Synthesis of lignin from waste leaves and its potential application for bread packaging: A waste valorization approach.

In this study, lignin was synthesized from the waste leaves of Ficus auriculata obtained after the extraction of gallic acid. The synthesized lignin was incorporated into PVA films, and the neat and blended films were characterized using different techniques. Lignin addition improved the UV-shielding, thermal, antioxidant, and mechanical properties of PVA films. The water solubility decreased from 31.86 % to 7.14 ± 1.94 %, while the water vapor permeability increased from 3.85 ± 0.21 × 10-7 g.m.h-1 Pa-1 to 7.84 ± 0.64 × 10-7 g.m.h-1 Pa-1 for pure PVA film and the film containing 5 % lignin, respectively. The prepared films showed a much better performance than commercial packaging films in inhibiting mold growth during the storage of preservative-free bread. The bread samples packed with commercial packaging showed signs of mold growth on the 3rd day, while the growth was inhibited entirely till the 15th day for PVA film containing 1 % lignin. The pure PVA film and the ones containing 3 % and 5 % of lignin inhibited growth till the 12th and 9th day, respectively. Findings from the current study show that safe, cheap, and eco-friendly biomaterials can hinder the growth of spoilage microorganisms and potentially be used in food packaging.

Bacteriological and Phytochemical Assessment of Ficus asperifolia Linn. Infusion.

Ficus asperifolia Linn. known as "Eepin" in Yoruba language, or sand paper tree, is a monoecious fig tree whose leaves, bark, seeds, and roots have been used locally in treating many infectious and noninfectious diseases. The study is aimed at investigating the bacteriological and phytochemical potential of Ficus asperifolia Linn. The roots of the plant were harvested and washed, and phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard analytical techniques. Infusion was aseptically prepared, and incubation for 24 hours and microbiological analysis were carried out using the pour plate method on Plate Count Agar (PCA) and Nutrient Agar (NA). Microorganisms were subcultured and identified using morphological and biochemical tests according to "Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology." Phytochemical analysis of the fresh and dry roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, and saponins, while anthraquinones and tannins were absent. Total heterotrophic bacteria count on PCA was 5.6 × 105 CFU/ml, while on NA, it was 2.3 × 105 CFU/ml, and four classes of bacteria were isolated including Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., and Bacillus sp. Although the presence of medicinal phytochemicals in F. asperifolia Linn. indicates strong potentials for its use in infusions, the presence of potential pathogens found in the infusions makes it unsafe for consumption.

Ficcus palmata leaves as a low-cost biosorbent for methylene blue: Thermodynamic and kinetic studies.

In the present study, methylene blue (MB) removal has been studied from its aqueous solution, using Ficcus palmata leaves (FPL)-based plant material. The effect of different parameters such as contact time (10-100) minutes, initial concentration (5-25) mg/L, pH (4-13), temperature (298-318 K), and adsorbent dosage (0.15-0.45 g/0.05 L) was investigated. The maximum removal efficiency was calculated to be 98% for sample having initial concentration 15 mg/L along with 0.45 g of adsorbent agitated for 80 min at 318 K and pH = 7. The data were fitted to adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) and kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and intra-particle diffusion). The data were found to be best fitted with Freundlich adsorption isotherm (R2  = 0.99) and pseudo-second-order (R2  = 0.991). Thermodynamic parameters (free energy change, enthalpy change, and entropy change) were also estimated. The Gibbs free energy values were found to be -1.808, -5.139, and -5.991 kJ/mol at 298, 308, and 318 K, respectively. The decrease in free energy with increasing temperature has indicated spontaneity of adsorption process, and positive enthalpy change (35.75 kJ/mol) showed that the adsorption process was endothermic. 0.1 M HCl was found to be most effective desorbing agent with percent desorption 53.51%. PRACTITIONER POINTS: FP leaves are low cost and easily available biomass for removal of MB from aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity was obtained to be 6.89 mg/g at (15 mg/g dye concentration, pH = 7, and contact time 80 min). The maximum removal efficiency for MB was 98%. The thermodynamic studies indicated the endothermic adsorption process. The 0.1 M HCl was found as best desorbing agent for MB loaded on FP leaves.

Pullulan gum production from low-quality fig syrup using Aureobasidium pullulans.

