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Background: Justicia adhatoda is a potential source of natural medicine. In Ayurveda this plant is known as the ‘Vasaka’ that is well known medicinal plant which is used in treatment of various disorders. Given the well-established reputation of Justicia adhatoda as a medicinal plant, a phytochemical screening was performed to further investigate its composition and potential applications. Results: In the present study, we evaluate the preliminary phytochemical, FT-IR analysis, and antioxidant activity of Justicia adathoda. During the present investigation, the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, sterols, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins compounds were established in J. adhatoda leaves. FT-IR analysis was performed to identify the various functional groups of the biomolecules found in the ethanolic leaf extract of the plant. Different wave numbers which correspond to different functional groups such as are present in J. adhatoda leaves having the presence of Hydroxyl group, Alcohols, Amides, Alkanes Aldehydes, Alkenes, Carboxylic acids, Aromatic compounds, Nitriles, Alkyl and Aryl halides. The results revealed that, J. adhatoda contains phytocompounds like phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, etc. The results obtained from FTIR analysis are significant with the result of preliminary qualitative analysis. Antioxidant capacity was measured by Phosphomolybdenum method assay and Reducing power assay. From the results, it can be seen that the extract possessed a reducing capacity similar to the ascorbic acid and both of them showed an increase in absorbance. The plant extract possess good antioxidant activity and compared with the standard ascorbic acid. Hence the study could be saying that this plant has good efficacy of antioxidants. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of medicinally important compounds like phytochemicals in J. adhatoda. The results could be saying that this plant has good efficacy of antioxidants and further research is needed to isolate, purify, and characterize them. This could lead to the development of new drugs or therapies based on these natural compounds.

This study investigated the combination of ultrasound pretreatment with microwave drying in food production, focusing on its impact on longan seeds. The study explored how ultrasound pretreatment and different microwave power levels affect drying kinetics, thermodynamic characteristics, and phytochemical properties during extraction. The results indicated that ultrasound pretreatment significantly boosts the drying rate by an average of 25% and reduces drying time by an average of 41.3%, while enhancing the phytochemical content of longan seeds, with increases of up to 35% for total phenolic content (TPC), 47% for total flavonoid content (TFC), and 42% for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Mathematical models accurately described the drying process and extraction kinetics, with the modified Henderson and Pabis model and the two-term exponential model being particularly effective. Furthermore, the study observed changes in entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs' energy with varying microwave power levels and ultrasound treatment. This research demonstrated the potential of ultrasound pretreatment combined with microwave drying to improve the efficiency and phytochemical quality of longan seeds in food processing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver vanadate nanorods were synthesized for the first time via co‐precipitation, followed by ambient drying. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were utilized to investigate the structure and morphology of the nanorods. The results of these analyses confirmed the fabrication of silver vanadate nanorods. Then, to check the ability of these nanostructures to be used in the smart window, their optical properties, including the visible–ultraviolet absorption spectrum and photoluminescence (PL), were studied. The results showed that this nanostructure has maximum absorption and emission at wavelengths of 530 and 670 nm, respectively. Next, the new smart window was made with a layer of silver vanadate nanorods, and wheat, barley, millet, and beet were placed under this smart window to perform phytochemical tests. It was observed that silver vanadate nanorods could shift the green wavelength to higher wavelengths and efficiently improve the phytochemical properties of the mentioned plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey, with its varied and extensive characteristics, is a complex and diverse biological substance that has been used since ancient times. The aim of this study is to thoroughly characterize the physicochemical, phytochemical, and biological properties of four floral honey varieties from the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco, with the goal of promoting the valorization of Moroccan honey in skincare and cosmetic products. The analyses of their physicochemical characteristics encompass various parameters such as pH, acidity, density, water content, Brix index, conductivity, ash content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, and color. The levels of polyphenols range from 22.1 ± 0.4 to 69.3 ± 0.17 mg GAE/100 g of honey, measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method for polyphenol quantification. Additionally, the estimation of flavonoid quantities in 100 g of honey, conducted using the aluminum trichloride method, reveals values ranging from 3.6 ± 0.2 to 7.2 ± 0.6 mg QE. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that honey exhibits high levels of glucose and relatively low concentrations of proteins. The quantitative evaluation of antioxidant effects, carried out through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging method and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method, highlights the strong antioxidant capacity of multifloral honey, characterized by low inhibitory concentration values (IC50 = 30.43 mg/mL and EC50 = 16.06 mg/mL). Moreover, all honey varieties demonstrate antibacterial and antifungal properties, with multifloral honey standing out for its particularly pronounced antimicrobial activity. The correlation analyses between phytochemical composition and antioxidant and antibacterial activities reveal an inverse relationship between polyphenols and IC50 (DPPH) and EC50 (FRAP) concentrations of honey. The correlation coefficients are established at R2 = −0.97 and R2 = −0.99, respectively. Additionally, a significant negative correlation is observed between polyphenols, flavonoids, and antifungal power (R2 = −0.95 and R2 = −0.96). In parallel, a marked positive correlation is highlighted between antifungal efficacy, DPPH antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.95), and FRAP (R2 = 0.92). These results underscore the crucial importance of phytochemical components in the beneficial properties of honey, meeting international quality standards. Consequently, honey could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various parts of the palmyra and coconut trees which are widely distributed in the southern parts of the Indian subcontinent have been studied and utilized for many years. These contain a white and spongy edible component in them which is found during the germination of the seeds called haustorium. The palmyra and coconut trees each have different sections with special medical properties. Recently, the haustorium of both coconut and palmyra trees has been gaining increased attention from researchers due to its nutritional properties. Certain studies on the haustoria have revealed the presence of various compounds that are beneficial for human health. The bioactive compounds found in the previous studies include phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, pyrimidine groups and certain vitamins which act as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-mutagenic agents. This review focuses on comparing the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, sugar profile fatty acid profile, amino acid profile, minerals, and vitamins of both palmyra and coconut haustorium. This review also reports on the value addition of the haustoria as usually they are consumed in their raw form. These value-added products not only enhance the economic viability of these underutilized resources but also contribute to extending their shelf life, making them more accessible in the market. Also, this review emphasizes the haustorium's potential defence against negative consequences. Therefore, this review paper helps in understanding the palmyra and coconut haustorium and its potential health benefits.

