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12 pages, 1686 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Citrusnobilis Peel Methanolic Extract for Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

by Anjali Malik, Agnieszka Najda, Aarti Bains, Renata Nurzyńska-Wierdak and Prince Chawla

Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4310; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144310 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4386

Abstract

Currently, the potential utilization of fruits and vegetable waste as a source of micronutrients and antioxidants has increased. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus nobilis peel extract. A modified solvent evaporation technique was employed for [...] Read more.

Currently, the potential utilization of fruits and vegetable waste as a source of micronutrients and antioxidants has increased. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus nobilis peel extract. A modified solvent evaporation technique was employed for peel extract preparation. For effective utilization of the natural product, quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy technique. Phenolic and flavonoids were present in high amounts, while β-carotene and lycopene were present in vestigial amounts. The antimicrobial efficiency of peel extract was evaluated against four bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 3160), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 3384), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2295), and Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC 1254), and one fungal strain Candida albicans (MTCC 183), and zone of inhibition was comparable to the positive control streptomycin and amphotericin B, respectively. The extract of Citrus nobilis peels showed effective anti-inflammatory activity during human red blood cell membrane stabilization (HRBC) and albumin denaturation assay. The extracts also exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity ranging from 53.46 to 81.13%. Therefore, the obtained results suggest that Citrus nobilis peel could be used as an excellent source of polyphenols and transformed into value-added products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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16 pages, 1556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantification of Major Bioactive Constituents, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Effects of Whole Coffee Cherries (Coffea arabica) and Their Extracts

by Boris Nemzer, Diganta Kalita and Nebiyu Abshiru

Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4306; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144306 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4440

Abstract

Coffee cherry is a rich source of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and caffeine. In this study we examined the potential antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory effects of whole coffee cherries (WCC) and their two extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, which are [...] Read more.

Coffee cherry is a rich source of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and caffeine. In this study we examined the potential antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory effects of whole coffee cherries (WCC) and their two extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, which are targets for the control of diabetes and Alzheimer’s diseases. Whole coffee cherry extract 40% (WCCE1) is rich in chlorogenic acid compounds, consisting of a minimum of 40% major isomers, namely 3-caffeoylquinic acids, 4-caffeoylquinic acids, 5-caffeoylquinic acids, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4-feruloylquinc acid, and 5-feruloylquinc acid. Whole coffee cherry extract 70% (WCCE2) is rich in caffeine, with a minimum of 70%. WCCE1 inhibited the activities of digestive enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and WCCE2 inhibited acetylcholinesterase activities with their IC₅₀ values of 1.74, 2.42, and 0.09 mg/mL, respectively. Multiple antioxidant assays—including DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, HORAC, NORAC, and SORAC—demonstrated that WCCE1 has strong antioxidant activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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22 pages, 1177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Essential Oil of Cannabis sativa L: Comparison of Yield and Chemical Composition of 11 Hemp Genotypes

by Ylenia Pieracci, Roberta Ascrizzi, Valentina Terreni, Luisa Pistelli, Guido Flamini, Laura Bassolino, Flavia Fulvio, Massimo Montanari and Roberta Paris

Molecules 2021, 26(13), 4080; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26134080 - 3 Jul 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 5504

Abstract

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual species cultivated since antiquity for different purposes. While, in the past, hemp inflorescences were considered crop residues, at present, they are regarded as valuable raw materials with different applications, among which extraction of the essential oil (EO) [...] Read more.

