Search Results (5,914)

Moringa oleifera seed cake is the byproduct of moringa oil extraction and the most valuable source of 4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl glucosinolate (glucomoringin; GMG), the precursor of 4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate (moringin; GMG+M). The vascular fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is an important soil-borne pathogen of tomato in cultivated areas worldwide. Coating seeds with phytochemicals has been reported to prevent seed transmission and control seedling infection. In this work, GMG was extracted and purified from moringa seed cake on the multigram scale, and GMG+M solutions obtained through controlled hydrolysis of the precursor with commercial myrosinase were evaluated against the pathogen both in vitro and in planta. FOL conidia germination and mycelial growth were significantly inhibited by GMG+M solutions in the range 1–1000 µM, in a dose-dependent manner, compared to GMG and control treatments, which did not differ significantly. Interestingly, the coating of tomato var. crovarese seeds with GMG or GMG+M (100 µM) resulted in equally effective reduction (70%) of the disease severity in post-emergence, suggesting a plant-mediated mechanism underlying the efficacy of the intact glucosinolate. Seed coating with both phytochemicals triggered polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in five-day-old tomato sprouted rootlets. This study highlighted the potential biotechnological value of M. oleifera seedcake for the development of a sustainable biopesticide. Full article

Steam distillation residues (SDRs) of aromatic plants were utilized to produce antioxidant extracts using hydroalcoholic solvents with increasing percentages of ethanol (0, 50, 75 and 100% v/v). The phenolic composition and antioxidant power were measured and compared to the corresponding fresh aromatic plants (FAPs). The largest amount of polyphenols, ranging from 14.15 (lemon balm FAP) and 19.61 (lavender SDR) mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry matter (DM), was found in 0% ethanol (pure water) extracts. The phenolic content of lavender and spearmint SDR extracts was higher than that of the corresponding FAP extracts, while the opposite was observed with lemon balm. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant hydroxycinnamic acid detected, ranging from 608.65 µg/g DM in lemon balm 50% ethanol FAP extract to 697.47 µg/g DM in spearmint 50% ethanol SDR extract. The lavender and spearmint SDR extracts exhibited higher antioxidant power than the FAP extracts, while the extracts from fresh lemon balm were more antioxidant than the SDR. The lavender 50% ethanol SDR extract showed the highest scavenging activity (67.16%) and ferric reducing power (16.60 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g DM). These results prove that spent aromatic residues can be utilized to produce antioxidant blends for various industrial applications. Full article

Coagulation–flocculation is widely recognized as a fundamental step in wastewater treatment, as it promotes the aggregation and removal of suspended particles and organic contaminants following the addition of a coagulant. In this study, a bio-based coagulant was prepared from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) seed residues obtained after essential oil extraction. The extraction process for bioactive agents was successfully modeled using Central Composite Design (CCD)-based Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Optimal extraction was reached at pH 13, PPSM of 7.5 g, 0.75 M NaCl, and 40 min of stirring, providing maximum yields of 69.63 g proteins, 217.075 g total sugars, and 81.416 g polyphenols. The optimized extract was subsequently used as a bio-coagulant for the treatment of wastewater collected from the Chalghoum El Aid–Oued El Athmania wastewater treatment plant (Mila, Algeria). The effects of three operating parameters, initial turbidity, solution pH, and bio-coagulant dosage, on the coagulation–flocculation performance were investigated using a Box–Behnken design (BBD). Process efficiency was evaluated in terms of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and organic matter (OM) removal. The raw wastewater exhibited initial values of 200 NTU for turbidity, 640 mg/L for COD, and 25 for organic matter. Statistical analysis revealed that the developed quadratic models were highly significant (p ≤ 0.05) and showed excellent predictive performance, with coefficients of determination (R² ≥ 0.97). Optimal treatment conditions were identified at pH 7, a bio-coagulant dosage of 1 mL/L, and an initial turbidity of 200 NTU. Under these conditions, removal efficiencies exceeded 98% for turbidity and COD and reached 88.08% for organic matter. Furthermore, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for the coagulation activity of the bio-coagulant. These findings highlight the potential of prickly pear seed residues as an effective, sustainable, and low-cost alternative to conventional chemical coagulants in wastewater treatment. Full article

