The Effect of the Plant Stabilisation Method on the Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Elderflower (Sambucus nigra L.) Extract.

Elderflower extracts are known to be a source of valuable substances that show a wide spectrum of biological activity, including antibacterial and antiviral properties, which demonstrate a degree of effectiveness against SARS CoV-2. In this work, the influence of fresh inflorescence stabilisation methods (freezing, air drying, and lyophilisation) and extraction parameters on the composition and antioxidant properties of the extracts were studied. Wild elderflower plants growing in the Malopolska Region of Poland were studied. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging ability and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the phytochemical profile of the extracts was analysed using HPLC. The obtained results showed that the best method for the stabilisation of elderflower was lyophilisation, and the determined optimal maceration parameters were 60% methanol as a solvent and a process time of 1-2 days.

Bio-Herbicidal Potential of Nanoemulsions with Peppermint Oil on Barnyard Grass and Maize.

Bio-based nanoemulsions are part of green pest management for sustainable agriculture. This study assessed the physicochemical properties and the herbicidal activities of the peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions (PNs) in concentrations 1.0-10% stabilized by Eco-Polysorbate 80 on germinating seeds and young plants of maize and barnyard grass. Based on the design of experiment (DOE) results, the final nanoemulsion formulations were obtained with 1, 1.5, 2, and 5% of essential oil concentration. Biological analyses were conducted to select the most promising sample for selective control of barnyard grass in maize. Seedlings growing in the presence of PNs displayed an overall inhibition of metabolism, as expressed by the calorimetric analyses, which could result from significant differences in both content and composition of carbohydrates. Concentration-response sub estimation showed that leaf-sprayed concentration of PN causing 10% of maize damage is equal to 2.2%, whereas doses causing 50% and 90% of barnyard grass damage are 1.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Plants sprayed with PN at 5% or 10% concentration caused significant drops in relative water content in leaves and Chlorophyll a fluorescence 72 h after spraying. In summary, peppermint nanoemulsion with Eco-Polysorbate 80 at 2% concentration is a perspective preparation for selective control of barnyard grass in maize. It should be analyzed further in controlled and field conditions.

A micelle mediated extraction as a new method of obtaining the infusion of Bidens tripartita.

In this paper, the extracts of three-part beggarticks (Bidens tripartita) were prepared using ultrasonic assisted micelle-mediated extraction method (UAMME). Different kind of surfactants and WPC (whey protein concentrate) were applied. In the B. tripartita extracts twenty polyphenols were identified by UPLC-DAD-MS. Both aqueous and UAMME extracts mainly contained chlorogenic acid, caftaric acid and its derivatives as well as luteolin 7-O-glucoside. The luteolin was extracted with Rokanol B2 and Triton X-100. Furthermore, antioxidative properties of the extracts were analyzed with two methods: reactions with di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) reagent and Follin's method. The DPPH radical scavenging by micellar extracts was in general comparable with the antioxidant activity of conventional extracts. The most active was sample with Tego Care CG90, reducing about 73% of the radical. Obtained results confirmed that the UAMME might be an alternative method, to the liquid-liquid or solid-liquid extraction, of obtaining specified extracts rich in active compounds. Selecting a suitable surfactant may thus provide the expected composition of the extract.

Possible protective role of elderberry fruit lyophilizate against selected effects of cadmium and lead intoxication in Wistar rats.

The objective of this study was the investigation whether the administration of the elderberry fruit lyophilizate under exposure to cadmium(Cd) and (Pb) lead may protect against some effects of their toxic action in Wistar rats. Rats were fed with diets containing Cd (Cd 0.025 mg/kg b.m.) or Pb (Pb 0.025 mg /kg b.m.) with the addition of the freeze-dried elderberry fruits (BEF) in the amount of 5 %. BEF added to the diet with Cd significantly decreased the activity of AST and ALT compared to the rats fed with the control diet with Cd (C + Cd). Activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly higher in the blood of rats fed with BEF diet compared with animals fed with BEF + Cd, BEF + Pb, and C + Pb diets. Addition of BEF to the diets with Cd or Pb significantly decreased the uric acid concentration compared to the level of this parameter in the serum of animals fed with control diets containing Cd or Pb. The level of the Cd significantly decreased in the livers of rodents fed with BEF + Cd diet as compared to the concentration of this metal in the livers of rats fed with C + Cd diet. Elderberry fruit lyophilizate did not protect against the increased concentration of Cd or Pb in kidneys and bones of experimental rats; however, it improved the function of livers and kidneys, especially of rats intoxicated with Cd.

An addition of sourdough and whey proteins affects the nutritional quality of wholemeal wheat bread.

BACKGROUND: Bread can be a good source of nutrients as well as non-nutrient compounds. This study was designed to assess the effect of adding of sourdough and whey proteins to wholemeal (WM) bread produced by bake-off technology on chemical composition and bioavailability of proteins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron content in Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wholemeal breads were baked with using conventional or bake off technology. In breads chemical composition, selected minerals content, amino acid composition were measured. Five week-old Wistar rats (n = 30, male), were randomly divided into fi ve groups and fed with modified AIN-93G diets containing experimental breads. In animal study the nutritional value of breads' proteins and concentration of selected minerals in serum, liver and femoral bone, were measured. RESULTS: The body weight gain, biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU) were significantly higher in rats fed with partially baked frozen wholemeal (PBF WM) bread with sourdough and whey proteins. The level of magnesium was significantly lower in serum of animals fed with the diet containing PBF WM bread with sourdough and whey proteins in comparison to rodents fed with conventional WM bread with sourdough. The content of iron was significantly higher in liver of rats fed with PBF WM with sourdough bread in comparison to the groups fed with conventional WM and conventional WM with sourdough breads. CONCLUSIONS: Sourdough addition can be recommended in a production of whole wheat partially baked frozen bread but its use is further more beneficial if it is fermented with whey proteins.

Micelle-mediated extraction of elderberry blossom by whey protein and naturally derived surfactants.

Classical methods of the extraction of active ingredients from the plant material are expensive, complicated and often environmentally unfriendly. The micelle-mediated extraction method (MME) seems to be a good alternative. In this work, extractions of elderberry blossoms (Flos Sambuci) were performed using MME methods. Several popular surfactants and whey protein concentrate (WPC) was applied in the process. The obtained results were compared with those obtained in extraction by means of water. Antioxidant properties of the extracts were analyzed by using two different methods: reaction with di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) reagent and Follin's method. Furthermore, the flavonoid content in the extracts was determined. The results confirmed that the MME method with using whey protein might be an alternative method for obtaining, rich in natural antioxidants, plant extracts.