Profiling of Phenolic Compounds of Fruit Peels of Different Ecotype Bananas Derived from Domestic and Imported Cultivars with Different Maturity

Banana is one of the most produced and consumed fruits in the world and its fruit peel accounts for about 40% of the total fresh quantity of ripe fruit, which is usually regarded as waste and poses serious environmental hazards. However, it is a promising source of natural bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds. Determination of the phenolic compounds in fruit peel from different cultivars and subgroups over a range of maturities provides convincing information for making full use of them. This study developed a sensitive and reliable analytical method—ultra-high performance liquid chromatography—coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for measuring phenolic compounds in fruit peel from different ecotype cultivars and subgroups with different maturity. The results showed that quinic acid had the highest concentration ratio among the main phenolic compounds in the green/ripe peel of all banana cultivars; among all banana cultivars, the total phenolic compound contents of green banana peel were significantly higher than that of ripe banana peel; the total phenolic compound contents in the green/ripe fruit peel of non-dessert bananas were significantly higher than that of dessert bananas (green: non-dessert banana 1.48 ± 0.44 mg/g vs. dessert banana 0.97 ± 0.12 mg/g; ripe: non-dessert banana 0.26 ± 0.13 mg/g vs. dessert banana 0.19 ± 0.06 mg/g). These data provide a basis for the rational utilization of phenolic compound extractions from banana peel with huge biomass in the next step.

A Tara Gum/Olive Mill Wastewaters Phytochemicals Conjugate as a New Ingredient for the Formulation of an Antioxidant-Enriched Pudding

Olive mill wastewater, a high polyphenols agro-food by-product, was successfully exploited in an eco-friendly radical process to synthesize an antioxidant macromolecule, usefully engaged as a functional ingredient to prepare functional puddings. The chemical composition of lyophilized olive mill wastewaters (LOMW) was investigated by HPLC-MS/MS and 1H-NMR analyses, while antioxidant profile was in vitro evaluated by colorimetric assays. Oleuropein aglycone (5.8 μg mL−1) appeared as the main compound, although relevant amounts of an isomer of the 3-hydroxytyrosol glucoside (4.3 μg mL−1) and quinic acid (4.1 μg mL−1) were also detected. LOMW was able to greatly inhibit ABTS radical (IC50 equal to 0.019 mg mL−1), displaying, in the aqueous medium, an increase in its scavenger properties by almost one order of magnitude compared to the organic one. LOMW reactive species and tara gum chains were involved in an eco-friendly grafting reaction to synthesize a polymeric conjugate that was characterized by spectroscopic, calorimetric and toxicity studies. In vitro acute oral toxicity was tested against 3T3 fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells, confirming that the polymers do not have any effect on cell viability at the dietary use concentrations. Antioxidant properties of the polymeric conjugate were also evaluated, suggesting its employment as a thickening agent, in the preparation of pear puree-based pudding. High performance of consistency and relevant antioxidants features over time (28 days) were detected in the milk-based foodstuff, in comparison with its non-functional counterparts, confirming LOWM as an attractive source to achieve high performing functional foods.

hemical Composition and Biological Activity of Ixiolirion tataricum (Pall.) Schult. & Schult.f. var. tataricum.

The role of plants in human life and the importance of plants in the food, drug and cosmetics industry have been increasing nowadays. This study investigates biological and chemical properties of root, branch, leaf, flower and aerial ethanol extracts of Ixiolirion tataricum (Pall.) Schult. & Schult. f. var. tataricum species, consumed as food in the population. The chemical composition of the species has been determined by the LC-MS/MS by specifying total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity, cholinesterase, urease, tyrosinase, elastase and collagenase inhibitory activities have also been studied. According to the results of LC-MS/MS, quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin have been detected. The branch ethanol extract contained higher amounts of quininic acid (12.101 µg analyte/g extract) than extracts of leaves, flowers, roots and aerial parts. On the other hand, the leaves ethanol extract exhibited high antioxidant activity in all tests (ABTS: IC50= 57.47±0.86 µg/mL, CUPRAC: A0.5= 66.76±1.86, DPPH: IC50: 119.2±1.52). The species has the potential to be used in the food industry due to its high antioxidant capacity.

Changes in Polar Metabolites Content during Natural and Methyl-Jasmonate-Promoted Senescence of Ginkgo biloba Leaves

The present study clarified changes in the contents of polar metabolites (amino acids, organic acids, saccharides, cyclitols, and phosphoric acid) in leaf senescence in Ginkgo biloba with or without the application of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) in comparison with those in naturally senescent leaf blades and petioles. The contents of most amino acids and citric and malic acids were significantly higher in abaxially, and that of myo-inositol was lower in abaxially JA-Me-treated leaves than in adaxially JA-Me-treated and naturally senescent leaves. The levels of succinic and fumaric acids in leaves treated adaxially substantially high, but not in naturally senescent leaves. In contrast, sucrose, glucose, and fructose contents were much lower in leaf blades and petioles treated abaxially with JA-Me than those treated adaxially. The levels of these saccharides were also lower compared with those in naturally senescent leaves. Shikimic acid and quinic acid were present at high levels in leaf blades and petioles of G. biloba. In leaves naturally senescent, their levels were higher compared to green leaves. The shikimic acid content was also higher in the organs of naturally yellow leaves than in those treated with JA-Me. These results strongly suggest that JA-Me applied abaxially significantly enhanced processes of primary metabolism during senescence of G. biloba compared with those applied adaxially. The changes in polar metabolites in relation to natural senescence were also discussed.

Aqueous Dried Extract of Skytanthus acutus Meyen as Corrosion Inhibitor of Carbon Steel in Neutral Chloride Solutions

The implementation of corrosion engineering control methods and techniques is crucial to extend the life of urban and industrial infrastructure assets and industrial equipment affected by natural corrosion. Then, the search of stable and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors is an important pending task. Here, we provide experimental evidence on the corrosion inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of Skytanthus acutus Meyen leaf, a native plant from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Skytanthus extracts as a powder should be prepared at 55 °C to avoid thermal decomposition and loss of corrosion inhibitory activity. Corrosion of carbon steel AISI1020 immersed in 0.5 M NaCl was evaluated in the presence of different doses of Skytanthus extract by complementary and simultaneous linear polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and weight-loss technique under high hydrodynamic conditions. Mixed Potential Theory was applied to confirm the electrochemical activity of the extract inhibitory capabilities. The Skytanthus extracts reached a 90% corrosion inhibitory efficiency when tested at 100 to 1200 ppm in a time span of 48 h, through an electrochemical interaction between the extract inhibitor component and the carbon steel surface. The corrosion inhibition activity observed in Skytanthus dry extracts involves a protective film formation by a mechanism that includes an iron dissolution at the expense of either oxygen reduction and/or hydrogen evolution, followed by a ferrous-ferric iron cycling, the formation of an iron complex and adsorption to the metal surface, and, finally, desorption or degradation of the protecting film. The water-soluble plant extract was subjected to HPLC-MS analyses that rendered 14 major signals, with quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid isomers, vanillic acid hexoside, and patuletin 3-methoxy-7-glucoside as the most abundant components. Then, we propose that a phenolic derivative is responsible for the corrosion inhibitory activity found in Skytanthus extracts.

TCQA, A Natural Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivative Attenuates H2O2-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis by Suppressing Phosphorylation of MAPKs Signaling Pathway

Abstract1,3,5-Tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid is a caffeoylquinic acid derivative isolated from the roots of Arctium lappa L. Our previous studies have revealed that the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of A. lappa L. and the caffeoylquinic acids contained in it possess antioxidant properties, especially 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and explore the underlying mechanism. We found that 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid prevented the decline of cell viability and excessive release of lactate dehydrogenase induced by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, Hoechst 33 342 staining and Annexin V-PI double staining showed that 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell apoptosis. 1,3,5-Tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid reduced the excessive production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, decreased the malondialdehyde content, and improved the activity of superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid restored the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in SH-SY5Y cells induced by hydrogen peroxide. 1,3,5-Tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid downregulated the overexpression of proapoptotic proteins, including Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 as well as promoted the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Moreover, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases induced by hydrogen peroxide was inhibited by 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid. Pretreatment with 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid also promoted the activation of phosphorylated Akt. Taken together, these findings suggest that 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid exerts protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and the activation of Akt are implicated in the antioxidant activity of 1,3,5-tri-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, giving new insight in searching for a compound with antioxidant activity for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated neurological diseases.

Metabolite Profiles of the Green Beans of Indonesian Arabica Coffee Varieties

The green beans of 3 Indonesian arabica coffee varieties, namely, ateng, buhun, and sigararutang, were analyzed with 1H NMR-based metabolomics coupled with alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity assay. These coffees were cultivated in the same geographical conditions. The PLSDA model successfully classified the green coffee beans based on their varieties. To reveal the characteristic metabolites for each coffee variety, S-plot of two-class OPLSDA models was generated and analyzed. Ateng coffee was characterized with trigonelline, sucrose, 5-CQA, and acetic acid. The characteristic metabolites of buhun coffee were citric acid and malic acid. Meanwhile, the most discriminant compound of sigararutang coffee was quinic acid. HCA analysis revealed the lineage relationship of the 3 coffee varieties. Ateng coffee had closer lineage relationship to sigararutang compared to the buhun coffee. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the coffee samples did not differ widely. I C 50 values of alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of ateng, sigararutang, and buhun coffees were 3.01 ± 0.16 , 3.14 ± 0.20 , and 5.05 ± 0.28 mg/mL, respectively. Although grown in the same geographical conditions, our results revealed that each coffee variety possessed a unique metabolome clarifying the diversity of Indonesian arabica coffees. This study verified that 1H NMR-based metabolomics is an excellence method for discovering the lineage relationship in the samples with different varieties or cultivars.