Analyses of the oil content, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activity in seeds of Thlaspi arvense L. from different provenances and correlations with environmental factors

Background Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Cruciferae family that has attracted attention as an oil crop and interseeded cover crop. We collected seeds of pennycress from five provenances in Northeast China, compared their characteristics, i.e. oil content, fatty acid composition, physical, chemical and antioxidant properties, their correlations with environmental factors were also analysed. Results There were significant differences in the seed characteristics, oil content, quality indicators and composition among different provenances (P < 0.05). The 1000-seed weight ranged from 0.80 to 1.03 g; seed oil content from 28.89 to 42.57%; iodine from 79.19 to 99.09; saponification value from 186.51 to 199.60; peroxide value from 0.07 to 10.60; and acid value from 0.97 to 13.02. The range of seed oil colours were 66.53–78.78 (L*), 4.51–10.29 (a*), and 105.68–121.35 (b*). Erucic acid (C22:1) was the fatty acids with the highest content in pennycress seed oils (31.12–35.31%), followed by linoleic acid (C18:2 16.92–18.95%) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 14.05–15.34%). The fatty acid 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3) was detected for the first time in seed oils from Beian city, Panshi city and Kedong county, with contents of 1.13%, 0.84% and 1.03%, respectively. We compare and report for the first time on the radical-scavenging activity of the seed oils of pennycress. The EC50 values of the DPPH radical-scavenging activity and ABTS+ radical-scavenging activity of the seed oils from different provenances were 8.65–19.21 mg/mL and 6.82–10.61 mg/mL, respectively. The ferric ion reduction antioxidant capacity (FRAP) ranged from 0.11 to 0.30 mmol Fe2+/g, which is equivalent to 4 mg/mL FeSO4 of pennycress seed oils. Conclusions There was a significant correlation between seed characteristics and changes in geographical factors. With increasing longitude, the thickness of seeds, 1000-seed weight, and seed oil content increased, while the acid and peroxide values of the seed oil decreased. As the latitude increased, the 1000-seed weight and seed oil content increased, while the seed oil peroxide value decreased. Furthermore, mean annual temperature and annual rainfall are the two key environmental factors affecting the quality of pennycress. Graphical Abstract

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Flavonoid Hesperidin and Pharmacological Evaluation of its Free Radical Scavenging Activity

Background: Silver Nanoparticles are drawing significant attention from the scientific community to explore a wide range of its medical applications. Human body is under constant stress due to free radicals generated by the physiological and pathological conditions in the body. Scavenging systems or Antioxidants can help alleviate the damages caused by these radicals which can influence the course of progress in several chronic diseases with an inflammatory background. External antioxidants supplement and facilitate the overwhelmed scavenging systems in the body.Silver Nanoparticles can enhance the therapeutic effects of phytochemicals. Aim: To Synthesize silver nanoparticles using the phytochemical Hesperidin and studying its Free radical scavenging activity. Methods: Silver Nanoparticles are synthesized using chemical reduction method. The synthesis is confirmed using spectrophotometric studies. Free Radical scavenging activity is detected using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH •) free radical scavenging assay. Results: Silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized which was confirmed by the change in color of the solution and peak absorbance peak at 420 nM on spectrophotometric studies.Hesperidin Silver Nanoparticles exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity when compared with pure hesperidin and standard Ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Hesperidin can ideally be used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and the synthesized Silver Nanoparticles enhances the free radical scavenging activity of Hesperidin which can further be evaluated by In Vivo studies.

Radical scavenging activity of fruit extracts Tribulus Terrestris with natural antioxidant Ascorbic acid: A comparative study

The main aim of this work was to analyze through a systematic review the ability of Tribulusterrestris to promote the increase of hormonal levels as a mechanism for the relief of menopausal symptoms. The criteria used for the selection were: studies involving menopausal women and use of Tribulusterrestris as a treatment for sexual dysfunction and / or other menopausal symptoms. The survey of literature shows that women who used Tribulusterrestris had drastic improvement in symptoms such as vaginal lubrication, sensation in the genitals during intercourse and other constructive activities. In this study, we have found a significant increase in bioavailable testosterone after the use of the plant extracts which has great potential in the treatment of sexual intercourse and unique symptoms of menopause.

