Nutrients,phytochemicals and bioactivity of wild Roman chamomile: A comparison between the herb and its preparations

Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile L. (Asteraceae), has been used for medicinal applications, mainly through oral dosage forms (decoctions and infusions). Herein, the nutritional characterisation of C. nobile was performed, and herbal material and its decoction and infusion were submitted to an analysis of phytochemicals and bioactivity evaluation. The antioxidant activity was determined by free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the antitumour potential was tested in human tumour cell lines (breast, lung, colon, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas), and the hepatotoxicity was evaluated using a porcine liver primary cell culture. C. nobile proved to be an equilibrated valuable herb rich in carbohydrates and proteins, and poor in fat, providing tocopherols, carotenoids and essential fatty acids (C18:2n6 and C18:3n3). Moreover, the herb and its infusion are a source of phenolic compounds (flavonoids such as flavonols and flavones, phenolic acids and derivatives) and organic acids (oxalic, quinic, malic, citric and fumaric acids) that showed antioxidant and antitumour activities, without hepatotoxicity. The most abundant compounds in the plant extract and infusion were 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and an apigenin derivative. These, as well as other bioactive compounds, are affected in C. nobile decoction, leading to a lower antioxidant potential and absence of antitumour potential. The plant bioactivity could be explored in the medicine, food, and cosmetic industries.     

Bioactivity and chemical characterization in hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.

The bioactive properties (antioxidant and antitumour activities, and hepatotoxicity) of the infusion and methanolic extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides L., a plant commonly used in Portuguese folk medicine, were compared. The chemical composition in hydrophilic (sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds) and lipophilic (fatty acids and tocopherols) fractions were determined. In general, the infusion revealed higher antioxidant activity, while the methanolic extract was the only one showing antitumour effects against colon, cervical and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. No toxicity in non-tumour cells was observed either for the infusion or the extract. The studied plant proved to be a good source of natural antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, which may have industrial use. As far as we know, this is the first detailed chemical characterization and bioactivity evaluation of C. ambrosioides methanolic extract and infusion.     

Sugars, organic acid and phenolic compounds of Ziziphus mauritiana Fruit

This study was conducted to identify soluble sugars, non-volatile acids and phenolic compounds in Ziziphus mauritiana fruit. Soluble sugars in Ziziphus mauritiana fruit were qualitatively determined by TLC. The sugars identified to be present in Ziziphus mauritiana were galactose, fructose and glucose. TLC was also used for qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds; five spots of phenolic compounds were observed. Only two of the observed spots were identified using the R_f values of the standards that were available. The two phenolic compounds identified by TLC were caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid. Phenolic compounds were also quantified using HPLC. Twelve peaks of phenolic compounds were detected. Among these, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were the most abundant with concentrations of 365.94, 30.76, 19.64 and 19.28 mg/kg dry mass respectively, whereas vanillic acid was the least abundant with a concentration of 2.52 mg/kg. The organic acids were qualitatively analysed by PC and citric acid, malonic acid and malic acid were identified in the Ziziphus mauritiana fruit.     

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis): A seed source of polyunsaturated fatty acids,tocopherols, phytosterols,phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity

Fatty acids (FA), phytosterols, tocopherols, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and lipophilic ORAC antioxidant capacities were evaluated in 16 cultivars of Sacha inchi (SI) seeds with the aim to valorise them and offer more information on the functional properties of SI seeds. A high α linolenic (α-Ln) fatty acid content was found in all cultivars (ω3, 12.8–16.0 g/100 g seed), followed by linoleic (L) fatty acid (ω6, 12.4–14.1 g/100 g seed). The ratio ω6/ω3 was within the 0.83–1.09 range. γ- and δ-tocopherols were the most important tocopherols, whereas the most representative phytosterols were β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Contents of total phenolics, total carotenoids and hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacities ranged from 64.6 to 80 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g seed; from 0.07 to 0.09 mg of β-carotene equivalent/100 g of seed; from 4.3 to 7.3 and, from 1.0 to 2.8 μmol of Trolox equivalent/g of seed, respectively, among the evaluated SI cultivars. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated SI cultivars in the contents of ω3, ω6, antioxidant capacities and other evaluated phytochemicals. SI seeds should be considered as an important dietary source of health promoting phytochemicals.     

