Determination of vitamin c in raw fruit and vegetable homogenates: dietary exposure and health effects of excess intake in adults and children.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine Vitamin C content in some fruits and vegetables (FAV) including apple, banana, orange, pineapple, watermelon, carrot and cucumber, sold in the local markets in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria as well as Vitamin C content in two-component and three-component homogenates FAV. The work was also designed to investigate the dietary exposure and health effects of excess vitamin C intake in adults and children. Material and methods: Vitamin C as total ascorbic acid (AA) after reduction of dehydroascorbic acid was analyzed using both titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. The titrimetric method involved iodometric back-titration while the spectrophotometric method was done at an absorbance of 530 nm. The dietary exposure was evaluated as the total FAV intake multiplied by chemical concentration in the FAV whereas the health effect of excess vitamin C intake was conducted using the hazard quotient (HQ). Results: The results revealed that Vitamin C for single fruits ranged from 11.76 - 41.17 mg/L for spectroscopic method and 16.9 - 31.84 mg/L for titrimetric method. Fruit homogenates showed Vitamin C concentrations of 14.70 - 220.58 mg/L and 17.23 - 209.09 mg/L for two-components homogenates: 29.41-132.35 mg/L and 31.05-113.10 mg/L for tri-components homogenates for spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods respectively. The results of dietary exposure and the health effects of excess vitamin C intake showed that children are more susceptible to health issues than adults in illnesses such as nausea, gastrointestinal pains, increased kidney stones and hyperactivity. Conclusion: There is therefore the need for a national recommended dietary allowance for total ascorbic acid (AA) in FAV homogenates from a stakeholder point of view in Nigeria.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity of Moroccan Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients.

AIMS: A new approach to a healthy diet is the assessment of dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). The aim of this study was to assess the dietary TAC among Moroccan Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients and identify the main food sources contributing to the total antioxidant capacity intake. METHODS: A total of 254 patients with T2DM was included in the study. The usual dietary intakes were assessed by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire. The dietary TAC was estimated using published databases of the antioxidant content of foods measured by the FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) method. RESULTS: The mean (SD) dietary TAC of the studied type 2 diabetes patients was 10.86 (3.42) mmol/day. Correlation analyses showed a positive association between dietary TAC and the consumption of healthy food groups, such as fruits and vegetables. Tea and coffee beverages (38.6%), vegetables (21.9%), cereals and pulses (18.8%), fruits and fruit juices (12.4%) were major food sources of dietary antioxidant intake. The relatively short list of twenty food items that contributed most to dietary TAC presented an important explanation of roughly 94%. These included tea, coffee, broad beans, artichoke, pepper, beetroot, sweet potatoes, pomegranate, mandarin, figs, strawberry, orange juice, olives, cashew nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, dchicha and white beans. CONCLUSIONS: This study supplies baseline dietary TAC data for Moroccan T2DM patients that may help to elucidate which aspects of the eating habits and behaviours require improvement and provide the opportunity to develop dietary guidelines as part of the nutritional diabetes management.

Temperature-resilient and sustainable Mn-MOF oxidase-like nanozyme (UoZ-4) for total antioxidant capacity sensing in some citrus fruits: Breaking the temperature barrier.

Current nanozyme applications rely heavily on peroxidase-like nanozymes and are limited to a specific temperature range, despite notable advancements in nanozyme development. In this work, we designed novel Mn-based metal organic frameworks (UoZ-4), with excellent oxidase mimic activity towards common substrates. UoZ-4 showed excellent oxidase-like activity (with Km 0.072 mM) in a wide range of temperature, from 10 °C to 100 °C with almost no activity loss, making it a very strong candidate for psychrophilic and thermophilic applications. Ascorbic acid, cysteine, and glutathione could quench the appearance of the blue color of oxTMB, led us to design a visual-based sensing platform for detection of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in cold, mild and hot conditions. The visual mode successfully assessed TAC in citrus fruits with satisfactory recovery and precisions. Cold/hot adapted and magnetic property will broaden the horizon of nanozyme applications and breaks the notion of the temperature limitation of enzymes.

Comprehensive analysis of different solvent extracts of Ferula communis L. fruit reveals phenolic compounds and their biological properties via in vitro and in silico assays.

