stomatal opening, alongside a marked increase in stomatal density. Through transcriptome sequencing 13,884 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, significantly enriched in pathways related to plant-pathogen interactions, amino acid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Key findings include the identification of photosynthetic pathway related DEGs and HSFA1s as central regulators of thermal morphogenesis and heat stress response. Revealing their upregulation in F and downregulation in J. The results indicate that these genes play a crucial role in improving heat tolerance in F. This study unveils critical photosynthetic genes involved in heat stress, providing a theoretical foundation for comprehending the molecular mechanisms underlying jujube heat tolerance.

Ecological Observations along the River Banks at Allahabad, U. P.

This paper embodies the ecological observations made along the exposed riverbeds and the immediate banks of the rivers Jamuna and Ganga at Allahabad during thé months of April to June in 1962 and 1963.The physical features, climate and soil of the area are discussed.Botanical composition of the vegetation and the relative abundance, preference for habitat, types, and phenology of the important species are given.The vegetation is characterised by the preponderance of annual plants and consists of the species of the wet meadow and dry meadow stages of Dudgeon (1920). The thorn scrub Stage is represented by Acacia arabica and Zizyphus jujuba.

Green synthesis and characterization of CuO, Fe2O3 and CuO/Fe2O3 compounds investigation

Green chemistry techniques are increasingly being used to produce nanomaterials from easily accessible natural resources. The present study utilized a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable method to separately synthesize copper oxide, iron oxide, and mixed oxide nanoparticles. Copper (II) nitrate trihydrate and iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate were utilized as precursors with the help of fruit peel extracts. The nano-oxides were synthesized from the local fruit peels, specifically orange, cherry, and sidra (Ziziphus jujuba), by a simple procedure that involved heating the peels with distilled water, filtration, adding precursor, and calcination. Experiments were conducted on the resultant powders to evaluate their structural, biological, and physical characteristics. The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis showed that pure crystallite structures of CuO and Fe2O3 were formed, ternary compound CuFeO2 (delafossite), and CuO/Fe2O3 (nanocomposite) were synthesized, and their purity was verified through energy dispersive X-rays (EDX). The findings from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis (PSA) revealed that the nanoparticles are semi-spherical, with particle sizes ranging from 83.9 to 118.7 nm for CuO, from 95.2 to 119.8 nm for Fe2O3, and from 60.6 to 90.4 nm for mixed oxides extracted from three fruit peels. The conducted experiments on bacterial and fungal resistance revealed that the produced oxides are effective antibacterial and antifungal particles. The synthesized nanoparticles were also analyzed through AFM and Toxicity.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ACE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY, AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF POLAR AND NON-POLAR EXTRACTS OF ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA FRUIT: STATISTICAL SCREENING THE MAIN COMPONENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR BIOACTIVITY

Herein, the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol contents (TPC), and phytochemical profiles of polar and non-polar extracts of dried Ziziphus jujuba fruits were investigated, along with the statistical determination of the main components responsible for ACE inhibitory activity. The non-polar extract expressed the strongest ACE inhibitory activity (99.81%) among the extracts. The non-polar extract also exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 of 30.63), linoleic acid/β-carotene bleaching capacity (89.31%), and TPC (59.47 mg GAE/g). The phenolic profiles of the extracts were identified by LC-MS/MS, and the presence of seven triterpenoid species in the extracts was examined using GC-MS techniques. The principal constituents included 19 phenolics, 2 organic acids, and 4 triterpenoids. A Pearson correlation and principal component analysis were conducted to find the correlation between individual phenolic compounds and ACE inhibitory activity.

