Search Results (69)

Camellia vietnamensis grows in a unique tropical environment, and its seed oil has a rich aroma. The content of unsaturated fatty acids in C. vietnamensis oil is up to 90%, which can regulate human lipid metabolism and prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Compared with olive oil, C. vietnamensis oil has a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids. This study used eleven C. vietnamensis cultivars cultivated on Hainan Island. Among the 11 cultivars, “Boao 1” had fruits with the largest vertical diameter of 45.05 mm, while “Haida 1” had fruits with the largest horizontal diameter, single-fruit weight, and fresh 100-grain weight of 53.5 mm, 70.6 g, and 479.01 g, respectively. “Boao 3” had an acid value and peroxide value of 1.59 mg/g and 3.50 mmol/kg, respectively, and its saponification value content was 213.18 mg/g. “Boao 5” had the highest iodine value, 101.86 g/100 g, among the 11 cultivars. The content of unsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil of 11 cultivars ranged from 84.87% to 87.38%. The qRT-PCR results confirmed that “Boao 3” had a higher content of flavonoids and fatty acids than other cultivars. The comprehensive analysis of physiological and biochemical indices showed that the top five cultivars were “Haida 1”, “Boao 3”, “Haida 2”, “Boao 1”, and “Boao 5”. These five cultivars were suitable for large-scale cultivation in tropical regions, such as Hainan Island. This study provided a theoretical basis for the breeding of C. vietnamensis cultivars in tropical regions. Full article

Background: Neem seed oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries due to its antiseptic, fungicidal, pesticidal, and antioxidant properties, attributed to over 300 bioactive compounds and a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Methods: This study aimed to characterize a commercial sample of neem oil regarding its physicochemical properties and identity profile, using official methodologies from the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), and to compare the results with literature data. Results: The sample exhibited the following parameters: free fatty acids (2.0 ± 0.02%), acidity index (3.9 ± 0.04 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.2 ± 0.1 mEq/kg), iodine value (116 ± 12 g I₂/100 g), and saponification index (198 ± 8 mg KOH/g). The predominant coloration was yellowish, with total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels below the equipment’s quantification limits. Fatty acid composition was mainly long-chain (C16–C18), with notable levels of linoleic acid (46%), oleic acid (28%), palmitic acid (12%), linolenic acid (5.5%), and stearic acid (4.1%). The triacylglycerol profile showed a predominance of triunsaturated (51%) and diunsaturated species (41%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed crystallization events between −6 °C and −57 °C and fusion events between −44 °C and −1 °C, consistent with the high unsaturation level of the lipids. Conclusions: The analyzed neem oil sample meets quality and identity criteria, making it suitable for various industrial applications. The characterization confirms its potential and aligns with literature data, emphasizing its relevance for industrial use. Full article

This study investigates the effects of hull and impurity content on the efficiency of cold-pressing high-oleic sunflower seeds using a screw press. High-oleic sunflower oil is valued for its oxidative stability and health benefits, and optimizing pressing conditions is crucial for maximizing yield and maintaining oil quality. The identification of high-oleic sunflower oil was performed by analyzing its fatty acid composition, iodine value, and refractive index. Eleven seed samples with varying hull and impurity contents were processed to assess their impact on cake composition, pressing efficiency, and pressing oil yield. Oil yield ranged from 39.24% to 76.52%, with higher hull content contributing to increased yield due to its role in facilitating oil drainage. Multiple linear regression models were developed to predict moisture and oil content in the cake, as well as pressing efficiency, based on hull and impurity content, demonstrating strong predictive accuracy. These parameters were selected as they represent economically significant indicators, given that moisture and oil content indirectly reflect the protein content in the cake, while sunflower cake is primarily used as animal feed. Additionally, pressing efficiency indicates oil yield during pressing, which is the most critical economic parameter of the cold-pressing process. Cluster analysis identified three sample groups with distinct characteristics, revealing interactions between seed composition and pressing performance. The results highlight the significance of seed preparation in optimizing cold-pressing efficiency and provide insights for improving oil extraction processes. These findings support the industrial application of high-oleic sunflower seed pressing and contribute to the development of sustainable, high-quality oil production methods. Full article

This paper adds to the sustainable materials field by in-situ epoxidation of rubber seed oil (RSO), a highly underutilized resource that has been sporadically used, using an optimized combination of 30% hydrogen peroxide and acetic/formic acid sulfuric acid. Most of the previous studies deal with more common vegetable oils, where the main focus in most is given to the epoxidation of these oils and their derivatives. The RSO contained a high iodine value around 135.36 g–I2/100 g. The central to this work is the systematic study of the oxirane number as a function of reaction temperature and the double bond:RCOOH:H₂O₂ molar ratios. By testing the temperatures of 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C and three specific molar ratios (1:0.6:1.4, 1:1:2, and 1:1.5:3), this research not only found the optimal conditions for epoxidation but also gave valuable information on the reaction kinetics of rubber seed oil. The results showed that a temperature of 60 °C with a 1:1:2 molar ratio gave the highest oxirane number, especially with performic acid, which was 3.200 mmol/g. Then, overall, formic acid consistently outperforms acetic acid in terms of product yields, facilitating a more effective epoxidation process. Full article