Although giant fennel is recognized as a "superfood" rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant activity, research into the antibacterial properties of its fruits has been relatively limited, compared to studies involving the root and aerial parts of the plant. In this study, seven solvents-acetone, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, and hexane-were used to extract the chemical constituents of the fruit of giant fennel (Ferula communis), a species of flowering plant in the carrot family Apiaceae. Specific attributes of these extracts were investigated using in silico simulations and in vitro bioassays. High-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) identified 15 compounds in giant fennel extract, with p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid being dominant. Among the solvents tested, ethanol demonstrated superior antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. F. communis extracts showed advanced inhibition of gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis) and variable antifungal activity against tested strains. Molecular docking simulations assessed the antioxidative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of F. communis, facilitating innovative therapeutic development through predicted compound-protein interactions. In conclusion, the results validate the ethnomedicinal use and potential of F. communis. This highlights its significance in natural product research and ethnopharmacology.

A-type proanthocyanidins: Sources, structure, bioactivity, processing, nutrition, and potential applications.

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a subgroup of PAs that differ from B-type PAs by the presence of an ether bond between two consecutive constitutive units. This additional C-O-C bond gives them a more stable and hydrophobic character. They are of increasing interest due to their potential multiple nutritional effects with low toxicity in food processing and supplement development. They have been identified in several plants. However, the role of A-type PAs, especially their complex polymeric form (degree of polymerization and linkage), has not been specifically discussed and explored. Therefore, recent advances in the physicochemical and structural changes of A-type PAs and their functional properties during extraction, processing, and storing are evaluated. In addition, discussions on the sources, structures, bioactivities, potential applications in the food industry, and future research trends of their derivatives are highlighted. Litchis, cranberries, avocados, and persimmons are all favorable plant sources. Α-type PAs contribute directly or indirectly to human nutrition via the regulation of different degrees of polymerization and bonding types. Thermal processing could have a negative impact on the amount and structure of A-type PAs in the food matrix. More attention should be focused on nonthermal technologies that could better preserve their architecture and structure. The diversity and complexity of these compounds, as well as the difficulty in isolating and purifying natural A-type PAs, remain obstacles to their further applications. A-type PAs have received widespread acceptance and attention in the food industry but have not yet achieved their maximum potential for the future of food. Further research and development are therefore needed.

Identification of Volatiles in Tomato Fruit Using Headspace Solid-Phase-Micro-Extraction (HS-SPME) Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that plants release as part of their natural biological processes. Various plant tissues produce VOCs, including leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. VOCs are essential in plant communication, defense against pests and pathogens, aroma and flavor, and attracting pollinators. The study of plant volatiles has become an increasingly important area of research in recent years, as scientists have recognized these compounds' important roles in plant physiology. As a result, there has been a growing interest in developing methods for collecting and analyzing plant VOCs. HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) is commonly used for plant volatile analysis due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. This chapter describes an efficient method for extracting and identifying volatile compounds by HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS in tomato fruits.

Potential application of green extracts rich in phenolics for innovative functional foods: natural deep eutectic solvents as media for isolation of biocompounds from berries.

The health-promoting effects of berries have attracted attention due to the possible application of their extracts as functional ingredients in food products. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are a new generation of environmentally friendly solvents for the extraction of natural products, and they are green alternatives to organic solvents, and they can improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of isolated biocompounds. In this study, an efficient eco-friendly method was used for the extraction of phenolic compounds from different berries: chokeberries, blueberries, and black goji berries with a range of eutectic solvents consisting of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) such as choline chloride, L-proline, L-glycine, and L-lysine and hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) such as malic, citric, tartaric, lactic and succinic acids, glucose and glycerol. The obtained results indicated the ability of NADESs towards selective extraction of phenolics; the eutectic system choline chloride : malic acid showed selective extraction of anthocyanins, while choline chloride : glycerol and choline chloride : urea showed selectivity towards flavonoids and phenolic acids. The methodology for screening of the NADES extraction performance, which included chromatographic profiling via high-performance thin layer chromatography combined with chemometrics and spectrophotometric essays, allowed effective assessment of optimal eutectic solvents for isolation of different groups of phenolics. Great antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts, along with the green nature of eutectic solvents, enable NADES berry extracts to be used as "green-labelled" functional foods or ingredients.

