Search Results (4,012)

Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are increasingly valued for their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. This study proposes a comprehensive characterization of the chemical and bioactive properties of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) (PA); Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) (XS); Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamiaceae) (SB); and inflorescences from three cultivars of Musa acuminata (Musaceae) var. Dwarf Cavendish, var. BRS Platina, and var. BRS Conquista (MAD, MAP, and MAC), including the assessment of physical, nutritional, phytochemical, and biological parameters. Notably, detailed phenolic profiles were established for these species, many of which are poorly documented in the literature. XS was characterized by a unique abundance of C-glycosylated flavones, especially apigenin and luteolin derivatives, rarely described for this species. SB exhibited high levels of phenylethanoid glycosides, particularly verbascoside and its isomers (up to 21.32 mg/g extract), while PA was rich in O-glycosylated flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives. Nutritionally, XS had the highest protein content (16.3 g/100 g dw), while SB showed remarkable dietary fiber content (59.8 g/100 g). Banana inflorescences presented high fiber (up to 66.5 g/100 g) and lipid levels (up to 7.35 g/100 g). Regarding bioactivity, PA showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (95.21%) and SB the highest reducing power in the FRAP assay (4085.90 µM TE/g). Cellular antioxidant activity exceeded 2000% in most samples, except for SB. Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities were generally low, with only SB showing moderate effects against Caco-2 and AGS cell lines. SB and PA demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus faecalis, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 0.625 mg/mL. Linear discriminant analysis revealed distinctive chemical patterns among the species, with organic acids (e.g., oxalic up to 7.53 g/100 g) and fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid up to 52.38%) as key discriminant variables. Overall, the study underscores the nutritional and functional relevance of these underutilized plants and contributes rare quantitative data to the scientific literature regarding their phenolic signatures. Full article

The holistic use of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds is not as popular amongst rural South Africans. This study screened for the phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potentials as well identifying the compounds in the oils of South African Moringa seed oils using cost-effective thin layer chromatography bioautography and dot blot assays, because fewer studies have been conducted using seed samples from this country. The results obtained indicated that the best oil extract yield (24.04%) was obtained for hexane from 60.10 g of powdered seeds. The yield of the other extracts ranged from 6.2 to 9.5%. Positive test results were obtained for terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins, with potentially good antioxidant properties for scavenging free radicals from 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and good antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (BAA 747), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 27853), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), with the best zone of inhibition of 314.2 mm² obtained for oil extracted with hexane, followed by dichloromethane, methanol, and acetone oil extracts, respectively. The best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.032 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa was recorded for the hexane oil, compared with ciprofloxacin, which had an MIC of 0.0039 mg/mL against the same pathogen. The identification of the in-oil compounds proposed to mitigate inhibitory activity against the test microbes was carried out through GC-MS analysis matching our results with the GC-MS library. These compounds included ursane-3,16-diol, azetidin-2-one, 1-benzyl-4à-methyl, dibutyl phthalate, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene, 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 3-ethyl-4-methyl, octopamine rhodoxanthin, 29,30-dinorgammacerane-3,22-diol, 21,21-dimethy, cholan-24-oic acid, 3,7-dioxo, and benzyl alcohol. These are in addition to the stability-indicating marker compounds like oleic acid (54.9%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester (23.3%), n-hexadecanoic acid (9.68%), among others observed over a five year period. Full article

Mussels are nutrient-rich but perishable, resulting in substantial resource loss. A protease-producing strain (Bacillus velezensis Z-1, Mytilus edulis) isolated from marine sludge was used to hydrolyze mussels, producing Y-1, a hydrolysate with antioxidant activity. In this study, ultrafiltration, gel chromatography, and LC-MS/MS were employed to isolate and identify bioactive peptides from the hydrolysate. The results revealed that the hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant activity, pancreatic cholesterol esterase inhibitory activity, pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Molecular docking using AutoDock Tools 1.5.6 was performed to analyze the interactions of peptides with CD38 and Keap1, leading to the identification of five potentially bioactive peptides: VPPFY, IMLFP, LPFLF, FLPF, and FPRIM. These peptides formed hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with CD38 and Keap1, demonstrating strong DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities. This study highlights the multifunctional bioactive potential of these peptides, offering insights into their therapeutic applications. The findings provide a novel approach for the effective utilization of mussel resources and highlight their potential application value in the development of functional foods. Full article

