Optimization of phenolic compound recovery and antioxidant activity of light and dark dried fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties

The optimum conditions for extraction of total phenolic contents (TPC) and for enhancing the antioxidant activity from light and dark dried figs were determined. The effects of the solvent nature (acetone, ethanol, methanol, or water), solvent concentration (20–80%), acetic acid concentration (0–2%), extraction temperature (25–70°C), extraction time (0.5–4 h), sample to solvent ratio (1/25–1/100), and number of extractions (1, 2, and 3) were determined. The TPC was used to identify antioxidant compounds. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to evaluate antioxidant activity. All extraction parameters had significant effects (p<0.05) on the TPC and the antioxidant activities. The best conditions were obtained with double extraction using 60% acetone without acidification, at 40°C for 120 min, and with a 1/75 solid to solvent ratio. These conditions resulted in TPC concentrations of 469.46 (light variety) and 399.79 mg of gallic acid (GAE)/100 g (dark variety), and antioxidant activities of 96.47 and 102.28 mg of GAE/100 g, respectively.     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacities of ten Algerian date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars: A comparative study

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of ten Algerian date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars were investigated. The total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol and condensed tannin contents of the different cultivars were measured using colorimetric methods. Free phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles of the date cultivars were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), while antioxidant capacities were evaluated in vitro using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, ferric reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating ability. The results showed that the cultivars exerted different antioxidant capacities, and had different phenolic acid and flavonoid patterns. Among the tested cultivars, Ghazi, Arechti and Sebt Mira possessed the strongest antioxidant capacities and the highest phenolic contents. Four phenolic acids (gallic, ferulic, coumaric and caffeic acids) and five flavonoids (isoquercetrin, quercetrin, rutin, quercetin and luteolin) were identified and quantified.     

HPLC sugar profiles of Algerian honeys

Sugar profiles of fifty honey samples from different regions of Algeria are analysed by HPLC with pulsed amperometric detection. These samples consisted of 25 multifloral and 25 unifloral honeys. Eleven sugars (two monosaccharides, nine oligosaccharides) are quantified. The mean values of fructose and glucose are in the range 35.99–42.57% and 24.63–35.06%, respectively. These monosaccharides are the main sugars of all honey samples. The sucrose, maltose, isomaltose, turanose and erlose are present nearly in all the samples, while raffinose and melezitose are detected in few samples. Furthermore, trehalose is present only in two samples and none of the samples contain melibiose. Low amounts of melezitose, raffinose and erlose are present in the range of 0.03–2.14%, 0.03–0.35% and 0.01–2.35%, respectively. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) showed that the cumulative variance was approximately 40% and Apiaceae honeys are correctly classified using FDA (Factorial Discriminant Analysis).     

Total absence of protein 4.2 and partial deficiency of band 3 in hereditary spherocytosis

Unlike previously reported cases with total protein 4.2 deficiency due to mutations in the EPB42 gene, we describe a total deficiency in protein 4.2 with normal EPB42 alleles. Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) was observed in a Japanese woman (unsplenectomized) and her daughter (splenectomized). The mother showed a partial deficiency in band 3 and a proportional reduction in protein 4.2. She was heterozygous for a novel allele of the EPB3 gene, allele Okinawa, which contains the two mutations that define the Memphis II polymorphism (K56E, AAG-->GAG, and P854L, CCG-->CTG) and, additionally, the mutation: G714R, GGG-->AGG, located in a highly conserved position of transmembrane segment 9. The latter change was responsible for HS. In trans to allele Okinawa, the daughter displayed allele Fukuoka: G130R, GGA-->AGA, an allele known to alter the binding of protein 4.2 to band 3. The daughter presented with a more pronounced decrease of band 3, and lacked protein 4.2, resulting in aggravated haemolytic features. Although the father was not available for study, heterozygosity for allele Fukuoka has been documented in another individual who showed no clinical or haematological signs, and a normal content of band 3. We suggest that band 3 Okinawa binds virtually all the protein 4.2 in red cell precursors, band 3 Fukuoka being unable to do so, and that the impossibility of band 3 Okinawa incorporation into the membrane leads to degradation of the band 3 Okinawa protein 4.2 complex. In contrast, band 3 Fukuoka, free of bound protein 4.2, could then incorporate normally into the bilayer. Thus, protein 4.2 would not appear in the daughter's red cell membrane.     

Antioxidant activities of some dried fruits consumed in Algeria

Dried fruits such as prune, apricots, raisins and figs are an important source of different antioxidants which can inhibit the harmful effects of the free radicals. They receive increasing attention for their potential role in prevention of human diseases. The aims of our study were the quantification of some antioxidants (carotenoïds, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, flavonoïds and proanthocyanidins) using colorimetric assays and the determination of antioxidant activities by three methods. Three aqueous solvents (distilled water, ethanol and methanol) were used for the extraction of some antioxidants. Apricots and figs had the highest concentration of carotenoïds (10.7 and 10.8 mg βCE/100 g, respectively). Raisins were the richest fruits in total phenolic concentration (1.18 g GAE/100 g) and proanthocyanidins (17.53 mg CE/100 g). Also, figs had the highest concentration of flavonoïds (105.6 mg QE/100 g) and anthocyanins (5.9 mg/100 g). Apricots and raisins possessed a good reducing power, while Agen prune showed significant antioxidant activity to the phosphomolybdate. There were significant correlations between total phenolic concentration and antiradical activity (r = 0.89; p < 0.001) of ethanolic extract and reducing power (r = 0.80; p < 0.01) of aqueous extract.     

Securing MQTT protocol for IoT environment using IDS based on ensemble learning

International Journal of Information Security - Nowadays, the world of the Internet of Things (IoT) enables machines to communicate, collect data, and even make decisions which improve...