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The leaves of mulberry, Azolla spp., sunflower sprouts, cashew nut, and mung bean are considered rich sources of plant protein with high levels of branched-chain amino acids. Furthermore, they contain beneficial phytochemicals such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that an adequate consumption of amino acids can reduce nerve cell damage, delay the onset of memory impairment, and improve sleep quality. In this study, protein isolates were prepared from the leaves of mulberry, Azolla spp., sunflower sprouts, cashew nut, and mung bean. The amino acid profile, dietary fiber content, phenolic content, and flavonoid content were evaluated. Pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anticholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, and γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activities, were also assessed. This study found that concentrated protein from mung beans has a higher quantity of essential amino acids (52,161 mg/100 g protein) compared to concentrated protein from sunflower sprouts (47,386 mg/100 g protein), Azolla spp. (42,097 mg/100 g protein), cashew nut (26,710 mg/100 g protein), and mulberry leaves (8931 mg/100 g protein). The dietary fiber content ranged from 0.90% to 3.24%, while the phenolic content and flavonoid content ranged from 0.25 to 2.29 mg/g and 0.01 to 2.01 mg/g of sample, respectively. Sunflower sprout protein isolates exhibited the highest levels of dietary fiber (3.24%), phenolic content (2.292 ± 0.082 mg of GAE/g), and flavonoids (2.014 mg quercetin/g of sample). The biological efficacy evaluation found that concentrated protein extract from sunflower sprouts has the highest antioxidant activity; the percentages of inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical were 20.503 ± 0.288% and 18.496 ± 0.105%, respectively. Five plant-based proteins exhibited a potent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition, and GABA-T ranging from 3.42% to 24.62%, 6.14% to 20.16%, and 2.03% to 21.99%, respectively. These findings suggest that these plant protein extracts can be used as natural resources for developing food supplements with neuroprotective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proximate composition and phytochemical content of solvent extracted roasted castor seed meal from Oriire Local Government area of Oyo State, Nigeria was determined using appropriate standard methods. The meal were found to contain 14.28% moisture, 24.48% crude protein, 3.46% crude fibre, 23.29% ether extract,5.71% ash,85.72% dry matter, nitrogen free extract and gross energy values were 56.91% and 5724kcal/kg respectively. The results of anti-nutritional factor present in the roasted solvent extracted castor seed meal revealed that it contained 0.13% ricin, 0.83% phytate and 0.38% oxalate. Based on the results of this study, roasted solvent extracted castor seed meal can be potential source of protein in the diet of monogastric animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantago major, historically renowned for its medicinal attributes across diverse cultures, has recently been under the research spotlight for its antihypertrophic scar effects. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of Plantago major extracts in the treatment of hypertrophic scars, particularly comparing the effects of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts. Methodology: Samples of the plant, procured from Baghdad's Al-Salihiya Neighbourhood in November 2021, underwent authentication at the Iraqi local Herbarium in the Al-Razi centre for alternative medicine. Using the Soxhlet apparatus, the dried plant material was extracted with methanol and subsequently partitioned with ethyl acetate. Both the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were later formulated into ointments. Results: The ointments were tested on hypertrophic scars induced in rats. Three groups of 12 rats each were used—ethyl acetate, methanol, and a control group using only Vaseline. Both extracts demonstrated efficacy in reducing scars, with the methanol extract showing more pronounced results. Conclusion: The methanol extract displayed superior outcomes, potentially attributable to its richer phytochemical content compared to the ethyl acetate extract.

Two field experiments were conducted during the main seasons of 2021/2022 ​at the Research and Production Station of National Research Centre in Egypt to investigate the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and boron on Canola growth, yield, oil yield, and quality. The results unequivocally demonstrated that the combined application of FYM at a rate of 14.4 ​ton ​ha−1 with a foliar spray of boron at 100 ppm positively influenced plant characteristics, leading to enhanced growth rates and higher yields compared to the control group. Moreover, this integrated approach significantly improved nutrient content by enhancing levels of oil content, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolics, flavonoids, and total soluble sugars. These findings provide compelling evidence that utilizing farm manure along with boron can effectively enhance Canola properties in newly reclaimed soils while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Introduction: Finding natural sources of bioactive compounds is turning into a cutting- edge task for the scientific community and industry alike. Abies marocana, Moroccan fir, holds great importance due to its ecological, economic, social, and cultural significance. Material and Methods: The current study aimed to evaluate the needles of Abies marocana in terms of its nutritional and anti-nutrient content, bioactive components, and antioxidant capacity. The AOAC technique was used to determine the composition of the needles. Mineral content was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Phytochemical screening of methanol extract was performed using standard procedures, and multiple assays evaluated antioxidant activity. The extract's volatile profile was elucidated using GC-MS method. Results and Discussion: The presence of various components in the needles was discovered through proximate analysis, including carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash, and moisture. Anti-nutrients such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and vitamin A were confirmed. Needles are a rich source of mineral elements and contain significant levels of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and phytosterols. Palmitic acid, 17-octadecynoic acid, and (Z)-18- octadec-9-enolide were the main components identified by GC-MS analysis. The methanolic extract exhibited substantial antioxidant capacity. The DPPH scavenging activity displayed a remarkable percentage inhibition. The integration of Abies marocana needles into sustainable diets can contribute to the well- being of humans and the planet, since the nutrient and bioactive compounds present have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two field experiments were conducted during the main seasons of 2021/2022 at the Research and Production Station of National Research Centre in Egypt to investigate the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and boron on Canola growth, yield, oil yield, and quality. The results unequivocally demonstrated that the combined application of FYM at a rate of 14.4 ton ha-1 with a foliar spray of boron at 100 ppm positively influenced plant characteristics, leading to enhanced growth rates and higher yields compared to the control group. Moreover, this integrated approach significantly improved nutrient content by enhancing levels of oil content, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolics, flavonoids, and total soluble sugars. These findings provide compelling evidence that utilizing farm manure along with boron can effectively enhance Canola properties in newly reclaimed soils while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and possess delicious taste and health-promoting properties. Numerous studies have focused on kiwiberry fruits, demonstrating that they possess a higher phytochemical content and greater antioxidant activities than other berry fruits. The purpose of this study was to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root, and fruit extracts from twelve kiwiberry cultivars grown in Wonju, Korea, characterized by a Dwa climate (Köppen climate classification). In most kiwiberry cultivars, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) phytochemical content was significantly higher in leaf and stem tissues, while the roots exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In fruit tissues, the TPC and TFC were higher in unripe and ripe kiwiberry fruits, respectively, and antioxidant activity was generally higher in unripe than ripe fruit across most of the cultivars. Based on our results, among the 12 kiwiberry cultivars, cv. Daebo and cv. Saehan have a significantly higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in all of the tissue types, thus having potential as a functional food and natural antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the bioactivity of Calabrian extra virgin olive oil enriched with bergamot fruits (Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau) harvested in Reggio Calabria province (Italy). To extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), cv Ottobratica 10 and 20 % of fresh fruit was added during crushing of the olives and 2 % by infusion of freeze-dried bergamot (CFVOOB10, CFVOOB20 and IFVOOB samples, respectively) was added. EVOO, bergamot extract and flavoured samples (FVOOs), were analysed throughout a one-year period. Total phenol content (TPC) as well as total chlorophyll (TChlC) and total carotenoid (TCC) contents were spectrophotometrically determined. In addition, the phenolic profile wasstudied by UHPLC. Free acidity (FA), peroxide values (PV), spectrophotometric indices, α-tocopherol, colour, and antioxidant activity were also assessed. The impact of bergamot addition on lipase, α‐amylase, and α‐glucosidase was estimated. Expert panellists evaluated the influence on the sensorial attributes, and CFVOOB10 was found to be the most pleasant. CFVOOB10 also showed the lowest PV and the highest FA after the storage. CFVOOB20 showed good protection against lipid peroxidation. Generally, all the FVOOs maintained a better inhibitory activity against the key enzymes related to obesity, compared to the EVOO. Data analyses confirmed that these FVOOs should be considered to be functional with a good sensory profile.

