Search Results (959)

Thermovinification has emerged as a rising alternative method in red wine production, gaining popularity among winemakers. The use of autochthonous yeasts isolated from grapes is also an interesting practice that contributes to the creation of wine with a distinctive regional character. This research investigated how combining thermovinification with autochthonous yeast strains influences the fermentation dynamics of Syrah wine. Six treatments were conducted, combining the use of commercial and two autochthonous yeasts with traditional vinification (7-day maceration) and thermovinification (65 °C for 2 h) processes. Sugars and alcohols were quantified during alcoholic fermentation by high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection. Cell viability and kinetic parameters, such as ethanol formation rate and sugar consumption, were also evaluated. The Syrah wine’s composition was characterized by classical wine analyses (OIV procedures). The results showed that cell viability was unaffected by thermovinification. Thermovinification associated with autochthonous yeasts improved the efficiency of alcoholic fermentation. Thermovinified wines also yielded a higher alcohol content (13.9%). Future studies should investigate how thermovinification associated with autochthonous yeasts affects the metabolomic and flavoromic properties of Syrah wine and product acceptability. Full article

Edible mushrooms are well-known for their culinary and nutritional values. Additionally, they serve as a natural source of polyphenols, a group of bioactive compounds that significantly treat diseases associated with oxidative stress. The polyphenolic profile of mushrooms mainly consists of phenolic acids and flavonoids, whose chemical properties have attracted the attention of both the food and pharmaceutical industries. Consequently, methods for extracting polyphenols from mushrooms encompass conventional techniques (maceration and Soxhlet extraction) as well as innovative or green methods (ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and pulsed electric field extraction). Nonetheless, extraction with pressurized liquids and supercritical fluids is considered the most suitable method, as they function in a gentle and selective manner, preserving the integrity of the phenolic compounds. The use of mushroom-derived phenolic compounds in food and pharmaceutical formulations continues to face challenges concerning the safety of these extracts, as they might contain unwanted substances. Future applications should incorporate purification systems to yield highly pure extracts, thereby creating safe polyphenol carriers (for food and pharmaceutical products) for consumers. Full article

Perilla seed has long been recognized in traditional diets for its health-promoting properties, but its potential role in hair loss prevention remains underexplored. This study compared three extraction methods—maceration (MAC), screw pressing (SC), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)—to determine their efficiency in recovering bioactive compounds and their effects on androgenetic alopecia (AGA)-related pathways. The SFE extract contained the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, while MAC uniquely recovered a broader range of polyphenols. Among all extracts, SFE-derived perilla seed extract showed the most consistent biological effects, promoting proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) by 139.4 ± 1.1% at 72 h (p < 0.05). It also reduced TBARS and nitrite levels in HFDPCs to 66.75 ± 0.62% of control and 0.87 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, indicating strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Importantly, the SFE extract significantly downregulated SRD5A1-3 and TGF-β1 expression—key genes involved in androgen-mediated hair follicle regression—outperforming finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil in vitro by approximately 1.10-fold, 1.25-fold, and 1.50-fold, respectively (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that perilla seed extract obtained via supercritical fluid extraction may offer potential as a natural candidate to prevent hair loss through multiple biological mechanisms. These in vitro results support its further investigation for potential application in functional food or nutraceutical development targeting scalp and hair health. Full article

As compared to red wine technology, where pomace is macerated, the grape juices and musts are obtained by pressing the grapes and removing the pomace, thus removing an important source of antioxidant molecules. The objective of this study was to exploit the bioactive compounds from the black grape pomace and obtain a new food product, namely pasteurized red must with improved health-promoting properties. The study was conducted on four grape varieties for red wines—Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blauer Zweigelt, and Arcaș—each coming from a certain recognized Romanian vineyard, as follows: Murfatlar, Dealu Mare, Ștefănești-Argeș, and Iași, respectively. Both the must and the pomace extract used for each product were from the same variety and region. The recovery of polyphenols was achieved by macerating the pomace at ambient temperature, using solutions of ethanol in concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75%. The results showed that the most efficient method of polyphenol recovery was obtained by using the ethanolic solution of 50%, which was selected for the subsequent stages of the study. The selected hydroalcoholic extract was concentrated by eliminating the solvent by roto evaporation and used as a source of supplementary bioactive compounds for the pasteurized must. The phenolic profiles of the musts enriched with phenolic extracts were determined by liquid chromatography, UHPLS-HRMS, revealing significant increases in the content of individual phenolic acids and other polyphenols. The phenolic extract recovered from the pomace significantly optimized the phenolic quality of the pasteurized must, thus contributing to the improvement of its nutritional value. The new product has a phenolic profile close to that of a red wine, but does not contain alcohol. Also, this technology is a sustainable method to convert grape waste into a safe, antioxidant-rich grape juice with potential health benefits. Full article