The efficacy, targeting ability, and biocompatibility of plant-based nanoparticles can be exploited in fields such as agriculture and medicine. This study highlights the use of plant-based ginger nanoparticles as an effective and promising strategy against cancer and for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections and related disorders. Ginger is a well-known spice with significant medicinal value due to its phytochemical constituents including gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and paradols. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from ginger extracts could be an important non-toxic and eco-friendly nanomaterial for widespread use in medicine. In this study, AgNPs were biosynthesized using an ethanolic extract of ginger rhizome and their phytochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties were evaluated. UV–visible spectral analysis confirmed the formation of spherical AgNPs. FTIR analysis revealed that the NPs were associated with various functional biomolecules that were associated with the NPs during stabilization. The particle size and SEM analyses revealed that the AgNPs were in the size range of 80–100 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.510, and a zeta potential of −17.1 mV. The purity and crystalline nature of the AgNPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The simple and repeatable phyto-fabrication method reported here may be used for scaling up for large-scale production of ginger-derived NPs. A phytochemical analysis of the ginger extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids, which can serve as active biocatalysts and natural stabilizers of metallic NPs. The ginger extracts at low concentrations demonstrated promising cytotoxicity against Vero cell lines with a 50% reduction in cell viability at 0.6–6 μg/mL. When evaluated for biological activity, the AgNPs exhibited significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity on several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. This suggests that the AgNPs may be used against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Ginger-derived AgNPs have a considerable potential for use in the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer medications, and an optimistic perspective for their use in medicine and pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pitcher plant, Nepenthes khasiana is utilized by several indigenous groups in Meghalaya, India owing to its medicinal properties. Due to their therapeutic qualities, a pioneer work was undertaken where the GC-MS technique was used to detect and identify the phytochemical substances present in the unopened pitcher fluids of N. khasiana. Materials and methods: Sample preparation and extraction of the methanol fraction of N. khasiana pitcher fluid were done following standard methods and exposed to GC-MS for phytochemical profiling. Results: The GC-MS study revealed 22 compounds in total, each of which had different phytochemical properties. The metabolites present were coronavirus inhibitors, antioxidants, antimicrobials, cure urolithiasis, hypocholesterolemic, and can cure cancer. Lipinski's Rule of 5 also depicted that 19 compounds of 22 have the potential to make active oral drugs for humans. Conclusion: The metabolites present in pitcher fluids could be used in drug formulation in pharmacology. Even, the fluids can be used as raw medicine for poor people owing to their medicinal properties as depicted in GC-MS however, further research on quantitative and qualitative investigation, its clinical trial on animals along with cytotoxic study are required for a concrete conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aonla, commonly known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a plant native to India with various therapeutic and dietary benefits. This review covers the taxonomical, morphological, and species-level classifications of aonla fruit, including its flower biology, maturation, harvesting, and yield metrics. It also discusses the nutritional, physico-chemical, and phytochemical characteristics and the total antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and mineral compositions of several aonla fruit cultivars. Additionally, the health benefits of aonla are reviewed, including its analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, ulcerogenic, chemo-protective, neuroprotective, free radical scavenging, hypoglycaemic, and immunogenic properties, which make it beneficial in the treatment and prevention of various illnesses. Further various forms of fruit extract are also considered to be beneficial for the improvement of plant and animal health. Overall, aonla is a valuable fruit with significant potential for use in improving human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen being superfood was incorporated in skim milk and spray-dried to obtain bee pollen enriched milk powder (BPEMP), which was stored in ALP, BOPP/LDPE, and PET/Al foil/LDPE pouches (commonly used to pack food powders) at 5, 25 and 40°C for 1 year. The current study aims the determination and comparison of the physico-chemical, phytochemical, and microstructural properties of BPEMP with control during storage. Water activity and peroxide value increased whereas there was a significant (p

Pest attacks are crucial contemporary problems in recent decades that may cause severe damage to their host and their products. Therefore, controlling the pest attacks is very crucial. Hence, the present study aimed to control the insecticidal activity of Sitophilus oryzae L. with the help of Sida acuta leaf extract. Two types of solvent extracts were used for screening insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae L. by using five different concentrations: control, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg mL–1, were used to evaluate the insecticidal activity during the study period. The results from the study revealed that a total of 95% of the mortality rate was observed in ethanol-based plant extracts at 72 h of exposure, and 82% of the mortality rate was observed in petroleum ether-based plant extracts at 72 h of exposure. The recorded LC50 values ranged from 41.01 to 35.83 mg mL–1 in both plant extracts at 72 h of exposure. During the study period, control did not influence the insecticidal activity of Sitophilus oryzae L. The analyzed phytochemical properties revealed that the Sida acuta plant is an alkaloid in nature, and it may possess valuable pharmaceutical properties, and these properties may influence the insecticidal activity of Sitophilus oryzae L. However, the use of Sida aucta leaf extract provided good results in controlling the insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae L. Moreover, the use of botanical insecticides may reduce toxicity in ecosystems and provide cost-effective methods for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: T. cordifolia contains a lot of secondary metabolites which are produced from various parts of the plant. They have their specificity in many diseases to cure. By considering the importance of T. cordifolia as medicinal plant to investigate the phytochemical properties. Results: The preliminary phytochemical study was carried out to identify the presence of different phytochemicals and the results revealed the presence of Carbohydrates, Glycosides, Proteins, amino acids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenolic compounds, Tannins, Saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. When we compare the presence of phytocompounds in different solvents, methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of more phytoconstituents followed by petroleum ether and chloroform solvents. The quantitative analysis of phytochemicals such as Flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins and saponins were also estimated from methanol extract by various methods. Total phenolic content of methanolic extract of the T. cordifolia was found to be 6.53mg/g. Total flavonoid content was found to be 4.07mg/g, alkaloid content was 5.62mg/g and the tannin content was found to be 5.83 mg/g. Saponin content was 5.02mg/g. The results revealed that the phenol content was more in stem extract of T. cordifolia and it was followed by tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. FT-IR analysis was performed to identify the various functional groups of the biomolecules found in the methanolic stem extract of the plant. Conclusions: The results of present study revealed the presence of medicinally important constituents in Tinospora cordifolia. Traditional medicine practice is recommended strongly that further work should be carried out to isolate, purify and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for the activity of these plants.