Roasting is a dry heat processing technique used to develop sensory properties of food which has caught the interest of customers. Roasted seeds of sesame is one of the most recommended oilseeds in the world thanks to its sensorial, medicinal and nutritional benefits. However, the choice of effective roasting conditions is important for the sensorial parameters and for the biological potentials of sesame seeds, as well. In this study, the impact of oven temperature and roasting time on sesame quality was investigated. A total of 16 different roasting conditions were used. Sesame seeds were roasted at the following temperatures: 130°C, 140°C, 150°C and 160°C. During this process, samples were taken and analyzed at different time intervals (40 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min). Both the roasting temperature and time significantly (P<0.05) affected the quality characteristics of sesame seeds. The amounts of oil yield, total proteins, total sugars, total phenolic and flavonoids content, total antioxidant activity and DPPH radical scavenging were increased by increasing the treatment. Roasting sesame seeds at 140°C/40min, gave a significantly higher content of oil yield (52.2%), proteins (20.95%), sugars (29.62%), flavonoids content (0.12 mg/g) and total phenolic content (1.2 mg/g) in comparison to the other roasting conditions. However, beyond this treatment, these contents decreased significantly. Based on these results, time and temperature are undoubtedly important factors to consider in the roasting process of sesame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionFinding natural sources of bioactive compounds is turning into a cutting- edge task for the scientific community and industry alike. Abies marocana, Moroccan fir, holds great importance due to its ecological, economic, social, and cultural significance.Material and MethodsThe current study aimed to evaluate the needles of Abies marocana in terms of its nutritional and anti-nutrient content, bioactive components, and antioxidant capacity. The AOAC technique was used to determine the composition of the needles. Mineral content was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Phytochemical screening of methanol extract was performed using standard procedures, and multiple assays evaluated antioxidant activity. The extract’s volatile profile was elucidated using GC-MS method.Results and DiscussionThe presence of various components in the needles was discovered through proximate analysis, including carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash, and moisture. Anti-nutrients such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and vitamin A were confirmed. Needles are a rich source of mineral elements and contain significant levels of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and phytosterols. Palmitic acid, 17-octadecynoic acid, and (Z)-18- octadec-9-enolide were the main components identified by GC-MS analysis. The methanolic extract exhibited substantial antioxidant capacity. The DPPH scavenging activity displayed a remarkable percentage inhibition. The integration of Abies marocana needles into sustainable diets can contribute to the well- being of humans and the planet, since the nutrient and bioactive compounds present have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Commercial lactic acid bacteria strains and indigenous Chinese acetic acid bacterium were co-cultivated bi- and tri-culturally in Junzao jujube puree for the first time to investigate their effects on physicochemical properties and quality attributes. Lactic-acetic acid bacteria co-fermentation was performed at 37 °C for 48 h during the anaerobic fermentation phase and at 30 °C for 144 h during aerobic fermentation. FTIR results showed that predominant wave numbers at 1716–1724 cm−1 and 2922–3307 cm−1 exhibited discernible alterations in the lactic-acetic acid co-fermented jujube purees compared to the control sample. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the flavonoid and flavonol contents were responsible for the enhanced 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities of the fermented jujube purees. Consequently, fermented jujube puree from tricultures of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Acetobacter pasteurianus gave the best results, with the highest phenolics, flavonoid, and flavonol contents and the most improved antioxidative properties and color. Overall, lactic-acetic acid bacteria co-culture holds significant promise in valorizing Junzao jujube purees for functional ingredient development, paving the way for further research into similar interactions with different food matrices or microbial strains.

The effects of extracting solvents on the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of crude extracts of six seaweeds were investigated. The antioxidant activity of seaweed crude extracts was evaluated by total antioxidant activity (TAA), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. Acetone extract of B. wrightii showed significantly (P < 0.05) the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (71.09 mg GAE/g), while methanolic extract of Porphyra sp. had the highest total flavonoid content (75.61 mg QE/g). Methanolic extract of S. muticum showed significantly (P < 0.05) the highest TAA. Methanolic extract of P. tetrastromatica and S. muticum showed significantly (P < 0.05) the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging effects, while acetone extract of B. wrightii showed significantly the highest ECA0.50 value (0.78 mg/ml) of CUPRAC activity. Pearson's correlation test and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the relationship between TPC and various antioxidant activity assays of seaweed extracts. Methanolic extracts of P. tetrastromatica, S. muticum and H. clathratus showed higher inhibitory zones against all the bacterial strains than other seaweed extracts. The results of this study indicated that brown seaweeds showed comparatively better antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which could be utilized in the food processing industries.

