Insights into research on phytochemistry and biological activities of Prunus armeniaca L. (apricot)

Phytochemical Profiling and Toxicity Assessment of Aqueous Extract From Bitter Apricot Kernels Cultivated in Morocco

Apricot kernels contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that degrades to cyanide upon chewing or crushing, posing a potential toxicity risk to humans. The present study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds and to evaluate the subacute and acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of bitter apricot kernels (BAKs) in Swiss albino mice. The chemical characterization was carried out with HPLC-DAD analyses, and acute toxicity was done by extract's oral administration once for 72-h period at doses of 500-6000 mg/kg body weight (bw). For the subacute toxicity, mice were administrated orally by repeated doses of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw for 28 days. The hematological, biochemical parameters and the histological examinations of vital organs (kidney, liver, and spleen) were done by sacrificing the animals after the subacute toxicity period. The results revealed 11 phenolic compounds with a total of 61 mg/g of extract. In the acute toxicity study, no signs of toxicity or mortality were observed during the experiment period, and the LD50 value was higher than 6000 mg/kg bw. In the subacute toxicity, only the group treated with the greatest dose (1000 mg/kg bw) exhibited a significant decrease in the hematocrit and slight increase in urea, and creatinine. The results of this study indicate that the aqueous extract of BAK was not toxic to mice at the tested concentrations. This provides valuable information regarding its toxicity profile.

New Composite Packaging Material from Edible Oil By-Product Coated with Paraffin Wax for Dry Apricot Slice Packing Under a Modified Atmosphere

Composite biopolymer hydrogel as food packaging material, apart from being environmentally favorable, faces high standards set upon food packaging materials. The feature that favors biopolymer film application is their low gas permeability under room conditions and lower relative humidity conditions. However, most biopolymer-based materials show high moisture sensitiveness and limited water vapor permeability, which limits their application for food packaging. In this paper, a new packaging material derived from an edible oil industry byproduct (pumpkin oil cake) coated with a thin layer of paraffin wax was obtained. Compared to the film without wax coating, the new material showed reduced water sensitivity and significantly reduced water vapor transmission rate (56.98 ± 7.42 g/m2 24 h). The new material was tested for packing dry apricot slices under a modified atmosphere (100% N2). Gas composition in PuOC/wax pouches' headspace was minimally changed during 105 days of storage. The low moisture content (6.76-10.60%) of dried apricot slices was preserved throughout the storage period (p > 0.05), as well as high rehydration power (65-75%). Changes in sensorial properties during storage were minimal. Total phenol content was minimally reduced during storage, followed by antioxidant activity (FRAP and ABTS trial). The microbial profile of dried apricot slices showed that a safe product was obtained throughout the storage. Considering the results, the functionality of new material for packing dry apricots under a modified atmosphere was proven.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction vs. Hexane Extraction and Cold Pressing: Comparative Analysis of Seed Oils from Six Plant Species

Supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2) brings a convincing advance in the production of plant oils used in cosmetics, in fortified foods and dietary supplements, and in pharmaceuticals and medicine. The SFE-CO2-extracted, hexane-extracted, and cold-pressed plant oils of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), linden (Tilia sp.), poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) seeds were investigated in terms of oil yield, fatty acid composition, unsaponifiable matter yield and composition, and the antioxidant activity of unsaponifiable matter. SFE-CO2 proved to be the preferred extraction method for four out of six plant materials, especially for seeds with lower oil content. However, for seeds with higher oil content, such as apricots, cold pressing is a viable alternative. A comparison of fatty acid composition did not reveal significant differences between extraction techniques. SFE-CO2 extraction improved the total phytosterol content of oils, especially pumpkin seed oil. A high variability in the antioxidant potential of the unsaponifiable matter studied was determined, with pumpkin seed oil showing the highest antioxidant activity. A correlation analysis was performed between unsaponifiable composition and antioxidant activity, and showed statistically significant correlations with squalene, cycloartenol, and an unidentified compound. This is the first comparison of the phytosterol compositions of linseed, apricot, linden, and marigold. Through continued optimization, SFE-CO2 has the potential to revolutionize the production of plant oils and provide a sustainable and efficient alternative.

Unlocking the Therapeutic and Antimicrobial Potential of Prunus armeniaca L. Seed Kernel Oil

The Prunus armeniaca L. (bitter apricot) is an apricot fruit tree categorized on the basis of the bitter taste of its seed kernel. In this study, the functional, medicinal, and therapeutic potential of bitter apricot seed kernel oil (BASKO) was evaluated. The qualitative screening of BASKO was performed using standard methodologies. The chemical profile of the oil was analyzed with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results revealed the presence of different phytochemical constituents comprising steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by a 2,2,diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition essay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 10.6 ± 1.32 mg GAE/g and 4.75 ± 0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. DPPH inhibition of 89.5% was achieved at 1000 μg/mL of BASKO, with IC50 = 90.44 μg/mL (83.47-96.67 μg/mL with 95% CI). The antimicrobial potential of the BASKO revealed the inhibition of Escherichia coli (20.3 ± 2.08 mm), Salmonella typhi (19.3 ± 2.51 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.6 ± 1.52 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 ± 2 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (25 ± 1.01 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 250 μL/mL for K. pneumoniae, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus, whereas 62.5 μL/mL for E. coli. Moreover, BASKO showed antifungal potential against Trichophyton tonsurans (77.3 ± 2.08%), Epidermophyton floccosum (69.6 ± 3.51%), Aspergillus niger (74.3 ± 2.56%), Aspergillus flavus (90 ± 3%), and Mucor mucedo (78.3 ± 2.51%). Antileishmanial activity of oil was evaluated against Leishmania major by MTT assay, and an IC50 value of 89.75 μg/mL was observed. The study revealed that BASKO is a good source of biologically active compounds to be used as functional, therapeutical, and antimicrobial agents in food and pharmaceutical products.

