Capsicum annuum L. var. Cornetto di Pontecorvo PDO: Polyphenolic profile and in vitro biological activities

Identification, structure elucidation, and isomer differentiation of phenolic compounds of Chinese pepper cultivars by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and their antioxidant activity

A total of 43 compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and diterpene, were identified and characterized using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS coupled with UNIFI software. The identified flavonoids were mostly isomers of luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin, which were elucidated and distinguished for the first time in pepper cultivars. The use of multivariate data analytics for sample discrimination revealed that luteolin derivatives played the most important role in differentiating pepper cultivars. The content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in immature green peppers was generally higher than that of mature red peppers. The pepper extracts possessed significant antioxidant activities, and the antioxidant activities correlated well with phenolic contents and their molecular structure. In conclusion, the findings expand our understanding of the phytochemical components of the Chinese pepper genotype at two maturity stages. Moreover, a UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS in negative ionization mode rapid methods for characterization and isomers differentiation was described.

Rutin: Family Farming Products' Extraction Sources, Industrial Applications and Current Trends in Biological Activity Protection

In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the bioactivity of rutin, a dietary flavonol naturally found in several plant species. Despite widespread knowledge of its numerous health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular effects, industrial use of rutin is still limited due to its low solubility in aqueous media, the characteristic bitter and astringent taste of phenolic compounds and its susceptibility to degradation during processing. To expand its applications and preserve its biological activity, novel encapsulation systems have been developed. This review presents updated research on the extraction sources and methodologies of rutin from fruit and vegetable products commonly found in a regular diet and grown using family farming approaches. Additionally, this review covers quantitative analysis techniques, encapsulation methods utilizing nanoparticles, colloidal and heterodisperse systems, as well as industrial applications of rutin.

Characterization of phenolics and tocopherol profile, capsaicinoid composition and bioactive properties of fruits in interspecies (Capsicum annuum X Capsicum frutescens) recombinant inbred pepper lines (RIL)

In this study, 104 RIL (Recombinant Inbred Pepper Lines: F6) populations which generated by selfing Capsicum annuum (Long pepper) × Capsicum frutescens (PI281420) F6 population were characterized in terms of detailed bioactive properties, major phenolic composition, tocopherol and capsaicinoid profile. Total phenolics, flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents of the red pepper lines were in the range of 7.06-17.15 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dw, 1.10-5.46 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g dw and 7.9-516.6 mg/kg dw extract, respectively. Antiradical activity and antioxidant capacity values also ranged between 18.99 and 49.73% and 6.97-16.47 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/kg dw, respectively. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin levels showed a wide variance with the range of 27.9-1405.9 and 12.3-640.4 mg/100 g dw, respectively. Scoville heat unit revealed that the 95% of the peppers were highly pungent. The major tocopherol was alpha tocopherol for the pepper samples with the highest level of 1078.4 µg/g dw. The major phenolics were detected as p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, myricetin, luteolin and quercetin. Pepper genotypes showed significant differences in terms of the characterized properties and principal component analysis was applied successfully to reveal the similar genotypes.

Phytochemical Composition and Cytoprotective Properties of the Endemic Sideritis sipylea Boiss Greek Species: A Valorization Study

Sideritis sipylea Boiss. (Fam. Lamiaceae) is an endemic plant of the North Aegean Islands (Greece), commonly known as ironwort. Traditionally, its aerial parts have been used to relieve several ailments, especially gastrointestinal disorders, however, with scant knowledge about the pharmacological basis. In the present study, an endemic S. sipylea Greek species from Lesvos Island has been characterized for phytochemical composition and biological activities, in order to give a possible scientific basis to its traditional use and to highlight a further nutraceutical interest as a source of bioactive phytochemicals and extracts. Three different fractions obtained from a methanolic extract of S. sipylea aerial parts by using ethyl acetate with 10 (S10), 20 (S20), and 50% (S50) methanol as fractionation solvents were phytochemically characterized. Moreover, their antioxidant power and cytoprotective activity in different human cell lines were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis highlighted the presence of flavonoids, iridoids, and phenolic acids in all the tested samples. Particularly, the S10 fraction mainly contained iridoids, while S20 and S50 lavandulifolioside and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The fractions also showed antioxidant properties, S10 and S20 being the most potent. When assessed in human cholangiocytes, they counteracted the cytotoxicity of the tBOOH pro-oxidant agent, by reducing ROS levels and affecting GSH antioxidant system. The present findings highlight a possible interest in S10 and S20 fractions from S. sipylea as sources of bioactive molecules and stimulate further studies in order to characterize their possible application for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical purposes.

