Search Results (3,501)

The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, alongside antioxidant activity: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays). Additionally, the levels of antinutritional compounds (tannins, phytates, oxalates, alkaloids, and saponins) were assessed in the flowers of five pumpkin species: giant pumpkin, summer squash, butternut squash, fig-leaf gourd, and cushaw squash (Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma). The results revealed significant interspecific variation in both bioactive and antinutritional compounds. Giant pumpkin flowers exhibited the highest content of polyphenols and phenolic acids, fig-leaf gourd flowers were the richest in carotenoids, whereas butternut squash flowers had the highest anthocyanin levels. The strongest antioxidant activity was observed in giant pumpkin flowers, which can be attributed to their high phenolic and flavonoid content. Despite the presence of moderate amounts of antinutritional compounds, pumpkin flowers can be considered a valuable edible raw material with nutraceutical potential. Full article

Muscari neglectum is a Mediterranean geophyte with a long tradition of ethnomedicinal use, yet the phytochemistry of its bulbs remains underexplored compared with aerial parts. This study aimed to characterise the metabolite profile of M. neglectum bulbs and to assess their antioxidant and radical scavenging potential, and anti-inflammatory potential. Bulb extracts were obtained by hydroethanolic extraction and analysed through HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS, leading to the annotation of 72 compounds spanning diverse chemical families, including flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and triterpenoid saponins. Flavonoids constituted the most abundant group, with homoisoflavanones representing a characteristic class of metabolites in the Muscari genus and reflecting its distinctive secondary metabolism. Quantitative analyses revealed a high total phenolic content (65.5 mg GAE/g DE) and total flavonoid content (14.3 mg Epi/g DE). Antioxidant assays demonstrated measurable reducing power (FRAP: 0.26 mmol Fe²⁺/g DE; TEAC: 0.45 mmol TE/g DE), while radical scavenging assays indicated activity against superoxide anion (IC₅₀ = 848 mg/L) and hypochlorous acid (IC₅₀ = 9.2 mg/L). Additionally, the extract inhibited xanthine oxidase (IC₅₀ = 20.6 mg/L). Furthermore, the extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, effectively scavenging nitric oxide radicals (IC₅₀ = 78 ± 3 mg/L) and inhibiting lipoxygenase (IC₅₀ = 66 ± 2 mg/L), suggesting that phenolic compounds and triterpenoid saponins contribute to the modulation of oxidative and enzymatic inflammatory pathways. These findings highlight M. neglectum bulbs as a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. The results provide a chemical basis for their traditional use and reinforce the value of bulb-specific studies within the Asparagaceae family. Full article

Olive pomace (OP), an olive mill byproduct, poses environmental risks if mismanaged due to its high phenolic content, acidic pH, organic load, and electrical conductivity. This study evaluated the impact of olive pomace filtrate (OPF) at varying doses (OP-5, OP-10, OP-15) on broad bean (Vicia faba L.) growth, secondary metabolites, and nutrient accumulation. The highest OPF dose (OP-15) exhibited a clear negative, dose-dependent phytotoxic effect, causing stem discoloration, reduced root growth, necrosis, and chlorosis, while untreated controls showed vigorous growth. This significantly (p < 0.05) reduced leaf development, average number of leaves, and total leaf area, even at the lowest concentration (5%). Consequently, OP-15 reduced dry and fresh biomass by over 50% and shoot/root lengths by up to 61.55% compared to the control. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed a positive dose-dependent effect of OPF on beneficial phenol and flavonoid accumulation, with significantly higher amounts of ferulic, isoferulic, caffeic, chlorogenic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids, as well as luteolin-4′-rutinoside and 4,7-dihydroxyflavone. OP application significantly (p < 0.05) decreased relative water content and increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde, indicating stress. Furthermore, OP decreased the uptake of K, P, Fe, S, Zn, and Cu. Therefore, the intrinsic phytotoxicity of OPF suggests that mitigation measures are essential before considering environmental application to prevent potential adverse effects on sensitive crops and the wider ecosystem. Full article