Pullulan is an important polysaccharide with several potential applications in food science, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, but high costs of pullulan production are the main limitation for commercial utilization. Therefore, a cost-effective process for pullulan production was developed using fig syrup as an exclusive nutrient source. In particular, the feasibility of using low quality fig syrup as a supplemental substrate for pullulan gum production by Aureobasidium pullulans was investigated. Fermentation was carried out over a range of fig syrup and sucrose degrees Brix (5-15%). Maximum pullulan gum production was observed after 96h using 12.5% fig syrup, yielding approximately14.06 g/L. This value of pullulan production (14.06 g/L) was higher than the amount of pullulan produced using sucrose as substrate (5.01 g/L). In conclusion, fig syrup was an effective substrate for pullulan production by Aureobasidium pullulans, and, therefore, this byproduct deserves attention for the cost-effective and environmentally friendly pullulan production.

Aflatoxins in hazelnuts and dried figs: Occurrence and exposure assessment.

A total of 300 samples of hazelnuts and dried fig were analysed for the incidence of any aflatoxins (AFs). High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method was used to quantify the amounts of AFs. The limit of quantification varied from 0.21 to 0.30µgkg(-1). No AFs were detected in shells of the hazelnuts, while six raw hazelnut kernel samples (12%) and five roasted hazelnut kernel samples (8.3%) contained AFs ranging from 0.09 to 11.3µgkg(-1) and from 0.17 to 11.2µgkg(-1), respectively. Sixteen dried fig samples (12.3%) contained AFs ranging from 0.1 to 28.2µgkg(-1) and a mean value of 3.8µgkg(-1). Three hazelnuts and six dried fig samples exceeded the European maximum limits (MLs) of 5 and 2µgkg(-1) for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), respectively. The contribution of hazelnuts to AFs exposure is higher than that of dried figs.

Assessment of the distribution of phenolic compounds and contribution to the antioxidant activity in Tunisian fig leaves, fruits, skins and pulps using mass spectrometry-based analysis.

The phenolic composition of leaves, fruits, skins and pulps from two F. carica cultivars, 'Temri' and 'Soltani', was studied in order to understand its contribution to the antioxidant activity. A total of 116 compounds were characterized based on the results obtained by reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometry detection. In general, the leaves of both cultivars and the skin of 'Soltani' presented richer qualitative profiles compared to the other plant parts. Using the negative ionization mode, qualitative profiles of the same part of the studied figs were similar. In this regard, rutin was the main compound in fruits, skins and leaves, but with different relative amounts. Alternatively, an isomer of prenylhydroxygenistein was the major compound in the pulps. In the positive ionization mode, 9 anthocyanins were characterized in 'Soltani' skin, only two of them being also present in the green cultivar 'Temri'. The main anthocyanins were cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, depending on the cultivar and fruit part. In this ionization mode, 15 furanocoumarins were also detected in the leaves of both the studied cultivars with methoxypsoralen and psoralen being the most relatively abundant. In addition, our findings showed a good correlation between the antioxidant activity, total phenol content, and abundance of some phenolic subfamilies such as hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonols, flavones, hydroxycoumarins and furanocoumarins with r > 0.97.

Phytochemical and in vitro screening of some Ficus and Morus spp. for hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities and in vivo assessment of Ficus mysorensis (Roth).

Phytochemical screening of air-dried leaves and fruit juice of certain Ficus and Morus spp. have been studied. In an in vitro study, the ethanol and hexane extracts of the investigated plants were evaluated against hyperlipidaemia by estimating the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biothenysis; ß-hydroxy-ß-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reduction of DPPH(-) free radical. Extra phytochemical screening of Ficus extracts was undertaken, which recorded potent hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities. The more pronounced extract, Ficus mysorensis (hexane extract), was evaluated in vivo by estimation of the lipid profile and certain antioxidant parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. The hexane fraction was chromatographed and six isolated compounds were identified. Furthermore, its saponifiable fraction was identified by a MS/MS technique. In conclusion, F. mysorensis recorded hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects. Detailed studies of the isolated compounds must be undertaken for an evaluation against hypercholesterolemia and free radical elevation.

Chemical assessment and in vitro antioxidant capacity of Ficus carica latex.

Ficus species possess latex-like material within their vasculatures, affording protection and self-healing from physical attacks. In this work, metabolite profiling was performed on Ficus carica latex. Volatiles profile was determined by HS-SPME/GC-IT-MS, with 34 compounds being identified, distributed by distinct chemical classes: 5 aldehydes, 7 alcohols, 1 ketone, 9 monoterpenes, 9 sesquiterpenes and 3 other compounds. Sesquiterpenes constituted the most abundant class in latex (ca. 91% of total identified compounds). Organic acids composition was also characterized, by HPLC-UV, and oxalic, citric, malic, quinic, shikimic and fumaric acids were determined. Malic and shikimic acids were present in higher amounts (ca. 26%, each). The antioxidant potential of this material was checked by distinct in vitro chemical assays. A concentration-dependent activity was noticed against DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity was evaluated, but a weak effect was found.