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual species cultivated since antiquity for different purposes. While, in the past, hemp inflorescences were considered crop residues, at present, they are regarded as valuable raw materials with different applications, among which extraction of the essential oil (EO) has gained increasing interest in many fields. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of the yield and the chemical composition of the EO obtained by hydrodistillation from eleven hemp genotypes, cultivated in the same location for two consecutive growing seasons. The composition of the EOs was analyzed by GC–MS, and then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Sesquiterpenes represented the main class of compounds in all the EOs, both in their hydrocarbon and oxygenated forms, with relative abundances ranging from 47.1 to 78.5%; the only exception was the Felina 32 sample collected in 2019, in which cannabinoids predominated. Cannabinoids were the second most abundant class of compounds, of which cannabidiol was the main one, with relative abundances between 11.8 and 51.5%. The statistical distribution of the samples, performed on the complete chemical composition of the EOs, evidenced a partition based on the year of cultivation, rather than on the genotype, with the exception of Uso-31. Regarding the extraction yield, a significant variation was evidenced among both the genotypes and the years of cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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17 pages, 3538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Olive Oil with Ozone-Modified Properties and Its Application

by Marta Radzimierska-Kaźmierczak, Krzysztof Śmigielski, Magdalena Sikora, Adriana Nowak, Aleksandra Plucińska, Alina Kunicka-Styczyńska and Karolina H. Czarnecka-Chrebelska

Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3074; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113074 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5784

Abstract

Olive oil application in the cosmetic industry may be extended by its ozonation, bringing about new oil properties and increased stability. Olive oil treated with 0.04 mole O₃ or 0.10 mole O₃ per 100 g oil was subjected to chemical parameters [...] Read more.

Olive oil application in the cosmetic industry may be extended by its ozonation, bringing about new oil properties and increased stability. Olive oil treated with 0.04 mole O₃ or 0.10 mole O₃ per 100 g oil was subjected to chemical parameters evaluation and composition scrutinizing by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) GC-MS analysis. The biological activity of refined and ozonated oil included their antimicrobial properties by the agar diffusion method and cytotoxicity by the MTT assay towards two normal (LLC-PK1, HaCaT) and two cancerous (Caco-2, HeLa) cell lines. The oils served as the basis in cosmetic emulsions. The chosen organoleptic features, preservative efficacy in a challenge test, and persistency during six months of these formulations were assessed. However, the ozonation of the olive oil resulted in a decrease in unsaturated acids; several additional compounds were detected in the ozonated oil, which positively affect the physicochemical, sensory, and functional properties of cosmetic emulsions. Emulsions based on the ozonated olive oil retain their properties longer compared to emulsions based on the refined olive oil. Ozonated oil treated with 0.10 mole O₃/100 g oil allowed increasing the shelf life of the non-preserved formulation up to six months. A weak inhibitory effect against Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis was also demonstrated for this emulsion in the challenge test. Moreover, an interesting aroma, slightly enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, C. albicans, A. brasiliensis, and a lack of cytotoxicity at concentrations 625 µg mL⁻¹ make the ozonated olive oil a promising raw material for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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25 pages, 3621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Plant Extract from Dry Flowers as Functional Dyes for Cosmetic Products

by Tomasz Bujak, Martyna Zagórska-Dziok, Aleksandra Ziemlewska, Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska, Tomasz Wasilewski and Zofia Hordyjewicz-Baran

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2809; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092809 - 10 May 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5754

Abstract

Nowadays, natural dyes are expected by the cosmetic and food industries. In contrast to synthetic dyes, colorants derived from natural sources are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health. In this work, plant extracts from Gomphrena globasa L., Clitoria ternatea L., Carthamus [...] Read more.

Nowadays, natural dyes are expected by the cosmetic and food industries. In contrast to synthetic dyes, colorants derived from natural sources are more environmentally friendly and safer for human health. In this work, plant extracts from Gomphrena globasa L., Clitoria ternatea L., Carthamus tinctorius L., Punica granatum L. and Papaver rhoeas L. as the natural and functional dyes for the cosmetics industry were assessed. Cytotoxicity on keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines was determined as well as antioxidant and anti-aging properties by determining their ability to inhibit the activity of collagenase and elastase enzymes. In addition, the composition of the extracts was determined. The obtained extracts were also applied in face cream formulation and color analyses were performed. It has been shown that the obtained extracts were characterized by no cytotoxicity and a high antioxidant potential. The extracts also show strong ability to inhibit the activity of collagenase and moderate ability to inhibit elastase and provide effective and long-lasting hydration after their application on the skin. Application analyses showed that the extracts of P. rhoeas L., C. ternatea L. and C. tinctorius L. can be used as effective cosmetic dyes that allow for attainment of an intense and stable color during the storage of the product. The extracts of P. granatum L. and G. globasa L., despite their beneficial effects as active ingredients, did not work effectively as cosmetic dyes, because cosmetic emulsions with these extracts did not differ significantly in color from emulsions without the extract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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32 pages, 3468 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

by Giuseppe Squillaci, Carla Zannella, Virginia Carbone, Paola Minasi, Veronica Folliero, Debora Stelitano, Francesco La Cara, Massimiliano Galdiero, Gianluigi Franci and Alessandra Morana

