Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of functional polysaccharides from common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) flowers

Ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, and high-voltage electrical discharges assisted extraction of cellulose and lignin from walnut shells

Extracting The extraction of cellulose and lignin from biomass is essential for the development of sustainable bio-based materials. This study examines the effects of physical pretreatment techniques-ultrasound (US), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and high-voltage electrical discharges (HVED)-on the efficiency of alkali treatment for cellulose and lignin extraction from walnut shells. The primary objective was to enhance extraction yields and improve extract quality while evaluating the effectiveness of these methods. The results revealed that the combined treatments achieved lignin and cellulose yields of up to 17.03 % and 33.40 %, respectively, with US and HVED showing significantly higher extraction efficiencies compared to other techniques. Characterization of the extracted materials using FTIR, XRD, 2D HSQC NMR, TGA/DTG, and DSC confirmed the presence of key functional groups, crystalline structures, and detailed molecular features, while also providing insights into thermal stability. These findings underscore the potential of walnut shells as a sustainable source for bio-based materials and demonstrate the influence of physical pretreatments on the structural and thermal properties of extracted cellulose and lignin. This study paves the way for further research into industrial applications, such as wood adhesives. Future work should focus on optimizing extraction processes, scaling up operations, and investigating the effects of biomass variability on extraction outcomes.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Verbascum sinaiticum Leaves: Maximal Phenolic Yield and Antioxidant Capacity

Verbascum sinaiticum (Qetetina or yeahya Joro) is a medicinal plant with secondary metabolites such as phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and alkaloids. This study was designed to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) parameters to enhance the phenolic content and characterize the phenolic compounds using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), and antioxidant activities in Verbascum sinaiticum extract. Extraction time, sample-to-solvent ratio, and extraction temperature were considered for UAE optimization. It was found that UAE generated the highest extraction yield (21.6%), total phenolic content (179.8 GAE mg/g), total flavonoid content (64.49 CE mg/g), DPPH (61.85 µg/mL), and ABTS (38.89 µg/mL) when compared to maceration extraction. Metabolite analysis in this study showed the detection of 17 phenolic compounds, confirming antioxidant capacities. The optimization parameters have significant effects on phenolic compounds. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of structural changes when UAE was used over the maceration method. The optimized UAE parameters for extraction temperature (41.43 °C), sample-to-solvent ratio (36.32 g/mL), and extraction time (33.22 min) for TPC were obtained. This study shows the potential application for UAE of Verbascum sinaiticum leaves in the development of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, analysis and properties of mung bean peel polysaccharide

In order to improve the yield of mung bean peel polysaccharide, on the basis of single-factor experiments, the ultrasonic assisted extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that under the conditions of material-liquid ratio of 1: 40, temperature 77 °C, ultrasonic power 216 W and extraction time 47 min, the extraction rate of mung bean peel polysaccharide was the best, which was 2.55 %. The extracted polysaccharide was phosphorylated and its antioxidant activity in vitro was studied. The results suggested that the modified polysaccharide had a significant scavenging effect on hydroxyl radicals and enhanced the ability of anti-lipid peroxidation, which offered ideas and methods for the development and application of mung bean peel polysaccharide.

Comparison of Different Green Extraction Techniques Used for the Extraction of Targeted Flavonoids from Edible Feijoa (Acca sellowiana (O.Berg) Burret) Flowers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of four green extraction techniques (ultrasound-assisted extraction, UAE; supercritical fluid extraction, SFE; subcritical water extraction, SWE; and extraction using deep eutectic solvents, DES) on the extraction of targeted flavonoids from edible feijoa flowers. The bioactive components in the obtained extracts were quantified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array Detector (HPLC-PDA). Moreover, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity by DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays were investigated. UAE generally gave the highest yields for isoquercitrin and quercetin content (18.36-25.33 and 10.86-16.13 µg/g), while DES extraction with choline chloride:lactic acid (1:2) and H₂O content of 50% gave the highest yield of chrysanthemin (90.81 µg/g). The highest yield of flavone (12.69 mg/g) was obtained with supercritical CO₂ at 300 bar. Finally, UAE gave the highest total polyphenol content (ca. 64 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity at 70 °C during 30 min with 40% (0.84 mmol TEAC/g and 2.25 mmol Fe²⁺/g, for ABTS^•+ and CUPRAC, respectively) and 60% ethanol-water solution (0.49 mmol TEAC/g and 2.09 mmol Fe²⁺/g, for DPPH^• and FRAP, respectively). The eco-friendly extraction techniques resulted in selective methods capable of extracting targeted bioactive compounds from edible feijoa flowers.

