Enzymatic pre-treatment in cold pressing: Influence on flaxseed, apricot kernel and grape seed oils

A commercial enzyme preparation consisting of pectolytic, cellulotic and hemicellulotic enzymes was applied to the oil extraction by cold pressing from apricot kernel, flaxseed and grape seed. The effects of enzyme pre-treatment varied depending on the different oil seed used as raw material. Although the increase in free fatty acidity can be considered as a negative effect (from 0.37 to 0.52), the decrease in peroxide number and p-anisidine values, increase in oil yield (22.75%), higher levels of total carotenoids and tocopherols, as well as a remarkable increase in phenolic content (x1.68) and radical scavenging effect (including hydrophilic and lipophilic-induced and total antioxidant capacity) showed that the use of enzyme application in the cold pressing of apricot kernel oil would be beneficial. Many of these positive results could not be achieved in the pressing of flaxseed or grape seed oils under the same conditions. A high negative correlation (r=-92.2) was found between p-anisidine value and δ-tocopherol for grapeseed oil. Hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and total carotenoids negatively correlated well (r values above 80) with peroxide values for apricot seed oil. Correlation results showed that carotenoids play an important role in the oxidative stability of the oils, where it was much more evident for apricot seed oil (r=-97.5).

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of ethanolic extract of sweet apricot kernel on PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic/apoptotic effects of sweet apricot kernel ethanolic extract (SAEE) on human cancerous PANC-1 and 293/KDR normal cells. Design/methodology/approach The extract was prepared by maceration, and its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biological effects of SAEE on PANC-1 and 293/KDR cells were investigated using MTT (3–(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and AnnexinV/propidium iodide (PI) staining. The expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time q-PCR) analysis. Findings The SAEE showed the selective growth inhibitory activity against PANC-1 cells with an IC50 (the 50% inhibitory concentration) value of about 1 mg/mL at 72 h. Further investigations by DAPI staining and flow cytometry revealed nucleus fragmentation and elevation of apoptotic cells, respectively. Also, a significant decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax) ratio (0.41, p = 0.001) and the up-regulation of caspase-3 expression (1.5 fold, p = 0.002) indicated the induction of apoptosis in PANC-1 cells but not in 293/KDR non-cancerous cells. These results suggest that SAEE could induce apoptosis in cancer cells via a mitochondrial dependent pathway. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis showed that the SAEE is rich in γ-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol. Overall, the findings suggest that because of the selective impacts of SAEE on PANC-1 cells, it can be considered as a supportive care in adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. However, the potent anticancer effects of main components of SAEE and its clinical value as an antitumor drug should be further investigated. Research limitations/implications Considerable limitations of this study were that the related mechanisms of selective impacts of SAEE on cancerous and normal cells and potent cytotoxic/apoptotic effects of γ-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol as major components of SAEE were not investigated. Originality/value Recently, a growing interest has been dedicated to plant-based natural products. Sweet apricot kernel exerts a number of pharmacological activities; however, the anticancer effect, related mechanisms and its active compounds were rarely investigated. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic/apoptotic effects of SAEE on human cancerous PANC-1 and 293/KDR normal cells.

Evaluation of Natural Oil Adducts in Alkyd-Based Varnish Emulsion and Effect on Rowan (Sorbus torminalis) Wood

In these days, preparation of eco-friendly wood surface coating agents has become important topic for environmental concerns. In this study, an alternative surface coating formulations was prepared with adducts of oils of apricot kernel (A), sesame (S) and grape seed (G) were mixed with oil modified alkyd-based synthetic varnish system. These emulsions were applied on Rowan (Sorbus torminalis) wood and exposed artificial UV irradiation. However, all emulsion coated samples show lower water sorptions regardless of conditions or level of treatments. Increasing adduct charges from 5.0% to 10% have not considerably effects for water sorptions. The reducing water sorption properties of 35.5%, 35.2% and 39.4% were obtained with 10% sesame oil-varnish coated samples of 10Sı and 10 Sıı in one- and two-time coatings and three-times coated samples of 5Sııı in 5.0% sesame oil-varnish emulsion coatings, respectively. Moreover, selected oil adducts into varnish had one and two point lowering effects on coated surface hardness (in 4H-5H levels). The UV exposure seems to not much influence on surface hardness properties. The similar tendency were also observed for cross-cut resistance that marginally similar adhesion (scratch resistance) for both control and UV exposured samples. Increasing coatings and charge of apricot kernel oil in varnish emulsion looks like more effective than other varnish formulations, in terms of gloss stability. However, increasing adducts charges and UV radiation time, have more less similar effects on all coated and UV irradiated samples.

Agro-industrial byproducts in rabbit food: Case of the complex of detoxified apricot kernel cake and dehydrated tomato pulp

Background and Aim: The use of agro-industrial byproducts as an unconventional source of raw materials for monogastric feed is one possible solution. This study aimed to determine the effects of incorporating detoxified apricot kernel meal (DAKM) as a substitute for soybean meal and dehydrated tomato pulp (DTP) as a substitute for alfalfa hay on the local rabbit fattening. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 white strain rabbits, weaned at 33 days, were randomly assigned to four groups of 30. The rabbits in each group were ringed, placed in cages at 6 rabbits/cage, and fed according to DAKM and DTP incorporation rates (0%, 30%, 40%, and 60%). Results: The weights at 77 days were improved (p<0.05) with unchanged mean daily intakes. The vast majority of slaughter parameters and carcass characteristics improved. The chemical composition of the meat constituents improved significantly, with a 60% increase in the protein content of the batch (26.55% vs. 28.53%), 38% reduction in the total feed cost, and 40 DA saved for each kilogram of feed consumed per rabbit. The relative economic efficiency improved in proportion to the substitution rates of soybean meal by DAKM and alfalfa hay by DTP. Conclusion: Substituting DAKM and DTP, as byproducts of agro-industrial processing, for up to 60% induced satisfactory results in rabbit fattening. Therefore, it would be more insightful to increase the incorporation rates to determine the optimal threshold.

Pyrolysis Study of Different Fruit Wastes Using an Aspen Plus Model

Large quantities of fruit wastes are generated during the consumption and processing of fruits. The disposal of fruit wastes in an environmentally benign way is a challenging task. The biochar production from fruit wastes by pyrolysis is receiving huge attention because it can alleviate pollution of fruit wastes and provide a supply of biochar sustainably. In this study, five fruit waste types—orange peel, banana peel, mango endocarp, apricot kernel shell, and date pits—are examined. An Aspen Plus simulation tool was employed to develop a steady-state model to predict the pyrolysis product yields of the fruit wastes. The details of the proximate and elemental analyses of the fruit wastes were applied as input parameters in the model, and the simulation was carried out at 300–600°C and 1 atm pressure. Among the fruit wastes, the date pits presented the highest char yield (50.92 wt.%), while the mango endocarp offered the highest syngas yield (54.23 wt.%). From the simulation results, it can be inferred that the date pits are best suited for biochar production, whereas the mango endocarp and orange peel are appropriate for syngas generation. The study is further analyzed by studying the optimization of biomass feedstock blend to yield the highest char relative to bio-oil and syngas. The optimization results demonstrate apricot kernel shell and date pits to dominate the feedstock blend. It is hoped that the current outcomes will be helpful in the selection of appropriate feedstocks for biochar generation through pyrolysis.