Phyto-constituents profiling of Luffa echinata and in vitro assessment of antioxidant,anti-diabetic,anticancer and anti-acetylcholine esterase activities

Luffa echinata Roxb. is one of the neglected medicinal plants. It is an important source of bioactive metabolites and used in several Ayurvedic formulations. In the present analysis, mature leaves and fruits were extracted with acetone, ethanol, acetonitrile, methanol and water. Phytochemicals like total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), tannin (TTC), alkaloid (TAC) and terpenoid (TTEC) content were analysed. Further, antioxidant (AOX) activities like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethyl) benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging, metal chelating activity (MC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and phosphomolybdenum assay (PMA) were studied. Highest TPC and TFC (189.57 ± 1.9 mg TAE/g extract, 30.48 ± 0.7 mg CE/g extract, respectively) were reported from acetone extract of the leaves. Ethanolic fruit extract showed the highest TTC (13.79 ± 0.2 mg CE/g extract). Acetone and acetonitrile fruit extract revealed maximum TTEC (602.79 ± 3.5 mg UAE/g extract) and moderate TAC (19.96 ± 0.9 mg GE/g extract), respectively. In AOX, highest DPPH (50.52 ± 0.03 mg AAE/g extract) and ABTS (26.78 ± 0.03 mg TE/g extract) radical scavenging reported in methanolic extract of fruit; however, acetone extract of leaf showed highest FRAP (376.89 ± 1.95 mg Fe(II)/g extract) and PMA (326.54 ± 4.73 mg AAE/g extract). In contrast, aqueous extract of leaf and fruit revealed highest metal chelating activity (41.67 ± 0.49 mg EDTA/g extract). In anti-diabetic studies, acetonitrile extract of leaves and fruits exhibited appreciable inhibition of α-amylase (83.33%) and α-glycosidase (77.42%) enzymes. Similarly, acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) inhibition was highest in water (88.91%) and acetone (81.87%) extracts of leaf and fruits. Fruit extracts showed potent anticancer activity against breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines (LC₅₀ 329.36 and 385.17 µg/mL, respectively). RP-HPLC analysis revealed highest cucurbitacin B (CuB) (196.24 ± 1.4 mg/g DW), followed by cucurbitacin I (CuI) and cucurbitacin E (CuE) in the fruits (57.14 ± 4.9 and 2.03 ± 0.03 mg/g DW, respectively). RP-HPLC analysis of extracts revealed presence of gallic acid (GA), catechin (CA), vanillic acid (VA), chlorogenic acid (CHLA) and coumaric acid (COA), in which highest GA found in the fruits (1.26 ± 0.07 mg/g DW). Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed presence of bioactive compounds from various groups. Based on the present findings, it was revealed that the fruit and leaf of L. echinata can be used as potent bioresource for natural antioxidants, anti-diabetic, and anticancer drug.     

A Rapid Method,Combining Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with a Database,for Determining Organochlorine Pesticides and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils and Sediments

A rapid method for determining organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and sediments was developed to allow pollution surveys to be performed in emergencies. The method involves microwave-assisted extraction and uses an automated identification/quantification system with a gas chromatography mass spectrometry database. A sample (3 g) is extracted with a 3:2 v/v hexane:water mixture (10 mL) for 30 min using a microwave-assisted extraction system at 120°C. The hexane extract is then cleaned using silica gel, then analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The total analysis time is approximately 4 h. The precision of the quantitative results and accuracy of the analyte identification were determined. The total analyte concentrations were generally comparable to (61%–110% of) the concentrations determined using a Soxhlet extraction method, but the concentrations of individual high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were unacceptably low compared with the concentrations determined using the Soxhlet method. However, these compounds (e.g., benzo(ghi)perylene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) were subsequently efficiently extracted using a hexane:water:ethanol mixture. The accuracy of identification was evaluated using accurate masses determined by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the mass error was 2 ppm for 21 of the 22 compounds identified using the new method.     

