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Background: Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) is one of eleven species that belongs to the Sapindaceae family, which is native to Australia. Objective: This study screened major phenolic groups from fresh or dried whole fruits, or just their skin. Methods: Using optimal ultrasound assisted extraction conditions with either acetone (50%) or methanol (50%) as extraction solvents. This study further tested their antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity against a panel of ten cancer cell lines for their potential health benefits. Results: The results showed that levels of major phenolic groups were significantly different with solvents used or types of materials (whole fruit or skin). The extract from dried skin fruit using acetone 50 % (SD-A50) had the highest level of total phenolic content(112.47 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (101.89 mg CAE/g); however, the extract from fresh skin (SF-A50) had the greatest proanthocyanidin content (124.22 mg CAE/g). This SF-A50 extract also showed the strongest antioxidant activity and had the highest growth inhibition and the lower dose response (GI50 values of 20-145 μg/mL) against the HT29 (colon); U87, SJ-G2 (glioblastoma); MCF-7 (Breast); A2780 (ovarian); H460 (lung); A431 (skin); Du145 (prostate); BE2-C (neuroblastoma); and MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas) cancer cell line, revealing its therapeutic potential. Conclusions: Fourteen major compounds, including catechin were detected from the Tuckeroo fruit extract; future studies are recommended to further isolate, identify and test the health potentials from group and individual compounds of the Tuckeroo fruit extract.

This study applied ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to effectively extract phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties from the Tuckeroo fruits using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The r...

Propargylglycine (PAG) is an inhibitor of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) production and has been used to explore the mode of action of H2S in prolonging storage of horticultural produce but little attention has been given to how PAG and H2S interact when both are applied to produce. This study examined the effect of sequential application of PAG and H2S on a range of postharvest senescence factors of the leafy vegetable pak choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis) stored at 10 °C. The results showed differential responses between factors when compared to application of PAG or H2S alone. As expected, fumigation with H2S reduced the rate of loss of leaf green colour, respiration rate, ethylene production, ion leakage and enhanced antioxidant activity and leaves sprayed with PAG showing converse effects. If PAG acted solely by inhibiting endogenous H2S production then subsequent treatment with H2S should fully negate any effect induced by PAG. However, for the combined PAG + H2S treatment, respiration was similar leaves fumigated with H2S, loss of green leaf colour was similar to the PAG single treatment and less than the untreated control, antioxidant activity was less than for PAG but greater than for control leaves, and ethylene production and ion leakage were similar to control leaves. Thus, the concept that PAG is exclusively an inhibitor of endogenous H2S production was not validated, with PAG having effects on metabolism that are not linked to the action of endogenous H2S. The additional actions of PAG could be through its inhibition of pyridoxyal-5′-phosphate (PHP) which is a coenzyme for numerous enzyme systems.

This data article indicates the in vitro cytotoxicity of kaempferol and gallic acid across different cancer cell lines including A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas), Du145 (prostate), HT29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), BE2-C (neuroblastoma), SJ-G2, U87 and SMA (glioblastoma). The dataset showed that the inhibitory activity of kaempferol was comparatively stronger than gallic acid. Thereby, kaempferol is offered as a potent anticancer agent for further investigation and beneficial as a dietary supplement. The data within this article relates to the research article entitled “Screening phytochemical content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don stem extract and its fractions” (Pham et al., 2018).

The aims of this study were to screen the phytochemical content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the extract and its fractions prepared from Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (C. roseus) stem. C. roseus stem was powdered and extracted with methanol using ultrasound-assisted extraction to obtain the crude extract. The crude extract was further fractioned using liquid-liquid extraction technique to obtain extracts of increasing polarity including n-butanol and residual aqueous fractions. The crude extract and its derived fractions were then subjected to phytochemical screening and assayed for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Results showed that the n-butanol fraction contained the highest levels of saponins and phenolics (3037.54 mg ESE/g and 77.87 mg GAE/g, respectively) and possessed the strongest antioxidant capacity amongst the tested extracts. HPLC analysis revealed that this n-butanol fraction had high levels of apigenin and kaempferol, whereas the aqueous fraction contained a high level of gallic acid. The n-butanol fraction was found to effectively inhibit the activity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococccus lugdunensis. The n-butanol fraction also possessed strong cytotoxic activity in vitro against a wide range of cancer cell lines including A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas), Du145 (prostate), HT29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), BE2-C (neuroblastoma), SJ-G2, U87 and SMA (glioblastoma) at low doses (GI50 values of 5.2−21.0 µg/mL). These results indicate that the n-butanol fraction prepared from C. roseus stem is a rich source of bioactive compounds which can be isolated for further evaluation as potential antimicrobial drugs or antitumor therapeutic agents.