Differences in physicochemical properties of pectin extracted from pomelo peel with different extraction techniques.

In order to obtain high yield pomelo peel pectin with better physicochemical properties, four pectin extraction methods, including hot acid extraction (HAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzymatic assisted extraction (EAE) were compared. MAE led to the highest pectin yield (20.43%), and the lowest pectin recovery was found for EAE (11.94%). The physicochemical properties of pomelo peel pectin obtained by different methods were also significantly different. Pectin samples obtained by MAE had the highest methoxyl content (8.35%), galacturonic acid content (71.36%), and showed a higher apparent viscosity, thermal and emulsion stability. The pectin extracted by EAE showed the highest total phenolic content (12.86%) and lowest particle size (843.69 nm), showing higher DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities than other extract methods. The pectin extracted by HAE had the highest particle size (966.12 nm) and degree of esterification (55.67%). However, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that no significant difference occurred among the different methods in the chemical structure of the extracted pectin. This study provides a theoretical basis for the industrial production of pomelo peel pectin.

Chitosan-fucoidan encapsulating cinnamaldehyde composite coating films: Preparation, pH-responsive release, antibacterial activity and preservation for litchi.

In this study, an edible composite film with pH-responsive release was prepared by the formation of Schiff-base imine bonds between chitosan (CS) and oxidized fucoidan (CS-FU) and encapsulating cinnamaldehyde (CA). Fourier-transform infrared, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography confirmed the formation of CS-FU. The result showed that, oxidation degree of FU, degrees of substitution, average molecular weight and yield of CS-FU were 25.57 %, 10.48 %, 23.3094 kDa and 45.63 ± 0.64 %, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that CA was encapsulated within the CS-FU matrix. Increasing the CA content could improve the mechanical properties and ultraviolet and visible-light resistances of the CS-FU coating films but enhance their water vapor permeabilities. The release of CA increased as the pH decreased, and the antibacterial rate at pH 5 was 2.3-fold higher than that at pH 7, indicating good pH-responsive release and antibacterial properties in mildly acidic environments. Owing to their excellent properties, the CA/CS-FU-0.1 coating films maintained the appearance and quality indices of litchis for at least eight days. Hence, multifunctional composite coating films are prospective eco-friendly and intelligently responsive controlled-release packaging materials for fruit preservation.

Nutritional Composition and Antinutritional Factors of Five Wild Edible Fruits Grown in the Mekdela District, South of Wollo, Ethiopia.

This study was carried out to determine the mineral content and nutritional properties of five wild fruits Rhus vulgaris, Rosa abyssinica, Rhus natalensis, Euclea racemosa, and Ficus sur. The proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude fat, and crude protein) and antinutritional factors were evaluated using methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and elemental analysis using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Among the five wild edible fruit species, Rhus vulgaris had the highest carbohydrate content (83.3 ± 0.28 g/100 g) and a high total energy (344.5 ± 2.21 kcal/100 g). Euclea racemosa was found to have the maximum ash content (12.8 ± 0.37 g/100 g), protein content (3.22 ± 0.01 g/100 g), and moisture (16.24 ± 0.003 g/100 g), respectively. Rhus natalensis showed the highest fiber content (9.54 ± 0.003 g/100 g). Mineral analysis showed that local wild fruits contained a considerable amount of minerals. The calcium concentration ranged from 99.51 mg/100 g in Euclea racemosa to 160.12 mg/100 g in Ficus sur. Potassium concentration varied from 54.34 mg/100 g in Euclea racemosa to 234 mg/100 g in Rhus vulgaris. Iron ranges from 21.4 mg/100 g in Rosa abyssinica to 41 mg/100 g in Rhus natalensis, and zinc ranges from 2.3 mg/100 g in Rhus vulgaris to 4.2 mg/100 g in Ficus sur. A high saponin content (2.12 mg/100 g) and a low tannin content (0.23 mg/100 g) were obtained in Rosa abyssinica. The phytate content (1.52 mg/100 g) and the oxalate content (0.9 mg/100 g) were high in Rhus natalensis. In conclusion, the present study shows that wild fruits can be used as food supplementation in food in a safe area.