Analysis of Major Polyphenolic Compounds of Cydonia oblonga Miller (Quince) Fruit Extract by UPLC-MS/MS and Its Effect on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells

Cydonia oblonga miller (quince) plant serves as a potential folk medicine for treating hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in China. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted on the polyphenolic profile and anti-adipogenic effect of quince fruit grown in China. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the quince fruit extract’s major phenolic compounds, evaluate their antioxidant activity, and examine their effect on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. A rapid and sensitive analytical method was established for the simultaneous determination of major polyphenolic compounds by using ultra-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Among the 10 compounds, the cryptochlorgenic acid was noticed as the most abundant compound of both purified (242.44 ± 0.73 µg/mg dw) and unpurified extract (3.37 ± 0.01 µg/mg dw) followed by quercetin 3-rutinoside and chlorogenic acid. Alternatively, both extracts possessed a high quantity of phenolic acids (purified extract = 483.10 ± 5.16 µg/mg dw and unpurified extract = 7.89 ± 0.02 µg/mg dw). The purified extract exhibited a strong antioxidant capacity (DPPH: EC50 = 3.316 µg/mL, ABTS: EC50 = 36.38 µg/mL) as compared to the unpurified extract. Additionally, our results also showed that the extract at 100 µg/mL significantly suppressed the preadipocyte differentiation and decreased the lipid droplets up to 69% in mature adipocytes. The present study highlights an accurate and fast detection method for quince fruit extract polyphenolic compounds with its antioxidant and antiadipogenic effects. The study also provides the necessary information for the rational development and utilization of quince fruit extract as a source of phytochemicals.

Capsaicinoid-Glucosides of Fresh Hot Pepper Promotes Stress Resistance and Longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

In this study, capsaicin-glucoside and dihydro-capsaicin-glucoside derived from fresh hot-red pepper were isolated and identified using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/PDA. Synchronized worms were treated with capsaicinoid-glucosides (CG), and then lifespan and stress resistance were examined. The 50 µg/ml concentration of CG-intake could effectively protect the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) against stresses factors including oxidation and heat as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby enhancing the survival of CG-treated worms under stress. Enhancing stress resistance in CG-treated worms could be due to the increased expressions of stress-related genes in C. elegans such as daf-16, skn-1 and their downstream target genes (sod-3, hsp-16.2, gst-4 and gcs-1). Lifespan study of different C. elegans strains and RT-PCR showed that the CG-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf2 transcription factors. The study is a step forward in exploring the stress resistance and anti-aging properties of this beneficial extract. Thus, this study will be useful in formulating remedies for stresses factors and age associated disorders.

Characterization of the Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivities of Anacyclus maroccanus Ball. and Anacyclus radiatus Loisel Aerial Parts: Preliminary Evidence for the Possible Development of Moroccan Plants

In the present study, the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of A. maroccanus (AM) and A. radiatus (AR), two ecotypes collected in the Demnate road and Essaouira regions, respectively, were studied to highlight a pharmacological interest and to enable possible pharmaceutical development. To this end, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were prepared for each ecotype by fractionation; next, their phytochemical composition was evaluated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic analysis. Moreover, in line with the available evidence for Anacyclus spp. and their traditional use, a screening of bioactivities, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiglycative, chelating, and antibacterial activities, was performed. The extracts were characterized by high amounts of polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids, especially in the methanolic extracts; these samples were also enriched in carotenoids despite a lower chlorophyll content. Chlorogenic acid and rutin were the major identified compounds. The extracts also showed interesting hypoglycemic, antiglycative, and antibacterial properties, although with differences in efficacy and potency. Present results provide more scientific basis to the ethnopharmacological uses of Anacyclus spp. and suggest a further interest in AM and AR ecotypes as natural sources of bioactive compounds and/or phytocomplexes for possible pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developments.

