Antioxidant Activity of Different Solvent Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaves under Accelerated Storage of Sunflower Oil

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and insecticidal activity of Moringa oleifera extracts against Tribolium castaneum: a sustainable approach to pest management

Moringa oleifera's rich phytochemical profile positions it as a promising natural alternative for sustainable pest management. This study characterizes the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of M. oleifera extracts and, for the first time, evaluates their insecticidal potential against Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle). Extracts from leaves, stems, roots, and seeds were prepared using ethanol, methanol, acetone, and distilled water. Phytochemical analysis identified high levels of total phenolics (7.18 µg GAE/mg DW, ethanol leaf extract), flavonoids (23.52 µg QE/mg DW, ethanol leaf extract), tannins (245.4 mg CE/g DW, acetone seed extract), saponins (13.7%, methanol leaf extract), and alkaloids (30.06 mg atropine/100 mL, water stem extract). HPLC quantification revealed abundant bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids), flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol), flavanols (catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin dimers), and iridoids (oleuroside), with gallic acid, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, and kaempferol as dominant constituents. Antioxidant assays demonstrated significant activity, with methanol root extract showing 71% DPPH inhibition and methanol stem extract exhibiting the highest total antioxidant capacity (36.12 mg GAE/g DW). Insecticidal bioassays revealed ethanol root extracts induced 90% mortality in T. castaneum within 24 h at 30% concentration, outperforming other extracts. These findings underscore M. oleifera's dual functionality as a potent bioinsecticide and antioxidant, advocating for its integration into sustainable pest management. Further research should optimize extraction protocols and field-scale formulations to enhance practical applications.

Fatty acid composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of Niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica) accessions collected from major producer areas of Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Oils from various sources are vital nutritional components with a variety of roles in our body. Niger seed (Guzoita abyssinica) is endemic to Ethiopia and is among the major oil seed crops grown in the country. The fatty acid composition and the concentration of other bioactive phytochemicals in it vary with species type, geographical origin, cultivation season, and varietal types. The present work investigated the fatty acid profile and the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of Niger seed samples obtained from five different zones in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. using internationally accepted standard methods.

RESULTS

In all the samples, its main unsaturated acids were linoleic acid, ranging between 67.30 and 74.67% with respect to the relative percentage comprising 179 to 234 mg/g in terms of concentration; oleic acid constitutes between 5.43 and 11.02% of the total fatty acid or 1.03 and 1.60 mg/g of dry matter. Among saturated acids, it was the most abundant palmitic acid, ranging between 10.32 and 10.66% of the entire fatty acids comprising 24.80 to 37.10 mg/g. Amongst the zones, the seed from Amhara region, specifically from North Gondar has been the richest regarding a total of 347.74 mg/g. In addition, the total phenolic content ranged between 10.89 and 11.78 mg GAE/g, whereas the content of total flavonoids ranged from 5.42 to 6.67 mg CE/g. Aqueous methanol (80%) extracted more phenolic content than absolute methanol. On a regional basis, the Amhara region, represented by the North Gondar and East Gojjam zones of the study area, had relatively higher TPC and TFC than other regions. The DPPH scavenging assay IC50 value (μg/mL) ranged between 133-188 μg/mL and poorly correlated with TPC.

CONCLUSION

Among the different fatty acids obtained, four of them, linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, are the major ones, followed by a significant amount of phenolic compounds irrespective of the variety of the studied samples and sampling of locations. The study also confirmed that TPC and TFC are not the only phytochemicals responsible for the antioxidant activity of the niger sees, as was reflected by the poor correlation between TPC and AA activity. Hence these findings indicate that the seeds of Niger could be an important source of essential fatty acids and medicinally important phytochemicals important for nutritional health improvement and agricultural development in Ethiopia.