Additional Blue LED during Cultivation Induces Cold Tolerance in Tomato Fruit but Only to an Optimum

Tomato is a chilling-sensitive fruit. The aim of this study is to examine the role of preharvest blue LED lighting (BL) to induce cold tolerance in ‘Foundation’ tomatoes. Blue and red supplemental LED light was applied to achieve either 0, 12 or 24% additional BL (0B, 12B and 24B). Mature green (MG) or red (R) tomatoes were harvested and cold stored at 4 °C for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 d, and then stored for 20 d at 20 °C (shelf life). Chilling injury (CI) indices, color and firmness, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid and catalase activity were characterized. At harvest, R tomatoes cultivated at 12B were firmer and showed less coloration compared to fruit of other treatments. These fruits also showed higher loss of red color during cold storage and lower CI symptoms during shelf-life. MG tomatoes cultivated at 12B showed delayed coloring (non-chilled) and decreased weight loss (long cold stored) during shelf life compared to fruit in the other treatments. No effects of light treatments, both for MG and R tomatoes, were observed for the selected antioxidant capacity indicators. Improved cold tolerance for R tomatoes cultivated at 12B points to lycopene having higher scavenging activity at lower concentrations to mitigate chilling injury.

Discovery and identification of potential anti-melanogenic active constituents of Bletilla striata by zebrafish model and molecular docking

Background Bletilla striata is the main medicine of many skin whitening classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is widely used in cosmetic industry recently. However, its active ingredients are still unclear and its fibrous roots are not used effectively. The aim of the present study is to discover and identify its potential anti-melanogenic active constituents by zebrafish model and molecular docking. Methods The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-melanogenic activity was assessed by tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin inhibitory in zebrafish. The chemical profiles were performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the potential anti-melanogenic active constituents were temporary identified by molecular docking. Results The 95% ethanol extract of B. striata fibrous roots (EFB) possessed the strongest DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with IC50 5.94 mg/L, 11.69 mg/L, 6.92 mmol FeSO4/g, and 58.92 mg/L, respectively. In addition, EFB and 95% ethanol extract of B. striata tuber (ETB) significantly reduced the melanin synthesis of zebrafish embryos in a dose-dependent manner. 39 chemical compositions, including 24 stilbenoids were tentatively identified from EFB and ETB. Molecular docking indicated that there were 83 (including 60 stilbenoids) and 85 (including 70 stilbenoids) compounds exhibited stronger binding affinities toward tyrosinase and adenylate cyclase. Conclusion The present findings supported the rationale for the use of EFB and ETB as natural skin-whitening agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Meso-Dihydroguaiaretic Acid Ameliorates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome through Inhibiting Neutrophilic Inflammation and Scavenging Free Radical

The pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is very complex. Patients with ARDS still suffer high mortality rates. Infiltration and activation of neutrophils in lungs are critical pathogenic factors in ARDS. In this study, we demonstrate that meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA), a natural lignan, inhibits inflammatory responses in human neutrophils and ameliorates ARDS in mice. MDGA inhibited superoxide anion generation and elastase release in various G-protein coupled receptor agonists-induced human neutrophils. However, MDGA did not alter superoxide anion generation and elastase activity in cell-free systems. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of MDGA are mediated by regulating cellular signals in human neutrophils. In consistent with this, MDGA suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in activated human neutrophils. Moreover, MDGA inhibited CD11b expression and adhesion in activated human neutrophils. Interestingly, MDGA reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation but not superoxide anion generation in protein kinase C (PKC) activator-induced human neutrophils, suggesting that MDGA may also have ROS scavenging ability. Indeed, MDGA showed strong free radical scavenging activity in cell-free assays. Significantly, MDGA suppressed PKC-induced neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Additionally, treatment of MDGA attenuated neutrophil infiltration and lung damage on lipopolysaccharide-induced ARDS in mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that MDGA has anti-neutrophilic inflammatory effects and free-radical scavenging activity. We also suggest that MDGA has potential to serve as a lead for developing new therapeutics to treat ARDS.

Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Odontotermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) a potential source of antioxidant: the two most preferred edible insects of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Antioxidant potential of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (adult & brood) and termite Odontotermes sp the two common species of insects used as food by tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere in India. Our findings highlight the antioxidant potential of these two insects. DPPH• scavenging activity IC50 (µg/mL) ranged from 59.56 (weaver ant adult) to 66.30 (termite). Termite species scored higher ABTS•+ scavenging activity (IC50: µg/mL), Ferric reducing power (TPEE µg/g) and phenolics (mg GAE/g) (18.70, 36.60 and 626.92) than weaver ant adult (52.57, 211.21 and 369.69) and weaver ant brood (33.34, 114.32 and 486.04). On the other hand, weaver ant adult scored higher flavonoids (mg RTE/g) (663.43) than its brood (387.19) and termite species (58.04). Weaver ant brood contained substantial amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, comparatively higher than phenolics of weaver ant adult and flavonoids of termite. These two insects may serve as an ideal dietary food supplement for handling oxidative stress and as a replacement for some conventional food products. However, further study is needed to find out the bioactive compound at the individual species level.

Bacterial viability, antioxidant stability, antimutagenicity and sensory properties of onion types fermentation by using probiotic starter during storage

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the bacterial viability, antioxidative activity, antimutagenicity and sensory evaluation of fermented onion types by using probiotic starters after fermentation at 37 °C for 24 hours and storage in the refrigerator for 28 days. Design/methodology/approach For onion fermentation, Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5), Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB-12), and Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) were utilised. This research was conducted on three types of onion: white onion, red onion and scallion. With a 5% brine solution, the onions were sliced into 3-5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide slices. The process of fermentation was achieved by adding 2% (108 CFU/ gm) of fresh probiotic starter and incubating it for 24 hours at 37 °C. The fermented onion samples were kept in the refrigerator for 28 days. After fermentation and storage, the pH and total acidity were estimated, the vitality of probiotic bacteria was evaluated in samples of the onion species. The Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used to identify the bioactive components in fermented onion types. The antioxidant activity of fermented onions was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity test. The Ames test was used to detect the antimutagenicity of fermented onion samples. Findings After fermentation, the fermented scallion (p = 0.036) has the highest vitality of all the starter bacteria species. The fermentation of onion types produced a pH of between 4.1–4.7 and 0.19–0.23% total acidity, which is in the range of reduced 3.1–3.5 pH values and 0.42–0.63% total acidity after 28 days. The viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in fermented scallions was Log. 7.79 and 7.57 CFU/gm. The GC-MS technique found 14 bioactive compounds in fermented white onions and 13 compounds in fermented white onions, with 15 compounds in scallion fermentation. The majority of these bioactive compounds are strong antioxidants. The antioxidant properties of fermented scallion significantly increased after 28 days of storage time, showing an inhibitory effect on the DPPH assay (p = 0.02) and the scavenging activity of the hydroxyl radical assay (p = 0.01). Sensory evaluation tests revealed that the fermented scallion was a suitable product in terms of appearance, aroma and overall acceptability. Originality/value Commercially accessible probiotic foods account for a sizable portion of the consumer market. Furthermore, as consumer interest in healthy eating grows, so does demand for plant-based goods. All onion types fermented with probiotic bacteria have many chemical compounds that have both antioxidant and carcinogenic activity. The fermented scallion onion sample was significantly superior to the rest of the other types of onions.