Phytochemical screening, HPLC fingerprinting and in vitro assessment of therapeutic potentials of different apricot cultivars against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cancer

Plant-based natural compounds are widely used to treat various ailments owing to their readily availability and minimal adverse effects. This study aimed to perform qualitative and quantitative biochemical profiling and assess the in vitro anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-cancer activities of various apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cultivars. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to determine the concentrations of bioactive compounds across 10 distinct apricot cultivars. Initial phytochemical screening revealed a significant content of secondary metabolites. Subsequently, methanolic extracts from these cultivars were evaluated for their therapeutic potential against several human cancer cell lines, including prostate cancer (PC-3), lung cancer (A-549), breast cancer (MCF-7), cervical cancer (HELA), and kidney cancer (HEK). Notably, the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 showed a pronounced inhibition rate post-treatment with the apricot extracts. Correlation analysis exhibited phenols are highly correlated with flavonoids (r = 0.92), DPPH (r = 0.95), and alpha-amylase (%) inhibition (r = 0.96), and showed a significant correlation with other parameters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that PC1 explained 43.31 % of the variance, while PC2 explained 12.88 %, together explaining 80.033 % of the total variance. PC1 was identified as the dominant axis, indicating the primary pattern of variation among the variables. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) divided the cultivars into 2 main clusters, with cluster 2 further subdivided into various sub-clusters and sub-sub-clusters. This analysis highlighted distinct genetic similarities and differences among the apricot cultivars. Among the tested cultivars, 'Irani' and 'Tilton' were found to contain the highest levels of bioactive constituents. This research marks the first comprehensive examination of the impacts of these two apricot cultivars. The findings from this study provide a robust scientific foundation for the future isolation and purification of therapeutic compounds, potentially leading to their application in pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of the pharmacological properties of apricot cultivars and establishes a basis for further investigation into their clinical benefits.

Fatty acids profile in three cultivars of Tunisian apricot oilseeds (Prunus armeniaca L.): impact of maturity

Profiling's of oil yield and fatty acid were monitored during maturation of three different accession of Tunisian apricots (AprB, AprC and AprO) among different days after flowering (DAF) and grown in two different geographical regions of Tunisia. The first results show that a quick distribution started in immature oilseeds apricot and continued until their full maturity. Nine fatty acids were identified in apricot oilseeds such as palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, gadoleic and margaric acids. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were determined as major fatty acids in apricot oil varieties. Interestingly, the content of each fatty acid in the three accessions of apricot varied significantly (p < 0.05) during seeds development and especially in wild apricot AprB. PCA analysis in AprB demonstrate that at the time-date of 41 DAF, the production of fatty acids is in its maximum and could have numerous future therapeutics applications.

Apricot polysaccharides as new carriers to make curcumin nanoparticles and improve its stability and antibacterial activity

Apricot polysaccharides (APs) as new types of natural carriers for encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients can achieve high-value utilization of apricot pulp and improve the solubility, the stability, and the antibacterial activity of insoluble compounds simultaneously. In this research, the purified APs reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the Maillard reaction, and with d-α-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) and pheophorbide A (PheoA) by grafting to fabricate two materials for the preparation of curcumin (Cur)-encapsulated AP-BSA nanoparticles (CABNs) and Cur-embedded TOS-AP-PheoA micelles (CTAPMs), respectively. The biological activities of two Cur nano-delivery systems were evaluated. APs consisted of arabinose (22.36%), galactose (7.88%), glucose (34.46%), and galacturonic acid (31.32%) after the optimized extraction. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of CABNs and CTAPMs displayed a discrete and non-aggregated morphology with a spherical shape. Compared to the unencapsulated Cur, the release rates of CABNs and CTAPMs decreased from 87% to 70% at 3 h and from 92% to 25% at 48 h, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of CABNs and CTAPMs were significantly improved. The CTAPMs exhibited a better antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli than CABNs due to the synergistic photosensitive effect between Cur and PheoA.

Moroccan Antihypertensive Plants and their Mechanisms of Action

BACKGROUND

The use of herbal remedies, medicinal plants, and their derivatives for the treatment and control of hypertension is well-known and widespread throughout Morocco.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to review the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant medicinal plants of the Moroccan pharmacopeia.

OBJECTIVE

To date, no review on Moroccan medicinal plants exhibiting antihypertensive effects has been performed, and their mechanism of action has not been specified. The objective of this review was to collect, analyze, and critically assess published publications on experimental and clinical research that explored the blood pressure-reducing abilities of Moroccan medicinal plant extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study collected, processed, and critically analyzed published studies related to experimental and clinical research that investigated Moroccan herbal derivatives' blood pressure-lowering abilities using a number of scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and others. Plantlist.org was used to validate the right plant names.

RESULTS

The results revealed 22 species of Moroccan medicinal plants belonging to 13 different groups with recognized antihypertensive properties. The species were abundant in a variety of chemical elements. Asteraceae (08 species), Lamiaceae (3 species), Apiaceae (2 species), and 1 species each from the following families: Parmeliaceae, Fabaceae, Cistaceae, Malvaceae, Polygonaceae, Brassicaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Amaranthaceae, Rosaceae, and Lauraceae were the most frequently mentioned families for their antihypertensive properties. The most used parts were the leaves and the aerial parts. The two main methods of preparation among Moroccans were decoction and infusion. This study demonstrated the known antihypertensive and vasorelaxant properties of Moroccan medicinal plants in vivo and in vitro, as well as their mechanisms of action. Interestingly, phytochemicals can operate on blood vessels directly via a vasorelaxant impact involving a range of signaling cascades or indirectly by blocking or activating multiple systems, such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), renin-angiotensin system (RAS), or diuretic activity.

CONCLUSION

The review of the available data reveals that more work needs to be done to examine all the Moroccan medicinal plants that have been suggested as antihypertensive in published ethnopharmacological surveys. A review of the literature in this area reveals that methodologies of the experimental study need to be standardized, and purified molecules need to be studied. In addition, mechanistic investigations, when they exist, are generally incomplete. In contrast, only a few advanced clinical investigations have been conducted. However, all studies fail to determine the efficacy/safety ratio.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Sugar and Acid Accumulation during Apricot Fruit Development

