The antioxidant activity and the bioactive compound content of Stevia rebaudiana water extracts

Stevia rebaudiana (SR), a chrysanthemum herb, has been used as a vegetable-based sweetening additive in health drinks and in other foods. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity and the bioactive compounds found in water extracts taken from SR leaves and calli. Analysis of vitamins in the leaves showed that folic acid (52.18 mg/100 g) was a major component, followed by vitamin C. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be 130.76 μg catechin and 15.64 μg quercetin for leaves and 43.99 μg catechin and 1.57 μg quercetin for cellus at mg of water extracts, respectively. Pyrogallol was the major material among the phenolic compounds in both leaf and callus extracts. Furthermore, our results showed that the leaf extracts contained higher amounts of free radicals, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities than those of the callus extracts.     

Structure and degree of polymerisation of fructooligosaccharides present in roots and leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni

Fructooligosaccharides have been isolated from roots and leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, by hot aqueous extraction, followed by precipitation with ethanol. Their structure has been determined using methylation and NMR analysis, MALDI-TOF, and ESI-MS. Fructooligosaccharides contained almost exclusively (2→1)-linked β-fructofuranosyl, with terminal α-glucopyranosyl and β-fructofuranosyl units. MALDI-TOF and ESI-MS analyses showed the wide range of degree of polymerisation (DP) present in various extracts. From roots and leaves, three different fractions gave profiles of homologous series, with DPs ranging up to 17 with MALDI-TOF and 19 using ESI-MS. These inulin-type fructooligosaccharides were the major component of extracts from S. rebaudiana roots and significant components from the leaves.     

Preparative separation and purification of Rebaudioside A from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni crude extracts by mixed bed of macroporous adsorption resins

The separation and purification of Rebaudioside A (RA) from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni crude extracts (Steviosides) by macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) mixed bed were systematically investigated. MAR mixed bed of HPD750-LSA40-LSA30-DS401 was selected due to its better separation degree. Based on the kinetics/thermodynamics experiment of the mixed bed, it was found that the experimental data fitted better to the pseudo-second-order model, and intra-particle diffusion was rate-limiting step. The adsorption isotherm was consistent with IV equilibrium adsorption isotherm classified by Brunauer. Furthermore, the influencing factors for the separation of RA based on HPLC were also investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the separation degree for RA (D_AS) increased from 0.771 to 1.54. Moreover, the experimental results showed that the purity of the obtained product increased from 60% to 97%.     

Optimisation of novel method for the extraction of steviosides from Stevia rebaudiana leaves

Stevioside, a diterpene glycoside, is well known for its intense sweetness and is used as a non-caloric sweetener. Its potential widespread use requires an easy and effective extraction method. Enzymatic extraction of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana leaves with cellulase, pectinase and hemicellulase, using various parameters, such as concentration of enzyme, incubation time and temperature, was optimised. Hemicellulase was observed to give the highest stevioside yield (369.23 ± 0.11 μg) in 1 h in comparison to cellulase (359 ± 0.30 μg) and pectinases (333 ± 0.55 μg). Extraction from leaves under optimised conditions showed a remarkable increase in the yield (35 times) compared with a control experiment. The extraction conditions were further optimised using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was used for experimental design and analysis of the results to obtain optimal extraction conditions. Based on RSM analysis, temperature of 51-54 °C, time of 36-45 min and the cocktail of pectinase, cellulase and hemicellulase, set at 2% each, gave the best results. Under the optimised conditions, the experimental values were in close agreement with the prediction model and resulted in a three times yield enhancement of stevioside. The isolated stevioside was characterised through ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, by comparison with a stevioside standard.     

Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil and extracts from Ocimum sanctum

The objective of the present research work was to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimalarial activities of essential oil and various extracts from O. sanctum. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified the following major compounds with their quantification as: eugenol (22.0%), β-elemene (19.2%), β-caryophyllene (19.1%), and Germacrene D (5.03%). HPLC analysis of O. sanctum extracts revealed that gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumeric acid, sinapic acid, and ferulic acid were the important phenolic acids. The methanol extract exhibited highest level of total phenolic (1.36 g/100 g dry plant material) and total flavonoid (0.67 g/100 g dry plant material) followed by ethanol and n-hexane extracts. The oil and extracts exhibited excellent free radical scavenging potential as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical free radical-scavenging ability, and antioxidant activity as measured by inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. Essential oil, n-hexane, methanol, and ethanol extracts exhibited moderate antimalarial potential in term of anti-haem biocrystallization activity. In the resazurin microtitre plate and disc diffusion assays, the essential oil of O. sanctum showed better antibacterial activity than various extracts. The results of the present investigation demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) variations in the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities of essential oil and extracts from O. sanctum.     

