In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of three rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract formulations

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of three rosemary extract formulations (VivOX 20, VivOX 40 and Inolens 50) with different contents of carnosic acid, carnosol and methylcarnosol were tested in vitro. Electron spin resonance measurements revealed that Inolens 50 extract that contained highest amount of carnosic acid was the most potent scavenger of hydroxyl (concentration of extract where 50% of its maximal scavenging activity is observed, that is, EC₅₀, 109.54 μg mL^?1), superoxide anion (EC₅₀ = 7.94 μg mL^?1) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (EC₅₀ = 27.4 μg mL^?1)‐free radicals. Comparison of the radar charts of standard antioxidants and rosemary extracts showed similarity between antioxidant characteristics of Inolens 50 and chlorogenic and caffeic acids. Tested rosemary extracts exhibited significant (P ≤ 0.01) antiproliferative effect in cervix epitheloid carcinoma (HeLa), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and colon adenocarcinoma (HT‐29) cell lines. In both MCF7 and HeLa cell lines, the extracts yielded very low IC₅₀ values (concentration of extract needed to inhibit cell growth by 50%), the most pronounced being for Inolens 50 in MCF7 (IC₅₀ = 9.95 μg mL^?1) and VivOX 20 in HeLa cell line (IC₅₀ = 10.02 μg mL^?1). The obtained results may provide support for the use of tested rosemary extracts as nutraceuticals and phytopharmaceuticals.     

Antioxidant and melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities of collagen peptide from jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum)

BACKGROUND: Jellyfish collagen was hydrolysed with trypsin and properase E, and jellyfish collagen peptide (JCP) was purified from the enzymatic hydrolysate using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The antioxidant activity of JCP in a linoleic acid emulsion system, its superoxide anion‐ and hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activities and its copper‐chelating ability were evaluated in vitro. Initial investigations of JCP's ability to inhibit melanogenesis were carried out using cultured B16 melanoma cells. RESULTS: The molecular weight distribution of JCP was from 400 to 1200 Da. Amino acid analysis showed that JCP was rich in Gly, Pro, Ser, Ala, Glu and Asp and had a total hydrophobic amino acid content of 384.2 g kg^?1. JCP showed high antioxidant activity (IC₅₀147.8 µg mL^?1), superoxide anion‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀21.9 µg mL^?1), hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀16.7 µg mL^?1) and copper‐chelating ability (IC₅₀88.7 µg mL^?1) in vitro. It also significantly inhibited intracellular tyrosinase activity, decreased melanin content and enhanced glutathione synthesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, JCP decreased intracellular cAMP levels and suppressed tyrosinase mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, JCP exerts anti‐melanogenic actions via its antioxidant properties and copper‐chelating ability. JCP could be used as a natural skin‐lightening agent in the medicine and food industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and various extracts of Origanum syriacum L var bevanii

The present work examines the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil and various extracts from the herbal parts of Origanum syriacum L var bevanii. Polar subfractions of methanol extracts from both deodorised and non‐deodorised materials showed the highest DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐picrylhydrazyl) radical‐scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values of 21.40 and 26.98 µg ml^?1 respectively, whereas the IC₅₀ of the essential oil was 134.00 µg ml^?1. The antioxidant potential of the extracts appeared to be closely related to the presence of polar phenolics. However, the inhibitive effect on linoleic acid oxidation might be promoted by the presence of non‐polar phenolics, as both hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed high antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was superior to those of the other extracts. Nineteen compounds representing 962 g kg^?1 of the essential oil were identified; carvacrol (669 g kg^?1) was the main component. Overall, the results suggest that the essential oil and extracts from the herbal parts of O syriacum could be used as natural preservative ingredients in the food industry. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Volatile compounds and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of the needles of Pinus densiflora and Pinus thunbergii

BACKGROUND: To investigate the volatile compounds and the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the essential oils of Pinus densiflora needles (EPDN) and Pinus thunbergii needles (EPTN), the volatile compounds of steam‐distilled essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activities were analysed by performing disc‐agar diffusion assay and determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the essential oils. Antioxidant activities were analysed via radical‐ and nitrite‐scavenging activity assays. RESULTS: The yields of EPDN and EPTN were 0.304% (v/w) and 0.296% (v/w), respectively. In the antibacterial activity assay, the MICs of EPDN and EPTN for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella flexneri and Proteus vulgaris were < 0.4 mg mL^?1. In the antioxidant activity assay, the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of EPDN and EPTN were 120 and 30 µg mL^?1, respectively. At 1680 µg mL^?1, both EPDN and EPTN exhibited > 50% nitrite‐scavenging activity. CONCLUSION: EPDN can be used as a natural antimicrobial substance. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidative activities and functional characterization of protein hydrolysates of hard-to-cook chickpeas

