Fatty acid composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of Capparis spinosa sedes

The present study evaluates the contents in bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, oil content and fatty acid composition of Capparis spinosa seeds. Samples were collected from 5 different habitats (AH: Ahar; KU: Kurdistan; U1, U2 and U3: Urmia) in Iran. The oil content in the seeds ranged from 16 to 27%. The predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (45-50%) followed by oleic acid (30-39%), palmitic acid (2-8%) and stearic acid (2-3%). Total phenolic content (TPC) varied from 16.3 to 24.2 mg GAE/ g DW; total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 1.48 to 3.05 mg QE/g DW; and the antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) of the seeds was between 35 and 63%. The compounds obtained from different genotypes of C. spinosa seeds had different compositions, great antioxidant capacity and unsaturated fatty acids, and therefore could be a prospective source of natural bioactive molecules for the food and health industry.

Impact of Inorganic Metal (Ag, Cu) Nanoparticles on the Quality of Seeds and Dried Rapeseed Sprouts

The present study focuses on the impact of copper and silver nanoparticles on the chemical composition and physical properties of rapeseeds and rape sprouts. The seeds and sprouts were obtained from winter rape grown in a three-year cultivation (2018–2020) treated with silver (AgNP) and copper (CuNP) nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of the freeze-drying temperature (20; 40; 60 °C) on selected properties of the sprouts was studied. Spraying growing plants with nanoparticles resulted, in most cases, and depending on the year, in a reduction in the mass of seeds (MTS) by 9.5% (single nanoparticles spray ×1 CuNP in 2018), an increase in the fat content (by 8.80% for ×1 CuNP in 2018), a reduction in the protein content (by 12.93% for ×1 CuNP in 2018) and flavonoid content (by up to 58% for ×1 AgNP and CuNP in 2018), as well as increase in the glucosinolates content by 25% (for double nanoparticles spray ×2 AgNP in 2019). For the sprouts obtained from the rapeseeds, in most cases, a decrease in the content of flavonoids was observed (26.68% for ×1 AgNP; 20 °C in 2018), depending on the year of cultivation, the nanoparticles used, and the drying temperature. The obtained results remain inconclusive, which encourages the authors to undertake further research.

Anti-Aging Effects of Terminalia bellirica, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya Extracts for Sustainable Youth

As the human lifespan becomes longer, many people invest time and money in managing external beauty. However, managing external beauty has the disadvantage of causing side effects or that the effect does not last. Therefore, research and development are required to maximize effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and sustainably in beauty management. The purpose of this study was to experimentally identify the anti-aging effects, such as skin wrinkle and elasticity improvement, of extracts from Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya, and to confirm their development as whitening and wrinkle functional cosmetic materials. In this study, a solid mixture was prepared using eco-friendly Terminalia bellirica, amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Triphala, and Carica papaya, and experimental samples were extracted. Antioxidant tests, antibacterial activity tests, polyphenol and flavonoid content, and deodorization tests were conducted to test the efficacy of experimental samples. The procedures and methods of these experiments are summarized in the following article. In this study, we found that the Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya extracts had significant effects on whitening and wrinkle improvement, and that the effects of using ethanol-based extracts as the co-solvent were even greater. In other words, extracts of Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala and Carica papaya showed antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle effects, and extracts that used ethanol as a co-solvent showed greater effects. In particular, we found that the optimal concentration of ethanol as a co-solvent maximizes its effectiveness at 70%.

Microscopic Identification and Determination of Total Flavonoid Content of Moringa Leaves Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction (Moringa oleifera L.)

This research was conducted to identify simplicia microscopically, phytochemical screening and determination of total flavonoid content of extract and ethyl acetate fraction from Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) leaves using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry method. The experimental design used in this study was to perform microscopic identification of Moringa leaf powder simplicia, make 96% and 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa leaves from 70% ethanol extract, then carry out phytochemical screening and determination of total flavonoid content with quercetin standards. Phytochemical screening on the ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa leaves included tests for the content of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids. The results of microscopic identification of Moringa leaf simplicia showed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the form of rosettes, mesophyll and stomata. The result of determination of total flavonoid content in 96% ethanol extract was 16.69 ± 0.74% (w/w), 70% ethanol extract was 10.84 ± 0.49% (w/w), Moringa leaf ethyl acetate fraction 14 .45 ± 0.90% (w/w). The highest total flavonoid content was found in the 96% ethanol extract of Moringa leaves in accordance with the 2017 Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, that the thick extract of Moringa leaves containing no less than 6.30% (w/w) total flavonoids was calculated as quercetin.