Assessment of phenolics-enriched extract and fractions of olive leaves and their antioxidant activities

Recent studies suggest that olive leaf is a significant source of bioactive phenolic compounds comparable to olive oil and fruits. Identifying appropriate extraction methods is thus an important step to increase the yield of such bioactive components from olive leaf, which is otherwise agricultural waste. The present study evaluates phenolic contents and compositions of olive leaf extracted by several solvent methods and to further establish their antioxidant activities using various radical scavenging systems. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents were significantly higher in the 80% ethanol extract, butanol, and ethylacetate fractions than hexane, chloroform and water fractions (p < 0.05). Oleuropein was identified as a major phenolic compound with considerable contents in these major three fractions and the extract that correlated with their higher antioxidant and radical scavenging. These results indicate that olive leaf contains significant amounts of oleuropein and phenolics, important factors for antioxidant capacity, which can be substantially modified by different extraction methods.     

Anti-Ulcerogenic Effect of Methanolic Extracts from Enicosanthellum pulchrum (King) Heusden against Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Lesion in Animal Models

A natural source of medicine, Enicosanthellum pulchrum is a tropical plant which belongs to the family Annonaceae. In this study, methanol extract from the leaves and stems of this species was evaluated for its gastroprotective potential against mucosal lesions induced by ethanol in rats. Seven groups of rats were assigned, groups 1 and 2 were given Tween 20 (10% v/v) orally. Group 3 was administered omeprazole 20 mg/kg (10% Tween 20) whilst the remaining groups received the leaf and stem extracts at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. After an additional hour, the rats in groups 2–7 received ethanol (95% v/v; 8 mL/kg) orally while group 1 received Tween 20 (10% v/v) instead. Rats were sacrificed after 1 h and their stomachs subjected to further studies. Macroscopically and histologically, group 2 rats showed extremely severe disruption of the gastric mucosa compared to rats pre-treated with the E. pulchrum extracts based on the ulcer index, where remarkable protection was noticed. Meanwhile, a significant percentage of inhibition was shown with the stem extract at 62% (150 mg/kg) and 65% (300 mg/kg), whilst the percentage with the leaf extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg was 63% and 75%, respectively. An increase in mucus content, nitric oxide, glutathione, prostaglandin E2, superoxide dismutase, protein and catalase, and a decrease in malondialdehyde level compared to group 2 were also obtained. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of groups 4–7 exhibited down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Hsp70 proteins. The methanol extract from the leaves and the stems showed notable gastroprotective potential against ethanol.     

In vitro acclimation to prolonged metallic stress is associated with modulation of antioxidant responses in a woody shrub Daphne jasminea

Comparative effect of meta-topolin and other cytokinins was assessed to develop an efficient and reliable regeneration protocol for Tecoma stans, using mature nodal explants. The morphogenic effect of benzyl adenine (BA), kinetin (Kin), meta- topolin (mT) and 2-iP (2-iso pentenyl adenine) at various concentrations (1.0–10 µM) was studied individually or in combination with auxins (IAA, IBA or NAA). Superior multiplication rates were achieved on MS medium supplemented with mT and NAA. Of the tested combinations, maximum shoot regeneration (95%), mean shoot number (19.6?±?0.60) and length (5.26?±?0.73 cm) was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 7.5 µM mT?+?0.5 µM NAA after 8 weeks of incubation. Among the different auxins employed for in vitro root induction, 92.5% microshoots rooted on MS medium enriched with 1.0 µM IBA with 10.8?±?0.20 mean root number and 5.62?±?0.17 cm length after 4 weeks of incubation. The acclimatized plants grew well in green house with 90% survival rate. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of ethanol leaf extract of in vitro-raised plants yielded a higher number of compounds than control plant. The assessment of genetic fidelity among regenerants, using ISSR markers did not reveal any somaclonal variation. Therefore, the protocol developed appears to be simple and reliable for mass production of clones with higher diversity of secondary metabolites.

