Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of palm waste extract against Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are species of the Vibrio genus that often cause disease and mass mortality in crustaceans. If not handled quickly and appropriately, these diseases can cause considerable losses to farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to find a solution with safe and environmentally friendly disease prevention technology using natural ingredients, among others from plants, namely oil palm. Some parts of oil palm, namely leaves, fronds, fibres and oil palm pulp, which are palm waste, contain antibacterial compounds. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial activity of palm waste extracts, namely pulp, leaves, fronds and fibres using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol and water maceration solvents against pathogenic bacteria V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus, and identify active compounds contained in palm waste. The results of the research are expected to produce innovative and sustainable solutions to control diseases in shrimp farming, contribute to the development of a sustainable fishing industry and open up the potential for utilizing palm waste as a value-added resource in the field of aquatic health. The results of observations on antibacterial activity tests and identifying the content of palm waste extract compounds were analysed descriptively displayed in the form of figures, tables and graphs. The results showed that palm waste extracts (pulp, leaves, fronds and fibres) with ethyl acetate and ethanol maceration solvents had very strong antibacterial potential, namely 20.14 ± 0.31 mm-25.52 ± 1.42 mm on V. harveyi bacteria and 20.41 ± 0.55 mm-25.00 ± 0.51 mm on V. parahaemolyticus bacteria. Palm extracts with n-hexane (>20 mm) and chloroform solvents generally have strong category antibacterial potential (10-20 mm), and palm extracts in water solvents have medium category potential (5-10 mm) against V. harveyi and V. parahemolyticus bacteria. The results of phytochemical tests on palm waste extracts with ethyl acetate and ethanol maceration solvents contain bioactive compounds of flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and alkaloid tannins, steroids and triterpenoids. Palm extracts with n-hexane and chloroform solvents generally contain saponins, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenoids, while palm waste extracts with water solvents contain saponins.

Mannans: Structural carbohydrates produced during seed maturation in Euterpe edulis Martius, an Atlantic Forest species vulnerable to extinction

Palm seedlings are visually selected from mature fruits in a slow process that leads to nonuniform germination and high embryo mortality. In this study, we determined the levels of monosaccharides, their crystallinity, and their role in the formation of Euterpe edulis endosperm during seed maturation. Seeds harvested from 108 to 262 days after anthesis (DAA) were analyzed morphologically, physiologically, and chemically to measure soluble and insoluble lignins, ashes, structural carbohydrates, degree of crystallinity, and endo-β-mannanase. The seeds achieved maximum germination and vigor at 164 DAA. During the early stages, only compounds with a low structural order were formed. The contents of soluble and insoluble lignins, ashes, glucans, and galactans decreased during maturation. Those of mannans, the main structural carbohydrate in the endosperm, increased along with the degree of crystallinity, as suggested by a mannan-I-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Similarly, endo-β-mannanase activity peaked at 262 DAA. The superior physiological outcome of seeds and seedlings at 164 DAA implies a 98-day shorter harvesting time. The state of mannans during seed maturation could be used as a marker to improve seedling production by E. edulis.

Fumaric acid production from fermented oil palm empty fruit bunches using fungal isolate K20: a comparison between free and immobilized cells

This study investigated the potential of using steam-exploded oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a renewable feedstock for producing fumaric acid (FA), a food additive widely used for flavor and preservation, through a separate hydrolysis and fermentation process using the fungal isolate K20. The efficiency of FA production by free and immobilized cells was compared. The maximum FA concentration (3.25 g/L), with 0.034 g/L/h productivity, was observed after incubation with the free cells for 96 h. Furthermore, the production was scaled up in a 3-L air-lift fermenter using oil palm EFB-derived glucose as the substrate. The FA concentration, yield, and productivity from 100 g/L initial oil palm EFB-derived glucose were 44 g/L, 0.39 g/g, and 0.41 g/L/h, respectively. The potential for scaling up the fermentation process indicates favorable results, which could have significant implications for industrial applications.

Effect of fermented Cassava sievate and tiger nut shaft on growth performance, blood profile and immunological parameters in male rabbits

This study examined the effects of using mushroom mycelium to ferment tigernut and cassava pulp on the growth performance, haematology and immunology of rabbits. Seventy-five New Zealand Bulk grower rabbits were randomly distributed to four treatment groups and a control group in a completely randomized approach. The treatment groups were fed with formulated experimental diets containing one of fermented tigernut drink by-product (FT), fermented cassava sievate (FC), unfermented tigernut drink by-product (UT), or unfermented cassava sievate (UC). The control group was fed a basal diet with no additives. The proximate composition of the fermented feed was analyzed. The weight gain of the animals was, 834.5, 633, 790, 510, and 706 g for control, FT, FC, UT, and UC respectively. The packed cell volume (PCV) for animals in the control group, FT, and FC are 34.33, 37.26, and 32.29% respectively. The red blood cell (RBC) of the FT was favourably improved (5.53 × 1012/L) compared to those of UT (2.28 × 1012/L), while there was a reduction in the red blood cell count of FC group (1.02 × 1012/L). Conclusively, the inclusion of fermented tiger nut drink by-product in rabbit feed improved the PCV and RBC of the rabbits' understudy but did not affect their growth performance.

Physicochemical assessment of ammonium adsorption using a palm shell-based adsorbent activated with acetic acid: experimental and theoretical studies

The adsorption of ammonium from water was studied on an activated carbon obtained using raw oil palm shell and activated with acetic acid. The performance of this adsorbent was tested at different operating conditions including the solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial ammonium concentration. Kinetic and equilibrium studies were carried out, and their results were analyzed with different models. For the adsorption kinetics, the pseudo-first order equation was the best model to correlate this system. Calculated adsorption rate constants ranged from 0.071 to 0.074 g/mg min. The ammonium removal was 70-80% at pH 6-8, and it was significantly affected by electrostatic interaction forces. Ammonium removal (%) increased with the adsorbent dosage, and neutral pH condition favored the adsorption of this pollutant. The best ammonium adsorption conditions were identified with a response surface methodology model where the maximum removal was 91.49% with 2.27 g/L of adsorbent at pH 8.11 for an initial ammonium concentration of 36.90 mg/L. The application of a physical monolayer model developed by statistical physics theory indicated that the removal mechanism of ammonium was multi-ionic and involved physical interactions with adsorption energy of 29 kJ/mol. This activated carbon treated with acetic acid is promising to depollute aqueous solutions containing ammonium.

Exploring the functional profiles of odorant binding proteins crucial for sensing key odorants in the new leaves of coconut palms in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) is a highly destructive global pest of coconut trees, with a preference for laying its eggs on new leaves. Females can identify where to lay eggs by using their sense of smell to detect specific odorants found in new leaves. In this study, we focused on the two odorants commonly found in new leaves by GC-MS: trans, trans-2,4-nonadienal and trans-2-nonenal. Our behavioral assays demonstrated a significant attraction of females to both of these odorants, with their electrophysiological responses being dose-dependent. Furthermore, we examined the expression patterns induced by these odorants in eleven RferOBP genes. Among them, RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768 exhibited the most significant and simultaneous upregulation. To further understand the role of these two genes, we conducted experiments with females injected with OBP-dsRNA. This resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768, as well as impaired the perception of the two odorants. A fluorescence competitive binding assay also showed that both RferOBPs strongly bound to the odorants. Additionally, sequence analysis revealed that these two RferOBPs belong to the Minus-C family and possess four conserved cysteines. Molecular docking simulations showed strong interactions between these two RferOBPs and the odorant molecules. Overall, our findings highlight the crucial role of RferOBP3 and RferOBP1768 in the olfactory perception of the key odorants in coconut palm new leaves. This knowledge significantly improves our understanding of how RPW females locate sites for oviposition and lays the foundation for future research on the development of environmentally friendly pest attractants.

