Optimization of Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Ocimum Basilicum Leaves and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)-A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Biotechnological Development

An urgent demand for natural compound alternatives to conventional medications has arisen due to global health challenges, such as drug resistance and the adverse effects associated with synthetic drugs. Plant extracts are considered an alternative due to their favorable safety profiles and potential for reducing side effects. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a valuable plant resource and a potential candidate for the development of pharmaceutical medications. A single pure compound or a combination of compounds exhibits exceptional medicinal properties, including antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses, antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antifungal properties, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic potential, neuroprotective qualities, and anticancer properties. The plant contains various phytochemical constituents, which mostly consist of linalool, eucalyptol, estragole, and eugenol. For centuries, community and traditional healers across the globe have employed O. basilicum L. to treat a wide range of ailments, including flu, fever, colds, as well as issues pertaining to digestion, reproduction, and respiration. In addition, the current research presented underscores the significant potential of O. basilicum-related nanotechnology applications in addressing diverse challenges and advancing numerous fields. This promising avenue of exploration holds great potential for future scientific and technological advancements, promising improved utilization of medicinal products derived from O. basilicum L.

A novel strategy for producing nano-particles from date seeds and enhancing their phenolic content and antioxidant properties using ultrasound-assisted extraction: A multivariate based optimization study

Date seeds from the date palm fruit are considered as a waste and they are known to contain several bioactive compounds. Producing nanoparticles from the date seeds can enhances their effectiveness and their utilization as novel functional food ingredients. In this study, date seed nanoparticles (DSNPs) synthesized using acid (HCl) hydrolysis method (HCl concentration of 38% and hydrolysis time of 4 days) was found to have particle size between 50 and 150 nm. The obtained DSNPs were characterized by measuring particle size and particle charge (Zetasizer), morphology using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and determination of the functional groups using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DSNPs were further treated with green extraction technology [ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)] using water-based and methanol-based solvent for optimizing the extraction of the bioactive compounds by implementing response surface methodology (RSM). The UAE of DSNPs were analysed for set of responses including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrlthydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Three-factor and four-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD) of three models (Synthesis of DSNPs, UAE with water, and UAE with methanol) was performed. The results showed that in UAE of DSNPs using water-based solvent, the key independent factors effecting the TPC and TFC and antioxidant activities were S:L ratio (40:1 mg/ml) and treatment time (9 min). Whereas the methanol-based UAE of DSNPs was mostly affected by US amplitude/power (90%) and methanol concentration (80%). All models were further optimized using response optimizer in Minitab and the generated predicted values were very comparable to the actual obtained results which confirm the significance and validity of all RSM models used. The phenolic compounds identified from DSNPs consisted mainly of 3,4-Dihydroxy benzoic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. The present study demonstrated a successful method for synthesising DSNPs as well as documented the optimum UAE conditions to maximize the extraction of polyphenolic compounds from DSNPs and enhancing their antioxidant activities to be used in food application.

Ocimum basilicum (kemangi) intervention on powder and microencapsulated Spirulina platensis and its bioactive molecules

Background:  Spirulina platensis contains several bioactive molecules such as phenol, flavonoid and phycocyanin pigments. This study unveils total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, phycocyanin content and evaluated encapsulation efficiency from  Ocimum basilicum intervention on  S. platensis. O. basilicum intervention aims to reduce unpleasant odors from  S. platensis that will increase consumption and increase bioactive compounds.  

Methods: The intervention was carried out by soaking a  S. platensis control sample (SP) in  O. basilicum with a ratio of 1:4 (w/v) and it was then dried (DSB) and microencapsulated by freeze drying methods (MSB) using a combination of maltodextrin and gelatin. Total flavonoid and phenolic analysis with curve fitting analysis used a linear regression approach. Antioxidant activity of samples was analysed with the 2,2’-azino-bis-3-3thylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) method. Data were analysed using ANOVA at significance level (p < 0.05) followed by Tukey test models using SPSS v.22. 

Results: The result of this study indicated that  O. basilicum intervention treatment (DSB) has the potential to increase bioactive compounds such as total phenol, antioxidant activity and phycocyanin, and flavonoid content. Intervention of  O. basilicum on  S. platensis (DSB) significantly increases total phenol by 49.5% and phycocyanin by 40.7%. This is due to the phenol and azulene compounds in  O. basilicum which have a synergistic effect on phenol and phycocyanin in  S. platensis. Microencapsulation using a maltodexrin and gelatin coating is effective in phycocyanin protection and antioxidant activity with an encapsulation efficiency value of 71.58% and 80.5%.  

Conclusion: The intervention of  O. basilicum on  S. platensis improved the total phenol and phycocyanin content and there is potential for a pharmaceutical product for a functional food and pharmaceutical product.

HPLC/HR-MS-Based Metabolite Profiling and Chemometrics: A Powerful Approach to Identify Bioactive Compounds from Abarema cochliacarpos

Despite its importance as a medicinal plant, there is a lack of studies that assessed the chemical composition of A. cochliacarpos extracts. Herein, we used a metabolite profiling approach and chemometrics as a powerful strategy to correlate the chemical composition with the antioxidant activity of A. cochliacarpos extracts. Extracts obtained with ethyl acetate showed greater antioxidant activity and higher total phenolic content than extracts obtained with hexane. The chemical composition was assessed by HPLC/HR-MS and it encompassed fatty alcohols, terpenoids, phenolic derivatives, lipids, carotenoid-like compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, polyketides, and glycerophospholipids. Chemometrics successfully differentiated not only the chemical composition of extracts in response to the nature of the extraction solvent and the botanical part used during extraction but also it allowed us to associate the chemical composition with the antioxidant activity of the extracts, which might be particularly helpful for drug discovery and development programs.

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants, and Health Benefits of Sweet Potato Leaves

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is one of the most important food crops worldwide and its leaves provide a dietary source of nutrients and various bioactive compounds. These constituents of sweet potato leaves (SPL) vary among varieties and play important roles in treating and preventing various diseases. Recently, more attentions in health-promoting benefits have led to several in vitro and in vivo investigations, as well as the identification and quantification of bioactive compounds in SPL. Among them, many new compounds have been reported as the first identified compounds from SPL with their dominant bioactivities. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the bioactive compositions of SPL and their health benefits. Since SPL serve as a potential source of micronutrients and functional compounds, they can be further developed as a sustainable crop for food and medicinal industries.