BACKGROUND: The potential use of hard‐to‐cook (hardened) chickpeas to obtain value‐added functional food ingredients was evaluated. For that purpose, some nutraceutical and functional attributes of several chickpea protein hydrolysates (CPHs) prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains were evaluated. RESULTS: All the CPHs prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains, with the enzymes alcalase, pancreatin and papain, showed high angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory (ACE‐I) activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.101 to 37.33 µg mL^?1; similarly, high levels of antioxidant activity (around 18.17–95.61 µmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity µg^?1 CPH) were obtained through both the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) methods. Regarding functional characterization of the CPHs, oil absorption values ranged from 1.91 to 2.20 mL oil g^?1 CPH, with water solubility almost 100% from pH 7 to 10. CONCLUSION: The high antioxidant and ACE‐I activities as well as the good functional properties of the CPH prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains, suggest its use in food formulations with value added in human health. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant studies on Syzygium cumini fruit

Syzygium cumini, widely known as Jamun, is a tropical tree that yields purple ovoid fleshy fruit. Its seed has traditionally been used in India for the treatment of diabetes. Based on the available ethno‐pharmacological knowledge, further studies were extended to understand the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of three anatomically distinct parts of fruit: the pulp, kernel and seed coat. Fruit parts, their corresponding ethanol extracts and residues were evaluated for chemical composition. The alcoholic extract was evaluated for its antioxidant potential against DPPH^?, OH^?, O₂^?? and lipid peroxidation. The whole fruit consisted of 666.0 ± 111.0 g kg^?1 pulp, 290.0 ± 40.0 g kg^?1 kernel and 50.0 ± 15.0 g kg^?1 seed coat. Fresh pulp was rich in carbohydrates, protein and minerals. Total fatty matter was not significant in all three parts of fruit. Detailed mineral analysis showed calcium was abundant in all fruit parts and extracts. Total phenolics, anthocyanins and flavonoid contents of pulp were 3.9 ± 0.5, 1.34 ± 0.2 and 0.07 ± 0.04 g kg^?1, respectively. Kernel and seed coat contained 9.0 ± 0.7 and 8.1 ± 0.8 g kg^?1 total phenolics respectively. Jamun pulp ethanol extract (PEE), kernel ethanol extract (KEE) and seed coat ethanol extract (SCEE) showed a high degree of phenolic enrichment. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the samples and standards in descending order was: gallic acid > quercetin > Trolox > KEE > BHT > SCEE > PEE. Superoxide radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀) of KEE was six times higher (85.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1) compared to Trolox (540.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1) and three times compared to catechin (296.0 ± 11.0 µg mL^?1). Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀) of KEE was 151.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1 which was comparable with catechin (188.0 ± 6.0 µg mL^?1). Inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the extracts was also studied and their activity against peroxide radicals were lower than that of standard compounds (BHT, 79.0 ± 4.0 µg mL^?1; quercetin, 166.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1; Trolox, 175.0 ± 4.0 µg mL^?1; PEE, 342.0 ± 17.0 µg mL^?1; KEE, 202.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1 and SCEE, 268.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition,antioxidant activity and anti‐lipase activity of Origanum vulgare and Lippia turbinata essential oils

This study reported the chemical composition, phenolic content, antioxidant and anti‐lipase activity of oregano and Lippia essential oils. The major compounds found in oregano essential oil were γ‐terpinene (32.10%), α‐terpinene (15.10%), p‐cymene (8.00%) and thymol (8.00%). In Lippia essential oil, α‐limonene (76.80%) and 1,8‐cineole (4.95%) represented the major compounds. Oregano essential oil had higher phenolic content (12.47 mg gallic acid mL^?1) and DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 0.357 μg mL^?1) than Lippia essential oil (7.94 mg gallic acid mL^?1 and IC₅₀ 0.400 μg mL^?1, respectively). Both essential oils had similar antioxidant indexes (about 1.2) determined by Rancimat. Moreover, oregano essential oil had also higher anti‐lipase activity (IC₅₀ 5.09 and 7.26 μg mL^?1). Higher phenolic content in the essential oils was related with higher scavenging and anti‐lipase activities. Oregano and Lippia essential oils could be used as natural antioxidants on food products.     

