Search Results (10,448)

Morella spathulata (Myricaceae family) is a common plant from Madagascar and is present on the IUCN Red List of threatened species classified at the ’least concern’ level, used by the local population to treat numerous illnesses and pain. Despite its frequent use, comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological research on the species is limited. This study evaluated the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the toxicity of methanol extracts from the leaves (MS_L) and bark (MS_B) of M. spathulata. The research involved the analysis of nutritional traits such as sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, polyphenolic content (TPC) and the main phytochemicals by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant capacity was assessed through DPPH and FRAP assays. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests in mice. The results showed a high content of phenolic and bioactive components in the leaf and bark extracts, associated with antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The interaction of key compounds such as ferulic acid and ellagic acid with proteins involved in pH regulation and immune modulation provides clues to the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects. However, conservation efforts are crucial due to habitat loss and illegal logging, and further studies are needed to fully explore the plant’s therapeutic potential. Full article

In recent years, the awareness of healthier lifestyles among consumers has driven to an increased interest in more natural, nutritious, and low-processed foods. Ferulic acid, one of the most abundant phenolic acids in plants, has demonstrated a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities and a range of biomedical effects, including antioxidant, antiallergic, hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic, among others. The objective of this work was to study the antilisterial effect of ferulic acid (FA, 1500 mg/L) on fresh, ready-to-eat orange (FOJ) and apple (FAJ) juices and evaluate its effect on product quality. The results showed that FA reduced the Listeria monocytogenes population after 9 days of storage at 4 °C, but no effect on the indigenous microbiota was observed. The titratable acidity and color significantly changed. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content significantly increased with the addition of FA, being at least two times greater in fortified juices. FAJ and FOJ containing FA were scored lower (6.8 and 5.7 on a 9-point hedonic scale, respectively) than their respective controls. Overall, our results demonstrated that FA treatment could be a useful strategy to maintain the safety of fresh apple and orange juices and increase the antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The potential industrial applications and health benefits of the fortification of fruit juices with FA should be further explored. Full article

Sepsis is an exaggerated immune response resulting from systemic inflammation, which can damage tissues and organs. Acute kidney injury has been detected in at least one-third of patients with sepsis. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury increases the risk of a secondary infection. Rapid diagnosis and appropriate initiation of antibiotics can significantly reduce mortality and morbidity. However, microorganisms are known to develop resistance to antibiotics. Estimations indicate that the annual casualties caused by microbial resistance will surpass cancer fatalities by 2050. The prevalence of bacterial infections and their growing antibiotic resistance has brought immediate attention to the search for novel treatments. Plant-derived supplements contain numerous bioactive components with therapeutic potential against a variety of conditions, including infections. Punica granatum peel is rich in phenolic compounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of P. granatum peel extract (PGPE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury. Experimental groups were Control, LPS (10 mg/kg LPS, intraperitoneally), PGPE100, and PGPE300 (100 and 300 mg/mL PGPE via oral gavage, respectively, for 7 days). According to biochemical results, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and C-reactive protein (CRP), kidney tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels significantly decreased in the PGPE groups compared to the LPS group. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings revealed that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) level and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression increased in the LPS group compared to the Control group. In addition, the anti-Gram-negative activity showed a dose-dependent effect on Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the agar well diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC value was remarkable, especially on A. baumannii. We conclude that PGPE has the potential to generate desirable anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced acute kidney injury in rats. Full article

Citrus fruits are widely grown, processed, and distributed in more than 140 countries, with annual global production exceeding 124.3 million metric tons. This substantial consumption generates significant organic waste, accounting for approximately 50–60% of the total fruit mass, primarily in the form of peel, pulp, and seeds. Often discarded or reused as animal feed, these wastes contribute to significant environmental pollution and economic losses. Therefore, the valorization of these by-products represents an important opportunity to mitigate these challenges and improve the sustainability of the Citrus-related industry. This review highlights Citrus seed waste concerning its invaluable bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, phenolic compounds, limonoids, dietary fibers, vitamins, and carotenoids. Chemical compositions of Citrus seed biowaste differ depending on a variety of factors, such as Citrus variety, fruit maturity, environmental conditions, waste storage conditions, and extraction methods. The extraction and purification of phytochemicals from Citrus seed biowaste are one of the major procedures for valorizing waste. The two types of effective extraction methods are traditional (conventional extraction) and innovative (green extraction). Furthermore, Citrus seeds have been demonstrated to exhibit several biological activities and health-promoting properties including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Therefore, these wastes are safe and beneficial compounds used in the production of functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. A conclusion can be reached by emphasizing the abundance of bioactive compounds in Citrus seed wastes, which makes them an excellent opportunity for increased environmental and economic utilization. Full article

