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Phenolic compounds are the predominant chemical constituents in the secondary metabolites of plants and are commonly found in pears. In this study, we focused on the analysis of the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of leaves from five pear cultivars (Cuiguan, Chaohong, Kuerle, Nanguoli, and Yali) and tea leaves (Fudingdabai as the control) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results indicated significant differences in the amount and composition of phenolic metabolites between tea and pear leaves, as well as among the five pear varieties. Only approximately one-third of the metabolites exhibited higher levels in pear leaves compared to that in tea leaves. The total phenol content in the Yali cultivar was higher than that in the other pear cultivars. Furthermore, specific phenolic metabolites with high expression were identified in the leaves of different groups. The levels of delphinidin 3-glucoside, aesculin, prunin, cosmosiin, quercetin 3-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, nicotiflorin, narcissin, chlorogenic acid, and cryptochlorogenic acid were relatively high among the five pear cultivars. (-)-Gallocatechin gallate, 6-methylcoumarin, aesculetin, hesperidin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid were identified as specific metabolic substances unique to each type of pear leaf. Most of the differential metabolites showed positive correlations and were primarily enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) analysis indicated that the Yali cultivar exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to other varieties. This systematic analysis of the differences in phenolic metabolite composition and antioxidant activity between pear and tea leaves provides a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of pear leaf resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast is a common disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae which affects rice production worldwide, including Brazil. To reduce the use of harmful pesticides, sustainable control options are necessary for managing rice blast. One possible option is to use plant extracts because they produce secondary metabolites capable of inhibiting the pathogen and controlling the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ethanolic extracts of leaves and flowers from Banisteriopsis laevifollia, a native Brazilian plant, to antagonise M. oryzae. In vitro antifungal activity assays were carried out, in which mycelium growth reduction, conidia germination, and appressorium formation of M. oryzae were evaluated. In addition, in vivo assay for suppression of leaf blast severity by extracts was done. We also explored the identification of secondary metabolites from ethanolic extracts of leaves and flowers by HPLC-HRMS. Results showed that both leaf and flower extracts inhibited mycelial growth in 21.72% and 30.49%, respectively, due to the inhibition of ergosterol production. Additionally, both extracts inhibited melanin production in the mycelium of M. oryzae by inhibiting tyrosine production. Both leaf and flower extracts significantly inhibited conidia germination and appressorium formation. Furthermore, rice leaves treated with the extracts suppressed by 18.17% and 18.97% leaf blast severity, with the 1.00 mg/mL concentration of flower extract and 0.75 mg/mL concentration of leaf extract, respectively, showing the most significant reduction of leaf blast. The extracts contain phenolic compounds, including 2,3,7,8-tetrahydroxy-chromeno-(5,4,3)- chromene-5,10-dione, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol, 3,4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone, 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone -3-O-glucoside, and 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone-3-O-rutinoside, which are likely responsible for the antifungal activity of the extracts. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of plant extracts as a sustainable alternative for the management of rice blast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to extract phenolic-enriched compounds, specifically oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol, from olive leaves using ball milling-assisted extraction (BMAE). Response surface methodology (RSM) and the Box–Behnken design (BBD) were used to evaluate the effects of the temperature, solvent-to-solid ratio, and milling speed on extraction recovery. The contents of the extract were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and converted to recoveries to evaluate the extraction efficiency. The optimal extraction conditions for oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol were identified. Oleuropein had a recovery of 79.0% ± 0.9% at a temperature of 56.4 °C, a solvent-to-solid ratio of 39.1 mL/g, and a milling speed of 429 rpm. Luteoloside's recovery was 74.6% ± 1.2% at 58.4 °C, 31.3 mL/g, and 328 rpm. Hydroxytyrosol achieved 43.1% ± 1.3% recovery at 51.5 °C, 32.7 mL/g, and 317 rpm. The reason for the high recoveries might be that high energy ball milling could reduce the sample size further, breaking down the cell walls of olive leaves, to enhance the mass transfer of these components from the cell to solvent. BMAE is displayed to be an efficient approach to extracting oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, which is easy to extend to industrial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine wilt disease is one of the most serious forest diseases that kills pine trees. Most of the nematode-infected pines are fumigated or locally incinerated and are thus not appropriately utilized. This study explored methods to utilize abandoned nematode-infected pines. The chemical compositions of healthy and nematode-infected pines were analyzed, and the neuroprotective effects of phenolic compounds extracted after steam explosion treatment were investigated. In terms of chemical composition, the nematode-infected pine chips suffered more damage from the steam explosion treatment than the healthy pine chips. In addition, the total phenolic compound content showed a clear difference depending on the presence of infection and steam explosion conditions. The maximum total phenolic compound content of extracted ethanol was found when the nematode-infected pine chip was subjected to steam explosion with a severity factor (Ro) of 3.82. The steam exploded pine extract of 10 µg/mL inhibited glutamate-induced early apoptotic cell death compared to cells treated with 10 mM glutamate alone. These results suggested that steamexploded pine can be used as an effective natural material for neuronal cell protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of light downconversion films (red, pink and blue films) on leaf physiological features and fruit bioactive compound accumulation was studied in strawberry plants. Red, pink and blue films were able to convert light less utilised by plants into more efficient light wavebands with various possibilities depending on the film characteristics (blue film shifts UV into blue radiation; red film shifts green into red radiation, pink film shifts UV and green into blue and red radiation but to a lesser extent than red film). Indeed, by enhancing the quality of light available for photosynthesis, the utilization of these films holds the potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. All of these light downconversion films resulted in higher plant fresh weight compared to a control colourless (Cnt) film, with plants grown under blue film (UV-to-blue light conversion) showing the most impressive results in terms of total leaf area (+25%), leaf thickness (+10%) and leaf mass per area (+15%). Simultaneously, during the flowering stage, plants under blue film had a higher net photosynthetic rate due to the increase in photosynthetically efficient wavelengths. Moreover, blue film resulted in the highest total phenolic (+40% and +28% than red and pink films, respectively) and flavonoid content (+54%, +84%, +70% than Cnt, red and pink films, respectively) in fruit, with specific effects on targeted phenols, i.e., quercetin, ellagic acid and its glycoside, ellagitannins, and procyanidins. In conclusion, the use of the UV-to-blue conversion light film tested herein represents an innovative solution to increase strawberry yield and promote fruit nutraceutical features, playing a pivotal role in ensuring food quality and security and sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary supplements (DS) are products that are recommended for the treatment of various health issues, especially during the global pandemic, and the accuracy of the labeling information of these supplements plays a significant role in human health. In this study, a novel high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated to determine the accuracy of the labeling information of commercial dietary supplements containing phenolic compounds (rutin, quercetin, and resveratrol). The mobile phase, flow rate, and column temperature were optimized. Validation studies were carried out to prove the validity of the developed method. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of rutin, quercetin, and resveratrol were found in the range of 4.83-6.62 ng/mL and 16.09-22.07 ng/mL, respectively. Recoveries% were calculated in the range of 99.52-100.19% and 99.78-100.34% in the intra-day and inter-day analysis, respectively. The IC50 values of the dietary supplement extracts obtained by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method ranged from 0.08 to 0.76 mg/mL. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) values of DS1, DS2, DS3, DS4, DS5, measured employing the Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) method, were found to be 0.09, 0.03, 0.10, 0.10 and 0.40 mmol trolox per gram of extract, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gilaburu is the name given to the fruits of Viburnum opulus L., which is a shrub plant belonging to the Adoxaceae family. These fruits are bright red in color and have a sour taste. The fruits, leaves, and shells of Gilaburu are used for various medicinal purposes. It is also a plant with strong potential in preventing air and soil pollution. Gilaburu, thanks to its abundant phenolic compounds, organic acids, and minerals, can be utilized in the treatment of conditions such as respiratory tract diseases, digestive issues, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and skin ailments. When consumed directly, Gilaburu fruit has an unpleasant bitter taste. This bitterness is attributed to the presence of mild toxic compounds such as saponin, glycosides, and viburnum. For this reason, it is often consumed as jam, marmalade or fermented drink. Consequently, Gilaburu is a valuable fruit that can serve as a natural alternative to synthetic antimicrobials for controlling pathogens, due to its diverse bioactive components possessing antimicrobial properties and the resistance of microorganisms to synthetic antimicrobials. Additionally, thanks to its high phenolic content, it can be used in the development of new products as a functional food ingredient and food colorant. This study will shed light on the labor force, the national economy, and the development of value-added products needed in our time, and will encourage the cultivation of this plant, which has many benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the nutraceutical qualities of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples obtained from three Sicilian olive cultivars: Nocellara, Biancolilla, and Cerasuola. We also evidenced the relationship among biophenols, base parameters and panel test scores, and evaluated the stability of the biophenols in EVOO. The assessment also took into consideration variations in olive harvesting periods and the influence of four different milling methods. A statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that the cultivar and harvesting period were the primary factors influencing the bio-phenol content, while the milling methods employed did not significantly affect the levels of biophenols in the oils. The panel test results were also illuminating as they were strongly related to the cultivar and polyphenol content. Following the criteria outlined in EC Regulation 432/2012, we selected three samples, each representing one of the cultivars, which exhibited the highest bio-phenol content to evaluate the biophenol stability during a time span of 16 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn berries (SBB) are well known for being rich in natural bioactive compounds with high pharmacological activity. In this study, the optimization of extraction parameters was performed to recover phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity from SBB. This study involved a systematic optimization approach, including screening for a variety of parameters, including temperature, time, ethanol concentration, agitation, and solid loading. On the basis of Plackett–Burman design (PBD) model, the two most significant parameters (agitation and solid loading) were selected, and the correlation model between those parameters and multiple responses was derived via response surface methodology (RSM). As a result, the optimal extraction condition for maximizing phenolic content and antioxidant activity was determined to be agitation at 109.54 rpm and a solid loading of 172.67 g/L. Under optimal conditions, SBB extract showed a total phenolic content of 0.21 mg/mL and ABTS and DPPH activities of 27.27% and 58.16%, respectively. The SBB extract prepared under optimal conditions was found to contain caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, and vitamin B1 (thiamine). This work is the first challenge to design an optimization model for the efficient recovery of antioxidants from SBB and is significant in that the model can be applied simply and economically to conventional extraction processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPhenolic compounds, which are widely used as plasticizers, antibacterial agents, and preservatives in industrial production, have endocrine disrupting effects on humans. Previous epidemiological studies on the associations between phenolic compound exposure and blood lipids are mainly based on single measurement of spot urine samples, neglecting potential lag effects of phenolic compounds, and the conclusions are inconsistent. ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term exposure to phenolic compounds at different lag days on blood lipid levels in adults. MethodsWe recruited 143 adults (43 males and 100 females) in Wuhan for three consecutive seasonal rounds of repeated visits: summer and autumn rounds of 2017 and winter of 2018. Morning urine samples were collected for four consecutive days during each round. A set of questionnaires were also distributed on the first day. Physical examinations and fasting venous blood sample collection were conducted on the fourth day. A total of 126 adults were included for analysis (340 person-time, 1251 urine samples). The concentrations of six urinary phenolic compounds [bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), triclosan (TCS), methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), and propyl paraben (PrP)] were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Linear mixed-effect models (LMEs), multiple informant models, and generalized linear models were utilized to estimate the associations of urinary phenolic compounds at different lag days with total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the ratio of TG to HDL-C (TG/HDL-C). Stratified analyses were conducted by selected characteristics. ResultsAfter covariate and multiple adjustments, the LMEs indicated that a change in urinary BPA at lag 0 day from the low concentration group (

