Enhancement of yogurt functionality by adding Mentha piprita phenolic extract and evaluation of its quality during cold storage.

New functional food products with health benefits are currently in high demand among health-conscious consumers. The present research aims to improve the functional properties of yogurt by adding peppermint hydroethanolic extract (PHE) at different doses. The impact of PHE (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%) on yogurt was studied for acidity, pH, organoleptic quality, antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and fatty acid profile. The results revealed that PHE is rich in phenolic compounds, of which rosmarinic acid was the main one (339.88 mg/g lyophilized extract) and has considerable antioxidant potential, which remarkably (p < .01) increased antioxidant capacity in yogurt by over 39.51%, even at a low dose of 2%, giving the product better protection against lipid peroxidation and preserving its physicochemical and sensory quality. At 4%, PHE increased significantly (p < .01) the content of omega-3 fatty acids, notably alpha-linolenic acid, in fortified yogurt compared with the control, and reduced (p < .01) the ratio of omega-6/omega-3, which dropped from 5.21 to 4.11. It looks feasible to prepare a yogurt with health-giving properties by adding Mentha piperita hydroethanolic extract at a concentration of up to 4% as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, which would also extend its shelf life.

Novel zinc oxide nanoparticles of Teucrium polium suppress the malignant progression of gastric cancer cells through modulating apoptotic signaling pathways and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Management of gastric cancer is still challenging due to resistance to current chemotherapeutics and recurrent disease. Moreover, green- synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using natural resources are one of the most promising therapeutic agents for anticancer therapy. Here we report the facile green synthesis and characterization of ZnO-NPs from Teucrium polium (TP-ZnO-NP) herb extract and the anticancer activities of these nanoparticles on gastric cancer cells. Facile green synthesis of TP-ZnO-NP was achieved using zinc acetate dihydrate. For the characterization of TP-ZnO-NP, UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, XRD and EDX analyses were performed. Antiproliferative and anticancer activities of TP-ZnO-NP were explored using the HGC-27 gastric cancer cell line model. MTT cell viability and colony formation assays were used for the analysis of cell proliferation and migration. Wound healing assay was used to analyze the migration capacities of cells. Annexin V/PI double staining, DNA ladder assay, and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide staining were performed to analyze the induction of apoptosis. qPCR was used to determine gene expression levels of apoptotic and epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker genes. The aqueous extract of TP served as both a reducing and capping agent for the successful biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Remarkably, synthesized TP-ZnO-NPs were found to have significant antiproliferative and anticancer activities on HGC-27 gastric cancer cells. Collectively, current data suggest that TP-ZnO-NP is a novel and promising anticancer agent for future therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer.

The interactive effect of aromatic amino acid composition on the accumulation of phenolic compounds and the expression of biosynthesis-related genes in Ocimum basilicum.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), a well-known medicinal and aromatic herb, rich in essential oils and antioxidants (contributed by phenolics), is widely used in traditional medicine. The biosynthesis of phytochemicals occurs via different biochemical pathways, and the expression of selected genes encoding enzymes involved in the formation of phenolic compounds is regulated in response to environmental factors. The synthesis of the compounds is closely interrelated: usually, the products formed in the first reaction steps are used as substrates for the next reactions. The current study attempted a comprehensive overview of the effect of aromatic amino acid composition (AAAs) in Ocimum basilicum in respect to the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of phenolic compound and their content. The transcript expression levels of EOMT, PAL, CVOMT, HPPR, C4L, EGS, and FLS increased depending on the AAAs concentration compared to the control plants. The highest mRNA accumulation was obtained in EOMT, FLS, and HPPR in the leaves of sweet basil. The expression of the TAT gene in the leaves significantly reduced in response to all AAAs applications compared to untreated groups and it had the lowest transcript accumulation. Eleven individual phenolic compounds were determined in the basil leaves, and the contents of chicoric acid, methyl chavicol, caffeic acid, and vanillic acid increased depending on administered concentration to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, AAAs lead to an incremental change in the amount of chlorogenic acid at 50 and 100 mg kg-1 compared to control plants (p < 0.05). Rutin and rosmarinic acid were detected as the main phenolic compounds in all experimental groups of sweet basil in terms of quantity. However, their amount significantly decreased as compared to control plants based on the increase in AAAs concentrations (p < 0.05). Also, the accumulation of cinnamic acid, eugenol, and quercetin did not significantly change in the leaves of AAAs treated plants compared to control (p < 0.05). When AAAs was applied, total flavonoid content increased in all treatments compared to the control plants, but total phenolic content did not change significantly (p < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first detailed work to evaluate in detail the impact of AAAs on individual phenolic compounds at the phytochemistry and transcriptional levels in the O. basilicum plant. For a detailed understanding of the whole mechanism of phenolic compound regulation, further research is required to fill in some gaps and to provide further clarification.