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a fruit that belongs to the Rosaceae family; it has a unique flavor and is of important economic and nutritional value. The composition and content of soluble sugars and organic acids in fruit are key factors in determining the flavor quality. However, the molecular mechanism of sugar and acid accumulation in apricots remains unclear. We measured sucrose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, starch, malate, citric acid, titratable acid, and pH, and investigated the transcriptome profiles of three apricots (the high-sugar cultivar 'Shushanggan', common-sugar cultivar 'Sungold', and low-sugar cultivar 'F43') at three distinct developmental phases. The findings indicated that 'Shushanggan' accumulates a greater amount of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol, and less citric acid and titratable acid, resulting in a better flavor; 'Sungold' mainly accumulates more sucrose and less citric acid and starch for the second flavor; and 'F43' mainly accumulates more titratable acid, citric acid, and starch for a lesser degree of sweetness. We investigated the DEGs associated with the starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, citrate cycle pathway, glycolysis pathway, and a handful of sugar transporter proteins, which were considered to be important regulators of sugar and acid accumulation. Additionally, an analysis of the co-expression network of weighted genes unveiled a robust correlation between the brown module and sucrose, glucose, and fructose, with VIP being identified as a hub gene that interacted with four sugar transporter proteins (SLC35B3, SLC32A, SLC2A8, and SLC2A13), as well as three structural genes for sugar and acid metabolism (MUR3, E3.2.1.67, and CSLD). Furthermore, we found some lncRNAs and miRNAs that regulate these genes. Our findings provide clues to the functional genes related to sugar metabolism, and lay the foundation for the selection and cultivation of high-sugar apricots in the future.

In silico Evaluation of ACE2 Inhibition by Prunus armeniaca L. and in vivo Toxicity Study

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that uses ACE2 to enter the host cell.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the in silico inhibitory activity of polyphenols from Prunus armeniaca (P. armeniaca) on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

METHODS

The efficacy of phytocompounds from P. armeniaca in inhibiting ACE2 was tested through molecular docking and dynamic analyses. The toxicological analysis of P. armeniaca was also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of twenty polyphenols were docked against the ACE2 active site, and four compounds showed interesting profiles. In vivo acute toxicity study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Prunus armeniaca was safe.

CONCLUSION

Four compounds from Prunus armeniaca seem to exert an inhibitory potential of ACE2.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Tree and Shrub Bark's Antioxidant Status

The importance of using the barks of trees and shrubs as powerful natural antioxidants suggests the necessity to evaluate the effect of different environmental factors on bark extracts’ quality. The determination of total antioxidant activity (AOA) and polyphenol content (TP) in the bark of 58 tree and shrub species from 7 regions differing in mean annual temperature, insolation, humidity, salinity level, and altitude was performed. The above stress factors positively affected bark AOA but did not have a statistically significant effect on TP. The bark of trees grown in the seashore proximity was characterized by significantly higher AOA than samples gathered in other areas, similarly to the trees grown at high altitude. The bark antioxidant status of 18 species was described for the first time. New sources of powerful antioxidants were represented by the ornamental shrubs Cornus sanguinea and Cornus alba, which showed the highest AOA (169−171 mg GAE g−1 d.w.). Among the typical halophytes, Calligonum and Tamarix had high AOA (172 and 85 mg GAE g−1 d.w.), while in the bark of tamarisk, an Se accumulator, an Se concentration of about 900 µg kg−1 d.w. was recorded. A significant positive correlation was found between leaves and bark AOA in the Karadag Nature Reserve’s deciduous trees (r = 0.898, p < 0.01). The relationship between bark AOA and TP was highly significant (r = 0.809; p < 0.001) for all samples except the mountainous ones. The results of the present research revealed new opportunities in successive bark utilization.

Chinese herbal medicine is associated with higher body weight reduction than liraglutide among the obese population: A real-world comparative cohort study

Introduction: In Taiwan, many people receive Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an alternative choice to help control body weight. However, the clinical effectiveness of CHM on weight control has not been well studied, while potential risks and adverse effects are still unknown. The aim of our study is to find out a safe and efficient treatment model of CHM for weight control compared to liraglutide in a real-world setting.

Methods: we retrospectively analyzed obese subjects [body mass index (BMI)≧25 kg/m2] from Chang Gung Research Database (2013–2018). We evaluated the effect on body weight and BMI changes in obese groups receiving CHM or western medicine (WM, represented liraglutide) within 180 days. The proportion of subjects who achieved 5 and 10% weight reduction was calculated as well. Furthermore, the potential adverse events were analyzed during the study period. Overlap weighting was used to balance the baseline differences between CHM and WM groups.

Results: The full cohort comprised 1,360 participants: 701 in the CHM group and 659 in the WM group. At baseline, the CHM group was younger (42.75 ± 12.12 years old in CHM vs. 52.31 ± 11.7 years old in WM, p-value &lt;0.001) and has more female subjects (77.6% in CHM vs. 53.0% in WM, p-value &lt;0.001). On the other hand, CHM users had lower body weight (79.83 ± 15.66 kg vs. 84.68 ± 17.14 kg, p-value &lt;0.001) and BMI (30.58 ± 5.20 vs. 32.84 ± 6.95, p-value &lt;0.001). At day 180, CHM users lost more body weight (−4.5 ± 4.07 kg vs. −2.15 ± 4.05 kg, p-value &lt;0.001) and higher reduction in BMI (−1.77 ± 1.73 vs. −0.9 ± 2.14, p-value &lt;0.001). A total of 53.21% (n = 373) CHM users lost at least 5% of body weight (22.46% for WM users, p-value &lt;0.001), and 18.97% (n = 132) lost at least 10% of body weight (4.55% for WM users, p-value &lt;0.001). The benefit remained consistent with and without overlap weighting. For adverse events, 18 cases of hypertension occurred in 659 subjects in the WM group (2.7%) in comparison to 1 of 701 subjects in the CHM group (0.1%).

Conclusion: CHM led to clinically meaningful weight loss without serious adverse events in a real-world setting. Further clinical trials are warranted to validate this result.

Prediction of Potential Natural Antibiotics Plants Based on Jamu Formula Using Random Forest Classifier

Jamu is the traditional Indonesian herbal medicine system that is considered to have many benefits such as serving as a cure for diseases or maintaining sound health. A Jamu medicine is generally made from a mixture of several herbs. Natural antibiotics can provide a way to handle the problem of antibiotic resistance. This research aims to discover the potential of herbal plants as natural antibiotic candidates based on a machine learning approach. Our input data consists of a list of herbal formulas with plants as their constituents. The target class corresponds to bacterial diseases that can be cured by herbal formulas. The best model has been observed by implementing the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. For 10-fold cross-validations, the maximum accuracy, recall, and precision are 91.10%, 91.10%, and 90.54% with standard deviations 1.05, 1.05, and 1.48, respectively, which imply that the model obtained is good and robust. This study has shown that 14 plants can be potentially used as natural antibiotic candidates. Furthermore, according to scientific journals, 10 of the 14 selected plants have direct or indirect antibacterial activity.