Herbal drinks are generally produced from the natural ingredients of different morphological plant parts, namely leaves, stems, roots, fruits, buds, and flowers which have long been consumed through generations. Nowadays, research on herbal drinks receives less attention, resulting in a lack of understanding regarding their benefits. This review aims to summarize the emergence and potential commercialization of traditional herbal drinks which are widely marketed for their health benefit. The information on physicochemical (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity), phytochemicals (flavonoids, tannin, phenolic acids, curcumin, terpenoids), and pharmacological properties (antioxidants activities, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal activities) of herbal drinks were discussed. The herbs and their processes employed in the preparation of herbal drinks are predicted to have a significant impact on their physicochemical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties. In addition, the phytochemical components present in the herbs are expected to influence the pharmacological properties of herbal drinks. Ultimately, herbal drinks have the potential to be commercialized and be served as healthy drink products with numerous health benefits and appeal to people to consume herbal drinks.

Dates are an excellent source of polyphenols which makes them a valuable avenue for pharmacological properties. However, there are underutilized date fruits in Oman. In this study, four commonly grown Omani date cultivars, namely Barni, Fard, Khalas and Madloki at Tamar stages, were investigated for their total phenolic contents, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, vitamin C, ß-carotene, tannins and saponins. The acidic-aqueous and alcoholic extracts were obtained from the dried powder of date varieties. Total phenolic contents were determined spectrophotometrically by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, ß-carotene and vitamin C, were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Tannins and saponins were analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that there were differences among date cultivars in terms of total phenolic and flavonoids compounds. Madloki date powder exhibited the highest concentration of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds. Fard date powder had the highest concentration of flavonoid compounds, though it showed a lower concentration of ß-carotene. A comparatively higher concentration of quercetin was observed in Madloki dates. The study results provide evidence that the investigated Omani date fruits possess potential nutraceutical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacities of fermented apple juice (FAJ) by Lactobacillus plantarum 90 (Lp90) and Lactobacillus acidophilus 85 (La85) during refrigerated storage and simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD) were investigated. Viable counts of Lp90 and La85 were decreased, while phenolic content and antioxidant capacities were improved during refrigerated storage, especially for the increased chlorogenic acid content. Ester content was decreased slightly after refrigeration, while the primary esters including ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, and ethyl 2-methylbutyrate were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ketone content was increased significantly after refrigeration (p < 0.05). In addition, viable counts of Lp90 and La85 remained higher than 6 log CFU/mL after SGD. The presence of probiotics delayed the decrease of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability and increased ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of FAJ. The contents of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, and phlorizin were decreased, while ellagic acid and rutin contents in FAJ were significantly increased after SGD (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Amaryllidaceae is a family of monocotyledons belonging to the order Asparagales. Some species have extensive pharmacological properties as they produce alkaloids, with antiviral and antimicrobial activity. Within this family, in the Allioideae subfamily, it’s found garlic (Allium sativum L.). Investigations have been carried out on the phytochemical compounds, both of the isolated components of their bulbs and of various formulations. The objective of the present work was to carry out a bibliographical review of investigations made in this regard, with emphasis on those referred to fungal control. M&M: The methodology used consisted of an online search and subsequent review of specialized papers. The search engines Google and Google Scholar were used. A total of 31 scientific journals, 1 web page, 6 theses, 1 final degree project and 1 conference proceedings have been consulted. These investigations date from the end of the 20th century to the present. The following search guides were used: Garlic, garlic components, and garlic as an antifungal agent. The works consulted and search sites have been synthesized in a table. Results: The investigations surveyed in this review confirm the high potential of garlic as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, both in isolated components of the bulbs and in different formulations. A synthesis with the results obtained in recent investigations applied to prevention and fungal control is presented. Conclusions: This review contributes to the updated knowledge of the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of garlic that are related to the variety of isolated compounds produced in the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy, targeting ability, and biocompatibility of plant-based nanoparticles can be exploited in fields such as agriculture and medicine. This study highlights the use of plant-based ginger nanoparticles as an effective and promising strategy against cancer and for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections and related disorders. Ginger is a well-known spice with significant medicinal value due to its phytochemical constituents including gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and paradols. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from ginger extracts could be an important non-toxic and eco-friendly nanomaterial for widespread use in medicine. In this study, AgNPs were biosynthesized using an ethanolic extract of ginger rhizome and their phytochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties were evaluated. UV–visible spectral analysis confirmed the formation of spherical AgNPs. FTIR analysis revealed that the NPs were associated with various functional biomolecules that were associated with the NPs during stabilization. The particle size and SEM analyses revealed that the AgNPs were in the size range of 80–100 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.510, and a zeta potential of −17.1 mV. The purity and crystalline nature of the AgNPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The simple and repeatable phyto-fabrication method reported here may be used for scaling up for large-scale production of ginger-derived NPs. A phytochemical analysis of the ginger extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids, which can serve as active biocatalysts and natural stabilizers of metallic NPs. The ginger extracts at low concentrations demonstrated promising cytotoxicity against Vero cell lines with a 50% reduction in cell viability at 0.6–6 μg/mL. When evaluated for biological activity, the AgNPs exhibited significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity on several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. This suggests that the AgNPs may be used against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Ginger-derived AgNPs have a considerable potential for use in the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer medications, and an optimistic perspective for their use in medicine and pharmaceutical industry.

Background: T. cordifolia contains a lot of secondary metabolites which are produced from various parts of the plant. They have their specificity in many diseases to cure. By considering the importance of T. cordifolia as medicinal plant to investigate the phytochemical properties. Results: The preliminary phytochemical study was carried out to identify the presence of different phytochemicals and the results revealed the presence of Carbohydrates, Glycosides, Proteins, amino acids, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Phenolic compounds, Tannins, Saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. When we compare the presence of phytocompounds in different solvents, methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of more phytoconstituents followed by petroleum ether and chloroform solvents. The quantitative analysis of phytochemicals such as Flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins and saponins were also estimated from methanol extract by various methods. Total phenolic content of methanolic extract of the T. cordifolia was found to be 6.53mg/g. Total flavonoid content was found to be 4.07mg/g, alkaloid content was 5.62mg/g and the tannin content was found to be 5.83 mg/g. Saponin content was 5.02mg/g. The results revealed that the phenol content was more in stem extract of T. cordifolia and it was followed by tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. FT-IR analysis was performed to identify the various functional groups of the biomolecules found in the methanolic stem extract of the plant. Conclusions: The results of present study revealed the presence of medicinally important constituents in Tinospora cordifolia. Traditional medicine practice is recommended strongly that further work should be carried out to isolate, purify and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for the activity of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aonla, commonly known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a plant native to India with various therapeutic and dietary benefits. This review covers the taxonomical, morphological, and species-level classifications of aonla fruit, including its flower biology, maturation, harvesting, and yield metrics. It also discusses the nutritional, physico-chemical, and phytochemical characteristics and the total antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and mineral compositions of several aonla fruit cultivars. Additionally, the health benefits of aonla are reviewed, including its analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, ulcerogenic, chemo-protective, neuroprotective, free radical scavenging, hypoglycaemic, and immunogenic properties, which make it beneficial in the treatment and prevention of various illnesses. Further various forms of fruit extract are also considered to be beneficial for the improvement of plant and animal health. Overall, aonla is a valuable fruit with significant potential for use in improving human health.

