Antioxidant activity and fatty acids quantification in Sicilian purslane germplasm

Two new alkaloids from Portulaca oleracea L. and their anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activities

Two new alkaloids identified as 2-(((S,Z)-1-(1H-azirin-1-yl)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-yl)oxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol and (S,Z)-1-(1H-azirin-1-yl)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol, named olerazirin A (1), olerazirin B (2), together with five known alkaloids, identified as cyclo (L-Val-L-Ala) (3), cyclo-(glycyl-L-leucine) (4), cyclo-(Gly-Phe) (5), cyclo (Ser-Phe) (6), (3S,6S)-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-6-(phenyl-methyl)-2,5-piperazinedione (7) were obtained from Portulaca oleracea L. using a range of chromatographic techniques, 1D and 2D NMR, and high-resolution electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectroscopic methods, in which the compounds 3-7 were isolated from P. oleracea for the first time. In addition, the results showed that the compounds 1 and 2 have anti-inflammatory activities and compounds 1-3 and 5-7 exhibit the anticholinesterase activities.

Characterization of Portulaca oleracea Whole Plant: Evaluating Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, and Antiviral Activities and Application as Quality Enhancer in Yogurt

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is rich in phenolic compounds, protein, and iron. This study aims to produce functional yogurt with enhanced antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties by including safe purslane extract in yogurt formulation; the yogurt was preserved for 30 days at 4 °C, and then biochemical fluctuations were monitored. The purslane extract (PuE) had high phenolic compounds and flavonoids of 250 and 56 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, PuE had considerable antioxidant activity, which scavenged 93% of DPPH˙, inhibited the viability of MCF-7, HCT, and HeLa cell lines by 84, 82, and 80%, respectively, and inhibited 82% of the interaction between the binding between Spike and ACE2 compared to a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor test kit. PuE (20-40 µg/mL) inhibited the growth of tested pathogenic bacteria and Candida strains, these strains isolated from spoild yogurt and identified at gene level by PCR. Caffeic acid glucoside and catechin were the main phenolic compounds in the HPLC profile, while the main flavor compound was carvone and limonene, representing 71% of total volatile compounds (VOCs). PuE was added to rats' diets at three levels (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) compared to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The body weight of the rats fed the PuE diet (250 µg/g) increased 13% more than the control. Dietary PuE in rats' diets lowered the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by 72% and increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by 36%. Additionally, liver parameters in rats fed PuE (150 µg/g) decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 50, 43, and 25%, respectively, while TP, TA, and GSH were increased by 20, 50, and 40%, respectively, compared to BHA. Additionally, PuE acts as a kidney protector by lowering creatinine and urea. PuE was added to yogurt at three concentrations (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) and preserved for 30 days compared to the control. The yogurt's pH reduced during storage while acidity, TSS, and fat content increased. Adding PuE increased the yogurt's water-holding capacity, so syneresis decreased and viscosity increased, which was attributed to enhancing the texture properties (firmness, consistency, and adhesiveness). MDA decreased in PuE yogurt because of the antioxidant properties gained by PuE. Additionally, color parameters L and b were enhanced by PuE additions and sensorial traits, i.e., color, flavor, sugary taste, and texture were enhanced by purslane extract compared to the control yogurt. Concerning the microbial content in the yogurt, the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was maintained as a control. Adding PuE at concentrations of 50, 150, and 250 µg/g to the yogurt formulation can enhance the quality of yogurt.

Hemp Flour Particle Size Affects the Quality and Nutritional Profile of the Enriched Functional Pasta

The rheological and chemical quality of pasta samples, which were obtained using the durum wheat semolina fortified with the hemp seed solid residue, after oil extraction, sieved at 530 μm (Hemp 1) or 236 μm (Hemp 2) at different percentages of substitution (5%, 7.5%, and 10%, were evaluated. The total polyphenolic content in hemp flour was quantified in the range of 6.38-6.35 mg GAE/g, and free radical scavenging was included in the range from 3.94-3.75 mmol TEAC/100 g in Hemp 1 and Hemp 2, respectively. The phenolic profiles determined by UHPLC-ESI/QTOF-MS showed that cannabisin C, hydroxycinnamic and protocatechuic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds in both hemp flours. Among the amino acids, isoleucine, glutamine, tyrosine, proline, and lysine were the most abundant in raw materials and pasta samples. Although the hemp seeds were previously subjected to oil extraction, hemp flours retain about 8% of oil, and the fatty acids present in the largest amount were linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. Characterization of the minerals showed that the concentration of macro and trace elements increased according to fortification percentage. Sensory evaluation and cooking quality indicated that the best performance in terms of process production and consumer acceptance was obtained using Hemp 2 at 7.5%. Hemp supplementation could be a potential option for producing high-quality, nutritionally rich, low-cost pasta with good color and functionality.

Polyphenol Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Grape Seeds and Skins from Sicily: A Preliminary Study

The interest in the consumption of health-promoting foods has led to identifying derivatives of the wine industry as products to increase the functional properties of different foods or to design new functional foods. The main goal of this study is to characterize and valorize byproducts and wastes of Sicilian grapes as new sources of bioactive components, from the perspective of a circular economy and a biorefinery approach. In particular, this research investigated: 1. the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities and 2. the phenolic profiles of free and bound fractions of defatted grape seeds and red grape skins from Sicily. Defatted grape seeds (DGS) and red grape skins (RGSK) are rich in phenolic compounds. Twenty biophenols were found in the defatted seeds and red grape skins. Particularly interesting were the results obtained after basic hydrolysis, which allowed the release of biophenols from the matrix. The degreased grape seeds showed p-coumaric acid levels at 4641.65 µg g−1, gallic acid at 2649.23 µg g−1, and caffeic acid at 1474.13 µg g−1, along with appreciable quantities of myricetin, epicatechin, and quercetin. As a sustainable approach, the reuse and the value added of the byproducts and wastes of grapes grown in Sicily is shown, which makes possible new applications in different fields, i.e., nutraceuticals.