Abstract The study focused on the impact of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum–sodium alginate and a blend of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum–sodium alginate (IFPG‐Al) with whey protein isolate (WPI) on sprayed Ziziphus jujuba extract (JE) powder. The addition of whey protein led to powders with higher moisture (10%), higher solubility (99.19%), and lower powder yield (27.82%). The powders fabricated with WPI depicted the best protection of polyphenolic compounds (3933.4 mg/L) and the highest encapsulation efficiency activity (74.84%). Additionally, they had a higher Tg (62.63°C), which indicates more stability of the powders during shelf life. The sphericity of the majority of the particles was noticeable in powders, but multi‐sided concavities were visible in the protein‐containing particles. Based on the particle size's results, IFPG‐Al/WPI capsules fabricated relatively smaller particles (2.54 μm). It can be acknowledged that the presence of protein in particles can bring fruitful results by preserving valuable bioactive compounds.

Abstract Various edible chrysanthemum flowers possess different anti‐glycation effects due to various compositions; however, the interaction mechanism is unclear. Our study aimed to compare the anti‐glycation effects of different edible chrysanthemum flowers and investigate the effect of phenolic compounds among them. The bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose model was used for evaluating anti‐glycation effects of various chrysanthemums flowers, and C. HBJ, C. TJ, and C. JSHJ showed better anti‐glycation effects compare to aminoguanidine. Seventeen phenolic compounds were detected, and characteristic compounds were identified via omics analysis. The interactions between BSA and different phenolic acids were analyzed by molecular docking, and the anti‐glycation model was used for further verification. In this way, apigetrin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3β‐d‐glucoside, and afzelin were identified. They were proved to affect the secondary structure of proteins due to excellent hydrophobic interactions. Our results identified the chrysanthemum species with the most promising anti‐glycation effect as well as their representative phenolic compounds. The binding of phenolic compounds and BSA due to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds might contribute to their anti‐glycation activities. Overall, our research is helpful for designing edible flower products with anti‐glycation functions and providing a better understanding of the structure–function relationship.