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2746; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092746 - 7 May 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2867

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in grape cane extracts from typical cultivars of Southern Italy. Aqueous extracts at different pHs (1–13) were prepared from “Aglianico”, “Fiano”, and “Greco” grape canes. The results [...] Read more.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in grape cane extracts from typical cultivars of Southern Italy. Aqueous extracts at different pHs (1–13) were prepared from “Aglianico”, “Fiano”, and “Greco” grape canes. The results demonstrated that an alkaline pH (13.00) produced the best polyphenol-rich extracts, as the total phenolic content was more than double when compared to the respective extracts prepared at pH 1.00. “Greco” grape canes gave the highest quantity of phenolic compounds at each pH, ranging from 42.7 ± 0.4 to 104.3 ± 3.0 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g Dry Extract (DE) from pH 1.00 to 13.00. The Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA) and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were measured. The highest antioxidant activity was showed by “Greco” extract at pH 7.00. Seventy-five compounds were identified in the extracts by HPLC-MS with six of them described for the first time in grape canes. Procyanidins were highly abundant in extracts at pH 7.00, whereas stilbenoids were the most represented compounds at pH 13.00. Very strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses was recorded for the extracts at pH 7.00 and 13.00 that were active in the early stages of infection by acting directly against the viral particles. The overall results suggest that grape canes, currently underutilized, can be usefully valorised by providing active extracts to use as antioxidant and antiviral agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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15 pages, 1492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pressurized-Liquid Extraction as an Efficient Method for Valorization of Thymus serpyllum Herbal Dust towards Sustainable Production of Antioxidants

by Živan Mrkonjić, Dušan Rakić, Muammer Kaplan, Nemanja Teslić, Zoran Zeković and Branimir Pavlić

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2548; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092548 - 27 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2753

Abstract

The aim of this study was to valorize Thymus serpyllum herbal dust, a particular fraction distinguished as an industrial waste from filter-tea production. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used with the aim of overcoming certain obstacles of conventional extraction techniques in terms of [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to valorize Thymus serpyllum herbal dust, a particular fraction distinguished as an industrial waste from filter-tea production. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used with the aim of overcoming certain obstacles of conventional extraction techniques in terms of shortening extraction time, reducing solvent consumption and energy costs, using “green” solvents and obtaining high yield and quality products. In order to optimize PLE of T. serpyllum herbal dust, the preliminary screening of the independent variables in order to define the most influential parameters and their domain was done first. After the screening, the optimization study using the face-centered central composite experimental design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM) was implemented. Additionally, taking into account the high awareness of the positive influence of antioxidants on the human health and associating it with high content of polyphenolic compounds in various members of Lamiaceae family, PLE has proven to be a great approach for antioxidants recovery from T. serpyllum herbal dust. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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13 pages, 1088 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction and Natural Bioactive Molecules Characterization in Spinach, Kale and Purslane: A Comparative Study

by Boris Nemzer, Fadwa Al-Taher and Nebiyu Abshiru

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2515; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092515 - 26 Apr 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7022

Abstract

Leafy green vegetables contain essential nutrients and are frequently consumed for their perceived health benefits. The purpose of this study was to profile the nutritional and natural bioactive phytochemical compounds extracted from freeze-dried spinach and kale and compare them with our previously published [...] Read more.