Volatile Compounds Analysis and Biomarkers Identification of Four Native Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars Grown in Xinjiang Region of China

Flavor (odor and taste) have a significant role in the consumer’s acceptance, and volatile compounds are responsible for the odor of apricots. In the present work, headspace solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS) together with multivariate analysis, i.e., partial least square discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), were applied to construct the volatile fingerprints and biomarkers of apricots in Xinjiang, China. As a result, a total of 63 volatile substances were identified in the fruits of four apricot cultivars, seven of which were considered to serve as volatile biomarkers, which are damascenone for Dabaiyou apricots; acetophenone, myrcenol and 7-hexadecenal for Luopuhongdaike apricots; 2,4-dimethyl-cyclohexanol for You apricots; eucalyptol and salicylaldehyde for Xiaobai apricots. Moreover, Xiaobai apricots were richer in soluble sugars, organic acids and total phenolic and total flavonoid content than the other three apricot varieties. This work helps to characterize the volatile profiles and biomarkers of different apricot cultivars while providing theoretical guidance for developing apricot-flavored foods in practical production.

Chemotaxonomic Identification of Key Taste and Nutritional Components in 'Shushanggan Apricot' Fruits by Widely Targeted Metabolomics

The chemotypic and the content variation in taste substances and nutrients in ‘Shushanggan apricot’ fruits were detected by UPLC-MS/MS. A total of 592 compounds were identified, of which sucrose contributed mainly to the sweet taste and malic acid and citric acid were important organic acids affecting sweet–sour taste. γ-linolenic acid, α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid were the dominant free fatty acids, and neochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid were the predominant phenolic acids. Fruit taste was positively correlated with sucrose and negatively correlated with malic acid and citric acid. The differential metabolites were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of amino acids and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism pathways, regulating the sugar and organic acid biosynthesis. Taste and nutrient differences could be revealed by variations in composition and abundance of carbohydrates, organic acids and amino acids. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive chemical characterization of taste and nutrient compounds in ‘Shushanggan apricot’ fruits.

Role of medicinal plants in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 and in the management of post-COVID-19 complications

BACKGROUND

The worldwide corona virus disease outbreak, generally known as COVID-19 pandemic outbreak resulted in a major health crisis globally. The morbidity and transmission modality of COVID-19 appear more severe and uncontrollable. The respiratory failure and following cardiovascular complications are the main pathophysiology of this deadly disease. Several therapeutic strategies are put forward for the development of safe and effective treatment against SARS-CoV-2 virus from the pharmacological view point but till date there are no specific treatment regimen developed for this viral infection.

PURPOSE

The present review emphasizes the role of herbs and herbs-derived secondary metabolites in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 virus and also for the management of post-COVID-19 related complications. This approach will foster and ensure the safeguards of using medicinal plant resources to support the healthcare system. Plant-derived phytochemicals have already been reported to prevent the viral infection and to overcome the post-COVID complications like parkinsonism, kidney and heart failure, liver and lungs injury and mental problems. In this review, we explored mechanistic approaches of herbal medicines and their phytocomponenets as antiviral and post-COVID complications by modulating the immunological and inflammatory states.

STUDY DESIGN

Studies related to diagnosis and treatment guidelines issued for COVID-19 by different traditional system of medicine were included. The information was gathered from pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions approaches. The gathered information sorted based on therapeutic application of herbs and their components against SARSCoV-2 and COVID-19 related complications.

METHODS

A systemic search of published literature was conducted from 2003 to 2021 using different literature database like Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science to emphasize relevant articles on medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and Post-COVID related complications.

RESULTS

Collected published literature from 2003 onwards yielded with total 625 articles, from more than 18 countries. Among these 625 articles, more than 95 medicinal plants and 25 active phytomolecules belong to 48 plant families. Reports on the therapeutic activity of the medicinal plants belong to the Lamiaceae family (11 reports), which was found to be maximum reported from 4 different countries including India, China, Australia, and Morocco. Other reports on the medicinal plant of Asteraceae (7 reports), Fabaceae (8 reports), Piperaceae (3 reports), Zingiberaceae (3 reports), Ranunculaceae (3 reports), Meliaceae (4 reports) were found, which can be explored for the development of safe and efficacious products targeting COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Keeping in mind that the natural alternatives are in the priority for the management and prevention of the COVID-19, the present review may help to develop an alternative approach for the management of COVID-19 viral infection and post-COVID complications from a mechanistic point of view.

Biochemical Characterization of Traditional Varieties of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) of the Campania Region, Southern Italy

Campania is the most important region of Italy in the apricot cultivation, present mostly in the Vesuvio area. At least to the best of our knowledge, no studies are reporting the biochemical characterization of the considerable number of traditional apricot varieties present on this territory, including the qualitative and quantitative profile of the polyphenols present. Our work evaluated the content of β-carotene, total phenolics, phenolic profiles, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity of 23 traditional varieties of apricots of the Campania region. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that, in the two main groups, the antioxidant activity was strongly affected by the content of ascorbic acid (-0.89), or slightly affected by the content of total polyphenols (-0.67), respect to the content of ascorbic acid (-0.55), never by β-carotene. Chlorogenic acid (up to 55.07 μg g^-1) and catechin (up to 96.15 μg g^-1) resulted the most abundant polyphenols recognized through the chromatographic analysis. PCA, extended to the polyphenol profile, confirmed the distribution of the varieties in two large groups, evidencing once again the hierarchical distance of four varieties ("Panzona", "Paolona" "Baracca" and "Boccucia Eboli") compared to the others.

Phytochemical characterization and biological activity of apricot kernels' extract in yeast-cell based tests and hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bitter apricot kernels' extract contains a broad spectrum of biologically active substances with a lot of attention to amygdalin - cyanogenic glycoside. The extract has been used in the pharmaceutical industry for years as an ingredient of different pharmaceuticals with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, or regenerative properties. In traditional medicine, the bitter apricot kernels are known as a remedy for respiratory disorders and skin diseases. The apricot kernels and amygdalin are often prescribed by practitioners for the prevention and treatment of various medical conditions, including colorectal cancer. THE PRESENT STUDY AIMS: to evaluate the phytochemical composition and the potential antimutagenic, antirecombinogenic, and antitumor effect of apricot kernels' extract at very low concentrations in yeast cell-based tests and mammalian hepatocellular and colon carcinoma cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical analysis was performed by LC-MS profiling. Reverse-phase HPLC and UV detection were applied for the determination of amygdalin quantity in the extract. Biological activity was evaluated by Zimmermann's mutagenicity and Ty1 retrotransposition test. Cytotoxic/antiproliferative activity of apricot kernels' extract was performed on four types of cell lines - HepG2, HT-29, BALB/3T3, clone A31, and BJ using the standard MTT-dye reduction assay.

