Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: Melia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and various skin diseases. However, optimizing the extraction of valuable secondary metabolites of M. azedarach using alternative extraction methods has not been investigated. This research aims to develop an effective, fast, and environmentally friendly extraction method using Ultrasound-assisted extraction, methanol and temperature to optimize the extraction of two secondary metabolites, lupeol and stigmasterol, from young roots of M. azedarach using the response surface methodology. METHODS: Box-behnken design was applied to optimize different factors (solvent, temperature, and ultrasonication time). The amounts of lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach were detected by the HPLC-DAD. The required time for the analysis of each sample by the HPLC-DAD system was considered to be 8 min. RESULTS: The results indicated that the highest amount of lupeol (7.82 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol (6.76 mg/g DW) was obtained using 50% methanol at 45 °C and ultrasonication for 30 min, and 50% methanol in 35 °C, and ultrasonication for 30 min, respectively. Using the response surface methodology, the predicted conditions for lupeol and stigmasterol from root of M. azedarach were as follows; lupeol: 100% methanol, temperature 45 °C and ultrasonication time 40 min (14.540 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol 43.75% methanol, temperature 34.4 °C and ultrasonication time 25.3 min (5.832 mg/g DW). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the amount of secondary metabolites lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach could be improved by optimizing the extraction process utilizing response surface methodology.

New analytical method for the determination of endocrine disruptors in human faeces using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are environmental pollutants that can enter our bodies and cause diverse pathologies. Some bisphenols and parabens have been shown to be capable of modifying proper functioning of the endocrine system. Among other dysfunctions, endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause changes in intestinal microbiota. Faeces are a convenient matrix that can be useful for identifying the quantity of endocrine disruptors that reach the intestine and the extent to which the organism is exposed to these pollutants. The present work developed a new analytical method to determine 17 compounds belonging to the paraben and bisphenol families found in human faeces. The extraction method was optimized using an ultrasound-assisted extraction technique followed by a clean-up step based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) technique. Optimization was performed using the design of experiments technique. In validation analysis, the method was proven to be linear over a wide range. R-squared outcomes were between 95 and 99%. Selectiveness and sensitivity outcomes were acceptable, with detection limits being between 1 and 10 ng g-1 in all cases, whilst quantification limits were between 3 and 25 ng g-1 in all instances, with the exception of bisphenol AF. The method was deemed accurate, with recovery values being close to 100% and relative standard deviations being lower than 15% in all cases. Applicability was examined by analysing 13 samples collected from volunteers (male and female). All samples were contaminated with at least one of the analytes studied. The most commonly found compounds were methylparaben and bisphenol A, which were detected in almost all samples and quantitatively determined in 11 and 12 samples, respectively. Of the 17 compounds analysed, 11 were found in at least one sample. Outcomes demonstrate that faeces can be a good matrix for the determination of exposure to contaminants of interest here.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolics from Sargassum carpophyllum - A kinetics study.

The species of the brown macroalgal genus Sargassum are distributed globally and contain many bioactive compounds. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to obtain phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity from Sargassum carpophyllum collected along the coastline of Weizhou Island in the South China Sea. The influence of different variables such as the solid-liquid ratio (1:5-1:30 g · mL-1), ultrasonic power (160-280 W), duty circle ratio (DCR, 1/3-1/1), and ethanol concentration (30% to ~90%) were studied using a single factor design. The extraction kinetics were investigated using the Peleg model and second-order kinetics model, and the second-order model described the extraction procedure better than the Peleg model. Total phenol content (TPC) values of 3.316, 2.964, 2.741, and 3.665 mg phloroglucinol (PHG) · g-1 algae were achieved at a higher solid-liquid ratio (1:30 g · mL-1), higher ultrasonic power (280 W), a higher DCR (1/1), and a moderate ethanol concentration (50%), respectively. However, a slightly different result was observed in the extract obtained, with total phenol contents (TPCextract) of 52.99, 65.00, 46.22, and 55.10 mg PHG · g-1 extract and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) of 0.096, 0.066, 0.131, and 0.136 mg extract · mL-1 observed at 50% ethanol, 1:5 g m· mL-1, 2/3 DCR, and 200 W respectively. All variables studied influenced the extraction kinetics by altering the extraction rate and the TPC at equilibrium. As for the bioactivities in the extract, a larger solid-liquid ratio and greater ultrasonic power may not contribute because of their ability to extract non-phenolic components simultaneously, leading to reduced overall bioactivities. The results of the present study provide essential information for future UAE process design and optimization for extracting phenolics from S. carpophyllum through mathematical modeling and could be regarded as important reference for obtaining value-added products from other macroalgae species.

