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In the separation of strongly polar antioxidant compounds from natural products using high-speed counter-current chromatography that is target-guided by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl high-performance liquid chromatography experimentation, low adsorption ability is encountered due to the strong polarity of the target compounds. In this study, a strategy of novel partition coefficient value calculation was proposed for overcoming this problem. The partition coefficient value was expressed as the ratio of the antioxidant activities of the upper phase and the lower phase. This strategy was used in high-speed counter-current chromatography with a hydrophilic organic/salt-containing aqueous two-phase system for bioassay-guided separation of strongly polar antioxidant compounds from Lycium barbarum L. The antioxidant activity was determined via the radical scavenging activity method using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. A hydrophilic organic/salt-containing aqueous two-phase system of 95% EtOH - sat. (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (1:1.8, v/v) was successfully used to separate Lycium barbarum L. extract. Five fractions were collected via high-speed counter-current chromatography separation. The antioxidant activity of the third fraction was the highest. Three compounds were separated via MCI gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography from the third fraction, and their antioxidant activities were determined. The antioxidant activities of the three compounds were higher than that of the third fraction. These results demonstrate that this strategy can be used to separate strongly polar antioxidant compounds from natural products., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

L. barbarum L. is a widely-accepted nutraceutical presenting highly advantageous nutritive and antioxidant properties. Its flowers have been previously described as a source of diosgenin, β-sitosterol and lanosterol that can be further pharmaceutically developed, but no other data regarding their composition is available. The purpose of this work was to investigate the chemical constituents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of L. barbarum flowers, as an alternative resource of naturally-occurring antioxidant compounds. The free radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract was tested by TEAC, two enzymatic assays with more physiological relevance and EPR spectroscopy. The presence of several phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, but also isoquercitrin, rutin and quercitrin, was assessed by an HPLC/MS method. The antioxidant assays revealed that the extract exhibited a moderate antioxidant potential. The antimicrobial activity was mild against Gram-positive bacteria and lacking against Escherichia coli. These findings complete the scarce existing data and offer new perspectives for further pharmaceutical valorization of L. barbarum flowers.

In this study, an efficient drying process of Lycium barbarum L. polysaccharide (LBP) suitable for industrial production was developed and optimized. Three drying methods, including hot air drying (40-80°C), vacuum drying (40-60°C) and spray drying were test and compared. Hot air drying and vacuum drying cost long time and produced a brown product which needs further process due to the agglomeration or alveolation form. The condition of spray drying (without any excipient) was optimized by orthogonal experiment, which gave different optimum conditions based on LBP recovery rate (LBP solution concentration 1.06 g/mL, inlet air temperature 170°C, sample flow rate 15 mL/min and air speed 4.2m(3)/min) or LBP transparency (LBP solution concentration 1.04 g/mL, inlet air temperature 170°C, sample flow rate 20 mL/min and air speed 2.8m(3)/min). Pilot scale experiments showed preferable stability of LBP product quality and process parameters. Sample of spray drying (SD) had the highest scavenging free radical effects, the best appearance (LBP transparency), and uniform morphology with hollow sphere which are important properties for the reconstitution of the powder product. Considering the product appearance and product activity, the spray drying was selected to apply in industrial production., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recent studies have indicated that polysaccharides, the main component of the Lycium barbarum L. fruit, have beneficial effects (e.g., anxiolytic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective) on humans and rodents. However, the effects of different dosages of such polysaccharides on ovariectomized rats and their underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been evaluated in the literature. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the high and low doses of polysaccharides obtained from Lycium barbarum fruits (HD-LBP and LD-LBP, respectively) on anxious behaviors via behavioral (using the OFT and EPM), biochemical (using ELISA), and immunohistochemical (using immunohistochemical staining) measures in detail. Two weeks after ovariectomy, the rats were randomly assigned to either the treatment conditions [control (DW, 3 mL/kg, p.o., per day), LD-LBP (20 mg/kg, 3 mL/kg, p.o., per day), HD-LBP (200 mg/kg, 3 mL/kg, p.o., per day), 17 ß-ES (1 mg/kg, 3 mL/kg, p.o., per day), DZ(1 mg/kg, 3 mL/kg, p.o., per day)] or operation type [SHAM (pseudoovariectomized) and OVX (ovariectomized)]. The treatments were applied for 30 consecutive days, and then serum and brain tissue samples of all rats were collected. Biochemical (SOD, CAT, GPX, MDA, and 17 ß-ES) and immunohistochemical (BDNF, SER, and apoptosis) analyses of the samples were performed as well. The rats administered HD-LBP and LD-LBP were less anxious than the control groups. The HD-LBP-treated rats had high levels of SOD and low levels of MDA in their serum samples. Moreover, HD-LBP and drug-treated groups had a high number of SER receptors and BDNF-positive cells and a low number of TUNEL-positive cells in their hippocampal brain tissues. The HD-LBP treatments decrease anxious behavior by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, hippocampal SER and BDNF neurotransmitter levels and decreasing the TUNEL-positive cell count of ovariectomized rats. Given these findings, we suggest that menopause-induced symptoms of anxiety can be reduced by polysaccharides obtained from goji berry fruits, and that these findings will be beneficial for the production studies of natural herbal-origin antianxiety (anxiolytic) drugs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to characterize the growth and reproductive characteristics of four in vitro propagated goji berry varieties (JB1, JB 2, JB 4, JB 10) of the species (Lycium barbarum L.) and antioxidant properties of their fruits.The experiment was set in 2014 in the experimental base of the Department of Fruit Growing at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv. The results are for the period 2017-2019. Growth and quality indicators were studied, as well as the amount of total polyphenols and total flavonoids responsible for the antioxidant activity of the fruit. On average for the study period, variety JB1 emerged as the most productive, and the lowest yields were obtained from JB10. The data were processed by the method of analysis of variance. There are differences in the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids in the fruits of the studied varieties, and hence in their antioxidant activity. Variety JB 10 is characterized by the highest content of total polyphenols - 278 mg/100g and the highest ORAC value - 89.7 µmol TE/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel food, super food, wolfberry, the Himalayan longevity fruit. Several different and, even more, colourful names define the fruits of Lycium barbarum L., one of the most popular food supplements and anti-aging remedies of the recent years. Goji derivatives find application at the interface between food and medicine thanks to the claimed antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Aiming at identifying the most effective extraction protocol for processing different goji berries samples (fresh and dried, commercial and from an Italian cultivar), combinations of extractive and analytical techniques were attempted. The concentration of bioactive compounds and of total phenols were measured and the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts was studied. The results highlight the most suitable combination of source and process to obtain an extract that can be suitable for nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a membrane-based process for the purification and concentration of antioxidant compounds from aqueous Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berry extracts was investigated. The aqueous extract was previously clarified with hollow fiber ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in order to remove suspended solids and β-carotene and to produce a clarified extract enriched in phenolic compounds. Then, three UF flat sheet polyamide membranes with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) in the range 1000–3500 Da were tested to purify and concentrate phenolic compounds from the clarified extract. The effect of MWCO and transmembrane pressure (TMP) on the performance of selected membranes in terms of productivity and selectivity towards total dissolved solids (TDS), total phenolic compounds (TPC), total carbohydrates (TC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) was evaluated. Experimental results indicated that the 2500 Da membrane exhibited a lower fouling index, higher cleaning efficiency, lower rejection towards carbohydrates (lower than 30%) and higher rejection towards phenolic compounds (higher than 50%) in comparison to the other investigated membranes. The inclusion of a diafiltration process in the treatment of the clarified extract with this membrane in a spiral-wound configuration improved the concentration of sugar compounds in the permeate stream and increased the purification of phenolic compounds in the retentate fraction.

