Obtaining and characterizing polyphenol extracts based on anthocyanins from Melinis minutiflora inflorescences and Plinia cauliflora fruits and application in gelatins.

Anthocyanins are a class of compounds potentially used as food dyes. Thus, this study aimed to obtain and characterize natural extracts from Melinis minutiflora inflorescence (M), Plinia. cauliflora peel (JP) and P. cauliflora peel and seeds (JPS) and apply them as natural food dyes in gelatins. The extracts did not show statistically significant differences in pH values and water activity. The M and JPS extracts showed similar values of anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds and were higher than those from the JP extract. The M and JPS extracts showed a bathochromic effect, which was not observed for the JP extract. The bathochromic effect may indicate a possible complexation of anthocyanins. The color composition analysis revealed that the JP extract has a higher absorbance at a wavelength of 520 nm, indirectly suggesting the presence of more monomeric anthocyanins in its composition. The extract application test in gelatin did not change the texture properties of the gelatins. In addition, our findings revealed that the JPS extract had the best color stability after ten days of analysis, indicating that anthocyanin complexation with the phenolic compounds of P. cauliflora seeds contributed more effectively to anthocyanin stability in the model used.

Silver Nanoparticles Formulation of Flower Head's Polyphenols of Cynara scolymus L.: A Promising Candidate against Prostate (PC-3) Cancer Cell Line through Apoptosis Activation.

Cynara scolymus L. (Family: Compositae) or artichoke is a nutritious edible plant widely used for its hepatoprotective effect. Crude extracts of flower, bract, and stem were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The flower crude extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (74.29 mg GAE/gm) as well as the best in vitro antioxidant activity using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FEAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyazyl (DPPH) scavenging assays compared with ascorbic acid. Phenolic fractions of the crude extracts of different parts were separated and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC-DAD analysis. The silver nanoparticles of these phenolic fractions were established and tested for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity. Results showed that silver nanoparticles of a polyphenolic fraction of flower extract (Nano-TP/Flowers) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against prostate (PC-3) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.85 µg/mL and 0.94 µg/mL, respectively, compared with doxorubicin as a standard. For apoptosis-induction, Nano-TP/Flowers exhibited apoptosis in PC-3 with a higher ratio than in A549 cells. It induced total prostate apoptotic cell death by 227-fold change while it induced apoptosis in A549 cells by 15.6-fold change. Nano-TP/Flowers upregulated both pro-apoptotic markers and downregulated the antiapoptotic genes using RT-PCR. Hence, this extract may serve as a promising source for anti-prostate cancer candidates.

Phytochemical and biological investigations on the pollen from industrial hemp male inflorescences.

Cannabis sativa L. belongs to the Cannabaceae family and includes annual, robust, fast-growing and generally dioecious plants. Industrial hemp, and particularly the inflorescences, has been recently recognized as important source of bioactive extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. The goal of the present study was to explore botanical, phytochemical, and biological properties of water and hydroalcoholic hemp pollen extracts from male inflorescences. The extracts from hemp pollen were found rich in phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, coumaric acid, and hesperitin. The phenolic profile was also consistent with the observed scavenging/reducing, enzyme inhibitory, and antimicrobial properties of the extracts. Regarding the antimicrobial effects, Escherichia coli, Trycophyton rubrum, and T. tonsurans were the most sensitive to growth inhibitory effects (MIC values: 9.92-79.37 µg/mL) of the extracts. Whereas, null effects on prostate PC3 and myocyte C2C12 cell viability, in the range 1-1000 µg/mL, are consistent with MIC values and suggest extracts' biocompatibility. The experimental data obtained, which are not reflected in the literature as the topic of hemp pollen is almost completely unexplored, confirm the innovativeness of a product obtained directly from bees, which in the face of greater variability and complexity can reserve promising applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.

Screening the bioactive compound from Coptis chinensis inflorescence by immobilized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma.

