Application and analysis of the folin ciocalteu method for the determination of the total phenolic content from Limonium brasiliense L

Surface modified niosomal quercetin with cationic lipid: an appropriate drug delivery system against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

The Increase in infections caused by resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a formidable challenge to global healthcare systems. P. aeruginosa is capable of causing severe human infections across diverse anatomical sites, presenting considerable therapeutic obstacles due to its heightened drug resistance. Niosomal drug delivery systems offer enhanced pharmaceutical potential for loaded contents due to their desirable properties, mainly providing a controlled-release profile. This study aimed to formulate an optimized niosomal drug delivery system incorporating stearylamine (SA) to augment the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of quercetin (QCT) against both standard and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. QCT-loaded niosome (QCT-niosome) and QCT-loaded SA- niosome (QCT-SA- niosome) were synthesized by the thin-film hydration technique, and their physicochemical characteristics were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), zeta potential measurement, entrapment efficacy (EE%), and in vitro release profile. The anti-P. aeruginosa activity of synthesized niosomes was assessed using minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) and compared with free QCT. Additionally, the minimum biofilm inhibitory and eradication concentrations (MBICs/MBECs) were carried out to analyze the ability of QCT-niosome and QCT-SA-niosome against P. aeruginosa biofilms. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assay was conducted on the L929 mouse fibroblasts cell line to evaluate the biocompatibility of the formulated niosomes. FE-SEM analysis revealed that both synthesized niosomal formulations exhibited spherical morphology with different sizes (57.4 nm for QCT-niosome and 178.9 nm for QCT-SA-niosome). The EE% for cationic and standard niosomal formulations was reported at 75.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Both formulations showed an in vitro sustained-release profile, and QCT-SA-niosome exhibited greater stability during a 4-month storage time compared to QCT-niosome. Microbial experiments indicated that both prepared formulations had higher anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities than free QCT. Also, the QCT-SA-niosome exhibited greater reductions in MIC, MBC, MBIC, and MBEC values compared to the QCT-niosome at equivalent concentrations. This study supports the potential of QCT-niosome and QCT-SA-niosome as effective agents against P. aeruginosa infections, manifesting significant anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm efficacy alongside biocompatibility with L929 cell lines. Furthermore, our results suggest that optimized QCT-niosome with cationic lipids could efficiently target P. aeruginosa cells with negligible cytotoxic effect.

The effects of inulin on solubilizing and improving anti-obesity activity of high polymerization persimmon tannin

High polymerization persimmon tannin has been reported to have lipid-lowering effects. Unfortunately, the poor solubility restricts its application. This research aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of inulin on solubilizing of persimmon tannin. Furthermore, we examined whether the addition of inulin would affect the attenuated obesity effect of persimmon tannin. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results demonstrated that inulin formed a gel-like network structure, which enabled the encapsulation of persimmon tannin through hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions, thereby inhibiting the self-aggregation of persimmon tannin. The turbidity of the persimmon tannin solution decreased by 56.2 %, while the polyphenol content in the supernatant increased by 60.0 %. Furthermore, biochemical analysis and 16s rRNA gene sequencing technology demonstrated that persimmon tannin had a significant anti-obesity effect and improved intestinal health in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, inulin was found to have a positive effect on enhancing the health benefits of persimmon tannin, including improving hepatic steatosis and gut microbiota dysbiosis. it enhanced the abundance of beneficial core microbes while decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria. Our findings expand the applications of persimmon tannin in the food and medical sectors.

Seedless black Vitis vinifera polyphenols suppress hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo by targeting apoptosis, cancer stem cells, and proliferation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor and one of the most challenging cancers to treat. Here, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo ameliorating impacts of seedless black Vitis vinifera (VV) polyphenols on HCC. Following the preparation of the VV crude extract (VVCE) from seedless VV (pulp and skin), three fractions (VVF1, VVF2, and VVF3) were prepared. The anticancer potencies of the prepared fractions, compared to 5-FU, were assessed against HepG2 and Huh7 cells. In addition, the effects of these fractions on p-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced HCC in mice were evaluated. The predicted impacts of selected phenolic constituents of VV fractions on the activity of essential HCC-associated enzymes (NADPH oxidase "NADPH-NOX2", histone deacetylase 1 "HDAC1", and sepiapterin reductase "SepR") were analyzed using molecular docking. The results showed that VVCE and its fractions induced apoptosis and collapsed CD133+ stem cells in the studied cancer cell lines with an efficiency greater than 5-FU. VVF1 and VVF2 exhibited the most effective anticancer fractions in vitro; therefore, we evaluated their influences in mice. VVF1 and VVF2 improved liver morphology and function, induced apoptosis, and lowered the fold expression of various crucial genes that regulate cancer stem cells and other vital pathways for HCC progression. For most of the examined parameters, VVF1 and VVF2 had higher potency than 5-FU, and VVF1 showed more efficiency than VVF2. The selected phenolic compounds displayed competitive inhibitory action on NADPH-NOX2, HDAC1, and SepR. In conclusion, these findings declare that VV polyphenolic fractions, particularly VVF1, could be promising safe anti-HCC agents.

Graphene oxide-based nanocomposites for outstanding eco-friendly antifungal potential against tomato phytopathogens

To obtain the collaborative antifungal potential of nanocomposites conjugated with graphene oxide (GO), a combination of GO with chitosan (CS/GO) and GO with chitosan (CS) and polyaniline (PANI/CS/GO) was carried out. The synthesized GO-nanocomposites were recognized by several techniques. Vanillin (Van.) and cinnamaldehyde (Cinn.) were loaded on the prepared nanocomposites as antioxidants through a batch adsorption process. In vitro release study of Van. and Cinn. from the nanocomposites was accomplished at pH 7 and 25°C. The antimicrobial activity of GO, CS/GO, and PANI/CS/GO was studied against tomato Fusarium oxysporum (FOL) and Pythium debaryanum (PYD) pathogens. The loaded ternary composite PANI/CS/GO exhibited the best percent of reduction against the two pathogens in vitro studies. The Greenhouse experiment revealed that seedlings' treatment by CS/GO/Van. and PANI/CS/GO/Van significantly lowered both disease index and disease incidence. The loaded CS/GO and PANI/CS/GO nanocomposites had a positive effect on lengthening shoots. Additionally, when CS/GO/Cinn., CS/GO/Van. and PANI/CS/GO/Van. were used, tomato seedlings' photosynthetic pigments dramatically increased as compared to infected control. The results show that these bio-nanocomposites can be an efficient, sustainable, nontoxic, eco-friendly, and residue-free approach for fighting fungal pathogens and improving plant growth.

Advancing oral health: Harnessing the potential of chitosan and polyphenols in innovative mouthwash formulation

This paper explores the therapeutic perspectives of polyphenols and chitosan as potential anticancer agents in the mouthwash formulations. Taking into account the high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among oral cancers, this discussion will concentrate on the potential advantages of these compounds in oral care, focusing on their impact on improving oral health and cancer prevention. According to the data, it appears that the mixture of BACs extract and chitosan may increase the efficiency of the apoptosis of cancer cells while reducing the undesired side effects. The cytotoxicity assays demonstrate a significant reduction in squamous carcinoma cell viability after incubation with BACs extract, with a marked decrease observed over 24-72 hours up to 76%. The anti-cancer properties of the BAC extract are related to luteolin, which is a predominant compound. The addition of 0.025% chitosan reduced the metabolic activity of cancer cells by 37.5%, suggesting a synergistic interaction between the compounds. This research highlights the potential of BACs and chitosan in modulating important molecular targets associated with cancer cell.