Phytochemicals, which are necessary for plants to adapt to their environment, offer an exciting source of medicinal products. This study focuses on the desert plant Anabasis oropediorum (Chenopodiaceae), which is native to calcareous sandy regions in North African countries and Palestine. This investigation is the first to shed light on the therapeutic nature of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of A. oropediorum. A phytochemical screening analysis was conducted, including a quantitative estimate of the total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols, anthocyanins, hydrolyzable tannins, and condensed tannins. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using three methods: DPPH• scavenging, ß-carotene bleaching, and anti-hemolytic assay. The antidiabetic activity was tested using two assays: non-enzymatic hemoglobin glycosylation and glucose uptake by yeast cells assay. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method, and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the protein anti-denaturation method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, leuco-anthocyanins, mucilage, phenols, saponins, sterols, and terpenes. The quantitative analysis showed that the methanolic extract provided a high level of flavonoids (17.0±0.50 µg QE/mg) and the total contents of tannins (5.3±0.04 µg GAE/mg, 7.3±0.14 µg CE/mg). Chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and rutin were the phenolic compounds detected by RP-HPLC analysis. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of alkanes, aromatic compounds, and aliphatic amines in the methanolic extract. Biologically, this medicinal plant exhibited medium antioxidant activity, good in vitro antidiabetic activity, antibacterial activity against only Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Escherichia coli, and very good albumin protection activity from heat denaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is extensively cultivated in East Asia as a dietary vegetable, and nutraceuticals are reportedly rich in bioactive compounds, especially with anticancer activities. This study explored the in vitro cytotoxic effects of P. frutescens parts' (stems, leaves, and seeds) extracts on prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and possible interactions of putative metabolites to related prostate cancer targets in silico. The ethanol extract of P. frutescens leaves was the most cytotoxic for the prostate cancer cells. From high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, rosmarinic acid was identified as the major metabolite in the leaf extracts. Network analysis revealed interactions from multiple affected targets and pathways of the metabolites. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, P. frutescens leaf metabolites could significantly affect 14 molecular functions and 12 biological processes in five cellular components. Four (4) KEGG pathways, including for prostate cancer, and six (6) Reactome pathways were shown to be significantly affected. The molecular simulation confirmed the interactions of relevant protein targets with key metabolites, including rosmarinic acid. This study could potentially lead to further exploration of P. frutescens leaves or their metabolites for prostate cancer treatment and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highland papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens A.DC.) is a monoecious and dioecious plant with female and male organs. In Indonesia, three sexes of highland papaya exist with different telomere lengths, which protect chromosomes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from damage. Therefore, the purposeful study aimed to determine the telomere length, elemental composition, and phytochemical content of highland papaya leaves belonging to their different sexes. The telomere length observed and studied in said leaves (female, male, and monoecious) used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis provided a more detailed material of leaves, while an energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) helped observe elemental composition. Phytochemical content analysis ran by histochemical analysis. The results showed that the telomere lengths of young female, male, and monoecious leaves differed at 381, 391, and 396.66, respectively. According to the SEM analysis, nonsignificant differences occurred in the leaf surface of the three sexes of highland papaya leaves. Observation with EDX showed that sodium (1.98%) surfaced in female plant leaves; however, sodium and chlorine did not show in male plants. Monoecious leaves had sodium and chlorine at 0.88% and 0.28%, respectively. The histochemical analysis provided an overview of the distribution of flavonoids and tannins in young leaves of highland papaya. A discovery also noted the existence of both compounds in the adaxial and abaxial epidermis, mesophyll, xylem, phloem, sheath parenchyma, secretory cavities, and trichomes. The study concluded that sex affects telomere length, elemental composition, and the phytochemical content of highland papaya leaves. The study suggests that knowing the highland papaya's sex is vital in plant breeding and genetics and could help improve plant health and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seed characteristics of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam., an indigenous medicinal plant species from the Philippines, were investigated to help identify appropriate conservation strategies. Methods: Mature seeds were tested for viability at different dormancy-breaking treatments and storage conditions. Seeds were also characterized morphologically and the seedling developmental pattern was established using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. We also determined the preliminary chemical composition through qualitative phytochemical screening and proximate analysis. Result: Seeds of T. pandacaqui are obovate in shape with a 1000-seed weight of 20.99±0.62 g at 4.7% moisture content. Removal of the aril from the fresh seeds improved germination from 30%±0.98 to 84%±0.71 and shortened the time to seedling emergence from 45 days to 4 days after sowing. The seeds can tolerate drying to 4.7% moisture content and storage at -10°C for 3 months; thus, they have orthodox storage behavior. The germination pattern is epigeal phanerocotylar type, wherein the foliaceous cotyledons are raised (BBCH 09) and unfolded above the soil surface (BBCH 10). The seedling then develops an ovate to elliptic-shaped first true pair of leaves (BBCH 12) completing the germination process. The pre-dried seeds also have a high oil content of 28.7407±0.09316% with a strong presence of alkaloids and saponins. This indicates that the seed is amenable to ex-situ conservation through seedbanking, but its viability must be monitored in shorter intervals due to its high oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, around 385 thousand babies are born each day. Many of them cannot be breastfed because of several physiological problems of the mothers. Galactogogues remain the most natural and prolific way to improve both milk quantity and quality. Various herbs are traditionally used to increase lactation, but the best known are fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). The main objective of the present study was to obtain some special and nutritious ready-to-eat products from pureed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) fortified with aqueous extracts from the aforementioned galactogogues herbs. Two different types of thermal treatment, steaming and baking, were investigated to obtain healthy and safe-for-consumption purees. Steam convection had a lower impact, compared with hot air convection, on the content of bioactive compounds among all samples. Among all samples, sweet potato puree with fennel aqueous extract, processed by steaming, (EFCA) showed the highest content of β-carotene (1.27 ± 0.11 mg/g DW), lycopene (0.59 ± 0.07 mg/g DW), and total carotenoids (1.38 ± 0.11 mg/g DW); the cooking loss registered statistically significantly lower values in the case of steam convection. These reports might potentially generate novel ready-to-eat foods used as meals and as well as lactation adjuvants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and possess delicious taste and health-promoting properties. Numerous studies have focused on kiwiberry fruits, demonstrating that they possess a higher phytochemical content and greater antioxidant activities than other berry fruits. The purpose of this study was to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root, and fruit extracts from twelve kiwiberry cultivars grown in Wonju, Korea, characterized by a Dwa climate (Köppen climate classification). In most kiwiberry cultivars, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) phytochemical content was significantly higher in leaf and stem tissues, while the roots exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In fruit tissues, the TPC and TFC were higher in unripe and ripe kiwiberry fruits, respectively, and antioxidant activity was generally higher in unripe than ripe fruit across most of the cultivars. Based on our results, among the 12 kiwiberry cultivars, cv. Daebo and cv. Saehan have a significantly higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in all of the tissue types, thus having potential as a functional food and natural antioxidant.