This study investigates the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of Crinum asiaticum L. var. anomalum Baker from Vietnam. Phytochemical screening identified diverse secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the n-hexane fractions revealed 19 major compounds. While all extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity, the chloroform fraction exhibited superior antidiabetic potential via α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 83.13 ± 6.67 µg/mL). Furthermore, at non-cytotoxic concentrations (3.13 to 50 µg/mL), this fraction effectively rescued mouse β-TC6 insulinoma cells from thapsigargin. In anti-inflammatory assays, the n-hexane fraction significantly suppressed nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC₅₀ = 53.12 ± 1.63 µg/mL). Notably, the extracts displayed remarkable selective anticancer activity, particularly the chloroform fraction against HeLa cervical and HepG2/Huh-7 hepatoma cell lines. In silico ADMET and Lipinski’s Rule of Five analyses confirmed that the key bioactive constituents possess favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and drug-likeness. These findings demonstrate C. asiaticum L. var. anomalum Baker as a promising natural source for developing multitarget therapeutic agents against inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. Full article

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) skin is considered an agroindustrial waste byproduct, which currently holds no economic value. Nevertheless, this waste is a natural source of antioxidant compounds, which can be recovered through the use of sustainable technologies. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 15% ethanol combined with two extraction techniques like solid–liquid extraction (SLE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for the recovery of antioxidant compounds from five oca skin cultivars. Regardless of the oca cultivar, the use of PLE was more efficient for obtaining extracts rich in polyphenol with high antioxidant capacity compared to the SLE process. Under PLE conditions, Pachatusan and Yawar cultivars presented the highest value of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. In comparison, the QuesWe and Pachatusan cultivars presented the lowest values. Polyphenol profile analysis showed that the PLE process effectively disrupted the cell wall matrix, resulting in a greater release of monomers (gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin) and procyanidin B2 compared to the SLE process, while procyanidin A2 was more efficiently recovered under SLE, particularly in the Pachatusan cultivar. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed cultivar-dependent polyphenolic patterns, explaining 81.7% and 84.8% of total variance for SLE and PLE, respectively, with PLE generating more pronounced differentiation among cultivars driven by catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid. The integration of PLE technology with the Oca skin framework facilitates the standardized production of extracts rich in antioxidants. Future research should concentrate on evaluating the stability of these specific dimers within food matrices, as well as their bioavailability in human clinical models. Full article

An ultrasound-assisted extraction method combined with response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds and evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Ferula communis inflorescence. Response surface methodology with a central composite design was used to optimize the process. As independent variables, ethanol concentration (40–80% v/v), solvent-to-sample ratio (10–40 mL/g), and extraction time (14–30 min) were assessed. A solid-to-liquid ratio of 19 mL/g, a 60% ethanol concentration, and a 23 min extraction duration were the ideal extraction parameters. The extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (IC₅₀) were predicted to be 18.91%, 34.93 mg GAE/g, 18.03 mg QE/g, and 0.58 mg/mL, respectively, under these optimized conditions. The efficacy of the central composite design in optimizing polyphenol extraction from F. communis was validated by experimental results that closely matched the predicted values. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD, with pyrogallol and kaempferol being the most prevalent components. These results suggest that F. communis may represent a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant applications. Full article