Ziziphus jujuba Miller Ethanol Extract Restores Disrupted Intestinal Barrier Function via Tight Junction Recovery and Reduces Inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the disruption of the intestinal barrier. The intestinal barrier is maintained by tight junctions (TJs), which sustain intestinal homeostasis and prevent pathogens from entering the microbiome and mucosal tissues. Ziziphus jujuba Miller (Z. jujuba) is a natural substance that has been used in traditional medicine as a therapy for a variety of diseases. However, in IBD, the efficacy of Z. jujuba is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated ZJB in Caco2 cells and a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse model to demonstrate its efficacy in IBD. Z. jujuba extracts were prepared using 70% ethanol and were named ZJB. ZJB was found to be non-cytotoxic and to have excellent antioxidant effects. We confirmed its anti-inflammatory properties via the down-regulation of inflammatory factors, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). To evaluate the effects of ZJB on intestinal barrier function and TJ improvement, the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 kDa (FITC-Dextran 4) permeability were assessed. The TEER value increased by 61.389% and permeability decreased by 27.348% in the 200 μg/mL ZJB group compared with the 50 ng/mL IL-6 group after 24 h. Additionally, ZJB alleviated body weight loss, reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score, and induced colon shortening in 5% DSS-induced mice; inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were down-regulated in the serum. TJ proteins, such as Zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin, were up-regulated by ZJB in an impaired Caco2 mouse model. Additionally, according to the liquid chromatography results, in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, seven active ingredients were detected in ZJB. In conclusion, ZJB down-regulated inflammatory factors, protected intestinal barrier function, and increased TJ proteins. It is thus a safe, natural substance with the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in IBD treatment.

Identification of Key Genes of Fruit Shape Variation in Jujube with Integrating Elliptic Fourier Descriptors and Transcriptome.

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) exhibits a rich diversity in fruit shape, with natural occurrences of gourd-like, flattened, and other special shapes. Despite the ongoing research into fruit shape, studies integrating elliptical Fourier descriptors (EFDs) with both Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) for gene discovery remain scarce. In this study, six cultivars of jujube fruits with distinct shapes were selected, and samples were collected from the fruit set period to the white mature stage across five time points for shape analysis and transcriptome studies. By combining EFDs with WGCNA and STEM, the study aimed to identify the critical periods and key genes involved in the formation of jujube fruit shape. The findings indicated that the D25 (25 days after flowering) is crucial for the development of jujube fruit shape. Moreover, ZjAGL80, ZjABI3, and eight other genes have been implicated to regulate the shape development of jujubes at different periods of fruit development, through seed development and fruit development pathway. In this research, EFDs were employed to precisely delineate the shape of jujube fruits. This approach, in conjunction with transcriptome, enhanced the precision of gene identification, and offered an innovative methodology for fruit shape analysis. This integration facilitates the advancement of research into the morphological characteristics of plant fruits, underpinning the development of a refined framework for the genetic underpinnings of fruit shape variation.

Evaluation of Ethnobotanical Fruit-Based Composition Extracts for Their Active Components and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Chinese medicine employs fruit-based compositions such as Diospyros kaki calyx and Ziziphus jujuba seeds in traditional medications. Thai folklore uses the edible fruits of Dillenia indica and Diospyros rhodocalyx for numerous uses. The goal of this study was to establish the potential benefits of these fruit-based components by creating extracts for pharmacological use and exploring their composition and biological activity. The extracts were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with betulinic acid as a marker. The extracts containing the marker were tested for anti-inflammatory activity using the inhibition of nitric oxide production assay on RAW264.7 cells. The toxicity to cells was concurrently investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Betulinic acid levels in the extracts varied from 0.78 to 7.75%. All compound-containing extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory performance in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values ranged from 97.1 to 287.6 µg/mL, and greater concentrations resulted in cell toxicity. The correlation study, conducted using Pearson’s analysis, demonstrated a connection between the Diospyros species based on similar chemical compounds and biological functions. Also, the anti-inflammatory effect of a feasible seed extract from Dillenia indica was linked to those of the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba, a widely used Chinese medicinal fruit. These extracts containing betulinic acid have the potential to be investigated more thoroughly for their anti-inflammatory properties for application in herbal preparations.

