GC–MS and FTIR analyses of oils from Hibiscus sabdariffa, Stigma maydis and Chromolaena odorata leaf obtained from Malaysia: Potential sources of fatty acids

Exploring the Potential of Roselle Calyx and Sappan Heartwood Extracts as Natural Colorants in Poly(butylene Succinate) for Biodegradable Packaging Films

Recently, there has been a growing concern among consumers regarding the safety of packaging products, particularly due to the presence of potentially harmful substances like synthetic pigments and inorganic dyes. These substances, which are often used to attract consumer attention, can migrate and contaminate products over extended shelf storage periods. To address this issue, the focus of this research was the development of a biodegradable packaging film using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) incorporated with natural colorants extracted from roselle (RS) and sappan heartwood (SP). RS and SP serve as non-toxic and alternative pigments when compared to synthetic colorants. The biodegradable packaging films were prepared using blown film extrusion, encompassing different weight percentages of RS and SP (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%). The films exhibited distinct colors, with RS films appearing pink to purple and SP films exhibiting an orange hue. The water vapor transmission rate slightly decreased with an increasing content of RS and SP extracts, indicating improved barrier properties. Additionally, the films showed reduced light transmittance, as evidenced by the UV-Vis light barrier results. The degree of crystallinity in the films was enhanced, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Regarding mechanical properties, the PBS/RS and PBS/SP films exhibited slight increases in tensile strength and elongation compared to neat PBS films. Moreover, the blended films demonstrated higher stability after undergoing an aging test, further highlighting their potential for use in biodegradable packaging applications. The key advantages of these films lie in their non-toxicity, biodegradability, and overall environmental friendliness.

Essential Oil from Hibiscus Flowers through Advanced Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation and Conventional Hydrodistillation

Due to the increased demand and importance of essential oils in medicinal applications, advanced essential oil extraction techniques have been employed. Both conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) were employed to extract the essential oils from the hibiscus flower. Extraction time and solvent polarity were the most critical factors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the surface morphologies of raw powdered hibiscus flowers (not exposed to any pretreatment) and pretreated powdered hibiscus flowers (exposed to methanol absorption for 60 minutes prior to extraction). Extractive chemistry analysis utilizing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed on the volatile oil obtained by MAHD. Different peaks in the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis indicated the presence of thirty-seven different compositions. MAHD was more energy efficient, had higher yield production, and was environmentally friendly, reducing HD’s overall carbon footprint by 40%. Oxygenated monoterpene, sesquiterpene, and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were found in the hibiscus flower’s crude extract. Moreover, the methanolic extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has potent antioxidant properties. A hibiscus flower extract had scavenging activities of 51.2% at 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3% at 0.6 mg/mL, 0.8% at 1.0 mg/mL, and 68.5% at 1.2 mg/mL against DPPH free radicals. Therefore, the MAHD method is well-suited to extracting essential oils from hibiscus flowers, and the resulting oil has the potential to provide significant therapeutic advantages.

Comparative analysis of three kinds of extraction kinetic models of crude polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula and evaluate the characteristics of crude polysaccharides

In this study, the second-order model, Fick's second law of diffusion, and the Peleg model were used to evaluate the extraction kinetic model of polysaccharide (CPP) from Codonopsis pilosula. The characteristic functional groups, surface structure, and physical and chemical properties of CPP were analyzed by multi-spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The results showed that the extraction process agreed well with the second-order model, Fick's second diffusion law, and Peleg model. Rheological tests showed that CPP exhibited different viscosity changes under different conditions (Solution viscosity was inversely proportional to temperature, time, etc.; proportional to polysaccharide concentration, Na+ content, etc.). CPP was composed of molecular aggregates composed of small particles, with more pore structure and basically completely decomposed at 130 °C. The hypoglycemic study showed that CPP had a strong inhibitory effect on α-glycosidase than α-amylase. The morphology and subsequent structural features, anti-diabetic potential, and rheological properties of CPP were revealed to provide a theoretical basis for the development of pharmaceutical preparations or health food and functional food for the treatment of diabetes.

Graphic Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13399-022-02518-w.

Use of non-psychoactive residual biomass from Cannabis sativa L. for obtaining phenolic rich-extracts with antioxidant capacity

The present research aims to give an added value to the chain production of Cannabis sativa L plant, taking advantage of the non-psychoactive residual biomass (stems and leaves). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were analysed. A factorial design 2³ was carried out using extraction time (T), Particle size (PS), and solid-solvent ratio (SS) as factors. The extractions were made with ethanol at 96% as solvent. The maximum concentration of TPC found was 1264.61 mg GA/g DW at 6:250 g/mL, 8 h, and 109.28 µm for SS, T and PS, respectively. Similarly, the maximum TAC obtained was 0.467 mM Trolox equivalent, at 8 h, 6:250 g/mL and 109.28 µm for T, SS and PS, respectively. Additionally, the presence of oil was found in some samples of cannabis extracts for which FITR was performed, obtaining the presence of C-OH bonds associated with alcohols, phenols and possible cannabinoids.

Preparation and characterization of ancient recipe of organic Lime Putty-Evaluation for its suitability in restoration of Padmanabhapuram Palace, India

The study aims at preparation and characterization of six organic lime putty (hydraulic Lime + fermented plant extract) using regionally available plants namely Terminalia Chebula (kadukkai), Rosa Sinensis (hibiscus), Palm jaggery (refined sugar), Xanthorrhoeaceae (aloe vera), and Indigofera Tinctoria (neelamari) as per the methods given in the ancient palm leaf of Padmanabhapuram Palace, India. Advanced analytical techniques like Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS), UV-Spectrophotometer and carbon dioxide quantification were used to study the fermented plant extracts and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to study hydrated phases and microstructure of organic lime putty. GC–MS recorded the phytochemical compounds like fatty acids, traces of proteins, polysaccharides and carbohydrates. Fermented kadukkai and neelamari extracts reported as fatty acid, palm jaggery as carbohydrate, hibiscus as polysaccharide and aloevera rich in all the biomolecules. The detection limit of Quantification:0.013 and limit of detection:0.067 for polysaccharides, 0.026 and 0.088 for unsaturated fatty acids was reported through a U.V spectrophotometer for all the herbs. Aloevera and neelamari fermented extracts recorded the CO₂ release around 96,000 and 90,000 ppm on 4th day of fermentation, whereas for other herbs it ranged below the recorded readings. Supply of CO₂ has initiated the internal carbonation of the lime putty and precipitation of calcite in three different forms aragonite, calcite and vaterite minerals. The addition of organics resulted in high-intensity portlandite peaks and calcium carbonate polymorphs as reported in XRD graphs in agreement with FT-IR analysis. FESEM morphology validated the early formation of carbonate polymorphs, and EDX. has shown that kadukkai lime putty, jaggery lime putty and reference lime putty. mixes have calcium around 35–45%. From the overall results, 3% addition of eco-friendly biopolymers has altered the properties like setting time, water repellency and higher carbonation rate, which is the main reason behind longevity of the structure.