Composition and antioxidative activities of supercritical CO2-extracted oils from seeds and soft parts of northern berries

Evaluation on the Photosensitivity of 2,2'-Azobis(2,4-Dimethyl)Valeronitrile with UV

Azo compounds have high exothermic characteristics and low thermal stability, which have caused many serious thermal accidents around the world. In general, different locations (e.g., equatorial or polar regions) have different UV intensities. If the azo compound exists in an inappropriately stored or transported condition, the decrease in thermal stability may cause a thermal hazard or ageing. 2,2′-Azobis(2,4-dimethyl)valeronitrile (ADVN) is investigated with respect to the thermal stability affected by UV exposure at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h. When ADVN is exposed to 24 h of UV (100 mW/m² and 254 nm), T₀ is not only advanced, but the mass loss is also increased during the main decomposition stage. In addition, the apparent activation energy and integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) of ADVN exposed to 24 h of UV is calculated by kinetic models. Therefore, the prevention mechanism, thermal characteristics, and kinetic parameters are established in our study. We should isolate UV contacting ADVN under any situations, avoiding ADVN being aged or leading to thermal runaway. This study provided significant information for a safer process under changing UV exposure times for ADVN. Furthermore, the research method may serve as an important benchmark for handling potentially hazardous chemicals, such as azo compounds described herein.

Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil

Vegetable oils are obtained by mechanical extraction or cold pressing of various parts of plants, most often: seeds, fruits, and drupels. Chemically, these oils are compounds of the ester-linked glycerol and higher fatty acids with long aliphatic chain hydrocarbons (min. C14:0). Vegetable oils have a variety of properties, depending on their percentage of saturation. This article describes sea-buckthorn oil, which is extracted from the well characterized fruit and seeds of sea buckthorn. The plant has a large number of active ingredients the properties of which are successfully used in the cosmetic industry and in medicine. Valuable substances contained in sea-buckthorn oil play an important role in the proper functioning of the human body and give skin a beautiful and healthy appearance. A balanced composition of fatty acids give the number of vitamins or their range in this oil and explains its frequent use in cosmetic products for the care of dry, flaky or rapidly aging skin. Moreover, its unique unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitooleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6), give sea-buckthorn oil skin regeneration and repair properties. Sea-buckthorn oil also improves blood circulation, facilitates oxygenation of the skin, removes excess toxins from the body and easily penetrates through the epidermis. Because inside the skin the gamma-linolenic acid is converted to prostaglandins, sea-buckthorn oil protects against infections, prevents allergies, eliminates inflammation and inhibits the aging process. With close to 200 properties, sea-buckthorn oil is a valuable addition to health and beauty products.

The effect of chamomile extract obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide conditions on physicochemical and usable properties of pharmaceutical ointments

The study investigated the effect of chamomile extract obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide conditions on the basic properties of pharmaceutical ointments. A total of five formulations were designed and prepared, differing in the weight ratio of sunflower oil to chamomile extract (5:0, 3.5:1.5, 2.5:2.5, 1.5:3.5 and 0:5). An increase in the concentration of chamomile extract was found to be accompanied by a decrease in hardness, adhesive power and flow limit. Based on viscosity measurements it was shown that ointments containing the hydrophobic plant extract under study were prone to larger drops in viscosity under the effect of the set shear rate. It was determined that from the viewpoint of ointment spreadability and application to the skin, the optimum concentration of chamomile extract for the studied formulations should be within the range of 1.5-2.5%. Furthermore, the addition of chamomile extract to ointments was found to give samples a yellow-green color. Green was observed to be the dominant color, and its saturation and shade varied for different formulations.

Phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils from different parts of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Essential oils from the seed, pulp, and leaf of sea buckthorn were obtained with hydrodistillation, and their phytochemical composition was analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the oils was tested on five food-borne bacteria by spectrometry and evaluated in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration. The results indicate that the composition of all essential oils is dominated by free fatty acids, esters, and alkanes. Minimum inhibitory concentration values on each bacterium were obtained for oils from different parts. The oils from different parts exhibited nearly equal inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus. The pulp oil was found to be the most effective for the rest of bacteria tested except Escherichia coli, on which seed oil shows twice the inhibitory effect to that of leaf or pulp oil. Three natural inhibitory examples were found comparable with or even better than the positive control: pulp oil on Bacillus subtilis, and pulp oil and leaf oil on Bacillus coagulans.

