An Antioxidant of Dried Chili Pepper Maintained Its Activity through Postharvest Ripening for 18 Months

The antioxidant properties of hot-water extracts from a dried chili pepper were maintained through the postharvest ripening process at 10 °C for 18 months. In order to isolate the antioxidant from the ripe pepper, we fractionated hot-water extracts by size-exclusion gel chromatography. A certain fraction showed antioxidative activity via the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity assay. Structural analysis by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), LC-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed that the antioxidant was a known compound, p-coumaryl alcohol. This study indicates that an effective antioxidant in chili pepper sustains its antioxidative effects during the postharvest ripening process.     

Isolation and antioxidant property of the extracellular polysaccharide from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodella reticulata</Emphasis>

The extracellular polysaccharide from Rhodella reticulata was separated from the culture medium followed by concentration and ethanol precipitation, and purified by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow. This study compared the free radical-scavenging property and antioxidant activity with various treatments of crude extracellular polysaccharides of R. reticulata. The results showed that both the crude extracellular polysaccharide and deproteinized crude extracellular polysaccharide gave evidence of the free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. The crude extracellular polysaccharide exhibited higher free radical scavenging capacity and better antioxidant activity than the various treatments of crude extracellular polysaccharide samples. The superoxide anion radical scavenging ability of various samples was significantly higher compared to standard antioxidant (α-tocopherol). These results indicate that the extracellular polysaccharide of R. reticulata is a potent natural antioxidant.     

Antioxidant Peptides from the Protein Hydrolysates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conus betulinus</Emphasis>

The current study aims at the isolation and characterization of the peptides, believed to have antioxidant activity, from Conus betulinus by using different types of enzymes. The body and viscera of C. betulinus were treated with three enzymes viz. trypsin, pepsin and papain to obtain peptide hydrolysates. The activities of the hydrolysates were analyzed by DPPH and hydroxyl radical assay by using electron spin resonance (ESR) device. Active hydrolysates were purified using ion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration chromatography. The activity of the separated fractions was analyzed by ESR; in which the result showed that trypsin hydrolysate of body (28.48 and 76.00%) and viscera (38.45 and 83.00%) respectively have high activity than the other hydrolysates. The HPLC result of purified fraction showed, presence of active amino acids viz., metheonine, cystine, histidine etc. This purified peptide has more antioxidant activity that could reduce the excess free radicals in body in order to prevent free radical induced diseases.     

Isolation and Identification of a Novel Antioxidant with Antitumour Activity from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia ureilytica</Emphasis> Using Squid Pen as Fermentation Substrate

The antioxidant activity of the culture supernatant of Serratia ureilytica TKU013 with squid pen as the sole carbon/nitrogen source was assessed by three methods, and the phenolic contents were assayed. The supernatant with the highest antioxidant activity was further purified by liquid–liquid partition, revealing the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and the highest total phenolic content. Eight fractions were retrieved from silica gel column chromatography of this extract, designated F1–F8. F4 was found to possess the strong antioxidative activity and the highest total phenolic content and also exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against two different tumoural cell lines. A new compound (Serranticin) with antioxidant and antitumor activity was obtained from F4. The structure of Serranticin is analogous to that of siderophores (hexacoordinated catecholamine), which are iron chelators. As such, Serranticin has the potential for use as a deferration agent in various iron overload diseases.     

Antioxidant acitivity in vitro and in vivo of the capsule polysaccharides from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

Crude capsule polysaccharides (CCP) were prepared from the culture of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus C55129 and were partially purified through an anion-exchange column chromatography to afford partially purified capsule polysaccharides (PCP). The main component of CCP and PCP was hyaluronic acid. In vitro antioxidant assay, the capsule polysaccharides showed strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and moderate 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl radical scavenging activity. In addition, CCP exhibited much stronger reductive power than PCP. For antioxidant testing in vivo, CCP and PCP were orally administrated over a period of 15 days in a d-galactose induced aged mice model. As results, administration of capsule polysaccharides inhibited significantly the formation of malondialdehyde in mice livers and serums and raised the activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. However, the antioxidant activity of CCP was lower than that of PCP. The results suggest that the capsule polysaccharides from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus C55129 have direct and potent antioxidant activities.     