Effects of Ultrasonic Power on the Structure and Rheological Properties of Skin Collagen from Albacore (Thunnus alalunga).

The effects of ultrasonic power (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 W) on the extraction yield and the structure and rheological properties of pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) from albacore skin were investigated. Compared with the conventional pepsin extraction method, ultrasonic treatment (UPSC) significantly increased the extraction yield of collagen from albacore skin, with a maximum increase of 8.56%. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that peptides of low molecular weight were produced when the ultrasonic power exceeded 300 W. Meanwhile, secondary structure, tertiary structure, and X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the original triple helix structure of collagen was intact after the ultrasonic treatment. The collagen solutions extracted under different ultrasonic powers had significant effects on the dynamic frequency sweep, but a steady shear test suggested that the collagen extracted at 150 W had the best viscosity. These results indicate that an ultrasonic power between 150 and 300 W can improve not only the extraction yield of natural collagen, but also the rheological properties of the collagen solution without compromising the triple helix structure.

A Comparative Analysis on Impact of Extraction Methods on Carotenoids Composition, Antioxidants, Antidiabetes, and Antiobesity Properties in Seagrass Enhalus acoroides: In Silico and In Vitro Study.

Enhalus acoroides, a tropical seagrass, is known for its significant contribution to marine ecosystems and its potential health benefits due to bioactive compounds. This study aims to compare the carotenoid levels in E. acoroides using green extraction via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and to evaluate the biological properties of these extracts against oxidative stress, diabetes, and obesity through in silico and in vitro analyses. E. acoroides samples were collected from Manado City, Indonesia, and subjected to UAE and MAE. The extracts were analyzed using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS to identify carotenoids, including ß-carotene, lutein, lycopene, ß-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. In silico analysis was conducted to predict the compounds' bioactivity, toxicity, and drug-likeness using WAY2DRUG PASS and molecular docking with CB-Dock2. The compounds C3, C4, and C7 demonstrated notable interactions, with key metabolic proteins and microRNAs, further validating their potential therapeutic benefits. In vitro assays evaluated antioxidant activities using DPPH and FRAP assays, antidiabetic properties through α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, and antiobesity effects via lipase inhibition and MTT assay with 3T3-L1 cells. Results indicated that both UAE and MAE extracts exhibited significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities. MAE extracts showed higher carotenoid content and greater biological activity compared to UAE extracts. These findings suggest that E. acoroides, mainly when extracted using MAE, has promising potential as a source of natural bioactive compounds for developing marine-based antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity agents. This study supplements existing literature by providing insights into the efficient extraction methods and the therapeutic potential of E. acoroides carotenoids.

New Green Biorefinery Strategies to Valorize Bioactive Fractions from Palmaria palmata.

A biorefinery process was developed to isolate phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds from Palmaria palmata. The extraction process was carried out in three stages using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) integrated with different natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs). In general, PLE provided higher phycobiliprotein contents than UAE in the first step of the process. In fact, the hydrolysis product of the PLE-NaDES extracts achieved a higher antioxidant capacity than that of the UAE-NaDES extracts. Particularly, glycerol:glucose (2:1) with 50% water in combination with PLE was the most suitable NaDES to recover the highest phycobiliprotein, protein, and sulfated polysaccharide contents from Palmaria palmata in the first and second steps of the biorefinery process. Finally, a PLE-NaDES using choline chloride:glycerol (1:2) with 60% water as the NaDES was employed for the recovery of antioxidant and neuroprotective phenolic compounds from the residue of the second step, obtaining a higher total phenolic content than employing PLE with ethanol/water (70:30, v/v) as the extraction solvent. Moreover, a forced stability study revealed that the NaDESs provided a protective effect compared to the water extracts against the degradation of phycobiliproteins, preserving their color over time. This study contributes to the recovery of high-value components from an undervalued biomarine source through a sustainable biorefinery process.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Optimization, Phytochemical Screening and Analysis of Phenolics from Cycas Zeylanica and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation.