Protective effect of Spirulina platensis enriched in phenolic compounds against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4

Phenolic compounds make up the major secondary metabolites with high pharmaceutical potential. Microalgae were reported to contain low amounts of phenolic compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective potential of biomass of Spirulina platensis enriched in phenolic compounds. The protective effects of the biomass of S. platensis with low amounts of phenolics (SP1) and with high amounts of phenolics (SP2) against CCl₄-induced acute hepatotoxicity were evaluated in rats. The increased levels of ALT, AST and MDA along with decreased activities of SOD and CAT were significantly (p < 0.01) ameliorated by SP2. Histological examinations revealed that SP2 was more potent than SP1 in protecting the liver from toxic injury of CCl₄ and preserving the hepatocyte ultrastructure. The lesions including necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration, ballooning degeneration and hepatocyte injury as irregular lamellar organisation, dilations in endoplasmic reticulums and the presence of great number of cytoplasmic vacuolization were healed by SP2.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of fractions from Portulaca oleracea L.

Portulaca oleracea fractions obtained from the crude extract of the plant by reversed-phase separation were investigated for their antioxidant activities and phenolic compounds content. Five fractions were classified based on optical absorption between the wavelength range of 200–400 nm. Fraction 3 displayed higher absorption than the other fractions. The total amount of quantified phenolics in this fraction was found to be quite high compared to that of crude extract. Chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic and rosmarinic acids were the free phenolic acids, and quercetin and kaempferol were the free flavonoids detected in Fraction 3. IC₅₀ value of crude extract was found to be 511.8 μg/ml whereas Fraction 3 exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 154.1 μg/ml. TEAC of Fraction 3 was found to be almost four times higher than that of the crude extract. Fraction 3 was also found to show the highest lipid peroxidation inhibiting capacity, determined by TBARS assay.     

Content of essential oil, terpenoids and polyphenols in commercial chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert) teas from different countries

Commercial samples of German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert) tea (n = 13), packaged in different countries and purchased in Estonia either at food markets (9) or at retail pharmacies (4), were analysed for the essential oil and terpenoid content and constituents by GC-MS. Also the tea infusions were analysed for polyphenols spectrophotometrically and chromatographically by LC-DAD-MS/MS. The oils were obtained from chamomile flowers with yields of 0.10 - 0.61%. The existence of two types of chamomile tea, one rich in bisabolol oxides and the other in (−)-α-bisabolol, was established. The total content of polyphenols in gallic acid equivalents, estimated by the classical Folin-Ciocalteu method (TP_FC), was almost independent of the sample origin, but the total content of polyphenols (in chlorogenic acid equivalents) calculated on the basis of net areas under the chromatographic curves (AUC) of the infusions at 280 nm (TP_AUC) showed a significant variability as well as content of total flavonols (0.29-1.21%) or total phenolic acids (7.7-91.4 mg/200 ml). The major phenolic compounds in the chamomile infusions were chlorogenic acids, ferulic acid glycosides, dicaffeoyl quinic acids and apigenin glycosides. Based on the amounts of essential oil, terpenoids, total flavonols and major phenolic compounds, the quality of the commercial chamomile teas was very variable, and the chamomile teas available in pharmacies should be preferred for the medical purposes.     

Effect of phenolic acids on glucose and organic acid metabolism by lactic acid bacteria from wine

The influence of phenolic (p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, gallic and protocatechuic) acids on glucose and organic acid metabolism by two strains of wine lactic acid bacteria (Oenococcus oeni VF and Lactobacillus hilgardii 5) was investigated. Cultures were grown in modified MRS medium supplemented with different phenolic acids. Cellular growth was monitored and metabolite concentrations were determined by HPLC-RI. Despite the strong inhibitory effect of most tested phenolic acids on the growth of O. oeni VF, the malolactic activity of this strain was not considerably affected by these compounds. While less affected in its growth, the capacity of L. hilgardii 5 to degrade malic acid was clearly diminished. Except for gallic acid, the addition of phenolic acids delayed the metabolism of glucose and citric acid in both strains tested. It was also found that the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic) increased the yield of lactic and acetic acid production from glucose by O. oeni VF and not by L. hilgardii 5. The results show that important oenological characteristics of wine lactic acid bacteria, such as the malolactic activity and the production of volatile organic acids, may be differently affected by the presence of phenolic acids, depending on the bacterial species or strain.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky extracts