RESULTS

Data revealed the presence of more than 1000 compounds and 4 cyanogenic glycosides among them - Amygdalin, Deidaclin, Linamarin and Prulaurasin. The Amygdalin concentration was measured to be 57.8 μg/ml. All extract concentrations demonstrated a strong antigenotoxic, antirecombinogenic, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic effect in the yeast cell-based tests. High selectivity of the extract action is established among different mammalian cell lines. Normal cell line BJ is found to be resistant to the extract action. HepG2 was found to be the most sensitive to apricot kernels' action.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides the first phytochemical analysis of Bulgarian bitter apricot kernels. Three new cyanogenic glycosides were reported. Evidence is obtained that the apricot kernels' extract at low concentrations is not able to induce some of the events related to the initial steps of tumorigenesis. Additionally, a high selectivity of the extract action is established among different cell lines. The most sensitive cell line was found to be HepG2.

Insights of Phenolic Pathway in Fruits: Transcriptional and Metabolic Profiling in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)

There is an increasing interest in polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites, in terms of fruit quality and diet, mainly due to their antioxidant effect. However, the identification of key gene enzymes and their roles in the phenylpropanoid pathway in temperate fruits species remains uncertain. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a Mediterranean fruit with high diversity and fruit quality properties, being an excellent source of polyphenol compounds. For a better understanding of the phenolic pathway in these fruits, we selected a set of accessions with genetic-based differences in phenolic compounds accumulation. HPLC analysis of the main phenolic compounds and transcriptional analysis of the genes involved in key steps of the polyphenol network were carried out. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR) and flavonol synthase (FLS) were the key enzymes selected. Orthologous of the genes involved in transcription of these enzymes were identified in apricot: ParPAL1, ParPAL2, ParDFR, ParFLS1 and ParFLS2. Transcriptional data of the genes involved in those critical points and their relationships with the polyphenol compounds were analyzed. Higher expression of ParDFR and ParPAL2 has been associated with red-blushed accessions. Differences in expression between paralogues could be related to the presence of a BOXCOREDCPAL cis-acting element related to the genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis ParFLS2, ParDFR and ParPAL2.

Prunus Armeniaca L. Seed Extract and Its Amygdalin Containing Fraction Induced Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis and Autophagy in Liver Carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advances in therapeutic interventions, liver cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the world. Potential phytochemicals have shown to be promising agents against many life-threatening diseases because of their low toxicity and potential effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims to conduct an in vitro investigation of the anticancer activity of Apricot Extract (AE) and Amygdalin Containing Fraction (ACF), additionally studying their therapeutic effects on DMBAinduced liver carcinogenesis mice model to highlight their related biochemical and molecular mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Amygdalin was isolated from the seeds of P. armeniaca L. Male mice received AE or ACF, DMBA, DMBA+AE, DMBA+ACF, and vehicles. The oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, cell proliferation by flow cytometric analysis of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) expression, angiogenesis marker (VEGF), inflammatory marker (TNF-α), apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and autophagy genes expression (caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Beclin-1) were investigated. AE and ACF were found to stimulate the apoptotic process by up-regulating caspase-3 expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression. They also reduced VEGF and PCNA levels and increased the antioxidant defense system. Moreover, AE and ACF treatments also inhibited HepG2 and EAC cell proliferation and up-regulated Beclin-1 expression.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that, in DMBA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, the key proteins involved in the proliferation, angiogenesis, autophagy, and apoptosis are feasible molecular targets for hepatotherapeutic potential using AE and ACF.

Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity, toxicity, and mineral composition of kernel and pomace of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) grown in Balochistan, Pakistan

The present study aims to investigate some physical attributes, total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, mineral composition, bioluminescence toxicity assay and antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH, HPS, TAC and FRAP assays in the kernel and pomace samples of six apricot cultivars grown in Balochistan, Pakistan. TFC and TPC determined by the AlCl₃ and Folin-Ciocalteu assays in apricot kernel extracts of six cultivars varied from 1797.5 (Chagali) to 4778.9 (Badoghur) mg QUE/100 g DW and from 1750.0 (Chagali) to 5005.8 (Badoghur) mg GAE/100 g DW. Apricot kernels exhibited higher antioxidant activity than pomace; antioxidant activity in terms of IC₅₀ in kernels ranged from 24.88 to 98.61 μg/ml for DPPH, 334.84 to 516.63 μg/ml for HPS, from 22.02 to 110.80 μg/ml for TAC and from 96.27 to 163.35 μg/ml for FRAP. The apricot kernels showed higher TPC, TFC, bioluminescence toxicity to V. logei and antioxidant activity than the pomace. The correlation analysis demonstrated substantial contributions of polyphenols and flavonoids to antioxidant assays. The sample type was the leading factor affecting the amounts of K, Na, Ca, Fe, and Mn in the tested samples; mineral contents were higher in pomace than kernels. The highest inhibition to V. logei was found in the kernels of Badoghur (IC₅₀ = 1.61 mg/ml). The PCA analysis showed significant contributions of phenolic and flavonoid contents towards antioxidant bioluminescence toxicity assays. Our results suggest Badoghur, Shakarpara and Sardai kernels are rich sources of secondary metabolites and possess remarkable antioxidant and antiluminescence activity and can make a significant contribution to the treatment and prevention of chronic health problems.

