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Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value...
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Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 36290

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lina Raudone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Av. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania
2. Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Av. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: phytochemical and antioxidant research of plant raw materials rich in phenolic, triterpenic, diterpenic compounds, essential oils, and research of the effect of compounds in biological model systems; development and optimization of methodologies for the quantification of biologically active compounds of plant origin; determination of the qualitative and quantitative composition of biologically active compounds in raw materials of plant origin
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Nijole Savickienė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Av. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: phytochemical and antioxidant investigation of herbal raw material and isolated compounds; qualitative–quantitative analysis of proteins; lectins; investigation of proteins; lectins’ biological activity tested in vitro and in vivo; search for new herbal drugs and pharmacological activities; clinical investigation of natural antioxidants on the development of Diabetes mellitus complications; periodontitis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The phytochemical composition, quality, and safety of plant materials are influenced by phenological variations, genetic makeup, physiological conditions, harvesting time, geographical origin, and edaphic factors. Therefore, it is of great importance from a plant material quality perspective to study the relations between the growth conditions and chemical composition of edible and medicinal plants. Moreover, crude plant phenolic extracts always contain numerous accompanying components, which may limit the application and activity of the target specialized metabolites. The purification or fractionation of the crude extracts to target metabolites could be a path of choice. The development of a fractionation methodology may improve the elucidation of the phytochemical and pharmacological characterization target components that are pharmacologically relevant or for the development of functional added value ingredients with health-promoting properties. This Special Issue aims to collect research dealing with the determination of phytochemical profiles in plant materials, considering their influencing factors as well as the phytochemical composition of purified fractions of specialized metabolites.

Prof. Dr. Lina Raudone
Prof. Dr. Nijole Savickienė
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • phytochemistry
  • natural products
  • chemophenetics
  • antioxidants
  • lectins
  • phenolics
  • triterpenic compounds
  • proanthocyanidins
  • specialized metabolites
  • chromatography
  • extraction
  • purification

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 204 KiB  
Editorial
Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added-Value Ingredients
by Lina Raudone and Nijole Savickiene
Plants 2024, 13(7), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070964 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 508
Abstract
In the scientific research on medicinal and food plants, studying phytochemical profiles in plant materials has gained increasing attention over the years [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

19 pages, 6215 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Root Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Five Native and Invasive Solidago L. Species
by Jolita Radušienė, Birutė Karpavičienė, Gabrielė Vilkickytė, Mindaugas Marksa and Lina Raudonė
Plants 2024, 13(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010132 - 2 Jan 2024
Viewed by 947
Abstract
The high environmental importance of invasive goldenrod has prompted research to find potential benefits that can be derived from these species. This study aimed to identify differences in root phenolic profiles among five Solidago species, thus providing valuable information on their potential applications [...] Read more.
The high environmental importance of invasive goldenrod has prompted research to find potential benefits that can be derived from these species. This study aimed to identify differences in root phenolic profiles among five Solidago species, thus providing valuable information on their potential applications and the botanical origin of the raw material. The roots of native S. virgaurea L., two alien species S. gigantea Aiton and S. canadensis L. and their hybrids S. ×niederederi Khek and S. ×snarskisii Gudž. & Žaln. were sampled from mixed-species stands in Lithuania. A complex of twelve phenolic acids and their derivatives was identified and quantified in methanol–water root extracts using the HPLC-PDA and LC/MS systems. The radical-scavenging capacities of the extracts were assessed by ABTS. The chemical content of the roots of S. virgaurea, S. gigantea and S. ×niederederi were statistically similar, while the roots of S. canadensis and S. ×snarskisii contained lower amounts of compounds than the other species. The PCA score-plot models of the phenolic profiles only partially confirmed the identification of S. ×niederederi and S. ×snarskisii as crosses between native and alien species. The findings from the phenolic profiles and the observed radical-scavenging activity of root extracts of Solidago species provide valuable insights into their potential applications in various fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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21 pages, 4353 KiB  
Article
Phenological Variations in the Content of Polyphenols and Triterpenoids in Epilobium angustifolium Herb Originating from Ukraine
by Liudas Ivanauskas, Kateryna Uminska, Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Michael Heinrich, Victoriya Georgiyants, Alla Kozurak and Olha Mykhailenko
Plants 2024, 13(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010120 - 31 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1542
Abstract
The composition of secondary metabolites undergoes significant changes in plants depending on the growth phase and the influence of environmental factors. Therefore, it is important to determine the harvesting time of plant material for the optimum secondary metabolite profile and therapeutic activity of [...] Read more.