The present study focuses on investigating the phytochemical screening of indigenous species, C. zeylanica, for the first time. The leaf extracts have been prepared using ultrasound-assisted methods to obtain the best extraction results using different time and temperature conditions such as 30, 60, and 90 min. and 30, 40, and 60 °C, respectively. The results have been optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimal extraction conditions of 60 °C for 43.57 minutes, an extract was produced with a yield of 0.238 g and a high total phenolic content of 181.1965 mg GAE/g. The total phenolic content has been evaluated and the presence of gallic acid has been confirmed through the HPLC technique. The optimal extract (OE) showed excellent antioxidant activity for the DPPH assay, with an IC50 of 3.1 µg/ml. Finally, GC-MS profiling has been done to screen the volatile component of the plant extract.

Process Optimization and Characterization of Polysaccharides with Potential Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activity from Cissus repens.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Cissus repens polysaccharides (CRPs) was optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD). The maximum CRPs yield (16.18 %) was achieved under the optimum extraction conditions: extraction time 72 min, extraction temperature 74 °C, extraction power 240 W. Then three-phase partitioning (TPP) method combined with gradient alcohol precipitation was used to obtained CRP20, CRP40, CRP60 and CRP80 from CRPs, and CRP80 has a higher purity than others. The primary chemical and structural characteristics of CRP80 were investigated by UV, FT-IR, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC). CRP80 is mainly composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose and mannose, with a molecular weights of approximately 2.95 kDa. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and hypoglyceamic activity of CRP80 in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that CRP80 had strong scavenging activities on ABTS, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, as well as high scavenging activities on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Our research provided an efficient method for the extraction of polysaccharides from C. repens and CRP80 has potential as a promising source of natural antioxidants and hypoglycemic agent for the functional food and medicinal industries.

RSM and ANN-Based Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Functional Components from Olive Fruit (cv Arbequina): Assessment of Antioxidant Attributes and GC-MS Metabolites Profiling.

The current study devises an optimized ethanolic extraction for efficient recovery of high-value components from Pakistani olives (cv. Arbequina) using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networking (ANN). Four factors such as time, temperature, solvent concentration, and solute weight (g/100 mL) were evaluated as independent variables for determining the response (% yield). The results obtained under optimum extraction conditions such as duration (25 min), temperature (45 °C), solvent concentration (65 %; ethanol: water v/v), and solute (7.50 g/100 mL) offered bioactives extract yield of 40.96 % from Arbiquina olives. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the RSM model showed significant p-values and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9960, confirming model's reliability. The results of ANN, which employed the multilayer perceptron design, were fairly in line with the findings of the experiments. The antioxidant characteristics and GC-MS metabolite profile of the obtained extracts were examined. Arbequina olive extract (AOE) demonstrated very good antioxidant ability in terms of total phenolic, total flavonoid contents, and DPPH radical scavenging. The GC-MS analysis of AOE confirmed the presence of several bioactives, including oleic acid (36.22 %), hydroxytyrosol (3.95 %), tyrosol (3.32 %), ß-sitosterol (2.10 %), squalene (1.10 %), sinapic acid (0.67 %), α-tocopherol (0.66 %), vanillic acid (0.56 %), 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (0.31 %), and quercetin (0.21 %). The suggested optimized extraction method can be employed to efficiently extract a wide variety of high-value components from olives with potential for nutraceutical applications.

Optimizing the Vanillin-Acid Sulfuric Method to Total Saponin Content in Leaves of Yerba Mate Clones.

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a forest species consumed in the form of non-alcoholic beverages in South America, with applications in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The species leaves are globally recognized for their important bioactive compounds, including, saponins. We adjusted the vanillin-acid sulfuric method for determining spectrophotometrically the total saponin in yerba mate leaves. Seeking to maximize the extraction of saponins from leaves, a Doehlert design combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used, considering ethanol:water ratios and ultrasound times. In addition, the same methodology was used for the analysis of times and temperatures in the vanillin-sulfuric acid reaction heating. The contents of total saponin in mature leaves were compared in four yerba mate clones. The extraction was maximized using 40 % ethanol:60 % water and 60 minutes of ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) without heating. For the reaction conditions, 70 °C for 10 minutes heating is recommended, and UV/Vis reading from 460 to 680 nm. Using the optimized methodology, total saponin contents ranged from 28.43 to 53.09 mg g-1 in the four yerba mate clones. The significant difference in saponin contents between clones indicate great genetic diversity and potential for clones' selection and extraction of these compounds from yerba mate leaves.

Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Propolis Extracts with Potential Use in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Management.

