A novel combined process for extracting, separating and recovering flavonoids from flos sophorae immaturus

Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing and Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses Provide Comprehensive Insight into Molecular Mechanisms of Flavonoid Metabolites Biosynthesis in Styphnolobium japonicum

Styphnolobium japonicum L. is a commonly consumed plant in China, known for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. This study focuses on the medicinal properties influenced by flavonoid metabolites, which vary during flower development. Utilizing full-length transcriptome sequencing on S. japonicum flowers, we observed changes in gene expression levels as the flowers progressed through growth stages. During stages S1 and S2, key genes related to flavonoid synthesis (PAL, 4CL, CHS, F3H, etc.) exhibited heightened expression. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified regulatory genes (MYB, bHLH, WRKY) potentially involved in the regulatory network with flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes. Our findings propose a regulatory mechanism for flavonoid synthesis in S. japonicum flowers, elucidating the genetic underpinnings of this process. The identified candidate genes present opportunities for genetic enhancements in S. japonicum, offering insights into potential applications for improving its medicinal attributes.

Sea Buckthorn Flavonoid Extracted by High Hydrostatic Pressure Inhibited IgE-Stimulated Mast Cell Activation through the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.), as one of the Elaeagnaceae family, has the significant function of anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and other physiological activities. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) extraction has the advantages of being easy and efficient, while maintaining biological activity. In this study, sea buckthorn flavonoid (SBF) was extracted with HHP and purified sea buckthorn flavonoid (PSBF) was isolated by AB-8 macroporous resin column. HPLC analysis was used to quantified them. In addition, the effect of anti-allergy in RBL-2H3 cells by SBF, PSBF, and their flavonoid compounds was evaluated. The results demonstrate the conditions for obtaining the maximum flavonoid amount of SBF: 415 MPa for 10 min, 72% ethanol concentration, and a liquid to solid ratio of 40 mL/g, which increased the purity from 1.46% to 13.26%. Both SBF and PSBF included rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol. In addition, quercitrin, kaempferol, and SBF could regulate Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. Moreover, extracellular Ca2+ influx was reduced by quercitrin and PSBF. Furthermore, rutin, quercetin, iso-rhamnetin, and SBF could also inhibit P-p38 and P-JNK expression, thereby suppressing the phosphorylation of the MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, SBF is effective for relieving food allergy and might be a promising anti-allergic therapeutic agent.

Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Based on Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents as a Tool for the Recovery of Non-Protein Bioactive Compounds—A Review

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) based on ionic liquids (IL) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) are ecofriendly choices and can be used to selectively separate compounds of interest, such as bioactive compounds. Bioactive compounds are nutrients and nonnutrients of animal, plant, and microbial origin that benefit the human body in addition to their classic nutritional properties. They can also be used for technical purposes in food and as active components in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Because they are usually present in complex matrices and low concentrations, it is necessary to separate them in order to increase their availability and stability, and ATPS is a highlighted technique for this purpose. This review demonstrates the application of ATPS based on IL and DES as a tool for recovering nonprotein bioactive compounds, considering critical factors, results and the most recent advances in this field. In addition, the review emphasizes the perspectives for expanding the use of nonconventional ATPS in purification systems, which consider the use of molecular modelling to predict experimental conditions, the investigation of diverse compounds in phase-forming systems, the establishment of optimal operational parameters, and the verification of bioactivities after the purification process.

Co-Supplementation of Flos Sophorae Extract with Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides Improves Physicochemical, Textural, Rheological, and Antioxidant Properties of Low-Fat Yogurts

