Natural bioactive compounds of Citrus limon for food and health

Combining chemical profiles and biological abilities of different extracts from Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson using network pharmacology

Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson is an aromatic perennial herb used in Turkish traditional medicine to treat headache, fever, and skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic properties of T. nitens aerial parts. Organic solvent extracts were prepared by sequential maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol while aqueous extracts were obtained by maceration or infusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC-DAD-MS analysis allowed the identification and quantification of different phytoconstituents including parthenolide, tanacetol B, tatridin B, quinic acid derivatives, β-sitosterol, and glycoside derivatives of quercetin and luteolin. The type and amount of these phytochemicals recovered by each solvent were variable and significant enough to impact the biological activities of the plant. Methanolic and aqueous extracts displayed the highest scavenging and ions-reducing properties while the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exerted the best total antioxidant activity and metal chelating power. Results of enzyme inhibition activity showed that the hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts had comparable anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and the latter extract revealed the highest anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. The best α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities were obtained from the hexane extract. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect against the prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that T. nitens can be a promising source of biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications.

Volatile metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses provide insights into the mechanism of volatile changes during fruit development of 'Ehime 38' (Citrus reticulata) and its bud mutant

Volatile compounds are important determinants affecting fruit flavor. Previous study has identified a bud mutant of 'Ehime 38' (Citrus reticulata) with different volatile profile. However, the volatile changes between WT and MT during fruit development and underlying mechanism remain elusive. In this study, a total of 35 volatile compounds were identified in the pulps of WT and MT at five developmental stages. Both varieties accumulated similar and the highest levels of volatiles at stage S1, and showed a downward trend as the fruit develops. However, the total volatile contents in the pulps of MT were 1.4-2.5 folds higher than those in WT at stages S2-S5, which was mainly due to the increase in the content of d-limonene. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that most genes in MEP pathway were positively correlated with the volatile contents, of which DXS1 might mainly contribute to the elevated volatiles accumulation in MT by increasing the flux into the MEP pathway. Moreover, temporal expression analysis indicated that these MEP pathway genes functioned at different developmental stages. This study provided comprehensive volatile metabolomics and transcriptomics characterizations of a citrus mutant during fruit development, which is valuable for fruit flavor improvement in citrus.

Antimicrobial Potential of Pomegranate and Lemon Extracts Alone or in Combination with Antibiotics against Pathogens

Amidst the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance as a significant health challenge, research has emerged, focusing on elucidating the antimicrobial potential of polyphenol-rich extracts to reduce reliance on antibiotics. Previous studies explored the antifungal effects of extracts as potential alternatives to conventional therapeutic strategies. We aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal effects of standardised pomegranate extract (PE) and lemon extract (LE) using a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and two yeast species. Additionally, we assessed the antimicrobial activities of common antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Imipenem, Gentamicin, and Ceftazidime), either alone or in combination with extracts, against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. PE displayed substantial antibacterial (primarily bactericidal) and antifungal effects against most pathogens, while LE exhibited antibacterial (mostly bacteriostatic) and antifungal properties to a lesser extent. When compared with antibiotics, PE showed a greater zone of inhibition (ZOI) than Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime (p < 0.01) and comparable ZOI to Gentamicin (p = 0.4) against Staphylococcus aureus. However, combinations of either PE or LE with antibiotics exhibited either neutral or antagonistic effects on antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. These findings contribute to the existing evidence regarding the antimicrobial effects of PE and LE. They add to the body of research suggesting that polyphenols exert both antagonistic and synergistic effects in antimicrobial activity. This highlights the importance of identifying optimal polyphenol concentrations that can enhance antibiotic activity and reduce antibiotic resistance. Further in vivo studies, starting with animal trials and progressing to human trials, may potentially lead to recommendation of these extracts for therapeutic use.

Two new limonoid glycosides from the seeds of Citrus Limon and their PDE4D inhibitory activities

Two new limonoid glycosides, named limonosides A (1) and B (2), along with four known limonoids (3-6) were obtained from the seeds of Citrus limon. Their structures were deduced based on extensive spectroscopic analysis. Limonoside A (1) and nomilin (4) were found to possess moderate phosphodiesterase type 4D (PDE4D) inhibitory effect with values of 89.8 ± 2.4% and 98.9 ± 3.0% at 10 μM, respectively.

Phytoconstituents of Citrus limon (Lemon) as Potential Inhibitors Against Multi Targets of SARS-CoV-2 by Use of Molecular Modelling and In Vitro Determination Approaches

In the present work, phytoconstituents from Citrus limon are computationally tested against SARS-CoV-2 target protein such as Mpro - (5R82.pdb), Spike - (6YZ5.pdb) &RdRp - (7BTF.pdb) for COVID-19. Docking was done by glide model, QikProp was performed by in silico ADMET screening & Prime MM-GB/SA modules were used to define binding energy. When compared with approved COVID-19 drugs such as Remdesivir, Ritonavir, Lopinavir, and Hydroxychloroquine, plant-based constituents such as Quercetin, Rutoside, Naringin, Eriocitrin, and Hesperidin. bind with significant G-scores to the active SARS-CoV-2 place. The constituents Rutoside and Eriocitrin were studied in each MD simulation in 100 ns against 3 proteins 5R82.pdb, 6YZ5.pdb and 7BTF.pdb.We performed an assay with significant natural compounds from contacts and in silico results (Rutin, Eriocitrin, Naringin, Hesperidin) using 3CL protease assay kit (B.11529 Omicron variant). This kit contained 3CL inhibitor GC376 as Control. The IC50 value of the test compound was found to be Rutin -17.50 μM, Eriocitrin-37.91 μM, Naringin-39.58 μM, Hesperidine-140.20 μM, the standard inhibitory concentration of GC376 was 38.64 μM. The phytoconstituents showed important interactions with SARS-CoV-2 targets, and potential modifications could be beneficial for future development.

Health effects of 100% fruit and vegetable juices: evidence from human subject intervention studies

The health effects of 100% fruit and vegetable juices (FVJ) represent a controversial topic. FVJ contain notable amounts of free sugars, but also vitamins, minerals, and secondary compounds with proven biological activities like (poly)phenols and carotenoids. The review aimed to shed light on the potential impact of 100% FVJ on human subject health, comprehensively assessing the role each type of juice may have in specific health outcomes for a particular target population, as reported in dietary interventions. The effects of a wide range of FVJ (orange, grapefruit, mandarin, lemon, apple, white, red, and Concord grapes, pomegranate, cranberry, chokeberry, blueberry, other minor berries, sweet and tart cherry, plum, tomato, carrot, beetroot, and watermelon, among others) were evaluated on a series of outcomes (anthropometric parameters, body composition, blood pressure and vascular function, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, cognitive function, exercise performance, gut microbiota composition and bacterial infections), providing a thorough picture of the contribution of each FVJ to a health outcome. Some juices demonstrated their ability to exert potential preventive effects on some outcomes while others on other health outcomes, emphasising how the differential composition in bioactive compounds defines juice effects. Research gaps and future prospects were discussed. Although 100% FVJ appear to have beneficial effects on some cardiometabolic health outcomes, cognition and exercise performance, or neutral effects on anthropometric parameters and body composition, further efforts are needed to better understand the impact of 100% FVJ on human subject health.

