Pigments of fungal origin have aroused increasing interest in the food dye and cosmetic industries since the global demand for natural dyes has grown. Endophytic microorganisms are a source of ...bioactive compounds, and Amazonian plant species can harbor fungi with a wide range of biotechnological applications. Popularly known in Brazil as crajiru, Fridericia chica is a medicinal plant that produces a red pigment. In this study, a total of 121 fungi were isolated in potato dextrose agar from three plants. We identified nine pigment-producing endophytic fungi isolated from branches and leaves of F. chica. The isolates that showed pigment production in solid media were molecularly identified via multilocus analysis as Aspergillus welwitschiae, A. sydowii, Curvularia sp., Diaporthe cerradensis (two strains), Hypoxylon investiens, Neoscytalidium sp. (two strains) and Penicillium rubens. These isolates were subjected to submerged fermentation in two culture media to obtain metabolic extracts. The extracts obtained were analyzed in terms of their absorbance between 400 and 700 nm. The pigmented extract produced by H. investiens in medium containing yeast extract showed maximum absorbance in the red absorption range (UAsub.700 = 0.550) and significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. This isolate can thus be considered a new source of extracellular pigment.
(1) Background: Many human diseases are associated with oxidative stress, which is caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals generated in living cells. Some biomass extracts derived from ...various types of plants can act as efficient drugs against pathological disorders related to oxidative stress. Numerous herbal blends have thus been shown to improve health. Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. and L.M.Perry teas have been considered in that way. Problem: Because of amertume, the taste of C. operculatus avoids or limits a large use of such alleged healthy leaf infusions. (2) Methods: The phytochemistry, oxygen, free radical scavenging activity, and antilipid peroxidation of C. operculatus teas were here studied in vitro. Then different mixes of C. operculatus and Mentha arvensis were infused together and tasted in a hedonic test. The chemical and biological properties of the best mix were then analyzed. (3) Results: The herbal blend of C. operculatus revealed significant scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) with ICsub.50 values of 35.6 µg/mL. Induced by hydroxyl radicals, this beverage could significantly inhibit the lipid peroxidation of mouse brain homogenates. Our results demonstrate that the lipid peroxidation inhibition of dried leaves of C. operculatus might be related to its scavenging effects on oxygen free radicals. This C. operculatus bitter blend was then combined with various amounts of M. arvensis Linn. The taste was evaluated, and further biochemical analyses were conducted on the best 7/3 ratio. They showed that the healthy properties were maintained. (4) Conclusion: The optimized 7/3 ratio of the Cleistocalyx/Mentha mix led to the best results in terms of taste (sensory tests). It is demonstrated that the potential health benefits against oxidative stress remained high as compared with pure C. operculatus infusion.
This study investigated the physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of Yanggaeng, a traditional dessert in Far East Asia, treated with a functional additive Corni fructus powder (CF) in ...various concentrations (0% control; CON, 2%, 4%, and 6%). The proximate compositions, physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacities, texture properties, and consumers' preferences of the CF-treated Yanggaeng were assessed. CF-treated Yanggaeng had decreased L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values and increased a* (redness) values and browning index (BI) due to the CF. Moreover, CF-treated Yanggaeng had significantly decreased pH and increased °Brix levels. Similarly, CF addition significantly increased the 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The elevation of the radical scavenging capacities may be due to the abundance of phenolic contents in CF. Furthermore, CF addition significantly changed the textural properties of Yanggaeng, such as increased hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. Notably, 6% CF-treated Yanggaeng significantly attenuated resilience and cohesion compared to the CON. In the consumers' preferences, 2% CF-treated Yanggaeng had similar attributes (i.e., color, scent, flavor, sweetness, taste, overall acceptance, and purchase intention) as the CON, a typical Yanggaeng. Therefore, adding CF, a natural and edible antioxidative ingredient, in Yanggaeng may be acceptable to consumers with a significant alteration of physicochemical properties.
In this research, developed linseed mucilage (M)-based films loaded with E. cardamom (MCA), C. officinalis (MCO), and co-loaded with both compounds (MCACO) were evaluated. The incorporation of the ...active compounds modified the color (redness–greenness, and yellowness); however, the thickness remained constant in all treatments (0.0042–0.0052 mm). In addition, the solubilization time of the films (in artificial saliva) to release the active compounds fluctuates between 9 and 12 min. Furthermore, the incorporation of bioactive compounds increased the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS, respectively), mainly in MCA (inhibition of 81.99 and 95.80%, respectively) and MCACO (inhibition of 47.15% and 39.73%, respectively). In addition, the incorporation of these compounds also decreased the hardness (39.50%–70.81%), deformation (49.16%–78.30%), and fracturability (39.58%–82.95%). On the other hand, it did not modify the adhesiveness, except in MCO. Moreover, SEM micrographs showed a more homogeneous structure in the MCO films among the films that contained CA in the formulation (heterogeneous structure with the presence of protuberances). Finally, due to the previously reported pharmacological properties of E. cardamomun and C. officinalis, the films developed in this study could have an application as a wound dressing in dentistry.
