Analysis of α-Cryptoxanthin, β-Cryptoxanthin, α -Carotene, and β-Carotene of Pandanus Conoideus Oil by High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Carotenoid Supplementation for Alleviating the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by, among other things, dementia and a decline in cognitive performance. In AD, dementia has neurodegenerative features and starts with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research indicates that apoptosis and neuronal loss occur in AD, in which oxidative stress plays an important role. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants is a natural strategy to prevent and slow down the progression of AD. Carotenoids are natural pigments commonly found in fruits and vegetables. They include lipophilic carotenes, such as lycopene, α- and β-carotenes, and more polar xanthophylls, for example, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and scavenge free radicals, especially singlet oxygen, which helps prevent the peroxidation of lipids abundant in the brain. As a result, carotenoids have neuroprotective potential. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as randomized controlled trials, have mostly confirmed that carotenoids can help prevent neurodegeneration and alleviate cognitive impairment in AD. While carotenoids have not been officially approved as an AD therapy, they are indicated in the diet recommended for AD, including the consumption of products rich in carotenoids. This review summarizes the latest research findings supporting the potential use of carotenoids in preventing and alleviating AD symptoms. A literature review suggests that a diet rich in carotenoids should be promoted to avoid cognitive decline in AD. One of the goals of the food industry should be to encourage the enrichment of food products with functional substances, such as carotenoids, which may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Enhancement of skin localization of β-carotene from red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam.) using solid dispersion-thermoresponsive gel delivered via polymeric solid microneedles

Red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam.) boasts high β-carotene (BC) content, often consumed orally. However, absorption issues and low bioavailability due to food matrix interaction have led to transdermal delivery exploration. Nevertheless, BC has a short skin retention time. To address these limitations, this study formulates a β-carotene solid dispersion (SD-BC) loaded thermoresponsive gel combined with polymeric solid microneedles (PSM) to enhance in vivo skin bioavailability. Characterization of SD-BC includes saturation solubility, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vitro release. Characterization of SD-BC thermoresponsive gel includes gelation temperature, viscosity, rheological behaviour, pH, bio-adhesiveness, spreadability, and extrudability. PSM's mechanical properties and insertion capability were assessed. Ex vivo and in vivo dermato-pharmacokinetic studies, drug content, hemolysis, and skin irritation assessments were conducted to evaluate overall performance. Results confirm amorphous SD-BC formation, enhancing solubility. Both SD-BC thermoresponsive gel and PSM exhibit favourable characteristics, including rheological properties and mechanical strength. In vitro release studies showed a seven-fold increase in BC release compared to plain hydrogel. SD-BC thermoresponsive gel combined with PSM achieves superior ex vivo permeation (Cmax = 305.43 ± 32.07 µg.mL-1) and enhances in vivo dermato-pharmacokinetic parameters by 200-400 %. Drug content, hemolysis, and skin irritation studies confirmed its safety and non-toxicity.

Investigation of Botanical Origin, Phenolic Compounds, Carotenoids, and Antioxidant Properties of Monofloral and Multifloral Bee Bread

Bee bread is a unique natural product made by bees and good for human health. It has many bioactive molecules that can treat or prevent diseases. In this study, melissopalynological methods were used to examine five bee bread samples. Major plant sources found in bee bread were Lotus spp., Trifolium spp., and Xeranthemum spp., which are from the Fabaceae and Asteraceae families. Then, the amount of phenolic compounds and major carotenoids in bee bread (BB) samples were quantified. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were found in all BB samples, with β-carotene being the most abundant carotenoid in all but BB1. In addition, the total phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of all BB samples were determined. Total flavonoid, total phenolic, DPPH⋅, and ABTS⋅⁺ values were varied between 5.6-10.00 mg GAE/g DW, 1.2-4.3 mg QE/g DW, 1.2-5.5 mg TEAC/g DW, and 2.6-15.4 mg TEAC/g DW, respectively.

Insight into the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activities of Amomum subulatum and Amomum xanthioides: an in vitro and in silico study

Introduction

Medicinal plants have been considered as potential source of therapeutics or as starting materials in drugs formulation.