This study investigated the effect of substances on nonspecific immune responses of head kidney leukocytes, the antimicrobial activity against Vibrio sp., as well as the time-kill of Vibrio sp. by combining the substances with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Pediococcus sp. The substances are B. pilosa hot water extract, B. pilosa powder extract, B. pilosa methanol extract, B. pilosa ethanol extract, B. alba hot water extract, B. alba powder extract, B. alba methanol extract, B. alba ethanol extract, and bioactive compounds, namely cytopiloyne, flavonoid, phenol, ethyl caffeate, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, butein, and linoleic acid. The results showed that some of them were nontoxic to the head kidney leukocytes, which can increase the phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, and respiratory burst. These substances were able to inhibit the growth of Vibrio sp.; they can even completely kill the pathogenic bacteria. The largest of the inhibition zone formed from the EC group at a concentration range of 5–50 µg/mL against V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, and V. harveyi with a value of 19.7 ± 0.56, 19.3 ± 1.53, and 20.6 ± 1.53 mm. Furthermore, the time-kill studies showed that the LAB and P. acidilactici can completely kill the Vibrio sp. at 6 h incubation time, mainly in the group of combination with EC. Full article

Of the three types of waste generated in beer processing, brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant and has a high potential for valorization. In this work, defatted BSG (DB) was subjected to an extraction process with subcritical water at different temperatures to obtain extracts rich in phenols and the cellulosic fractions, which were also purified by using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The results showed that the dry extracts obtained at 170 °C were richer in phenolics (24 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) g⁻¹ DB), but with lower antioxidant capacity (71 mg DB·mg⁻¹ 2,2-diphenyl-1-pikryl-hydrazyl). This extract also showed the highest antibacterial potential against L. innocua (80 mg·mL⁻¹) and E. coli (140 mg·mL⁻¹) than those obtained at lower temperatures. The purification of cellulose from the treated residues, using hydrogen peroxide, revealed that DB is a limited source of cellulose material since the bleached fractions showed low yields (20–25%) and low cellulose purity (42–71%), even after four bleaching cycles (1 h) at pH 12 and 8% H₂O₂. Despite this, the subcritical water extraction method highlights the potential of a simple process as a technological option to convert underutilized side streams like beer bagasse into added-value, potential ingredients for innovative food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

This study investigates the impact of adding varying concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%) of chia seeds on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of oat-based yogurt fortified with 2% honey. The research analyzed changes in pH, titratable acidity, water-holding capacity (WHC), dry matter content, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity over a 7-day storage period. The pH values ranged from 4.33 ± 0.01 to 4.57 ± 0.01, with no significant impact observed due to chia seed addition. Titratable acidity increased most rapidly in the 9% chia seed sample, particularly between days 5 and 7. WHC significantly improved with higher chia seed concentrations, with the 9% chia sample reaching 99.9 ± 0.07% compared with 69.9 ± 0.12% in the control. Dry matter content showed a similar trend, with the highest increase observed in the 9% chia sample. TPC and antioxidant activity were positively correlated with chia seed concentration and storage time, with the 9% chia sample exhibiting the highest values on day 7. Sensory evaluation revealed that the 3% chia seed concentration was most preferred by panelists for its balanced texture and flavor. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted the clustering of higher chia concentrations with improved functional properties. This study presents novel insights into the impact of varying concentrations of chia seeds on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant potential of oat-based yogurt, specifically fortified with honey, contributing to the development of functional plant-based dairy alternatives. Full article