Sideroxylon cinereum, an endemic Mauritian fruit, was investigated through comprehensive chemical analyses of solvent extracts from its pulp and seed. Dried fruit materials were subjected to maceration using water and organic solvents including methanol, ethanol, propanol, and acetone to obtain extracts of varying polarity. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, with pulp extracts generally richer in phytochemicals than seed extracts. UV-Vis and FTIR analyses confirmed key organic constituents, including sulfoxides in seeds. HPLC quantification showed notable citric acid content in the pulp (15.63 mg/g dry weight). Antioxidant assays indicated that organic solvent extracts of the pulp had superior free radical scavenging activity, while the seed’s aqueous extract exhibited the highest ferric reducing power. GC–MS profiling identified a diverse bioactive profile rich in terpenes, notably lanosterol acetate (>45% in both pulp and seeds). It is important to note that these findings are based on solvent extracts, which may differ from the phytochemical composition of the whole fruit as typically consumed. Among the extracts, aqueous fractions are likely the most relevant to dietary intake. Overall, the extracts of Sideroxylon cinereum pulp and seed show potential as sources of bioactive compounds for functional product development. Full article

Limonium gmelini (Willd.) Kuntze, a plant widely used in traditional medicine, has garnered increasing attention for its diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. This study aimed to explore the chemical composition and biological activities of polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds extracted from both the roots and aboveground parts of Limonium gmelini. Several methods of extraction, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), conventional maceration (CM), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), were employed to obtain bioactive fractions. Chemical profiling, primarily represented by monosaccharides and polyphenolic compounds, was characterized and analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. While polyphenol-rich fractions exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus epidermidis, polysaccharide-rich aqueous fractions showed minimal antibacterial activity. Among the methods, CM and UAE yielded higher polyphenol content, whereas SFE provided more selective extractions. Notably, methanolic SPE fractions derived from the roots were especially enriched in active polyphenols such as gallic acid, myricetin, and naringenin, and they exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. In contrast, extracts from the aboveground parts showed more moderate activity and a partially different chemical profile. These findings underscore the importance of plant part selection and support the targeted use of root-derived polyphenol-enriched fractions from L. gmelini as promising candidates for the development of natural antibacterial agents. Further investigation is needed to isolate and validate the most active constituents for potential therapeutic applications. Full article

Achillea nobilis represents a species of considerable medicinal importance within the Asteraceae family, historically employed in Central Asia and various Eurasian territories for the management of inflammatory, microbial, and gastrointestinal ailments. Notwithstanding its extensive ethnopharmacological significance, the phytochemical profile and pharmacological attributes of its various anatomical components have not been comprehensively investigated. This research endeavor sought to delineate the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of ethanol extracts derived from both the aerial and root segments of A. nobilis. Qualitative phytochemical analysis and GC–MS characterization unveiled a diverse array of bioactive compounds, encompassing flavonoids, phenolic compounds, organic acids, lactones, alcohols, and heterocyclic derivatives. In particular, the aerial oil extract exhibited the presence of terpenoids, fatty acids and their esters, sterols, hydrocarbons, and minor organosilicon and cyclobutanone derivatives, with notable compounds such as linoleic acid (8.08%), 6-tetradecyne (14.99%), isopropyl linoleate (14.64%), and E,Z-1,3,12-nonadecatriene (22.25%). In vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed against eight clinically relevant microbial strains employing the broth microdilution technique. The aerial ethanol extract exhibited pronounced antimicrobial properties, particularly against MRSA and C. albicans, with MICs ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/mL, whereas the root ethanol extract displayed MICs of 1 to 3 mg/mL. Additionally, the aerial oil extract showed moderate inhibitory activity, with MIC values ranging from 1.5 to 3 mg/mL, demonstrating effectiveness particularly against C. albicans, C. neoformans, and MRSA. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of A. nobilis, particularly its aerial component, as a viable natural source of antimicrobial agents. Full article