Insects have been relatively unexplored as potential sources of natural antioxidants. We report the antioxidant activity of extracts of the adult large black chafer beetle Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky, a common crop pest in China. The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract (EE) and the water extract (WE) of adult H. parallela were evaluated by four different in vitro assays. EE showed potent metal-chelating activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. WE proved to be an excellent antioxidant in the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and metal-chelating activity. Catechin was identified in the ethanolic extract and proteins were the main components in the water extracts. Both compounds could contribute to the antioxidant activity of the species. These results suggest that adult H. parallela might be used as a nutraceutical to alleviate oxidate-induced diseases and as a natural antioxidant additive in the food industry.     

Developmental changes of carbohydrates,organic acids,amino acids,and phenolic compounds in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple flesh

The developmental changes of carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple flesh were investigated using GC–MS and HPLC. A total of 12 carbohydrates, 8 organic acids, 20 amino acids, and 18 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. Each metabolite showed characteristic changes during fruit development, but in general, concentrations of most sugars and sugar alcohols either increased or remained unchanged whereas concentrations of most organic acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds decreased with fruit development, indicating that most sugars and sugar alcohols are synthesised and/or accumulate at a faster or similar rate relative to fruit growth whereas organic acids, amino acids and phenolics are synthesised and/or accumulate at a slower rate relative to fruit growth. On a whole fruit basis, the content of most metabolites increased with fruit development. In the flesh of mature ‘Honeycrisp’ apple, fructose and sucrose and sorbitol are the major sugars and sugar alcohol; malic acid is the major organic acid; aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine and γ-aminobutyric acid are the major amino acids; and procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin are the major phenolic compounds, respectively.     

Comparative study of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of wild edible mushroom caps and stipes

A comparative study of the organic acids and phenolics composition and of the total alkaloids content of entire wild edible mushrooms (Russula cyanoxantha, Amanita rubescens, Suillus granulatus and Boletus edulis) and correspondent caps and stipes was performed. All species presented oxalic, citric, malic and fumaric acids, with A. rubescens exhibiting the highest total organic acids content. Organic acids were preferably fixed in the cap. Among phenolics, only p-hydroxybenzoic acid was found in A. rubescens and S. granulatus, in very low amounts. B. edulis was the species that presented the highest total alkaloid amounts. Except for this species, alkaloids mainly accumulated in the cap. All of the species exhibited a concentration-dependent scavenging ability against DPPH^·. B. edulis revealed the highest antioxidant capacity. The cap seemed to be the part with highest antioxidant potential. Some relationships between chemical composition and antioxidant capacity were considered.     

Study of the inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds found in olive products and their degradation by Lactobacillus plantarum strains

Lactobacillus plantarum is the main species responsible for the spontaneous fermentation of Spanish-style green olives. Olives and virgin oil provide a rich source of phenolic compounds. This study was designed to evaluate inhibitory growth activities of nine olive phenolic compounds against four L. plantarum strains isolated from different sources, and to explore the L. plantarum metabolic activities against these phenolic compounds. None of the nine compounds assayed (oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, as well as vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic, sinapic, syringic, protocatechuic and cinnamic acids) inhibited L. plantarum growth at the concentration found in olive products. Oleuropein and tyrosol concentrations higher than 100 mM were needed to inhibit L. plantarum growth. On the other hand, sinapic and syringic acid showed the highest inhibitory activity since concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 50 mM inhibited L. plantarum growth in all the strains analyzed. Among the nine compounds assayed, only oleuropein and protocatechuic acid were metabolized by L. plantarum strains grown in the presence of these compounds. Oleuropein was metabolized mainly to hydroxytyrosol, while protocatechuic acid was decarboxylated to catechol. Metabolism of oleuropein was carried out by inducible enzymes since a cell-free extract from a culture grown in the absence of oleuropein was unable to metabolize it. Independent of their isolation source, the four L. plantarum strains analysed showed similar behaviour in relation to the inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds, as well as their ability to metabolize these compounds.     

