Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Coriander

Coriander, named as Coriandrum sativum Linn, belongs to the family Umbelliferae and is one of the most popular and well-known spices/condiments and herbal medicines. The essential oils and fatty oils are the two major active chemical constituents present in the plant. The other minor ingredients found to be present are monoterpenes hydrocarbons i-e limonene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, p-cymene, borneol, citronellol, camphor, geraniol, and geraniol acetate and abd heterocyclic components such as pyrazine, pyridine, thiazole, furan and tetrahudrofuran derivatives, isocoumarins, coriandrin, dihydrocoriandrin, coriandrons A-E, flavonoids. The volatile oil from the leaf contains aromatic acids such as 2-decenoic acid, E-11-tetradecenoic acid, undecyl alcohol, tridecanoic acid, capric acid, undecanoic acid, and more. The current pharmacological research reveals the application of coriander has antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Medium chain fatty acids and fatty acid esters as potential markers of alcoholic fermentation of white wines

Aroma components of wines play an important role in the sensory quality of wines. In our paper we investigate the effect of commercially available yeast nutrients under different fermentation parameters. Caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, and different fatty acid esters were used as markers of the alcoholic fermentation process. The optimal temperature for the fermentation of different white wines was at 15–16 °C, in the case of examined wines lower concentrations of fatty acids and fatty acid esters were found at this temperature. At 25–26 °C fermentation temperature very high concentrations of fatty acids and fatty acid esters were detected. Applying different nitrogen-containing wine additives we managed to achieve better aroma profiles for white wines even using musts of lower quality.

Submerged Eutectic-Assisted, Solvent-Free Mechanochemical Formation of a Propranolol Salt and Its Other Multicomponent Solids

Salt preparation via a solid-state reaction offers a solution to challenges posed by current pharmaceutical research, which include combining development of novel forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients with greener, sustainable synthesis. This work investigated in detail the mechanism of salt formation between propranolol (PRO) and capric acid (CAP) and explored the solid eutectic phases comprising this salt, propranolol caprate (PRC). The salt structure was solved by X-ray diffraction, and the properties in the crystalline and supercooled states were fully characterised using thermal analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). PRC forms via a submerged eutectic phase composed of PRO and CAP, below room temperature, by mechanochemistry without an extra input of energy. Two other solid eutectic phases are composed of PRC and either CAP or PRO, at 0.28 and 0.82 mol fraction of PRO, respectively. BDS indicated that the supercooled PRC has ionic character, whereas the supercooled PRC-PRO eutectic had predominantly non-ionic properties despite comprising the salt. In conclusion, knowledge of the mechanism of formation of multicomponent systems can help in designing more sustainable pharmaceutical processes.

The Ketogenic Effect of Medium-Chain Triacylglycerides

Medium-chain triacylglycerides (MCTs) are dietary supplements that can induce ketosis without the need for a traditional ketogenic diet or prolonged fasting. They have the potential to marginally delay the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, there have been inconsistencies in reports of the MCT dose–response relationship, which may be due to differences in MCT composition, participant characteristics, and other factors that can influence ketone generation. To resolve these discrepancies, we reviewed studies that investigated the ketogenic effect of MCTs in healthy adults. Aside from the treatment dose, other factors that can influence the ketogenic response, such as accompanying meals, fasting duration, and caffeine intake, were assessed. Based on the available literature, four practical recommendations are made to optimize the ketogenic effect of MCTs and reduce unwanted side effects (primarily gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea). First, the starting dose should be either 5 g of octanoic acid [caprylic acid (C8); a component of MCTs] or 5 g of a combination of C8 and decanoic or capric acid (C10; another component of MCTs), and the dose should be progressively increased to 15–20 g of C8. Second, MCTs should be consumed after an overnight fast, without an accompanying meal if tolerable, or with a low-carbohydrate meal. Third, the addition of caffeine may slightly increase the ketogenic response. Fourth, emulsifying the MCTs might increase their ketogenic effect and alleviate side effects.

Synthesis of symmetrical structured triglycerides via a bottom-up process

The synthesis of symmetrical structured triglycerides (STG) through a bottom-up approach was previously shown to produce 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl glycerol in significant quantities. This solvent-free lipase-catalyzed process, consisting of a low-temperature (40 °C) esterification step with glycerol dosing followed by a high-temperature (60 °C) esterification step, was further investigated in the production of symmetrical medium-and-long-chain triglycerides (MLCT). By replacing oleic acid with capric acid in the first step or the palmitic acid by either capric acid or lauric acid in the second step, the effects of free fatty chain length and sequence of fatty acid addition on STG production were established. These produced 1,3-dicaproyl-2-oleoyl glycerol, 1,3-dioleoyl-2-caproyl glycerol, and 1,3-dioleoyl-2-lauroyl glycerol at concentrations of 36.98 g, 36.77 g, and 37.08 g per 100 g of triglycerides respectively after 72 h at an overall FFA1:FFA2:Glycerol of 2:1:1 and 4 g Novozyme 435 per 100 g reactants, without the purification of intermediates and products. The sequence of fatty acid addition had the most significant effect as purer STG products can be obtained when the medium chain fatty acid is introduced in the first step. As the process was carried out without solvents, the STG produced are appropriate for functional food or nutraceutical applications.