Hybrid solvothermal/sonochemical-mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs generative of OH radicals: Photoluminescent approach to evaluate OH scavenging activity of Egyptian and Yemeni Punica granatum arils extract.

Zinc oxide NPs were synthesized solvothermally within sonochemical mediation and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, elemental mapping, TEM and UV-vis. spectrophotometry. To evaluate the hydroxyl radicals (OH) scavenging activity of arils extract of Egyptian (EGY-PAM) and Yemeni Punica granatum (YEM-PAM), the developed zinc oxide nano particles (ZnO NPs) as a highly productive source of hydroxyl radicals (under Solar-illumination) was used. The yield of OH was trapped and probed via fluorimetric monitoring. This suits the first sensitive/selective photoluminescent avenue to evaluate the OH scavenging activity. The high percentage of DPPH radical scavenging reflected higher contents of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that were found in EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM. Although, some secondary metabolites contents were significantly different in EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM, the traditional DPPH radical scavenging methodology revealed insignificant IC50. Unlike, the developed fluorimetric probing, sensitively discriminated the OH scavenging activity with IC50 (105.7 µg/mL) and lower rate of OH productivity (k = 0.031 min-1) in case of EGY-PAM in comparison to IC50 (153.4 µg/mL) and higher rate of OH productivity (k = 0.053 min-1) for YEM-PAM. Our findings are interestingly superior to the TBHQ that is synthetic antioxidant. Moreover, our developed methodology for fluorimetric probing of OH radicals scavenging, recommends EGY-PAM as OH radicals scavenger for diabetic patients while YEM-PAM exhibited a better OH radicals scavenging appropriate for high blood pressure patients. More interestingly, EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM exhibited high anticancer potentiality. The aforementioned OH and DPPH scavenging activities as well as the anticancer potentiality present EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM as promising sources of natural antioxidants, that may have crucial roles in some chronic diseases such as diabetics and hypertension in addition to cancer therapeutic protocols.

Application of Aloe vera Gel Coating Enriched with Cinnamon and Rosehip Oils to Maintain Quality and Extend Shelf Life of Pomegranate Arils.

A completely randomized design was applied on pomegranate arils for several post-harvest treatments before the packaging in polypropylene boxes for 15 days at (5 ± 1 °C, 95 ± 2% RH): control (untreated), Aloe vera gel (10% or 20%), 10% Aloe vera + rosehip oil (0.25% or 0.50%), 20% Aloe vera + rosehip oil (0.25% or 0.50%), 10% Aloe vera + cinnamon oil (0.25% or 0.50%), and 20% Aloe vera + cinnamon oil (0.25% or 0.50%). Aloe vera in combination with cinnamon oil resulted in an enhanced shelf life (15 d) compared to the uncoated arils (control). The Aloe vera + cinnamon oil coating led to the retention of total phenolics, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity in context to the quality attributes. Moreover, this coating showed minimal change in the color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness, delayed ethylene production, respiration rate, and physiological weight loss. Also, A. vera + cinnamon oil coatings significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the total counts of mesophilic aerobics, coliforms, and yeast and mold. Organoleptic attributes, including color, flavor, aroma, texture, and purchase acceptability were higher for the arils that were treated with 10% A. vera + 0.25% cinnamon oil; thus, this highly economical and easily available coating material can be formulated and used commercially to extend the shelf life and enhance the profit of the producers and/or processors.

Transcription profile analysis for biosynthesis of flavor volatiles of Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate arils.

Flavor is an important factor affecting the sensory of pomegranate and its products, which easily lose its freshness during processing and storage, but the biosynthesis of flavor-associated compounds is poorly understood until now. In this study, combining metabolome and transcriptome, flavor-associated attributes and volatile compounds of Tunisian pomegranate arils from 7 Chinese regions were studied. Depending on the different planting areas, there were significant differences in the content of sugars, organic acids and vitamin C. A total of 40 volatile compounds were characterized from all samples, of which 13 volatile compounds were common to all samples. There were 4 compounds showed higher contents in all samples, including 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, α-terpineol, and 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, 5 differential accumulated metabolites, including palmitic acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, decanoic acid, and myristic acid, were significantly enriched in the fatty acid biosynthesis for all samples. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that 42 candidate flavor-associated differentially expressed genes and 9 transcription factors mainly located in 3 key modules. Hexanoic acid was an important metabolite, which was significantly correlated with 38 differentially expressed genes. Generally, complex regulatory networks were constructed in the study to identify structural genes and transcription factors which regulate the metabolism of volatile compounds in pomegranate. Our results provided new insights for understanding the difference in flavor biosynthesis and regulatory network of pomegranate arils.