Leafy green vegetables contain essential nutrients and are frequently consumed for their perceived health benefits. The purpose of this study was to profile the nutritional and natural bioactive phytochemical compounds extracted from freeze-dried spinach and kale and compare them with our previously published freeze-dried purslane results. Novel research suggests that these leafy greens contain an abundance of fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. LC-MS/MS screening identified 69 and 103 compounds in spinach and kale, respectively, including flavonoids, glucosinolates, and phenolic and organic acids. Out of a total of 26 flavonoids identified in the current study, only three were found in spinach. All three leafy greens showed nutritional and health benefits and the unique phytochemical compounds found only in purslane provide a strong basis to incorporate its distinct dietary benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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7 pages, 599 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Sugar Containing Compounds and Biological Activities of Lagochilus setulosus

by Davlat Kh. Akramov, Nilufar Z. Mamadalieva, Andrea Porzel, Hidayat Hussain, Mthandazo Dube, Akbar Akhmedov, Ahmed E. Altyar, Mohamed L. Ashour and Ludger A. Wessjohann

Molecules 2021, 26(6), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061755 - 21 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3040

Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Lagochilus setulosus (Lamiaceae) afforded the new compound 1-methoxy-3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-α-l-oliose (1) together with five known glycosides, namely sitosterol-3-O-β-glucoside (2), [...] Read more.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Lagochilus setulosus (Lamiaceae) afforded the new compound 1-methoxy-3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-α-l-oliose (1) together with five known glycosides, namely sitosterol-3-O-β-glucoside (2), stigmasterol-3-O-β-glucoside (3), pinitol (4), 6β-hydroxyl-7-epi-loganin (5), and chlorotuberoside (6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, especially HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract and the isolated compounds was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and crystal violet (CV) staining assays. In addition, the antifungal activities of the components were evaluated against Botrytis cinerea, Septoria tritici, and Phytophthora infestans. The anthelmintic potential was determined against Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. Neither the extract nor the isolated compounds showed promising activity in all the bioassays. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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15 pages, 1210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Extraction Solvent on the Phenolic Profile and Bioactivity of Two Achillea Species

by Dominika Kaczorová, Erna Karalija, Sabina Dahija, Renata Bešta-Gajević, Adisa Parić and Sanja Ćavar Zeljković

Molecules 2021, 26(6), 1601; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061601 - 13 Mar 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 3462

Abstract

The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly investigated Achillea species, Achillea lingulata Waldst. and the endemic Achillea abrotanoides Vis., were studied. To obtain a more detailed phytochemical profile, four solvents with different polarities were used for [...] Read more.

The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly investigated Achillea species, Achillea lingulata Waldst. and the endemic Achillea abrotanoides Vis., were studied. To obtain a more detailed phytochemical profile, four solvents with different polarities were used for the preparation of the plant extracts whose phenolic composition was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The results indicate that both of the investigated Achillea species are very rich in both phenolic acids and flavonoids, but that their profiles differ significantly. Chloroform extracts from both species had the highest yields and were the most chemically versatile. The majority of the examined extracts showed antimicrobial activity, while ethanolic extracts from both species were potent against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. It was found that the ethanolic extracts possessed the strongest antioxidant activities, although these extracts did not contain the highest amounts of detected phenolic compounds. In addition, several representatives of phenolic compounds were also assayed for these biological activities. Results suggest that ethanol is a sufficient solvent for the isolation of biologically active compounds from both Achillea species. Moreover, it was shown that the flavonoids naringenin and morin are mainly responsible for these antimicrobial activities, while caffeic, salicylic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, and rosmarinic acid are responsible for the antioxidant activities of the Achillea extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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15 pages, 3361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Root Extracts of Two Cultivars of Paeonia Species: Lipid Composition and Biological Effects on Different Cell Lines: Preliminary Results

by Natalia Calonghi, Giovanna Farruggia, Carla Boga, Gabriele Micheletti, Elena Fini, Lucia Romani, Dario Telese, Erika Faraci, Christian Bergamini, Stefano Cerini and Nicola Rizzardi

Molecules 2021, 26(3), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030655 - 27 Jan 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3467

Abstract

The roots of two cultivars of Paeonia, namely Paeonia officinalis “Rubra Plena” and Paeonia “Pink Hawaiian Coral”, have been extracted with chloroform. The composition of the lipid fraction, analyzed by GC–MS technique, revealed the absence of paeonol and the presence of phenol, [...] Read more.

