Ultrasound-assisted extraction of D-pinitol from carob pods using Response Surface Methodology

Experimental investigation on the carob extraction using arrhenius approach and response surface

Environmental problems have increased the need for sustainable agricultural practices that conserve water and energy. Carob, an eco-friendly crop with multiple health benefits, holds the potential for economic evaluation. This study investigates the carob molasses extraction process, focusing on the influence of temperature and water quantity on the diffusion coefficient. The rheological behavior of carob molasses was analyzed experimentally, and a model was developed to optimize energy consumption during the extraction process. The impact of temperature on the mass transfer coefficient was examined using the Arrhenius approach, with the extraction conducted at a maximum of 50 °C to prevent caramelization. The activation energy for carob extraction was determined to be 5.475 kJ/mol, and a new equation is proposed for estimating the mass transfer coefficient.

Nutritional, biochemical and health properties of Locust beans and its applications in the food industry: a review

The Locust Bean (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an ancient Mediterranean fruit that is used to make locust bean gum from seeds, which is a popular ingredient in many foods today. Locust Bean fruit and Gum are rich in bioactive compounds that can be helpful in the treatment of conditions involving the digestive system, as well as cancer, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The locust bean gum is a polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm of the locust bean seed through different thermomechanical or chemical processes. It is an approved food additive with the European number E410 and a number of different food uses. It is a galactomannan and it is frequently used in dairy products for its water-binding and thickening properties to improve their rheological properties. This review aims to study the functional, and nutritional characteristics of Locust Bean Gum, the extraction of Locust Bean Gum, as well as its applications in the food sector and its impacts on dairy product processing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05765-5.

Immature carob pods extract and its fractions prevent lipid metabolism disorders and lipoprotein-rich plasma oxidation in mice: A phytochemical and pharmacological study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Morocco carob fruits are used traditionally to treat hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and related diseases.

AIMS

This study was designed to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of Ceratonia siliqua green pods extract and its fractions in Triton WR-1339 and high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD) induced hyperlipidemia mice, as well as their ability to prevent lipoproteins oxidation in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to determine the phenolic composition of the immature carob pods extract (HWCE). Antioxidant activities were evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging test as well as MDA measurement in oxidized lipoprotein rich plasma. Plasma lipids, glucose and biliary total cholesterol, as well as lipids level in liver and feces, were analyzed. The acute oral toxicity was performed in mice single dosed with the HWCE at 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight.

RESULTS

HPLC analysis shows that gallic acid is the main phenolic compound in the HWCE. The acute oral toxicity assessment revealed that the HWCE is not toxic (LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight). In the acute hypolipidemic study, mice treated with the HWCE and its fractions exhibited a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Importantly, immature carob aqueous extract was more effective in lowering mice hypercholesterolemia than its fractions. Indeed, mice fed the HFCD for 12 weeks showed a significant raise in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C, as well as in hepatic and fecal TC and TG levels. The HWCE at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight significantly (P < 0.001) reversed the plasmatic levels of these lipid parameters, increased plasma HDL-C level, reduced hepatic lipids accumulation, but increased cholesterol level in the bile and fecal lipids excretion. The HWCE decreased also the atherogenic index, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and plasma glucose level after 12 weeks' experiment. On the other hand, the HWCE was more effective in preventing mice lipoprotein-rich plasma oxidation than its fractions, with a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

C. siliqua green fruits extract could be effective in preventing atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular complications through the inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation and cholesterol clearance.

