Impact of diversified grazing systems on milk production, nutrient use and enteric methane emissions in dual-purpose cows.

This study evaluated three continuous grazing systems: Brachiaria Brizantha, Clitoria ternatea and naturalized pastures, complemented with commercial concentrate and C. ternatea silage on milk yield, nutrient use and enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Nine multiparous cows of local Zebu breeds, with an average weight of 448 ± 87 kg, were used. The chemical composition of the food was determined. Live weight, milk production, and quality were assessed. Furthermore, serum urea, urea nitrogen, creatinine and glucose in blood were monitored, and nitrogen use efficiency were calculated. Enteric methane (CH4) emissions were estimated using Tier-2 methodology. A 3 × 3 latin square experimental design was applied. The grazing systems of B. brizantha and C. ternatea had the greater live weights of 465.8 and 453.3 kg/cow, although the latter is similar to naturalized pasture. Milk production and quality were not affected by grazing system, with the exception of the non-fat solids, where the C. ternatea system was lower (102.2 g/kg) than the other grazing systems. The crude protein and N intake, and N excretion in feces and urine were lower in naturalized pasture systems (1139.0 g/day). N outputs in milk was high in the C. ternatea system (56.3 g/cow/day). The naturalized pastures systems showed the better feed use efficiency (25.7%) compared to others. Serum urea and blood urea nitrogen were greater in B. brizantha followed by C. ternatea. Enteric CH4 emissions were indifferent among grazing systems when expressed as a percentage of greenhouse gases (7.1%). In conclusion, the grazing C. ternatea supplemented with commercial concentrate and C. ternatea silage maintains milk production and quality, reduced cow/day emissions (by 2.5%) and lowered energy losses as methane.

Antiobesity and antidyslipidemic properties of Clitoria ternatea petals aqueous extract against rats induced by high-fat diet.

Background/aim: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease involving dysregulation of fat metabolism that affects 13% of the world's population. Obesity has been linked to dyslipidemia with a lot of complication, including stroke, chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and so on. One of the natural resources that have several potential effects including anticholesterol, antiobesity, and antidyslipidemia is the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea/CT). CT's petal has been found to contain high levels of anthocyanins and tannins that can inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol and lipid. This study aims to investigate the antiobesity and antidyslipidemic effects of Clitoria ternatea extract (CTE). Materials and methods: The CTE was obtained through the aqueous extract method and then was investigated using spectrophotometry to determine anthocyanin and tannin content. The effect of CTE against a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rat model was measured by weight and obesity index, lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and HDL-C), and histopathology analysis. Results: CTE showed total anthocyanin and tannin content of 78.0943 mg/100 g and 1424.90 mg/100 g, respectively. The data analysis also showed significantly different within groups (p < 0,05), especially between HFD and HFD + CT750 groups on the cholesterol (MD 111.12 mg/dL; 95% CI (99.57 to 122.67); p < 0.001), LDL (MD; 76.38 mg/dL; 95% CI (56.77 to 96.00); p < 0.001), VLDL (MD 0.37 mg/dL; 95% CI (0.18 to 0.57); p < 0.001), body weight (MD: 56.20 g; 95% CI (13.89 to 98.51); p = 0.012); and thickening of tunica layer in the thoracic aorta (MD 22.76 µm; 95% CI (20.11 to 24.4); p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that Clitoria ternatea petals aqueous extract promotes amelioration of the lipid profile, body weight, and tunica thickness in rats with the high-fat diet.

Phytochemical Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Phenolic Compounds from Flower of Clitoria ternatea L.

Phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PCFCTL) were extracted using a high-speed shearing extraction technique and purified by AB-8 macroporous resins, and the phytochemical composition of the purified phenolic compounds from the flower of Clitoria ternatea L. (PPCFCTL) was then analyzed. Subsequently, its bioactivities including antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activities, and antiproliferative activities against several tumor cell lines were evaluated. Results indicated that the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, flavanols, and phenolic acids in PPCFCTL were increased by 3.29, 4.11, 2.74, 2.43, and 2.96-fold, respectively, compared with those before being purified by AB-8 macroporous resins. The results showed PPCFCTL have significant antioxidant ability (measured by reducing power, RP, and ferric reducing antioxidant power method, FRAP) and good DPPH, ABTS+, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. They can also significantly inhibit lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. In addition, morphological changes of HeLa, HepG2, and NCI-H460 tumor cells demonstrated the superior antitumor performance of PPCFCTL. However, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was relatively weak. These findings suggest that PPCFCTL have important potential as natural antioxidant, antilipidemic, anti-glycemic and antineoplastic agents in health-promoting foods.

Clitoria ternatea (Linn.) flower extract attenuates vascular dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy via modulation of Ang II/AT1 R/TGF-ß1 cascade in hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND: Clitoria ternatea (CT) (the Fabaceae family) has been reported to elicit several biological responses, such as anti-inflammation and anti-depression effects. This study evaluated the effect of CT flower extract on blood pressure, vascular function, and left ventricular hypertrophy in a two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) rat model. Hypertensive rats were treated with CT extract at various doses (100, 300, or 500 mg kg-1 day-1 ) or losartan (10 mg kg-1 day-1 ) for 4 weeks (n = 8/group). RESULTS: CT extract reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, and CT extract at a dose of 300 mg kg-1 was an effective concentration (P < 0.05). Augmentation of contractile responses to electrical field stimulation and impairment of vascular responses to acetylcholine in mesenteric vascular beds and aortic rings of 2K-1C rats were suppressed by treatment with CT extract or losartan (P < 0.05). Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and plasma angiotensin II concentration were high in 2K-1C rats but alleviated by CT extract or losartan treatment (P < 0.05). Increases in superoxide production and lipid peroxidation were attenuated in 2K-1C rats treated with CT extract or losartan compared with the untreated group (P < 0.05). Increased plasma concentration of nitric oxide metabolites was found in hypertensive rats that received CT extract or losartan. CT extract or losartan suppressed the overexpression of Ang II receptor subtype I (AT1 -R) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in 2K-1C rats. CONCLUSION: CT extract had antihypertensive effects that were associated with improving vascular function and cardiac hypertrophy in 2K-1C rats. The mechanisms involved suppression of the renin-angiotensin system, of oxidative stress, and of the AT1 R/TGF-ß1 cascade. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Spectral Characteristic, Storage Stability and Antioxidant Properties of Anthocyanin Extracts from Flowers of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.).

Anthocyanins from flowers of the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) are promising edible blue food colorants. Food processing often faces extreme pHs and temperatures, which greatly affects the color and nutritional values of anthocyanins. This study explored the color, spectra, storage stability, and antioxidant properties of C. ternatea anthocyanin extract (CTAE) at different pHs. The color and absorption spectra of CTAEs at a pH of 0.5-13 were shown, with their underlying structures analyzed. Then, the storage stability of CTAEs were explored under a combination of pHs and temperatures. The stability of CTAE declines with the increase in temperature, and it can be stored stably for months at 4 °C. CTAEs also bear much resistance to acidic and alkaline conditions but exhibit higher thermal stability at pH 7 (blue) than at pH 0.5 (magenta) or pH 10 (blue-green), which is a great advantage in food making. Antioxidant abilities for flower extracts from the butterfly pea were high at pH 4-7, as assessed by DPPH free radical scavenging assays, and decreased sharply when the pH value exceeded 7. The above results provide a theoretical basis for the application of butterfly pea flowers and imply their great prospect in the food industry.

Gelatine Film Incorporated with Clitoria ternatea-Derived Anthocyanin Microcapsules, A Food Packaging Material Effective Against Foodborne Pathogens.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Microbial contamination of food products is one of the significant causes of food spoilage and foodborne illnesses. The use of active packaging films incorporated with antimicrobial agents can be a measure to improve food quality and extend shelf life. Nevertheless, antimicrobial agents such as silver, copper, titanium and zinc in the packaging films have raised concerns among consumers due to toxicity issues. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The current study aims to develop biodegradable gelatine-based edible films incorporated with microcapsules of Clitoria ternatea-derived anthocyanins as a natural antimicrobial agent. The impact of incorporation of microcapsules with anthocyanins on the morphology, thermal, mechanical, water vapour barrier and physicochemical properties of the gelatine films was evaluated in this study. The effectiveness of the developed films against foodborne pathogens and their application for perishable food protection were also investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results show that incorporating anthocyanin microcapsules enhances the gelatine film physical and mechanical properties by increasing the thickness, tensile strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break of the films. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis revealed that the film surface morphology with anthocyanin microcapsules had a homogeneous and smooth surface texture compared to the control. The thermogravimetric analysis also showed a slight improvement in the thermal properties of the developed films. Agar well diffusion assay revealed that the developed films exhibit significant inhibition against a broad-spectrum of bacteria. Furthermore, the films composed of gelatine with anthocyanin microcapsules significantly reduced the total viable count of microorganisms in the bean curd during storage for 12 days compared with the control films. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: Increasing global awareness of healthy and safe food with minimal synthetic ingredients as preservatives has sparked the search for the use of antimicrobial agents of natural origins in active food packaging material. In this study, a safe and effective active packaging film was developed using an environmentally friendly biopolymer, gelatine film incorporated with microcapsules of Clitoria ternatea-derived anthocyanins as a natural antimicrobial agent. This study demonstrated that such a method is not only able to improve the film physical properties but can also significantly prolong the shelf life of food products by protecting them from microbial spoilage.

The macrocyclizing protease butelase 1 remains autocatalytic and reveals the structural basis for ligase activity.

Plant asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) are expressed as inactive zymogens that perform maturation of seed storage protein upon cleavage-dependent autoactivation in the low-pH environment of storage vacuoles. The AEPs have attracted attention for their macrocyclization reactions, and have been classified as cleavage or ligation specialists. However, we have recently shown that the ability of AEPs to produce either cyclic or acyclic products can be altered by mutations to the active site region, and that several AEPs are capable of macrocyclization given favorable pH conditions. One AEP extracted from Clitoria ternatea seeds (butelase 1) is classified as a ligase rather than a protease, presenting an opportunity to test for loss of cleavage activity. Here, making recombinant butelase 1 and rescuing an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant lacking AEP, we show that butelase 1 retains cleavage functions in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo rescue was incomplete, consistent with some trade-off for butelase 1 specialization toward macrocyclization. Its crystal structure showed an active site with only subtle differences from cleaving AEPs, suggesting the many differences in its peptide-binding region are the source of its efficient macrocyclization. All considered, it seems that either butelase 1 has not fully specialized or a requirement for autocatalytic cleavage is an evolutionary constraint upon macrocyclizing AEPs.

Endophytic bacteria promote growth of the medicinal legume Clitoria ternatea L. by chemotactic activity.

Part of the native root nodule endophytic microflora referring to members of the genera Proteobacteria and Sphingobacteria were used to test their bioefficacy as seed biopriming. These were quantified for their plant growth promoting (PGP) attributes such as IAA production, P and K-solubilization and ACC deaminase production. Results showed that significantly highest IAA was produced by E. hormaechi RCT10. The highest P-solubilization was observed with S. maltophila RCT31 it was solubilizing all the substrate tri-calcium phosphate, di-calcium phosphate, and zinc phosphate. Significantly highest K-solubilization was observed with S. maltophila RCT31 followed by E. turicensis RCT5. However, the maximum zinc solubilization was reported with S. maltophila RCT31 followed by E. turicensis RCT5. The maximum ACC deaminase was quantified in the bacterium. Results revealed that the E. hormaechi RCT10 utilized seed leechates most effectively while root exudates were maximally utilized by S. maltophila RCT31. The pots experiment proves that S. maltophila RCT31 was the most effective bacterium and it was replication vis-à-vis field experiment. In particular, S. maltophila RCT31 holds strong potential to be possibly used as a bioformulation for the medicinal legume, as an economical and eco-friendly alternative to agrochemicals.

