Polylactic Acid Film Coated with Electrospun Gelatin/Chitosan Nanofibers Containing Betel Leaf Ethanolic Extract: Properties,Bioactivities, and Use for Shelf-Life Extension of Tilapia Slices

Gelatin/chitosan solutions incorporated with betel leaf ethanolic extract (BLEE) at varying concentrations were electrospun on polylactic acid (PLA) films. Nanofibers with different morphologies, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were formed after solutions of gelatin/chitosan with and without BLEE were electrospun on PLA films at a constant voltage (25 kV) and a feed rate of 0.4 mL/h. Beaded gelatin/chitosan nanofibers (GC/NF) were found, particularly when high concentrations of BLEE were encapsulated. PLA films coated with GC/NF, and with BLEE added, showed antioxidant and antibacterial activities, which were augmented by increasing BLEE concentrations. Lower water vapor permeability and enhanced mechanical properties were achieved for GC/NF-coated PLA film (p < 0.05). Microbial growth and lipid oxidation of Nile tilapia slices packaged in PLA film coated with GC/NF containing 2% BLEE were more retarded than those packaged in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags over refrigerated storage of 12 days. Based on microbial limits, the shelf-life was escalated to 9 days, while the control had a shelf-life of 3 days. Therefore, such a novel film/bag could be a promising active packaging for foods.     

Assessment of Cucurbita spp. Peel Extracts as Potential Sources of Active Substances for Skin Care and Dermatology

By-products of cultivated plants are one of the major environmental concerns worldwide. Due to the high concentration of bioactive chemicals, such waste may be considered hazardous due to the interference with the plant growth, deterioration of the drinking water quality or toxic effects on sensitive marine organisms. Moreover, plant-derived by-products, with proper handling, may represent a low-cost source of bioactive compounds potentially important for pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, the influence of tyrosinase activity, in vitro sun protecting factor and cytotoxicity of 15 extracts from peels of five cultivars of Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata. The extracts were prepared using “green solvents” (water, 50% propylene glycol, and 20% ethanol) and ultrasound-assisted extraction. The performed analysis showed that the peel extracts from various cultivars differ significantly in respect to the phytochemical content and activity. The type of solvent also had a significant impact on the extract’s composition and bioactivity. Aqueous peel extracts contained the highest amounts of flavonoids, showed the greatest antioxidant potential and the most significant in vitro SPF values. In vitro studies showed that the analyzed peel extracts are not cytotoxic for human keratinocytes up to the concentration of 1000 µg/mL and thus might be considered as non-irritant for the skin. The study confirms the potential application of peel extracts from Cucurbita spp. cultivars in cosmetic products.     

Enhancing Bioactive Saponin Content of Raphanus sativus Extract by Thermal Processing at Various Conditions

Pickled radish (Raphanus sativus) is a traditional Asian ingredient, but the traditional method takes decades to make this product. To optimize such a process, this study compared the saponin content of pickled radishes with different thermal processing and traditional processes (production time of 7 days, 10 years, and 20 years) and evaluated the effects of different thermal processes on the formation of radish saponin through kinetics study and mass spectrometry. The results showed that increasing the pickling time enhanced the formation of saponin in commercial pickled radishes (25 °C, 7 days, 6.50 ± 1.46 mg g⁻¹; 3650 days, 23.11 ± 1.22 mg g⁻¹), but these increases were lower than those induced by thermal processing (70 °C 30 days 24.24 ± 1.01 mg g⁻¹). However, it was found that the pickling time of more than 10 years and the processing temperature of more than 80 °C reduce the saponin content. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the major saponin in untreated radish was Tupistroside G, whereas treated samples contained Asparagoside A and Timosaponin A1. Moreover, this study elucidated the chemical structure of saponins in TPR. The findings indicated that thermal treatment could induce functional saponin conversion in plants, and such a mechanism can also be used to improve the health efficacy of plant-based crops.     

By-Product of the Red Ginseng Manufacturing Process as Potential Material for Use as Cosmetics: Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant and Whitening Activities

Red ginseng (RG), which is obtained from heated Panax ginseng and is produced by steaming followed by drying, is a valuable herb in Asian countries. Steamed ginseng dew (SGD) is a by-product produced in processing red ginseng. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. Additionally, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ·OH, and ABTS scavenging ability) and whitening activities (tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activity) were analyzed. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 66 and 28 compounds that were non-saponin components in chloroform extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-CE and SGD-CE), respectively. Meanwhile, there were 20 ginsenosides identified in n-butanol extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-NBE and SGD-NBE). By comparing the different polar extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew, it was found that the ethyl acetate extract of red ginseng (RG-EAE) had the best antioxidant capacity and whitening effect, the water extract of steamed ginseng dew (SGD-WE) had stronger antioxidant capacity, and the SGD-NBE and SGD-CE had a better whitening effect. This study shows that RG and SGD have tremendous potential to be used in the cosmetic industries.     

In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Methanolic Extract of Justicia adhatoda Leaves with Special Emphasis on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Natural products are being targeted as alternative anticancer agents due to their non-toxic and safe nature. The present study was conducted to explore the in vitro anticancer potential of Justicia adhatoda (J. adhatoda) leaf extract. The methanolic leaf extract was prepared, and the phytochemicals and antioxidant potential were determined by LCMS analysis and DPPH radical scavenging assay, respectively. A docking study performed with five major alkaloidal phytoconstituents showed that they had a good binding affinity towards the active site of NF-κB. Cell viability assay was carried out in five different cell lines, and the extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line. Extract-treated cells showed a significant increase in nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Cell cycle analysis showed an arrest in cell growth at the Sub-G0 phase. The extract successfully inhibited cell migration and colony formation and altered mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were also found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. The expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and cleaved-PARP were increased in extract-treated cells. An increase in the expression of NF-κB was found in the cytoplasm in extract-treated cells. J. adhatoda leaf extract showed a potential anticancer effect in MCF-7 cells.     