Nutritional, biochemical, and clinical applications of carob: A review

Carob is botanically called as Ceratonia siliqua and belongs to the Legumes family. The fruit is derived from hermaphrodite trees and hard in shape. The carob contains high sugar contents in pulp, fat in seed and minerals like potassium, calcium, and phosphorus are present in pods. Polyphenols and antioxidants are abundant in leaves and pods. It can be used for enhancing human health due to its high nutritional profile. Carob gum is used in the pharmaceutical industry in the form of pomades, anti-celiac ingredients, pills, and dental paste. The clinical carob can aid as an anti-cancer, anti-reflux, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal. Nowadays, carob seeds are being used as an alternative to cocoa powder in food items whereas the leaves, pods, and seeds of carob are also historically used as food for animal feed. However, these parts of carob are available in markets with reasonable prices. Carob production, though with a rising contribution, contributes to the local economy. In this sense, we can incorporate knowledge on the chemical properties and the biological effect of carob fruits on human health. In this study, the supportive and health-promoting impacts of carob are discussed along with the clinical testing obtained from natural constituents of carob. In addition, further studies can be performed to extract and separate polyphenols and antioxidant potential for the development of functional that play a valuable role in pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Extraction of phenolics and anthocyanins from purple eggplant peels by multi-frequency ultrasound: Effects of different extraction factors and optimization using uniform design

In this work, multi-frequency ultrasound (working modes for the single-, dual- and tri-frequency in simultaneous ways) was applied to extract bioactive compounds from purple eggplant peels. The single-factor experiments were performed by varying six independent variables. A six-level-five-factor uniform design (UD) was further employed to evaluate the interaction effects between different factors. It was found that extraction temperature and extraction time significantly affected the total phenolic content (TPC), whereas the total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) was mainly influenced by ethanol concentration, extraction temperature and solid-liquid ratio. Based on partial least-squares (PLS) regression analysis, the optimal conditions for TPC extraction were: 53.6 % ethanol concentration, 0.336 mm particle size, 44.5 °C extraction temperature, 35.2 min extraction time, 1:43 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and similar optimal conditions were also obtained for TMA. Furthermore, the TPC and TMA extraction were investigated by ultrasound in different frequencies and power levels. Compared with single-frequency (40 kHz) and dual-frequency ultrasound (25 + 40 kHz), the extraction yield of TPC and TMA with tri-frequency ultrasound (25 + 40 + 70 kHz) increased by 23.65 % and 18.76 % respectively, which suggested the use of multi-frequency ultrasound, especially tri-frequency ultrasound, is an efficient strategy to improve the TPC and TMA extracts in purple eggplant peels.

Metabolomics and chemometrics of seven aromatic plants: Carob, eucalyptus, laurel, mint, myrtle, rosemary and strawberry tree

INTRODUCTION

Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree), Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob), Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (eucalyptus), Laurus nobilis L. (laurel), Mentha aquatica L. (water mint), Myrtus communis L. (common myrtle), and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) are aromatic plants from the Mediterranean region whose parts and preparations are used for their nutritional properties and health benefits.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the metabolites profile, total phenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of plant leaves for their future use. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for metabolomics. Data comparison was performed by chemometrics.

METHODOLOGY

Polar and apolar extracts were analysed using untargeted GC-MS metabolomics followed by chemometrics (principal component analysis, heatmap correlation and dendrogram) to identify, quantify and compare the major organic compounds in the plants. Additionally, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used for the laurel polar extract to identify d-gluco-l-glycero-3-octulose whose presence was unclear from the GC-MS data. TPC and antioxidant assays were performed using classical methods (Folin-Ciocalteu, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) and correlated to the phytochemical profiles.

RESULTS

Forty-three metabolites were identified including amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, phenols, polyols, fatty acids, and alkanes. Eight metabolites (d-fructose, d-glucose, d-mannose, gallic acid, quinic acid, myo-inositol, palmitic and stearic acids) were in common between all species. d-Gluco-l-glycero-3-octulose (37.29 ± 1.19%), d-pinitol (31.33 ± 5.12%), and arbutin (1.30 ± 0.44%,) were characteristic compounds of laurel, carob, and strawberry tree, respectively. Carob showed the highest values of TPC and antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

GC-MS metabolomics and chemometrics analyses are fast and useful methods to determine and compare the metabolomics profiling of aromatic plants of food and industrial interest.

Evaluation of the ethanolic ultrasound-assisted extraction from clove (Syzygium aromaticum) leaves and chemical characterization of the extracts

In this study, clove leaves (Syzygium aromaticum) were subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with ethanol as the solvent, following a central composite design to evaluate the effects of time, amplitude, solvent/sample ratio, and temperature on the yield, eugenol content, and antioxidant capacity of the extracts. The results were compared with those obtained using the conventional method of maceration (ME). The optimum conditions for extract yield were achieved with an extraction time of 25 min,amplitude of 85%, solvent/sample ratio of 35 mL g^-1, and temperature of 70 °C, and the result (14.63 wt%) was three times higher than that of conventional extraction. Eugenol was detected in the extracts obtained by both methods, with the highest yield of 2.94 g eugenol kg leaves^-1obtained in the UAE method, while the ME method achieved 1.36 g eugenol kg leaves^-1.In general, the extracts exhibited high antioxidant capacities.

Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Polyphenols from Ripe Carob Pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.): Combined Designs for Screening and Optimizing the Processing Parameters

Carob pulp has recently received great attention due to its considerable content of polyphenols having a wide range of health promoting effects. In this work, ultrasound assisted extraction was optimized sequentially using a screening Plackett–Burman design and non-standard central composite design coupled to response surface methodology and desirability function statistical tools, to find the best conditions for the extraction of nine polyphenols from carob pods. The gathered mathematical models showed that the highest significant factors influencing the extraction of all compounds were solid–solvent ratio, solvent concentration, and particle size, with the optimal results obtained at values of 0.2 g/mL, 40% ethanol, and 0.3 mm, respectively. Extraction temperature, time, sonication power, and frequency were set at 35 °C, 15 min, 100 W, and 37 kHz, respectively. These parameters help to reduce energy costs and to obtain the best possible extraction of polyphenols.

Expanding the Role of Sub-Exploited DOE-High Energy Extraction and Metabolomic Profiling towards Agro-Byproduct Valorization: The Case of Carotenoid-Rich Apricot Pulp

Traditional extraction remains the method-of-choice for phytochemical analyses. However, the absence of an integrated analytical platform, focusing on customized, validated extraction steps, generates tendentious and non-reproducible data regarding the phytochemical profile. Such a platform would also support the exploration and exploitation of plant byproducts, which are a valuable source of bioactive metabolites. This study deals with the incorporation of (a) the currently sub-exploited high energy extraction methods (ultrasound (UAE)- and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)), (b) experimental design (DOE), and (c) metabolomics, in an integrated analytical platform for the extensive study of plant metabolomics and phytochemical profiling. The recovery of carotenoids from apricot by-products (pulp) is examined as a case study. MAE, using ethanol as solvent, achieved higher carotenoid yields compared to UAE, where 1:1 chloroform-methanol was employed, and classic extraction. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic profiling classified extracts according to the variations in co-extractives in relation to the extraction conditions. Extracts with a lower carotenoid content contained branched-chain amino acids as co-extractives. Medium carotenoid content extracts contained choline, unsaturated fatty acids, and sugar alcohols, while the highest carotenoid extracts were also rich in sugars. Overall, the proposed pipeline can provide different the phytochemical fractions of bioactive compounds according to the needs of different industrial sectors (cosmetics, nutraceuticals, etc.).

The Aqueous Extract from Ceratonia siliqua Leaves Protects Against 6-hydroxydopamine in Zebrafish: Understanding the Underlying Mechanism

Ceratonia siliqua L. is a Mediterranean medicinal plant traditionally cultivated for its ethnopharmacological benefits, such as antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, enhance acetylcholine, antioxidant, antiatherosclerotic, and for its possible anti-neurodegenerative potential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition, as well as the cognitive-enhancing, anxiolytic, and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract from C. siliqua (CsAE) leaves against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) zebrafish Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. CsAE (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/L) was administered by immersion to zebrafish (Danio rerio) for eight consecutive days and one hour before each behavioral test of each day, while 6-OHDA (250 µM) treatment was supplied one day before the novel tank diving test (NTT). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis. The memory performance was evaluated through the NTT and Y-maze tests. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant status and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also assessed. Our finds demonstrated that CsAE presented positive antioxidant and anti-AChE activities, which contributed to the improvement of cognitive function in the 6-OHDA zebrafish PD model.