Storage Stability and Consumer Acceptability of Dried Apple: Impact of Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate and Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Powder

The effects of a dipping solution containing 2.0% citric acid (CA) and 0.1% Moringa oleifera leaf extract powder (MOLEP) (CMO) and another dipping solution with CA at 2.0%, MOLEP at 0.1% and potassium sorbate (PS) at 0.2% (CMOP) on the storage stability over 3 months and consumer acceptability of dried apple slices were evaluated. Microbiological testing (osmophilic yeast, Escherichia coli and yeast and moulds) and total acidity testing were performed and physical tests, namely moisture analysis, water activity (Aw), texture analysis and colour were performed at day 0, day 60 and day 120. Moisture increased over the shelf-life period, which affected the extensibility of the pre-treated dried sliced apples negatively. The CMO pre-treatment was effective in reducing browning and inhibiting microbial growth on the dried apple slices over the storage period. A consumer acceptability test was performed using the nine-point hedonic scale. The dried sliced apples pre-treated with the 2% CA and 0.1% MOLEP powder water solution were acceptable to consumers with regards to colour, texture and taste.

Effects of Some Weak Acids and Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Powder on the Colour of Dried Apple

This study aimed to find alternatives to sulphite as a preservative for dried fruits. Granny Smith apples were sanitised in a 200 ppm sodium chlorite solution, de-cored, peeled, and cut into slices. The sliced apples were pre-treated/dipped in a water solution containing the three weak acids, namely, ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), and potassium sorbate (PS) as well as Moringa oleifera leaf extract powder (MOLEP). A screening fractional factorial experiment consisting of five independent variables (AA, CA and PS, time and temperature and MOLEP) constrained at their upper and lower levels (AA: 0.5 to 2.0%, CA: 0.3 to 2.0%, MOLEP: 0.1 to 0.2%, time: 7 to 15 h and temperature: 57 to 70 °C) were evaluated for their effect on the colour of the dried sliced apples. An increase in the concentration of the CA significantly increased the lightness (p = 0.05) and decreased the redness (p = 0.0022) of the dried apple slices. AA and PS did not impact the lightness of the dried sliced apples. A dipping solution of citric acid at 2.0%, Moringa oleifera leaf extract powder at 0.1%, and drying time of 7 h at 70 °C effectively minimized the discolouration of the dried sliced apples.

Improvement of the sunflower oil stability by blending with moringa or sesame oils

Vegetable oils can be adjusted by different methods to enhance their commercial applications and to increase their pure quality nutrition. One of the most leisurely ways of creating new innovative products with desirable textured and oxidative properties is the mixing of vegetable fats/oils of various properties. Pure sunflower (SFO) blended with pure moringa (MOO) and sesame (SEO) oils in the ratio of 95:5 and 90:10 w/w. The outcomes showed that the highest acid value was observed at SFO + SEO 10% (0.782). Sunflower oil stabilized when blended with MOO and the levels of conjugated dienes (CD) and trienes (CT) were depressed compared to control. The TPC value was higher when the sunflower blended with moringa oil. The highest scavenging activity percentage was observed in SFO + MOO 5% and SFO + SEO 10% respectively. Meanwhile, the highest induction period at 100 °C was 11.45 hours in the treatment of SFO + MOO 5%. The master fatty acids in the sunflower and moringa oils are combined (SFO:MOO, 90:10), oleic, and palmitic acids. It seems from the current findings that suitable mixing of high linoleic oils with MOO will result in oil mixtures that can satisfy nutritional wants with expanded balance for home cooking and deep-frying.