Potential use of Acrocomia aculeata Pulp Oil in the Modulation of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases, Especially in Diabetes: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

The fruit oil from Acrocomia aculeata (Macauba or Bocaiuva) is highly rich in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, emerging as a natural source of high potential for the modulation of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like diabetes. Its effects on chronic NCDs are poorly studied yet. This review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic results of pharmaceutical preparations containing Acrocomia aculeata pulp oil that are used for chronic NCDs.

METHOD

A search was performed using PICO acronyms in English, Portuguese, and Spanish languages in the MEDLINE®, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACs, and CENTRAL Cochrane Library databases. The degree of agreement for selection and eligibility was significant (Kappa= 0.992; 95% CI: 0.988-0.996). The difference between the intervention and control groups for blood glucose reduction was 63.5 ± 69.5 mg/dL (p<0.0001).

RESULT

Overall, an improvement percentage of 55.1 ± 0.1 was observed for the variables associated with chronic NCDs, which represented 89.96% of the relative risk reduction (efficacy).

CONCLUSION

The Acrocomia aculeate pulp oil exhibited promising results in experimental studies for glycemic control and reduction of a specific tumor, indicating a good potential to be explored for chronic NCDs treatment.

Complete chloroplast genomes of six neotropical palm species, structural comparison, and evolutionary dynamic patterns

The Arecaceae family has a worldwide distribution, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. We sequenced the chloroplast genomes of Acrocomia intumescens and A. totai, widely used in the food and energy industries; Bactris gasipaes, important for palm heart; Copernicia alba and C. prunifera, worldwide known for wax utilization; and Syagrus romanzoffiana, of great ornamental potential. Copernicia spp. showed the largest chloroplast genomes (C. prunifera: 157,323 bp and C. alba: 157,192 bp), while S. romanzoffiana and B. gasipaes var. gasipaes presented the smallest (155,078 bp and 155,604 bp). Structurally, great synteny was detected among palms. Conservation was also observed in the distribution of single sequence repeats (SSR). Copernicia spp. presented less dispersed repeats, without occurrence in the small single copy (SSC). All RNA editing sites were C (cytidine) to U (uridine) conversions. Overall, closely phylogenetically related species shared more sites. Almost all nodes of the phylogenetic analysis showed a posterior probability (PP) of 1.0, reaffirming the close relationship between Acrocomia species. These results elucidate the conservation among palm chloroplast genomes, but point to subtle structural changes, providing support for the evolutionary dynamics of the Arecaceae family.

The potential antioxidant activity of incorporating bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) extract into a nanoemulsion system with baru oil

The bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) peel corresponds to 15% of the whole fruit and is rich in antioxidants with potential application in product development. In nanotechnology, emulsified formulations such as nanoemulsions stand out for providing modified release and improving the bioavailability of conveyed substances. The aim of this work was to develop nanoemulsified systems from baru oil containing hydroalcoholic extract from the bacaba peel, evaluate their stability and antioxidant potential. After the HLB (Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) determination of the baru oil, thirty-two formulations were developed, varying the proportions of surfactants, aqueous phase, and baru oil. Of those 32, 16 formed emulsified systems, and the ones with a higher amount of oil (20%) were incorporated with the BPE. The systems were submitted to stability studies to verify their viability. After that, several tests were performed, such as rheological characteristics, hydrodynamic diameter of the droplets, polydispersion index, zeta potential, and antioxidant potential by DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging methods. After the studies, two samples remained stable and presented a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic profile with thixotropy, hydrodynamic diameter of less than 200 nm, monodispersity, and negative zeta potential. The BPE showed antioxidant potential, with superior activity when incorporated into the nanoemulsified system. A strong negative correlation was found between the two antioxidant methods, where both demonstrated the same profile of potential antioxidant activity for the extract and formulations. The studied formulation showed that the use of BPE is a viable alternative for the development of new products based on sustainable technologies.

Development and properties of biodegradable film from peach palm (Bactris gasipaes)

Formulations of biodegradable films using macrocarpa peach palm flour (low amylose starch), chitosan and glycerol, were developed and the effects of the drying temperature on films by assessing their physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, optical, structural, antioxidant properties, and the biodegradability in soil were evaluated. Chitosan enhanced the mechanical properties of the films, but they showed no antimicrobial activity against the tested food-borne pathogens, except for Listeria monocytogenes, for which the inhibition zone was from 0.1 to 0.6 cm. Films with higher concentrations of peach palm flour are opaquer, with better antioxidant characteristics and content of phenolic compounds compared to films made with lower concentrations of flour. The films presented a yellowish color because of the carotenoids found in peach palm flour, 29.63 μg 100 g-1, and exhibited a C-type X-ray pattern, characteristic peak of materials where amylose and amylopectin are present. After 15 days in soil, the films lost 30% of their initial weight. Therefore, these results suggest that the development of films as food preservative is a promising field and that the material used in the study are suitable for their formulation.

Resveratrol-Loaded Attalea funifera Oil Organogel Nanoparticles: A Potential Nanocarrier against A375 Human Melanoma Cells

This study aimed to evaluate Attalea funifera seed oil with or without resveratrol entrapped in organogel nanoparticles in vitro against A375 human melanoma tumor cells. Organogel nanoparticles with seed oil (SON) or with resveratrol entrapped in the seed oil (RSON) formed functional organogel nanoparticles that showed a particle size <100 nm, polydispersity index <0.3, negative zeta potential, and maintenance of electrical conductivity. The resveratrol entrapment efficiency in RSON was 99 ± 1%. The seed oil and SON showed no cytotoxicity against human non-tumor cells or tumor cells. Resveratrol at 50 μg/mL was cytotoxic for non-tumor cells, and was cytotoxic for tumor cells at 25 μg/mL. Resveratrol entrapped in RSON showed a decrease in cytotoxicity against non-tumor cells and cytotoxic against tumor cells at 50 μg/mL. Thus, SON is a potential new platform for the delivery of resveratrol with selective cytotoxic activity in the treatment of melanoma.

Modification of palm fiber with chitosan-AESO blend coating

Natural fibers are available as an essential substitute for synthetic fiber in many applications. However, the sensitivity of Chinese Windmill Palm or Trachycarpus Fortune Fiber (TFF) to water causes low interfacial bonding between the matrix and the fiber and at the end reduces the mechanical properties of the composite product. Alkaline treatment improves mechanical properties and does not affect water absorption. Hence, additional treatment in the coating is required. This study uses alkaline treatment and coating modification using blended chitosan and Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO). Blend coating between AESO and chitosan is performed to increase water absorption and mechanical properties. TFF water resistance improved significantly after the coating, with water absorption of the alkaline/blend coating-TFF of 3.98 % ± 0.52 and swell ability of 3.156 % ± 0.17. This indicated that blend coating had formed a cross-link of fiber and matrix after alkalization. Thus, the single fiber tensile strength increased due to the alkaline treatment, and water absorption decreased due to the coating. The combination of alkaline treatment and blend coating on TFF brings excellent properties, as shown by the increase in tensile strength in both single fiber test and composite.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review

The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a species belonging to the Arecaceae family, has been cultivated for thousands of years in tropical Central and South America as a multipurpose dietary plant. The recent introduction of açaí fruit and its nutritional and healing qualities to regions outside its origin has rapidly expanded global demand for açaí berry. The health-promoting and disease-preventing properties of this plant are attributed to numerous bioactive phenolic compounds present in the leaf, pulp, fruit, skin, and seeds. The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical evaluation of the health benefits of açaí and its phytochemicals with a special focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that açaí possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and exerts cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, renoprotective, antilipidemic, antidiabetic, and antineoplastic activities. Moreover, clinical trials have suggested that açaí can protect against metabolic stress induced by oxidation, inflammation, vascular abnormalities, and physical exertion. Due to its medicinal properties and the absence of undesirable effects, açaí shows a promising future in health promotion and disease prevention, in addition to a vast economic potential in the food and cosmetic industries.

Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds of Native Brazilian Fruits of the Arecaceae Family and Its Potential Applications for Health Promotion

The fruits from the Arecaceae family, although being rich in bioactive compounds with potential benefits to health, have been underexplored. Studies on their composition, bioactive compounds, and effects of their consumption on health are also scarce. This review presents the composition of macro- and micronutrients, and bioactive compounds of fruits of the Arecaceae family such as bacaba, patawa, juçara, açaí, buriti, buritirana, and butiá. The potential use and reported effects of its consumption on health are also presented. The knowledge of these underutilized fruits is important to encourage production, commercialization, processing, and consumption. It can also stimulate their full use and improve the economy and social condition of the population where these fruits are found. Furthermore, it may help in future research on the composition, health effects, and new product development. Arecaceae fruits presented in this review are currently used as raw materials for producing beverages, candies, jams, popsicles, ice creams, energy drinks, and edible oils. The reported studies show that they are rich in phenolic compounds, carotenoids, anthocyanins, tocopherols, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Moreover, the consumption of these compounds has been associated with anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiobesity, and cardioprotective effects. These fruits have potential to be used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Despite their potential, some of them, such as buritirana and butiá, have been little explored and limited research has been conducted on their composition, biological effects, and applications. Therefore, more detailed investigations on the composition and mechanism of action based on in vitro and/or in vivo studies are needed for fruits from the Arecaceae family.

Correlation Study between the Organic Compounds and Ripening Stages of Oil Palm Fruitlets Based on the Raman Spectra

The degree of maturity of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) at the time of harvest heavily affects oil production, which is expressed in the oil extraction rate (OER). Oil palm harvests must be harvested at their optimum maturity to maximize oil yield if a rapid, non-intrusive, and accurate method is available to determine their level of maturity. This study demonstrates the potential of implementing Raman spectroscopy for determining the maturity of oil palm fruitlets. A ripeness classification algorithm has been developed utilizing machine learning by classifying the components of organic compounds such as β-carotene, amino acid, etc. as parameters to distinguish the ripeness of fruits. In this study, 47 oil palm fruitlets spectra from three different ripeness levels-under ripe, ripe, and over ripe-were examined. To classify the oil palm fruitlets into three maturity categories, the extracted features were put to the test using 31 machine learning models. It was discovered that the Medium, Weighted KNN, and Trilayered Neural Network classifier has a maximum overall accuracy of 90.9% by using four significant features extracted from the peaks as the predictors. To conclude, the Raman spectroscopy method may offer a precise and efficient means to evaluate the maturity level of oil palm fruitlets.

Characterization of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) Pulp Oil and the Effect of Its Supplementation in an In Vivo Experimental Model

Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) pulp oil contains bioactive substances and lipids that are protective against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. We performed physical and chemical analyses to verify its quality and stability. Buriti oil was stable according to the Rancimat test, presenting an induction period of 6.6 h. We evaluated the effect of supplementation with crude buriti oil and olive oil on metabolic parameters in 108 Swiss mice for 90 days. We investigated six groups: extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), buriti oil (BO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), synergic (S) (BO1 + EVOO1), and control (water dose 1000 mg/kg). The animals were euthanized to examine their blood, livers, and fats. The supplementation did not interfere with food consumption, weight gain, and histological alterations in the liver. Group S showed the strongest relationship with the fractions HDL-c and non-HDL-c, indicating a possible cardioprotective effect. Moreover, we observed significantly higher IL-6 levels in the control, EVOO2, and BO1 groups than in the EVOO1 group. Resistin was also significantly higher for the synergic treatment than for the control. We conclude that BO combined with EVOO could be an excellent food supplement for human consumption.

Physicochemical and functional properties of Alcalase-extracted protein hydrolysate from oil palm leaves

BACKGROUND

The oil palm tree produces 90% of wastes and the limited usage of these wastes causes a major disposal problem in the mills. Nevertheless, these by-products have a large amount of nutritional components. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the physicochemical and functional properties of protein hydrolysates (PH) from oil palm leaves (OPL) extracted using different concentrations of Alcalase (0-10%) at 2 h of hydrolysis time.

RESULTS

Fourier transform infrared spectral analyses showed that the enzymatic hydrolysis altered functional groups of OPL where a secondary amine was present in the PH. Changes were also observed in the thermal stability where the enthalpy heat obtained for PH (933.93-1142.57 J g^-1 ) was much lower than OPL (7854.11 J g^-1 ). The results showed that the PH extracted by 8% Alcalase exhibited absolute zeta potential, as well as a high emulsifying activity index (70.64 m²  g^-1 of protein) and emulsion stability index (60.58 min). Furthermore, this PH showed higher solubility (96.32%) and emulsifying properties compared to other PHs. It is also comparable with commercial plant proteins, indicating that 8% Alcalase is an optimum concentration for hydrolysis.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the physicochemical and functional properties of PH extracted from OPL showed good functional properties, suggesting that it can be used as an alternative plant protein in food industries. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of Licorice Root and Palm Leaf Waste Incorporated into Poly(urethane-acrylate) (PUA)

A poly(urethane-acrylate) polymer (PUA) was synthesized, and a sufficiently high molecular weight starting from urethane-acrylate oligomer (UAO) was obtained. PUA was then loaded with two types of powdered ligno-cellulosic waste, namely from licorice root and palm leaf, in amounts of 1, 5 and 10%, and the obtained composites were chemically and mechanically characterized. FTIR analysis of final PUA synthesized used for the composite production confirmed the new bonds formed during the polymerization process. The degradation temperatures of the two types of waste used were in line with what observed in most common natural fibers with an onset at 270 °C for licorice waste, and at 290 °C for palm leaf one. The former was more abundant in cellulose (44% vs. 12% lignin), whilst the latter was richer in lignin (30% vs. 26% cellulose). In the composites, only a limited reduction of degradation temperature was observed for palm leaf waste addition and some dispersion issues are observed for licorice root, leading to fluctuating results. Tensile performance of the composites indicates some reduction with respect to the pure polymer in terms of tensile strength, though stabilizing between data with 5 and 10% filler. In contrast, Shore A hardness of both composites slightly increases with higher filler content, while in stiffness-driven applications licorice-based composites showed potential due to an increase up to 50% compared to neat PUA. In general terms, the fracture surfaces tend to become rougher with filler introduction, which indicates the need for optimizing interfacial adhesion.

Washingtonia filifera seed extracts inhibit the islet amyloid polypeptide fibrils formations and α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity

Washingtonia filifera seeds have revealed to possess antioxidant properties, butyrylcholinesterase and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities. The literature has indicated a relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type-2 diabetes (T2D). Keeping this in mind, we have now evaluated the inhibitory properties of W. filifera seed extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase enzyme activity and the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP) fibrils formation. Three extracts from seeds of W. filifera were evaluated for their enzyme inhibitory effect and IC50 values were calculated for all the extracts. The inhibition mode was investigated by Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis and the inhibition of IAPP aggregate formation was monitored. W. filifera methanol seed extract appears as the most potent inhibitor of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and for the IAPP fibril formation. Current findings indicate new potential of this extract that could be used for the identification or development of novel potential agents for T2D and AD.

Thermodynamic stability, in-vitro permeability, and in-silico molecular modeling of the optimal Elaeis guineensis leaves extract water-in-oil nanoemulsion

Nanoemulsion is a delivery system used to enhance bioavailability of plant-based compounds across the stratum corneum. Elaeis guineensis leaves are rich source of polyphenolic antioxidants, viz. gallic acid and catechin. The optimal E. guineensis leaves extract water-in-oil nanoemulsion was stable against coalescence, but it was under significant influence of Ostwald ripening over 90 days at 25 °C. The in-vitro permeability revealed a controlled and sustained release of the total phenolic compounds (TPC) of EgLE with a cumulative amount of 1935.0 ± 45.7 µgcm-2 after 8 h. The steady-state flux and permeation coefficient values were 241.9 ± 5.7 µgcm-2 h-1 and 1.15 ± 0.03 cm.h-1, respectively. The kinetic release mechanism for TPC of EgLE was best described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model due to the highest linearity of R2 = 0.9961, indicating super case II transport mechanism. The in-silico molecular modelling predicted that the aquaporin-3 protein in the stratum corneum bonded preferably to catechin over gallic acid through hydrogen bonds due to the lowest binding energies of - 57.514 kcal/mol and - 8.553 kcal/mol, respectively. Thus, the in-silico study further verified that catechin could improve skin hydration. Therefore, the optimal nanoemulsion could be used topically as moisturizer to enhance skin hydration based on the in-silico prediction.

Hypolipidemic and reduced nitrergic effects of p-hydroxycinnamic diesters extracted from Copernicia prunifera in mice challenged by a high-fat diet

Dyslipidemia is a chronic non-transmissible condition that has increased due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Statins have been used as the standard treatment to control hyperlipidemia. However, side effects and high costs may be associated with its prolonged treatment, so plants derivatives have been an attractive therapy to overcome these problems. Among the compounds extracted from plants, the p-hydroxycinnamic diesters (HCE), present in carnauba wax (CW), have been found with good pharmacological properties. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-hypercholesterolemic and possible toxicological effects of HCE in C57BL/6J mice under a high-fat (HF) diet. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed during 60 days under the HF diet and therefore were either treated with HCE (200 and 400 mg/kg) or simvastatin (20 mg/kg) or received saline (controls) by gavage for 30 days under the same diet. HCE treatment was able to reduce serum total cholesterol and LDL levels. Besides, this compound increased liver X receptor (LXR) and but not significantly affected IL-1β and TNF-α liver mRNA transcription activity. In conclusion, HCE treatment was found safe and may attenuate the deleterious effects of dyslipidemia due to chronic feeding with western diets.

Hypoglycaemic and Antioxidant Properties of Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd Ex Mart. Extract Are Associated with Better Vascular Function of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Oxidative stress is involved in the metabolic dysregulation of type 2 diabetes (DM2). Acrocomia aculeata (Aa) fruit pulp has been described for the treatment of several diseases, and recently we have proved that its leaves have phenolic compounds with a marked antioxidant effect. We aimed to assess whether they can improve metabolic, redox and vascular functions in DM2. Control Wistar (W-Ctrl) and non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK-Ctrl) rats were treated for 30 days with 200 mg.kg-1 aqueous extract of Aa (EA-Aa) (Wistar, W-EA-Aa/GK, GK-EA-Aa). EA-Aa was able to reduce fasting glycaemia and triglycerides of GK-EA-Aa by improving proteins related to glucose and lipid metabolism, such as GLUT-4, PPARγ, AMPK, and IR, when compared to GK-Ctrl. It also improved viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes exposed by H2O2. EA-Aa also increased the levels of catalase in the aorta and kidney, reduced oxidative stress and increased relaxation of the aorta in GK-treated rats in relation to GK-Ctrl, in addition to the protective effect against oxidative stress in HMVec-D cells. We proved the direct antioxidant potential of the chemical compounds of EA-Aa, the increase in antioxidant defences in a tissue-specific manner and hypoglycaemic properties, improving vascular function in type 2 diabetes. EA-Aa and its constituents may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of DM2 complications.

Preparation of palm (Elaeis oleifera) pressed fibre cellulose nanocrystals via cation exchange resin: characterisation and evaluation as Pickering emulsifier

BACKGROUND

Palm pressed fibre (PPF) is a cellulose-rich biomass residue produced during palm oil extraction. Its high cellulose content allows the isolation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). CNC has attracted scientific interest due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility and low cost. The present study isolated CNC from PPF using a cation exchange resin, which is an environmentally friendly and less harsh hydrolysis method than conventional mineral acid hydrolysis. Isolated CNC was used to stabilise an oil-in-water emulsion and the emulsion stability was evaluated in terms of droplet size, morphology and physical stability.

RESULTS

PPF was subjected to alkali and bleach treatment prior to hydrolysis, which successfully removed 54% and 75% of non-cellulosic components (hemicellulose and lignin, respectively). Hydrolysis conditions of 5 h, 15:1 (w/w) resin-to-pulp ratio and 50 °C produced CNC particles of 50-100 nm in length. CNC had a crystallinity index of 42% and appeared rod-like morphologically. CNC-stabilised emulsion had better stability when used in combination with soy lecithin (SL), a well-established, commonly used food stabiliser. Emulsion stabilised by the binary mixture of CNC and SL had droplet size, morphology and physical stability comparable to those of emulsion stabilised using SL.

CONCLUSIONS

CNC was successfully isolated from PPF through a cation exchange resin. This offers an alternative usage for the underutilised PPF to be converted into value-added products. Isolated CNC was also found to have promising potential in the stabilisation of Pickering emulsions. These results provide useful information indicating CNC as a natural and sustainable stabiliser for food, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioaccessibility and Cellular Uptake of Carotenoids Extracted from Bactris gasipaes Fruit: Differences between Conventional and Ionic Liquid-Mediated Extraction

Currently, on an industrial scale, synthetic colorants are used in many fields, as well as those extracted with conventional organic solvents (COSs), leading to several environmental issues. Therefore, we developed a sustainable extraction and purification method mediated by ionic liquids (IL), which is considered an alternative high-performance replacement for COSs. Carotenoids are natural pigments with low bioaccessibility (BCT) and bioavailability (BV) but with huge importance to health. To investigate if the BCT and cellular uptake of the carotenoids are modified by the extraction method, we conducted a comparison assay between both extraction procedures (IL vs. COS). For this, we used the Amazonian fruit Bactris gasipaes, a rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, to obtain the extract, which was emulsified and subjected to an in vitro digestion model followed by the Caco-2 cell absorption assay. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids using IL was better than those using COS (33.25%, and 26.84%, respectively). The cellular uptake of the carotenoids extracted with IL was 1.4-fold higher than those extracted using COS. Thus, IL may be a feasible alternative as extraction solvent in the food industry, replacing COS, since, in this study, no IL was present in the final extract.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of fruits and by-products from Mauritia flexuosa, an exotic plant with functional benefits. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2021;84:441-457. [PMID: 33641623 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1881672]

Mauritia flexuosa L., traditionally known as "buriti", exhibits chemoprotective properties including antioxidant, antithrombotic, and nutritional actions. The aim of this study was to examine the oral anti-inflammatory activity of epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp obtained from M. flexuosa fruits using in vivo models to verify physiological benefits. The anti-edematogenic action was determined using phlogistic agents to induce paw edema and peritonitis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell migration of peritoneal cells, histological changes, and abdominal swelling induced by acetic acid were also investigated. Carrageenan-induced edema was found to be decreased in mice pre-treated with epicarp by 50.8%, 53.7% and 39.2% and mesocarp by 41.8%, 65.3% and 71.9% after 2, 3, and 4 hr stimuli, respectively. Edema initiated by specific agents such as compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandin E₂ were also reduced, and better outcomes were found against histamine-induced edema, as evidenced by the decline at all times analyzed (30-120 min) with both doses of water extract of mesocarp (500 or 1000 mg/kg). Mesocarp-pre-treatment reduced inflammatory tissue parameters such as number of peritoneal leukocytes and TNF-α levels, but only epicarp diminished abdominal pain. In summary, M. flexuosa fruits, especially mesocarp, exhibited oral physiological benefits and capacity to modify biochemical and cellular steps in the inflammatory cascade, indicating that dietary supplements containing these fruits may be combined with pharmacological tools to ameliorate or prevent diseases of inflammatory origin.