Environmental sustainability is an increasing challenge in the pharmaceutical field, leading to the search for eco-friendly active ingredients. Among natural ingredients, propolis arises as an excellent alternative, being a complex substance with pharmacological properties. This work aims to explore the potential of propolis as a new pharmaceutical ingredient for the replacement of conventional vulvovaginal antifungals. Propolis extracts were obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction using different solvents (water, water/ethanol (50:50, v/v), and ethanol). Afterwards, the extracts were characterized regarding total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant/antiradical activities, radical scavenging capacity, antifungal activity against strains of Candida species, and viability effect on two female genital cell lines. The aqueous extract achieved the best TPC result as well as the highest antioxidant/antiradical activities and ability to capture reactive oxygen species. A total of 38 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC, among which ferulic acid, phloridzin and myricetin predominated. Regarding the anti-Candida spp. activity, the aqueous and the hydroalcoholic extracts achieved the best outcomes (with MIC values ranging between 128 and 512 µg/mL). The cell viability assays confirmed that the aqueous extract presented mild selectivity, while the hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts showed higher toxicities. These results attest that propolis has a deep potential for vulvovaginal candidiasis management, supporting its economic valorization.

Optimization of an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Technique and the Effectiveness of the Sunscreen Components Isolated from Bletilla striata.

Bletilla striata is the dried tuber of B. striata (Thund.) Reichb.f., which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant and wound healing effects. Traditionally, it has been used for hemostasis therapy, as well as to treat sores, swelling and chapped skin. In this study, we used the ultraviolet (UV) absorbance rate of B. striata extracts as the index, and the extraction was varied with respect to the solid-liquid ratio, ethanol concentration, ultrasonic time and temperature in order to optimize the extraction process for its sunscreen components. The main compounds in the sunscreen ingredients of Baiji (B. striata) were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The sunscreen properties were subsequently evaluated in vitro using the 3M tape method. The results show that the optimal extraction conditions for the sunscreen components of B. striata were a solid-liquid ratio of 1:40 (g/mL), an ethanol concentration of 50%, an ultrasonic time of 50 min and a temperature of 60 °C. A power of 100 W and an ultrasonic frequency of 40 Hz were used throughout the experiments. Under these optimized conditions, the UV absorption rate of the isolated sunscreen components in the UVB region reached 84.38%, and the RSD was 0.11%. Eighteen compounds were identified, including eleven 2-isobutyl malic acid glucose oxybenzyl esters, four phenanthrenes, two bibenzyl and one α-isobutylmalic acid. An evaluation of the sunscreen properties showed that the average UVB absorption values for the sunscreen samples from different batches of B. striata ranged from 0.727 to 1.201. The sunscreen ingredients of the extracts from B. striata had a good UV absorption capacity in the UVB area, and they were effective in their sunscreen effects under medium-intensity sunlight. Therefore, this study will be an experimental reference for the extraction of sunscreen ingredients from the B. striata plant, and it provides evidence for the future development of B. striata as a candidate cosmetic raw material with UVB protection properties.

Optimization of ultrasound- and enzymatic-assisted extractions of polyphenols from dried red onion peels and evaluation of their antioxidant activities.

There is a recognized need for exploring new natural antioxidants that have high antioxidant potential. Thus, the aim of this study was to optimize the extraction process of onion peels using ultrasound- and enzymatic-assisted extractions (UAE and EAE) methods to utilize the optimal extracts as natural antioxidants. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was implemented to reach the optimal extracts with the highest simultaneous content of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The optimal UAE and EAE extracts were subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify their chemical profile. The antioxidant activities of optimal extracts obtained by UAE and EAE were evaluated in vitro using DPPH and FRAP assays and their abilities to increase the oxidative stability of sunflower oil were studied using Rancimat test. The optimal conditions for UAE were 34.02 W, 26.87 mL/g solid, and 45.43 min, meanwhile they were 30.00 mL/g solid, 45.43 min at enzyme concentration of 0.52% for EAE method. DPPH and FRAP assays results revealed that EAE optimal extract show superior antioxidant activity over UAE optimal extract. The protection factor of optimal EAE extract against sunflower oil oxidation was close to that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

The Effect of Ultrasound on the Extraction and Functionality of Proteins from Duckweed (Lemna minor).