Angiosuppressive effects of bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles synthesis using Clitoria ternatea flower: an in vitro and in vivo approach.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (CTNP's) by Clitoria ternatea flower in the aqueous extract was investigated. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Visible spectroscopy, followed by DLS, Zeta potential, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and AFM. The biocompatibility nature of CTNP's was determined using erythrocytes model system. Cytotoxicity of CTNP's against MCF-7 and EAC cells were determined by using MTT and Trypan blue exclusion method and their IC50 was found to be 19.37 µg/mL and 24 µg/mL. Cytotoxic potential of CTNP's was further confirmed by clonogenic assay. Further in vivo studies using EAC mice model supports the anti-cancer potential of silver nanoparticles. Results found that the CTNP's effectively control the proliferation rate by inhibiting the ascites secretion and cellular density. Further quantification of VEGF, microvessel density counts and CAM assays show the anti-angiogenic potential of the CTNP's. The apoptotic inducing activity of CTNP's was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, fluorescent staining studies. More interestingly, EAC treated mice exhibit significant increase in lifespan (~ 2.25 fold) compared to control EAC mice. Interestingly CTNP's did not exhibit any secondary complications against normal mice. The present findings give an experimental proof that the CTNP's could serve as a promising candidate to overcome limitations of existing conventional cancer therapeutics.

Clitoria ternatea Flower Petal Extract Inhibits Adipogenesis and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Downregulating Adipogenic Gene Expression.

Clitoria ternatea (commonly known as blue pea) flower petal extract (CTE) is used as a natural colorant in a variety of foods and beverages. The objective of study was to determine the inhibitory effect of CTE on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The phytochemical profiles of CTE were analyzed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Anti-adipogenesis effect of CTE was measured by using Oil Red O staining, intracellular triglyceride assay, quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell cycle studies were performed by flow cytometry. Lipolysis experiments were performed using a colorimetric assay kit. In early stages, CTE demonstrated anti-adipogenic effects through inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle retardation by suppressing expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The results also showed that CTE inhibited the late stage of differentiation through diminishing expression of adipogenic transcription factors including PPARγ and C/EBPα. The inhibitory action was subsequently attenuated in downregulation of fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, causing the reduction of TG accumulation. In addition, CTE also enhanced catecholamine-induced lipolysis in adipocytes. These results suggest that CTE effectively attenuates adipogenesis by controlling cell cycle progression and downregulating adipogenic gene expression.

Inoculated Clitoria ternatea with Bacillus cereus ERBP for enhancing gaseous ethylbenzene phytoremediation: Plant metabolites and expression of ethylbenzene degradation genes.

Air pollutants especially polyaromatic hydrocarbons pose countless threats to the environment. This issue demands for an effective phytoremediation technology. In this study we report the beneficial interactions of Clitoria ternatea and its plant growth promoting endophytic bacteria Bacillus cereus ERBP by inoculating it for the remediation of 5 ppm airborne ethylbenzene (EB). The percentage efficiency for ethylbenzene removal among B. cereus ERBP inoculated and non-inoculated sterile and natural C. ternatea has also been determined. The inoculation of B. cereus ERBP has significantly increased EB removal efficiency of both sterile and natural C. ternatea. The inoculated natural C. ternatea seedlings showed 100% removal efficiency within 84 h for the aforementioned pollutant compared with the sterile inoculated C. ternatea seedlings (108 h). The degradation of EB by C. ternatea seedlings with and without B. cereus ERBP was assessed by measuring the intermediates of EB including 1-phenylethanol, acetophenon, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. In addition, cytochrome P450s monooxygenase (CYP83D1) and dehydrogenases (LOC100783159) involved in the oxidation of hydrocarbons are well reported for their bio catalytic activities under xenobiotic stress conditions. Hence, the co-effect of the native endophyte B. cereus ERBP inoculation and EB exposure on the expression level of CYP83D1 and dehydrogenase were also determined. The targeted genes CYP83D1and dehydrogenases have shown an increased expression level under the 5 ppm of EB exposure enabling C. ternatea to withstand and remediate the pollutant.