This study aimed to assess the ability of rosmarinic acid (RA) to prevent kidney stone formation in an ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride (EG/AC) model. There was an increase in diuresis in the normotensive (NTRs) and hypertensive rats (SHRs) treated with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and exposed to EG/AC, while RA restored urine volume in NTRs. The EG/AC groups exhibited lower urine pH and electrolyte imbalance; these parameters were not affected by any of the treatments. Both HCTZ+EG/AC and RA+EG/AC reduced calcium oxalate crystal formation in NTR and SHR urine. Kidney tissue analysis revealed alterations in oxidative stress and inflammation parameters in all EG/AC-receiving groups, with RA enhancing antioxidant defenses in SHRs. Additionally, crystals were found in the kidney histology of all EG/AC-exposed groups, with reduced Bowman's capsule areas in NTRs and SHRs. The NTR VEH+EG/AC group showed intense renal damage, while the others maintained their structures, where treatments with HCTZ and RA were fundamental for kidney protection in the NTRs. Docking analysis showed that RA exhibited good binding affinity with matrix metalloproteinase-9, phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase, and human glycolate oxidase enzymes. The data disclosed herein underscore the importance of further research to understand the underlying mechanisms better and validate the potential of RA for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on the impact of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum–sodium alginate and a blend of the insoluble fraction of Persian gum–sodium alginate (IFPG‐Al) with whey protein isolate (WPI) on sprayed Ziziphus jujuba extract (JE) powder. The addition of whey protein led to powders with higher moisture (10%), higher solubility (99.19%), and lower powder yield (27.82%). The powders fabricated with WPI depicted the best protection of polyphenolic compounds (3933.4 mg/L) and the highest encapsulation efficiency activity (74.84%). Additionally, they had a higher Tg (62.63°C), which indicates more stability of the powders during shelf life. The sphericity of the majority of the particles was noticeable in powders, but multi‐sided concavities were visible in the protein‐containing particles. Based on the particle size's results, IFPG‐Al/WPI capsules fabricated relatively smaller particles (2.54 μm). It can be acknowledged that the presence of protein in particles can bring fruitful results by preserving valuable bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence rates of human Campylobacter jejuni infections are progressively increasing globally. Since the risk for the development of post-infectious autoimmune diseases correlates with the severity of the preceding enteritis and campylobacteriosis treatment usually involves symptomatic measures, it is desirable to apply antibiotic-independent compounds to treat or even prevent disease. Given its health-promoting including anti-inflammatory properties carvacrol constitutes a promising candidate. This prompted us to test the disease-alleviating including immune-modulatory effects of carvacrol prophylaxis in acute murine campylobacteriosis. Therefore, human gut microbiota-associated IL-10−/− mice were orally challenged with synthetic carvacrol starting a week before C. jejuni infection and followed up until day 6 post-infection. Whereas carvacrol prophylaxis did neither affect gastrointestinal pathogen loads, nor the human commensal gut microbiota composition, it improved the clinical outcome of mice, attenuated colonic epithelial cell apoptosis, and dampened pro-inflammatory immune responses not only in the intestinal tract but also in extra-intestinal organs including the liver and the spleen. In conclusion, our preclinical placebo-controlled intervention study provides convincing evidence that oral carvacrol pretreatment constitutes a promising option to mitigate acute campylobacteriosis and in turn, to reduce the risk for post-infectious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analytical method was developed for the simultaneous detection of 17 phenolic compounds, including phenols, chlorophenols, alkylphenols, and nitrophenols, in two types of water matrices: wastewater and surface water. Prior to HPLC-DAD determination, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure was optimized. The proposed method uses multiwavelength analysis, with the optimum detection wavelengths selected as 268 nm, 280 nm, 386 nm, 304 nm, and 316 nm. The highest resolution was achieved using a chromatographic column, Eclipse XDB-C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), which was kept at 20 °C. The mobile phase consisted of a gradient elution program, with mobile phase A being a 0.1% H3PO4 aqueous solution and mobile phase B being acetonitrile. The flow rate was set at 0.6 mL/min. The 17 target phenolic compounds were fully separated in less than 27 min. All compounds showed good linear regression, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.999. The method's quantitation limits ranged from 4.38 to 89.7 ng/L for surface water and 7.83 to 167 ng/L for wastewater. The recovery rates were in the range of 86.2–95.1% for surface water and 79.1–86.3% for wastewater. The SPE-HPLC-DAD method was proven to be fast, sensitive, accurate, and reproducible. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of the 17 phenolic compounds in real surface water and wastewater samples, with phenol, 2,4-DNP, and 2,4-DNP being determined at levels greater than the method's limits of quantitation (LOQs). The proposed analytical method represents an original technical resource for the simultaneous determination of 17 phenolic compounds in environmental water matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular slime molds are excellent model organisms in the field of cell and developmental biology because of their simple developmental patterns. During our studies on the identification of bioactive molecules from secondary metabolites of cellular slime molds toward the development of novel pharmaceuticals, we revealed the structural diversity of secondary metabolites. Cellular slime molds grow by feeding on bacteria, such as Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli, without using medium components. Although changing the feeding bacteria is expected to affect dramatically the secondary metabolite production, the effect of the feeding bacteria on the production of secondary metabolites is not known. Herein, we report the isolation and structure elucidation of clavapyrone (1) from Dictyostelium clavatum, intermedipyrone (2) from D. magnum, and magnumiol (3) from D. intermedium. These compounds are not obtained from usual cultural conditions with Klebsiella aerogenes but obtained from coincubated conditions with Pseudomonas spp. The results demonstrate the diversity of the secondary metabolites of cellular slime molds and suggest that widening the range of feeding bacteria for cellular slime molds would increase their application potential in drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commercial olive leaf extract (OL), effective against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, was added to three different coating formulations (methylcellulose, MC; chitosan, CT; and alginate, ALG) to produce active polylactic acid (PLA) coated films. Evaluation of these coated PLA films revealed significant inhibition of S. aureus growth, particularly with the MC and CT formulations exhibiting the highest inhibition rates (99.7%). The coated films were then tested for food contact compatibility with three food simulants (A: 10% ethanol; B: 3% acetic acid; D2: olive oil), selected to assess their suitability for pre-cut hams and ready-to-eat vegetables in relation to overall migration. However, coated films with active functions exhibited migration values in simulants A and B above legal limits, while promising results were obtained for simulant D2, highlighting the need to deeply investigate these coatings' impact on a real food system. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that the type of coating influenced the selective release of certain phenolic classes based on the food simulant tested. The Oxitest analysis of simulant D2 demonstrated that the MC and ALG-coated PLA films slightly slowed down the oxidation of this food simulant, which is an edible vegetable oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ber fruit (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk) contains abundant polyphenols and is highly susceptible to enzymatic browning after harvest. In order to reduce browning and maintain fruit quality of ber fruit, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Experimental treatments included control, Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) (0.5%), ZEO (1%), Aloe vera gel -based (20%) enriched with sesame oil 1%, honey 1% (ASH), ASH + ZEO (0.5%), ASH + ZEO (1%) and storage time (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) at 6 ± 1°C and relative humidity of 90±5%. The results showed that edible coating application had significant effect on the quality characteristics of the ber fruit during storage. The combination of ASH with ZEO (0.5%), as an edible coating, significantly alleviated enzymatic browning by reducing PPO and POD activities on fruit during 28 days of storage. Fruits treated with ASH with ZEO (0.5%) reduced browning index (70%) compared to the control; while increased total phenol content and antioxidant activity (18.14%, and 31.16%, respectively) compared to the control after 28 days of storage. Also, ASH in combination with ZEO (0.5%) treatment decreased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (19.7%, and 17.8%, respectively) compared to the control after 28 days of storage. These results indicated that ASH edible coating in combination with ZEO (0.5%) can be a useful method for delaying ripening and senescence, extending the storage life of ber fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh-cut processing is a good strategy to enhance the commercialization of peaches and nectarines, which easily deteriorate during low-temperature storage mostly due to the occurrence of chilling injury. Although several studies have been performed to improve the shelf-life of fresh-cut stone fruit, the achievement of high-quality fresh-cut peaches and nectarines still constitutes a challenge. The present study aimed to gain insights into the evolution of the postharvest quality of fresh-cut nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch) Big Bang, cold-stored at two different storage temperatures (4 and 8 °C) for up to 10 days. Several aspects influencing the quality traits (sensory and postharvest quality parameters; the profile of phenolic and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) were explored to predict the marketable life of the fresh-cut nectarines. The respiration rate was higher in samples stored at 4 °C, while the browning process was more evident in fruit stored at 8 °C. Partial Least Squares Regression performed on VOCs showed that samples stored at 4 °C and 8 °C presented a different time evolution during the experiment and the trajectories depended on the interaction between time and temperature. Moreover, Multiple Linear Regression analysis discovered that the 17 VOCs affected by the storage conditions seemed to suggest that no chilling injury was detected for nectarines Big Bang. In conclusion, this approach could also be used with other nectarine cultivars and/or different stone fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Glehnia littoralis, a medicinal herb employed in traditional practices for alleviating fatigue, cough, and a dry throat, is recognized for its beneficial properties due to a diverse array of active compounds found in its extracts. For example, the G. littoralis roots (Radix Glehniae) mainly contain coumarins and phenolic acids, serving as the primary focus of this study. Despite the widespread use of the tools in various industries and the development of multiple analytical methods for their examination, the edible aerial parts have industrial potential, and there is currently no analytical method available to identify their key components. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) was developed to simultaneously detect 16 phenolic compounds previously reported to be present in the edible aerial parts of G. littoralis. The proposed approach included using gradient elution to change the solvent system from water/acetonitrile to water/methanol. Furthermore, the method validation was conducted, assessing its linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery, all of which demonstrated satisfactory results. Subsequently, the developed method was applied to quantify the phenolic compounds in various G. littoralis samples obtained from different organs, solvent extraction processes, and processing methods. Moreover, the online HPLC-ABTS (2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of individual constituents, identifying four important antioxidants and estimate the overall antioxidant capacity of the G. littoralis extract.