Background: Apoptosis is a fundamental process for maintaining tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation is closely linked to the development of numerous diseases, including colorectal cancer. In recent years, dietary polyphenols have gained interest due to their antioxidant, pro-apoptotic, and chemopreventive properties. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) by-products are rich source of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, making them promising source of bioactive compounds. Methods: In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of four aqueous extracts obtained from artichoke bract by-products, including one commercial hybrid (CAPB) and three local Apulian varieties (BriB, VaMB, LMTB), in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (Caco-2 and HT29). The extracts were characterized according to their total polyphenol content and phenolic profile. Results: The selected artichoke by-product extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic effects both in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with concentrations ≥ 2 mg/mL significantly reducing cell viability and nearly abolishing it at 4 mg/mL after 48 h. Moreover, treatment with the extracts modulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, characterized by an increase in pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3) and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, suggesting activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In particular, the BriB extract was able to induce an apoptosis rate higher than 80% in Caco-2 cells and achieved comparable rates in HT29 cells at concentrations of 2–3 mg/mL. Conclusions: Overall, these findings demonstrate that artichoke by-product extracts exert significant pro-apoptotic effects in colorectal cancer cells and highlight their potential as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds for nutraceutical or adjuvant anticancer applications. Full article

The current research investigates the extraction efficiency of an emerging green technology, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), compared to traditional stirring extraction (STE) in order to recover higher antioxidant capacity from three plant species of the Asteraceae family, namely Solidago virgaurea, Tussilago farfara, and Helichrysum stoechas. The optimal PLE conditions were achieved through a combined response surface methodology (RSM) approach. The resulting optimized PLE parameters (40% ethanol, 160 °C, 25 min, 1700 psi) were experimentally verified and directly contrasted with STE (40% ethanol, 80 °C, 60 min, 500 rpm). Despite having the same solvent polarity, the two methods showed significant variations in mass transfer kinetics and heat intensity. Across all species, PLE significantly boosted the ascorbic acid antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), thereby showing enhanced recovery of compounds that contribute to the overall antioxidant capacity. STE generated noticeably increased total polyphenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity (p < 0.05), indicating that some phenolic subclasses might be susceptible to PLE at higher temperatures. Values for ferric-reducing antioxidant power were largely similar among approaches. Overall, PLE was shown to be highly effective in maximizing the total antioxidant capacity in shorter extraction times, while STE can better preserve specific polyphenolic fractions, as demonstrated through analysis of the optimal extracts by HPLC-DAD. The integration of experimental validation with chemometric modeling supports the reliability and practical applicability of the optimized PLE protocol. Full article

Onion peel extract (OPE) is rich in polyphenolic compounds with antimicrobial potential. Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in young broiler chicks causes morbidity, reduced growth, and contributes to human gastroenteritis through contaminated poultry products. The spleen is a key secondary lymphoid organ coordinating systemic responses to pathogens in chicken. This study evaluated how dietary OPE influences spleen metabolic profiles during SE infection. Day-old Ross 708 male chicks (n = 128) were assigned to four treatments: CON, CON-SE, OPE (6 g/kg), and OPE-SE. Chicks in CON and OPE received sterile broth, whereas CON-SE and OPE-SE received 2.25 × 10⁸ CFU/mL SE at 2 d of age. At 5 and 12 dpi, spleens from six chicks per treatment were collected for untargeted HPLC-MS metabolomics. A total of 857 metabolites were identified and analyzed using MetaboAnalyst 6.0 (p < 0.05; fold change ≥ 2.0; VIP score > 1.0). In CON-SE chicks, energy generating metabolites (6-phosphogluconic acid, methylmalonic acid, propionic acid) increased, while 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin D2 and kynurenic acid decreased. Dietary OPE elevated several dipeptides (L-Val-Gly, L-Leu-Gly, Gly-Gly-Leu, L-Val-L-Met) and reduced ATP linked metabolites (3,6-di-O-methyl-beta-D-glucose and 3-O-beta-D-galactosyl-sn-glycerol). Enrichment analysis showed that SE infection altered valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation and aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, whereas OPE enriched galactose and biotin metabolism in uninfected chicks, but enriched tryptophan, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism in SE-infected chicks. Overall, dietary OPE optimized response of metabolic pathways associated with immune activation, unlike corresponding pathways in CON-SE birds. Full article