Phytochemical Characterization of Taxus baccata L. Aril with Emphasis on Evaluation of the Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Rhodoxanthin.

Taxus baccata L., an evergreen tree, was known until recently due to its high concentration of toxic compounds. The purpose of the present study was to focus on the only non-poisonous part, the red arils, which have recently been described as an important source of various bioactive constituents. To establish total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxic properties, two types of extracts were obtained. The chemical profile of the ethanolic extract was evaluated using chromatographic (HPLC-DAD-ESI+) and spectral (UV-Vis) methods, and the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, yielding moderate results. In the second type of extract (methanol: ethyl acetate: petroleum ether (1:1:1, v/v/v)) we identified three carotenoids using open column chromatography and RP-PAD-HPLC, with rhodoxanthin being the most abundant. Considering the above and mainly because of the lack of information in the literature about this pigment and its biological effects, we decided to further investigate the cytotoxic activity of rhodoxanthin, the main carotenoid presented in aril, and its protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress using two cell lines: human HaCaT keratinocytes and B16F10 murine malignant melanoma. The MTT and Annexin-V Apoptosis assays showed a substantial cytotoxic potential expressed in a dose-dependent manner towards the melanoma cell line, however, no obvious cytotoxic effects on human keratinocytes were noticed.

Simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in pomegranate whole fruit and arils using LC-MS/MS.

An analytical method in pomegranate whole fruits and arils was developed in LC-MS/MS and validated as per SANTE/12682/2019. Samples were extracted following acetonitrile-based modified QuEChERS protocol. The method was linear and the coefficient of determination ranged between 0.998 and 0.999. Through this method, all the pesticides were detected and quantified at 10 µg kg-1. The accuracy test at 10, 50, and 100 µg kg-1 spiking level recorded recovery between 70 and 120% and RSD less than 15% in both matrices. No significant matrix effect was observed for most pesticides. Intra (RSDr) and inter-day (RSDwr) precision estimated at 50 µg kg-1 found acceptable RSD in both matrices. Measurement uncertainty at 50 µg kg-1 was in the range of 4.02 to 16.12 µg kg-1. Quantifying pesticides in pomegranate whole fruits, peel, and arils using the proposed method is highly suitable and reproducible for 74 pesticides in a short run time of 25.00 min.

Analysis of coloration characteristics of Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate arils based on transcriptome and metabolome.

In this study, combining metabolome and transcriptome, color related attributes and phenolic compositions of Tunisian pomegranate arils from 7 Chinese regions at same developing stage were studied. The total anthocyanin (TAC), flavonoids, and percent polymeric color (PPC) were ranged at 8.93-28.41 mg/100 g arils, 37.55-69.72 mg/100 g arils, and 3.38-21.96%, respectively. In total, 51 phenolic compounds were characterized, most of which were markedly higher in reddish-purple pomegranate arils than those levels in reddish pomegranate arils. In contrast, the accumulation of tannins was significantly higher in reddish pomegranate arils. Among the 49 differentially expressed genes, 8 and 5 genes were matched to ß-glucosidase and peroxidase, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that PPC was negatively correlated with 10 phenolic metabolites and TAC, positively correlated with L*, polymeric color, and 1 gene (|r| > 0.7, p < 0.01). Our results provide new insights for understanding the difference in coloration of pomegranate arils.

Bioactive Components, Volatile Profile and In Vitro Antioxidative Properties of Taxus baccata L. Red Arils.

This study aimed at assessing the composition of bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids and polyphenols, the volatile compound profile and the antioxidant activity of red arils (RAs) of Taxus baccata L. grown in diverse locations in Poland. Among the carotenoids assayed in high quantities (3.3-5.42 µg/g), the lycopene content (2.55-4.1 µg/g) was remarkably higher than that in many cultivated fruits. Samples collected from three sites were distinguished by higher amounts of ascorbic acid (125 mg/100 g, on average) than those found in many cultivated berries. Phenylpropanoids quantitatively dominated among the four groups of phenolic compounds. Chromatographic separation enabled the detection of two phenylpropanoid acids: ferulic and p-coumaric. Irrespectively of the growth site, RAs contained substantial amounts of (-)-epicatechin (1080 µg/100 g, on average). A higher ability to scavenge DPPH● and ABTS●+ radicals was found in the hydrophilic fraction of RAs from two sites (Warsaw and Koszalin) compared with the other two sites. The volatile compound profile of RAs was dominated by alcohols, followed by ketones, esters and aldehydes. The presence of some volatiles was exclusively related to the specific growth site, which may be regarded as a valuable indicator. The combination of bioactive and volatile compounds and the fairly good antioxidant potential of RAs render them an attractive source for preparing functional foods.