The inclusion of protein in the regular human diet is important for the prevention of several chronic diseases. In the search for novel alternative protein sources, plant-based proteins are widely explored from a sustainable and ecological point of view. Duckweed (Lemna minor), also known as water lentil, is an aquatic plant with potential applications for human consumption due to its protein content and carbohydrate contents. Among all the conventional and novel protein extraction methods, the utilization of ultrasound has attracted the attention of scientists because of its effects on improving protein extraction and its functionalities. In this work, a Box-Behnken experimental design was proposed to optimize the alkaline extraction of protein from duckweed. In addition, an exploration of the effects of ultrasound on the morphological, structural, and functional properties of the extracted protein was also addressed. The optimal extraction parameters were a pH of 11.5 and an ultrasound amplitude and processing time of 60% and 20 min, respectively. These process conditions doubled the protein content extracted in comparison to the value from the initial duckweed sample. Furthermore, the application of ultrasound during the extraction of protein generated changes in the FTIR spectra, color, and structure of the duckweed protein, which resulted in improvements in its solubility, emulsifying properties, and foaming capacity.

Maximizing polyphenol yield: ultrasound-assisted extraction and antimicrobial potential of mango peel.

This study investigated the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques used to enhance the polyphenols and antioxidants of mango peel extract (MPE). Additionally, it explored the bacteriostatic activity of MPE against various microorganisms. The UAE method was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) at different times, temperatures, and ratios, with optimal conditions found to be 35 minutes, 45 °C, and a 1:35 ratio. The optimized yield results for total polyphenol content (TPC) were 17.33 ± 1.57 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content (TFC) was 12.14 ± 0.29 mg QE/g, and radical scavenging activity (RSA) was 72.11 ± 2.19%. These response models were extremely significant with p-values less than 0.05. MPE showed selective effectiveness against Bacillus cereus, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results highlight the potential of mango peel as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, contributing to waste reduction in the food industry and the development of natural antimicrobial agents. This study contributes to further research on the application of MPE in processed foods.

Green Approaches for the Extraction of Banana Peel Phenolics Using Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Banana peels, comprising about 35% of the fruit's weight, are often discarded, posing environmental and economic issues. This research focuses on recycling banana peel waste by optimizing advanced extraction techniques, specifically microwave-assisted (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), for the isolation of phenolic compounds. A choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) with glycerol in a 1:3 ratio with a water content of 30% (w/w) was compared to 30% ethanol. Parameters, including sample-to-solvent ratio (SSR), extraction time, and temperature for MAE or amplitude for UAE, were varied. Extracts were analyzed for hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity using FRAP and ABTS assays. DES outperformed ethanol, with HCA content ranging from 180.80 to 765.92 mg/100 g and flavonoid content from 96.70 to 531.08 mg/100 g, accompanied by higher antioxidant activity. Optimal MAE conditions with DES were an SSR of 1:50, a temperature of 60 °C, and a time of 10 min, whereas an SSR of 1:60, time of 5 min, and 75% amplitude were optimal for UAE. The polyphenolic profile of optimized extracts comprised 19 individual compounds belonging to the class of flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids. This study concluded that DESs, with their superior extraction efficiency and environmental benefits, are promising solvents for the extraction of high-value bioactive compounds from banana peels and offer significant potential for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Optimization of Different Extraction Methods for Phenolic Compound Verbascoside from Chinese Olea europaea Leaves Using Deep Eutectic Solvents: Impact on Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities.

Chinese Olea europaea leaves, rich in verbascosides, were extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and wall-breaking extraction (WBE) with deep eutectic solvents (Optimal UAE: 55 min, 200 mL/g liquid-solid ratio, 20% moisture, yielding 206.23 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g total phenolic content (TPC) and 1.59 ± 0.04% verbascoside yield (VAY); Optimal WBE: 140 s, 210 mL/g, 30% moisture, giving 210.69 ± 0.97 mg GAE/g TPC and 1.33 ± 0.2% VAY). HPLC analysis showed that young leaves accumulated higher TPC and phenolic compounds. Among the five olive varieties, Koroneiki and Chemlal showed the highest TPC in UAE, while Arbosana and Chemlal excelled in WBE. WBE yielded a higher TPC and rutin, whereas UAE marginally increased other phenolics. Additionally, the DPPH• assay showed that WBE-extracted verbascoside-rich extracts (VREs) of Chemlal exhibited high antioxidant activity (EC50 of 57 mg/mL), but Koroneiki-VREs exhibited lower activity against the ABTS•+ radical (EC50 of 134 mg/mL). Remarkably, the UAE/WBE-extracted Chemlal-VREs promoted the normal esophageal Het-1A cell line at 25 µg/mL for 24 h; yet, the esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells were sensibly inhibited, especially at 50 µg/mL; and the cell viability decreased dramatically. The results confirmed WBE as a relatively efficient method, and the Chemlal variety may be an excellent source of verbascoside.