The most commonly cultivated vine cactus in the Cactaceae family is normally Hylocereus undatus, which would be native to Mexico and America. It is commonly referred to as "dragon fruit" or "pitaya." Additionally, it goes by the name "buahnaga," which means "dragon fruit." In addition to their attractive color, Hylocereus undatus fruits are popular around the world due to their abundance of polyphenolic components and their antioxidant activity. Due to the characteristics, degree of production, and financial benefits of the pitahaya fruit, a member of the Hylocereus genus, more land has been planted in agriculture during the past two decades. Stalks, fruits, and flowers from the plant are used in food and film.

Background: The Himalayan Echinochloa frumentacea (barnyard millet) is believed to be a nutritionally rich crop but remains underutilized. It is generally used after removing its seed coat (SC) through dehulling, and for making some food items, it is roasted before cooking. Such pre‐cooking processes, such as dehulling, roasting, and then cooking affect the nutraceutical potential of raw grains and food items prepared. Results: The effects of processing techniques are determined in terms of variation in proximate properties, antinutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. The processing methods significantly (p < 0.05) affected the nutraceutical potential of the processed form of barnyard millet. While comparing the nutritional properties of raw and dehulled barnyard millet, it was found that the SCs are nutritionally very rich, which are generally either discarded or become part of cattle feed. Vitamin C, E, alkaloids, and oxalate content were found to decrease after roasting. Cooking had decreased the carbohydrate, fat, vitamin C, vitamin E, alkaloid, oxalate, and iron content in both food types in comparison to the pre‐cooking stage of the millet samples, while tannin content was found to have increased. Conclusion: In this work, the variation in the nutritional parameters and phytochemicals of barnyard millet was studied during the processing steps, such as dehulling, roasting, and cooking. Roasting had shown a lesser impact on the selected nutritional properties of uncoated seeds, while cooking had changed some of the nutritional properties. The SC was also found to be nutritious, so it needs to be explored further for its efficient utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine the phytochemical contents of the aerial part M. neglectum aerial part (MAP) and M. neglectum bulb (MB) ethanolic extract of Muscari neglectum and to investigate their protective effects on gastric damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. After the toxicity testing, 42 female Wistar albino rats were divided into 7 groups, Control, MAP, MB, CCl4, CCl4 + MAP, CCl4 + MB, and CCl4 + Silymarin groups. At the end of the experiment, the serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant defense enzymes, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the stomach tissue were evaluated to determine the antioxidant role of the M. neglectum extracts. According to the gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, fatty acid analysis, octadecadienoic, and 9,12,15 octadecatrienoic fatty acids were found as major fatty acids in the MAP, whereas 9,12 octadecadienoic and octadecanoic acids were the major fatty acids in the MB. According to the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, quinic acid, fumaric acid, gentisic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, and apigenin were found in the MAP, while quinic acid, fumaric acid, caffeic acid, and kaempferol were found in the MB. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract were determined in the MAP and MB. The MAP and MB extracts generally caused a statistically significant decrease in the MDA content and increase in the antioxidant parameters in the stomach tissue. It was concluded that MAP and MB extracts may have antioxidant and gastric protective effects due to the phytochemical content of M. neglectum. According to LC-MS/MS results, quinic acid, fumaric acid, chemferol, apigenin, and caffeic acid were determined as major compounds in M. neglectum extracts. According to GC-MS results, octadecadienoic, octadecatrienoic, and octadecanoic methyl esters were the major fatty acids of the M. neglectum extracts. The M. neglectum extracts regulated the levels of stomach damage and biochemical parameters. The M. neglectum extracts extract might have pharmaceutical-nutritional potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A huge number of date varieties grow annually throughout the world. The genetic variation between different date varieties is reflected in their variable sensory characters and phytochemical contents. Date pits are considered a waste product of the date industry, despite their rich metabolic content. The present study attempts to generate visual clustering to clarify the diversity among fourteen date cultivars growing in the Qassim region, according to the phytochemical contents and biological potentials of their pits. The results indicated a wide variation in the total phenolic content (11.4–29.7 mg GAE/g), flavonoids content (21.9–37.1 mg RE/g), proanthocyanidine content (12.0–207.0 mg CE/g), and antioxidant potential (10.3–25.5 mg AEAC/g) among the tested cultivars. Screening the antimicrobial activity of extracts from the 14 tested cultivars indicated different activities against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Candida albicans. Multivariate analysis of phytochemical content and biological activity, using different analytical models, allowed the classification of the 14 cultivars into four classes, Class-1: Barhi, Safawi, and Sukkari; Class-2: Khodry and Nabtat Ali; Class-3: Ruthana, Segae, Shaqra, and Sheishee; and Class-4: Hulwa Aljouf, Mabroom, Meneifi, Rushodia, and Wannana. These findings provide a scientific basis for the classification of date pits which facilitates the future selection of promising candidates for more phytochemical and biological exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the phytochemical content and bioactivity of Lycium barbarum collected in Calabria and evaluated, for the first time, the possibility of enriching traditional ciabatta bread with goji fresh flesh puree. For this purpose, goji flesh puree, bread, and bread enriched with 20% and 40% goji flesh puree (G20 and G40 samples, respectively) were subjected to several analyses. Selected compounds were quantified by UHPLC analysis in both goji fresh flesh puree and after simulation of the cooking process. The impact of the addition on key enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) related to metabolic syndrome was assessed together with the antioxidant properties. Texture, colourimetric, and sensory analyses on enriched bread were performed to evaluate consumer acceptance. Despite cooking, the enriched bread maintained good levels of bioactive compounds compared to the berry pulp alone (p < 0.01). The enriched bread showed the ability to protect against lipid peroxidation, with IC50 values of 6.88 and 6.52 μg/mL for samples G20 and G40, respectively, after incubation for 30 min (p < 0.01). Although less active than the control, the enriched bread showed inhibitory activities against the enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. From a sensory point of view, the addition of goji fresh pulp puree slightly modified the appearance but not the flavour and taste of the bread. Collectively, our results support the potential healthy function of this baked product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common processing techniques may cause losses in nutritional quality and phytochemical content of processed fruits. In the present research, the jujube fruit was processed by various methods including conventional heating (at 80 and 95 °C), microwave (600 W for 1 min), chilling (at 1 and 2 months), and freezing (at -18 °C for 1 year). Then, the effects of various common processing conditions were investigated separately on some bioactive compounds (e.g., total phenolic content, total monomeric anthocyanin content, individual anthocyanins, and individual organic acids) of jujube fruit. The microwave method in comparison with the conventional heating caused a slight significant (P