Da-Chai-Hu-Tang Formula inhibits the progression and metastasis in HepG2 cells through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/STAT3-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDa-Chai-Hu-Tang (DCHT), a Chinese traditional herbal compound, has been utilized for the treatment of Hepatic diseases in China for over 1800 years. The DCHT formula contains eight herbals: Bupleurum chinense DC. (chaihu), Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (huangqin), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (baishao), Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino (banxia), Rheum officinale Baill. (dahuang), Citrus × aurantium L. (zhishi), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (shengjiang), Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (dazao). Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of DCHT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its ability to enhance the immunity of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 20 Chinese articles have been published on the use of DCHT in treating HCC. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to validate the effect of DCHT in HCC cells and to identify related targets (TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3) in treating HCC by DCHT in vitro experiments. Materials and methodsCell proliferation and migration were investigated in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Apoptotic bodies in HepG2 cells were observed using a confocal microscope. Biochemical detection was employed to analyze LDH release, MDA levels, and SOD levels. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict core targets between DCHT and HCC, as well as potential signaling pathways. The protein levels of metastasis-associated, apoptosis, and PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, and STAT3 were further determined through Western blotting. ResultsFollowing treatment with DCHT, the inhibition of viability, migration, and G2/M arrest was observed in HepG2 cells. Flow cytometry analysis and Morphological apoptosis studies provided evidence that DCHT could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Biochemical detection revealed that DCHT could increase LDH release and the level of MDA, and inhibit the viability of the SOD. Bioinformatics analysis identified key targets such as TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3. The PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway emerged as a critical pathway in the KEGG enrichment analysis. Western blotting results indicated that DCHT could enhance the expression of E-cadherin, p53, and Bax, while reducing the content of N-cadherin, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT1, and STAT3. ConclusionsThe results proved that DCHT could inhibit the progression and metastasis of HCC by regulating the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, p53, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, and STAT3 through the PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Integrated anatomical structure, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses to identify differential cold tolerance responses of Ziziphus jujuba mill. ‘Yueguang’ and its autotetraploid ‘Hongguang’

Cold stress is a limiting stress factor that limits plant distribution and development; however, polyploid plants have specific characteristics such as higher resistance to abiotic stress, especially cold stress, that allow them to overcome this challenge. The cultivated cultivar Ziziphus jujuba Mill. ‘Yueguang’ (YG) and its autotetraploid counterpart ‘Hongguang’ (HG) exhibit differential cold tolerance. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and methods to enhance their cold tolerance remain unknown. Anatomical structure and physiological analysis indicated YG had a higher wood bark ratio, and xylem ratio under cold treatment compared to HG. However, the half-lethal temperature (LT50), cortex ratio, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly decreased in YG than HG, which indicated YG was cold tolerant than HG. Transcriptome analysis showed that 2084, 1725, 2888, and 2934 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in HC vs YC, H20 vs Y20, Y20 vs YC, and H20 vs HC treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that several metabolic pathways, primarily plant hormone signal transduction and the MAPK signaling pathway, were involved in the differential regulation of cold tolerance between YG and HG. Furthermore, exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinolide (BR) treatments could improve their cold tolerance through increased SOD and POD activities, decreased relative electrical conductivity, and MDA content. All of these findings suggested that plant hormone signal transduction, particularly ABA and BR, might have an important role in the regulation of differential cold tolerance between YG and HG, laying the foundation for further improving cold tolerance in jujube and examining the molecular mechanisms underlying differences in cold tolerance among different ploidy cultivars.

Effects of steam explosion-modified rice bran dietary fiber on volatile flavor compounds retention and release of red date-flavored naan (ethnic specialty food of Xinjiang) during storage

This study explored the effects of steam explosion-modified rice bran dietary fiber (S-RBDF) on red date-flavored naan quality and flavor characteristics. The results revealed that the rheological properties of the dough were improved with the incremental addition of S-RBDF (0–5%). The microstructure revealed that adding an appropriate amount of S-RBDF (1–5%) enabled more starch granules to be embedded in the dough network. Notably, the addition of 5% S-RBDF resulted in naan with an optimum specific volume and texture, which consumers preferred. Additionally, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed that adding S-RBDF to naan contributed to the retention and sustained release of pleasant volatile compounds (e.g. red date flavor, etc.), while inhibiting the development of unpleasant volatile compounds by delaying the oxidation and decomposition of lipids and preserving the antioxidant phenolic compounds, thus contributing to flavor maintenance of naan during storage. Overall, these results provided a foundation for developing high-quality flavored naan.