Although they have been extensively studied in many species of the genus Rosa L., garden roses’ hips have largely been overlooked. To investigate their potential use in the food industry, this study evaluated five cultivars from ‘Aurora’ collection: ‘Purple Aurora’, ‘Berry Bush Aurora’, ‘Aromatic Aurora’, ‘Butterfly Aurora’, and ‘Rugose White Aurora’. Morphological characterization, along with the assessment of the phenolic profile, vitamin C levels, and biological activities—including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects—was conducted. The fruit mass reached 5.15 g, while the mesocarp mass ranged from 3 to 4 g, resulting in a mesocarp-to-fruit ratio of over 75%. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.1 to 63.9 mg GAE/g de, while total flavonoids were present in amounts from 0.85 to 2.14 mg QE/g de. Rosehip extracts from four out of five cultivars exhibited a very high vitamin C content, reaching 2384 µg/g fw. Quinic acid and 31 phenolic compounds were found in the rosehip extract of at least one cultivar. Results indicated ‘Aurora’ rosehips have potent antioxidant properties and a moderate inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, highlighting their potential as a source of functional food. Additional research is needed to fully leverage these benefits and establish garden rosehips as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Full article

Pomegranate and its by-products contain a broad spectrum of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins, having pleiotropic preventive and prophylactic properties in health disorders related to oxidative stress and microbial contamination. Here, we examined the biological effects of a pomegranate peel ellagitannins-enriched (>90%) extract, PETE. In vitro studies revealed that PETE has a strong antiradical action towards synthetic radicals and biologically relevant ROS surpassing or comparable to that of Trolox. In cellular models, it showed concentration-dependent (25–100 µg/mL) yet opposing effects depending on the cell membrane type and exposure conditions. In erythrocytes, PETE protected membrane integrity in the presence of the strong oxidant HClO and restored reduced glutathione levels to up to 85% of the control value while having much weaker acute and long-term intrinsic effects. Such protection persisted even after the removal of the extract from cells, indicating strong membrane interaction. In HeLa cancer cells, and at concentrations lower than those used for red blood cells, PETE induced robust potentiation of ROS production and mitochondrial potential dissipation, leading to autophagy-like membrane morphology changes and cell death. In S. aureus, the growth arrest and bacterial death in the presence of PETE (with MIC = 31.25 µg/mL and MBC = 125 µg/mL, respectively) can be linked to the tripled ROS induction by the extract in the same concentration range. This study indicates a specificity of ROS production by the pomegranate extract depending on the type of cell, the concentration of the extract and the time of incubation. This specificity witnesses a strong potential of the extract components as candidates in antioxidant and pro-oxidant therapy. Full article

To date, no study has focused on Uvaria macrophylla leaves with various traditional efficiencies. This paper therefore applied a database affinity ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS) strategy to analyze the lyophilized aqueous extract of U. macrophylla leaves. Through database comparison and MS fragment elucidation, this study has putatively identified 41 constituents belonging to flavonoid, phenolic acid, steroid, and saccharide natural product classifications. Significantly, four groups of isomers (liquiritigenin vs. isoliquiritigenin vs. pinocembrin; oroxylin A vs. wogonin vs. galangin 3-methyl ether; isoquercitrin vs. hyperoside; protocatechuic acid vs. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) have been successfully distinguished from each other. All of 41 constituents were then subjected to a quantitative analysis based on linear regression equation established by the above UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS strategy and an ABTS^+•-scavenging antioxidant assay. Finally, the chemical content was multiplied by the corresponding ABTS^+•-scavenging percentage to calculate the antioxidant contribution. It was shown that the chemical contents of 41 constituents varied from 0.003 ± 0.000 to 14.418 ± 1.041 mg/g, and gallic acid showed the highest antioxidant contribution. Gallic acid is considered as a suitable antioxidant quality-marker (Q-marker) of U. macrophylla leaves. These findings have scientific implications for the resource development and quality control of U. macrophylla leaves. Full article

