Search Results (24)

This study explores the sustainable extraction, quantification, and functional evaluation of antioxidant amphiphilic (TAC) and lipophilic (TLC) compounds from avocado (Persea americana) products and by-products using green, solvent-efficient extraction, for potential applications in functional foods and/or cosmetics. Juice derived from organically grown domestic (Greek) avocado and the remaining juicing pulp by-products were subjected to a green extraction and partitioning fractionation process to obtain separately the extracted TLC and TAC. Quantitative analyses of total phenolic (TPC) and carotenoid contents (TCC), as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), were performed using UV–Vis spectroscopy just after the extraction. ATR–FTIR spectroscopy was used to structurally characterize TAC bioactives compared to standards (gallic acid, quercetin, beta-carotene, soy phospholipids). TAC extracts exhibited higher TPC and superior antioxidant capacity across all assays, in comparison to the TLC, especially in the by-products. Despite relatively modest absolute phenolic and carotenoid concentrations compared to the literature, the extracts retained potent bioactivity, indicating selective enrichment of functional compounds. UV–Vis spectral peaks (240 nm, 310 nm) confirmed the presence of conjugated systems, suggesting potential for anti-UV photo-protective cosmetic applications. ATR–FTIR analysis further identified functional groups of key amphiphilic constituents, including simple phenolics, flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids and polar lipids. TAC extracts were successfully integrated into plant-based jelly prototypes as functional food supplements. Antioxidant stability of the jelly was retained for 15 days under refrigeration, though shelf-life limitations due to moisture and microbial growth highlight the need for preservative strategies. This work demonstrates a circular bioeconomy approach to food waste valorization, with significant implications for sustainable innovation in functional foods and clean-label cosmetics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Litsea glaucescens Kunth, commonly known as “laurel,” is a tree native to Mexico. The Codex Cruz-Badiano, from 1552, described it as the main ingredient of a topical anti-inflammatory recipe. This study aims to determine whether L. glaucescens leaf extract can reduce experimental inflammation, supporting its use in Aztec medicine. Methods: Methanolic extracts and fractions from the leaves of L. glaucescens were analyzed using techniques such as normal and reverse-phase TLC, 1H-NMR, HPLC-UV, MS, and GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory systemic activity of this methanolic extract was evaluated in mice using carrageenan-induced paw inflammation and TPA-induced ear topical inflammation models. Myeloperoxidase activity, DPPH, and TBARS assays were performed. L. guatemalensis, a closely related species, served as a positive control, as its biological activity has been demonstrated. Results: Thin-layer chromatography analysis reveals flavonoid-type compounds in the methanolic extract of L. glaucescens leaves, and when it was fractionated, pinocembrin and quercitrin were the main compounds found. L. glaucescens in mice significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw swelling and TPA-induced ear inflammation. A decrease in myeloperoxidase activity and an increase in antioxidant activity were observed. Conclusions: Methanolic extract from L. glaucescens, administered systematically, produced significant in vivo anti-edematous effects and in vitro, antioxidant and anti-infiltrative/anti-neutrophilic activities, qualitatively like those of L. guatemalensis. Quercitrin and pinocembrin could contribute to these actions. It is unclear which of the two plant species was used in pre-Columbian times; However, our results show that both species contain phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that the Aztecs recognized this medicinal property. Full article

In this study, we analysed cocoa (a dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao L.) from two Amazonian cultivars and a commercial sample of the Amazonian variety EETP801, grown under sustainable organic conditions, in comparison to CCN51 cocoa grown on a neighbouring commercial farm using standard practises and a European commercial cacao powdered beverage. The overall metabolite profile of the 70% aq acetone sample cocoa extracts was analysed using high-performance TLC analyses (HPTLC), and the xanthine alkaloids were analysed using quantitative liquid chromatography–UV photodiode array (HPLC-DAD) analyses. The volatile fraction in the headspace of the freshly ground cocoa was subjected to solid phase micro-extraction and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Total polyphenol content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Despite the reduced production of cocoa by the EETP801 cultivar in comparison with the CCN51 cultivar, the obtained produce is significantly richer in theobromine (130 mg vs. 170 mg per g of cacao), with CCN51 having a double concentration of theophylline (12.6 vs. 6.5 mg per g of cacao). Qualitatively, the two Amazonian cocoa samples had a similar polyphenolic composition (per the HPTLC fingerprint). HS-SPME/GC-MS analyses revealed that all the samples show a spontaneous emission profile mainly rich in non-terpene derivatives, of which hydrocarbons and pyrazines are the most abundant groups. The most represented volatile organic compound is n-tridecane for both EETP801 and CCN51. The variability in the artisan fermentation and roasting processes influenced certain aspects of the volatile composition as reflected by the trimethyl pyrazine/tetramethyl pyrazine ratio, which was zero in EETP-801 and lower than 1 in CCN51. Acetic acid was absent in CCN51 but significant (c.a. 5.5.%) in EETP801 and the commercial samples. The cultivar EETP801 is a viable option for a more ecologically conscious sector of the cocoa beverages consumer group. Full article