Natural Occurrence of Fungi and Aflatoxins Associated Sugarcane Plant and Sugarcane Juice and Their Control

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in the world. It is also considered the most popular fresh juice in Egypt. The sugar content of the sugarcane stem represents the main source of fungal growth. This study aimed to investigate the natural co-occurrence of fungi in sugarcane plants and juice, test of aflatoxins production by aflatoxigenic fungi, and improve the quality of sugarcane juice. The obtained results indicated a notable decrease in all physical parameters of the naturally infected sugarcane plants. Isolation of fungi from sugarcane plant and juice from three localities revealed that the highest mean fungal count was recorded in sugarcane rootlets (173.55 cfu/cm), followed by sugarcane stem (94.88 cfu/cm), while sugarcane juice had the least mean fungal count (24.33 cfu/mL). The frequency of the isolated fungi associated with sugarcane plant yielded 781 fungal isolates for rootlets, 427 fungal isolates for stems, and 219 fungal isolates for juice. Four isolates of Aspergillus parasiticus were aflatoxins producers. Higher aflatoxin quantity (1434.92 ng/mL) was produced by A. parasiticus (isolate No. 21) from sugarcane stem, while A. parasiticus (isolate No. 5) from sugarcane juice was less aflatoxins producer (276.95 ng/mL). On the other hand, lemon juice showed a significant reduction effect on the fungal count of peeled and non-peeled sugarcane juice. In which the highest reduction percent of the fungal count was recorded with 20% conc. of lemon on peeled sugarcane juice (36.04%).The obtained results concluded that lemon juice was found to decrease the fungal contaminants and improve the quality of sugarcane juice.

The Effect of Lemon Juice (Citrus limon L.) Treated with Melatonin on the Health Status and Treatment of K14HPV16 Mice

Lemon is a fruit rich in antioxidant properties and has several health benefits, namely the reduction of skin edema and anticarcinogenic properties, which are due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Melatonin can improve and preserve the properties of lemon for longer and also has health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of lemon juice after melatonin treatment on murinometric parameters of wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice carrying human papillomavirus (HPV). Two trials were performed for oral administration of the lemon extract compound: in drinking water and in diet. First of all, lemons were treated by immersion with melatonin at 10 mM. Then, lemons were squeezed, and the juice obtained was freeze-dried and stored to be subsequently added to drinking water or diet, according to the assay. Thus, mice were divided into eight groups in the drink assay (each with n = 5): group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 1 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, WT, 1.5 mL lemon), group 4 (G4, WT, 2 mL lemon), group 5 (G5, HPV16, control), group 6 (G6, HPV16, 1 mL lemon) group 7 (G6, HPV16, 1.5 mL lemon) and group 8 (G6, HPV16, 2 mL lemon). The diet assay was divided into four groups: group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 4 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, HPV16, control) and group 4 (G4, HPV16, 4 mL lemon). In the drink assay, the highest concentration of melatonin (308 ng/100 mL) was for groups 4 and 8, while in the food assay, there was only one concentration of melatonin (9.96 ng/g) for groups 2 and 4. Both trials lasted 30 days. During this time, body weight, food and water were recorded. Afterward, they were sacrificed, and samples were collected for different analyses. At the concentrations used, the lemon juice with melatonin had no adverse effects on the animals' health and showed a positive outcome in modifying weight gain and enhancing antioxidant activity in mice. Moreover, a reduction in the incidence of histological lesions was observed in treated animals. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of lemon extract on health and treatment outcomes in this animal model.

Transcriptome differential expression analysis of defoliation of two different lemon varieties

'Allen Eureka' is a bud variety of Eureka lemon with excellent fruiting traits. However, it suffers from severe winter defoliation that leads to a large loss of organic nutrients and seriously affects the tree's growth and development as well as the yield of the following year, and the mechanism of its response to defoliation is still unclear. In order to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of different leaf abscission periods in lemon, two lemon cultivars ('Allen Eureka' and 'Yunning No. 1') with different defoliation traits were used as materials. The petiole abscission zone (AZ) was collected at three different defoliation stages, namely, the pre-defoliation stage (CQ), the mid-defoliation stage (CZ), and the post-defoliation stage (CH). Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression differences between these two cultivars. A total of 898, 4,856, and 3,126 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in CQ, CZ, and CH, respectively, and the number of DEGs in CZ was the largest. GO analysis revealed that the DEGs between the two cultivars were mainly enriched in processes related to oxidoreductase, hydrolase, DNA binding transcription factor, and transcription regulator activity in the defoliation stages. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were concentrated in CZ and involved plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. The expression trends of some DEGs suggested their roles in regulating defoliation in lemon. Eight gene families were obtained by combining DEG clustering analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), including β-glucosidase, AUX/IAA, SAUR, GH3, POD, and WRKY, suggesting that these genes may be involved in the regulation of lemon leaf abscission. The above conclusions enrich the research related to lemon leaf abscission and provide reliable data for the screening of lemon defoliation candidate genes and analysis of defoliation pathways.

Citrus limon Wastes from Part of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: Medicinal, Sustainable Agricultural, and Bio-Resource Potential

The fruits of Citrus limon are often purchased for their vitamin C-rich juice, while the fruit peel and the tree leaves are discarded as wastes. This study obtained the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) of C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves), evaluated their medicinal value as antioxidants, their potential for sustainable use in agriculture as an insecticide for post-harvest preservation of grains, and their potential as a bioresource in livestock feed formulations. The EOs were isolated from C. limon leaves and peel using a hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus. The oil constituents were identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) hyphenated technique. The oils were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power methods. An insecticidal study was conducted using contact toxicity, fumigation, and repellence bioassay methods against Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevils). Finally, the predicted income from using lemon peel as an alternative or substitute ingredient for maize in livestock feed formulations was obtained through a conventional simulation method. Chemically, limonene was found to be present in all the EOs analyzed (12-52%), while α-pinene was only found in the fresh leaf and peel oils (13.3% and 10.6%). Caryophyllene oxide was identified as the major component of the dried leaf oil (17.7%). At 20 µg m, the dry peel oil exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (52.41 ± 0.26%) against the DPPH radical, which was comparable to L-ascorbic acid (a standard antioxidant) at 54.25 ± 3.55%. The insecticidal study revealed that the dry peel oil is a better insect repellent (73.33 ± 6.95% at 10 µL) and fumigant (LC50 = 0.17 µL g-1 after 48 h) natural agent compared to the peel oil. Conversely, the dry peel oil showed a better contact activity (LC50 = 1.69 µL g-1) against the maize weevils compared to the dry leaf oil. The simulation study showed the cost of using dry lemon peel as an alternative to maize in livestock feed formulation to be ZAR 2.8 billion, compared against the higher cost of feed formulation with maize, which currently stands at ZAR 24.9 billion. This study has shown that C. limon wastes (the peel and leaves) contain EOs with unique chemical profiles, valuable medicinal properties as free radical scavengers, and considerable insecticidal properties for agricultural use in post-harvest grain preservation, presenting a cost-effective and promising bioresource for livestock feed production.

