Biologically Active Compounds in Mustard Seeds: A Toxicological Perspective

Brassicaceae Mustards: Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Effects, and Mechanisms of Action against Human Disease

The Brassicaceae genus consists of many economically important mustards of value for food and medicinal purposes, namely Asian mustard (Brassica juncea), ball mustard (Neslia paniculata), black mustard (B. nigra), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Asian hedge mustard (S. orientale), oilseed rape (B. napus), rapeseed (B. rapa), treacle mustard (Erysimum repandum), smooth mustard (S. erysimoides), white ball mustard (Calepina irregularis), white mustard (Sinapis alba), and Canola. Some of these are commercially cultivated as oilseeds to meet the global demand for a healthy plant-derived oil, high in polyunsaturated fats, i.e., B. napus and B. juncea. Other species are foraged from the wild where they grow on roadsides and as a weed of arable land, i.e., E. repandum and S. erysimoides, and harvested for medicinal uses. These plants contain a diverse range of bioactive natural products including sulfur-containing glucosinolates and other potentially valuable compounds, namely omega-3-fatty acids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, tannins, S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, and trace-elements. Various parts of these plants and many of the molecules that are produced throughout the plant have been used in traditional medicines and more recently in the mainstream pharmaceutical and food industries. This study relates the uses of mustards in traditional medicines with their bioactive molecules and possible mechanisms of action and provides an overview of the current knowledge of Brassicaceae oilseeds and mustards, their phytochemicals, and their biological activities.

Turning glucosinolate into allelopathic fate: investigating allyl isothiocyanate variability and nitrile formation in eco-friendly Brassica juncea from South Korea

Leaf mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is explored for its biofumigant properties, derived from its secondary metabolites, particularly allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), produced during the enzymatic breakdown of glucosinolates like sinigrin. The research examines eight leaf mustard cultivars developed in Yeosu city, South Korea, focusing on their genetic characteristics, AITC concentration and nitriles formation rates from glucosinolates. Results indicate that the allelopathic effects, largely dependent on AITC concentration and enzymatic activity, vary across cultivar. Sinigrin and AITC constitute 79% and 36%, respectively, of glucosinolate and its hydrolysis products. The cultivar 'Nuttongii' demonstrates significant potential for inhibiting weeds, exhibiting the highest AITC concentration at 27.47 ± 6.46 µmole g-1 These outcomes highlight the importance of selecting mustard cultivars for biofumigation based on their glucosinolate profiles and hydrolysis product yields. The study also identifies a significant genetic influence on AITC and nitrile formation, suggesting that epithiospecifier protein modulation could enhance both allelopathic and other beneficial effects. Collectively, the research underscores the promise of mustard as a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional herbicides.

Comprehensive Review of Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A Dynamics: Emergence, Toxicological Impact, and Advanced Control Strategies

Filamentous fungi exhibit remarkable adaptability to diverse substrates and can synthesize a plethora of secondary metabolites. These metabolites, produced in response to environmental stimuli, not only confer selective advantages but also encompass potentially deleterious mycotoxins. Mycotoxins, exemplified by those originating from Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species, represent challenging hazards to both human and animal health, thus warranting stringent regulatory control. Despite regulatory frameworks, mycotoxin contamination remains a pressing global challenge, particularly within cereal-based matrices and their derived by-products, integral components of animal diets. Strategies aimed at mitigating mycotoxin contamination encompass multifaceted approaches, including biological control modalities, detoxification procedures, and innovative interventions like essential oils. However, hurdles persist, underscoring the imperative for innovative interventions. This review elucidated the prevalence, health ramifications, regulatory paradigms, and evolving preventive strategies about two prominent mycotoxins, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Furthermore, it explored the emergence of new fungal species, and biocontrol methods using lactic acid bacteria and essential mustard oil, emphasizing their efficacy in mitigating fungal spoilage and mycotoxin production. Through an integrative examination of these facets, this review endeavored to furnish a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges posed by mycotoxin contamination and the emergent strategies poised to ameliorate its impact on food and feed safety.

Three new compounds from the seeds of Sinapis alba L

Three undescribed compounds, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-((4-hydroxyphenyl)thio) -2-propanone (I), 4'-hydroxybenzyl 4-(4''- hydroxybenzyloxy) benzyl thioether (II) and 3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-6-hydroxy-quinazolinone (III) were isolated from the seeds of Sinapis alba L. The structures of all compounds were elucidated based on NMR and MS analysis, along with the comparison with published data. The potential targets of compounds I-III were identified by virtual screening. The potential inhibitory effects of these compounds on protein kinase C theta type were compared by molecular docking. The docking score of compound III was the highest.