This study aimed to optimise microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) conditions for total phenolic compounds (TPCs) and antioxidant activities of the alga Sargassum vestitum by using response surface m...

Using response surface methodology, this study aimed to optimize five different ultrasound extraction parameters; including ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time, ultrasonic power, sample-to-solvent ratio and methanol concentration, for maximal extraction of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity from Helicteres hirsuta Lour. ( H. hirsuta ), which has been used as a traditional medicine for malaria and diabetes treatment. Results showed that either ultrasonic temperature or sample-to-solvent ratio had a greater influence on extraction efficiency of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity than that of methanol concentration. Optimal extraction conditions were determined to be ultrasonic temperature of 60 °C, ultrasonic time of 25 min, ultrasonic power of 150W, sample-to-solvent ratio of 3:100 g/mL, and a solvent composition of 40% (v/v) aqueous methanol. Under these conditions, 15.97 mg GAE/g of phenolics, 16.42 mg CE/g of flavonoids, and 13.34 g/100 g of extractable solids were obtained. The highest values for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays were also obtained under these conditions, with the exception of CUPRAC (88% maximum value). These optimal extraction conditions can be applied to prepare powdered crude extract for further isolation and purification of individual bioactive compounds for potential use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas has been found to delay the appearance of many characteristics associated with senescence of horticultural produce but little attention has been given to its physiological role or its interaction with ethylene. This study used the green leafy vegetable, pak choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis) as the principal test commodity and examined the interaction of fumigation with hydrogen sulphide and storage at 10 °C in the presence of controlled levels of ethylene on endogenous ethylene production and a range of factors associated with postharvest deterioration. It was found that hydrogen sulphide inhibited ethylene production, chlorophyll loss, respiration, weight loss, various antioxidant factors and ion leakage. Hydrogen sulphide also inhibited chlorophyll loss and respiration of other green leafy vegetables/herbs, sweet Italian basil (Ocimum basilicum) and green curly kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica). The results suggest that the mode of action of hydrogen sulphide in delaying senescence could be by inhibiting both the production of ethylene and the action of ethylene. The substantial reduction in the rate of loss of chlorophyll following short-term treatment with hydrogen sulphide may have potential commercial benefit for extension in market life of green leafy vegetables.

The objective of this study was to apply microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as an advanced technique for optimization of saponin yield and antioxidant potential from Phyllanthus amarus. The findin...

The aim of this study was to compare phytochemical and antioxidant properties of different parts of Salacia chinensis L. The root of S. chinensis had the highest content of phenolics, flavonoids, p...

This study aimed to optimise ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions of the brown alga Hormosira banksii for total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities including total antioxidant capacity (ABTS), DPPH free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) using response surface methodology (RSM). Box–Behnken design was employed to assess the effect of ultrasonic temperature, time and power on the TPC and antioxidant activities of the extracts. The results showed that RSM was an accurate and reliable method in predicting TPC and antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP) of the extracts with R 2 values of 0.97, 0.96, 0.92 and 0.94, respectively. The ultrasonic temperature and time had the significant impact on TPC and antioxidant capacities. The optimal UAE conditions for the maximal values of TPC and antioxidant activities were of 30 °C, 60 min and power 60%, or 150 W. The values of TPC and antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP) achieved under these parameters were 23.12 (mg GAE g−1), 85.64 (mg TE g−1), 47.24 (mg TE g−1) and 12.56 (mg TE g−1), respectively. UAE was found to be more efficient in comparison to conventional extraction, with shorter time for extraction and higher of TPC level and antioxidant activities. Therefore, ultrasonic-assisted extraction using RSM is effective for extraction and further isolation and purification of phenolic compounds from H. banksii. In addition, this alga could be a potential rich source of natural antioxidants applied in food and pharmaceutical fields.