The production of edible plant seed oil used in the food industry is increasing globally. More than 75% of lipids in the human diet come from edible vegetable oils. Among them, sesame oil has the highest resistance to oxidation, valuable physiological properties, and a unique flavor and aroma. However, sesame oil is more expensive than rapeseed oil, and often both oils are mixed to reduce costs. In this study, we performed a physical and physico-chemical analysis of sesame oil and sesame/rapeseed oil mixtures (5/95, 10/90, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 and 90/10 w/w). The investigated oils were characterized based on their fatty acid composition, peroxide value, iodine value, phase transitions, refractive indices, color and UV–Vis adsorption. The fatty acid composition of mixtures made from sesame and rapeseed oils depended on the ratio of the two oils. Increasing the content of sesame oil in the mixtures resulted in a decrease in the levels of oleic and linolenic acids, while the levels of linoleic acid increased. A very good linear correlation was observed between the temperatures and enthalpies of crystallization of the mixtures, which could be used to establish the composition of a mixture between sesame and rapeseed oil. Information about these parameters could increase the possibilities for the commercial use of the investigated oils. Full article

The culinary poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) has been used for centuries in everyday diets, especially for food, but also as a non-food source of health-promoting ingredients. In the present study, a field trial was set with white-seeded poppy varieties collected from farmers in Croatia. The poppies were sown as a winter crop. Selenium biofortification was applied using different selenium sources, such as selenite, SeO₃²⁻, and selenate SeO₄²⁻. In the flowering stage, biofortification was carried out as follows: (1) Se-0: control; (2) SeO₃_30: 30 g ha⁻¹; (3) SeO₃_60: 60 g ha⁻¹; (4) SeO₄_30: 30 g ha⁻¹; and (5) SeO₄_60: 60 g ha⁻¹. Plants formed an average of four capsules per plant, with an average seed mass per capsule of 3.52 g. The seed yield varied from 0.91 (SeO₃_30) to 1.26 t ha⁻¹ (SeO₄_30). The cold-pressed oil was characterized as good-quality since the average water content was 0.38%, insoluble impurities consisted of 0.013%, iodine number value was 135.81 g, I₂ was 100 g⁻¹, and saponification number was 188.51 mg KOH g⁻¹, and it was on average 0.93% free fatty acids. Selenium biofortification had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on Se accumulation in the seeds. Thus, the selenite form increased Se content in the seeds by about 7% compared to the control, whereas for the (4) SeO4_30 treatment, the increase was about 50%, and for (5) SeO4_60, it was even higher, about 91% compared to the control treatment. The highest content of fatty acids in the cold-pressed oil was determined for linoleic (76.31%), oleic (13.49), and palmitic (7.86%) acids. Full article

The present study aimed to qualitatively assess the influence of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. varieties (INIAP-Tunkahuan, INIAP-Pata de Venado varieties and Chimborazo genotype), phenological stages (40, 60, and 80 days), and places of cultivation (Pichincha and Chimborazo Ecuadorian provinces) on the leaf and seed phenolic composition and biological properties. Their nutraceutical potential was assessed through qualitative analyses of (i) their polyphenols by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC); and (ii) their free radical scavenging (quenching of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical, DPPH^•) and α-amylase inhibitory properties (iodine visualization of starch hydrolysis) by HPTLC–bioautography. Compared to seeds, the quinoa leaf methanolic extracts present a high content of polyphenols with free radical scavenging activity, and compounds with an α-amylase inhibitory property; both biological activities indicate a remarkable potential of quinoa leaves, which may be relevant for the treatment of diabetes but also for the chemoprevention and/or treatment of pathologies related to oxidative stress. In quinoa leaves harvested after 80 days of cultivation, regardless of the place of production and the variety, a high content of bioactive compounds was observed. Future research is undoubtedly needed to further promote quinoa leaves as a dietary vegetable or to develop them into a nutritional supplement. This would empower quinoa smallholders in Andean regions to promote the sustainable development of this culture in its places of origin. Full article

