Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) peel: A better source of antioxidants and a-glucosidase inhibitors than pulp, flake and seed, and phytochemical profile by HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS

Recent developments in Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) polysaccharides: Nutritional values, structural characteristics and health benefits

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) is a common plant in the genus Artocarpus of Moraceae family, and its fruit has a variety of nutritional values. Jackfruit polysaccharides are considered to be one of the main bioactive compounds in jackfruit, which have immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antibacterial and other health benefits. This article reviews the research progress in the extraction, purification, structural characteristics and health benefits of jackfruit polysaccharides. Mechanisms of action based on in vivo and in vitro experiments are also elucidated. The structural-activity relationships of jackfruit polysaccharides are discussed in depth, and their potential application values are revealed by combining the relationships between molecular structures and health benefits. This article aims to address the key issue of how to obtain jackfruit polysaccharides that feature both high yield and significant health benefits, and to conduct an in-depth exploration of the development pathways for their transformation into new health products, as well as their practical applications in the sustainable utilization of plant resources. Through a comprehensive analysis of the current research status and development trend, this article puts forward a new prospect for jackfruit polysaccharides research, hoping to provide innovative ideas and practical guidance for follow-up related work.

A sustainable technology for enhancing the oxidative stability of edible oils using jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus lam.) peel extract as a natural antioxidant

Jackfruit peels, often discarded as waste, represent a valuable source of polyphenols that enhance the resistance of soybean and sunflower oils to oxidation at frying temperatures. The JPE exhibited total polyphenolic content (16.32 mg GAE/g), flavonoid content (0.66 mg QuE/g), antioxidant capacity (0.20 mg/mL), and DPPH scavenging activity (5.65 μg/mL). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of polyphenols, primary and secondary alcohols, and other functional groups, while HRAMS analysis identified 64 bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. JPE demonstrated excellent antioxidant activity, particularly under refrigerated (5 °C) and dark conditions. Oils subjected to frying temperatures (150-180 °C) were analyzed for oxidation parameters, composition of fatty acids, and color. The incorporation of JPE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced acid value, peroxide value, TOTOX value, p-anisidine value, total polar compounds, fatty acid degradation, and color changes compared to control samples. Sensory evaluation revealed that polyphenol-enriched sunflower and soybean oils had higher overall acceptability than fresh oil samples.

Glycosylation pathways in auxin homeostasis

Auxin glycosylation plays a fundamental role in the regulation of auxin homeostasis, activity, and transport, contributing to the dynamic control of plant growth and development. Glycosylation enhances auxin stability, solubility, and storage capacity, serving as a key mechanism for both temporary inactivation and long-term storage of auxin molecules. Specific glycosyltransferases are critical for this process, catalyzing glycosylation at either the carboxyl group or the nitrogen atom of the indole ring. The storage roles of glycosylated auxins, such as IAA-N-Glc, have been shown to be essential during embryogenesis and seed germination, while irreversible conjugation into catabolic products helps to maintain auxin homeostasis in vegetative tissues. This review highlights the diversity, enzymatic specificity, and physiological relevance of auxin glycosylation pathways, including a frequently overlooked N-glycosylation, underscoring its importance in the complex network of auxin metabolism.

Variations in volatile components and biological activities of essential oils from Citrus aurantium 'changshanhuyou' at different growth and ripening stages

Citrus aurantium 'Changshanhuyou' is one kind of fruit that is beneficial to human health. Most research focus on active substances such as flavonoids and limonoids, but few on the essential oils from its peels. This study analyzed the volatile components of Huyou peel essential oil (HYEO) throughout the growth and ripening stages including beginning, middle, end of growth period, and post- ripening stage (60 days of storage) by GC-MS. The results identified approximately 70 components in HYEO, and the level of oxygenated monoterpenes decreased while sesquiterpenes increased with the ripening of the huyou. The essential oil after 60 days of storage showed outstanding antioxidant properties (DPPH, IC50 = 101.77 ± 0.83 mg/mL; ABTS, IC50 = 18.11 ± 0.74 mg/mL), antibacterial (zones of inhibition: E. coli, 28.18 ± 1.37 mm; S. aureus, 20.40 ± 0.84 mm; S. Typhimurium, 27.17 ± 1.14 mm; L. monocytogenes, 22.83 ± 1.27 mm) and antidiabetic (IC50 = 5.26 ± 0.58 mg/mL) activities due to high levels of p-cymenene, cis-carveol, and D-carvone detected. Results from the corticosterone-damaged mouse neuronal cell model, the essential oil extracted from the middle of the growth period demonstrates the best antidepressant activity due to high content of citronellol, elemene, linalool, and citronel detected. Overall, this study provides a valuable reference for exploiting and evaluating essential oils from Huyou peels with multifunctions in food and medicine industry.

Extraction, phytochemicals characterization, in vivo and in vitro anti-diabetic ability of non-extractable polyphenols from Undaria pinnatifida

Undaria pinnatifida (Up) is an edible seaweed known for its abundant nutrients and active compounds. In this research, six different methods, including acid hydrolysis extraction (AHE), alkaline hydrolysis extraction (LHE), enzymatic hydrolysis extraction (EHE), as well as their combinations with ultrasonic assisted extraction (AHE-U, LHE-U, EHE-U), were applied to extract non-extractable polyphenols from Up (UNEPPs). Results revealed that LHE-U was the most effective way to extract UNEPPs, it gave the highest yield (1.26 %) and total phenolics content (29.88 μg GAE/mg E), as well as considerable antioxidant and in vitro hypoglycemic effects. HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis revealed the identification of 36 compounds from ULNEPPs, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid 4-O-glucuronide were the major compounds. In vivo study found that ULNEPPs could reduce fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, ameliorate abnormal glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia, repair insulin resistance and pancreas islet damage in type 2 diabetes (T2D) mice. Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that ULNEPPs improved glucose metabolism through the up-regulation of gene expression levels of Pi3k, Glut4, Akt, Ampk and the down-regulation of gene expression levels of Foxo1, Pgc-1α, Gsk-3β, Glut4, and G6pc. These results evidence that has the potential as dietary ingredients for preventing and treating T2D.