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer overall. In women, BC is the most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Triple-negative BC (TNBC) is the most aggressive BC, being resistant to hormonal and targeted therapies. Hypothesis/Purpose: The medicinal plant Origanum syriacum L. is a shrubby plant rich in bioactive compounds and widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. However, its therapeutic potential against BC remains poorly investigated. In the present study, we screened the phytochemical content of an ethanolic extract of O. syriacum (OSEE) and investigated its anticancer effects and possible underlying mechanisms of action against the aggressive and highly metastatic human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231. Methods: MTT, trans-well migration, and scratch assays were used to assess cell viability, invasion, or migration, respectively. Antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed in cells in culture using DHE staining. Aggregation assays were used to determine cell-cell adhesion. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle progression. Protein levels of markers of apoptosis (BCL-2, pro-Caspase3, p53), proliferation (p21, Ki67), cell migration, invasion, or adhesion (FAK, E-cadherin), angiogenesis (iNOS), and cell signaling (STAT3, p38) were determined by immunoblotting. A chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay evaluated in ovo angiogenesis. Results: We demonstrated that OSEE had potent radical scavenging activity in vitro and induced the generation of ROS in MDA-MB-231 cells, especially at higher OSEE concentrations. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of OSEE attenuated cell proliferation and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, which was associated with phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, an increase in the levels of tumor suppressor protein p21, and a decrease of proliferation marker protein Ki67. Additionally, only higher concentrations of OSEE were able to attenuate inhibition of proliferation induced by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), indicating that the anti-proliferative effects of OSEE could be ROS-dependent. OSEE stimulated apoptosis and its effector Caspase-3 in MDA-MB-231 cells, in correlation with activation of the STAT3/p53 pathway. Furthermore, the extract reduced the migration and invasive properties of MDA-MB-231 cells through the deactivation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). OSEE also reduced the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and inhibited in ovo angiogenesis. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that OSEE is a rich source of phytochemicals and has robust anti-breast cancer properties that significantly attenuate the malignant phenotype of MD-MB-231 cells, suggesting that O. syriacum may not only act as a rich source of potential TNBC therapeutics but may also provide new avenues for the design of novel TNBC drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is extensively cultivated in East Asia as a dietary vegetable, and nutraceuticals are reportedly rich in bioactive compounds, especially with anticancer activities. This study explored the in vitro cytotoxic effects of P. frutescens parts’ (stems, leaves, and seeds) extracts on prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and possible interactions of putative metabolites to related prostate cancer targets in silico. The ethanol extract of P. frutescens leaves was the most cytotoxic for the prostate cancer cells. From high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, rosmarinic acid was identified as the major metabolite in the leaf extracts. Network analysis revealed interactions from multiple affected targets and pathways of the metabolites. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, P. frutescens leaf metabolites could significantly affect 14 molecular functions and 12 biological processes in five cellular components. Four (4) KEGG pathways, including for prostate cancer, and six (6) Reactome pathways were shown to be significantly affected. The molecular simulation confirmed the interactions of relevant protein targets with key metabolites, including rosmarinic acid. This study could potentially lead to further exploration of P. frutescens leaves or their metabolites for prostate cancer treatment and prevention.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer overall. In women, BC is the most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Triple-negative BC (TNBC) is the most aggressive BC, being resistant to hormonal and targeted therapies. Hypothesis/Purpose: The medicinal plant Origanum syriacum L. is a shrubby plant rich in bioactive compounds and widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. However, its therapeutic potential against BC remains poorly investigated. In the present study, we screened the phytochemical content of an ethanolic extract of O. syriacum (OSEE) and investigated its anticancer effects and possible underlying mechanisms of action against the aggressive and highly metastatic human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231. Methods: MTT, trans-well migration, and scratch assays were used to assess cell viability, invasion, or migration, respectively. Antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed in cells in culture using DHE staining. Aggregation assays were used to determine cell-cell adhesion. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle progression. Protein levels of markers of apoptosis (BCL-2, pro-Caspase3, p53), proliferation (p21, Ki67), cell migration, invasion, or adhesion (FAK, E-cadherin), angiogenesis (iNOS), and cell signaling (STAT3, p38) were determined by immunoblotting. A chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay evaluated in ovo angiogenesis. Results: We demonstrated that OSEE had potent radical scavenging activity in vitro and induced the generation of ROS in MDA-MB-231 cells, especially at higher OSEE concentrations. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of OSEE attenuated cell proliferation and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, which was associated with phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, an increase in the levels of tumor suppressor protein p21, and a decrease of proliferation marker protein Ki67. Additionally, only higher concentrations of OSEE were able to attenuate inhibition of proliferation induced by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), indicating that the anti-proliferative effects of OSEE could be ROS-dependent. OSEE stimulated apoptosis and its effector Caspase-3 in MDA-MB-231 cells, in correlation with activation of the STAT3/p53 pathway. Furthermore, the extract reduced the migration and invasive properties of MDA-MB-231 cells through the deactivation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). OSEE also reduced the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and inhibited in ovo angiogenesis. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that OSEE is a rich source of phytochemicals and has robust anti-breast cancer properties that significantly attenuate the malignant phenotype of MD-MB-231 cells, suggesting that O. syriacum may not only act as a rich source of potential TNBC therapeutics but may also provide new avenues for the design of novel TNBC drugs.