Isolation, identification of secondary metabolites from Salvia absconditiflora and evaluation of their antioxidative properties.

Salvia absconditiflora Greuter & Burdet (Synonym Salvia cryptantha Montbret & Aucher ex Benth) has been used extensively for traditional medicine. The aerial of plant material was boiled in water then filtrated. The filtrate was partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol sequentially to yield the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extract. A sample of water was lyophilized to yield the water extract. Ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest antioxidant activity and included the most phenolic compounds among the extracts. Hence, ethyl acetate extract was subjected to chromatographic techniques. Ursolic acid (1), crismaritin (2), luteolin (3), rosmarinic acid methyl ester (4), 3,4-dihydroxyl benzaldehyde (protocatechuic aldehyde) (5), caffeic acid (6), apigenin-7-O-ß-glucoside (7), rosmarinic acid (8) and luteolin-7-O-ß-glucoside (9) were isolated and the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, and LC-TOF/MS. Cirsimaritin (2), luteolin (3), rosmarinic acid methyl ester (4), rosmarinic acid (8), luteolin-7-O-ß-glucoside (9) displayed the considerable antioxidant activity.

Changes in flavonoid and phenolic acid contents in some Rosa species during ripening.

In this study, fruits of Rosa dumalis, R. canina, and R. villosa were cultivated and harvested at six different time points based on colour changes during the ripening period. Phenolic acid and flavonoid contents in fresh hypanthium were determined by HPLC-DAD. Derivatives of organic acid (gallic, caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids) and flavonoid (catechin, eriocitrin, rutin, apigenin, quercetin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and kaempferol) were quantified using calibration curves. Phenolic acid contents of the Rosa species increased nonlinearly depending on the harvesting time. The highest amount of catechin was found at the fifth harvest time point (H-5) ranged from 323 to 472mgkg-1. The highest level of caffeic acid content was found in the R. dumalis ranged from 24 to 77mgkg-1. The total amount of flavonoid increased up to the fifth harvest time point (H-5), whereas the amount of total phenolic acid tended to decrease until the same harvest period.

Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of antioxidant flavonoids from Cyclotrichium origanifolium (Labill.) Manden and Scheng.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal and aromatic plants play a significant role in drug discovery and development process. Flavonoids, revealing a wide spectrum of biological activities, extensively found in plants are important secondary metabolites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aerial parts of Cyclotrichium origanifolium were collected, dried, and boiled in water then extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Total phenolic content, DPPH• scavenging activity, reducing power (FRAP) activity, and ABTS•+ scavenging activity assays were applied for all extracts. The ethyl acetate extract revealing the most antioxidant activity as well as including the highest phenolic contents was subjected to chromatographic techniques (column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semipreparative HPLC) to isolate the active compounds. The structure of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, and LC-TOF/MS). RESULTS: Isosakuranetin (1), eriodictyol (2), luteolin (3), naringenin (4), and apigenin (5) were isolated and identified. All isolated flavonoids displayed the excellent antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The isolated flavonoids and also plant extract have potency to be a natural antioxidant. SUMMARY: Five flavonoids were isolated from Cyclotrichium origanifoliumIsolated compounds revealed the good antioxidant activityC. origanifolium has a potency to be used in food industries Abbreviations used: DPPH•: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical, ABTS•+: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), UV:Ultraviolet, DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene, BHA: Butylated hydroxyanisole, HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography.