Growing interest in sustainable functional food ingredients has accelerated the search for green extraction methods for bioactive compounds. This study systematically evaluates the use of three emerging green solvents, namely γ-valerolactone (GVL), Cyrene™, and ethyl lactate (EL), as alternatives to conventional solvents for extracting phenolic antioxidants from rose hip (Rosa canina L.) fruit. Using maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), we compared extraction efficiency, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity across various solvent systems and techniques. Our results demonstrate that MAE consistently provided the highest extraction yields and phenolic recovery, particularly when using ethanol or ethanol/green solvent mixtures. While pure green solvents showed lower extraction efficiency than ethanol, certain binary mixtures, especially GVL with ethanol, delivered promising results both in phenolic yield and antioxidant activity, without significant interference in standard assays. Additionally, while Cyrene™ consistently yielded low extraction efficiencies and low levels of phenolic compounds, its extracts were unique in exhibiting selectivity and stimulated fibroblast migration in vitro, suggesting additional functional benefits for health applications. Overall, our findings support the practical use of selected green solvents in sustainable extraction protocols for food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. Full article

Combining advanced extraction technologies with non-pollutant solvents represents a sustainable approach toward valorizing medicinal plants and aligns with the principles of green chemistry. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) to extract bioactive compounds from the underexplored leaves and bark of Salix amplexicaulis Bory & Chaub. Additionally, the potential of NADES as sustainable alternatives to conventional solvents was assessed through a comparative evaluation of MAE-NADES with MAE–water and traditional ethanol maceration. NADES based on lactic acid–glycerol, lactic acid–glucose, glycerol–glucose, and glycerol–urea were synthesized by heating and stirring. Willow extracts were characterized by HPLC-DAD, resulting in the identification and quantification of seven phenolic acids and four flavonoids. Lactic acid–glucose (5:1)-based NADES extracted the highest number of phenolics in the greatest amount from the bark and leaves of S. amplexicaulis. MAE-NADES offers a fast, cost-effective preparation, high extraction efficiency, and environmentally friendly properties, opening new perspectives on the valorization of S. amplexicaulis in the pharmaceutical field. Furthermore, NADES provide a promising alternative to water and toxic organic solvents for extracting bioactives. Full article

People have long been interested in plants rich in secondary metabolites and have tried to isolate them outside the plants. Purple coneflower is a crucial medicinal plant, known for its broad spectrum of bioactive substances. The type of solvent and the duration of maceration had an important impact on the phenolic level of purple coneflower leaves, flowers and roots. The flowers and leaves had a significantly higher phenolic concentration than the roots. The results of this study show the importance of stabilizing and regulating the polarity of the solvent and the duration of maceration to obtain the highest yield of phenolics from purple coneflower. The greatest yield of phenolics was gained with two natural extraction solvents, 5% acetic acid and glycerol, after 3 days of maceration, yielding (1696.05 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW) and (2796.94 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW) from the flowers of purple coneflower, respectively. For purple coneflower leaves and roots, the best extraction method was 40% ethanol after 3 days of maceration, and the total content analyzed was 1022.43 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW and 1011.32 mg 100 g⁻¹ DW, respectively. Different phenolics respond significantly to different maceration factors, but the best product from the flowers of purple coneflower is glycerol extract after 9 days of maceration. From the leaves of purple coneflower, we obtained the highest phenolic yield when producing extract in glycerol, a 40% ethanol tincture, or an acetic acid product after 3 days of maceration. Full article