Inhibitory Effects on Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A by Aesculus sp. Extracts and Their Toxicity Evaluation

A promising strategy for combating bacterial infections involves the development of agents that disarm the virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria, thereby reducing their pathogenicity without inducing direct lethality. Sortase A, a crucial enzyme responsible for anchoring virulence factors to the cell surface of several pathogenic bacteria, has emerged as a possible target for antivirulence strategies. A series of hippocastanum species (Aesculus pavia, A. parviflora, Aesculus x carnea, and A. hippocastanum) were used to prepare ethanol- and water-based extracts for assessing their effect on Staphylococcus aureus sortase A. The extracts were characterized through HPLC analysis, and their polyphenols content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The specific toxicity profile was evaluated in Daphnia magna using the median lethal concentration (LC50) and against the fibroblast MRHF cell line. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values on sortase A, determined after 30 min of incubation, ranged from 82.70 to 304.31 µg/mL, with the A. pavia water extract exhibiting the highest inhibitory effect. The assessment of the A. pavia water extract on human fibroblasts revealed no significant signs of toxicity, even at a concentration of 500 µg/mL. This reduced toxicity was further validated through the Daphnia assay. These findings highlight the low toxicity and the potential of this extract as a promising source of future development of bacteria antivirulence solutions.

A comprehensive and critical review of the unstandardized Folin-Ciocalteu assay to determine the total content of polyphenols: The conundrum of the experimental factors and method validation

The Folin-Ciocalteu method can be considered to be the most widely used in laboratories around the world, to quantify the total polyphenols content. Many different variations found in this assay have been reported in the scientific literature. In this review, the full experimental conditions influencing the Folin-Ciocalteu assay have been comparatively assessed and discussed. Furthermore, few studies relating to the method validation have been evaluated according to the results of selectivity, linearity, precision, trueness, limit of determination, limit of quantification and robustness. In general, the results derived from the reviewed literature are widely variable according to both, the experimental factors selected and the performance parameters reported, making difficult the comparison of the overall results published.

Integration of non-targeted/targeted metabolomics and electronic sensor technology reveals the chemical and sensor variation in 12 representative yellow teas

Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea with unique sensory qualities and health benefits. However, chemical composition and sensory quality of yellow tea products have rarely been studied. 12 representative yellow teas, which were basically covered the main products of yellow tea, were chosen in this study. Combined analysis of non-targeted/targeted metabolomics and electronic sensor technologies (E-eye, E-nose, E-tongue) revealed the chemical and sensor variation. The results showed that yellow big tea differed greatly from yellow bud teas and yellow little teas, but yellow bud teas could not be effectively distinguished from yellow little teas based on chemical constituents and electronic sensory characteristics. Sensor variation of yellow teas might be attributed to some compounds related to bitterness and aftertaste-bitterness (4'-dehydroxylated gallocatechin-3-O-gallate, dehydrotheasinensin C, myricitin 3-O-galactoside, phloroglucinol), aftertaste-astringency (methyl gallate, 1,5-digalloylglucose, 2,6-digalloylglucose), and sweetness (maltotriose). This study provided a comprehensive understanding of yellow tea on chemical composition and sensory quality.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Freshwater Sapropel Extracts: In Vitro Analysis and Antioxidant Profiling for Skincare Applications

Background and Objective: Sapropel, a biologically active sedimentary deposit, is high in organic matter and minerals and has been shown to offer health benefits. Its constituents, humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA), have been found to have some therapeutic applications. The aim of this study was to determine the potential therapeutically significant properties of freshwater sapropel extracts: their polyacid content, antioxidative (AO) status, and biological activity in cell culture. Materials and Methods: Freshwater lakes from the southeast region of Latvia were investigated layer by layer. The total organic carbon (TOC) was determined through combustion using the catalytic oxidation method, HA and FA were measured via acid perspiration, and the total polyphenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant status (TAS) was analysed spectrophotometrically. Sapropel extracts' regenerative abilities were tested in vitro using a Cell-IQ real-time monitoring system on mouse BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts and human keratinocyte HaCaT cell lines. Cytotoxicity was measured through neutral red uptake assessment as a concentration-dependent reduction in the uptake of neutral red dye relative to a vehicle control or untreated cells. Results: The highest AO activity was observed in sapropel extracts with elevated concentrations of HA and TPC from Audzelu Lake (1.08 ± 0.03 mmol/L), and the lowest activity was found in extracts from Ivusku Lake (0.31 ± 0.01 mmol/L). Correspondingly, the concentrations of HA in Audzelu and Ivusku Lakes were recorded as 45.2 and 27.4 mg/g, respectively. High concentrations of HA promoted in vitro cell growth upon short-term exposure (up to 6 h). Conclusions: The results show that high TPC correlates with AO status and sapropel extracts with higher concentrations of HA exhibit greater AO activity and promote in vitro cell growth, suggesting a perspective use for short-term topical therapeutic skin applications. However, higher concentrations over longer durations showed cytotoxic effects, indicating the need for further investigation.

Biosustainable Hybrid Nanoplatforms as Photoacoustic Agents

The development of biosafe theranostic nanoplatforms has attracted great attention due to their multifunctional behavior, reduced potential toxicity, and improved long-term safety. When considering photoacoustic contrast agents and photothermal conversion tools, melanin and constructs like melanin are highly appealing due to their ability to absorb optical energy and convert it into heat. Following a sustainable approach, in this study, silver-melanin like-silica nanoplatforms are synthesized exploiting different bio-available and inexpensive phenolic acids as potential melanogenic precursors and exploring their role in tuning the final systems architecture. The UV-Vis combined with X-Ray Diffraction investigation proves metallic silver formation, while Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis reveals that different morphologies can be obtained by properly selecting the phenolic precursors. By looking at the characterization results, a tentative formation mechanism is proposed to explain how phenolic precursors' redox behavior may affect the nanoplatforms' structure. The antibacterial activity experiments showed that all synthesized systems have a strong inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, even at low concentrations. Furthermore, very sensitive Photoacoustic Imaging capabilities and significant photothermal behavior under laser irradiation are exhibited. Finally, a marked influence of phenol nature on the final system architecture is revealed resulting in a significant effect on both biological and photoacoustic features of the obtained systems. These melanin-based hybrid systems exhibit excellent potential as triggerable nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications.

Ethno-entomotherapeutic and metabolite profiling of Coridius chinensis (Dallas), a traditional edible insect species of North-East India

Edible insects possess several health enhancing properties and play an important role in human nutrition. Coridius chinensis is an edible insect that is considered food and claimed as traditional medicine. In the present study, nutritional contents, chemical composition, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of C. chinensis were analyzed. It was found that the insect sample contains 50.46% moisture, 44.65% protein, 4.45% carbohydrate, 39.42% crude fats, 3.53% ash and 576.11 (Kcal/100 g) energy. Our study highlighted the presence of a significant amount of phenol and flavonoids. The C. chinensis hydro-alcoholic extract showed high antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory activity. GCMS analysis identified 61 volatile compounds. LC-MS analysis of hydroalcoholic extract of C. chinensis revealed the presence of compounds such as etodolac glucuronide, morphine 3-glucuronide, ecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, sufentanil, and palmitoyl ethanololamide. These findings suggest that C. chinensis species can be employed as a valuable food source with excellent therapeutic properties.

Turmeric extract-mediated biogenic synthesis of Ag@SeO2 magnetic nanoparticles: characterization, optimization, antibacterial and antioxidant activities

This study bio-synthesized Ag@SeO2 bmNPs successfully, using turmeric ethanol extract, and characterized them using various techniques. The FT-IR analysis reveals the involvement of these plant-derived compounds, especially phenolics, in the reduction process by acting as electron donors and stabilizing/capping agents. Zeta potential analysis showed a slight negative surface charge for the stability of Ag@SeO2 NPs, where TEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 20 nm. The XRD confirmed crystallinity and a core-shell structure, and EDX identified elements consistent with Ag@SeO2 and a 3 : 1 Ag/Se atomic ratio. Further, SEM supported the spherical shape and uniform size. These findings highlight the successful biosynthesis of Ag@SeO2 bmNPs with promising properties for diverse applications. Moreover, the Box-Behnken design (BBD) and artificial neural network (ANN) model were engaged to optimize Ag@SeO2 bmNP biosynthesis. BBD identified significant influences of pH, bioconversion temperature, time, and turmeric concentration on bmNP yield, with adjusted R2 and predictive R2 being 0.9075 and 0.8829, respectively. However, its limitations were revealed by a significant lack of fit. ANN modeling with a 3-5-7-1 topology showed superior predictive accuracy and identified optimal conditions for maximizing yield (pH 9.83, 51.7 °C, 1.0 h, 3.71 mg mL-1 turmeric). Validation experiments confirmed the model's reliability. Turmeric extract exhibited significantly higher amounts of phenolics, and flavonoids compared to the bmNPs, suggesting its potential for strong antioxidant activity. Both turmeric extract and bmNPs displayed antioxidant activity in ABTS and DPPH assays, with turmeric extract being the most potent due to its curcuminoid content. The potential activity of Ag@SeO2 bmNPs against S. aureus, K. pneumonia, E. coli, and B. cereus was investigated, with inhibition zones ranging from 22 to 32 mm. The MIC values of tested NPs towards pathogenic bacteria ranged from 165.625 and 331.25 μg mL-1.