Crataegus monogyna, commonly known as hawthorn, is a valuable plant in pharmaceutical production. Its flowers, leaves, and fruits are rich in antioxidants. This study explores the application of pulsed electric field (PEF) for enhanced extraction of bioactive compounds from C. monogyna leaves. The liquid-to-solid ratio, solvent composition (ethanol, water, and 50% v/v aqueous ethanol), and key PEF parameters—including pulse duration, pulse period, electric field intensity, and treatment duration—were investigated during the optimization process. To determine the optimal extraction conditions and their impact on antioxidant activity, response surface methodology (RSM) with a six-factor design was employed. The total polyphenol content in the optimized extract was 244 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, while individual polyphenols were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Furthermore, antioxidant activity was assessed using ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging assays, yielding values of 3235 and 1850 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g dry weight, respectively. Additionally, correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the interactions between bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Compared to other extraction techniques, PEF stands out as an eco-friendly, non-thermal standalone method, offering a sustainable approach for the rapid production of health-promoting extracts from C. monogyna leaves. Full article

Marine algae offer environmentally friendly platforms for green nanoparticle synthesis. This study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using polysaccharides isolated from the brown alga Chnoospora minima (PAgNPs) and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed algal polysaccharide functional groups. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis characterized the nanoparticles as spherical (~84 nm average size), stable (zeta potential −18.5 mV), and containing elemental silver without nitrogen. The PAgNPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity (~100% DPPH scavenging) and significant antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species. Crucially, PAgNPs displayed potent antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (A549, IC₅₀: 13.59 µg/mL). In contrast, toxicity to normal Vero cells was significantly lower (IC₅₀: 300.2 µg/mL), demonstrating notable cancer cell selectivity (SI 22.1). Moderate activity was observed against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀: 100.7 µg/mL). These results demonstrate that C. minima polysaccharide facilitates the synthesis of biocompatible AgNPs with promising antimicrobial and selective anticancer capabilities, highlighting their potential for further development as nanotherapeutics. Full article

This study investigated the natural bioactive compounds in Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (P. cuspidatum) by fractionating a 70% ethanol extract using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of each fraction were determined, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Additionally, the anti-diabetic potential was assessed via α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, while anti-obesity activity was evaluated using lipase inhibitory activity. The fractions were also tested for tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities to assess their skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle potential, and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined using the agar diffusion method. Finally, bioactive compounds were identified and quantified using HPLC and GC–MSD. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction possessed the highest total polyphenol content (0.53 ± 0.01 g GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (0.19 ± 0.02 g QE/g). It also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with the lowest DPPH radical scavenging IC₅₀ (0.01 ± 0.00 mg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging IC₅₀ (0.06 ± 0.00 mg/mL), and the highest FRAP value (6.02 ± 0.30 mM Fe²⁺/mg). Moreover, it demonstrated potent enzyme inhibitory activities, including tyrosinase inhibitory activity (67.78 ± 2.50%), elastase inhibitory activity (83.84 ± 1.64%), α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (65.14 ± 10.29%), and lipase inhibitory activity (85.79 ± 1.04%). In the antibacterial activity, the ethyl acetate fraction produced a clear inhibitory zone of 19.50 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, indicating notable antibacterial activity. HPLC-PDA and GC–MSD analyses identified tannic acid and emodin as the major bioactive constituents. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of P. cuspidatum extract, rich in polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, is a promising natural source of bioactive ingredients for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Further research is needed to explore its mechanisms and therapeutic applications. Full article

We intend to prepare pumpkin puree based on the health benefits of both the flesh of pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima) and the peel of bananas (Musa spp.). However, before we begin we would like to optimize the conditions by using thermosonication, rather than conventional pasteurization, and a quantity of banana peel powder. Therefore, this study aimed to use response surface methodology (RSM) to find the best temperature and time settings for the ultrasonication process of functional pumpkin puree (FPP) with banana peel powder (BPP) to increase the amount of total phenolics and DPPH scavenging activity while also making the quality of the puree better. To enhance the FPP production process, quality attributes (responses), including total phenolic content (TPC), 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity, pH, acidity, and color change (ΔE) were assessed. The model demonstrated validity (R² = 0.97–0.988) and was highly significant (p < 0.0001). The experimental values of the responses supported the validity of the utilized RSM model, which closely matched the expected values at the ideal processing conditions of process temperature (40 °C), ultrasonic process duration (8.23 min), and BPP (2 g/100 g). Under these conditions, the generated FPP had quality attributes of 205.79 mg GAE/100 mL, 83.01%, 5.78, 0.32 g/100 g, and 3.81 for responses, respectively. Full article

