Evaluation of Chemical Properties, Amino Acid Contents and Fatty Acid Compositions of Sesame Seed Provided from Different Locations.

In this study, chemical properties, amino acid contents, fatty acid compositions of sesame seeds dependin on growing locations of sesame plants were evaluated. Protein contents of sesame seeds changed between 20.80% (Afghanistan) and 26.01% (India). Oil contents of seeds were changed between 44.69% (Mozambique) and 55.37% (Niger-Kany). Crude fiber contents of sesame seeds ranged from 17.30% (Ethiopia-Volega) to 28.78% (Mozambique). The highest protein, crude oil and crude fiber were found in India, Niger-Kany and Mozambique sesame seed samples, respectively. In addition, while glutamic acid contends of seeds change between 3.28% (Uganda and Niger-Benje) and 4.57% (India), arginine contents of seeds ranged from 2.36% (Uganda) to 3.10% (India). The total amino acid contents of sesame seeds ranged from 18.12% (Uganda) to 23.51% (India). Palmitic acid contents of sesame oils ranged from 7.93% (Uganda) to 9.55% (Burkina Faso). While oleic acid contents of sesame seed oils are found between 35.88% (Mozambique) and 44.54% (Afghanistan), linoleic acid contents of oils ranged from 37.41% (Afghanistan) to 47.44% (Mozambique). The high amount of protein, oil contents, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids can be positively considered from the nutritional point of view.

Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extracts in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet.

This study investigated the chemical composition, in vivo antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic potential of Ajwa date polyphenol extract (DPE). Chemical analysis revealed that the Ajwa dates contain substantial amounts of carbohydrates, energy, potassium, iron, polyphenols, and flavonoids. In vivo studies showed that feeding rats with cholesterol-rich diets significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased their body and liver weights, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) in plasma and liver, and reduced the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content and antioxidant enzyme activities. However, oral administration of 25, 50, and 100 mg DPE/kg body weight to hypercholestrolemic rats, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced their body and liver weights, total hepatic cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and triglycerides. Furthermore, treatment with DPE improved (p ≤ 0.05) the HDL-C concentration and antioxidant enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent fashion, thereby regulating lipid profiles, enhancing the antioxidant defense system. Overall, DPE showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) nutritional, antioxidants, and antihyperlipidemic benefits. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenol have shown to exert cardio-protective effect. This work revealed that phenolic extracts of Ajwa dates have positive impacts on the health as it reduced TC, LDL-C, and lipids VLDL-C and improved HDL-C and the antioxidant defense system in rats. The findings of this study could aid in the profound understanding of the nutritional and health potentials of Ajwa dates and thus could help in utilization of these valuable fruits for the prevention and curing of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Cold-Press and Soxhlet Extraction Systems on Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenol Contents, Fatty Acids, and Tocopherol Contents of Walnut Kernel Oils.

In this study, physico-chemical properties, fatty acid composition, and tocopherol contents of several walnut kernel oils obtained through cold-press and Soxhlet extractions were investigated. The acidity, peroxide, and unsaponifiable matter of oil samples extracted in the Soxhlet system were found higher. Total phenol contents of the oils obtained in cold press and Soxhlet extraction systems were 121.9 mg GAE/100g (Kaman-2) and 154.6 mg GAE/ 100g (Büyükoba), and between 135.9 mg GAE/100g (Kaman-2) and 163.8 mg GAE/100g (Büyükoba), respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, antioxidant activity valuesof walnut oils obtained in cold press and Soxhlet extractions varied between 17.3% (Kaman-2) and 19.7% (Kaman-5), and between 18.4% (Kaman-2) and 23.8% (Büyükoba), respectively (p < 0.05). Linoleic acid contents of the oil samples extracted in cold-press varied between 55.19% (Kaman-5) and 56.71% (Kaman-2), while that extracted from Soxhlet extraction system varied between 54.47% (Kaman-2) and 55.93% (Büyükoba). É£-Tocopherol contents of walnut oils extracted in cold press and Soxhlet extraction ranged between 9.41 mg/100g (Büyükoba) and 10.83 mg/100g (Kaman-2), and 8.76 mg/100g (Kaman-5) and 9.33 mg/100g (Kaman-2), respectively, and were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Effect of different microwave power setting on quality of chia seed oil obtained in a cold press.

This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of microwave heating treatments at different powers (0, 180, 360, 540, 720 and 900Watts) on the quality attributes of chia seed oil. Linoleic acid contents of the chia seed oil heated in microwave oven changed between 19.21% (900 W) and 21.17% (control), respectively (p < 0.05). Linolenic acid contents of heated chia seed oils varied between 66.84% (900 W) and 68.71% (control). α-Tocopherol and ß-tocopherol contents of the chia oil samples varied between 47.71 mg/100 g (900 W) and 51.17 mg/100 g (control) to 62.58 mg/100 g (900 W) and 67.81 mg/100 g (control), respectively. While caffeic acid contents of the oils change between 0.27 mg/g (900 W) and 3.84 mg/g (control), rosmarinic acid contents of chia seed oils were found between 1.32 mg/g (900 W) and 3.17 mg/g (control). Results reflect a change in the chemical structures of the chia oil. Overall, much care should be taken when roasting chia seeds in microwave to avoid lossess in the bioactive components of chia oil.

Antimicrobial activity of nanoemulsion on drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.

The appearance of drug-resistant (DR) bacteria in the community is a crucial development, and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and antibiotic use. Natural oil nanoemulsions (NEs) have potential for antimicrobial applications. In the present study, we determined the antimicrobial activity of an NE against DR bacterial pathogens in vitro. The NE comprised Cleome viscosa essential oil, Tween 80 nonionic surfactant, and water. We found that an NE with a droplet size of 7 nm and an oil:surfactant (v/v) ratio of 1:3 was effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), DR Streptococcus pyogenes, and DR extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that NE treatment modified the functional groups of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in DR bacterial cells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed damage to the cell membranes and walls of NE-treated DR bacteria. These alterations were caused by bioactive compounds with wide-spectrum enzyme-inhibiting activity in the NE, such as ß-sitosterol, demecolcine, campesterol, and heneicosyl formate. The results suggest that the nanoemulsion is effective against DR bacteria, and acts by inhibiting the drug efflux mechanism of DR strains.