A review on bioactive phytochemicals and ethnopharmacological potential of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

The Portulaca oleracea L. commonly known as purslane is distributed all over the world and easily grows in diverse soil and climatic conditions. It has been traditionally used as a nutritious and ethnomedicinal food across the globe. Various studies have shown that the plant is a rich source of various important phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins such as A, C, E, and B, carotenoids and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and zinc. It is particularly very important because of the presence of a very high concentration of omega-3- fatty acids especially α-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, which are not generally synthesized in terrestrial plants. Various parts of purslane are known for ethnomedicinal and pharmacological uses because of its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, skeletal muscle relaxant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-insomnia, analgesic, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, wound healing and antiseptic activities. Due to multiple benefits of purslane, it has become an important wonder crop and various scientists across the globe have shown much interest in it as a healthy food for the future. In this review, we provide an update on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of purslane, its usage as nutritional and an ethnomedicinal plant across the world. We further provide a detailed account on ethnopharmacological studies that have proved the ethnomedicinal properties of purslane.

Improvement of a Traditional Orphan Food Crop, Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) Using Genomics for Sustainable Food Security and Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a popular orphan crop used for its nutritional properties in various parts of the world. It is considered one of the richest terrestrial sources of omega-3 and omega-6-fatty acids (ω-3 and 6-FAs) suggesting its importance for human health. This ethnomedicinal plant is also an important part of traditional healing systems among the indigenous people. Many studies have indicated its tolerance against multiple stresses and found that it easily grows in a range of environmental gradients. It has also been considered one of the important biosaline crops for the future. Despite its huge nutritional, economic, and medicinal importance, it remains neglected to date. Most of the studies on purslane were focused on its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and stress-tolerance properties. Only a few studies have attempted genetic dissection of the traits governing these traits. Purslane being an important traditional food crop across the globe can be valorized for a sustainable food security in the future. Therefore, this review is an attempt to highlight the distribution, domestication, and cultivation of purslane and its importance as an important stress-tolerant food and a biosaline crop. Furthermore, identification of genes and their functions governing important traits and its potential for improvement using genomics tools for smart and biosaline agriculture has been discussed.

Borassus aethiopum-Fortified Bread Reduces Metabolic Risk Factors among Cardiovascular Disease Outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra: A Pilot Study

Background

Dyslipidemia and hypertension are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Objective

The study sought to evaluate the effects of Borassus aethiopum-fortified bread on metabolic risk factors among CVD outpatients.

Method

From August 2016 to April 2017, a pilot study using a single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted by administering Borassus-fortified bread (150 g) and indistinguishable placebo (150 g white flour bread) daily to 122 CVD outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, for 90 days. Body composition, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention.

Results

Following the intervention, the mean waist circumference (before: 98.3 ± 14.6 cm, after: 95.9 ± 15.8 cm, P = 0.030), BMI (before: 31.4 ± 6.9 kg/m², after: 28.0 ± 5.8 kg/m², P = 0.027), and visceral fat (before: 10.4 ± 3.2, after: 9.9 ± 3.0, P = 0.013), as well as systolic (from 161.2 ± 25.5 to 137.6 ± 22.9and diastolic (from 99.2 ± 13.6 to 85.1 ± 10.8) blood pressure, were significantly reduced among the experimental group. Likewise, serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL, and HDL were significantly reduced within the experimental group before (TC: 5.9 ± 1.1, LDL: 3.4 ± 1.1, and HDL: 2.2 ± 0.5) and after the intervention (TC: 4.9 ± 1.1, LDL: 2.8 ± 0.9, and HDL: 1.5 ± 0.4) (TC: P = 0.001, LDL: P = 0.016, and HDL: P < 0.001, in mmol/L). These reductions were not observed in the controls.

Conclusion

The Borassus-fortified bread significantly reduced blood pressure and improved lipid profile and other metabolic risk factors among the CVD outpatients studied. Therefore, its potential in the management of CVDs and other metabolic-related diseases should be looked at.

Improvement of Fatty Acid Profile in Durum Wheat Breads Supplemented with Portulaca oleracea L. Quality Traits of Purslane-Fortified Bread

The addition of functional ingredients to breads could have effects on preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancers and inflammation. The incorporation of 0–5–10–15% of three populations of dried purslane flour on the rheological, sensorial and nutritional quality of fortified durum wheat breads were evaluated. The increase in dried purslane (up to 15%) caused an increase in the resistance to the mixture and a consequent reduction in its extensibility. The “panel test” gave a largely positive evaluation in 10% of enrichment. The fatty acids in breads resulted higher with the 5% substitution. Contrary to what has been imagined, the increase in percentage of substitution to 10 and 15% did not lead to an increase in linoleic (omega-3) and α-linolenic (omega-6) acid and probably the cause is in the cooking. The total phenols content and the antioxidant potential, evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays of the enriched breads increased with the percentage of the dry purslane substitution. The enrichment of the durum wheat flour with 5% purslane resulted in a good compromise to obtain good rheological characteristics of loaves and breads with decreased omega-6/omega-3 ratio and good antioxidant properties.