Mitigation of salt stress in lettuce by a biostimulant that protects the root absorption zone and improves biochemical responses

Horticultural crops constantly face abiotic stress factors such as salinity, which have intensified in recent years due to accelerated climate change, significantly affecting their yields and profitability. Under these conditions, it has become necessary to implement effective and sustainable solutions to guarantee agricultural productivity and food security. The influence of BALOX®, a biostimulant of plant origin, was tested on the responses to salinity of Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia plants exposed to salt concentrations up to 150 mM NaCl, evaluating different biometric and biochemical properties after 25 days of treatment. Control plants were cultivated under the same conditions but without the biostimulant treatment. An in situ analysis of root characteristics using a non-destructive, real-time method was also performed. The salt stress treatments inhibited plant growth, reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and increased the concentrations of Na+ and Cl- in roots and leaves while reducing those of Ca2+. BALOX® application had a positive effect because it stimulated plant growth and the level of Ca2+ and photosynthetic pigments. In addition, it reduced the content of Na+ and Cl- in the presence and the absence of salt. The biostimulant also reduced the salt-induced accumulation of stress biomarkers, such as proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Therefore, BALOX® appears to significantly reduce osmotic, ionic and oxidative stress levels in salt-treated plants. Furthermore, the analysis of the salt treatments' and the biostimulant's direct effects on roots indicated that BALOX®'s primary mechanism of action probably involves improving plant nutrition, even under severe salt stress conditions, by protecting and stimulating the root absorption zone.

Evaluation of Bioactive Effects of Five Plant Extracts with Different Phenolic Compositions against Different Therapeutic Targets

Plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds have been reported to exert different bioactive properties. Despite the fact that there are plant extracts with completely different phenolic compositions, many of them have been reported to have similar beneficial properties. Thus, the structure-bioactivity relationship mechanisms are not yet known in detail for specific classes of phenolic compounds. In this context, this work aims to demonstrate the relationship of extracts with different phenolic compositions versus different bioactive targets. For this purpose, five plant matrices (Theobroma cacao, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Silybum marianum, Lippia citriodora, and Olea europaea) were selected to cover different phenolic compositions, which were confirmed by the phytochemical characterization analysis performed by HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The bioactive targets evaluated were the antioxidant potential, the free radical scavenging potential, and the inhibitory capacity of different enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, skin aging, and neuroprotection. The results showed that despite the different phenolic compositions of the five matrices, they all showed a bioactive positive effect in most of the evaluated assays. In particular, matrices with very different phenolic contents, such as T. cacao and S. marianum, exerted a similar inhibitory power in enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and skin aging. It should also be noted that H. sabdariffa and T. cacao extracts had a low phenolic content but nevertheless stood out for their bioactive antioxidant and anti-radical capacity. Hence, this research highlights the shared bioactive properties among phenolic compounds found in diverse matrices. The abundance of different phenolic compound families highlights their elevated bioactivity against diverse biological targets.

Salt Tolerance of Sea Flax (Linum maritimum L.), a Rare Species with Conservation Interest in Eastern Spain

Seldom found in saltmarshes, Linum maritimum is a halophyte of great conservation interest in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Although the species has been reported in different plant communities, there is no information on its range of salinity tolerance or mechanisms of response to environmental stress factors. In this study, L. maritimum plants were subjected to increasing salt concentrations in controlled conditions in a greenhouse. After six months of watering with salt solutions, only plants from the control, 50 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatment groups survived, but seeds were produced only in the first two. Significant differences were found between the plants from the various treatment groups in terms of their growth parameters, such as plant height, fresh weight, and the quantity of flowers and fruits. The main mechanism of salt tolerance is probably related to the species' ability to activate K+ uptake and transport to shoots to partly counteract the accumulation of toxic Na+ ions. A biochemical analysis showed significant increases in glycine betaine, flavonoids and total phenolic compounds, highlighting the importance of osmotic regulation and antioxidant compounds in the salt tolerance of Linum maritimum. These findings have implications for the conservation of the species, especially under changing climatic conditions that may lead to increased soil salinity in its Mediterranean distribution area.

Phytochemical analysis, GC-MS profile and determination of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities of peel and seeds extracts (chloroform and ethyl acetate) of Tamarindus indica L

Tamarindus indica L., is widely used tree in ayurvedic medicine. Here, we aimed to understand the presence of important constituents in seeds and peel of Tamarind fruits and their biological activities. Hence, seeds and peel of Tamarind fruits are used for further extraction process by soxhlet method (chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents). Results suggest that the ethyl acetate extract (seeds) consists of terpenoids (72.29 ± 0.513 mg/g), phenolic content (68.67 ± 2.11 mg/g) and flavonoids (26.36 ± 2.03 mg/g) whereas chloroform extract (seeds) has terpenoids (42.29 ± 0.98 mg/g). Similarly, chloroform extract (peel) has terpenoids (25.96 ± 3.20 mg/g) and flavonoids (46.36 ± 2.03 mg/g) whereas ethyl acetate extract (peel) has terpenoids (62.93 ± 0.987 mg/g). Furthermore, anti-inflammation activity results revealed that the chloroform extract of peel was found to be more effective with IC50 of 226.14 µg/ml by protein denaturation analysis and with IC50 of 245.5 µg/ml on lipoxygenase inhibition activity. Chloroform extract (peel and seeds) shown better antioxidant activity using DPPH than ethyl acetate extract (peel and seeds). Ethyl acetate extract of seeds showed impressive potency by inhibiting the growth of fungus, Candida albicans. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract of seeds showed impressive potency inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli than Bacillus cereus. GC-MS analysis shown the existence of diverse set of phytochemicals in each extract. Overall, comparative studies highlight the effectiveness of seeds extracts than peel extracts. Moreover, GC-MS results suggest that the seeds and peel extracts (chloroform and ethyl acetate) contains a wide range of compounds (including flavonoids, isovanillic acid, fatty acids and phenolic compounds) which can be utilized for therapeutic purpose.

The Targeted Regulation of BDUbc and BDSKL1 Enhances Resistance to Blight in Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocalamopsis grandis

Arthrinium phaeospermum is the major pathogen responsible for the significant stem disease "blight" in B. pervariabilis × D. grandis. The interacting proteins of the key pathogenic factor ApCtf1β, BDUbc and BDSKL1, have previously been obtained by two-hybrid, BiFC, GST pull-down yeast assays. However, the functions of these interacting proteins remain unknown. This study successfully obtained transgenic plants overexpressing BDUbc, BDSKL1, and BDUbc + BDSKL1 via Agrobacterium-mediated gene overexpression. qRT-PCR analysis revealed significantly increased expression levels of BDUbc and BDSKL1 in the transgenic plants. After infection with the pathogenic spore suspension, the disease incidence and severity index significantly decreased across all three transgenic plants, accompanied by a marked increase in defense enzyme levels. Notably, the co-transformed plant, OE-BDUbc + BDSKL1, demonstrated the lowest disease incidence and severity index among the transgenic variants. These results not only indicate that BDUbc and BDSKL1 are disease-resistant genes, but also that these two genes may exhibit a synergistic enhancement effect, which further improves the resistance to blight in Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocalamopsis grandis.