Red Arils of Taxus baccata L.-A New Source of Valuable Fatty Acids and Nutrients.

The aim of this study, focused on the nutritional value of wild berries, was to determine the contents of macronutrients, profiles of fatty (FAs) and amino acids (AAs), and the contents of selected elements in red arils (RA) of Taxus baccata L., grown in diverse locations in Poland. Protein (1.79-3.80 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (18.43-19.30 g/100 g) contents of RAs were higher than in many cultivated berries. RAs proved to be a source of lipids (1.39-3.55 g/100 g). Ten out of 18 AAs detected in RAs, mostly branched-chain AAs, were essential AAs (EAAs). The EAAs/total AAs ratio approximating were found in animal foods. Lipids of RA contained seven PUFAs, including those from n-3 family (19.20-28.20 g/100 g FA). Polymethylene-interrupted FAs (PMI-FAs), pinolenic 18:3Δ5,9,12; sciadonic 20:3Δ5,11,14, and juniperonic 20:4Δ5,11,14,17, known as unique for seeds of gymnosperms, were found in RAs. RAs may represent a novel dietary source of valuable n-3 PUFAs and the unique PMI-FAs. The established composition of RAs suggests it to become a new source of functional foods, dietary supplements, and valuable ingredients. Because of the tendency to accumulate toxic metals, RAs may be regarded as a valuable indicator of environmental contamination. Thus, the levels of toxic trace elements (Al, Ni, Cd) have to be determined before collecting fruits from natural habitats.

Ultrasonic potential in maintaining the quality and reducing the microbial load of minimally processed pomegranate.

Difficulty of Pomegranate fruit peeling and arils separation are the main motivations of progressive ready-to-eat pomegranate fresh arils industry. Also, extracted pomegranate arils are highly perishable due to water loss and microbial contamination expose. The aim of the current work was then to evaluate the effect of ultrasound for 15 and 30 min on maintenance of bioactive compounds and microbial load reduction of pomegranate arils cv. Rabbab. Treated arils were kept at 5 °C and analyzed during 15 days of storage. The most and least weight loss of arils obtained in control and 30 min treated samples, respectively. After 12 days of storage, all samples were decayed except those treated for 15 and 30 min. The ultrasound treatment significantly prevented degradation of anthocyanin and ascorbic acid compounds. Total phenol and antioxidant activity decreased during storage. At the end of storage, the most total phenol content (3898.6 mg GAE L-1) was found in arils treated for 30 min whereas the most anthocyanin (91.93 mg L-1), total antioxidant activity (82.65%), and ascorbic acid (2.53 mg L-1) were found in arils treated for 15 min. Ultrasound treated arils had lower microbial load (total mesophilic bacteria in control and 30-min treated samples) in each stage during storage. At the end of storage, the microbial load in treated and control arils was 0.7 and 0.2 Log CFU g-1, respectively). Overall, ultrasound treatment effectively reduced weight loss and preserved bioactive compounds during storage.

Thermal inactivation kinetics of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase from pomegranate arils (Punica granatum L. cv. Wonderful).

Thermal inactivation of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in both pomegranate arils crude enzyme extract and fresh juice was investigated. The optimum conditions for reactions were studied using a mixture of guaiacol and H2 O2 as substrate for POD and pyrogallol for PPO. The experimental work indicated that optimum pH for both enzymes was 7.0; meanwhile optimum temperature was 30°C for POD and 25°C for PPO. Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) values for POD were 8.33 and 8.00 mM for guaiacol and H2 O2, respectively. The Km value was 5.88 mM pyrogallol for PPO. Thermal inactivation results revealed that the inactivation kinetics followed a monophasic first-order model. Activation energies (Ea) were 74.68 and 112.97 kJ/mol for POD and PPO, respectively. Therefore, POD was more heat-stable than PPO. This result is very useful to optimize pomegranate processing (canning or freezing), which represents the most important food industries in many tropical and subtropical regions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pomegranate has been attracted more interest due to its antioxidant and nutritional values. For industrial applications, there is a growing interest to obtain pomegranate products such as juice, jams, food supplements, etc. It is well established that the residual activities of endogenous enzymes in either raw materials or processed products may cause loss of quality during storage. Inhibition of enzymatic browning is an important factor to maintain pomegranate quality. This work offers a better insight of characterization of browning enzymes and their thermosatbility, which will be useful to control the possible browning of pomegranate arils during processing and storage. In addition, the results of this study is very important in pomegranate processing where it showed a higher temperature with shortened time can be applied.