Inulin-type fructans are widely recognized as functional polysaccharides with prebiotic properties, while plant polyphenols represent one of the most important classes of natural antioxidants. Increasing evidence demonstrates that interactions between dietary fibers such as inulin and phenolic compounds significantly influence antioxidant capacity, bioavailability, and physiological activity. The present review integrates recent advances regarding the chemical structure of inulin, extraction sources, molecular interactions with polyphenols, and implications for antioxidant activity in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Experimental studies indicate correlations between inulin concentration and antioxidant parameters such as DPPH, FRAP, SOD and CAT activities. Furthermore, physicochemical interactions between cell wall polysaccharides and polyphenols influence the stability, release kinetics and bioefficacy of antioxidant compounds. These findings support the potential development of optimized functional formulations combining inulin-rich plant extracts with polyphenol sources for improved health benefits. The literature was identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases (2000–2026). Full article

The prickly pear is a crop of socioeconomic relevance in arid regions, and its productivity and chemical composition depend on water availability. The effect of irrigation on the crop’s biochemical quality was evaluated. Cladodes of cultivars: ‘Amarilla Olorosa’, ‘Cristalina’, ‘Dalia Roja’, and ‘Roja Lisa’, were subjected to three treatments: no irrigation (NI), supplemental irrigation (SI), equivalent to 50% of the crop’s evapotranspiration, and full irrigation (FI). Subsequently, cladodes were collected, and total polyphenols and flavonoids, polyphenol profile, and antioxidant capacity were determined. Cladodes under NI had the highest concentrations of flavonoids, although the lowest values of total polyphenols. In the cladode extracts, myricetin, rutin, catechin, as well as caffeic, chlorogenic, dihydroxybenzoic, and vanillic acids were identified. Overall, cladodes grown under FI and SI showed higher levels of phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, and vanillic), while concentrations of catechin, myricetin, and rutin were higher under SI and NI. Antioxidant capacity was higher in NI cladodes assessed by ABTS and DPPH, while the FRAP assay showed higher values under SI. Among the cultivars, ‘Amarilla Olorosa’ stood out for its high content of bioactive compounds, confirming the potential of nopal cladodes as a source of antioxidant metabolites with agro-industrial applications. Full article

The growing prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases has increased interest in nutritional strategies based on natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. This study aimed to develop a polyphenol-fortified tomato juice using extracts from unripe green tomatoes and to evaluate its physicochemical, antioxidant, sensory, and storage properties. Polyphenolic extracts obtained from tomato by-products were characterized using spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses and incorporated into tomato juice, which was then pasteurized and stored for six months. Total polyphenol content increased from 40.97 to 82.45 mg GAE/100 g, decreasing to 71.44 mg after storage; HPLC confirmed higher levels of key phenolic compounds in fortified juice. DPPH antioxidant activity increased in fortified juice compared to control, since pasteurization had limited effects but decreased after storage, with a moderate reduction in bioactivity. Colorimetric and sensory analyses showed changes in color, aroma, and sweetness after storage, potentially affecting consumer acceptance, although overall composition remained largely stable. Overall, results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a polyphenol-enriched tomato juice from agro-industrial by-products with improved antioxidant properties and acceptable technological stability. These findings support the valorization of tomato processing waste and suggest potential applications in functional food development, human health promotion, and the sustainability of agri-food systems’ overall approach. Full article

