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WOS:000843961900001 In this study, antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant enzyme inhibitory properties of the 7,8-dihydroxy-3-(4-methylphenyl) coumarin were investigated. Its free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reducing power were as high as standard antioxidants, namely gallic acid and Trolox. It also demonstrated antibacterial effects on tested microorganisms and cytotoxic activity on breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, even though it was non-toxic to hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells (IC50 for HepG2: 0.553 mM; IC50 for MCF-7: 0.040 mM). 7,8-Dihydroxy-3-(4-methylphenyl) coumarin inhibited catalase enzyme in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 0.12 mM), and the decrease in V-max and K-m values of catalase suggests a mixed-type inhibitory mechanism. Glutathione-S-transferase activities were also suppressed with IC50 3.7 mM for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene- and 7.5 mM for glutathione-dependent glutathione-S-transferase activities. While the changes in kinetic parameters indicated a possible competition between 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-substrate for glutathione-S-transferase activity, glutathione-dependent glutathione-S-transferase activity is consistent with the mixedtype inhibition model. These results indicated the high antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential of 7,8-dihydroxy3-(4-methylphenyl) coumarin and inhibitory effects over main antioxidant and detoxification enzymes that might induce oxidative stress and xenobiotic induced apoptosis in cancer cells which would prevent oncogenesis and tumor progression in the liver and breast cancer.

Present study reports metabolites profiling, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects of Cuscuta reflexa grown on Casearia tomentosa. The UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS method was used to characterize phytochemicals in most potent extract. Thirteen bioactive compounds/metabolites including (2S)-3-(β-D-galactopyranosyloxy)-2-(hexanoyloxy)propyl nonanoate, 4-O-β-D-glucosyl-4-coumaric acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, 7-(α-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyheptanoic acid, 13S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, astragaloside derivative, salicylic acid, oleanolic acid, citric acid, pinellic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid derivative and caffeic acid-3-glucoside were detected in 80% hydroethanolic (HE) extract. Among different extracts (aqueous, 20–80% HE and pure ethanolic), 80% HE extract showed maximum TPC (186.19 ± 2.15 mg GAE/g DE) and TFC (106.50 ± 1.68 mg RE/g DE). A strong correlation was observed between TPC, TFC, DPPH radical scavenging (IC50 = 60.64 ± 1.74 µg/mL) and TAP activity (235.96 ± 1.33 mg AAE/g DE) of 80% HE extract among others. The same extract also depicted highest α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition with IC50 of 71.84 ± 1.06 and 57.25 ± 1.40 µg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking was performed to explore possible role of identified phytochemicals. Binding affinity data as well as interaction patterns have revealed possible interaction of the identified bioactives against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Moreover, intra-molecular charge transfer, energies of the FMOs, HOMO-LUMO-Egaps, MEP and IP were also explained. The present findings suggested that, C. reflexa is a promising natural antioxidant and antidiabetic agent, thus supporting the use of this plant for designing related functional foods and nutra-pharmaceuticals.

Iron (Fe) biofortification is a strategy to increase the amount of iron in food crops. The goal of this work was to assess the possibility of maximizing the Fe content in cherry tomatoes grown in a soilless system. The cultivar Creativo was grown with three concentrations of Fe (as Fe-HBED) in the nutrient solution (0.022, 1, and 2 mmol L−1), and received further foliar applications of the element (as Fe-DTPA) at 0, 250, and 500 µmol L−1. The addition of 2 mmol Fe L−1 to the nutrient solution, together with foliar sprays at 500 µmol Fe L−1, induced the highest increase in fruit Fe concentration in clusters 1 and 2 (by 163% and 190%, respectively). The Fe added to the nutrient solution increased the fruit dry matter (up to +10.21%) but decreased the fruit’s fresh weight (up to −11.06%). The higher Fe concentrations provided to the crop synergistically increased the contents of other minerals (i.e., K, Mg, Na, and Zn), along with the fruit’s titratable acidity and soluble solids content, improving multiple functional and quality traits of the cherry tomatoes. These results show that Fe biofortification of cherry tomatoes can be effective to address Fe deficiency while obtaining high-quality products.