Effect of post-harvest cold plasma treatment on physicochemical properties and inactivation of Penicillium digitatum in Persian lime fruit

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment is used in this study to inactivate Penicillium digitatum in lime fruit at post-harvest. Limes were inoculated manually withP. digitatum spore (106 CFU/fruit) and then were treated with CAP at 30, 60, 90, and 120 s and compared with untreated samples. The results showed that increasing the exposure time of CAP reduced spores to less than 7 CFU/fruit in 120 s on the lime peel. In the treated samples, antioxidant activity had an upward trend. In addition, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, density, soluble solid content (SSC), color, and pH of the lime juice were increased (P < 0.05). Compared to the control sample, no significant changes were observed in the juice yield percentage, texture, acidity, chlorophyll, and carotenoid (P > 0.05). The best exposure for CAP treatment was 60 s since it increased phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C content in the lime juice.

Citrus limon Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Selected Biological Properties Focusing on the Antimicrobial (In Vitro, In Situ), Antibiofilm, Insecticidal Activity and Preservative Effect against Salmonella enterica Inoculated in Carrot

New goals for industry and science have led to increased awareness of food safety and healthier living in the modern era. Here, one of the challenges in food quality assurance is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. As planktonic cells can form biofilms and go into a sessile state, microorganisms are now more resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Due to their proven antibacterial properties, essential oils represent a potential option to prevent food spoilage in the search for effective natural preservatives. In this study, the chemical profile of Citrus limon essential oil (CLEO) was evaluated. GC-MS analysis revealed that limonene (60.7%), β-pinene (12.6%), and γ-terpinene (10.3%) are common constituents of CLEO, which prompted further research on antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values showed that CLEO generally exhibits acceptable antibacterial properties. In addition, in situ antimicrobial research revealed that vapour-phase CLEO can arrest the growth of Candida and Y. enterocolitica species on specific food models, indicating the potential of CLEO as a preservative. The antibiofilm properties of CLEO were evaluated by MIC assays, crystal violet assays, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis against S. enterica biofilm. The results of the MIC and crystal violet assays showed that CLEO has strong antibiofilm activity. In addition, the data obtained by MALDI-TOF MS investigation showed that CLEO altered the protein profiles of the bacteria studied on glass and stainless-steel surfaces. Our study also found a positive antimicrobial effect of CLEO against S. enterica. The anti-Salmonella activity of CLEO in vacuum-packed sous vide carrot samples was slightly stronger than in controls. These results highlight the advantages of the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of CLEO, suggesting potential applications in food preservation.

Effect of marination in lemon juice on beef tenderization and in vitro gastric digestibility

BACKGROUND

There is limited knowledge regarding digestion and absorption of nutrients after cooked marinated meat is ingested. Most of the previous studies on food gastric digestion have focused on chemical digestion and did not reflect upon physical digestion driven by peristalsis. In the present study, we examined the effects of marinating beef in lemon juice on gastric digestibility using a human gastric digestion simulator (GDS) that mimics peristaltic motion called antral contraction waves.

RESULTS

Beef thigh slices were marinated in 100% lemon juice for 1 h and then grilled; an image of a stained tissue sample revealed that muscle tissue contraction (i.e. that usually occurs upon cooking) was suppressed. The measurement of physical properties using a rheometer and texture analyzer showed that the meat marinated in lemon juice had a soft texture. In vitro digestion experiments using the GDS revealed that the extent of both physical digestion driven by peristalsis and chemical digestion catalyzed by digestive enzymes was enhanced by the lemon juice marinade.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggest that marinating beef in lemon juice affects nutrient digestibility. An integrated evaluation of tissue structure, physical properties and GDS digestion to analyze meat digestion would enhance our understanding of the effects of seasoning and cooking methods on meat. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cosmeceuticals: A transit state from synthetic to natural

Cosmeceuticals are topically applied cosmetic products containing a biologically active ingredient with a pharmaceutical effect that improves, nourishes, and treats the skin appearance. The trend of cosmeceuticals began during the mid-20th century due to its potent ingredients with therapeutic effects for various skin ailments. Even though there is a great advancement in cosmetics, which shows the risk of cosmetic linked melanoma, endocrine disorders, and birth defects which was one in 1500 people during 1935 have increased to one in 75 people in 2000. Hence, as a part of reducing the harmful effect, natural ingredients were added to the formulation to give the pharmaceutical effect. Thus, natural/herbal cosmeceuticals were introduced. Due to the awareness of the side effects such as photo-toxicity, mutagenicity, irritation by these synthetic products, people started preferring herbal/natural cosmetic products. Moreover, natural cosmeceuticals were proven to be effective against various dermatological conditions as well as have fewer side effects marked the natural/herbal cosmeceuticals in the market. Unlike a drug, cosmeceutical products undergo safety, toxicity, and efficacy tests, but these are not classified under Food and Drug Administration. This review will give an insight into different natural ingredients used in natural/herbal cosmeceutical formulation and their function challenges faced during formulation, advantages of natural cosmeceuticals over regular cosmeceuticals, and regulatory aspects in India.

Enhancing photosynthesis and root development for better fruit quality, aroma, and lessening of radioactive materials in key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) using Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus thuringiensis

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus thuringiensis alone or with gradual levels of NPK on photosynthesis, growth, fruit quality, aroma improvement and reduced radionuclides of key lime fruits. The lemon seedlings were treated with (T0) without fertilizers as control, (T1) 100g of NPK at 100%, (T2) 5 g of Trichoderma. harzianum at 50% + 50 g of NPK at 50%, (T3) 5 g of Bacillus thuringiensis at 50% + 50 g of NPK at 50 %, (T4) 7.5 g of Trichoderma harzianum at 75% + 25 g of NPK at 25 %, (T5) 7.5 g of Bacillus thuringiensis at 75% + 25 g of NPK at 25 %, (T6) 10 g of Trichoderma harzianum at 100 % and (T7)10 g of Bacillus thuringiensis at 100 %. The results showed that T2 increased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO2 concentration, fresh and dry root biomass by 209%, 74%, 56%, 376%, 69.4% and 71.6%, while, T5 increased root volume, root length, and root tip number by 27.1%, 167%, and 67%, respectively over the control trees. The microbial treatments developed cortex, vascular cylinder and tracheal elements of the root. Fruit number, length, diameter, weight, pulp thickness, pulp/peel ratio, juice, total soluble solids (TSS), pigment contents and antioxidant activity increased significantly in the T2 treatment. Vitamin C, total phenols, total flavonoids, and total sugar content increased by 1.59-, 1.66-, 1.44- and 2.07- fold in T5 treated fruits compared to the control. The two microbes increased volatile compounds and decreased radionucleotides in the fruit, moreover, 27 identified and 2 (two) unmatched volatile compounds were identified by GCMS analysis. It is concluded that T. harzianum and B. thuringiensis with 25-50 g NPK treatments improved photosynthesis, root structure, fruit growth, fruit quality, aroma and lessened radionuclides in key lime fruits.