Pomegranate arils osmotic dehydration: effect of pre-drying on mass transfer.

In this work, the effect of ambient drying prior to osmotic dehydration (OD) of Tunisian pomegranate arils has been investigated. The whole fruit was pre-dried under ambient climate conditions, 20 °C and a climate humidity of 66%, until obtaining hard peels. Fresh and pre-dried pomegranate arils were dehydrated in sucrose osmotic solution at optimized conditions (50 °Brix, 40 °C, 440 rpm, foodstuff to solution weight ratio of 1:4 and 420 min). Water and solute transfer during OD where monitored. Mass transfer kinetics were modeled according to Peleg equation. This model showed a relatively good fitting of experimental data of both fresh and pre-dried samples. The pre-drying prior to OD of pomegranate arils gave lower solid gain. The sucrose uptake was about 0.403, 0.173, 0.116 g/g of dry matter for 81%, 70%, 59% initial moisture content, respectively. The highest water loss to solid gain ratio was obtained for dehydrated pomegranate arils of 70% initial moisture content. Effective diffusion coefficients were determined using the analytical solution of Fick's second law. The effective diffusion coefficients decrease with decreasing arils moisture contents. The average effective diffusion coefficients were 8.3 × 10-9 and 4.6 × 10-9 m2 s-1 for water loss and solid gain, respectively.

The effect of clove essential oil loaded chitosan nanoparticles on the shelf life and quality of pomegranate arils.

The effect of four different coating dispersions including chitosan, clove essential oil, chitosan nanoparticles and clove essential oil loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CEO-ChNPs or encapsulated oil) was investigated on shelf life and quality of minimally processed pomegranate arils during storage at 5 °C. Among tested dispersions, CEO-ChNPs extended aril shelf life for 54 days while uncoated arils became unusable at day 18 due to the incidence of fungal decay. At the end of storage, CEO-ChNPs could significantly maintain microbial quality, weight, total soluble solid, titratable acidity, pH, total phenol and total anthocyanin content, as well as antioxidant activity and sensory quality in pomegranate arils coated with CEO-ChNPs compared to uncoated arils, however only some of mentioned parameters maintained significantly in arils coated with other dispersions (P < 0.05). According to these results, CEO-ChNPs were the most effective coating for extending shelf life and controlling undesirable microbial, physicochemical and sensory alterations of pomegranate arils.

Desenvolvimento e estabilidade de formulação cosmética obtida com corante natural azul / Development and stability of cosmetic formulation obtained with natural blue dye

Introdução: Dentre os corantes de fontes naturais disponíveis no mercado, os mais comuns são aquelas capazes de conferir as cores vermelha, roxa, laranja e amarela, sendo a coloração azul relativamente escassa. A espécie Ravenala madagascariensis, também conhecida como árvore dos viajantes, é uma planta oriunda da Ilha de Madagascar, África do Sul, característica por sementes recobertas por arilos fibrosos de coloração azul intensa. Objetivo: Descrever uma metodologia capaz de extrair e incorporar os corantes azuis presentes nos arilos em uma formulação dermocosmética estável. Metodologia: Foi realizado screening com distintos líquidos extratores para a obtenção do extrato dos arilos. O extrato em ciclometicone foi incorporado em preparações cosméticas empregando-se as bases Polawax® e Cold cream. Após a avaliação dos aspectos sensoriais, a formulação preparada com Polawax foi direcionada para avaliação de estabilidade acelerada (15 dias) de acordo com o protocolo definido pela ANVISA. Resultados: O melhor processo extrativo foi obtido pela utilização do ciclometicone, que é um excipiente compatível com o preparo de formulações cosméticas. O produto contendo 1% do extrato dos arilos em ciclometicone, incorporado à base Polawax, foi avaliado em relação às variáveis aspecto, cor (azul), odor, sensação ao tato e pH (5,5) e não apresentou alterações no ensaio de estabilidade acelerado. Conclusão: Com a metodologia apresentada, foi possível extrair e preparar uma formulação dermocosmética estável com nova proposta de corante azul, aplicável como excipiente para formulações.