Hardaliye, grape-based fermented beverage, rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds. Bioaccessibility and antioxidant capacity of bioactive compounds in hardaliye, produced using varying amounts of mustard seeds (1%, 1.5%, and 2%) with Merlot and Papazkarası grape varieties, were evaluated under in vitro gastrointestinal digestion conditions. After digestion, Merlot and Papazkarası samples with 2% addition of mustard seed showed significantly higher total phenolic compounds (TPC) (358.48±14.73 and 89.01±2.42 mg GAE/L, respectively) compared to other samples (P

Abstract This study investigated the production of Sangyod rice bran hydrolysate (SYRB) from Sangyod rice, focusing on incubation times (1, 3, and 5 h) and alcalase enzyme concentrations (0, 0.7, and 1% v/v). The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent relationship: higher alcalase concentrations increased hydrolysate yield. Prolonged incubation, especially with alcalase, enhanced substrate breakdown, further increasing hydrolysate production. The degree of hydrolysis, reflecting peptide bond cleavage, depended on both incubation time and enzyme concentration, emphasizing the role of enzyme activity in efficiency. Moreover, color analysis (L*, a*, b*) and color difference (∆E) revealed intricate changes from enzymatic hydrolysis. Proximate composition analysis showed higher protein and lipid content with increased enzyme concentration and longer incubation times, whereas ash content varied with both factors. Hydrolysate powders exhibited higher moisture content than raw rice bran, indicating the impact of the hydrolysis process. The study also explored SYRB's antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity, which were sensitive to incubation time and alcalase concentration. Longer incubation increased DPPH scavenging activity, with the highest efficacy at 3 h. Meanwhile, ABTS scavenging displayed a delicate balance with alcalase concentration. The cytotoxicity study of SYRB revealed that all concentrations of SYRB were non-toxic to C2C12 cells, with cell viability values exceeding 70%.