Antioxidant and semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase inhibitory activities of alginic acid hydroxamates

The commercial polysaccharides of alginic acid (medium (3500 cps, 2% solution) and low (250 cps, 2% solution) viscosities) were esterified with acidic methanol (1 mmol L^?1 HCl) at 4 °C with gentle stirring for 5 days to obtain methyl esters of medium‐viscosity alginic acid (ME‐MVA) and low‐viscosity alginic acid (ME‐LVA). These ME‐MVA and ME‐LVA were reacted with alkaline hydroxylamine to obtain medium‐viscosity alginic acid hydroxamates (MVA‐NHOH) and LVA‐NHOH. The percentages of hydroxamic acid content in MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH were calculated as 25% and 20%, respectively. The hydroxamate derivatives of alginic acid were used to test the antioxidant and semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) inhibitory activities in comparison with original materials (MVA and LVA). The half‐inhibition concentrations, IC₅₀, of scavenging activity against 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 24.5 and 29.8 µg mL^?1 for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH, respectively. However, few scavenging activities of the MVA and LVA were found at the same concentrations. The IC₅₀ of the positive control of butylated hydroxytoluene was 5 µg mL^?1. The scavenging activity of DPPH radical was pH‐dependent, and the optimal pH for both of MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH was the Tris‐HCl buffer (pH 7.9). Using electron spin resonance (ESR) to detect the activity of scavenging hydroxyl radicals, both alginic acid hydroxamates showed dose‐dependent scavenging activities, and the IC₅₀ was 90 and 92 µg mL^?1, respectively, for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH. Both alginic acid hydroxamates also exhibited protection against hydroxyl radical‐mediated DNA damage. Both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH showed dose‐dependent inhibitory activities against bovine SSAO (2.53 units); the IC₅₀ was 0.16 and 0.09 µg mL^?1, respectively, for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH, compared with 3.81 µg mL^?1 of semicarbazide (positive controls). Amine oxidase activity staining also revealed that both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH exhibited SSAO inhibitory activities. Both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH showed mixed non‐competitive inhibition against bovine SSAO. It was found that the V′_max value was reduced and the K′_m value was either increased (added MVA‐NHOH, 0.05 µg mL^?1) or reduced (added LVA‐NHOH, 0.11 µg mL^?1) in the presence of alginic acid hydroxamate. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characteristics of the leaf parts of some traditional Korean salad plants used for food

BACKGROUND: Total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts from leaf parts of 13 Korean traditional salad plants were investigated in order to determine their properties. RESULTS: The highest phenolics content (mg ferulic acid equivalents kg^?1 dry weight (d.w.), omit one) was found in methanol extracts from Polygonum aviculare, at 293.7 ± 6.0, followed by Euonymus alatus, at 250.7 ± 3.3, Saxifraga stolonifera, at 125.0 ± 8.1 and Ligularia fischeri, at 122.5 ± 5.9. The methanol plant extracts dose‐dependently increased free radical scavenging activity. Methanol extracts of Polygonum aviculare, Euonymus alatus and Saxifraga stolonifera, at 31 mg kg^?1, exhibited the highest 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (%) by 90.8 ± 4.2, 85.7 ± 3.9 and 64.1 ± 3.2, respectively. According to 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the methanol extracts from Portulaca oleracea (IC₅₀ < 25.0 µg mL^?1) showed the highest cytotoxicity against Calu‐6, followed by Plantago asiatica (49.2 µg mL^?1) and Osmunda japonica (89.6 µg mL^?1). CONCLUSION: Total phenolics content of the tested plant extracts was correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging activity, suggesting the phenolics compounds are contributing to the antioxidant properties of Korean salad plants. The leaf parts of the 13 Korean traditional salad plants described here that are currently used as foods may also provide some benefit to human health, and research into their potential benefits as preventative and/or therapeutic agents is warranted. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

A detailed study on multifaceted bioactivities of the extracts and isolated compounds from truffle Reddellomyces parvulosporus

