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Oxygen heterocyclic compounds play a beneficial role in plants, and their presence in foods, such as Citrus fruits, cinnamon, carrots, and parsley, has been documented in recent years. Published research articles reported several extractions and chromatographic techniques for their determination. The aim of this review was to take into consideration the research articles published from 2016 to 2024 in which the authors developed extraction and chromatographic analysis methods of oxygen heterocyclic compounds in foods. The objective of this review was to assist researchers in choosing the best approach for their future work by identifying all the possible approaches to characterize coumarins, furocoumarins, and polymethoxyflavones in foodstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Jasminum grandiflorum L. essential oil produced for the first time at industrial level by steam distillation. Volatile and chiral compositions were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. In total 130 volatile compounds were identified, which constituted more than 98% of the oils. The results revealed significant differences in terms of volatile compounds between jasmine essential oil and the absolute. Sensorial evaluation revealed the essential oil had a youthful and dynamic character with a bright, floral scent, while the absolute had a more mature and sensual scent that was richer. Antimicrobial activity of both products against eighteen human pathogens and cosmetic contaminants was evaluated. The results showed that essential oil exhibited greater antimicrobial activity, inhibiting 8 out of 17 microbial strains within the MIC range ≤800 µg/mL, compared to 2 out of 17 in the case of the absolute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediabetes is a risk state that defines a high chance of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress mediated by hyperglycemia‐induced production of reactive species could play a crucial role in this context. In the present study, we investigated whether the anion exchange capability mediated by AE1 (SLC4A1), which is sensitive to oxidative stress, was altered in human red blood cells (RBCs) obtained from prediabetic volunteers. In addition, we assessed the precise composition of bioactive compounds and the potential benefits of finger lime juice extract (Citrus australasica, Faustrime cultivar) in counteracting oxidative stress‐related functional alterations. Human RBCs from normal and prediabetic volunteers were incubated with 50 µg/mL juice extract for 2 h at 25°C. Juice extract restored alterations of the anion exchange capability mediated by AE1 and prevented the structural rearrangements of AE1 and α/β‐spectrin in prediabetic RBCs. AE1 functional and structural alterations were not associated with an increase in lipid peroxidation or protein oxidation at the level of the plasma membrane. An increased production of intracellular ROS, which provoked the oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobin, both reverted by juice extract, was instead observed. Importantly, juice extract also induced a reduction in glycated hemoglobin levels in prediabetic RBCs. Finally, juice extract blunted the overactivation of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase and prevented glutathione depletion in prediabetic RBCs. These findings contribute to clarifying cellular and molecular mechanisms related to oxidative stress and glycation events that may influence RBC and systemic homeostasis in prediabetes, identify AE1 as a sensitive biomarker of RBC structural and function alterations in prediabetes and propose finger lime juice extract as a natural antioxidant for the treatment and/or prevention of the complications associated with the prediabetic condition. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The data obtained here reveal that structural and functional alterations related to the increase of oxidative stress and/or glycation events can still be reversible and the early application of bioactive molecules could counteract the majority of derangements in prediabetic RBCs. This study identifies finger lime as an antioxidant/anti‐glycation functional food and suggests that diet supplementation with finger lime might contribute to the prevention or attenuation of pathophysiological events linked to RBC dysfunction during the prediabetic condition. Additionally, our findings proved that measurement of anion exchange capability via AE1 remains a valid tool for monitoring the impact of oxidative stress/glycation on human RBC and systemic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruta angustifolia, a wild plant which largely grows in Morocco, is commonly used in folk medicine and is believed to possess several therapeutic properties. In the present work, we aimed to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Ruta angustifolia collected from the Rif region in Morocco. The employment of gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector and mass spectrometry detection led to the identification of five major components, representing 91.69 % of the total volatile fraction with a dominance of nonyl methyl ketone (accounting for % 86.97 % of the whole sample). The tested essential oil displayed moderate antioxidant activity and a strong antifungal effect against Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea with MIC values equal to 7 µL/mL and 0.81 µL/mL respectively. However, no antibacterial effect was revealed against Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]