The Genes of CYP, ZEP, and CCD1/4 Play an Important Role in Controlling Carotenoid and Aroma Volatile Apocarotenoid Accumulation of Apricot Fruit

Carotenoids are important coloration molecules and indispensable component of the human diet. And these compounds confer most of the apricot fruit yellow or orange color. In China, fruit of some apricot cultivar present light-yellow color but strong flowery flavor, however, the chemical mechanism remains unknown. Here, carotenoids and aroma volatile apocarotenoids (AVAs) in three skin types of apricot cultivars (orange, yellow, and light-yellow skinned) were determined by HPLC and GC-MS, respectively. And the transcript levels of carotenogenic genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The orange-skinned cultivars "Hongyu" and "Danxing" fruit presented the most abundant total carotenoid, β-carotene and specific α-carotene contents, and β-carotene (52-77%) increased to become the dominant carotenoid during fruit ripening. The transcript levels of lycopene β-cyclase (LCYb) and β-carotene hydroxylase (CHYb) sharply increased during ripening. The yellow-skinned cultivars "Sulian No. 2" and "Akeyaleke" fruit contained lower levels of total carotenoids and β-carotene but were rich in phytoene. The light-yellow coloration of "Baixing" and "Luntaixiaobaixing" fruit was attributed to low amounts of total carotenoids, lutein, and neoxanthin and an absence of β-cryptoxanthin, but high level of aroma volatile apocarotenoids (AVAs) such as β-ionone were detected in these cultivars fruit, accompanied by low transcript levels of carotene hydroxylase (CYP) and zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) but high levels of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 1 (CCD1) and CCD4. Correlation analysis showed that the expression level of CCD1 negatively correlated with carotenoid accumulation but positively with AVAs production. These collected results suggest that both carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation are important for apricot coloration and aroma formation. CYP, ZEP, CCD1, and CCD4 may be the key regulation points for carotenoid and AVAs accumulation in apricot fruit, which provide important targets for quality-oriented molecular breeding.

Transdermal Delivery Systems of Natural Products Applied to Skin Therapy and Care

Natural products are favored because of their non-toxicity, low irritants, and market reacceptance. We collected examples, according to ancient wisdom, of natural products to be applied in transdermal delivery. A transdermal delivery system, including different types of agents, such as ointments, patches, and gels, has long been used for skin concerns. In recent years, many novel transdermal applications, such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and microneedles, have been reported. Nanosized drug delivery systems are widely applied in natural product deliveries. Nanosized materials notably enhance bioavailability and solubility, and are reported to improve the transdermal permeation of many substances compared with conventional topical formulations. Natural products have been made into nanosized biomaterials in order to enhance the penetration effect. Before introducing the novel transdermal applications of natural products, we present traditional methods within this article. The descriptions of novel transdermal applications are classified into three parts: liposomes, emulsions, and lipid nanoparticles. Each section describes cases that are related to promising natural product transdermal use. Finally, we summarize the outcomes of various studies on novel transdermal agents applied to skin treatments.

Stone Fruit as Biofactories of Phytochemicals With Potential Roles in Human Nutrition and Health

Phytochemicals or secondary metabolites present in fruit are key components contributing to sensory attributes like aroma, taste, and color. In addition, these compounds improve human nutrition and health. Stone fruits are an important source of an array of secondary metabolites that may reduce the risk of different diseases. The first part of this review is dedicated to the description of the main secondary organic compounds found in plants which include (a) phenolic compounds, (b) terpenoids/isoprenoids, and (c) nitrogen or sulfur containing compounds, and their principal biosynthetic pathways and their regulation in stone fruit. Then, the type and levels of bioactive compounds in different stone fruits of the Rosaceae family such as peach (Prunus persica), plum (P. domestica, P. salicina and P. cerasifera), sweet cherries (P. avium), almond kernels (P. dulcis, syn. P. amygdalus), and apricot (P. armeniaca) are presented. The last part of this review encompasses pre- and postharvest treatments affecting the phytochemical composition in stone fruit. Appropriate management of these factors during pre- and postharvest handling, along with further characterization of phytochemicals and the regulation of their synthesis in different cultivars, could help to increase the levels of these compounds, leading to the future improvement of stone fruit not only to enhance organoleptic characteristics but also to benefit human health.

Identification of Fatty Acid, Lipid and Polyphenol Compounds from Prunus armeniaca L. Kernel Extracts

Apart from its essential oil, Prunus armeniaca L. kernel extract has received only scarce attention. The present study aimed to describe the lipid and polyphenolic composition of the dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts on the basis of hot extraction, performing analysis by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A total of 6 diacylglycerols (DAGs) and 18 triacylglycerols (TAGs) were detected as being present in all extracts, with the predominance of OLL (dilinoleyl-olein), OOL (dioleoyl-linolein), and OOO (triolein), with percentages ranging from 19.0-32.8%, 20.3-23.6%, and 12.1-20.1%, respectively. In further detail, the extraction with ethyl acetate (medium polarity solvent) gave the highest signal for all peaks, followed by chloroform and dichloromethane (more apolar solvent), while the extraction with ethanol (polar solvent) was the least efficient. Ethanol showed very poor signal for the most saturated TAGs, while dichloromethane showed the lowest percentages of DAGs. Accordingly, the screening of the total fatty acid composition revealed the lowest percentage of linoleic acid (C18:2n6) in the dichloromethane extract, which instead contained the highest amount (greater than 60%) of oleic acid (C18:1n9). Polyphenolic compounds with pharmacological effects (anti-tumor, anti-coagulant, and inflammatory), such as coumarin derivative and amygdalin, occurred at a higher amount in ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts.

Carotenoids, Fatty Acids, and Volatile Compounds in Apricot Cultivars from Romania-A Chemometric Approach

Lipophilic constituents are important for the color and aroma of apricots, but also for their health benefits. In the present study, carotenoids, fatty acids, and volatiles were analyzed in 11 apricot cultivars, from which nine were obtained in Romania. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology applied on unsaponified carotenoid extracts allowed the identification and quantification of 19 compounds. The predominant carotenoids in all cultivars were all-trans-β-carotene and its cis isomers. Lutein was present exclusively in non-esterified form, while β-cryptoxanthin was predominantly esterified, mainly with oleic, palmitic, lauric, and stearic acid. Moreover, β-cryptoxanthin linoleate, linolenate, and stearate were detected for the first time in Harogem cultivar. Variation in carotenoid content and composition was observed, with the highest carotenoid content being recorded in Tudor, Harogem, and Mamaia cultivars. The predominant fatty acids determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were linoleic (up to 47%), palmitic (up to 32.7%), and linolenic (up to 17.16%), with small variations among cultivars. In-tube extraction technique (ITEX)/GC-MS was applied for profiling the volatiles in apricot fruits and 120 compounds were identified, with terpenoids and esters as the most abundant classes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the carotenoids and the fatty acids profile can be used for variety authentication and discrimination in apricots.