Extraction and In Vitro Skincare Effect Assessment of Polysaccharides Extract from the Roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.).

Obtaining high-added value compounds from agricultural waste receives increasing attention, as it can both improve resource utilization efficiency and reduce waste generation. In this study, polysaccharides are extracted from the discarded roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) by the high-efficiency ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The optimized condition was determined as solid-liquid ratio SL ratio = 1:20, temperature T = 30 °C and time T = 40 min, achieving an extraction yield of 13.41%. Composition analysis revealed that glucose (Glc, 44.65%), rhamnose (Rha, 26.30%), galacturonic acid (GalA, 12.50%) and galactose (Gal, 9.86%) are the major monosaccharides of the extract. The extract showed a low degree of esterification (DE) value of 40.95%, and its Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum exhibited several characteristic peaks of polysaccharides. Inspired by the wide cosmetic applications of polysaccharides, the skincare effect of the extract was evaluated via the moisture retention, total phenolic content (TPC) quantification, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging activity, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity experiments. The extract solutions demonstrated a 48 h moisture retention rate of 10.75%, which is superior to that of commercially available moisturizer hyaluronic acid (HA). Moreover, both the TPC value of 16.16 mg GAE/g (dw) and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity of 89.20% at the concentration of 2 mg/mL indicated the strong anti-oxidant properties of the extract. Furthermore, the anti-hyaluronidase activity and moderate anti-elastase activity were determined as 72.16% and 42.02%, respectively. In general, in vitro skincare effect experiments suggest moisturizing, anti-oxidant, anti-radical and anti-aging activities of the A. manihot root extract, indicating its potential applications in the cosmetic industry.

Deep Eutectic Solvents-Based Ultrasonic-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction for the Determination of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Honeysuckle Dew Samples.

A deep eutectic solvent (DES) with the ability to change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic was designed and synthesized and applied to the determination of organophosphorus (OPP) pesticides in honeysuckle dew samples. Choline chloride, phenol, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) were used as the hydrogen bond acceptor, hydrogen bond donor, and demulsifier, respectively. Eight OPP pesticides were extracted by DES coupled with ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UA) and then chromatographed by GC-MS. DES used as an extract solvent has the advantages of high extraction efficiency, low cost, and environmental protection. Furthermore, DES is compatible with GC-MS. The single factor experiment design and Box-Behnken design (BBD) were applied to the optimization of experimental factors, including the type and composition of extraction solvent, type of demulsifier solvent, the volume of DES and THF, pH of sample solution, and ultrasonic time. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the high degree of linearity from 0.1 to 20.0 ng mL-1 (R2 ≥ 0.9989), the limits of detection from 0.014 to 0.051 ng mL-1 (S/N = 3), and the recoveries of analytes from 81.4 to 104.4% with relative standard deviation below 8.6%. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of OPPs on DES was explored by adsorption kinetic studies. These results have demonstrated that the present method has offered an effective, accurate, and sensitive methodology for OPP pesticides in honeysuckle dew samples, and this method provides a reference for the detection of pesticide residues in traditional Chinese medicine.

Rapid Assessment of Metabolomic Fingerprinting of Recycled Sunflower By-Products via DART-HRMS.

To comply with a more circular and environmentally friendly European common agricultural policy, while also valorising sunflower by-products, an ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) was tested to optimise ethanol-wash solutes (EWS). Furthermore, the capabilities of DART-HRMS as a rapid and cost-effective tool for determining the biochemical changes after valorisation of these defatted sunflower EWS were investigated. Three batches of EWS were doubly processed into optimised EWS (OEWS) samples, which were analysed via DART-HRMS. Then, the metabolic profiles were submitted to a univariate analysis followed by a partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) allowing the identification of the 15 most informative ions. The assessment of the metabolomic fingerprinting characterising EWS and OEWS resulted in an accurate and well-defined spatial clusterization based on the retrieved pool of informative ions. The outcomes highlighted a significantly higher relative abundance of phenolipid hydroxycinnamoyl-glyceric acid and a lower incidence of free fatty acids and diglycerides due to the ultrasound treatment. These resulting biochemical changes might turn OEWS into a natural antioxidant supplement useful for controlling lipid oxidation and to prolong the shelf-life of foods and feeds. A standardised processing leading to a selective concentration of the desirable bioactive compounds is also advisable.