Methods

The current study aims to shed light on the therapeutic potential of the Amomum subulatom and Amomum xanthioides Fruits by analyzing the phytochemical composition of their seeds and fruits using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to determine the presence of bioactive components such as flavonoids, phenols, vitamins, steroids, and essential oils.

Results and Discussion

The protein content is usually higher than the total lipids in both species except the fruit of A. subulatum which contain more lipids than proteins. The total protein contents for A. subulatum were 235.03 ± 21.49 and 227.49 ± 25.82 mg/g dry weight while for A. xanthioides were 201.9 ± 37.79 and 294.99 ± 37.93 mg/g dry weight for seeds and fruit, respectively. The Carvacrol levels in A. subulatum is 20 times higher than that in A. xanthioides. Lower levels of α-Thujene, Phyllanderenes, Ascaridole, and Pinocarvone were also observed in both species. According to DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) assay, seed the extract of A. subulatum exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (78.26±9.27 %) followed by the seed extract of A. xanthioides (68.21±2.56 %). Similarly, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay showed that the highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by the seed extract of the two species; 20.14±1.11 and 21.18±1.04 µmol trolox g-1 DW for A. subulatum and A. xanthioides, respectively. In terms of anti-lipid peroxidation, relatively higher values were obtained for the fruit extract of A. subulatum (6.08±0.35) and the seed extract of A. xanthioides (6.11±0.55). Ethanolic seed extracts of A. subulatum had the highest efficiency against four Gram-negative bacterial species which causes serious human diseases, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium. In addition, P. aeruginosa was also inhibited by the fruit extract of both A. subulatum and A. xanthioides. For the seed extract of A. xanthioides, large inhibition zones were formed against P. vulgaris and the fungus Candida albicans. Finally, we have in silico explored the mode of action of these plants by performing detailed molecular modeling studies and showed that the antimicrobial activities of these plants could be attributed to the high binding affinity of their bioactive compounds to bind to the active sites of the sterol 14-alpha demethylase and the transcriptional regulator MvfR.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the two species extracts possess high biological activities and therapeutical values, which increases their potential value in a number of therapeutic applications.

α-Carotene: a valuable carotenoid in biological and medical research

α-Carotene, one of the C₄₀ carotenes, is a natural lipid-soluble terpene. The chemical structure of α-carotene is based on the unsaturated polyene chain skeleton, with an ε-ring and a β-ring on each side of the skeleton. α-Carotene is widely found in dietary fruits and vegetables, and the concentration depends on the plant species. In addition, processing methods and storage conditions used in the food and medical industries can alter the concentration of α-carotene in raw materials. This review of α-carotene summarizes the major studies on chemical structure, source, extraction, detection, biosynthesis, processing effect, bioactivity, medicine, and biotechnology. Whether α-carotene supplementation or a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a positive effect on the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases is the focus of this study. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of methods for determining free fatty acid contents in red colored oils

Buah merah oil and red palm oil are red colored and unrefined edible oils. Because of this color characteristic, measuring acid value by titration method can be uncertain and subjective, so more accurate and objective methods are needed. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) methods were developed to determine acid value in 3 buah merah oils and 1 red palm oil by measuring free fatty acid contents. The acid value was high in the order of titration > GC-FID > HPLC-ELSD in all samples. GC-FID method showed accurate and reliable results, whereas HPLC-ELSD showed rough data partly due to the non-linear standard curve and high limit of detection. Difference in acid value between titration method and GC-FID might be due to unrefined components that reacted with KOH titration solution. GC-FID can be used measuring free fatty acid contents in red colored oils.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00964-2.