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical content present in blueberries has generated great interest, especially in the nutra-pharmaceutical industry, where it is known as the "super fruit" due to its prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, among others). OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the functional potential of fresh blueberries and dried blueberries using forced convection by measuring phytochemical content to conclude if this drying technology is convenient for prolonging the product's shelf life. METHODS: For this purpose, antioxidant activity, phenolic content, total anthocyanins, and total flavonoids of 'Biloxi' blueberry cultivars were determined. Fresh and dried blueberries' results were studied. Fruit extracts were analyzed to determine antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as a free radical, total phenolic content with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, total anthocyanins by pH differential method, and total flavonoids by Aluminum Chloride method. RESULTS: Results for fresh blueberries yielded ranges of antioxidant activity (90.8-93.9% Free radical scavenging rate), total phenolic content (275 to 645mgGAE/100gFW), total anthocyanins content (28.55 to 43.75mgCy3G/100gFW) and total flavonoids content (159.92 to 335.75mgQE/100gFW). For the forced convection oven process, ranges of antioxidant activity (85.5-92.6% Free radical scavenging rate), total phenolic content (261 to 308mgGAE/100gFW), total anthocyanins content (4.74 to 5.12mgCy3G/100gFW) and total flavonoids content (30.66±0.38mgQE/100gFW) were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: In general, blueberries studied proved to have similar concentrations of functional properties compared to a wide variety of cultivars grown around the globe. Furthermore, higher concentrations of phytochemical content than those reported previously for strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries were evidenced. Although dried blueberries studied proved to have diminished phytochemical content, this functional component content stands out among the fruits market and give nutritional value to end consumers. Drying processes could potentially increase the commerce of blueberries by significantly reducing their perishable nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to assess the oxidative stability of cottonseed oil enriched with natural antioxidants from Cameroonian plant leaves extracts. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity via DPPH radical scavenging assay were assessed in ethanolic extracts. These extracts were added to cottonseed oil at concentrations of 200, 500, 1250, and 2000 ppm. The cottonseeds’ oil oxidative stability was evaluated by determining their induction/stability times on Rancimat (120±1.6°C) and by measuring their oxidative state in Schaal oven during 30 days (samples were removed after 10 days) of storage at 60°C. The outcomes showed that Canarium schweinfurthii, Trichoscypha acuminate, Dacryodes edulis, and Psidium guajava leaves extracts are rich in polyphenols (18.56 to 42.70 mg/g) and flavonoids (2.14 to 5.36 mg/g). The ethanolic extracts, above 1250 ppm, were also efficient like synthetic antioxidants in inhibiting the oxidation of cottonseeds oil at high temperatures. The evaluation of oxidation parameters of enriched cottonseeds oil showed that different extracts at 2000 ppm can limit the appearance of both primary and secondary oxidation products in oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Montrichardia arborescens Schott (Araceae) is traditionally used for treating, among others, inflammatory conditions, but so far without scientific evidence. In this study, the fresh stem juice was assessed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and phytochemical content. Methods: The stem juice's anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a heat-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay and a hypotonicity-induced human erythrocyte membrane lysis assay. Its antioxidant activity was determined by a DPPH free radical-scavenging assay and a FRAP assay. Diclofenac and Trolox were used as reference compounds. Its phytochemical content was qualitatively explored by standard methods. Data (means ± SDs; n ≥ 3) were evaluated for statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments. Results: At ≥ 12.5% (v/v), the stem juice inhibited BSA denaturation by 50%-75% and membrane lysis by roughly 90%. At 0.20-7.0% (v/v), it did not affect BSA denaturation but stabilized membranes by > 50%. The juice scavenged DPPH free radicals at an EC50 of 2.0 ± 0.2% (v/v) and achieved at that dilution an antioxidant power of 2,616 ± 16 μM Fe2+ equivalents. All the effects were in the range of those found with diclofenac 50 μg/mL and Trolox 1.0-6.0 μg/mL. The stem juice contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. Conclusion: The M. arborescens stem juice exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory activities that might mainly be associated with the inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators, along with notable antioxidant activity, which might be attributable to phytochemicals with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical content present in blueberries has generated great interest, especially in the nutra-pharmaceutical industry, where it is known as the “super fruit” due to its prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, among others). OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the functional potential of fresh blueberries and dried blueberries using forced convection by measuring phytochemical content to conclude if this drying technology is convenient for prolonging the product's shelf life. METHODS: For this purpose, antioxidant activity, phenolic content, total anthocyanins, and total flavonoids of ‘Biloxi’ blueberry cultivars were determined. Fresh and dried blueberries’ results were studied. Fruit extracts were analyzed to determine antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as a free radical, total phenolic content with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, total anthocyanins by pH differential method, and total flavonoids by Aluminum Chloride method. RESULTS: Results for fresh blueberries yielded ranges of antioxidant activity (90.8-93.9% Free radical scavenging rate), total phenolic content (275 to 645mgGAE/100gFW), total anthocyanins content (28.55 to 43.75mgCy3G/100gFW) and total flavonoids content (159.92 to 335.75mgQE/100gFW). For the forced convection oven process, ranges of antioxidant activity (85.5-92.6% Free radical scavenging rate), total phenolic content (261 to 308mgGAE/100gFW), total anthocyanins content (4.74 to 5.12mgCy3G/100gFW) and total flavonoids content (30.66±0.38mgQE/100gFW) were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: In general, blueberries studied proved to have similar concentrations of functional properties compared to a wide variety of cultivars grown around the globe. Furthermore, higher concentrations of phytochemical content than those reported previously for strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries were evidenced. Although dried blueberries studied proved to have diminished phytochemical content, this functional component content stands out among the fruits market and give nutritional value to end consumers. Drying processes could potentially increase the commerce of blueberries by significantly reducing their perishable nature.