Purification and identification of antioxidant peptides from the skin protein hydrolysate of two marine fishes,horse mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Magalaspis cordyla</Emphasis>) and croaker (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Otolithes ruber</Emphasis>)

In the current study, two peptides with antioxidant properties were purified from skin protein hydrolysates of horse mackerel (Magalaspis cordyla) and croaker (Otolithes ruber) by consecutive chromatographic fractionations including ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. By electron spray ionization double mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), the sequence of the peptide from the skin protein hydrolysate of horse mackerel was identified to be Asn-His-Arg-Tyr-Asp-Arg (856 Da) and that of croaker to be Gly-Asn-Arg-Gly-Phe-Ala-Cys-Arg-His-Ala (1101.5 Da). The antioxidant activity of these peptides was tested by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry using 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH^·) and hydroxyl (OH^·) radical scavenging assays. Both peptides exhibited higher activity against polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) peroxidation than the natural antioxidant α-tocopherol. These results suggest that the two peptides isolated from the skin protein hydrolysates of horse mackerel and croaker are potent antioxidants and may be effectively used as food additives and as pharmaceutical agents.     

Norlichexanthone produced by cultured endolichenic fungus induced from Pertusaria laeviganda and its antioxidant activity

Endolichenic fungi, nonobligate microfungi that live in lichen, are promising as new bioresources of pharmacological compounds. We found that norlichexanthone isolated from the endolichenic fungus in Pertusaria laeviganda exhibited high antioxidant activity. Norlichexanthone produced by endolichenic fungus had the antioxidant activity with same level of ascorbic acid. This is the first report of high antioxidant activity of norlichexanthone.

Abbreviations: AAPH: 2,2?-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; FL: fluorescein sodium salt; HPLC-PDA: high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array; LC-ESI-MS: liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; ORAC: oxygen radical absorbance capacity; PB: phosphate buffer; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TLC: thin-layer chromatography     

Studies on the efficiency of different extraction procedures on the anti microbial activity of selected medicinal plants

Many doubts still persist even today when it comes to selection of the solvents for extracting the active constituents from various Indian medicinal plants. This study was aimed at assessing and establishing the best solvent for extracting the active constituents from 10 plant extracts. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to separate and establish the active constituents present in each of the medicinal plants. Active constituents from each plant were extracted by using three different solvent systems namely diethyl ether, chloroform and hexane and were tested against three species of gram negative and three species of gram positive bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus aereus, Bacillus cereus) by means of agar well diffusion assay. Studies on the antioxidant activity studies were also carried out for these plant extracts by using Diphenylpicryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. For the antimicrobial activity, the study revealed that among the selected plants, Azadiracta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Aloe barbadensis had the maximum antibacterial activity. Among the extraction procedures diethyl ether was found to be the best solvent that could be used for the extraction procedure. On the antioxidant activity part, Coleus amboinicus and Calotropis procera were found to have high antioxidant activity of 91.64% and 88.72% respectively and the further results are reported and discussed.     

The influence of the composition of essential lemon oils on their antioxidant properties and the stability of the components

The antioxidant properties of various essential oils of lemon (Citrus limon L.) were studied by capillary gas liquid chromatography and compared with those of individual limonene and citral and their mixture in model systems. Some differences in resistance towards oxidation of the major components of lemon oils were ascertained and the synergetic effects in the antioxidant activity of the components and their stability were found.     