Aluminum Pillared Clay (Al-PILC) for Adsorption of Dyes in Red Fruit Oil

Red fruit oil contains carotene, which is dark orange, so it is not very popular. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the intensity of the color. Yesterday, in this study, the synthesis and characterization of Al-pillared clay (Al-PILC) from light and heavy clay fractions were carried out. The absorption capacity of red fruit carotene dyes was studied. The research stages included preparation, fractionation, activation, pillarization of clay with aluminum, characterization, and adsorption test for carotene dyes on red fruit. Characterization was carried out using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Gas Sorption Analyzer (GSA). The results showed that basal spacing of natural clay, Al pillared heavy fraction-clay, Al pillared light fraction-clay, activated light fraction were 15.08 Å, 15.27 Å, 16.84 Å, and 16, respectively. 22 Å. The GSA results showed that the surface area and pore volume of the Al pillared light fraction-clay of 0.3 was higher than the heavy fraction. The average pore size of Al pillared light fraction-clay and the heavy fraction was found in the mesoporous range of 30-100 Å, and the adsorption isotherm is type IV. Al-pillared light fraction-clay had higher adsorption ability than a heavy fraction and light fraction before pillaring. When the pillaring agent’s concentration was 0.3 M, Al pillared heavy fraction-has absorption capacity is 58.66%, while Al pillared light fraction-clay is 90.4%.

Biotechnological Advances in Lycopene β-Cyclases

Lycopene β-cyclase is one of the key enzymes in the biosynthesis of carotenoids, which catalyzes the β-cyclization of both ends of lycopene to produce β-carotene. Lycopene β-cyclases are found in a wide range of sources, mainly plants and microorganisms. Lycopene β-cyclases have been extensively studied for their important catalytic activity, including for use in genetic engineering to modify plants and microorganisms, as a blocking target for lycopene industrial production strains, and for their genetic and physiological effects related to microorganic and plant biological traits. This review of lycopene β-cyclases summarizes the major studies on their basic classification, functional activity, metabolic engineering, and plant science.

Potential Antibacterial Flavonoid from Buah Merah (Pandanus conodieus Lam.) Against Pathogenic Oral Bacteria of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212

Background:

Dental caries is an oral disease generated by pathogenic bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, which is most frequently found in teeth with pulp necrosis. On the other hand, the use of the medicinal plant to treat pathogenic disease, including caries is an alternative option, which consumes synthetic drug having a side effect.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to isolate antibacterial agents from Buah Merah (Pandanus conoideus Lam) and to test the antibacterial activity of those compounds against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212.

Methods:

Isolation of the antibacterial constituents from Buah Merah used a combinational column chromatography technique which include a normal and reversed-phase. The chosen fraction of each separation is based on the most active fraction. The compounds at various concentrations, 1000 - 20000 μg/mL, were assessed against E. faecalis ATCC 29212 by agar disc diffusion method, and chlorhexidine 2000 μg/mL was used as a positive control.

Results:

Four compounds isolated from Buah Merah were determined as flavonoid 1, diterpenoid 2, and two fatty acid derivatives 3 and 4. The compounds were then tested against E. faecalis cultured to find inhibition zones, and the study found that only compound 1 identified as Quercetin-3-O-glucose showed an inhibited zone 88 mm at 20000 ppm.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that ethyl acetate fraction of Buah Merah contains an antibacterial flavonoid active against E. faecalis. This research gives information for the use of this plant in herbal medicine and contributes to the necessity of a new antibacterial agent for oral infectious disease. Moreover, this data can be based on information to find the substituted antiseptic applied in the dentistry field.

Pandanus conoideus Lamk Oil Protects Against Inflammation Through Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species in LPS-Induced Murine Macrophages

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of Pandanus conoideus Lamk (red fruit oil [RFO]) and establish the signal pathway of the leading compounds. RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were used with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability and the pro-inflammatory factors were investigated using MTT assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The quantification of leading compounds in RFO was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RFO did not reduce RAW 264.7 cell viability. RFO significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2, and both the protein level and mRNA level of inducible NO synthase in LPS-induced macrophages. RFO also regulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-induced macrophages. RFO attenuated the translocation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit, phosphorylation of I-κB, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. HPLC analysis determined that 1 g of RFO had 14.05 ± 0.8 mg of β-cryptoxanthin and 7.4 ± 0.7 mg of β-carotene. In conclusion, RFO provides an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating ROS and NF-κB through mitogen-activated protein kinase due to antioxidant activity.

