Effects of different brewing conditions on catechin content and sensory acceptance in Turkish green tea infusions.

The optimal brewing conditions for Turkish green tea were determined on the basis of extracted catechins and sensory attributes. Green tea infusions were prepared at 75, 85 and 95 °C with brewing times of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 45 min. The amounts of epistructured catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC), non-epistructured catechins (C, GC, GCG) and caffeine in brewed tea samples were analysed. Sensory analyses were performed by nine trained panelists for infusion colour, taste, aroma and overall acceptability. Brewing at 85 °C for 3 min was found to be the optimal condition, where the EGCG content was at a maximum of 50.69 mg/100 ml with the highest sensory scores. It was observed that the yield of epistructured catechins increased rapidly for the first 3-5 min of brewing at 85 °C, and increased brewing time resulted in a decrease in the yield of epistructured catechins. The amount of nonepistructured catechins continued to increase with longer extraction times. Sensory scores for infusion colour, taste, aroma and overall acceptability were highest at 3 and 5 min brewing times at all temperatures. Sensory scores were very low for 30 and 45 min brewing at 85 and 95 °C due to the bitter taste and dark colour.

Bis(vinylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene analogues of BEDT-TTF.

This review aims to give an overview of the current status of our research on the synthesis of π-electron donor bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF, ET) analogues prepared from 1,8-diketones via a ring forming reaction. The new synthesized π-electron donors have vinyl moieties producing extended π-electron delocalization over the substituent phenyl rings at the peripheries.

Activated carbon-coated iron oxide magnetic nanocomposite (IONPs@CtAC) loaded with morin hydrate for drug-delivery applications.

Cancer is a major disease that affects millions of people around the world every year. It affects individuals of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Since drugs used to treat cancer cannot distinguish between cancerous and healthy cells, they cause systemic toxicity along with serious side effects. Recently, controlled drug-release systems have been developed to reduce the side effects caused by anticancer drugs used for treatment. Morin is an anticancer drug with a flavonol structure. It has been extensively researched for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, and antibacterial properties, especially found in Chinese herbs and fruits, and its multiple positive effects on different diseases. In this study, a nanocomposite with magnetic properties was synthesized by coating biocompatible activated carbon obtained using the fruits of the Celtis tournefortii plant on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized activated carbon-coated iron oxide magnetic nanocomposite was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The cytotoxic effects of the drug-loaded magnetic nanocomposite were examined in HT-29 (colorectal), T98-G (glioblastoma) cancer cell lines, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) healthy cell line. The morin loading and release behavior of the activated carbon-coated iron oxide magnetic nanocomposite were studied, and the results showed that up to 60% of the adsorbed morin was released within 4 h. In summary, activated carbon-coated iron oxide magnetic nanocomposite carriers have shown promising results for the delivery of the morin drug.

Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon-supported magnetic nanocomposite (MNPs-OLAC) obtained from okra leaves as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery of morin hydrate.

Introduction: The method of encapsulating the drug molecule in a carrier, such as a magnetic nanoparticle, is a promising development that has the potential to deliver the medicine to the site where it is intended to be administered. Morin is a pentahydroxyflavone obtained from the leaves, stems, and fruits of various plantsmainly from the Moraceae family exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and free radical scavenging and helps treat diseases such as diabetes, myocardial infarction and cancer. Methods: In this study, we conducted the synthesis of a nanocomposite with magnetic properties by coating biocompatible activated carbon obtained from okra plant leaves with magnetic nanoparticles. Results: Characterization of the synthesized activated carbon-coated magnetic nanocomposite was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. The cytotoxic effects of the drug-loaded magnetic nanocomposite were examined in HT-29 (Colorectal), MCF-7 (breast), U373 (brain), T98-G (Glioblastoma) cancer cell lines, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells healthy cell line. Discussion: We studied the loading and release behavior of morin hydrate in the activated carbon-coated magnetic nanocomposite. Activated carbon-coated magnetic nanocomposite carriers can show promising results for the delivery of Morin hydrate drugs to the targeted site.

Green-Synthesized Characterization, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Applications of CtAC/MNPs-Ag Nanocomposites.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance, caused by the improper use of antibiotics, is a significant challenge in combating infectious diseases, leading to millions of annual fatalities. The occurrence of antimicrobial side effects catalyzes the investigation of novel antimicrobial compounds and sources of drugs. Consequently, the research on biological activity that is conducted on plants, plant extracts, and compounds that are produced from plant components is of utmost significance. In this study, CtAC/MNPs were obtained by the reaction of activated carbon (AC) obtained from the fruits of the Celtis tournefortii (Ct) plant and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and a CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite was synthesized by the reduction in silver ions added to the reaction. The synthesized CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites were analyzed spectroscopically (FTIR, XRD), microscopically (SEM, EDX), optically (DLS), electrochemically (zeta potential) and magnetically (VSM). The antibacterial activities of CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites against S. aureus and E. coli were investigated by microdilution method using minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods. Antioxidant activity study, including total phenolic content and DPPH and cuprac assays, revealed the remarkable effect of the CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite. This study has the advantages of obtaining CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites in a short time without requiring energy, and most importantly, the reaction takes place without using any toxic substances. In addition, according to the data obtained in the study, the CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite is thought to shed light on biomedical research.

Efficient solid phase extraction of α-tocopherol and ß-sitosterol from sunflower oil waste by improving the mesoporosity of the zeolitic adsorbent.

The recovery of α-tocopherol and ß-sitosterol from the deodorizer distillate of sunflower oil using solid phase extraction is reported. Performance of the silicon-rich and inexpensive zeolite, ZSM-5, and its modified versions were compared as adsorbents. Modifications of the zeolite frame were performed under both acidic and basic conditions to desilicate and dealuminate the parent ZSM-5. Base treatment resulted in hierarchical porosity and increased mesoporosity in the structure, which made the desilicated material as the best adsorbent of the study. Optimization of the solid phase extraction conditions was also studied and high recoveries of α-tocopherol and ß-sitosterol, up to 99.20% and 97.32%, respectively, were achieved. The preparation and characterisation of the reported sorbents, as high-performance adsorbents, were not only proved to be economically promising, due to recycling of nutritious products, but also improves the ecological credentials of the process through reduction in waste.

3,4-Bis[(4-methoxybenzoyl)methylsulfanyl]thiophene.

A new type of thiophene derivative having alpha-thioketone groups at the 3- and 4-positions, viz. the title compound, C22H20O4S3, has been prepared and studied by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The molecule is nearly planar, the dihedral angles between the essentially planar thiophene and benzene rings being 9.4 (1) and 10.6 (1) degrees. One of the thioketone O atoms is involved in an intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interaction.