Plant-Based Diets and Phytochemicals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Prevention of Its Complications: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently regarded as a global public health crisis for which lifelong treatment with conventional drugs presents limitations in terms of side effects, accessibility, and cost. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), usually associated with obesity, is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, hyperlipidemia, chronic inflammation, impaired β-cell function, and insulin resistance. If left untreated or when poorly controlled, DM increases the risk of vascular complications such as hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy, which can be severely debilitating or life-threatening. Plant-based foods represent a promising natural approach for the management of T2DM due to the vast array of phytochemicals they contain. Numerous epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of a diet rich in plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, spices, and condiments) in the prevention and management of DM. Unlike conventional medications, such natural products are widely accessible, affordable, and generally free from adverse effects. Integrating plant-derived foods into the daily diet not only helps control the hyperglycemia observed in DM but also supports weight management in obese individuals and has broad health benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathogenesis and current therapeutic management of DM, with a particular focus on the promising potential of plant-based foods.

Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. and their antibacterial activity

In order to explore the endophytic resources of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. and identified novel antibacterial substances. Thirty endophytic fungal strains were isolated from the stems and roots of A. sparsifolia Shap. Morphological and molecular biology methods were used to identify ten strains of fungi, including four strains of Aspergillus niger, three strains of Alternaria alternata, two strains of Aspergillus flavus, and one strain of Fusarium incarnatum. All these strains were isolated from A. sparsifolia Shap. for the first time, and of these Aspergillus was the dominant genus. Antibacterial activity of the ten strains against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The results demonstrated that the metabolites from all the strains had inhibitory effects on at least one indicator bacterium. Notably, the endophytic fungi AFJ3 and AFG6 demonstrated strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, particularly against E. coli, with inhibition zones measuring 32.0 ± 0.3 and 31.3 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. The three endophytic fungi (AFG1, AFG2, and AFG3) isolated from the roots demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa forming an inhibition zone of diameter 31.3 ± 0.1, 25.6 ± 0.2, and 25.6 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. However, the strains of endophytic fungi demonstrated no significant inhibitory effects on C. albicans. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) analysis depicted that the ethyl acetate phase of AFJ3 and AFG6 fermentation broth predominantly contained organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. These secondary metabolites often exhibited good antibacterial activity. This study broadens our understanding of endophytic fungi in A. sparsifolia Shap. The antibacterial activity of some strains of endophytic fungi was significant, making it worthy of further research on their active material.

Enrichment and qualitative analysis of flavonoid glycosides from the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch

Our previous study found that the aerial parts of Chinese liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) had pharmacological effects against chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in rats, however the pharmacologically active compounds remain unclear. Here, a method based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS was established to qualitatively analyse the flavonoid glycosides rich fraction extracted from the aerial part of G. uralensis Fisch., after pretreatment with n-butanol and enrichment using AB-8 macroporous resin. Using both positive and negative ion modes, 52 compounds were identified or tentatively characterised by comparison with standards and the literature: 40 flavonoids, 8 organic acids, 2 chromones, 1 coumarin, and 1 phenylethanoid glycoside. This study provides not only an approach to enrich flavonoid glycosides but also a methodology for quickly determining the relevant bioactive components in the aerial parts of G. uralensis Fisch.

Rheological properties, biochemical changes, and potential health benefits of dehulled and defatted industrial hempseeds after fermentation

Dehulled hempseed (DHS), fermented dehulled hempseed (FDHS), hempseed cake (HSC), and fermented HSC (FHSC) were examined for their phytochemical composition, health benefits, and rheological characteristics. At 500 µg/mL concentration, DHS, FDHS, HSC, and FHSC extracts exhibited the ability to inhibit DPPH radicals, with 32.46 %, 47.35 %, 33.85 %, and 47.41 %, respectively. Similarly, they demonstrated potential to scavenge ABTS radicals by 13.7 %, 27.87 %, 14.40 % and 25.70 %, respectively. For lipase inhibition activity, FDHS (72.92 %) and FDHS (85.89 %) outperformed DHS (52.94 %) and HSC (43.08 %). Furthermore, FHSC enhanced the survival and reduced fat accumulation in glucose-supplemented Caenorhabditis elegans. We used HPLC and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS for metabolite analysis, quantifying eight polyphenols using HPLC and identifying thirty-four metabolites with UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Generally, metabolomics indicated an improved metabolite profile after fermentation. Fermentation also showed impact on rheological characteristics, modifying viscosity, loss modulus, and storage modulus. These findings collectively demonstrate the ability of fermentation in enhancing overall value of hempseed.

Waste to Wealth: Dynamics and metabolic profiles of the conversion of jackfruit flake into value-added products by different fermentation methods

Thus far, little is known about whether jackfruit flake, a byproduct of jackfruit, can be used as a fermentation substrate to obtain value-added products through microbial fermentation. Here, jackfruit flake puree was fermented by three different ways: spontaneous fermentation (JF), inoculated with LAB (JFL), inoculated co-fermentation with LAB and yeast (JFC). In contrast to JF, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content and syndrome-associated enzyme inhibition are significantly increased in JFC at the end of fermentation. Electronic tongue analysis revealed that the JFC was significantly lower in astringency and higher in bitterness. 41 volatile compounds were identified during fermentation by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and JFC was richer in honey, rose, and fruity flavors. A total of 290 compounds were screened for discriminative pre- and post-fermentation differential metabolites by non-target metabolomics analysis. These results provide a potential reference for the conversion of jackfruit waste into functional products using fermentation.