Profiling of in vitro neurobiological effects and phenolic acids of selected endemic Salvia species

The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from 16 Salvia L. species were screened for their inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase, and tyrosinase; the enzymes linked to neurodegeneration. Their antioxidant activity was also tested using DPPH radical scavenging, metal-chelation, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total flavonoid content of the extracts was determined by AlCl₃ reagent, while HPLC technique was applied for analysis of various phenolic acids in the extracts. The extracts exerted weak cholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition, and remarkable inhibition against lipoxygenase (13.07 ± 2.73-74.21 ± 5.61%) at 100 μg ml⁻¹. The methanol extracts showed higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays. The extracts were analyzed for their gallic, protocateuchic, p-hydroxy-benzoic, vanillic, caffeic, chlorogenic, syringic, o- and p-coumaric, ferulic, rosmarinic, and tr-cinnamic acid contents and the methanol extract of Salvia ekimiana (153.50 mg 100 g⁻¹) was revealed to be the richest in terms of rosmarinic acid.     

Methylxanthines,phenolic composition,and antioxidant activity of bark from residues from mate tree harvesting (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.)

Leaves and products made from them are the major focus of research on bioactive compounds of mate (Ilex paraguariensis). However, studies on other parts of the plant, are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the methylxanthines, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of mate bark (residual biomass) and compare with those of mate leaves. The high antioxidant activity of mate bark and its high concentration of total polyphenols were apparent in both the aqueous and the methanolic extracts, the values of which were greater than those detected in the leaves. Of the phenolic acids identified, the levels of chlorogenic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in the samples were significantly higher in the methanolic bark extract. With regard to methylxanthines, considerable concentrations were detected in the samples. The results obtained contribute to the viability of exploiting this residue, broadening the use of the mate plant.     

Influence of technological processes on phenolic compounds,organic acids,furanic derivatives,and antioxidant activity of whole-lemon powder

The healthy properties of citrus fruits have been attributed to ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, mainly to flavonoids. Flavonoids are important phytonutrients because they have a wide range of biological effects that provide health-related properties. In this context, this study seeks to characterise the phenolic compounds in lemon and their stability in different drying processes (freeze-drying and vacuum-drying) and storage conditions (−18 and 50 °C for 1 and 3 months). A powerful high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to DAD and electrospray-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-TOF-MS) method has been applied for the separation, identification, and quantification of 19 phenolic compounds and 4 organic acids. To our knowledge, two hydroxycinnamic acids have been identified for the first time in lemon. Folin–Ciocalteu was applied to determine total phenolic compounds and TEAC, FRAP, and ORAC were applied to determine the antioxidant capacity of lemon. Total phenolic content significantly differed in the samples analysed, vacuum-dried lemon showing the highest phenolic content, followed by freeze-dried lemon and, finally, vacuum-dried lemon stored at 50 °C for 1 and 3 months. The content in furanic compounds was determined to evaluate the heat damage in lemon and it was showed an increase with the thermal treatment because of the triggering of Maillard reaction. As exception of ORAC, antioxidant-capacity assays were not correlated to phenolic content by HPLC due to the formation of antioxidant compounds during Maillard reaction.     

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.     

Effects induced by the nodulation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on Glycine max (soybean) metabolism and antioxidant potential

This study was conducted in order to assess the effect of the inoculation of Glycine max (soybean) with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on the metabolite profile and antioxidant potential of its aerial parts. Extracts containing phenolic compounds and organic acids were analysed by HPLC–DAD and HPLC–UV, respectively. Volatiles profile was determined by HS-SPME/GC–IT-MS. The antioxidant activity of acidic and methanolic extracts was assessed against DPPH. Nodulation caused by B. japonicum led to an increase in the contents of phenolic compounds and organic acids. The same was observed for volatile compounds, with compounds like linalyl acetate, menthyl acetate and α-farnesene being detected only in inoculated plants. The phenolic extracts showed stronger antioxidant capacity than the organic acid extracts. In addition, extracts from plants nodulated with B. japonicum exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than control samples. These findings suggest that the inoculation with nodulating B. japonicum strains may be employed to manipulate the content of interesting metabolites in G. max aerial parts.