Mushrooms and truffles are attracting attention as a new generation of biotherapeutics. In the current study, isolation, phenolic and organic acid composition, and antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase activities of truffle Reddellomyces parvulosporus were examined. Four known compounds (brassicasterol ( 1 ), ergosterol peroxide ( 2 ), fumaric acid ( 3 ) and mannitol ( 4 )) were isolated with the combination of chromatographic techniques. Fumaric acid (54.74 ± 0.85 µg g⁻¹) was found as the major compound by HPLC-DAD. All isolated compounds were bioassayed for antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-urease, anti-α-glucosidase and anti-α-amylase activities. Compound 1 indicated notable cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 (IC₅₀: 38.08 ± 0.75 µg mL⁻¹) and compound 3 on H1299 (IC₅₀: 62.37 ± 0.75 µg mL⁻¹). Also, compounds 1 (84.55 ± 1.14%) and 2 (84.90 ± 0.10%) showed higher anti-urease activity than thiourea (78.57 ± 0.22%), while compound 2 (66.31 ± 0.08%) displayed near-standard anti-BChE activity. Also, being the first to emphasise the potential of R. parvulosporus as a natural food additive, this study evidenced its medicinal importance by revealing bioactive compounds and properties.     

Effect of rosehip (Rosa canina L.) phytochemicals on stable free radicals and human cancer cells

BACKGROUND: The commercial development of plants as sources of antioxidants that can be used to enhance the properties of foods, for nutritional purposes and preservation as well as for prevention of oxidation‐related diseases, is currently of major interest. Rosehip (Rosa canina L.) is a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenols. RESULTS: Phytochemicals in rosehip tea were separated into three fractions: Fr1 (vitamin C, 39.17 mg kg^?1), Fr2 (flavonoids, 451.05 µg kg^?1) and Fr3 (phenolic acids, 504.69 µg kg^?1). Quercetin and ellagic acid were the most abundant polyphenolic compounds. Rosehip fractions, primarily rosehip flavonoids (EC₅₀ = 49 mg L^?1), showed high antioxidant activity towards 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH^?). Cell growth effects of rosehip fractions were assessed in HeLa, MCF7 and HT‐29 cell lines, with the lowest IC₅₀ values being determined for rosehip flavonoids, (80.63, 248.03 and 363.95 mg L^?1 respectively). However, the vitamin C fraction did not inhibit the growth of tested tumour cells. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm that vitamin C and flavonoids are responsible for the antioxidant activity of rosehip tea, while only polyphenols contribute to its antiproliferative activity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Bidens frondosa Linn

Antibacterial and antioxidant potential of essential oil, extract and its fractions of Bidens frondosa Linn were evaluated. Sixty‐one components representing 95.41% of the total oil were identified. The essential oil (7.5 μL disc^?1), methanol extract and its different organic subfractions (0.5 μg disc^?1) of B. frondosa displayed a great potential of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538 and KCTC 1916), Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19116, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCTC 2004, Salmonella enteritidis KCTC 12021 and Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC 2190. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction was superior to all other fractions (IC₅₀ = 11.96 μg mL^?1), which was higher than synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole, (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg mL^?1). Furthermore, the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined and its content in EtOAc fraction was the highest as compared to methanol extract or other fractions. The results indicate that the oil and extracts of B. frondosa could serve as an important bio‐resource of antimicrobial agents and antioxidants for using in the food industries.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil of Allium sphaerocephalon L. subsp. sphaerocephalon (Liliaceae) inflorescences

BACKGROUND: Allium sphaerocephalon is a wild‐growing plant commonly used as an onion substitute. In this study the essential oil obtained from A. sphaerocephalon subsp. sphaerocephalon inflorescences was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and also evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The obtained results are reported for the first time and discussed with respect to the sulfur compounds detected in the essential oil. RESULTS: Ninty‐one compounds were identified, representing 91.6% (w/w) of the total oil. Major constituents of the analysed sample were shyobunol (15.3%), β‐caryophyllene (8.1%), α‐cadinol (7.8%), 3,5‐diethyl‐1,2,4‐trithiolane (isomer II, 5.9%) and δ‐cadinene (5.2%). The diluted oil had an antioxidant capacity of 160 000 ± 111 µmol α‐tocopherol acetate equivalents g^?1. Its antimicrobial activity was evaluated against five bacterial and two fungal strains using the broth microdilution assay. Among the micro‐organisms tested, the most susceptible strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (minimal inhibitory/bactericidal concentration = 0.08/2.5 mg mL^?1) and Aspergillus niger (minimal inhibitory/fungicidal concentration = 0.31/0.63 mg mL^?1). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the examined species had strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and are in accordance with the popular use of plants belonging to the genus Allium in traditional medicine, emphasising the necessity of further detailed study of the active principles in Allium species. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant and Antihemolytic Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Flowers,Leaves, and Stems of Hyssopus officinalis L. Var. angustifolius