Leaf Mustard (Brassica juncea) Germplasm Resources Showed Diverse Characteristics in Agro-Morphological Traits and Glucosinolate Levels

Leaf mustard, characterized by its purple/red/green leaves with a green/white midrib, is known for its thick, tender, and spicy leaves with a unique taste and flavor. There were only a few studies reported on leaf mustard for its morphological and biochemical traits from Korea. A total of 355 leaf mustard accessions stored at the GenBank of the National Agrobiodiversity Center were evaluated for 25 agro-morphological traits and seven intact glucosinolates (GSLs). The accessions showed a wide variation in terms of most of the traits. The quantitative agro-morphological traits varied from 16.0 (leaf length) to 48.7% (petiole width) of the coefficient of variation (CV). The highest variation was observed in glucoiberin (299.5%, CV), while the total GSL showed a CV of 66.1%. Sinigrin, followed by gluconapin and gluconasturtiin, was the most abundant GSL, accounting for as high as 75% of the total GSLs, while glucobrassicanapin and glucoiberin were the least abundant, contributing 0.7% and 0.1% on average, respectively. Sinigrin had a positive significant correlation with all GSLs but gluconasturtiin, while glucobarbarin and gluconasturtiin were highly positively correlated to each other, but least correlated with other GSLs. The leaf length was negatively correlated with sinigrin and glucoiberin. The width of the petiole showed a positive correlation with gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin, while the length of the petiole had a negative correlation with sinigrin, glucobrassicanapin, glucoiberin, glucobrassicin, and the total GSLs. A higher width of the midrib was associated with higher contents of gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin. A PCA analysis based on the agro-morphological traits showed that the first and second principal components accounted for 65.2% of the overall variability. Accessions that form a head tend to exhibit a longer leaf length, a larger plant weight, a thicker midrib, and higher widths of the midrib, petiole, and leaf. The GSLs showed inconsistent inter-and intra-leaf variation. Accessions that identified for various traits in their performance, such as, for example, Yeosu66 and IT259487 (highest total glucosinolates) and IT228984 (highest plant weight), would be promising lines for developing new varieties.

Phytochemicals and bioactive constituents in food packaging - A systematic review

Designing and manufacturing functional bioactive ingredients and pharmaceuticals have grown worldwide. Consumers demand for safe ingredients and concerns over harmful synthetic additives have prompted food manufacturers to seek safer and sustainable alternative solutions. In recent years the preference by consumers to natural bioactive agents over synthetic compounds increased exponentially, and consequently, naturally derived phytochemicals and bioactive compounds, with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, becoming essential in food packaging field. In response to societal needs, packaging needs to be developed based on sustainable manufacturing practices, marketing strategies, consumer behaviour, environmental concerns, and the emergence of new technologies, particularly bio- and nanotechnology. This critical systematic review assessed the role of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from natural resources in food packaging and consumer behaviour patterns in relation to phytochemical and biologically active substances used in the development of food packaging. The use of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds inside packaging materials used in food industry could generate unpleasant odours derived from the diffusion of the most volatile compounds from the packaging material to the food and food environment. These consumer concerns must be addressed to understand minimum concentrations that will not affect consumer sensory and aroma negative perceptions. The research articles were carefully chosen and selected by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines.

Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties of Mustard Seed Extract-Based Hydrogel: An In Vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

Mustard has been regarded as one of the world's most extensively produced and useful plants as well as one of the oldest condiments ever. The aim of the study was to develop and analyse the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of mustard seed extract.

METHODS

The extract was prepared by using a double filtration technique and anti-inflammatory properties were checked using egg albumin assay and bovine serum albumin assay and diclofenac sodium was the control. The antimicrobial property was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer test and chlorhexidine gel was the control. The species included were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

RESULTS

The results showed that the anti-inflammatory property of mustard seed extract is comparable to diclofenac sodium whereas the maximum zone of inhibition was seen against C. albicans.

CONCLUSION

 This study discovered that mustard seed extract has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity against a variety of oral microorganisms. These findings indicate that this hydrogel was highly active against the tested pathogens and will be effective in the treatment of periodontitis.