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Palm CNF-ZnO Nanocomposites with Antibacterial and Reinforcing Properties

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) isolated from plant biomass have attracted considerable interests in polymer engineering. The limitations associated with CNF-based nanocomposites are often linked to the time-consuming preparation methods and lack of desired surface functionalities. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of preparing a multifunctional CNF-zinc oxide (CNF-ZnO) nanocomposite with dual antibacterial and reinforcing properties via a facile and efficient ultrasound route. We characterized and examined the antibacterial and mechanical reinforcement performances of our ultrasonically induced nanocomposite. Based on our electron microscopy analyses, the ZnO deposited onto the nanofibrous network had a flake-like morphology with particle sizes ranging between 21 to 34 nm. pH levels between 8-10 led to the formation of ultrafine ZnO particles with a uniform size distribution. The resultant CNF-ZnO composite showed improved thermal stability compared to pure CNF. The composite showed potent inhibitory activities against Gram-positive (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) and Gram-negative Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) bacteria. A CNF-ZnO-reinforced natural rubber (NR/CNF-ZnO) composite film, which was produced via latex mixing and casting methods, exhibited up to 42% improvement in tensile strength compared with the neat NR. The findings of this study suggest that ultrasonically-synthesized palm CNF-ZnO nanocomposites could find potential applications in the biomedical field and in the development of high strength rubber composites.

Biological safety of Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. Fixed oil: Cytotoxicity, acute oral toxicity, and genotoxicity studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Syagrus coronata, popularly known as licuri, is a palm native to caatingas. The fixed oil extract of licuri nuts is used by the population of Northeast Brazil for therapeutic purposes, including as an antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and a cicatrizant agent. However, there is no scientific information on the possible harmful health effects of the oil and hence its medicinal usability is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to analyze the biological safety and possible antioxidant activity of fixed S. Coronata oil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical analysis of the oil was performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (CG-FID). The cytotoxicity of varying concentrations of the oil (12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) was evaluated using the tetrazolium reduction assay in three cell lines: HEK-293 kidney embryonic cells, J774.A1 macrophages, and the tumor line Sarcoma-180 (S-180). Oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity tests were performed in mice which were administered a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of fixed licuri oil, by gavage. For acute toxicity tests, changes in blood and biochemical parameters, behavior, and weight were analyzed; histomorphometric analyses of the liver, kidney, and spleen were also performed. The comet assay and micronucleus (MN) test were performed to analyze genotoxicity. The antioxidant potential was assessed by the total antioxidant capacity (AAT) and DPPH elimination activity.

RESULTS

Licuri oil consists predominantly of saturated fatty acids, and lauric acid is the major compound. The highest concentrations of the oil showed low levels of cytotoxicity; however, LC50 was not reached in any of the tests. The acute toxicity study did not reveal any evidence of adverse effects in animals treated with oil; biochemical investigation of blood showed a decrease in blood concentration of total proteins and uric acid. The kidneys, spleen, and liver showed no morphological changes indicative of a pathological process. Genotoxic or mutagenic activity was not detected through both the comet assay and MN test. In addition, the oil showed low antioxidant activity in both methods.

CONCLUSION

Licuri oil from the stem of S. coronata did not present significant toxic effects as well as absence of genetic damage when administered orally. Future studies are needed to investigate its pharmacological potential.

Elucidation of Antioxidant Compounds in Moroccan Chamaerops humilis L. Fruits by GC-MS and HPLC-MS Techniques

The aim of this study was to characterize the phytochemical content as well as the antioxidant ability of the Moroccan species Chamaerops humilis L. Besides crude ethanolic extract, two extracts obtained by sonication using two solvents with increased polarity, namely ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol-water (MeOH-H₂O) 80:20 (v/v), were investigated by both spectroscopy and chromatography methods. Between the two extracts, the MeOH-H₂O one showed the highest total polyphenolic content equal to 32.7 ± 0.1 mg GAE/g DM with respect to the EtOAc extract (3.6 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g DM). Concerning the antioxidant activity of the two extracts, the EtOAc one yielded the highest value (1.9 ± 0.1 mg/mL) with respect to MeOH-H2O (0.4 ± 0.1 mg/mL). The C. humilisn-hexane fraction, analyzed by GC–MS, exhibited 69 compounds belonging to different chemical classes, with n-Hexadecanoic acid as a major compound (21.75%), whereas the polyphenolic profile, elucidated by HPLC–PDA/MS, led to the identification of a total of sixteen and thirteen different compounds in both EtOAc (major component: ferulic acid: 104.7 ± 2.52 µg/g) and MeOH-H₂O extracts (major component: chlorogenic acid: 45.4 ± 1.59 µg/g), respectively. The attained results clearly highlight the potential of C. humilis as an important source of bioactive components, making it a valuable candidate to be advantageously added to the daily diet. Furthermore, this study provides the scientific basis for the exploitation of the Doum in the food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Talipot palm (Corypha umbraculifera L.) a nonconventional source of starch: Effect of citric acid on structural, rheological, thermal properties and in vitro digestibility

Starch from talipot palm trunk (Corypha umbraculifera L.), a new starch source, was treated with different citric acid concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% of the dry weight of starch) to produce citrate starch. The influence of citric acid treatment on physicochemical, pasting, structural, thermal, rheological, and digestibility properties of talipot palm starch were studied. A new peak at 1728 cm^-1 was observed in the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of citric acid-treated starches, which confirmed the formation of an ester bond between starch molecule and citric acid. The crystalline pattern of talipot palm starch was unaffected by citric acid treatment, whereas the relative crystallinity decreased from 16.35% to 3.06%. The Rapid Visco Analysis of starch treated with citric acid did not show any characteristic peaks, however, the untreated starch showed a peak viscosity of 3646 cP. The gelatinization parameters decreased with an increase in the degree of substitution, and the enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) decreased from 11.19 J/g to 6.37 J/g. The in-vitro digestibility of talipot palm starch was decreased by citric acid treatment, and that of the slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starches (RS) increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from 31.71% to 39.43% and 37.55% to 53.38%, respectively.

Green Extraction by Ultrasound, Microencapsulation by Spray Drying and Antioxidant Activity of the Tucuma Coproduct (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) Almonds

The industrial processing amazon fruits, like tucuma, generates a large amount of coproducts with large nutritional potential. Thus, this work obtained the oily extract of the tucuma almonds coproducts by green extraction using palm oil by the ultrasound method and then microencapsulated by atomization and verification of its antioxidant activity. Thermogravimetric techniques, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, moisture content, water activity were applied to characterize the microparticles. Total carotenoids were determined by UV spectroscopy and antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid and co-oxidation in the system β-carotene/linoleic acid. The oily extract and microparticle had total carotenoid contents of 3.305 mg/100 g ± 0.01 and 2.559 mg/100 g ± 0.01, respectively. The antioxidant activity assessed through the 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid value was 584.75 μM/trolox ± 0.01 (oily extract) and 537.12 μM/trolox ± 0.01 (microparticle) were determined. In the system β-carotene/linoleic acid showed oxidation of 49.9% ± 1.8 lipophilic extract and 43.3% ± 2.3 microparticle. The results showed that the oily extract of the tucuma almond coproduct can be used as a carotenoid-rich source and microencapsuled with possible application for functional foods production.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of macaíba palm seed kernel (Acrocomia intumescens drude) on anxiolytic activity, memory preservation and oxidative stress in the brain of dyslipidemic rats