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of the Ethanolic Extract of Daphne sericea Vahl Flowering Aerial Parts Collected in Central Italy

In this paper, the first phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Daphne sericea Vahl flowering aerial parts collected in Italy and its biological activities were reported. Eleven compounds were identified i.e., α-linolenic acid (1), tri-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (2), pheophorbide a ethyl ester (3), pilloin (4), sinensetin (5), yuanhuanin (6), rutamontine (7), syringin (8), p-coumaric acid (9), p-anisic acid (10) and caffeic acid (11). To the best of our knowledge, compounds (1-4, 7-8 and 10) were isolated from D. sericea for the first time during this work, whereas sinensetin (5) represents a newly identified component of the entire Thymelaeaceae family. The extract was found to possess radical scavenging against both DPPH^• and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-thylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS^•+) radicals, with at least a 40-fold higher potency against the latter. Moreover, chelating abilities against both ferrous and ferric ions have been highlighted, thus suggesting a possible indirect antioxidant power of the extract. Although the precise bioactive compounds remain to be discovered, the polyphenolic constituents, including phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, seem to contribute to the antioxidant power of the phytocomplex. In addition, the extract produced cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 and U87-MG cancer cell lines, especially at the concentration of 625 μg/mL and after 48–72 h. Further studies are required to clarify the contribution of the identified compounds in the bioactivities of the extract and to support possible future applications.

Biochemical, compositional, and spectral analyses of İsot (Urfa pepper) seed oil and evaluation of its functional characteristics

In this study, the physicochemical, functional, and antimicrobial properties of pepper seed oil (PSO) were determined. PSO was subjected to differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), fatty acid composition, carotenoid, capsaicin, and tocopherol analyses. LC-ESI-MS/MS and NMR were used to characterize and quantify phytochemicals. Resveratrol, luteolin, and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid were the principal phenolics in PSO. A high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (85.3%), especially linoleic acid (73.7%) is present in PSO. Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, zeaxanthin, and capsanthin were determined in PSO at concentrations of 762.92, 725.73, 62.40, 643.23, 29.51, 16.83 ppm, respectively. PSO displayed inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase rather than α-amylase. The antimicrobial activity of PSO was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus, Aspergillus brasiliensis and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial potential of PSO was expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and inhibition zone (IZ) diameter. Polyunsaturated fatty acid, capsaicin, carotenoid, tocopherol, resveratrol contents; the antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of PSO indicated its nutritional value and health promoting nature for the well-being of humans.

Chemico-Biological Characterization of Torpedino Di Fondi® Tomato Fruits: A Comparison with San Marzano Cultivar at Two Ripeness Stages

Torpedino di Fondi (TF) is a hybrid tomato landrace developed in Sicily and recently introduced in the south Lazio area along with the classical San Marzano (SM) cultivar. The present study aimed at characterizing TF tomatoes at both pink and red ripening stages, and at comparing them with traditional SM tomatoes. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of morphological, chemical (FT-ICR MS, NMR, HPLC, and spectrophotometric methods), and biological (antioxidant and antifungal in vitro activity) analyses was applied. Morphological analysis confirmed the mini-San Marzano nature and the peculiar crunchy and solid consistency of TF fruits. Pink TF tomatoes displayed the highest content of hydrophilic antioxidants, like total polyphenols (0.192 mg/g), tannins (0.013 mg/g), flavonoids (0.204 mg/g), and chlorophylls a (0.344 mg/g) and b (0.161 mg/g), whereas red TF fruits were characterized by the highest levels of fructose (3000 mg/100 g), glucose (2000 mg/100 g), tryptophan (2.7 mg/100 g), phenylalanine (13 mg/100 g), alanine (25 mg/100 g), and total tri-unsaturated fatty acids (13% mol). Red SM fruits revealed the greatest content of lipophilic antioxidants, with 1234 mg/g of total carotenoids. In agreement with phenolics content, TF cultivar showed the greatest antioxidant activity. Lastly, red TF inhibited Candida species (albicans, glabrata and krusei) growth.

Fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms for the preparation of extracts with α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties: A review

The inhibition of the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity facilitates the maintenance of circulating glucose levels by decreasing the rate of blood sugar absorption. Existing enzyme inhibitors such as acarbose, miglitol, and voglibose are used for inhibiting the activity of these enzymes, however, alternative solutions are required to avoid the side-effects of using these drugs. The current study aims to review recent evidence regarding the in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities of extracts derived from selected fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms. The mechanisms of action of the extracts involved in the inhibition of both enzymes are also presented and discussed. Compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, saponins, carotenoids, terpenes, sugars, proteins, capsaicinoids, fatty acids, alkaloids have been shown to have α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities. Harvesting period, maturity stage, sample preparation, extraction technique, and solvent type are parameters that affect the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities of the extracts.

Cross-Species Comparison of Fruit-Metabolomics to Elucidate Metabolic Regulation of Fruit Polyphenolics Among Solanaceous Crops

Many solanaceous crops are an important part of the human daily diet. Fruit polyphenolics are plant specialized metabolites that are recognized for their human health benefits and their defensive role against plant abiotic and biotic stressors. Flavonoids and chlorogenates are the major polyphenolic compounds found in solanaceous fruits that vary in quantity, physiological function, and structural diversity among and within plant species. Despite their biological significance, the elucidation of metabolic shifts of polyphenols during fruit ripening in different fruit tissues, has not yet been well-characterized in solanaceous crops, especially at a cross-species and cross-cultivar level. Here, we performed a cross-species comparison of fruit-metabolomics to elucidate the metabolic regulation of fruit polyphenolics from three representative crops of Solanaceae (tomato, eggplant, and pepper), and a cross-cultivar comparison among different pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum cv.) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We observed a metabolic trade-off between hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids in pungent pepper and anthocyanin-type pepper cultivars and identified metabolic signatures of fruit polyphenolics in each species from each different tissue-type and fruit ripening stage. Our results provide additional information for metabolomics-assisted crop improvement of solanaceous fruits towards their improved nutritive properties and enhanced stress tolerance.

Exploring the Nutraceutical Potential of Dried Pepper Capsicum annuum L. on Market from Altino in Abruzzo Region

Sweet pepper is a typical type of Capsicum annuum from Abruzzo region, recognized as a traditional and local product, traditionally cultivated in the town of Altino (Abruzzo region, Italy). The aim of this study is to compare the sweet type of peppers from Altino with the hot pepper cultivated in the same area, in order to delineate their different phytochemical and biological profiles in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we elucidated their phytochemical composition, fatty acids composition and phenolic/flavonoid contents in extracts. Then antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays were performed to evaluate their biological properties, together with in vitro cell assay and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Microwave (1000 mg/mL) extract of hot pepper showed the best inhibition value on in vitro cell growth assay; in fact, the number of survived cells was about 20% and 40% for microwave and Soxhlet extracts, respectively. In vivo anti-inflammatory assay revealed good activity for both species, which, when associated with in vitro cell inhibition results, could explain the protective effect on human prostatic hyperplasia.