Polyphenol, Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Activity of the Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Extract Obtained by Two Different Extraction Processes

Garlic is a globally used spice due to its pungent taste and a fishy deodorant and digestive stimulator. Owing to the widespread use of garlic in both Oriental and Western medicine, further investigations on garlic extracts might carry important implications in the industry. In this study, we conducted extraction of garlic extraction by two conventional methods and an ultrasonic assisted method. The processes were optimized with respect to various quality parameters including polyphenol, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The results showed that extracting garlic under the ultrasonic support will show higher efficiency than the non-ultrasonic extraction. The optimal extraction parameters are: 70% ethanol solvent, 10/1 solvent / material ratio, 40 °C temperature and 40 minutes time. Keywords: Allium Sativum L., Garic, Polyphenol, Flavonoid, Antioxidant

Comparison of flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in calyces of two roselle varieties (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Free radicals can cause various degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Flavonoids have antioxidant abilities that inhibit damage from free radicals. The roselle antioxidant mechanism is associated with high flavonoid content. Red and purple roselles are two varieties of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) cultivated in Indonesia. The aim of this research was to analyze the differences in flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in the calyces of two varieties of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), red and purple. Total flavonoid analysis and antioxidant activity testing were done by spectrophotometry in the visible region. Total flavonoid content was analyzed by pretreatment with aluminium chloride and sodium acetate. Antioxidant activity was tested with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The total flavonoids for both red and purple roselle calyces ethanolic extract were 27.55 and 39.18 mg quercetin equivalent per gram. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values obtained for both red and purple roselle calyces ethanolic extract a were 51.59 and 42.17 μg/mL. The total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of purple roselle calyces ethanolic extract was higher and stronger than red roselle calyces ethanolic extract.

Quality attributes of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) fruit under pre-harvest and post-harvest treatment with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the most delicious fruits popularly cultivated in tropical regions due to its sweet-juicy taste, attractive flavor and bioactive composition. Extending cantaloupe shelf-life during handling and distribution is very necessary to upgrade its commercial value. Methyl jasmonate (MJeA) and salicylic acid (SA) are bio-regulators widely applied on either pre- or post-harvest to extend the shelf life and maintain fruit quality during storage. In this investigation, the possibility of both pre-harvest (7 days before harvesting) via spraying and post-harvest (immediately after harvesting) evaluated by dipping on cantaloupe fruit by either MJeA (3 mM) or SA (3 mM) separately; in combination with MJeA/SA (1.5/1.5 mM/mM) for 30 s. These fruits were kept at 24±0.5 oC for 28 days of storage. In 7 day-interval, fruits were sampled to verify firmness, weight loss, decay rate, total soluble solid, carotenoid, vitamin C, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content. Results revealed that there was a significant difference in quality attributes between the treated samples and the control ones. However, there was no significant difference in quality attributes on either pre-harvest or post-harvest treatments by MeJA and SA reagents. Incorporation of MJeA/SA (1.5/1.5 mM/mM) by either pre-harvest or post-harvest maintained the most firmness (52.10±0.11 N or 52.37±0.08 N), total soluble solid (18.08±0.05 oBrix or 18.15±0.04 oBrix), carotenoid (46.97±0.02 µg/100 g or 47.10±0.03 µg/100 g), vitamin C (26.04±0.02 mg/100 g or 26.17±0.02 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (117.86±0.05 mg GAE/100 g or 119.75±0.09 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (84.04±0.02 mg QE/100 g or 84.20±0.02 mg QE/100 g) as well as the least weight loss (3.74±0.01% or 3.66±0.03%) and decay rate (1.42±0.01% or 1.26±0.03%) at the end of 28 days of storage. The synergistic effect of MeJA and SA would be a promising alternative to preserve cantaloupe fruit quality with a long shelf life.

Phytochemical and biological activities evaluation of latex from Himatanthus obovatus (Muell. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae)

Himatanthus obovatus is a tree species that has laticifers in its aerial organs, where it is used in folk medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the latex of H. obovatus regarding its phytochemical composition and biological activities. The latex was collected and lyophilized, yield (%) was carried out, phytochemical prospection for several groups, determination of the content of flavonoids, phenolics and total tannins, antioxidant activity in reducing DPPH, antifungal activity on the Candida genus, antibacterial for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella serovar Enteritidis and Thyphymurium and Enterococcus faecalis, hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes and cytotoxicity bioassay on Artemia salina. The latex yield was 19.05%, positive presence of several groups of phytocompounds was observed, total flavonoid content of 78.80 mg QE 100 g-1, total phenolic compounds of 166.51 mg AGE g 100-1, total tannins of 14.81 mg TAE 100 g-1, antioxidant activity IC50 = 178.87 µg mL-1, antifungal activity for all Candida strains and antibacterial only for E. coli and E. faecalis, hemolytic activity between 68-18% and cytotoxicity with LC50 = 433.97 µg mL-1 on A. salina. The latex of Himatanthus obovatus demonstrated in this study, important phytochemical data and biological activities.