In the present study, polysaccharides were isolated from the leaves (WSPRaL) and stems (WSPRaS) of Rhamnus alaternus with yields of 3% and 3.25% for WSPRaS and WSPRaL, respectively. Crude WSPRaL was composed of proteins (260.740 ± 0.98 µg/mg), lipids (53.34 ± 2.38 µg/mg), total sugars (482.716 ± 3.02 µg/mg), and reducing sugars (420.240 ± 1.68 µg/mg). In contrast, WSPRaS contained proteins (269.629 ± 1.48 µg/mg), lipids (13.33 ± 0.28 µg/mg), total sugars (569.135 ± 3.82 µg/mg), and reducing sugars (531.732 ± 2.59 µg/mg). FTIR, TLC, and HPLC analyses revealed that the carbohydrate fraction of WSPRaS consisted mainly of glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, mannose, and arabinose, whereas WSPRaL consisted of galacturonic acid, sucrose, glucose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, and arabinose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was used to determine the microstructure of the water-soluble polysaccharides. The physicochemical properties were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet‒visible (UV‒visible) absorption spectroscopy. The total antioxidant activities of the crude polysaccharides were evaluated using various assays: DPPH radical scavenging (IC₅₀ WSPRaL = 615 ± 2.05 µg/mL, IC₅₀ WSPRaS = 628 ± 2.38 µg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging (470 ± 5.78 µg/mL and 559 ± 4.32 µg/mL for WSPRaL and WSPRaS, respectively), reducing power (IC₅₀ WSPRaS = 141.76 ± 3.16 µg/mL, IC₅₀ WSPRaL = 203.89 ± 1.07 µg/mL), and chelating capacity (IC₅₀ WSPRaS = 225 ± 1.75 µg/mL, IC₅₀ WSPRaL = 219 ± 2.51 µg/mL). In addition, the antibacterial and biofilm inhibitory activities of both polysaccharides were tested against pathogenic strains, and the polysaccharides significantly inhibited plant growth. Overall, the results indicate that the crude polysaccharides extracted from R. alaternus are promising for use as functional and bioactive ingredients in the food and nutraceutical industries. These results highlight the potential of both polysaccharides as natural products in various sectors, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medicine, due to their significant biological properties. Full article

Few sclerophyllous plants from the central coast of Chile have been systematically studied. This work describes the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of Baccharis concava Pers. (sin. B. macraei), a shrub found in the first line and near the Pacific coast. B. concava has been traditionally used by indigenous inhabitants of today’s central Chile for its medicinal properties. Few reports exist regarding the phytochemistry characterization and biological activities of B. concava. A hydroalcoholic extract of B. concava was prepared from leaves and small branches. Qualitative phytochemical characterization indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic, and tannin compounds. The antimicrobial activity of this extract was assessed in a panel of microorganisms including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and pathogenic yeasts. The extract displayed an important antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans but not against Gram-negatives, for which an intact Lipopolysaccharide is apparently the determinant of resistance to B. concava extracts. The hydroalcoholic extract was then fractionated through a Sephadex LH-20/methanol–ethyl acetate column. Afterward, the fractions were pooled according to a similar pattern visualized by TLC/UV analysis. Fractions obtained by this criterion were assessed for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The fraction presenting the most antimicrobial activity was HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, obtaining molecules related to caffeoylquinic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and quercetin, among others. In conclusion, the extracts of B. concava showed strong antimicrobial activity, probably due to the presence of metabolites derived from phenolic acids, such as caffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids, such as quercetin, which in turn could be responsible for helping with wound healing. In addition, the development of antimicrobial therapies based on the molecules found in B. concava could help to combat infection caused by pathogenic yeasts and Gram-positive bacteria, without affecting the Gram-negative microbiota. Full article

