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New-generation chemosensors desire small organic molecules that are easy to synthesise and cost-effective. As a new interdisciplinary area of research, the integration of these chemosensors into keypad locks or other advanced communication protocols is becoming increasingly popular. Our lab has developed new chemosensor probes that contain 2-nitro- (1–3) and 4-fluoro-cinnamaldehyde (4–6) and applied them to the anion recognition and sensing process. Probes 1–6 are colorimetric sensors for naked-eye detection of AcO−/CN−/F−, while probes 4–6 could differentiate between F− and AcO−/CN− anions in acetonitrile. Using the density functional theory (DFT), it was found that probes 1–6 acted as effective chemosensors. By using Probe 5 as a chemosensor, we explored colorimetric recognition of multiple anions in more detail. Probe 5 was tested in combination with a combinatorial approach to demonstrate pattern-generation capability and its ability to distinguish among chemical inputs based on concentration. After pattern discrimination using principal component analysis (PCA), we examined anion selectivity using DFT computation. In our study, probe 5 demonstrates excellent performance as a chemosensor and shows promise as a future molecular-level keypad lock system.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated neuro apoptosis is reported to play a major role in the pathology of Parkinson's disease. Zizyphus spina-christi fruits (ZSCF) are used as traditional medicines that are well-known for their high antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of ZSCF extract against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cell lines. The effect of ZCSF on MPP+ induced cell viability (MTT - 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay), membrane damage - (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxidative stress (levels of ROS, nitric oxide and GSH and activities of SOD and catalase), mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis (activity of caspase 3 and protein expressions of cyto c, Bax and Bcl-2) were measured. Our results showed that ZSCF could be able to reduce the neurotoxicity of MPP+ and offer neuroprotection in vitro. This protective effect of ZCF might be mediated by its potent antioxidant properties. However, further research is necessary to isolate active compounds and performing preclinical and clinical studies to confirm the neuro-protective effects of ZSCF in PD.

Three tetra-ferrocenylethynylpyridinyl copper complexes, L 4 (CuI) 4 ( 1 ), L 4 (CuBr) 2 ( 2 ), L 4 (CuCl) 2 ( 3 ) and one ferrocenylethynylpyridinyl Ligand ( L) have been investigated for their HOMO and LUMO energy levels. The band gap energy for each material has been calculated using optical absorption spectrum. Cyclic Voltammetry was used to estimate the oxidation potential and energy band diagram consequently. Cyclic voltammetry in dichloroethane showed chemically reversible multiferrocenyl oxidation signals with evidence for product electro-crystallization. We isolated the semi-oxidized products by electrodeposition onto a Pt disc electrode and investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM confirmed the spontaneous formation of crystalline oxidation products with distinctive morphologies for complex 1 & 3 . Energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis shows presence of hexaflurophosphate (counter-ion) with the Fe:P ratio of 2:1, and 2:1 for the electrocrystallized products of 1 and 3 , respectively proposing the formulae [ 1 ] 2+ (PF 6 − ) 4 and [ 3 ] 2+ (PF 6 − ) 2 for the electro-crystallized products.

The leaves of Pteropyrum scoparium Jaub & Spach are used by the locals in Oman for treating various stomach infirmities including dyspepsia. No analysis of this species in terms of bioactive composition is reported, however members of this family are reported to contain flavonoids and anthraquinones. This study aimed to explore the bioactive compounds in the Pteropyrum scoparium Jaub & Spach leaves and optimize the bioactive compound extraction process using green solvents such as water, 30 % aqueous glycerol and ethanol. We compared the extraction ability of the solvents by estimate the polyphenols and further evaluated the flavonoids and radical scavenging capacity of the liquid crude extract (LCE) s. We also screened the LCEs for presence of any antibacterial ability on selected ATCC gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. We established the identification data by recording the botanical characters of the leaves using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) so that the future identification and quality assessment can have strong basis. In extraction process we found the 30 % aqueous glycerol to be most efficient solvent in extraction yield of polyphenols followed by water. However, water LCE was found to be highest in the total flavonoids as well as in radical scavenging capacity. Anti-bacterial screening showed average inhibitory effect on the bacterial growth, interestingly the ethanol LCE showed activity against the gram negative E. coli. Overall as we optimized the extraction process for the leaves of Pteropyrum scoparium Jaub & Spach using green solvents, it is considered safe and offers great potential for further purification and application in future studies.

Eight descriptive sensory textural attributes of whole date fruit were evaluated by twenty trained panel members and correlated with sixteen physicochemical properties. All sensory parameters, except gumminess, significantly correlated (Ps

Moisture, protein, oil and carbohydrate contents of date–pits varied from 3.1–12.5, 2.3–6.9, 5.0–12.5 and 70.9–86.9 g/100 g date–pits, respectively. BET–monolayer (i.e. strongly bound) moisture content, solids–melting peak (at moisture: 6.7 g/100 g date–pits), and melting point of oil were 4.3 g/100 g dry–solids, 106oC, and 1.8oC, respectively. The major fatty acids were lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids and polyphenol content varied from 21.0–62.0 mg/g date–pits depending on the varieties, types of solvent and temperature used for extraction. Date–pits showed effectives in animal and poultry feeds and it could be used as value added products, such as: dietary fibres, functional polysaccharides, caffeine–free drinks (similar to coffee), oil (biofuel or cooking oil), and other functional or medicinal products. Date–pits powder and activated carbon from date– –pits showed effective in purifying water by removing different types of pollutants, such as heavy metals, boron, dyes, phenolic compounds, and pesticides. Date–pits also showed effective to be used as ingredient for composed, biomass, and fermentation processes.

Instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA) of nine batches of date flesh with different quality levels was performed and the parameters were related to its physico-chemical properties (i.e., color, mass, length, width of whole date fruit as well as moisture, crude fiber, fructose, glucose, sucrose, and pectin contents). Results of instrumental TPA showed significant linear correlation of hardness with moisture content, crude fiber and pectin content (p

Zizyphus spina-christi (ZSC) fruit is a rich source of bioactive compounds but any medicinal properties in chemoprevention of colon cancer have hitherto not been studied. The aim of the present study was to examine in vivo protective effects of ZSC water extract on colon carcinogenesis in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. Our results showed that ZSC significantly reduced AOM-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci development and AOM-induced oxidative stress as indicated by restoration of endogenous glutathione depletion and abrogating the impairment of total antioxidant capacity. Caspase-3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was almost undetectable in AOM-treated rats and ZSC exhibited pro-apoptotic effects evidenced by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3. In the studied model, our findings provide the first in vivo evidence that ZSC extract could inhibit the early stage of colon carcinogenesis by preventing oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis.

Rhus aucheri Boiss is a popular Omani herbal medicinal plant used as an antiseptic, astringent and homeostatic. In this study we evaluated, the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of R. aucheri Boiss leaves using an in - vitro model. Three green solvents, i.e. water ethanol and aqueous glycerol, were employed to access the extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids. We found the highest polyphenols and flavonoids extraction for aqueous glycerol extracts The antioxidant capacity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reducing abilities of the three liquid crude extracts (LCEs) and was recorded to be high in water and aqueous glycerol LCEs (91 and 83.1%) respectively. The screening of antibacterial potential was gauged against gram positive bacterial strains namely Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 29213™), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 25923™) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC® 29212™) as well as one gram negative strain of Escherichia coli. The three LCEs were found to be fairly active against the microbial strains tested. Further, we recorded the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the leaves of R. aucheri Boiss leaves to underpin the botanical characters of the leaves so that any future studies of this plant will have a sound basis.