Iron (Fe) and iodine (I) are essential microelements required for a healthy life, with Fe playing a vibrant role in oxygen transport, and I is vital for cognitive development and thyroid function. Global Fe and I deficiencies affect a significant portion of the population worldwide, leading to widespread health concerns, especially anemia, impaired cognitive function, and thyroid disorders. This review not only inspects the potential of agronomic biofortification to enrich Fe and I content in tomatoes, but also highlights its bright future for crop nutrition. It discusses the latest developments in agronomic biofortification methods focused on improving the enrichment of Fe and I in tomatoes, emphasizing practical approaches such as seed priming, soil application, and foliar spray. Notably, the review explores the promising impacts of Fe and I biofortification on growth, yield, and improved fruit quality in tomatoes. Moreover, it offers an in-depth investigation of the efficacy of agronomic biofortification in enhancing the nutritional contents of tomatoes by combining the most recent research findings. It highlights the impact of agronomic biofortification in mitigating micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and its capacity to encourage sustainable agriculture and improve community health by enhancing crop nutrition. Full article

Background: Pregnancy is a crucial period for maternal and fetal health, and in Lebanon, where cultural and economic factors influence dietary practices, there is an urgent need to evaluate the food consumption patterns and diet quality of pregnant women. Aim: To evaluate the food consumption patterns, energy intake, as well as macro- and micro-nutrient intake among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese pregnant women aged 18–49 years old. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from March to October 2023, involving 500 pregnant women from all eight Lebanese governorates. Sociodemographic and medical information was gathered, food consumption was evaluated using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and three 24-h recall, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: The current population did not meet the USDA healthy pattern recommendations for whole grain, seafood, dairy, nuts, seeds and soy products consumption but exceeded the guidelines for vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, oils, and refined grains. According to Mediterranean diet guidelines, the sample fell short in recommended intakes for fruits, olives/nuts/seeds, eggs, and olive oil, while surpassing the recommended levels for potatoes, legumes, pulses, sweets, red meat, processed meat, and fish and seafood. None of the participants met the energy requirements for their trimester and age group. In terms of macronutrient intake, the requirements for protein, unsaturated fats, and fiber were not met, while intakes of fats and sugars were exceeded. Regarding micronutrients, the recommended levels were not fully achieved, with particularly low intakes of vitamin D and iodine, as well as inadequate adherence to recommendations for iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and choline. Additionally, a third of the participants did not meet the recommended intakes for folate and vitamin B12. Conclusions: The findings reveal significant dietary inadequacies among the current population, with participants failing to meet essential recommendations for whole grains and key food groups, alongside insufficient energy intake for their trimesters and age groups. Critical micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin D, iodine, and B vitamins, highlight the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and public health initiatives to improve dietary practices among pregnant women in Lebanon. Full article

Plaque radiotherapy is an effective treatment modality for medium-sized ocular tumors such as uveal melanoma. The authors review the available literature and concisely summarize the current state of the art of ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy. The choice of radioisotope, which includes Ruthenium-106 and Iodine-125, depends on the intended treatment duration, tumor characteristics, and side effect profiles. Ophthalmic plaques may be customized to allow for the delivery of a precise radiation dose by adjusting seed placement and plaque shape to minimize collateral tissue radiation. High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, using beta (e.g., Yttrium-90) and photon-emitting sources (e.g., Ytterbium-169, Selenium-75), allows for rapid radiation dose delivery, which typically lasts minutes, compared to multiple days with low-dose plaque brachytherapy. The efficacy of Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma varies widely, with reported local control rates between 59.0% and 98.0%. Factors influencing outcomes include tumor size, thickness, anatomical location, and radiation dose at the tumor apex, with larger and thicker tumors potentially exhibiting poorer response and a higher rate of complications. Plaque brachytherapy is effective for selected tumors, particularly uveal melanoma, providing comparable survival rates to enucleation for medium-sized tumors. The complications of plaque brachytherapy are well described, and many of these are treatable. Full article

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a tropical plant native to India. It is widespread throughout the southern hemisphere, with great adaptability to high temperatures and water scarcity. Its seeds have a great amount of oil with a high content of oleic acid, quite similar to olive oil. Therefore, this study is focused on the extraction of oil from moringa seeds via an automatic screw press extractor at different temperatures (70, 100, 130, 160, 190, and 220 °C) and on the analysis of its acidity, acid value, peroxide value (PV), saponification value (SV), iodine value (IV), optical properties, and fatty acids profile. The results showed that the oil yield was 19 ± 3% regardless of the temperature applied. The oil was stable from the oxidative point of view, with a high acidity. Temperature extraction did not significantly affect the SV and the IV. However, the extraction temperature should be below 190 °C to obtain a translucent and luminous oil with light yellow tones. The oil contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid (ω9) (up to 77.8%) and linolenic acid (ω3) (3.4%). On the other hand, behenic (7%), palmitic (6%), stearic (5%), and arachidic (0.2%) were the dominant saturated acids. The good properties of moringa oil make it a good, sustainable alternative to vegetable oils. Full article