• Plant part, growing stage and extracts/ fractions interaction affected significantly the phenolic content and antioxidant activities of S.maritima. • The highest phenolic content was recorded in acetate fractions. • Leaves collected during flowering stage exhibited the highest phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. • Samples were divided to four groups following multi factorial (MFA) and clustering analysis. • The major component of selected crude extracts was catechin hydrate. This study aimed to assess for the first time how growing stage and plant part affect the phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities of extracts and fractions of Scabiosa Atropurpurea sub. Maritima L. (S.maritima). An experiment was conducted on the different parts (leaves, stem, roots, inflorescences, and fruits) of plants collected from the Zaghouan region, Tunisia, at different growing stages: vegetative stage (March), early budding stage (April), late flowering stage (May) and late maturing stage (June). The various plant parts were subjected to hydro-methanolic extraction and sequential solvent fractionation (Chloroform and Acetate). For each extract or fraction, content of total phenolics (TPC), flavonol, tannin (CTC) and total flavonoids (TFC) were quantified. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was assessed using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing power (FRAP), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities. A Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering were done on the data set obtained from the various measurements. Additionally, the chemical composition of five selected crude extracts was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array (HPLC-DAD). Phytochemical compounds (phenolic, flavonoids, flavonol and tannin) and antioxidant activities (TAC, FRAP, ABTS and DPPH) of S.maritima extracts and fractions differ among plant parts and change throughout the growing stages. The highest phytochemical content and antioxidant activities of plant parts during the different growing stages were mainly recorded in acetate fractions. Leaves generally exhibited higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity compared to other plant parts. Their highest values were reached during flowering season (plants collected in May). Unlike leaves and stem, roots exhibited their highest phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in June. The MFA results distinguished leaf samples from the other plant parts and highlighted a strong correlation between phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity. High levels of catechin hydrate (ranging from 1951.86 to 6748.97 mg/100 g of extract) were recorded in all samples. Leaf samples were found to contain high amounts of luteolin-7-O glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside while particularly high contents of resorcinol and catechol (226.00 and 57.71 mg/100 g of extract, respectively) were observed in the stem sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot water blanching at 80 °C for 3 min can be used as a novel pre-treatment step in pomegranate peel to preserve the integrity of the phytochemical content within the peel extracts by lowering or inactivating enzymes such as polyphenol (PPO) oxidase and peroxidase (POD) that are responsible for the break-down of phytochemicals within the peel. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hot water blanching pre-treatment on yield, bioactive compounds, antioxidants, enzyme inactivation, and antibacterial activity of 'Wonderful', 'Acco', and 'Herskawitz' pomegranate peel extracts. We used a variety of spectrophotometric-based assays and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based approach to characterize and quantify metabolites within the peel extracts. Blanching significantly (p < 0.05) reduced PPO activity in all peel extracts, with the highest PPO reduction in 'Herskawitz' peel extracts at 0.25 U/mL. Furthermore, higher antioxidant activity in 'Herskawitz' blanched peel extracts using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity at 567.78 ± 9.47 µmol Trolox/g DM, 800.05 ± 1.60 µmol Trolox/g DM, and 915.27 ± 0.61 µmol Trolox/g DM, respectively, was noted. 'Herskawitz' blanched peel extracts were recorded with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 80 µg/mL for Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria strains. A total of 30 metabolites were present in 'Acco' and 'Herskawitz' peel extracts and were tentatively identified after LC-MS profiling. This study demonstrates that blanched peel extracts from 'Herskawitz' cultivar have great potential for commercial use in value-added products in the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and pharmacological industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current review article outlines current findings in literature from undertaken studies and review articles on the plant Elephantorrhiza elephantine from the past 20 years to date. The information presented in this article will include the following aspects of the plant. The plant description and taxomony, ethnomedical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Elephantorrhiza elephantine. The article looks to discuss existing hurdles in research found on this plant and how to integrate any previous research with what is currently done in research on the plant. It aims on guiding the path of future research direction on the plant Elephantorrhiza elephantine. Methods: A total of 40 articles were selected and read through. The articles selected had included literature publications with the keywords such as; Elephantorrhiza elephantine, plant description, taxonomic of the plant, ethno medicinal usages, phytochemicals, pharmacological properties and plant toxicity, which were published between the years 2000 - 2021. There were 32 articles relevant for this review article and 2 dissertation that were written between the criteria of years. Results: The ethomedicinal uses of Elephantorrhiza elephantine have been investigated by various authors on the anti-microbial activities, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and in ethnoveterinary medicine on how the plant provides relief to individuals with illnesses/disease through its traditional uses. These studies have been conducted on both animals and humans. The experiments performed used the crude extract derived from parts of the plant such as the roots and leaves. These plant parts have phytochemical compounds that are extracted using varying polar solvents. In the animal studies, acetone extracts of E. elephantine roots demonstrated significant activity against a tick-borne disease in cattle livestock and parasite worms in goats. In humans, the dried leaf extracts of E. elephantine was also subjected to various polar solvents and water, investigated for phytochemical content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and cytotoxic activities, using standard methods. It was reported that the ethanol extract yielded the highest phytochemical content. Conclusion: The gap in knowledge has narrowed on medicinal plants effects of healing properties. This lead by extensive research carried out trying to understand the benefits of traditional medication and why majority of the population uses it as they primary healthcare choice. Investigating the mechanism of action of E. elephantine on its antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing could lead to an enhanced understanding on the medicinal properties of the plant extracts and a commercialisation of a product in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweet cherry fruit quality traits (soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pH and soluble solid titratable acidity ratio), phytochemical content (total phenolic content and total monomeric anthocyanins) and antioxidant activity were determined in five Italian autochthonous genotypes and compared with two commercial cultivars for 4 consecutive years. Significant influences of genotype, crop year and their interaction on the variables under study was observed. The autochthonous cultivar "Ciliegia di Udine", on average, showed the highest values for all the investigated parameter whereas the lowest ones were reported for the largely cultivated cultivar "Ferrovia" (Germersdorfer). Beside the genotype, crop year and its climatic conditions affected fruits quality and "Flamengo Srim" showed the best response taking into consideration fruit quality traits, phytochemical content and antioxidant activity and their quali-quantitative stability across the experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of three apple cultivars ('WA 38', 'Granny Smith', and 'Cripps Pink') and assessed the impact of the production system (organic and conventional) and long-term commercial storage (refrigerated air and controlled atmosphere) on their content. Across all cultivars, apple peels consistently exhibited higher levels of total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity compared to the flesh. TPC was influenced by the apple cultivar, production system, and storage conditions, with cultivar being the most influential variable. 'Granny Smith' apple flesh and peels maintained stable TPC levels during storage, while 'WA 38' and 'Cripps Pink' apple peels declined. Additionally, conventionally grown apples generally maintained higher phytochemical contents during storage when compared to their organic counterparts. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of cultivation practices and storage conditions on apple polyphenols, offering potential strategies to enhance the nutritional quality of apples. [Display omitted] • 'Granny Smith' apples retained total polyphenol contents during storage. • Polyphenol contents declined in 'WA 38' and 'Cripps Pink' apples during storage. • Conventional apples exhibit superior phytochemical preservation over organic ones. • Cultivar is the most influential variable on biochemical and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculate L.) is an important legume crop due to its nutritional value and it has the potential to contribute to the alleviation of malnutrition in the world. The study objectives were to determine the variability among 70 cowpea genotypes for the concentration of mineral elements and phytochemical contents, identify superior genotypes for mineral elements and phytochemical contents, and to determine the correlation among traits. Data were collected from 70 cowpea genotypes planted in two different locations during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 cropping seasons in South Africa. Grain samples were analysed for selected minerals such as Fe, Zn, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and phytochemical contents including total phenolic and flavonoid. Genotype, locations, seasons, and their interaction effects were highly significant (p

A huge number of date varieties grow annually throughout the world. The genetic variation between different date varieties is reflected in their variable sensory characters and phytochemical contents. Date pits are considered a waste product of the date industry, despite their rich metabolic content. The present study attempts to generate visual clustering to clarify the diversity among fourteen date cultivars growing in the Qassim region, according to the phytochemical contents and biological potentials of their pits. The results indicated a wide variation in the total phenolic content (11.4–29.7 mg GAE/g), flavonoids content (21.9–37.1 mg RE/g), proanthocyanidine content (12.0–207.0 mg CE/g), and antioxidant potential (10.3–25.5 mg AEAC/g) among the tested cultivars. Screening the antimicrobial activity of extracts from the 14 tested cultivars indicated different activities against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Candida albicans. Multivariate analysis of phytochemical content and biological activity, using different analytical models, allowed the classification of the 14 cultivars into four classes, Class-1: Barhi, Safawi, and Sukkari; Class-2: Khodry and Nabtat Ali; Class-3: Ruthana, Segae, Shaqra, and Sheishee; and Class-4: Hulwa Aljouf, Mabroom, Meneifi, Rushodia, and Wannana. These findings provide a scientific basis for the classification of date pits which facilitates the future selection of promising candidates for more phytochemical and biological exploration.