Recently, returning rice straw to soil has become a common problem in wheat production because it causes decreased wheat seedling emergence. Allelopathy is an important factor affecting seed germination. However, the effects of rice straw extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth remain unclear. Wheat seeds and seedlings were treated with 30 g L⁻¹ of rice leaf extracts (L1), 60 g L⁻¹ of rice leaf extracts (L2), 30 g L⁻¹ of rice stem extracts (S1), 60 g L⁻¹ of rice stem extracts (S2) and sterile water (CK) to study the allelopathic effects of rice straw extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The α-amylase and antioxidant enzyme activities in wheat seeds; the agronomic traits, photosynthetic indicators, and nutrient contents of wheat seedlings; and the phenolic acids in rice stem extracts were determined. Common allelochemicals, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, protocatechualdehyde, caffeic acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, and salicylic acid, were detected in rice stem extracts. Low-concentration rice leaf and stem extracts (30 g L⁻¹) had no effect on the germination rate of wheat seeds. High-concentration (60 g L⁻¹) rice stem and leaf extracts decreased the seed germination rate by 11.00% and 12.02%. Rice stem extract (60 g L⁻¹) decreased the α-amylase activity, and gibberellin content of wheat seeds but increased superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities and malondialdehyde content in wheat seeds. Allelochemicals entered the internal tissues of wheat seeds, where they decreased the gibberellin content and α-amylase activity and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, ultimately leading to an inhibitory effect on seed germination. Rice stem and leaf extracts decreased the SPAD value and photosynthetic indicators of wheat seedlings. Rice stem extract (60 g L⁻¹) decreased the fresh weight and root length of wheat seedlings by 31.37% and 45.46%. Low-concentration rice leaf and stem extract (30 g L⁻¹) had no effect on the nutrient contents of wheat seedlings. Rice leaf and stem extracts (60 g L⁻¹) decreased the nitrogen and potassium contents of wheat seedlings. These results indicated that low-concentration rice leaf and stem extract (30 g L⁻¹) had no effect on wheat seed germination and the high-concentration rice stem extract (60 g L⁻¹) released allelochemicals and inhibited wheat seed germination and seedling growth. These findings provide a basis for the improvement of straw return techniques. Full article

Background: Flaxseeds are functional foods popular in current diets. Cold-pressing is a solvent-free method to extract flaxseed oil, resulting in a by-product—defatted flour. Objectives/Methods: This study compared whole flaxseeds and defatted flour (proximate composition, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, amino acids, and protein quality) and updated the composition of cold-pressed oil (oxidative stability, peroxide value, UV absorbance, colour, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) to assess the nutritional relevance and potential for food applications of these samples. Results: The flour had higher ash (6% vs. 4%), fibre (36% vs. 34%), protein (28% vs. 16%), phenolics (205 vs. 143 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g), and antioxidant activity than seeds (p < 0.05), so it should be valued as a novel high-fibre food ingredient with high-quality plant-based protein, as it contains all essential amino acids (106 mg/g) and a high essential amino acids index (112%), with L-tryptophan as the limiting amino acid. The oil, while low in oxidative stability (1.3 h), due to its high polyunsaturated fatty acids sum (75%), mostly α-linolenic acid (57%), contains a significant amount of vitamin E (444 mg/kg), making it a specialty oil best consumed raw. Conclusions: The exploration of the flour as a minimally processed food ingredient highlights its role in supporting food security, circular economy, and sustainability goals, aligning with consumer preferences for natural, low-fat foods. Future research should investigate the bioactivity and shelf-life of the samples, as well as the bioavailability of compounds after digestion. Full article