Conventional vs. Organic: Evaluation of Nutritional, Functional and Sensory Quality of Citrus limon

Organic farming is growing rapidly worldwide since it is perceived as more respectful of the environment than conventional farming. In this sense, organic agriculture is highly appreciated by consumers since consumers around the world believe that organic food has a higher content of beneficial compounds for health and consider it of higher quality. For that reason, the objective of this research was to evaluate the nutritional, sensorial, and functional quality of the 'Fino 49' lemon grafted on Citrus macrophylla in conventional and organic cultivation. Fatty acids, amino acids, total phenol, and polyphenols were quantified, antioxidant activity was measured, and sensory descriptive analysis was performed. Conventional farming led to an increase in amino acid content (641 mg L-1) and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (254 mg 100 g-1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (37.61 mg 100 g-1). On the other hand, organically produced lemon fruits had better sensory profile (highlighting overall aroma (6.5), lemon odor (6.8), sourness (5.8), floral (0.6), and fresh lemon flavor (9.8)), and lower thrombogenicity index (0.15). The type of cultivation (organic and conventional) had no influence on the antioxidant activity (~1.60, ~3.08, and ~4.16 mmol Trolox L-1 for ABTS+, DPPH•, and FRAP, respectively) and polyphenols content (85.51 and 86.69 conventional and organic, respectively). However, to establish the advantages and disadvantages of different types of cultivation on lemon quality more studies are needed.

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Potential of Essential Oils in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

Since the earliest times, essential oils (EOs) have been utilized for medicinal and traditional purposes. However, in recent decades, an increasing interest has developed due to the need to rediscover herbal remedies and adjuvant therapies for the management of various diseases, particularly chronic ones. The present narrative review examines the potential for EOs to exert hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects in diabetes mellitus, analyzing the main publications having evaluated plant species with potentially beneficial effects through their phytocompounds in diabetes mellitus and its complications. Numerous species have shown promising characteristics that can be used in diabetes management. The hypoglycemic effects of these EOs are attributed to their capacity to stimulate glucose uptake, suppress glucose production, and increase insulin sensitivity. Moreover, EOs can alleviate the oxidative stress by manifesting their antioxidant effects via a variety of mechanisms, including the scavenging of free radicals, the regulation of antioxidant enzymes, and the decreasing of lipid peroxidation, due to their diverse chemical composition. These findings demonstrate the possible benefits of EOs as adjuvant therapeutic agents in the management of diabetes and its complications. The use of EOs in the treatment of diabetes shows good potential for the development of natural and effective strategies to enhance the health outcomes of people with this chronic condition, but additional experimental endorsements are required.

Development of an ultrasound-assisted pre-treatment strategy for the extraction of D-Limonene toward the production of bioethanol from citrus peel waste (CPW)

Citrus is one of the world's most abundant fruits containing vitamins, pigments, and fragrances, making it vital for several industries. However, these fruits contain about 45-50% residues (peels), which often end up as waste and can be harmful to the environment if not properly treated. Bioethanol production from citrus peel waste offers a potential solution to this problem. Hence, this study explores the potential of using ultrasound-assisted pre-treatment method as a novel strategy to extract D-Limonene (essential oil in the residue), and further demonstrates bioethanol production. This was done by investigating ultrasonication's optimal effect on pre-treatment of the citrus residue, followed by bioethanol production. The results show that, optimum values for D-Limonene extraction were obtained at a temperature of 14.6 °C and an ultrasound intensity of 25.81 W/cm2 with a validation yield of 134 ± 4.24 mg/100 g dry CPW. With optimal ultrasonic parameters, the study went further to demonstrate the effect of the essential oil on bioethanol production which is hindered by the oils present. Key findings show better bioethanol yield once the essential oil was extracted (treated) from the citrus waste as opposed to it not extracted (untreated), with a 66 and a 29% increase when comparing simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and sequential hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) respectively. Based on this result, ultrasound-assisted extraction as a pretreatment method was found suitable for bioethanol production from citrus residue and could be utilized as a biorefinery pre-treatment approach to scale bioethanol production.

Antihypertensive and Vasorelaxant Effects of Citric Acid and Lemon Juice in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies

Hypertension is a key risk factor for heart, brain, and kidney disease development. Fruit consumption has been associated with a decrease in blood pressure. Lemon juice, which contains antihypertensive compounds, may exert antihypertensive effects. However, no research has verified the antihypertensive effects of citric acid, the most abundant ingredient in lemon juice. In the present study, we demonstrated the antihypertensive effects of citric acid and lemon juice by performing single oral administration tests and the aortic ring assay using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Single oral doses of both agents markedly reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the SHRs. In addition, both these agents relaxed the thoracic aorta from the SHRs; however, these effects were notably attenuated by the removal of the aortic endothelium. Orally administered citric acid was rapidly absorbed and metabolized in vivo. Among the functional compounds in lemon juice, citric acid was identified as the primary antihypertensive component. Although more detailed studies are required to validate our findings, the novel functional attributes of citric acid can achieve the normalization of blood pressure when it is consumed via diet.

Melatonin Postharvest Treatment in Leafy 'Fino' Lemon Maintains Quality and Bioactive Compounds

Spain is a great producer of organic lemon; however, it is necessary to reduce the losses caused by post-harvest diseases. Melatonin (MEL) is a naturally occurring compound with physiological functions in fruit growth and ripening and is able to modulate postharvest ripening and senescence, most of it being concentrated in climacteric fruit. Thus, the aim of this study was to apply MEL to organic lemon fruit with stems and leaves (LEAF) and to organic lemon without those components (LEAFLESS) after harvesting and storage during 21 days at 2 °C to understand the effects of this treatment on the fruit quality. For this purpose, two experiments were carried out. First, MEL was applied at 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM and 1.0 mM by immersion for 15 min on lemon fruits, and the quality parameters and bioactive compounds of the fruit were analysed. Subsequently, a second experiment was carried out where the best concentration (1 mM) was selected and another time (15 and 30 min) was added, with the same quality parameters being analysed. As a result, we observed that all MEL treatments showed positive effects on weight loss reduction, softening (higher fruit firmness), total acidity and lower colour changes. Total phenols increased in MEL-treated lemons, both in peel and juice. For the three concentrations tested, the best efficiency was obtained with MEL at 1.0 mM, while LEAF lemons were the most effective. In conclusion, lemons containing stems and leaves (LEAF) improved preservability by using MEL at 1.0 mM with better organoleptic quality and enhanced phenolic compounds.

Comparative Analysis of Physicochemical Properties and Storability of a New Citrus Variety, Yellowball, and Its Parent

Although numerous citrus varieties have recently been developed to enhance their quality, information on their quality characteristics is limited. We assessed the quality characteristics of Yellowball, a novel citrus variety, by evaluating its appearance, storability, sensory properties, functionality, and metabolite profiles and then comparing these characteristics with those of its parent varieties, Haruka and Kiyomi. The metabolite profiles between the citrus varieties differed significantly, resulting in distinct physicochemical and functional qualities. The storability of Yellowball was significantly increased compared with that of its parent varieties owing to its strong antifungal activity and unique peel morphology, including the stoma and albedo layers. While we did not investigate the volatile compounds, overall functional activities, and detailed characteristics of each metabolite, our data provide valuable insights into the relationship between citrus metabolites, peel morphology, physicochemical properties, and storability, and demonstrate the potential of Yellowball as a promising variety in the citrus industry.