     

Improvement of robustness and ethanol production of ethanologenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae under co-stress of heat and inhibitors

Bioethanol is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most important ethanol producer. However, yeast cells are challenged by various environmental stresses during the industrial process of ethanol production. The robustness under heat, acetic acid, and furfural stresses was improved for ethanologenic S. cerevisiae in this work using genome shuffling. Recombinant yeast strain R32 could grow at 45°C, and resist 0.55% (v/v) acetic acid and 0.3% (v/v) furfural at 40°C. When ethanol fermentation was conducted at temperatures ranging from 30 to 42°C, recombinant strain R32 always gave high ethanol production. After 42 h of fermentation at 42°C, 187.6 ± 1.4 g/l glucose was utilized by recombinant strain R32 to produce 81.4 ± 2.7 g/l ethanol, which were respectively 3.4 and 4.1 times those of CE25. After 36 h of fermentation at 40°C with 0.5% (v/v) acetic acid, 194.4 ± 1.2 g/l glucose in the medium was utilized by recombinant strain R32 to produce 84.2 ± 4.6 g/l of ethanol. The extent of glucose utilization and ethanol concentration of recombinant strain R32 were 6.3 and 7.9 times those of strain CE25. The ethanol concentration produced by recombinant strain R32 was 8.9 times that of strain CE25 after fermentation for 48 h under 0.2% (v/v) furfural stress at 40°C. The strong physiological robustness and fitness of yeast strain R32 support its potential application for industrial production of bioethanol from renewable resources such as lignocelluloses.     

Production of bacterial cellulose from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter amnigenus</Emphasis> GH-1 isolated from rotten apple

Bacterial cellulose finds novel applications in biomedical, biosensor, food, textile and other industries. The optimum fermentation conditions for the production of cellulose by newly isolated Enterobacter amnigenus GH-1 were investigated. The strain was able to produce cellulose at temperature 25–35°C with a maximum at 28°C. Cellulose production occurred at pH 4.0–7.0 with a maximum at 6.5. After 14 days of incubation, the strain produced 2.5 g cellulose/l in standard medium whereas cellulose yield in the improved medium was found to be 4.1 g/l. The improved medium consisted of 4% (w/v) fructose, 0.6% (w/v) casein hydrolysate, 0.5% (w/v) yeast extract, 0.4% (w/v) disodium phosphate, and 0.115% (w/v) citrate. Addition of metal ions like zinc, magnesium, and calcium and solvents like methanol and ethanol were found to be stimulatory for cellulose production by the strain. The strain used natural carbon sources like molasses, starch hydrolysate, sugar cane juice, coconut water, coconut milk, pineapple juice, orange juice, and pomegranate juice for growth and cellulose production. Fruit juices can play important role in commercial exploitation of bacterial cellulose by lowering the cost of the production medium.     

Trehalose accumulation from corn starch by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera A11 during 2-l fermentation and trehalose purification

In this study, corn starch was used as the substrate for cell growth and trehalose accumulation by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera A11. Effect of different aeration rates, agitation speeds, and concentrations of corn starch on direct conversion of corn starch to trehalose by S. fibuligera A11 were examined using a Biostat B2 2-l fermentor. We found that the optimal conditions for direct conversion of corn starch to trehalose by this yeast strain were that agitation speed was 200 rpm, aeration rate was 4.0 l/min, concentration of corn starch was 2.0% (w/v), initial pH was 5.5, fermentation temperature was 30°C. Under these conditions, over 22.9 g of trehalose per 100 g of cell dry weight was accumulated in the yeast cells, cell mass was 15.2 g/l of the fermentation medium, 0.12% (w/v) of reducing sugar, and 0.21% (w/v) of total sugar were left in the fermented medium within 48 h of the fermentation. It was found that trehalose in the yeast cells could be efficiently extracted by the hot distilled water (80°C). After isolation and purification, the crystal trehalose was obtained from the extract of the cells.     

Partial purification of pepsin from turkey proventriculus

In the present study, turkey proventriculus (stomach) was mixed with 10% NaCl (1:2 w/v) and extracted by centrifugation to produce crude extract. The partial purification of the extract was carried out by using Sephadex G-75 resin in gel filtration column chromatography. Crude extract (CE) and fractions obtained by gel filtration were analysed for milk-clotting activity (MCA), protein content, proteolytic activity (PA), and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The first 7 fractions did not have any activities; the fraction of 9, 10 and 11 had the most milk-clotting and proteolytic activities. Electrophoretic patterns proved that further purification steps should be applied for better results.     