Study on chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil and extract from Salvia pisidica

In this study, total contents of phenolic, flavanol and flavonol, antioxidant activities and antimicrobial activities of the Turkish endemic Salvia pisidica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Bentham (Lamiaceae) extract and essential oil were assessed in vitro. Total phenolic, flavanol and flavonol contents in the extract were 54.57 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, 16.70 mg catechine equivalents (CE)/g and 18.19 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g, respectively. Antioxidant activities (IC₅₀ value) of the extract and essential oil were determined as 4.88 and 6.41 mg/mL by DPPH assay, respectively. 31 compounds were determined in the essential oil using GC-MS and the major compounds (%) were camphor (23.76), sabinol (19.2), α-thujone (14.2) and eucalyptol (1.8-cineole) (5.8).The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract and the essential oil against 13 bacterial and two yeast strains was determined. The extract (concentration 5 g/100 ml or 10 g/100 ml) was effective against most of the strains tested, yet not against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and the two yeast strains tested. The essential oil (2 g/100 ml) showed an antimicrobial effect against all the gram (+) bacteria tested, against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but was not effective against all gram (−) bacteria and Candida albicans. These results show that S.piscidica essential oil and extract could be considered as a natural alternative to traditional food preservatives and be used to enhance food safety and shelf life.     

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, source of a high-potency natural sweetener: A comprehensive review on the biochemical, nutritional and functional aspects

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, an ancient perennial shrub of South America, produces diterpene glycosides that are low calorie sweeteners, about 300 times sweeter than saccharose. Stevia extracts, besides having therapeutic properties, contain a high level of sweetening compounds, known as steviol glycosides, which are thought to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Stevioside and rebaudioside A are the main sweetening compounds of interest. They are thermostable even at temperatures of up to 200 °C, making them suitable for use in cooked foods. S. rebaudiana has a great potential as a new agricultural crop since consumer demand for herbal foods is increasing and proximate analysis has shown that Stevia also contains folic acid, vitamin C and all of the indispensable amino acids with the exception of tryptophan. Stevia cultivation and production would further help those who have to restrict carbohydrate intake in their diet; to enjoy the sweet taste with minimal calories.     

Salinity impact on fruit yield,essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of Coriandrum sativum fruit extracts

This study is designed to examine the fruit essential oil composition, the total phenolic amounts and the antioxidant activities in methanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum under saline conditions. Increasing NaCl levels to 75 mM reduced significantly the fruit yield by 36%. The essential oil yield was 0.30%, based on the dry weight; it increased by 77% and 84% at 50 and 75 mM NaCl, respectively, in comparison to the control. The major constituents were linalool and camphor, whose amounts increased with increasing NaCl concentrations. Antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts were determined by three different test systems, namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power assays. In these three test systems, the highest activity was exhibited in control plants and was reduced significantly with increasing NaCl levels. In control plants, the total phenolic amount was 1.04 mg GAE/g DW which decreased by 43% and 66% at 50 and 75 mM NaCl, respectively.     

Solvent effects on phenolic contents and biological activities of the halophyte Limoniastrum monopetalum leaves

Limoniastrum monopetalum is a traditional medicinal species which leaf infusion exhibits antidysenteric properties against infectious diseases. In this study, ten kinds of leaf extracts were used to examine the effect of extraction solvent system with varying polarities on polyphenol contents and DPPH scavenging activity. Then the superoxide scavenging activity and the reducing power of the most promising solvent extracts were evaluated too. Moreover, the efficiency of the best leaf extract has been investigated against pathogenic bacteria and yeast. Eventually leaf extract was hydrolyzed by acid and the phenolics identified by RP-HPLC. Results showed that phenolic contents and antioxidant activities varied considerably as function of solvent polarity. Leaf extract using pure methanol showed the highest polyphenol content (15.85 mg GAE/g DW). Moreover, antiradical capacities against DPPH and superoxide, and reducing power were maxima in acetone/water (8:2) of leaf extract. However, the latter showed a slight antimicrobial activity against human pathogen strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Candida holmii. The HPLC analysis revealed several phenolic compounds in L. monopetalum leaf including vanillic and gallic acids as major phenolics. Our findings identified the appropriate solvent for extracting halophyte phenolics which might provide a rich and novel source of natural antioxidants as food additives replacing synthetic ones in food industry.     

