Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity during ripening of Malpighia glabra fruits.

Malpighia glabra (Malpighiaceae) is a cherry fruit popularly known as acerola or West Indian cherry, with nutraceuticals in each ripening stage. The changes in the phytoconstituents, pigments, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants were investigated during the fruit ripening and expressed in fresh weight (FW). Gentisic acid was present in the highest concentration in IMGL fruits (11.43 mg/100 g), which was reduced to 0.362 mg/100 g over-ripening. The major flavonoid present was epicatechin, and the concentration increased from 2.11 mg/100 g in immature green large (IMGL) fruits to 19.52 mg/100 g in ripe fruits. Ascorbic acid was the most abundant organic acid present, and the highest concentration was found in the IMGL fruits (2030 mg/100 g). Fructose and galactose were found in the highest concentrations in overripe fruits (2290 mg/100 g and 1460 mg/100 g, respectively). The IMGL fruits showed the highest total antioxidant activity of 5.48% and 5.34% ascorbic acid equivalent in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Mineral quantification showed that the fruits were rich in potassium and calcium (150.43 and 12.90 mg/100 g, respectively). This study could identify the appropriate stage of acerola fruit for developing functional foods with maximum utilization of phytoconstituents in all stages.

Phytoconstituents, GC-MS Characterization of Omega Fatty Acids, and Antioxidant Potential of Less-Known Plant Rivina humilis L.

Rivina humilis L. (Petiveriaceae), commonly known as the pigeon berry, accumulates betalains in berries. The present study was focused on identifying the phytoconstituents, mineral content, fatty acid composition, phenolics, flavonoids, antinutritional factors, and antioxidant activities of different plant parts (leaf, stem, root, and seeds), which are otherwise not well explored. Phytoconstituent analysis revealed seeds as a potential source of carbohydrates (50.15 g/100 g), proteins (10.96 g/100 g), and fats (11.25 g/100 g). Roots showed the highest fat (17.66 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (81.49 g/100 g). Leaves and roots contain more iron (29.59 and 29.39 mg/100 g), whereas seed has high zinc content (12.09 mg/100 g). Leaf oil showed 47.83 g/100 g of omega-3-fatty acid, confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Seed oil showed 22.23 g/100, 44.48 g/100, and 24.04 g/100 g of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids, respectively. The leaf extract has the highest TPC (597.55 mg/100 g), followed by the seed (421.68 mg/100 g). The leaf's 80% ethanolic extract had high TFC (2442.19 mg/100 g), followed by 70% methanolic extract (1566.25 mg/100 g). The antinutritional profile indicated significant phytic acid and oxalates in the leaf (9.3 g/100 and 2.07 g/100 g) and stem (6.9 and 1.58 g/100 g) and low tannin content (<0.5 g/100 g). The leaf's 80% ethanolic extract exhibited double the TAA than 70% methanolic extract (1.52 g/100 g). The leaf with an 80% ethanolic extract had the lowest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging EC50 (2.22 and 0.37 mg/mL). The leaf with an 80% ethanolic extract (479.73 mg/100 g) and seed (391.14 mg/100 g) had the highest FRAP activity. Our study proves that different parts of R. humilis had a good content of phytoconstituents, bioactives, and antioxidant activities. Hence, R. humilis leaves and seeds are a novel source of omega fatty acids and minerals reported for the first time and have potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Comprehensive Nutritional Analysis, Antioxidant Activities, and Bioactive Compound Characterization from Seven Selected Cereals and Pulses by UHPLC-HRMS/MS.

Cereals and pulses comprise the largest proportion in a typical Indian diet plate. This research mainly focuses on determining the nutritional composition, bioactive compound characterization, and antioxidant activities of seven selected cereals and pulses. The total carbohydrate content was high in unripe banana (67.65/100 g) and arrowroot (63.76/100 g). Finger millet (44.55 µmol %), chickpea (53.33 µmol %), and green gram (17.40 µmol %) showed high oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid contents, respectively. The ascorbic acid content was the highest in chickpea and horse gram at 86.83 and 83.76 mg/100 g, respectively. The major phenolics and flavonoids quantified and confirmed using HPLC and UHPLC-HRMS/MS were gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, para-coumaric, ferulic, chlorogenic, sinapic, and trans-cinnamic acids, rutin, and quercetin. The sample extracts showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity to combat the reactive oxygen species. Hence, these serve as an excellent source for the development of functional food formulations for lowering the risk of various diseases.

Physicochemical Composition and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds of Mulberry (Morus indica L.) Fruit During Ontogeny.