Phosphorylation and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam) oil and its fractions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam) oil (RFO) is utilized by inhabitants of the Papua Island to treat diseases such as infections, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism of action is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We have recently shown that RFO stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation by RFO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NO production by endothelial cells was determined with electron paramagnetic resonance. The vascular function of isolated mouse aorta was examined using a wire myograph system. Phosphorylation of eNOS was studied with Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

RFO induced concentration-dependent vasodilation in isolated mouse aorta. The vasodilator effect of RFO was lost in endothelium-denuded aorta and in aorta from mice deficient in eNOS. Treatment of human EA.hy 926 endothelial cells with RFO led to an enhancement of eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 and NO production. The RFO-induced eNOS phosphorylation and NO production were reduced by inhibitors of Akt or AMPK, but not by an inhibitor of CaMKII. The effects of RFO were decreased by pharmacological inhibition of PI3K, indicating an involvement of the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, acetone-soluble fractions and oily fractions of RFO showed higher efficacies than the RFO polar fraction in activating eNOS.

CONCLUSIONS

RFO contains highly active compounds that enhance NO production through Akt- or AMPK-mediated eNOS phosphorylation. The increase in endothelial NO production is likely to represent one of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of RFO.

Suitability of stationary phase for LC analysis of biomolecules

Biologically active compounds such as carotenoids/isoprenoids, vitamins, steroids, saponins, sugars, long chain fatty acids, and amino acids play a very important role in coordinating functions in living organisms. Determination of those substances is indispensable in advanced biological sciences. Engineered stationary phase in LC for the analysis of biomolecules has become easier with the development of chromatographic science. In general, C₁₈ column is being used for routine analysis but specific columns are being used for specific molecule. Monolithic columns are found to have higher efficiency than normal column. Among recent introduction, triacontyl stationary phases, designed for the separation of carotenoid isomers, are widely used for the estimation of carotenoids. In comparison to conventional C₁₈ phases, C₃₀ phases exhibited superior shape selectivity for the separation of isomers of carotenoids. It is also found useful for better elution and analysis of tocopherols, vitamin K, sterols, and fatty acids. Vitamin K, E, and their isomers are also successfully resoluted and analyzed by using C₃₀ column. Amino bonded phase column is specifically used for better elution of sugars, whereas phenyl columns are suitable for the separation and analysis of curcuminoids and taxol. Like triacontyl stationary phase, pentafluorophenyl columns are also used for the separation and analysis of carotenoids. Similarly, HILIC column are best suited for sugar analysis. All the stationary phases are made possible to resolute and analyze the target biomolecules better, which are the future of liquid chromatography. The present article focuses on the differential interaction between stationary phase and target biomolecules. The applicability of these stationary phases are reported in different matrices.

A novel extraction method for β-carotene and other carotenoids in fruit juices using air-assisted, low-density solvent-based liquid-liquid microextraction and solidified floating organic droplets

Green extraction using air-assisted, low-density solvent-based liquid-liquid microextraction and solidified floating organic droplets (AA-LDS-LLME-SFOD) prior to spectrophotometry was successfully applied for quantitation of carotenoids in fruit juices. Under optimal conditions, β-carotene could be quantified with a linear response up to a concentration of 60 μg mL(-1). The procedure was performed in a microcentrifuge tube with 40 μL of 1-dodecanol as the extraction solvent and a 1.0 mL juice sample containing 8% NaCl under seven extraction cycles of air pumping by syringe. This method was validated based on linearity (0.2-30 μg mL(-1), R(2) 0.998), limit of detection (0.04 μg mL(-1)) and limit of quantification (0.13 μg mL(-1)). The precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the calibration curve slope (n=12), for inter-day and intra-day analysis was 4.85% and 7.92%, respectively. Recovery of β-carotene was in the range of 93.6-101.5%. The newly proposed method is simple, rapid and environmentally friendly, particularly as a useful screening test for food analysis.