Hovenia dulcis Suppresses the Growth of Huh7-Derived Liver Cancer Stem Cells by Inducing Necroptosis and Apoptosis and Blocking c-MET Signaling

Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) contribute to the initiation, metastasis, treatment resistance, and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, exploring potential anticancer agents targeting LCSCs may offer new therapeutic options to overcome HCC treatment failure. Hovenia dulcis Thunberg (HDT), a tree from the buckthorn family found in Asia, exhibits various biological activities, including antifatigue, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antitumor activities. However, the therapeutic effect of HDT in eliminating LCSCs remains to be confirmed. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity of ethanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts from HDT branches on the growth of Huh7-derived LCSCs. The ethyl acetate extract of HDT (EAHDT) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against the growth of Huh7 LCSCs among the three HDT extracts. EAHDT suppressed the in vitro self-renewal ability of Huh7 LCSCs and reduced tumor growth in vivo using the Huh7 LCSC-transplanted chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. Furthermore, EAHDT not only arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase but also induced receptor-interacting protein kinase 3/mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein-mediated necroptosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis in Huh7 LCSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the growth inhibitory effect of EAHDT on Huh7 LCSCs was associated with the downregulation of c-MET-mediated downstream signaling pathways and key cancer stemness markers. Based on these findings, we propose that EAHDT can be used as a new natural drug candidate to prevent and treat HCC by eradicating LCSCs.

An Update on Recent Studies Focusing on the Antioxidant Properties of Salvia Species

Nutrition has crucial effects and a significant role in disease prevention. Recently, nutraceuticals have attracted much attention in scientific research due to their pleiotropic effects and relatively non-toxic behavior. Among the biological effects displayed by plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinesterase, sage is well known for its antioxidant properties and is a rich source of numerous compounds that are biologically active, amongst them polyphenols, with more than 160 types identified. In this review we summarized some of the significant studies published in the last decade reporting the most employed extraction methods and the different assays that are useful for establishing the antioxidant properties of some sage species. Even though the scientific literature contains plenty of data regarding the antioxidant properties of many sage species, further studies are needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action and the compounds responsible for their antioxidant activity. Finally, it should be taken into account that the data on the antioxidant properties of sage extracts are often difficult to compare with each other, since a series of variables in the extraction procedures, the type of assay used, and standardization may affect the final result.

Phytochemical and Nutraceutical Screening of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Phases of Romanian Galium verum Herba (Rubiaceae)

Galium species are used worldwide for their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Although this plant has demonstrated its antitumor properties on various types of cancer, its biological activity on cutaneous melanoma has not been established so far. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the phytochemical profile of two extracts of G. verum L. herba (ethanolic and ethyl acetate) as well as the biological profile (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor effects) on human skin cancer. The extracts showed similar FT-IR phenolic profiles (high chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, and rutin), with high antioxidant capacity (EC50 of ethyl acetate phase (0.074 ± 0.01 mg/mL) > ethanol phase (0.136 ± 0.03 mg/mL)). Both extracts showed antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus bacilli strains, the ethyl acetate phase being more active. Regarding the in vitro antitumor test, the results revealed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against A375 melanoma cell lines, more pronounced in the case of the ethyl acetate phase. In addition, the ethyl acetate phase stimulated the proliferation of human keratinocytes (HaCaT), while this effect was not evident in the case of the ethanolic phase at 24 h post-stimulation. Consequently, G. verum l. could be considered a promising phytocompound for the antitumor approach of cutaneous melanoma.

Enhanced ethanol production using hydrophobic resin detoxified Pine forest litter hydrolysate and integrated fermentation process development supplementing molasses

Globally escalating ethanol demand necessitates the use of hybrid technologies integrating first- and second-generation biofuel feedstocks for achieving the futuristic targets of gasoline replacement with bioethanol. In present study, an optimized two-step sequential pre-treatment (first dilute alkali, then dilute acid) of Pine forest litter (PFL) was developed. Furthermore, the saccharification of pre-treated PFL was optimized through Response Surface Methodology using Box-Behnken Design, wherein 0.558 g/g of reducing sugar was released under the optimized conditions (12.5% w/v of biomass loading, 10 FPU/g of PFL enzyme loading, 0.15% v/v Tween-80 and 48 h incubation time). Moreover, during hydrolysate fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3288 strain, 22.51 ± 1.02 g/L ethanol was produced. Remarkably, hydrophobic resin (XAD-4) treatment of PFL hydrolysate, significantly removed inhibitors (Furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and phenolics) and increased ethanol production to 27.38 ± 1.18 g/L. Furthermore, during fermentation of molasses supplemented PFL hydrolysate (total initial sugar: 100 ± 3.27 g/L), a maximum of 46.02 ± 2.08 g/L ethanol was produced with 0.482 g/g yield and 1.92 g/l/h productivity. These findings indicated that the integration of molasses to lignocellulosic hydrolysate, would be a promising hybrid technology for industrial ethanol production within existing bio-refinery infrastructure.

Anti-Atherosclerosis and Anti-Hyperlipidemia Functions of Terminalia catappa Fruit

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic pathological condition that has remained clinically silent for decades, and the epidemic has continued to be on the rise due to risk factors, including diet, lifestyle, hyperlipidemia, pathogenic microorganisms, and aging. Using various synthetic drugs in treating atherosclerosis is associated with a high risk of myositis, angioedema, myoglobinuria, and acute renal failure. Various side effects of the available drugs have been reported; attempts are underway to explore natural sources with antiatherosclerotic activity. Aim and objective: Using a diet-induced atherosclerosis rat model, the current study tested the hypothesis of antiatherosclerotic and antihyperlipidemic roles of Terminalia catappa fruit extracts. Materials and Methods: Atherosclerosis in Wistar rats was induced using an atherogenic diet. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined using analytical kits. Results: Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts demonstrated that the plant had flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, sterols, phenols, and anthraquinones. Diet-induced atherogenic Wistar rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the healthy control group; however, the atherogenic lipid profile was reversed by the treatment of T. catappa fruit extracts. The biochemical experiments demonstrate that T. catappa fruit extracts have an antihyperlipidaemic effect, shown by a decreased coronary risk index and the atherogenic index, and an increased cardioprotective index, compared to disease control. Conclusion: The current study indicates that T. catappa fruit extracts may contain bioactive molecules to treat atherosclerosis.

Innovative Approaches to Fungal Food Production: Mycelial Pellet Morphology Insights

Mycelia products enhance edible mushrooms in alignment with future sustainability trends. To meet forthcoming market demands, the morphology of mycelial pellets was optimized for direct consumption. Among ten commercial edible mushrooms in Taiwan, Pleurotus sp. was selected for its rapid growth and was identified via an internal transcribed spacer sequence. A combination of Plackett-Burman design and Taguchi's L9(34) orthogonal table revealed the optimal formula as potato dextrose broth (2.4%), olive oil (2%), calcium carbonate (0.5%), yeast extract (0.75%), and soy flour (0.5%). This led to a biomass increase to 19.9 ± 1.1 g/L, resulting in a 2.17-fold yield increase. To refine morphology, image processing by ImageJ quantified spherical characteristics. The addition of 0.2 to 1.0% Tween 80 enhanced pellet compaction by over 50%. Dilution of the medium improved uniformity (0.85) and conversion rate (42%), yielding mycelial pellets with 2.10 ± 0.52 mm diameters and a yield of 15.1 ± 0.6 g/L. These findings provide an alternative evaluation and application of edible mycelial pellets as future food.