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) is an Australian native tree, possessing high level bioactivity and antioxidant activity. To prevent deterioration of active constituents, appropriate drying practices must be determined. This study comparatively evaluates the impact of a range of drying methods including freeze-, microwave-, vacuum-, hot air- and sun-drying on the physical, phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics of Tuckeroo fruit. Experimental results showed that the five drying methods had significant impact on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of the fruits. Of the drying methods assessed, freeze drying best preserved Tuckeroo activity, recording higher total phenolic content (TPC) (81.88 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g), total flavonoids (TFC) (107.71 mg catechin equivalent (CAE)/g), proanthocyanidins (TPro) (83.86 mg CAE/g) and exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity. However, vacuum drying at 65 kPa, 100 &deg, C for 5 h is recommended for drying Tuckeroo fruits for further processing in a large scale as it also retained high levels of TPC, TFC and TPro (58 mg GAE/g, 91 mg CAE/g and 74 mg CAE/g, respectively).

The Davidson’s plum (DP; Davidsonia pruriens F. Muell) is a fruit native to Australia that is a rich source of phenolic compounds. This study investigated the effects of various extraction solvents (ethanol, methanol, acetone and water) on total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP assays) and anti-proliferative activity (MTT, CCK-8 assays) of DP. Our data revealed that extraction solvents significantly affected the physico-chemical, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of DP extracts. Within the tested solvents, ethanol was found to be the optimal solvent for extraction of bioactive compounds from DP as its extract had the greatest TPC (94.13 GAE/g), flavonoids (78.33 mg RUE/g), proanthocyanidins (5.33 mg CAE/g), anthocyanidins (2.81 mg CGE/g), as well as possessed the highest antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines. This included cancers of the pancreas, breast, lung, brain, skin, colon and ovary. Therefore, further investigations should be conducted to identify key bioactive compounds to determine the potential for utilization in the nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical industries.

This study examined the ability of l -arginine, l -cysteine and l -methionine, to inhibit postharvest senescence of broccoli. Florets were dipped in aqueous solutions of the amino acids at concentrations from 1.0 to 100 mM and stored at 10 °C. A 5 mM dip was found to be optimal in delaying senescence as measured by retention of green colour, vitamin C and antioxidant activity, and a lower level of ethylene production, respiration, weight loss, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and ion leakage with the benefits being similar for all three amino acids. Arginine, cysteine and methionine have Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) status and should have few impediments in obtaining regulatory approval for commercial use if similar effects were found for other leafy vegetables.

Euphorbia tirucalli is a succulent shrub or small tree that is native to the African continent, however, it is widely cultivated across the globe due to its use in traditional medicines to treat ailments, ranging from scorpion stings to HIV. Recent studies have identified compounds present in the latex of the plant, including a range of bi- and triterpenoids that exhibit bioactivity, including anticancer activity. This study aimed to optimize water extraction conditions for high-yield total phenolic content recovery, to prepare methanol and aqueous extracts from the aerial sections of the plant, and to test the phytochemical, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties of these extracts. Water extraction of total phenolic compounds (TPC) was optimized across a range of parameters including temperature, extraction time, and plant mass-to-solvent ratio. The water extract of the E. tirucalli powder was found to contain TPC of 34.01 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g, which was approximately half that of the methanol extract (77.33 mg GAE/g). The results of antioxidant assays showed a uniform trend, with the methanol extract’s antioxidant reducing activity exceeding that of water extracts, typically by a factor of 2:1. Regression analysis of the antioxidant assays showed the strongest correlation between extract TPC and antioxidant activity for the ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods. The methanol extract also showed greater growth inhibition capacity towards the MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell line. These data suggest that further investigations are required to confirm the source of activity within the E. tirucalli leaf and stems for potential use in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera (Oliv.) Guillaum) has been used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer or cancer-like diseases in recent years, particularly in Vietnam. Drying is an important step for preparation of dried materials for storage and further investigation; however, the effects of drying must be taken into account when processing samples, because this can have profound effects on the stability of phytochemical compounds and the biological activity of the dried P. trimera root. As such, this study assessed the effects of four different drying methods (conventional, hot air, vacuum, and microwave) on phytochemical retention and antioxidant capacity of P. trimera root, to identify an optimal drying method for P. trimera root. The results showed that the drying methods significantly affected phytochemical levels and antioxidant capacity of P. trimera root and that among the four drying methods tested, microwave drying (400 W) had the highest levels of phytochemical compounds, ...