In this study, a comprehensive experimental framework was developed to quantitatively characterize the pore structure of a deep coal-rock (DCR; reservoirs below [3000 m]) gas reservoir. Experimentally, petrological and mineral characteristics were determined by performing proximate analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as by measuring vitrinite reflectance and maceral components. Additionally, physisorption and high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI) tests were conducted to quantitatively characterize the nano- to micron-scale pores in the DCR gas reservoir at multiple scales. The DCR in the NQ Block is predominantly composed of vitrinite, accounting for approximately 77.75%, followed by inertinite. The pore space is predominantly characterized by cellular pores, but porosity development is relatively limited as most of such pores are extensively filled with clay minerals. The isothermal adsorption curves of CO₂ and N₂ in the NQ Block and the DJ Block exhibit very similar variation patterns. The pore types and morphologies of the DCR reservoir are relatively consistent, with a significant development of nanoscale pores in both blocks. Notably, micropore metrics per unit mass (pore volume (PV): 0.0242 cm³/g; and specific surface area (SSA): 77.7545 m²/g) indicate 50% lower gas adsorption potential in the DJ Block. In contrast, the PV and SSA of the mesopores per unit mass in the NQ Block are relatively consistent with those in the DJ and SF Blocks. Additionally, the peak mercury intake in the NQ Block occurs within the pore diameter < 20 nm, with nearly 60% of the mercury beginning to enter in large quantities only when the pore size exceeds 20 nm. This indicates that nanoscale pores are predominantly developed in the DCR of the NQ block, which aligns with the findings from physical adsorption experiments and SEM analyses. Overall, the development characteristics of multi-scale pores in the DCR formations of the NQ Block and the eastern part of the Basin are relatively similar, with both total PV and total SSA showing an L-shaped distribution. Due to the disparity in micropore SSA, however, the total SSA of the DJ Block is approximately twice that of the NQ Block. This discovery has established a robust foundation for the subsequent exploitation of natural gas resources in DCR formations within the NQ Block. Full article

The coal reservoir in the Ordos Mizhi block is buried at a depth of over 2000 m. This study aims to obtain the characteristics of the coal reservoir in the Mizhi block through various experimental methods and combine the gas-bearing characteristics obtained from on-site desorption experiments to analyze the gas content and logging response characteristics of the study area. On this basis, a reservoir parameter interpretation model for the study area is established. This provides a reference for the exploration and development of coal-rock gas in the Mizhi block. The research results show that: (1) The study area is characterized by the development of the No. 8 coal reservoirs of the Benxi Formation, with a thickness ranging from 2 to 11.6 m, averaging 7.2 m. The thicker coal reservoirs provide favorable conditions for the formation and storage of coal-rock gas. The lithotypes are mainly semi-bright and semi-dark. The coal maceral is dominated by the content of the vitrinite, followed by the inertinite, and the exinite is the least. The degree of metamorphism is high, making it a high-grade coal. In the proximate analysis, the moisture ranges from 0.36 to 1.09%, averaging 0.65%. The ash ranges from 2.34 to 42.17%, averaging 16.57%. The volatile ranges from 9.18 to 15.7%, averaging 11.50%. The fixed carbon ranges from 45.24 to 87.51%, averaging 71.28%. (2) According to the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the coal samples in the Mizhi block have developed fractures and pores. Based on the results of the carbon dioxide adsorption experiment, the micropore adsorption capacity is 7.8728–20.3395 cm³/g, with an average of 15.2621 cm³/g. The pore volume is 0.02492–0.063 cm³/g, with an average of 0.04799 cm³/g. The specific surface area of micropores is 79.514–202.3744 m²/g, with an average of 153.5118 m²/g. The micropore parameters are of great significance for the occurrence of coal-rock gas. Based on the results of the desorption experiment, the gas content of the coal rock samples in the study area is 12.97–33.96 m³/t, with an average of 21.8229 m³/t, which is relatively high. (3) Through the correlation analysis of the logging parameters of the coal reservoir, the main logging response parameters of the reservoir are obtained. Based on the results of the logging sensitivity analysis of the coal reservoir, the interpretation model of the reservoir parameters is constructed and verified. Logging interpretation models for parameters such as industrial components, microscopic components, micropore pore parameters, and gas content are obtained. The interpretation models have interpretation effects on the reservoir parameters in the study area. Full article