Validating the Nutraceutical Significance of Minor Millets by Employing Nutritional-Antinutritional Profiling

Millets are group of underutilized cereal crops with higher nutritional values. The present investigation used different classes of minor millets, including barnyard (sava), little (kutki), finger (ragi), kodo and foxtail millets, for evaluation of their nutritional parameters, i.e., the content of proteins, total amino acids, total sugars, insoluble fibers, soluble fibers, total dietary fibers, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), along with antinutritional and antioxidant parameters, viz., tannic acid, phytic acid, phenol, flavonoid, proline and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activity were also thought to elevate millets as a viable staple meal. Foxtail millet showed the maximum inhibition, with an IC50 value of 20.46 ± 1.80 µg mL-1 with respect to α-amylase. The coefficient of correlation between nutritional and antinutritional compositions showed that the starch content was significantly and positively correlated with insoluble fiber (r = 0.465) and dietary fiber (r = 0.487). Moreover, sugar was positively correlated with the phytic acid (r = 0.707), Fe and Zn (r = 0.681) contents. To determine the peptides responsible for anticancer activity, the foxtail protein was subjected to ultrafiltration; it was found that the 3 kDa fraction retained the greatest anticancer activity. Selected millet germplasm line(s) that have the best nutraceutical properties could be used in millet improvement programs.

Adsorption isotherms and kinetics for Pb(ii) ion removal from aqueous solutions with biogenic metal oxide nanoparticles

This study investigates the sorption removal of lead(ii) ions using zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper(ii) oxide (CuO) nanoparticles synthesized through a wet burning method with the aid of plant extract from Serratula coronata L. The effect of plant collection time on polyphenol content was investigated and optimal conditions were determined. The structural and chemical properties of the nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, X-ray phase analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A comparative analysis of lead ion sorption on the surface of synthesized nanoparticles was conducted. The kinetic study revealed that the sorption process follows a pseudo-second-order mechanism, and the Freundlich sorption model provides a better fit for the experimental data. ZnO and CuO nanoparticles exhibited significant sorption capacities, with values of 163.6 and 153.8 mg g-1, respectively.

Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical, Technological, and Sensorial Properties of Extrudates and Cookies from Composite Sorghum and Cowpea Flours

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for gluten-free and functional products, driven by consumer preferences for healthier and more diverse food choices. Therefore, there is a need to explore new ingredients that can be used as alternatives to traditional gluten-containing grains. Thus, this work evaluated the physical, chemical, technological, and sensorial properties of extrudates and cookies from composite tannin sorghum (rich in resistant starch) and white cowpea flours. Extrudates and cookies were produced from a composite flour made of sorghum and cowpea, at a sorghum:cowpea flour ratio of 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70. Then, raw flours, cookies, and extrudates were characterized (dietary fiber, resistant starch, proteins, antioxidant capacity, pasting properties, etc.). Results obtained for particle size distribution and bulk density indicated that the particles increased and the color changed with the addition of cowpea flour. The raw tannin sorghum flour had a higher resistant starch concentration (36.3%) and antioxidant capacity (211.2 µmolTE/g), whereas cowpea flour had higher levels of proteins (18.7%) and dietary fiber (20.1%). This difference in the raw flour composition contributed to the nutritional value of the extrudates and cookies, especially the cookies which undergo dry heat and had higher retention of resistant starch and antioxidants. Moreover, sorghum flour presented a higher tendency to retrograde (high setback), which was decreased by the addition of cowpea flour. Overall acceptance and intention to purchase were higher for extrudates with 100% sorghum flour (6.52 and 68.3%, respectively) and cookies with 70% cowpea flour (7.03 and 76.7%, respectively). Therefore, nutritious and functional gluten-free extrudates and cookies, of good acceptability, can be produced from composite tannin sorghum and white cowpea flours.

Responses of different invasive and non-invasive ornamental plants to water stress during seed germination and vegetative growth

Biological invasions represent a major threat to natural ecosystems. A primary source of invasive plants is ornamental horticulture, which selects traits related to invasiveness. This study evaluated the responses to water stress during germination and vegetative growth of six species used as ornamental or medicinal plants. Three of them are recognised as invasive weeds in many world areas. Seeds were exposed to increasing concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) mimicking drought stress, and young plants in the vegetative growth stage were subjected to two levels of water stress. Results indicated that in the absence of stress in control conditions, the most competitive species were those reported as weeds, namely Bidens pilosa L., Oenothera biennis L., and Centaurea cyanus L., the last regarding germination velocity. Under stress, only two species, Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill. and C. cyanus, maintained germination at -1 MPa osmotic potential, but in the recovery experiment, an osmopriming effect of PEG was observed. The most tolerant species during growth were two natives in the Mediterranean region, L. sinuatum and Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., both accumulating the highest proline concentrations. The sixth species studied, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench., proved to be more susceptible to stress in the two developmental stages. This study reveals that the most significant traits associated with invasiveness were related to germination, especially in the absence of stress.

Effects of the extraction techniques on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) plants grown under different cropping and irrigation regimes

The present study aims to determine the combined effect of cropping system and irrigation regime on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of lemon balm aerial parts. For this purpose, lemon balm plants were grown under two farming systems (conventional farming vs organic farming) and two irrigation levels (full irrigation vs deficit irrigation) and harvested twice throughout the growing period. The collected aerial parts were subjected to three different methods of extractions, namely infusion, maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction and the obtained extracts were evaluated in terms of chemical profile and bioactivities. Five organic acids with varied composition among the tested treatments were identified in all the tested samples for both harvests, namely, citric, malic, oxalic, shikimic and quinic acid. Regarding phenolic compounds composition, the most abundant ones were rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid A isomer I and hydroxylsalvianolic E, especially for the maceration and infusion extraction methods. Full irrigation resulted in lower EC₅₀ values than deficit irrigation only in the treatments of the second harvest, while variable cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects were recorded in both harvests. Finally, in most cases the lemon balm extracts has similar or better activity than the positive controls, while the antifungal activity of lemon balm extracts was stronger than the antibacterial effects. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that the implemented agronomic practices, as well as the extraction protocol may significantly affect the chemical profile and bioactivities of lemon balm extracts, suggesting that both the farming system and the irrigation schedule may improve the quality of the extracts depending on the implemented extraction protocol.

Obtention of fatty acids and phenolic compounds from Colombian cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shells using pyrolysis: towards a sustainable biodiesel production

Sustainable management of non-edible agricultural residues of cashew nut production is a concern in Colombia. Therefore, this study aimed to study the fatty acid content of a pyrolytic liquid obtained from cashew nut shells (CNSs) from the Vichada region in Colombia. Transesterification of pyrolytic liquid was conducted to obtain biodiesel at the micro-scale as the first approach for this valorization route. Proximal analysis of samples was carried out using advanced analytical techniques (UHPLC-MS and CG-MS) whereas phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined. The production yield of pyrolytic liquid was 69.15 ± 5.07% weight (wt.), at 550 °C and 2h of pyrolysis and the liquid was rich in fatty acids (∼70% wt.) and long-chain phenols (∼18% wt.). Among the phenolic compounds in liquid, mainly unsaturated C15:4 cardanol was identified (82.1 ± 5.5 mg/g), whereas the antioxidant activity of pyrolytic liquid was 0.714 ± 0.030 TE/g. Moreover, the biodiesel yield was 81% using catalyst sodium methoxide (12% v), and 50 °C and 26 min for the reaction. The obtained biodiesel in the hexane fraction was rich in methyl trans-8-octadecanoate (20.9 % wt.) and methyl palmitate (14.3 % wt.), being the representative compounds in the biodiesel. Therefore, the results indicated that thermal conversion of CNSs for obtaining biodiesel on a one-step process is a suitable strategy for the management of toxic and non-edible cashew residues. Finally, this is the first work of its kind that propose in detail the composition of pyrolytic liquid obtained from Colombian cashew nut residues under the proximate analysis approach and using advanced analytical techniques.

Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces

Introduction

Drought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient crops is an efficient means to mitigate stress conditions.

Materials and methods

This study aimed at evaluating the response of four squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) landraces to drought stress at germination and at plant stage. Drought stress was induced by different concentrations of D-mannitol (-0.24, -0.47 and -0.73 MPa). The tested parameters at germination stage included germination percentage, seedling vigor index, seed water absorbance and seedling growth potential. At the plant stage, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids content, chlorophyll fluorescence, evapotranspiration, photosynthesis activity and several biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde, proline, total phenols content, total flavonoids content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were evaluated in both roots and leaves.