Root tubers of Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae (AbR), a vulnerable endemic species, and Asphodelus macrocarpus subsp. macrocarpus (AmR) have traditionally been used in Portugal to treat inflammatory and infectious skin disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude 70% and 96% hydroethanolic extracts of both medicinal plants, specifically against multidrug-resistant skin-related pathogens, to identify the involved marker secondary metabolites and also to assess the pre-clinical toxicity of these medicinal plant extracts. Bioguided fractionation of the 70% hydroethanolic extracts of both species using solvents of increasing polarity, namely diethyl ether (DEE: AbR-1, AmR-1), ethyl acetate (AbR-2, AmR-2) and aqueous (AbR-3, AmR-3) fractions, enabled the identification of the DEE fractions as the most active against all the tested Gram-positive microorganisms (MIC: 16 to 1000 µg/mL). Furthermore, phytochemical analyses using TLC and LC-UV/DAD-ESI/MS techniques revealed the presence of anthracene derivatives as the main constituents of DEE fractions, and five known compounds, namely 7′-(chrysophanol-4-yl)-chrysophanol-10’-C-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-anthrone (p), 10,7′-bichrysophanol (q), chrysophanol (r), 10-(chrysophanol-7′-yl)-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (s) and asphodelin (t), were identified as the main marker compounds. All these compounds showed high antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC: 3.2 to 100 µg/mL). Importantly, no cytotoxicity against HepG2 and HaCaT cells (up to 125 µg/mL) for crude extracts of both species and genotoxicity (up to 5000 µg/mL, with and without metabolic activation) for AbR 96% hydroethanolic extract was detected using the MTT and Ames tests, respectively. Overall, the obtained results contribute to the concrete validation of the use of these medicinal plants as potential sources of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of skin diseases. Full article

The leaves of Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae, an endemic Portuguese species, and Asphodelus macrocarpus subsp. macrocarpus have been used as food, and traditionally as medicine, for treating ulcers, urinary tract, and inflammatory disorders. The present study aims to establish the phytochemical profile of the main secondary metabolites, together with the antimicrobial, antioxidant and toxicity assessments of both Asphodelus leaf 70% ethanol extracts. Phytochemical screenings were conducted by the TLC and LC-UV/DAD-ESI/MS chromatographic technique, and quantification of the leading chemical classes was performed by spectrophotometric methods. Liquid-liquid partitions of crude extracts were obtained using ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and water. For in vitro evaluations of antimicrobial activity, the broth microdilution method, and for the antioxidant activity, the FRAP and DPPH methods were used. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were assessed by Ames and MTT tests, respectively. Twelve known compounds including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isoorientin, p-coumaric acid, isovitexin, ferulic acid, luteolin, aloe-emodin, diosmetin, chrysophanol, and β-sitosterol were identified as the main marker compounds, and terpenoids and condensed tannins were found to be the major class of secondary metabolites of both medicinal plants. The ethyl ether fractions demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against all the Gram-positive microorganisms, (MIC value of 62 to 1000 µg/mL), with aloe-emodin as one of the main marker compounds highly active against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC value of 0.8 to 1.6 µg/mL). Ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 800 to 1200 µg/mL, respectively). No cytotoxicity (up to 1000 µg/mL) or genotoxicity/mutagenicity (up to 5 mg/plate, with/without metabolic activation) were detected. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the value and safety of the studied species as herbal medicines. Full article

The composition of an ethanol extract from the roots of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk of the Trans-Ili Alatau wild flora was studied in order to determine its antiulcer activity. The phytochemical composition of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex from (AFC) R. tianschanicus revealed the presence of numerous polyphenolic compounds, the most abundant of which are anthraquinones (1.77%), flavonoids (6.95%), and tannins (13.39%). The use of column chromatography (CC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in conjunction with UV, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry data allowed the researchers to isolate and identify the major components of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex’s polyphenol fraction: physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and myricetin. The gastroprotective effect of the polyphenolic fraction of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex (AFC) of R. tianschanicus roots was examined in an experimental model of rat gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin. The preventive and therapeutic effect of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex at a dose of 100 mg/kg was analyzed using intragastric administration per day for 1 to 10 days, followed by a histological examination of stomach tissues. It has been demonstrated that prophylactic and prolonged use of the AFC R. tianschanicus in laboratory animals resulted in significantly less pronounced hemodynamic and desquamative changes in the epithelium of gastric tissues. The acquired results thus offer fresh insight into the anthraquinone and flavonoid metabolite component composition of R. tianschanicus roots, and they imply that the examined extract can be used to develop herbal medicines with antiulcer activity. Full article