Ethanol extracts from the leaves of Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don., and Melastoma affine D. Don., growing in Mount Merapi National Park, Indonesia, had high antioxidant activity similar to ascorbic acid. Natural substances with high antioxidant activity potentially inhibit UV-induced skin photoaging. This study aimed to investigate the sun protection factor (SPF) and antiglycation activity of C. hirta and M. affine ethanol extracts to identify and obtain candidate photoprotective ingredients for sunscreen products. Proximate analysis of extract simplicial was performed for standardization, and their secondary metabolites quantified to understand their bioactivities. Flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins were quantified using the aluminum chloride, bromocresol green, and vanillin-sulfuric acid methods, respectively. Phenolic compounds and tannins were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The C. hirta extract showed a higher SPF value in UV spectrophotometry, and antiglycation activity through bovine serum albumin-glucose (BSAglucose) method, than the M. affine extract. An antioxidant assay using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method confirmed that the C. hirta and M. affine extracts were more potent and had slightly lower antioxidant activity, respectively, than ascorbic acid. The high bioactivity of C. hirta extract was likely due to phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, because these metabolites were more abundant in C. hirta extract than in M. affine extract. These results indicated that the ethanol extract of C. hirta leaves has the potential to be developed as an ingredient of sunscreen products for skin photoprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild asparagus Asparagus acutifolius L. is common in the Mediterranean Basin. Wild asparagus spears are an important food source within their native range, and can be used as a sustainable nutrition source. In addition, interest has risen in wild relative species of Asparagus as a source of genetic improvement in Asparagus officinalis L. In this study, the quality traits (spear colour, total soluble solid content, dry matter content and chlorophyll and sugar fractions) and health-related compounds (total phenolics and antioxidant capacity) of fresh spears of wild and cultivated asparagus grown in Turkey were compared using the same three harvest periods for two consecutive years. The results of this study indicated that spears of wild asparagus contained a higher level of greenness (– a *), hue angle, total soluble solid, dry matter, chlorophyll, sugars, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, compared to cultivated asparagus. Although there was no significant difference in the total soluble solid, glucose, sucrose and antioxidant activity in the contents of the spears of both species throughout the season, the colour, dry matter, chlorophyll, fructose, total sugar and total phenolic content were subject to seasonal variations. Colour, chlorophyll and total phenolic content showed some minor fluctuations over the course of the season, but the patterns of fructose and total sugar differed, which tended to increase throughout the harvest season. The present work suggests greater quality traits and biochemical compounds of the spears of A. acutifolius compared with those of commonly cultivated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dried cabya (Piper retrofractum Vahl.) is commonly used in making various types of herbs, spices, and cosmetic raw materials that require heating processes so that they require information on the value of thermal conductivity (k), thermal diffusivity (α), and specific heat (Cp). The thermal properties of dried cabya are affected by different phytochemical compositions at each maturity stage of the fruit. This study aims to determine and analyze the thermal properties and phytochemical content of dried cabya in three stages of green, orange and red maturity. Measurement of thermal diffusivity in this study uses the principle of onedimensional unsteady-state conduction heat flow using a vertical thermal diffusivity test. The value of thermal conductivity is determined indirectly by a calculation method based on the value of thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density of the material. The thermal conductivity values of green, orange, and red paste cabya are 0.241 ± 0.016, 0.298 ± 0.005, and 0.344 ± 0.025 W/m°C. Reducing sugar levels in dried green, orange, and red cabya are 2.32 ± 0.16, 4.07 ± 0.13, and 6.44 ± 0.13 %, piperine levels are 2.42 ± 0.01, 1.97 ± 0.06, and 1.54 ± 0.05 %, and antioxidant levels are 87.15, 75.26, and 63.38 mg/mL. Based on the results of the study, red dried cabya have higher values of α, Cp, and k compared to orange and green because they contain higher levels of water and reducing sugars. However, red dried cabya have piperin and antioxidant levels which are getting lower

The ability to produce cold plasma in the atmosphere provides new opportunities for the decontamination of biological materials including fresh food. This technology is also used to inactivate endogenous enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase and peroxidases, which are responsible for browning reactions. This study investigated the effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma (DBDP) on the inactivation of enzymatic activity and some quality parameters in mango pulp. Results showed that DBDP treatment up to 10 min resulted in a reduction of polyphenol oxidase (10.85%), peroxidase (5.15%), and pectin methyl esterase (5.25 %) activities, aerobic plate count (16.6%), and yeast and mold count (18.8%) activities. An improvement was observed in physicochemical (especially viscosity and firmness values) and phytochemical (i.e. ascorbic acid, total phenol content) profiles as well as color values with increase DBDP treatment time until 6 min. This study provides the impact of DBDP time on the enzymatic activities and quality characteristics (especially phytochemical profiles) of mango pulp. Therefore, it is possible to use it as a new non-thermal alternative technology for pasteurizing mango pulp instead of thermal treatment.

Phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PCFCTL) were extracted using a high-speed shearing extraction technique and purified by AB-8 macroporous resins, and the phytochemical composition of the purified phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PPCFCTL) was then analyzed. Subsequently, its bioactivities including antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activities, and antiproliferative activities against several tumor cell lines were evaluated. Results indicated that the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, flavanols, and phenolic acids in PPCFCTL were increased by 3.29, 4.11, 2.74, 2.43, and 2.96-fold, respectively, compared with those before being purified by AB-8 macroporous resins. The results showed PPCFCTL have significant antioxidant ability (measured by reducing power, RP, and ferric reducing antioxidant power method, FRAP) and good DPPH, ABTS+, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. They can also significantly inhibit lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. In addition, morphological changes of HeLa, HepG2, and NCI-H460 tumor cells demonstrated the superior antitumor performance of PPCFCTL. However, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was relatively weak. These findings suggest that PPCFCTL have important potential as natural antioxidant, antilipidemic, anti-glycemic and antineoplastic agents in health-promoting foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the influence of microwave-assisted fluidized bed drying (MAFBD) on the antioxidant and phytochemical characteristics of Chicory. Microwave power, temperature, and air velocity were used as process variables varied between 180–540 W, 50–70 °C, and 15–20 m/s, respectively. The responses determined for deciding the optimal criteria were total phenolics content, ascorbic acid, DPPH radical scavenging activity, total chlorophyll, carotene content, total flavonoid content, tannin content, and saponin content of the dried chicory. Statistical analyses were done by using the response surface methodology, which showed that independent variables affected the responses to a varied extent. The design expert predicted 462.30 W microwave power, 70°C temperature, and 15 m/s air velocity as optimum conditions to obtain highest desirability for the dried chicory. Separate validation experiments were conducted, under optimum conditions, to verify the predictions and adequacy of the second-order polynomial models. Under these optimal conditions, the predicted amount of ascorbic acid content was 38.32 mg/100g DW, total phenolic content 216.42 mg/100g DW, total flavonoid content mg/100g DW, DPPH scavenging activity 36.10 μg/ml, total chlorophyll content 311.79 mg/100g, carotene content 7.30 mg/100g, tannin content 2.72 mg/100g, and saponin content 0.46 mg/100g. The investigated parameters had a significant effect on the quality of the dried chicory. Taking the aforesaid results into consideration, our study recommended MAFBD as a promising technique with minimum changes in antioxidant and phytochemical content of chicory.

The Rhizophora genus is a prominent mangrove distributed in tropical Bontang waters. However, exploration of antioxidant potential has received very little attention. The present study was, therefore, conducted to investigate the phytochemical properties and antioxidant activity of three Rhizophora species from Bontang waters in Indonesia. Leaves of Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, and Rhizophora stylosa were extracted with methanol (polar target molecules) and ethyl acetate (semi-polar target molecule) using the successive extraction method. The extractive yields of the two solvents were determined, and the three Rhizophora crude extracts were subjected to standard phytochemical screening. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity of the three Rhizophora extracts. The results showed that ethanol extractive yields were higher in all samples than ethyl acetate extractive yields. The phytochemical screening results indicated that the ethyl acetate extract contains a greater variety of metabolites than the methanol extract. Both ethyl acetate and methanol extracts demonstrated significant anti-DPPH radical activity. The R. mucronata extract in methanol had the highest antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 0.04±0.00 g/ml, followed by the R. stylosa extract at 0.37±0.09 g/mL, and the R. apiculata extract at 5.06 ± 0.41 g/mL. Meanwhile, the IC50 values of the R. apiculata, R. stylosa, and R. mucronata extracts in ethyl acetate were 0.72±0.07, 1.16±0.04, and 2.34±0.12 g/mL, respectively. The findings of the study suggest that the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, and Rhizophora apiculata have the potential to be developed as natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of various factors on anthocyanins extracted from ClitoriaTernatea L. petals were determined. In addition, phytochemical properties, antioxidant ability, antimicrobial capacity, and application of anthocyanins extractions were also investigated. As a result, the highest proportion of anthocyanin, 1.21 mg/g fresh weight (FW), was obtained when extracting ClitoriaTernatea L. petals with 100% methanol, with the solvent/sampleratio of 10ml/g at 37oC for an hour. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) was 24.7x10³±8.55x10² µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FW, while the figures for total flavonoid content was 18.8±0.149 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g FW. The values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and the highest total antioxidant activity were EC50=904.1µg/ml and 2.86x10³±1.01x10¹ µg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g FW, respectively. The inhibitions to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were shown with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 90 mg/ml and 180 mg/ml. It also showed that the ClitoriaTernatea L. petal extract also had the potential to be developed into a pH indicator, however, further study should be carried out to obtain a highly qualified one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel thin layer drying technology known as Refractance Window (RW) drying is used in this study to develop unripe green banana flour (UGBF). The process variables used for drying are water bath temperature (85–95 °C), slice thickness (1–3 mm) and sheet thickness (0.1, 0.3 mm). The responses used for optimizing process variables are whiteness index (WI); total phenolic content (TPC); 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity; and ascorbic acid content (AA). The obtained responses by RW drying technique were compared with that of hot air (HA) oven drying technique at 60 °C and 2 mm slice thickness. The optimized values of process variables are 86 °C water bath temperature, 2 mm slice thickness and 0.1 mm sheet thickness. The drying time required by RW drying (86 °C, 2 mm slice thickness, 0.1 mm sheet thickness) was 80 min and by HA oven drying (60 °C and 2 mm slice thickness) was 12 h. The observed values of WI, DPPH, TPC and AA for RW drying at the optimized condition are 89.564 ± 0.07, 19.04 ± 1.03%, 0.85 ± 0.4 mg GAE/g sample and 142.56 ± 0.56 mg AA/100 g sample, respectively. The results of WI, DPPH, TPC and AA for HA drying were 87.6, 7.46%, 0.63 mg GAE/1 g, and 83.33 mg/100 g at 60 °C, respectively. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis showed the presence of oblong and sphere-shaped starch granules with a smooth surface in the case of RW dried UGBF. The crystallinity of RW and HA dried UGBF were found to be 9.61% and 8.73%, respectively by using x-ray diffractograms. Thus, from these results it can be concluded that banana flour obtained by RW drying retains better quality of phytochemical properties and can be incorporated in bakery and confectionary products to improve their nutritional quality, and cost of finished product can be minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study investigated nutritional and phytochemical properties of three multipurpose savannah plants: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Morinda lucida. Proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient contents of leaves, stems and roots of the plants were determined. Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS). One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine significant difference between parameters. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at p < 0.05. Results showed that the nutritional and anti-nutrient contents showed significant difference (p < 0.05) across leaves, stems and roots of the plants. Crude protein (13.83 mg/100g) and total nitrogen (2.21 mg/100g) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in E. camaldulensis leaves, fat (1.48 mg/100g) and moisture (11.42 mg/100g) in M. lucida leaves while ash (7.66 mg/100g), crude fibre (15.84 mg/100g) and carbohydrate (75.30 mg/100g) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in H. sabdariffa stems and roots. Potassium (277.71 mg/kg) and calcium (321.55 mg/kg) were significantly higher in M. lucida leaves while higher sodium (51.05 mg/kg) was recorded in H. sabdariffa leaves. Tannins (0.55 mg/100g), oxalate (0.32 mg/100g), phytate (0.39 mg/100g) and trypsin inhibitor (0.33 mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the roots of the three plants than stems. Flavonoids (0.86 mg/100g), saponins (3.46 mg/100g), steroids (0.58 mg/100g) and anthocyannins (0.15 mg/100g) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in M. lucida leaves. In conclusion, although nutritional, phytochemical and anti-nutrient contents varied within leaves, stems and roots of the plants but, M. lucida leaves contained highest amounts of mineral and phytochemicals.