Bioactive Compounds of Verbascum sinuatum L.: Health Benefits and Potential as New Ingredients for Industrial Applications

Verbascum sinuatum (V. sinuatum) is a plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family that has been used as an ingredient in traditional medicine infusions for the treatment of many diseases. The aerial part of this plant is a source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and iridoids. Moreover, antioxidant activity studies have shown that V. sinuatum phenolic and flavonoid composition is higher than those in other plants of the same genus. V. sinuatum bioactive compound composition could vary according to the harvesting location, growing conditions of the plants, sample preparation methods, type and concentration of the extraction solvent, and the extraction methods. The obtention of these compounds can be achieved by different extraction techniques, most commonly, maceration, heat assisted extraction, and infusion. Nevertheless, since conventional extraction techniques have several drawbacks such as long times of extraction or use of large amounts of solvents, the use of green extraction techniques is suggested, without affecting the efficiency of the extraction. Moreover, V. sinuatum bioactive compounds have several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities, that may be increased by encapsulation. Since the bioactive compounds extracted from V. sinuatum present good potential as functional food ingredients and in the development of drugs or cosmetics, this review gives an approach of the possible incorporation of these compounds in the food and pharmacological industries.

Structural properties and anti-inflammatory activity of purified polysaccharides from Hen-of-the-woods mushrooms (Grifola frondosa)

Grifola frondosa is an edible medicinal mushroom that has been proven to have a variety of health benefits. The main active ingredients of this mushroom are polysaccharides. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used to obtain crude Grifola frondosa polysaccharides (GFPs). Then, purified GFP was obtained after purification. The optimum extraction conditions were an extraction time of 71 min, an extraction temperature of 90°C in a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:37 g/mL, and an ultrasonic power of 500 W. GFP was purified using DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100. The structural characterization of GFP was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography (IC), and ultraviolet (UV) visible photometry. The morphology of GFP was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Congo red testing. In addition, the administration of GFP in oxazolone (OXZ)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice was found to prevent weight loss. Different doses of GFP (80, 160, and 320 mg/kg body weight) were used, and sulfapyridine (SASP) was used as a positive control (370 mg/kg body weight) for the treatment of OXZ-induced UC. After treatment, the mice were killed, and blood and colon tissue samples were collected. GFP was found to prevent decreases in colon length and the levels of leukocytes, platelets, and neutrophils in UC mice. Moreover, GFP also decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1 β], increased IL-10, and reduced colon injury in UC mice. The results showed that Under these conditions, the predicted polysaccharide yield was 21.72%, and the actual extraction rate was 21.13%. The polysaccharide composition (molar ratio) was composed of fucose (0.025), glucosamine hydrochloride (0.004), galactose (0.063), glucose (0.869), and mannose (0.038). GFP was also found to have a typical absorption peak, and the GFP extracted using the ultrasound-assisted extraction protocol was mainly β-glucan. These results indicate that ultrasound-assisted extraction of GFP could reduce OXZ-induced intestinal inflammation as a promising candidate for the treatment of UC, with the potential for development as a food supplement to improve intestinal diseases.

Ultrasound Assisted Extraction and Characterization of Bioactives From Verbascum thapsus Roots to Evaluate Their Antioxidant and Medicinal Potential

Worldwide, Verbascum thapsus is used for the treatment of various ailments owing to the presence of bioactives of therapeutic potential. Current study was planned to extract bioactives from V thapsus roots using methanol and water as solvents under stimulated effect of ultrasonic waves and characterize them to evaluate their potential benefits. Proximate analysis explored the presence of significant contents of protein, fats, fiber, organic and inorganic minerals. Fourier transform infrared spectra and high-performance liquid chromatography chromatogram indicated the presence of different phytochemicals having antioxidant potential as evidenced by total phenolic contents, total flavonoids content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl activity of both extracts. Both extracts displayed excellent antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) and Fusarium Solani (F solani). Aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited higher inhibition of biofilm made by Bacillus subtilis (B subtilis) as 55.09 and 61.58%, respectively in comparison to biofilm of Escherichia coli ( E coli) as 48.11 and 36.51%, respectively. Methanol extract exhibited anti-amylase activity (IC50 5.26 ± .31 μg/mL) with an inhibition rate of 68.11% whereas IC50 of aqueous extract was 6.59 ± .53 μg/mL with an inhibition rate of 63.53%. Inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase (IC50 3.70 ± .94 ppm) was demonstrated by methanol extract in comparison to aqueous extract (IC50 7.58 ± .15). The study concluded that V thapsus roots have significant medicinal potential due to the presence of variety of bioactive molecules and can be used in pharmaceutical preparations.