Introduction: Among the dyes from natural sources available in the market, the most common are those capable of giving the colors red, purple, orange and yellow, being the blue coloration relatively scarce. The Ravenala madagascariensis species, also known as the traveler's tree, is a plant from Madagascar Island, South Africa, characterized by seeds covered by intense blue colored fibrous aryls. Objective: To describe a methodology capable of extracting and incorporating the blue dyes present in aryls in a stable dermocosmetic formulation. Methodology:Screening with different extracting liquids was performed to obtain the extract of the arils. The cyclomethicone extract was incorporated into cosmetic preparations using the Polawax® and Cold cream bases. After evaluation of sensory aspects, the formulation prepared with Polawax was directed to accelerated stability evaluation (15 days) according to the protocol defined by ANVISA. Results: The best extraction process was obtained by the use of cyclomethicone, which is an excipient compatible with the preparation of cosmetic formulations. The product containing 1% of the cyclomethicone aryl extract, incorporated into the Polawax base, was evaluated in relation to the variables appearance, color (blue), odor, touch sensation and pH (5.5) and showed no changes in the stability test accelerated. Conclusion:With the methodology presented, it was possible to extract and prepare a stable dermocosmetic formulation with new blue dye proposal, applicable as an excipient for formulations.

A randomized comparative study of herbal decoction of Cassia fistula Linn pod's pericarp and Myristica fragrans Houtt arils vs. mefenamic acid in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.

Background To compare the efficacy and safety of herbal decoction (pods of Cassia fistula Linn. and Arils of Myristica fragrans Houtt) with mefenamic acid in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. Methods In this single-blind, prospective, parallel, standard controlled study, dysmenorrheic patients (n=64) were randomly allocated to receive herbal decoction (n=31) or mefenamic acid (n=33) for two consecutive menstrual cycles. Treatment group received 180 mL herbal decoction of post amaltas (Cassia fistula L pod's pericarp) (21 g), bisbasah (Myristica fragrans Houtt arils) (3 g) and qand siyah (jaggery) (30 g) which were orally administered at morning for 3 days before the expected start of menstruation. The control group received mefenamic acid 500 mg orally twice daily between day 1 and day 3 of menstruation. The primary outcomes were visual analog scale (VAS) for pain intensity, pain relief scale and the safety assessment by clinical examination and biochemical parameters. The secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (HRQoL) determined by SF-12 health survey questionnaire, duration of pain and pictorial blood assessment chart score for menstrual blood loss. The data were statistically interpreted with 5% level of significance. Results At the baseline, on day 1, pain severity for VAS score between the groups [7.09 ± 1.07 vs. 6.75 ± 1.09] had no significant difference (p>0.05). However, during the second menstrual cycle, a significant reduction [0.03 + 0.17 vs. 0.42 + 1.44] in pain severity on day 1 was noted in both groups (p<0.001). During the second menstrual cycle, improvement in HRQoL health survey [SF-12 total score: 85.88 ± 5.99 vs 74.83 ± 15.9] and reduction in pain duration were significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group. No side effects were reported. Conclusion Herbal decoction was effective to relieve pain and to improve HRQoL in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.

Anthocyanins of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Fruit Associated with High Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities.

Red arils of Pithecellobium dulce fruit, commonly known as guamuchil, show high antioxidant (AOx) and α-glucosidase inhibitory (IαG) activities, which have been mainly associated with the content of unknown anthocyanins. In this study, the AOx (i.e., DPPH and ABTS as Trolox equivalents, µmol TE/g) and IαG (as half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50, mg/mL) activities of the anthocyanin-rich fraction (ARF) obtained from red arils were contrasted with those of the methanol extract (ME), and the main ARF anthocyanins were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS, GC-MS and 1H-NMR. The AOx and IαG values of the ARF (DPPH = 597.8; ABTS = 884.01; IαG = 0.06) were better than those of the ME (DPPH = 41.5; ABTS = 142.3; IαG = 17.5); remarkably, the ARF IαG value was about 42 times lower than that of acarbose. The main anthocyanins in ARF were pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Thus, the consumption of red P. dulce arils could provide health benefits for prevention/treatment of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes.

Taxus ingredients in the red arils of Taxus baccata L. determined by HPLC-MS/MS.