This work investigated the phytochemical content and bioactivity of Lycium barbarum collected in Calabria and evaluated, for the first time, the possibility of enriching traditional ciabatta bread with goji fresh flesh puree. For this purpose, goji flesh puree, bread, and bread enriched with 20% and 40% goji flesh puree (G20 and G40 samples, respectively) were subjected to several analyses. Selected compounds were quantified by UHPLC analysis in both goji fresh flesh puree and after simulation of the cooking process. The impact of the addition on key enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) related to metabolic syndrome was assessed together with the antioxidant properties. Texture, colourimetric, and sensory analyses on enriched bread were performed to evaluate consumer acceptance. Despite cooking, the enriched bread maintained good levels of bioactive compounds compared to the berry pulp alone (p < 0.01). The enriched bread showed the ability to protect against lipid peroxidation, with IC50 values of 6.88 and 6.52 μg/mL for samples G20 and G40, respectively, after incubation for 30 min (p < 0.01). Although less active than the control, the enriched bread showed inhibitory activities against the enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. From a sensory point of view, the addition of goji fresh pulp puree slightly modified the appearance but not the flavour and taste of the bread. Collectively, our results support the potential healthy function of this baked product.

Microgreens are edible seedlings of vegetables and flowers species which are currently considered among the five most profitable crops globally. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have shown great potential for plant growth, development, and synthesis of health-promoting phytochemicals with a more flexible and feasible spectral manipulation for microgreen production in indoor farms. However, research on LED lighting spectral manipulation specific to microgreen production, has shown high variability in how these edible seedlings behave regarding their light environmental conditions. Hence, developing species-specific LED light recipes for enhancement of growth and valuable functional compounds is fundamental to improve their production system. In this study, various irradiance levels and wavelengths of light spectrum produced by LEDs were investigated for their effect on growth, yield, and nutritional quality in four vegetables (chicory, green mizuna, china rose radish, and alfalfa) and two flowers (french marigold and celosia) of microgreens species. Microgreens were grown in a controlled environment using sole-source light with different photosynthetic photon flux density (110, 220, 340 µmol m−2 s−1) and two different spectra (RB: 65% red, 35% blue; RGB: 47% red, 19% green, 34% blue). At harvest, the lowest level of photosynthetically active photon flux (110 µmol m−2 s−1) reduced growth and decreased the phenolic contents in almost all species. The inclusion of green wavelengths under the highest intensity showed positive effects on phenolic accumulation. Total carotenoid content and antioxidant capacity were in general enhanced by the middle intensity, regardless of spectral combination. Thus, this study indicates that the inclusion of green light at an irradiance level of 340 µmol m−2 s−1 in the RB light environment promotes the growth (dry weight biomass) and the accumulation of bioactive phytochemicals in the majority of the microgreen species tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten monoclonal microalgal cultures were obtained from several Tunisian inland water bodies, and their dichloromethane and methanolic extracts were screened for antibacterial, antileishmanial, and antioxidant properties, as well as phycobiliprotein production capacity. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii has been shown to synthesize high levels of phycocyanin and may be an effective alternative source to other sources used for commercial production of phycocyanin. Chroococcus sp. and Leptolyngbya sp1. exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity against DPPH (IC50 = 212.15 and 263.91 μg ml−1, respectively), indicating their promising potential for use as new effective and non-toxic antioxidants. Furthermore, Dunaliella sp. showed an interesting antileishmanial activity against the pathogens Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major (IC50 = 151 and 284 μg ml−1, respectively), thus representing a good candidate for use against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Tunisia, a country endemic to these diseases where thousands of new cases are registered every year. These results suggest that the strains of microalgae featured in this work have the potential to serve as natural alternative, safe and sustainable sources of high value-added products that could be used to improve the final biomass value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many local black rice cultivars spread throughout Indonesia and are only a few of these which formally describe their genetic diversity and phytochemical properties. It has not been reported that some local black rice has contained higher secondary metabolic, including phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and antioxidant capacity than other colored rice and which contributes to the source of functional food. Genetic diversity analysis of 18 colored and 3 white rice genotypes using microsatellite and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, morphological characters and phytochemical properties (TPC, TFC, TAC, and antioxidant activity) were observed in this study. The amylose, phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents of the fifteen local black rice cultivars had approximately 8.50–27.74%, 171.32–405.20 mg GAE/100 g dry weight, 90.36–187.94 mg QE/100 g dry weight, and 11.23–103.22 mg CYE/100 g dry weight, respectively. While IC50 of DPPH radical scavenging activity is approximately 24.46–62.81 µg/mL. All cultivars were clustered into two clusters and four sub-cluster based on amylose, phytochemical properties, and antioxidant capacity named hierarchical cluster. Hierarchical clustering indicates that two clusters showed different properties, of which cluster (I) (Hitam Banjarnegara) has the greatest phytochemical properties; cluster (II) (Inpari 23) has the lowest phytochemical properties. The genetic diversity of all cultivars was assessed using twenty microsatellite and ISSR markers. Genetic clustering showed two clusters and four sub-clusters, the genetic distance values ranged from 0.581 to 0.983 for all cultivars. Genetic analysis separates Indonesian local rice into two clusters which showed the different types of rice, in which cluster I was divided into sub-cluster (IA) (white and red rice) and sub-cluster (IB) (black rice); cluster (II) consisted of the twelve black rice cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]