Characterization, antioxidant and antitumor activities of phenolic compounds from Amomum villosum Lour

Amomum villosum Lour. (A. villosum), known as Sharen in China, is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes due to containing a diverse set of bioactive compounds. In this study, the optimum ethanol extraction process was optimized and the composition and biological activities (antioxidant and antitumor) of five different fractions (dichloromethane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and H2O) extracted from the ethanol extract of A. villosum were investigated. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were extraction temperature 80°C, extraction time 120 min, ethanol concentration 40% and solid-liquid ratio 1:25 g/mL. Moreover, 35 bioactive compounds were successfully identified by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS from five factions for the first time, including 12 phenolic acids and derivatives, 2 organic acids, 12 flavonoids and derivatives, 2 oxylipins and 7 proanthocyanidins. Among them, ethyl acetate fraction (Fr-EtOAc) exhibited the highest content of total phenolic (374.01 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (93.11 mg RE/g DW), where vanillic acid, catechin, epicatechin and protocatechuic acid were the predominant phenolic compounds that accounting for 81.65% of the quantified bioactive compounds. In addition, Fr-EtOAc demonstrated excellent total antioxidant activity (IC50 of DPPH and ABTS assays were 0.23, 0.08 mg/mL, respectively, and FRAP assay was 322.91 mg VCE/100 g DW) and antitumor activity (1,000 μg/mL, 79.04% inhibition rate). The results could provide guidance for the industrial production and application of A. villosum.

Vicatia thibetica de Boiss: Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Quantitative Analysis, and Pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Vicatia thibetica de Boiss is a common Tibetan medicine used for both medicine and food, belonging to the family Apiaceae. This plant has the functions of dispelling wind, removing dampness, dispersing cold, and relieving pain. It has great development potential and application prospects in food development and medicinal value.

METHODS

The related references on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quantitative analysis, and pharmacology of V. thibetica de Boiss had been retrieved from both online and offline databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Elsevier, Willy, SpringLink, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, ACS publications, SciHub, Scopus, and CNKI.

RESULTS

V. thibetica de Boiss exerts nourishing, appetizing, and digestive effects according to the theory of Tibetan medicine. Phytochemical reports have revealed that V. thibetica de Boiss contains flavonoids, coumarins, sterols, and organic acids. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis of the chemical constituents of V. thibetica de Boiss has been done by means of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. It has also been found that V. thibetica de Boiss possesses multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-fatigue, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and non-toxic activities.

CONCLUSION

This paper has comprehensively summarized botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, quantitative analysis, and pharmacology of V. thibetica de Boiss. It will not only provide an important clue for further studying V. thibetica de Boiss, but also offer an important theoretical basis and valuable reference for in-depth research and exploitation of this plant in the future.

Changes in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) Pulp during In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model was applied to investigate the effect of digestion on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) pulp. The total phenol content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization, followed by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The results showed that TPC was significantly higher after gastric digestion. Thirty phenolic compounds (hydroxybenzoic acids and derivatives, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, and flavonoids) were identified. The antioxidant activities of the digested samples varied with the TPC, and there was a correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC. The present study implies that gastrointestinal digestion may improve TPC and increase the amount of free phenolic compounds, mainly related to changes in pH value and digestive enzymes.

Enhancing gel behavior of yellow croaker surimi by fruit extracts: Physicochemical properties and molecular mechanism

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grape seed extract (GSE), acerola cherry extract (ACE), and blueberry extract (BBE) on the physicochemical properties and structure of the yellow croaker surimi gel. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were utilized to study the binding mechanism of yellow croaker's fibrillin and fruit extracts. Surimi gel with 1.5% GSE, ACE, and BBE had the highest water holding capacity, hardness, chewability, cohesion, breaking force, breaking distance, gel strength, and densest 3D network structure, according to the experiment's findings. Nevertheless, the cross-linking of proteins in surimi was blocked with the further increase of fruit extract (1.5%-2.0%), and the existing network of surimi was weakened or even destroyed. Three fruit extracts had little effect on the secondary structure of the surimi gel. Besides, hydrophobic and disulfide bonds are the main chemical bonds of croaker surimi. Molecular docking showed that B-type procyanidine (BP) interacted with ASN-183, SER-571, ASP-525, ARG-350, LYS-188, GLU-349, CYS-353, and other active amino acids in croaker protein. Moreover, it can form strong hydrogen bond interaction with ASN-183, SER-571, ASP-525, and ARG-350 at the active sites of protein. The BP-Larimichthys crocea protein system's MD simulation was carried out, and calculations for the simulation's root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, radius of gyration, solvent accessible surface area, and hydrogen bonds were made. It was found that these indices can demonstrate that the BP binding contributes to the stability of the yellow croaker structure.

Black garlic particles as a natural pigment and emulsifier in a Pickering emulsion based low fat innovative mayonnaise: Improved rheology and bioactivity

Black garlic is rich in brown pigments and Maillard reaction products are known for antioxidant activity and health promoting effects. In the present investigation, we report a facile strategy for fabricating low-fat innovative mayonnaise (IM) using black garlic particles (BGP) as a natural pigment, and a functional ingredient. Whey protein concentrate and high methoxyl pectin at optimized concentrations were utilized for fabricating an IM which served as a control. IM5 and IM10 were ternary composites constituting whey protein, high methoxyl pectin along with BGP (@5 and 10% respectively). The formulation IM10 (BGP @10%) showed high firmness and low spreadability quotient, hence IM5 was taken forward for fabrication for two more variants namely IM-J (using low methoxyl pectin (LMP) from jackfruit peels) and IM-C (LMP from citrus). The effect of BGP and LMP on the functional quality of IM was confirmed through zeta potential, antioxidant activity, textural, rheological, and microscopic evaluation. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the presence of solid particles over the fat phase of IM, while interaction of pectin and whey proteins was demonstrated through fluorescence emission spectroscopy which clearly displayed stabilization of IM through the formation of Pickering emulsion. Pronounced difference in color and flavor score with BGP established high sensory scores in IM5, IM-J, and IM-C. Rheology supported the stabilizing effects of LMP in IM-J and IM-C in terms of speedy recovery of thixotropy, with recovering storage modulus (G'). Enhanced viscosity of IM-C and IM-J further corroborated the dual effect of LMP and BGP in improving emulsifying and functional quality of IM. Enhanced oxidative stability of IM was established by reduced peroxide and Totox values. Overall our results suggest the promising applications of black garlic as functional ingredient in protein and pectin based Pickering emulsions.