Mulberry fruit is well recognized as one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds. We investigated the physicochemical composition and characterized the bioactive compounds during different ripening stages of mulberry (Morus indica) fruit and evaluated their anti-quorum sensing activity on Chromobacterium violaceum. The proximate components such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids were found to be high in the ripe fruit compared to unripe and mid-ripe fruit. The ripe fruit contained higher content of total phenolics and flavonoids (336.05 and 282.55 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), respectively). Epicatechin and resveratrol were the major polyphenols detected in the fruit with the range 5.13-19.46 and 4.07-14.45 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and myricetin were predominant in the unripe and mid-ripe fruit (7.14 and 1.84 mg/100 g FW, respectively). The fruit was found to be an excellent source of anti-diabetic compound 1-deoxynojirimycin. The highest content of 1-deoxynojirimycin was present in the mid-ripe fruit, with a content of 2.91 mg/100 g FW. Furthermore, fruit extracts exhibited anti-quorum sensing activity against Chromobacterium violaceum by effectively inhibiting violacein production. Ripe fruit extracts showed the highest activity of 76.30% at 1 mg/mL and thus, could be used as a potent anti-quorum sensing agent. The results could be promising in the selection of appropriate developmental stages for M. indica fruit commercial exploitation in the food formulations rich in potential health components.

Pterocarpus santalinus L. extract mitigates gamma radiation-inflicted derangements in BALB/c mice by Nrf2 upregulation.

Plant-based natural extracts contain several nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, that possess various health-promoting activities. This study investigated the effects of polyphenols from Pterocarpus santalinus hydroalcoholic extract (PSHE) against gamma radiation-induced derangements via the upregulation of Nrf2. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis was performed to identify the possible radioprotectors. In vivo and in vitro studies, namely Real-Time-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation and GSH levels, DNA damage and cell death studies, anti-inflammatory (Sandwich ELISA), immunomodulatory studies (antibody staining), and model free radical scavenging assays, were performed. Vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, para-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, TNF-α inhibitor (Eudesmin), isoflavone (Daidzein 7-o-glucoside), astragalin (Kaempferol 3-o-glycoside), and other polyphenols were identified in PSHE using UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis. Prophylactic administration of PSHE (-1 h) rendered more than 33% survival in mice exposed to 8 Gy whole-body-irradiation with increased mice survival and recovery of bone marrow and spleen cellularity. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that PSHE treatment (50 µg/mL) upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX-1 in mice splenocytes. At 50 µg/mL, PSHE reduced ROSscavenging activity, mitochondrial and spleen membrane lipid peroxidation levels, DNA damage, and cell death, and increased GSH levels. At 10 µg/mL, PSHE treatment diminished the content of IL-6 and TNF-α. At 50 µg/mL, PSHE suppressed lymphocyte proliferation. These findings indicate that polyphenols of PSHE possess marked antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capacities, which play important roles in the prevention of radiation damage.

Influence of photoperiod on growth, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in callus cultures of Basella rubra L.

Basella rubra L. is an important green leafy vegetable vine and is known for its health benefits in traditional medicine. Light is a basic physical factor essential to the development and bioactive secondary metabolite production in in vitro callus cultures. The present study researched the impact of different photoperiods on biomass, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in callus cultures of B. rubra. The in vitro seedling based cotyledonary leaf explants responded differently, when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with varying concentrations and combination of auxins and cytokinins. The best callus proliferation was found in MS medium with 0.1 mg.L-1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6 mg.L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), with greenish callus inception by about 2 weeks. The growth curve recorded for 6 weeks of culturing revealed that the photoperiod effect was found to be pivotal for acquiring biomass. At the fifth week, the continuous light supported maximum biomass (12.42 g) production followed by the 16:8 h photoperiod (9.02 g) and continuous darkness (4.28 g). The 80% ethanol extract of 1-week-old callus that grows under the 16:8 h photoperiod showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (74 mg.100 g-1 fresh weight, FW) when compared to all other extracts at different stages. The ferric reducing antioxidant power assay showed the highest (336.23 mg.100 g-1 FW) activity in methanol extractions of first-week callus cultures maintained in the continuous light condition. HPLC-UV identification and quantification of individual phenolics and flavonoids, such as gallic, trans-cinnamic, quercetin, protocatechuic and rutin, were highest in the callus cultures. The outcome of this study is significant to this plant, as B. rubra is familiar for its important health constituents with high-value bioactives and applications in the pharma and nutraceutical industries.

