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Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 8025

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alen Albreht

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Guest Editor

Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: analytical chemistry; green chemistry; natural compounds; chemical mechanisms; phytochemicals; chemical modification of bioactive compounds; interactions between small and macromolecules
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mitja Križman

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Guest Editor

Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: analytical chemistry; chromatography; separation processes; phytochemicals; food chemistry; chromatographic detection techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phytochemistry is perhaps one of the oldest research fields in science, but despite much excellent chemical exploration, new insights into medicinal and other plants are still needed to better understand their intrinsic complexity and exploit their vast commercial potential. Analytical chemistry, especially chromatography combined with spectroscopic techniques, is undoubtedly one of the main driving forces in the development of the field of phytochemistry. Interdisciplinary research initiatives and rapid technological advancements have certainly boosted many discoveries in phytochemistry and beyond. The chemical structure of many important phytochemicals has been elucidated in the last couple of decades along with their biosynthetic pathways and biological functions. However, we have only begun to uncover some of the many unexploited potentials of plants and their metabolites. Therefore, in the present Special Issue of Plants, we primarily encourage the publication of new and original research papers on extraction technologies, isolation, separation, and application of known and unknown phytochemicals. We especially welcome papers which are focused on less mainstream developments and interdisciplinary papers, bridging the gap between other relevant fields. We hope that this Special Issue will widen the publishing landscape topic-wise by encouraging researchers to use this forum for their niche or exotic findings.

Dr. Alen Albreht
Dr. Mitja Križman
Guest Editors

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Keywords

phytochemistry
phytohemicals
phytochemical analysis
plant extraction
metabolite isolation
chromatography
mass spectrometry
bioactive compounds
commercial applications

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Stress Response Mechanisms Sustain the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Quercus ilex

by Mariavittoria Verrillo, Piergiorgio Cianciullo, Vincenza Cozzolino, Francesca De Ruberto, Viviana Maresca, Alessia Di Fraia, Lina Fusaro, Fausto Manes and Adriana Basile

Plants 2024, 13(8), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081154 - 21 Apr 2024

Viewed by 526

Abstract

The development of new natural antibiotics is considered as the heart of several investigations in the nutraceutical field. In this work, leaves of Quercus ilex L. treated by tropospheric ozone (O₃) and nitrogen (N) deposition, exhibited a clear antimicrobial efficacy against five multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains (two gram-positive and three gram-negative). Under controlled conditions, it was studied how simulated N deposition influences the response to O₃ and the antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and antioxidant performance. The extraction was performed by ultra-pure acetone using two different steps. A higher antioxidant activity was measured in the presence of interaction between O₃ and N treatments on Quercus leaves. At the same time, all organic extracts tested have shown bacteriostatic activity against all the tested strains with a MIC comprised between 9 and 4 micrograms/mL, and a higher antioxidant efficacy shown by spectrophotometric assay. Stronger antimicrobial activity was found in the samples treated with O₃, whereas N-treated plants exhibited an intermediate antibacterial performance. This performance is related to the stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system induced by the oxidative stress, which results in an increase in the production of antimicrobial bioactive compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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24 pages, 4748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Different Composition of Coumarins and Antibacterial Activity of Phlojodicarpus sibiricus and Phlojodicarpus villosus Root Extracts

by Maria T. Khandy, Valeria P. Grigorchuk, Anastasia K. Sofronova and Tatiana Y. Gorpenchenko

Plants 2024, 13(5), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050601 - 22 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Phlojodicarpus sibiricus, a valuable endangered medicinal plant, is a source of angular pyranocoumarins used in pharmacology. Due to limited resource availability, other pyranocoumarin sources are needed. In the present research, the chemical composition of a closely related species, Phlojodicarpus villosus, was studied, along with P. sibiricus. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass-spectrometric analyses, followed by antibacterial activity studies of root extracts from both species, were performed. P. sibiricus and P. villosus differed significantly in coumarin composition. Pyranocoumarins predominated in P. sibiricus, while furanocoumarins predominated in P. villosus. Osthenol, the precursor of angular pyrano- and furanocoumarins, was detected in both P. sibiricus and P. villosus. Angular forms of coumarins were detected in both species according to the mass-spectrometric behavior of the reference. Thus, P. villosus cannot be an additional source of pyranocoumarins because their content in the plant is critically low. At the same time, the plant contained large amounts of hydroxycoumarins and furanocoumarins. The extracts exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against five standard strains. The P. villosus extract additionally suppressed the growth of the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli. Thus, both Phlojodicarpus species are promising for further investigation in the field of pharmaceuticals as producers of different coumarins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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12 pages, 1470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Optimized and Cost-Effective RNA Extraction Method for Secondary Metabolite-Enriched Tissues of Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

by Vivek Vikram Singh, Aisha Naseer, Gothandapani Sellamuthu and Rastislav Jakuš

Plants 2024, 13(3), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030389 - 28 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1390