Kinetic studies of the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by biochar derived from jackfruit peel

Kinetic studies play an instrumental role in determining the most appropriate reaction rate model for industrial-scale applications. This study focuses on the kinetics of methylene blue (MB) adsorption from aqueous solutions by biochar derived from jackfruit peel. Various kinetic models, including pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), intra-diffusion, and Elovich models, were applied to study MB adsorption kinetics of jackfruit peel biochar. The experiments were performed with two initial concentrations of MB (24.23 mg/L and 41.42 mg/L) over a span of 240 min. Our findings emphasized that the Elovich model provided the best fit of the experimental data for MB adsorption. When compared to other materials, biochar from jackfruit peel emerges as an eco-friendly adsorbent for dye decolorization, with potential applications in the treatment of environmental pollution.

UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Profiling of Phytochemicals from Araticum Fruit (Annona crassiflora Mart.) and Its Antioxidant Activity

Araticum is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado with a high potential for exploitation. Several studies have stated that araticum is a rich source of phytochemicals with multifaceted biological actions. However, little information is available regarding the characterization of phytochemicals found in the pulp of this fruit. In this context, this study aimed to carry out a comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals present in the araticum pulp using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). The antioxidant potential of araticum pulp was also evaluated. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS profiling of the phytochemicals allowed for the identification and annotation of 139 phytochemicals, including organic acids, jasmonates, iridoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, annonaceous acetogenins, fatty acid derivatives, and other compounds. Among them, 116 compounds have been found for the first time in araticum pulp. Phenolic compounds and their derivatives represented about 59% of the phytochemicals identified in the extract. Moreover, araticum pulp showed high total phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity. The majority of identified phytochemicals have been associated with key roles in the plant's defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stress factors in the Cerrado environment. Furthermore, many of these phytochemicals found in the araticum pulp are already widely recognized for their beneficial effects on human health. Our findings showed that the araticum fruit contains different classes of phytochemicals that exert various biological activities, both in the plant itself and in humans.

Cocoa powder and fermented jackfruit seed flour: A comparative cell-based study on their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities after simulated gastrointestinal digestion

BACKGROUND

Jackfruit seed flour can be used as a cocoa aroma replacer with similar technological properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo toxicity and in vitro antioxidant activity of fermented jackfruit seed flour (Fjs) and non-alkaline cocoa powder (Nac).

RESULTS

Fjs and Nac extracts (Fjs-E and Nac-E) were produced and submitted to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion producing digested fractions named Fjs-D and Nac-D, respectively. Nac-E showed over two-fold higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) than Fjs-E. However, after simulated gastrointestinal digestion (in vitro), there were no significant differences between Nac-D and Fjs-D (P < 0.01). Similarly, the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) of Nac-D and Fjs-D was not significantly different (P < 0.01). The anti-inflammatory assay in transgenic RAW 264.7 murine macrophages showed that Fjs-E did not affect cell viability up to 300 μg mL^-1 (P > 0.05) and reduced by 15% the release of TNF-α (P < 0.05). Fjs-D did not affect cell viability up to 300 μg mL^-1 (P > 0.05) and showed 58% reduction of NF-κB activation (P < 0.05), with no effects on TNF-α levels. Treatment with Nac-E up to 300 μg mL^-1 did not decrease cell viability (P > 0.05) and reduced the release of TNF-α levels by 34% and 66% at 100 and 300 μg mL^-1 , respectively (P < 0.05). Nac-D did not reduce the NF-κB activation or TNF-α levels at any tested concentration.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings indicate that Fjs is a safe and promising functional ingredient with biological activities even after gastrointestinal digestion. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytochemical profiling, in vitro antioxidants, and antidiabetic efficacy of ethyl acetate fraction of Lespedeza cuneata on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the recent past, phytomolecules are exponentially applied in discovering the antidiabetic drug due to less adverse effects. This work screened the active solvent fraction of Lespedeza cuneata based on the phytochemical, enzyme inhibition, and antioxidant properties. The antioxidant efficacy of the different fractions of the L. cuneata was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. The digestive enzyme (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitory activity was also evaluated. The phytochemical composition of ethyl acetate fraction of L. cuneata (Lc-EAF) was studied by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The effect of Lc-EAF treatments on glucose uptake was studied in insulin resistance HepG2 cells (IR-HepG2). Further, the antidiabetic effect of Lc-EAF in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were demonstrated. Ethyl acetate, hexane, and methanol fractions of the L. cuneata showed notable antioxidant, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. Among the fractions, Lc-EAF was found to be the most potent. The Lc-EAF exhibited an IC₅₀ of 205.32 ± 23.47 µg/mL and 105.32 ± 13.93 µg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, respectively. In addition, 75 µg/mL of Lc-EAF exposure enhanced glucose uptake (68.23%) in IR-HepG2 cells. In vivo study indicated that treatment of Lc-EAF (100 mg/kg b.wt) maintained the blood glucose level through reduced insulin level while improving the lipid profile, hepatic, and renal markers. These findings suggest that Lc-EAF could be considered a prominent source for antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-ROS potentials.

Comparative Investigation on the Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp from Five Cultivars

Jackfruit is one of the major tropical fruits, but information on the phytochemicals and biological benefits of its pulp is limited. In this study, the phytochemicals and biological activities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of five jackfruit pulp cultivars (M1, M2, M3, M7 and T5) were comparatively investigated. A total of 11 compounds were identified in all cultivars of jackfruit pulp, among which 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and tryptophan N-glucoside were reported for the first time in jackfruit. T5 exhibited the highest total phenolic content (7.69 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g DW), antioxidant capacity (109.8, 96.7 and 207 mg VCE/g DW for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, respectively), antitumor activity (80.31%) and anti-inflammatory activity (78.44%) among five cultivars. These results can provide a reference for growers to choose jackfruit cultivar and offer an insight into the industrial application of jackfruit pulp derived-products.