Improvement in the Safety of Use of Hand Dishwashing Liquids Through the Addition of Hydrophobic Plant Extracts

We investigated the effect of hydrophobic extract concentration on the safety of using hand dishwashing liquids (HDL). A series of formulations was prepared, differing in the concentration of the hydrophobic chamomile extract obtained in supercritical CO₂ conditions (from 0 to 0.7 %). We found that an increase in the concentration of the extract led to a decrease in the zein number, and reduced changes in the pH level of bovine serum albumin solution (i.e., two parameters determining the irritant activity of the formulations). It was also found that the additives reduced transepidermal water loss and improved the skin hydration level. Based on the findings of the study, a mechanism has been proposed, according to which hydrophobic plant extracts form aggregates in the volume phase of the washing bath. The surface of the aggregates is the adsorption area for surfactant monomers responsible for the irritant effect. Increasing the addition of the extract was shown to reduce the negative impact of the formulations on the skin of the hands, thus contributing to a greater safety of use of HDL.

Triacylglycerol biosynthesis in developing Ribes nigrum and Ribes rubrum seeds from gene expression to oil composition

Oils with sufficient contents of fatty acids, which can be metabolized into precursors of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, have potential health effects. Ribes sp. seed oil is rich in α-linolenic, γ-linolenic and stearidonic acids belonging to this fatty acid group. Only a few previous studies exist on Ribes sp. gene expression. We followed the seed oil biosynthesis of four Ribes nigrum and two Ribes rubrum cultivars at different developmental stages over 2 years in Southern and Northern Finland with a 686 km latitudinal difference. The species and the developmental stage were the most important factors causing differences in gene expression levels and oil composition. Differences between cultivars were detected in some cases, but year and location had only small effects. However, expression of the gene encoding Δ(9)-desaturase in R. nigrum was affected by location. Triacylglycerol biosynthesis in Ribes sp. was distinctly buffered and typically followed a certain path, regardless of growth environment.

Potential of tocotrienols in the prevention and therapy of Alzheimer's disease

Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD); clinical trials are underway to reduce amyloid generation and deposition, a neuropathological hallmark in brains of AD patients. While genetic factors and neuroinflammation contribute significantly to AD pathogenesis, whether increased cholesterol level is a causative factor or a result of AD is equivocal. Prenylation of proteins regulating neuronal functions requires mevalonate-derived farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). The observation that the levels of FPP and GGPP, but not that of cholesterol, are elevated in AD patients is consistent with the finding that statins, competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, reduce FPP and GGPP levels and amyloid β protein production in preclinical studies. Retrospective studies show inverse correlations between incidence of AD and the intake and serum levels of the HMG CoA reductase-suppressive tocotrienols; tocopherols show mixed results. Tocotrienols, but not tocopherols, block the processing and nuclear localization of sterol regulatory element binding protein-2, the transcriptional factor for HMG CoA reductase and FPP synthase, and enhance the degradation of HMG CoA reductase. Consequently, tocotrienols deplete the pool of FPP and GGPP and potentially blunt prenylation-dependent AD pathogenesis. The antiinflammatory activity of tocotrienols further contributes to their protection against AD. The mevalonate- and inflammation-suppressive activities of tocotrienols may represent those of an estimated 23,000 mevalonate-derived plant secondary metabolites called isoprenoids, many of which are neuroprotective. Tocotrienol-containing plant foods and tocotrienol derivatives and formulations with enhanced bioavailability may offer a novel approach in AD prevention and treatment.

Supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds as a valuable component of mild cleansing compositions

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was an elaboration of mild cleansing compositions, containing supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds (SC-CO2 strawberry seed oil), as a moisturizing and skin-softening agent. The influence of concentration of the oil on user properties of shower/bath products was studied.