Xao tam phan ( Paramignya trimera (Oliv.) Guillaum) is a Vietnamese traditionally medicinal plant used in the treatment of numerous cancers. The preparation of Xao tam phan extracts including solvent type and extraction method have significant effects on extraction efficiency, phytochemical profile and biological activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of five various solvents (water, acetonitrile, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane) and three different extraction methods (conventional, ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted) on phytochemical yield and antioxidant capacity of P. trimera root from Vietnam. The results indicate that methanol extracted the maximal yield of phytochemicals from P. trimera and exhibited the greatest antioxidant capacity, with eleven compounds were identified and quantified. Microwave-assisted extraction produced the maximal phytochemical yields (except for total flavonoids) and antioxidant capacity, when compared to conventional and ultrasound-assisted extractions. These data reveal that the use of methanol and microwave-assisted extraction are recommended for extraction of biologically active phytochemicals from P. trimera root for application in the nutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical industries.

Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex AC) leaves have been used for medicinal purposes for many years. Drying is important to prepare starting materials for further processing, as it is associated with production cost and quality of the materials. Herein, the effects of five different drying conditions on the physical, chemical and antioxidant properties of Vitex AC were evaluated. The results showed that 30% of dried leaves with moisture content of less than 7% could be produced from fresh leaves. Vitex AC leaves dried by freeze and vacuum drying at 65C had higher levels of bioactive compounds as well as higher antioxidant capacity in comparison with other drying conditions, revealing that these drying conditions are more suitable for drying Vitex AC leaves. However, freeze drying is costly and time-consuming; thus, vacuum drying at 65C is suggested for drying the Vitex AC leaves as the starting materials for further processing steps. Practical Applications As drying is an important process to prepare starting materials for further processing steps, it is important to compare different drying methods to identify the most suitable method with low cost and less effect on material quality. The results showed that inappropriate drying conditions resulted in big loss of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Vacuum drying at 65C was found to be the most suitable method, which can be easily applied for drying Vitex agnus-castus leaves in the industrial scale.

Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) has been used as a herbal medicine, particularly for liver support, in many countries and its extracts have been shown to possess potent antioxidant and anticancer properties in vitro. The preparation of dried sample is crucial for further extraction and isolation of phytochemicals. In this study, the effects of six different drying methods (hot air, low-temperature air, infrared, microwave, sun, and vacuum drying) on the phytochemical yield and antioxidant capacity were determined to identify the optimal drying method for P. amarus. The results showed that different drying methods, as well as different drying conditions within each method, significantly affected phytochemical yield and antioxidant capacity of P. amarus extracts. Infrared drying at 30°C was the best method for both retention of bioactive compound yield and antioxidant capacity of P. amarus extract, with 12 compounds were identified. In contrast, low-temperature-air drying at 25°C not only required the longes...

Eucalyptus robusta (Sm.) (ER) is a widely distributed tree native to the east coast of Australia, which has also been established in numerous other countries. ER leaves contain high levels of essential oils and are rich in total phenolic compounds (TPC), which have been linked with health benefits; however, there is limited information on the bioactivity of ER leaf extracts. This study aimed to optimise water extraction conditions for TPC, prepare a spray-dried powdered extract and test its physicochemical, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties. The results showed that optimal water extraction conditions for TPC were 85 °C, 15 min and a water-to-leaf ratio of 20:1 mL/g. Under these conditions, spray-dried powdered extract was prepared with a recovery yield of 85%. The extract was water-soluble and had a TPC level of 407 mg GAE/g. It also possessed potent antioxidant capacity, comparable to pure ascorbic acid, but higher than pure α-tocopherol. In addition, the powdered extract demonstrated significant activity against a panel of cancer cell lines, which included cancers of the pancreas, breast, lung, brain, skin, colon and ovary. Of note, the ER extract exerted a more significant toxic effect on pancreatic cancer (PC) cells compared to gemcitabine, the first line chemotherapeutic agent for PC. We suggest that future studies should purify individual bioactive compounds from ER for further investigation of its potential health promoting and anti-cancer activity.