Anti-Inflammatory Study and Phytochemical Characterization of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon L. Juices and Their Formulation

Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon, well known as ginger and lemon, are two vegetals widely used in traditional medicine and the culinary field. The juices of the two vegetals were evaluated based on their inflammation, both in vivo and in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to characterize different juices from Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon. After the application of the HPLC method, different compounds were identified, such as 6-gingerol and 6-gingediol from the ginger juice and isorhamnetin and hesperidin from the lemon juice. In addition, the two juices and their formulation were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro by utilizing the BSA denaturation test, in vivo using the carrageenan-induced inflammation test, and the vascular permeability test. Important and statistically significant anti-inflammatory activities were observed for all juices, especially the formulation. The results of our work showed clearly that the Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon juices protect in vivo the development of the rat paw edema, especially the formulation F composed of the Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon juices, which shows an anti-inflammatory activity equal to -35.95% and -44.05% using 10 and 20 mg/kg of the dose, respectively. Our work also showed that the formulation was the most effective tested extract since it inhibits the vascular permeability by -37% and -44% at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, and in vitro via the inhibition of the denaturation of BSA by giving a synergetic effect with the highest IC50 equal to 684.61 ± 7.62 μg/mL corresponding to the formulation F. This work aims to develop nutraceutical preparations in the future and furnishes the support for a new investigation into the activities of the various compounds found in Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon.

Transcriptome and UPLC-MS/MS reveal mechanisms of amino acid biosynthesis in sweet orange 'Newhall' after different rootstocks grafting

Sweet orange 'Newhall' (C. sinensis) is a popular fruit in high demand all over the world. Its peel and pulp are rich in a variety of nutrients and are widely used in catering, medicine, food and other industries. Grafting is commonly practiced in citrus production. Different rootstock types directly affect the fruit quality and nutritional flavor of citrus. However, the studies on citrus metabolites by grafting with different rootstocks are very limited, especially for amino acids (AAs). The preliminary test showed that there were significant differences in total amino acid content of two rootstocks (Poncirus trifoliata (CT) and C. junos Siebold ex Tanaka (CJ)) after grafting, and total amino acid content in the peel was higher than flesh. However, the molecular mechanism affecting amino acid differential accumulation remains unclear. Therefore, this study selected peel as the experimental material to reveal the amino acid components and differential accumulation mechanism of sweet orange 'Newhall' grafted with different rootstocks through combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis. Metabolome analysis identified 110 amino acids (AAs) and their derivatives in sweet orange 'Newhall' peels, with L-valine being the most abundant. L-asparagine was observed to be affected by both developmental periods and rootstock grafting. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) combined with Redundancy Analysis (RDA) revealed eight hub structural genes and 41 transcription factors (TFs) that significantly influenced amino acid biosynthesis in sweet orange 'Newhall' peels. Our findings further highlight the significance of rootstock selection in enhancing the nutritional value of citrus fruits and might contribute to the development of functional citrus foods and nutritional amino acid supplements.

Ethnoveterinary practises of medicinal plants used for the treatment of different cattle diseases: A case study in East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya, North East India

Introduction

For generations, the inhabitants of Meghalaya have relied on medicinal plants to maintain the health of their livestock and treat various illnesses that may afflict their animals. Due to the lack of survey for use and documentation, these plants have never been undertaken. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the diversity, utilization, and phytochemical profile of these plants and quantitatively analyse the data to identify important medicinal plants. By doing so, we can better understand the potential of these plants for developing novel drugs.

Methods

Frequent field trips were made for the collection of ethnoveterinary data of medicinal plants from local animal-keepers, traditional healers (THs) and inhabitants of different age groups. This information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, individual discussions, direct field-use observation, and questionnaires. A total of 52 informants (35 females and 17 males) were interviewed from seven rural villages and the information obtained from them were quantitatively analysed using the informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, for each documented plant, available published literature was extensively surveyed to identify the presence of bioactive chemical compounds responsible for their therapeutic effects.

Results

During the present study, a total 96 plants, distributed into 87 genera and 43 families were identified and recorded for their use in ethnoveterinary practices against more than 25 diseases. Out of the recorded plant species, the Fabaceae family was found to be the most dominant with seven species, followed by Poaceae and Lamiaceae with six species each, and Moraceae with five species. The leaves (50.00%) and seeds (12.50%) were the most frequently used plant parts, while the paste (30 species) was the common mode of application. Aegle marmelos Correa exhibited a fidelity level (FL) of 100% for indigestion, while Tagetes erecta L. had a fidelity level of 94.11% for wound treatment, making them the most promising candidates for further study. The highest FIC value of 1.00 was recorded for the treatment of neurological disorder (1.00), followed by foot and mouth disease (FIC 0.91), which depicted that some species were frequently utilized to treat multiple livestock ailments.

Conclusion

The study presents trustworthy information about medicinal plants and their associated indigenous ethnoveterinary knowledge. It has been scientifically proven that these plants contain bioactive compounds responsible for their therapeutic properties. However, this knowledge is in danger of being lost due to factors like socioeconomic changes, environmental and technological alterations, and lack of interest from younger generations. Therefore, it is essential to document this empirical folklore knowledge systematically and take measures to protect and conserve it.

Partially substituting chemical NPK fertilizers and their impact on Eureka lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm) productivity and fruit quality

The main aim of this study is to improve productivity, physical and chemical properties of the fruits and fruit quality of Eureka Lemon trees while lowering production costs by investigating the use of different NPK alternative sources (slow release, and bio) to reduce the use of chemical NPK fertilizers. Ten treatments of NPK fertilizers were applied. The results indicate that the highest values of yield (111.0 and 114.0 kg/tree) were found with 100% chemical NPK (control) for both first and second seasons, respectively. The lemon fruit weight ranged from 131.3 to 152.4 and 131.4 to 153.5 g for first and second seasons, respectively, for all treatments under study. The highest values of fruit length and fruit diameter were found with 100% chemical NPK (control) for both two seasons. The highest values of juice quality parameters (TSS, juice acidity, TSS/acid ratio and vitamin C concentration) responded favorably to higher chemical NPK treatment rates. The highest values of TSS, juice acidity, TSS/Acid ratio, and vitamin C concentration were 9.45%, 6.25%, 1.524 and 4.27 mg/100 g, respectively, were found with 100% chemical NPK (control) for both two seasons. Meanwhile, the lowest value of total sugar was found with 100% chemical NPK (control) for both two seasons.