Silver vanadate nanorods were synthesized for the first time via co-precipitation, followed by ambient drying. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were utilized to investigate the structure and morphology of the nanorods. The results of these analyses confirmed the fabrication of silver vanadate nanorods. Then, to check the ability of these nanostructures to be used in the smart window, their optical properties, including the visible-ultraviolet absorption spectrum and photoluminescence (PL), were studied. The results showed that this nanostructure has maximum absorption and emission at wavelengths of 530 and 670 nm, respectively. Next, the new smart window was made with a layer of silver vanadate nanorods, and wheat, barley, millet, and beet were placed under this smart window to perform phytochemical tests. It was observed that silver vanadate nanorods could shift the green wavelength to higher wavelengths and efficiently improve the phytochemical properties of the mentioned plants., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PCFCTL) were extracted using a high-speed shearing extraction technique and purified by AB-8 macroporous resins, and the phytochemical composition of the purified phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PPCFCTL) was then analyzed. Subsequently, its bioactivities including antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activities, and antiproliferative activities against several tumor cell lines were evaluated. Results indicated that the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, flavanols, and phenolic acids in PPCFCTL were increased by 3.29, 4.11, 2.74, 2.43, and 2.96-fold, respectively, compared with those before being purified by AB-8 macroporous resins. The results showed PPCFCTL have significant antioxidant ability (measured by reducing power, RP, and ferric reducing antioxidant power method, FRAP) and good DPPH, ABTS+, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. They can also significantly inhibit lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. In addition, morphological changes of HeLa, HepG2, and NCI-H460 tumor cells demonstrated the superior antitumor performance of PPCFCTL. However, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was relatively weak. These findings suggest that PPCFCTL have important potential as natural antioxidant, antilipidemic, anti-glycemic and antineoplastic agents in health-promoting foods.

Alginates are one of the most important compounds of brown seaweeds. These compounds are employed in the food area, because of their important rheological properties, such as viscosity, gelling, and stabilizing features and as dietary fiber source. In this study, five species of dominant brown seaweeds were collected in the Red Sea (Padina boergesenii, Turbinaria triquetra, Hormophysa cuneiformis, Dictyota ciliolata, and Sargassum aquifolium) so as to characterize the alginate yield and its properties. The analysis demonstrated differences in the alginate yield among the seaweeds. The highest yield of alginate was recorded in the species T. triquetra (22.2 ± 0.56% DW), while the lowest content was observed in H. cuneiformis (13.3 ± 0.52% DW). The viscosity from the alginates varied greatly between the species, whereas the pH varied slightly. The alginate exhibited a moisture content between 6.4 and 13.1%, the ash content ranged between 12.3 and 20% DW, the protein reached values from 0.57 to 1.47% DW, and the lipid concentration varied from 0.3 to 3.5% DW. Thus, the phytochemical analysis demonstrated that the extracted alginates can be safely applied in the food industry. Furthermore, the alginate yield reveals the potential application of these seaweeds as a nutraceutical raw source, which can be exploited by the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background General antiviral agents such as oseltamivir are associated with certain adverse effects and the emergence of resistance. This study investigated the phytochemical properties, antiviral activities, and safety of three herbs used in traditional Korean medicine. Methods Extracts of three medicinal herbs (Brassica juncea, Forsythia suspensa, and Inula britannica) were prepared using ethanol or water. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin content, condensed tannin content, and reducing sugar content of the herb extracts were determined via phytochemical screening. Tandem mass analysis was performed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-Q/Orbitrap instrument. Virus titrations were determined via tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) and cytotoxicity assays. Hemolysis and hepatotoxicity were measured to determine safety. Results Among the three medicinal herbs, F. suspensa showed the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and saponins. The number of phytochemical compounds detected via tandem mass analysis of B. juncea, F. suspensa, and I. britannica was 5 (including sinigrin, m/z [M-H] = 358.02), 14 (including forsythoside A, m/z [M-H] = 623.19), and 18 (including chlorogenic acid, m/z [M-H] = 353.20), respectively. The antiviral effects of the B. juncea extracts (ethanol and water) and I. britannica extract (ethanol) were further investigated. The ethanol extract of B. juncea showed a 3 Log TCID50/25 μL virus titration reduction and the water extract showed a selectivity index of 13.668 against infected influenza H1N1 virus A/NWS/33. The B. juncea extracts did not show hemolysis activities and hepatotoxicity (

Background: As an important plant belonging to the Nepeta genus, Nepeta racemosa has been reported to be widely used in traditional medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical content and antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the decoction, infusion and hydro-alcoholic extract of this plant. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic content of the samples was determined using a slightly- modified Folin–Ciocalteu method. The DPPH free radical scavenging method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activities, and the Vanillin-Sulphuric Acid Method for the saponin content of the extract. Moreover, their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated based on standard methods. Results: The phenolic content of the plant decoction was found to be 222.8 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dried extract and its flavonoid content 87.8 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of dried extract. The highest saponin content obtained was associated with the hydro-alcoholic extract of the plant with 41.9 mg of quillaja equivalent per gram of dried extract. The plant decoction also showed the highest potential compared to the other samples in terms of antioxidant properties investigated using the DPPH and FRAP methods. Furthermore, the plant decoction showed great potential in terms of its inhibitory effects on α-amylase with 9.45 µmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract, and α-glucosidase with 33.57 µmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract. Conclusion: According to the results, Nepeta racemosa was found to exhibit high levels of antioxidant and antidiabetic abilities, which are directly proportional to its phenolic and flavonoid contents.