Macaíba palm seed kernel is a source of lipids and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of macaíba palm seed kernel on anxiety, memory, and oxidative stress in the brain of health and dyslipidemic rats. Forty rats were used, divided into 4 groups (n = 10 each): control (CONT), dyslipidemic (DG), kernel (KG), and Dyslipidemic kernel (DKG). Dyslipidemia was induced using a high fat emulsion for 14 days before treatment. KG and DKG received 1000 mg/kg of macaíba palm seed kernel per gavage for 28 days. After treatment, anxiety tests were carried out using the Open Field Test (OFT), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), and the Object Recognition Test (ORT) to assess memory. In the animals’ brain tissue, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total glutathione (GSH) were quantified to determine oxidative stress. The data were treated with Two Way ANOVA followed by Tukey (p <0.05). Results demonstrated that the animals treated with kernel realized more rearing. DG and KG groomed less compared with CONT and DKG compared with all groups in OFT. KG spent more time in aversive open arms compared with CONT and DKG compared with all groups in EPM. Only DKG spent more time in the central area in EMP. KG and DKG showed a reduction in the exploration rate and MDA values (p <0.05). Data showed that macaíba palm seed kernel consumption induced anxiolytic-like behaviour and decreased lipids peroxidation in rats’ brains. On the other hand, this consumption by healthy and dyslipidemic animals compromises memory.

Enhancement of Apis mellifera L. Hypopharyngeal Gland using Hyphaene thebaica Ethanolic Extract as Supplement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) of Apis mellifera L. honey bee workers secrete the main proteinaceous substances, the royal jelly which acts a vital role in brood care by young workers and thus colony growth. Many factors may affect the development and function of the hypopharyngeal gland and consequently their role within the beehive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hyphaene thebaica fruit powder (500 g) was soaked in one litter of 70% ethanol for 3 days at room temperature, then filtered and concentrated to dryness with a rotary evaporator. Bioactive compounds and biological activity of doum ethanolic extract were characterized to measure the extent of safety. Samples of workers bee feeding with the extract concentrations (0.5 and 1%) at 6, 10 and 14 days were examined for head weight, body weight, soluble protein content, DNA fragmentation and hypopharyngeal glands histology, the data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's least significant difference.

RESULTS

Ethanolic doum extract contains flavonoids (45.62 mg g-1) and phenolic (27.24 mg g-1) compounds, also possess antioxidant (147 μg mL-1), anti-inflammatory (119.8 μg mL-1) and antimicrobial activities. There was an elevation in soluble protein content and no DNA damage in the honey bee worker's genome after fourteen days of feeding. The histological studies exhibited no deformation in the structure of gland acini and an increase in gland size was detected.

CONCLUSION

Ethanolic doum extract in the bee diet has a role in HPG enhancement. Studies on its safety profile and biological activities make it a good choice to attenuate honey bee diseases inside bee colonies.

UHPLC-UV/PDA Method Validation for Simultaneous Quantification of Luteolin and Apigenin Derivatives from Elaeis guineensis Leaf Extracts: An Application for Antioxidant Herbal Preparation

Luteolin and apigenin derivatives present in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves (OPL) are reported to possess excellent antioxidant properties relating to numerous health benefits. To meet the global demand for flavonoids, OPL, which is plentifully generated as an agricultural by-product from oil palm plantations, can be further exploited as a new source of natural antioxidant compounds. However, to produce a standardized herbal preparation, validation of the quantification method for these compounds is required. Therefore, in this investigation, we developed and validated an improved and rapid analytical method, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet/photodiode array (UHPLC-UV/PDA) for the quantification of 12 luteolin and apigenin derivatives, particularly focusing on flavonoid isomeric pairs: orientin/isoorientin and vitexin/isovitexin, present in various OPL extracts. Several validation parameters were assessed, resulting in the UHPLC-UV/PDA technique offering good specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness, where the values were within acceptable limits. Subsequently, the validated method was employed to quantify luteolin and apigenin derivatives from OPL subjected to different drying treatments and extraction with various solvent systems, giving total luteolin (TLC) and apigenin content (TAC) in the range of 2.04-56.30 and 1.84-160.38 µg/mg extract, respectively. Additionally, partial least square (PLS) analysis disclosed the combination of freeze dry-aqueous methanol yielded OPL extracts with high TLC and TAC, which are strongly correlated with antioxidant activity. Therefore, we provide the first validation report of the UHPLC-UV/PDA method for quantification of luteolin and apigenin derivatives present in various OPL extracts, suggesting that this approach could be employed in standardized herbal preparations by adopting orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin as chemical markers.

Formulation and evaluation of wound healing activity of Elaeis guineensis Jacq leaves in a Staphylococcus aureus infected Sprague Dawley rat model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal plants are crucial to healing numerous illnesses. Elaeis guineensis Jacq (family Arecaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of wounds.

AIM OF THE STUDY

However, there are no scientific reports documented on the wound healing activities of this plant against Staphylococcus aureus infections in the Sprague Dawley male rat model. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the wound healing potential of E. guineensis extract leaves.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude extract was prepared in 10% (w/w) ointment and evaluated for wound healing activity using excision and infected wound models in Sprague Dawley rats. The wound healing activity was evaluated from wound closure rate, CFU reduction, histological analysis of granulation tissue and matrix metalloprotease expression.

RESULTS

The results show that the E. guineensis extract has potent wound healing ability, as manifest from improved wound closure and tissue regeneration supported by histopathological parameters. Assessment of granulation tissue every fourth day showed a significant reduction in the microbial count. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases was well correlated with the other results, hence confirming E. guineensis wound healing activity's effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

E. guineensis enhanced infected wound healing in rats, thus supporting its traditional use.

Metabolite Characterization and Correlations with Antioxidant and Wound Healing Properties of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Leaflets via 1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) leaflets (OPLs) are one of the major agricultural by-products generated from the massive cultivation of Malaysian palm oil. This biomass is also reported to be of potential value based on its health-improving effects. By employing proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA), the metabolite profile of OPLs was characterized and correlated with their antioxidant and wound healing properties. Principal component analysis (PCA) classified four varieties of extracts, prepared using solvents ranging from polar to medium polarity, into three distinct clusters. Cumulatively, six flavonoids, eight organic acids, four carbohydrates, and an amine were identified from the solvent extracts. The more polar extracts, such as, the ethyl acetate-methanol, absolute methanol, and methanol-water, were richer in phytochemicals. Based on partial least square (PLS) analysis, the constituents in these extracts, such as (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin, were strongly correlated with the measured antioxidant activities, comprising ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging activities, as well as with cell proliferation and migration activities. This study has provided crucial evidence on the importance of these natural antioxidant compounds on the wound healing properties of OPL.

Steroidal saponins from Raphia vinifera and their cytotoxic activity

Phytochemical analysis of the fruits of Raphia vinifera led to the isolation of four new steroidal saponins (1-4), along with six known secondary metabolites (6-10). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on the analyses of NMR and mass spectrometric data, and chemical degradation reactions. Among the compounds tested, 1 and 4 showed the most promising cytotoxic activity against the drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM leukemia cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 3.55 µM and 7.14 µM, respectively.

