Biological Properties, Phenolic Profile, and Botanical Aspect of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. Seeds: A Comparative Study.

The use of Nigella seeds in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic fields is common, since the iniquity and the virtues of these plants are directly related to their characteristic phytochemical composition. This investigation focused on the comparative study of the botanical aspect, phenolic profile, and in vitro and in vivo biological activities of Nigella sativa L. (NS) and Nigella damascena L. (ND) seeds. The macro- and micro-morphological properties of these seeds were studied, and the key dissimilarities between them were clearly illustrated. The phytochemical contents and phenolic profiles were determined, and the in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using four methods. The in vivo antioxidant and biochemical parameters of the blood of supplemented mice were determined. The results of the macro- and micro-structure analysis revealed differences between the two plants. Here, ND is characterized by higher phytochemical contents and the best antioxidant activities. The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of nine compounds, namely seven phenolic acids, particularly hydroxybenzoic and caffeic acids, and two flavonoids. The administration of ND extract to mice for 21 days at a concentration of 500 mg/kg allowed a substantial amelioration of plasma antioxidant properties. In addition, the extracts ameliorate blood parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, glycemia, and urea). Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of extracts demonstrated their effects on Staphylococcus and Aspergillus. Nigella seeds, in particular ND, expressed considerable in vitro antioxidant properties and demonstrated significant amelioration of mice blood properties. Consequently, these species can serve as a valuable source of compounds with various applications.

A Sustainable Extraction Approach of Phytochemicals from Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruit Cultivars Using Ultrasound-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent: A Comprehensive Study on Bioactivity and Phenolic Variability.

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) on the extraction of phytochemicals from eight Algerian date fruit cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.). In this study, lactic acid/sucrose-based NADESs were used as an alternative to conventional chemical solvents using the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method. The obtained extracts were assessed for the determination of bioactive compound contents, phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and enzyme inhibitory potential. The results showed a considerable variation in phytochemical compositions and related activities between cultivars, where the greatest contents of total phenolics (1288.7 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoids (53.8 mg QE/100 g), proanthocyanidins (179.5 mg CE/g), and total triterpenoids (12.88 mg OAE/100 g) were detected in the fruits of the Ourous cultivar. The same cultivar displayed the highest antioxidant capacity against DPPH• free radical (595 mg AAE/100 g), ABTS•+ cation radical (839 mg TE/100 g), and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (704 mg AAE/100 g). All extracts manifested moderate antioxidant activities tested by phosphomolybdenum, NO•, and linoleic acid lipid peroxidation assays. These extracts also exhibited interesting levels of in vitro enzyme inhibition; the Ourous cultivar gave the best inhibitory activity against α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase with 45 and 37%, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS detected a total of five compounds, with phenolic acids and flavonoids being the main phenolics identified in the extract. The phenolic composition exhibited significant variability among cultivars. Notably, the highest amounts were revealed in the Tazizaout cultivar, with the predominance of gallic acid. The results confirmed that the combination of UAE and NADESs provides a novel and important alternative to chemical solvents for sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction and can represent a good alternative in food and pharmaceutical industry applications.

Comparative Study of Fig Volatile Compounds Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry: Effects of Cultivars and Ripening Stages.

Aroma is one of the essential parameters that determine fruit quality. It is also an important feature of varietal characterization and so valuable for agro-biodiversity identification and preservation. In order to characterize changes in the aroma fingerprint through fig development, the main objective of the present research was to study the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of figs (Ficus carica L.) from three cultivars, Taamriwthe (TH), Azegzaw (AZ), and Averkane (AV), at three ripening stages (unripe, ripe, and fully ripe). Analyses was performed using Headspace Solid-phase Microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results revealed the presence of 29 compounds that were grouped into different chemical classes. Aldehydes comprised the most abundant VOCs identified in all the studied figs, while alcohols, ketones, and terpenes comprised the minor compounds found in TH, AZ, and AV figs, respectively. Different aroma descriptors were identified throughout the ripening stages of figs; fruity and green aromas were dominant in all cultivars, while a fatty aroma scarcely occurred in figs. A gallery plot representation demonstrated that certain VOCs differentiate the studied cultivars and the different ripening stages of figs. Principal component analysis findings demonstrated characteristic VOCs of distinct ripening stages and cultivars, those VOCs can be used as fingerprints to distinguish different cultivars and/or ripening stages.

Benthic marine litter in the coastal zone of Bejaia (Algeria) as indicators of anthropogenic pollution.

We studied the abundance of seafloor litter in the bay of Bejaia, Algeria, in order to better understand its sources and distribution and provide scientists with the technical basis for further monitoring and reduction measures. Data were collected during trawl surveys dedicated to fishing activity, between 40 and 200m. After each trawl, litter items were manually sorted and analyzed. The highest concentration of 58,998 items/ha was recorded to the east of the bay. Overall, plastic was the dominant component of the litter with 88% of the total amount, in weight. Most of the waste was of terrestrial origin, with rivers and beaches being the main sources due to population density, highly developed tourism during the summer season, and inadequate waste management. Overall, the results provide relevant benchmarks for future monitoring and are discussed in terms of poor waste management, a critical issue in the region.