Crataegus pentagyna willd. Fruits, leaves and roots: phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials.

BACKGROUND: The hawthorn has recently been used as a popular herbal medicine in food applications and phytotherapy, especially for the cardiovascular system. METHODS: In this study, phytochemicals were evaluated by LC-ESI-MS, GC-MS, and biological activity, including antioxidant (DPPH test) and antibacterial (broth dilution assay), in different extracts of Crataegus pentagyna fruit, leaf, and root. RESULTS: Globally, 49 phenolics were tentatively identified using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in the hydro-methanolic extract of the fruit (major apigenin, caffeoylquinic acid derivative, and 4-O-(3'-O-glucopyranosyl)-caffeoyl quinic acid), 42 in the leaf (major salicylic acid, naringenin-6-C-glucoside, and naringin), and 33 in the root (major naringenin-7-O-neohesperidoside, isovitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, and 4-O-(3'-O-glucopyranosyl)-caffeoyl quinic acid). The major group compounds analyzed by GC-MS in petroleum ether extracts were hydrocarbons (63.80%) and fatty acids and their derivatives (11.77%) in fruit, hydrocarbons (49.20%) and fatty acids and their derivatives (13.85%) in leaf, and hydrocarbons (53.96%) and terpenes (13.06%) in root. All samples exhibited promising phytochemical profile (total phenol, flavonoid, phenolic acid, and anthocyanin), antioxidant and antibacterial capacities, especially in hydro-methanolic extract of fruit (210.22 ± 0.44 mg GAE/g DE; 79.93 ± 0.54 mg QE/g DE; 194.64 ± 0.32 mg CAE/g DE; 85.37 ± 0.13 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g FW; DPPH: 15.43 ± 0.65 µg/mL; MIC: 0.15-0.62 µg/mL; and MBC: 0.62-1.25 mg/mL), followed by the leaf and root extracts, respectively. The PCA and heatmap analysis results distinguished metabolite profile differences for samples. CONCLUSION: The results of the present work provide scientific support for C. pentagyna as antimicrobial agents and natural antioxidants in human health and food preservation.

Comment on "Three New Dimers and Two Monomers of Phenolic Amides from the Fruits of Lycium barbarum and Their Antioxidant Activities".

This Comment critically addresses the article by Gao et al. (Gao, K., et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2015, 63, 1067-1075), providing the structural elucidation of three phenolamide dimers (neolignanamides) from the fruits of Lycium barbarum. A more recent article published by Chen et al. (Chen, H., et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2023, 71, 11080-11093) incorporates these structures into further research on the bioactivity of these compounds. Although the analytical techniques used by Gao et al. are adequate, in our opinion, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data have not been interpreted correctly, resulting in incorrect structures for three neolignanamides from the fruits of L. barbarum. In this Comment, an alternative interpretation of the NMR spectroscopic data and the corresponding structures are proposed. The proposed structures feature linkage types that are much more common for neolignanamides than the linkage types in the originally reported structures of these compounds.

Developing a magnetic SERS nanosensor utilizing aminated Fe-Based MOF for ultrasensitive trace detection of organophosphorus pesticides in apple juice.

The unreasonable use of organophosphorus pesticides leads to excessive pesticide residues in food, seriously threatening public health, and the potential of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology, incorporating a metal-organic framework, is substantial for the rapid detection of trace pesticide residues. Here, a novel Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-101(Fe)@Ag (FNMA) SERS nanosensor was developed. Results indicated that the FNMA had a high enhancement factor of 1.53 × 108, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 4.55 × 10-12 M, and a relative standard deviation of 7.73 % for 4-nitrothiophenol, demonstrating its good SERS sensitivity and uniformity, and also possessed good storage stability for one month. In quantifying fenthion and methyl parathion in standard solutions and apple juice in the range of 0.05/0.02-20 mg/L, it showed LODs of 3.02 × 10-3 mg/L and 1.43 × 10-3 mg/L, and 0.0407 and 0.0075 mg/L, respectively, demonstrating potentials in ultrasensitive trace detection of pesticides in food.