Role and mechanism of fruit waste polyphenols in diabetes management

Among various diseases in humans, diabetes is one of the most complicated disorders resulting either from the malfunctioning of β cells, causing a poor discharge of insulin from them, or poor functioning of the liberated insulin. A wide array of chemical compounds so-called secondary metabolites are present in plants. These phytochemicals are produced as by-products of metabolism and play a key role in plant protection. However, in humans, they offer several beneficial functions. Polyphenols are an important class of phytochemicals and apart from fruits, they are also found in their major wastes mainly including the peel, pomace, and seed. The current review is aimed to focus on the potential sources, distribution, and extraction/isolation of polyphenols from major fruit wastes along with highlighting their medicinal and therapeutic benefits, especially in the management of diabetes.

Optimization of the iron-enriched extruded snack containing jackfruit seed flour, mung bean flour and ferrous ammonium phosphate by using response surface methodology

The Food and Agriculture Organization (State of food and agriculture. Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction, 2019) stated that approximately 1.3 billion tons of food wasted every year caused the emission of around 4.4 gigatons of greenhouse gas. World Health Organization highlights that iron deficiency affects billions of people worldwide and remains the leading cause of anemia. With the growth of healthy and sustainable diets and consumers’ better understanding of the relationship between diet, health, and the environment, there is an opportunity to develop novel healthy extruded snacks. The present study was carried out using response surface methodology to investigate the effects of varying proportions of jackfruit seed flour, mung bean flour, and ferrous ammonium phosphate on physical and functional properties of extruded snacks. Experiments were carried out using a central composite rotatable design with three independent parameters such as jackfruit seed flour(%), mung bean flour(%), and ferrous ammonium phosphate (%), and five responses such as bulk density (BD), expansion ratio (ER), hardness, color difference (ΔE), and iron content. It was found that ferrous ammonium phosphate significantly increased the iron content. Bulk density, expansion ratio, and hardness were significantly affected by jackfruit seed flour and mung bean flour. All independent variables significantly influenced colour value. The optimized iron-enrich extruded snacks were obtained at 24.87% jackfruit seed flour, 20.95% mung bean flour, and 0.021% ferrous ammonium phosphate. The optimized extruded snack contained 15.32 g/100 g protein and 22.03 mg/100 g iron content. Results of the study indicate that the optimized extruded snack could be used as a protein and iron source to mitigate malnutrition and anemia.

Graphical Abstract

Lesser-Consumed Tropical Fruits and Their by-Products: Phytochemical Content and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Açaí, lychee, mamey, passion fruit and jackfruit are some lesser-consumed tropical fruits due to their low commercial production. In 2018, approximately 6.8 million tons of these fruits were harvested, representing about 6.35% of the total world production of tropical fruits. The present work reviews the nutritional content, profile of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of these fruits and their by-products, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress due to the content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Açaí pulp is an excellent source of anthocyanins (587 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g dry weight, dw), mamey pulp is rich in carotenoids (36.12 mg β-carotene/100 g fresh weight, fw), passion fruit peel is rich in dietary fiber (61.16 g/100 dw). At the same time, jackfruit contains unique compounds such as moracin C, artocarpesin, norartocarpetin and oxyresveratrol. These molecules play an important role in the regulation of inflammation via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (including p38, ERK and JNK) and nuclear factor κB pathways. The properties of the bioactive compounds found in these fruits make them a good source for use as food ingredients for nutritional purposes or alternative therapies. Research is needed to confirm their health benefits that can increase their marketability, which can benefit the primary producers, processing industries (particularly smaller ones) and the final consumer, while an integral use of their by-products will allow their incorporation into the circular bioeconomy.

Unused Parts of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus): Prospective In Vitro Antioxidative Activity

BACKGROUND: Free radical is unstable and highly reactive, which may lead to oxidative stress that causes various diseases, that is, diabetes mellitus. Antioxidant can prevent oxidation process by scavenging free radicals. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a native tropical fruit that can easily be found in Indonesia. When the flesh is commonly eaten, the unused parts – such as the leaves, fruit peels, and pulps will be considered waste to be thrown away. However, these unused parts of Jackfruit are rich in antioxidant compounds that potentially can work as therapeutic agents. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant properties of leaves, peels, and pulps of A. heterophyllus by calculating their antioxidant activity index (AAI) with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Cupric Ion-Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) method; total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC); observing the correlation between TPC and TFC with AAI DPPH and CUPRAC; as well as the correlation between AAI DPPH and CUPRAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extraction process was carried out using reflux method using three different polarity solvents. UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to determine the TPC, TFC, AAI DPPH, and AAI CUPRAC. Pearson’s method was used to observe the correlation between TPC and TFC with AAI DPPH and CUPRAC, as well as the correlation between both methods. RESULTS: The AAI in DPPH method were varied from 0.0310 to 36.8852, while CUPRAC from 0.1156 to 1.2503. Ethanol leaves extract gave the highest TPC value (5.53 g GAE/100 g) and n-hexane peels extract exposed the highest TFC value (16.07 g QE/100 g). The correlation between TPC and AAI of leaves, peels, and pulps extracts with DPPH method, as well as between TFC and AAI CUPRAC of peels extracts was positive and significant. Rutin was determined as the marker compound, valuing at 0.0106%. CONCLUSION: Phenols and flavonoids (including rutin) content contributed to DPPH and CUPRAC antioxidant activity. The antioxidant property between both methods was not linear in leaves, peels, and pulps extracts. Unused parts (peels and leaves) of A. heterophyllus might be potential to be developed as natural antioxidant sources.

Fruit and Vegetable Peel-Enriched Functional Foods: Potential Avenues and Health Perspectives

Fresh fruit and vegetables are highly utilized commodities by health-conscious consumers and represent a prominent segment in the functional and nutritional food sector. However, food processing is causing significant loss of nutritional components, and the generation of waste is creating serious economic and environmental problems. Fruit and vegetables encompass husk, peels, pods, pomace, seeds, and stems, which are usually discarded, despite being known to contain potentially beneficial compounds, such as carotenoids, dietary fibers, enzymes, and polyphenols. The emerging interest in the food industry in the nutritional and biofunctional constituents of polyphenols has prompted the utilization of fruit and vegetable waste for developing enriched and functional foods, with applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the utilization of waste for developing diverse and crucial bioactive commodities is a fundamental step in sustainable development. Furthermore, it provides evidence regarding the applicability of fruit and vegetable waste in different food formulations especially bakery, jam, and meat based products.