An in vitro study of the effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) leaf extracts on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) leucocyte activities. Antioxidant, cytotoxic and bactericidal properties

Carob leaves, the main residues of the carob tree, were investigated as a renewable and abundant source of bioactive compounds for fish aquaculture. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from carob leaves were characterized in terms of biochemical composition, antiradical and cytotoxic effects and immunostimulant and antibacterial activities. The ethanolic extract showed higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins and higher antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract. No significant immunostimulant effects were observed on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) head kidney leucocytes (viability, phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities and peroxidase content) after incubation for 24 h with different extracts. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts used at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mg mL^-1 and aqueous extracts at 1 g mL^-1 had a cytotoxic effect on PLHC-1 cells. When the bactericidal activity was tested against three fish pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae) notable activity of the different extracts was detected against P. damselae at all three concentrations. A similar effect was demonstrated against V. haryeri when ethanolic extracts were used in the same range of concentrations. This work demonstrates interesting in vitro effects of carob leaf extracts and suggests it could be used as an alternative to chemical compounds with farmed fish. The concentration and nature of the extracts were very important in terms of any positive results.

Evolution of phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Tunisian carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods during maturation

The Ceratonia siliqua fruits contain several substances known to have high adaptability to environmental conditions. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the changes in physicochemical properties of different Tunisian provenances of carob pulps harvested at three ripening stages. Furthermore, six provenances were investigated during the ripening process in terms of their moisture, ash, minerals, bioactive compounds, antiradical activity and sugar profile. The results demonstrated that all examined parameters are highly influenced by geographic origin. Concerning ripening impact, our data showed that water and ash content significantly decreased during the development of six provenances, as well as the bioactive and mineral contents. Thus, the total polyphenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and condensed tannins (CT) contents exhibited the highest levels in the unripe fruits. The antiradical activity trend was positively correlated to the behavior of the bioactive compounds content. Moreover, the sucrose, glucose and fructose were the main sugar qualified and quantified in carob pods at different ripening stages. At the maturity stage, the monosaccharide contents (glucose and fructose) were slightly reduced, while, the sucrose was rapidly accumulated. In conclusion, the ripening process diversely affected the nutritional composition and generally extended the exploitation of carob fruits. The study could provide valuable information about the suitability of carob pods at different maturity stages as potential biomaterials for nutraceutical applications.

GC-MS analysis of D-pinitol in carob: Syrup and fruit (flesh and seed)

D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol) is a well-known bioactive compound with anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant biological functions. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed for its quantitation in carob syrup, flesh and seed samples originated from Cyprus. The analysis was performed after derivatization of carbohydrates and polyols into trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. D-pinitol was determined in 13 carob syrup samples, in concentrations ranging 65.71 ± 4.60 - 77.72 ± 5.44 mg/g (mean: 68.58 ± 4.80 mg/g, n = 13). In two commercial samples, it was determined in relative medium-low concentrations (21.96 ± 1.54 and 44.71 ± 3.13 mg/g), revealing possible adulteration; however, this needs further investigation. Similarly, it was determined in high concentrations in carob flesh samples, in concentrations ranging 53.20 ± 3.72 - 54.58 ± 3.82 mg/g (mean: 53.81 ± 3.76 mg/g, n = 3). On the other hand, seed samples proved very poor in D-pinitol (<LOD). Therefore, bioprospecting of carob fruit and syrup is highlighted. Compared to other plants or legumes, carob appears to be the richest source of D-pinitol, highlighting carobs role as a functional organic food. The historical and cultural association of Cyprus with carobs is linked with traditional foods and habits.

Ultrasound-assisted Extraction of Polysaccharide from Radix Bupleuri using Response Surface Methodology and Antioxidant Research of the Polysaccharide

This report used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to analyze the conditions that extracting polysaccharide compound from Radix Bupleuri using ultrasonic wave. For determining the optimal extraction conditions, four independent variables, temperature (°C), ultrasonic intensity (UI, W/cm2), dilution rate (water-material ratio, mL/g) and time (min), were investigated using Box-Behnken design. In the results, the best condition after optimization was dilution rate of 35.0:1, UI of 24.5 W/cm2, temperature of 69.5°C and time of 14.6 min. Extraction efficiency was 7.67% and the purity reached 44.14%. It illustrates that the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was efficient and suitable for extracting polysaccharide from Radix Bupleuri. This paper also investigated the antioxidant activity of Radix Bupleuri polysaccharide (RBP) on superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picry-hydrazyl (DPPH), in vitro experiment. The result indicated that RBP could remarkably sweep away the hydroxyl radical, and had the capacity for clearing away superoxide radical and DPPH.