METHODS

A series of products (shower/bath cosmetics) composed mainly of mild surfactants (amphoacetates, sulfosuccinates, betaines) and containing different amounts of the oil (0.5 up to 5.0%) were prepared. For the stable products (formulations containing up to 2% of the oil), the influence of the SC-CO2 strawberry seed oil addition on the products' stability, foam ability, surface tension, pH and rheological properties was studied. Moreover, the skin compatibility and moisturizing efficiency of the cleansing products were recorded in a group of 15 volunteers (including 10 women and five men, aged 20-30 years), using skin diagnosis system AramoTS, Aram Huvis Co. Additionally, characterization of CO2 extract from strawberry seeds was performed. Measurements of the oil's analytical constants, that is acid value and saponification number, were conducted according to Polish Standard PN-EN ISO 660:2010 and PN-EN ISO 3657:2013, respectively.

RESULTS

The oil concentration influences stability of the products. Only the formulations containing 0.5-2% of the extract have shown high stability. Moreover, used in the amount up to 2% the SC-CO2, strawberry seed oil does not affect significantly the cleansing and foaming properties of the products. The obtained shower/bath cosmetics showed good user properties and additionally good skin-moisturizing effect.

CONCLUSION

The supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds, rich source of unsaturated fatty acid, could be successfully used in the formulation of body washing compositions as a moisturizing and skin-softening agent.

Anthocyanin profiles and biological properties of caneberry (Rubus spp.) press residues

BACKGROUND

The global interest in natural food colours shows increasing attention towards new product development to replace synthetic colourants, because of the strengthening of legislative rules and consumer awareness of synthetic additives and chemicals in food. This study was designed to evaluate anthocyanin content and biological activities of press residues from four caneberries: two raspberry (Rubus idaeus, cv. 'Meeker' (RM) and 'Willamette' (RW)) and two blackberry (Rubus fruticosus, cv. 'Thornfree' (BT) and 'Čačanska bestrna' (BC)) cultivars.

RESULTS

Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry identified cyanidin glycosides in all press residues, cyanidin 3-glucoside being prevalent in BC (1360.6 mg kg(-1)) and BT (1397.7 mg kg(-1)), and cyanidin 3-sophoroside in RM (349.2 mg kg(-1) ) and RW (581.0 mg kg(-1)). Antioxidant capacity (AC), evaluated by ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, reducing power (RP) and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential (α-GIP) was higher in blackberry press residues. Total anthocyanin content was in good correlation with AC (r = 0.953; P < 0.05), RP (r = 0.993, P < 0.01) and α-GIP (r = 0.852, P < 0.15).

CONCLUSION

This study has revealed the potential for valorization of juice production byproducts for further industrial use as a rich source of bioactive compounds and natural colourants (mainly anthocyanins). Also, they can provide health-promoting effects beyond their general organoleptic acceptance in food product development.

Antioxidant properties and polyphenolic compositions of fruits from different European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) genotypes

Antioxidant properties of fruit juices of six Viburnum opulus genotypes were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS(+) radical scavenging capacity (RSC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and Folin-Ciocalteu total phenolic content (TPC) assays. TPC varied in the range of 5.4-10.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, RSC (ABTS(+)), FRAP and ORAC values were 31.9-109.8, 32.3-61.8 and 141.6-260.4 μmol trolox equivalents/g, respectively. V. opulus var. sargentii fruit juice was a remarkably stronger antioxidant than the other five V. opulus genotypes. The content of chlorogenic acid (the main phenolic compound in berry juices) depending on plant cultivar varied in the range of 0.54-6.93 mg/ml. The RSC of individual constituents was measured by the on-line HPLC-UV-DPPH method: chlorogenic acid was the dominant radical scavenger in V. opulus P3 (74%), while epicatechin and catechin (the main antioxidants in V. opulus var. sargentii) contributed to 40% and 23% of the total RSC for the sargentii genotype. Nine constituents were identified in V. opulus juice by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadruple and time-of-flight mass spectrometers (UPLC-QTOF-MS). In general, the study demonstrated that V. opulus var. sargentii followed by V. opulus P3 and V. opulus var. americanum possessed the highest antioxidant capacity. The obtained results may assist in selecting the most valuable V. opulus genotypes for the production of fruits possessing strong antioxidant capacity and containing beneficial phenolic constituents.