Measurement of ethanol concentration using solvent extraction and dichromate oxidation and its application to bioethanol production process

A method for measuring the ethanol concentration in a yeast culture broth was developed using both microtubes and a 96-deepwell microplate. The strategy involved first the solvent extraction of ethanol from the yeast culture broth and measurements of the ethanol concentration using the dichromate oxidation method. Particular focus was made on selecting the extraction solvent as well as determining the measurable range of ethanol concentrations using this solvent extraction-dichromate oxidation method. This method was developed as an assay format in 2.0-ml microtubes and 1.2-ml 96-deepwell microplates, and the ethanol concentration in the batch cultures and fed-batch fermentations was measured. Tri-n-butyl phosphate [non-alcoholic solvent, density = 0.9727, solubility in water = 0.028% (w/v)] was used for solvent extraction when measuring the ethanol concentration from the yeast culture broth. The maximum detectable ethanol concentration was 8% (v/v) when 10 g potassium dichromate in 100 ml of 5 M sulfuric acid was used. The concentrations determined from the solvent extraction-dichromate oxidation methods were remarkably similar to those of gas chromatography in which samples were prepared from seven experiments, such as four batch cultures and three fed-batch fermentations.     

Chemistry,antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt)

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) seed extracts were evaluated. Seeds were extracted with acetone, ethanol, methanol, butanol and water. All the extracts have shown significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms. Among all extracts, acetone extract has shown the highest antioxidant activity. The acetone extract showed 93.12 ± 1.48 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dry weight total phenolic content, DPPH scavenging activity of 63.04 ± 1.56%, chelating activity of 64.11 ± 2.21% and 74.36 ± 1.94% inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, at 1 mg/mL extract concentration. Out of all extracts, acetone extract was able to exert antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and fungi. Acetone extract has shown the strongest antibacterial and antifungal activity with Staphylococcus aureus (13.8 ± 0.42 mm) and Aspergillus niger (14.4 ± 0.37 mm), respectively. GC–MS analysis of acetone extract has revealed the presence of 32 compounds of extract representing 99.49%. Sabinene (28.61%) has shown the highest occurrence in the extract. β-Pinene (10.26), α-pinene (9.72), myristicin (4.30%), isoeugenol (2.72%), p-cymene (1.81%), carvacrol (1.54%), eugenol (0.89%) and β-caryophellene (0.82%) were reported as possible contributor for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of nutmeg.     

In-vitro antibacterial,antioxidant potentials and cytotoxic activity of the leaves of Tridax procumbens

The present study explored the phytochemicals, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic effect of Tridax procumbens leaves. The leaves were dried and extracted with various organic solvents. The leaves contained the phytochemicals such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, polyphenols and tannins respectively. Antimicrobial potentials of the extracts were determined by performing the disc diffusion techniques. Results revealed that different organic solvents extracts namely methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts documented comparatively good activity against the studied microbial strains. The methanol extract of leaves of T. procumbens showed combatively better antioxidant potential. The tested plant leaf extract showed high activity against human lung cancer cells than breast cancer cell lines. 250 µg/ml plants extract showed 84 ± 2.8% toxicity against human lung cancer cells.     

Anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activity of Amomum tsaoko (Amommum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarie) on foodborne pathogens

Cell-to-cell communication or quorum sensing (QS) leads to biofilm formation and causing other virulence factors which are extreme problems for food safety, biofilm related infectious diseases etc. This study evaluated the anti-QS activity of the Amomum tsaoko extract (0.5–4 mg/ml) by using Chromobacterium violaceum a biosensor strain and biofilm formation by crystal violate assay. Experimental results demonstrated that the overall yield of Amomum tsao-ko extract was 11.33 ± 0.3% (w/w). MIC for Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative) was 1, 2 and 2 mg/ml, respectively. A concentration of 4 mg/ml extract showed highest biofilm inhibition 51.96% on S. Typhimurium when 47.06%, 45.28% were shown by S. aureus, P. aeruginosa respectively. The damage of biofilm architecture was observed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). A level of 44.59% inhibition of violacein production was demonstrated when the dose was 4 mg/ml. Swarming motility inhibition was observed in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, the treatment of A. tsaoko extract can deliver value to food product and medicine by controlling pathogenesis.     

