Sea Buckthorn Leaf Powders: The Impact of Cultivar and Drying Mode on Antioxidant,Phytochemical, and Chromatic Profile of Valuable Resource

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. (HR)) leaf powders are the underutilized, promising resource of valuable compounds. Genotype and processing methods are key factors in the preparation of homogenous, stable, and quantified ingredients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenolic, triterpenic, antioxidant profiles, carotenoid and chlorophyll content, and chromatic characteristics of convection-dried and freeze-dried HR leaf powders obtained from ten different female cultivars, namely ‘Avgustinka’, ‘Botaniceskaja Liubitelskaja’, ‘Botaniceskaja’, ‘Hibrid Percika’, ‘Julia’, ‘Nivelena’, ‘Otradnaja’, ‘Podarok Sadu’, ‘Trofimovskaja’, and ‘Vorobjovskaja’. The chromatic characteristics were determined using the CIELAB scale. The phytochemical profiles were determined using HPLC-PDA (high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector) analysis; spectrophotometric assays and antioxidant activities were investigated using ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) assays. The sea buckthorn leaf powders had a yellowish-green appearance. The drying mode had a significant impact on the total antioxidant activity, chlorophyll content, and chromatic characteristics of the samples; the freeze-dried samples were superior in antioxidant activity, chlorophyll, carotenoid content, and chromatic profile, compared to convection-dried leaf powder samples. The determined triterpenic and phenolic profiles strongly depend on the cultivar, and the drying technique had no impact on qualitative and quantitative composition. Catechin, epigallocatechin, procyanidin B3, ursolic acid, α-amyrin, and β-sitosterol could be used as quantitative markers in the phenolic and triterpenic profiles. The cultivars ‘Avgustinka’, ‘Nivelena’, and ‘Botaniceskaja’ were superior to other tested cultivars, with the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity.     

Modern Methods of Pre-Treatment of Plant Material for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds

In this review, recent advances in the methods of pre-treatment of plant material for the extraction of secondary metabolites with high biological activity are presented. The correct preparation of the material for extraction is as important as the selection of the extraction method. This step should prevent the degradation of bioactive compounds as well as the development of fungi and bacteria. Currently, the methods of preparation are expected to modify the particles of the plant material in such a way that will contribute to the release of bioactive compounds loosely bonded to cell wall polymers. This review presents a wide range of methods of preparing plant material, including drying, freeze-drying, convection drying, microwave vacuum drying, enzymatic processes, and fermentation. The influence of the particular methods on the structure of plant material particles, the level of preserved bioactive compounds, and the possibility of their release during the extraction were highlighted. The plant material pre-treatment techniques used were discussed with respect to the amount of compounds released during extraction as well their application in various industries interested in products with a high content of biologically active compounds, such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries.     

Microencapsulated Red Powders from Cornflower Extract—Spectral (FT-IR and FT-Raman) and Antioxidant Characteristics

Although the health benefits of cornflower extracts are known, their application in food production has not been widely investigated. This study assessed microencapsulated red powders (RP) prepared from the aqueous extract of blue cornflower petals. Microencapsulation was performed by freeze-drying using various stabilizers, such as maltodextrin, guar gum, and lecithin. The microencapsulated RP were characterized by spectral (FT-IR and FT-Raman), mineral, structural, and antioxidant analyses. The FT-IR and FT-Raman band related to guar gum, lecithin, and maltodextrin dominated over the band characteristic of anthocyanins present in the cornflower petal powders. The main difference observed in the FT-Raman spectra was attributed to a shift of bands which is reflection of appearance of flavium cation forms of anthocyanins. The microencapsulated RP had total phenolic content of 21.6–23.4 mg GAE/g DW and total flavonoid content of 5.0–5.23 mg QE/g. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of the tested powders ranged from 13.8 to 20.2 EC₅₀ mg DW/mL. The reducing antioxidant power (RED) of the powders was estimated at between 31.0 and 38.7 EC₅₀ mg DW/mL, and OH^• scavenging activity ranged from 1.9 to 2.6 EC₅₀ mg DW/mL. Microencapsulated cornflower RP can be valuable additives to food such as sweets, jellies, puddings, drinks, or dietary supplements.     

冷却方式对冻干脂质体药物的粒径和包封率影响的实验研究

衡量脂质体药物品质的两个重要指标是脂质体包裹药物的粒径分布和包封率,在冷冻干燥过程中脂质体药物的粒径分布和包封率会发生变化。本文通过实验研究了两种快慢不同冷却方式对脂质体药物冻干后粒径的分布和包封率的影响。     

Electron probe microanalysis of dried biological substances

In the present study electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) was used to examine the elemental contents in samples of biological molecules from aqueous solutions and of cultured cells. To preserve the contents of diffusible elements the freeze-drying technique was applied as a preparative procedure. The resulting powders were then formed into small tablets, weighing about 0.1 mg, which were analyzed with a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer (WDS). Using tablets, the total concentration of different elements was measured in biological substances isolated fromGalleria mellonella, and cells taken from a culture ofChlorella vulgaris treated with uranium nitrate.     