Results and discussion

Our results indicate a magnitude of drought stress effects reflected via repression of germination and seedling growth as well as adjustments in physiological functions at later growth stages, in a genotype depended manner. Among landraces, "751" and "746" showed better performance, as evidenced by higher seed germination and seedling growth potential even at high stress levels (-0.47 and - 0.73 MPa), whereas "747" was the most sensitive landrace to drought stress at both tested stages. In conclusion, our findings highlight the importance of squash landraces selection for the identification of elite genotypes with increased tolerance to drought stress.

The Biostimulant, Potassium Humate Ameliorates Abiotic Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana by Increasing Starch Availability

Potassium humate is a widely used biostimulant known for its ability to enhance growth and improve tolerance to abiotic stress. However, the molecular mechanisms explaining its effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of potassium humate using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We demonstrated that a formulation of potassium humate effectively increased the fresh weight accumulation of Arabidopsis plants under normal conditions, salt stress (sodium or lithium chloride), and particularly under osmotic stress (mannitol). Interestingly, plants treated with potassium humate exhibited a reduced antioxidant response and lower proline accumulation, while maintaining photosynthetic activity under stress conditions. The observed sodium and osmotic tolerance induced by humate was not accompanied by increased potassium accumulation. Additionally, metabolomic analysis revealed that potassium humate increased maltose levels under control conditions but decreased levels of fructose. However, under stress, both maltose and glucose levels decreased, suggesting changes in starch utilization and an increase in glycolysis. Starch concentration measurements in leaves showed that plants treated with potassium humate accumulated less starch under control conditions, while under stress, they accumulated starch to levels similar to or higher than control plants. Taken together, our findings suggest that the molecular mechanism underlying the abiotic stress tolerance conferred by potassium humate involves its ability to alter starch content under normal growth conditions and under salt or osmotic stress.

Manilkara zapota L. extract topical ointment application to skin wounds in rats speeds up the healing process

Poor circulation, unresolved inflammation, neuropathy, and infection make wound care difficult. Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) antibacterial and antioxidant properties may help speed up the healing process. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the wound healing activity of M. zapota bark ethanolic extract (MZE) by employing in-vitro migration scratch assay and in-vivo animal models. Wistar albino rats were used for the in-vivo wound healing models. No treatment was given to Group I; Group II received povidone-iodine (5% W/W); Group III received MZE (5% W/W); and Group IV received MZE (10% W/W). Linear incision models and excision wound models were used to induce injury. The ointments were applied immediately to the wounds after causing the injury. The percentage of wound contraction, the length of the epithelization period, and the wound's tensile strength were all calculated. The scratch assay assessed the test drug's potential for wound healing in-vitro. H₂O₂ and DPPH scavenging assays were used to measure antioxidant activity. A p < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance. On days 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20, the wound contraction potential of animals treated with MZE ointment was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of the control group. On day 20, the proportion of wound contraction in MZE-treated animals was 99.88%, compared to 83.86% in untreated animals. The test group had a significantly (p < 0.01) faster time to full epithelization than the control group. In the incision model, the control group had considerably lower mechanical strength (p < 0.001) than animals treated with MZE. In addition, MZE caused a significant increase (p < 0.001) in total protein and hydroxyproline levels. In the scratch experiment, test drug-treated cells showed a higher rate of cell migration than untreated cells. Furthermore, animals treated with MZE showed increased levels of epithelial tissue, collagen proliferation, and keratinization. To summarize, the current study found that M. zapota improved wound healing activity both in vitro and in vivo, as evidenced by the study results. M. zapota extract has significant wound-healing potential and could be a viable source of wound-healing nutraceuticals.

Integrating Microbiome Analysis, Metabolomics, Bioinformatics, and Histopathology to Elucidate the Protective Effects of Pomegranate Juice against Benzo-alpha-pyrene-Induced Colon Pathologies

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), are common dietary pollutants with potential carcinogenic activity, while polyphenols are potential chemopreventive antioxidants. Although several health benefits are attributed to polyphenol-rich pomegranate, little is known about its interaction with BaP. This study integrates histochemical, microbiomic, and metabolomic approaches to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate juice from BaP-induced pathologies. To this end, 48 Sprague-Dawley rats received, for four weeks, either pomegranate, BaP, both, or neither (n = 12 rats per group). Whereas histochemical examination of the colon indicated tissue damage marked by mucin depletion in BaP-fed animals, which was partially restored by administration of pomegranate juice, the fecal microbiome and metabolome retained their resilience, except for key changes related to pomegranate and BaP biotransformation. Meanwhile, dramatic microbiome restructuring and metabolome shift were observed as a consequence of the elapsed time (age factor). Additionally, the analysis allowed a thorough examination of fecal microbiome-metabolome associations, which delineated six microbiome clusters (marked by a differential abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Prevotellaceae, Rumincococcaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae) and two major metabolome clusters (a sugar- and amino-acids-dominated metabotype vs. a cluster of fatty acids and hydrocarbons), with sugar alcohols maintaining a unique signature. In conclusion, using paired comparisons to minimize inter-individual animal variations allowed the dissection of temporal vs. treatment-derived variations. Microbiome-metabolome association clusters may be further exploited for metabotype prediction and gut-health biomarker discovery.

Two-stage cultivation strategies for optimal production of Ganoderma pellets with potential application in the vegan food industry

The vegan food industry is gaining popularity nowadays. Ganoderma sp. is mainly used in the health and food industries as a medicinal, edible mushroom with high nutritional potential. Through two-stage cultivation methods, the study optimized the production of mycelial pellets for vegetarian food. When soybean powder was used as an alternative to egg yolk powder to meet vegetarian requirements, the number of pellets increased from 1100 to 1800 particles/dL, however, the pellet diameter reduced up to 22% (3.2-2.6 mm). The culture was expanded to the second stage using the Taguchi method coupled with Plackett-Burman Design and quantification by ImageJ software for enlarging pellets size. The optimal conditions were 10 mL of the first-stage broth inoculum, yeast powder (0.5 g/dL), glucose (0.5 g/dL), and MgSO4 (0.2 g/dL) at 100 rpm in the dark for 7 days. In 500 mL pilot scale production, the biomass yield was 0.31 g/dL and 3400 mycelium pellets/dL with a 5.2 mm diameter with appearance characteristics suitable for direct development as food. The study may help to develop a novel pellet food of filamentous fungi for the vegetarian market.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05719-x.

Utilization of Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) as an Innovative Ingredient in Bread Making

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG; Thinopyrum intermedium), a nutritionally dense and sustainable crop, is a promising novel ingredient in bakery applications. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential of IWG as a novel ingredient in breadmaking. The second aim was to investigate the characteristics of breads substituted with 15, 30, 45, and 60% IWG flour compared to control bread produced using wheat flour. The gluten content and quality, bread quality, bread staling, yellow pigment, and phenolic and antioxidant properties were determined. Enrichment with IWG flours significantly affected the gluten content and quality and bread characteristics. Increased levels of IWG flour substitution significantly decreased the Zeleny sedimentation and gluten index values and increased the dry and wet gluten contents. The bread yellow pigment content and crumb b* colour value increased with the increasing level of IWG supplementation. IWG addition also had a positive effect on the phenolic and antioxidant properties. Bread with 15% IWG substitution had the highest bread volume (485 mL) and lowest firmness values (654 g-force; g-f) compared to the other breads, including the control (i.e., wheat flour bread). The results indicated that IWG has great potential to be used in bread production as a novel, healthy, and sustainable ingredient.

Origanum majorana L. protects against neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive impairment: a phyto-pharmacological study

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are critical players in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is responsible for most cases of dementia in the elderly. With the lack of curative treatments, natural phenolics are potential candidates to delay the onset and progression of such age-related disorders due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aims at assessing the phytochemical characteristics of Origanum majorana L. (OM) hydroalcohol extract and its neuroprotective activities in a murine neuroinflammatory model.

METHODS

OM phytochemical analysis was done by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSⁿ. Oxidative stress was induced in vitro by hydrogen peroxide and cell viability was measured using WST-1 assay. Swiss albino mice were injected intraperitoneally with OM extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 12 days and with 250 μg/kg LPS daily starting from day 6 to induce neuroinflammation. Cognitive functions were assessed by novel object recognition and Y-maze behavioral tests. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the degree of neurodegeneration in the brain. Reactive astrogliosis and inflammation were assessed by immunohistochemistry using GFAP and COX-2 antibodies, respectively.