Deployment of response surface methodology to optimize microencapsulation of peroxidases from turnip roots (Brassica rapa L.) by double emulsion in PLA polymer.

In order to improve the preservation conditions and stability of peroxidase catalytic properties, a number of immobilization techniques have been widely developed. In this context, we set as objective, the optimization of synthesis and stability of microcapsules of peroxidases (POD) from turnip using polylactic acid (PLA) polymer with the double emulsion technique. The surfactant, polymer, and peroxidase concentrations were the optimized parameters. According to the results obtained using the Box-Behnken design, the optimal parameters found were 1.55% of PVA, 55 mg/mL of peroxidases, and 30 mg/mL of PLA polymer with an encapsulation efficiency of 57.29%. The scanning electron microscopy morphological characterization of the optimized microcapsules showed a regular spherical structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified the specific functional groups and chemical bonds before and after microencapsulation. The elaborated microcapsules were characterized by an average size of 200 µm (mainly from 150 to 500 µm) with a low residual moisture content (2.26%) and the encapsulated peroxidases showed better thermal stability. The in vitro release of peroxidases confirmed that the microcapsules have an excellent sustained release in simulated gastric digestion. Encapsulated peroxidases' storage under 25 and 4 °C displays a good residual POD activity with about 60% of initial activities during 80 days of storage, whereas free POD losses its initial activity within 15 and 30 days, respectively. The obtained results are promising for the development of effective therapeutic treatment of some intestinal troubles due to oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Brassica rapa L. root is well known for its richness on peroxidases and thus presents an interesting potential for developing high added value products. In order to preserve the activity of extracted peroxidases (POD) from turnip roots, microencapsulation was optimized using a polylactic acid polymer. The encapsulated POD showed the maintenance of its activity under the effect of different storage conditions (time and temperature) and demonstrated resistance to gastric acidity. According to the obtained results, the encapsulation of peroxidases opens up medicine and pharmaceutical applications such as intestinal and colic protection against inflammations.

Phoenix dactylifera L. seeds: a by-product as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds are a valuable and abundant by-product with various potential food applications and a source of functional and bioactive ingredients. In this study, date seeds from eight cultivars (Ourous "OUR", Tazizaout "TAZ", Tazarzeit "TAR", Tazoughart "TAG", Ouaouchet "OUC", Oukasaba "OUK", Delat "DEL" and Tamezwertn'telet "TWT") cultivated in the M'zab oasis (south of Algeria) were analyzed for their chemical and phytochemical compositions, antioxidant capacities and in vitro inhibition of some enzymes. Variations in chemical compositions were observed in the studied date seeds. The greatest contents of total phenolic compounds (476 mg GAE per g dw), total flavonoids (6.52 mg QE per g dw), anthocyanins (1.26 mg Q3GE per g dw), flavonols (3.36 mg Q3GE per g dw), proanthocyanidins (85.13 mg CE per g dw), and ascorbic acid were detected in the seeds of the TAG cultivar. All extracts manifested good antioxidant activities tested by ORAC and FRAP assays. The OUC and OUR extracts displayed the most potent antioxidant capacity against DPPH˙ free radicals (IC50 = 37.30 µg ml-1) and ABTS˙+ cation radicals (IC50 = 13.89 µg ml-1), respectively. The antioxidant activity evaluated through a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system demonstrated that the TAZ extract was more efficient as a superoxide radical scavenger (IC50 = 9.08 µg ml-1). Date seed extracts (DSE) exhibited inhibitory activities on enzymes, showing substantial potential as skin-whitening, neuroprotective, anti-hyperglycemic or anti-hyperlipidemic agents; the inhibitory potential was tested using tyrosinase (TYR), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glucosidase (α-GLU) and lipase. All date seed cultivars were able to inhibit tyrosinase and α-glucosidase in a dose-dependent manner reaching the maximum inhibition.

Deployment of response surface methodology to optimize recovery of dark fresh fig (Ficus carica L., var. Azenjar) total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity.

Optimum conditions for extracting total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity from fresh dark fig (Ficus carica L.) have been investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). The Box-Behnken design was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables, acetone concentration (40-80%), temperature (25-65 °C), and time (60-120 min), on the response. Regression analysis showed that about 96% of the variation was explained by the models. P-value for the lack of fit was insignificant which confirmed the validity of models. Response surface analysis showed that the optimal extraction parameters that maximized antioxidants extraction were 63.48% acetone, 115.14 min, and 48.66 °C. Under optimum conditions the corresponding experimental values for TPC and antioxidant activity were 536.43 and 71.86 mg GAE/100 g DM. The experimental values are in accordance with those predicted, indicating the suitability of the model and the success of RSM in optimizing the extraction conditions.