Improvement of opipramol base solubility by complexation with β-cyclodextrin

Opipramol (OPI), a tricyclic antidepressant and anxiolytic compound, is administered orally in the form of a dihydrochloride. Salt form of the drug has a higher solubility in water and hence bioavailability and stability. A similar effect can be achieved by closing the hydrophobic part of the drug molecule in the cyclodextrin cavity. The paper presents opipramol inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in 1:1 molar ratio. Studies on the formation of inclusion complexes were carried out both in solution and in the solid state. The formation and physicochemical characterisation of the complexes were determined by UV spectroscopic measurement (UV–vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR, 2D NOESY NMR), thermoanalytical methods (TGA – Termogravimetric analysis, DSC – differential scanning calorimetry), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase solubility profile with β-CD was classified as the A_N- type, indicating the formation of the inclusion complex with a drug.     

Gefriergetrocknete Acetate von Sr und Fe als reaktive Vorläufer für komplexe Eisen-Strontium-Oxide

The thermal decomposition of reactive freeze-dried acetate precursors for Sr-Fe-oxides was investigated by means of DTA, TG, mass spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry. In the case of decomposition of Fe(III)-m-oxo-acetate four superimposed main steps are characterized as release of (a) H₂O, (b) acetic acid and ketene (c) methane, ketene and CO₂ and (d) acetone and CO₂. On careful decomposition, single phase γ-Fe₂O₃ can be formed. The decomposition of freeze-dried mixed Fe-Sr-acetates reflects some aspects of the single acetates, but also an interaction between the components. The interactions result in a lower decomposition temperature of Sr-acetate (release of acetone and formation of SrCO₃). The decomposition temperature of SrCO₃ in the reactive mixture is also lowered. The simultaneous decomposition of SrCO₃ and its reaction with the Fe-component results directly in the formation of the expected complex Sr-Fe-oxide. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

壳聚糖-Fe(Ⅲ)复合凝胶球去除磷酸根的影响因素与吸附机理

为改善当前环境水体中的磷污染现状,利用溶胶-滴定-真空冷冻干燥法制备了壳聚糖-铁(CS-Fe)复合凝胶球去除水中磷酸根。 对CS-Fe凝胶球的形貌结构进行了表征,研究了材料对磷酸根的吸附影响因素,并探索了反应机理。 结果表明,CS-Fe对磷酸根的吸附为自发、吸热、熵增过程;吸附过程符合拟一级动力学方程,吸附平衡时间为50 min;根据Langmuir模型计算最大吸附量为23.97 mg/g,脱附效率大于90%。 傅里叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、扫描电子显微镜-能量散射谱(SEM-EDS)、Zeta电势分析、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等证明,CS-Fe形成利于磷酸根快速吸附的蜂窝状结构;吸附机理包含静电吸附和离子交换过程。 该吸附剂将金属化合物的吸附性能与壳聚糖大分子利于构建多孔材料的特点相结合,改善了吸附效果,球状材料更利于回收,避免二次污染,具有良好应用前景。     

Polysaccharide Matrices for the Encapsulation of Tetrahydrocurcumin—Potential Application as Biopesticide against Fusarium graminearum

Cereals are subject to contamination by pathogenic fungi, which damage grains and threaten public health with their mycotoxins. Fusarium graminearum and its mycotoxins, trichothecenes B (TCTBs), are especially targeted in this study. Recently, the increased public and political awareness concerning environmental issues tends to limit the use of traditional fungicides against these pathogens in favor of eco-friendlier alternatives. This study focuses on the development of biofungicides based on the encapsulation of a curcumin derivative, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), in polysaccharide matrices. Starch octenylsuccinate (OSA-starch) and chitosan have been chosen since they are generally recognized as safe. THC has been successfully trapped into particles obtained through a spray-drying or freeze-drying processes. The particles present different properties, as revealed by visual observations and scanning electron microscopy. They are also different in terms of the amount and the release of encapsulated THC. Although freeze-dried OSA-starch has better trapped THC, it seems less able to protect the phenolic compound than spray-dried particles. Chitosan particles, both spray-dried and lyophilized, have shown promising antifungal properties. The IC₅₀ of THC-loaded spray-dried chitosan particles is as low as 0.6 ± 0.3 g/L. These particles have also significantly decreased the accumulation of TCTBs by 39%.     

The Changes in Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Herb under Storage and Different Drying Conditions: A Comparison with Other Species of Sage

Studies on herb chia (Salvia hispanica L.) are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess how different drying methods and periods of storage affect the bioactive properties of the herb Salvia hispanica and to compare it with other species of sage (Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia sclarea L.). In fresh herbs, directly after drying (freeze-drying, natural drying, and drying at 30, 40, and 50 °C), and after storage (3, 6, and 12 months), the following analyses were performed: content of total carotenoids and total polyphenols, polyphenol profile (including 25 compounds), and antioxidant activity. Additionally, the basic chemical compositions of the herbs were analyzed. To the best of our knowledge, the content of total carotenoids and the quantitative polyphenol profile in Salvia hispanica and Salvia sclarea were evaluated for the first time. The obtained results showed that the barely investigated herb Salvia hispanica is rich in polyphenolic compounds and shows high antioxidant activity. In all the tested species, rosmarinic acid was the most abundant polyphenolic compound. The use of different drying methods allowed us to determine that freeze-drying was the most effective for preserving polyphenols and carotenoids. Long-term storage up to 12 months resulted in a gradual reduction in antioxidant activity and in the content of polyphenols and carotenoids.