Reaction System of Haemophilus,Superhelical DNA-relaxing Enzyme is Useful for Screening of DNA-binding Substance

Several substances with antioxidant activity were isolated from the mixture of dehydroascorbic acid and tryptophan when reacted together in ethanol. One of the main antioxidant products was obtained in crystalline form from an n-butanol extract of the reaction mixture by means of Sephadex column chromatography followed by HPLC with a reversed phase column. ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR of the product and its acetate showed its structure as a condensate of dehydroascorbic acid and tryptophan with each single molecule involving a C-spiro structure. By a POV test the activity of this substance was about two-thirds of that of BHA on a molar basis, and the activity of the reaction mixture is greatly attributable to this substance.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant,Antibacterial and Enhancement of Antibiotic Action by Punica granatum Leaves Crude Extract and Enriched Fraction against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of crude extract and fractions of Punica granatum leaves. The extract was produced by turbo extraction, after which hexanic, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions were obtained by partitioning. The chemical analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and the antioxidant activities were assayed by DPPH^. and ABTS^.+. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were applied to twenty-two bacteria. Most strains susceptible to extract/fractions and resistant to antibiotics were selected, and ampicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were associated with the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) against multidrug-resistant strains in modulatory and checkboard models. The data from chromatographic analyses showed flavonoids and tannins in the extract, as well as the enrichment of EAF in phenols, mainly flavonoids. The flavonoids were connected to the electron transfer activity demonstrated in the DPPH^. and ABTS^.+ assays. Gram-positive strains are more susceptible to EAF. The subinhibitory concentrations of P. granatum enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the agents and reduced the EAF individual MIC, and the combination of EAF and antibiotics demonstrated a synergistic effect. These results present a promising approach for developing a therapy in which antioxidant extracts and fractions can be used in combination with antibiotics.     

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils and Methanol Extracts of Different Parts from Juniperus rigida Siebold & Zucc.

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils and MeOH extracts of stems, needles, and berries from Juniperus rigida were studied. The results indicated that the yield of essential oil from stems (2.5%) was higher than from needles (0.8%) and berries (1.0%). The gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis indicated that 21, 17, and 14 compounds were identified from stems, needles, and berries essential oils, respectively. Caryophyllene, α‐caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide were primary compounds in both stems and needles essential oils. However, α‐pinene and β‐myrcene mainly existed in berries essential oils and α‐ionone only in needles essential oils. The high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that the phenolic profiles of three parts exhibited significant differences. Needles extracts had the highest content of chlorogenic acid, catechin, podophyllotoxin, and amentoflavone, and for berries extracts, the content of those compounds was the lowest. Meanwhile, three in vitro methods (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Stems essential oil and needles extracts exhibited the powerful antioxidant activity than other parts. This is the first comprehensive study on the different parts of J. rigida. The results suggested that stems and needles of J. rigida are useful supplements for healthy products as new resources.     

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Organs of Potentilla fruticosa L. from Two Main Production Areas of China

This report compared the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the leaves, flowers, and stems of Potentilla fruticosa L. collected from two main production areas of P. R. China (Taibai Mountains and the Qinghai Huzhu Northern Mountains). The results indicated that there were significant differences in the phenol contents and antioxidant activities among the different organs and between the two productions. High‐performance liquid‐chromatography analysis indicated that hyperoside, (+)‐catechin, ellagic acid, and rutin were the primary compounds in leaves and flowers; for stems, the content of six phenolic compounds, from two productions, were the lowest. The 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) di‐ammonium salt (ABTS), ferric reducing power (FRAP), lipid peroxidation assays, and microbial test system (MTS) were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the leaves from two productions exhibited powerful antioxidant activity than other organs, which did not significantly differ from that of the positive control (rutin), followed by the flowers and stems. The correlation between the content of phytochemicals and the antioxidant activities of different organs showed that the total phenol, tannin, hyperoside, and (+)‐catechin contents may influence the antioxidant activity, and these compounds can be used as markers for the quality control of P. fruticosa.     