Glehnia littoralis, a medicinal herb employed in traditional practices for alleviating fatigue, cough, and a dry throat, is recognized for its beneficial properties due to a diverse array of active compounds found in its extracts. For example, the G. littoralis roots (Radix Glehniae) mainly contain coumarins and phenolic acids, serving as the primary focus of this study. Despite the widespread use of the tools in various industries and the development of multiple analytical methods for their examination, the edible aerial parts have industrial potential, and there is currently no analytical method available to identify their key components. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) was developed to simultaneously detect 16 phenolic compounds previously reported to be present in the edible aerial parts of G. littoralis. The proposed approach included using gradient elution to change the solvent system from water/acetonitrile to water/methanol. Furthermore, the method validation was conducted, assessing its linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery, all of which demonstrated satisfactory results. Subsequently, the developed method was applied to quantify the phenolic compounds in various G. littoralis samples obtained from different organs, solvent extraction processes, and processing methods. Moreover, the online HPLC-ABTS (2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of individual constituents, identifying four important antioxidants and estimate the overall antioxidant capacity of the G. littoralis extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main physiological and biochemical characteristics and elemental composition of three lichen species of the genus Hypogymnia (Nyl.) Nyl. in one habitat were studied using spectroscopic methods. The model species were placed in the following order of decreasing degree of anthropotolerance: H. physodes (L.) Nyl. → H. tubulosa (Schaer.) Hav. → H. vittata (Ach.) Parrique. The contents of chlorophylls a and b, phenolic compounds, pheophytinization quotient, and antiradical activity were determined by a spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant activity was determined by an amperometric method. The physiological and biochemical parameters for each of the three species corresponded to those for background ecotopes. These parameters and the integrity of the system of correlations between the parameters were lower in species with a low degree of anthropotolerance. Twenty-three elements were found in thalli of the model species using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma. They included macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and metalloids. The maximum concentrations of most elements were found in H. vittata; the minimum concentrations, in H. physodes. An analysis of the interaction between the physiological and biochemical characteristics and the contents of the elements indicated the presence of a complex system of correlations in each species. Differences in this system of correlations may have been due to the specific composition of secondary metabolites, which determine the features of adaptive reactions. The use of various optical spectroscopy methods enabled an evaluation of not only the functional specificity of the studied species but also its connection to their anthropotolerance level. Low resistance to anthropogenic influences was combined with lower coordination of physiological and biochemical characteristics and low integrity of the system of correlations. The most vulnerable species H. vittata had the minimal values of the main functional parameters, a poorer correlation of them with the elemental composition, and higher concentrations of some toxic elements. The use of a complex analysis of the physiological and biochemical characteristics and elemental compositions using various spectral methods was crucial for the bioindication and ecological physiology of lichens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sabah is the main seaweed producer in Malaysia especially red seaweeds which are commercially cultivated for the production of food gum known as carrageenan. Seaweeds are also high in phytochemical such as antioxidant compounds. Three seaweeds species from the Semporna Seawater, Sabah, namely Kappaphycus alvarezii, Caulerpa lentillifera and Sargassum polycystum were chosen for this study for the analysis of their antioxidant activities. K. alvarezii species is commercially cultivated whereas the other two (C. lentillifera and S. polycystum) are wild species. All seaweeds species underwent drying process in a cabinet dryer prior to the analyses. Six types of solvents which were water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hexane were used for the extraction process. Every concentrated, extracted solutions were then measured for their antioxidant activities based on total phenolic content (TPC), diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and β-carotene bleaching assay. Results showed that TPC of S. polycystum was significantly higher (p<0.05) than K. alvarezii but not significantly different (P>0.05) from C. lentillifera. Even though the extraction yield of water was the highest, but the greatest antioxidant activity values were seen in methanolic extraction in comparison to the other solvents in TPC, DPPH and FRAP. This indicated that most of the antioxidant compounds in all the three seaweed samples are polar. However, high antioxidant activity in terms of β-carotene bleaching assay were seen in other solvent extractions, which were chloroform, hexane and ethyl acetate. This indicated that seaweed also contain non-polar antioxidant compounds such as β-carotene. Overall, the best extraction method of antioxidant compounds in seaweed samples was using methanol as the extractant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese toxicity is a major obstacle to agriculture in acid soils. Dark pericarp disease (DPD) is a newly spread physiological disorder induced by excess Mn in litchi, leading to undesirable fruit appearance and substantial economic loss. In this work, broadcast of alkaline soil conditioner in winter, followed by foliar sprays of ascorbic acid and sulfur solution at fruit development, was adopted to examine the effect of these combinations on DPD alleviation in a litchi orchard, with DPD morbidities of 70~85% in recent ten years. The combination of soil conditioner broadcast and foliar water spray was used as the control. At harvest, DPD incidence was significantly decreased by sulfur spray (3.3 ± 1.0%) and slightly reduced by ascorbic acid spray (10.7 ± 8.0%) compared to the control (12.9 ± 7.6%). Soil pH and available Mn were significantly increased and reduced by the soil conditioner broadcast. Sulfur spray significantly inhibited Mn uptake but enhanced the accumulation of Mg, Ca, sugars and cyanidin-3-rutinoside in the pericarp, leading to improved fruit pigmentation. Antioxidase activities were regulated to resist Mn stress by sulfur spray. The spray of ascorbic acid could not mitigate DPD as expected, probably due to the dose used. Conclusively, this study provides a practicable approach to mitigate Mn phytoavailability in acid soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the properties of B. griseipurpureus Corner concerning its efficacy against various bacterial strains and its antioxidant capacity, along with its phytochemical composition. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method, revealing pronounced efficacy against gram-negative bacteria, particularly noteworthy against E. coli ESBL182, known for its antibiotic resistance. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of B. griseipurpureus Corner extract against E. coli ESBL182 were determined to be 75 and 300 mg/ml, respectively. The extract exhibited bacteriostatic activity by inhibiting cell growth, leading to a reduction in optical density at 600 nm. Additionally, examination of the supernatant from untreated and treated E. coli ESBL182 cells with B. griseipurpureus Corner extract indicated absorbance values of 0.088 and 0.248 at 260 nm, and 0.045 and 0.286 at 280 nm, respectively. Further investigation utilizing a scanning electron microscope revealed alterations in the morphology of treated cells, which displayed elongation and fragmentation, in contrast to untreated cells. The DPPH assay indicated that the IC50 of B. griseipurpureus Corner extract was 31.22 mg/ml. The IC50 value obtained from the ABTS assay was 47.31 mg/ml. Additionally, the FRAP assay revealed that the concentration of ascorbic acid equivalent in B. griseipurpureus Corner extract was 1.06 mg/g crude extract. Phytochemical analysis, conducted using a spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 750 nm and 510 nm, respectively, indicated phenolic and flavonoid contents of 0.22 mg gallic acid/g fresh weight and 3.23 mg quercetin/g fresh weight in the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the production of Sangyod rice bran hydrolysate (SYRB) from Sangyod rice, focusing on incubation times (1, 3, and 5 h) and alcalase enzyme concentrations (0, 0.7, and 1% v/v). The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent relationship: higher alcalase concentrations increased hydrolysate yield. Prolonged incubation, especially with alcalase, enhanced substrate breakdown, further increasing hydrolysate production. The degree of hydrolysis, reflecting peptide bond cleavage, depended on both incubation time and enzyme concentration, emphasizing the role of enzyme activity in efficiency. Moreover, color analysis (L*, a*, b*) and color difference (∆E) revealed intricate changes from enzymatic hydrolysis. Proximate composition analysis showed higher protein and lipid content with increased enzyme concentration and longer incubation times, whereas ash content varied with both factors. Hydrolysate powders exhibited higher moisture content than raw rice bran, indicating the impact of the hydrolysis process. The study also explored SYRB's antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity, which were sensitive to incubation time and alcalase concentration. Longer incubation increased DPPH scavenging activity, with the highest efficacy at 3 h. Meanwhile, ABTS scavenging displayed a delicate balance with alcalase concentration. The cytotoxicity study of SYRB revealed that all concentrations of SYRB were non-toxic to C2C12 cells, with cell viability values exceeding 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds have been reported to exert different bioactive properties. Despite the fact that there are plant extracts with completely different phenolic compositions, many of them have been reported to have similar beneficial properties. Thus, the structure–bioactivity relationship mechanisms are not yet known in detail for specific classes of phenolic compounds. In this context, this work aims to demonstrate the relationship of extracts with different phenolic compositions versus different bioactive targets. For this purpose, five plant matrices (Theobroma cacao, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Silybum marianum, Lippia citriodora, and Olea europaea) were selected to cover different phenolic compositions, which were confirmed by the phytochemical characterization analysis performed by HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The bioactive targets evaluated were the antioxidant potential, the free radical scavenging potential, and the inhibitory capacity of different enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, skin aging, and neuroprotection. The results showed that despite the different phenolic compositions of the five matrices, they all showed a bioactive positive effect in most of the evaluated assays. In particular, matrices with very different phenolic contents, such as T. cacao and S. marianum, exerted a similar inhibitory power in enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and skin aging. It should also be noted that H. sabdariffa and T. cacao extracts had a low phenolic content but nevertheless stood out for their bioactive antioxidant and anti-radical capacity. Hence, this research highlights the shared bioactive properties among phenolic compounds found in diverse matrices. The abundance of different phenolic compound families highlights their elevated bioactivity against diverse biological targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peucedanum japonicum has long been a staple in East Asian cuisine. In the context of traditional medicine, various members of the Peucedanum genus have been investigated for potential medicinal properties. In laboratory settings, some compounds derived from this plant have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—characteristics often associated with potential medicinal applications. This study aimed to determine which part of the P. japonicum plants cultivated on two Korean islands contains the most antioxidant compounds. This determination was made through assessments of total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content, coupled with evaluation of antioxidant activity via DPPH and ABTS assays. The results showed that the aerial parts contain a richer array of bioactive compounds and demonstrate superior antioxidant activity compared to their root counterparts in the plants from both islands. To characterize the phytochemicals underpinning this bioactivity, LC-MS/MS and HPLC analyses were carried out. These methods detected varying amounts of chlorogenic acid, peucedanol 7-O-glucoside, rutin, and peucedanol, with good separation and retention times. This study addresses the lack of research on the antioxidant activity of different parts of P. japonicum. The findings hold significance for traditional medicine, dietary supplements, and the development of functional foods. Understanding antioxidant distribution aids in the development of medicinal and nutritional applications, influences agricultural practices, and contributes to regional biodiversity-conservation efforts. The study's geographical scope provides insights into how location impacts the concentration of bioactive compounds in plants. Overall, the results contribute valuable data for future research in plant biology, biochemistry, and related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a crop of high nutritional interest which is widespread throughout the world as a result of which it is considered as a potential crop for ensuring future food security. The effect of organic and conventional farming systems on the nutritional and functional composition of two cultivars of market class fabada (a landrace and a modern elite cultivar) is described. The findings of our study have shown that the common beans from organic farming have a higher content of protein, phenolic compounds, and relevant microelements such as iron and zinc than the seeds from conventional farming trial. However, in conventional crops a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower concentrations of phytic acid and raffinose oligosaccharides were also detected. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in the proximate composition of the two genotypes tested, nor in their antioxidant activity or levels of phenolic compounds. The elite cultivar maintains the nutritional characteristics of the landrace from which it derives, suggesting the genomic regions modified in the improvement do not play an important role in their genetic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully utilize the aromatic ring structure of lignin and realize high value addition, organosolv lignin (OL) extracted from papermaking waste liquid was subjected to catalytic pyrolysis for the production of phenolic compounds. Using self-made carbon nanospheres as a template, cellular La0.8Pr0.2NiO3 perovskite was prepared by the sol-gel method and used as catalyst in the pyrolysis of OL at 600 °C for 3 h. The yield of liquid-phase product was 21.34 %, and the selectivity of phenolic compounds reached 70.20 %, constituting increases by 43.41 % and 25.87 % compared with the yield and selectivity of the catalyst-free process, respectively. After four cycles of regeneration, La0.8Pr0.2NiO3 perovskite still demonstrated good structural and catalytic stability. This work provides a theoretical basis for the development of green and sustainable chemical products.

