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International audience; This work describes a simple synthesis of complexes of the type [M(C32H28N4)Cl2], where M = Ni (II), Cu (II) and Fe (II) and a novel complex of magnetite nanoparticle (Fe3O4NP) inside (INS) tetraaza macrocyclic Schiff base ligand (C32H28N4): [Fe3O4NP‐INS‐(C32H28N4)], which was prepared by using a novel co‐precipitation method of coordinated ferric ion (Fe3+) in the complex [Fe(C32H28N4)Cl2] under mild conditions. The synthesized compounds were characterized and compared with a various physic‐chemical techniques like: Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis), 1‐dimensional (1D) 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectra, Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis and molar conductance measurements. Furthermore, the highest saturation magnetization was 26.56 emu.g−1 obtained from [Fe3O4NP‐INS‐(C32H28N4)] (diameter of Fe3O4NPs~20.87 nm) that prove easy separation by an external magnetic field. In vitro screening of all the compounds against different species of bacteria and fungi shows that [Fe3O4NP‐INS‐(C32H28N4)] is effective against the tested strains as compared to the tetraaza macrocyclic ligand and selected complexes. The cytotoxic activity of the all compounds was also examined in 3 human tumor cell lines as U87, MDA‐MB‐231 and LS‐174. The complex [Fe3O4NP‐INS‐(C32H28N4)] shows moderate and strong cytotoxic activity against brain cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer (U87, MDA‐MB‐231 and LS‐174 respectively), without showing cytotoxicity towards peripheral blood mononucleocyte (PBMC) cells.

The species from the Cactaceae family are important invaders in the Mediterranean. The seeds are usually discarded and proper utilisation of these waste products could lead to an important source of bioactive compounds. The seeds have been described to be rich in health-promoting polyunsaturated fatty acids and may potentially be included in animal and human diets [1]. Moreover, seeds could also be recovered for their high nutritional value, as sources of sugars, tocopherols, dietary fiber and polyphenols instead of being discarded, as it currently occurs. In this study, the composition in soluble sugars, fatty acids, organic acids, tocopherols and phenolic composition were determined in seeds of Opuntia macrorhiza (Engelm.) and Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.). The individual sugars profile was determined by HPLC-RI, fatty acids by GC-FID, organic acids by HPLC-DAD, tocopherols by HPLC-fluorescence and phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. In both cases, the overall concentrations of soluble sugars in seeds were quite lower than those detected in other Opuntia sp. parts. Quinic (0.30 g/100 g dw) and oxalic (0.32 g/100 g dw) acids were the major organic acids detected in O. microdasys and O. macrorhiza, respectively. The fatty acid profiles detected in the seeds of both species were similar, with linoleic acid (C18:2n6) as the major fatty acid (71% in O. microdasys; 74% in O. macrorhiza). γ-Tocopherol was the most abundant tocopherol vitamer in both species (7.4 mg/100 g dw in O. microdasys; 5.8 mg/100 g dw in O. macrorhiza). Regarding the phenolic profile, eight compounds were identified: seven phenolic acid derivatives and one flavonoid, and O. macrorhiza seeds (1016 μg/g extract) revealed a higher concentration than O. microdasys (450 μg/g extract). Feruloyl di-hexoside was the most abundant phenolic acid in both species (225 μg/g extract in O. microdasys and 718 μg/g extract in O. macrorhiza). The seeds of Opuntia sp. presented several bioactive phytochemicals, which may allow considering this botanical part as highly interesting by-products. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and L. Barros contract; to the Interreg España-Portugal for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The genus Opuntia belongs to the Cactaceae family. The cladodes, also known as “nopalitos”, have been widely used, in many countries, for their beneficial effects and phytochemical composition. It is used as a food, as a source of nutrients, and also in folk medicine [1]. In the present work, the cladodes of Opuntia macrorhiza (Engelm.) and Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) were characterized in terms of free sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, tocopherols and phenolic compounds. The individual sugars’ profile was determined by HPLC-RI, organic acids by HPLC-DAD, fatty acids by GC-FID, and tocopherols by HPLCfluorescence. The phenolic compounds profile was determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/ESI. Despite the phylogenetic proximity and similar geographical origin the samples of O. microdasys and O. macrorhiza showed significant differences in the profiles of sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, tocopherols and phenolic compounds. While, O. microdasys presented higher sugars and tocopherols content, O. macrorhiza revealed higher concentration in organic acids, poly and monounsaturated fatty acids. The cladodes of O. microdasys (10 compounds: 6 phenolic acid derivatives and 4 favonols) revealed a higher amount of phenolic compounds in comparison with O. macrorhiza (7 compounds: 6 phenolic acid derivatives and 1 favonol); only four of the identified compounds were detected simultaneously in both species. Piscidic acid (3400±236 μg/g of extract) and eucomic acid (1688±26 μg/g of extract) were the main phenolic compounds in O. macrorhiza, while isorhamnetin-O-(rhamnosyl)-rutinoside was the most abundant in O. microdasys (2507±73 μg/g of extract). Hence, the elucidation of the most abundant compounds might constitute useful information to select the best species regarding specific applications of these natural extracts. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and L. Barros contract; to the Interreg España-Portugal for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of the bracts, leaves and floral stems of two Tunisian globe artichoke cultivars (‘Violet d’Hyeres’ and ‘Blanc d’Oran’) were assessed; the tests used to assay antioxidant activity were based on ABTS [2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] and DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl]. In addition reducing power was measured and the phosphomolybdenum total antioxidant activity assay was included. The bracts of ‘Violet d’Hyeres’ possessed, on average, twice the quantity of phenolic compounds than those of ‘Blanc d’Oran’. They also had a higher content of 3,5- O -dicaffeoylquinic acid. The bracts and floral stems contained high levels of total caffeoylquinic acid, whereas the leaves provided a potentially exploitable source of luteolin. Ethanolic extracts of both cultivars exhibited a high level of antioxidant activity. The ABTS EC 50 value was high in extracts from the leaves of both cultivars, whereas the DPPH test showed no variation between the bracts, floral stems and leaves. The bracts were associated with strong reducing power and total antioxidant activity. Overall, the leaves were associated with more antioxidant activity than the bracts or the floral stems. The implication is that globe artichoke crop residues could provide a useful source of antioxidant compounds.