Lilly pilly (LP) fruit ( Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn.) is widely grown in eastern Australia and has been used as food by indigenous Australians. However, there is limited information on its bioactivity. This study investigated the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the crude fruit extract, identified its bioactive compounds and also assessed its potential anti-proliferative effect on pancreatic cancer cells. Our data showed that the LP extract was water-soluble and possessed a total phenolic content of 96 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, flavonoid levels of 52 mg catechin equivalents (CAE)/g, proanthocyanidin levels of 29 mg CAE/g. Several phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin were identified in the LP extract with levels of 0.39, 2.35, 0.47 and 2.9 mg/g, respectively. Results from six different antioxidant assays revealed that the LP extract pocessed potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity. Although antioxidant capacity of the extract was lower than that of vitamin E, vitamin C and BHT, it could be significantly improved if the extract was to be further purified. We also showed that the LP extract (200 μg/mL) significantly reduced the viability of MiaPaCa-2 and ASPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells to levels comparable to that of the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine. For this reason lilly pilly should be further investigated for its health promoting and potential anti-cancer benefits, particularly for pancreatic cancer.

Summary The papaya (Carica papaya) leaf (PL) contains high levels of saponins and polyphenolic compounds, and historically, it has been used as a folk medicine for numerous ailments, including cancer. PL is traditionally prepared by hot water extraction; however, optimised extraction conditions have not been assessed. This study optimised conditions for the extraction of saponins from PL and assessed their antioxidant capacity and antipancreatic cancer activity. Optimisation was achieved using response surface methodology. Saponins and total phenolic compounds were assessed for their antioxidant, free radical scavenging, ion-reducing capacity, and antipancreatic cancer activity. Optimal aqueous extraction conditions were 85 °C, 25 min. and a water-to-leaf ratio of 20:1 mL g−1. Ethanol extracts demonstrated higher antioxidant, free radical scavenging and ion-reducing capacity, as well as antipancreatic cancer activity. This study revealed that the PL contains numerous bioactive compounds, with significant anticancer activity warranting further studies on the isolation and characterisation of individual bioactive compounds from the PL.

The leaves of Carica papaya are generally considered waste but their extracts have been linked with various health benefits. This study aimed to optimize extraction conditions and determine the effect of aqueous extraction on the yield of polyphenols from papaya leaves. The efficiency of water extraction was compared to the organic solvents acetone, ethanol and methanol. A method to prepare crude powder from the leaves was developed, with its composition and antioxidant properties also examined. We show that temperature, extraction time and water-to-leaf ratio had significant effects on the extracted polyphenol yield as well as the scavenging and total antioxidant activities. Optimal extraction conditions were 70 °C for 20 min, with a water-to-leaf ratio of 100:7.5 mL/g. Higher levels of polyphenols were extracted using water in comparison to the organic solvents, while ethanol extraction provided the highest level of saponins. A simple and scalable method was developed to obtain approximately 190 g of powder from 1 kg of dried papaya leaves. The crude powder contained 6.3% polyphenols, and when compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Vitamins C and E and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) had lower scavenging and total antioxidant activity. However, as this method used water for extraction, it is considered safe and offers great potential for further purification and application in future studies.

Several studies have shown that UV-C (ultraviolet C) irradiation promotes the bioactive compounds and antioxidants of fresh fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to apply UV irradiation in dried lemon pomace powder for enhancing its phenolic content and antioxidant properties, thus more bioactive compounds should be available for extraction and utilization. Lemon pomace dried powder was placed under a UV lamp and treated with dosages of 4, 19, 80 and 185 kJ·m−2, while untreated powder was used as a control. UV-C irradiation significantly affected the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, proanthocyanidins, and antioxidant capacity measured by cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the lemon pomace dried powder, while it did not affect the vitamin C content. UV-C irradiation of 19 kJ·m−2 resulted in 19% higher total phenolic content than the control, while UV-C irradiation of 180 kJ·m−2 resulted in 28% higher total flavonoid content than the control. The antioxidant capacity was reduced when UV-C irradiation more than 4 kJ·m−2 was applied. The results of this study indicate that UV-C treatment has the potential to increase the extraction of bioactive compounds of dried lemon pomace at relatively high dosages.