The composition of secondary metabolites undergoes significant changes in plants depending on the growth phase and the influence of environmental factors. Therefore, it is important to determine the harvesting time of plant material for the optimum secondary metabolite profile and therapeutic activity of the primary material. The shoots of Epilobium angustifolium are used as a healing tea due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the composition of phenolic compounds and triterpenoid saponins in E. angustifolium leaves and flowers and to estimate the dynamics of their content depending on the flowering phase. Qualitative and quantitative characterisation of polyphenols and triterpenoids in E. angustifolium samples from Ukraine of three flowering phases were performed using the high-performance liquid chromatography photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. During the present study, 13 polyphenolic compounds and seven triterpenoids were identified in the plant material. It was noted that the largest content and the best polyphenol profile was in late flowering. The most important polyphenolic compounds in the plant material were chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitin, and oenothein B. The triterpenoid profile was at its maximum during mass flowering, with corosolic and ursolic acids being the dominant metabolites. The results of the analysis revealed that the quantity of many of the tested metabolites in the raw material of E. angustifolium is dependent on the plant organ and flowering phase. The largest content of most metabolites in the leaves was in late flowering. In the flowers, the quantity of the metabolites studied was more variable, but decreased during mass flowering and increased significantly again in late flowering. The results show that E. angustifolium raw material is a potential source of oenothein B and triterpenoids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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27 pages, 6733 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Chemopreventive Properties of Cannabis sativa L. Inflorescences from Monoecious Cultivars Grown in Central Italy
by Silvia Di Giacomo, Ester Percaccio, Annabella Vitalone, Cinzia Ingallina, Luisa Mannina, Alberto Macone and Antonella Di Sotto
Plants 2023, 12(22), 3814; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223814 - 9 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Hemp bioproducts hold great promise as valuable materials for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. In line with this interest and in an attempt to valorize the Lazio Region crops, this present study investigated chemically [...] Read more.
Hemp bioproducts hold great promise as valuable materials for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. In line with this interest and in an attempt to valorize the Lazio Region crops, this present study investigated chemically characterized hydroalcoholic and organic extracts, obtained from the inflorescences of locally cultivated Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties. In order to highlight the possible chemopreventive power of the tested samples, a bioactivity screening was performed, which included studying the antimutagenic activity, radical scavenging power, cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and modulation of the oxidative stress parameters and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) involved in the regulation of the cell transformation and cancer proliferation. Tolerability studies in noncancerous H69 cholangiocytes were performed, too. The organic extracts showed moderate to strong antimutagenic activities and a marked cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cells, associated with an increased oxidative stress and LDH release, and to a G6PDH modulation. The hydroalcoholic extracts mainly exhibited radical scavenging properties with weak or null activities in the other assays. The extracts were usually well-tolerated in H69 cells, except for the highest concentrations which impaired cell viability, likely due to an increased oxidative stress. The obtained results suggest a possibility in the inflorescences from the Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties as source of bioactive compounds endowed with genoprotective and chemopreventive properties that could be harnessed as preventive or adjuvant healing strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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16 pages, 1879 KiB  
Article
Determination of Heavy Metal Content: Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead in Cyano-Phycocyanin Isolated from the Cyanobacterial Biomass
by Daiva Galinytė, Gabrielė Balčiūnaitė-Murzienė, Jūratė Karosienė, Dmitrij Morudov, Rima Naginienė, Dalė Baranauskienė, Jurgita Šulinskienė, Ieva Kudlinskienė, Arūnas Savickas and Nijolė Savickienė
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3150; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173150 - 1 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
Cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a light-absorbing biliprotein found in cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. Due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, this protein is a promising substance in medicine and pharmaceuticals. However, cyanobacteria tend to bind heavy metals from the environment, making [...] Read more.
Cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a light-absorbing biliprotein found in cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. Due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, this protein is a promising substance in medicine and pharmaceuticals. However, cyanobacteria tend to bind heavy metals from the environment, making it necessary to ensure the safety of C-PC for the development of pharmaceutical products, with C-PC isolated from naturally collected cyanobacterial biomass. This study aimed to determine the content of the most toxic heavy metals, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in C-PC isolated from different cyanobacterial biomasses collected in the Kaunas Lagoon during 2019–2022, and compare them with the content of heavy metals in C-PC isolated from cultivated Spirulina platensis (S. platensis). Cyanobacteria of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (A. flos-aquae) dominated the biomass collected in 2019, while the genus Microcystis dominated the biomasses collected in the years 2020 and 2022. Heavy metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ICP-MS analysis revealed higher levels of the most investigated heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) in C-PC isolated from the biomass with the dominant Microcystis spp. compared to C-PC isolated from the biomass with the predominant A. flos-aquae. Meanwhile, C-PC isolated from cultivated S. platensis exhibited lower concentrations of As and Pb than C-PC isolated from naturally collected cyanobacterial biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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13 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tanacetum parthenium Cultivated in Different Regions of Ukraine: Insights into the Flavonoids and Hydroxycinnamic Acids Profile
by Karyna Hordiei, Tetiana Gontova, Sonata Trumbeckaite, Maksym Yaremenko and Lina Raudone
Plants 2023, 12(16), 2940; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162940 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1116
Abstract
Tanacetum parthenium, also known as feverfew, is rich in bioactive compounds, namely sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Sesquiterpene lactones possess anti-migraine activity, while phenolic compounds possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Phytochemical composition determines the pharmacological activity and so profiling is essential [...] Read more.
Tanacetum parthenium, also known as feverfew, is rich in bioactive compounds, namely sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Sesquiterpene lactones possess anti-migraine activity, while phenolic compounds possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Phytochemical composition determines the pharmacological activity and so profiling is essential in quality assessment. The study aimed to evaluate cultivated feverfew plants’ phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in the samples of feverfew in Ukraine. Hydroxycinnamic acids predominate in the quantitative content of all the samples, namely chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. The total content of flavonoids ranged from 0.8 to 2.6%; the content of hydroxycinnamic acids varied from 3.3 to 6.5%. The obtained data testify to the prospects of using Ukrainian feverfew as a raw material with a significant content of phenolic substances to develop new herbal medicines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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14 pages, 4252 KiB  
Article
Application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for the Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of Moringa oleifera: Extraction Yield, Content of Bioactive Compounds, and Biological Effects In Vitro
by Wahyuning Setyani, Retno Murwanti, Teuku Nanda Saifullah Sulaiman and Triana Hertiani
Plants 2023, 12(13), 2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132455 - 26 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1849
Abstract
This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions to maximize the extraction yield, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity from Moringa oleifera. The four UAE factors, solvent ratio (A), solvent–solid ratio (B), extraction temperature (C), and [...] Read more.
This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions to maximize the extraction yield, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity from Moringa oleifera. The four UAE factors, solvent ratio (A), solvent–solid ratio (B), extraction temperature (C), and extraction time (D), were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A Box–Behnken design was used for the experimental design. The optimal conditions were found to be a 50% v/v solvent ratio, a 30% v/w solvent–solid ratio, 35 °C extraction temperature, and 45 min extraction time. The experimental value of extraction yield (R1), TFC (R2), TPC (R3), and DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity (R4) (87.99% w/w, 56.63 mg QE/g extract, 97.26 mg GAE/g extract, and 93.32% inhibition, respectively) agreed with those predicted by RSM models (88.10% w/w, 56.61 mg QE/g extract, 97.16 mg GAE/g extract, and93.38% inhibition, respectively), thus demonstrating the appropriateness of the model used and the ability of the RSM to optimize the extraction conditions. Excellent DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity was exhibited by M. oleifera compared with the standard, sitagliptin. While the modeled equation fits the data, the t-test is not significant, suggesting that the experimental values agree with those predicted by the RSM–BBD Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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15 pages, 765 KiB  
Article
Biochemical and Antioxidant Profiling of Raspberry Plant Parts for Sustainable Processing
by Audronė Ispiryan, Jonas Viškelis, Pranas Viškelis, Dalia Urbonavičienė and Lina Raudonė
Plants 2023, 12(13), 2424; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132424 - 23 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1295
Abstract
The optimization of innovation and food technological processes not only increases the profits of companies but also allows them to achieve the set goals of the green trajectory. This research aimed to collect data on the biochemical composition of different parts of the [...] Read more.