Abstract

Since the development of next-generation sequencing techniques and with the growing interest in transcriptomic studies, there is a demand for high-throughput RNA extraction techniques. General RNA extraction protocols are unreliable when it comes to the quality and quantity of isolated RNA obtained from different tissue types of different plant species. Despite Norway spruce (Picea abies) being one of the most significant and commercially valuable tree species in European forests, only limited genetic research is available. In this study, we developed a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol by modifying the original method. We compared this CTAB protocol with other widely used methods for extracting RNA from different tissues (needle, phloem, and root) of Norway spruce, known for its richness in polyphenols, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites. The modified CTAB method proves to be superior to the kit-based and TRIzol-based methods for extracting RNA from the metabolite-rich tissues of Norway spruce, resulting in high RNA quality and integrity values (RIN~7–9). The modified CTAB RNA extraction method is rapid, cost-effective, and relatively simple in yielding the desired RNA quality from Norway spruce tissues. It is optimal for RNA sequencing and other downstream molecular applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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24 pages, 4057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction of Polyphenols from Slovenian Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Aurora Variety Using Deep Eutectic Solvents: Choice of the Extraction Method vs. Structure of the Solvent

by Ilir Metaj, Drilon Hajdini, Kaja Gliha, Iztok Jože Košir, Miha Ocvirk, Mitja Kolar and Janez Cerar

Plants 2023, 12(16), 2890; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162890 - 8 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

Polyphenols from Slovenian hops (Humulus lupulus L.) of the Aurora variety were extracted by different methods and using classical solvents and several deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride as the hydrogen bond acceptor component. The obtained extract solutions were analyzed by HPLC for the content of extracted α- and β-acids and extracted xanthohumol. It was found that choline chloride:phenol DES concentrated aqueous solution had an extraction efficiency close to that of diethyl ether, which is considered one of the best classical extraction solvents for polyphenols from hops. The comparison of the extraction efficiency with other choline chloride-based DESs showed that the chemical similarity of the phenol ring in the solvent DES with the polyphenols in hops may be crucial for a highly efficient extraction with choline chloride:phenol DES. On the other hand, the choice of extraction method and the viscosity of the solvents tested seem to play only a minor role in this respect. As far as we know, this is the first study to attempt to relate extraction efficiency in the extraction of hydrophobic solutes to the compressibility of the DES extractants, the latter of which may be correlated with the extent of hydrophobic hydration around the DES components. In addition, using the heating and stirring method for the preparation of choline chloride-based DES concentrated aqueous solutions we found no support for the occurrence of water in two different roles (in the structural and in the dilution role) in these solvents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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Review

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38 pages, 7241 KiB

Open AccessReview

Separation Methods of Phenolic Compounds from Plant Extract as Antioxidant Agents Candidate

by Ike Susanti, Rimadani Pratiwi, Yudi Rosandi and Aliya Nur Hasanah

Plants 2024, 13(7), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070965 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1130

Abstract

In recent years, discovering new drug candidates has become a top priority in research. Natural products have proven to be a promising source for such discoveries as many researchers have successfully isolated bioactive compounds with various activities that show potential as drug candidates. Among these compounds, phenolic compounds have been frequently isolated due to their many biological activities, including their role as antioxidants, making them candidates for treating diseases related to oxidative stress. The isolation method is essential, and researchers have sought to find effective procedures that maximize the purity and yield of bioactive compounds. This review aims to provide information on the isolation or separation methods for phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities using column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, counter-current chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, molecularly imprinted technologies, and high-performance thin layer chromatography. For isolation or purification, the molecularly imprinted technologies represent a more accessible and more efficient procedure because they can be applied directly to the extract to reduce the complicated isolation process. However, it still requires further development and refinement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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18 pages, 2837 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hansen Solubility Parameters Applied to the Extraction of Phytochemicals

by Fábio Junior Moreira Novaes, Daliane Cláudia de Faria, Fabio Zamboni Ferraz and Francisco Radler de Aquino Neto

Plants 2023, 12(16), 3008; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12163008 - 21 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2195

Abstract

In many analytical chemical procedures, organic solvents are required to favour a better global yield upon the separation, extraction, or isolation of the target phytochemical analyte. The selection of extraction solvents is generally based on the solubility difference between target analytes and the undesired matrix components, as well as the overall extraction procedure cost and safety. Hansen Solubility Parameters are typically used for this purpose. They are based on the product of three coordinated forces (hydrogen bonds, dispersion, and dipolar forces) calculated for any substance to predict the miscibility of a compound in a pure solvent, in a mixture of solvents, or in non-solvent compounds, saving time and costs on method development based on a scientific understanding of chemical composition and intermolecular interactions. This review summarises how Hansen Solubility Parameters have been incorporated into the classical and emerging (or greener) extraction techniques of phytochemicals as an alternative to trial-and-error approaches, avoiding impractical experimental conditions and resulting in, for example, saving resources and avoiding unnecessary solvent wasting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction Technologies, Isolation, Separation, and Application of Phytochemicals Volume II)

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