In this study, antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of ethanolic extract of flowers, leaves, and stems of Hyssopus officinalis L. Var. angustifolius were investigated employing different in vitro assay systems. Extracts showed good antioxidant activity. IC₅₀ for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical-scavenging activity were 148.8 ± 4.31 μg mL^?1 for flowers, 79.9 ± 2.63 μg mL^?1 for stems, and 208.2 ± 6.45 μg mL^?1 for leaves. All extracts showed moderate iron (II) chelating ability. Extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity in the hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid model and also they were capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide in a concentration dependent manner. Extracts showed good antihemolytic activity againts hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis (IC₅₀ were 48.51 ± 2.27 μg mL^?1 for flowers, 19.47 ± 0.73 μg mL^?1 for leaves, and 63.1 ± 2.65 μg mL^?1 for stems). The total amount of phenolic compounds in the extracts was determined as gallic acid equivalents and total flavonoid content was calculated as quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve.     

GC/MS analysis and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil of Eucalyptus radiata

BACKGROUND: The essential oil from Eucalyptus radiata leaves collected in Tunisia was extracted by steam distillation and analysed by gas chromatography/flame ionisation detection and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Its antioxidant and antiradical properties were evaluated by the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was examined in vitro against two plant‐pathogenic bacteria (four strains each of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi) and two plant‐pathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani). RESULTS: Thirty‐five compounds were identified and quantified in the essential oil, the major ones being 1,8‐cineole (69.53%), α‐pinene (11.94%) and trans‐pinocarveol (4.81%). Medium antioxidant activity was found in the ABTS assay (IC₅₀ = 484.3 ± 17.3 mg L^?1), whereas no significant free radical‐scavenging activity was detected in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ > 10 000 mg L^?1). The antimicrobial assays showed that the oil exhibited a high level of activity against A. tumefaciens and R. solani, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 750 and 1000 µL L^?1. However, it was less efficient against P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi and F. solani. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the essential oil of E. radiata, with a high content of terpenic compounds, exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against strains of A. tumefaciens and the fungus R. solani and may therefore be useful for their control. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isolation and identification of an antioxidant flavonoid compound from citrus-processing by-product

BACKGROUND: Large amounts of citrus by‐products are released from juice‐processing plants every year. Most bioactive compounds are found in the peel and inner white pulp. Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of bioactive compounds. The methanolic extract of citrus peel powder has been shown to possess strong antioxidant activity. Therefore the aim of this study was to isolate the major antioxidant flavonoid compound from Citrus unshiu (satsuma) peel as citrus by‐product and evaluate its antioxidant activity. RESULTS: The major flavonoid isolated from C. unshiu peel was identified as quercetagetin. The structure of the compound was determined by tandem mass spectrometry and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Its antioxidant activity was assessed by assays of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and DNA damage inhibition. Quercetagetin showed strong DPPH radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀7.89 µmol L^?1) but much lower hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀203.82 µmol L^?1). Furthermore, it significantly reduced ROS in Vero cells and showed a strong protective effect against hydrogen peroxide‐induced DNA damage. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that quercetagetin could be used in the functional food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oil content,phenolic profiling and antioxidant potential of Tunisian olive drupes