Characterization of alkaloids and phenolics in Nitraria roborowskii Kom. fruit by UHPLC-triple-TOF-MS/MS and its sucrase and maltase inhibitory effects.

Nitraria roborowskii Kom (NRK), with high economic and ecological value, is mainly distributed in the Qaidam Basin, China. However, research on its chemical components and bioactivities is still rare. In this study, its chemical constituents (52) including 10 ß-carboline alkaloids, nine cyclic peptides, three indole alkaloids, five pyrrole alkaloids, eight phenolic acids and 17 flavonoids were identified tentatively using UPLC-triple-TOF-MS/MS. Notablely, one new ß-carboline alkaloid and five new cyclic peptides were confirmed using MS/MS fragmentation pathways. In addition, experiments in vitro indicated that NRK-C had strong maltase and sucrase inhibitory activities (IC50 of 0.202 and 0.103 mg/mL, respectively). Polysaccharide tolerance experiments confirmed NRK-C (400 mg/kg) was associated with decreased postprandial blood glucose (PBG) in diabetic mice. These results suggested that NRK fruit might be used as a functional ingredient in food products.

Facile extraction and determination of organophosphorus pesticides using poly (8-hydroxyquinoline) functionalized magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite in water, fruits, and vegetables samples.

This study presents a dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-µ-SPE) approach for extracting and determining of two organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), including diazinon and chlorpyrifos as model analytes in various samples. For this purpose, we synthesized, characterized, and utilized magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with poly 8-hydroxyquinoline (MWCNTs/Fe3O4@PHQ) as a novel sorbent. The impact of various parameters, including sorbent type, sample pH, sample volume, sorbent amount, desorption solvent (type and volume), extraction time, and ionic strength on the extraction efficiency was investigated and optimized. Following the extraction, the desorbed pesticides in acetone were analyzed using gas chromatography with an FID detector. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the proposed method showed excellent linearity in the range of 3-1000 µg/L, low detection limit (0.9-1.5 µg/L), good relative recoveries (86-101.5 %), and high precision (RSD < 6.5 %). Finally, the applicability of this method was evaluated by analyzing the target OPPs in a variety of real samples, and obtained satisfactory results.

Revealing the structural changes of lignin in Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis) fruit as it matures.

Chinese quince fruits (Chaenomeles sinensis) contain substantial amounts of lignin; however, the exact structure of lignin remains to be investigated. In this study, milled wood lignins (Milled wood lignin (MWL)-1, MWL-2, MWL-3, MWL-4, MWL-5, and MWL-6) were extracted from fruits harvested once a month from May to October 2019 to investigate their structural evolution during fruit growth. The samples were characterized via High-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric (TGA), pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and NMR (2D-heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and 31P). The MWL samples in all fruit growth stages were GS-type lignin and lignin core undergoing minimal alterations during fruit development. The predominant linkage in the lignin structure was ß-O-4', followed by ß-ß' and ß-5'. Galactose and glucose were the main monosaccharides associated with MWL. In MWL-6, the lignin exhibited the highest homogeneity and thermal stability. As the fruit matured, a gradual increase in the ß-O-4' proportion and the ratio of S/G was observed. The results provide comprehensive characterization of the cell wall lignin of quince fruit as it matures. This study could inspire innovative applications of quince fruit lignin and provide the optimal harvest time for lignin utilization.

The dual function of calcium ion in fruit edible coating: Regulating polymer internal crosslinking state and improving fruit postharvest quality.

The edible coating is proved to be a convenient approach for fruit preservation. Among these published explorations, naturally sourced macromolecules and green crosslinking strategies gain attention. This work centers on edible coatings containing Ca2+ as crosslinker for the first time, delving into crosslinking mechanisms, include alginate, chitosan, Aloe vera gel, gums, etc. Additionally, the crucial functions of Ca2+ in fruit's quality control are also elaborated in-depth, involving cell wall, calmodulin, antioxidant, etc. Through a comprehensive review, it becomes evident that Ca2+ plays a dual role in fruit edible coating. Specifically, Ca2+ constructs a three-dimensional dense network structure with polymers through ionic bonding. Moreover, Ca2+ acts directly with cell wall to maintain fruit firmness and serve as a second messenger to participate secondary physiological metabolism. In brief, coatings containing Ca2+ present remarkable effects in preserving fruit and this work may provide guidance for Ca2+ related fruit preservation coatings.