Phyllanthus amarus is known as a healing herb which has traditionally been used in the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, diabetes and cancer. The extraction parameters have great effects on the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds and pharmacological activity of the extracts. This study sought to optimise the microwave-assisted extraction parameters for phenolic compounds-enriched extracts and antioxidant capacity from P. amarus using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the optimal microwave-assisted extraction parameters were an extraction time of 30 min, an irradiation time of 14 s min−1 and a ratio of solvent to sample of 150 mL g−1. The total phenolic content, phenolic extraction efficiency, saponin content, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the P. amarus achieved under these optimal parameters were 87.3 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of dried sample, 69.7 %, 134.9 mg of escin equivalents (EE) per gram of dried sample, 997.8, 604.7 and 437.3 all in mg of trolox equivalents (TE) per gram of dried sample, respectively, which were not significantly different from the predicted values (86.9 mg of GAE per gram of dried sample, 67.3 %, 123.5 mg of EE per gram of dried sample, 1013.3 mg of TE per gram of dried sample, 530.6 mg of TE per gram of dried sample and 423.5 mg of TE per gram of dried sample, respectively). Accordingly, the optimal microwave-assisted extraction parameters of 30 min, 14 s min−1 and 150 mL g−1 are recommended for the extraction of enriched phenolics from P. amarus for potential application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Scaevola spinescens (Goodeniaceae) has been traditionally used by indigenous Australians to treat various ailments including cancer, thus it is necessary to identify optimum extraction conditions for bioactive components from this plant. This study investigated the effects of different extraction conditions on Total Phenolic Content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP assays) and anti-cancer activity (MTT assay) of S. spinescens. The results showed that optimal extraction conditions for TPC using water were 80°C, 15 min and ratio of 20:1 mL/g. However, the aqueous extract prepared under optimal conditions had lower TPC and less antioxidant capacity than those of the organic solvent extracts. The acetone extract displayed the greatest TPC as well as the highest antioxidant capacity and anti-cancer activity against a panel of cancer cell lines, including cancers of the pancreas, breast, lung, brain, skin, colon and ovary. Therefore, further investigations should be conducted to identify key bioactive compounds as potential anti-cancer agents.

Hormosira banksii is a rich source of polyphenols, which can be utilized in the food or pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to determine the impact of six drying methods on properties of the alga H. banksii. Our data revealed that drying conditions significantly affected recovery yield, residual moisture, extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC) as well as antioxidant capacity of H. banksii (P

Different parts of Helicteres hirsuta Lour. (H. hirsuta L.) have been used as traditional medicines, however limited studies have been conducted on the preparation of dried material or the extraction of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine the effect of various solvents and drying methods on the bioactive compound yield and antioxidant capacity of the H. hirsuta L. stem. The results showed that water was the best solvent for obtaining the highest levels of phenolics and flavonoids, whereas methanol was the solvent of choice for saponin extraction. Among assessed drying methods, hot-air drying at 80C revealed as the best method to maintain the bioactive components (phenolics of 8.99 mg GAE/g, flavonoids of 9.60 mg CE/g and saponins of 15.18 mg ESE/g), and DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP antioxidant activities. Thus hot-air drying at 80C is recommended for preparation of dried H. hirsuta L. stem for further processing steps. Practical Applications The optimal drying condition to prepare dried H. hirsuta L. stem is hot-air drying at 80C, a simple and fast drying method, and the most suitable solvent for extraction of antioxidant components from dried H. hirsuta L. stem is water; a cheap, accessible, and environmentally friendly solvent. These conditions can be applied for isolating and purifying bioactive compounds for further application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) parameters for saponins and antioxidant capacity from the P. trimera root. The optimal MAE parameters were found to be 100% methanol, extraction time of 40 min and ratio of solvent to sample of 100 mL/g. Saponin content, saponin extraction efficiency, ABTS radical scavenging capacity, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the P. trimera root achieved under these parameters were 520.5 mg escin equivalents (EE)/g dried sample, 62.6%, 215.3, 93.2, 24.7, 121.7 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g dried sample, respectively, which were higher than predicted values (488.8 mg EE/g dried sample, 58.8%, 213.7, 89.5, 24.0, 115.8 mg TE/g dried sample, respectively). Therefore, the optimal MAE parameters of 100% methanol, 40 min and 100 mL/g are recommended for obtaining saponin-enriched extracts from the P. trimera root for potential application in the food industry. Practical Application This study indicated that methanol concentration had the highest effect on the extractability of saponins and antioxidant capacity from P. trimera root, followed by ratio of solvent to sample and extraction time. Therefore, the application of the optimized MAE parameters allows obtaining the highest saponin yield as well as the greatest antioxidant capacity from P. trimera root for further investigation and application.