Extraction approaches used for the determination of biologically active compounds (cyclitols, polyphenols and saponins) isolated from plant material

Based on the bioactive properties of certain compounds, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, an interesting subject of research are natural substances present in various parts of plants. The choice of the most appropriate method for separation and quantification of biologically active compounds from plants and natural products is a crucial step of any analytical procedure. The aim of this review article is to present an overview of a comprehensive literature study from the last 10 years (2007-2017), where relevant articles exposed the latest trends and the most appropriate methods applicable for separation and quantification of biologically active compounds from plant material and natural products. Consequently, various extraction methods have been discussed, together with the available procedures for purification and pre-concentration and dedicated methods used for analysis.

Complex investigation of extraction techniques applied for cyclitols and sugars isolation from different species of Solidago genus

Cyclitols are phytochemicals naturally occurring in plant material, which attracted an increasing interest due to multiple medicinal attributes, among which the most important are the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Due to their valuable properties, sugars are used in the food industry as sweeteners, preservatives, texture modifiers, fermentation substrates, and flavoring and coloring agents. In this study, we report for the first time the quantitative analysis of sugars and cyclitols isolated from Solidago virgaurea L., which was used for the selection of the optimal solvent and extraction technique that can provide the best possible yield. Moreover, the quantities of sugars and cyclitols extracted from two other species, Solidago canadensis and Solidago gigantea, were investigated using the best extraction method and the most appropriate solvent. Comparative analysis of natural plant extracts obtained using five different techniques-maceration, Soxhlet extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction-was performed in order to decide the most suitable, efficient, and economically convenient extraction method. Three different solvents were used. Analysis of samples has been performed by solid-phase extraction for purification and pre-concentration, followed by derivation and GC-MS analysis. Highest efficiency for the total amount of obtained compounds has been reached by PLE, when water was used as a solvent. d-pinitol amount was almost similar for every solvent and for all the extraction techniques involved.

Determination of sugars and cyclitols isolated from various morphological parts of Medicago sativa L

Plant research interest has increased all over the world, and a large body of evidence has been collected to show the huge potential of medicinal plants in various disease treatments. Medicago sativa L., known as alfalfa, is a rich source of biologically active components and secondary metabolites and was frequently used from the ancient times both as fodder crop and as a traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Cyclitols, naturally occurring in this plant, have a particular interest for us due to their significant anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. In the present study we revealed the isolation, the identification, and the quantification of some cyclitols and sugars extracted from different morphological parts of alfalfa plant. Soxhlet extraction and solid phase extraction were used as extraction and purification methods, while for the analyses derivatization followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was involved. The obtained results showed significant differences in the quantities of cyclitols and sugars found in the investigated morphological parts, ranging between 0.02 and 13.86 mg/g of plant in case of cyclitols, and in the range of 0.09 and 40.09 mg/g of plant for sugars. However, roots have the richest part of cyclitols and sugars in contrast to the leaves.

Siliquapyranone: A Tannic Acid Tetrahydropyran-2-one Isolated from the Leaves of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) by Pressurised Hot Water Extraction

Studies of the phytochemistry of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) leaf material are extremely limited. This report features the second natural product isolation study of carob leaves and the first such investigation of C. siliqua grown in Australia. Investigation of leaf material from seven carob cultivars using pressurised hot water extraction (PHWE) revealed the presence of high levels of myricitrin, d-pinitol, and sucrose in addition to the previously unreported natural product siliquapyranone {(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-5-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(((2S,4S)-2-methyl-6-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4-diyl bis(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate)}. Siliquapyranone represents a biosynthetic fusion of conventional 2,3-gallate esters on a β-glucose tannin with a hydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one-related non-tannin tetrahydropyran-2-one, parasorboside. Preliminary biological testing indicates that siliquapyranone exhibits weak activity against both tumour and normal cell lines. This suggests that, like most tannins and parasorboside, siliquapyranone may act as an antifeedant.