Phenolic Profile and Bioactivities of Sideritis perfoliata L.: The Plant, Its Most Active Extract, and Its Broad Biological Properties

Sideritis, also named “ironwort,” “mountain tea,” or “shepherd's tea,” is a genus of flowering plants used as herbal medicine in traditional Mediterranean-area medicine systems, and these plants are generally consumed as a herbal tea. Its use as herbal tea and in traditional herbal medicine is quite popular. There are currently few studies on Sideritis perfoliata L., and only one reports the use of a liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ) profile and the content of phenolic compounds without considering a possible correlation with its biological activities. This paper aims to investigate the antioxidant activities by means of several different biological/biochemical assays (radical scavenging, reducing power, ferrous ion chelating, and total antioxidant by phosphomolybdenum and β-carotene bleaching methods) as well as analyze the enzyme inhibitory activities (against AChE (acetylcholinesterase), BChE (butyrylcholinesterase), tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase) as well as the total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. The reported results on Sideritis perfoliata highlighted that methanol and water extracts generally showed higher radical scavenging and reducing power activities. A similar trend could be observed for phosphomolybdenum and ferrous ion chelating activities. Methanol extracts showed lower activity only for the β-carotene bleaching assay.

Phytochemical and biological characterization of Italian "sedano bianco di Sperlonga" Protected Geographical Indication celery ecotype: A multimethodological approach

Celery is a widely used vegetable known for its peculiar sensorial and nutritional properties. Here, the white celery (Apium graveolens L.) "sedano bianco di Sperlonga" PGI ecotype was investigated to obtain the metabolic profile of its edible parts (blade leaves and petioles) also related to quality, freshness and biological properties. A multi-methodological approach, including NMR, MS, HPLC-PDA, GC-MS and spectrophotometric analyses, was proposed to analyse celery extracts. Sugars, polyalcohols, amino acids, organic acids, phenols, sterols, fatty acids, phthalides, chlorophylls, tannins and flavonoids were detected in different concentrations in blade leaf and petiole extracts, indicating celery parts as nutraceutical sources. The presence of some phenols in celery extracts was here reported for the first time. Low contents of biogenic amines and mycotoxins confirmed celery quality and freshness. Regarding the biological properties, ethanolic celery extracts inhibited the oxidative-mediated DNA damage induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide and scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals.

Hypoglycemic, Antiglycation, and Cytoprotective Properties of a Phenol-Rich Extract From Waste Peel of Punica granatum L. var. Dente di Cavallo DC2

Pomegranate peel is a natural source of phenolics, claimed to possess healing properties, among which are antioxidant and antidiabetic. In the present study, an ethyl acetate extract, obtained by Soxhlet from the peel of Dente di Cavallo DC2 pomegranate (PGE) and characterized to contain 4% w/w of ellagic acid, has been evaluated for its hypoglycemic, antiglycation, and antioxidative cytoprotective properties, in order to provide possible evidence for future nutraceutical applications. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, interference with advanced glycation end-products (AGE) formation, and metal chelating abilities were studied. Moreover, the possible antioxidant cytoprotective properties of PGE under hyperglycemic conditions were assayed. Phenolic profile of the extract was characterized by integrated chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. PGE resulted able to strongly inhibit the tested enzymes, especially α-glucosidase, and exerted chelating and antiglycation properties. Also, it counteracted the intracellular oxidative stress under hyperglycemic conditions, by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species and total glutathione. Among the identified phenolics, rutin was the most abundant flavonoid (about 4 % w/w). Present results suggest PGE to be a possible remedy for hyperglycemia management and encourage further studies to exploit its promising properties.

A new high-throughput method to make a quality control on tattoo inks

Nowadays, practice of tattooing is very common worldwide and, along with this increasing trend, there is also an increased risk of adverse reactions to tattoo pigments that are well known and described in literature. Previous studies have reported that cutaneous and allergic reactions to a particular pigment can manifest in several ways (allergic contact dermatitis and photo-allergic dermatitis). In this paper, a new high-throughput method is presented, in order to achieve a new system for the quality control on tattoo inks based on chromatographic-spectroscopic approach. The samples, twenty-one tattoo inks and three permanent makeup, comprised the following colors: black inks, yellow, blue, green, white, pink and various shades of red (pigment that gives many allergic responses) were analyzed through the combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, the HPTLC-Raman. In particular, Raman technique has been chosen because of its high sensitivity towards the inorganic and organic pigments, main constituents of tattoo inks. Moreover, the advantage of this hyphenated technique is to overcome the problem of analysing the complex mixture of tattoo inks, allowing to obtain a Raman spectrum of each single component, isolated by chromatographic separation. This approach aims at developing a powerful instrument to establish the nature of tattoo inks and substances that could be cause adverse reactions in tattooed patients.