Ultrasound assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of polysaccharides from Cornus officinalis fruit: Modeling, optimization, purification, and characterization

Ultrasound assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of polysaccharides from Cornus officinalis fruit was modeled by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN), and optimized using genetic algorithm coupled with ANN (GA-ANN). Statistical analysis showed that the models obtained by RSM and ANN could accurately predict the Cornus officinalis polysaccharides (COPs) yield. However, ANN prediction was more accurate than RSM. The optimum extraction parameters to achieve the highest COPs yield (7.85 ± 0.09)% was obtained at the ultrasound power of 350 W, extraction temperature of 51 ℃, liquid-to-solid ratio of 17 mL/g, and extraction time of 38 min. Subsequently, the crude COPs were further purified via DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 chromatography to obtain a homogenous fraction (COPs-4-SG, 33.64 kDa) that contained galacturonic acid, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose in a molar ratio of 34.82:14.19:6.75:13.48:12.26. The structure of COPs-4-SG was also characterized with UV-vis, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Congo-red test, and circular dichroism (CD). The findings provide a feasible way for the extraction, purification, and optimization of polysaccharides from plant resources.

Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)

Verbascum species (common mullein) have been widely used in Spanish folk medicine to treat pathologies related to the musculature, skeleton, and circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems, as well as to treat infectious diseases and organ-sense illnesses. These applications support the potential anti-inflammatory action of Verbascum phytochemicals. Based on the aforementioned facts, and following a deep bibliographic review of the chemical composition of the 10 species of Verbascum catalogued by the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity, we look for scientific evidences to correlate the traditional medical uses with the chemical components of these plants. To support these findings, in silico simulations were performed to investigate molecular interactions between Verbascum phytochemicals and cellular components. Most of common mullein traditional uses could rely on the anti-inflammatory action of phytochemicals, such as quercetin, and it could explain the employment of these plants to treat a wide range of diseases mediated by inflammatory processes such as respiratory diseases, otitis, arthrosis, and rheumatism among others.

Simultaneous optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction for total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the tender stem of Triarrhena lutarioriparia using response surface methodology

The asparagus of Triarrhena lutarioriparia (TL) is a popular vegetable with abundant chemical compounds in China. This study aims to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method for its content of total flavonoid and antioxidant activities by response surface methodology (RSM). Box-Behnken design was adopted to evaluate the influences of ethanol concentration, extraction time and solvent-to-sample ratio on the extraction yield of total flavonoid and the antioxidant activity. Considering the maximum content of extracted total flavonoids and antioxidant activity, the optimal extraction conditions were acquired with 70% (v/v) ethanol by UAE for 60 min at a solvent-to-sample ratio of 40 mL/g. The proportion of the extraction of total flavonoid was 15.88 mg/g and antioxidant activity reached 79.53%. The RSM would be recommended as an appropriate model for simultaneous optimization of the UAE conditions for the content of total flavonoid and the antioxidant activity of asparagus of TL.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides and triterpenoids from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum and evaluation of their in vitro antioxidant capacities

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Krast, commonly known as "Lingzhi" in Chinese, is a medicinal mushroom that is rich in biologically active substances. Polysaccharides and triterpenoids are the two major components responsible for the bioactivity of this fungus. In the present study, the ultrasonic-assisted co-extraction (UACE) of polysaccharides and triterpenoids from G. lucidum was optimized using response surface methodology with a desirability function, with the equal importance for the two components. Following single factor experiments, the optimal conditions were determine as ultrasonic power of 210 W, extraction temperature of 80C, ratio of liquid to solid of 50 mL/g, and 100 min extraction time, using aqueous ethanol (50%, v/v) as the extracting solvent. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction yields of polysaccharides and triterpenoids reached 0.63% and 0.38%, respectively. On the basis of the scavenging capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and evaluation of reducing power, the antioxidant capacities of the polysaccharides obtained by optimal UACE process were higher than those of polysaccharides extracted using traditional hot water extraction, whereas the triterpenoid-rich extracts showed antioxidant activities similar to those obtained using the ethanol maceration method. The present study is the first report on the simultaneous extraction of polysaccharides and triterpenoids from G. lucidum. The developed UACE process could be useful in preparation of a polysaccharide- and triterpenoid-rich ingredient that holds great promise for application in the Ganoderma industry.