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs), a product of nanotechnology, have emerged as promising biostimulants with significant applications in sustainable agriculture for enhancing crop yield and quality. In this study, the effects of foliar-applied CSNPs on yield and bioactive compounds in melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruits were evaluated. Five increasing concentrations of CSNPs (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg mL⁻¹) were foliarly applied. The foliar spraying of CSNPs exerted positive effects on fruit productivity and nutraceutical attributes. The most significant yield and commercial quality were achieved with the 0.4 mg mL⁻¹ dose. In contrast, the 0.8 mg mL⁻¹ dose was most effective in enhancing optimal postharvest characteristics, including fruit firmness and reduced weight loss, as well as stimulating the accumulation of bioactive compounds (such as flavonoids and vitamin C) and antioxidant capacity. In the case of phenols, the highest total phenolic content was observed at concentrations of 0.6 and 0.8 mg mL⁻¹. Therefore, the foliar application of CSNPs constitutes a versatile and sustainable strategy, allowing for the tailoring of application doses to either maximize yield or enhance the functional and postharvest quality of melon fruits. Full article

Grapefruit is rich in flavanones, particularly naringin and narirutin. This study investigated the effects of temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio on microwave-assisted pressurized CO₂–H₂O (MWP-CO₂-H₂O) extraction of flavonoids from grapefruit and optimized the parameters for maximum total flavonoid content (TFC) using response surface methodology. Independent variable ranges were 110–160 °C, 4.00–14.00 min, and 1:10.00–1:40.00 g/mL. Optimum conditions were 128 °C, 13.88 min, and 1:31.35 g/mL, yielding a TFC of 27.96 ± 1.29 mg naringin equivalent/g dry weight. Under these conditions, extraction yield, total phenolic content, ferric reducing ability of plasma, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, and DPPH IC₅₀ were 55.17 ± 1.90% (dry basis), 25.42 ± 1.39 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 39.16 ± 1.61 µmol trolox equivalent/g, 81.64 ± 0.29 µmol trolox equivalent/g, and 1.60 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. Compared to conventional extraction (CE), MWP-CO₂-H₂O produced higher TFC, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, while reducing extraction time by 13.68-fold. These results highlight grapefruit peel waste as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds and demonstrate that MWP-CO₂-H₂O is an environmentally sustainable, efficient alternative to conventional methods. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents of C. odorata leaves and stems and to evaluate their antioxidant, total phenol, α-glucosidase, and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS)-based metabolite profiling combined with principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to correlate metabolite composition with functional activities, providing comprehensive insights into the metabolomic diversity and bioactive differentiation between plant parts. The plant materials were extracted using 70% and 100% ethanol for 24 h. The leaf extract of ethanol 70% (EtOH 70) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 223.33 ± 9.20 µg/mL) and total phenolic content (113.15 mg GAE/g), while the stem EtOH 70% extract showed the strongest antidiabetic activity through α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (78.57%). Although appearing less potent, all extracts showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity, such as Staphylococcus aureus (highest value at 9.31 mm), Escherichia coli (highest value at 9.92 mm), and Salmonella typhimurium (highest value at 9.00 mm). Comparing the plant parts, leaf extracts generally showed more potent activity than stem extracts, particularly evident against E. coli (e.g., Leaf EtOH 70% at 5 mg/mL: 9.92 mm vs. Stem EtOH 70%: 7.97 mm). LC-HRMS analysis revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, amino acids, organic acids, and alkaloids. Furthermore, the result indicates that C. odorata is a rich source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and antibacterial potency. The findings advance existing knowledge beyond earlier phytochemical or single-activity studies, offering a more holistic understanding of C. odorata’s therapeutic potential and its relevance for natural product development. Full article

The cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) is rich in antioxidant bioactive constituents that have anti-aging and wound healing properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biological activities of cashew apple extract (CAE) and to improve the issue involving the instability of ascorbic acid, the principal active compound, by encapsulating the extract in liposomes in order to enhance its stability and skin permeation for cosmetic applications. CAE was obtained from fresh cashew apple via ethanol maceration, solvent evaporation, and freeze-drying. Ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total caffeoylquinic acid content (TCQAC) were determined. The ascorbic acid content and its tautomer in the extract were quantified using the LC-MS/MS method. Biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, fibroblast collagen synthesis, cytoprotection against oxidative stress, wound healing, and cytotoxicity, were assessed. CAE was encapsulated in liposomes to enhance the stability of its inherent ascorbic acid and improve its skin in comparison to free-CAE. The CAE and liposomal-CAE were incorporated and formulated into a solution, and their physicochemical stability was assessed after storage. CAE appeared as a brown, viscous liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity scent. Each gram of CAE contained 0.90 ± 0.05 mg of ascorbic acid, TPC, 81.40 ± 7.14 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE), TFC, 3.73 ± 0.30 mg of rutin equivalents (RE), and TCQAC, 4.48 ± 0.05 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalents (CGAE). CAE exhibited antioxidant properties (IC₅₀ = 282.19 ± 11.16 and 963.66 ± 3.95 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS assay, respectively) and weak anti-tyrosinase activity (IC₅₀ = 4213.77 ± 138.97 µg/mL). It was non-cytotoxic to fibroblast and monocyte cells at a concentration of less than 1 mg/mL. In vitro wound healing assays demonstrated that CAE stimulated collagen production in a dose-dependent manner at CAE concentrations above 250 µg/mL. Additionally, CAE exhibited cytoprotective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and did not induce inflammatory responses in immune cells. The liposomal formulation containing CAE achieved high encapsulation efficiency (79.75–84.55%) based on ascorbic acid content. In skin permeation studies, CAE-loaded liposomes demonstrated an enhancement ratio approximately two-fold greater than that of free-CAE. Stability testing over 3 months showed that the ascorbic acid content in CAE-loaded liposomes remained significantly higher than that in the free-CAE under both refrigerated and long-term conditions (30 °C/75% RH). CAE demonstrated potential anti-aging properties for improving aging skin. Liposomal incorporation markedly improved ascorbic acid stability and skin permeability. Full article

‘Qiancha 1’ is an excellent raw material for manufacturing white tea. The effects of different drying parameters on the quality performance of ‘Qiancha 1’ white tea remain poorly understood, which restricts the precise regulation of the quality of ‘Qiancha 1’ white tea. In this research, we systematically investigated the influence of drying temperature (65 °C, 75 °C, and 90 °C) and drying duration (1 h, 2 h, and 3 h) on its non-volatile and volatile compositions, using sensory evaluation, E-tongue, and non-volatilomic and volatilomic analyses. The results showed that the tea sample dried at 65 °C for 3 h had a sweet, mellow, and fresh flavor and scored 95 points, but high-temperature drying (90 °C) could promote increased bitterness and decreased sweetness. High-temperature drying was closely related to a caramel-like and milk-like flavor, which promoted an increase in the content of terpenoids, heterocycle compounds, and esters. During drying, the flavonoid and phenolic acid content increased markedly, contributing to bitterness and astringency, while nucleotides, amino acids, and their derivatives decreased, leading to a reduced umami intensity. A total of 37 key taste-active metabolites were identified, including bitter compounds (e.g., alkaloids), sweet compounds (e.g., phenolic acids), and umami compounds (e.g., nucleotides), whose dynamic changes directly influenced the taste profile of white tea. High-temperature drying promoted an increase in the content of volatile metabolites, such as terpenoids, heterocyclics, and esters, while low-temperature and long-duration drying was beneficial for preserving volatile metabolites like heptanal. 2-Methoxy-3-(1-methylethyl)-pyrazine was determined as the volatile compound with the highest rOAV, providing a sweetness and caramel-like flavor. Overall, the metabolomic analysis revealed that the content of flavonoids and phenolic acids increased after the drying process, which was related to the bitter and astringent taste of the tea liquor. The content of nucleotides, amino acids, and their derivatives decreased after drying, which caused the umami of the tea liquor to weaken. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of the ‘Qiancha 1’ white tea drying process. Full article

Polianthes tuberosa L. (PT) flower extracts exhibit considerable bioactivities, yet their application is often constrained by limited bioavailability and efficacy. In this study, fermentation of PT (FPT) using Rhodosporidium toruloides significantly enhanced its phytochemical profile, doubling the total phenol content (697.22 ± 7.51 μg/mL in FPT versus (vs.) 347.61 ± 5.89 μg/mL in non-fermented extract (NF)) and increasing flavonoids by onefold relative to NF (381.44 ± 6.50 μg/mL in FPT vs. 190.25 ± 4.75 μg/mL in NF), resulting in a substantial improvement in radical scavenging capacity (DPPH: 47.59 ± 1.55%; ABTS: 89.87 ± 1.39%). In UVB-irradiated the human keratinocyte cell line, FPT demonstrated superior efficacy over NF by effectively reducing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels (1.29 ± 0.08 ng/mL at 0.4 mg/mL FPT vs. 1.5 ± 0.1 ng/mL with NF), while concurrently elevating the activity of key antioxidant enzymes. Using human dermal fibroblasts, FPT was further shown to possess notable anti-glycation and anti-carbonylation properties, significantly inhibiting carboxymethyl lysine formation (90.6 ± 3.6% reduction) and protein carbonylation (86.5 ± 2.2% reduction). It also suppressed senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity (67.9 ± 3.0% inhibition), downregulated matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression (62.5 ± 5.1% reduction), and stimulated type I collagen synthesis (166.5 ± 4.2% recovery). Additionally, FPT markedly inhibited UVB-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells by reducing melanin content (36.0 ± 5.3%) and tyrosinase activity (45.7 ± 1.2%), through the downregulation of critical melanogenic genes, including melanocortin 1 receptor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and tyrosinase. Full article