Antibacterial,antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. et Link leaves' fractions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the bioactivity of the methanol fraction (MF) and n-hexane fraction (HF) of Thymus capitatus leaves in relation to their constituents analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of T. capitatus on the growth of pathogenic bacteria associated with respiratory diseases (13 gram-positive and 4 gram-negative) were determined using a microdilution method. The MF was particularly effective on Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), ferric-reducing antioxidant power and β-carotene bleaching assays. A strong activity using β-carotene bleaching test was observed with the MF (IC₅₀ of 0.7?μg/mL after 30?min of incubation). In the hypoglycaemic test, a selective α-amylase inhibitory activity was detected with the HF begging the most active (IC₅₀ of 422.5?μg/mL). T. capitatus may represent a source of natural bioactive compounds.     

Redox‐Active Phenolic Compounds Mediate the Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Effects of Carpodesmia tamariscifolia (=Cystoseira tamariscifolia)

Carpodesmia tamariscifolia is a brown alga rich in (poly)phenols with important cytotoxic and antioxidant effects. However, the relationship between its chemical composition and its effects is unknown. The aim of this study is to identify the potential compounds and mechanisms responsible for its main effects. The alga was extracted consecutively with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol and further fractionated using Sephadex LH‐20 and silica gel columns when appropriate. The fractions were subjected to thin‐layer chromatography and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis and evaluated for their total phenolic content (Folin‐Ciocalteu assay), radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), cytotoxic activity (MTT assay on the SH‐SY5Y cell line), and ability to generate H₂O₂ (Amplex Red assay). Chromatographic and phenolic analyses of the fractions indicate that abundant redox‐active phenols are present in all the fractions and that a high amount of prenylated hydroquinone derivatives is present in the apolar ones. In the hexane and dichloromethane fractions, the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities are closely related to their phenolic content, whereas in the methanol fractions, the cytotoxicity is negatively related to the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity is positively related to it. In the same tests, hydroquinone behaves as both strong cytotoxic and antioxidant agent. H₂O₂ assay shows that C. tamariscifolia fractions and hydroquinone can autoxidize and generate H₂O₂. Our results suggest that redox‐active phenols produce the pharmacological effects described for C. tamariscifolia and that the hydroquinone moiety of prenylated hydroquinone derivatives is responsible for both cytotoxic (through a pro‐oxidant mechanism secondary to its autoxidation) and antioxidant effects of the apolar fractions.     

Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Extracts and Essential Oils from Citrus × limon (L.) Burm. cv. Femminello Comune

Citrus × limon cv. Femminello Comune (Rutaceae) from Rocca Imperiale (Italy), one of the six Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Italian lemon crops, has been recently received renewed interest. In this work, fresh and dried peels and leaves were extracted by hydrodistillation, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and Soxhlet apparatus. Chemical profile was assessed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Except for leaves extracts obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, the monoterpene hydrocarbons fraction dominated. Limonene, γ‐terpinene, and β‐pinene were the main identified compounds. The antioxidant activity was investigated using different in vitro assays namely 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS, ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and β‐carotene bleaching test. In DPPH test, the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of fresh peel exhibited the highest activity (IC₅₀ of 1.17 mg/ml). Leaves extracted by SFE showed a good activity in both DPPH and β‐carotene bleaching test with IC₅₀ values of 2.20 and 6.66 mg/ml, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons fraction exhibited a positive Pearson's correlation coefficient with all antioxidant assays. Leaves, often considered waste material, should be considered from a different point because they represent a matrix of indisputable interest.     