Application of structured triacylglycerols in food products for value addition

The present study aims to evaluate the suitability of structured triacylglycerol (ST) consisting of medium chain triacylglycerol (MCT) as low calorie and instant energy source in combination with essential fatty acids for formulations in different food products to add value to existing products. The study investigates the effect of presence of ST on the physicochemical and sensory properties of various food products such as mayonnaise enriched with ST synthesized from medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) and rice bran oil, cookies enriched with ST synthesized from MCFA and oleic acid rich moringa oil, energy bar with ST synthesized from MCFA and omega 3 enriched fish oil, as well as yogurt drink with ST synthesized from MCFA and omega 6 enriched flaxseed oil. The obtained results established the suitability of incorporation of ST in food products and comparison with standard market products revealed the validity of the products to sustain the demand with value addition. The oxidative stability studies of all the products in the presence of natural antioxidants from moringa leaves and pomegranate peel using the peroxide value test and rancimat analysis demonstrated similar stability to the standard marketed product. Application of plant wastes and residues in the form of leaves or peels as the likely sources for isolating bioactive compounds demonstrates potential of the sustainable approach also giving benefit of increasing the stability of the product. The study also points towards possible replacement option for synthetic carcinogenic antioxidants with natural antioxidants obtained from moringa leaves and pomegranate peel. The present work clearly demonstrates the effective use of structured triacylglycerols synthesized using green methodologies for creating unique health enriched food products with all worthy and green components.

Determination of nutritional composition in citrus fruits (C. aurantium) during maturity

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to determine and compare nutritional composition of different parts of citrus fruits, namely, Citrus aurantium (peel: albedo, flavedo and pulp: juice, pomace) . This study was conducted through three stages of fruit maturity (green, yellow and orange). Total polyphenols, flavonoids, β-carotene, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, acidity, total soluble solid and the minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn, Na, K, Fe, Mn Cu) were evaluated. Moreover, the relationship between the total polyphenol, flavonoids and the antioxidant activity was determined.

Design/methodology/approach

Total polyphenols were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Flavonoids were assessed by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. K and Na contents were determined by using a flame photometer. Other nutritional composition was determined by volumetric method.

Findings

The result showed that the concentrations of antioxidants, total polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, total chlorophyll, total acidity and antioxidant activity (DPPH%) decreased during the maturity of fruit while the value of pH and β-carotene increases. In addition, the concentrations of the most minerals decreased through the maturation of fruit except Na. Anova statistical analysis of all the studied chemical variables was shown significant differences between all the samples. The pH, total soluble solids, β-caroteniod: orange juice had the highest average while green juice had the lowest. Ascorbic acid, total acidity, total chlorophyll: green juice had the highest average while orange juice has the lowest. Total phenol, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn: green flavedo had the highest average while orange juice had the lowest. Flavonoid, antioxidant activity (DPPH%), Ca, Zn: green albedo had the highest average while orange juice had the lowest. Na: orange flavedo had the highest average while green juice had the lowest. The correlations between total polyphenol, flavonoid and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher (R = 0.935 and 0.960, respectively).

Originality/value

The stage of maturity affects nutritional composition in Citrus aurantium fruits (C. aurantium) peel and pulp, where some minerals of composition increased and others decreased, according to the results. This is the first study on comparing the nutritional composition of pulp: juice, pomace and peel: albedo, flavedo of Citrus aurantium L. during maturity in Syria, and it was also not found in previous works.

Assessment of the antioxidant activity of Bifurcaria bifurcata aqueous extract on canola oil. Effect of extract concentration on the oxidation stability and volatile compound generation during oil storage

In this research the antioxidant activity of water extracts of Bifurcaria bifurcata (BBE) at different dose against butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was evaluated in canola oil. Water extracts were firstly characterized in terms of total solid and polyphenolic compound contents, and their antioxidant activity together with that of BHT was evaluated using several in vitro tests (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and FRAP). Next, the progress of lipid oxidation was assessed in canola oil added with five BBE concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000ppm) and two BHT concentrations (50 and 200ppm) using an accelerated oxidation test. The progress in lipid oxidation was monitored by assessing some chemical indices (peroxide value, p-anisidine value, and conjugated dienes) during oil storage and some volatile compounds at the end of the storage period. BBE showed a significant antioxidant effect, being this ability concentration-dependent. The extent of lipid oxidation was inversely related to BBE dose, specially with regard to primary oxidation products. At the highest level of BBE, significant decreases of primary and secondary oxidation products, with respect to the control, were obtained with reduction percentages of 71.53%, 72.78%, 68.17% and 71.3% for peroxides, conjugated dienes, p-anisidine and TOTOX values, respectively. A level of 600ppm or higher concentration of the extract inhibits the lipid oxidation in a similar way than BHT at 200ppm. Regarding the inhibition of the formation of volatile compounds, both BBE and BHT strongly inhibited the formation of volatiles during oil storage, being this inhibition similar for all the concentrations of BBE and BHT essayed. Overall, results indicated that BBE can be used as a potential natural additive for improving oxidative stability of canola oil.