The roots of two cultivars of Paeonia, namely Paeonia officinalis “Rubra Plena” and Paeonia “Pink Hawaiian Coral”, have been extracted with chloroform. The composition of the lipid fraction, analyzed by GC–MS technique, revealed the absence of paeonol and the presence of phenol, benzoic acid, fatty acid—and some sterol—derivatives. The chloroformic extracts have been tested on normal and several cancer cell lines but showed antiproliferative activity only on the ovarian carcinoma and the osteosarcoma. The biological activity of extracts was investigated mainly by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and quantum phase imaging. The results indicated that the root extracts induced a hyperpolarization of mitochondria and an increase in reactive oxygen species levels, without inducing cell death. These effects are associated to an increased doubling time and a retarded confluence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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28 pages, 5229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke Essential Oil from Different Regions of Angola

by Nsevolo Samba, Radhia Aitfella-Lahlou, Mpazu Nelo, Lucia Silva, Rui Coca., Pedro Rocha and Jesus Miguel López Rodilla

Molecules 2021, 26(1), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010155 - 31 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5287

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke essential oils (EOs) collected in different regions of Angola. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar wells technique and vapour phase test. Analysis of the [...] Read more.

The purpose of the study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke essential oils (EOs) collected in different regions of Angola. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar wells technique and vapour phase test. Analysis of the oils by GC/MS identified thirty-five components representing 67.5 to 100% of the total oils. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most prevalent compounds, followed by oxygenated monoterpenes. The content of the compounds varied according to the samples. The main components were Limonene, Piperitenone, Neral, Citral, Elemol, p-cymene, Transtagetone, and Artemisia ketone. Only one of the eleven samples contained Verbenone as the majority compound. In the vapour phase test, a single oil was the most effective against all the pathogens studied. The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of components of the selected EOs and inhibition zone diameter values of agar wells technique allowed us to identify a variability between the plants from the two provinces, but also intraspecific variability between sub-groups within a population. Each group of essential oils constituted a chemotype responsible for their bacterial inhibition capacity. The results presented here suggest that Angolan Lippia multiflora Moldenke has antibacterial properties and could be a potential source of antimicrobial agents for the pharmaceutical and food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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18 pages, 1050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agaricus bisporus Crude Extract: Characterization and Analytical Application

by Maria A. Morosanova, Tatyana V. Fedorova, Alexandra S. Polyakova and Elena I. Morosanova

Molecules 2020, 25(24), 5996; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245996 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3095

Abstract

In the present work crude Agaricus bisporus extract (ABE) has been prepared and characterized by its tyrosinase activity, protein composition and substrate specificity. The presence of mushroom tyrosinase (PPO3) in ABE has been confirmed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, followed by MALDI TOF/TOF MS-based analysis. [...] Read more.

In the present work crude Agaricus bisporus extract (ABE) has been prepared and characterized by its tyrosinase activity, protein composition and substrate specificity. The presence of mushroom tyrosinase (PPO3) in ABE has been confirmed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, followed by MALDI TOF/TOF MS-based analysis. GH27 alpha-glucosidases, GH47 alpha-mannosidases, GH20 hexosaminidases, and alkaline phosphatases have been also detected in ABE. ABE substrate specificity has been studied using 19 phenolic compounds: polyphenols (catechol, gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids, quercetin, rutin, dihydroquercetin, l-dihydroxyphenylalanine, resorcinol, propyl gallate) and monophenols (l-tyrosine, phenol, p-nitrophenol, o-nitrophenol, guaiacol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol). The comparison of ABE substrate specificity and affinity to the corresponding parameters of purified A. bisporus tyrosinase has revealed no major differences. The conditions for spectrophotometric determination have been chosen and the analytical procedures for determination of 1.4 × 10⁻⁴–1.0 × 10⁻³ M l-tyrosine, 3.1 × 10⁻⁶–1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M phenol, 5.4 × 10⁻⁵–1.0 × 10⁻³ M catechol, 8.5 × 10⁻⁵–1.0 × 10⁻³ M caffeic acid, 1.5 × 10⁻⁴–7.5 × 10⁻⁴ M chlorogenic acid, 6.8 × 10⁻⁵–1.0 × 10⁻³ M l-DOPA have been proposed. The procedures have been applied for the determination of l-tyrosine in food supplements, l-DOPA in synthetic serum, and phenol in waste water from the food manufacturing plant. Thus, we have demonstrated the possibility of using ABE as a substitute for tyrosinase in such analytical applications, as food supplements, medical and environmental analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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15 pages, 3532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction of Inulin from Andean Plants: An Approach to Non-Traditional Crops of Ecuador