In order to enhance the efficient utilization of polymeric proanthocyanidins from litchi pericarp, a process for transforming litchis’ polymeric proanthocyanidins (LPPCs) by using Lactobacilli has ...been established for products with highly antioxidative properties. Lactobacillus plantarum was selected to enhance the transformation effect. The transformation rate of LPPCs reached 78.36%. The content of litchis’ oligomeric proanthocyanidins (LOPCs) in the products achieved 302.84 μg grape seed proanthocyanidins (GPS)/mg DW, while that of total phenols was 1077.93 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) μg/mg DW. Seven kinds of substances have been identified in the products by using the HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS method, among which 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydroxy-cinnamic acid, and proanthocyanidin A2 were major components. The in vitro antioxidative activity of the products after transformation was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of LOPCs and LPPCs. The scavenging activity of the transformed products for DPPH free radicals was 1.71 times that of LOPCs. The rate of inhibiting conjugated diene hydroperoxides (CD-POV) was 2.0 times that of LPPCs. The scavenging activity of the products for ABTS free radicals was 11.5 times that of LPPCs. The ORAC value of the products was 4.13 times that of LPPCs. In general, this study realizes the transformation of polymeric proanthocyanidins into high-activity small-molecule substances.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of puffing, acid, and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments on the ginsenoside profile and antioxidant capacity of mountain-cultivated ...Panax ginseng (MCPG) before and after treatments. Puffing and HHP treatments decreased extraction yield and increased crude saponin content. The combination of puffing and HHP treatment showed significantly higher crude saponin content than each single treatment. Puffing treatment showed the highest ginsenoside conversion compared with HHP and acid treatments. Significant ginsenoside conversion was not observed in HHP treatment but was in acid treatment. When the puffing and acid treatments were combined, Rg3 and compound K content (1.31 mg and 10.25 mg) was significantly higher than that of the control (0.13 mg and 0.16 mg) and acid treatment (0.27 mg and 0.76 mg). No synergistic effect was observed between acid and HHP treatments. In the case of functional properties, the puffing treatment showed a significant increase in TFC (29.6%), TPC (1072%), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (2132.9%) compared to the control, while acid and HHP combined treatments did not significantly increase; therefore, the synergistic effects of HHP/puffing and acid/puffing treatments were observed in crude saponin content and ginsenoside conversion, respectively. Consequently, puffing combined with acid or HHP treatments may provide new ways to produce high-value-added MCPG with a higher content of Rg3 and compound K or crude saponin compared to untreated MCPG.
El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las propiedades nutricionales y antioxidante del fruto y la hoja del árbol averrhoa carambola cultivado en la zona 4, Ecuador, para lo cual se utilizaron ...métodos biométricos, químicos y bioquímicos para determinar características fenotípicas del fruto y para determinar capacidad y compuestos antioxidantes en el fruto y en las hojas del árbol. La propiedad nutricional de la fruta estuvo evidenciada por el alto contenido de carbohidratos y vitamina C; por lo tanto, los productos derivados de la averrhoa carambola pueden constituir un buen componente nutricional y medicinal en la población humana.
Antioxidants play a vital role in the immunity system. In this three-part article, the chemistry of antioxidants, which plays a pivotal role in nature’s defense strategy, is described. In the first ...part, structural and mechanistic aspects and antioxidant properties of metalloenzymes are presented.
Melatonin is remarkably functionally diverse with actions as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, circadian rhythm regulator, anti‐inflammatory and immunoregulating molecule, and as an ...oncostatic agent. We hypothesize that the initial and primary function of melatonin in photosynthetic cyanobacteria, which appeared on Earth 3.5–3.2 billion years ago, was as an antioxidant. The evolution of melatonin as an antioxidant by this organism was necessary as photosynthesis is associated with the generation of toxic‐free radicals. The other secondary functions of melatonin came about much later in evolution. We also surmise that mitochondria and chloroplasts may be primary sites of melatonin synthesis in all eukaryotic cells that possess these organelles. This prediction is made on the basis that mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotes developed from purple nonsulfur bacteria (which also produce melatonin) and cyanobacteria when they were engulfed by early eukaryotes. Thus, we speculate that the melatonin‐synthesizing actions of the engulfed bacteria were retained when these organelles became mitochondria and chloroplasts, respectively. That mitochondria are likely sites of melatonin formation is supported by the observation that this organelle contains high levels of melatonin that are not impacted by blood melatonin concentrations. Melatonin has a remarkable array of means by which it thwarts oxidative damage. It, as well as its metabolites, is differentially effective in scavenging a variety of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species. Moreover, melatonin and its metabolites modulate a large number of antioxidative and pro‐oxidative enzymes, leading to a reduction in oxidative damage. The actions of melatonin on radical metabolizing/producing enzymes may be mediated by the Keap1‐Nrf2‐ARE pathway. Beyond its direct free radical scavenging and indirect antioxidant effects, melatonin has a variety of physiological and metabolic advantages that may enhance its ability to limit oxidative stress.