LDPE and PLA Active Food Packaging Incorporated with Lemon by-Products Extract: Preparation, Characterization and Effectiveness to Delay Lipid Oxidation in Almonds and Beef Meat

Low-density polyethylene-based packaging with 4% lemon extract (LDPE/4LE) and two polylactic-based (PLA) packaging materials with 4% and 6% lemon extract (PLA/PEG/4LE and PLA/6LE) were produced. O₂ and water permeability tests were performed, the total and individual phenolic compounds content were measured, and the films' antioxidant activities were determined. The films' ability to delay lipid oxidation was tested in two model foods: almonds, packaged with LDPE/4LE, PLA/4LE and PLA/6LE for a maximum period of 60 days at 40 °C (accelerated assay); and beef meat, packaged with the PLA/6LE for a maximum period of 11 days at 4 °C. The LE improved the WVP in all of the active films by 33%, 20% and 60% for the LDPE/4LE, PLA/4LE and PLA/6LE films, respectively. At the end of 10 days, the migration of phenolic compounds through the PLA films was measured to be 142.27 and 114.9 μg/dm² for the PLA/4LE and PLA/6LE films, respectively, and was significantly higher than phenolic compounds migration measured for the LDPE/4LE (15.97 μg/dm²). Naringenin, apigenin, ferulic acid, eriocitrin, hesperidin and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main identified compounds in the PLA, but only 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, naringenin and p-coumaric acid were identified in the LDPE films. Regarding the films' ability to delay lipid oxidation, LDPE/4LE presented the best results, showing a capacity to delay lipid oxidation in almonds for 30 days. When applied to raw beef meat, the PLA/6LE packaging was able to significantly inhibit lipid oxidation for 6 days, and successfully inhibited total microorganisms' growth until the 8th day of storage.

Advances in extraction and purification of citrus flavonoids

Flavonoids are the representative active substances of citrus with various biological activities and high nutritional value. In order to evaluate and utilize citrus flavonoids, isolation and purification are necessary steps. This manuscript reviewed the research advances in the extraction and purification of citrus flavonoids. The structure classification, the plant and nutritional functions, and the biosynthesis of citrus flavonoids were summarized. The characteristics of citrus flavonoids and the selection of separation strategies were explained. The technical system of extraction and purification of citrus flavonoids was systematically described. Finally, outlook and research directions were proposed.

A review of citrus plants as functional foods and dietary supplements for human health, with an emphasis on meta-analyses, clinical trials, and their chemical composition

Fruits, flowers, leaves, essential oils, hydrosols, and juices of citrus spp. Are utilized to prepare various forms of food products. Along with their nutritional values, in the health industry, different parts of the plants of the citrus genus have been used as supplements or remedies to prevent or control diseases. This review focused on reported meta-analyses and clinical trials on the health benefits of citrus plants as functional foods. Also, chemical compounds of various citrus species were reviewed. The following information sources were used for data collection: Google Scholar, the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Various keywords, including "citrus AND chemical compounds," "citrus AND phytochemicals," "citrus species," "citrus AND meta-analysis," "nutritional and therapeutical values of citrus spp.," "clinical trials AND citrus," "clinical trials AND Rutaceae," "health benefits of citrus spp.," "citrus edible or non-edible applications," and scientific names of the citrus plants were utilized to collect data for the review. The scientific name and common name of all twenty-eight citrus species, along with any of the above keywords, were also searched in the mentioned databases. Scientific papers and data sources were sought to review and discuss the citrus plant's nutritional and therapeutic importance. Several meta-analyses and clinical trials have reported beneficial effects of citrus spices on a variety of cancer risks, cardiovascular risk factors, neurologic disorders, urinary tract conditions, and gastrointestinal tract conditions. They have shown anxiolytic, antimicrobial, and pain-alleviating effects. Some of them can be helpful in managing obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Functional Ingredients and Additives from Lemon by-Products and Their Applications in Food Preservation: A Review

Citrus trees are among the most abundant fruit trees in the world, with an annual production of around 124 million tonnes. Lemons and limes are among the most significant contributors, producing nearly 16 million tonnes per year. The processing and consumption of citrus fruits generates a significant amount of waste, including peels, pulp, seeds, and pomace, which represents about 50% of the fresh fruit. Citrus limon (C. limon) by-products are composed of significant amounts of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, essential oils, and fibres, which give them nutritional value and health benefits such as antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. These by-products, which are typically discarded as waste in the environment, can be explored to produce new functional ingredients, a desirable approach from a circular economy perspective. The present review systematically summarizes the potential high-biological-value components extracted from by-products to achieve a zero-waste goal, focusing on the recovery of three main fractions: essential oils, phenolic compounds, and dietary fibres, present in C. limon by-products, and their applications in food preservation.

Chitosan Gel Prepared with Citric Acid as the Food Acidulant: Effect of the Chitosan Concentration and Gel pH on Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Fish Protein Emulsion Sausages

Citric acid is a popular food acidulant with versatile utility as a preservative and acidity regulator in the meat industry, owing to its unique three pK _a values, which can be combined with the natural biopolymer chitosan to improve food quality. The scientific incorporation of a minimal range of chitosan and pH through organic acid additions for chitosan solubilization in the fish sausages can effectively improve their quality through their synergistic effect. Optimum conditions for emulsion stability, gel strength, and water holding capacity were found to be at a low concentration of chitosan, that is, 0.15 g at pH of 5.0, with their corresponding values of 42.55 ± 0.43 N mm, 94.91 ± 0.24, and 90.67 ± 0.50%. Lower pH ranges increased hardness and springiness values, and higher pH levels increased cohesiveness values at varying ranges of chitosan. Sensory analysis revealed tangy and sour flavors in the samples with lower pH.

The protective effect of aqueous orange peel extract against severe heat stress on reproductive efficiency, milk yield, and antioxidant status of female rabbits

Heat stress in rabbits negatively affects their reproductive ability and milk yield. Aqueous orange peel extract (AOPE) is high in potential natural antioxidants that help avoid free radical damage and is a good source of phytochemicals. Based on these benefits, it was hypothesized that oral administration of AOPE could overcome the negative impacts of severe heat stress on reproductive and lactation performance, physiological parameters, and antioxidant status. To determine the protective effect of AOPE, 36 female rabbits (six-months-old, average body weight of 2.67 ± 0.03 kg) were given 1.50 mL water (control), and 2.50 or 5.00 mL AOPE every two days for four months. Oral AOPE administration significantly reduced the respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) during pregnancy and lactation. The reproductive performance (litter size) and productive performance (litter weight and litter weight gain) were significantly increased by AOPE treatment, compared with the control. The highest milk yield was recorded in 5.00 mL AOPE treatment (5.00 mL). AOPE treatments significantly increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and AOPE treatment (5.00 mL) lowered serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) of heat-stressed rabbits. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was not affected by AOPE treatment. The addition of AOPE improved reproductive performance, physiological parameters, and antioxidant status, but did not have a beneficial effect on conception rate of female rabbits under severe heat stress.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel 1,4-Pentadien-3-one Derivatives Containing a Sulfonamide Moiety

Novel 1,4-pentadien-3-one derivatives containing a sulfonamide moiety were synthesized, and their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities were verified. These compounds exhibited better activity against five bacteria, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 9.6 to 60.1 μg/mL, prominently, which are superior to those of the commercial agent. A great amount of compounds had excellent fungicidal activity in vitro at 100 μg/mL. Strikingly, compound E6 exhibited moderate activity against Phytophthora litchii than azoxystrobin, with the EC₅₀ value of compound E6 (0.5 μg/mL) drawing near azoxystrobin (0.3 μg/mL). Furthermore, compound E17 had a marked impact on in vivo anti-tobacco mosaic virus, according to the data of microscale thermophoresis, with a K_d value of the intermolecular binding force of 0.002 ± 0.001 μM, which was better than the commercial agent of ningnanmycin (K_d = 0.121 ± 0.031 μM). In addition, the results of these studies suggest that the use of active splicing can improve the biological activity of natural compounds and provide further complement to the development of novel pesticides.