基于超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱的多肽组学技术用于人参不同部位多肽的差异分析

采用基于超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱的多肽组学技术对人参主根、支根、须根和芦头的多肽谱进行全面分析，旨在评价人参不同形态区域多肽表达的异同。本研究共表征62个数据库中已收录的人参多肽。结果表明，人参不同部位均富含多肽类成分。多肽组学研究发现，人参主根和支根、芦头与须根之间多肽含量具有显著差异，从鉴定到的多肽中共发现25个稳定表达的已知潜在多肽标志物。其中多肽种类及含量在主根与其他部位间差异最显著，为主根与非主根药效差异研究提供了新思路。本研究揭示了人参多肽结构多样性及人参不同部位人参多肽表达的异同，对人参化学特征评价具有重要意义，为人参质量控制和合理应用提供了化学依据。     

Health Beneficial Properties of Grapevine Seed Extract and Its Influence on Selected Biochemical Markers in the Blood,Liver and Kidneys of Rattus norvegicus

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that occurs in all areas of the environment, including the food chain. In the body, it causes oxidative stress by producing free radicals that are harmful to the cells. Grape seed extract (GSE) contains a wide range of biologically active components that help to neutralize the adverse effects of free radicals. In this study, the effects of GSE prepared form semi-resistant grapevine cultivar Cerason, which is rich in phenolics, on biochemical markers of brown rats exposed to the effects of cadmium were monitored. GSE increased the plasma antioxidant activity and, in the kidneys and the liver, Cd content was significantly lowered by GSE co-administration. Accordingly, the increase in creatinine content and alanine aminotransferase activity and the decrease of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities caused by cadmium were slowed down by GSE co-administration. The results of this work reveal that grape seed extract offers a protective effect against the intake of heavy metals into the organism.     

Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Licorice Root Extract Potentially Contribute to Improving Growth,Bulb Quality and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa)

The increasing culinary use of onion (Alium cepa) raises pressure on the current production rate, demanding sustainable approaches for increasing its productivity worldwide. Here, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) in improving growth, yield, nutritional status, and antioxidant properties of two high-yielding onion cultivars, Shandaweel and Giza 20, growing under field conditions in two consecutive years. Our results revealed that pretreatments of both onion cultivars with LRE exhibited improved growth indices (plant height and number of leaves) and yield-related features (bulb length, bulb diameter, and bulb weight) in comparison with the corresponding LRE-devoid control plants. Pretreatments with LRE also improved the nutritional and antioxidant properties of bulbs of both cultivars, which was linked to improved mineral (e.g., K⁺ and Ca²⁺) acquisition, and heightened activities of enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase) and increased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, phenolics, and flavonoids). LRE also elevated the contents of proline, total free amino acids, total soluble carbohydrates, and water-soluble proteins in both onion bulbs. In general, both cultivars displayed positive responses to LRE pretreatments; however, the Shandaweel cultivar performed better than the Giza 20 cultivar in terms of yield and, to some extent, bulb quality. Collectively, our findings suggest that the application of LRE as biostimulant might be an effective strategy to enhance bulb quality and ultimately the productivity of onion cultivars under field conditions.     

FTIR结合化学计量学对三七地下部位鉴别及皂苷含量预测

当今中药市场上掺假现象屡见不鲜，不良商贩利用三七须根粉末假冒主根和剪口粉末，严重影响三七的质量与药效。通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)结合化学计量学建立三七主根、剪口和须根粉末鉴别及四种皂苷含量快速预测模型，为快速三七质量控制提供基础。采集三七主根、剪口和须根红外光谱，超高效液相色谱(UPLC)测量样品中三七皂苷R₁、人参皂苷Rg₁、人参皂苷Rb₁和人参皂苷Rd含量。采用纵坐标归一化及二阶导数对原始红外光谱进行预处理；Kennard-stone算法将60个样本分为2/3训练集与1/3预测集。训练集数据结合支持向量机(SVM)判别建立三七主根、剪口和须根粉末鉴别模型，最佳核函数c和g采用交叉验证进行网格式搜索，预测集数据用于对判别模型进行外部验证。正交信号校正偏最小二乘回归(OSC-PLSR)建立三七中四种皂苷含量预测模型，红外光谱采用一阶、二阶导数及Savitsky-Golay平滑5点、7点、9点、11点预处理。60个样本分为2/3训练集与1/3预测集，训练集数据建立OSC-PLSR模型，预测集数据对OSC-PLSR模型的预测结果进行外部验证。结果显示： (1)二阶导数可有效的分离原始谱图的叠合隐蔽谱峰，并提高谱图的分辨率；(2)交叉验证网格式搜索计算出最佳核函数c=2.828 43，g=4.882 81×10-4，此时训练集判别正确率为100%；(3)SVM判别模型核函数设置为最佳核函数，预测集数据外部验证正确率为100%，所有样本均被正确鉴别；(4)三七皂苷R₁、人参皂苷Rg₁、人参皂苷Rb₁和人参皂苷Rd最优含量预测模型预测值与UPLC检测值接近，预测效果良好。FTIR结合SVM判别能对三七主根、剪口和须根粉末快速鉴别，结合OSC-PLSR能对四种皂苷含量进行准确预测。该方法准确可靠，可为中药材三七提供快速有效的质量控制。     

Determination of power-time curves of Staphylococcus aureus growth and study of promoter action of a ginseng

The powervs. time curves ofStaphylococcus aureus were determined by using a 2277 Thermal Activity Monitor (Sweden). By means of a new model of microorganism growth, the growth rate constants at different concentrations of ginseng and the minimum concentration were calculated from these curves.