Aronia melanocarpa is a rich source of anthocyanins with well-documented antioxidant and antidiabetic potential; however, their application is limited by low stability. In this study, extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology, with the highest total polyphenol content obtained at an ethanol concentration of 36.9% (v/v), an extraction temperature of 34.1 °C, and a solvent-to-solid ratio of 54.5 mL/g. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity and inhibited α-amylase in vitro, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.18 ± 0.27 mg/mL, compared with 6.76 ± 0.21 mg/mL for acarbose under the same assay conditions. Molecular modeling suggested that cyanidin derivatives may play a major role in the observed α-amylase inhibitory activity. The optimized extract was subsequently incorporated into yeast-derived β-glucan systems at different ratios to improve anthocyanin stability and formulation performance. Incorporation of β-glucan significantly modified dissolution behavior and reduced anthocyanin degradation in a ratio-dependent manner. The highest stabilization effect was observed for the aronia: β-glucan 1:2 system, in which the degradation rate decreased approximately 4.7-fold. Full article

The rising prevalence of neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in children has prompted interest in dietary strategies that target neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) contain substantial amounts of anthocyanins and other neuroactive polyphenols that may confer neuroprotective effects. We summarize the literature published between 2016 and 2025 to examine how the bioactives in blueberries affect symptoms relevant to children with diagnosed neurodevelopmental or emotional–behavioral disorders, including ADHD, mood problems, and cognitive difficulties. Mechanistically, anthocyanins appear to modulate gut microbial composition, modulate neuroinflammation and alleviate oxidative stress via the Nrf2 pathway, and support synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. Clinical trials, although limited in number and sample size, have reported modest improvements in mood and verbal memory in typically developing children and adolescents, with some gains in attention and executive function. However, direct trials in children with diagnosed neurodevelopmental or emotional–behavioral conditions remain scarce. There are substantial hurdles to translating these findings. Anthocyanins have poor physicochemical stability and low bioavailability, and routine food processing degrades their activity. Emerging solutions such as green extraction from agricultural by-products, colon-targeted microencapsulation, and zero-waste engineering could address these limitations. Rigorous randomized controlled trials in children with diagnosed neurodevelopmental or emotional–behavioral disorders are essential, as are advances in food engineering. Both are needed to move blueberry-based interventions from the laboratory to application. Full article

Relict yew plants (Taxus L.) are not only ornamental plants with valuable wood but also have the ability to synthesize the unique compound taxol, which is successfully used in the treatment of cancer due to its powerful cytotoxic effect. Due to the presence of taxol, all parts of yew plants are extremely poisonous, but there have been cases where animals have eaten yew cones without fatal consequences. The biosynthesis of taxol is carried out due to the interaction of the isoprenoid and phenolic pathways of the secondary metabolism of plants. Despite the close attention of researchers to the peculiarities of taxol metabolism, there is very little data on the tissue and intracellular localization of both taxols and phenolic compounds in yew plants. Polyphenols are known to be physiologically active mediators involved in respiration, photosynthesis, plant growth and development, as well as in the process of in vitro dedifferentiation. Since Taxus is a relict species and has a limited and hard-to-reach range in nature, technologies that allow yew plants to be restored without removing plant material from the natural environment are of great practical importance: overcoming deep physiological dormancy of seeds, microclonal reproduction and initiation of plant growth. In vitro cultures are possible sources of biologically active and medicinal products. The aims and objectives of this study are to determine the characteristics of the formation and localization of phenolic compounds with high biological activity in various organs of plants of the genus Taxus and to determine the biological activity of ethanolic extracts from this plant. The objects of this study were the generative organs of Taxus canadensis, collected during the entire growing season (April–October) from plants growing in the Moscow region. The localization of various classes of polyphenols was determined by histochemical methods using light microscopy. Histochemical studies have shown the abundant presence of polyphenols in yew megastrobiles, microstrobiles, cones, seeds and aril. Ethanolic plant extracts were used to determine the biological activity. Flavans were dominant in the aril at various stages of vegetation, which was confirmed by our biochemical and histochemical studies. Extractive substances of T. canadensis show high antibacterial activity, especially in its shoot extracts. Ethanolic extracts from plant shoots showed greater biological activity than seed extracts. Aril extracts had the lowest cytotoxicity. Full article