甜叶菊红外-热风联合干燥工艺优化

为探究甜叶菊红外-热风干燥特性,以江西甜叶菊守田3号为试验材料,在研制的红外-热风联合干燥样机基础上,通过开展热风温度(90、100、110、120℃)、排湿功率(0、140、240、340 W)和辐射距离(140、150、160、170 mm)条件下的单因素和正交试验,探究甜叶菊红外-热风干燥特性曲线及干燥速率曲线,优化甜叶菊干燥工艺参数。结果表明,甜叶菊红外-热风联合干燥过程包含预热加速干燥阶段和降速干燥阶段;影响甜叶菊红外-热风联合干燥生产效率的影响因素顺序为:热风温度 > 辐射距离 > 排湿速率;最佳干燥工艺参数:热风温度120℃,排湿功率240 W、辐射距离140 mm,此时甜叶菊干燥时长6.57 min,能耗1.25 kW·h。本研究可为研制甜叶菊干燥装置和研究甜叶菊干燥特性提供参考。     

Antioxidant activity and chemical constituents of essential oil and extracts of Rhizoma Homalomenae

Antioxidant activity and composition of essential oil and extracts of Rhizoma Homalomenae were determined. The extracts, especially the ethyl acetate extract (QJ4 fraction) of the aqueous residue after oil distillation, had considerable antioxidant potency which was significantly associated with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, but the essential oil showed only weak or moderate activity. GC–MS analysis of the essential oil (yield: 0.82%, v/w) resulted in the identification of 77 compounds, accounting for 96.5% of the content of the oil. The major components, epi-α-cadinol (14.8%), α-cadinol (14.8%), α-terpineol (13.8%), linalool (11.1%), terpinen-4-ol (4.92%), and δ-cadinene (4.91%) constituted 64.3% of it. LC–MS/MS and HPLC analyses showed seven phenolic compounds (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and apigenin) with a great amount in the ethyl acetate extract (QJ4 fraction). The strong antioxidant properties of the plant extracts may be attributed to the presence of these phenolics.     

Composition and biological activities of essential oils from four Heracleum species

The composition of essential oils from aerial parts of Heracleum persicum, a widely used medicinal plant, and three other Heracleum species growing wild in Iran were analysed by GC and GC–MS. Myristicin (53.6%), (E)-anethole (25.0%), hexyl butanoate (29.7%) and elemicin (41.1%) were the major compounds of Heracleum pastinacifolium, H. persicum, Heracleum rechingeri and Heracleum transcaucasicum, respectively. Cytotoxic activity assessed on three human cancer cell lines (HeLa, LS180 and Raji), showed that essential oils from H. transcaucasicum (IC₅₀ values; 0.362–0.594 mg/ml) followed by H. pastinacifolium (0.497–1.398 mg/ml) had moderate antitumoral activities. In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, H. pastinacifolium and H. persicum oils showed the highest activities with IC₅₀ values of 7.3 and 7.4 mg/ml, respectively. Antioxidant activity correlated well with the total phenolic content of the oils. None of the essential oils showed significant antimicrobial activities.     

Antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from some grains consumed in Korea

The objectives of this study were to determine antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts from some grains and to investigate relationships between antioxidant activities and antioxidant contents in the extracts. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activities, inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation, chelating activity and reducing power have been used to investigate the relative antioxidant activities of the extracts from grains. The concentrations of total polyphenolics and carotenoids in the extracts were measured by spectrophotometric methods and vitamin E analysis was carried out by HPLC. The methanolic extracts prepared from red sorghum and black rice showed significantly higher antioxidant activities and contained higher polyphenolic contents than other grains such as white rice, brown rice, mungbean, foxtail millet, prosomillet, barley, and adlay. Polyphenolic compounds were the major naturally occurring antioxidants in grains. The correlation coefficient between total polyphenolic content and ABTS radical cation scavenging activity in the extracts was >0.99. However, no relationship was found between antioxidant activities and carotenoids and vitamin E derivatives.     

响应面法优化艾叶精油的提取工艺及其化学成分分析

采用微波辅助水蒸气蒸馏法提取艾叶精油,在单因素实验基础上,通过响应面法优化艾叶精油提取的工艺条件,气相色谱-质谱法对精油的化学成分进行分析,并应用峰面积归一化法测定成分的相对百分含量。结果表明:最佳工艺条件为:微波处理时间94s,微波功率480W,蒸馏时间2.2h,Na Cl浓度5%,液料比5∶1,提取含量为2.58mg/g。主要成分为4-萜烯醇（18.75%）、6-芹子烯-4-醇（11.74%）、桉油醇（9.10%）、石竹烯氧化物（8.01%）、香芹醇（6.27%）、3,3,6-三甲基-1,4-庚二烯-6-醇（5.21%）。验证实验表明所选的工艺条件合理可行。      

Antioxidant activities and composition of extracts from chilli

The extract yields obtained by three methods in different solvents from chilli were compared. The antioxidant activities of chilli extracts vs. butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was determined through the peroxide value (POV), the beta‐carotene bleaching assay and the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. The results showed that the extract yields by three extract methods, namely, Soxhlet, ultrasonic wave and saturation, were 16.32%, 15.78% and 11.62%, respectively, when 85% ethanol acted as solvent. The extracting efficiency of solvent from high to low was 95% ethanol > ethyl acetate > anhydrous ethanol > distilled water. The total phenol content of chilli extracts from ultrasonic wave with 85% ethanol as solvent was 73.91 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram extracts and the value of inhibitory capacity IC₅₀ on free radical (DPPH) was 38.99 mg mL^?1. The POV of chilli extracts was close to that of BHT. The ultrasonic wave was more helpful for the extraction of antioxidant substance from chilli than other methods. In addition, the composition of chilli extracts was analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrum (GC‐MS).     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Ribes nigrum extracts