Hydroxyl-α-sanshool is the main alkylamide produced by Zanthoxylum armatum DC., and it is responsible for numbness after consuming Z. armatum-flavored dishes or food products. The present study deals with the isolation, enrichment, and purification of hydroxyl-α-sanshool. The results indicated that the powder of Z. armatum was extracted with 70% ethanol and then filtrated; the supernatant was concentrated to get pasty residue. Petroleum ether (60–90 °C) and ethyl acetate at a 3:2 ratio, with an Rf value of 0.23, were chosen as the eluent. Petroleum ether extract (PEE) and ethyl acetate–petroleum ether extract (E-PEE) were used as the suitable enriched method. Afterward, the PEE and E-PEE were loaded onto silica gel for silica gel column chromatography. Preliminary identification was carried out by TLC and UV. The fractions containing mainly hydroxyl-α-sanshool were pooled and dried by rotary evaporation. Lastly, all of the samples were determined by HPLC. The yield and recovery rates of hydroxyl-α-sanshool in the p-E-PEE were 12.42% and 121.65%, respectively, and the purity was 98.34%. Additionally, compared with E-PEE, the purity of hydroxyl-α-sanshool in the purification of E-PEE (p-E-PEE) increased by 88.30%. In summary, this study provides a simple, rapid, economical, and effective approach to the separation of high-purity hydroxyl-α-sanshool. Full article

The novel pyrene-appended Schiff base probe L with aggregation-induced emissions (AIE) relevant to an increase in water fractions (0–90%) is synthesized and applied in sequentially detecting Cu²⁺ and CN⁻. The pyrene-based probe L firstly induces the excimer formation in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the process can be reversed by sequentially adding CN⁻, which is demonstrated using the fluorescence “Off-On-Off” response in semi-aqueous media ethanol water (v/v = 7/3) under physiological pH (5 mM HEPES, pH 7.0). The Job’s plot, mass analysis, ¹H NMR titrations, and density functional theory (DFT) interrogations confirm the 2:1 stoichiometry of excimer complex L–Cu²⁺-L*, preferential binding atoms, and CN⁻ tuned complex reversibility. Based on the photoluminescence (PL) titration, the association constant of L to Cu²⁺ is determined as 4.95 × 10⁶ M⁻¹. From standard deviation and linear fittings, the detection limits (LODs) of Cu²⁺ and CN⁻ are estimated as 219 nM and 580 nM, respectively. The practicality of Cu²⁺ and CN⁻ detection is demonstrated using a TLC plate and a blended polymer membrane through which significant color changes under a UV lamp can be monitored. Moreover, utility of the designed probe L towards biological application with low toxicity is demonstrated by detecting Cu²⁺ and CN⁻ inside HeLa cells. The responses of the probe to Cu(II) ions were also verified using living HeLa cells imaging. Full article

The Antarctic Streptomyces fildesensis has been recognized for its production of antimicrobial compounds with interesting biological activities against foodborne bacteria and multi-resistant strains, but not for its potential antiproliferative activity and mechanisms involved. Two bioactive ethyl acetate extract (EAE) fractions were purified via thin-layer chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), showing that orange-colored compounds displayed antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria even after shock thermal treatment. The UV–VIS features of the active compounds, the TLC assay with actinomycin-D pure standard, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and the ANTISMASH analysis support the presence of actinomycin-like compounds. We demonstrated that S. fildesensis displays antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines, including human breast cancer (MCF-7), prostate cancer (PC-3), colon cancer (HT-29) and non-tumoral colon epithelial cells (CoN). The half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) ranged from 3.98 µg/mL to 0.1 µg/mL. Our results reveal that actinomycin-like compounds of S. fildesensis induced apoptosis mediated by caspase activation, decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential and altering the cell morphology in all tumoral and non-tumoral cell lines analyzed. These findings confirm the potential of the psychrotolerant Antarctic S. fildesensis species as a promising source for obtaining potential novel anticancer compounds. Full article