Saponins from seeds of Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa exhibit vasorelaxant effects on rat isolated aorta

AbstractAimThe vasorelaxant saponins jujuboside A(1), A1(2), B(3), and acetyljujuboside B(4) were isolated from 50% MeOH extracts of seeds of Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa Hu ex H.F. Chou (Rhamnaceae), and their effects were studied using isolated rat aortic rings.MethodDried jujube seeds were crushed and extracted with 50% MeOH, and the extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure. Vasorelaxant effects of this extracts were assessed on rat isolated aorta rings. The aorta rings were placed in a well‐oxygenated bath of modified Krebs–Henseleit solution and the mechanical tension was measured isometrically.ResultsThe crude extract was fractionated by chromatographic methods with the guidance of vasorelaxant activity, and four saponins (1~4) were isolated. These compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. Compounds 1~4 showed slow relaxation activity against norepinephrine (NE)‐induced contractions of rat aorta with/without endothelium. Treatment with 1~4 did not significantly inhibit NE‐induced vasoconstrictions. Compounds 1~4 inhibited vasoconstriction induced by high‐concentration potassium (60 mM) and NE in the presence of nicardipine but did not affect phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐induced vasoconstriction.ConclusionThese results suggest that inhibition of NE‐induced vasoconstriction by 1~4 is due to the inhibition of receptor‐operated Ca2+ channels and voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels or inhibition of intracellular calcium modulations.

A new anti-inflammatory lupane in Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn. var. hysudrica Edgew.

ObjectivesTo investigate extracts of the stem bark of Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn. var. hysudrica Edgew. (Rhamnaceae) for anti-inflammatory activity and isolate the active principle(s). MethodsThe dry powder was macerated separately in three types of solvents to prepare methanol extract (ME), ethyl acetate extract (EE), and chloroform extract (CE). Following in vitro anti-inflammatory screening, the most active extract was selected to isolate the active compound. Both, the active extract and isolated compound were further tested on rats using the carrageenan-induced inflammation model. The blood and paw tissue were subjected to qPCR, and histopathology, respectively. Key findingsCE showed comparatively higher anti-inflammatory activity (85.0–95.0 %) in all in vitro assays, except the heat-induced membrane stabilization model (p < 0.05), and upon column chromatography, it yielded a pure crystalline compound. The compound was a pentacyclic triterpenoid (Lupane), named as hydroxymethyl (3β)-3-methyl-lup-20(29)-en-28-oate (Hussainate). CE (500 mg/kg) and Hussainate (1.0 mg/kg) reduced edema in 5 h after carrageenan administration. The activity of Hussainate was found to be comparable to that of dexamethasone (standard). The possible activity mechanism was the downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), NF-κB, and IL-1β. ConclusionsThis study reveals that chloroform extract of the stem's bark of Z. jujuba may be used to prepare standardized anti-inflammatory herbal products using Hussainate as an active analytical marker. Hussainate may be used as a lead to develop anti-inflammatory drugs.

The Enhanced Adsorption Capacity of Ziziphus jujuba Stones Modified with Ortho-Phosphoric Acid for Organic Dye Removal: A Gaussian Process Regression Approach

Here, the chemical modification of Ziziphus jujuba stones (ZJS) treated with ortho-phosphoric acid (ZJS-H3PO4) is investigated to enhance its adsorption properties for organic dyes. The physicochemical properties of ZJS-H3PO4 reveal increased porosity (87.29%), slightly higher bulk density (0.034 g mL−1), and enhanced acidity (31.42 m eq g g−1) compared to untreated ZJS. XRF analysis confirms the successful incorporation of orthophosphoric acid during treatment due to a significant increase in phosphorus content. The maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue on ZJS-H3PO4 is found to be 179.83 mg g−1, demonstrating its efficacy as a potential adsorbent for organic dyes. These findings suggest that modifying ZJS with orthophosphoric acid could be a promising strategy to enhance its adsorption performance in various environmental applications. Furthermore, Gaussian process regression (GPR) is employed to model MB adsorption by ZJS-H3PO4. Optimization of the GPR model involves evaluating different kernel functions and meticulously adjusting parameters to maximize its ability to capture complex relationships in the data. The obtained GPR model demonstrates remarkable performance with high correlation coefficients (R) and low root mean square errors (RMSEs) across all study phases. Model validation is performed through residual analysis, confirming its effectiveness and accuracy in predicting MB adsorption. Finally, a user-friendly interface is developed to facilitate the usage of the GPR model in future applications, representing a significant advancement in environmental process modeling and ecosystem management.

