Incorporation of the Dry Blossom Flour of Sambucus nigra L. in the Production of Sponge Cakes.

The present study aims to develop recipe compositions and technology for producing sponge cakes from wholemeal flour, partially replaced with a functional plant component dry blossom flour of Sambucus nigra L. Three designs of sponge cakes with 5, 10, and 15% content of flour of Sambucus nigra L. corrected up to 100% with whole-grain oat flour were studied. Their characteristics were compared with sponge cakes of 100% wheat flour/control. The obtained new products were characterized by reduced carbohydrates, increased content of dietary fiber, and preserved volume compared to the control. The physicochemical parameters of sponge cake and marshmallows with different concentrations of dry flowers of Sambucus nigra L. included in them differed from the control with lower water absorption, pH, and moisture, while having a higher relative mass and ash content and retaining the original size. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus, and common coliforms were not detected in the control and experimental samples when determining the microbiological parameters. Therefore, the developed formulations are an excellent alternative to wheat flour, significantly improving some nutritional characteristics such as smell, taste, dietary fiber, and lower carbohydrate content.

Ziziphus jujuba: Applications in the Pharmacy and Food Industry.

Ziziphus jujuba has been used since ancient times in traditional Eastern medicine. It is widely cultivated in numerous countries between the tropical and temperate climatic zones due to its high ecological plasticity and resilience to adverse weather. The different classes of chemical compounds contained in the plant are the reason for its medicinal properties. Research shows that every part of Ziziphus jujuba, the leaves, fruits and seeds, demonstrate therapeutic properties. This review focuses on the chemical composition in order to establish the relationship between the plant and its clinical use. Various biological effects are summarized and discussed: anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, gastrointestinal, etc. Apart from medicinal uses, the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba are edible and used in fresh and dried form. This literature review reveals possible medical applications of Ziziphus jujuba and its great potential for improving the diet of people in areas where the plant is abundant.

Metabolomic Profile of Arthrospira platensis from a Bulgarian Bioreactor-A Potential Opportunity for Inclusion in Dietary Supplements.

The present study aims to elucidate the metabolomic profile of Arthrospira platensis grown in a bioreactor in Bulgaria. The results show that Arthrospira platensis has a high content of mannose, 137.02 mg g-1, and vitamin A (retinol)-10.3 µg/100 g. High concentrations of calcium, sulfur, and zinc distinguish its elemental composition. The freeze-dried powder contained 15.81 ± 0.45% dietary fiber, 50.16 ± 0.25% total protein content, and 1.22 ± 0.11% total fat content. Among the unsaturated fatty acids with the highest content is α-linolenic acid (25.28%), while among the saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid prevails (22.55%). Of the sterols in the sample, ß-sitosterol predominated. There is no presence of microcystins LR, RR, YR, and nodularin. Therefore, Arthrospira platensis grown in a Bulgarian bioreactor is safe for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Many of the organic compounds found have applications in medicine and pharmacology and play an important role in biochemical processes in the body. Therefore, Arthrospira platensis grown in Bulgaria has a high potential for use as an independent food supplement or in combination with other natural products.

Chemical Compositions, Pharmacological Properties and Medicinal Effects of Genus Passiflora L.: A Review.

Practically all aboveground plants parts of Passiflora vines can be included in the compositions of dietary supplements, medicines, and cosmetics. It has a diverse chemical composition and a wide range of biologically active components that determine its diverse pharmacological properties. Studies related to the chemical composition of the plant are summarized here, and attention has been paid to various medical applications-(1) anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective; (2) anti-depressant; (3) antidiabetic; (4) hepatoprotective; (5) antibacterial and antifungal; and (6) antipyretic and other. This review includes studies on the safety, synergistic effects, and toxicity that may occur with the use of various dietary supplements based on it. Attention has been drawn to its application in cosmetics and to patented products containing passionflower.

Metabolic Profile of Leaves and Pulp of Passiflora caerulea L. (Bulgaria) and Their Biological Activities.

At present, there are no data in the scientific literature on studies aimed at characterizing Passiflora caerulea L. growing in Bulgaria. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic profile and elemental composition of the leaves and pulp of this Passiflora, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of its leaf and pulp extracts. The results showed that the pulp predominantly contained the essential amino acid histidine (7.81 mg g-1), while it was absent in the leaves, with the highest concentration being tryptophan (8.30 mg g-1). Of the fatty acids, palmitoleic acid predominated both in the pulp and in the leaves. A major sterol component was ß-sitosterol. Fructose (7.50%) was the predominant sugar in the pulp, while for the leaves, it was glucose-1.51%. Seven elements were identified: sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc. The highest concentrations of K and Mg were in the pulp (23,946 mg kg-1 and 1890 mg kg-1) and leaves (36,179 mg kg-1 and 5064 mg kg-1). According to the DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC methods, the highest values for antioxidant activity were found in 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves, while for the ABTS method, the highest value was found in 50% ethanolic extracts. In the pulp, for all four methods, the highest values were determined at 50% ethanolic extracts. Regarding the antibacterial activity, the 50% ethanolic leaf extracts were more effective against the Gram-positive bacteria. At the same time, the 70% ethanolic leaf extract was more effective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076. The leaf extracts exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity than the extracts prepared from the pulp. The obtained results revealed that P. caerulea is a plant that can be successfully applied as an active ingredient in various nutritional supplements or cosmetic products.

Antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of water extracts from Sambucus nigra L. under different conditions.

INTRODUCTION: In folk medicine, dried white flowers of Sambucus nigra L. are used to make infusions, decoctions, and juices. AIM: The present article aims to study and compare the antioxidant activity of aqueous solutions of leaves and flowers of Sambucus nigra L obtained at different exposure times and assess the antibacterial activity of these solutions against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella NCTC 6017, Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 11994, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25093. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the physicochemical properties of aqueous extracts of leaves (fresh) and flowers (fresh and dry) of Sambucus nigra L collected from the Rhodope region of Bulgaria. The samples from Sambucus nigra L were analyzed to determine their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The diameters (in millimeters) of the growth inhibition zones of four pathogens were measured, and a comparative assessment of their antibacterial activity was made. RESULTS: The infusions of fresh blossoms and fresh leaves of Sambucus nigra L had the highest antioxidant activity at the total contact time of 30 minutes (82.7 mmol TE/100 ml) and 35 minutes (36.5 mmol TE/100 ml), respectively. The phenol-richest infusions were those made from dried flowers of Sambucus nigra L after a 30-minute contact time (86.7 mg GAE/ml). Of the four pathogens we studied, we found that the extracts affected partially only the pathogenic bacteria of Salmonella. CONCLUSIONS: The highest content of bioactive components was obtained from dried blossoms of Sambucus nigra L. for infusions with a total contact time of 30 minutes and for decoctions at a contact time of 45 minutes.

Application of Arthrospira platensis for Medicinal Purposes and the Food Industry: A Review of the Literature.

Arthrospira platensis is a filamentous cyanobacterium of the class Cyanophyceae and is the most cultivated photosynthetic prokaryote. It is used in the pharmaceutical sector, medicine and the food industry. It has a rich micro- and macro-element composition, containing proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals and raw fibers. It is a commonly used ingredient in food products and nutritional supplements. The wide range of biologically active components determines its diverse pharmacological properties (antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective, antiviral, etc.). This review summarizes research related to the taxonomy, distribution and chemical composition of Arthrospira platensis as well as its potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Attention is drawn to its various medical applications as an antidiabetic and antiobesity agent, with hepatoprotective, antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral effects as well as regulatory effects on neurodegenerative diseases.

Electrothermal atomization of arsenic, antimony and thallium using a graphite atomizer with refractory metal platforms.

The electrothermal atomization of the volatile elements arsenic, antimony and thallium from a refractory metal platform consisting of a tungsten coil and/or a refractory metal foil with the dimensions of a conventional graphite platform was studied. Several combinations of refractory metal platforms were investigated, as follows: W platform; Ta platform; W coil; W coil on a W platform and W coil on a Ta platform. The best combination for these elements as regards both thermal stabilization and sensitivity is the W coil on a Ta platform. Thermal stabilization is also achieved with a W coil on a W platform. The presence of Pd-containing chemical modifier favors the thermal stabilization of the analytes. The sufficient amount is 2 micrograms of Pd. The maximal temperatures of pyrolysis are higher (arsenic, antimony) or equal (thallium) to those when using different chemical modifiers, added as solutions. It may be concluded, that the refractory metal platforms act as "built-in modifiers". They are suitable for the determination of arsenic, antimony and thallium in samples of complex matrix composition where high thermal stability of the analytes during the pyrolysis step is required.

Slurry sampling ETAAS determination of sodium impurities in optical crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate and potassium gadolinium tungstate.

Slurry sampling ETAAS was successfully applied to the determination of sodium impurities in single crystals of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW). Platform atomizers coated with titanium carbide or tungsten carbide, respectively, were used in order to avoid sensitivity drift due to the changes in the composition and the structure of the platform surface. Calibration curves with aqueous standards could be used for the KGW slurry (no matrix effects); analysis of KTP slurry required the standard additions method. The precision of the proposed method was better than 3% R.S.D. The results obtained by the present method showed a good agreement with those obtained by an independent method-flame AAS after sample digestion, which is an evidence for the good accuracy of the proposed method.