RESULTS

OM is rich in phenolics, with rosmarinic acid and its derivatives being major constituents. OM extract and rosmarinic acid significantly protected microglial cells against oxidative stress-induced cell death (p < 0.001). OM protected against the LPS-induced alteration of recognition and spatial memory in mice (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.05), respectively. Mice that received OM extract prior to the induction of neuroinflammation showed comparable histology to control brains, with no overt neurodegeneration. Furthermore, OM pre-treatment decreased the immunohistochemistry profiler score of GFAP from positive to low positive and COX-2 from low positive to negative in the brain tissue, compared to the LPS group.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential preventive effects of OM phenolics against neuroinflammation and pave the way toward drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative disorders.

Spectrochemical analysis of seasonal and sexual variation of antioxidants in Corema album (L.) D. Don leaf extracts

Bioactive phytoconstituents have been increasingly investigated for their potential human health benefits. Corema album (L.) D. Don, an Ericaceae, reportedly has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Aiming at enhancing its nutraceutical potential, we performed a spectrochemical analysis of hydroethanolic extracts from C. album leaves. We report on changes in the antioxidant activity of the extracts, as well as in the accumulation of key phytoconstituents (namely phenolic compounds), in female and male samples, throughout three harvesting seasons (February, July, and October). For each extract, the antioxidant activity was assessed by different spectrophotometric methods. Simultaneously, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and high-performance liquid chromatography - electrospray ionisation - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS), were used to identify and monitor variations in the composition of phenolic compounds in the extracts. The main compounds identified were epicatechin, laricitrin-O-hexoside isomers, and myricetin-O-hexoside isomers. Significant differences were found in the composition and relative abundance of the compounds of interest, according to sex and season. Overall, a trend was observed whereby phenolic content and antioxidant activities were higher in males and increased between the earlier and the latest harvests. Based on these results, we may conclude that late summer or early autumn harvests are preferable when aiming at the highest yearly content of bioactive compounds. Additionally, it should be considered that extracts from male individuals typically display higher antioxidant activities. Ultimately, our understanding of C. album in the context of nutraceutical applications is benefited from the quantitative and qualitative portrait provided here, thus promoting its relevance as a source of bioactive compounds.

The Effect of Ethanol Extract from Mesua ferrea Linn Flower on Alzheimer's Disease and Its Underlying Mechanism

The effects of Mesua ferrea Linn flower (MFE) extract on the pathogenic cascade of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were determined by an in vitro and cell culture model in the search for a potential candidate for the treatment of AD. The 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay exhibited that the MFE extract had antioxidant activities. According to the Ellman and the thioflavin T method's result, the extracts could inhibit acetylcholinesterase and β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation. Studies on neuroprotection in cell culture found that the MFE extract could reduce the death of human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) caused by H₂O₂ and Aβ. Western blot analysis exhibited that the MFE extract alleviated H₂O₂-induced neuronal cell damage by downregulating the pro-apoptotic proteins, including cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and by enhancing the expression of anti-apoptotic markers including MCl₁, BCl_xl, and survivin. Moreover, MFE extract inhibited the expression of APP, presenilin 1, and BACE, and increased the expression of neprilysin. In addition, the MFE extract could enhance scopolamine-induced memory deficit in mice. Overall, results showed that the MFE extract had several modes of action related to the AD pathogenesis cascade, including antioxidants, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-Aβ aggregation, and neuroprotection against oxidative stress and Aβ. Therefore, the M. ferrea L. flower might be a possibility for further development as a medication for AD.

Preliminary investigation on the effect of insect-based chitosan on preservation of coated fresh cherry tomatoes

Chitosan was produced from Hermetia illucens pupal exuviae by heterogeneous and homogeneous deacetylation. Tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum), that are one of the most grown and consumed food throughout the world, were coated with 0.5 and 1% chitosan, applied by dipping or spraying, and stored at room temperature or 4 °C, for a storage period of 30 days. Statistical analysis give different results depending on the analysed parameters: heterogeneous chitosan, indeed, had a better effect than the homogenous one in maintaining more stable physico-chemical parameters, while the homogenous chitosan improved the total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Chitosan coatings applied by spraying were more effective in all the analyses. Chitosan derived from H. illucens always performed similarly to the commercial chitosan. However, a general better performance of insect-derived chitosan on the concentration of phenolics and flavonoids, and the antioxidant activity was observed as compared to the commercial one. Chitosan coating has already been successfully used for preservation of fresh fruits, as alternative to synthetic polymers, but this is the first investigation of chitosan produced from an insect for this application. These preliminary results are encouraging regarding the validation of the insect H. illucens as a source of chitosan.

Physicochemical, Phytochemical Evaluation and Pharmacological Investigation of Roystonea regia

Natural products are always been the great source of therapeutic agents. The aim of the study was to analyze the physicochemical properties of Roystonea regia plant which were performed on its powder. All the results were in their official limits. Extraction was done with n-hexane, chloroform and ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus and phytochemicals of different extracts of plant were evaluated with freshly prepared reagents. Anti-oxidant activity of plant by Total Phenolic Content (TPC) method revealed that all extracts specially ethanol extract has anti-oxidant potential of 398.6 mg/g of GAE. In anti-pyretic activity Swiss albino rats containing weight 150 to 200 mg were used and results showed the dose dependent effects of all extracts from 1st hour to 5th hour after the administration of yeast. Results were analyzed by using ANOVA along with Dunnett’s test.

Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Scrophularia striata Boiss. on Murine Model of Experimental Colitis

Background

Scrophularia striata Boiss. (S. striata) is a flowering plant with several therapeutic properties including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activity. Regarding the side effects of drugs conventionally used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment, we investigated the anticolitis properties of aqueous (SSAE) and hydroalcoholic (SSHE) extracts of S. striata on experimental colitis.

Materials and Methods

The colitis was induced using acetic acid (3%) and 2 h before ulcer induction, each group of rats received orally three doses (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) of SSAE or SSHE for the next 5 days. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and mesalazine (100 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as reference drugs. Different parameters including weight of colon/height, ulcer index, total colitis index, levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated.

Results

Total phenolic contents were 4.3 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.4 mg/g equivalent to gallic acid for SSAE and SSHE respectively. Three applied doses of SSHE and the highest dose of SSAE (600 mg/kg) could reduce all the macroscopic and pathologic indices of colitis and the levels of MPO and MDA. Two lesser doses of SSAE (150, 300 mg/kg) however, couldn't diminish the histopathologic features of colitis and the values of MPO and MDA.

Conclusions

S. striata, especially SSHE, which also contained more phenolic compounds, had an ameliorating effect on ulcerative colitis and possibly exerts this effect through its antioxidant, antiinflammatory and wound healing properties. Further investigations are required to introduce this plant as a novel alternative herbal drug for colitis treatment.