Arabinoxylan and rhamnogalacturonan mucilage: Outgoing and potential trends of pharmaceutical, environmental, and medicinal merits

Demand for safe, environmentally friendly and minimally processed food additives with intrinsic technological (stabilizing, texturizing, structuring) and functional potential is already on the rise. There are actually several natural excipients eligible for pharmaceutical formulation. Mucilage, as a class constitutes arabinoxylan and rhamnogalacturonan-based biomolecules used in the pharmaceutical, environmental as well as phytoremediation industries owing to its particular structure and properties. These compounds are widely used in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, as well as, in agriculture, paper industries. This review emphasizes mucilage valuable applications in the pharmaceutical and industrial fields. In this context, much focus has recently been given to the valorization of mucilage as an ingredient for food or nutraceutical applications. Furthermore, different optimization and extraction techniques are presented to develop better utilization and/or enhanced yield of mucilage. The highlighted mucilage extraction methods warrant assessing up-scale processes to encourage for its industrial applications. The current article capitalizes on cutting-edge characteristics of mucilage and posing for other possible innovative applications in non-food industries. Here, the first holistic overview of mucilage with regards to its physicochemical properties and potential novel usages is presented.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Anticoagulant Activity of Acidic Polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula-judae

To explore Auricularia auricula-judae polysaccharides (AAP) as natural anticoagulants for application in the functional food industry, ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized for the extraction of AAP by using a response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum extraction yield of crude AAP (14.74 mg/g) was obtained at the optimized extraction parameters as follows: Extraction temperature (74 °C), extraction time (27 min), the ratio of liquid to raw material (103 mL/g), and ultrasound power (198 W). Furthermore, the acidic AAP (aAAP) was precipitated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) from crude AAP (cAAP). aAAP was further purified using ion exchange chromatography with a DEAE Purose 6 Fast Flow column to obtain aAAP-1. Additionally, according to the HPLC analysis, the aAAP-1 was mainly composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, and xylose, with a molar ratio of 80.63:9.88:2.25:1:31.13. Moreover, the results of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) indicated aAAP-1 had anticoagulant activity, which was a synergic anticoagulant activity by the endogenous and exogenous pathway.

Sono-physical and sono-chemical effects of ultrasound: Primary applications in extraction and freezing operations and influence on food components

Ultrasound is an advanced non-thermal food-processing technology that has received increasing amounts of interest as an alternative to, or an adjuvant method for, conventional processing techniques. This review explores the sono-physical and sono-chemical effects of ultrasound on food processing as it reviews two typical food-processing applications that are predominantly driven by sono-physical effects, namely ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and ultrasound-assisted freezing (UAF), and the components modifications to food matrices that can be triggered by sono-chemical effects. Efficiency enhancements and quality improvements in products (and extracts) using ultrasound are discussed in terms of mechanism and principles for a range of food-matrix categories, while efforts to improve existing ultrasound-assist patterns was also seen. Furthermore, the progress of experimental ultrasonic equipments for UAE and UAF as food-processing technologies, the core of the development in food-processing techniques is considered. Moreover, sono-chemical reactions that are usually overlooked, such as degradation, oxidation and other particular chemical modifications that occur in common food components under specific conditions, and the influence on bioactivity, which was also affected by food processing to varying degrees, are also summarised. Further trends as well as some challenges for, and limitations of, ultrasound technology for food processing, with UAE and UAF used as examples herein, are also taken into consideration and possible future recommendations were made.

Antidiabetic and Cosmeceutical Potential of Common Barbery (Berberis vulgaris L.) Root Bark Extracts Obtained by Optimization of 'Green' Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Berberis vulgaris is rich in berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, with antidiabetic activity, often used topically for skin-related problems. The aim of this work was to develop a “green” method for berberine extraction using mixtures of water with glycerol, a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly solvent. Response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the experimental conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction of berberine and anti-radical components from B. vulgaris root bark. The independent variables were temperature (X₁), glycerol concentration (X₂), and ultrasound power (X₃), while the responses were berberine concentration and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts (RSA IC₅₀). The response values of the extracts prepared at optimum conditions were (response, X₁, X₂, X₃): berberine yield (145.5 μg/mL; 80 °C, 50%, 144 W) and RSA IC₅₀ (58.88 μL/mL; 80 °C, 30%, 720 W). The observed values deviated from the predicted values by −3.45% and 6.42% for berberine and RSA IC₅₀, respectively, thus indicating the validity of the selected models. The prepared extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity, as well excellent α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity. The displayed biological properties and lack of glycerol toxicity makes the prepared extracts suitable for direct inclusion into antidiabetic and dermatologic food supplements and topical products.