Influence of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration on texture, bioactive compounds and metabolites analysis of plum.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration on texture, retention of bioactive compounds, nutritional quality and metabolites of plum. The osmotic dehydration was performed using 50% glucose and sucrose in ultrasound (25 kHz) for 30 and 60 min. After osmotic treatment samples were dried at 55 °C using hot air oven. In this study, the texture of the sample was determined by 20% compression of texture profile analysis and solute diffusion coefficient was calculated by Fick's law of diffusion. Further, the volatile compound and nutritional quality were determined. Furthermore, treatment difference of osmo-dehydrated plum on metabolites was measured by 1H NMR. The results showed that the ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration increased water loss and solid gain. It also increases the reduction of moisture content from the plum. Textural result of osmo-dehydrated plum in glucose increases the softness of plum and decreases hardness. Moreover, the increased antioxidant and phenolics were obtained in plum treated in 50% sucrose for 30 and 60 min and also at 30 min of glucose. Color of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydrated plum was also affected by treatment time and the osmotic solution used. Ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration reveals that water loss, solid gain, texture and bioactive compounds affected by treatment time and osmotic solution.

Parasiticidal and brine shrimp cytotoxicity potential of crude methanolic extract of rind of Punica granatum Linn against round worms and tape worms.

Rind of Punica granatum is traditionally used for anthelmintic purposes. The current work describes the possible anthelmintic activity of crude methanolic extract of Punica granatum (Pg. Cr) against round worms (Ascaridia galli) and the tape worms (Raillietina spiralis). Brine shrimp cytotoxicity is also performed. Brine shrimp cytotoxic activity was tested using different concentrations (1000 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) of Pg.Cr. In vitro anthelmintic activity of Pg. Cr was determined against the parasites using albendazole and piperazine citrate as standard anthelmintic drugs in concentration 10 mg/ml. LC50 value for Brine shrimp cytotoxicity was 189.44 ±28 µg/mL. In test concentration of 40mg/ml of the Pg. Cr, Raillietina spiralis was paralyzed in 23 minutes. However, for parasiticidal activity (death of the parasite), it took less time (40 minutes) as compared to standard Albendazole. Time taken for death of the parasite Raillietina spiralis, in concentration 40 mg /ml, is 40 min. While standard drugs took more time to kill the Raillietina spiralis. Pg. Cr took 19 minutes to paralyze the Ascaridia galli at concentration 40 mg/ml whereas; it took 48 minutes for to kill the parasite Ascaridia galli. The current work confirms the traditional use of rind of Punica granatum as anthelmintic against Raillietina spiralis and Ascaridia galli. Results of brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay warrant for the isolation of cytotoxic compounds. List of abbreviation- Pg. Cr = Crude methanolic extract of Punica granatum.

Antioxidant and relaxant activity of fractions of crude methanol extract and essential oil of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem.

BACKGROUND: The current work is an attempt to know about additional chemical profile of Artemisia macrocephala. Antioxidant activity is performed as the plant is reported to contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant activity in general. Relaxant activity of fractions of crude methanol extract is performed to know in which fraction(s) the relaxant constituents concentrate as we have already reported that its crude methanol has relaxant activity. Antispasmodic activity of essential oil is also performed as the plant is rich with essential oil. METHODS: Phytochemical profile of the plant is performed. Free radical scavenging activity was performed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Relaxation activity tests of fractions and essential oil of Artemisia macrocephala were performed on sections of rabbits' jejunum. Calcium chloride curves were constructed to investigate the mode of action of plant extracts and its essential oil. RESULTS: We detected carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins in A. macrocephala. At concentration 0.005 mg/ml, free radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate fraction was 121.5 ± 2.02% of ascorbic acid.n- hexane fraction relaxed spontaneous activity with EC50 0.74 ± 0.04 mg/ml. Essential oil relaxed spontaneous activity with EC50 0.8 ± 0.034 mg/ml. Chloroform and ethylacetate fractions relaxed both spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions suggesting its possible mode through calcium channels. Constructing calcium chloride curves, the test fractions showed a right shift in the EC50. Essential oil at concentration 0.1 mg/ml produced right shift with EC50 (log [Ca++]M) -2.08 ± 0.08 vs. control with EC50 -2.47 ± 0.07. The curve resembled the curves of verapamil, which caused a right shift at 0.1 µM, with EC50 -1.7 ±0.07 vs. control EC50 (log [Ca++]M) -2.45 ± 0.06. CONCLUSIONS: Crude methanol and its fractions (ethyl acetate, chloroform and butanol) are rich sources of antioxidant constituents. The relaxing constituents following calcium channel blocking mechanisms are more concentrated in n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions that warrant isolation.