A Polyphenol Rich Extract from Solanum melongena L. DR2 Peel Exhibits Antioxidant Properties and Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Activity In Vitro

DR2B and DR2C extracts, obtained by ethanolic maceration of peel from commercially and physiologically ripe aubergine berries, were studied for the antioxidative cytoprotective properties and anti-HSV-1 activity, in line with the evidence that several antioxidants can impair viral replication by maintaining reducing conditions in host cells. The antioxidative cytoprotective effects against tBOOH-induced damage were assessed in Caco2 cells, while antiviral activity was studied in Vero cells; polyphenolic fingerprints were characterized by integrated phytochemical methods. Results highlighted different compositions of the extracts, with chlorogenic acid and delphinidin-3-rutinoside as the major constituents; other peculiar phytochemicals were also identified. Both samples reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and exhibited scavenging and chelating properties. DR2C partly counteracted the tBOOH-induced cytotoxicity, with a remarkable lowering of lactate metabolism under both normoxia and hypoxia; interestingly, it increased intracellular GSH levels. Furthermore, DR2C inhibited the HSV-1 replication when added for 24 h after viral adsorption, as also confirmed by the reduction of many viral proteins' expression. Since DR2C was able to reduce NOX4 expression during HSV-1 infection, its antiviral activity may be correlated to its antioxidant properties. Although further studies are needed to better characterize DR2C activity, the results suggest this extract as a promising new anti-HSV-1 agent.

Antiviral and Antioxidant Activity of a Hydroalcoholic Extract from Humulus lupulus L

A hydroalcoholic extract from female inflorescences of Humulus lupulus L. (HOP extract) was evaluated for its anti-influenza activity. The ability of the extract to interfere with different phases of viral replication was assessed, as well as its effect on the intracellular redox state, being unbalanced versus the oxidative state in infected cells. The radical scavenging power, inhibition of lipoperoxidation, and ferric reducing activity were assayed as antioxidant mechanisms. A phytochemical characterization of the extract was also performed. We found that HOP extract significantly inhibited replication of various viral strains, at different time from infection. Viral replication was partly inhibited when virus was incubated with extract before infection, suggesting a direct effect on the virions. Since HOP extract was able to restore the reducing conditions of infected cells, by increasing glutathione content, its antiviral activity might be also due to an interference with redox-sensitive pathways required for viral replication. Accordingly, the extract exerted radical scavenging and reducing effects and inhibited lipoperoxidation and the tBOOH-induced cytotoxicity. At phytochemical analysis, different phenolics were identified, which altogether might contribute to HOP antiviral effect. In conclusion, our results highlighted anti-influenza and antioxidant properties of HOP extract, which encourage further in vivo studies to evaluate its possible application.

A multi-methodological approach in the study of Italian PDO "Cornetto di Pontecorvo" red sweet pepper

A multi-methodological approach was applied to study red sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) ecotype "Cornetto di Pontecorvo" grown in a greenhouse or in open field. This approach includes morphological analysis, chemical composition determination, and biological activity evaluation of different extracts from pepper fruits. Untargeted analyses, namely NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, allowed the comprehensive pepper metabolite profile of pepper pulp, peel and seeds hydroalcoholic and organic extracts to be determined, showing the presence of sugars, organic acids, amino acids and other secondary metabolites. Targeted analyses, such as HPLC-PDA, HPLC-TLC and spectrophotometric analyses allowed polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and pigments content to be determined. Samples quality and freshness were verified by the low content of biogenic amines and mycotoxins, as determined using HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS, respectively. Preliminary biological results demonstrated the ability of the organic extracts to inhibit α-amylase, a key enzyme in the control of glucose metabolism.