Quality of Goji Berry Fruit (Lycium barbarum L.) Stored at Different Temperatures

Goji berries are widely known for their outstanding nutritional and medicinal properties; they are usually found in the market as dried fruit or as juice because the fruit has a short shelf-life, and little information is available about its postharvest behavior at low temperatures. This study aimed to determine the storage performance of goji berry fruit by evaluating physicochemical, and sensorial attributes during storage at three different temperatures (0, 5, and 7 °C) for 12 days in a range that has not been extensively studied before. In addition, fruit respiration and ethylene production rates were also measured at the three temperatures. Fruit stored at 0 °C showed the lowest respiration rate and ethylene production (5.8 mg CO2 kg-1h-1 and 0.7 µg C2H4 kg-1h-1, respectively); however, at this temperature, the incidence and severity of pitting and electrolytic leakage were the highest. In contrast, 5 °C was found to be the best storage temperature for goji berry fruit; the fruit appeared fresh and healthy, had the highest scores during sensory analysis with an acceptable general impression, and had the lowest amount of damage attributable to chilling injury, with 17.1% fruit presenting with shriveling, 12.5% pitting, 6.7% mold, and 35% electrolytic leakage on day 9 of storage. Storage of goji berries at 7 °C resulted in the lowest marketability and the highest incidence of decay. Significant differences were also found in the phytochemical attributes, vitamin C content, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, total polyphenol content, 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazy (DPPH), and anthocyanin content. This study revealed that a storage temperature of 5 °C for 9 days is recommended to maintain the quality of fresh goji berry. Thus, broadening the existing knowledge of the postharvest behavior of fresh goji berries; our results can help improve the commercial life of goji berries and ensure high-quality attributes throughout distribution.

Investigation of the Genotoxicological Profile of Aqueous Betula pendula Extracts

Betula pendula belongs to the Betulaceae family and is most common in the northern hemisphere. Various birch species have exhibited antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity as well as the antigenotoxic potential against the mutagenic agent mitomycin-C (MMC) of two commercial products, i.e., a Betula pendula aqueous leaf extract product (BE) and a Betula pendula product containing aqueous extract of birch leaves at a percentage of 94% and lemon juice at a percentage of 6% (BP) using the cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The most prevalent compounds and elements of BE and BP were identified using UHPLC-MS and ICP-MS/MS, respectively. All mixtures of BE with MMC demonstrated a decrease in the MN frequencies, with the lowest and highest concentrations inducing a statistically significant antigenotoxic activity. BP lacked genotoxic potential, while it was cytotoxic in all concentrations. Its mixtures with MMC demonstrated statistically significant antigenotoxic activity only at the lowest concentration. UHPLC-MS and ICP-MS/MS showed the presence of various elements and phytochemicals. Our results reveal antigenotoxic and cytotoxic potential of both BE and BP, while the variations observed could indicate the importance of the interactions among different natural products and/or their compounds.

Volatile composition changes in lemon during fruit maturation by HS-SPME-GC-MS

BACKGROUND

Volatiles are determinants of fruit aroma and flavor characteristics and also provide valuable information for lemon as ingredient for the food and drinks industry. Volatiles in 'Eureka' lemon and 'Xiangshui' lemon pulps from 130 to 186 days after flowering were enriched by headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTS

Seventy-seven volatiles of two lemon cultivars at the different ripening stages were identified and divided into six categories. Varieties and ripening stages had significant effects on individual volatiles in each category. The proportion of monoterpenes was found to be higher in 'Eureka' lemon, while 'Xiangshui' lemon had a higher proportion of sesquiterpenes, aldehydes and alcohols. The proportion of monoterpene fluctuation decreased during fruit ripening, while fluctuation of sesquiterpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and esters increased. Among the hydrocarbons, monoterpenes decreased their relative abundance from 91.67% to 81.04% in 'Eureka' lemon, and from 83.01% to 60.04% in 'Xiangshui' lemon; conversely, sesquiterpenes increased from 0.73% to 2.89% in 'Eureka' lemon, and from 3.21% to 8.48% in 'Xiangshui' lemon. Among the oxygenated volatiles, the proportions of alcohols, aldehydes and esters were higher at 186 days after flowering in both two cultivars.

CONCLUSION

The volatile organic compounds during fruit ripening of lemon varieties with different resistance were elucidated. The proportion of oxygenated volatiles increased during fruit ripening, and disease-resistant varieties had a higher proportion. These results provided important theoretical support for the utilization of lemon fruits and the innovation of disease-resistant germplasm resources. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Active Compounds in Fruits and Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. An appropriate diet and the active compounds contained in it can affect various stages of the inflammatory process and significantly affect the course of inflammatory diseases. Recent reports indicate that polyphenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and other components of fruits may exhibit activity stimulating an anti-inflammatory response, which may be of importance in maintaining health and reducing the risk of disease. The article presents the latest data on the chemical composition of fruits and the health benefits arising from their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The chemical composition of fruits determines their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms of action are not fully understood.

A New Food Ingredient Rich in Bioaccessible (Poly)Phenols (and Glucosinolates) Obtained from Stabilized Broccoli Stalks

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) stalks account for up to 35% of the broccoli harvest remains with the concomitant generation of unused waste that needs recovery to contribute to the sustainability of the system. However, due to its phytochemical composition, rich in bioactive (poly)phenols and glucosinolates, as well as other nutrients, the development of valorization alternatives as a source of functional ingredients must be considered. In this situation, the present work aims to develop/obtain a new ingredient rich in bioactive compounds from broccoli, stabilizing them and reducing their degradation to further guarantee a high bioaccessibility, which has also been studied. The phytochemical profile of lyophilized and thermally treated (low-temperature and descending gradient temperature treatments), together with the digested materials (simulated static in vitro digestion) were analysed by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn and UHPLC-3Q-MS/MS. Broccoli stalks and co-products were featured by containing phenolic compounds (mainly hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and glycosylated flavonols) and glucosinolates. The highest content of organosulfur compounds corresponding to the cores of the broccoli stalks treated by applying a drying descendant temperature gradient (aliphatic 18.05 g/kg dw and indolic 1.61 g/kg dw, on average, while the breakdown products were more abundant in the bark ongoing low temperature drying 11.29 g/kg dw, on average). On the other hand, for phenolics, feruloylquinic, and sinapoylquinic acid derivatives of complete broccoli stalk and bark, were more abundant when applying low-temperature drying (14.48 and 28.22 g/kg dw, on average, respectively), while higher concentrations were found in the core treated with decreasing temperature gradients (9.99 and 26.26 g/kg dw, on average, respectively). When analysing the bioaccessibility of these compounds, it was found that low-temperature stabilization of the core samples provided the material with the highest content of bioactives including antioxidant phenolics (13.6 and 33.9 g/kg dw of feruloylquinic and sinapoylquinic acids, on average, respectively) and sulforaphane (4.1 g/kg dw, on average). These processing options enabled us to obtain a new product or ingredient rich in bioactive and bioaccessible compounds based on broccoli stalks with the potential for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of interest.

Assessment of lemon juice adulteration by targeted screening using LC-UV-MS and untargeted screening using UHPLC-QTOF/MS with machine learning

The aim of this work was to develop an approach combining LC-MS-based metabolomics and machine learning to distinguish between and predict authentic and adulterated lemon juices. A targeted screening of six major flavonoids was first conducted using ultraviolet ion trap MS. To improve the prediction accuracy, an untargeted methodology was carried out using UHPLC-QTOF/MS. Based on the acquired metabolic profiles, both PCA and PLS-DA were conducted. Results exhibited a cluster pattern and a separation potential between authentic and adulterated samples. Five machine learning models were then developed to further analyze the data. The model of support vector machine achieved the highest prediction power, with accuracy up to 96.7 ± 7.5% for the cross-validation set and 100% for the testing set. In addition, 79 characteristic m/z were tentatively identified. This work demonstrated that untargeted screening coupled with machine learning models can be a powerful tool to facilitate detection of lemon juice adulteration.

Anthroposophic Medicinal Products: A Literature Review of Features, Similarities and Differences to Conventional Medicinal Products, Scientific and Regulatory Assessment

Background

Regulatory assessment of anthroposophic medicinal products (AMPs) can be challenging due to their specific features.

Objective

The aim of this paper is therefore to provide adequate scientific information on AMPs for regulatory purposes.

Methods

A literature review was executed with database searches in PubMed, Cinahl, Merkurstab, Anthromedics, and https://iaap-pharma.org/. Search terms were: anthroposophic medicinal products, anthroposophic medicines, anthroposophic pharmacy. There was no language restriction; searches were executed from onset until June 11, 2020. In addition, experts were invited to suggest relevant literature.

Results

Eighty-seven of 660 identified publications were included. The system of anthroposophic medicine (AM) with its conceptual background and various aspects of AMPs was described: definition, pharmaceutical properties, an example of AMP development, use in clinical practice, similarities with and differences to conventional medicinal products, societal aspects, scientific and regulatory assessment.

Conclusion

AMPs are part of the integrative whole medical system of AM. AMPs are manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practice and national drug regulations and have an excellent safety status; the limited available evidence suggests clinical benefits. Current drug regulation of AMPs in the EU and most European countries does not take the special properties of AMPs into account. Future research should focus on appropriate methodologies for the evaluation of effects of AMPs as part of the AM whole medical system, the scientific quality of its non-atomistic holistic ontological position, and the integration of AM and conventional medicine in clinical practice. Future policies should focus on appropriate ways of addressing regulatory challenges to AMPs.

The use of alternative sweeteners (sucralose and stevia) in healthy soft-drink beverages, enhances the bioavailability of polyphenols relative to the classical caloric sucrose

The comparison of non-caloric sweeteners (stevia and sucralose) and sucrose, on the plasma concentration and cumulative effects of phenolic compounds, was achieved. A long-term intervention, consisting of the daily intake of 330 mL of healthy citrus-maqui soft drinks, for 60 days, by 138 healthy overweight adults, was followed. A total of 24 bioavailable metabolites derived from caffeic acid, 3,4-di-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, hippuric acid, naringenin, 2,4,6-tri-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and vanillic acid were detected in peripheral blood plasma. A similar augment of bioactive compounds in plasma concentrations were found for the three beverages, in the range 12.3% (day 0)- 85.3% (day 60), depending on the analyte considered. Due to this, the present study highlights sucralose and stevia as valuable alternatives to sucrose, providing and non-significantly different plasma concentration and cumulative effect in the plasma, thus contributing to prevent a diversity of metabolic disorders and health constraints.

Amelioration of diabetes and its complications by Manilkara zapota (L) P. Royen fruit peel extract and its fractions in alloxan and STZ-NA induced diabetes in Wistar rats

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Manilkara zapota (L) P. Royen fruit peel extract (EMZFP) and its fractions in ameliorating diabetes and its complications in alloxan and STZ-NA induced diabetes in Wistar rats.

Methods

Antidiabetic effects of EMZFP were assessed in alloxan (150 mg kg^-1) induced diabetes in differently grouped rats (n=6). Diabetic rats were treated with EMZFP 150, 300, and 600 mg kg^-1 while, glimepiride (0.09 mg kg^-1) was used as a reference standard. Treated animals were assessed for various biological parameters i.e. blood glucose, serum lipids, nephroprotective markers, cardiovascular risk indices, liver glycogen, neuropathy, body weight, and histopathology of kidneys. However, for evaluating antidiabetic effects of fractions (chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, and remaining ethanol fraction) of EMZFP, diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (60 mg kg^-1)-nicotinamide (120 mg kg^-1/ml) in differently grouped male rats (n=6). Diabetic rats were treated with EMZFP fractions 200 mg kg^-1 however; glibenclamide (10 mg kg^-1) was a reference standard and evaluated for blood glucose, serum lipids, cardiovascular risk indices, and diabetic neuropathy.

Results

EMZFP 300 and 600 mg kg^-1/day demonstrated significant antihyperglycemic effects with augmentation in glycogen content, perfection in serum lipid profile, cardiovascular risk indices, body weight enhancement, nephroprotective effects, beneficial in peripheral neuropathy, and histopathological evidence of reversal of glomerulosclerosis. EMZFP-Et and EMZFP-EA fractions depicted a significant improvement in blood glucose, serum lipid profile, cardiovascular risk indices, and peripheral neuropathy.

Conclusion

EMZFP and its Et and EA fractions ameliorated diabetes and its complications by improving glycemic control and associated biochemical alteration.

Highlights

• Manilkara Zapota (L.) P. Royen fruit peel 70% ethanolic extract exert antidiabetic effects• EMZFP significantly ameliorated diabetic biochemical parameters and its complications.• EMZFP-Et and EMZFP-EA fractions exert potential antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic effects and significantly improved cardiovascular risk indices, and peripheral neuropathy.• Studied MZFP can be used as promising natural herbal source of antidiabetic principles.

Production of an Anise- and Woodruff-like Aroma by Monokaryotic Strains of Pleurotus sapidus Grown on Citrus Side Streams

The production of natural flavors by means of microorganisms is of great interest for the food and flavor industry, and by-products of the agro-industry are particularly suitable as substrates. In the present study, Citrus side streams were fermented using monokaryotic strains of the fungus Pleurotus sapidus. Some of the cultures exhibited a pleasant smell, reminiscent of woodruff and anise, as well as herbaceous notes. To evaluate the composition of the overall aroma, liquid/liquid extracts of submerged cultures of a selected monokaryon were prepared, and the volatiles were isolated via solvent-assisted flavor evaporation. Aroma extract dilution analyses revealed p-anisaldehyde (sweetish, anisic- and woodruff-like) with a flavor dilution factor of 2¹⁸ as a character impact compound. The coconut-like, herbaceous, and sweetish smelling acyloin identified as (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone also contributed to the overall aroma and was described as an aroma-active substance with an odor threshold in air of 0.2 ng L⁻¹ to 2.4 ng L⁻¹ for the first time. Supplementation of the culture medium with isotopically substituted l-tyrosine elucidated this phenolic amino acid as precursor of p-anisaldehyde as well as of (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone. Chiral analysis via HPLC revealed an enantiomeric excess of 97% for the isolated product produced by P. sapidus.