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Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (11 February 2024) | Viewed by 20393

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac

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Guest Editor

Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: marine bioprospecting; marine organisms; biochemistry; histology; bioactive compounds; algae; natural products

Dr. Sanja Babić

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Guest Editor

Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: antioxidant activity; (eco)toxicology; in vivo studies; model organisms; biological availability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue "Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources" in the Molecules journal. Antioxidants include different classes of compounds that can retard/inhibit the onset of oxidation, thus directly causing an advantageous outcome in various biological systems (anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerogenic, anti-atherosclerotic activity, etc.). Recently, there has been increasing interest in antioxidants derived from natural sources, due to concerns over the adverse health effects of synthetic antioxidants. The isolation and characterization of naturally derived antioxidants have been a challenging task that ultimately could have potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

This Special Issue aims to publish high-quality original research papers and review articles that are focused on improving the knowledge concerning antioxidants, including their beneficial properties proven either by in vitro and/or in vivo research. Studies that are focused on new methodologies of extraction, purification, identification and quantification of antioxidants using eco-friendly techniques are welcome.

Dr. Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac
Dr. Sanja Babić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

antioxidants
oxidative stress
lipid peroxidation
natural compounds
chemical identification
marine organisms
in vivo
in vitro

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 1533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenolic, Headspace and Sensory Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Juice Enriched with Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus serpyllum L. Extract: A Potential for a Novel Herbal-Based Functional Beverages

by Ivanka Maleš, Ana Dobrinčić, Zoran Zorić, Sanda Vladimir-Knežević, Ivona Elez Garofulić, Maja Repajić, Danijela Skroza, Igor Jerković and Verica Dragović-Uzelac

Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3656; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093656 - 22 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1987

Abstract

Since certain constituents are not naturally present in pure fruit juices, incorporating herbal extracts can provide specific sensory properties to the beverages and improve their biopotential. In our previous research, it was found that sage (Salvia officinalis L.), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), and combinations of their extracts had the highest total phenolic content and a unique composition of volatile compounds, which can contribute to the aromatic and antioxidant qualities of functional products. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the potential of sage and wild thyme extracts, as well as their mixture (wild thyme:sage at 3:1, v/v), to enrich fruit juices (apple, pineapple, and orange). Obtained beverages were evaluated for sensory properties as well as phenolic and headspace composition (UPLC-MS/MS and HS-SPME/GC-MS analysis) and antioxidant capacity (ORAC assay). The incorporation of wild thyme extract in pineapple juice provided the most harmonious flavor and the highest content of volatile compounds (on PDMS/DVB fiber). The orange juice formulations were the most enriched with phenolic and volatile compounds (on DVB/CAR/PDMS fibers). The highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the formulation with orange juice and sage extract (22,925.39 ± 358.43 µM TE). This study demonstrated that enriching fruit juices with sage and wild thyme extracts could create functional beverages with improved sensory and health-promoting properties, providing valuable insights for the food and beverage industry to meet the growing demand of health-conscious consumers for natural and functional products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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10 pages, 2366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lipid Peroxidation in Algae Oil: Antagonist Effects of Natural Antioxidants

by Ilaria Santoro, Anna Russo, Enzo Perri, Giovanni Sindona and Monica Nardi

Molecules 2022, 27(14), 4453; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144453 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1570

Abstract

Tandem mass spectrometry is proposed to check lipid oxidation, a free radical-mediated phenomenon which effects oxidative deterioration in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Antioxidants are used by the food industry to delay the oxidation process. This process can be controlled by antioxidants, which may occur as natural constituents of foods or may be intentionally added to products. Synthetic antioxidants such as BHT, BHA, and propyl gallate have been extensively used as antioxidants in the industry. The worldwide tendency to avoid or minimize the use of synthetic food additives has prompted the replacement of synthetic antioxidants with natural analogues. The entire process can be supported by the detection and characterization of the reacting species by suitable application of electrospray tandem mass spectrometry under collision-induced dissociation (ESI-CID-MS/MS). Natural antioxidants were tested in this study to check the oxidative stability of algae oil when adding the natural additive. Results were observed in algae oil in situ using electrospray mass spectrometry in tandem with collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-CID-MS/MS) and the POBN spin trapper. The results indicate that alpha-tocopherol is a better antioxidant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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25 pages, 1957 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioprospecting of Microalgae Isolated from the Adriatic Sea: Characterization of Biomass, Pigment, Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

by Marina Grubišić, Božidar Šantek, Zoran Zorić, Zrinka Čošić, Ivna Vrana, Blaženka Gašparović, Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac and Mirela Ivančić Šantek

Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041248 - 12 Feb 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4027

Abstract

Marine microalgae and cyanobacteria are sources of diverse bioactive compounds with potential biotechnological applications in food, feed, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biofuel industries. In this study, five microalgae, Nitzschia sp. S5, Nanofrustulum shiloi D1, Picochlorum sp. D3, Tetraselmis sp. Z3 and Tetraselmis sp. C6, and the cyanobacterium Euhalothece sp. C1 were isolated from the Adriatic Sea and characterized regarding their growth kinetics, biomass composition and specific products content (fatty acids, pigments, antioxidants, neutral and polar lipids). The strain Picochlorum sp. D3, showing the highest specific growth rate (0.009 h⁻¹), had biomass productivity of 33.98 ± 0.02 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹. Proteins were the most abundant macromolecule in the biomass (32.83–57.94%, g g⁻¹). Nanofrustulum shiloi D1 contained significant amounts of neutral lipids (68.36%), while the biomass of Picochlorum sp. D3, Tetraselmis sp. Z3, Tetraselmis sp. C6 and Euhalothece sp. C1 was rich in glycolipids and phospholipids (75%). The lipids of all studied microalgae predominantly contained unsaturated fatty acids. Carotenoids were the most abundant pigments with the highest content of lutein and neoxanthin in representatives of Chlorophyta and fucoxanthin in strains belonging to the Bacillariophyta. All microalgal extracts showed antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative E. coli and S. typhimurium and Gram-positive S. aureus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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19 pages, 2222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Lactic Acid Bacteria Consortium Impacted the Content of Casein-Derived Biopeptides in Dried Fresh Cheese

by Jasna Novak, Katarina Butorac, Andreja Leboš Pavunc, Martina Banić, Ana Butorac, Adriana Lepur, Nada Oršolić, Katarina Tonković, Krešo Bendelja, Nina Čuljak, Marija Lovrić, Jagoda Šušković and Blaženka Kos

Molecules 2022, 27(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010160 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2507

Abstract

This study aimed to define a consortium of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that will bring added value to dried fresh cheese through specific probiotic properties and the synthesis of bioactive peptides (biopeptides). The designed LAB consortium consisted of three Lactobacillus strains: S-layer carrying Levilactobacillus brevis D6, exopolysaccharides producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum D12 and plantaricin expressing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D13, and one Enterococcus strain, Enterococcus faecium ZGZA7-10. Chosen autochthonous LAB strains exhibited efficient adherence to the Caco-2 cell line and impacted faecal microbiota biodiversity. The cheese produced by the LAB consortium showed better physicochemical, textural and sensory properties than the cheese produced by a commercial starter culture. Liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF) showed the presence of 18 specific biopeptides in dried fresh cheeses. Their identification and relative quantification was confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The results also showed that their synthesis resulted mainly from β-casein and also α-S1 casein degradation by proteolytic activities of the LAB consortium. The designed LAB consortium enhanced the functional value of the final product through impact on biopeptide concentrations and specific probiotic properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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17 pages, 1924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation, Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Pectic Polysaccharides of Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

by Sergey Popov, Vasily Smirnov, Elizaveta Kvashninova, Victor Khlopin, Fedor Vityazev and Victoria Golovchenko

Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7290; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237290 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1749