Innovative applications and therapeutic potential of oilseeds and their by-products: An eco-friendly and sustainable approach

The risk of inadequate management of agro-waste is an emerging challenge. However, the economic relevance of agro-waste valorization is one of the key strategies to ensure sustainable development. Among the agro-waste, oilseed waste and its by-products are usually seen as mass waste after the extraction of oils. Oilseed by-products especially oilseed cakes are a potential source of protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Oilseed cakes contain high value-added bioactive compounds which have great significance among researchers to develop novel foods having therapeutic applications. Moreover, these oilseed cakes might be employed in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Thus, as a result of having desirable characteristics, oilseed by-products can be more valuable in wide application in the food business along with the preparation of supplements. The current review highlights that plentiful wastes or by-products from oilseeds are wasted if these underutilized materials are not properly valorized or effectively utilized. Hence, promising utilization of oilseeds and their wastes not only assists to overcome environmental concerns and protein insecurity but also helps to achieve the goals of zero waste and sustainability. Furthermore, the article also covers the production and industrial applications of oilseeds and by-products along with the potential role of oilseed cakes and phytochemicals in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Heat-Stress-Induced Changes in Physio-Biochemical Parameters of Mustard Cultivars and Their Role in Heat Stress Tolerance at the Seedling Stage

In the era of global warming, heat stress, particularly at the seedling stage, is a major problem that affects the production and productivity of crops such as mustard that are grown in cooler climates. Nineteen mustard cultivars were exposed to contrasting temperature regimes-20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C and a variable range of 25-40 °C-and evaluated for changes in physiological and biochemical parameters at the seedling stage to study their role in heat-stress tolerance. Exposure to heat stress showed detrimental effects on seedling growth as revealed by reduced vigor indices, survival percentages, antioxidant activity and proline content. The cultivars were grouped into tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible based on the survival percentage and biochemical parameters. All the conventional and three single-zero cultivars were found to be tolerant and moderately tolerant, respectively, while double-zero cultivars were reckoned to be susceptible except for two cultivars. Significant increases in proline content and catalase and peroxidase activities were found associated with thermo-tolerant cultivars. More efficient antioxidant system activity and proline accumulation were noticed in conventional along with three single-zero (PM-21, PM-22, PM-30) and two double-zero (JC-21, JC-33) cultivars that might have provided better protection to them under heat stress than the remaining one single- and nine double-zero cultivars. Tolerant cultivars also resulted in significantly higher values of most of the yield attributing traits. Heat-stress-tolerant cultivars could easily be selected based on the survival percentage, proline and antioxidants at the seedling stage and included as efficient cultivars in breeding programs.

Critical Review on Nutritional, Bioactive, and Medicinal Potential of Spices and Herbs and Their Application in Food Fortification and Nanotechnology

Medicinal or herbal spices are grown in tropical moist evergreen forestland, surrounding most of the tropical and subtropical regions of Eastern Himalayas in India (Sikkim, Darjeeling regions), Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, a few Central Asian countries, Middle East, USA, Europe, South East Asia, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. According to the cultivation region surrounded, economic value, and vogue, these spices can be classified into major, minor, and colored tropical spices. In total, 24 tropical spices and herbs (cardamom, black jeera, fennel, poppy, coriander, fenugreek, bay leaves, clove, chili, cassia bark, black pepper, nutmeg, black mustard, turmeric, saffron, star anise, onion, dill, asafoetida, celery, allspice, kokum, greater galangal, and sweet flag) are described in this review. These spices show many pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and antioxidant activities. Numerous bioactive compounds are present in these selected spices, such as 1,8-cineole, monoterpene hydrocarbons, γ-terpinene, cuminaldehyde, trans-anethole, fenchone, estragole, benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, piperine, linalool, malabaricone C, safrole, myristicin, elemicin, sinigrin, curcumin, bidemethoxycurcumin, dimethoxycurcumin, crocin, picrocrocin, quercetin, quercetin 4'-O-β-glucoside, apiol, carvone, limonene, α-phellandrene, galactomannan, rosmarinic acid, limonene, capsaicinoids, eugenol, garcinol, and α-asarone. Other than that, various spices are used to synthesize different types of metal-based and polymer-based nanoparticles like zinc oxide, gold, silver, selenium, silica, and chitosan nanoparticles which provide beneficial health effects such as antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, enzyme retardation effect, and antimicrobial activity. The nanoparticles can also be used in environmental pollution management like dye decolorization and in chemical industries to enhance the rate of reaction by the use of catalytic activity of the nanoparticles. The nutritional value, phytochemical properties, health advantages, and both traditional and modern applications of these spices, along with their functions in food fortification, have been thoroughly discussed in this review.