Malva sylvestris L. is a herbaceous plant, distributed worldwide, rich in biological active compounds, and known for its health benefits. In this study, extracts from different parts (leaves, flowers, and roots) of this plant were prepared using green classic (70% ethanol) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) based on choline chloride and acetic acid (NADES1) or glycerol (NADES2). Their antioxidant, antibacterial (against B. cereus, S, aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa), and antifungal activity (against P. chrysogenum, F. oxysporum, A. parasiticus, A. flavus, A. niger A. carbonarius, and A. ochraceus) were compared. Ethanolic extracts were characterized with the highest total contents of phenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. Ethanolic and NADES flower extracts were the richest in the antioxidants tested. Alkaloids were extracted in low quantities. The experimentally determined antioxidant potential of the extracts proved the highest DPPH scavenging activity of ethanolic extracts and the lowest of NADES1 extracts. The ABTS scavenging capacity of NADES1 and ethanolic extracts displayed comparable results, while NADES2 extracts were characterized as having the highest FRAP activity. NADES1 extracts manifested pronounced antibacterial activity, partially due to the low pH of the pure solvent, as well as inconsistent antifungal activity—from moderate to a complete lack of activity. A strong positive correlation was reported between the DPPH radical scavenging capacity and phenolic compound content. Future detailed investigations on the mechanism of the antimicrobial activity of NADES1 extracts are necessary to clarify the observed phenomenon of the decreased antifungal potential of NADES1 extracts compared to the pure solvent NADES1. Full article

This study aimed to ferment protein-rich amaranth flour with different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to analyse the fermented dough’s functional properties. The fermented dough analysis was conducted using titrimetric, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic methods. The antioxidant activity of the fermented doughs was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) methods, finding ABTS radical scavenging values ranging from 26.00 ± 1.05% to 58.92 ± 6.05%, while the DPPH values ranged from 21.29 ± 0.83% to 28.24 ± 5.48%. By RP-HPLC (Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) characterisation, several phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified and quantified. Among these compounds, epigallocatechin was the most abundant, with the highest concentration recorded at 7789.88 ± 17.0 ng/µL in the control sample. This was followed by a 6942.47 ± 5.632 ng/µL concentration in the dough fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MIUG BL38 strain and 4983.16 ± 7.29 ng/µL in the dough fermented with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus MIUG BL24 strain. These two LAB strains (Lc. rhamnosus MIUG BL38 and Lp. pentosus MIUG BL24), with probiotic properties previously demonstrated, were selected based on their acidification potential, antioxidant activity, and bioactivity for future optimisation studies. Lactic acid fermentation significantly enhances bioactive characteristics of the amaranth flour, enabling the design of diverse gluten-free products with increased functional properties based on the attributes induced by the prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic contents (tribiotics). Full article

Honey is prized for its nutritional and healing properties, but its quality can be affected by contamination with toxic elements. This study evaluates the nutritional value and health risks of fifteen honey samples from different agro-climatic regions of Pakistan. Physicochemical properties such as color, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, ash, and solids content were within acceptable ranges. ICP-OES analysis was used to assess six essential minerals and ten toxic metals. Except for slightly elevated boron levels (up to 0.18 mg/kg), all elements were within safe limits, with potassium reaching up to 1018 mg/kg. Human health risk assessments—including Average Daily Dose of Ingestion, Total Hazard Quotient, and Carcinogenic Risk—indicated no carcinogenic threats for adults or children, despite some elevated metal levels. Antioxidant activity, measured through total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging assays, showed that darker honeys had stronger antioxidant properties. While the overall quality of honey samples was satisfactory, significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) were observed across different regions. These differences are attributed to diverse agro-climatic conditions and production sources. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring to ensure honey safety and nutritional quality. Full article

As the global demand for eco-friendly food ingredients grows, marine macroalgae emerge as a valuable resource for multiple applications using a circular bioeconomy approach. In this study, green macroalgae Ulva flexuosa, naturally accumulated in aquaculture ponds as a residual biomass (by-product) of shrimp and oyster farming, were investigated regarding their bioactivity, chemical composition, and antioxidant properties. The use of aquaculture by-products as raw materials not only reduces waste accumulation but also makes better use of natural resources and adds value to underutilized biomass, contributing to sustainable production systems. For this, a comprehensive approach including the evaluation of its composition and environmentally friendly extraction of bioactive compounds was conducted and discussed. Green macroalgae exhibited high fiber (37.63% dry weight, DW) and mineral (30.45% DW) contents. Among the identified compounds, palmitic acid and linoleic acid (ω-6) were identified in the highest concentrations. Pigment analysis revealed a high concentration of chlorophylls (73.95 mg/g) and carotenoids (17.75 mg/g). To evaluate the bioactivity of Ulva flexuosa, ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction was performed using water, ethanol, and methanol. Methanolic extracts showed the highest flavonoid content (59.33 mg QE/100 g), while aqueous extracts had the highest total phenolic content (41.50 mg GAE/100 g). Ethanolic and methanolic extracts had the most potent DPPH scavenging activity, whereas aqueous and ethanolic extracts performed best at the ABTS assay. Overall, we show the upcycling of Ulva flexuosa, an underexplored aquaculture by-product, as a sustainable and sensible strategy for multiple value-added applications. Full article