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of the maturation process of the olive fruit on oil content, phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of four Tunisian cultivars (Zelmati, Chemchali, Chemlali and Chétoui). RESULTS: The average oil content of the studied varieties ranged between 17.50% and 20.25% at the first stage of maturation and from 30.20% to 35% in the last harvest. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds were carried out using HPLC and LC‐MS/MS. Twenty‐six biophenolic compounds were identified. In all samples, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein were the major compounds identified while rutin and luteolin 7‐O‐glucoside were the two main flavonoids. The total phenolic content varied from 3.46 to 4.30 g kg^?1 at the first stage of maturation and from 8.71 to 11.52 g kg^?1 of fruit fresh weight at the last maturation phase. Total flavonoid content reached 432.80 mg kg^?1. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. The IC₅₀ values of the olive extracts ranged from 2.69 to 10.96 µg L^?1 and from 2.15 to 3.03 mmol L^?1 trolox equivalent at the last stage of maturation. CONCLUSION: A relationship between the changes in phenolic content and the physicochemical changes in Tunisian olive fruit during maturation was established. These findings could be used for controlling the production processes and correlating the oil sensorial characteristics to the polyphenolic pattern. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Plum cultivars grown in Himalayan temperate conditions: physicochemical,antioxidant and antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines

Six plum cultivars were evaluated in terms of physicochemical attributes (fruit and stone length, breadth, thickness, weight, fruit moisture content, ash, pH, fruit color, firmness, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and titrable acidity), nutraceutical potential i.e., ascorbic acid, β carotene, anthocyanin, total phenol content, total antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) and antiproliferative potential against human breast cancer cell line (MCF7), neuroblastoma (IMR32) and colon cancer cell line (HCT116). The hydroxycinnamates and flavon-3-ols dominated the phenolic profile. Red fleshed plum cultivar Krassivica showed significantly greater antioxidant activity as shown by lowest IC₅₀ value (1.04 mg/mL) for DPPH assay and FRAP value (13.63 µMFe²⁺/g). Significant inhibition of all the three cancer cells was observed in a dose dependent manner after exposure to plum extracts. For IMR32, MCF7 and HCT116 lowest IC₅₀ value of 67.90, 51.48 and 71.10 µg/mL was observed in Krassivica. Thus, Krassivica can be introduced as a cultivar with good physicochemical characteristics and high neutraceutical potential, making it a preferable choice for fresh use and processing.     

Chemical composition and in vitro control of agricultural plant pathogens by the essential oil and various extracts of Nandina domestica Thunb.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from the floral parts of Nandina domestica Thunb. by hydrodistillation, and to test the efficacy of essential oil and various leaf extracts (n‐hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) as an antifungal potential against a panel of agricultural plant pathogens. RESULTS: The GC‐MS analysis determined that 79 compounds, which represented 87.06% of total oil, were present in the oil containing mainly 1‐indolizino carbazole (19.65%), 2‐pentanone (16.4%), mono phenol (12.1%), aziridine (9.01%), methylcarbinol (4.6%), ethanone (3.3%), furfural (2.96%), 3,5‐dimethylpyrazole (1.29%) and 2(5H)‐furanone (1.32%). The oil (1000 ppm disc^?1) and the leaf extracts (1500 ppm disc^?1) revealed remarkable antifungal effect against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Phytophthora capsici, Colletotrichum capsici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani in the growth inhibition range of 53.3–64.3% and 33.3–56.0%, respectively, along with their respective values for mimimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 125 to 1000 µg mL^?1 and 500 to 2000 µg mL^?1. The values for minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the oil and extracts were obtained in the range of 125 to 1000 µg mL^?1 and 500 to 2000 µg mL^?1, respectively. The essential oil also had a strong detrimental effect on spore germination of all the plant pathogens tested along with concentration as well as time‐dependent kinetic inhibition of B. cinerea. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study demonstrate that N. domestica mediated oil and extracts could become potential alternatives to synthetic fungicides for controlling certain important agricultural plant pathogenic fungi. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phytochemicals content,antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activities of commercial nutmeg mace (Myristica fragrans L.) and pimento (Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.)

Commercially dried powder of nutmeg mace (Myristica fragrans) and pimento (Pimenta dioica) spices was investigated for their high performance liquid chromatography phenolic profile and their antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties by α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition tests. Generally, mace showed the most promising activity. An interesting protection of lipid peroxidation with an IC₅₀ value of 7.7 μg mL^?1 was found. A significant result was also obtained in ferric reducing ability power assay if compared to the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (IC₅₀ value of 68.7 μg mL^?1 vs. 63.2 μg mL^?1, respectively). Mace also exhibited the highest carbohydrate‐hydrolysing enzyme inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 62.1 and 75.7 μg mL^?1 against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, respectively. Overall, these results support the use of these spices not only as flavouring agent but also as food preservative and functional ingredients.