Integrative metabolome and transcriptome profiling reveal key metabolic regulatory networks in Ziziphus jujuba cv. Dongzao pulp

‘Dongzao’ (Ziziphus jujuba ‘Dongzao’) is an economically important fresh fruit well known for its distinctive flavor and significant nutritional benefits. However, dynamic alterations in the genetic and metabolic networks that regulate the development of ‘Dongzao’ pulp are not fully elucidated. In this study, first, a metabolic regulatory network was constructed. Next, the metabolic landscape of the ‘Dongzao’ jujube fruit pulp was established during development and ripening by using a joint analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic data. This dataset was used to establish a global map of changes in the major metabolites throughout ‘Dongzao’ pulp development. The potential regulatory networks were then dissected, and the key structural genes and transcription factors associated with modulating the metabolism of important jujube fruit ingredients were identified. Further bioinformatics analyses and transient gene overexpression revealed that ZjSHINE3 and ZjNAC29 act as key transcription factors involved in sucrose and malic acid accumulation, respectively. In summary, this study provides novel insights into the metabolic regulatory networks underlying jujube fruit pulp development and generates a useful resource for genetic improvement and breeding studies of jujube.

The effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujube) on metabolic and mental health outcomes in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujube) consumption on metabolic and mental health outcomes in subjects diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is unknown and remains to be examined. Hence, we carried out a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to investigate this issue. MethodsEligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 30) or the control (n = 30) groups to receive either jujube or a placebo for eight weeks. Subjects were provided with 30 g dried jujube powder or placebo and were asked to consume half of the powder at 10 a.m. and the rest at 4 p.m. Lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes collected were mental health measures (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). ResultsJujube consumption failed to decrease FBG, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure, as well as depression and anxiety scores (P > 0.05). However, the between-group comparison revealed a significant improvement in WC (− 3.98 vs. − 0.51, P = 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (− 24.96 vs. − 0.73, P = 0.03), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (2.83 vs. 0.40, P = 0.01) in the jujube group compared to the placebo. In addition, compared to the control group, jujube consumption led to a significant improvement in the score of stress (− 5.80 vs. − 2.86, P = 0.01). ConclusionJujube consumption only had beneficial effects on WC, TG, and HDL-C in subjects with MetS. However, the current study has methodological weaknesses in blinding and herb purity/potency testing, which should be addressed in future studies.

Performance of spray-dried Ziziphus jujuba extract using insoluble fraction of Persian gum-sodium alginate and whey protein: Microstructural and physicochemical attributes of micro- and nano-capsules.

The study focused on the impact of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum-sodium alginate and a blend of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum-sodium alginate (IFPG-Al) with whey protein isolate (WPI) on sprayed Ziziphus jujuba extract (JE) powder. The addition of whey protein led to powders with higher moisture (10%), higher solubility (99.19%), and lower powder yield (27.82%). The powders fabricated with WPI depicted the best protection of polyphenolic compounds (3933.4 mg/L) and the highest encapsulation efficiency activity (74.84%). Additionally, they had a higher T g (62.63°C), which indicates more stability of the powders during shelf life. The sphericity of the majority of the particles was noticeable in powders, but multi-sided concavities were visible in the protein-containing particles. Based on the particle size's results, IFPG-Al/WPI capsules fabricated relatively smaller particles (2.54 μm). It can be acknowledged that the presence of protein in particles can bring fruitful results by preserving valuable bioactive compounds.

A novel jujube tree trunk and branch salient object detection method for catch-and-shake robotic visual perception

Visual perception has become a prerequisite for automated jujube harvesting robot operations under complex orchard conditions. Catch-and-Shake harvesting, as the most efficient and common harvesting method, has widely been applied on various manually operated harvesters to complete large-area jujube fruit harvesting. However, the main factors restricting the development of existing harvesters are labor shortage, high labor cost, and low operating efficiency. To address the issues, we designed a catch-and-shake harvesting robot for jujube tree trunks and branches visual perception that can provide a barrier-free catch-and-shake operation area and guide the manipulator to reach the area to complete the harvesting operation. Meanwhile, a visual perception system including tree trunks and branches detection, skeleton extraction, catch-and-shake area confirmation was presented to guide robot intelligent operations. In the visual perception system, a novel salientobjectdetectionmodel called feature intersection and fusion Transformer (FIT-Transformer) network was proposed to split branches and background to provide reference for determining safe catch-and-shake areas. Moreover, we designed a diverse feature aggregation (DFA) and an attention feature fusion module (AFFM) to strengthen feature learning capabilities and obtain robust perception models. Comparative experimental results showed that our proposed FIT-Transformer model outperformed 12 state-of-the-art (SOTA) algorithms including C2FNet, RAS, BASNet, U2Net, SCRNet, PiCANet, EDRNet, EGNet, ICONR, VST, TransSOD and ABiU_Net. Specifically, the segmentation accuracy of jujube tree trunks and branches using our method showed the satisfactory result on five evaluation indexes under natural environment (the EM, SM, WF, FM and MAE reached 0.9713, 0.8991, 0.8854, 0.8905, and 0.0302, respectively). Field experiments also proved that our method could meet the requirements of operational accuracy and real-time operations.

Preparation of a β-cyclodextrin grafted magnetic biochar for efficient extraction of four antiepileptic drugs in plasma samples

Simultaneous monitoring of plasma concentration levels of multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is essential for dose adjustment in comprehensive epilepsy treatment, necessitating a sensitive technique for accurate extraction and determination of AEDs. Herein, a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technique on the basis of modified biochar (BC) is investigated to extract four AEDs from plasma, in conjunction with high performance liquid chromatography. BC derived from Zizyphus jujuba seed shells was activated by phosphoric acid (PBC) and magnetized via coprecipitation to produce MPBC. The MPBCCD obtained after modification with β-cyclodextrin (CD) was characterized and evaluated for adsorption. It exhibited fast adsorption kinetics based on second-order kinetics and satisfactory adsorption capacity for AEDs. Then it was employed as the MSPE adsorbent and the influencing parameters were optimized. The enrichment factor was 18.75. The validation analysis revealed a favorable linearity that ranged from 0.04 to 20 μg·mL−1 along with a low limit of detection of 6.85 to 10.19 ng·mL−1. The recovery of the AEDs ranged from 78.7 to 109.2 %, with relative standard deviations below 6.7 %. Using quantum chemistry theory calculations and experimental results analysis, the adsorption mechanism was investigated. It disclosed that the suggested strategy built upon MPBCCD was appropriate for the assessment of AEDs in plasma and expanded the usage of BC as the environmentally favorable matrix for the analysis of biological samples.

Determination of Phenolic and Flavonoid Content in Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. Fruit Collected from Farah Province, Afghanistan

The fruit of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), a member of the Rhamnaceous family, is a valuable exporting dry fruit of Afghanistan. The plant is found in some provinces of the country, but Farah province produces it more. The purposes of this study were to standardize the jujube fruit collected from Farah Province and to determine the amount of its phenolic and flavonoid contents. Jujube fruit (JFs22) was collected from medicinal plant sellers in Kabul. After identification and pharmacogenetic evaluation of JFs22, the amount of phenolic and flavonoid content in the fruit was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The test sample was Ziziphus jujuba. The JFs22 had 10.27±0.532% foreign matter, 4.58±0.33% moisture, 1.97±0.09% total ash, 0.26±0.04% acid insoluble ash, 50.69±0.30% water soluble extractive content, and 24.93±0.59% methanolic extractive value. The JFs22 had flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic substances, saponin, and mucilage as its active ingredients. The total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of the methanolic extract of JFs22 were 9.84±1.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.55±0.04 mg rutin equivalent (RE) in 3 grams of dry fruit weight, respectively. Although in most of the cases, the values obtained from the pharmacogenetic evaluation of JFs22 ​​were lower than the standard, nevertheless, they are within the standard range available in pharmacopeias, and this may be considered a good quality of tested jujube fruit and notice for paying much attention for its processing. The determination of TPC and TFC of JFs22 showed that the Farah province jujube fruit has many polyphenols.