Optical properties of biosynthesized nanoscaled Eu2O3 for red luminescence applications

This contribution reports on the optical properties of biosynthesised Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles bioengineered for the first time by a green and cost effective method using aqueous fruit extracts of Hyphaene thebaica as an effective chelating and capping agent. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of the samples annealed at 500°C were confirmed by using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), UV-Vis spectrocopy, and photoluminescence spectrometer. The XRD results confirmed the characteristic body-centered cubic (bcc) structure of Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average size of 20 nm. HR-TEM revealed square type morphology with an average size of ∼6nm. Electron dispersion energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy spectrum confirmed the elemental single phase nature of pure Eu₂O₃. Furthuremore, the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy revealed the intrinsic characteristic peaks of Eu-O bond stretching vibrations. UV-Vis reflectance proved that Eu₂O₃ absorbs in a wide range of the solar spectrum from the VUV-UV region with a bandgap of 5.1 eV. The luminescence properties of such cubic structures were characterized by an intense red emission centered at 614 nm. It was observed that the biosynthesized Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit an efficient red-luminescence and hence a potential material as red phosphor.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of the immature endosperm of sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) fruit on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients-a case study

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the nutrient contents and the anti-hyperglycemic effect of the immature endosperm of sugar palm (IESP) (Borassus flabellifer L.) fruit on type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

METHODS

This is a short type case study where patients (n = 30) with T2DM were randomly selected and fed IESP (100 mL) twice a day after a regular meal and continued this experiment up to 4th weeks.

RESULT

The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was markedly reduced from 1st week (15.74 mmol/L) to 4th week (10.53 mmol/L) among the patients who had normal body mass index (18.5-24.9). Only 16.67% diabetic patients had irregular FBG levels where 10% were in the previous stages after finishing the experimental period, and exceptionally in the case of 6.67% diabetic patients, this therapeutic juice was unsuccessful because of their irregular intake of insulin. The IESP was more effective on female (p ≤ 0.001) patients than males (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The IESP could be considered as anti-hyperglycemic fruit, and this might be due to its nutrient contents, especially phytochemicals, fiber, sodium, potassium, copper, and zinc.

The Effects and Potential Mechanism of Oil Palm Phenolics in Cardiovascular Health: A Review on Current Evidence

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is globally known as the number one cause of death with hyperlipidemia as a strong risk factor for CVD. The initiation of drug treatment will be recommended if lifestyle modification fails. However, medicines currently used for improving cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols (LDL-C) levels have been associated with various side effects. Thus, alternative treatment with fewer or no side effects needs to be explored. A potential agent, oil palm phenolics (OPP) recovered from the aqueous waste of oil palm milling process contains numerous water-soluble phenolic compounds. It has been postulated that OPP has shown cardioprotective effects via several mechanisms such as cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aims to summarize the current evidence explicating the actions of OPP in cardiovascular health and the mechanisms that maybe involved for the cardioprotective effects.

Sustainable Palm Oil-The Role of Screening and Advanced Analytical Techniques for Geographical Traceability and Authenticity Verification

Palm oil production from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is vital for the economy of Malaysia. As of late, sustainable production of palm oil has been a key focus due to demand by consumer groups, and important progress has been made in establishing standards that promote good agricultural practices that minimize impact on the environment. In line with the industrial goal to build a traceable supply chain, several measures have been implemented to ensure that traceability can be monitored. Although the palm oil supply chain can be highly complex, and achieving full traceability is not an easy task, the industry has to be proactive in developing improved systems that support the existing methods, which rely on recorded information in the supply chain. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) as the custodian of the palm oil industry in Malaysia has taken the initiative to assess and develop technologies that can ensure authenticity and traceability of palm oil in the major supply chains from the point of harvesting all the way to key downstream applications. This review describes the underlying framework related to palm oil geographical traceability using various state-of-the-art analytical techniques, which are also being explored to address adulteration in the global palm oil supply chain.

Green preparation of palm powder-derived carbon dots co-doped with sulfur/chlorine and their application in visible-light photocatalysis

To exploit photocatalytic performance is one of the worthiest efforts for expanding the application of carbon dots (CDs) owing to their low-cost starting materials, facile preparation and simple operation without secondary pollution. Herein, novel biomass-based CDs (Bio-CDs) were successfully synthesized from waste palm powders by using one-step hydrothermal method under the facilitation of thionyl chloride on carbonization process and doping effect. The resultant Bio-CDs exhibited quasi-spherical shape with an average size of 3.54 nm and displayed blue-emissive fluorescence with excitation-dependent behavior. Benefiting from the S and Cl co-doped structure and small size effect, the synthesized Bio-CDs possessed high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of organic dyes under visible light. The degradation of the Rhodamine B was nearly 71.7%, while the Methylene Blue was almost decomposed completely (ca. 94.2%), which make the Bio-CDs to be a hopeful candidate as photocatalyst for the reduction of organic pollutants.

Efficient and Simultaneous Chitosan-Mediated Removal of 11 Mycotoxins from Palm Kernel Cake

Mycotoxins are an important class of pollutants that are toxic and hazardous to animal and human health. Consequently, various methods have been explored to abate their effects, among which adsorbent has found prominent application. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has recently been applied for the concurrent evaluation of multiple mycotoxins. This study investigated the optimization of the simultaneous removal of mycotoxins in palm kernel cake (PKC) using chitosan. The removal of 11 mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) and trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2 and T-2 toxin) from palm kernel cake (PKC) was studied. The effects of operating parameters such as pH (3–6), temperature (30–50 °C) and time (4–8 h) on the removal of the mycotoxins were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Response surface models obtained with R² values ranging from 0.89–0.98 fitted well with the experimental data, except for the trichothecenes. The optimum point was obtained at pH 4, 8 h and 35 °C. The maximum removal achieved with chitosan for AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂, OTA, ZEA, FB₁ and FB₂ under the optimized conditions were 94.35, 45.90, 82.11, 84.29, 90.03, 51.30, 90.53 and 90.18%, respectively.

Adsorption and Desorption Properties of Total Flavonoids from Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Mature Leaf on Macroporous Adsorption Resins

Three different macroporous resins (XAD7HP, DAX-8, and XAD4) were evaluated for their adsorption and desorption properties in preparing flavonoid-enriched oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) leaf extract. The influences of initial concentration, solution pH, contact time, and desorption solvent (ethanol) concentration were determined by static sorption/desorption methods. The optimal condition for adsorption of flavonoids was achieved when the solution of the extract was adjusted to pH 7, reaching equilibrium after 1440 min at 298 K. The adsorption process was well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetics model, while the adsorption isotherm data fitted well with a Freundlich model. The adsorption by each resin was via an exothermic and physical adsorption process. Based on the static experiment results, XAD7HP was found to be the most appropriate adsorbent, while 80% ethanol was the best solvent for desorbent. Further evaluation of its dynamic adsorption and desorption characteristics on a packed glass column showed that XAD7HP could enrich the OPL total flavonoid content by a 3.57-fold increment. Moreover, UHPLC–UV/PDA and UHPLC–MS/MS analysis revealed that apigenin and luteolin derivatives were selectively adsorbed by XAD7HP. Additionally, both the crude OPL extract and the flavonoid-enriched fraction have good DPPH and NO free radical scavenging activities. Multiple interactions between the flavonoids and cross-linked polymeric XAD7HP resin through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding described the sorption processes. Therefore, by utilizing this method, the flavonoid-enriched fraction from crude OPL extract could be used as a potential bioactive ingredient in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications at minimum cost with optimum efficiency.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. fruit

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. is a medicinal and edible plant belonging to family Palmae. The fruits of this plant were used in traditional folk medicine due to its analgesia and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and the mechanism of the ethanol extract of A. pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. fruit (EAF) on different experimental models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the chromatographic profile and to analyze the composition of EAF. In the acute toxicity test, all mice were orally administered EAF at a maximum dosage of 26 g/kg and were then monitored for 14 days. The potential analgesic activity of EAF was evaluated by using animal pain models, namely the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot plate test in mice. The underlying mechanisms of analgesia were determined by pretreating with naloxone, capsaicin and cinnamaldehyde to evaluate the involvement of the opioid system and transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels). The anti-inflammatory activity of EAF was evaluated by using the following inflammatory animal models: xylene-induced ear edema in mice and Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced paw swelling in rats. EAF was orally administered at the doses of 1.625, 3.25 and 6.5 g/kg in mice and 1.125, 2.25 and 4.5 g/kg in rats. The underlying mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and real time-PCR used to measure the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways in paw tissues.