The optimization of innovation and food technological processes not only increases the profits of companies but also allows them to achieve the set goals of the green trajectory. This research aimed to collect data on the biochemical composition of different parts of the raspberry variety ‘Polka’, including the various morphological parts, to present the importance of differentiating plant parts in food processing, and to show the potential of usage for primary processing in different fields of the food industry. Fruits, stems (cane), leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots were evaluated according to their chemical composition and mineral (Ca, Mg, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) contents, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. In our study, the contents of inverted sugar, saccharose, and total sugar varied from 51.8 ± 2.46 %, 18.9 ± 0.31 %, and 69.7 ± 4,36 % in raspberry puree to 5.9 ± %, 1.51 ± %, 7.39 ± % in the seeds, respectively. The results regarding the mineral composition of various raspberry parts (mg/kg) indicated significant differences (p < 0.05). The contents of manganese and iron (57.6 ± 0.50; 36.9 ± 0.59) were the highest in all the parts in the plant. Manganese varied from 246 ± 10.32 in inflorescence to 40.1 ± 0.87 in the seeds. Iron fluctuated from 1553 ± 44.03 in the roots to 35.5 ± 0.15 in the seeds. The highest statistically significant boron content (p < 0.05) was found in the leaves (41.8 ± 0.33), while the lowest was in the seeds (7.17 ± 0.19). The total phenol content of the raspberry’s distinct parts ranged from 6500 mg GAE/100 g DW to 1700 mg GAE/100 g DW. The inflorescence had the considerably highest total phenol content. Our study found that the highest amount of epicatechin is found in the roots (9162.1 ± 647.86 mg), while the fruits contain only 657.5 ± 92.99, and the lowest value is in the stems (130.3 ± 9.22). High levels of procyanidin B2 were found in the raspberry roots (7268.7 ± 513.98), while the stems had the lowest value–368.4 ± 26.05. The DPPH of the raspberry morphological parts ranged from 145.1 to 653.6 µmol TE/g FW, ABTS—from 1091.8 to 243.4 µmol TE/g FW, and the FRAP—from 720.0 to 127.0 µmol TE/g FW. The study revealed the importance of differentiating plant parts in production for the quality of the final product. Studies showed that raspberry plant parts represent a potential source of natural food ingredients, and can be a potential raw material for products rich in phenolic compounds or dietary fiber, which can provide healthy properties to food when used as an additive that may be economically attractive for consumers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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17 pages, 3773 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Characterization of Saudi Mint and Its Mediating Effect on the Production of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities
by Husam Qanash, Abdulrahman S. Bazaid, Naif K. Binsaleh, Bandar Alharbi, Nawaf Alshammari, Safa H. Qahl, Hayaa M. Alhuthali and Abdullatiff A. Bagher
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2177; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112177 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2055
Abstract
The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is attracting enormous attention as a new area of study that encompasses the development and discovery of new agents for their utilization in different fields, such as pharmaceuticals and food. Nowadays, the use of plants, particularly medicinal [...] Read more.