Coptis chinensis inflorescence is a by-product of Coptis chinensis Franch and riches in alkaloids. We screened the bioactive compounds in the by-product through an immobilized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. The receptor was covalently immobilized on the macroporous silica gel through amino groups to generate the affinity stationary phase and was applied for screening. Berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine were identified as the retained components of the herb on the affinity column. We evaluated the binding of the three bioactive compounds with the receptor by nonlinear chromatography and molecular docking. The affinities of the compounds to the receptor were (1.42 ± 0.10) ×108 /M, (4.88 ± 0.38) ×107 /M, and (1.65 ± 0.13) ×107 /M for berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine, with dissociation rate constants of (17.70 ± 0.03) ×10-3 /S, (5.18 ± 0.25) ×10-2 /S, and (15.7 ± 0.05) ×10-2 /S, respectively. Cys285, Arg288, Ile326, Leu330, and His449 in the agonist binding pocket of the receptor participated in the formation of bioactive compound-receptor conjugates. These data indicated that the immobilized receptor is a reliable alternative for screening the bioactive compounds. In addition, Coptis chinensis inflorescence has the potential to be a source for drug discovery.

NMR Spectroscopy Applied to the Metabolic Analysis of Natural Extracts of Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa is a herbaceous multiple-use species commonly employed to produce fiber, oil, and medicine. It is now becoming popular for the high nutritional properties of its seed oil and for the pharmacological activity of its cannabinoid fraction in inflorescences. The present study aims to apply nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to provide useful qualitative and quantitative information on the chemical composition of seed and flower Cannabis extracts obtained by ultra-sound-assisted extraction, and to evaluate NMR as an alternative to the official procedure for the quantification of cannabinoids. The estimation of the optimal ω-6/ω-3 ratio from the 1H NMR spectrum for the seed extracts of the Futura 75 variety and the quantitative results from the 1H and 13C NMR spectra for the inflorescence extracts of the Tiborszallasi and Kompolti varieties demonstrate that NMR technology represents a good alternative to classical chromatography, supplying sufficiently precise, sensitive, rapid, and informative data without any sample pre-treatment. In addition, different extraction procedures were tested and evaluated to compare the elaboration of spectral data with the principal component analysis (PCA) statistical method and the quantitative NMR results: the extracts obtained with higher polarity solvents (acetone or ethanol) were poor in psychotropic agents (THC < LOD) but had an appreciable percentage of both cannabinoids and triacylgliceroles (TAGs). These bioactive-rich extracts could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, opening new pathways for the production of functional foods and supplements.

Phenolic Composition of Inflorescences of Carduus nutans L.

Carduus nutans L. (Compositae) has been extensively used for medicinal purposes. As other representatives of the genus it is implemented in the treatment of liver disorders and used as diuretic and digestive agent. Previous studies have determined the predominant classes of secondary metabolites in Carduus species. Among the major representatives of their extracts flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, sterols and terpenes were identified. The antiradical capacity of three extracts assessed in the DPPH test revealed the highest radical scavenging properties of methanol extract (the EC50 618±10.03 µg/mL) and based on these results it was selected for phenolic content determination. (TPC=61.49 mg/g). To understand better the induced pharmacological effects of the plant the aim of the study was to determine the composition of the methanol extract from the inflorescences of C. nutans and to study their phenolic composition. In order to determine the composition in a more efficient way, the crude extract was fractionated and subjected to hydrolyses. As a result more than twenty phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in the extract and fractions by HPLC-DAD and/or HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. The total extract was later subjected to fractionation by centrifugal partition chromatography using the Arizona system composed of hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (0.7 : 4 : 0.8 : 4 v/v/v/v) to produce fractions enriched in flavonoids that are of high pharmacological significance.

Role of Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenes in the Entourage Effect of Felina 32 Hemp Inflorescence Phytocomplex in Triple Negative MDA-MB-468 Breast Cancer Cells.