Blackcurrant berries contain high amounts of flavonoids with various health benefits as anti-inflammatory properties attributed to their antioxidant potential. Leaves and buds actually used to produce food supplement could also exhibit such interesting properties.In the literature, various methods are often used and valid indicators of the antioxidant potential of dietary substances. However these assays do not provide evidence that antioxidants have in vivo or ex vivo activity when consumed. To obtain biologically relevant information, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated on cellular models implicating the measurement of blood haemolysis, the Cellular Antioxidant Activity on endothelial cells and the anti-inflammatory activities on isolated equine stimulated neutrophils and purified myeloperoxidase.These tests generally showed that the blackcurrant leaf extract have the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of MPO activity and ROS production on activated neutrophils) capacities correlated to the highest total phenolics content.     

Determination of antioxidant activities of various extracts and essential oil compositions of Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii

The aim of this work is to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of separated essential oils and different solvent extracts of Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii (TPS). The ethanol, acetone, methanol, hexane, aqueous extracts and separated essential oils of TPS were assessed for their antioxidant activities. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V), reducing power, superoxide scavenging activity, free radical-scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, linoleic acid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and peroxide scavenging activity. Essential oils were characterized in total to be 41 components, whereas 9 components were isolated by column chromatography for antioxidant activity. TPS essential oil was found to contain thymol (40.31%) and o-cymene (13.66%) as the major components. The ethanol, methanol and water extracts exerted significant free radical-scavenging activity. The methanol and water extracts displayed highest superoxide scavenging activity. The water extract has the highest total phenolics (6.211 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g DW) and flavonoids (0.809 mg quercetin/g DW).     

柠檬果皮精油的化学组成、抗氧化及抑菌活性研究

采用GC-MS法分析经水蒸气蒸馏法所提柠檬果皮精油的化学组分,并对其抗氧化与抑菌活性进行了研究。实验结果表明:鉴定出23种挥发性成分,占精油总量的94.57%,主要为dl-柠檬烯（42.93%）、γ-萜品烯（8.41%）、α-松油醇（6.39%）和E-柠檬醛（6.09%）等;柠檬精油对OH自由基有较好的清除效果,清除率可达95.14%;而对DPPH自由基的清除率在实验条件下最高为34.81%,远低于同浓度的PG和TBHQ。200mg/kg添加量的柠檬精油可延缓猪油和花生油的贮藏期,但略差于同浓度TBHQ和VE的抗氧化效果。抑菌活性实验结果表明柠檬精油对6种供试菌都有一定的抑菌作用,其中对大肠杆菌的抑菌效果最好,其最低抑菌浓度（MIC）为0.1μL/m L。      

柠檬果皮精油的化学组成、抗氧化及抑菌活性研究

采用GC-MS法分析经水蒸气蒸馏法所提柠檬果皮精油的化学组分,并对其抗氧化与抑菌活性进行了研究。实验结果表明:鉴定出23种挥发性成分,占精油总量的94.57%,主要为dl-柠檬烯(42.93%)、γ-萜品烯(8.41%)、α-松油醇(6.39%)和E-柠檬醛(6.09%)等;柠檬精油对OH自由基有较好的清除效果,清除率可达95.14%;而对DPPH自由基的清除率在实验条件下最高为34.81%,远低于同浓度的PG和TBHQ。200mg/kg添加量的柠檬精油可延缓猪油和花生油的贮藏期,但略差于同浓度TBHQ和VE的抗氧化效果。抑菌活性实验结果表明柠檬精油对6种供试菌都有一定的抑菌作用,其中对大肠杆菌的抑菌效果最好,其最低抑菌浓度(MIC)为0.1μL/m L。     

Polyphenols from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves and their functional properties

The major polyphenol components from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves (PPS) are chlorogenic acids, a polyphenol family of esters, including hydroxycinnamic acids with quinic acid, which possesses excellent hydrophilic antioxidant activity and other therapeutic properties. As an abundant byproduct during production of steviol glycosides, the PPS would be a new antioxidantive food resource or additives applied in foods and drugs with antidiabetic function. Extracting PPS from S. rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves together with steviol glycosides would be an economic process, which will change most operation process in current Stevia factories. The quantification of PPS needs to be unified for regulation. In view of the current regulation status of polyphenols and extracts from Stevia, the PPS would be ready to go to the market with few regulation barriers in the near future. This review will summarize the analysis, extraction, and some functional properties of PPS, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer.