Search Results (2,725)

The genus Tamarix L. includes several species widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. This study aims to evaluate the bioactive potential of Tamarix gallica extracts from Western Algeria using an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. GC–MS analysis with BSTFA derivatization was performed to characterize the chemical profile of the methanolic fraction. In addition, total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined in methanolic extracts of leaves and stems. The biological activities were assessed using antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, FRAP, O-phenanthroline, and cupric reducing assays), antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer in vitro assays. Molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of selected flavonoids against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase. Results revealed a rich metabolite profile dominated by long-chain aliphatic alcohols (including hentriacontan-12-ol), phytosterols (β-sitosterol), fatty acids, phenolic derivatives, and sugar alcohols. The extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 1.34 ± 0.43 and 12.32 ± 0.36 μg·mL⁻¹), significant antimicrobial effects against the tested pathogens, and notable antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities (IC₅₀ = 78.65 ± 1.43 and 98.37 ± 1.07 μg·mL⁻¹). Molecular docking analysis supported these findings, showing strong binding affinities of quercetin and rhamnetin toward the target enzymes. Overall, T. gallica exhibits promising multifunctional bioactivities with potential pharmaceutical relevance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tordylium trachycarpum Boiss. (Apiaceae) is traditionally used in Kurdish ethnomedicine for the management of gastrointestinal disorders; however, its pharmacological efficacy and safety profile remain insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated, for the first time, the gastroprotective activity and associated antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic responses of the methanolic extract of T. trachycarpum using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in Sprague–Dawley rats. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, and glycosides. Acute oral toxicity testing demonstrated no signs of toxicity at doses up to 5 g/kg. Gastric ulceration was induced by absolute ethanol, and animals were pretreated with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) or omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Results: The extract significantly decreased the gastric lesion area from 258.50 ± 6.38 mm² in the ulcer control group to 143.70 ± 0.76 mm² and 115.50 ± 0.76 mm², corresponding to ulcer inhibition rates of 44.41% and 55.31%. Additionally, the extract increased mucus production, maintained mucosal structure, and raised stomach pH. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In addition, the extract modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Blood-based ELISA analysis demonstrated increased expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reduced Bax levels, suggesting anti-apoptotic activity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that T. trachycarpum exerts significant gastroprotective activity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, supporting its traditional use and highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for the management of gastric ulcers. Full article

This study evaluates regulated deficit irrigation (IR) and post-harvest dehydration (DH) as complementary strategies to mitigate extreme thermal stress on the red grape variety Avgoustiatis during the hot 2024 vintage. Analysis of the berries reveals that while IR significantly expanded vine productivity to 2.75 kg/vine compared to 1.32 kg/vine recorded in control vines (CO), it successfully maintained berry weight (240 g). Conversely, DH induced controlled water loss, reducing berry weight to 93 g and concentrating must sugars to 27.3 ^°Brix, relative to the 23.2 ^°Brix observed in IR. Crucially, both IR and DH prevented the thermal degradation of total acidity (6.73 g/L and 7.25 g/L respectively) which caused by heat stress in CO samples (6.21 g/L). In the finished wines, both practices increased colour intensity by lowering anthocyanin extractability. However, chemical profiling clearly differentiated the treatments with DH maximized skin tannins (164.7 mg/L), yielding highly structured, astringent wines characterized by plum aromas driven by elevated nerol content (492.91 μg/L). Conversely, IR wines presented a more complex volatile profile, boosting fruity and floral notes. In conclusion, as irrigation becomes increasingly restricted by water scarcity under climate change, post-harvest dehydration offers an effective alternative for producing premium, structurally dense red wines. Full article

Sustainable lightweight materials based on renewable resources have attracted increasing attention as alternatives to synthetic materials. However, developing nanocellulose cryogels with adequate structural integrity and efficient retention of phenolic compounds remains challenging, often requiring furanic and dialdehyde-based additives associated with environmental and health concerns. In this context, tannin-containing nanocellulose cryogels were produced using vanillin and hydrogen peroxide as sustainable modification agents. The effects of the additives on the structural, morphological, colorimetric, mechanical, thermal, and leaching properties of the cryogels were investigated. FTIR and colorimetric analyses revealed the presence of phenolics and the effect of hydrogen peroxide. SEM analysis showed that tannin promoted structural densification, whereas peroxide induced fragmentation of the cryogel network and pore reorganization. These changes influenced density and mechanical performance, with nanocellulose-tannin exhibiting the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus. Thermal conductivity values remained within the range reported for highly porous lignocellulosic materials (38.93–43.79 (mW/m·K)). Tannin leaching demonstrated that peroxide significantly improved tannin retention, especially in the system including vanillin which exhibited only 13,61% tannin release. Overall, vanillin and hydrogen peroxide modified the supramolecular organization and functional properties of the cryogels, highlighting their potential as additives in porous materials for thermal insulation and adsorption applications. Full article

Acidification and the application of exogenous tannins are well-established oenological practices designed to ensure wine stability and quality, playing a pivotal role to address the grape compositional imbalances associated with climate change. This study investigates precision enology techniques using a 2023 Sangiovese di Romagna, analyzing the interaction between pH modulation (3.2, 3.6, 3.8) and the addition of commercial grape seed tannins with varying medium degrees of polymerization (TanA: 3.1 mdp vs. TanB: 10.8 mdp). Following alcoholic fermentation, a full factorial design was implemented, including control batches (pH adjustment only). After a 40-day mild thermal treatment (T = 25 ± 1 °C) to simulate aging, results indicate that the high-mdp tannin (TanB) dominated color evolution regardless of pH, whereas the low-mdp tannin (TanA) effect was pH-dependent. Notably, a pH of 3.8 resulted in colloidal instability across all samples. The findings highlight the importance of customized protocols to mitigate climate-related challenges in winemaking. Full article

Intensive shrimp aquaculture has led to increased disease outbreaks and a greater reliance on antibiotics, driving the need for sustainable alternatives. This study examined the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and effects of Acanthus ebracteatus (AC) aqueous extract as a natural feed additive on growth performance, and health in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Phytochemical analysis of AC aqueous extracts revealed high concentrations of phenolics (162.1 ± 11.78 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (75.8 ± 2.32 mg RE/g), tannins (38.4 ± 0.78 mg TAE/g), and verbascoside (0.48 ± 0.01% w/w). Strong antioxidant capacity was confirmed with DPPH IC₅₀ of 42.6 ± 11.78 µg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ of 2.93 ± 0.02 mg/mL, and FRAP value of 1.41 ± 0.08 mmol FeSO₄/g extract. A feeding trial was conducted over eight weeks using 300 shrimp randomly assigned to four treatments: control diet and diets supplemented with 1%, 2%, and 3% AC aqueous extract. AC 2% supplementation showed optimal results for growth performance, including improved final body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. AC 3% treatment maximally enhanced immune responses, significantly elevating catalase, lysozyme, total antioxidant capacity, and hemocyanin, and glutathione peroxidase activity showed a numerical increase in AC-supplemented groups, particularly at the 3% inclusion level, although the differences were not statistically significant. AC 2% supplementation also improved hepatopancreatic histology through oxidative stress modulation and enhanced lipid metabolism. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of AC aqueous extract by integrating phytochemical characterization, antioxidant profiling, and in vivo assessment of growth, immune response, and hepatopancreatic morphology in Pacific white shrimp. Full article

Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L. cv. Black Queen (BQ) is a hybrid cultivar with oenological potential in subtropical climates, yet its sensory structure remains insufficiently systematized. This study aimed to construct an integrated sensory framework by merging two Balanced Complete Block Design (BCBD) datasets into a unified database and developing a structured descriptor reduction workflow to address multicollinearity and redundancy. The resulting “BQ Lexicon v.0” comprised nine Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) attributes and twelve check-all-that-apply (CATA) descriptors. Based on this optimized dataset, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was developed to predict overall liking (OL), achieving a satisfactory performance (R²(train) = 0.70 and R²(validation) = 0.74). Three-dimensional response surface visualization further illustrated non-linear relationships as a process monitor, indicating sourness as a primary negative driver of acceptance and revealing interactive and synergistic effects between tannin, sweetness, and aroma. These findings demonstrate that integrating structured data management with machine learning can enhance sensory modeling efficiency. Ultimately, the validated BQ Lexicon v.0 and the aligned data framework establish a reliable foundation for future oenological research in Black Queen grape. This structured approach effectively resolves the challenges of integrating distributed sensory datasets, while offering practical insights for targeted winemaking strategies. Full article

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop is a perennial plant of the family Asteraceae that is mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite being widely recognized as an invasive weed in agriculture, most of the scientific evidence shows its significant phytochemical and pharmacological importance. In the present review article, a comprehensive summary of the available literature on C. arvense’s botanical properties, phytochemical composition, biological activities, standardization potential, and future therapeutic prospects has been carefully provided. This plant has been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammation, infections, bleeding disorders, and liver-related disorders. Phytochemical investigations showed the presence of many bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, sterols, tannins, glycosides, and volatile compounds. Among the reported biological activities, antioxidants and antimicrobial properties are the most studied activities. In addition, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities have also been investigated. The environmental adaptability, rapid growth, and extensive root system of C. arvense highlight its potential for development as a sustainable medicinal and industrial crop. However, there are critical research gaps present in phytochemical standardization, toxicity assessment, pharmacokinetics, and clinical validation, warranting further comprehensive studies. Full article

Multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens pose a critical global health challenge, necessitating safe and effective antimicrobial alternatives. Plant-derived nanoparticles represent promising candidates due to their bioactivity and biocompatibility. Magnesium nitrate nanoparticles were synthesized using Momordica charantia peel extract through green chemistry. Phytochemical screening identified flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and terpenoids that facilitated nanoparticle formation and stability. Characterization via scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed polydisperse size distribution (1–100 nm), crystalline structure, and functional group capping. Disc diffusion assays demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant strains, with maximum inhibition zones of 17.6 ± 1.1 mm against Gram-positive bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration assays revealed high bactericidal activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Time-kill kinetic studies showed concentration- and time-dependent killing with ≥3 log₁₀ reduction in viable bacterial counts at higher concentrations. Nanoparticle–antibiotic combinations exhibited markedly enhanced activity against multidrug-resistant strains compared to free antibiotics, indicating synergistic effects. Toxicity assessment using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay revealed low toxicity (LC₅₀ > 1000 µg/mL). Green-synthesized magnesium nitrate nanoparticles demonstrate potent antibacterial properties and effectively enhance antibiotic potency against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Further studies are required to validate therapeutic applicability. Full article

To address the challenges of low germanium recovery and high reagent consumption during precipitation from strongly acidic solutions, this study developed a two-stage tannin process intensified by microfluidic mixing and systematically examined the synergistic effects of tannin dosage and pH on coordination chemistry. First-stage recovery rose from 45.23% to 91.28% as the tannin ratio increased from 5- to 15-fold, confirming that sufficient ligand promotes dense chelate formation. Optimising pH to 2.0–2.5 deprotonated tannin hydroxyls, enabling electrostatic–chelation synergy with Ge(OH)₃⁺ and yielding 79.88% recovery—a 20.28% improvement over pH 1.5. The staged second-stage process proved particularly effective: at pH 1.5, a “5-fold primary + 15-fold secondary” scheme achieved 92.04% total recovery with only 13.22-fold cumulative tannin, a 46.81% increase over the single-stage 5-fold treatment; at pH 2.5, a “5-fold + 10-fold” combination reached 95.44% recovery with just 8.67-fold reagent. Microfluidic processing refined particle size and intensified the Ge–O vibration at 864 cm⁻¹, indicating more stable coordination. Economic analysis reveals that efficiency plateaus beyond a 17-fold cumulative dosage, making staged addition the cost-effective choice. By harmonising staged coordination with enhanced mass transfer, this approach resolves the inherent conflict between precipitation depth and reagent overuse, delivering a sustainable strategy for germanium recovery. Full article

In this study, 20% ethanol elution fraction(PC-20), 40% ethanol elution fraction(PC-40), 60% ethanol elution fraction(PC-60), and 80% ethanol elution fraction (PC-80)of Penthorum chinense polyphenols were obtained using AB-8 macroporous resin . Their in vitro bioactivities were compared to explore potential applications. A comprehensive phytochemical analysis identified 85 compounds, including 16 phenolic acids, 36 flavonoids, 24 hydrolyzed tannins, 7 anthocyanins, and 2 others. The results showed clear ethanol concentration-dependent variations in both compound composition and bioactivity. PC-20 had the highest levels of total polyphenols (418.45 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (84.95 mg/g), and tannins (10.61 mg/g), and also showed the best antioxidant capacity. PC-40 contained the most flavonoids (227.55 mg/g). PC-60 gave the strongest α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.79 µg/mL), while PC-20 was most effective against pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀ = 101.06 µg/mL) and also significantly activated the enzymes ADH and ALDH. Overall, PC-20 appears more suitable for applications aimed at antioxidant, anti-obesity, or liver-protective effects, whereas PC-60 is more promising for blood glucose control. This work provides a practical basis for selecting different ethanol fractions of P. chinense polyphenols according to specific functional needs. Full article

Manilkara zapota (M. zapota), commonly known as sapodilla, is a tropical fruit recognized for its nutritional value and diverse phytochemical composition. This review critically summarizes recent evidence (2013–2026) regarding the phytochemistry, biological activities, safety profile, and food industry relevance of M. zapota, using literature retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and other scientific databases. Different parts of the plant, including its fruits, leaves, seeds, and bark, contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, catechin, myricetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, triterpenes, and glycosides. Experimental studies have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, gastroprotective, glucose homeostasis, and antiproliferative activities associated with these phytochemicals. Mechanistically, M. zapota extracts have been reported to modulate oxidative stress markers, inflammatory mediators, apoptotic pathways, and lipid metabolism-related enzymes in in vitro and animal studies. Available toxicological evidence suggests that certain extracts were well tolerated under specific experimental conditions; however, further standardized safety assessments and clinical investigations remain necessary. In addition to its pharmacological relevance, M. zapota has potential applications in functional foods and food processing industries, including jams, jellies, spreads, fruit bars, beverages, and nutraceutical formulations. Overall, M. zapota represents a promising underutilized plant with potential relevance for food, nutraceutical, and future biomedical applications. Full article

The seeds of Impatiens balsamina L. have been traditionally used in East Asian medicine and are known to contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. However, studies focusing on seed-derived callus remain limited. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the antioxidant activities and lipid accumulation-inhibitory effects of 70% ethanol extracts from seeds (IB) and seed-derived callus (IBC) of I. balsamina. Callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, deoxyribose-based hydroxyl radical scavenging, DNA nicking, lipid peroxidation, and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) assays, along with the determination of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents. Cell viability and lipid accumulation were assessed in FFA-treated HepG2 cells. In silico network and transcription factor (TF) enrichment analyses were performed to explore underlying mechanisms. Callus induction was most effective at 1 mg/L 2,4-D. Both IB and IBC exhibited antioxidant activities across all assays, with IB showing higher activity and greater phytochemical content than IBC. Both extracts reduced lipid accumulation in FFA-treated HepG2 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Network analysis identified enrichment in pathways related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid metabolism, and TF enrichment analysis identified NFKB1 and ATF3 as major upstream regulators. Both IB and IBC exhibited antioxidant activities across multiple in vitro assays, with IB showing higher activity attributable to its more complex phytochemical content. The lipid accumulation-inhibitory effects observed in FFA-treated HepG2 cells suggest a potential association between antioxidant capacity and lipid regulation, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be experimentally validated. Seed-derived callus may serve as a useful in vitro model for studying plant-derived bioactive compounds, pending further optimization. Full article

Phytochemical-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fabrication routes by utilising plant-derived metabolites as multifunctional reducing, capping, and stabilising agents. Polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and related biomolecules mediate the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ under mild conditions while controlling nucleation, growth, and surface stabilisation, thereby dictating nanoparticle size, morphology, and colloidal stability. This review establishes clear links between phytochemical composition and the mechanistic pathways governing nanoparticle formation and biofunctional performance. Variations in extract chemistry influence electron transfer dynamics, surface functionalisation, and physicochemical properties, ultimately modulating biological activity. Enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant effects arise from synergistic interactions between the silver core and phytochemical capping layers, promoting membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and biomolecular interference. Despite promising applications in antimicrobial coatings, food preservation, agriculture, and anticancer systems, key challenges remain, including compositional variability, limited mechanistic standardisation, and insufficient toxicological evaluation. Nonetheless, phytochemical-assisted synthesis provides a tunable and sustainable platform for AgNP production, aligning nanomaterial design with green chemistry principles while enabling multifunctional bioactivity. By integrating phytochemical composition, mechanistic synthesis pathways, and structure–activity relationships across diverse applications, this review provides a critical framework for the rational design, standardisation, and scalable development of next-generation phytochemical-mediated AgNP systems. Full article

The low production efficiency of tannase and the insufficient utilization of high-tannin feed resources form the research background and research significance of this study. In this experiment, the tannase sequence TanLpl from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC14917T (obtained from a microbial culture collection) was selected. These sequences were respectively integrated into the expression systems of Bacillus subtilis 168 (BS168) and Bacillus subtilis WB600 (WB600) through plasmids TanLpl-p43NMK and TanLpl-pHT43. This successfully constructed three tannase-producing strains: TanLpl-p43NMK-Bacillus subtilis 168 (BS168(p43NMK)), TanLpl-pHT43-Bacillus subtilis 168 (BS168(pHT43)), and TanLpl-pHT43-Bacillus subtilis WB600 (WB600(pHT43)). An evaluation of the recombinant strains’ growth characteristics, expression stability, and enzymatic properties revealed that all three strains reached the stationary phase after 18 h of growth, with no significant differences in growth rate compared to the parental strains. At the 10th generation of subculture, the plasmid loss rate of BS168(p43NMK) was significantly higher than that of BS168(pHT43) or WB600(pHT43) (p < 0.05). The optimal temperature for tannase activity in all three recombinant strains was 30 °C, with an optimal pH value of 5.0. Under these conditions, the tannase activities were 68.81 U/mL, 397.36 U/mL, and 461.12 U/mL, respectively. The recombinant strain WB600(pHT43) exhibited superior expression stability and enzyme production capability compared to the other two strains. The research on the heterologous expression of tannase and its application in feed utilization has important theoretical and practical significance: it enriches the technical system for the heterologous expression of functional enzymes in Bacillus subtilis, provides new ideas for the efficient production of industrial enzymes, and promotes the development of bio-manufacturing technology. Full article