INTRODUCTION: Taxus baccata L. is an evergreen conifer whose plant parts are cardiotoxic. Only the red arils of the berries are described as non-toxic and taxane-free. OBJECTIVE: Extraction and HPLC-MS/MS methods were developed for the investigation of the Taxus compounds 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, 10-deacetylbaccatin III, baccatin III, cephalomannine, taxol A and taxinine M in the red arils of the yew berries. METHODOLOGY: A liquid-liquid extraction method for the red arils of the fruits from three yews were developed. An accurate (ESI+) HPLC-MS/MS method was performed for the simultaneous detection and determination of the target compounds in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. RESULTS: All Taxus agents obtained were detected in the red arils. Highest concentrations were determined for baccatin III and 10-deacetylbaccatin III. CONCLUSION: The developed quantitative method is reliable and selective and was successfully applied for quantification of selected Taxus ingredients in red arils of Taxus baccata. It was disproved that the red arils of the berries do not contain the selected Taxus compounds.

Flaxseed gum in combination with lemongrass essential oil as an effective edible coating for ready-to-eat pomegranate arils.

Flaxseed gum (FSG) in combination with lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) was investigated for coating of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils. FSG was used at 0.3% and 0.6% concentrations and with both concentrations LGEO was incorporated at levels of 0ppm, 200ppm, 500ppm and 800ppm. Changes in headspace gases, physicochemical, microbiological and sensory attributes of pomegranate arils stored at 5°C were studied on different days of analysis during the 12day storage period. Coatings containing LGEO were effective in reducing total plate count and yeast and mold populations. Increasing LGEO concentrations in the coatings resulted in more decline in microbial populations. Reduced weight loss occurred in coated samples as compared to uncoated (control) sample. Coated samples showed a gradual decrease in ripening index in contrast with control where a significantly higher decline was observed. Total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity significantly varied over the storage period. Color change (ΔE) for control increased steeply over the storage time in comparison to coated samples. Furthermore, chroma decreased while as hue angle increased over time.

Seed handling by primary frugivores differentially influence post-dispersal seed removal of Chinese yew by ground-dwelling animals.

Seed handling by primary frugivores can influence secondary dispersal and/or predation of post-dispersal seeds by attracting different guilds of ground-dwelling animals. Many studies have focused on seeds embedded in feces of mammals or birds; however, less is known about how ground-dwelling animals treat seeds regurgitated by birds (without pulp and not embedded in feces). To compare the effect of differential seed handling by primary dispersers on secondary seed removal of Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis var. mairei), we conducted a series of exclosure experiments to determine the relative impact of animals on the removal of defecated seeds (handled by masked palm civet), regurgitated seeds (handled by birds) and intact fruits. All types of yew seeds were consistently removed at a higher rate by rodents than by ants. Regurgitated seeds had the highest removal percentage and were only removed by rodents. These seeds were probably eaten in situ without being secondarily dispersed. Defecated seeds were removed by both rodents and ants; only ants might act as secondary dispersers of defecated seeds, whereas rodents ate most of them. We inferred that seeds regurgitated by birds were subjected to the highest rates of predation, whereas those dispersed in the feces of masked palm civets probably had a higher likelihood of secondary dispersal. Seeds from feces attracted ants, which were likely to transport seeds and potentially provided a means by which the seeds could escape predation by rodents. Our study highlighted that primary dispersal by birds might not always facilitate secondary dispersal and establishment of plant populations.

Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.

GC/FID and GC-MS analysis revealed germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, α-cadinol and cubenol as major compounds from aril. Germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, trans-caryophyllene and δ-elemene are major compounds in fruits. Germacrene D, spathulenol, trans-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide are major compounds in leaves. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed distinct groups between the composition of essential oils from aril and fruit, when compared with terpene production found in leaves. Lipid composition found in arils could be protected by the presence of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes, as germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene. Chemical profiles of essential oils from the fruits, arils and leaves of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. revealed different compositions, which could be related to environmental pressures. Thereby, non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes can also work against herbivory, pathogens and predator's attack, emphasising the importance of further studies among terpenes, ecology interactions and plant physiology.

Standardization of pre-treatments for the preparation of dried arils from wild pomegranate.

Pre-treatments for drying of wild pomegranate arils were standardized to check discolouration of dried arils. Steam blanching of arils for 30 s followed by sulphur fumigation at 0.3% for 60 min was found suitable as they took minimum time to dry a given tray load, and had minimum non-enzymatic browning, furfural, hydroxyl methyl furfural and moisture contents. The dried arils of the standardized pre-treatment recorded maximum scores for sensory characteristics like colour, texture, taste, aroma and overall acceptability.