Evaluation of effect of different solvent mixtures on the phenolic compound extraction and antioxidant capacity of bitter melon (Momordica charantia)

Ultraviolet C irradiation enhances the resistance of grape against postharvest black rot (Aspergillus carbonarius) by regulating the synthesis of phenolic compounds

UV-C irradiation can maintain fruit quality by inducing fruit disease resistance and reducing decay during storage. Grape (Vitis Vinifera L.) was exposed to 2.4 kJ m-2 UV-C irradiation then inoculated with Aspergillus carbonarius to investigate the changes in nutritional quality, defense related substances and enzyme activities. Postharvest UV-C irradiation can increased the levels of defense-related substances and enzyme activities, such as phenols, flavanols, lignin, proline, glutathione, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU). In addition, Resveratrol plays an important role in grape resistance to A. carbonarius infection through further verification by gene expression levels, the transcription factors VvWRKY24 and VvMYB14 are highly correlated with the regulation of VvSTS gene expression. This study revealed the molecular mechanism of postharvest grape fruit response to UV-C irradiation and the defense mechanism against black rot, and provided a theoretical basis for postharvest grape storage and preservation technology.

Eating with peel or not: Investigation of the peel consumption situation and its nutrition, risk analysis, and dietary advice in China

Nutritious, balanced, tasty and easy to eat, fruit is an indispensable health food for consumers. With consumers' increasing respect for the concept of health, green and nutrition, the peel, which has higher nutritional value compared to the pulp, is gradually being emphasized in the consumption process. The suitability of fruit peels for consumption is influenced by various factors, such as the amount of pesticide residues, nutrient content, ease of peeling, and fruit texture, but there is a lack of relevant studies to guide consumers' scientific intake of fruit peels. This review first investigated chineses consumers consumption of common fruits with peels, especially eight fruits that are controversial in terms of whether to consume them with peels, and the results showed that whether people consume peels depends mainly on their nutritional value and pesticide residues. Based on this, the paper discusses the common methods of pesticide detection and removal from fruit peels, as well as the nutrients contained in different fruit peels and their physiological activities, if the peels usually have stronger antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities than the pulp. Finally, reasonable dietary recommendations are made on whether fruits should be consumed with their peels, with a view to guiding chineses consumers towards scientific consumption and provide theoretical basis for relevant research in other countries.

New insights into the bioactive polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoids isolated from bitter melon (Momordica charantia) and their relevance for nutraceutical and food application: A review

The recent trend in infectious diseases and chronic disorders has dramatically increased consumers' interest in functional foods. As a result, the research of bioactive ingredients with potential for nutraceutical and food application has rapidly become a topic of interest. In this optic, the plant Momordica charantia (M. charantia) has recently attracted the most attention owing to its numerous biological properties including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancers among others. However, the current literature on M. charantia has mainly been concerned with the plant extract while little is known on the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the plant's health benefits. Hence, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent research progress on bioactives isolated from M. charantia, focusing on polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoids. Thus, this review provides an up-to-date account of the different extraction methods used to isolate M. charantia bioactives. In addition, the structural features and biological properties are presented. Moreover, this review discusses the current and promising applications of M. charantia bioactives with relevance to the nutraceutical and food industries. The information provided in this review will serve as a theoretical basis and practical support for the formulation of products enriched with M. charantia bioactives.

Molecular docking and spectral shift supported toxicity profile of metaldehyde mollucide and the toxicity-reducing effects of bitter melon extract

Excessive use of metaldehyde to combat mollusks directly or indirectly endangers non-targeted organisms. The present study aimed to reveal the antitoxic potential of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) extract (BME) against metaldehyde-related toxicity in Allium cepa L. The experimental groups formed using A. cepa bulbs were exposed to aqueous solutions containing 350 mg/L BME, 700 mg/L BME, 200 mg/L metaldehyde, 200 mg/L metaldehyde +350 mg/L BME and 200 mg/L metaldehyde +700 mg/L BME, respectively. The bulbs in the control group dipped in tap water. Metaldehyde suppressed growth with respect to germination ratio, root elongation and weight gain parameters. In metaldehyde-administered group, mitotic index (MI) was reduced, while the frequencies of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) increased. Metaldehyde promoted CAs such as sticky chromosomes, vagrant chromosome, fragment, unequal distribution of chromatin, reverse polarization, bridge and multipolar anaphase in root tip meristem cells. Spectral shift and molecular docking confirmed the genotoxic effect of metaldehyde resulting from DNA-metaldehyde interaction. The DNA damage in root meristems was revealed using the Comet Assay. Metaldehyde stress provoked oxidative stress. Activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes along with level of malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation accelerated. In roots treated with metaldehyde, epidermis cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, cortex cell damage and cortex cell wall thickening were observed as meristematic cell damage. BME attenuated metaldehyde-induced toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrated the mitigative potential of plant derived BME with no-to-low side effects against hazardous chemicals including metaldehyde. Nature is the most valuable weapon against toxicity from pollutants. Therefore, the protective potential of BME against other harmful agents should be screened.

The use of ultrasound in the South Cone region. Advances in organic and inorganic synthesis and in analytical methods

In organic and inorganic synthesis and in analytical methods, an external conventional heat source is usually applied to carry out a chemical reaction at a high temperature, or an extraction procedure. In the last decades, the use of ultrasound as an alternative energy source has become an interesting field of research in these topics in the South Cone region (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Southern Brazil and Paraguay). For this reason, the present review, covering the period 2009 to mid-2021, is a compilation of ultrasound-assisted synthetic and analytical methodologies.

Phytotoxic Potential and Phenolic Profile of Extracts from Scrophularia striata

A large number of plants produce secondary metabolites known as allelochemicals that are capable of inhibiting the germination of competitive species. This process is known as allelopathy and is mediated by several classes of chemicals, among which phenolic compounds are the most frequent. Thus, plant allelochemicals can be used to control weeds in agricultural systems. In the present work, we analyzed the phenolic profile and phytotoxic potential of different extracts (pure water or water: ethanol 50:50) from Scrophulariastriata plants that were collected from two ecological regions in Iran (Pahleh and Lizan). The total polyphenolic content (TPC), as evaluated by the Folin-Ciocolteau method, ranged from 28.3 mg/g in the aqueous extract obtained from the Lizan ecotype to 39.6 mg/g in the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the Pahleh ecotype. Moreover, HPLC analysis was aimed at determining the content of eight phenolic compounds, namely eugenol, rosmarinic acid, hesperetin, hesperedin, trans-ferulic acid, vanillin, and caffeic acid. According to the results, rosmarinic acid appeared to be the most abundant component. The phytotoxic activities of S.striata extracts were examined on the seed germination of a crop species, Lepidium sativum, and two weeds, Chenopodium album and Malva sylvestris. All extracts showed inhibitory effects on these species. The efficiency of these inhibitory effects depended on the type of plant species, origin, and concentration of extract. The highest phytotoxic activity was caused by approximately 1% concentration of extract. The most susceptible weed was M. sylvestris. The extracts that were obtained from the Pahleh ecotype, notably the hydroalcoholic ones, showed higher phytotoxicity against L. sativum, C. album and M. sylvestris. These results encourage further studies to support the use of S. striata as a source of bioherbicides.