According to information published in various specialized articles and those taken from traditional beliefs, goji fruit is considered to be an important antioxidant, antidiabetic, and a natural source with excellent effects on the cardiovascular system and in decreasing the level of cholesterol in the human body. The present study was conducted to develop a method of optimizing the content of antioxidants. Therefore, we initiated the in vitro culture of goji plants from meristematic apexes of plants harvested from 30-day-old germinated seeds generated from the substrate septic consisting of peat mixed with perlite. The culture medium used was Murashige & Skoog supplemented with 0.5 mg / l IBA (indolyl butyric acid) and 0.5 mg / l BA (benzyladenine). Plants containers were exposed to light of different colors fluorescent tubes from Osram company and the following lengths wave: white; blue- 473 nm; green- 533 nm; yellow 580 nm; red-680 nm. Chamber growth temperature was 230C ± 20C, between light and 200C ± 20C, during hours of darkness, photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness. At the age of 60 days these vitro seedlings have undergone physiological and biochemical analyzes. Red light, green and yellow stimulates growth length of vitro seedlings and blue light produce small and stocky plants and even growth slowing. Blue light has increased the total content of assimilating pigments and content of antioxidants (phenols, flavonoids) were increased by the yellow and white light. The antioxidant capacity was also higher in vitroplants grown in blue light and lowest in red light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The polysaccharides were extracted from Lycium barbarum L. using USWE. [•] A Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the USWE conditions. [•] The USWE method was compared with three conventional methods. [•] The antioxidant activities against superoxides, hydroxyl radicals and DPPH were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preparative column chromatography method was developed to isolate carotenoids, flavonoids and polysaccharides, from Lycium barbarum L., possessing vital biological activity, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. Carotenoids were isolated by a column containing magnesium oxide and diatomaceous earth (1.5:1, w/w), and β-carotene was eluted with hexane, β-cryptoxanthin and neoxanthin with ethyl acetate and zeaxanthin with ethyl acetate–ethanol (80:20, v/v). Flavonoids and phenolic acids were separated using a Cosmosil 140 C18-OPN column, with phenolic acids being eluted with deionized water and neutral flavonoids with methanol. Polysaccharides were fractionated using a DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column; neutral polysaccharides were eluted with water and acidic polysaccharides with different concentrations of NaCl. For antioxidant activity, the flavonoid fraction was the most effective in scavenging DPPH· and ABTS·+ free radicals, chelating metal ions and reducing power, while the zeaxanthin fraction and polysaccharides showed the most pronounced effect in scavenging hydroxy free radicals and superoxide anions, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, a membrane-based process for the purification and concentration of antioxidant compounds from aqueous Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berry extracts was investigated. The aqueous extract was previously clarified with hollow fiber ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in order to remove suspended solids and β-carotene and to produce a clarified extract enriched in phenolic compounds. Then, three UF flat sheet polyamide membranes with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) in the range 1000–3500 Da were tested to purify and concentrate phenolic compounds from the clarified extract. The effect of MWCO and transmembrane pressure (TMP) on the performance of selected membranes in terms of productivity and selectivity towards total dissolved solids (TDS), total phenolic compounds (TPC), total carbohydrates (TC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) was evaluated. Experimental results indicated that the 2500 Da membrane exhibited a lower fouling index, higher cleaning efficiency, lower rejection towards carbohydrates (lower than 30%) and higher rejection towards phenolic compounds (higher than 50%) in comparison to the other investigated membranes. The inclusion of a diafiltration process in the treatment of the clarified extract with this membrane in a spiral-wound configuration improved the concentration of sugar compounds in the permeate stream and increased the purification of phenolic compounds in the retentate fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lycium barbarum (wolfberry) has been widely cultivated in China, particularly in northwest regions. However, the fruit size and taste of L. barbarum from different habitats are quite different. Traditionally, only the fruit of L. barbarum produced in Ningxia province is recorded as an authentic herb, although the detailed mechanism responsible for this remains obscure. Polysaccharides are considered major active ingredients in L. barbarum which is crucial for its quality evaluation. Methods: In this study, we assessed the yield, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and conformation of L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) collected from different regions of China. The antioxidant and immune activities of LBPs were also determined as its quality indicator. Results: Our results showed that the similarity values of monosaccharide composition were larger than 0.926, and the Mw of the two fractions (peaks 1–2) in LBPs were ranging from 1.36 × 106 to 2.01 × 106 (peak 1), and 6.85 × 104 to 10.30 × 104 (peak 2) which indicated that the structure of LBPs were similar. In addition, results showed that there was no significant difference in antioxidant and immune activities of nine LBPs from different regions. However, the yield of LBPs from Qinghai Province (low atmospheric temperature, high altitude) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those collected from Xinjiang and Ningxia province. Conclusions: These data suggested that the L. barbarum produced in Ningxia and Xinjiang maybe more suitable as materials for medicines and functional foods. This study also provides a reference for improving the quality control standard of LBPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]