Acute effect of Clitoria ternatea flower beverage on glycemic response and antioxidant capacity in healthy subjects: a randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Clitoria ternatea L., a natural food-colorant containing anthocyanin, demonstrated antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Clitoria ternatea flower extract (CTE) on postprandial plasma glycemia response and antioxidant status in healthy men. METHODS: In a randomized, crossover study, 15 healthy men (ages 22.53 ± 0.30 years; with body mass index of 21.57 ± 0.54 kg/m2) consumed five beverages: (1) 50 g sucrose in 400 mL water; (2) 1 g CTE in 400 mL of water; (3) 2 g CTE in 400 mL of water; (4) 50 g sucrose and 1 g CTE in 400 mL of water; and (5) 50 g sucrose and 2 g CTE in 400 mL of water. Incremental postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid, antioxidant capacities and lipid peroxidation were measured during 3 h of administration. RESULTS: After 30 min ingestion, the postprandial plasma glucose and insulin levels were suppressed when consuming sucrose plus 1 g and 2 g CTE. In addition, consumption of CTE alone did not alter plasma glucose and insulin concentration in the fasting state. The significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and protein thiol) and the decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level were observed in the subjects who received 1 g and 2 g CTE. Furthermore, consumption of CTE protected sucrose-induced reduction in ORAC and TEAC and increase in plasma MDA. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that an acute ingestion of CTE increases plasma antioxidant capacity without hypoglycemia in the fasting state. It also improves postprandial glucose, insulin and antioxidant status when consumed with sucrose. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20170609003 . Registered 09 September 2017. 'retrospectively registered'.

In vitro protective effects of an aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea L. flower against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity and UV-induced mtDNA damage in human keratinocytes.

The traditional practice of eating the flowers of Clitoria ternatea L. or drinking their infusion as herbal tea in some of the Asian countries is believed to promote a younger skin complexion and defend against skin aging. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of C. ternatea flower water extract (CTW) against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity and ultraviolet (UV)-induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in human keratinocytes. The protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay, and mtDNA damage induced by UV was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Preincubation of HaCaT with 100, 250, and 500 µg/ml CTW reduced cytotoxicity effects of H2 O2 compared with control (H2 O2 alone). CTW also significantly reduced mtDNA damage in UV-exposed HaCaT (p < .05). CTW was chemically-characterized using high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main compounds detected were assigned as anthocyanins derived from delphinidin, including polyacylated ternatins, and flavonol glycosides derived from quercetin and kaempferol. These results demonstrated the protective effects of C. ternatea flower extracts that contain polyacylated anthocyanins and flavonol glycosides as major constituents, against H2 O2 and UV-induced oxidative stress on skin cells, and may provide some explanation for the putative traditional and cosmetic uses of C. ternatea flower against skin aging.

Physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory characteristics of sponge cakes fortified with Clitoria ternatea extract.

Bakery products are a food appreciated by consumers all over the world. There is a great opportunity to incorporate more bioactive compounds to enhance its quality. The objective of this study was to utilize the advantage of CTE in the production of sponge cake. The five different levels of CTE (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%, w/w) was incorporated into sponge cake. The sponge cakes were evaluated for physicochemical (color, volume, water activity, total phenolic content, and antioxidant properties) and texture characteristics as well as consumer acceptance. Addition of CTE into the sponge cakes increased the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity concomitant with reduced lipid peroxidation. Increasing hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness and decreasing cohesiveness, springiness and resilience of cakes were seen when increasing percentage of CTE in the cake. A significant decrease was observed in the lightness, redness and yellowness in the cake containing CTE. No differences were found in overall acceptability between the control and the cake containing CTE. The findings suggest that CTE could be a potential source for development of sponge cakes with more effective antioxidant properties.

Gene coevolution and regulation lock cyclic plant defence peptides to their targets.

Plants have evolved many strategies to protect themselves from attack, including peptide toxins that are ribosomally synthesized and thus adaptable directly by genetic polymorphisms. Certain toxins in Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) are cyclic cystine-knot peptides of c. 30 residues, called cyclotides, which have co-opted the plant's albumin-1 gene family for their production. How butterfly pea albumin-1 genes were commandeered and how these cyclotides are utilized in defence remain unclear. The role of cyclotides in host plant ecology and biotechnological applications requires exploration. We characterized the sequence diversity and expression dynamics of precursor and processing proteins implicated in butterfly pea cyclotide biosynthesis by expression profiling through RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Peptide-enriched extracts from various organs were tested for activity against insect-like membranes and the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We found that the evolution and deployment of cyclotides involved their diversification to exhibit different chemical properties and expression between organs facing different defensive challenges. Cyclotide-enriched fractions from soil-contacting organs were effective at killing nematodes, whereas similar enriched fractions from aerial organs contained cyclotides that exhibited stronger interactions with insect-like membrane lipids. Cyclotides are employed as versatile and combinatorial mediators of defence in C. ternatea and have specialized to affect different classes of attacking organisms.

Root nodule bacteria from Clitoria ternatea L. are putative invasive nonrhizobial endophytes.

In this study, bacteria (8 species and 5 genera) belonging to the classes Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Sphingobacteria were isolated from root nodules of the multipurpose legume Clitoria ternatea L. and identified on the basis of partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The root nodule bacteria were subjected to phenotypic clustering and diversity studies using biochemical kits, including Hi-Media Carbokit™, Enterobacteriaceae™ identification kit, ERIC-PCR, and 16S ARDRA. All the strains showed growth on Ashby's N-free media over 7 generations, indicative of presumptive nitrogen fixation and further confirmed by amplification of the nifH gene. None of the strains showed the capability to renodulate the host plant, neither alone nor in combination with standard rhizobial strains, which was further confirmed by the absence of nodC bands in PCR assay. The results clearly indicate the common existence of nonrhizobial microflora inside the root nodules of legumes, which were thought to be colonized only by rhizobia and were responsible for N2 fixation in leguminous crops. However, with the recent discovery of nodule endophytes from a variety of legumes, as also observed here, it can be assumed that symbiotic rhizobia are not all alone and that these invasive endophytes belonging to various bacterial genera are more than just opportunistic colonizers of specialized nodule niche.

Clitoria ternatea L. as a Potential High Quality Forage Legume.

Samples of Clitoria ternatea L. (Cunhã) were harvested at 35, 50, 70, and 90 d after a uniformity harvest in a field study designed as a completely randomized design with a total of 18 experimental plots. The dry matter yield of the whole plant was separated quantitatively into leaves, stems, and pods at each harvesting age. Chemical analyses and in vitro gas production kinetics were performed to assess the quality of the plant parts. Yields, chemical composition, and estimates of gas production parameters were analyzed by fitting a mixed statistical model with two types of covariance structures as follows: variance components and an unrestricted structure with heterogeneous variances. Fast and slow gas yielding pools were detected for both leaves and stems, but only a single pool was detected for pods. The homoscedasticity assumption was more likely for all variables, except for some parameters of the gas production kinetics of leaves and stems. There was no presence of typical pods at 35 and 50 d. In the leaves, the fibrous fractions were affected, whereas the non-fibrous fractions were unaffected by the harvesting age. The harvesting age affected the majority of the chemical constituents and gas kinetic parameters related to the stems. The leaves of this legume were the least affected part by the aging process.

Antidiabetic and hepatoprotection effect of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower LDH, ACP, AST, and ALT on diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia rat.