Using 35 artisanal Calabrian table-olive brines, 153 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated. A screening procedure was designed, involving the following steps: 1) Gram stain, cellular morphology, homolactic fermentation, acidifying activity in MRS broth; 2) growth in olive paste with NaCl 11%; 3) increase of the antioxidant activity; 4) identification of the best strains. The proposed procedure allows an evaluation of the technological aptitude of lactic acid bacteria to ferment table olives excluding, cheaply and easily, all those strains definitely unable to act as starter. The use of olive paste as a screening medium allows the resistance of the new isolates against olive phenolic compounds to be tested. The selection of strains able to increase the antioxidant power of olive paste can improve the shelf-life of table olives. Using 35 artisanal Calabrian table-olive brines, 153 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated. A screening procedure was designed, involving the following steps: 1) Gram stain, cellular morphology, homolactic fermentation, acidifying activity in MRS broth; 2) growth in olive paste with NaCl 11%; 3) increase of the antioxidant activity; 4) identification of the best strains. The proposed procedure allows an evaluation of the technological aptitude of lactic acid bacteria to ferment table olives excluding, cheaply and easily, all those strains definitely unable to act as starter. The use of olive paste as a screening medium allows the resistance of the new isolates against olive phenolic compounds to be tested. The selection of strains able to increase the antioxidant power of olive paste can improve the shelf-life of table olives.

The isoforms of lycopene, carotenoids, and their derivatives including precursors of vitamin A are compounds relevant for preventing chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Tomatoes are a major source of these compounds. However, cooking and successive metabolic processes determine the bioavailability of tomatoes in human nutrition. To evaluate the effect of acute/chronic cooking procedures on the bioavailability of lycopene and carotene isoforms in human plasma, we measured the blood levels of these compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential in volunteers after a meal containing two different types of tomato sauce (rustic or strained). Using a randomized cross-over administration design, healthy volunteers were studied, and the above indicated compounds were determined by HPLC. The results indicate an increased bioavailability of the estimated compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential with both types of tomato purée and the subsequently derived sauces (the increase was greater with strained purée). This study sheds light on the content of nutrient precursors of vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds derived from tomatoes cooked with different strategies. Lastly, our study indicates that strained purée should be preferred over rustic purée.

Greek oregano and common oregano were compared in respect of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the corresponding essential oils and hydroethanolic extracts in relation with their chemical profile. The chemical composition of essential oils was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID, while extracts (phenolic acids and flavonoids fractions) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Based on given volatiles, the investigated subspecies represented two chemotypes: a carvacrol/γ-terpinene/p-cymene type in the case of Greek oregano and a sabinyl/cymyl type rich in terpinen-4-ol in common oregano. Within non-volatile phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid appeared to dominate in both subspecies. Lithospermic acid B, chlorogenic acid and isovitexin were present only in Greek oregano extracts. However, the total content of flavonoids was higher in common oregano extracts. The essential oil and extract of Greek oregano revealed visibly stronger antibacterial activity (expressed as MIC and MBC) than common oregano, whereas the antioxidant potential (determined by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) of these extracts was almost equal for both subspecies. In the case of Origanum plants, the potential application of essential oils and extracts as antiseptic and antioxidant agents in the food industry should be preceded by subspecies identification followed by recognition of their chemotype concerning both terpene and phenolics composition.

In this study, we sought to evaluate and compare the effects of constant and dynamic lighting on red and green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. Red Cos and Lobjoits Green cos) cultivated in a controlled environment. Plants were illuminated with the combination of red 662 and 638 nm, blue 452 nm, and far-red 737 nm at 16 h photoperiod and constant daily light integral (DLI) of each component. Five constant or dynamic lighting treatments were performed: (BR) constant flux of both B452 and R662, (B*R) constant flux of R662, but the DLI of B452 condensed in 8 h in the middle of photoperiod doubling the PPFD of blue light, (BR*) constant flux of B452, but the DLI of R662 light condensed in the middle of photoperiod, (BdynR) constant flux of R662, but the flux of B452 varies in the sinusoidal profile during 16 h photoperiod, imitating diurnal increase and decrease in lighting intensity, and (BRdyn) constant flux of B452, but the flux of R662 varies in sinusoidal profile. The lettuce&rsquo, s response to dynamic lighting strategies was cultivar specific. Dynamic lighting strategies, mimicking natural lighting fluctuations, did not have a remarkable effect on photosynthesis and antioxidative parameters, but the dynamic flux of blue light component had a pronounced effect on higher macro and microelement contents in lettuce leaves.

Taraxacum officinale Weber (dandelion) is a very ubiquitous species, and it can grow in urban environments on metal-polluted sediments deposited in the gutters. This study represents a preliminary step to verify the presence of metals in sediments collected in urban streets in Pisa and to assess the alteration in dandelion metabolites in order to understand its adaptation to polluted environments. The soil and sediments were collected at three urban streets and analyzed for total and extractable Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn. The total values of Pb and Zn in street sediments exceeded the limits for residential areas of soils. Zn was the most mobile of the metals analyzed. Floating cultivations trials were set up with dandelion seedlings and street sediments. The metals were analyzed in roots and leaves. Antioxidant power, anthocyanins, polyphenols, non-protein thiols (NP-TH) and chlorophylls were measured in dandelion leaves. The first two parameters (anthocyanins and antioxidant power) were higher in the polluted samples compared to the control; chlorophyll content was lower in the treated samples, whereas NP-TH showed no differences. NP-TH groups determined in roots were associated with the root content of Zn and Pb. These results indicate that dandelion can tolerate plant stress by altering its metabolite content.

The production of olive oil leads to considerable amounts of solid wastes rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, which have been partly used as inefficient polluting heating fuels for many years. This work was aimed to study the effect of extraction time and temperature on phenolics recovery from olive pomace. For this propose, different tests were performed, varying time from 15 to 120 min and temperature from 100 to 180 °C, using a high pressure–high temperature agitated reactor under a modified atmosphere. Total polyphenols, o-diphenols and total flavonoids were quantified. Maximum total polyphenols yield (45.2 mgCAE/gDP) was achieved at 180 °C and 90 min. HPLC analysis showed that oleuropein (2433 mg/100 gDP) and tyrosol (485 mg/100 gDP) were predominant phenolics in the extracts. Methanolic extracts, after additional purification processes, can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Solid residues, after phenolics extraction, are considered to have little environmental impact.

CycloDOPA (leukodopachrome), a well known metabolite of tyrosine, is a precursor of melanine in mammalian organisms and of the pigment betalain in plants. However, the isolation of cycloDOPA from natural sources has not been widely reported. In the present work, the stabilities of cycloDOPA and cycloDOPA methyl ester at various pH levels were studied. Both compounds were stable under acidic conditions. By contrast, both compounds were unstable when the pH was shifted from neutral to basic to form indole derivatives as major products. Based on the pH stability, cycloDOPA and its derivatives were subjected to the DPPH radical scavenging assay for the first time.

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) belongs to plants revealing adaptogenic properties, which are attributed to the presence of specific phenolic compounds and are reflected mainly as antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of various products obtained from R. rosea (underground organs as well as their aqueous and ethanolic dry extracts) in relation to the chemical profiles of phenolic and essential oil compounds. The chemical profiles were determined by High-performance Liquid Chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), antioxidant activity by (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) Scavenging Capacity Assay (DPPH), (2,2&prime, Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) Scavenging Capacity Assay (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP) and antimicrobial properties were expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) values following the broth microdilutions method. The results show that the investigated samples differed in terms of their chemical compositions and biological activities. The extracts were more abundant in phenolic compounds (salidroside, tyrosol, and rosavin derivatives) in comparison to dried underground organs. The content of the determined phenolics in the analyzed extracts was affected by the solvent used for extraction. The ethanolic extract was characterized by the highest content of these substances in comparison to the aqueous one and the dried raw material, especially with regard to rosavin (969.71 mg/100 g). In parallel, this extract showed the strongest antioxidant and antibacterial activity. However, dried R. rosea underground organs also revealed strong antibacterial effects against, for example, Staphylococcus strains.