The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is attracting enormous attention as a new area of study that encompasses the development and discovery of new agents for their utilization in different fields, such as pharmaceuticals and food. Nowadays, the use of plants, particularly medicinal plants, for the creation of NPs has emerged as a safe, ecofriendly, rapid, and simple approach. Therefore, the present study aimed to use the Saudi mint plant as a medicinal plant for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of AgNPs compared to mint extract (ME). A phenolic and flavonoid analysis that was conducted by using HPLC indicated the presence of numerous compounds in the ME. Through an HPLC analysis, chlorogenic acid at a concentration of 7144.66 µg/mL was the main detected component in the ME, while catechin, gallic acid, naringenin, ellagic acid, rutin, daidzein, cinnamic acid, and hesperetin were identified in varying concentrations. AgNPs were synthesized by using ME and were confirmed via UV–visible spectroscopy at 412 nm of the maximum absorption. The mean diameter of the synthesized AgNPs was measured by TEM to be 17.77 nm. Spectra obtained by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that silver was the main element formation in the created AgNPs. The presence of various functional groups, analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), indicated that the mint extract was responsible for reducing Ag+ to Ag0. The spherical structure of the synthesized AgNPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the ME showed reduced antimicrobial activity (a zone of inhibition of 30, 24, 27, 29, and 22 mm) compared with the synthesized AgNPs (a zone of inhibition of 33, 25, 30, 32, 32, and 27 mm) against B. subtilis, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. vulgaris, and C. albicans, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the AgNPs was lower than that of the ME for all of the tested micro-organisms, except for P. vulgaris. The MBC/MIC index suggested that the AgNPs revealed a higher bactericidal effect compared to the ME. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited antioxidant activity with a reduced IC50 (IC50 of 8.73 µg/mL) compared to that of the ME (IC50 of 13.42 µg/mL). These findings demonstrate that ME could be applied as a mediator for AgNPs synthesis and natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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16 pages, 1892 KiB  
Article
Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant Activity of Tanacetum vulgare L. Wild-Growing in Latvia
by Renāte Šukele, Liga Lauberte, Liga Kovalcuka, Konstantins Logviss, Ance Bārzdiņa, Agnese Brangule, Zoltán Márk Horváth and Dace Bandere
Plants 2023, 12(10), 1968; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101968 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1817
Abstract
The Tanacetum vulgare L. (Tansy) has several ethnobotanical uses, mostly related to the essential oil and sesquiterpene lactones, whereas information regarding other compounds is scarce. This research is designed to characterize the phenolic compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins) to analyze the thujone [...] Read more.
The Tanacetum vulgare L. (Tansy) has several ethnobotanical uses, mostly related to the essential oil and sesquiterpene lactones, whereas information regarding other compounds is scarce. This research is designed to characterize the phenolic compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins) to analyze the thujone (which is toxic in high concentrations) content and to detect the antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) of extracts. The main highlights of our work provide a chemical profile of phenolic compounds of T. vulgare harvested from different regions of Latvia, as well as simultaneously support the ethnomedicinal uses for wild T. vulgare through the integration of phenolic compounds as one of the value constituents of leaves and flowers. The extraction yield was 18 to 20% for leaves and 8 to 16% for flowers. The total phenol content in the extracts of T. vulgare as well as their antioxidant activity was different between collection regions and the aerial parts ranging from 134 to 218 mg GAE/g and 32 to 182 mg L−1, respectively. A remarkable variation in the thujone (α + β) content (0.4% up to 6%) was detected in the extracts. T. vulgare leaf extracts were rich in tannins (up to 19%). According to the parameters detected, the extracts of T. vulgare could be considered promising for the development of new herbal products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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23 pages, 1827 KiB  
Article
Characterization, Antioxidant Potential, and Pharmacokinetics Properties of Phenolic Compounds from Native Australian Herbs and Fruits
by Akhtar Ali, Jeremy J. Cottrell and Frank R. Dunshea
Plants 2023, 12(5), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12050993 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2301
Abstract
In recent decades, plant bioactive phenolic compounds gained much attention due to their various health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze native Australian river mint (Mentha australis), bush mint (Mentha satureioides), sea parsley (Apium prostratum), and bush [...] Read more.
In recent decades, plant bioactive phenolic compounds gained much attention due to their various health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze native Australian river mint (Mentha australis), bush mint (Mentha satureioides), sea parsley (Apium prostratum), and bush tomatoes (Solanum centrale) for their bioactive metabolites, antioxidant potential, and pharmacokinetics properties. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was applied to elucidate these plants’ composition, identification, and quantification of phenolic metabolites. This study tentatively identified 123 phenolic compounds (thirty-five phenolic acids, sixty-seven flavonoids, seven lignans, three stilbenes, and eleven other compounds). Bush mint was identified with the highest total phenolic content (TPC—57.70 ± 4.57 mg GAE/g), while sea parsley contained the lowest total phenolic content (13.44 ± 0.39 mg GAE/g). Moreover, bush mint was also identified with the highest antioxidant potential compared to other herbs. Thirty-seven phenolic metabolites were semi-quantified, including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, sagerinic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acid, which were abundant in these selected plants. The most abundant compounds’ pharmacokinetics properties were also predicted. This study will develop further research to identify these plants’ nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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20 pages, 1868 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Corn Silk Extract Using HPLC/HRMS/MS Analyses and Bioinformatic Data Processing
by Laëtitia Fougère, Sandrine Zubrzycki, Claire Elfakir and Emilie Destandau
Plants 2023, 12(4), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040721 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1799
Abstract
In addition to having different biological activities of interest, corn silks play a role in the defense of plants. While benzoxamines and flavonoids have already been identified as molecules of plant defense and growth mechanisms, knowledge on the phytochemical composition of corn silk [...] Read more.