Inhibitory Effect of Polyphenols from the Whole Green Jackfruit Flour against α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase, Aldose Reductase and Glycation at Multiple Stages and Their Interaction: Inhibition Kinetics and Molecular Simulations

For the first time, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase, and glycation at multiple stages inhibitory assays were used to explore the antidiabetic potential of whole unripe jackfruit (peel with pulp, flake, and seed). Two polyphenols (phenolic acids) with strong antihyperglycaemic activity were isolated from the methanol extract of whole jackfruit flour (MJ) using activity-guided repeated fractionation on a silica gel column chromatography. The bioactive compounds isolated were identified as 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid (caffeic acid: CA) and 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid (syringic acid: SA) after various physicochemical and spectroscopic investigations. CA (IC50: 8.0 and 26.90 µg/mL) and SA (IC50: 7.5 and 25.25 µg/mL) were identified to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a competitive manner with low Ki values. In vitro glycation experiments further revealed that MJ and its components inhibited each stage of protein glycation as well as the generation of intermediate chemicals. Furthermore, CA (IC50: 3.10) and SA (IC50: 3.0 µg/mL) inhibited aldose reductase effectively in a non-competitive manner, respectively. The binding affinity of these substances towards the enzymes examined has been proposed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies, which may explain their inhibitory activities. The found potential of MJ in antihyperglycaemic activity via inhibition of α-glucosidase and in antidiabetic action via inhibition of the polyol pathway and protein glycation is more likely to be related to the presence of the phenolic compounds, according to our findings.

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) in health and disease: a critical review

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Family Moraceae), is a tropical tree, native to India and common in Asia, Africa, and several regions in South America. The fruit is commonly known as jackfruit which is one of the largest edible fruits in the world. Jackfruits comprises a wide range of nutrients, including minerals, carbohydrates, volatile compounds, proteins, and vitamins. The fruit, bark, leaves, and roots are endowed with therapeutic attributes and are utilized in the many traditional medicinal systems for the management of various ailments. Fruit and seeds are commonly used to prepare various food items, including sauce, ice creams, jams, jellies, and marmalades. Due to unique texture, jackfruit is becoming a popular meat substitute. Based on preclinical studies, jackfruit exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-melanin, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anthelmintic, wound-healing, and antineoplastic activities. Clinical studies reveal that the leaves possess antidiabetic action in healthy and insulin-independent diabetic individuals. Despite numerous health benefits, regrettably, jackfruit has not been properly utilized in a marketable scale in areas where it is produced. This review delivers an updated, comprehensive, and critical evaluation on the nutritional value, phytochemical profiling, pharmacological attributes and underlying mechanisms of action to explore the full potential of jackfruit in health and disease.

Recycling durian shell and jackfruit peel via anaerobic digestion

With growing popularity of durian and jackfruit, environment threats following improper management of durian shell (DS) and jackfruit peel (JP) are increasingly serious. Anaerobic digestion is a potential solution but concern on its unsatisfied efficiency from lignocellulosic recalcitrance remains. This work applied four representative pretreatments on DS and JP to determine the effects on methane generation, energy potential, and environmental benefits. The suitable pretreatments for DS and JP were 3% KOH and 5% AHP, causing 103.8% and 69.8% increase in methane yield and biodegradability than untreated, respectively. Moreover, 3% KOH-treated DS and 5% AHP-treated JP could potentially produce total energy of 2.0 × 10⁹ MJ/year, reduce coal consumption by 6.8 × 10⁴ ton/year, and cut emission by 2.2 × 10¹⁰ particulate/year, which might alleviate the serious energy crisis and environmental issues from the overuse of fossil fuel. This study provides important insights into efficient use of DS and JP, and a reference for other fruit wastes.

Procyanidins: From Agro-Industrial Waste to Food as Bioactive Molecules

Procyanidins are an important group of bioactive molecules known for their benefits to human health. These compounds are promising in the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as they prevent cell damage related to oxidative stress. It is necessary to study effective extraction methods for the recovery of these components. In this review, advances in the recovery of procyanidins from agro-industrial wastes are presented, which are obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction. Current trends focus on the extraction of procyanidins from seeds, peels, pomaces, leaves and bark in agro-industrial wastes, which are extracted by ultrasound. Some techniques have been coupled with environmentally friendly techniques. There are few studies focused on the extraction and evaluation of biological activities of procyanidins. The identification and quantification of these compounds are the result of the study of the polyphenolic profile of plant sources. Antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory activity are presented as the biological properties of greatest interest. Agro-industrial wastes can be an economical and easily accessible source for the extraction of procyanidins.

Optimization of microwave assisted extraction of Artocarpus Heterophyllus leaf polyphenols with inhibitory action against Alternaria sp. and antioxidant capacity

The Artocarpus heterophyllus extracts are receiving attention due to their agro-food applications. Then, the simultaneous optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of polyphenols from jackfruit leaf with growth inhibitory action against Alternaria sp. was studied. The effects of power and time on total soluble polyphenols and total flavonoids contents, and antifungal activity were investigated using response surface methodology. Temperature behavior was considered also. Models showed good prediction and successfully validation. Treatment at 840 W and 2 min allowed the responses maximization (148.75 mg galic acid equivalent /g dried weight of total soluble polyphenols, 13.28 mg rutin equivalent /g dried weight of total flavonoids, and 39.9% of antifungal activity). Furthermore, high ABTS+ (97%) and DPPH (92%) inhibition was exhibited, as a function of the polyphenol's concentration and composition. Mainly flavonoids with potential antioxidant and antifungal properties were detected. These findings suggest the potentialities of these extracts for Alternaria sp. control during tomato postharvest.

