Effects of grafting on some phytochemical traits and elemental composition in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Grafting method in vegetables has been used in common due to positive effects in agriculture. In this context, it is focused that the studies aimed at increasing yield and quality through grafting. This research was carried out to determine the effects of grafting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) onto pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). Effects of grafting on extract yield, dry matter ratio, ash, and macro and micro elemental content of the fruits and leaves of bitter gourd were determined in greenhouse conditions. Grafting significantly increased the dry matter ratio and extract yield in the bitter gourd fruits and the ash content in young, mature and old leaves. In the fruits, a positive correlation (R = 0.9264) was found only between extract yield and dry matter ratio. The main important effect of grafting in terms of macro and micro elements appeared on the fruits of bitter gourd. The accumulation of Ca2+ in the leaves increased during maturation. The positive effect of grafting in terms of Ca2+ increase in fruits was higher in unripe fruits compared to ripe fruits. In addition to obtaining more extracts from the fruits bitter gourd, the enrichment of its fruits in terms of Ca2+ and K+ and its leaves in terms of Ca2+ increases the importance of these parts in terms of human nutrition.

Modification of physical and functional characteristics of chitin extracted from microwave-treated Nelumbo nucifera rhizome flour

Chitin, a cell wall polysaccharide, extracted from Nelumbo nucifera rhizome (NNR), was subjected to microwave treatment to modify its physical and functional characteristics. The NNR flour was irradiated at different levels of the microwave treatment period (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min). Chitin was extracted from the native and microwave-treated samples and analyzed for physical and functional characteristics. The microwave treatment resulted in some variations in the extract yield, structure, morphology, and composition of chitin that were directly correlated with its functional properties. Regression analysis of the data showed a significant ( p < 0.05) time-dependent linear decrease in extract yield, polynomial decrease in water-holding and swelling capacities, an exponential increase in oil holding, and an exponential decrease in iron-binding capacity of chitin extracted from microwave-treated flour. These variations in the studied functional properties may be due to microwave-induced hydrolytic degradation of chitin, structural rearrangements, and exposure of some lipophilic functional groups on the surface of chitin. The data would be a valuable contribution to the literature regarding microwave-induced modification in physical and functional characteristics of chitin present in N. nucifera rhizome and other plant-based biomaterials of industrial importance.

​Standardization of Cold Solvent Extraction Parameters for Natural Red Pigments

Background: Selecting an appropriate extraction technique and optimization of extraction conditions must be done to improve the efficiency and productivity of natural colorant. Methods: Flesh and peels of four different raw materials viz., beetroot, carrot, pomegranate and grape were extracted independently using 100% ethyl alcohol using cold solvent extraction method adopting 1: 1 and 1: 2 w/v solid to solvent ratio for 24 and 48 hrs, forming 8 treatments replicated thrice in three factorial CRD. The collected extracts were evaporated at 60oC; per cent yield and pigment content were calculated. Result: Extract yield and pigment content were significantly influenced by raw material, solid to solvent ratio and duration of extraction. Extract yield was higher in flesh of carrot and beetroot as well as in peels of grape and pomegranate. Anthocyanin content in grape and pomegranate and betalain content in beetroot were high in peel where as β-carotene content was higher in carrot flesh extract. Per cent yield and pigment content increased with increased duration of extraction and solid to solvent ratio. Requirement of more solvent and longer extraction time are the drawback of conventional extraction methods and there is a growing demand for non-conventional techniques to enhance yield and maintain pigment stability.

Effects of Ethanol on the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Cannabinoids from Near Equimolar (THC and CBD Balanced) Cannabis Flower

In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extractions of cannabinoids were conducted at four different densities (231, 590, 818, and 911 kg/m3) using ethanol (5% w/v) as a co-solvent. The chemical profiles of these cannabinoids were analysed via reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). It was determined that scCO2, at low density (231 kg/m3), produced an extract yield of 6.1% w/v. At high scCO2 density (~818 kg/m3), the yield was 16.1% w/v. More specifically, the amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in the scCO2 extract at 818 kg/m3 were 10.8 and 15.6% w/v, respectively. It was also found that the use of 5% w/v ethanol increased scCO2 extract yields at both low and high densities (7.6% w/v and 18.2% w/v, respectively). Additionally, the use of co-solvent increased this yield further under both low- and high-density conditions, to 13.7 and 19.1% w/v, respectively. Interestingly, higher scCO2 density (911 kg/m3) with and without ethanol did not improve the scCO2 extract yield or the amount of cannabinoids. Although this study provides new insights into the correlation between scCO2 density and ethanol co-extraction of CBD and THC, more studies are needed to determine how different scCO2 densities and co-solvents influence the extraction of cannabinoids.

An in vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of various extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Cissus quadrangularis

The antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Cissus quadrangularis was evaluated. A. aspera and C. quadrangularis plants collected from its natural habitat in and around Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India were shadow dried at room temperature and pulverized into coarse powder. Aqueous extracts were prepared by extracting with distilled water at 100°C for 4h and methanol extracts were prepared by maceration process using methanol for 72h. The aqueous extract yield was 12.1% and 23.5% for A. aspera and C. quadrangularis respectively. Whereas, methanol extract yield was 6% and 4% for A. aspera and C. quadrangularis, respectively. The antibacterial activity of plant extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC-96) and Escherichia coli (MTCC-443) was evaluated by Agar well diffusion method. The diameters of zone of inhibition ranged from 8mm to 17mm with highest inhibition zone observed against S. aureus by methanol extract of A. aspera (17mm) followed by aqueous extract of C. quadrangularis (13mm) and methanol extract of C. quadrangularis (9mm). Whereas, zone of inhibition (8mm) against Escherichia coli was observed only with methanol extract of C. quadrangularis. The results necessitate further study to isolate the active principles from the plant extracts to exploit the potential antibacterial activity and to find novel pharmacological uses of these plants beyond their racial use.

The influence of the extraction method on polyphenols, flavonoids composition and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of papaya leaves (Carica papaya Linn.)

Background Papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) is well known for its nutritional as well as medicinal value. Different parts of the plant including leaves have been used as therapeutic remedies for various diseases. The objective of the present study is to determine the impact of different extraction methods; microwave-assisted, ultrasonic-assisted and conventional maceration on extract yield, polyphenols, flavonoids composition and subsequently, the anti-hyperlipidemic potential of papaya leaves (Carica papaya Linn.). Results Innovative extraction methods represented in microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) have significant impact on the extract yield and total phenolic and flavonoids content than conventional maceration extraction (CME) of the prepared aqueous ethanol extracts. HPLC assay showed the highest content of bioactive polyphenols characterized extract from the MAE (29.99 mg/g), followed by UAE (24.75 mg/g) and the lowest content was that obtained from CME. The aqueous ethanol extract of the leaves obtained by MAE induced significant hypolipidemic activity (P < 0.05) in hyperlipidemic rats particularly, the oral treatment with 200 mg/kg b.wt. which retained the lipid profile to be compatible to the results of rats receiving simvastatin (0.18 mg/kg b.w.). Conclusion The results substantiate traditional usage and recommend the potential utilization of Carica papaya leaves for its’ beneficial therapeutic effects.