Cannabis sativa L. crops have been traditionally exploited as sources of fibers, nutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals of medical interest. In the present study, two terpene-rich organic extracts, namely FOJ and FOS, obtained from Felina 32 hemp inflorescences collected in June and September, respectively, have been studied for their in vitro anticancer properties. Particularly, their cytotoxicity was evaluated in different cancer cell lines, and the possible entourage effect between nonintoxicating phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol and cannabichromene) and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes (ß-caryophyllene, ß-caryophyllene oxide and α-humulene), as identified at GC/MS analysis, was characterized. Modulation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors was studied as a mechanistic hypothesis. Results highlighted marked cytotoxic effects of FOJ, FOS, and pure compounds in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells, likely mediated by a CB2 receptor activation. Cannabidiol was the main cytotoxic constituent, although low levels of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes and cannabichromene induced potentiating effects; the presence in the extracts of unknown antagonistic compounds has been highlighted too. These results suggest an interest in Felina 32 hemp inflorescences as a source of bioactive phytocomplexes with anticancer properties and strengthen the importance of considering the possible involvement of minor terpenes, such as caryophyllane sesquiterpenes, in the entourage effect of hemp-based extracts.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Chemical Analysis of Different Fractions from Solidago chilensis Inflorescence.

Solidago chilensis Meyen (Compositae) is a species native to South America (Brazil) popularly known as arnica. In Brazilian popular medicine, inflorescences and rhizomes of this plant have been used since the end of the 19th century to replace the exogenous and hepatotoxic Arnica montana L. in the treatment of edema and inflammatory pathologies. Although the anti-inflammatory activity of S. chilensis is evidenced in the literature, there is a lack of studies with enriched fractions or compounds isolated from it. The objective of the current study was to characterize phytochemically and to evaluate the pharmacological action in vivo and in vitro of the crude extract and the different fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, acetal, butanolic, and aqueous) isolated from the inflorescence of S. chilensis. The inflorescence crude extract (ScIE) and fractions were administered by intraperitoneal route to mice at different doses. In an LPS-induced pleurisy model, inhibition of leukocyte influx was observed for the ScIE and all fractions tested, as compared to controls. Dichloromethane (ScDicF), butanolic (ScButF), and aqueous (ScAquF) were selected for further analysis as they showed the best inhibitory effects in leukocyte migration and inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production: TNF-α, CXCL1/KC, CXCL2/MIP-2, and CCL11/eotaxin-1. In LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cell line, ScIE and the ScDicF exhibited an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and downmodulated the COX-2 expression; ScAquF failed to modulate NO production and COX-2 expression. In phytochemical analysis, HPLC-UV-DAD chromatograms of ScDicF and ScAquF showed the main peaks with UV spectrum characteristics of flavonoids; chlorogenic acid and isoquercetin were the most present phytochemicals identified in the ScAquF, and a high number of n-alkanes was found in ScHexF. Our study was the first to address biological effects and correlate them to phytochemically characterized fractions from inflorescences of S. chilensis.

Insight into the Way the Content of Biologically Active Compounds in Meadowsweet Inflorescences (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) Is Shaped by Phytosociological Habitats.

A collection of herbs from the natural environment remains not only a source of raw material but also provides evidence of chemical differentiation of the local populations. This work aimed at performing a phytosociological analysis of seven different stands of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) occurrence. A determination of total phenolic compounds and salicylates and the antioxidant activity of dried meadowsweet inflorescences (Flos ulmariae) was also performed. Active chemical compounds in F. ulmaria inflorescences were related to chemotype and diversified between investigated populations. Geographical distance and variation in phytosociological locations affected chemical composition in different ways, shaping the content of biochemical compounds crucial for herbal material quality. The obtained results can be a valuable indicator for Nexo and Baligród populations, which are good genetic material for research, breeding, and cultivation due to their biochemical composition, especially with respect to salicylates, as major compounds of determining market quality of Flos ulmariae.

Modeling of mineral elements uptake and localization in cabbage inflorescence (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) grown on sugar mill pressmud-amended soils.