Utilization of dry distiller’s grain and solubles as nutrient supplement in the simultaneous saccharification and ethanol fermentation at high solids loading of corn stover

Dry distiller’s grain and solubles (DDGS) is a major by-product of corn-based ethanol production and is usually used as animal feed. Here, it was added to the simultaneous saccharification and ethanol fermentation (SSF) carried out at high solids loading of steam explosion pretreated corn stover using a mutant strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae DQ1. The performance of SSF process with DDGS was comparable to those using the expensive yeast extract supplementation. With 30% (w/w) solids plus the addition of cellulase and 1 g DDGS l⁻¹, the final ethanol reached 55 g l⁻¹ (7% v/v). The results indicated that the expensive supplement of yeast extract could be replaced by DDGS.     

Hot-water pretreatment of cattails for extraction of cellulose

To date in the US, production of renewable fuels, particularly ethanol, is primarily from food crops that are high in sugar and starch. The use of arable land for fuel rather than food production and the use of a food source for fuel rather than food have created issues in pricing and availability of traditional foods and feed. The use of cattails to produce biofuel will add value to land and also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by replacing petroleum products. In order to investigate the feasibility of converting cattails into cellulosic ethanol, a hot-water pretreatment process was studied using a Dionex accelerated solvent extractor (ASE) varying treatment temperature and time. The pretreatment at 190°C for more than 10 min could effectively dissolve the xylan fraction of cattails as soluble oligomers. Both the glucose yield and xylose yield obtained from the pretreated cattails increased with the escalation of the final pretreatment temperature, treatment time or enzyme loading. When cattails were pretreated at 190°C for 15 min, the highest glucose yield of 77.6% from the cellulose was achieved in 48 h using a cellulase loading of 60 FPU/g glucan. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 24858) was able to ferment glucose released by cattail cellulose, resulting in approximately 88.7 ± 2.8% of the theoretical ethanol yield. The higher enzyme loading of 60 FPU/g glucan will significantly increase costs. It is recommended that further studies be carried out using cattails as a feedstock for bio-fuels, especially to optimize the economics of biological conversion processes for cattails with regard to reducing enzyme usage, energy input, glucose yield and xylose yield.     

Chemomodulatory efficacy of basil leaf (Ocimum basilicum) on drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, and on carcinogen-induced skin and forestomach papillomagenesis.

Basil or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is cultivated throughout India and is known for its medicinal value. The effects of doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of hydroalcoholic extract (80% ethanol, 20% water) of the fresh leaves of Ocimum basilicum on xenobiotic metabolizing Phase I and Phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, Glutathione content, Lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 8-9 weeks old Swiss albino mice were examined. Furthermore, the anticarcinogenic potential of basil leaf extract was studied, using the model of Benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach and 7,12 dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated skin papillomagenesis. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase specific activities were elevated above basal level by basil leaf treatment (from p < 0.005 to p < 0.001). Basil leaf extract was very effective in elevating antioxidant enzyme response by increasing significantly the hepatic glutathione reductase (GR) (p < 0.005), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.05), and catalase activities (p < 0.005). Reduced glutathione (GSH), the major intracellular antioxidant, showed a significant elevation in the liver (p < 0.005) and also in all the extrahepatic organs (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). In the forestomach, kidney and lung, glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase levels were augmented significantly, varying from p < 0.01 to p < 0.001. There were significant decreases in lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Chemopreventive response was evident from the reduced tumor burden (the average number of papillomas/mouse, p < 0.005 to p < 0.001), as well as from the reduced percentage of tumor bearing-animals. Basil leaf, as deduced from the results, augmented mainly the Phase II enzyme activity that is associated with detoxification of xenobiotics, while inhibiting the Phase I enzyme activity. There was an induction in antioxidant level that correlates with the significant reduction of lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase formation. Moreover, Basil leaf extract was highly effective in inhibiting carcinogen-induced tumor incidence in both the tumor models at peri-initiational level.     