The extracts from the leaves of Deschampsia antarctica É. Desv., Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, and Camellia japonica L. plants, as well as from defatted Camelina sativa and Silybum marianum seedcakes were investigated as potential additives for improvement of biodiesel stability against oxidation. Composition of the extracts was studied by means of HPLC, and antioxidant properties were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the DPPH test. The oxidation of biodiesel was monitored during the accelerated procedure at 43C, with the changes in the acid number of biodiesel samples being the criteria of this process. In spite of significant distinctions in the content of various phenolic compounds, all the extracts were found to possess high antioxidant activity and decelerate biodiesel oxidation by 9-26%. The data did not reveal a directly proportional relationship between the antioxidants content in the extract, on the one hand, and the enhancement in biodiesel stability, on the other hand; various extracts had different influence on the behaviour of biodiesel from rape and Camelina seed oils. The results obtained are consistent with the assumption that there is no universal stabilizer for different types of biodiesel and indicate the prospects on searching for novel antioxidants of natural origin to inhibit oxidative processes.

ABSTRACT In the search for new natural photoprotective agents, the mesocarp of babassu (Attalea speciosa) stands out as a promising candidate due to its unique chemical composition and regional significance. In this study, we investigated the in vitro photoprotective and antioxidant properties of babassu mesocarp flour extracts and their fractions. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays. The sun protection factor (SPF) was determined through the Mansur assay, and cytotoxicity was determined in RAW cells. The samples exhibited high antioxidant activity, especially in the more polar fractions. The hydroethanolic extract had an SPF of 16.69, while the aqueous extract had an SPF of 14.83. Notably, the hydroethanolic extract exhibited no cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. Our findings suggest that babassu mesocarp flour is a potential source for developing photoprotective agents to shield skin from UV radiation and combat free radicals.

The present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic, antioxidant and cardiac risk-suppressing effects of Chakhao poireiton (CP), a GI-tagged pigmented black rice from India. In vitro and ex vivo studies confirmed that whole rice extracts of CP have potent antioxidant, 3-hydroxy-3- methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cholesterol esterase inhibitory, and antilipase effects. An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the ethanol extracts of CP on high-fat high-sugar induced hyperlipidemic rats. The ethanol extract significantly ameliorated lipid parameters and liver enzymes to normal. Levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-N-acetyl cysteine, C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein a were significantly lower in the extract-treated groups than those in the disease control group. A marked reduction of ApoB/ApoA1 and other atherogenic indices were observed in extract-treated groups. Twelve phenolic compounds, i.e. rosamarinic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid etc., were quantified in CP. This study provided the first evidence of the antihyperlipidemic and cardiac risk inhibitory effects of CP, which would be beneficial in preventing and managing hyperlipidemia, associated oxidative stress, and cardiac complications.

Plants are exposed to various adverse environmental conditions throughout their growth period. In recent years, drought, which has occurred and necessitated different measures, ranks among these adverse conditions. At the same time, plants synthesize certain biochemical compounds in response to the adverse conditions they will encounter. These compounds not only strengthen the immune system but also provide resistance against various diseases, and they tend to increase under adverse environmental conditions that plants will face during cultivation. This study was conducted to determine the changes in yield and some biochemical components in pickling hot peppers (Capsicum Annuum L.) grown under different water stress conditions. Two different levels of water stress (%70 and %30 irrigation) were applied in addition to full irrigation (%100 irrigation). At the end of the research, while a yield of 269.42 g per plant was obtained in the control group (%100 irrigation), 150.14 g and 93.33 g of pickling hot peppers were harvested in each water stress treatment, respectively. Total phenolic compound levels increased with water stress; it was determined to be 0.827 mg-1g in the trial irrigated with full irrigation water, 1.170 mg-1g in plants exposed to mild water stress, and up to 1.536 mg-1g in the trial subjected to severe water stress. In addition, total flavonoids and antioxidant compound levels also increased with increasing water stress. The amounts of flavonoid compounds obtained from the trial groups were 0.146, 0.373, and 0.412 mg-1g, respectively, while the antioxidant levels determined by the DPPH method increased in quantity with increasing water stress, similar to other biochemical compounds. According to these results, it was determined that the yield of pickling hot peppers decreased in the case of water shortage that the plants would face in cultivation, but there was an increase in some biochemical compounds.