Triacylglycerols Profiles Established by UHPLC-ESI-MS in Developing Sweet, Semi-sweet and Bitter Seeds from Tunisian Oilseeds Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

The aim of the present research is to investigate the effect of three harvest date on the composition of apricot seed. Indeed, triacylglycerols (TAGs) content and composition were studied in developing Tunisian apricot varieties bitter (Bargoug), semi-sweet (Oud Rhayem) and sweet (Chechi Bazza) cultivars at intervals of early (14 DAP), mid phase (28 DAP) and full phase (55 DAP) of oil accumulation by UHPLC-ESI-MS method. Eleven molecular species of triacylglycerols were detected and identified as LLL, LLO, LLP, LOO, LLS/LOP, LPP, OOO, LOS, OOP, POP and OOS. At 14 DAP, LLO was the major TAGs molecular species with 35.4-52.6% (maximum reached in semi-sweet apricot). Others major TAGs were founded at lower content as LOO (17.5-40.3%) and OOO (5.7-12.7%). However, among maturity, three distinct profiles of TAGs molecular species were observed: bitter apricot was significantly richer in OOO molecular species than cultivars ones. However, semi-sweet and sweet cultivars were richer in LLO and LOO molecular species at different time-dates. These latter may provide a schedule for harvesting Tunisian apricot seeds with high quality of oil content.

Analysis of carotenoid content and diversity in apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) grown in China

The carotenoids in the peel and flesh of 41 apricot cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS, and the L*, a*, b* and quality indexes of the fruits were determined. The results showed that the L*, a*, b* and quality indexes of the fruits were quite different, and 13 carotenoids were detected in the peel and flesh of apricots, among which ε-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin and apocarotenal were newly detected carotenoids in apricots. The total carotenoid content of the 41 apricot cultivars varied from 20.983 to 320.278 μg/g FW, and the total carotenoid content varied from 17.353 to 222.098 μg/g FW in the peel and from 2.536 to 98.179 μg/g FW in the flesh. The main components of apricot fruits were β-carotene and (E/Z)-phytoene, followed by β-cryptoxanthin and lutein. This study shows that carotenoids in apricot fruits have rich metabolic diversity.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and HepG2 cancer cells' antiproliferation potential in the kernels of apricot cultivars

Phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells were studied in the kernels of apricot cultivars grown in the northern areas of Pakistan. Relatively, the kernel of Habbi cultivar/AP-12 depicted significant potential to scavenge DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals as well as oxygen radical absorbance capacity along with highest contents of total flavonoids, phenolics, chlorogenic and syringic acids on dry weight basis. The average concentration of quercetin ranged 0.072-1.343 mg/100 g, and of EGCG from 0.713 to 6.521 mg/100 g with maximum concentration in Hulappa/AP-3 and Kho Chali-Khatta 3/AP-17, respectively. Amygdalin content was highest (1145 mg/100 g) in the kernel of Balaani/AP-14. Highest inhibition of HepG2 cells was found in the kernel of Waflu Chuli/AP-9 (EC50 = 15.70 ± 3.77 mg/mL). The PCA showed significant contributions of polyphenols and flavonoids towards biochemical assays, while CA revealed similarities and associations among various cultivars. Our study revealed that Habbi, Waflu Chuli, Thukdeena and Balaani kernels are rich sources of bioactive compounds and possess significant antioxidant and anticancer activity and can contribute considerably in the prevention and treatment of chronic health disorders.

Analysis of Metabolites and Gene Expression Changes Relative to Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Fruit Quality During Development and Ripening

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a valuable worldwide agronomical crop, with a delicious fruit highlighted as a functional food with both nutritional and bioactive properties, remarkably beneficial to human health. Apricot fruit ripening is a coordinated developmental process which requires change in the expression of hundreds to thousands of genes to modify many biochemical and physiological processes arising from quality characteristics in ripe fruit. In addition, enhancing fruit and nutraceutical quality is one of the central objectives to be improved in the new varieties developed by breeding programs. In this study we analyzed the contents of main metabolites linked to the nutraceutical value of apricot fruits, together with the most important pomological characteristics and biochemical contents of fruit during the ripening process in two contrasted apricot genotypes. Additionally, the gene expression changes were analyzed using RNA-Seq and real time qPCR. Results showed that genes with differential expression in the biosynthetic pathways, such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, starch and sucrose and carotenoid metabolism, could be possible candidates as molecular markers of fruit quality characteristics for fruit color and soluble solid content. The gene involves in carotenoid metabolism carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4, and the gene sucrose synthase in starch and sucrose metabolism were identified as candidate genes in the ripening process for white skin ground color and flesh color and high soluble sugar content. The application of these candidate genes on marker-assisted selection in apricot breeding programs may contribute to the early selection of high-quality fruit genotypes with suitable nutraceutical values.

Inhibitory Effects of Pectinase-Treated Prunus Mume Fruit Concentrate on Colorectal Cancer Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells

Pectinase is a well-known enzyme used in the food processing industry to produce fruit juice and concentrate. This study evaluated the anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities of pectinase-treated Prunus mume fruit concentrate (PC) and its phenolic components. PC treatment (250 to 1,000 µg/mL) resulted in decreased proliferation of SW480 human colorectal cancer cells through S-phase cell cycle arrest; however, equivalent concentrations of PC did not show toxicity toward CRL-1539 colon normal cells. Furthermore, PC-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in SW480 cells, which was characterized by accumulation of apoptotic cell population, cell shrinkage, formation of apoptotic bodies, upregulation of proapoptotic Bax, cleaved PARP, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Antiangiogenesis effects of PC were assessed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that PC did not inhibit HUVECs proliferation at concentrations of 500 to 1,500 µg/mL. In addition, treatment with PC at nontoxic concentrations (500 to 1,000 µg/mL) blocked vascular endothelial growth factor induced cell migration, invasion, capillary-like tube formation, and angiogenesis from rat aortic rings. HPLC-PDA analysis showed that there were at least four different phenolics including 5-HMF, neochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, and syringic acid. Taken together, these results indicated that PC could be used as a good source of phenolic compounds with selective anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pectinases are one of the well-known enzyme used in the part of food processing. Treatment of pectinase is a useful strategy to reduce viscosity, turbidity, and pulp particles in the production of fruit juice, extract, and concentrate. In the present study, we found that pectinase-treated P. mume fruit concentrate significantly suppresses colorectal cancer proliferation and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The significance of our findings is that pectinase-treated P. mume concentrate may be used as a commercial functional food material to inhibit colorectal cancer and angiogenesis.

