Ailanthus altissima Seed Oil-A Valuable Source of Lipid-Soluble Components with DNA Protective and Antiproliferative Activities.

The present study is focused on the chemical and lipid composition of seed oil of the European ornamental and invasive wood plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture in the seeds were determined. A high yield of glyceride oil (30.7%) was found, as well as a high content of fibers (29.6%) and proteins (18.7%). Physicochemical properties of the oil define it as semi-dry (129.4 g I2/100 g Iodine value) with oxidative stability, refractive index, saponification value, and relative density similar to widely used oils with nutritional value and health benefits. The composition of the seed oil was determined chromatographically. Unsaturated fatty acids (95.3%) predominated in the seed oil, of which linoleic acid (48.6%) and oleic acid (44.8%) were the major ones. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were ß-sitosterol (72.6%), γ-tocopherol (74.6%), phosphatidylinositol (29.5%), and phosphatidic acids (25.7%). The proven in vitro DNA-protective ability of seed oil is reported for the first time. The seed oil exhibited a weak antiproliferative effect on HT-29 and PC3 tumor cell lines and showed no cytotoxicity on the BALB/c 3T3 cell line. In brief, the present study reveals that A. altissima seed oil can be used as a healthy food.

Chemical Composition, Lipid-Soluble Bioactive Compounds and Potential Health Benefits of the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw.

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. is the main species for Moss surveys (ICP Vegetation programme) in Southeastern Europe and is widely distributed in the region. In addition to their biomonitoring role, mosses are applied in some countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of eczema, cuts, burns, eye diseases, etc. Therefore, the chemical and lipid composition of the moss H. cupressiforme is of interest to establish their possible application in different fields. The chemical composition of the moss was examined regarding total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates (i.e., fibres), ash, and moisture content. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were determined as sterols, tocopherols, phospholipids and fatty acids. The major fatty acids were linoleic (14.9%), oleic (13.8%), palmitic (12.5%) and α-linolenic (11.3%) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids (56.4%) prevailed in the glyceride oil, in which the polyunsaturated ones constituted 32.5%. The lipid indices (atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, peroxidability, and oxidation stability index) were also theoretically calculated based on the fatty acid composition of the moss lipids to establish their health benefits and the rate of oxidation. The primary results of this study revealed H. cupressiforme to be a promising alternative source of bioactive compounds that could be implemented in supplements with health-promoting effects.

Koelreuteria paniculata Seed Oil-A Rich Natural Source of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Phytocompounds with DNA Protective Potential.

The present work is focused on the physicochemical characteristics, chemical composition, and some biological activities of Koelreuteria paniculata seed oil. The glyceride oil, obtained with a Soxhlet apparatus by extraction with hexane, was characterized by a relatively high oil content (over 20%), and it is defined as a non-drying oil (iodine value-44 gI2/100 g) with good oxidative stability (over 50 h). There were identified 11 fatty acids, 6 sterols, 3 tocopherols, and 6 phospholipids, as the last group was reported for the first time. The major components among them were-monounsaturated eicosenoic and oleic acids, ß-sitosterol, ß-tocopherol, and phosphatidylcholine. The in vitro tests demonstrated DNA protective activity and a lack of cytotoxicity of the oil, data that has been reported for the first time. The in vitro MTT test of the oil on HT-29 and PC3 cell lines did not indicate antitumor activity. The seed oil studied contains valuable bio-components, which have proven benefits for human health, and that is why it could be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Chemical Composition Assessment of Structural Parts (Seeds, Peel, Pulp) of Physalis alkekengi L. Fruits.

In recent years there has been an extensive search for nature-based products with functional potential. All structural parts of Physalis alkekengi (bladder cherry), including fruits, pulp, and less-explored parts, such as seeds and peel, can be considered sources of functional macro- and micronutrients, bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and dietetic fiber. The chemical composition of all fruit structural parts (seeds, peel, and pulp) of two phenotypes of P. alkekengi were studied. The seeds were found to be a rich source of oil, yielding 14-17%, with abundant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (over 88%) and tocopherols, or vitamin E (up to 5378 mg/kg dw; dry weight). The predominant fatty acid in the seed oils was linoleic acid, followed by oleic acid. The seeds contained most of the fruit's protein (16-19% dw) and fiber (6-8% dw). The peel oil differed significantly from the seed oil in fatty acid and tocopherol composition. Seed cakes, the waste after oil extraction, contained arginine and aspartic acid as the main amino acids; valine, phenylalanine, threonine, and isoleucine were present in slightly higher amounts than the other essential amino acids. They were also rich in key minerals, such as K, Mg, Fe, and Zn. From the peel and pulp fractions were extracted fruit concretes, aromatic products with specific fragrance profiles, of which volatile compositions (GC-MS) were identified. The major volatiles in peel and pulp concretes were ß-linalool, α-pinene, and γ-terpinene. The results from the investigation substantiated the potential of all the studied fruit structures as new sources of bioactive compounds that could be used as prospective sources in human and animal nutrition, while the aroma-active compounds in the concretes supported the plant's potential in perfumery and cosmetics.