This study explores the antioxidant activity of green tea (Camellia sinensis, GT) and peppermint (Mentha × piperita, PM) infusions, individually and in combination, focusing on how preparation methods affect their efficacy. Antiradical and intracellular antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and DCF assays, alongside interaction analysis via combination index (CI) and dose reduction index (DRI). HPLC analysis determined the polyphenolic profiles of GT and PM. GT showed the strongest antioxidant activity, with the lowest IC₅₀ values (4.81 µg/mL in DPPH, 2.70 µg/mL in ABTS, 3.71 µg/mL in DCF), indicating potent radical-scavenging potential. PM exhibited moderate antiradical capacity but similar intracellular activity (IC₅₀ = 3.80 µg/mL). Co-maceration followed by lyophilization of GT:PM extracts led to nearly additive interactions (CI~1.0) and allowed significant dose reduction (DRI up to 4.44). In contrast, post-mixed extracts showed assay-dependent effects, including antagonism in intracellular ROS inhibition (CI = 1.83). Equimolar mixtures of model polyphenols: EGCG, quercetin, and rosmarinic acid demonstrated enhanced effects, with the strongest synergy in ternary mixtures (CI = 0.67–0.86), potentially achievable in GT:PM combinations. These findings highlight that extract preparation critically influences antioxidant efficacy, supporting co-maceration as a promising strategy for developing effective functional formulations based on plant extract combinations. Full article

Background: Since breast cancer is a major cause of mortality, investigation of the synergistic effect of Olea europaea L. leaf extract in combination with some cancer medications is important for obtaining cost-effective and high-achieving treatments for breast cancer. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of Olea europaea L. extract in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy agents against breast cancer under in vitro conditions. Methods: We conducted an analysis of some minerals and vitamins of three different viscosities (200 V, 300 V, and 400 V as a natural food product) of Olea europaea L. leaf water-based extract (OWE) derived from a natural cold maceration. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of Olea europaea L. extract with different viscosities (200–400 V) and various chemotherapy agents, either alone or in combination, in estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells by MTT assay. Olea europaea L. extract treatment of cells resulted in growth inhibition in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Results: The 400 V OWE showed the highest calcium (301 ± 12 mg/100 g), potassium (1744 ± 33 mg/100 g), and vitamin E (0.36 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) amounts. Based on MTT results, combinations of 400V Olea europaea L. extract, which exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect with an IC₅₀ value of 940 µg/mL, and anticancer drugs were next assessed for their synergistic efficacy towards cell growth inhibition. Conclusions: Combinations of the IC₅₀ value of 400 V OWE with docetaxel, paclitaxel, and trastuzumab (1 µg/mL) treatment showed a strong synergistic effect in the growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells. Full article

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) shells are valuable agro-industrial by-products rich in polyphenols. This study investigated traditional (maceration) and advanced extraction techniques—ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and combined ultrasound–enzyme extraction (US-EAE)—to recover bioactive compounds from walnut shells. Extraction efficiency, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS^•+, DPPH•), and polyphenol composition were evaluated. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS identified key polyphenols including ellagic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillin, taxifolin, and quercitrin. The highest TPC (5625 mg GAE/100 g dw) was found in extracts subjected to US-EAE, in which ultrasound pretreatment (200 W, 10 min) was followed by enzymatic extraction using 0.06 mL/g Viscozyme^® L at pH 3.5 and 45 °C. Under the same extraction conditions, UAE alone yielded the second highest TPC (4129 mg GAE/100 g dw). The highest ABTS^•+ scavenging activity (14,478 mg TE/100 g dw) and enhanced DPPH• activity (45.38 mg TE/100 g dw) were also observed in US-EAE extracts. Chemometric techniques (PCA and HCA) revealed meaningful clustering and variation patterns among methods. These findings highlight the potential of walnut shells as a sustainable source of polyphenols and demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative extraction technologies in maximizing bioactive compound recovery for potential functional applications. Full article