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The aim of presented study was to test nutritional properties of potato tubers and silver ions accumulation pattern after foliar application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) during potato vegetation. Potato plants were sprayed with different concentration of Ag nanoparticles (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg·dm−3) synthesized with incorporation with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium citrate as stabilizing agent. The lowest amounts of silver ions were transported to the tubers after spraying with AgNPs synthesized with SDS, rather than with citrate. Nevertheless silver ions accumulation in tubers was negligible. SDS method of synthesis was more favourable in terms of nutritional properties of potato tubers. The highest tested concentration of AgNPs_SDS had a favourable effect on a variety of macro- and micronutrients, ascorbic acid and soluble sugars. In turn, lower concentrations of AgNPs_SDS increased the content of phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging efficiency of tubers. These correlations were also confirmed by Principal Component Analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenugreeks (Trigonella L. spp.), are well-known herbs belonging to the family Fabaceae, whose fresh and dried leaves have nutritional and medicinal value. In the present study, the content of phytochemical traits (essential oil, diosgenin, trigonelline, total phenol, total flavonoid, total saponins, and total tannins), bitterness value, pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoid, β-carotene, and anthocyanin), vitamins (group B vitamins and ascorbic acid), minerals, and antioxidant activity of thirty cultivated populations belonging to ten Trigonella species were evaluated. The species and populations were significantly different in all studied parameters. A significant positive and negative correlation (p < 0.05) was also observed between the studied parameters. In total, T. teheranica, T. elliptica, and T. foenum-graecum were distinguished as superior species. The results showed that fenugreeks leaves can be considered as a valuable source of food and phytochemical compounds. The obtained data can be help to expand the inventory of wild and cultivated Trigonella species for further exploitation of rich chemotypes in the new foods and specific applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solution anode glow discharge (SAGD) was established as a miniaturized excitation source of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) for the detection of Cd in rhizosphere soil, carrot, and carrot leaf samples. The working conditions, such as electrolyte pH, discharge voltage, support electrolyte, solution flow rate, and discharge distance, were systematically optimized. The effect of 31 foreign ions on the Cd determination was investigated. In addition, the influences of matrix modifiers on the Cd signal intensity and interference elimination were examined in detail. The results showed that under the optimal operating parameters, the presence of Fe3+, Co2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, and Tl3+ ions at 30 mg/L causes severe depression effects for the detection of Cd, and adding ascorbic acid as a matrix modifier can reduce the matrix interference, improve sensitivity, and lower the limit of detection (LOD). The LOD of Cd is 4.4 μg/L, and power is below 8 W using SAGD without any matrix modifier. Compared with the solution cathode glow discharge–atomic emission spectrometry (SCGD-AES), the sensitivity is improved about 11-fold, and the power is consumed only about one-sixth. The analysis results of SAGD-AES are in agreement with the Cd-certified reference material and verification values measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, suggesting that proposed method has high accuracy and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we investigated the effects of immunostimulants on the growth, immune responses, and post-infection survival of hybrid sturgeons (Huso huso♀ × Acipenser ruthenus♂). Therefore, we examined the effects of dietary supplementation of β-glucan, vitamin C, and Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) extract (RBE) at various concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% incorporated through feed) on the growth rate and non-specific immune responses of hybrid sturgeon. When supplemented individually, these immunostimulants significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio while promoting weight gain, with the vitamin C-administered groups showing the most pronounced differences. Further, we observed that dietary β-glucan, vitamin C, and RBE, when fed at 0.4 and 0.6% concentrations, significantly enhanced the rates of superoxide anion production and phagocytosis by head kidney leukocytes. Moreover, vitamin C and RBE supplementation at 0.4 and 0.6% and β-glucan supplementation at 0.6% concentration significantly increased the serum lysozyme activity. Further, vitamin C and β-glucan supplementation at 0.6% and RBE supplementation at 0.4 and 0.6% concentrations showed the highest survival rates after Aeromonas hydrophila infection. In conclusion, our findings highlight that the dietary supplementation of β-glucan, vitamin C, or RBE in appropriate concentrations can significantly enhance superoxide anion production and phagocytic activity of leukocytes, serum lysozyme activity, and the survival of hybrid sturgeons after A. hydrophila infection. Our results suggest that incorporating immunostimulants such as Chinese medicinal herbs at optimal levels can effectively boost the growth, immunity, and disease resistance of hybrid sturgeons in aquaculture. These results provide valuable insights for future studies on the inclusion of immunostimulants in aquaculture feed.Highlights: Adding immunostimulants β-glucan, vitamin C, and Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) extract (RBE) to hybrid sturgeon food can significantly improve food conversion and weight gain rates, with the addition of vitamin C being the most significant. β-glucan, vitamin C, and RBE influence the innate immune system of hybrid sturgeon. Adding immunostimulants β-glucan, vitamin C, and RBE to hybrid sturgeon food can prevent A. hydrophila infection. β-glucan, vitamin C, and RBE are potential immunostimulants for hybrid sturgeon breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A. capitiformis (Poir.) Ooststr has a long history of usage as a medicinal cure for a wide variety of illnesses in many different cultures. Pharmacological properties and phytochemical characterization of the crude A. capitiformis whole plant are evalutted, in this paper. Methods: Antioxidant activity was tested by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. In vitro anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects were assessed using Bovine serum albumin (BSA), protein denaturation method, and brine shrimp mortality assays, respectively with antihelmintic activity through Pheretima Posthuma worms. Acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail immersion testing assessed in vivo analgesia. CNS activity was evaluated through elevated plaze maize, open field, hole cross, and head dipping method. Results: Phytochemiical investigation of A. capitiformis showed the presence of alkaloid, saponin, terpennoids, steroid and flavonoids etc. with the % yield of crude 2.04%.With an IC50 of 45.35 µg/ml, the whole plant methanolic preparation has antioxidant activity equivalent to ascorbic acid. Anti-arthritic protein blocking dropped from 74.25 ± 0.12% to 12.18 ± 0.12%. 1000 µg/ml extract demonstrated 54.05 ± 0.12*% anti-inflammatory activity with protein denaturation. In the cytotoxicity assay, the extract had 129.72 µg/ml LC50 and the positive group 34.67 µg/ml. Unlike Albendazole, the methanol extract triggered mature earthworms at 50 mg/ml. The extract's analgesic efficacy at 200 and 400 mg/kg was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in the acetic acid writhing and tail immersion method. The hot plate technique yielded statistically significant results only at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). Only 400 mg/kg was statistically significant in the Elevated Plaze Maize and Hole Board Procedure (p < 0.01). The hole cross and open field methods yielded highly statistically significant outcomes at 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this research, the whole crude methanol extract of A. capitiformis revealed phytochemicals, antioxidants, in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties, cytotoxicity, anti-helminthic, in vivo analgesic, and CNS inhibitory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estradiol (E2) is a hormone that influences various aspects of women's health. Beyond its reproductive functions, E2 impacts neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine (DA). Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) have shown good sensitivity, selectivity against ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA), biocompatibility, and reduced fouling in DA sensing. In this study, we explore the use of Ti-Ni-CNF electrodes with CNFs grown for 5 min and 30 min for the direct electrochemical co-detection of E2 and DA. The longer growth time led to a 142% increase in average CNF length and a 36% larger electroactive surface area. In E2 detection, the electrodes demonstrate a wide linear range of 0.05–10 µM and sensitivity of 0.016 and 0.020 µA/µM for Ti-Ni-CNF-5 min and Ti-Ni-CNF-30 min, respectively. The sensor performance remains largely unaffected even in the presence of other steroid hormones such as progesterone and testosterone. Co-detection of equimolar E2 and DA shows promising peak separation of 0.34 ± 0.01 V and repeatability after 10 measurements. A notable improvement in the E2/DA peak current ratio, from 0.53 ± 0.07 to 0.81 ± 0.16, was achieved with the increased CNF length. Our results demonstrate the influence of adsorption sites in electrochemical detection, especially for analytes such as E2 and DA that both rely on adsorption for oxidation. While detecting small and fluctuating physiological concentrations remains a challenge, these findings can be used in choosing and fabricating electrode materials for more accurate and accessible continuous hormone measurements, including the possibility of multianalyte sensing platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hazelnut seed skins (HSS) are by-products from roasting or blanching hazelnuts without direct second utilization. The generation of HSS creates an economic and environmental problem. The object of the study was a comprehensive analysis of the properties for reuse of HSS. Water extraction of industrial HSS was applied (water with sonication of the HSS for 10 min at 90 ℃). The extracts obtained were freeze-dried to facilitate analysis and future application. The HSS and their extracts were analysed. Polyphenols, antioxidants, allergens, antimicrobial properties and instrumental sensory analysis were examined. The total polyphenol content in the samples was 37.8–44.0 mg gallic acid equivalent g−1. Gallic acid was the major phenolic compound. The antioxidant capacity of the samples was 198.9–250.6 mg VCEAC g−1 (vitamin C equivalent) according to the ABTS method and 98.4–106.8 mg VCEAC g−1 in the DPPH method. The extracts inhibited all tested strains of pathogenic bacteria. Allergen content was reduced in HSS and the extracts. Instrumental sensory analysis showed differences between taste parameters and odour profile samples. HSS can be reused in food production as a bacteriostatic, antioxidant additive and sensory-creating factor due to various chemical compounds corresponding with taste and odour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bangladesh, okra is an important popular summer vegetable. However, traditional farming practices often lead to suboptimal yields. Thus, the study was designed to determine the ideal GA3 and NAA doses for accelerating okra growth, yield, and quality characteristics. A three-replication, randomized complete block design was adopted. Foliar sprays with three concentrations of GA3 (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) and NAA (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) were applied in 2022 and 2023. In comparison to the control, the combined application of GA3 @ 150 ppm and NAA @ 150 ppm improved plant height, leaf number, leaf area, branch number, internode length, bud number, pod number, pod length, pod diameter, and 1000 seed weight average over the two years. Furthermore, GA3 @ 150 ppm with NAA 150 ppm increased yield by 35.08% and 27.01% in 2022 and 2023 respectively, above the control. Combining NAA @ 150 ppm with GA3 resulted in higher levels of vitamin C, TSS, magnesium, and zinc by 19.31%, 81.2%, 22.73% and 21.43% in 2022 and 22.83%, 50.57%, 18.07%, 33.33% in 2023 respectively, compared to the control. In contrast, GA3 and NAA decreased potassium and calcium in both year when compared to the control. Overall, the results of this experiment indicated that using GA3 @ 150 ppm with NAA @ 150 ppm could enhance okra growth, yield, and quality. These findings provide insightful information for improving okra cultivation techniques and improving Bangladesh's productivity in agriculture and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel approach for iodide sensing based on the heavy-atom effect to quench the green fluorescent emission of organosilicon nanoparticles (OSiNPs). The fluorescence of OSiNPs was significantly quenched (up to 97.4% quenching efficiency) in the presence of iodide ions (I–) through oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, OSiNPs can serve as a fluorescent probe to detect I– with high selectivity and sensitivity. The highly selective response is attributed to the hydrophilic surface enabling good dispersion in aqueous solutions and the lipophilic core allowing the generated liposoluble I2 to approach and quench the fluorescence of OSiNPs. The linear working range for I– was from 0 to 50 μM, with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. We successfully applied this nanosensor to determine iodine content in edible salt. Furthermore, the fluorescent OSiNPs can be utilized for the determination of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Antioxidants reduce I2 to I–, and the extent of quenching by the remaining I2 on the OSiNPs indicates the TAC level. The responses to ascorbic acid, pyrogallic acid, and glutathione were investigated, and the detection limit for ascorbic acid was as low as 0.03 μM. It was applied to the determination of TAC in ascorbic acid tablets and fruit juices, indicating the potential application of the OSiNP-based I2 sensing technique in the field of food analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pain is the most common reason for seeking medical treatment. Despite extensive research efforts and effective analgesics modulating pain, there is still a major therapeutic gap in addressing the root causes of pain. Pain is associated with tissue damage induced by oxidative stress and induction of inflammatory mediators following high consumption of antioxidants. The role of antioxidants in general, and the administration of l-ascorbate in particular, is still controversially discussed and underestimated in the daily clinical practice. Methods: The current literature on the therapeutic effect of l-ascorbate, ascorbic acid, and vitamin C on various pain conditions was evaluated against the background of evidence-based medicine. Those articles, obtained from systematic search in PubMed, were critically assessed and rated in terms of evidence level and methodological quality by two independent experts. The primary purpose of this work was to establish specific pain therapy guidance for intravenous l-ascorbate. Results: A PubMed search revealed 14 suitable articles comprising controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses. An additional ten publications could be identified via secondary literature. There is supporting evidence for the efficacy of ascorbate treatment in inflammatory pain conditions, in the complex regional pain syndrome, in post zoster neuralgia, in neuropathic pain, in post-operative pain conditions, and in tumor-related pain. However, the considered studies differ in the type of administration, in dosage, in duration of treatment, as well as in quality of research. Despite all study heterogeneity, it became evident that research of high scientific quality is in support of the efficacy of l-ascorbate in pain treatment. Discussion: Oxidative stress is present in almost all pain conditions. Because oral administration of most magistral formulas of vitamin C does not provide biological availability, parenteral administration should be preferred and can be supported by an oral dose with high bioavailability on days without intravenous treatment. l-ascorbate should be preferred for parenteral high dosage, rather than ascorbic acid, as it does not release acid valences under physiological conditions. Conclusions: l-ascorbate is an effective, safe, and economically favorable integrative treatment option for various pain conditions, addressing the root cause of tissue damage and inflammatory mediator burst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the exploration of the therapeutic potential of Salvia has gained considerable attention, leading to a growing number of scientific studies emphasizing its pharmacological properties. Despite this, therapeutic applications of Salvia remain underexploited, requiring further investigation. Iran is a major center for sage diversity in Asia, boasting 60 Salvia species, 17 of which are unique to the area. This study aimed to comprehensively explore and compare the extracts of 102 Salvia samples belonging to 20 distinct Salvia species from Iran, providing a deeper understanding of their specific polyphenol content and, consequently, their antioxidant capabilities and potential therapeutic uses. All samples were analyzed to determine the contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total tannin, photosynthetic pigments, and ascorbic acid, along with their antioxidant activity. These data were then combined with the forty distinct chemical fingerprints identified by ultrafast high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was employed to find correlations and differences among the huge number of data obtained and to identify Salvia species with similar phytochemical and/or antioxidant properties. The results show that each Salvia species is characterized by a distinct class of polyphenols recognized for their antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties. Overall, our findings reveal the potential of some Salvia species for targeted therapeutic applications and provide a rational basis for the development of Salvia-derived nutraceuticals, ultimately improving the prospects for the use of Salvia in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits play an important role in human life on our planet, since they supply a variety of essential services. One of the paramount crops in Pakistan is Citrus reticulata (Kinnow), which plays a vital role in the country's economy. The citrus crops are confronted with various challenges such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses, all of which have adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruits. Citrus canker, in particular, stands as the most fatal disease, affecting numerous citrus species worldwide, inflicting devastating consequences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of citrus canker on the morphology, physiology of leaves, and the quality of citrus fruits. The research was conducted in four major citrus-producing tehsils of the Sargodha district. The study found significant differences in morphological and physiological traits between healthy fruits and those infected with citrus canker. Healthy fruits exhibited higher values in fruit weight (FW) of 149.02 g, peel thickness (PT) of 3.76 g, rag weight (RW) of 35.95 g, leaf area (LA) of 22.49 cm2, and juice weight compared to the citrus canker-infected fruits. The significant variations in fruit weight, juice weight, chlorophyll content, vitamin C content were present between healthy and diseased fruits and leaves. A biochemical study revealed that healthy fruits had greater levels of total soluble solids (TSS), TSS-acid ratio, vitamin C, and reducing power (RP), but citrus canker-infected fruits had a higher acidity percentage. The significant decreases in important morphological and physicochemical characteristics, emphasizing the necessity for immediate disease control techniques to safeguard the citrus sector and maintain food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scurvy has been a rare condition in the developed world due to the increasing availability of adequate nutrition and easy access to fruits and vegetables. Scurvy is caused by severe vitamin C deficiency and has been historically associated with malnutrition in high-risk populations such as sailors. As it is an uncommon nutritional deficiency, scurvy is seldom suspected and usually under-diagnosed especially in the pediatric population. Case presentation: We report a case of a pediatric patient with a history of autism spectrum disorder presenting with atypical symptoms of scurvy with gait abnormalities, diffuse rash, musculoskeletal deconditioning, and bleeding manifestations. After multiple extensive investigations and a prolonged hospitalization, a detailed dietary analysis revealed a severely restricted diet devoid of fruits and vegetables. Physical examination revealed specific signs of corkscrew hair with peri-follicular hemorrhages, hypertrophic, and bleeding gums with a concurrent low vitamin C level. Treatment with vitamin C supplementation was initiated and he was ambulant within 1 month of discharge. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of nutrition history for determining micronutrient deficiency in children with special needs. Enhanced physician education and higher index of suspicion regarding nutritional deficiencies will avoid over-investigations and delays for the institution of specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, nanomaterials enter high numbers of daily used products and drug manufacture. A nanocomposite of vitamins C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) with chitosan as a vehicle and protector was used in a comparative eight-week feeding study, Nile tilapia weighing 31.2 ± 0.36 g distributed in seven groups and fed (G1) basal diet, (G2) bulk VC, (G3) VC- nanoparticles (NPs), (G4) bulk VE, (G5) VE-NPs, bulk VCE (G6), and (G7) VC plus VE (VCE)-NPs, respectively. The Nile tilapia-fed nanocomposite vitamins had significantly higher growth performance compared to the control; VCE-NPs had the superiority among tested supplementations where total weight gain (63.6 g), daily weight gain (1.13 g), relative growth rate (206.1%) with lower feed conversion rate (1.6) and insignificant feed intake (101.5 g). Overall, the level of liver enzymes was significantly decreased in fish serum after eight-week nanocomposite supplementation, and dietary VCE-NPs caused a significant reduction of serum AST (18.45 IU/L) and ALT (14.77 IU/L) compared to the control 25.5 IU/L and 17.6 IU/L, respectively. Fish fed dietary VCE-NPs, VC-NPs, and VE-NPs had significant enhancement of RBCs 4.2 × 106/μL, 3.8 × 106/μL, and 3.55 × 106/μL; WBCs 46.15 × 103, 42.9 × 103, and 44 × 103/μL, respectively, Also TP was significantly higher 6.38 g/dL in VCE-NPs group compared to the control and the other treatments. Over all, the dietary nanocomposite vitamins boost the innate immunity of the experimental Nile tilapia, the oxidative burst activity (OBA), phagocytic activity (PA), phagocytic index (PI), and serum antibacterial (SAA) were significantly increased compared to those received bulk vitamins and the control. The activity of antioxidant biomarkers in fish serum including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione reductase (GR), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) showed a rise in the serum of Nile tilapia received nano- and bulk-form of VC and VCE compared to the control and both forms of VE. Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were significantly increased in the fish serum following the trend of antioxidants enzymes. In conclusion, a dietary nanocomposite of vitamin C and vitamin E enhanced Nile tilapia's growth performance and feed utilization. It could also improve health status and immune response. The values of antioxidant biomarkers indicated that the nanocomposite could help the fish body scavenge the generated reactive oxidative species (ROS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: This theoretical study explores the antioxidant activity of five bromophenol analogs, with a particular focus on their interaction with different solvent environments of varying polarities. Key findings include the correlation between increased solvent polarity and enhanced antioxidant activity of these analogs, comparable in some instances to ascorbic acid. Notably, compound 5, developed by our research team, demonstrates superior antioxidant activity in both lipid and aqueous solutions, surpassing that of ascorbic acid and other tested analogs. This research contributes to the understanding of bromophenol analogs, presenting the first known kinetic and chemical stability data such as rate constants, pKa values, and branching ratios for reactions with the methylperoxyl radical (CH3OO•). Methods: The computational analyses were conducted using the Gaussian 09 software suite at the M05-2X/6–31 + G(d) computational level. These analyses employed conventional transition state theory to account for various potential mechanisms and effects of solvent polarity on the antioxidant activities of bromophenol analogs. The study meticulously calculated enthalpy under standard conditions (298.15 K and 1 atm) with necessary thermodynamic corrections. Additionally, the Quantum Mechanics-based Test for Overall Radical Scavenging Activity (QMORSA) protocol guided the evaluation of radical scavenging activity, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the antioxidant potential of the compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C plays important roles as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions and as an antioxidant against oxidative stress. As some mammals including humans cannot synthesize vitamin C de novo from glucose, its uptake from dietary sources is essential, and is mediated by the sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 1 (SVCT1). Despite its physiological significance in maintaining vitamin C homeostasis, the structural basis of the substrate transport mechanism remained unclear. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of human SVCT1 in different states at 2.5–3.5 Å resolutions. The binding manner of vitamin C together with two sodium ions reveals the counter ion-dependent substrate recognition mechanism. Furthermore, comparisons of the inward-open and occluded structures support a transport mechanism combining elevator and distinct rotational motions. Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism of vitamin C transport with its underlying conformational cycle, potentially leading to future industrial and medical applications. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for our daily life, but how it is transported into our bodies remained unclear. Here, authors revealed multiple structures of human vitamin C transporter, providing insights into its molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several factors, such as pruning and phytohormones, have demonstrated an influence on both the quantity and quality in the bell pepper. A factorial experiment using a completely randomized design was conducted on the Lumos yellow bell in a greenhouse. Treatments were the fruit pruning (0, 10, and 30%) and foliar application of phytohormones auxin (AUX) and gibberellic acid (GA3) at concentrations of 10 µM AUX, 10 µM GA3, 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA3+, and 20 µM AUX + 10 µM GA3 along with controls. The plants were sprayed with phytohormones in four growth stages (1: flowering stage when 50% of the flowers were on the plant, 2: fruiting stage when 50% of the fruits were the size of peas, 3: fruit growth stage when 50% of the fruits had reached 50% of their growth, and 4: ripening stage when 50% of the fruits were at color break). The results of the present investigation showed that pruning rate of 30% yielded the highest flesh thickness and vitamin C content, decreased seed count and hastened fruit ripening. The use of GA3 along with AUX has been observed to augment diverse fruit quality characteristics. According to the results, the application of 10% pruning in combination with 20 µM AUX and 10 µM GA3 demonstrated the most significant levels of carotenoids, chlorophyll, and fruit length. The experimental group subjected to the combined treatment of 30% pruning and 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA3 showed the most noteworthy levels of vitamin C, fruit weight, and fruit thickness. The groups that received the 10 µM GA3 and 20 µM AUX + 10 µM GA3 treatments exhibited the most favorable fruit flavor. According to the research results, the implementation of hormonal treatments 10 µM AUX and 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA3 in combination with a 30% pruning strategy resulted in the most advantageous yield of bell peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter gourd has numerous health-promoting effects on the human body. However, its use has been greatly limited due to its poor acceptance by consumers, resulting from its strong bitterness. This study investigated the effects of five wall materials, namely, soybean protein isolate, gum arabic, maltodextrin, resistant starch, and a soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture, on the physicochemical properties of spray-dried bitter gourd powders. The results showed that all five wall materials reduced the moisture content, water activity, browning degree, agglomeration, and bitterness of the spray-dried bitter gourd powder. Maltodextrin was found to be the most effective at reducing water activity, while soybean protein isolate was best at protecting the colour, and the soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture was best at reducing hygroscopicity and masking bitterness. Additionally, all five wall materials improved the preservation of flavonoids, saponins, and vitamin C, with soybean protein isolate being the most effective in improving the total flavonoid retention ratio and the soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture being the best in improving the retention ratios of total saponins and vitamin C. The spray-dried bitter gourd powder prepared with soybean protein isolate had the highest antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results are significant for understanding the relationship between wall materials and the physicochemical properties of spray-dried powder. Additionally, these materials provide bitter gourd product manufacturers with useful guidance for producing high-quality products. Furthermore, the results could provide useful insights for processing fruits with similar product characteristics, thus contributing to the enrichment of food processing knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical consumer interest in natural, healthier, safer and nutritional juice, has inspired the search for innovative technologies that can minimize product degradation. In this regard, thermosonication has been proposed as a potential processing technology that can preserve and produce "fresh" products. Watermelon (Citrulluslanatus) juice is a nutrient-rich fruit juice that is desired by consumers due to its appealing color, pleasant odor, sweet taste and low-calorie content. This fruit juice is, however, highly perishable and prone to microorganisms, because of its neutral pH value and high amount of water activity. In addition, it is thermo-sensitive and therefore degrades quickly under thermal processing. This study aimed to identify the optimal thermosonication processing conditions for retaining the critical quality parameters (lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid and total polyphenolic content) of watermelon juice. Response surface methodology, employing a central composite design, was used to determine the effects of temperature (18–52 °C), processing time (2–13 min) and amplitude level (24–73 μm) at a constant frequency of 25 kHz. The highest quality parameters were obtained at 25 °C, 2 min, and 24 µm at a constant frequency of 25 kHz, which resulted in lycopene of 8.10 mg/100 g, β-carotene of 0.19 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid of 3.11 mg/100 g and total polyphenolic content of 23.96 mg/GAE/g with a desirability of 0.81. The proposed model was adequate (p < 0.0001), with a satisfactory determination coefficient (R2) of less than 0.8 for all phytochemicals. Thermosonicated watermelon juice samples showed minimal changes in their phytochemical properties, when compared to fresh juices; the lycopene content showed a significant increase after thermosonication, and a significant retention of β-carotene, ascorbic acid and total polyphenolic acid was observed. According to the findings, thermosonication could be a viable method for preserving watermelon juice, with minimal quality loss and improved functional attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional constituents are the main concern in food production and consumption. Because foods rich in functional constituents have antioxidant capacity and are important in keeping consumers healthy. Pleurotus ostreatus is among foods rich in functional constituents. However, its functional constituents are affected by various factors. This study compared the antioxidant capacity of P. ostreatus grown on different substrates: straws of tef (Trt1), barley (Trt2), and wheat (Trt3), husks of faba bean (Trt4), and field pea (Trt5), sawdust (Trt6), and the mixture of the above with 1:1 w/w (Trt7). Trt7 had significantly higher radical scavenging activity (RSA) (73.27%), vitamin C (10.61 mg/100 g), and vitamin D (4.92 mg/100 g) compared to other treatments. Whereas the lowest values of RSA (44.24%), vitamin C (5.39 mg/100 g), and vitamin D (1.21 mg/100 g) were found in Trt2. The results indicated that mixed substrate may be a good growth substrate for functionally beneficial P. ostreatus and could be a promising source of natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise, simultaneous, and rapid detection of essential biomarkers in human tears is imperative for monitoring both ocular and systemic health. The utilization of a wearable colorimetric biochemical sensor exhibits potential in achieving swift and concurrent detection of pivotal biomarkers in tears. Nevertheless, challenges arise in the collection, interpretation, and sharing of data from the colorimetric sensor, thereby restricting the practical implementation of this technology. To overcome these challenges, this research introduces an artificial intelligence-assisted wearable microfluidic colorimetric sensor system (AI-WMCS) for rapid, non-invasive, and simultaneous detection of key biomarkers in human tears, including vitamin C, H+(pH), Ca2+, and proteins. The sensor consists of a flexible microfluidic epidermal patch that collects tears and facilitates the colorimetric reaction, and a deep-learning neural network-based cloud server data analysis system (CSDAS) embedded in a smartphone enabling color data acquisition, interpretation, auto-correction, and display. To enhance accuracy, a well-trained multichannel convolutional recurrent neural network (CNN-GRU) corrects errors in the interpreted concentration data caused by varying pH and color temperature in different measurements. The test set determination coefficients (R2) of 1D-CNN-GRU for predicting pH and 3D-CNN-GRU for predicting the other three biomarkers were as high as 0.998 and 0.994, respectively. This correction significantly improves the accuracy of the predicted concentration, enabling accurate, simultaneous, and quick detection of four critical tear biomarkers using only minute amounts of tears (~ 20 μL). This research demonstrates the powerful integration of a flexible microfluidic colorimetric biosensor and deep-learning algorithm, which holds immense potential to revolutionize the fields of health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascorbic acid functions as an antioxidant and facilitates other biochemical processes such as collagen triple helix formation, and iron uptake by cells. Animals which endogenously produce ascorbic acid have a functional gulonolactone oxidase gene (GULO); however, humans have a GULO pseudogene (GULOP) and depend on dietary ascorbic acid. In this study, the conservation of GULOP sequences in the primate haplorhini suborder were investigated and compared to the GULO sequences belonging to the primates strepsirrhini suborder. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the conserved GULOP exons in the haplorhini primates experienced a high rate of mutations following the haplorhini/strepsirrhini divergence. This high mutation rate has decreased during the evolution of the haplorhini primates. Additionally, indels of the haplorhini GULOP sequences were conserved across the suborder. A separate analysis for GULO sequences and well-conserved GULOP sequences focusing on placental mammals identified an in-frame GULO sequence in the Brazilian guinea pig, and a potential GULOP sequence in the pika. Similar to haplorhini primates, the guinea pig and lagomorph species have experienced a high substitution rate when compared to the mammals used in this study. A shared synteny to examine the conservation of local genes near GULO/GULOP identified a conserved inversion around the GULO/GULOP locus between the haplorhini and strepsirrhini primates. Fischer's exact test did not support an association between GULOP and the chromosomal inversion. Mauve alignment showed that the inversion of the length of the syntenic block that the GULO/GULOP genes belonged to was variable. However, there were frequent rearrangements around ~ 2 million base pairs adjacent to GULOP involving the KIF13B and MSRA genes. These data may suggest that genes acquiring deleterious mutations in the coding sequence may respond to these deleterious mutations with rapid substitution rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydroxyl radical is the most aggressive and dangerous product of incomplete oxygen reduction in a body, making its determination and the effect of various antioxidants on the inhibition of OH radicals a pertinent task. We propose an impedance sensor for the determination of hydroxyl radicals, based on a graphite electrode modified with electrochemically deposited gold and a self-assembled monolayer of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The use of NAC ensures the high selectivity of the sensor, and employing non-Faradaic impedance as a method of recording the analytical signal ensures the limit of detection for OH radicals at the level 0.01 nM with a linearity range of detectable concentrations from 0.08 to 8 nM. The developed sensor has been successfully used to assess the activity of certain antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione, coenzyme Q10) towards OH radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sepsis is a severe disease with a complex pathogenesis and is an important factor in the mortality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The administration of vitamin C and its combination treatment in sepsis was not supported by the results of multiple randomized controlled clinical trials. However, the efficacy of a higher vitamin C dose in treating patients with sepsis remains unclear. Therefore, the effectiveness of administering a larger dosage of vitamin C to patients with sepsis remains unclear. Methods and Analysis: The Clinical Efficacy of Megadose Vitamin C in Sepsis (CEMVIS) trial is a multicenter, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 234 individuals with sepsis. The following adult patients will be enrolled: those with procalcitonin (PCT) ≥ 2 ng/mL and sepsis 3.0 diagnostic criteria. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive 12 g vitamin C or the same volume of 5% glucose injection intravenously pumped every 12 h for 4 days or up to the moment they are discharged from ICU. The primary outcome will be the mortality within 28 days. Secondary outcomes will mainly include protection and support of organ functions, improvement in inflammatory status, and length of ICU stay. Moreover, adverse events and serious adverse events will be meticulously recorded. Ethics: This study was approved by the Clinical Ethics Committee of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University (2020-KY-069-05). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals or at national or international conferences. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05194189, Registered 3 January 2022, URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the mineral content, and content of bioactive compounds in fruits of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin were determined in the samples. Vitamin C content ranged from 610.36 to 1344 mg kg−1 FW. Content of K, Ca, P, Mg, and Na in samples ranged from 1750.8 to 2645.7 mg kg−1 FW, from 281.14 to 561.62 mg kg−1 FW, from 180.38 to 294.95 mg kg−1 FW, from 68.19 to 115.43 mg kg−1 FW, and from 2.48 to 71.33 mg kg−1 FW respectively. Content of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Co in samples ranged from 2.77 to 4.88 mg kg−1 FW, from 0.49 to 0.99 mg kg−1 FW, from 0.25 to 0.53 mg kg−1 FW, from 0.07 to 0.17 mg kg−1 FW, from 0.02 to 0.13 mg kg−1 FW, from 0.01 to 0.02 mg kg−1 FW, and from 0.01 to 0.08 mg kg−1 FW respectively. Variations across cultivars were found to be statistically significant, indicating that genetics is a key factor influencing the concentration of bioactive compounds and minerals in Cornelian cherry fruits. Understanding the genetic factors influencing mineral and bioactive compound content in cornelian cherry cultivars is essential for targeted breeding programs, crop improvement, and the development of cultivars with enhanced nutritional and health-promoting attributes. This knowledge contributes to sustainable agriculture and supports the production of crops that align with consumer preferences and health trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possible effects of hot water treatments (HWT) on the main quality parameters and bioactive compounds of two sweet cherry cultivars were examined over two years. Cherries were dipped in hot water (48 °C, 2 min), stored 3 weeks at 1 °C (CS) and for 2 additional days at 20 °C for simulated shelf-life (SL). Except for a slight decrease in firmness generally observed in treated samples (5–6%), no difference was observed between HWT and control fruits, neither for the main quality parameters nor the bioactive compounds during CS and/or SL. On average, the percentage of rotten fruit was more than 50% lower in HWT samples compared to the controls. These results show that the HWT conditions examined in this study effectively reduce the incidence of sweet cherry decay without impairing, after CS and/or SL, most of the main quality parameters or the content of the main bioactive nutrients. Because HWT are residue-free, easy to apply and effective in reducing post-harvest losses while preserving the organoleptic and nutritional quality of cherries, HWT are a good strategy for both cherry professionals and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) using urea and ascorbic acid as carbon sources is addressed in this study using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. The samples were characterized by ultraviolet, photoluminescence (PL) and transmission electron microscopy analyses, which confirmed the formation of CDs. Besides PL properties, the peroxidase-like catalytic activity of the CDs and N-CDs was also compared. Interestingly, the N-CDs exhibit higher peroxidase-like catalytic activity than pure CDs and can be used to detect H2O2. Additionally, we synthesized several N-CD ratios and evaluated their peroxidase-like catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a typical climacteric fruit with a brief shelf life due to the rapid degradation of quality during post-ripening, necessitating appropriate postharvest management to address this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of thyme oil nanoemulsion (TO-NE) coating and utilize its benefits for preserving papaya. This study also investigated the physiological properties and quality changes of papaya storage at 20 ℃ and, in parallel, examined the effects of TO-NE coating to mitigate microbial infection of papaya during storage. The postharvest papaya was soaked in different concentrations (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/g) of TO-NE for coating. At the same time, the decay loss rate and effective shelf life were also evaluated. This study revealed that polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinesterase (PME) activities were inhibited during the storage of papaya treated with 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated compared to the control group. This resulted in the preservation of the firmness of papaya fruits, in addition to a higher ascorbic acid content, delayed total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation, and total chlorophyll content (TCC) degradation, with a lagging color change for two days. The respiration rate and ethylene production were suppressed, while the 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated group at day 14 (ethylene peak) were 63.2 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1 and 7.3 µL kg−1 h−1, lower than control. The 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coating treatment significantly reduced the decay rate for 10 days of storage, preserving their appearance and facilitating ripening. This is a viable option for extending Tainung No.2 papaya shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of Piper chaba (PC) growing in the northern region of India, having differences in the phytochemicals, nutritional content, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties by reducing power assay (RPA), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, phosphomolybdate assay, and antidiabetic potential by α-amylase assay with change in the geographical location. Outcomes of the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed that phytochemicals such as piperine (46.69%), kusunokinin (8.9%), and sitostenone (7.57%) are the prominent compounds found in PC. The plant has also shown a good nutritional value, i.e., iron (11.25 mg), calcium (147 mg), and vitamin C (9.30 mg) per 100 g. PC has a higher phenolic content than other species (⁓ 13.75 g/100 g plant powder). Among the four tested bacterial strains, the extract is best responsive toward Escherichia coli (35 ± 0.68 mm) which is more than the standard ciprofloxacin (24 ± 0.8 mm). Similarly, among two tested fungal strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae shows the best zone of inhibition (ZOI) (27.5 ± 0.8 mm), which is greater than tat of standard amphotericin (20.25 ± 0.28 mm). The DDPH method demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (⁓ 42.61 ± 1.82 µg/ml). IC50 for the antidiabetic potential of PC was found to be 23.09 ± 0.3 µg/ml against α-amylase assay. A molecular docking study revealed that three compounds, piperine, sitostenone and kusunokinin, showed strong binding affinity toward bacterial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases, fungal dihydrofolate reductase, and α-amylase, respectively. Therefore, the findings of the current study indicate that PC can be considered as a source of food and medicines, either in the form of traditional preparations or as pure active constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthetic organisms, fungi, and animals comprise distinct pathways for vitamin C biosynthesis. Besides this diversity, the final biosynthetic step consistently involves an oxidation reaction carried out by the aldonolactone oxidoreductases. Here, we study the origin and evolution of the diversified activities and substrate preferences featured by these flavoenzymes using molecular phylogeny, kinetics, mutagenesis, and crystallographic experiments. We find clear evidence that they share a common ancestor. A flavin-interacting amino acid modulates the reactivity with the electron acceptors, including oxygen, and determines whether an enzyme functions as an oxidase or a dehydrogenase. We show that a few side chains in the catalytic cavity impart the reaction stereoselectivity. Ancestral sequence reconstruction outlines how these critical positions were affixed to specific amino acids along the evolution of the major eukaryotic clades. During Eukarya evolution, the aldonolactone oxidoreductases adapted to the varying metabolic demands while retaining their overarching vitamin C-generating function. Photosynthetic organisms, fungi, and animals contain distinct pathways for vitamin C biosynthesis, but the final biosynthetic step consistently involves an oxidation reaction catalysed by the aldonolactone oxidoreductases. Here, the authors investigate the origin and evolution of the diversified activities and substrate preferences featured by these enzymes using different methods and find evidence that they share a common ancestor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-Ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, has been used not only for disease prevention and in complementary and alternative medicine, but also for anti-aging purposes. However, the scientific evidence is not yet sufficient. Here, we review the physiological functions of vitamin C and its relationship with various pathological conditions, including our previous findings, and discuss the prospects of its application in healthy longevity. In summary, vitamin C levels are associated with lifespan in several animal models. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that the blood vitamin C levels are lower in middle-aged and older adults than in younger adults. Lower blood vitamin C levels have also been observed in various pathological conditions such as chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly. These observations suggest the implications of vitamin C in age-related pathological mechanisms owing to its physiological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary vitamin C is inversely associated with gastric cancer (GC), but most of them did not consider intake of fruit and vegetables. Thus, we aimed to evaluate this association within the Stomach cancer Pooling (StoP) Project, a consortium of epidemiological studies on GC. Methods: Fourteen case–control studies were included in the analysis (5362 cases, 11,497 controls). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between dietary intake of vitamin C and GC, adjusted for relevant confounders and for intake of fruit and vegetables. The dose–response relationship was evaluated using mixed-effects logistic models with second-order fractional polynomials. Results: Individuals in the highest quartile of dietary vitamin C intake had reduced odds of GC compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.72). Additional adjustment for fruit and vegetables intake led to an OR of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.98). A significant inverse association was observed for noncardia GC, as well as for both intestinal and diffuse types of the disease. The results of the dose–response analysis showed decreasing ORs of GC up to 150–200 mg/day of vitamin C (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.71), whereas ORs for higher intakes were close to 1.0. Conclusions: The findings of our pooled study suggest that vitamin C is inversely associated with GC, with a potentially beneficial effect also for intakes above the currently recommended daily intake (90 mg for men and 75 mg for women). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was conducted to assess the detrimental effect of ground-level ozone (O3) on garlic physiology and to find out appropriate control measures against ground-level O3, at TNAU-Horticultural Research farm, Udhagamandalam. Elevated ground ozone levels significantly decreased garlic leaf chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, total soluble solids and pungency. The garlic chlorophyll content was highest in ambient ozone level and lowest in elevated ozone@200 ppb, highest stomatal conductance was recorded in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 3%Panchagavya, and the lowest was observed in elevated ozone@200 ppb. Since the elevated O3 had reduced in garlic photosynthetic rate significantly the lowest was observed in elevated O3@200 ppb and the highest photosynthetic rate was observed in ambient Ozone with foliar spray 3% of panchagavya after a week. The antioxidant enzymes of garlic were increased with increased concentration of tropospheric ozone. The highest catalase (60.97 µg of H2O2/g of leaf) and peroxidase (9.13 ΔA/min/g of leaf) concentration was observed at 200 ppb elevated ozone level. Garlic pungency content was highest in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 0.1% ascorbic acid and the lowest was observed under elevated O3@200 ppb. Highest total soluble solids were observed in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 3%Panchagavya and the lowest observed in elevated ozone@200 ppb. Thus, tropospheric ozone has a detrimental impact on the physiology of crops, which reduced crop growth and yield. Under elevated O3 levels, ascorbic acid performed well followed by panchagavya and neem oil. The antioxidant such as catalase and peroxidase had positive correlation among themselves and had negative correlation with chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, pungency and TSS. The photosynthetic rate has high positive correlation with chlorophyll content, pungency and TSS. Correlation analysis confirmed the negative effects of tropospheric ozone and garlic gas exchange parameters and clove quality. The ozone protectants will reduce stomatal opening by which the entry of O3 in to the cell will be restricted and other hand they also will alleviate ROS and allied stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In this study, we investigated the antioxidant potential of a novel ascorbic acid analog, DsD, assessing its interactions with the methylperoxyl (CH3OO·) radical in aqueous and lipid environments. Our focus was on understanding the acid–base equilibrium and how pH affects DsD's primary reaction mechanisms. Our findings indicate a marked preference for hydrogen atom transfer in lipid media, contrasting with sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) in aqueous solutions. Remarkably, DsD's radical scavenging activity significantly outperforms ascorbic acid, being 4.05 and 9469.70 times more potent in polar and lipid contexts, respectively. This suggests DsD's superior efficacy as an antioxidant, potentially offering enhanced protection in biological systems. Additionally, we have demonstrated DsD's synthetic feasibility through a straightforward condensation reaction between ascorbic acid and 1,2-diaminoethane, followed by comprehensive physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization. Methods: All computational analyses in this study were conducted using the Gaussian 09 software suite, employing the M05-2X functional and the 6–31 + G(d) basis set. Enthalpy calculations were executed under standard conditions (298.15 K and 1 atm), incorporating appropriate thermodynamic corrections. Rate constants were evaluated using transition state theory (TST), and the overall assessment of radical scavenging activity was guided by the Quantum Mechanics-based Test for Overall Radical Scavenging Activity (QMORSA) protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C is an important micronutrient for human. Association between vitamin C and trouble sleeping was less studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible link between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping. The cross-sectional data was derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2017–2018). Trouble sleeping was measured by asking participants: “Have you ever told doctor had trouble sleeping”. Responses to this question was “yes” or “no”. vitamin C in serum was obtained by measuring the serum samples. We used multivariable binary logistic regressions to examine the possible link between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping, and then a subgroup analysis was performed. Moreover, the non-linear relationship between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping was further detected using a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model. A total of 3227 participants were included in the study. After adjusting all potential confounders, the results of multivariable logistic regression showed the significant negative association between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping(OR = 0.816; 95% CI:0.669 ~ 0.995). The significant inverse association was also found in female(OR = 0.713; 95% CI:0.546 ~ 0.931), age ≤ 65 years(OR = 0.773; 95% CI:0.600 ~ 0.996), and in participants with high cholesterol level(OR = 0.738; 95% CI:0.548 ~ 0.994). In addition, the RCS model demonstrated the significant non-linear relationship between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping (P value of nonlinear = 0.010). Our study demonstrates the significant negative association between vitamin C in serum and trouble sleeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potentiostat is necessary to achieve accurate control of potentials in an electrochemical cell for most electroanalytical techniques. While lab-built potentiostats with specific design objectives such as low manufacturing cost and field portability have been developed in recent years, there remain a lack of accessible potentiostats that prioritize measurement quality, user-friendliness, and adaptability for general laboratory use. In response, we present Opensens, an open-source, multi-purpose potentiostat that can function independently or as part of an instrument suite. The Opensens can perform accurately the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple experiments as well as the ascorbic acid (AA) detection comparing with the commercial apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in many physiological processes in plants and animals. In humans, vitamin C is an antioxidant, reducing agent, and cofactor in diverse chemical processes. The established role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in plants is well recognized. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause damage to cells. Also, it plays an important role in recycling other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which helps maintain the overall balance of the plant's antioxidant system. However, unlike plants, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid or vitamin C in their bodies due to the absence of an enzyme called gulonolactone oxidase. This is why humans need to obtain vitamin C through their diet. Different fruits and vegetables contain varying levels of vitamin C. The biosynthesis of vitamin C in plants occurs primarily in the chloroplasts and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The biosynthesis of vitamin C is a complex process regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent research has identified several key genes that regulate vitamin C biosynthesis, including the GLDH and GLDH genes. The expression of these genes is known to be regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent studies highlight vitamin C's crucial role in regulating plant stress response pathways, encompassing drought, high salinity, and oxidative stress. The key enzymes in vitamin C biosynthesis are L-galactose dehydrogenase (GLDH) and L-galactono-1, 4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH). Genetic studies reveal key genes like GLDH and GLDH in Vitamin C biosynthesis, offering potential for crop improvement. Genetic variations influence nutritional content through their impact on vitamin C levels. Investigating the roles of genes in stress responses provides insights for developing resilient techniques in crop growth. Some fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, along with strawberries and kiwi, are rich in vitamin C. Guava. Papaya provides a boost of vitamin C and dietary fiber. At the same time, red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, pineapple, mangoes, and kale are additional sources of this essential nutrient, promoting overall health. In this review, we will discuss a brief history of Vitamin C and its signaling and biosynthesis pathway and summarize the regulation of its content in various fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication presents the biochemical components, the botanical characteristics, and the significance of African medlar to human nutrition and developments on the fruits' uses in biotechnology and the food industry. African wild medlar (Vangueria infausta subsp infausta) is one of the multitudes of underutilised