Nutrient Constituents, Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant Properties of Service Tree (Sorbus domestica L.) Fruits.

The current study aimed to determine the major and minor nutritional constituents of Sorbus domestica L. fruits. It was revealed that palmitic acid was the most commonly occurring saturated fatty acid, while linoleic acid represented the major polyunsaturated fatty acid. The sterol fraction consisted mainly of ß-sitosterol. Small amounts of lipophilic pigments were quantified. Potassium, iron, and boron were the most abundant macro-, micro-, and ultra-trace elements. The amino acid composition analysis suggested that the non-essential amino acids predominated over the essential ones. Soluble sugars (fructose and glucose) represented a large part of the total carbohydrate content, but pectin formed the major part of polysaccharides. Malic acid was the most abundant organic acid whereas quercetin-3-ß-glucoside, neochlorogenic, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids were the major phenolic constituents. Fruits exhibited free-radical scavenging and protecting ability against peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals. Service tree fruits provided valuable bioactive constituents having a high nutritional value and potential health benefits.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Fruits from Vitex agnus-castus L., Growing in Two Regions in Bulgaria.

The chemical composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae family) fruits, collected from two regions in Bulgaria (south-central and north-east Bulgaria), was investigated. The content of proteins (5.3-7.4%), carbohydrates (73.9-78.8%), fiber (47.2-49.9%), ash (2.5-3.0%), essential oils (0.5%), and vegetable oil (3.8-5.0%) were identified in the fruits. The composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Vitex fruits from both regions was determined; the main compounds were 1,8-cineole (16.9-18.8%), α-pinene (7.2-16.6%), sabinene (6.7-14.5%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.3-9.0%), but significant differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of EOs between the regions were found. The EOs of plants from north-east Bulgaria demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic species Salmonella abony, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, but the Gram-negative bacteria Esсherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to the oil. Linoleic acid predominated in vegetable oil from both regions, followed by oleic acid. ß-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol were the main components in the sterol and tocopherol fraction of the lipids. Phosphatidic acids were the main components in the vegetable oil from north-east Bulgaria, while in the vegetable oil from south-central Bulgaria, all phospholipids were found in almost the same quantity. Overall, significant differences were observed in the chemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates, ash and moisture) of the fruits from the two regions of Bulgaria, as well as in the content of the main components of their essential and vegetable oils.

Chemical Composition of Pinus nigra Arn. Unripe Seeds from Bulgaria.

The present paper aims to investigate the chemical composition of unripe black pine seeds obtained from Bulgaria. The lipid fraction was evaluated in unripe seeds, and the cellulose, total carbohydrates, glucose, fructose, and sucrose were evaluated in seedcakes. The major fatty acid identified in the Pinus nigra seed oil was unsaturated linoleic acid (44.2%), followed by the saturated palmitic acid (31.2%). The amount of unsaturated pinolenic (10.5%) and oleic acids (8.8%) was also rather high. The amino acid composition of the protein fraction of seedcakes was also determined. The amino acid composition was represented mainly by asparagine (3.92 mg/g), serine (3.79 mg/g), alanine (3.65 mg/g), arginine (3.32 mg/g), phenylalanine (2.98 mg/g), lysine (2.85 mg/g), proline (2.69 g/mg), tryptophan (2.44 mg/g), valine (2.33 mg/g), isoleucine (2.28 mg/g), and tyrosine (2.05 mg/g). The mineral content (N, P, K, Mg, Na, and Cu) of the seedcakes was evaluated, as the amount of K (8048.00 mg/kg) and Mg (172.99 mg/kg) were the highest in the samples. These findings emphasized the potential use of the unripe black pine seeds in different areas due to their chemical importance and values.

Comparative Study on the Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Grecian Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb) Unripe and Ripe Galbuli.

Grecian juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.) is an evergreen tree and a rare plant found in very few locations in southern Bulgaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of J. excelsa unripe and ripe galbuli from three different locations in Bulgaria. The essential oil content ranged between 1.9% and 5.1%, while the lipid fraction yield was between 4.5% and 9.1%. The content of total chlorophyll was 185.4-273.4 µg/g dw. The total carotenoid content ranged between 41.7 and 50.4 µg/g dw of ripe galbuli, and protein content was between 13.6% and 16.4%. Histidine (5.5 and 8.0 mg/g content range) and lysine (4.0 and 6.1 mg/g) were the major essential amino acids. The antioxidant potential of the 95% and 70% ethanol extracts was analyzed using four different methods. A positive correlation between the antioxidant potential and phenolic content of the galbuli was found. The results obtained in this study demonstrated the differences in phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of J. excelsa galbuli as a function of maturity stage and collection locality.

Evaluation of chemical composition, antioxidant potential and functional properties of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seeds.

