An evaluation of qH NMR: A complementary approach to GC-FID for quantification of Thymol and trans-Anethole in essential oils and supplements

A rapid and high-throughput fraud detection method of Philippine coconut wine (lambanog) using 1H qNMR spectroscopy

Methanol contamination of the Philippine coconut spirit lambanog (often called coconut wine) is the major cause of lambanog-related deaths in the country. Hence, a strict quality control and detection method must be established for methanol in tandem with ethanol analysis. In this study, a quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) method using 1H analysis was developed to quantify the methanol and ethanol in 26 lambanog samples collected from four different provinces in Luzon, Philippines. A certified qNMR standard was used as an internal standard for the 1H NMR analyses to increase the accuracy of the measurements. The calculated limit of detection and limit of quantification of methanol with values of 0.076%(v/v) and 0.25%(v/v), respectively, were sufficiently low and allow the monitoring of methanol within the acceptable safety level. Moreover, the results of methanol and ethanol analysis using the proposed method were in good agreement with those obtained from GC-FID analysis which is the conventional method for alcohol analysis. In contrast to GC-FID, the qNMR method for simultaneous alcohol analysis can provide results in a shorter period. The results of this study show the potential of the qNMR method to be used as an alternative analytical method which widens the range of analytical possibilities to detect methanol in lambanog samples for the safety of the consumers.

Essential Oil Extracted from Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis, and Antimigratory Effects in Melanoma Cells

Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, poses a substantial global health threat with increasing incidence rates. Although novel targeted therapies have improved melanoma treatment, challenges persist due to poor response rates and drug resistance. Plant-derived compounds have been crucial in anticancer drug discovery, with many natural products demonstrating the ability to target molecular pathways involved in tumor development. In this study, the anti-melanoma potential of essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Lippia sidoides Cham. (EO-LS), composed mainly by the monoterpene thymol (96 %), was demonstrated. Obtained results demonstrated that EO-LS disrupted critical cancer hallmarks in A2058 melanoma cells harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. Specifically, EO-LS induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as assessed by annexin-V, caspase-3 activity, and TUNEL assays. EO-LS also inhibited cell migration and disrupted the AKT signaling pathway, which is a critical regulator of melanoma progression. Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was observed, indicating pro-oxidant properties. These findings highlighted the significant in vitro anticancer properties of EO-LS suggesting its potential as a promising molecular scaffold for developing of novel anti-melanoma candidates.

An overview of analytical methods employed for quality assessment of Crocus sativus (saffron)

This paper reviews qualitative and quantitative analytical methodologies used for the appraisal of saffron quality, as the most expensive spice. Due to the chemical diversity of biologically active compounds of the Crocus genus, analytical methods with different features are required for their complete analysis. However, screening of the main components, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, appears to be sufficient for quality control, a more precise examination needs evaluation of minor compounds, including anthocyanins and fatty acids. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), are elementary and applicable methods in quality control analysis, whereas HPLC provides metabolite fingerprint and monitoring multi-compound instances at preparative and analytical levels. Combination approaches like metabolomics using different methods could classify saffron types, identify its adulterations, contaminants and provide a comprehensive metabolite map for quality control of selected compounds.