Sugar mill pressmud is highly considered and used as a supplement to improve soil fertility and crop yield, especially in India. This study investigated the growth and yield performance of cultivated cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) on sugar mill pressmud amended soil. Pot experiments were performed using various pressmud amendment rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg soil) to study the fertilization impact on cabbage inflorescence yield (g) and size (diameter: cm). Moreover, mineral element (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) accumulation in the cabbage inflorescence was also studied using a modified polynomial non-linear model. Results showed that the sugar mill pressmud had significantly (p < 0.05) higher nutrient elements which induced their concentration in the soil after mixing. Also, the highest yield (849.25 ± 7.47 g), size (15.10 ± 1.50 cm diameter), and dry weight (42.13 g) of cabbage inflorescence were attained using 100 g/kg pressmud treatment with a maximum significant (p < 0.05) accumulation of mineral elements. However, the highest accumulation of mineral elements was observed in the outer zones (Z1 and Z2) of leafy inflorescence as compared to inner zones (Z3 and Z4), respectively. The mineral elements in both outer and inner zones of cabbage followed an order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Zn. Furthermore, the developed modified polynomial quadratic model precisely predicted the total mineral element uptake (mg dwt.) by cabbage inflorescence. The models had good fitness as described by the coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.992) values. This study suggested that sugar mill pressmud was a promising resource for cabbage cultivation, and the developed models were helpful in the precise prediction of mineral elements accumulated by its inflorescence.

A systematic study on the chemical diversity and efficacy of the inflorescence and succulent stem of Cynomorium songaricum.

Cynomorium songaricum is a medicinal, edible, and endangered plant species. Since inflorescences are not considered medicinal parts, their discard causes a waste of resources. To expand the medicinal uses of C. songaricum, we evaluated their chemistry and pharmacology by applying widely targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. Widely targeted metabolomics results indicated chemical diversity in C. songaricum with 599 compounds. Among them, 280 compounds were different between the succulent stem and inflorescence. With 218 upregulated compounds, inflorescence has more abundant compounds than the succulent stem, especially pigment compounds such as flavonols, flavones, and flavanones. Moreover, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin were unique compounds in the inflorescence and succulent stem, respectively. Sixty-five compounds in inflorescence and 18 compounds in succulent stems were found to be associated with atherosclerosis in the network pharmacology analysis. Tests revealed that inflorescence had a stronger anti-atherosclerotic effect than succulent stems. Molecular docking analysis revealed that 30 compounds (29 pigment compounds) in inflorescence and 6 compounds (4 pigment compounds) in succulent stem showed strong binding affinities with three target proteins, namely ALB, MPO, and NOS2, especially amentoflavone, quercetin 7-O-rutinoside, and luteolin 7-O-glucoside (cynaroside). Results demonstrated that the inflorescence is rich in pigment compounds and has a potential anti-atherosclerosis effect. This study provides novel methods and ideas for the sustainable development of endangered medicinal plants.

Ginsenoside distribution in different architectural components of Panax notoginseng inflorescence and infructescence.

The roots of Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen are used as a highly valuable Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and hematological diseases. Several aerial parts of plant are usually abandoned as the wastes. Panax notoginseng inflorescence (IFO) is commonly used as a folk medicine and dietary ingredient, its fruiting stage is referred as infructescence (IFU). Owing to high chemical complexity and structural similarity of ginsenosides, the co-eluting phenomenon, especially for the isomers, is inevitable in the chromatogram, resulting in the inaccurate quantitation. A novel LCMS method using hybrid positive full scan and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes was developed to characterize ginsenoside distribution in different architectural components of IFO and IFU. MRM was performed for the quantification of G-Ra2 and NG-Fp2, a pair of co-eluting isomers with identical negative MS and MS/MS characteristics, and full scan was conducted to quantify other investigated saponins. Our data indicate that flower buds have the highest abundance of the summed saponins, fruit pedicel and fruit pericarp, commonly considered as the useless by-products of seed processing, contain the abundant saponins. Additionally, the contents of the detected ginsenosides in these architectural components significantly increased along with their growth years. Our findings will facilitate comprehensive utilization and exploitation of P. notoginseng inflorescence and infructescence.

Biologically Active Compounds in Stizolophus balsamita Inflorescences: Isolation, Phytochemical Characterization and Effects on the Skin Biophysical Parameters.