Bioinformatics Prediction and Experimental Validation of MicroRNAs Involved in Cross-Kingdom Interaction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs that act as efficient post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. In 2012, the first cross-kingdom miRNA-based interaction had been evidenced, demonstrating that exogenous miRNAs act in a manner of mammalian functional miRNAs. Starting from this evidence, we defined the concept of cross-kingdom functional homology between plant and mammalian miRNAs as a needful requirement for vegetal miRNA to explicit a regulation mechanism into the host mammalian cell, comparable to the endogenous one. Then, we proposed a new dedicated algorithm to compare plant and mammalian miRNAs, searching for functional sequence homologies between them, and we developed a web software called MirCompare. We also predicted human genes regulated by the selected plant miRNAs, and we determined the role of exogenous miRNAs in the perturbation of intracellular interaction networks. Finally, as already performed by Pirrò and coworkers, the ability of MirCompare to select plant miRNAs with functional homologies with mammalian ones has been experimentally confirmed by evaluating the ability of mol-miR168a to downregulate the protein expression of SIRT1, when its mimic is transfected into human hepatoma cell line G2 (HEPG2) cells. This tool is implemented into a user-friendly web interface, and the access is free to public through the website http://160.80.35.140/MirCompare.

MicroRNA from Moringa oleifera: Identification by High Throughput Sequencing and Their Potential Contribution to Plant Medicinal Value

Moringa oleifera is a widespread plant with substantial nutritional and medicinal value. We postulated that microRNAs (miRNAs), which are endogenous, noncoding small RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, might contribute to the medicinal properties of plants of this species after ingestion into human body, regulating human gene expression. However, the knowledge is scarce about miRNA in Moringa. Furthermore, in order to test the hypothesis on the pharmacological potential properties of miRNA, we conducted a high-throughput sequencing analysis using the Illumina platform. A total of 31,290,964 raw reads were produced from a library of small RNA isolated from M. oleifera seeds. We identified 94 conserved and two novel miRNAs that were validated by qRT-PCR assays. Results from qRT-PCR trials conducted on the expression of 20 Moringa miRNA showed that are conserved across multiple plant species as determined by their detection in tissue of other common crop plants. In silico analyses predicted target genes for the conserved miRNA that in turn allowed to relate the miRNAs to the regulation of physiological processes. Some of the predicted plant miRNAs have functional homology to their mammalian counterparts and regulated human genes when they were transfected into cell lines. To our knowledge, this is the first report of discovering M. oleifera miRNAs based on high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis and we provided new insight into a potential cross-species control of human gene expression. The widespread cultivation and consumption of M. oleifera, for nutritional and medicinal purposes, brings humans into close contact with products and extracts of this plant species. The potential for miRNA transfer should be evaluated as one possible mechanism of action to account for beneficial properties of this valuable species.

Classification of Sunflower Oil Blends Stabilized by Oleoresin Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Using Multivariate Kinetic Approach

