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In order to highlight the activities of bioactive compounds present in the stem of sweet cherries, four different cultivars (Van, Burlat, Napoleon, and Cœur pigeon) were collected in Sefrou city in Morocco and were studied. Several assays were performed for this purpose, such as the quantification of phenolic compounds (TPC, TFC, and CTC) and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The phenolic profile of each extract was characterized by UHPLC-DAD/MS analysis. The antidiabetic (α-amylase inhibition) and antigout (xanthine oxidase inhibition) activities were also investigated. The results showed high levels of phenolic compounds, with the values of 340 ± 12.06, 244 ± 10.20, 232 ± 5.07, and 19 ± 3.10 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract for the cultivars Napoleon, Coeur de pigeon, Van, and Burlat, respectively. According to the same order, the flavonoids showed amounts of 34.31 ± 2.08, 23.75 ± 1.02, 24.37 ± 1.20, and 23.31 ± 0.90 mg (rutin equivalent) RE/g extract. These values were correlated with the results of the antioxidant assays, where the Napoleon cultivar proved to be the most potent using the DPPH (IC50 = 2.51 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 55.38 µg/mL) assays. The phenolic profile of each extract resulted in the identification of twenty-two compounds belonging to five distinct groups. The major phenolic compounds identified were sakuranetin and dihydrowgonin with their glucosides. Antidiabetic activity assays showed that only stem extracts from Burlat and Napoleon cultivars were able to inhibit the α-amylase enzyme with values of 85.57 ± 1.09% and 68.01 ± 3.52%, respectively. All stem extracts proved their ability to inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme which is directly linked to the gout disease, with a high value for Van cultivar (40.63 ± 2.37%). These new findings could provide new opportunities for the valorization of cherry stems for the pharmaceutical application of their active phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee consumption has been positively linked with a decreased risk of different diseases. The spent coffee ground, the product obtained after the brewing process, can be reused for its beneficial abilities. This work contributes to the investigation of the chemical composition of the hydroalcoholic extract of spent coffee (Arabica and Robusta) grounds, its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The GC-MS analysis of the extract obtained by Soxhlet revealed the presence of 14 components such as curlone, octadecane, and dillapiol. Also, the major compound found in our extract, namely curlone, was not previously reported in spent coffee grounds. These compounds are known for their important biological activities. The extract was found to be rich in polyphenolic compounds, with a value of 129.43 ± 6.05 mg GAE/g extract. The DPPH assay revealed an important antioxidant IC50 value (11.95 ± 0.96 μg/mL). Also, the antibacterial assay performed by the Agar Diffusion Method showed that all tested bacteria were sensitive against the hydroalcoholic spent coffee grounds extract (HECG), especially Escherichia coli. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as low as 2.5 mg/mL (Luteibacter sp.) were recorded against different bacterial strains. These results suggest that "HECG" is a potential source of important bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four varieties of Prunus avium (Burlat, Napoleon, Coeur de pigeon, Van) kernel oils were extracted using a soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane as solvent. These oils composition was compared amongst them, with fatty acids, phytosterols and tocopherols identification and physicochemical characterization of said oils. Several differences, such as in oil yield were observed, "Coeur de pigeon" variety being the highest with a 23.5% yield. Twelve fatty acids were identified in all the varieties with linoleic and oleic fatty acids being the most abundant. b-sitosterol, Campesterol and D5-Avenasterol were the major compounds in the sterols assay performed. Also, total tocopherols ranged from 352.22 mg/kg (Var. Coeur de pigeon) to 2072.55 mg/kg (Var. Napoleon), with g-tocopherol being the dominant one. These results suggest that these oils have numerous active compounds that can be further exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess and evaluate the physicochemical properties of the seed oils of two Moroccan varieties of watermelon "Citrullus lanatus" extracted by three different techniques, a mechanical process using cold press, and two chemical processes using a Soxhlet apparatus and a sonotrode ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) using n-hexane. The total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant properties against the DPPH radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) were also studied. The seed oils of both varieties of watermelon exhibited high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids with the predominance of linoleic and oleic fatty acids. The primary sterol was b-sitosterol, and high levels of total tocopherols were observed. Ɣ-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in all tested oils. The Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus variety seeds oil exhibited the highest TPC value (89.5 ± 0.06 mg EGA/100 g; EGA: gallic acid equivalent), with 82.4 ± 0.03% DPPH free radical inhibition efficiency. Nevertheless, all tested seeds oils showed a significant amount of total phenolic compounds and a good inhibition against DPPH radicals ranging from 51.1 ± 0.1% to 84.8 ± 0.04%. In addition, the influence of the ultrasonic extraction parameters was studied using two different solvents (n-hexane and the methanol-chloroform mixture), with different particle sizes (500-300 mm), duration (10 and 20 minutes), cycle (1-0.5), amplitude (80-100%) and solvent/seed ratios (1:5 and 1:10), and the seed roasting parameter was also studied. The oil yield was mainly affected by the extraction solvent, then the solvent/seed ratio and the duration, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a comparative study on Moringa oleifera (MO) oil extraction techniques were conducted. MO seeds were collected from the Far North Region of Cameroon and oil was extracted using Soxhlet (SO), Ultrasonic (US) and Cold press (PR) methods. Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition were determined for each MO oil extracted. The SO seems to be the effective method for oil extraction with a yield equal to 38.94 ± 0.28%, followed by US 35.11 ± 1.45% and at least PR (23.00 ± 1.00%). Moreover, myristic and lignoceric acids were found at low concentration in all extracted oil. However, the unsaturated fatty acid composition of the extracted oils follows PR>US>SO order. Oleic acid was the main unsaturated fatty acid with high rate obtained using PR and SO extractions (75.37%, 75.31% respectively) which is not very different from that obtained by US extraction (74.85). A higher value of acidity was noted in PR extraction method and lower oxidative state value was noted in PR extracted oil comparing to US and SO methods. No major differences were observed for the other physic-chemical parameters. Major and minor saturated fatty acids were palmitic and myristic acids, respectively. Lower total saturated fatty acids were recorded in PR extracted MO oil. We found also linoleic and linolenic acids in the group of unsaturated fatty acids of MO oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]