Brassica Genus Seeds: A Review on Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Properties

Traditionally, Brassica species are widely used in traditional medicine, human food, and animal feed. Recently, special attention has been dedicated to Brassica seeds as source of health-promoting phytochemicals. This review provides a summary of recent research on the Brassica seed phytochemistry, bioactivity, dietary importance, and toxicity by screening the major online scientific database sources and papers published in recent decades by Elsevier, Springer, and John Wiley. The search was conducted covering the period from January 1964 to July 2022. Phytochemically, polyphenols, glucosinolates, and their degradation products were the predominant secondary metabolites in seeds. Different extracts and their purified constituents from seeds of Brassica species have been found to possess a wide range of biological properties including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities. These valuable functional properties of Brassica seeds are related to their richness in active compounds responsible for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and COVID-19. Currently, the potential properties of Brassica seeds and their components are the main focus of research, but their toxicity and health risks must also be accounted for.

A new source of bacterial myrosinase isolated from endophytic Bacillus sp. NGB-B10, and its relevance in biological control activity

Plant metabolism interacts strongly with the plant microbiome. Glucosinolates, secondary metabolites synthesized by Brassica plants, are hydrolyzed by myrosinase into bioactive compounds of great importance in human health and plant protection. Compared with myrosinase from plant sources, myrosinase enzymes of microbial origin have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, seven endophytic strains corresponding to Bacillus sp. were isolated from Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa plants that could hydrolyse glucosinolates (sinigrin) in the culture medium and showed myrosinase activity (0.08–19.92 U mL⁻¹). The bglA myrosinase-related gene encoding the 6-phospho-β-glucosidase (GH 1) from Bacillus sp. NGB-B10, the most active myrosinase-producing bacterium, was successfully identified. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to statistically optimize culture conditions for myrosinase production from Bacillus sp. strain NGB-B10. The Plackett–Burman design indicated that nitrogen concentration, incubation period, and agitation speed were the significant parameters in myrosinase production. The application of the Box–Behnken design of RSM resulted in a 10.03-fold increase in enzyme activity as compared to the non-optimized culture conditions. The myrosinase was partially purified by 40% fractionation followed by SDS-PAGE analysis which yielded two subunits that had a molecular weight of 38.6 and 35.0 KDa. The purified enzyme was stable under a broad range of pH (5.5–10) and temperatures (10–65 °C). The hydrolysis products released by bacterial myrosinase from some glucosinolate extracts had higher and/or equivalent in vitro antagonistic activity against several phytopathogenic fungi compared to the nystatin (a broad-spectrum antifungal agent). This study provides original information about a new source of bacterial myrosinase and affords an optimized method to enhance myrosinase production.

Bisphenol F blocks Leydig cell maturation and steroidogenesis in pubertal male rats through suppressing androgen receptor signaling and activating G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) signaling

Bisphenol F (BPF) is a new analog of bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has deleterious effects on the male reproductive system, but the effect of BPF has not been studied in detail. In this study we focus on the effect of BPF on Leydig cell maturation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with 0, 1, 10, or 100 mg/kg BPF from postnatal days 35-56. BPF significantly reduced serum testosterone levels and sperm count in cauda epididymis at dose ≥1 mg/kg. It significantly down-regulated the expression of steroidogenic enzymes, while increasing FSHR and SOX9 levels at 10 and 100 mg/kg. Further studies showed that BPF reduced NR3C4 expression in Leydig and Sertoli cells without affecting its levels in peritubular myoid cells. BPF markedly increased GPER1 in Leydig cells at 100 mg/kg, and it significantly reduced SIRT1 and PGC1α levels in the testes at 100 mg/kg. BPF significantly inhibited testosterone production by immature Leydig cells at 50 μM after 24 h of treatment, which was completely reversed by NR3C4 agonist 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone and partially reversed by GPER1 antagonist G15 not by ESR1 antagonist ICI 182,780. In conclusion, BPF negatively affects Leydig cell maturation in pubertal male rats through NR3C4 antagonism and GPER1 agonism.