RESULTS

Five compounds, namely (5-(hydroxymethyl) furan-2-yl) methanediol,4'-hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl)-3',5'-dimethoxybenzamide, (+)-lyonirenisol-3a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (-)-lyonirenisol-3a-O-β-glucopyranoside and liquiritin, were firstly identified from A. pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. fruit by HPLC-UV analysis. In the acute toxicity test, no treatment-related toxicological signs or mortality was observed in mice administered doses up to 26 g/kg. Bodyweight was not obviously different among the treatment groups and the vehicle group. EAF significantly inhibited the pain response induced by acetic acid and increased the latency time in the hot plate test in mice. The anti-nociception effect of EAF in the formalin test was not alleviated by pretreatment with naloxone. However, the nociception induced by injection with capsaicin and cinnamaldehyde was significantly reduced by EAF. Compared with vehicle treatment, EAF significantly inhibited the formation of xylene-induced ear edema and CFA adjuvant-induced paw swelling. EAF markedly inhibited the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE₂ and IL-6 induced by CFA in paw tissues. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of IKKα, IKKβ, IκBα, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK and the nuclear translation of NF-κB p65 induced by CFA in paw tissues were significantly inhibited by EAF treatment compared with vehicle treatment.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, this study provides pharmacological evidence for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of EAF and the underlying mechanism, suggesting that EAF might be a potential candidate for reducing pain and inflammatory disorders.

Astrocaryum aculeatum fruit improves inflammation and redox balance in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Astrocaryum aculeatum G.Mey. (tucumã) is highly consumed by riverside communities in the Amazonian region. These communities have recently been shown to have increased longevity and reduced prevalence of age-related morbidity. Tucumã, which is locally used in their diet and traditional medicine may contribute to these features.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of A. aculeatum extract against phytohemagglutinin-induced inflammation in cell cultures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays, gene expression of interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and thiols were employed, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin to mimic inflammation.

RESULTS

The extract of A. aculeatum fruit inhibited macrophage proliferation (P < 0.05), arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase (P < 0.001), increased antioxidant defenses (P < 0.01), reduced oxidative stress (P < 0.01), and modulated genes related to the inflammatory response (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that A. aculeatum fruit has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. These beneficial effects of tucumã on cells are also likely to be seen in vivo, thereby suggesting that its extract is a suitable therapeutic adjuvant in the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Sequential ultrasonication and deep eutectic solvent pretreatment to remove lignin and recover xylose from oil palm fronds

This study demonstrated the effect of two-pot sequential pretreatment, comprising of ultrasound assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) with the aim to investigate the effects of ultrasound amplitude and duration in enhancing delignification. Oil palm fronds (OPF) were ultrasonicated in a water medium, followed by a pretreatment using DES (choline chloride:urea). Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller and solubilised lignin concentration were conducted to confirm the effectiveness of ultrasound assisted DES on the pretreatment of OPF. The recommended ultrasound conditions were determined to be 70% amplitude and duration of 30 min, where the sequential DES pretreatment was able to reduce lignin content of OPF to 14.01%, while improving xylose recovery by 58%.

Rapid identification of dragon blood samples from Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Dragon blood is a deep-red plant resin which has been used as folk medicine for more than a thousand years. It can be produced from at least four entirely different plant families: Asparagaceae, Arecaceae, Chamaesyce, and Fabaceae. Current pharmacopeia states that the only "authentic" source of dragon blood is the palm tree, Daemonorops draco.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to find a high-throughput method to screen and identify the plant sources of commercial dragon blood products.

METHODOLOGY

A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) based method for rapid screening of dracorhodin in commercial dragon blood samples was established in this study.

RESULTS

Well-resolved peaks of dracorhodin in spectra were observed in the crude extracts of samples. Dragon blood samples from two other plant species, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis, were also examined. Their indicator compounds, loureirin A and B, were detected in these plants.

CONCLUSION

A MALDI-TOF based method for preliminarily examination of commercial dragon blood samples is reported here. In contrast to MALDI-TOF, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a time-consuming and costly method, not ideal for routine and large-scale screening of commercial samples.

Inclusion of licuri meal in the diet of pasture dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of licuri meal as a substitute for soybean bran in the diet of pasture-based dairy cows and its effects on the intake, nutrient digestibility, and milk production and composition. Eight crossbred Holstein/Zebu cows were used in two 4 × 4 Latin square plots. The diets contained increasing percentage of licuri meal (0.0, 4.16, 7.09, and 9.45%) in the total diet, replacing soybean bran. The inclusion of licuri meal in the diet affected total dry matter intake and dry matter intake in relation to body weight, which presented a quadratic effect. The same behavior was observed for the consumption of EE, CP, TDN, and NDFap. The NFC consumption showed a linear decrease with the addition of the by-product in the diet. There was no influence of the inclusion of the licuri meal on the digestibility of the DM, CP, NFC, and TDN, while the digestibility of the NDFap and EE presented increasing linear effect. There was a reduction of milk production and food efficiency with the inclusion of increasing levels of the meal. The fat content in milk showed a linear increasing effect. Ditto for cholesterol. It is recommended to include not more than 7.00% of licuri meal for lactating cows with an average production of 20 kg day-1.

Characterization and properties of cellulose microfibers from water hyacinth filled sago starch biocomposites

The cellulose microfibers (CMF) from water hyacinth (WH) fiber as a filler in sago starch (SS) biocomposites was investigated. The CMF was isolated by pulping, bleaching and acid hydrolysis methods. The addition of CMF in sago matrix was varied i.e. 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%. Biocomposites were made by using solution casting and glycerol as a plasticizer. The biocomposites were also determined by tensile test, FTIR, X-Ray, thermogravimetric, SEM, and soil burial tests. The results show that the SS15CMF sample has the highest tensile strength of 10.23 MPa than those other samples. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images show that the strong interaction was formed between CMF WH and matrix. Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) indicated that the functional group of biocomposites was a hydrophilic cluster. The addition of CMF WH in sago starch biocomposites lead to the moisture barrier, crystallinity, and thermal stability increased; it is due to the pure sago starch film was more rapidly degraded than its biocomposites.

Palm Oil on the Edge

Internationally recognized Spanish experts in the food industry, nutrition, toxicology, sustainability, and veterinary science met in Madrid on July 2018 to develop a consensus about palm oil (PO) as a food ingredient. Their aim was to provide a useful, evidence-based point of reference about PO. Scientific evidence about the role of PO in food safety, nutrition and sustainability was analyzed. Main conclusions were: (1) RSPO foundation responded to the environmental impact of palm crops. The Amsterdam Declaration pursues the use of 100% sustainable PO in Europe by 2020. Awareness about choosing sustainable products will help to maintain local economies and environments in the producing countries; (2) evidence shows that a moderate intake of PO within a healthy diet presents no risks for health. No evidence justifies any change fat intake recommendations; (3) food industry is interested in assuring safe, sustainable and high-quality products. The use of certified sustainable PO is increasing; and (4) there is no evidence associating PO consumption and higher cancer risk, incidence or mortality in humans. Tolerable daily intake (TDI) for toxic contaminants (2-and 3-monochloropropanediols (MCPDs), glycidyl esters (GEs)) have been established by JECFA and EFSA. Consequently, the European Commission has modified the Contaminants Regulation for GEs and it is still working on 3-MCPDs'.