The hepatoprotective effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries on induced aflatoxin B1 poisoning in chickens 1

The leaves and berries of sea buckthorn (SB; Hippophae rhamnoides; family Elaeagnaceae) are medically claimed as having phytoantioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticancerous properties in humans. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of oil from SB berries against toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler chickens. The toxicity of AFB1 led to lower total serum proteins and specifically reduced albumin (P < 0.001). Serum aspartate aminotransferase increased from 191.14 ± 11.56 to 218.80 ± 13.68 (P < 0.001). When chickens were simultaneously dosed with AFB1 and an extract of SB berries, subsequent histology of the liver showed a significant reduction of necrosis and fatty formation compared with chickens treated with AFB1 alone. Immunohistochemical results indicated that COX2, Bcl-2, and p53 were highly expressed in the liver of AFB1-treated chickens and their expression was significantly reduced by SB oil supplementation. The levels of AFB1 residues in chickens livers were significantly reduced by SB oil from 460.92 ± 6.2 ng/mL in the AFB1 group to 15.59 ± 6.1 ng/mL in the AFB1 and SB oil group. These findings suggest that SB oil has a potent hepatoprotective activity, reducing the concentration of aflatoxins in liver and diminishing their adverse effects.

The effect of sea buckthorn supplement on oral health, inflammation, and DNA damage in hemodialysis patients: a double-blinded, randomized crossover study

OBJECTIVE

Chronic kidney disease is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, malnutrition, poor oral health, and mouth dryness. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of sea buckthorn oil (SBO) extract, which is rich in vitamins, phytochemicals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, on oxidative stress, saliva production, and inflammation in hemodialysis patients.

DESIGN SETTING AND SUBJECTS

This was a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled crossover study (2 × 8 weeks, 4-week washout). The study subjects were hemodialysis patients (n = 45) recruited from the Department of Renal Medicine at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.

INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients received 4 capsules per day, each containing 500 mg of SBO or placebo, for 8 weeks. They were then crossed over to the other treatment after a 4-week washout period. Salivary gland biopsies, saliva, and blood samples were collected before and after each treatment period. Main outcomes were DNA breaks and oxidative DNA lesions in minor accessory salivary glands, salivary flow rates, and inflammation markers in blood (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, antitrypsin, orosomucoid in plasma, leukocytes in blood). Blood markers including creatinine, urea in plasma, and hemoglobin in blood were investigated.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant changes in DNA breaks, oxidative DNA lesions, salivary flow rates, or inflammation after SBO supplementation. However, plasma levels of phosphate and sodium increased and plasma levels of iron decreased.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, SBO supplementation as performed in this study did not protect against oxidative stress, nor improve oral health or inflammation status in hemodialysis patients.

Fatty acids in berry lipids of six sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., subspecies carpatica) cultivars grown in Romania

Background

A systematic mapping of the phytochemical composition of different sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit subspecies is still lacking. No data relating to the fatty acid composition of main lipid fractions from the berries of ssp. carpatica (Romania) have been previously reported.

Results

The fatty acid composition of the total lipids (oils) and the major lipid fractions (PL, polar lipids; FFA, free fatty acids; TAG, triacylglycerols and SE, sterol esters) of the oils extracted from different parts of six sea buckthorn berry subspecies (ssp. carpatica) cultivated in Romania were investigated using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The dominating fatty acids in pulp/peel and whole berry oils were palmitic (23-40%), oleic (20-53%) and palmitoleic (11-27%). In contrast to the pulp oils, seed oils had higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (65-72%). The fatty acid compositions of TAGs were very close to the compositions of corresponding seed and pulp oils. The major fatty acids in PLs of berry pulp/peel oils were oleic (20-40%), palmitic (17-27%), palmitoleic (10-22%) and linoleic (10%-20%) acids, whereas in seeds PLs, PUFAs prevailed. Comparing with the other lipid fractions the SEs had the highest contents of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The fatty acid profiles of the FFA fractions were relatively similar to those of TAGs.

Conclusions

All parts of the analyzed sea buckthorn berry cultivars (ssp. carpatica) exhibited higher oil content then the other European or Asiatic sea buckthorn subspecies. Moreover, the pulp/peel oils of ssp. carpatica were found to contain high levels of oleic acid and slightly lower amounts of linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The studied cultivars of sea buckthorn from Romania have proven to be potential sources of valuable oils.