Evaluation of Various Drying Methods on Bioactives, Ascorbic Acid and Antioxidant Potentials of Talinum triangulare L., foliage.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of different drying methods (room, sun, oven, microwave, cross-flow, infra-red, dehumidifier, and freeze-drying) on maximum retention of the nutritional and bioactive compounds profiling of Talinum triangulare, which is a less-known perishable leafy-vegetable. The evaluation of various drying methods is to learn the best appropriate strategy for a post-harvest drying method for retaining all the potential benefits with minor loss. Microwave and freeze-dried samples held the maximum ascorbic acid quantified by HPLC with 1.36 and 1.11 g/100 g DW, respectively. The main carotenoid compounds identified were violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-carotene isomers, trans-ß-carotene, and cis-ß-carotenes. Gallic, protocatechuic, catechin, para-coumaric, ferulic, rutin, trans-cinnamic, and quercetin are the significant phenolics and flavonoids identified and quantified by liquid chromatography. The efficiency of different solvents on bioactive extractions uncovered that the methanol and 80% aqueous ethanol were good for retention of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds, which was affirmed through phosphomolybdate, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Dried T. triangulare foliage could be productively utilized as a promising raw material for food and pharma businesses because of its rich bioactive composition.

Chemical composition, nutraceuticals characterization, NMR confirmation of squalene and antioxidant activities of Basella rubra L. seed oil.

Basella rubra (Malabar spinach) is a commonly consumed green leafy vegetable in southern parts of India. The chemical composition, nutraceuticals characterization, squalene Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), in vitro antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity of B. rubra seed oil (33.08%) was investigated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed the presence of palmitic (27.21 µmol%), oleic (33.83 µmol%) and linoleic acid (26.02 µmol%) with a total of 64.38 µmol% unsaturated fatty acids respectively. HPLC nutraceutical characterization showed a major constituent of gallic acid (11.23 mg%), γ-tocopherols (17.74 mg%), cycloartenylferulate (1.7 mg%), and squalene (1 g%). Squalene was further recovered (98%), purified (99.9%), and confirmed through 1H and 13C NMR. The in vitro antioxidant activities recorded by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (EC50 = 6 mg mL-1), ferric reducing antioxidant power (361.85 mM of Trolox Eq./100 g) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (EC50 = 56.19 mg mL-1) scavenging activity. In vitro cytotoxicity assessed on 3T3-L1 showed good cell survival without any toxicity (upto 400 µg mL-1). B. rubra seed oil has proven nutraceuticals and antioxidant potentials with least toxicity which can be recommended for functional foods applications.

In vitro shoot multiplication of Rumex vesicarius L., and quantification of ascorbic acid and major phenolics from its leaf derived callus.

An optimised method for enhanced in vitro shoot multiplication of Rumex vesicarius (Polygonaceae)-a branched succulent herb-was achieved. The in vitro seed pre-treatment with 4% urea was able to show 95% seed germination on MS medium within 2 weeks of culturing. In vitro shoot bud induction from shoot tip explants was best in the presence of 2 mg L-1 kinetin on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS medium), wherein 8.3 shoots/explants were observed. Shoot elongation was found to be high (3.75 ± 0.5 cm) in 2 mg L-1 BA comprising medium. The transfer of micro-shoots on to MS medium comprising 1.5 mg L-1 IBA and 1% activated charcoal (w/v) supported efficiently in vitro rooting (2.5-4.0 cm) in 3-4 weeks. Upon hardening, 70% rooted plants survived under greenhouse conditions. Though friable callus was produced on MS medium-containing 2 mg L-1 BA followed by 3 mg L-1 BA, no organogenesis was noticed. The ascorbic acid content of 78.62 ± 0.25 mg 100 g-1 FW was recorded in callus cultures grown on medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 BA, and it is 1.74-fold more compared to normal ex vitro leaves of the same age. In vitro raised plant leaf showed 1.98-fold more ascorbic acid (89.42 ± 0.18 mg 100 g-1 FW) to that of ex vitro leaves. The total phenolic content was found to be 60 mg in callus as compared to 610 mg (per 100 g GAE FW) of ex vitro leaves. The major phenolic compounds quantified were synergic, chlorogenic, ferulic, and generic acids, respectively. This optimised protocol will facilitate to pursue scale-up studies for in vitro ascorbic acid production and also to further investigate the kinetics of biosynthetic pathway genes involved.

Mucilaginous polysaccharides from vegetative parts of Bixa orellana L.: Their characterization and antioxidant potential.