Evaluation of Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Properties of Achillea gypsicola at Different Phenological Stages

Phytochemicals, which are commonly found at different levels in many medicinal plants, are natural strong antioxidants used in traditional medicine. In this research, determination of differences of phytochemical compositions and biological properties were aimed as periodically (pre‐, full and post flowering) and daily (6 am, 1 pm and 8 pm) in Achillea gypsicola Hub.‐Mor . The volatile oils belonging to A. gypsicola were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antimicrobial activities of the volatile oils were determined with disc diffusion method. The microdilution method was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods and antioxidant capacities were evaluated by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, reducing power (RP) and metal chelating activity (MCA) assay. In addition, the phenolic acid and flavonoid compositions were evaluated by reversed phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). This study presented a comprehensive report for the first time on evaluation of the phytochemical composition and the biological properties of A. gypsicola at different phenological stages. Thirty‐two compounds, containing the major component as camphor, 1,8‐cineole and borneol, were detected. Designated harvest time for the highest yield of volatile oils was found to be at full flowering stage‐1 pm. It has been observed that the volatile oil composition changes periodically and even daily. Also, in this research, menthol and menthone were found as the composition of volatile oil in Achillea species for the first time. Full flowering stage was found as the richest period in terms of phenolic acid and flavonoid compositions of A. gypsicola for the first time. The species examined in this research showed a high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in comparison to other studies with Achillea species. The volatile oils exhibited high performances with range of inhibition zones (8.3–42.3 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentration values (2.25—144 μg/ml). Besides, a high correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic content of A. gypsicola was found. These results suggest that A. gypsicola can be used as a safe source in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Phytochemicals Content,Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Sophora viciifolia

The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of ethanol extracts from different parts of Sophora viciifolia. The content of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity were investigated, and individual polyphenols and alkaloids were analyzed and quantified by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The microdilution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of extracts from S. viciifolia on six strains. The results for extracts from the different parts (flowers, leaves, and fruit) were compared in varying concentrations to determine whether one extract source is superior to another. Testing verified that extracts from the different parts of S. viciifolia did vary, as expected. For example, extract from the leaves had the best antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Candida albicans, but all extracts had good antimicrobial activity against the six tested strains. These results reveal that the active substances in S. viciifolia are abundant and have good antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, which can provide theoretical support for the subsequent development and utilization of S. viciifolia extracts.     

Essential Oil and Bioactive Compounds Variation in Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) as Affected by Seasonal Variation and Salt Stress

The effect of different NaCl concentrations (control, 2, 4 and 6 dS/m) and three harvesting times in different seasons including spring (9 April), summer (5 July), and fall (23 September) was evaluated on essential oil (EO) yield, composition, phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of myrtle. Essential oil yield ranged from 0.2% in control and fall to 1.6% in moderate salinity (4 dS/m) and spring season. The main constituents obtained from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis were α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole, limonene, linalool, α‐terpineol, and linalyl acetate in which α‐pinene ranged from 11.70% in moderate and fall to 30.99% in low salinity (2 dS/m) and spring, while 1,8‐cineole varied from 7.42% in high salinity (6 dS/m) and summer to 15.45% in low salinity and spring, respectively. Salt stress also resulted in an increase in total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power (FTC) and β‐carotene/linoleic acid model systems was found in plants harvested in spring and summer in high stress condition. The lowest IC₅₀ values obtained in 6 dS/m in spring (375.23 μg/ml) followed by summer (249.41 μg/ml) and fall (618.38 μg/ml). Eight major phenolic and flavonoid compounds were determined in three harvesting times using high performance liquid chromatography analysis. In overall, late harvesting time of myrtle in fall can lead to reduce the most of major EO components, while it can improve the amount of phenolic acids.     

A Correlation between Antioxidant Activity and Metabolite Release during the Blanching of Chrysanthemum coronarium L.

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS)-based metabolite profiling was applied to elucidate the correlation between metabolite release and antioxidant activity during water blanching of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (CC). Some major metabolites showing differences between fresh CC and blanched CC (BCC) were selected by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-square discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) loading plots, and were identified as dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQA), succinoyl-DCQA, and acetylmycosinol. By PLS regression analysis of the correlation between antioxidant components and effects, candidate antioxidative metabolites were predicted due to strong positive correlations with DCQA and succinoyl-DCQA, and by a relatively weak positive correlation with acetylmycosinol.