Bioassay-guided isolation, identification of compounds from Origanum rotundifolium and investigation of their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities.

CONTEXT: Origanum (Lamiaceae) has been used in food and pharmaceutical industries. OBJECTIVE: Isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from Origanum rotundifolium Boiss. and investigation of their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aerial part of O. rotundifolium was dried and powdered (1.0 kg ±2.0 g) then extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Solvent (3 × 1 L) was used for each extraction for a week at room temperature. The aqueous extract was partitioned with ethyl acetate (3 × 1 L) to yield the water/EtOAc extract subjected to chromatography to isolate the active compounds. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by 1 D, 2 D NMR and LC-TOF/MS. RESULTS: Apigenin (1), ferulic acid (2), vitexin (3), caprolactam (4), rosmarinic acid (5), and globoidnan A (6) were isolated and identified. Globoidnan A (6), vitexin (3), and rosmarinic acid (5) revealed the excellent DPPH• scavenging effect with IC50 values of 22.4, 31.4, 47.2 µM, respectively. Vitexin (3) (IC50 3.6), globoidnan A (6) (IC50 4.6), apigenin (1) (IC50 8.9) and ferulic acid (2) exhibited more ABTS•+ activity than standard Trolox (IC50 13.8 µg/mL). Vitexin (3) revealed the most antiproliferative activity against HeLa, HT29, C6 and Vero cells lines with IC50 values of 35.6, 32.5, 41.6, 46.7 (µM), respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Globoidnan A (6) has the most antioxidant effects on all assays. This has to do with the chemical structure of the compound bearing the acidic protons. Vitexin (3) could be a promising anticancer agent.

The effect of commercial conjugated linoleic acid products on experimental periodontitis and diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to determine the effects of conjugated linoleic acid enriched milk on alveolar bone loss, hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and apoptosis in ligature-induced periodontal disease in diabetic rat model. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups: 1; non-ligated (NL, n = 6) group, 2; ligature only (LO, n = 6) group, 3; streptozotocin only (STZ, n = 8) group, 4; STZ and ligature (STZ + L, n = 8) group, 5; ligature and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (L + CLA, n = 8) group, 6; STZ, ligature and CLA group (STZ + L + CLA, n = 8) group. Diabetes mellitus was induced by 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. Rats were fed with CLA enriched milk for four weeks. Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of lower first molars of mandibular quadrant. The study duration was four weeks after diabetes induction and the animals were sacrificed at the end of this period. Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured and tissues were histopathologically examined. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Bax protein expressions, serum interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)+ osteoclast numbers were also evaluated. RESULTS: At the end of four weeks, alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the STZ + LO group compared to the other groups (p < .05). CLA decreased alveolar bone loss in L + CLA and STZ + L + CLA groups. CLA significantly decreased TRAP + osteoclast numbers and increased osteoblastic activity compared to the STZ + L group (p < .05). Diabetes and CLA increased Bax protein levels (p < .05) however CLA had no effect on iNOS expression (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, commercial CLA product administration in addition to diet significantly reduced alveolar bone loss, increased osteoblastic activity and decreased osteoclastic activity in the diabetic Wistar rats.

Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Composition in Premenopausal Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional disorders in the world. In the present study, we evaluated erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition in premenopausal patients with IDA. Blood samples of 102 premenopausal women and 88 healthy control subjects were collected. After the erythrocytes were separated from the blood samples, the membrane lipids were carefully extracted, and the various membrane fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography (GC). Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS software program. We used blood ferritin concentration <15 ng/mL as cut-off for the diagnosis of IDA. The five most abundant individual fatty acids obtained were palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1, n-9c), linoleic acid (18:2, n-6c), stearic acid (18:0), and erucic acid (C22:1, n-9c). These compounds constituted about 87% of the total membrane fatty acids in patients with IDA, and 79% of the total membrane fatty acids in the control group. Compared with control subjects, case patients had higher percentages of palmitic acid (29.9% case versus 25.3% control), oleic acid (16.8% case versus 15.1% control), and stearic acid (13.5% case versus 10.5% control), and lower percentages of erucic acid (11.5% case versus 13.6% control) and linoleic acid (15.2% case versus 15.4% control) in their erythrocyte membranes. In conclusion, the total-erythrocyte-membrane saturated fatty acid (SFA) composition in premenopausal women with IDA was found to be higher than that in the control group; however, the total-erythrocyte-membrane unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) composition in premenopausal women with IDA was found to be lower than that in the control group. The differences in these values were statistically significant.

Isolation and identification of chemical constituents from Origanum majorana and investigation of antiproliferative and antioxidant activities.

BACKGROUND: Origanum majorana L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, has great potential and has been used as a folk medicine against asthma, indigestion, headache and rheumatism; in addition, the essential oils of this plant have been used widely in the food industry. Plant materials have been harvested from the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Field of Gaziosmanpasa University. Air-dried plant materials were boiled in water, filtered, and the solvent part subsequently extracted with hexane and ethyl acetate. The chromatographic method was applied to the ethyl acetate extract to isolate bioactive secondary metabolites, the structures of which were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques: basically one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography. Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of isolated secondary metabolites were determined. RESULTS: 5,6,3'-Trihydroxy-7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone, hesperetin, hydroquinone, arbutin and rosmarinic acid were isolated from the water-soluble ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts of O. majorana. Antioxidant activities of isolated compounds and water-soluble ethyl acetate extract were investigated using assays of DPPH(•), ABTS(•+), reducing power and total phenolic content. Antiproliferative activities of the isolated compounds and plant extracts were investigated against C6 and HeLa cell lines using BrdU cell proliferation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and xCELLigence assay, respectively. Both hesperetin and hydroquinone were determined to have stronger antiproliferative activities against C6 and HeLa cells than the other isolated compounds and 5-fluorouracil. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the extract and isolated compounds exhibited significant antioxidant activities. Hence this plant has the potential to be a natural antioxidant in the food industry and an anticancer drug.

Isolation and identification of a new neo-clerodane diterpenoid from Teucrium chamaedrys L.

Teucrium chamaedrys L. is an aromatic and medicinal plant used as traditional medicine. Aerial parts of the plant material were dried and extracted with hexane-dichloromethane (extract 1), ethyl acetate-dichloromethane (extract 2) and methanol-dichloromethane (extract 3) in a ratio of 1:1 at rt successively. The solvents were evaporated to give crude extracts. Extract 1 was suspended in water at 60°C then partitioned successively with hexane and ethyl acetate to give hexane and ethyl acetate portions. After the column chromatography (silica gel) of ethyl acetate extract, one new and four known compounds were isolated. The new compound was named as 1(12S,18R)-15,16-epoxy-2ß,6ß-dihydroxy-neo-cleroda-13(16),14-dien-20,l2-olide-l8,l9-hemiacetal (teuchamaedryn D) (4). The known compounds were teucrin A (1), dihydroteugin (2), teucroxide (3), syspirensin A (5). The chromatographic methods were also applied for extract 3 to isolate verbascoside (6) and teucrioside (7). The structure of isolated compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including LC-TOF/MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR.

Studies on the antioxidant potential of flavones of Allium vineale isolated from its water-soluble fraction.