The chemical compounds that formed in plants during the normal metabolic process are termed as phytochemicals. The composition of phytochemicals is usually complex in nature and differs among stages of development and plant origin. Phytochemicals used higher plants as warehouse for them which are useful in pharmaceutical industry. Some useful medicinal properties are associated with the different parts of plants that results from the interaction of secondary metabolic products. The basic goal of this study was to determine the presence of different phytochemicals in 04 different medicinal plants (i.e. Smilax china, Tribulus terristris, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Curcuma amada). This analysis was conducted in Karachi for the determination of phytochemical activity of plants. Extracts were taken from 04 different medicinal plants that were bought from local market and were prepared in an aqueous form. We have done the phytochemical screening of 04 different medicinal plants. Results reveal that saponins were only absent in Curcuma amada while in all the other 3 they were present. Reducing sugar was only present in Smilax china and Glycyrrhiza glabra and tannins were in Smilax china, Tribulus terristris and Glycyrrhiza glabra. The results of anthocyanins were only positive in Glycyrrhizaglabra. By our results, we have concluded that the Glycyrrhiza glabra had all 04 targeted phytochemicals (i.e. saponin, reducing sugar, tannins and anthocyanins) while Tribulus terrestris had only saponins and tannins in it. Only saponin, reducing sugar and tannins were present in Smilax china and none of the targeted phytochemical was present in the extract of Curcuma amada.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that the vegetable material extracts act as potential precursors for the synthesis of nanomaterial using eco-friendly ways. Because the plant extracts contain various secondary metabolites, they act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the bioreduction reaction for synthesis of novel metallic nanoparticles. Herein, we describe the characteristics of different algae types, from different locations (Belgium and South Correa). Algae have important components, like chlorophyll and other plant pigments, omega-3 fatty acids and essential elements. Also, it has been demonstrated that algae provide a rich source of natural bioactive compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Another important aspect is the fact that algae represent a good wastewater treatment. In addition to the economic aspect, algae biomass is a source of biodiesel and offers an efficient way for nutrient consumption and provides aerobic bacteria with oxygen through photosynthesis. It is a low-cost technique for the removal of phosphorus, nitrogen and pathogens. We first characterized and compared quantitatively (polyphenols, flavonoids) and qualitatively (carbohydrates, alkaloids) the properties of two algae types extracts (green algae - Enteromorpha spp. and brown ones - Hizikia fusiforme). We then obtained and characterized the gold nanoparticles, formed using HAuCl4 (10-3 M) and algae sample extracts. The algae extracts, the green method for obtaining metallic nanoparticles (AuNP) and the nanoparticles investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, optical microscopy and SEM technique are shown in this research.

Different extracts of solitary marine tunicates have attracted attention as a source of amazing secondary metabolites with a wide range of promising potential biological effects. In the current study the antibacterial activity of the Persian Gulf marine tunicate "Phallusia nigra," against the Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli were investigated. The total flavonoid, phenolic, and alkaloid contents as well as, identification of their bioactive molecules were also analyzed. The tunicate extract showed significant antibacterial activities against the tested gram-negative bacteria strains. Chemical investigation of the methanol-chloroform extract by the GC-MS method, afforded the 23 compounds (C1–C23), with incredible and different structures. The extract had the highest amounts of flavonoid and phenolic contents. The result of flavonoids to phenolics ratio showed that the extract is rich in flavonoids. Amongst, 13 compounds including the C5, C9, C10, C12–C16, and C18–C22 belonged to different groups of flavonoids. From six nitrogenous organic compounds C1– C3, C7, C11, and C23 with a total abundance of about 36.74%, the bioactive heterocyclic compounds, C1, C7, and C23 have indole alkaloids, phthalazines, and thiadiazoles structures with potential known diverse pharmacological properties. At least, a portion of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities may be due to the presence of these unique bioactive compounds in the extract. However, this marine organism can be subjected to different biological, phytochemical, and pharmacological and nutraceutical studies to find out the novel drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of extraction methods and storage time on the quality of moringa seed oil was investigated. Cold water, hot water, and n-hexane extraction methods were used while the extracted oils were stored at room temperature for six months. The chemical properties, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of the oils were determined using standard methods. The n-hexane had the highest yield of 56%, hot water 40%, and cold water 30%. The chemical properties ranged as follows: peroxide value: (12.98-22.50, 10.36-33.12 and 9.12-23.93 Meq/kg), saponification value: (189.01-160.23, 222.17-122.72 and 184.17-110.82 mgKOH/g), iodine value: (65.17-14.37, 60.49-16.25 and 59.46-16.84 mg/wij's) and acid value: (14.58-74.14, 12.99-78.07 and 17.96-46.19 mgKOH/g), respectively for cold water, hot water, and n-hexane. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Moringa olelifera seed oils are good sources of alternative oil for both commercial and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific studies have demonstrated that the vegetable material extracts act as potential precursors for the synthesis of nanomaterial using eco-friendly ways. Because the plant extracts contain various secondary metabolites, they act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the bioreduction reaction for synthesis of novel metallic nanoparticles. Herein, we describe the characteristics of different algae types, from different locations (Belgium and South Correa). Algae have important components, like chlorophyll and other plant pigments, omega-3 fatty acids and essential elements. Also, it has been demonstrated that algae provide a rich source of natural bioactive compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Another important aspect is the fact that algae represent a good wastewater treatment. In addition to the economic aspect, algae biomass is a source of biodiesel and offers an efficient way for nutrient consumption and provides aerobic bacteria with oxygen through photosynthesis. It is a low-cost technique for the removal of phosphorus, nitrogen and pathogens. We first characterized and compared quantitatively (polyphenols, flavonoids) and qualitatively (carbohydrates, alkaloids) the properties of two algae types extracts (green algae - Enteromorpha spp. and brown ones - Hizikia fusiforme). We then obtained and characterized the gold nanoparticles, formed using HAuCl4 (10-3 M) and algae sample extracts. The algae extracts, the green method for obtaining metallic nanoparticles (AuNP) and the nanoparticles investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, optical microscopy and SEM technique are shown in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter is a shrub native to the Mediterranean, however, declared as a very invasive species in Australia and North America. Environmental (climatic) and socio-economic (land abandonment) changes can trigger different adaptive mechanisms and cause changes in species behavior, influencing invasion dynamics. Motivated by the recently noticed change of D. viscosa behavior in its native Mediterranean habitat, we discuss the invasion properties, its behavior in the native habitat and new areas, and its management options. We review the species’ adverse effects and its positive ecosystem services in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework. In this review, we provide information on the phytochemical properties of D. viscosa and highlight its potential use in ecological agriculture, phytopharmacy, and medicine. The presented data is useful for developing effective management of this contentious species, with emphasis on mitigating environmental and economic damages, especially in agriculture. The final aim is to achieve a balanced ecosystem, providing a high level of possible services (provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting).