The interest in carob pod as an ingredient of functional foods is constantly increasing due to its beneficial health effect and functional properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of carob seeds, as well as the functional properties of its isolated galactomannan fraction. The lipid, protein, carbohydrate and phenolic composition were analysed. The obtained results demonstrated that the main detected fatty acids were oleic (45.0%), linoleic (32.4%), and palmitic (16.6%) acid. The primary tocopherol in the tested tocopherol fraction was γ-tocopherol (53.1%). It was established that ß-sitosterol (74.2%) and stigmasterol (12.8%) predominated in the sterol fraction. Carob seed was characterized by high protein (25.7%) content, while mannose and galactose were the dominating monosaccharides. Moreover, the isolated galactomannan from carob seed demonstrated good swelling properties-30.1 ml per g sample and oil-holding capacity (27.9 g/g sample). The total polyphenolic and flavonoids content of carob seeds was 1.76 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight and 0.30 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry weight, respectively. The carob seeds showed the highest antioxidant potential by cupper reduction assay-15.71 mM Trolox® equivalent/g dry weight. The mineral composition was also defined as the macroelements Ca and Mg were the predominant minerals in the seed. The obtained results showed that carob seeds were a valuable source not only of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, but also of proteins, lipids, galactomannan with functional properties that could improve the nutritional value of foods in which are incorporated.

Comparative study on the chemical composition of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves from Greece and Georgia and the antibacterial activity of their essential oil.

Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) is a plant species from Lauraceae family, and is native to the Mediterranean region. The goal of this study was to compare chemical composition of laurel leaves and antibacterial activity of its essential oil (EO) from wild-grown trees in Greece and Georgia. The laurel leaves from the two native habitats had dissimilar concentrations of phenolic acids. Of the conjugated flavonols and flavons, kaempferol (1981.3 µg/g) and apigenin (1433.6 µg/g) were the major representatives in the leaves from Greece, while luteolin (839.1 µg/g) and kaempferol (688.1 µg/g) were the major ones in the leaves from Georgia, respectively. The EO content was 1.42% and 4.54% in the leaves from Greece and Georgia, respectively. The main EO constituents of the Greek laurel plants were 1,8-cineole (30.8%), α-terpinyl acetate (14.9%), α-terpineol (8.0%), sabinene (7.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (6.0%). The main EO constituents of the Georgian laurel plants were 1,8-cineole (29.2%), α-terpinyl acetate (22.6%), sabinene (12.2%), and methyleugenol (8.1%). The EO antimicrobial activities against 20 microorganisms were determined. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, the Enterococcus faecalis strain was the most sensitive, followed by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. Among the Candida species, C. albicans ATCC 10231 was the most sensitive to the laurel leaf EOs.

Comparative analysis of nutrient content and energy of eggs from different chicken genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Eggs are important foods in the daily diet of humans and have great biological activity and a high digestibility. Egg yolk is a good source of biologically active substances such as fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols. The eggs of seven chicken genotypes were analyzed for their chemical composition, and a detailed study of the lipids in egg yolk was conducted. RESULTS: Energy composition of the egg yolk and egg albumen was 29.06-30.51 MJ kg-1 and 19.77-20.93 MJ kg-1 respectively. Regarding their chemical composition: water ranged from 471.7 to 515.4 g kg-1 and 878.3-885.9 g kg-1 ; fat content in dry matter ranged from 607 to 647 g kg-1 and 6.7-11.6 g kg-1 ; protein varied from 302 to 331.7 g kg-1 and 823.6-892.5 g kg-1 ; ash ranged from 33.7 to 37.7 g kg-1 and 63.8-74.0 g kg-1 ; and nitrogen-free extracts ranged from 12.7 to 36.5 g kg-1 and 35.0-96.2 g kg-1 . The sterols and phospholipids in the yolk lipids were 16-26 g kg-1 and 59-127 g kg-1 . The main fatty acids in the lipids were oleic (39.1-47.3%) and palmitic (26.0-35.5%) acids. Cholesterol in the yolk lipids ranged from 15.9 to 25.9 g kg-1 . Phosphatidylcholine (389-573 g kg-1 ), phosphatidylethanolamine (219-355 g kg-1 ) and phosphatidylinositol (112-284 g kg-1 ) were the main phospholipids. The content of saturated fatty acids in the phospholipids was significantly higher than that in triacylglycerols. CONCLUSION: Small variations in the chemical composition of eggs from seven different genotypes were observed. Significant differences in the fatty acid compositions of the main classes of phospholipids and the triacylglycerol fraction were established. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biologically active components in Madia sativa seed oil.

Biologically active components in lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols) from three varieties of Madia sativa seeds introduced in Bulgaria (BGR 457 and BGR 458 with German origin, and BGR 459 with US origin) were investigated. Glyceride oil in the seeds was found to be 36.6, 34.2 and 35.4%, respectively. Total phospholipid content was 2.4, 1.7 and 2.6% and the main classes were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The amount of sterols in the oil was 0.3% for all samples and the major component was ß-sitosterol, followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. Total tocopherols in the oils were 768, 795 and 856 mg kg-1, respectively and α-tocopherol predominated (more than 70.0%). Fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and sterol esters was also established. Main fatty acids in triacylglycerols were linoleic (47.5-50.5%), oleic (30.2-32.4%) and palmitic acids (13.0-13.5%). The content of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) in sterol esters (40.1-50.9%) was significantly higher than in triacylglycerols (18.3-19.4%).