Seven lager beers and seven non-alcoholic counterparts, marketed by the same producers, were analyzed for their total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging activity (RSA) towards the DPPH radical and ThioBarbituric Index (TBI). All beers were also subjected to spin trapping experiments at 60 °C in the presence of PBN. To our knowledge, this is the first time that non-alcoholic beers (NABs) have been subjected to spin trapping experiments coupled with Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The evolution of the intensity of the PBN radical adducts during the first 150 min was represented graphically and the intensity at 150 min (I₁₅₀) and the area under the curve (AUC), were measured. The I₁₅₀ and the AUC of lagers and NABs are significantly different, whereas the TPC, the EC₅₀ of the DPPH assay, and the TBI of the two groups are superimposed. A relationship, previously proposed by us, to correlate ESR spectroscopy parameters with others obtained from UV-Vis spectrophotometry, was also applied, demonstrating its practicability. Multivariate analysis shows that clustering in two separate groups occurs only if I₁₅₀ and AUC are included in the model. Based on these results, ESR spectroscopy can be applied to study the oxidative stability of NABs. Full article

Hot water extraction (HE), enzyme-assisted hot water extraction (EAHE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction with NADES (UAE-NADES) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction with NADES and enzyme pretreatment (UAE-NADES-E) were employed to extract polysaccharides from Peucedani Decursivi Radix (PDR) and their structures were characterized for the first time. UAE-NADES-E was found to be the most effective extraction method, and the extraction process was optimized by Box–Behnken design (BBD)-response surface methodology (RSM) experiments. The optimal extraction process was determined by using a NADES system with a molar ratio of betaine to 1,3-butanediol of 1:3, a water content of 30%, a liquid/solid ratio of 40:1 mL/g, an ultrasound time of 30 min, an ultrasound temperature of 45 °C and an alcohol precipitation time of 6 h; the polysaccharide extraction yield reached 19.93%. Further, the structures of polysaccharides from PDR extracted by the above four methods were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, gel and anion-exchange chromatography. Eight monosaccharides were detected in the PDR polysaccharides extracted by the four methods. The PDR polysaccharides extracted by the UAE-NADES-E method had lower molecular weights compared with those extracted by the other methods. Moreover, the PDR polysaccharides exhibited obvious antioxidant activity, as revealed by DPPH, ABTS+ and hydroxyl radical scavenging experiments, meaning they have the potential to be developed as natural antioxidants. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified the search for biodegradable polymers. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), though biodegradable, is fossil-derived. In this study, a novel lignin extracted from pine wood using a green solvent was incorporated into PCL and compared with commercial lignins (dealkaline, alkaline, and lignosulfonate). The lignin additions imparted antioxidant properties, enhanced thermal stability, and promoted circular economy goals through lignin valorization. Notably, the green-extracted lignin showed superior compatibility with PCL when compared with commercial lignins, as evidenced by lower water uptake and solubility, and improved surface hydrophobicity (higher contact angle). Although the addition of lignin reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break, it greatly increased the PCL radical scavenging activity (DPPH) from 8 ± 1% of neat PCL to 94.8 ± 0.3% when 20 wt% of lignin-LA was added. Among the tested lignins, lignin-LA stands out as the most promising candidate to be applied as a functional additive in biodegradable polymer blends and composites for advanced sustainable applications. Not only given its intrinsically higher sustainability but also due to its capacity for improving the thermal properties of PCL–lignin blends. Full article

This study analyzed eight origins of water caltrop: HH; XG; XT; ST; JY; CZ; YN; JX. The evaluations focused on visual appearance, nutritional quality, and bioactive substances. Additionally, the shells and pulp of the JY were examined for the same parameters. The results demonstrated that the JY exhibited the highest total phenolic content (121.74 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (196.67 mg GAE/100 g). The XG demonstrated the highest water content (87.35%) and soluble protein content (15.36 mg/g). JX exhibits the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as the strongest DPPH radical scavenging rate in the fruit pulp, indicating its superior biological activity and antioxidant capacity compared to water caltrop from other regions. In addition, JX has the highest soluble solids and sugar content in fruit pulp, indicating a sweeter taste. The YN exhibited the highest pulp starch and lowest water content. Principal component analysis revealed that the pulp of the ST and the shell of the JY scored the highest. These findings provide valuable insights for evaluating and processing the nutritional quality of water caltrop from different sources and provide a theoretical basis for consumers to choose water caltrop according to their needs. Full article