The aim of this work was to examine the chemical constituents and antioxidant potential of water-soluble fractions from the commonly consumed vegetable, Allium vineale. The water-soluble fraction, containing phenolic compounds, was extracted with ethyl acetate to obtain flavonoids which were separated and purified by repeated column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20, RP C18 and silica gel. The isolated compounds were identified according to their physicochemical properties and spectral data (UV, HPLC-TOF/MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and 2D NMR). Three flavonoids were isolated and identified as chrysoeriol-7-O-[2″-O-E-feruloyl]-ß-d-glucoside (1), chrysoeriol (2), and isorhamnetin-3-ß-d-glucoside (3). Antioxidant studies of the aqueous extract and three isolated compounds, 1, 2, 3, were undertaken and they were found to have significant antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activities were evaluated for total antioxidant activity by the ferric thiocyanate method, ferric ion (Fe(3+)) reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), ferrous ion (Fe(2+)) metal chelating activity, and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity. The water-soluble ethyl acetate and methanol extraction methods were also compared using HPLC-TOF/MS.

Isoeugenol-based novel potent antioxidants: synthesis and reactivity.

We are attempting to develop the novel phenolic synthetic antioxidants aimed at retarding the effects of free radicals and oxidants. The phenolic compounds (7-12) were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts alkylation of isoeugenol (1) and phenol derivatives (2-6) and their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. All the synthesized phenolic compounds (7-12) except 12 are new. Antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of synthesized compounds (7-12) were determined by using various in vitro assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (ABTS(+)), and superoxide anion radicals (O(2)(-)) scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant activity by ferric thiocyanate. The antioxidant activities of compounds were compared with standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and trolox as positive controls. The results showed that the synthesized compounds, especially 10 and 11, had better properties than standard antioxidants (BHT, BHA and trolox).

Antioxidant, electrochemical, thermal, antimicrobial and alkane oxidation properties of tridentate Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes.

In this study, two Schiff base ligands (HL(1) and HL(2)) and their Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II) and Ru(III) metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by the analytical and spectroscopic methods. Alkane oxidation activities of the metal complexes were studied on cyclohexane as substrate. The ligands and their metal complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Corynebacterium xerosis, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis (as gram-positive bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Klebsiella fragilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans (as gram-negative bacteria). The antioxidant properties of the Schiff base ligands were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and reducing power activity of superoxide anion radical generated non-enzymatic systems. Electrochemical and thermal properties of the compounds were investigated.

Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Sideritis libanotica Labill. ssp. linearis (Bentham) Borm. (Lamiaceae).

Sideritis libanotica ssp. linearis was screened for the isolation of new natural antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity of flavones obtained from the methanol extract of the plant was evaluated in vitro using total antioxidant, reduction power and free radical scavenging activity. Results were compared with the positive controls of antioxidant standards (α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene). The results indicate that the flavones possess a higher antioxidant activity when compared to the other components in the plant. The lowest antioxidant activity was observed in fatty acids (FAs) and hydrocarbons. The FAs were methylated with MeOH and KOH and analysed by GC-MS. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic evidence (NMR, GC-MS, HPLC, IR and UV). In this work, the isolated pure flavone (3'-O-methylhypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-ß-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-6″-O-acetyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside) was found to possess the highest antioxidant activity.

Preparation, GIAO NMR calculations and acidic properties of some novel 4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one derivatives with their antioxidant activities.

Six novel 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-(p-nitrobenzoylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5- ones (2a-f) were synthesized by the reactions of 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H- 1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (1a-f) with p-nitrobenzoyl chloride and characterized by elemental analyses and IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and UV spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds 2 were titrated potentiometrically with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in four non-aqueous solvents such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol and N,N-dimethylformamide, and the half-neutralization potential values and the corresponding pK(a) values were determined for all cases. Thus, the effects of solvents and molecular structure upon acidity were investigated. In addition, isotropic (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic shielding constants of compounds 2 were obtained by the gauge-including-atomic-orbital (GIAO) method at the B3LYP density functional level. The geometry of each compound has been optimized using the 6-311G basis set. Theoretical values were compared to the experimental data. Furthermore, these new compounds and five recently reported 3-alkyl-4-(2-furoylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (3a-c,e,f) were screened for their antioxidant activities.

A study on 4-acylamino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones.