This study explores the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective potential of Butterfly pea flower extract (Clitoria ternatea L.) (CTE) in diabetic and dyslipidemia rat models. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by high levels of blood glucose, which can cause dyslipidemia and liver damage as a result of oxidative stress. CTE, a natural substance, is recognized for its positive attributes, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemia, antibiotic, and liver tissue protection capabilities. Dyslipidemia was induced in rats using a high-fat diet (HFD) and propylthiouracil (PTU) for 28 days. DM was induced using streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA). Rats were treated with varying doses of CTE for 28 days, along with glibenclamide and simvastatin. The research showed that CTE raised the levels of SOD, CAT, and liver proteins while lowering the levels of MDA, LDH, ACP, AST, ALT, IL-1ß, and CRP in rats with DM and dyslipidemia. This suggests that CTE might be useful for treating DM.

Efficient removal of environmental pollutants by green synthesized metal nanoparticles of Clitoriaternatea.

Prevention and management of water pollution are becoming a great challenge in the present scenario. Different conventional methods like carbon adsorption, ion exchange, chemical precipitation, evaporation, and biological treatments remove water pollutants. Nowadays, the requirement for effective, non-toxic and safe waste management strategies is very high. Nanomaterials have been explored in various fields due to their unique characteristics. Green synthesis of nanomaterial is becoming more popular due to their safety, non-toxicity, and ease of scale-up technology. Metal nanoparticles can be synthesized using a green synthesis method using biological sources provided by eco-friendly, non-hazardous nanomaterials with superior properties to bulk metals. Hence, this study has designed a green synthesis of magnetic (cobalt oxide) and noble (gold) nanoparticles from the fresh flowers of Clitoria ternatea. The flavonoids and polyphenols in the extract decreased the energy band gap of cobalt oxide and gold nanoparticles; hence, the capping of the natural constituents in Clitoria ternatea helped form stable metal nanoparticles. The cobalt oxide and gold nanoparticles are evaluated for their potential for eliminating organic pollutants from industrial effluent. The novelty of this present work represents the application of cobalt oxide nanoparticles in the removal of organic pollutants and a comparative study of the catalytic behaviour of both metal nanoparticles. The degradation of bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, and 4-nitrophenol in the presence of gold nanoparticles was completed in 120, 45, and 20 min with rate constants of 3.7 × 10-3/min, 6.9 × 10-3/min, and 16.5 × 10-3/min, respectively. Similarly, the photocatalysis of bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, and 4-nitrophenol in the presence of cobalt oxide nanoparticles was achieved in 60, 90, and 40 min with rate constants of 2.3 × 10-3/min, 1.8 × 10-3/min, and 1.7 × 10-3/min, respectively. The coefficient of correlation (R2) values justify that the degradation of organic pollutants follows first-order kinetics. The significance of the study is to develop green nanomaterials that can be used efficiently to remove organic pollutants in wastewater using a cost-effective method with minimal toxicity to aquatic animals. It has proved to be useful in environmental pollution management.

Effects of Butterfly Pea Extracts on Phagocytic Activity of Blood Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Muscular Lipid Peroxidation in Rabbits.

Sixteen 35-day-old male crossbred rabbits (New Zealand white × Thai native breed) with an initial weight of 484 ± 11.3 g were randomly divided into two groups of eight, constituting control and treatment groups. The treatment group was orally administered a crude extract of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) at 0.5 g/kg body weight from weaning (at 35 days) to slaughter (at 90 days). The effects on the phagocytic activity of blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes, serum biochemistry, meat quality, muscular lipid peroxidation, the apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, and gut histology were studied. The results revealed that the phagocytic function of circulating leukocytes (75 and 90 days) and alveolar macrophages (90 days) did not differ between the two groups. At slaughter, treated rabbits had lower blood urea nitrogen concentrations and higher liver weight than control rabbits (p < 0.05). After chilling at 4 °C for 24 h, a lower meat pH and the alteration of meat color (brighter, less yellow, lower hue angle, and decreased color saturation) were observed in the treated group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, lipid peroxidation (measured at 3, 5, and 7 storage days) in the meat of treated rabbits was lower than in controls (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of organic matter and ether extract (analyzed at 46 days for 4 days) was improved in the treated group (p < 0.05), whereas gut histology was unaffected. In conclusion, butterfly pea extract supplementation did not affect phagocytic function but led to a modification in meat color, delayed lipid peroxidation, and improved digestibility.