Novel films of pectin extracted from ambarella fruit peel and jackfruit seed slimy sheath: Effect of ionic crosslinking on the properties of pectin film.

Here, we prepared ionically crosslinked films using pectin extracted from agro-wastes, specifically ambarella peels (AFP) and jackfruit seed slimy sheath (JFS). Physiochemical properties of pectins, including moisture content, molecular weight (Mw), degree of esterification (DE), and galacturonic acid (GA), were analyzed. Optimal extraction was determined, i.e., citric acid concentration 0.3 M, time 60 min, solid/liquid ratio 1:25, and temperature 90 °C for AFP or 85 °C for JFS. Pectin yields under these conditions were 29.67 % ± 0.35 % and 29.93 ± 0.49 %, respectively. AFP pectin revealed Mw, DE, and GA values of 533.20 kDa, 67.08 % ± 0.68 %, and 75.39 ± 0.82 %, while JFS pectin exhibited values of 859.94 kDa, 63.04 % ± 0.47 %, and 78.63 % ± 0.71 %, respectively. The pectin films crosslinked with Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, or Zn2+ exhibited enhanced tensile strength and Young's modulus, along with reduced elongation at break, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, and oxygen permeability. Structural analyses indicated metal ions were effectively crosslinked with carboxyl groups of pectin. Notably, the Cu2+-crosslinked film demonstrated superior water resistance, mechanical properties, and exhibited the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activities among all tested films. Therefore, the pectin films represent a promising avenue to produce eco-friendly food packaging materials with excellent properties.

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb.) Hook. f. & Thomson in diabetic mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hodgsonia heteroclita has been known as an important traditionally consumed medicinal plant of North-East India known to have antidiabetic properties. This study aims to investigate the effects of the ethanolic fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by using streptozotocin (STZ) treated diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fruits of H. heteroclita were collected from the various parts of Kokrajhar district, Assam India (Geographic coordinates: 26°24'3.85″ N 90°16'22.30″ E). Basic morphological evaluations were carried out by the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern circle, Shillong, who also certified and identified the plant. Hexane, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts of the fruit of H. heteroclita were investigated for α-amylase inhibition assay as a rapid screening tool for examining anti-diabetic activity. The efficacy of ethanolic extract at a dose of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight was tested for 21 days in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The body weight, fasting plasma glucose and serum lipids, and hepatic glycogen levels were measured in experimental animals to examine the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic efficacy of the extract. Both HPTLC and LC-MS analysis was performed to examine the phyotochemicals present in the ethanolic extract of H. heteroclita. RESULTS: It has been observed that treatment with the ethanolic extract dose-dependently reduced the plasma glucose levels, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, and increased the body weight, liver glycogens and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in STZ treated diabetic mice. HPTLC demonstrated the presence of triterpene compounds and LC-MS analysis revealed the presence Cucurbitacin I, Cucurbitacin E, and Kuguacin G as the triterpene phytoconstituents. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that ethanolic fruit extract of H. heteroclita improved both glycemic and lipid parameters in mice model of diabetes.

Pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruit, soil, and water, and assessment of potential health risks to consumers.

A quantitative method based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique (QuEChERS) sample extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was evolved for the determination of 47 pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruits from Bam City of Kerman Province, Iran. The recoveries for selected pesticides ranged from 88 to 110% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 20% at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg-1. The proposed method had a linear range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1.00 mg kg-1, and the LOQ of the 47 pesticides was ≤ 0.005 mg kg-1. The coefficients of determination (R2) were more than 0.99. This technique was used on 12 fresh date fruits samples, three water samples, and three soil samples with three replications per sample. Forty-seven pesticide were detected collectively, but only diazinon was detected in the date fruit samples. The mean value of diazinon residues was 0.037 mg kg-1, and the concentration of diazinon in most samples was below the national maximum residue limit (MRL) for date fruit (0.05 mg kg-1). Among the pesticides measured, diazinon residues were also detected in the water samples, but not in the soil samples. The dietary intake assessment showed no health risk to humans from the consumption of fresh date fruit concerning the pesticides investigated.