A Whiff of Sulfur: One Wind a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Reactive Sulfur Species (RSS), such as allicin from garlic or sulforaphane from broccoli, are fre-quently associated with biological activities and possible health benefits in animals and humans. Among these Organic Sulfur Compounds (OSCs) found in many plants and fungi, the Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs) feature prominently, not only because of their often-pungent smell, but also because they are able to access places which solids and solutions cannot reach that easily. Indeed, inorganic RSS such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can be used to lit-erally fumigate entire rooms and areas. Similarly, metabolites of garlic, such as allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), are formed metabolically in humans in lower concentrations and reach the airways from inside the body as part of one’s breath. Curiously, H₂S is also formed in the gastrointestinal tract by gut bacteria, and the question of if and for which purpose this gas then crosses the barriers and enters the body is indeed a delicate matter for equally delicate studies. In any case, nature is surprisingly rich in such VSCs, as fruits (for instance, the infamous durian) demonstrate, and therefore these VSCs represent a promising group of compounds for further studies.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity evaluation following oral exposure to bisphenol F

Bisphenol F is a substitute material for bisphenol A and is widely used in household products as a raw material for polycarbonate resin, epoxy resin, and plastic reinforcement. It is known to be mainly used in food containers, thermal paper for receipts, and coatings for water pipes. In some countries, bisphenol F has been detected in drinking water and human urine samples. However, due to the lack of safety evaluation data on bisphenol F, it is difficult to establish appropriate guidelines for the proper use of the substance, and social anxiety is increasing accordingly. This study investigated the use, exposure route, and distribution flow of bisphenol F, a household chemical. To determine the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and target organ of bisphenol F after exposure, a single-dose oral toxicity, dose-range finding (28 day oral), repeated dose toxicity (90 day oral), and genotoxicity (reverse mutation, chromosomal abnormality, in vivo micronucleus test) tests were performed. The pharmacokinetic profile was also obtained. The test results are as follows: in the pharmacokinetic study, it was confirmed that single oral exposure to BPF resulted in systemic exposure; in single oral dose toxicity test, the approximate lethal dose was found to be 4000 mg/kg and confusion and convulsion was shown in the test animals; NOAEL was determined to be 2 mg/kg/day for male and 5 mg/kg/day for female, and the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was determined to be 2 mg/kg/day for males and 1 mg/kg/day for females, and the target organ was the small intestine; genotoxicity tests confirmed that BPF does not induce genotoxicity.

Isolation of the mustard Napin protein Allergen Sin a 1 and characterisation of its antifungal activity

Proteins and peptides belonging to the plant immune system can possess natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Due to their broad range of activity and stability, they represent promising novel alternatives to commonly used antifungal agents to fight the emergence of resistant strains. An isolation protocol was optimised to target proteins found in plants’ defence system, and it was applied to white mustard (Brassica hirta) seeds. Firstly, a ∼14 kDa protein with activity against S. cerevisiae was extracted and purified; secondly, the protein was identified as the mustard Napin protein named Allergen Sin a 1. Napin is the name given to seed storage (2S) albumin proteins belonging to the Brassicaceae family. While several Napins have been described for their antimicrobial potential, Sin a 1 has been mainly studied for its allergenic properties. The antimicrobial activity of Sin a 1 is described and characterised for the first time in this study; it possesses antifungal and antiyeast in vitro activity, but no antibacterial activity was recorded. The yeasts Zygosaccharomyces bailii Sa 1403 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 70449 along with the filamentous fungi Fusarium culmorum FST 4.05 were amongst the most senstitive strains to Sin a 1 (MICs range 3–6 μM). The antimicrobial mechanism of membrane permeabilisation was detected, and in general, the antifungal activity of Sin a 1 seemed to be expressed in a dose-dependent manner. Data collected confirmed Sin a 1 to be a stable and compact protein, as it displayed resistance to α-chymotrypsin digestion, heat denaturation and insensitivity to pH variations and the presence of salts. In addition, the protein did not show cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells.

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Simple purification of an antiyeast protein from white mustard seeds.

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Identification of the protein as the mustard Napin also classified as Allergen Sin a 1.

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Description of Sin a 1 antimicrobial spectrum and mode of actions against yeasts.