The aim of this study was to extricate adhesive mucilaginous polysaccharides (MPS) from vegetative parts of Bixa orellana and furthermore to explore proximate analysis and antioxidant potentials. The ethanol precipitated mucilage concentrates of leaf holds 57.7% ± 3.2% moisture, 31.7 ± 1.61 g/100 g aggregate starch content, 23.6 ± 0.07 g/100 g reducing sugar content, 14.5 ± 2.0 g/100 g pentose content, 9.37 ± 0.56 g/100 g uronic acid substance, 10.6 ± 0.98 g/100 g total phenolic content, and 36.9 ± 0.52 mg/100 g total protein content. In contrasted with twigs, the leaves MPS demonstrated two folds increment in phenolic content. The sugar composition characteristics of MPS by gas liquid chromatography demonstrated a noteworthy content of xylose (163.5 ± 6.6 mg/100 g), mannose (17.2 ± 0.6 mg/100 g), and galactose (13.7 ± 0.4 mg/100 g) in leaf. The MPS extract of leaves exhibited a dose-dependent antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging ability. The data obtained in this study open a new avenue to further investigate the broad applications of these annatto dye yielding plant polysaccharides. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The mucilaginous polysaccharides (MPS) from plant sources are being used for different applications in food, pharma, and cosmetic enterprises. Nowadays there is a developing enthusiasm for MPS for their dietary and medicinal advantages. Particularly dietary polysaccharides are known to evoke immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we present the leaf and twig parts of Bixa orellana as rich sources of MPS, the MPS characterization and also antioxidant potential, which could substantiate B. orellana MPS as functional ingredients and furthermore in nourishment industry for expanding dairy foods consistency.

High yield production of folates from soybean callus cultures in response to elicitors.

Soybean (Indian variety, JS 335) callus growth and its folate content was sustained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with optimized levels of auxins and cytokinins. Callus cultures exhibited moderate production of total folate. Callus growth was stimulated with highest biomass content of 21.3 g/L DW (24 days culture) on medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg/L Kinetin (Kn). Total folate production was enhanced by an increase in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L and decreased thereafter up to 1.5 mg/L. 2,4-D at 1.5 mg/L repressed the callus growth and also folate production. A concentration of 1.0 mg/L IAA and 0.2 mg/L Kn elicited folate production to a maximum total folate content of 323.82 µg/100 g DW. The results indicate that optimized medium for callus suspension cultures conceivably are applied for scale-up studies in bioreactors.

Phytoconstituents and stability of betalains in fruit extracts of Malabar spinach (Basella rubra L.).

This study aimed to assess the nutrient composition, minerals, and stability of betalains pigment from fruit extracts of Basella rubra. The proximate composition included total carbohydrates (1.64 g), protein (51 mg), total lipid (1.38%), moisture (81.76%), niacin (0.5 mg), ascorbic acid (89.33 mg), and total tocopherols (1.27 mg) in 100 g fresh deseeded fruit. Total dietary fibre of 32.52 g and soluble dietary fibre of 12.34 g in 100 g dry deseeded fruits. Fatty acid composition of dry deseeded fruits comprised 57.52% SFA, 20.62% MUFA and 22.28% PUFA. Pigment (betalain) rich fruit extracts showed excellent stability over 20 days of storage under varied pH, temperature, light, acids, salts and sugars. B. rubra fruit was observed as a potential source of nutrients and betalains as a functional food.

Effect of different drying methods on chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and antioxidant compounds retention of leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

BACKGROUND: Use of the indigenous, easily accessible leafy vegetable roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) for value addition is gaining impetus as its nutritive and nutraceutical compounds are exposed by investigations. Being a perishable, storage is challenging, hence different methods of drying have been an attractive alternative for its postharvest usage in foods without much compromising its quality and antioxidant potential. RESULTS: Room- and freeze-dried samples were found to have best quality in terms of colour, total flavonoid content (18.53 ± 2.39 and 18.66 ± 1.06 g kg(-1) respectively), total phenolic content (17.76 ± 1.93 and 18.91 ± 0.48 g kg(-1)), chlorophyll content (1.59 ± 0.001 and 1.55 ± 0.001 g kg(-1)) and ascorbic acid content (11.11 ± 1.04 and 8.92 ± 0.94 g kg(-1)) compared with those subjected to infrared, crossflow, microwave, oven or sun drying. Samples treated by room and freeze drying retained maximum antioxidant potential as shown by the phosphomolybdate method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. Cold water and hot water extracts showed significantly higher total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity owing to the greater solubility of phenolics and destruction of cellular components in polar solvents than in organic solvents. CONCLUSION: The data obtained show the potential for retaining quality parameters of roselle leaf under suitable drying methods.