The sunflower oil-oleoresin rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) blends (SORB) at 9 different concentrations (200 to 2000 mg/kg), sunflower oil-tertiary butyl hydroquinone (SOTBHQ ) at 200 mg/kg and control (without preservatives) (SO control ) were oxidized using Rancimat (temperature: 100 to 130 °C; airflow rate: 20 L/h). The oxidative stability of blends was expressed using induction period (IP), oil stability index and photochemiluminescence assay. The linear regression models were generated by plotting ln IP with temperature to estimate the shelf life at 20 °C (SL20 ; R(2) > 0.90). Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to classify the oil blends depending upon the oxidative stability and kinetic parameters. The Arrhenius equation adequately described the temperature-dependent kinetics (R(2) > 0.90, P < 0.05) and kinetic parameters viz. activation energies, activation enthalpies, and entropies were calculated in the range of 92.07 to 100.50 kJ/mol, 88.85 to 97.28 kJ/mol, -33.33 to -1.13 J/mol K, respectively. Using PCA, a satisfactory discrimination was noted among SORB, SOTBHQ , and SOcontrol samples. HCA classified the oil blends into 3 different clusters (I, II, and III) where SORB1200 and SORB1500 were grouped together in close proximity with SOTBHQ indicating the comparable oxidative stability. The SL20 was estimated to be 3790, 6974, and 4179 h for SO control, SOTBHQ, and SORB1500, respectively. The multivariate kinetic approach effectively screened SORB1500 as the best blend conferring the highest oxidative stability to sunflower oil. This approach can be adopted for quick and reliable estimation of the oxidative stability of oil samples.

Nutritional Content and Elemental and Phytochemical Analyses ofMoringa oleiferaGrown in Mexico

Moringa oleiferais a tree distributed in Mexican semiarid and coastal regions.M. oleiferais used in practice in the treatment of various diseases and is available without a medical prescription, often in the form of an herbal infusion for everyday use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritional values of driedM. oleiferaleaf powder collected from two different regions in Mexico. All samples ofM. oleiferaexhibited moisture levels varying from 3.06 to 3.34%, lipids from 10.21 to 10.31%, fiber from 7.29 to 9.46%, ashes from 10.71 to 11.18%, crude protein from 10.74 to 11.48%, and carbohydrates from 54.61 to 57.61%. The predominant mineral elements in the leaf powder according to ICP-MS were Ca (2016.5–2620.5 mg/100 g), K (1817–1845 mg/100 g), and Mg (322.5–340.6 mg/100 g). The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenolic acids (gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (rutin, luteolin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol). We concluded that LombardiaM. oleiferasamples could be employed in edible and commercial applications. Our results showed that the highest mean value of As from the San Pedro samples exceeds the recommended level and may constitute a health hazard to consumers.

Effect of added herb extracts on oxidative stability of ghee (butter oil) during accelerated oxidation condition

The antioxidant activities of vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) were evaluated and compared with BHA using β-carotene bleaching assay, DPPH assay and Rancimat method. Phenolic contents of ethanolic extracts of herbs were high compared to their aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts showed more antioxidant activity (β-carotene-linoleic acid model system) than their aqueous counterparts. In DPPH system also, ethanolic extracts were superior to that of aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts of the herbs were more effective in preventing the development of the peroxide value and conjugated diene in ghee compared to their aqueous extracts. Ethanolic extracts of herbs showed the higher induction period as compared to their aqueous counter parts in the Rancimat. Antioxidant activity of the herbs decreased in the order vidarikand > ashwagandha > shatavari. Thus, the ethanolic extract of vidarikand was having the maximum antioxidant activity among all the herbs.

Antibacterial activity and phytochemical study of six medicinal plants used in Benin

The ethanol extracts obtained from Psidium guajava, Flacourtia flavescens Boswellia dalzielii, Ficus exasperata, Pavetta corymbosa and Hybanthus enneaspermus, six species traditionally used in Benin to treat several infectious diseases, were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enteroccocus feacalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts was determinate using the microplate dilution method. The presence of major phytoconstituents was detected qualitatively. The diphenylpicrylhydrazine radical scavenging activity was also performed. The extracts exhibited antibacterial activities against the tested bacteria. Boswellia dalzielii, Psidium guayava, Pavetta corymbosa and Flacourtia flavescens exibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration values (0.313-2.5 mg mL(-1)). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the lest sensitive microorganism with MIC values higher than 10 mg mL(-1). In antioxidant assay the crude extracts of B. dalzielii and P. corymbosa appeared to be as potent as quercetol with an inhibition percentage of 83 and 75.3% at 10 microg mL(-1) which is comparable to 75.9% for quercetol at the same concentration.