Alginates are one of the most important compounds of brown seaweeds. These compounds are employed in the food area, because of their important rheological properties, such as viscosity, gelling, and stabilizing features and as dietary fiber source. In this study, five species of dominant brown seaweeds were collected in the Red Sea (Padina boergesenii, Turbinaria triquetra, Hormophysa cuneiformis, Dictyota ciliolata, and Sargassum aquifolium) so as to characterize the alginate yield and its properties. The analysis demonstrated differences in the alginate yield among the seaweeds. The highest yield of alginate was recorded in the species T. triquetra (22.2 ± 0.56% DW), while the lowest content was observed in H. cuneiformis (13.3 ± 0.52% DW). The viscosity from the alginates varied greatly between the species, whereas the pH varied slightly. The alginate exhibited a moisture content between 6.4 and 13.1%, the ash content ranged between 12.3 and 20% DW, the protein reached values from 0.57 to 1.47% DW, and the lipid concentration varied from 0.3 to 3.5% DW. Thus, the phytochemical analysis demonstrated that the extracted alginates can be safely applied in the food industry. Furthermore, the alginate yield reveals the potential application of these seaweeds as a nutraceutical raw source, which can be exploited by the food industry.

This study has been conducted during the 2015–2016 period in Aksaray, with semi-arid climate conditions, with the purpose of defining the morphologic, yield and phytochemical parameters of 'Damaye' and 'NQ-7' Goji Berry varieties. The trial was conducted with 'Damaye' and 'NQ-7' varieties in randomized blocks experimental design, with three repetitions and 10 plants in each repetition, tubed saplings in every 3 m × 2 m intervals, during the years 2015 and 2016. Morphologic and yield parameters such as plant stem diameter, plant crown height, plant shoot size, plant size, yield per plant, yield per decare, yield efficiency, 100 grain weight and phytochemical parameters such as antioxidant ratio, total phenolic matter quantity, C vitamin quantity, glycose quantity, fructose quantity and sucrose quantity were examined. In the study, year × variety interaction was found to be statistically meaningful at a rate of 5% in plant stem diameter, plant crown width, plant crown height, plant size, yield per plant, yield per decare parameters; while year was found to be statistically meaningful at a rate of 5% in plant crown width, plant shoot size and yield efficiency parameters. And in terms of phytochemical properties, the difference between varieties were found to be statistically insignificant. In 2015, the average plant stem diameter (4.01 mm), plant crown height (71.12 cm), plant size (84.27 cm), yield per plant (0.22 kg/tree) and yield per decare (47.71 kg/decar) values of 'Damaye' variety were observed to be higher than the 'NQ-7'variety. In 2016, the average plant stem diameter (15.12 mm) and plant size (167.50 mm) values were higher in 'Damaye' variety, while the average yield per plant (2.12 kg/tree) and average yield per decare (468.29 kg/decar) values were higher in 'NQ-7'variety. As for plant corolla height, both 'NQ-7' (114.73 cm) and 'Damaye' (105.06 cm) varieties were ranked first and statistically placed within the same group. In conclusion, in 2015 'Damaye' variety displayed a better performance in terms of morphologic and yield parameters, while in 2016, 'NQ-7'variety displayed a better performance. But in both years, yield efficiency and yield per decare values were higher in 'NQ-7'variety when compared to the 'Damaye' variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As an important plant belonging to the Nepeta genus, Nepeta racemosa has been reported to be widely used in traditional medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical content and antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the decoction, infusion and hydro-alcoholic extract of this plant. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic content of the samples was determined using a slightly- modified Folin–Ciocalteu method. The DPPH free radical scavenging method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activities, and the Vanillin-Sulphuric Acid Method for the saponin content of the extract. Moreover, their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated based on standard methods. Results: The phenolic content of the plant decoction was found to be 222.8 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dried extract and its flavonoid content 87.8 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of dried extract. The highest saponin content obtained was associated with the hydro-alcoholic extract of the plant with 41.9 mg of quillaja equivalent per gram of dried extract. The plant decoction also showed the highest potential compared to the other samples in terms of antioxidant properties investigated using the DPPH and FRAP methods. Furthermore, the plant decoction showed great potential in terms of its inhibitory effects on α-amylase with 9.45 μmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract, and α-glucosidase with 33.57 μmol of acarbose equivalent per gram of dried extract. Conclusion: According to the results, Nepeta racemosa was found to exhibit high levels of antioxidant and antidiabetic abilities, which are directly proportional to its phenolic and flavonoid contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural flora of Ganos Mountains in the Thrace region has an old and well-established viticulture and is a spreading area of natural hybrids. This research was performed to determine properties of grape and cluster and phytochemical properties of berries of 103 grapevine genetic materials (Vitis spp.) adapted to natural flora of Ganos Mountains in Thrace region of Turkey during the 2014 growing season. But physical measurement and chemical analysis were performed only in grapes from 31 grapevines that carried clusters during their maturity periods. Results revealed that 29,04% of grapevines examined had table grape properties (Vv43, Vv52, Vv54, Vv56, Vv57, Vv61, Vv62, Vv83, Vv100) and 70,96% of grapevines examined had wine grape properties (Vv6, Vv18, Vv23, Vv24, Vv27, Vv44, Vv45, Vv51, Vv55, Vv59, Vv63, Vv65, Vv66, Vv74, Vv75, Vv84, Vv87, Vv88, Vv91, Vv92, Vv98, Vv101). In terms of phytochemical properties of grapes from examined grapevines, while the highest total phenolic compounds content and total anthocyanin content in grapes were respectively 5609,44 mg/kg for Vv88 number of grapevine and 2602,56 mg/kg for Vv74 number of grapevine; the highest total tannin content in grapes was recorded for Vv18 number of grapevine as 5557,10 mg/kg. Since the natural flora of Ganos Mountains in Thrace region is a place where the viticulture has been conducted intensely for many years; identification of phytochemical properties in grapes of genetic materials obtained from this region is of importance in terms of future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]