Three germacranolides, as well as five flavonoids, natural steroid and simple phenolic compounds, were isolated from the inflorescence of Stizolophus balsamita growing in Iran. The paper presents active compounds found for the first time in the inflorescence of this species. The flavonoids, simple phenolic compounds and natural steroids have been isolated for the first time in the genus Stizolophus. The MTT assay was employed to study in vitro cytotoxic effects of the taxifolin against human fibroblasts. We also evaluate the possible biological properties/cosmetic effects of Stizolophus balsamita extract and taxifolin on the human skin. Sixty healthy Caucasian adult females with no dermatological diseases were investigated. We evaluate the effects of S. balsamita extract and taxifolin on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It was revealed that S. balsamita extract might decrease TEWL level and fixed the barrier function of the epidermis. The presence of bioactive phytochemical constituents in S. balsamita inflorescences makes them a valuable and safe source for creating new cosmetics and medicines.

Development of a Novel Microwave Distillation Technique for the Isolation of Cannabis sativa L. Essential Oil and Gas Chromatography Analyses for the Comprehensive Characterization of Terpenes and Terpenoids, Including Their Enantio-Distribution.

A microwave distillation method was optimized for the extraction and isolation of cannabis essential oil from fresh and dried hemp inflorescences. The developed method enabled us to obtain a distilled product rich in terpenes and terpenoid compounds, responsible of the typical and unique smell of the cannabis plant. The distillate from different hemp cultivars, including Kompolti, Futura 75, Carmagnola, Felina 32 and Finola were characterized by using a gas chromatograph equipped with both mass spectrometer and flame ionization detectors. In a single chromatographic run, the identity and absolute amounts of distilled compounds were determined. Peak assignment was established using a reliable approach based on the usage of two identification parameters, named reverse match, and linear retention index filter. Absolute quantification (mg g-1) of the analytes was performed using an internal standard method applying the flame ionization detector (FID) response factors according to each chemical family. An enantio-GC-MS method was also developed in order to evaluate the enantiomeric distribution of chiral compounds, an analytical approach commonly utilized for establishing the authenticity of suspicious samples.

Exposure of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae) to hexane extract of Acmella oleracea (Jambu): semi-engorged and engorged ticks.

The present study analyzed the efficacy of hexane extract of Acmella oleracea against Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. After exposure of R. sanguineus s. l. female ticks to 14 different concentrations of the hexane extract of A. oleracea, the LC50 was established as 18.135 mg/mL (limits: 16.251-22.675). The effects of the extract were more significant in the ovary of the semi-engorged females, that presented damages in most oocytes. Since such changes would not be repaired, the oocytes could not advance to further stages of development (I-V), thereby causing the inhibition of ovary development, interruption of vitellogenesis, oocyte death and, consequently, infertility. The semi-engorged females also presented extensive damages in the midgut cells, which would prevent (totally or partially) these cells from functioning properly (blood intake and release of nutrients), impairing the ectoparasite nutrition and the viability of the individual. Thus, the hexane extract of A. oleracea can be considered as a promising alternative to chemical control of pests of medical and veterinary importance, due to its efficient acaricidal activity and lesser environmental impact, when used against female ticks in the middle feeding stage.

(-)-trans-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol Content of Cannabis sativa Inflorescence from Various Chemotypes.

The (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP, 1) content of the inflorescence from six Cannabis sativa chemotypes, including 14 plants of distinct genotypes, and two extracts was determined quantitatively via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). This represents the first comprehensive quantitative screening for 1 from various C. sativa chemotypes. Compound 1 was detected in all 13 inflorescence samples originating from "(-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC, 2) dominant" C. sativa chemotypes, but was not detected in a "cannabidiol (CBD, 3) dominant" chemotype. The inflorescence content of 1 ranged approximately from 0.0023% to 0.0136% (w/w). Comprehensive inflorescence sampling was performed for each specimen investigated. A trend between inflorescence cannabinoid potency and the location of which the inflorescence was sampled on the C. sativa plant was observed for the three cannabinoids tested (1-3). The preliminary results obtained indicate Δ9-THCP (1) may have a higher degree of prevalence in C. sativa inflorescence than previously estimated.

Lipophilic extracts from leaves, inflorescences and fruits of Prunus padus L. as potential sources of corosolic, ursolic and oleanolic acids with anti-inflammatory activity.