Phenolics of Yellow Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Hulls, Their Plasma and Urinary Metabolites, Organ Distribution, and In Vivo Antioxidant Activities

As a byproduct, large amounts of yellow pea hull (YPH) are used as low-value or worthless feed worldwide each year, which is a major waste of these polyphenol-rich hulls. The metabolism, bioavailability, and in vivo activities of these polyphenols have not been reported. In the present study, the chemical profiles of YPH extract, their metabolites, and organ distribution were analyzed with UHPLC-LTQ-OrbiTrap-MS, and their in vivo antioxidant activities were studied using the d-gal model in rats. In summary, a total of 42 ingredients were identified in YPH extracts, and 54 metabolites were found in plasma or urine samples. The distribution of metabolites in plasma and organs may have a positive effect on SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and T-AOC, and the liver and kidneys were the main distribution organs of these metabolites. Our results are of great significance for the development and utilization of the polyphenol-rich hull of yellow pea.

Fruit by-products: the potential natural sources of antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors

The present effort was to obtain extracts from various fruit by-products using three extraction systems and to evaluate their polyphenolic content, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibition activity. The fruit by-products were pre-processed by washing, drying, and milling methods to produce the powder. The powder samples were used to obtain extracts using pressurized hot-water (PHWE), enzyme-assisted (EnE) and organic solvent extraction (OSE) systems. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition activity in all samples were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl₃ colorimetric, DPPH^· & ABST^·+ and α-glucosidase inhibitory methods. The results showed that the extracts of peel, seed and other by-products exhibited outstanding TPC, TFC, and strongest antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition activity, eventually higher than edible parts of the fruits. For instance, the highest TPC among the peels of various fruits were in mango peel (in all cultivar) followed by litchi peel, banana peel cv. sagor, jackfruit peel, pineapple peel, papaya peel, banana peel cv. malbhog and desi on average in all tested extraction systems. PHWE system yielded significantly (p < 0.05) higher TPC and TFC than other extraction systems. In case of misribhog mango variety, the TPC (mg GAE/g DM) in peels were 180.12 ± 7.33, 73.52 ± 2.91 and 36.10 ± 3.48, and in seeds were 222.62 ± 12.11, 76.18 ± 2.63 and 42.83 ± 12.52 for PHWE, EnE and OSE respectively. This work reported the promising potential of underutilized fruit by-products as new sources to manufacture ingredients and nutraceuticals for foods and pharmaceutical products.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Helianthus tuberosus L. Induces Anti-Diabetic, and Wound-Healing Activities in Insulin-Resistant Human Liver Cancer and Mouse Fibroblast Cells

Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine are globally accepted alternative methods for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the mechanism of anti-diabetic effects of Helianthus tuberosus L. remains unproven. In the present study, antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity of the tubers of H. tuberosus were studied in detail. Methanolic extracts of H. tuberosus tubers were subjected to solvent fractionation method by increasing the polarity of the solvent using n-hexane, and ethyl acetate. The obtained methanol extracts and its fractions were subjected to free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS assay) and in vitro enzyme (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibition assay. Moreover, glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cell line was analyzed. The preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the active fraction. The radical scavenging and in vitro diabetic related enzyme inhibitory activities were found to be dose dependent. The maximum ABTS⁺ and DPPH scavenging activity was documented in ethyl acetate fraction of the H. tuberosus followed by methanol extract, hexane fraction, and methanol fraction. We also found that H. tuberosus showed a less toxicity in mouse fibroblast cells and enhance the glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Besides, the ethyl acetate fraction of the H. tuberosus analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS-MS and GC/MS revealed the presence of phenolic compounds such as neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-quinic acid, feruloylquinic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, isoxazolidine, salicylic acid β-D-glucoside, dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers, salvianolic acid derivative isomers, and 1,4 dicaffeoylquinic acid etc. Among the identified phytochemicals, six were chosen for molecular docking study to explore their its inhibitory interactions with α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggested that phytocompounds of EAF were responsible for the significant in vitro antioxidant, wound-healing, and anti-diabetic activities.

Effect of aqueous extracts of Ficus vogeliana Miq and Tieghemella africana Pierre in 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene -induced skin cancer in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Tieghemella africana and Ficus vogeliana are used in traditional medicine to treat cancers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antiangiogenic and anti-tumor activities of these plant extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To achieve it, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and antiangiogenic activity were assessed. Thereafter, the anti-tumor activity was determined using skin tumorigenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

RESULTS

The phytochemical result analysis showed that both plant extracts were rich in polyphenols, alkaloids and terpene compounds and possessed good antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 9.70 μg/mL and 4.60 μg/mL and AAI values of 5.20 and 10.88) and strong total antioxidant capacity (115.44 VtCE (mg)/g of dry plant extract and 87.37 VtCE (mg)/g of dry plant extract, respectively). Additionally, both plant extracts possessed antiangiogenic activities (IC₅₀ = 53.43 μg/mL and 92.68 μg/mL, respectively), which correlated with significant antitumor activities when using 35 mg/kg (65.02% and 77.54%) and 70 mg/kg of extracts (81.07% and 88.18%).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study illustrates the promising usage of Tieghemella africana and Ficus vogeliana plant extracts in treating skin cancer. However, further characterization of the extracts must be performed to isolate the most active anticancer compound.

Antioxidant Molecules from Plant Waste: Extraction Techniques and Biological Properties

The fruit, vegetable, legume, and cereal industries generate many wastes, representing an environmental pollution problem. However, these wastes are a rich source of antioxidant molecules such as terpenes, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, and bioactive peptides with potential applications mainly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and they exhibit multiple biological properties including antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. The aforementioned has increased studies on the recovery of antioxidant compounds using green technologies to value plant waste, since they represent more efficient and sustainable processes. In this review, the main antioxidant molecules from plants are briefly described and the advantages and disadvantages of the use of conventional and green extraction technologies used for the recovery and optimization of the yield of antioxidant naturals are detailed; finally, recent studies on biological properties of antioxidant molecules extracted from plant waste are presented here.

