DNA scission inhibition, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of water chestnut (Trapa natans) extracted in different solvents

Valorisation of apple pomace for the development of high-fibre and polyphenol-rich wheat flour cookies

Apple pomace, abundant in dietary fibre and polyphenols, often goes unutilized, contributing to environmental pollution as it is discarded in open fields of Jammu and Kashmir. This study aimed to develop functional cookies fortified with apple pomace powder (APP), an industrial by-product. Wheat flour-APP formulations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) were assessed. APP addition notably affected color values and functional properties, enhancing water and oil absorption capacities, swelling power, foam capacity and stability. Phenolic content increased significantly (p < 0.05) post-fortification, elevating antioxidant properties. FT-IR spectroscopy identified distinctive chemical components in wheat flour and APP. Sensory evaluation favored cookies with 10% APP, indicating their potential for consumer acceptance. Thus, APP shows promise for producing innovative functional cookies, improving consumer health, utilizing industrial by-products, and reducing waste from apple processing plants, thereby mitigating environmental pollution.

Comparative Analysis of Nutritional Properties, Phytochemical Profile, and Antioxidant Activities between Red and Green Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) Fruits

The present study explored the nutritional composition, phytochemicals analysis, and antioxidant capacity of two indigenous varieties of red and green water chestnut (WCN) fruit grown in Pakistan. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the proximate composition (moisture, ash, fiber, proteins, fat, and energy), physicochemical properties (pH, °Brix, and glycemic index), minerals, and vitamins. The methanolic extracts of WCN fruits were explored for phytochemicals (total phenolic and flavonoid content), and antioxidant potential was examined in vitro by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Quantitative determination of mineral (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc) and vitamin (vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin A, and β-Carotene) composition was also assessed. Based on the findings, the proximate compositions of WCN green and red varieties varied greatly as WCN green contained significantly higher protein (1.72%), fat (0.65%), dietary fiber (2.21%), moisture (70.23%), ash (1.16%), and energy content (112.8 Kcal) than WCN red. In WCN green, the macro-micromineral concentrations were significantly higher than WCN red. Among the minerals analyzed, potassium was the most abundant mineral found in both varieties. Levels of vitamin C, B6, A, and β-Carotene were significantly higher in WCN green. In this study, methanolic extract showed higher extraction efficiency than acetone, ethanol, and distilled water. WCN green had a significantly higher quantum of total phenolic (91.13 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (36.6 mg QE/g) and presented significantly higher antioxidant activity than the WCN red. This study showed that, among both varieties, WCN green extract has therapeutic potential against free radical mediated health conditions and suggested the potential use of this fruit as a source of natural antioxidants in nutraceuticals.

Biosynthesized composites of Au-Ag nanoparticles using Trapa peel extract induced ROS-mediated p53 independent apoptosis in cancer cells

The current study highlights rapid, sustainable, and cost-effective biosynthesis of silver (Ag), gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs), and bimetallic Au-AgNPs composites using bio-waste extract of Trapa natans. Growth of the NPs was monitored spectrophotometrically and peak was observed at ∼525 nm, ∼450 nm, and ∼495 nm corresponding to Plasmon absorbance of AuNPs, AgNPs, and Au-AgNPs, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the size of AgNPs (∼15 nm), AuNPs (∼25 nm), and Au-AgNPs (∼26-90 nm). Synthesized NPs follow the Gaussian bell curve and its crystalline nature was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, Au-AgNPs induced cytotoxicity in various cancer cells (HCT116, MDA-MB-231, and HeLa) effectively at 200 μg/mL. Au-AgNPs-exposed cancer cells exhibited apoptotic features such as nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and cleavage of casp-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP). Au-AgNPs exposure enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upon inhibition of ROS, apoptosis was reduced effectively. NPs treatment killed HCT116 WT and p53 knockout cells without any significant difference. Mechanistically, Au-AgNPs derived with Trapa peel extract significantly enhance ROS which trigger p53-independent apoptosis in various cancer cells effectively. Our study explores the use of bio-waste for the green synthesis of NPs, which can be attractive candidates for cancer therapy.

Microencapsulation of saffron anthocyanins using β glucan and β cyclodextrin: Microcapsule characterization, release behaviour & antioxidant potential during in-vitro digestion

In the present study, the saffron anthocyanins were encapsulated in β-glucan and β-cyclodextrin by spray drying technique to achieve their stability under adverse gastro-environmental conditions. The microcapsules were subjected to simulated gastric conditions and release behavior of monomeric anthocyanins, antioxidants and phenols were studied. The structural properties of microcapsules were analyzed by SEM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The particle size distribution, density, color, encapsulation efficiency and powder yield of samples were also evaluated. A characteristic band at 1700 cm^-1 by FTIR and specific enclosed particles in the cavities of wall material were observed from the micrographs of SEM that confirmed the incorporation of anthocyanins in the microcapsules. The higher content of anthocyanins, antioxidants and phenols in the intestinal conditions revealed the protection of core material from adverse conditions of stomach by encapsulation. Further studies are suggested to investigate the stability of encapsulated anthocyanins in different environmental and processing conditions.

Mushroom varieties found in the Himalayan regions of India: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities

This study evaluates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities of mushroom varieties (Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coprinus atramentarius) found in the Himalayan regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India. All three mushroom varieties exhibited antioxidant activity. A. bisporus showed the highest diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl inhibition activity (87.88±5.6%), C. atramentarius showed the highest reducing power (0.49±0.01) and metal chelating ability (48.57± 0.38%), and P. ostreatus contained the highest phenolic (5.25±0.14 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram) and flavonoid content (64.39±0.73 μg rutin equivalent per gram). C. atramentarius showed maximum antibacterial activity against all the pathogenic strains and the highest zone of inhibition was against S. typhi (7.45±0.5 mm). P. ostreatus exhibited the highest cell proliferation inhibition against Colo-205 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. The structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of β-configuration in carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, and protein, which impart nutraceutical properties to mushrooms.