by Freddy R. Escobar-Ledesma, Vanessa E. Sánchez-Moreno, Edwin Vera, Valerian Ciobotă, Paul Vargas Jentzsch and Lorena I. Jaramillo

Molecules 2020, 25(21), 5067; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215067 - 1 Nov 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4228

Abstract

Inulin is a polysaccharide of fructose widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry due to its physicochemical properties and technological applications. Inulin from jicama (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and cabuya (Agave americana) was obtained. The steps for inulin obtention were: [...] Read more.

Inulin is a polysaccharide of fructose widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry due to its physicochemical properties and technological applications. Inulin from jicama (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and cabuya (Agave americana) was obtained. The steps for inulin obtention were: raw material preparation, extraction and purification. The extraction conditions were determined using a random design with three levels of stirring speed (0, 130 and 300 rpm), and a 3² factorial experimental design with three levels of temperature (40, 60 and 80 °C) and solid:liquid ratio (1:2, 1:3 and 1:5 S:L). The results showed that the best extractions conditions for jicama were 130 rpm, 75 °C, 1:5 S:L and 25 min; while for cabuya were 80 °C, 300 rpm, 1:5 S-L and 100 min. The weight average molecular weight of inulin from jicama and cabuya were 5799.9 and 4659.75 g/mol, respectively. The identity of the obtained inulin from jicama and cabuya were confirmed by infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analyses were performed to characterize both inulins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 1814 KiB

Open AccessReview

Propolis Extract and Its Bioactive Compounds—From Traditional to Modern Extraction Technologies

by Jelena Šuran, Ivica Cepanec, Tomislav Mašek, Božo Radić, Saša Radić, Ivana Tlak Gajger and Josipa Vlainić

Molecules 2021, 26(10), 2930; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26102930 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 82 | Viewed by 9223

Abstract

Propolis is a honeybee product known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. It is rich in bioactive molecules whose content varies depending on the botanical and geographical origin of propolis. These bioactive molecules have been studied individually and as a part [...] Read more.

Propolis is a honeybee product known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. It is rich in bioactive molecules whose content varies depending on the botanical and geographical origin of propolis. These bioactive molecules have been studied individually and as a part of propolis extracts, as they can be used as representative markers for propolis standardization. Here, we compare the pharmacological effects of representative polyphenols and whole propolis extracts. Based on the literature data, polyphenols and extracts act by suppressing similar targets, from pro-inflammatory TNF/NF-κB to the pro-proliferative MAPK/ERK pathway. In addition, they activate similar antioxidant mechanisms of action, like Nrf2-ARE intracellular antioxidant pathway, and they all have antimicrobial activity. These similarities do not imply that we should attribute the action of propolis solely to the most representative compounds. Moreover, its pharmacological effects will depend on the efficacy of these compounds’ extraction. Thus, we also give an overview of different propolis extraction technologies, from traditional to modern ones, which are environmentally friendlier. These technologies belong to an open research area that needs further effective solutions in terms of well-standardized liquid and solid extracts, which would be reliable in their pharmacological effects, environmentally friendly, and sustainable for production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources)

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Extraction, Characterization, and Potential Applications of Bioactive Molecules from Natural Sources

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