Simultaneous HPLC-ELSD determination of sugars and cyclitols in different parts of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth

Horsfielenigans A and B, Two Rearranged Lignans with Anti-Inflammatory Effects from Horsfieldia kingii

Seven lignans were isolated from 70 % aqueous acetone extracts of the twigs and leaves of Horsfieldia kingii. Among these, new compounds 1-3 were identified by spectroscopic techniques, with horsfielenigans A and B (1 and 2) being particularly noteworthy for their rare β-benzylnaphthalene skeleton, where compound 1 contains an oxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane moiety. In vitro evaluation of bioactivity against nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages revealed inhibitory effects by 1 (IC50 =7.3 μM) and 2 (IC50 =9.7 μM).

Identification and quantification of cyclitols and sugars isolated from different morphological parts of Raphanus sativus L

Through this study, we aimed to develop a new analytical method for identification and quantification of sugars and cyclitols isolated from different morphological parts of Raphanus sativus L (R. sativus). Accelerated solvent extraction with water was involved for targets extraction. Solid phase extraction was used for purification and preconcentration, while high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) was used for chromatographic analyses. A short method of only 30 min for a single analysis was developed finally. The obtained results, allowed for quantification of eight targets, i.e., three cyclitols (D-pinitol, allo-inositol and scyllo-inositol) and five sugars (xylose, D-mannose, D-fructose, D-glucose and sucrose) that were determined simultaneously using a single analysis. The developed method can be applied in industry as a routine method for analysis of sugars and cyclitols from different sources.

Comparative study for analysis of carbohydrates in biological samples

This work presents a comparative study for the analysis of carbohydrates for four common chromatographic methods, each coupled to mass spectrometry. Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and gas chromatography (GC) with detection by triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (QqQ-MS) are compared. It is shown that gas chromatography and reversed-phase liquid chromatography, each after derivatisation, are superior to the other two methods in terms of separation performance. Furthermore, comparing the different working modes of the mass spectrometer, it can be determined that a targeted analysis, i.e. moving from full scan to single ion monitoring (SIM) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), results in an improvement in the sensitivity as well as the repeatability of the method, which has deficiencies especially in the analysis using HILIC. Overall, RP-LC-MS in MRM after derivatisation with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) proved to be the most suitable method in terms of separation performance, sensitivity and repeatability for the analysis of monosaccharides. Detection limits in the nanomolar range were achieved, which corresponds to a mass concentration in the low µg/L range. The applicability of this method to different biological samples was investigated with various herbal liquors, pectins and a human glycoprotein.

Novel Chemical and Biological Insights of Inositol Derivatives in Mediterranean Plants

Inositols (Ins) are natural compounds largely widespread in plants and animals. Bio-sinthetically they derive from sugars, possessing a molecular structure very similar to the simple sugars, and this aspect concurs to define them as primary metabolites, even though it is much more correct to place them at the boundary between primary and secondary metabolites. This dichotomy is well represented by the fact that as primary metabolites they are essential cellular components in the form of phospholipid derivatives, while as secondary metabolites they are involved in a plethora of signaling pathways playing an important role in the surviving of living organisms. myo-Inositol is the most important and widespread compound of this family, it derives directly from d-glucose, and all known inositols, including stereoisomers and derivatives, are the results of metabolic processes on this unique molecule. In this review, we report the new insights of these compounds and their derivatives concerning their occurrence in Nature with a particular emphasis on the plant of the Mediterranean area, as well as the new developments about their biological effectiveness.

Zijuan tea- based kombucha: Physicochemical, sensorial, and antioxidant profile

Zijuan tea is a representative anthocyanin-rich tea cultivar in China. In this study, Zijuan tea was used to produce a novel kombucha beverage (ZTK). The physicochemical, sensory properties, and antioxidant activity of ZTK were compared with that of black tea kombucha (BTK) and green tea kombucha (GTK). Results indicated that after fermentation, the color of ZTK changed from yellowish-brown to salmon-pink, because its anthocyanins (4.5 mg/L) appeared red in acidic conditions. Meanwhile no significant changes of color were observed in BTK and GTK. The dynamic changes of pH, biomass, and concentrations of sugars, amino acids, and main organic acids were similar in three kombucha beverages, except catechins showing different trends. Moreover, ZTK showed the highest overall acceptability score, antioxidant activity, and concentration of volatiles among the three kombucha beverages. Therefore, Zijuan tea is suitable for the preparation of kombucha beverage with attractive color and health benefits.

Correlation Study of Honey Regarding their Physicochemical Properties and Sugars and Cyclitols Content

Honey is a natural sweetener, with an osmotic effect on microorganisms due to the increased sugar content and low amount of water. Cyclitols are minor constituents of honey. They play a defensive role in plants against unfavorable environmental conditions. Honey’s physicochemical properties can vary, resulting in a wide range of colors, flavors, scents, antioxidant activity, dissimilar values of pH, acidity, electrical conductivity, etc. Some literature regarding correlation between honey types is already available, but a comprehensive study displaying an ample evaluation of multifarious aspects is still needed. This study focuses on the correlation between 18 honey types, originating from 10 countries, collected during four years, summarizing a total of 38 samples. A total of 6 physicochemical properties and 18 target components (sugars and cyclitols) were considered as variables. A correlation analysis is presented between the investigated parameters and between honey types, together with the statistical analysis which allowed for observation of the clusters’ distribution according with the investigated variables.

Supercritical fluid extraction in isolation of cyclitols and sugars from chamomile flowers

The aim of the present study was to develop an optimization procedure for supercritical fluid extraction parameters, in order to obtain the highest possible yield of sugars and cyclitols from plant material. Response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design was applied to evaluate the effect of: temperature (40, 60, 80°C), pressure (100, 200, 300 bar), and co-solvent (methanol) percentage (20, 25, 30%). As a result of the optimization process, we found that the highest amount of sugars (15.02 mg/gof dried material) and cyclitols (0.86 mg/g of dried material) was obtained when the following parameters were applied: 80°C, 228 bar, and 30% of methanol. Moreover, co-solvent concentration and temperature had a higher influence onto the obtained amounts compared with the pressure.

Diarylpropanes from Horsfieldia kingii

Three new diarylpropanes (1-3), including two diarylpropane glycosides, and three known ones, were isolated from 70% aqueous acetone extract of the twigs and leaves of Horsfieldia kingii. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Bioactive evaluation of inhibition on DDC enzyme assay showed that the new compounds were inactive.