α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the gastrointestinal tract have an important role in the hydrolysis α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic chain of starch, respectively. Inhibition of both enzyme activities becomes one of the strategies to control diabetes. However, commercial drugs such as antidiabetics have adverse effects such as gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, exploring functional food, especially from marine natural products as antidiabetic agents, is potential. In particular, Ceriops sp. was reported to contain bioactive compounds with antidiabetic properties, but its mechanism to treat diabetes has not been proved. The potency of phenolic compounds of C. decandra leaves as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors were examined in this research by implementing the molecular docking analysis in silico. Three steps of analysis were carried out in this study, including extraction from C. decandra leaves with different polarity solvents, identification of phenolic compounds using LC-HRMS, and molecular docking analysis of phenolic compounds identified from C. decandra leaves. This study revealed that quercetin, rutin, epicatechin, isorhamnetin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were identified from C. decandra leaves. According to the drug-likeness and toxicity analysis, the presented compounds in C. decandra leaves had high potential pharmacological properties. Furthermore, molecular interaction analysis exhibited phenolic compounds extracted with ethyl acetate, such as quercetin and epicatechin, and with methanolic extracts, such as quercetin, rutin, epicatechin, and isorhamnetin, were more effective as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors than from caffeic acid and ferulic acid. Among the phenolic compounds of C. decandra leaves, rutin and quercetin were predicted to be the potential α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Phenolic compounds are the predominant chemical constituents in the secondary metabolites of plants and are commonly found in pears. In this study, we focused on the analysis of the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of leaves from five pear cultivars (Cuiguan, Chaohong, Kuerle, Nanguoli, and Yali) and tea leaves (Fudingdabai as the control) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results indicated significant differences in the amount and composition of phenolic metabolites between tea and pear leaves, as well as among the five pear varieties. Only approximately one-third of the metabolites exhibited higher levels in pear leaves compared to that in tea leaves. The total phenol content in the Yali cultivar was higher than that in the other pear cultivars. Furthermore, specific phenolic metabolites with high expression were identified in the leaves of different groups. The levels of delphinidin 3-glucoside, aesculin, prunin, cosmosiin, quercetin 3-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, nicotiflorin, narcissin, chlorogenic acid, and cryptochlorogenic acid were relatively high among the five pear cultivars. (-)-Gallocatechin gallate, 6-methylcoumarin, aesculetin, hesperidin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid were identified as specific metabolic substances unique to each type of pear leaf. Most of the differential metabolites showed positive correlations and were primarily enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) analysis indicated that the Yali cultivar exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to other varieties. This systematic analysis of the differences in phenolic metabolite composition and antioxidant activity between pear and tea leaves provides a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of pear leaf resources.

This study aims to extract phenolic-enriched compounds, specifically oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol, from olive leaves using ball milling-assisted extraction (BMAE). Response surface methodology (RSM) and the Box–Behnken design (BBD) were used to evaluate the effects of the temperature, solvent-to-solid ratio, and milling speed on extraction recovery. The contents of the extract were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and converted to recoveries to evaluate the extraction efficiency. The optimal extraction conditions for oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol were identified. Oleuropein had a recovery of 79.0% ± 0.9% at a temperature of 56.4 °C, a solvent-to-solid ratio of 39.1 mL/g, and a milling speed of 429 rpm. Luteoloside’s recovery was 74.6% ± 1.2% at 58.4 °C, 31.3 mL/g, and 328 rpm. Hydroxytyrosol achieved 43.1% ± 1.3% recovery at 51.5 °C, 32.7 mL/g, and 317 rpm. The reason for the high recoveries might be that high energy ball milling could reduce the sample size further, breaking down the cell walls of olive leaves, to enhance the mass transfer of these components from the cell to solvent. BMAE is displayed to be an efficient approach to extracting oleuropein, luteoloside, and hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, which is easy to extend to industrial production.

Sea buckthorn berries (SBB) are well known for being rich in natural bioactive compounds with high pharmacological activity. In this study, the optimization of extraction parameters was performed to recover phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity from SBB. This study involved a systematic optimization approach, including screening for a variety of parameters, including temperature, time, ethanol concentration, agitation, and solid loading. On the basis of Plackett–Burman design (PBD) model, the two most significant parameters (agitation and solid loading) were selected, and the correlation model between those parameters and multiple responses was derived via response surface methodology (RSM). As a result, the optimal extraction condition for maximizing phenolic content and antioxidant activity was determined to be agitation at 109.54 rpm and a solid loading of 172.67 g/L. Under optimal conditions, SBB extract showed a total phenolic content of 0.21 mg/mL and ABTS and DPPH activities of 27.27% and 58.16%, respectively. The SBB extract prepared under optimal conditions was found to contain caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, and vitamin B1 (thiamine). This work is the first challenge to design an optimization model for the efficient recovery of antioxidants from SBB and is significant in that the model can be applied simply and economically to conventional extraction processes.

The influence of light downconversion films (red, pink and blue films) on leaf physiological features and fruit bioactive compound accumulation was studied in strawberry plants. Red, pink and blue films were able to convert light less utilised by plants into more efficient light wavebands with various possibilities depending on the film characteristics (blue film shifts UV into blue radiation; red film shifts green into red radiation, pink film shifts UV and green into blue and red radiation but to a lesser extent than red film). Indeed, by enhancing the quality of light available for photosynthesis, the utilization of these films holds the potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. All of these light downconversion films resulted in higher plant fresh weight compared to a control colourless (Cnt) film, with plants grown under blue film (UV-to-blue light conversion) showing the most impressive results in terms of total leaf area (+25%), leaf thickness (+10%) and leaf mass per area (+15%). Simultaneously, during the flowering stage, plants under blue film had a higher net photosynthetic rate due to the increase in photosynthetically efficient wavelengths. Moreover, blue film resulted in the highest total phenolic (+40% and +28% than red and pink films, respectively) and flavonoid content (+54%, +84%, +70% than Cnt, red and pink films, respectively) in fruit, with specific effects on targeted phenols, i.e., quercetin, ellagic acid and its glycoside, ellagitannins, and procyanidins. In conclusion, the use of the UV-to-blue conversion light film tested herein represents an innovative solution to increase strawberry yield and promote fruit nutraceutical features, playing a pivotal role in ensuring food quality and security and sustainable agricultural practices.

The aim of this study was to assess the nutraceutical qualities of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples obtained from three Sicilian olive cultivars: Nocellara, Biancolilla, and Cerasuola. We also evidenced the relationship among biophenols, base parameters and panel test scores, and evaluated the stability of the biophenols in EVOO. The assessment also took into consideration variations in olive harvesting periods and the influence of four different milling methods. A statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that the cultivar and harvesting period were the primary factors influencing the bio-phenol content, while the milling methods employed did not significantly affect the levels of biophenols in the oils. The panel test results were also illuminating as they were strongly related to the cultivar and polyphenol content. Following the criteria outlined in EC Regulation 432/2012, we selected three samples, each representing one of the cultivars, which exhibited the highest bio-phenol content to evaluate the biophenol stability during a time span of 16 months.