Five novel 3-alkyl-4-phenylacetylamino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (2) were synthesized by the reactions of 3-alkyl-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (1) with phenylacetyl chloride and characterized by elemental analyses and IR, 1HNMR, 13C-NMR and UV spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds 2 were titrated potentiometrically with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in four non-aqueous solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetonitrile and N,N-dimethylformamide, and the half-neutralization potential values and the corresponding pKa values were determined for all cases. In addition, these new compounds and five recently reported 3-alkyl-4-(pmethoxybenzoylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (3) were screened for their antioxidant activities.

Purification and some kinetic properties of catalase from parsley (Petroselinum hortense Hoffm., Apiaceae) leaves.

In this study, catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6) was purified from parsley (Petroselinum hortense) leaves; analysis of the kinetic behavior and some properties of the enzyme were investigated. The purification consisted of three steps, including preparation of homogenate, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and fractionation by DEAE-Sephadex A50 ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme was obtained with a yield of 9.5% and had a specific activity of 1126 U (mg proteins)(-1). The overall purification was about 5.83-fold. A temperature of 4 degrees C was maintained during the purification process. Enzyme activity was spectrophotometrically measured at 240 nm. In order to control the purification of the enzyme, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was carried out in 4% and 10% acryl amide for stacking and running gel, respectively. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band for the enzyme. The molecular weight was found to be 183.29 kDa by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. The stable pH, optimum pH, and ionic strength were determined for phosphate and Tris-HCl buffer systems. In addition, K(M) and V(max) values for H(2)O(2), at optimum pH and 25 degrees C, were determined by means of Lineweaver-Burk plots.

Determination of antioxidant and radical scavenging activity of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L. Family Lamiaceae) assayed by different methodologies.

The antioxidant properties of plants have been investigated, in the light of recent scientific developments, throughout the world due to their potent pharmacological activities and food viability. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L. Family Lamiaceae) is used as a kitchen herb and as an ornamental plant in house gardens. In the present study, the possible radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of the water (WEB) and ethanol extracts (EEB) of basil was investigated using different antioxidant methodologies: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, scavenging of superoxide anion radical-generated non-enzymatic system, ferric thiocyanate method, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and metal chelating activities. Experiments revealed that WEB and EEB have an antioxidant effects which are concentration-dependent. The total antioxidant activity was performed according to the ferric thiocyanate method. At the 50 microg/mL concentration, the inhibition effects of WEB and EEB on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion were found to be 94.8% and 97.5%, respectively. On the other hand, the percentage inhibition of a 50 microg/mL concentration of BHA, BHT and alpha-tocopherol was found to be 97.1%, 98.5% and 70.4% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, WEB and EEB had effective DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. Additionally, these various antioxidant activities were compared with BHA, BHT and alpha-tocopherol as reference antioxidants. The additional total phenolic content of these basil extracts was determined as the gallic acid equivalent and were found to be equivalent.

Antioxidant activity of two wild edible mushrooms (Morchella vulgaris and Morchella esculanta) from North Turkey.

The ethanol extracts of Morchella vulgaris (EEMV) and Morchella esculanta (EEME) were analysed for their antioxidant activities in different systems including reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, total antioxidant activity, and metal chelating activity. EEMV and EEME had similar reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activity at concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 microg/mL. These various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and alpha-tocopherol. The percent inhibition of different concentrations of EEMV on peroxidation in the linoleic acid system was 85 and 87 % respectively, which was greater than that of 100 and 250 microg/mL of alpha-tocopherol (50 and 77%, respectively) and similar to 250 microg/mL of BHA (85, 87%, respectively). The percent inhibition of different concentrations of EEME on peroxidation in the linoleic acid system was 80 and 87 % respectively, which was greater than that of 100 and 250 microg/mL of alpha-tocopherol (50, 77%) and similar to 250 microg/mL BHA (87%). On the other hand, the percent inhibition of 100 and 250 microg/mL of BHT was 97 and 99%, respectively. In addition, the total phenolic compounds in EEMV and EEME were determined as gallic acid equivalents.