Repeated use of yeast biomass in ethanol fermentation of juniper berry sugars

Summary The object of this study was to establish the possibility of using the yeast biomass separated from the fermentation broth at the end of ethanol fermentation of juniper berry sugars as an inoculum in successive batch fermentation processes. A part of the fermentation broth (10% v/v) and a suspension of yeast biomass (separated from the same broth) into the water extract of juniper berries (2 g of wet yeast biomass per liter of water extract) were used as inocula. It was shown that the suspension of yeast biomass could be used as inoculum in successive batch processes without negative effects on the kinetics and ethanol yield, but with positive effects on the capacity and economy of the bioprocess. The addition of ammonium salts at optimum levels did not affect the final ethanol concentrations (4.3–4.4% v/v), but enhanced the specific rate of ethanol production, thus reducing the process duration by about five times.     

Rapid determination of zearalenone in edible oils by HPLC with fluorescence detection

A fast, cost-efficient, sensitive and accurate assay method for zearalenone in edible oils is described, as an alternative to gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Oil samples were extracted with an alkaline mixture of methanol and water (methanol +10 g/l aqueous ammonium carbaminate solution, pH 9; 9 + 1, v+v). The pH of the extract was neutralized with hydrochloric acid and then concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved with HPLC solvent, and zearalenone was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection (HPLC-FLD). The method was successfully validated for two matrices, maize oil and rapeseed oil. The recovery rate was 87%, and the coefficient of variation was 2.8% in a rapeseed oil sample contaminated with 27 μg zearalenone/kg. At a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, the method detection limit was 10 μg/kg, which was considered to be adequate in view of the present European Union maximum level of 400 μg/kg.     

Chemical characteristics and targeted encapsulated Cordia myxa fruits extracts nanoparticles for antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials

A promising Cordia myxa fruit (CMF) extract targets an additional incorporation in functional foods. It retains appropriate health welfares owing to its antioxidant properties with limited incorporation in food matrices due its hydrophobicity. Therefore, CMF extract micro- and nanocapsulation was performed to protect and facilitate consistency of produced hydrophobic foods matrices. Furthermore, to determine its phytochemicals, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects by applying analytical HPLC, FRAP and SRB assay, respectively. HPLC analysis of the tested extracts revealed the presence of, 25.59 ± 1.78 mg catechin/g, 69.68 ± 4.20 mg quercetin/g, and 112.72 ± 8.38 mg gallic acid/g extract. The CMF extract displayed a potent DPPH radicals' scavenger and FRAP high reduction capability in a dose-dependent manner. The potent pharmacological activities of CMF extract may be ascribed to high concentration of polyphenolics including flavonoids which strongly reported to possess an antitumor and antioxidant activities. To confirm the efficient CMF incorporation in micro- and nanosystems and their thermal stabilities to withstand the high temperatures applied during some food processing. DSC of the apparent melt of non-capsulated CMF and encapsulated forms (MCMF and NCMF) in sodium alginate gel and beads was studied. Results showed that melting point of CMF extract (86.17 °C) indicating its inability whereas the MCMF and NCMF melting points (226.45 and 383.87 °C, respectively) demonstrating the capability of expending alginate – packaging material to shield the vital active compounds of C. myxa fruit to be applied in different targeted delivery products especially that disclosed to high thermal treatments.     

The effect of solvent extraction on antioxidant properties of apricot fruit

Two solvent extraction procedures were used to investigate the extraction efficiency in terms of total antioxidant capacity and total phenols in apricot fruit. Samples were either sequentially extracted with aqueous ethanol (ethanol/water 80% v/v) and tetrahydrofuran or directly extracted with tetrahydrofuran. Each extract was analyzed for total antioxidant capacity by the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assay and total phenols by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The results showed that using sequential solvent extraction, the majority (85%) of the total antioxidant capacity and total phenols was due to hydrophilic compounds. In tetrahydrofuran direct extractions, the total antioxidant capacity and total phenols were higher than values obtained with aqueous ethanol and the sum of results obtained from sequential extracts for either total antioxidant capacity or total phenols was similar to the tetrahydrofuran-extract antioxidant values. A linear correlation between total antioxidant capacity and total phenols was found and was independent of the solvent extraction method. In conclusion, the choice of solvent is related to the antioxidant potential of fruit and depends on the food hydrophilic/lipophilic composition.