Search Results (3)

This is the first study aiming to enrich momilactones A (MA) and B (MB) and phenolic compounds in germinated brown rice (GBR) and non-GBR var. Koshihikari and Milky Queen through the cooking process. Extraction methods for these compounds were optimized by applying various conditions, including solvents (80% methanol and 80% ethanol), heat (80 °C), and sonication (2 h). Momilactone and phenolic quantities were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Accordingly, cooked Koshihikari GBR extract using 80% methanol and sonication (GKB4) revealed the highest amounts of tricin, caffeic, ρ-hydroxybenzoic, ρ-coumaric, ferulic, salicylic, and cinnamic acids (1.71, 1.01, 0.62, 0.45, 0.94, 2.50, and 0.37 mg/g DW, respectively), consistent with the strongest antiradical activities in DPPH and ABTS assays (IC₅₀ = 1.47 and 1.70 mg/mL, respectively). Non-cooked GBR Koshihikari extract using 80% ethanol and sonication (GKB9) exhibited the highest MA and MB contents (147.73 and 118.8 μg/g DW, respectively). Notably, GKB9 showed potent inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 0.48 and 0.15 mg/mL, respectively), compared with the anti-diabetic drug acarbose (IC₅₀ = 0.26 and 2.48 mg/mL, respectively). The findings hold significant implications for developing phenolic- and momilactone-enriched brown rice with health-beneficial properties. Full article

The rising trend in the consumption of healthy, safe, and functional foods has motivated studies on cold-pressed specialty oils, including macadamia nut oil. Cold-pressed macadamia nut oil (CPMO) is given preference by consumers over solvent extracted and refined oil because of its exceptional quality attributes and safety. This review contains a detailed presentation of the chemical properties, health benefits, and applications of CPMO. The monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and palmitoleic acid) rich oil also contains a significant concentration of bioactive phytochemicals including, β-sitosterol, α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienols, ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid, and caffeic acid. Moreover, the oil has good oxidative stability. The highlighted properties offer CPMO health benefits related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and neurodegenerative diseases. The fatty acid composition of CPMO allows for its diverse application in the food, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Tomato early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is a destructive foliar fungal disease. Herein, the potential defensive roles of benzoic acid (BA) and two of its hydroxylated derivatives, ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), and protocatechuic acid (PCA) against A. solani were investigated. All tested compounds showed strong dose-dependent fungistatic activity against A. solani and significantly reduced the disease development. Benzoic acid, and its hydroxylated derivatives, enhanced vegetative growth and yield traits. Moreover, BA and its derivatives induce the activation of enzymatic (POX, PPO, CAT, SlAPXs, and SlSODs) and non-enzymatic (phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids) antioxidant defense machinery to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis within infected leaves. Additionally, BA and its hydroxylated derivatives induce the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and its biosynthetic genes including isochorismate synthase (SlICS), aldehyde oxidases (SlAO1 and SlAO2), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyases (SlPAL1, SlPAL2, SlPAL3, SlPAL5, and SlPAL6). Higher SA levels were associated with upregulation of pathogenesis-related proteins (SlPR-1, SlPR1a2, SlPRB1-2, SlPR4, SlPR5, SlPR6), nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (SlNPR1), and salicylic acid-binding protein (SlSABP2). These findings outline the potential application of BA and its hydroxylated derivatives as a sustainable alternative control strategy for early blight disease and also deciphering the physiological and biochemical mechanisms behind their protective role. Full article