Flos Sophorae extract (FSE) with abundant rutin and Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TP) could act as novel natural improvers of low-fat yogurt due to their health benefits and properties of interacting with proteins. This study attempted to understand how FSE or its combination with TP influences physicochemical, textural, and antioxidant properties of low-fat yogurts. The results indicated that the low concentrations of FSE (1.2 or 2.4%) increased the antioxidant activity, prompted the S. thermophilus growth, water holding capacity (WHC), and textural and sensory properties, and shortened the fermentation time, but reduced the rheological properties of yogurts compared with the control. Co-supplementing appropriate TP with the optimum FSE concentration (2.4%) improved the rheological properties, and further enhanced the S. thermophilus growth, WHC, textural and antioxidant properties, and sensory scores of yogurts compared with the 2.4% FSE group, with the best effects at 0.4 mg/mL TP. Taken together, co-supplementation of polyphenols extract FSE with Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides may be an available strategy to optimize health-promoting properties and overcome defects of low-fat yogurts.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology for Simultaneous Quantitation of Six Flavonoids in Flos Sophorae Immaturus and Antioxidant Activity

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to extract rutin (RU), nicotiflorin (NI), narcissoside (NA), kaempferol (KA), isorhamnetin (IS), quercetin (QU), and total flavonoids of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (TFFSI) from Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI). Through single factor test and response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal extraction conditions were concluded as follows: ethanol concentration 70%, time 30 min, temperature 61 °C, and liquid/solid ratio 15.30 mL/g, respectively. The actual extraction rates of RU, NI, NA, KA, IS, QU, and TFFSI were 14.6101%, 2.9310%, 7.1987%, 0.1041%, 0.4920%, 2.7998%, and 26.4260%, respectively. The experimental results demonstrated that the extraction method with accuracy and efficiency could be used for the comprehensive evaluation quality control of extracts from FSI. The antioxidant activities of hydroalcoholic extraction from FSI on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•⁺), superoxide anion (•O²⁻) free radicals, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed. The results showed that the antioxidation activities of extracts on DPPH, ABTS•⁺, and •O²⁻ free radicals were reached 89.29%, 97.86%, and 56.61%, and 81.4% in FRAP at 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of FSI extract was positively correlated with the amount of total flavonoids.

A general gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction method for separation and concentration of puerarin, 3'-methoxydaidzin, puerarinxyloside, daidzin and daidzein from puerariae extract

In this work, a general and novel separation technique gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction was established and applied in separating and concentrating isoflavonoids from the actual sample of puerariae extract by one step. For the gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction method, optimal conditions were selected: polyethylene glycol 2000 and ethyl acetate as the flotation solvent, pH 5, (NH₄ )₂ SO₄ concentration 350 g/L in aqueous phase, N₂ flow rate 30 mL/min, flotation time 50 min, and flotation twice. Five isoflavonoids compounds puerarin, 3'-methoxydaidzin, puerarinxyloside, daidzin and daidzein were separated with recoveries of 82, 84, 80, 88 and 89%, respectively. The separated products were purified by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and the purity of the final products was >96%. The established general gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction was used to separate anthraquinones from Cassiae Semen under the optimal conditions, and the recoveries were >75%. The experimental results showed that the established gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction method is a general technique for separating active compounds from herb extract.

Nanofiltration and Tight Ultrafiltration Membranes for the Recovery of Polyphenols from Agro-Food By-Products

Pressure-driven membrane-based technologies represent a valid approach to reduce the environmental pollution of several agro-food by-products. Recently, in relation to the major interest for natural compounds with biological activities, their use has been also addressed to the recovery, separation and fractionation of phenolic compounds from such by-products. In particular, tight ultrafiltration (UF) and nanolfiltration (NF) membranes have been recognized for their capability to recover phenolic compounds from several types of agro-food by-products. The separation capability of these membranes, as well as their productivity, depends on multiple factors such as membrane material, molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) and operating conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, feed flow rate, volume reduction factor, etc.). This paper aims at providing a critical overview of the influence of these parameters on the recovery of phenolic compounds from agro-food by-products by using tight UF and NF membranes. The literature data are analyzed and discussed in relation to separation processes, molecule properties, membrane characteristics and other phenomena occurring in the process. Current extraction methodologies of phenolic compounds from raw materials are also introduced in order to drive the implementation of integrated systems for the production of actractive phenolic formulations of potential interest as food antioxidants.