Purification of Amygdalin from the Concentrated Debitterizing-Water of Apricot Kernelsusing XDA-1 Resin

In this study, six macroporous resins were screened on their adsorption and de-adsorption characteristics for the amygdalin in the debitterizing wastewater concentrate (DWC). The results indicate that the XDA-1 resin exerts good adsorption and de-adsorption capacities on the amygdalin. In order to further confirm its feasibility, the factors affecting the capacity of adsorption and de-adsorption, and its adsorption mechanisms were also investigated. The results suggest that the optimum purification conditions were as follows: loading concentration of samples with 78.05 mg/mL, flow rate of 2 mL/min, and de-adsorption with 80% ethanol solution. The recovery rate was 88.75% and the relative content achieved 61.58% after purification by XDA-1 resin. The Freundlich model can be used to describe the entirety of the exothermic and physical adsorption processes. In summary, the conclusion which can be made from this research is that the wastewater generated from the debitterizing of apricot kernels can be well treated by resin to recycle the amygdalin and reduce its pollution to environment.

Effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on physico-chemical properties, β-carotene and antioxidant activity of air-dried apricots

Fresh apricots pre-treated by pulsed electric fields at different intensities [LPEF, 0.65 kV/cm, 100 Hz, 20 µs and total treatment time 30 s; HPEF1, 1.25 kV/cm, 100 Hz, 20 µs and total treatment time 30 s; HPEF2, 1.25 kV/cm, 100 Hz, 20 µs and total treatment time 60 s], along with controls [non-treated, non-treated and sulphite treated, and heat pre-treatment at 80 °C, for 10 min (HC)] and soaked in 0.2% sodium sulphite solution for 1 h and then were subject to hot air drying. The changes in drying rate, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and β-carotene contents as well as antioxidant activity and colour in pre-treatment and hot air-dried apricot samples were investigated. PEF and heat treatments increased the drying rate of apricots. PEF treatments had no effect on the PPO activity and decreased the POD activity (p < 0.05). HPEF2 treatment retained more β-carotene, higher antioxidant activity and suffered less browning during processing. Overall, the results indicate that combining sulphite treatment with PEF produces dried apricots with more β-carotene and antioxidant activity, and better colour.

Effect of detoxification on biological quality of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel

BACKGROUND

Despite rich source of protein and oil, wild (bitter) apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel is rarely exploited by food industries due to high amount of antinutrients and potentially toxic amygdalin. This study was aimed to assess the effect of detoxification on the biological quality of the wild apricot kernel (WAK)-supplemented diet in male Wistar albino rats.

RESULTS

In order to detoxify, WAK flour was soaked in 25% sodium chloride solution for 24 h followed by washing and drying. Results revealed that detoxification significantly (P < 0.05) improved the nutritional quality by reducing the content of antinutrients (tannins, flavonoids, trypsin inhibitor, saponins, oxalates, phytates and hydrocyanic acid) from raw WAK. When compared with the raw kernel group, the detoxified WAK group exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher values for growth performance parameters - namely feed consumed (169.14 ± 3.40 versus 152.14 ± 1.59 g), protein consumed (16.91 ± 0.63 versus 15.21 ± 0.68 g), weight gain (64.77 ± 2.59 versus 48.74 ± 0.62 g), protein efficiency ratio (3.83 ± 0.33 versus 3.20 ± 0.36), feed efficiency ratio (0.38 ± 0.017 vs 0.32 ± 0.02), biological value (73.62 ± 4.53 versus 65.26 ± 4.60%), apparent protein digestibility (78.55 ± 1.37 versus 70.35 ± 2.66%), true protein digestibility and net protein utilization, suggesting a prominent effect of detoxification in order to improve the biological quality of the WAK.

CONCLUSION

Detoxification improved the biological quality of the WAK-supplemented diet. Hence, detoxified kernel flour could be utilized as an economic and quality source of protein and oil for the supplementation of value-added food products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Processing and storage of apricots: effect on physicochemical and antioxidant properties

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of processing methods and storage periods on the three apricot varieties viz. CITH-1, CITH-2 and New Castle. Apricots were processed by freezing and canning of pulp and drying of whole apricots. After processing these were analysed for various physicochemical and antioxidant properties for a storage period of 12 months at 4 month interval. The results for physicochemical properties like moisture content, TSS, total sugars and reducing sugars showed significant variation with respect to varieties and processing methods during storage. Apricots processed by canning showed highest retention of antioxidants in terms of TPC, FRAP, DPPH and metal chelating activity throughout storage period than that of frozen and dried one. CITH-2 processed by canning, freezing and drying method showed highest antioxidant properties than CITH-1 and New Castle. It can be concluded from the study that canning and freezing can preserve the apricot pulp for 12 months and significantly retain bioactive compounds.

Antioxidant phenolic acids from the leaves of Armeniaca sibirica

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Armeniaca sibirica (L.) Lam. led to the isolation of two new phenolic acids (1-2), together with eight known compounds (3-10) from the ethanol extracts of this plant. Structures of these compounds were elucidated through detailed spectroscopic analyses, using 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR in combination with HR-EI-MS techniques. All the compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant capabilities in vitro using 2, 2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 1, 1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods.

Cosmetic potentials of Prunus domestica L. leaves

BACKGROUND

The current study presents new insight on the phytochemical content and biological activities of five Prunus domestica L. varieties ('Quetsche blanche de Létricourt', 'Mirabelle de Nancy', 'Perdrigon violet', 'Mirabelle de Provence', 'Reine-claude dorée').

RESULTS

The plum leaves were found to possess promising anti-aging activities by their capacity to inhibit 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), elastase, hyaluronidase and lipoxygenase. After solid phase extraction (SPE), chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin and their derivatives were putatively identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry using an electrospray ionization source (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS).

CONCLUSION

The plum leaf, a by-product, provides an interesting valuable resource for use as a natural cosmetic product or as a food supplement. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.