In addition to having different biological activities of interest, corn silks play a role in the defense of plants. While benzoxamines and flavonoids have already been identified as molecules of plant defense and growth mechanisms, knowledge on the phytochemical composition of corn silk is lacking. Such knowledge would make it possible to better select the most effective varieties to improve resistance or bioactive properties. In this article, an approach was implemented to map a corn silk extract in two complementary ways. The first one involved working with UHPLC/HRMS data and Kendrick and van Krevelen plots to highlight a homologous series of compounds, such as lipids from 17 to 23 carbons, monoglycosylated flavonoids from 21 to 24 carbons, diglycosylated flavonoids of 26 to 28 carbons and organic acids of 14 to 19 carbons. The second way was to analyze the sample in UHPLC/HRMS2 and to plot mass spectral similarity networks with the GNPS platform and Cytoscape software to refine identification. By combining the information obtained, we were able to propose an identification for 104 detected molecules, including 7 nitrogenous, 28 lipidic and 67 phenolic compounds, leading to the first detailed phytochemical analysis of corn silk extract. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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13 pages, 915 KiB  
Article
Wild Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Leaves and Roots Chemical Composition and Phenols Extraction
by Živilė Tarasevičienė, Miglė Vitkauskaitė, Aurelija Paulauskienė and Judita Černiauskienė
Plants 2023, 12(2), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020309 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4675
Abstract
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is an herbaceous plant that grows all over the world and is widely used as an edible and medicinal plant. Overall research results reveal that the chemical content and antioxidant activity of aerial parts and roots of [...] Read more.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is an herbaceous plant that grows all over the world and is widely used as an edible and medicinal plant. Overall research results reveal that the chemical content and antioxidant activity of aerial parts and roots of stinging nettle depends on the growing region, soil, meteorological conditions (especially sunshine), collecting time, etc. The chemical composition of stinging nettle growing in Lithuania and the solid–liquid extraction efficiency of leaves and roots using different solvents were analysed. Additionally, we determined leaves phenols extraction efficiency using 96% methanol at different extraction conditions. Research results showed that a higher amount of crude fats, non-nitrogen extractives, and total carotenoids were in leaves, but the amount of crude proteins and ash did not differ significantly compared with roots. A higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were detected in roots instead of leaves while saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were in leaves. The extraction results showed that the most effective solvent for total phenols and flavonoids in leaves was 96% methanol, for total phenols in roots was 50% methanol and 50% ethanol for total flavonoids in roots. The most effective temperature for the Urtica dioica L. leaves phenols extraction was 70 °C, while time does not have a significant influence. The present study’s findings suggested that concentrated and binary solvents had different effects on the phenol’s extraction efficiency from different stinging nettle parts and extraction temperature performed a key role instead of extraction time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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19 pages, 2785 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Bioactive Compounds from Two Underutilized Wild Fruits by Microencapsulation in Order to Formulate Value-Added Food Products
by Mamadou Abdoulaye Konaré, Nina Nicoleta Condurache, Issiaka Togola, Bogdan Păcularu-Burada, Nouhoum Diarra, Nicoleta Stănciuc and Gabriela Râpeanu
Plants 2023, 12(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020267 - 6 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1935
Abstract
Currently, microencapsulation has become a viable method of nutrient delivery for the food industry. This work microencapsulated the bioactive compounds extracted from two neglected species (Balanites aegyptiaca and Ziziphus mauritiana) by freeze-drying. A combination of wall materials (whey protein and pectin; [...] Read more.