wild edible indigenous fruit trees that grows naturally throughout Southern Africa. Available literature shows that almost every part of the tree, have known nutritional or medicinal benefits. In-depth literature search using keywords (Vangueria infausta subsp infausta, African wild medlar, biochemical constituents, underutilised crops of Africa, human nutrition and recommended daily intake) was used to source credible literature accessible from online sources such as Scopus, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The degree of relevance to each item linked to the review were used as an inclusion and exclusion criteria for suitable literature and for data analysis purposes. The results of the study reveal that fresh or processed African wild medlar fruit is consumable. The fruit contains significant levels of vitamins, phenols, macro and micro-nutrients, that humans require in both large and small amounts. Due to its richness in biochemical constituents such as flavonoids, phenols, proteins, vitamin C and zinc, African medlar fruit has a potential to meet the human recommended daily intake (RDI), thus can be considered a potential functional food crop. Rural communities in Southern Africa use African medlar fruit as a raw material for value-added products including jam, juice, alcohol-based products, and medication. Therefore, commercialization of this crop could play a pivotal role in accelerating the sustainable development goals SDG 1 (no poverty), subsequently addressing SDG 2 (Zero hunger). The study unearthed a need for further research, in particular empirical studies and highlights a great potential for government interest in entrepreneurial projects of commercialisation and agro-processing of African medlar fruit tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Verbascum, belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae, has a significant center of diversity in Iran. Two of its species, V. erianthum and V. stachydiforme, originate in the Iranian-Turanian region, but no studies have been conducted on the induction of their hairy roots. This genus is a valuable source of biologically active compounds such as iridoid glycosides and flavonoids. Hairy root culture is a suitable technique for the production and accumulation of secondary metabolites. Three different studies were conducted to optimize the induction and establishment of hairy roots. In the first experiment, the influence of explant type (leaf and hypocotyl), six infection methods, and co-culture time (48 and 72 h) on the efficiency of hairy root induction was investigated. The results showed that the highest hairy root induction (68.18%) was observed in the leaf explants inoculated by direct infection with three wounds within 72 h co-culture time. In the second experiment, the effect of four Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains (ATCC 15834, A4, A7, and A13) and leaf age (14, 21, and 28 days) on transformation efficiency and some morphological traits examined in both species were studied. The high transformation efficiency of hairy root (80.55%) was detected in the 21-day-old leaf explant of V. erianthum species that was inoculated with the A13 strain. The transformed hairy root colons were confirmed by PCR using rolB gene-specific primers. To optimize hairy root growth and avoid tissue browning, hairy roots were cultured in various media containing different antioxidants and improver agents (including ascorbic acid, citric acid, and NAA). The results showed that the highest fresh growth index (20.42) and the lowest tissue browning (9%) as well as total phenol (8.51 mg GA/g DW), and total flavonoid content (4.42 mg QUE/g DW) were obtained in medium B5 with 1.5 mg/l NAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multivariate spectrophotometric method is a potential approach that enables discrimination of spectra of components in complex matrices (e.g., pharmaceutical formulation) serving as a substitution method for chromatography. Four green smart multivariate spectrophotometric models were proposed and validated, including principal component regression (PCR), partial least-squares (PLS), multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS), and artificial neural networks (ANN). The developed chemometric models were compared to resolve highly overlapping spectra of Paracetamol (PARA), Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), Caffeine (CAF), and Ascorbic acid (ASC). The four multivariate calibration models were assessed via recoveries percent, and root mean square error of prediction. Hence, the proposed models were efficiently applied with no need for any preliminary separation step. The models were utilized to analyze the studied components in their combined pharmaceutical formulation (Grippostad® C capsules). Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach (AGREE) and eco-scale tools were applied to assess the greenness of the established models and found to be 0.77 and 85, respectively. Moreover, the proposed models have been compared to official ones showing no considerable variations in accuracy and precision. Therefore, these models can be highly advantageous for conducting standard pharmaceutical analysis of the substances researched within product testing laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C played pleiotropic roles in critical illness and vitamin C insufficiency was predictive of the development of multiple organ failure. Currently, the prevalence of vitamin C insufficiency in Chinese critically ill patients is rarely determined and there are no established bedside tools to predict hypovitaminosis C. To develop a nomogram to identify patients with high risk of hypovitaminosis C, we performed a bi-center prospective cohort study at two ICUs of the first and sixth medical center in PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China from May 6th to July 31st, 2021 We identified 322 eligible patients. 62.4% patients were hypovitaminosis C. 7 features, including source of infection, the level of serum albumin, age, male gender, sepsis, vascular disease, and wasting of vitamin C by the kidney, were selected using LASSO algorithm and therefore included in the nomogram. In the testing set, our model showed moderate discrimination ability with areas under the curve of 0.75 [0.64–0.84]. Variable importance evaluated by SHAP value highlighted two novel important predictors, i.e., abdominal infection and the level of serum albumin. In conclusion, we first reported a high burden of vitamin C insufficiency in Chinese adult patient in the ICU. We also constructed a prediction model to timely identify patients with high risk of hypovitaminosis C, which allows the clinicians to choose appropriate candidates for Vitamin C repletion in clinical practice or clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have confirmed that ascorbic acid (AA) can promote cartilage repair and improve cartilage differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. However, the use of microfracture (MFX) combined with AA to repair cartilage damage has not been studied. This study established a rabbit animal model and treated cartilage injury with different concentrations of AA combined with MFX. Macroscopic observations, histological analysis, immunohistochemical analysis and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of TGF-β, AKT/Nrf2, and VEGF mRNA expression were performed. The results showed that intra-articular injection of AA had a positive effect on cartilage repair mediated by microfractures. Moreover, 10 mg/ml AA was the most effective at promoting cartilage repair mediated by microfractures. Intra-articular injection of AA promoted the synthesis of type II collagen and the formation of glycosaminoglycans by downregulating the mRNA expression of TGF-β and VEGF. In summary, this study confirmed that AA could promote cartilage repair after MFX surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is one of the medicinal plants of Anacardiaceae family and widely used as a spice in Iran and Arab countries. Rhus coriaria var. zebaria is a small tree or large shrub, wildly growing in Iraq and described as a new variety with special characteristics. These increase the importance of studying sumac in these areas. Here, the phytochemical variations and the antibacterial activity of 50 accessions of this variety from five different climatic conditions was evaluated in order to identify the best accession to use and the best area for its cultivation. This is the most comprehensive study on this plant. Essential oil compounds were identified using GC–MS method and according to the results, Z, E-2,13-octadecadien, caryophyllene oxide, 2,4-decadienal, E-caryophyllene and nonanoic acid were among the main compounds. Also, the variety is a rich source of minerals including K, Ca, Mg, Na, P, and N. Sumac fruit extract from Akre Xerds had the highest anthocyanin and the lowest amount was from Kavilca region. The radical scavenging effect of extract from Dostic area in the concentration of 400 µg/mL is closer to the effect of ascorbic acid. The largest inhibition was found in the sumac extracted oil of Xasto Zhere area against S. aureus in compared with penicillin and amoxicillin and enrofloxacin antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is often associated with increased oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between detoxification and ROS production. Unfortunately, many commercial drugs available today for treating this disease have adverse side effects and ultimately fail to restore glucose homeostasis. Therefore, finding a dietary anti-diabetic remedy that is safe, effective, and economical is crucial. In this study, GC–MS analysis, subsequent HPLC-assisted fractionation, and SPE-based purification led to identifying and purifying of key components such as phloroglucinol and total procyanidin dimer (procyanidin dimer and procyanidin dimer gallate) from methanolic seed extract of Vitis vinifera. In-vitro anti-diabetic screening of various fractions derived from methanolic extract along with individual components and their combinations revealed the potential synergistic behaviour of phloroglucinol and total procyanidin dimer with the lowest IC50 of 48.21 ± 3.54 µg/mL for α-glucosidase and 63.06 ± 5.38 