Chloroform extracts from leaves, inflorescences and fruits of Prunus padus were analysed for anti-inflammatory activity and accumulation of corosolic (CA), ursolic (UA) and oleanolic (OA) acids. The analytes were identified and quantified by GC-MS and UHPLC-PDA. Their total levels depend on plant material type and harvesting time, and varied from 0.25 mg/g DW in fruits, through 0.76-1.09 mg/g DW in flowers, to 1.41-4.54 mg/g DW in leaves. Significant variation in the leaf analytes contents was observed during vegetation with the peak amounts in autumn, which indicated the optimal harvesting season. The plant extracts inhibited pro-inflammatory enzymes (lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase) in a concentration-dependent manner, and their activity parameters correlated with the levels and activity of pure triterpene acids, especially CA and UA. The results of the comparison with the positive controls (heparin, indomethacin, dexamethasone) might partly support the application of P. padus in anti-inflammatory therapies, reported by traditional medicine.

Characterization of pH sensitive sago starch films enriched with anthocyanin-rich torch ginger extract.

The development of intelligent packaging based on natural and biodegradable resources is getting more attention by researchers in recent years. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a pH-sensitive films based on sago starch and incorporated with anthocyanin from torch ginger. The pH-sensitive films were fabricated by casting method with incorporation of different torch ginger extract (TGE) concentration. The surface morphology, physicochemical, barrier, and mechanical properties as well as the pH-sensitivity of films were investigated. The film with the highest concentration of TGE showed the lowest tensile strength (4.26 N/m2), toughness (2.54 MJ/m3), Young's modulus (73.96 MPa) and water vapour permeability (2.6 × 10-4 g·m/day·kPa·m2). However, its elongation at break (85.14%), moisture content (0.27%) and water solubility (37.92%) were the highest compared to other films. pH sensitivity analysis showed that the films containing TGE extract, changes in colour by changing the pH. The colour of films changed from pink to slightly green as the pH increased from pH 4 to 9. Thus, the developed pH-sensitive film with torch ginger extract has potential as intelligent packaging for detection of food freshness or spoilage to ensure their quality and safe consumption.

In Vitro Evaluation of Prebiotic Properties of a Commercial Artichoke Inflorescence Extract Revealed Bifidogenic Effects.

: Background: Prebiotics used as a dietary supplement, stimulate health-related gut microbiota (e.g., bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, etc.). This study evaluated potential prebiotic effects of an artichoke aqueous dry extract (AADE) using in vitro gut model based on the Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). METHODS: Short-term colonic fermentations (48 h) of AADE, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), and a blank were performed. Microbial metabolites were assessed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h of colonic incubation via measuring pH, gas pressure, lactate, ammonium, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels. Community composition was assessed via targeted qPCRs. RESULTS: After 24 and 48 h of incubation, bifidobacteria levels increased 25-fold with AADE (p < 0.05) and >100-fold with FOS (p < 0.05) compared to blank. Lactobacillus spp. levels only tended to increase with AADE, whereas they increased 10-fold with FOS. At 6 h, pH decreased with AADE and FOS and remained stable until 48 h; however, gas pressure increased significantly till the end of study. Acetate, propionate, and total SCFA production increased significantly with both at all time-points. Lactate levels initially increased but branched SCFA and ammonium levels remained low till 48 h. CONCLUSION: AADE displayed prebiotic potential by exerting bifidogenic effects that stimulated production of health-related microbial metabolites, which is potentially due to inulin in AADE.

Pitfalls in the analysis of phytocannabinoids in cannabis inflorescence.

The chemical analysis of cannabis potency involves the qualitative and quantitative determination of the main phytocannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), etc. Although it might appear as a trivial analysis, it is rather a tricky task. Phytocannabinoids are present mostly as carboxylated species at the aromatic ring of the resorcinyl moiety. Their decarboxylation caused by heat leads to a greater analytical variability due to both reaction kinetics and possible decomposition. Moreover, the instability of cannabinoids and the variability in the sample preparation, extraction, and analysis, as well as the presence of isomeric forms of cannabinoids, complicates the scenario. A critical evaluation of the different analytical methods proposed in the literature points out that each of them has inherent limitations. The present review outlines all the possible pitfalls that can be encountered during the analysis of these compounds and aims to be a valuable help for the analytical chemist. Graphical abstract.