Evaluation of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Pulps for the Removal of Copper(II) Ions: Kinetic,Equilibrium, and Desorption Studies

Pomegranate pulp has been used as novel adsorbent for removing Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. The optimum conditions for removal of Cu(II) ions were found to be pH 5.32, biosorbent dose 0.1 g, contact time 120 minutes, initial concentration 50 mg/L, and temperature 30°C. The kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. The biosorption process agreed with the Langmuir isotherm model. Maximum monolayer biosorption capacity was 7.30 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the biosorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. Desorption studies were carried out with different desorbing agents.      

Characterizations of Six Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Varieties of Global Commercial Interest in Morocco: Pomological,Organoleptic, Chemical and Biochemical Studies

Pomegranate variety properties are important not only to demonstrate their diversity but also to satisfy the current market need for high-quality fruits. This study aims to characterize pomological and physico-chemical features as well as the antioxidant capacity of Moroccan local cultivars (Djeibi, Mersi, Sefri 1 and Sefri 2) compared to the imported ones (Mollar de Elche and Hicaz). The pomological characteristics of varieties were relatively diverse. The juice varieties (PJ) displayed a marketed variability in organoleptic and quality properties, such as the flavor, juice yield, and micro/macronutrients contents. Interrelationships among the analyzed properties and PJ varieties were investigated by principal component analysis (PCA). Dimension of the data set was reduced to two components by PCA accounting for 64.53% of the variability observed. The rinds varieties (PR) were studied for their total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins quantifications. PR varieties extracts exhibited different levels of free radical scavenging activity and local varieties revealed a greater potential with stability over time. The HPLC-DAD analyses of PR extracts revealed (+) catechin as the major compound, where the highest content was found for the local varieties. The SEC analysis showed the molecular weight distribution of phenolic compounds with a high size of condensed tannins formed by the polymerization of the catechin monomer. Given these properties, this research provides an easy selection of high-quality fruits as potential candidates for local market needs.     

Standardized Pomegranate (Pomella®) and Red Maple (Maplifa®) Extracts and Their Phenolics Protect Type I Collagen by the Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases,Collagenase, and Collagen Cross-Linking

Phenolics enriched pomegranate fruit (Pomella^®) and red maple leaf (Maplifa^®) extracts and their major phenolic constituents have demonstrated beneficial skin effects through the protection of human skin keratinocytes from oxidative-stress-induced damage. However, their mechanisms of protection of cutaneous collagen are still unclear. Herein, the collagen protective effects of Pomella^® and Maplifa^®, and their major bioactive phytochemicals, namely, punicalagin (PA) and ginnalin A (GA), respectively, were evaluated using enzymatic assays including collagenase, anti-glycation and cell-based models as well as computational methods. The importance of the modulatory effects was validated at the protein level for type I collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) using human-skin-derived keratinocytes. The synergistic collagenase inhibitory effects upon combinations of Pomella^® + Maplifa^® and PA + GA at a combination ratio of 1:2 and 1:1, respectively, were evaluated using their combination index (CI; a well-established assessment of synergism). Pomella^® (50–400 µg/mL), Maplifa^® (100–800 µg/mL), PA (50–400 µM), and GA (50–400 µM) dose-dependently inhibited collagenase activity by 26.3–86.3%, 25.7–94.0%, 26.2–94.0%, and 12.0–98.0%, respectively. The CI of the anti-collagenase activity of Pomella^® and Maplifa^® ranged from 0.53–0.90, while that of PA and GA (12.5/12.5 and 25/25 µM) ranged from 0.66 and 0.69, respectively, suggesting a synergistic inhibitory effect. Interestingly, in the cell-based assays by Western blotting, Pomella^® and Maplifa^® reduced the protein expression levels of collagen degradation enzymes (MMPs), while simultaneously increasing that of type I collagen in epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. This is the first report to show that these extracts exert synergistic collagen protective effects. Taken together, these findings provide molecular insights into the usefulness of Pomella^® and Maplifa^® or their phenolics as bioactive ingredients for skin care products to slow down aging and enhance skin tone.     

Determination of fatty acids in the seeds of Lepidium apetalum Willdenow,Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl,and Draba nemorosa L. by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a charged aerosol detector

Both the contents of fatty acids and the ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids are important parameters for determining the nutritional values of oils. Thus, we herein evaluated the fatty acids present in the seed oils of Lepidium apetalum Willdenow, Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, and Draba nemorosa L. as sources of Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen seeds in Northeast Asian Countries. We developed a method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography using a charged aerosol detector for the quantitative analysis of fatty acids in the seed oils. This technique is less time-consuming than previous methods as derivatization of the oils is not required. Our method was developed though the comparison of a UV detector with a charged aerosol detector, and various stationary phases and gradient programs were tested. In addition, method validation was carried out according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines with respect to linearity, precision, and accuracy. We found that the quantities of unsaturated fatty acids (6.051–282.376?mg/g) were higher than those of saturated fatty acids (0.855–12.548?mg/g) in all plant seed oils. The proposed method is reproducible and convenient, and therefore, is suitable for the quantitative analysis of fatty acids in plant oils.