To determine the free-radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of the ethanol extract of Poinsettia leaves (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) from Lombok Island, we used the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method and expressed the total phenolic content as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of ethanol extract. The results show the strong antioxidant activity (79.77 ppm) of the ethanol extract of red Poinsettia leaves and the moderate antioxidant activity of green Poinsettia leaves (118.350 ppm). The ethanol extracts of red and green Poinsettia leaves possessed an average of 63.276 ± 0.228 and 22.715 ± 0.090 mg GAE/g extract total phenolic contents, respectively. In addition, the ethanol extracts of red and green Poinsettia leaves exhibited moderate and strong free-radical inhibitory activities, respectively. These findings indicate that color affects the antioxidant ability of leaves and their phenolic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global problem with increasing prevalence. The current treatments have made an immense progress with some side effects, such as drug resistance, acute kidney toxicity, and increased risk of heart attack. Banana (Musa spp.) peel comprises 40% of banana fruit contains high phenolic compounds whilst some studies have suggested a correlation between phenolic compounds and antidiabetic activity. One of the novel protein targets that has been identified as a potential anti-diabetic treatment is PTP1B (PDB ID:2NT7). Therefore, this study aimed to screen the potential PTP1B inhibitor for antidiabetic treatment from phenolic compounds in banana peel. QSAR, molecular docking, ADME-Tox, and molecular dynamics analysis were deployed to examine forty-three phenolic compounds in banana peel. Eighteen ligands were screened by QSAR analysis and eight of them had a lower binding energy than the standard (ertiprotafib) in molecular docking, with urolithin A and chrysin were the lowest. Both passed Lipinski's rule of five, had a good intestinal absorption, and no blood-brain barrier penetration, however, their mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and irritation to the skin and eyes were still in questions. Molecular dynamics analysis found both of them were in a stable conformation with PTP1B. This study suggested a potential of urolithin A and chrysin as PTP1B inhibitor for antidiabetic treatment. Additionally, further experimentation is required to validate this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa) root that has been used for centuries as a spice, coloring agent, and medicine. Curcumin presents anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, thrombosuppressive, cardiovascular, hypoglycemic, antiarthritic, and anti-neurodegenerative properties. It scavenges different forms of free radicals and acts on transcription factors, growth factors and their receptors, cytokines, enzymes, and genes, regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Curcumin is electroactive, and a relationship between its electron transfer properties and radical-scavenging activity has been highlighted. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the curcumin electron transfer reactions, with emphasis on the controversial aspects related to its oxidation mechanism. The final sections will focus on the electroanalysis of curcumin in natural products, highlighting the most important sensing strategies, based on functional electrodes and nanostructured materials, essential for the development of more efficient in vitro methods of detection and quantification of curcumin in food samples, supplements, and nutripharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs bacteria are a plant's surface inhabitant, especially at the leaf. They are known as Methylobacterium species. The antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and level of toxicity of this bacteria pigment have been studied. Recently, no previous research focused on the same bacterium found in Melicope lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) T. G. Hartley, which is a component of the Malaysian ulam leaf. This study employed the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, along with total phenolic content determination to assess the antioxidant activities of the methanolic and ethanolic pigment extract. Additionally, the consumption safety level of the pigment extract used brine shrimp lethality assay. From these findings, ethanolic pigment extract has a higher antioxidant capacity than methanolic extract. The DPPH half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of methanolic pigment extract is higher than ethanolic extract (0.72 ± 0.04 mg/ml), but the IC50 value is vice versa for ABTS (4.59 ± 2.17 mg/ml). Furthermore, ethanolic extracts have a high FRAP assay value (1.09 ± 0.19 mg/mg of trolox equivalent at 0.78 mg/ml sample) and phenolic content (1.39 ± 0.07 mg/mg of gallic acid equivalent at 0.78 mg/ml sample) compared to methanolic pigment extracts. Fortunately, the methanolic and ethanolic pigment extract's lethal concentration values (4.52 and 9.94 mg/ml) are considered safe for food application since their toxicity level is higher than 1 mg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic, antioxidant and cardiac risk-suppressing effects of Chakhao poireiton (CP), a GI-tagged pigmented black rice from India. In vitro and ex vivo studies confirmed that whole rice extracts of CP have potent antioxidant, 3-hydroxy-3- methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cholesterol esterase inhibitory, and antilipase effects. An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the ethanol extracts of CP on high-fat high-sugar induced hyperlipidemic rats. The ethanol extract significantly ameliorated lipid parameters and liver enzymes to normal. Levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-N-acetyl cysteine, C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein a were significantly lower in the extract-treated groups than those in the disease control group. A marked reduction of ApoB/ApoA1 and other atherogenic indices were observed in extract-treated groups. Twelve phenolic compounds, i.e. rosamarinic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid etc., were quantified in CP. This study provided the first evidence of the antihyperlipidemic and cardiac risk inhibitory effects of CP, which would be beneficial in preventing and managing hyperlipidemia, associated oxidative stress, and cardiac complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Abate Fétel', a winter cultivar, is the most important pear cultivar in Italy; its fruits are appreciated by consumers for their aroma, texture and balanced sweet and sour taste. Maintaining high-quality characteristics to prolong the shelf-life of fruit and preserve the sensory and nutritional quality is a priority for the food industry. The aim of our study was to test the effectiveness of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and cold storage in prolonging the shelf-life of these fruits, which were harvested at maturity at two different times. This work focused on the effects of different storage treatments and two ripening times on (i) the chemical composition of Abate Fétel pulp fruits to preserve their sweet taste and aroma and (ii) the phenolic profile composition and antioxidant activity of the peel, which is naturally rich in phytochemicals and important for the fruit's shelf-life and in the functional food industry for its high nutritional value. Abate Fétel fruits were harvested at the optimal commercial maturity stage, first on 15 September, having been treated with 1-MCP and stored for 2 months at cold temperatures; the other fruits were harvested at the end of September and stored in a cold cell for 2 months. The fruit pulp was tested for glucose and fructose, pH, acidity and organic acids (malic, citric, fumaric and shikimic), phenolic content and phenolic compounds (chlorogenic and caffeic acids, rutin, hyperoside, kaempferol-3-rutinoside and isoquercitrin), and the antioxidant activities in the fruit peels were measured. Treating the fruits with 1-MCP better preserved the phytochemical compounds compared to simple refrigeration, preserving the fruit's quality and prolonging its shelf-life. All the treatments help to maintain the glucose and fructose content and the acidity, preserving the aroma and organoleptic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds are one of the main organic pollutants in the environment that can seriously affect ecosystems, even at very low concentrations. Due to the resistance of phenolic compounds to microorganisms, conventional biological treatment methods face challenges in effectively addressing this pollution problem. In this study, a novel laccase mimic (Tris-Cu nanozyme) is prepared using a simple and rapid synthesis strategy based on the coordination of copper ions and amino groups in Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris). It is found that the Tris-Cu nanozyme exhibits good catalytic activity against a variety of phenolic compounds, the Km, Vmax and Kcat are determined to be 0.18 mM, 15.62 μM·min−1 and 1.57 × 107 min−1 using 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DP) as the substrate, respectively. Then, based on the laccase-like activity of the Tris-Cu nanozyme, a novel colorimetric method for 2,4-DP (the limit of detection (LOD) = 2.4 μM, S/N = 3) detection in the range of 10–400 μM was established, and its accuracy was verified by analyzing tap and lake water samples. In addition, the Tris-Cu nanozyme shows excellent removal abilities for six phenolic compounds in experiments. The removal percentages for 2,4-DP, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), phenol, resorcinol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DOP), and bisphenol A (BPA) are 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 87%, and 81% at 1 h, respectively. In the simulated effluent, the Tris-Cu nanozyme maintains its efficient catalytic activity towards 2,4-DP, with a degradation percentage of 76.36% at 7 min and a reaction rate constant (k0) of 0.2304 min−1. Therefore, this metal–organic complex shows promise for applications in the monitoring and degrading of environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]