This study aimed to use sunflower seeds (SSs) and barbatimão bark (BB) to obtain an oil enriched with phenolic compounds. For this purpose, simultaneous extractions were carried out using different proportions of SSs and BB. Subsequently, the effects of temperature and extraction time were determined. The resulting oils were evaluated for composition and physicochemical properties. BB addition decreased the mass yield by 27% to 56% but increased the total phenolic content by 5 to 13 times. The best SS/BB ratio (3:2.5) was selected for further experiments. Increasing the extraction temperature from 30 to 60 °C and the extraction time from 15 to 60 min led to a 10% increase in oil yield and enhanced the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids by 1.1 to 10 times. Gallic, quinic, and trans-cinnamic acids were the main phenolics in enriched oils, which exhibited higher antioxidant activity via the DPPH^•, FRAP, and ABTS^•+ methods. Linoleic and oleic acids were identified as the major fatty acids in the tested oils. Enriched oils showed greater thermal stability than their unenriched counterpart. The application of phenolic-enriched oil at concentrations of up to 400 µg/mL did not exert cytotoxic effects on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Full article

The diverse phytochemical profile of olive leaves makes them an attractive feedstock for biomass utilization. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the phenolic content and antioxidant activity (AOA) of olive leaf extracts from four varieties cultivated in the Meknes region (Morocco) across two major collection periods: olive harvest (November) and pruning season (March). This study particularly focused on assessing how variety and season affect total phenolic compounds (TPC), ortho-diphenols (ODPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AOA). The results revealed that olive leaves collected in November exhibited the highest levels of TPC, ODPC, and AOA, while those from March were richer in TFC. Among the studied cultivars, Koroneiki showed the highest TPC and extraction yields in both November (72.08 ± 0.83 mg GAE/g DM; 42.61 ± 6.51%) and March (46.38 ± 0.83 mg GAE/g DM; 41.00 ± 1.84%). In contrast, Picual leaves displayed the highest antioxidant activity across both periods. The mineral profile of November leaves exhibited varietal specificities and a negative correlation between TPC and most nutrients except Fe, Cu, and Mn. These findings underscore the substantial impact of seasonal variation and cultivar differences on biochemicals, AOA, and minerals, and must be carefully considered for further valorization. Full article

Fermentation possesses intriguing and promising potential as a bioprocess for enhancing and/or transforming bioactive compounds derived from agricultural processing by-products. This study aimed to enhance the phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of coffee cherry husks through the sustainable methodology of solid-state fermentation (SSF) using various Trichoderma fungi, specifically Trichoderma asperellum CB-Pin-01 and two Trichoderma isolates (NTY211 and PSUT001). The coffee cherry husks underwent fermentation at a controlled temperature of 28 ± 1 °C over a duration of 7 days. Both fermented and unfermented extracts, prepared using different solvents (water, ethanol, and acetone), were systematically evaluated concerning total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacities measured via DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The findings indicated that SSF involving Trichoderma fungi significantly augmented the phenolic content and antioxidant activities in comparison to the unfermented samples (p < 0.05). Notably, the acetonic extract obtained from fermentation with the isolate NTY211 exhibited the highest contents of phenolic (191.48 ± 3.94 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (106.61 ± 3.09 mg QE/g extract). The identification of phenolic compounds by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis revealed a predominant increase in chlorogenic acid and quercetin through SSF. Consequently, SSF utilizing Trichoderma fungi may represent a viable strategy for enhancing the value of coffee cherry husks, rendering them into bioactive ingredients with potential applications in the cosmetic and food industries. Full article

Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, used for treating skin diseases, can induce skin aging, cause inflammation, and reduce cell viability due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. To mitigate these adverse effects, a multi-target polyherbal mixture for topical application was developed. This study investigated the effects of a polyherbal combination comprising Zingiber officinale (ZH), Garcinia mangostana (GE), and Centella asiatica (CAEw) extracts against NB-UVB-induced damage in HaCaT cells. Extracts were prepared to obtain high levels of specific biomarkers (compound D, α-mangostin, and asiaticoside). They were characterized for total phenolic and total flavonoid content, antioxidant properties, and anti-collagenase activity. The ability to enhance HaCaT cell viability after NB-UVB exposure was evaluated to determine the optimal polyherbal mixture ratios. Both the individual extracts and polyherbal formulations significantly improved irradiated HaCaT cell viability. Subsequent treatment with 100 µg/mL of the polyherbal mixture ZH:GE:CAEw (1:1:1) increased cell viability from 62.3% to 80.1% and decreased intracellular ROS (63.6%) without reducing cell apoptosis. It also downregulated the gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and MMP-9, allowing their expression to reach the normal level of the non-irradiated cells. In conclusion, the polyherbal mixture effectively attenuated NB-UVB-induced damage and premature aging in HaCaT keratinocytes. Full article

This study aims to identify the most effective irrigation rates for Manfalouty pomegranate trees to enhance their growth, yield, bioactive compound content, and fruit quality. Additionally, the research evaluates the effects of foliar spray applications of glycine, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin on the physiological responses of the trees. Morphological, physiological impacts, and fruit quality treatments were analyzed using Pearson correlation and cluster analysis. As irrigation levels were reduced up to 60%, all vegetative characters demonstrated a significant drop. Glycine treatment enhanced yielding shoot lengths, leaf area, and leaf number. Among the key findings was that there were no appreciable variations between 100% ETc and 80% ETc with riboflavin or glycine spraying for leaves total chlorophyll. Leaves treated with glycine, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin spraying had higher levels of total antioxidants, total phenols, and total flavonoids, while glycine gives the highest results and enhanced the antioxidant system of pomegranate leaves. Reducing irrigation from 100% to 60% ETc in both seasons, respectively, resulted in a progressive decrease in yield (ton/fed.), and fruit creaking (%); this effect was overcome using the glycine foliar spraying. The results also demonstrated that all spray treatments reduced the cracking rate, with the glycine spray treatment being the most effective in this respect that enhanced also fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, and arils weight %, total soluble solids, total sugar, anthocyanin, vitamin C, and the antioxidant contents. The findings provide valuable insights for sustainable pomegranate cultivation practices that maximize productivity and quality while maintaining plant health using low irrigation and glycine as foliar sprayer. Full article

Larrea cuneifolia Cav. (common name: jarilla macho) is an endemic Argentinian medicinal shrub that has traditionally been used by the Diaguita-Calchaquí communities in the Monte Desert region in northwestern Argentina. The aim of the present study was to analyze the phytochemical profile and biological activity of the aerial parts of jarilla collected in different places throughout the year, in different seasons and times of day, to determine the optimal harvesting conditions for promoting its medicinal use. The aerial parts were collected three times a day over the course of four seasons in eight L. cuneifolia populations. The total phenolic compounds (TPCs), total flavonoid (TF) content, total lignans (TL), sugars (S) and soluble protein (SP) content were quantified by using spectrophotometric methods and HPLC-DAD. Antioxidant activity was determined by using ABTS scavenging. Significant seasonal, diurnal and spatial variations in the accumulation of TPC (52.61 to 113.52 mg GAE/g), TF (3.71 to 17.92 mg QE/g), TL (283 to 582 μg NDHGAE/g); S (5.73 to 15.17 mg GE/g) and SP (36.75 to 103.10 mg BSAE/g) in aerial parts of L. cuneifolia were revealed. The highest concentrations of TPC and TF were recorded in spring mornings. Maximum accumulation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (291.8 ± 2.8 μg NDHGAE/mg dry weight) and other lignans were also observed in spring. Heat map analyses pinpoint Ampimpa (Site 1) as a site for jarilla sustainable harvesting, balancing high metabolite content with population abundance, especially in spring, when the highest antioxidant activity (SC₅₀ = 1.560 ± 0.021 μg GAE/mL) coincides with increased phenol levels. These studies highlight the importance of integrating ecological and phytochemical data to define harvesting strategies; collecting during spring mornings optimizes the yield of bioactive compounds, simultaneously minimizing ecological pressure. This study demonstrates how seasonal bioprospecting can inform pharmacological research and local development while safeguarding the endemic plant population. Full article