Bioguided chemical characterization of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) fruit peels towards an anti-diabetic activity

Pequi fruit peels are an underexploited source of polyphenols. The anti-diabetic potential of an extract and fractions from the peels were evaluated in a panel of assays. The extract and fractions thereof inhibited the release of cytokines involved in insulin resistance - TNF, IL-1β, and CCL2 - by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells. The ethyl acetate fraction inhibited in vitro α-glucosidase (pIC₅₀ = 4.8 ± 0.1), an enzyme involved in the metabolization of starch and disaccharides to glucose, whereas a fraction enriched in tannins (16C) induced a more potent α-glucosidase inhibition (pIC₅₀ = 5.3 ± 0.1). In the starch tolerance test in mice, fraction 16C reduced blood glucose level (181 ± 10 mg/dL) in comparison to the vehicle-treated group (238 ± 11 mg/dL). UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analyses disclosed phenolic acids and tannins as constituents, including corilagin and geraniin. These results highlight the potential of pequi fruit peels for developing functional foods to manage type-2 diabetes.

Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. and Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Flowers: New Sources of Bioactive Compounds

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (AH) and Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. (AL) are two endemic plants that grow on the Asian continent. To date, their applications have been aimed at using their fruit as a food source or for some of their therapeutic virtues. In this study, attention was given to the flowers of AH and AL. Initially, the cytotoxicity of the phytoextracts was assessed, and the content of minerals, phenols, and flavonoids was determined. Furthermore, some antioxidant components were identified by HPLC. Furthermore, the ability of AH and AL extracts to modulate the gene expression of some targets involved in the antioxidant response was studied. The results obtained highlighted the nutritional and antioxidant value of the AH and AL flower extracts. This study will contribute to enhancing the use of AH and AL flowers as potential supplements in human nutrition.

Stepwise elution by high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with a modified macroporous resin to isolate and purify antioxidant phenolics from discarded jackfruit (Artocarpusheterophyllus Lam.) peels

Combined with modified macroporous resin (MR), high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was developed to separate and purify the antioxidant phenolics from waste jackfruit peels. First, the 4,4'-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl was used to modify the commercially available adsorbent resin XAD-4 in order to enrich the antioxidant phenolics. Second, the resultant phenolics-rich fractions were further purified by HSCCC. In the separation process, the petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-0.1% acetic acid (5 : 5 : 3 : 7, v/v) upper phase was employed as an immobile phase. Afterwards, stepwise elution using petroleum the ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-0.1% acetic acid (5 : 5 : 3 : 7, v/v) lower phase was carried out during the initial 3.5 h, whereas the petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-0.1% acetic acid (5 : 5 : 6 : 4, v/v) lower phase was adopted for stepwise elution during the later 2.0 h. Four phenolics were obtained from 179 mg of the phenolics-rich fraction in a single run, including 41 mg chlorogenic, 27 mg gallic acid, 33 mg quercetin, and 29 mg catechin. 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and ESI-MS were employed to identify their structures.

Rheological and physicochemical stability of hydrolyzed jackfruit juice (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) processed by spray drying

Spray drying represents a viable alternative for the stabilization of juice and extract of a great diversity of plant in tropical zones, such as jackfruit from Nayarit, Mexico. The jackfruit powder allows physicochemical and microbiological stability for storage, transportation, and marketing. In addition, this allows expansion of consumption and use of these exotic tropical fruits. The aim of this work was to find the best enzymatic hydrolysis and spray drying treatment for obtaining jackfruit pulp and juice in powder without affecting its rheological and physicochemical properties. Jackfruit pulp was treated with three commercial enzymes and their mixtures, and the best treatment was then optimized by Response Surface Methodology. The jackfruit pulp and the hydrolyzed juice were spray dried using maltodextrin as a carrier agent. The best hydrolysis was obtained with Celluzyme® and Pectinex Ultra Pulp® and the optimal conditions were 1% of enzyme concentration, during 3 h at 37 °C (p = 0.92), that leads reducing sugar of 78.50 ± 1.93 mg mL-1 and viscosity of 7.94 ± 0.82 cps (94.7% reduction). The enzyme concentration is a direct function of reducing sugars content, while incubation time is an inverse function of viscosity. The spray drying treatment with the highest yield (74%) without affecting rheological and physicochemical properties compared to the fresh hydrolyzed juice was the treatment with 50% (TSS/weight) maltodextrin.

Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Plants with Focus on Common Vegetables

Type-2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases in the world, and is characterized by hyperglycemia (i.e., high levels of glucose in the blood). Alpha-glucosidases are enzymes in the digestive tract that hydrolyze carbohydrates into glucose. One strategy that has been developed to treat type-2 diabetes is inhibition of the activity of alpha-glucosidases using synthetic drugs. However, these inhibitors are usually associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, the development of inhibitors from natural products offers an alternative option for the control of hyperglycemia. In recent years, various studies have been conducted to identify alpha-glucosidases inhibitors from natural sources such as plants, and many candidates have transpired to be secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids. In this review, we focus on the alpha-glucosidases inhibitors found in common vegetable crops and the major classes of phytochemicals responsible for the inhibitory activity, and also as potential/natural drug candidates for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, possible breeding strategies for production of improved vegetable crops with higher content of the inhibitors are also described.

Characterizing the phenolic constituents of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit shell by LC-MS/QTOF and their in vitro biological activities

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit is a part of the baobab tree, a revered multi-purpose tree native to Africa with a myriad of potentials in providing shelter, food, medicine, clothing and as a valuable source of natural antioxidants. A massive quantity of baobab fruit shells (BFS) is generated as a waste from the baobab fruit processing representing significant economic and environmental challenges at the same time an opportunity for its valorization and commercial utilization. The present study explored the potentials of BFS as a source of phenolic compounds. For this purpose, the phenolic constituents of BFS were identified by LC-MS/QTOF analysis. Also, the Total Phenolic Chromatographic Index (TPCI), TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity were compared with the baobab seeds and pulp. The antidiabetic potential through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities was also compared with that of acarbose. The LC-MS/QTOF analysis led to the identification of 45 compounds, including quercetin, kaempferol, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and their derivatives, several of which had never been reported in baobab fruit. Moreover, the BFS showed higher TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity than the baobab seeds and pulp and inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes activities with much higher potency than acarbose. This research demonstrated the promising potentials of BFS as a good source of phenolic compounds that can further be utilized for food and pharmaceutical applications.