Rhopilema esculentum polysaccharides enhance epithelial cell barrier in vitro and alleviate chronic colitis in mice

The purposes of this study were to characterize polysaccharides from Rhopilema esculentum and to explore their impacts on gut barrier function and inflammation in vitro and in mice with chronic colitis triggered by long-term administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Two polysaccharides were isolated and purified from Rhopilema esculentum, named REP-1 and REP-2. REP-1 with a molecular weight of 8.21 kDa was composed of mannose, glucosamine, galactosamine, glucose, galactose, and arabinose with a molar ratio of 0.04:0.03:0.38:1:1.36:0.06, and REP-2 with a molecular weight of 10.11 kDa mainly consisted of mannose, glucuronic acid, galactosamine, glucose, galactose, and arabinose with a molar ratio of 0.04:0.12:0.41:1:1.2:0.06. Compared to REP-1, REP-2 displayed better ability to up-regulate the expression of genes related to tight junctions and mucus in LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells and better immunomodulatory activities in RAW264.7 macrophages. Then mice experiments showed that REP-2 efficiently attenuated the symptoms of colitis, decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restored intestinal barrier function in mice with chronic colitis. These results demonstrate that REP-2 might be a promising agent for protecting intestinal and mucus barrier and mitigating inflammation-associated intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

Studies on the Effect of Oxidation on Bioactivity of Phenolics and Wine Lees Extracts

It is expected that any processing and handling of lees (e.g., drying, storage or removal of residual alcohol using various concentration techniques) will expose the material to oxidation and the consequences of oxidation on the biological activity of the lees and the lees extracts are unknown. The effects of oxidation (using horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide model system) on phenolic composition and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated in (i) a flavonoid model system composed of catechin and grape seed tannin (Cat:GST) extracts at various ratios and (ii) in Pinot noir (PN) and Riesling (RL) wine lees samples. For the flavonoid model, oxidation had a minor or no impact on total phenol content but increased (p < 0.05) total tannin content from approximately 145 to 1200 µg epicatechin equivalent/mL. An opposite observation was found in the PN lees samples where oxidation reduced (p < 0.05) the total phenol content (TPC) by approximately 10 mg GAE/g dry matter (DM) lees. The mean degree of the polymerization (mDP) values of the oxidized flavonoid model samples ranged from 15 to 30. The Cat:GST ratio and interaction of the Cat:GST ratio with oxidation were found significantly to affect the mDP values of the flavonoid model samples (p < 0.05). Oxidation increased the mDP values in all oxidized flavonoid model samples except for Cat:GST 0:100. The mDP values of the PN lees samples ranged from 7 to 11 and remained the same after oxidation. There was no significant reduction in the antioxidant activities (DPPH and ORAC) of the model and wine lees after oxidation except the PN1 lees sample (decreased from 3.5 to 2.8 mg Trolox equivalent/g DM extracts). In addition, no correlation was observed between mDP (approximately 10 to 30) and DPPH (0.09) and ORAC assay (-0.22), which indicates that the higher mDP resulted in a poor ability to scavenge DPPH· and AAPH· free radicals. Antimicrobial activities of the flavonoid model were found to be improved after the oxidation treatment against S. aureus and E. coli with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1.56 and 0.39 mg/mL. This may indicate that new compounds were formed during the oxidation treatment, and these compounds showed more effective microbicidal activity. LC-MS work is required in the future to identify the compounds that are newly formed during the oxidation of the lees.

Evaluation of Drought Responses in Two Tropaeolum Species Used in Landscaping through Morphological and Biochemical Markers

One of the most important challenges horticultural crops confront is drought, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean basin, where water supplies are usually limited and will become even scarcer due to global warming. Therefore, the selection and diversification of stress-tolerant cultivars are becoming priorities of contemporary ornamental horticulture. This study explored the impact of water stress on two Tropaeolum species frequently used in landscaping. Young plants obtained by seed germination were exposed to moderate water stress (half the water used in the control treatments) and severe water stress (complete withholding of irrigation) for 30 days. Plant responses to these stress treatments were evaluated by determining several growth parameters and biochemical stress markers. The latter were analysed by spectrophotometric methods and, in some cases, by non-destructive measurements using an optical sensor. The statistical analysis of the results indicated that although the stress responses were similar in these two closely related species, T. minus performed better under control and intermediate water stress conditions but was more susceptible to severe water stress. On the other hand, T. majus had a stronger potential for adaptation to soil water scarcity, which may be associated with its reported expansion and naturalisation in different regions of the world. The variations in proline and malondialdehyde concentrations were the most reliable biochemical indicators of water stress effects. The present study also showed a close relationship between the patterns of variation of flavonoid and chlorophyll contents obtained by sensor-based and spectrophotometric methods.

Effect of 100% Oxygen-Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Maintaining the Quality of Fresh-Cut Broccoli during Refrigerated Storage

The effect of 100% oxygen (O₂)-modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality improvement of fresh-cut broccoli stored at 4 °C for 15 days was investigated in this study. The results indicated that, compared to the control group conditions, 100% O₂ MAP treatment effectively maintained broccoli sensory evaluation scores, green color, and texture; reduced respiration and chlorophyll degradation; and reduced total bacterial count (TBC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and superoxide (O₂^-) contents. Furthermore, 100% O₂ MAP led to a smaller loss of nutrients and increased antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, the use of 100% O₂ MAP is an effective approach for maintaining high-quality fresh-cut broccoli during refrigerated storage at 4 °C.

Antimicrobial Activity of Sempervivum tectorum L. Extract on Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Otitis Externa of Dogs

The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity, total phenolic content, and proanthocyanidin concentration of ethanolic extracts from fresh leaves of Sempervivum tectorum L. The extracts were phytochemically analyzed and evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The broth microdilution method was used to assess antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria isolated from ear swabs taken from dogs with otitis externa. Many compounds were present in the ethanolic aqueous extracts, which exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. They showed strong antibacterial activity against standard clinical Gram-positive strains such as S. aureus and Gram-negative strains such as P. aeruginosa. In our study, the obtained quantity of total phenolic compounds in the ethanol:water extract of leaves was 126.17 mg GAE/g. The proanthocyanidin concentration in the tested Sempervivum tectorum L. extracts was 15.39 mg PAC/g material. The high contents of total phenolics and proanthocyanidin indicated that these compounds contribute to antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the tested S. tectorum L. extracts ranged from 1.47 to 63.75 µg/mL, starting with 1.47 µg/mL and 1.75 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC 25923 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strains, respectively. Likewise, S. tectorum L. ethanol extract demonstrated a bacteriostatic effect against S. aureus clinical isolate with a median MIC of 23.25 µg/mL and MBC of 37.23 µg/mL; and bactericidal against S. aureus ATCC 25923 with the median MIC of 20.33 µg/mL and MBC of 37.29 µg/mL. In the Gram-negative P. aeruginosa clinical and standard strains, the expressed MIC and MBC values were 24.234 and 20.53 µg/mL for MIC, and 37.30 and 37.02 µg/mL for MBC, respectively.

Quercetin- and caffeic acid-functionalized chitosan-capped colloidal silver nanoparticles: one-pot synthesis, characterization, and anticancer and antibacterial activities

The presented study comprises the one-pot synthesis and the characterization of quercetin- and caffeic acid-functionalized chitosan-capped colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs), and their antibacterial and anticancer activities. The formation of Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs has been confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption band has been found at 417 and 424 nm for Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs, respectively. The formation of a chitosan shell comprising quercetin and caffeic acid, which surround the colloidal core Ag NPs, was confirmed by UV-vis, and FTIR analyses, and monitored by TEM microscopy. The size of nanoparticles has been determined as 11.2 and 10.3 nm for Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag, respectively. The anticancer activity of Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs has been evaluated against U-118 MG (human glioblastoma) and ARPE-19 (human retinal pigment epithelium) cells. Both NPs showed anticancer activity, but Ch/Q-Ag NPs seemed to be more effective on cancer cell lines (U-118 MG) in comparison to healthy ones (ARPE-19). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs against Gram-negative (P. aeruginosa and E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) bacteria was determined, and dose-dependent antibacterial effects were found.

Comparison of antioxidant activity in various spirulina containing products and factors affecting it

Spirulina is a popular food supplement known for its high antioxidant activity. Several studies have shown that antioxidant activity fluctuates depending on the combination of ingredients in the food. Fresh spirulina is a growing market trend; however, pure spirulina short shelf life is a strong limitation. This study aims to investigate antioxidant activity of various novel commercial fresh spirulina-containing products and the factors affecting it. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of each ingredient and binary combinations of spirulina and apple juices, Japanese quince syrup, or cranberry syrup were measured. Synergic, antagonistic, and additive interactions between samples were determined and expressed using the synergy coefficient. FRAP assay showed apparent synergism of spirulina and all the studied ingredients whereas ABTS and Folin-Ciocalteu methods revealed an antagonistic interaction between spirulina and apple juice. Despite the antagonistic interactions, all the products demonstrated at least the same antioxidant activity as pure fresh spirulina and had longer shelf life than, pointing to their commercial potential.