Abstract

The aim of this study was to isolate pectins with antioxidant activity from the leaves of Epilobium angustifolium L. Two pectins, EA-4.0 and EA-0.8, with galacturonic acid contents of 88 and 91% were isolated from the leaves of E. angustifolium L. by the treatment of plant raw materials with aqueous hydrochloric acid at pH 4.0 and 0.8, respectively. EA-4.0 and EA-0.8 were found to scavenge the DPPH radical in a concentration-dependent manner at 17–133 μg/mL, whereas commercial apple pectin scavenged at 0.5–2 mg/mL. The antioxidant activity of EA-4.0 was the highest and exceeded the activity of EA-0.8 and a commercial apple pectin by 2 and 39 times (IC₅₀—0.050, 0.109 and 1.961 mg/mL), respectively. Pectins EA-4.0 and EA-0.8 were found to possess superoxide radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀s equal to 0.27 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. Correlation analysis of the composition and activity of 32 polysaccharide fractions obtained by enzyme hydrolysis and anionic exchange chromatography revealed that the antioxidant capacity of fireweed pectins is mainly due to phenolics and is partially associated with xylogalacturonan chains. The data obtained demonstrate that pectic polysaccharides appeared to be bioactive components of fireweed leaves with high antioxidant activity, which depend on pH at their extraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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18 pages, 1560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Four Medicinal Mediterranean Plants: Investigation of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity

by Lara Čižmek, Mojca Bavcon Kralj, Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac, Dmitrii Mazur, Nikolay Ul’yanovskii, Marko Likon and Polonca Trebše

Molecules 2021, 26(18), 5697; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185697 - 20 Sep 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3143

Abstract

With everyday advances in the field of pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants have high priority regarding the introduction of novel synthetic compounds by the usage of environmentally friendly extraction technologies. Herein, a supercritical CO₂ extraction method was implemented in the analysis of four plants (chamomile, St. John’s wort, yarrow, and curry plant) after which the non-targeted analysis of the chemical composition, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. The extraction yield was the highest for the chamomile (5%), while moderate yields were obtained for the other three plants. The chemical composition analyzed by gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) demonstrated extraction of diverse compounds including terpenes and terpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids and coumarins, functionalized phytosterols, and polyphenols. Voltammetry of microfilm immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode using square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was applied in the analysis of extracts. It was found that antioxidant activity obtained by SWV correlates well to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhidrazine (DPPH) radical assay (R² = 0.818) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay (R² = 0.640), but not to the total phenolic content (R² = 0.092). Effective results were obtained in terms of activity showing the potential usage of supercritical CO2 extraction to acquire bioactive compounds of interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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Review

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45 pages, 6628 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anticancer Activities of Marine-Derived Phenolic Compounds and Their Derivatives

by Dario Matulja, Filip Vranješević, Maria Kolympadi Markovic, Sandra Kraljević Pavelić and Dean Marković

Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041449 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4039

Abstract

Since the middle of the last century, marine organisms have been identified as producers of chemically and biologically diverse secondary metabolites which have exerted various biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifouling and others. This review primarily focuses on the marine phenolic compounds and their derivatives with potent anticancer activity, isolated and/or modified in the last decade. Reports on the elucidation of their structures as well as biosynthetic studies and total synthesis are also covered. Presented phenolic compounds inhibited cancer cells proliferation or migration, at sub-micromolar or nanomolar concentrations (lamellarins D (37), M (38), K (39), aspergiolide B (41), fradimycin B (62), makulavamine J (66), mayamycin (69), N-acetyl-N-demethylmayamycin (70) or norhierridin B (75)). In addition, they exhibited anticancer properties by a diverse biological mechanism including induction of apoptosis or inhibition of cell migration and invasive potential. Finally, phlorotannins 1–7 and bromophenols 12–29 represent the most researched phenolic compounds, of which the former are recognized as protective agents against UVB or gamma radiation-induced skin damages. Finally, phenolic metabolites were assorted into six main classes: phlorotannins, bromophenols, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenophenolics, quinones and hydroquinones. The derivatives that could not be attributed to any of the above-mentioned classes were grouped in a separate class named miscellaneous compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Isolation and Characterization of Antioxidants from Natural Sources)

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