µg/mL for α-amylase inhibition which is found to be superior to the effect shown by the standard Epigallocatechin gallate. Later Glucose utilization studies demonstrated the concentration-dependent effect of Phloroglucinol and total procyanidin dimer, and that has raised the glucose uptake by approximately 36–57% in HepG2 cells and 35–58% in L6 myocytes over a concentration of 50–100 µg/mL. The superior anti-diabetic effect of Phloroglucinol and total procyanidin dimer was proved by the suppression of oxidative stress with an IC50 of 7.92 ± 0.36 µg/mL for DPPH scavenging and 16.87 ± 1.24 µg/mL for SOD scavenging which is competent with the standard ascorbic acid. According to this study, suppressing ROS levels by phloroglucinol and total procyanidin dimer would be the underlying mechanism for the synergistic anti-diabetic effect of this combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the application of L-tartaric acid (L-TA), ascorbic acid (AA), and L-carnitine (L-CAR) as a safe and non-toxic alternative agent to enhance the aqueous solubility of baclofen (BAC). The solvent evaporation method was employed for co-crystallization in three stoichiometric ratios of the drug, coformer (1:1, 1:3, 1:5) and formulations were confirmed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). DSC study revealed the presence of both endothermic and exothermic peaks in compounds containing AA and L-TA. With respect to the BAC, L-TA and BAC, AA, the appearance of new diffraction peaks that do not overlap with un-processed BAC may be the implication of a new structure. The intensity of some diffraction peaks disappeared or reduced significantly which may also imply the formation of a new crystal phase. The solubility of the multicomponents increased and surpassed the solubility of BAC. Overall, the new compounds show significantly higher drug solubility whereas their physical mixtures only demonstrate a marginal increase in BAC solubility. The high solubility records of BAC, AA and BAC, L-TA evidence the marked difference in solubility of the new compounds with respect to their physical mixtures. The saturation solubility of BAC, L-CAR compound did not show any improvement relative to the un-processed BAC. These findings confirm that a new crystal phase may not have been obtained during the co-crystallization of BAC and L-CAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea (Camellia spp.) is an important medicinal herb. C. sinensis var. sinensis is the most studied tea variety due to its more preferred flavor than C. sinensis var. assamica (Assam tea), the less economic importance with more bitter variety. A bitter taste highlights its potential as a candidate source for tea catechins, the health beneficial actives applicable for ageing treatment. Nonetheless, indicative data for tea on UV-induced and senescent ageing remain unclarified. Assam tea extract (ATE) was prepared and standardized in terms of TPC, TFC and TTC. EGCG was HPLC quantified as the prime ATE catechin. In vitro antioxidant activity of ATE was exhibited with ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. ATE's cellular antioxidant activity was indicated in HDFs at a stronger degree than ascorbic acid. The photoaging protection of ATE was evidenced in a coculture of HaCaT cells and HDFs. ATE markedly suppressed UV-induced IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions. The proficiency of ATE targeting on senescent ageing was demonstrated in an ex vivo human skin model, where IL-6 and MMP-1 expressions were suppressed, whilst hyaluronic acid and collagen syntheses were promoted. ATE was chemically stabled as indicated by the catechin contents and color parameters following 6 months storage under conditions recommended for topical product. ATE enriched in catechins warrants its applicability as a new generation of photoaging protectant agent promising for the prevention and treatment for senescent ageing. The findings indicate the proficiency of ATE for innovative anti-ageing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High performance liquid chromatography is one of the techniques of choice for the separation and quantitative determination of drugs in mixture form. Ipriflavone, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin D3, and lysine are formulated together as an adjuvant combination in osteoporosis. In this work, we developed and validated two complementary high performance liquid chromatographic methods to determine the five compounds in their pharmaceutical dosage form. The first method (method A) was capable of determining ipriflavone, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, and vitamin D3 in their bulk and combined pharmaceutical formulation. The method is based on Liquid Chromatographic separation with UV detection at 254 nm using Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of 25 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.2): methanol in gradient mode. Due to the high polarity of lysine, it was difficult to achieve satisfactory retention on reversed phase columns. So, we separated it on a strong cation exchange column (Exsil 100 SCX) without derivatization with a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate and 200 mM sodium chloride (pH 6) with UV detection at 210 nm (method B). Validation of the proposed methods was performed according to ICH guidelines Q2(R1). The proposed methods proved to be valid for selective analysis of the stated drugs in their bulk and combined pharmaceutical formulation. Greenness assessment of the developed methods was evaluated using three assessment tools: ESA, GAPI and the most recently developed tool AGREE, showing a satisfactory comprehensive guide of the greenness of the developed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watery kimchi is a traditional fermented food served with its soup. In this study, we collected 21 samples of yeolmu mul kimchi (YMK), dongchimi (DC), and nabak kimchi (NK), respectively, which are the most popular watery kimchi in Korea. A composite sample of each watery kimchi was prepared for estimation of their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. Of the three kimchi types, YMK had the highest total carotenoid content (63.78 ± 4.88 mg/100 g, of which lutein, capsanthin, and β-carotene were the main carotenoids), and DC had the lowest (3.50 ± 0.12 mg/100 g). YMK also had the highest contents of chlorophyll (250.1 ± 3.91 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid (447.16 ± 8.95 mg/100 g), and capsaicinoids (2.51 ± 0.09 mg/100 g) compared to DC and NK. The lactic acid content was highest in NK (582.72 ± 29.10 mg/100 g). Moreover, YMK showed significantly higher antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) than DC and NK (p < 0.05). Chlorophyll and antioxidant activity showed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.01). The results of this study highlighted watery kimchi as a potentially valuable source of bioactive compounds, and the carotenoids and capsaicinoids were affected by the supporting ingredients used in watery kimchi. Furthermore, watery kimchi provides 4.11% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A according to the 2020 Korean dietary reference intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides that linger in the environment and ecosystems for an extended period can cause severe and dangerous health problems in humans. To detect pesticides in foods, the development of high-sensitivity and quick screening technologies was required. This research investigated the performance of Au@Ag NPs with varying thicknesses of the silver shell for detecting trace quantities of thiabendazole (TBZ) in apples using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The Au@Ag NPs were synthesized by coating 32 nm gold seeds with different thicknesses of silver shell ranging from 2.4 to 8.7 nm, achieved by adjusting the incorporation of AgNO3 and ascorbic acid. The optimized Au@Ag NPs with a 7.3 nm silver shell demonstrated outstanding SERS activity, high sensitivity, and a detection limit of 0.05 μg/mL for TBZ. The R2 values, representing the goodness of fit, were found to be 0.990 and 0.986 for standard and real TBZ samples, respectively, indicating a strong correlation between the measured signal and the TBZ concentration. The recovery analysis showed a reliable and accurate detection capability (96 to 105%), suggesting good reliability and accuracy of the SERS-based detection using the optimal Au@Ag NPs. Overall, this research highlights the potential of SERS with optimal Au@Ag NPs for rapid and effective monitoring of pesticides in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicochemical and phytochemical assessment of leaf mustard (Brassica juncea L.) grown in different agroclimatic conditions is essential to highlight their compositional variability and evaluate the most suitable bunch of agroclimatic and agronomic practices. B. juncea is one of the important leafy vegetables that serve as source of vitamin A and C and iron, and plenty of antioxidants. This in situ research was executed to assess the quality variability of B. juncea grown in different agroecosystems. Leaves' samples of B. juncea were procured from 15 farmers' fields exhibiting different agroclimatic conditions i.e., elevation, nutrient management, temperature, irrigation, and tillage practices. Leaves' samples were subjected to physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, i.e., moisture, pH, TSS, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. In the leaves' samples of B. juncea, the target properties were found to vary significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in different agroclimatic conditions. The moisture content, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, carotenoids, and antioxidants were found in the range of 62.7–79.3%, 74–91 mg/100 g, 49.2–49.2 mg GAE/100 g, 436.3–480 mg β carotene/100 g, 32.7–46.67%, respectively. This study elaborates the significant variation of physicochemical and phytochemical attributes of B. juncea due to the prevailing agroclimatic conditions. This necessitates the appropriate choice of B. juncea concerning its composition and ecological conditions of its cultivation in the prospective health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]