Currently, microencapsulation has become a viable method of nutrient delivery for the food industry. This work microencapsulated the bioactive compounds extracted from two neglected species (Balanites aegyptiaca and Ziziphus mauritiana) by freeze-drying. A combination of wall materials (whey protein and pectin; soy protein and maltodextrin) was chosen to prepare the microcapsules. The phytochemical and physicochemical characterization of the microcapsules was then carried out. The encapsulation yield ranged from 82.77% to 96.05% for Balanites and Ziziphus, respectively, whereas the efficiency was 76.18 ± 1.39% and 80.93 ± 1.71%. The stimulated in vitro gastrointestinal test showed that encapsulation increased the bioavailability of the bioactive compounds. The total carotenoids were the most bioavailable compounds with 85.89 ± 0.06% for Ziziphus and 70.46 ± 1.10% for Balanites, followed by total flavonoids for Zizyphus with 63.27 ± 1.56%. Furthermore, regardless of species or wavelengths, the HPLC analysis resulted in the identification of 17 bioactive metabolites. The predominant one was epicatechin, whose level ranged from 231.52 ± 5.06 to 250.99 ± 3.72 mg/100 g DW in Ziziphus and 91.80 ± 3.85 to 116.40 ± 4.09 mg/100 g DW in Balanites. In estimating the enzyme inhibition and antioxidant power, both studied fruits showed antidiabetic, inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These findings suggest that natural bioactive compounds are abundant in the fruits of Z. mauritiana and B. aegyptiaca and could be a valuable source for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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Review

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16 pages, 2140 KiB  
Review
Red Mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa Griff.)—A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Prospects
by Karina Kalasuba, Mia Miranti, Sri Rejeki Rahayuningsih, Wahyu Safriansyah, Rizky Riscahya Pratama Syamsuri, Kindi Farabi, Dina Oktavia, Arshad Naji Alhasnawi and Febri Doni
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2196; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112196 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5005
Abstract
Mangroves are ecologically significant plants in marine habitats that inhabit the coastlines of many countries. Being a highly productive and diverse ecosystem, mangroves are rich in numerous classes of phytochemicals that are of great importance in the field of pharmaceutical industries. The red [...] Read more.
Mangroves are ecologically significant plants in marine habitats that inhabit the coastlines of many countries. Being a highly productive and diverse ecosystem, mangroves are rich in numerous classes of phytochemicals that are of great importance in the field of pharmaceutical industries. The red mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa Griff.) is a common member of the Rhizophoraceae family and the dominant species in the mangrove ecosystem of Indonesia. R. stylosa mangrove species are rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids, and are widely used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antipyretic effects. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the botanical description, phytochemical profiles, pharmacological activities, and medicinal potentials of R. stylosa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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22 pages, 812 KiB  
Review
Chemistry, Occurrence, Properties, Applications, and Encapsulation of Carotenoids—A Review
by Marco Antonio González-Peña, Ana Eugenia Ortega-Regules, Cecilia Anaya de Parrodi and José Daniel Lozada-Ramírez
Plants 2023, 12(2), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020313 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4908
Abstract
Carotenoids are natural lipophilic pigments and antioxidants that are present in many fruits and vegetables. The consumption of carotenoids is correlated with positive health effects and a decreased risk of several chronic diseases. Provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) are essential [...] Read more.
Carotenoids are natural lipophilic pigments and antioxidants that are present in many fruits and vegetables. The consumption of carotenoids is correlated with positive health effects and a decreased risk of several chronic diseases. Provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) are essential for the development and maintenance of sight. β-carotene, α-carotene, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene have high antioxidant activity and promote free radical scavenging, which helps protect against chronic diseases. However, carotenoids are chemically unstable and prone to oxidation in the presence of light, heat, oxygen, acids, and metal ions. The use of carotenoids in the food industry is limited due to their poor solubility in water, bioavailability and quick release. Encapsulation techniques, such as microencapsulation, nanoencapsulation and supercritical encapsulation, are used to overcome these problems. The objective of this paper is to describe the characteristics and potential health benefits of carotenoids and advances in encapsulation techniques for protecting and enhancing their solubility or bioavailability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Profiles of Plant Materials: From Extracts to Added Value Ingredients)
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