Bioactive flavonoid epicatechin has been reported in the peel of litchi fruit but isolated from its hydroalcoholic extracts. This study isolated epicatechin with cellular glucose uptake modulatory and ROS production inhibitory properties from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract using a bioassay-guided approach. The fruit peel was defatted with hexane and sequentially extracted using dichloromethane (DCM), EtOAc, methanol (MeOH) and water. In vitro phytochemical models, namely antioxidant (Fe³⁺ reducing, radical scavenging and anti-linoleic acid peroxidative) and glycaemic control (α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory and glucose uptake modulatory), were employed for the bioassay-guided isolation, while the isolated compound was characterised using NMR and mass spectrometry and assessed for dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular ROS production, as well as modulation of cellular glucose uptake. Relative to the other extracts, the EtOAc extract had appreciable phenol and flavonoid contents, which perhaps influenced its potent anti-lipid peroxidative (65.0%) and α-glucosidase inhibitory (52.4%) effects. The α-glucosidase inhibitory potency of the fractions (1–8) from the EtOAc extracts correlated with their flavonoid contents, with fraction 5 outperforming other fractions. The fraction comprised a pool of fractions obtained from the DCM:MeOH:water (7:3:0.281 v/v/v) solvent system. LC-MS revealed the predominant presence of epicatechin in fraction 5, which was later isolated from one of the sub-fractions (sub-fraction 4) of fraction 5. This sub-fraction had stronger anti-lipid peroxidative (65.5%), α-glucosidase inhibitory (65.8%) and glucose uptake modulatory (38.2%) effects than the other sub-fractions from fraction 5, which could have been influenced by the isolated epicatechin. Moreover, the isolated epicatechin inhibited α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 35.3 µM), modulated cellular glucose uptake (EC₅₀ = 78.5 µM) and inhibited LPS-induced ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent fashion [IC₅₀ = 18.9 µM; statistically comparable (p > 0.05) to ascorbic acid, IC₅₀ = 9.57 µM]. Epicatechin from litchi peel EtOAc extract could potentiate glucose uptake modulatory, α-glucosidase inhibitory and ROS suppressive capacities, which could be influential in the use of litchi fruit peel for managing diabetes and associated oxidative damage. Full article

Cecropia sp. (Urticaceae) are commonly used in traditional medicine in South American countries for the treatment of different diseases. To date, the species Cecropia concolor Willd, of Amazonian occurrence, has not been investigated for its pharmacological potential. In this study, we described the chemical profile and the antileishmanial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts of the leaves of C. concolor. The ethanolic extract and its partition phases (hexane, ethyl acetate and hydroethanolic) were analyzed for their chemical classes and phenolic content. Antileishmanial activity was assessed against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method and in MRC-5 human fibroblast cells. Toxicity was tested against Artemia salina and in human cells (fibroblasts and cancer lines). The leaves of C. concolor have phenolic substances, such as flavonoids, as well as terpenes, steroids and alkaloids. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, schaftoside and vicenin 2 were identified. The hydroethanolic phase showed a high concentration of phenolic compounds and pronounced antioxidant activity. The antileishmanial activity was observed in the ethanolic extract, with a promising effect of the hexane phase. The C. concolor ethanolic extract and its phases are non-toxic, which makes this species of interest in pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate whether different citrus peel powders (orange, mandarin, and lemon) could be incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA), for the preparation and characterization of biodegradable films made of this fruit waste. In particular, films were prepared by the solvent casting method and tested in terms of physicochemical and biochemical parameters, along with mechanical properties. Furthermore, the citrus peel powders were tested for their physicochemical and biochemical properties after ethanolic extraction. The results showed that the addition of citrus powders into PLA proved to be efficient compared to the control films (PLA). The citrus peel-based films showed high antioxidant capacity (38.37%–32.54%), a considerable total phenolic content (17.2–12.58 mg GAE/L), good lightness (L*: 42.83–41.93), elastic Young’s modulus (257.95–175.38 MPa), oxygen transmission rate (976.5 mL m⁻² day⁻¹–1218 mL m⁻² day⁻¹), elongation at break (183.06%–135.95%), and tensile strength (6.15–4.56 MPa), which were affected significantly (p < 0.05) by the botanical origin of citrus peel. Concerning the citrus peel extracts, the highest values in antioxidant capacity (52.56%), total phenolic content (724.8 mg GAE/L), and titratable acidity (714.67 mg of citric acid/L) were recorded in the extract of lemon peel powders. The corresponding values for orange peel powder extracts were 39.43%, 563.8 mg GAE/L, and 576 mg of citric acid/L, while those for mandarin were 33.01%, 558.46 mg GAE/L, and 54.67 mg of citric acid/L. The application of multivariate analysis of variance and linear discriminant analysis on the mechanical properties, physicochemical, and biochemical data resulted in the differentiation of pure PLA and PLA-based films fabricated with citrus peel powder. From the above findings, it is concluded that citrus peel powders are sources of phytochemicals and can be used for the preparation of PLA-based films for potential applications in food preservation. Full article