Isolation, Separation, and Preconcentration of Biologically Active Compounds from Plant Matrices by Extraction Techniques

Development of efficient methods for isolation and separation of biologically active compounds remains an important challenge for researchers. Designing systems such as organomineral composite materials that allow extraction of a wide range of biologically active compounds, acting as broad-utility solid-phase extraction agents, remains an important and necessary task. Selective sorbents can be easily used for highly selective and reliable extraction of specific components present in complex matrices. Herein, state-of-the-art approaches for selective isolation, preconcentration, and separation of biologically active compounds from a range of matrices are discussed. Primary focus is given to novel extraction methods for some biologically active compounds including cyclic polyols, flavonoids, and oligosaccharides from plants. In addition, application of silica-, carbon-, and polymer-based solid-phase extraction adsorbents and membrane extraction for selective separation of these compounds is discussed. Potential separation process interactions are recommended; their understanding is of utmost importance for the creation of optimal conditions to extract biologically active compounds including those with estrogenic properties.

Influence of Roasting on Sensory, Antioxidant, Aromas, and Physicochemical Properties of Carob Pod Powder (Ceratonia siliquaL.)

The main objective of this research was to compare physicochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, lipid composition, and sensory analysis of initial and roasted carob pod powder (Ceratonia siliquaL.) obtained at different roasting temperatures. The roasted products became darker and the average moisture content, water activity, oil content, and sweetness values decreased at higher temperatures. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity increased with increasing roasted temperature. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid were the main fatty acids present in carob oil. Results showed that the roasted carob pod powders are sweeter, have more caramel-like taste, and have more cacao-like aroma at lower roasting temperatures but have more astringent taste, coffee-like aroma, and roasted aroma at higher roasting temperatures.

Functional Components of Carob Fruit: Linking the Chemical and Biological Space

The contribution of natural products to the drug-discovery pipeline has been remarkable since they have served as a rich source for drug development and discovery. Natural products have adapted, during the course of evolution, optimum chemical scaffolds against a wide variety of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Advances in high-throughput screening assays, assisted by the continuous development on the instrumentation's capabilities and omics, have resulted in charting a large chemical and biological space of drug-like compounds, originating from natural sources. Herein, we attempt to integrate the information on the chemical composition and the associated biological impact of carob fruit in regards to human health. The beneficial and health-promoting effects of carob along with the clinical trials and the drug formulations derived from carob's natural components are presented in this review.

New method to enhance the extraction yield of rutin from Sophora japonica using a novel ultrasonic extraction system by determining optimum ultrasonic frequency

A new method has been proposed for enhancing extraction yield of rutin from Sophora japonica, in which a novel ultrasonic extraction system has been developed to perform the determination of optimum ultrasonic frequency by a two-step procedure. This study has systematically investigated the influence of a continuous frequency range of 20-92 kHz on rutin yields. The effects of different operating conditions on rutin yields have also been studied in detail such as solvent concentration, solvent to solid ratio, ultrasound power, temperature and particle size. A higher extraction yield was obtained at the ultrasonic frequency of 60-62 kHz which was little affected under other extraction conditions. Comparative studies between existing methods and the present method were done to verify the effectiveness of this method. Results indicated that the new extraction method gave a higher extraction yield compared with existing ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and soxhlet extraction (SE). Thus, the potential use of this method may be promising for extraction of natural materials on an industrial scale in the future.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris using orthogonal experimental design

This study reports on the optimization of the extraction conditions of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris by using ultrasonication. For this purpose, the orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate the effects of factors on the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Four factors: extraction time (min), ethanol concentration (%), extraction temperature (°C) and extraction frequency (kHz), were studied. The results showed that the highest cordycepin yield of 7.04 mg/g (86.98% ± 0.23%) was obtained with an extraction time of 60 min, ethanol concentration of 50%, extraction temperature of 65 °C and extraction frequency of 56 kHz. It was found that the cordycepin extraction yield increased with the effect of ultrasonication during the extraction process. Therefore, UAE can be used as an alternative to conventional immersion extraction with respect to the recovery of cordycepin from C. militaris, with the advantages of shorter extraction time and reduced solvent consumption.