Targeted axillary dissection (TAD), employing marked lymph node biopsy (MLNB) alongside sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), is increasingly recognised for its efficacy in reducing false negative rates (FNRs) in node-positive early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). One such method, ¹²⁵I radioactive seed localisation (RSL), involves implanting a seed into a biopsy-proven lymph node either pre- or post-NST. This systematic review and pooled analysis aimed to assess the performance of RSL in TAD among node-positive patients undergoing NST. Six studies, encompassing 574 TAD procedures, met the inclusion criteria. Results showed a 100% successful deployment rate, with a 97.6% successful localisation rate and a 99.8% retrieval rate. Additionally, there was a 60.0% concordance rate between SLNB and MLNB. The FNR of SLNB alone was significantly higher than it was for MLNB (18.8% versus 5.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). Pathological complete response (pCR) was observed in 44% of cases (248/564). On average, the interval from ¹²⁵I seed deployment to surgery was 75.8 days (range: 0–272). These findings underscore the efficacy of RSL in TAD for node-positive patients undergoing NST, enabling precise axillary pCR identification and facilitating the safe omission of axillary lymph node dissection. Full article

Camellia seed oil (CSO), as a nutrient-rich edible oil, is widely used in foods, cosmetics, and other fields. In this work, the extraction, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization processes of CSO were respectively optimized for meeting injectable oil standards. The results showed that the CSO extraction rate reached the highest level of 94% at optimized conditions (ultrasonic time, 31.2 min; reaction pH, 9.2; and reaction time, 3.5 h). The physicochemical indexes of CSO and 10 other vegetable oils were evaluated by the principal component analysis method, and the overall scores of vegetable oils were ranked as camellia seed oil > olive oil > rice oil > peanut oil > sesame oil > corn oil > soybean oil > sunflower oil > rapeseed oil > walnut oil > flaxseed oil. The physicochemical indicators of CSO were the most ideal among the 11 vegetable oils, which means that CSO is suitable as an injectable oil. Through the optimized processes of the deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization, the CSO acid value was reduced to 0.0515 mg KOH/g, the decolorization rate reached a maximum of 93.86%, and the OD₄₃₀ was 0.015, meeting the requirement (≤0.045 of OD₄₃₀) of injectable oil. After the deodorization process, these parameters of the refractive index, acid value, saponification value, iodine value, absorbance, unsaponifiable, moisture and volatiles, fatty acid composition, and heavy metal limits all met the pharmacopoeia standards of injectable oil in many countries and regions. The possibility of CSO as an injectable oil was first verified through refining-process optimization and nutritional index analysis, providing an important technical reference for the high-value utilization of vegetable oil. Full article

The present study is focused on the chemical and lipid composition of seed oil of the European ornamental and invasive wood plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture in the seeds were determined. A high yield of glyceride oil (30.7%) was found, as well as a high content of fibers (29.6%) and proteins (18.7%). Physicochemical properties of the oil define it as semi-dry (129.4 g I₂/100 g Iodine value) with oxidative stability, refractive index, saponification value, and relative density similar to widely used oils with nutritional value and health benefits. The composition of the seed oil was determined chromatographically. Unsaturated fatty acids (95.3%) predominated in the seed oil, of which linoleic acid (48.6%) and oleic acid (44.8%) were the major ones. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were β-sitosterol (72.6%), γ-tocopherol (74.6%), phosphatidylinositol (29.5%), and phosphatidic acids (25.7%). The proven in vitro DNA-protective ability of seed oil is reported for the first time. The seed oil exhibited a weak antiproliferative effect on HT-29 and PC3 tumor cell lines and showed no cytotoxicity on the BALB/c 3T3 cell line. In brief, the present study reveals that A. altissima seed oil can be used as a healthy food. Full article

Camellia oleifera oil (CO oil) extracted from C. oleifera seeds has a 2300-year consumption history in China. However, there is relatively little research regarding its non-edible uses. This study determined the physicochemical properties of CO oil extracted via direct pressing, identified its main components using GC-MS, and evaluated its antioxidant, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results revealed that CO oil’s acid, peroxide, iodine, and saponification values were 1.06 ± 0.031 mg/g, 0.24 ± 0.01 g/100 g, 65.14 ± 8.22 g/100 g, and 180.41 ± 5.60 mg/g, respectively. CO oil’s tocopherol, polyphenol, and squalene contents were 82.21 ± 9.07 mg/kg, 181.37 ± 3.76 mg/kg, and 53.39 ± 6.58 mg/kg, respectively; its unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was 87.44%, and its saturated fatty acid (SFA) content was 12.56%. CO oil also demonstrated excellent moisture retention properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and certain free radical scavenging. A highly stable CO oil emulsion with competent microbiological detection was developed using formulation optimization. Using CO oil in the emulsion significantly improved the formulation’s antioxidant and moisturizing properties compared with those of the emulsion formulation that did not include CO oil. The prepared emulsion was not cytotoxic to cells and could reduce cells’ NO content; therefore, it may have potential nutritional value in medicine and cosmetics. Full article