Salvia triloba (S. triloba) is an herb inherently linked to traditional medicine systems in the Eastern Mediterranean region. There is minimal experimental evidence however, regarding the anticancer effects of S. triloba in both osteosarcoma and ovarian cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of crude (macerated) S. triloba ethanol and acetone leaf extracts on viability, migratory ability, and the expression of genes regulating these activities in U2OS and SKOV3 cells using MTT assay, scratch-wound healing/trans-well migration assay, and RT-qPCR respectively. MTT assay results indicated that the acetone extract significantly reduced both U2OS and SKOV3 cell viability with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 54.51 ± 1.10 µg/mL and 75.96 ± 1.0237 µg/mL respectively; these concentrations further displayed negligible hemolytic activity. The combination of acetone extract (19 µg/mL) and paclitaxel (0.787 µg/mL) displayed synergy and reduced SKOV3 cell viability by over 90%. Additionally, the trans-well migration assay illustrated that the acetone extract (IC₅₀) inhibited both U2OS and SKOV3 cell migration by more than 50%. Moreover, S. triloba acetone extract significantly downregulated the steady-state mRNA expression of key genes involved in driving select cancer hallmarks. Four fractions were generated from the acetone extract by thin layer chromatography (TLC), and the obtained retention factors (Rf) (ranging from 0.2 to 0.8) suggested a mixture of high and moderately polar compounds whose bioactivities require further investigation. In addition, FTIR measurements of the extract revealed peaks corresponding to OH, aliphatic CH, and ester groups suggesting the presence of phenolic compounds, terpenes, and polysaccharides. Altogether, these results suggest that S. triloba possesses potential therapeutic compounds that inhibit cell proliferation and migration, and modulate several genes involved in osteosarcoma and ovarian carcinoma progression. Full article

Previously, we showed that the crude methanol extracts of Leucas indica flowers exhibited antioxidant properties and in the current study, crude methanol flower extracts of L. indica showed anticancerous properties as evidenced cytotoxicity (MTT assay test) against the selected cancerous cell lines HeLa, HCT116, HL-60, and MCF-7. Therefore, further analysis was performed to isolate and purify the bioactive compound using activity-guided repeated fractionation of the methanol extract by silica gel column chromatography. After collection of different fractions, all the fractions were subjected to TLC analysis and the fractions which yielded the same compounds on TLC were further analyzed for physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses, e.g., UV, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HSQC, and mass spectroscopy. The bioactive compound isolated was elucidated as 6-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-)(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2yl)-4H-chromen-4-one. Based on the antioxidant and anticancerous properties, L. indica might be a promising source of useful natural products and the newly bioactive compound might offer opportunities to develop new anticancerous drugs. Full article

Most botanical species contain various types of bioactive compounds. This study focusses on the extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from Calicotome spinosa (Gorse), including flavones, α-linolenic acid and sugar. During the investigation of gorse flowers, leaves and bark, flavones were isolated from the bark and leaves. Calicotome spinosa showed a total isoflavonoid content of 1.5% from the bark of gorse and 1.3% from the leaves. To find the best conditions for flavone extraction, samples of Calicotome spinosa were extracted with different solvents (methanol, water and acetonitrile). Methanol was found to be a suitable solvent to selectively extract flavone. An unsaturated cis fatty acid (α-linolenic acid, C18:3 ∆9, 12, 15) was identified as the principal component of the triacylglycerol fraction from the flowers. Hydrolyses process conditions were used to study Gorse wood. The results indicated that the wood of gorse is not a suitable substance for making paper. The extracted bioactive compounds were analysed using NMR, GCMS, UV, TLC and Fibre Analyser techniques. The extracted compounds offered uses as antioxidants and agricultural chemicals in addition to other benefits. Full article

This study aims to characterize and valorize hemp residual biomass by a slow pyrolysis process. The volatile by-products of hemp carbonization were characterized by several methods (TGA, UV-VIS, TLC, Flash Prep-LC, UHPLC, QTOF-MS) to understand the pyrolysis reaction mechanisms and to identify the chemical products produced during the process. The obtained carbon yield was 29%, generating a gaseous stream composed of phenols and furans which was collected in four temperature ranges (F1 at 20–150 °C, F2 at 150–250 °C, F3 at 250–400 °C and F4 at 400–1000 °C). The obtained liquid fractions were separated into subfractions by flash chromatography. The total phenolic content (TPC) varied depending on the fraction but did not correlate with an increase in temperature or with a decrease in pH value. Compounds present in fractions F1, F3 and F4, being mainly phenolic molecules such as guaiacyl or syringyl derivatives issued from the lignin degradation, exhibit antioxidant capacity. The temperature of the pyrolysis process was positively correlated with detectable phenolic content, which can be explained by the decomposition order of the hemp chemical constituents. A detailed understanding of the chemical composition of pyrolysis products of hemp residuals allows for an assessment of their potential valorization routes and the future economic potential of underutilized biomass. Full article