Response surface methodology was used to optimise the combined effects of malaxation time (t) and aqueous citric acid solution (CA) added at the beginning of the malaxation step on total polyphenols (TP) and o-diphenols (OD) content and the antiradical power (ARP) of the olive oil extracted from the Italian olive fruits of Coratina cultivar. Different tests were performed according to a 32 full factorial design, varying t from 30 to 90 min and the CA from 5 to 15 ml/kgpaste. Overall optimal conditions identified by a numerical optimisation for the three responses were found to be at t = 30 min and CA = 13.79 ml/kgpaste under which the model predicted TP = 604.52 μgCAE/goil, OD = 80.44 μgCAE/goil and ARP = 28.73 μgDPPH/μlextract. There were also linear correlations between TP (R2 = 0.8176) and OD (R2 = 0.8633) values of olive oil and waste water. The results of this study demonstrate that considerably short malaxation time and relatively small amounts of citric acid were required to enhance the quality of olive oil. The outcome of our study will therefore be of great value for the commercial production of olive oil with high level of polyphenols and o-diphenols.

Aging has been associated with increased generation of free radicals as well as immunosenescence. Previous studies have identified older individuals with inverted T CD4:CD8 cell ratio and increased immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Here, we investigated markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences in older individuals with inverted CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio. Sixty-one subjects were identified with inverted CD4:CD8 ratio. Older individuals with a CD4:CD8 ratio

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant potential of the serum and the level of lipid oxidation products in the sera of apparently healthy adult males. The “ antioxidant power” of the serum, defined as the ability to reduce ferric ions by antioxidants from the serum (FRAP), was taken as the indicator of total antioxidation potential. The formation of lipid oxidation products was evaluated as thiobarbituric reactive species serum test (TBARS). The ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange version 2 (FOX2) assay coupled with triphenylphosphine was used for measurement of total sera hydroperoxides (ROOHs). The following biochemical variables were determined in the sera: aspartat aminotranspherase (AST), alanine aminotranspherase (ALT), γ -glutamyl transpherase (GGT), bilirubin, glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and hemoglobin. Blood sera from apparently healthy subjects (166 adult males) were analyzed. Median age of study participants was 36 years (range 25-50 years). The X SD sera FRAP level of the 166 apparently healthy adult males was 1047± ; ; ; ; 131 mmol/L (779-1410 range). The X± ; ; ; ; SD level of sera TBARS was 1.2± ; ; ; ; 0.3 mmol/L of the sera (0.5 – 2.2 range). Compared with the level of TBARS in the sera, the level of FOX2-ROOH was significantly higher. The X± ; ; ; ; SD level of lipid hydroperoxides in the fresh sera, determined as FOX2, was 3.9± ; ; ; ; 1.5 mmol/L of the sera (1.9-6.9 range). Observation of correlation between FRAP and determined biochemical variables in the sera have confirmed a statistically significant linear correlation between sera FRAP and bilirubin, hemoglobine, glucose, ALT and triglycerides (p

An amperometric test for the antioxidant power (AOP) of biological and food samples is presented. The gist of the method is to measure by linear sweep voltammetry the anodic current produced during the oxidation of the labile species present in the sample and then rationalizing this signal with a mathematical treatment that allows the pseudo-titration of antioxidants (AOs) around a given threshold potential. As a result, the AOP of the sample is calculated. This method allows the discrimination of the most biologically relevant AOs that react rapidly and at low oxidation potentials, from less reactive AOs that are oxidised slowly and at much higher oxidation potentials. This methodology was applied for measuring the AOP of blood, saliva, and natural drinks like orange juice.