Higher radical scavenging activities of polyphenolic antioxidants can be ascribed to chemical reactions following their oxidation

Impact of food additives (sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate) on interactions between astringent compounds and an oral cell model

Many foods contain additives like sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate to ensure safety, preserve quality, or extend shelf life. Recent studies suggest these additives may influence interactions between astringent compounds and oral cells. Using a tongue epithelium cell model, we investigated how these salts affect interactions between astringent compounds (phenolic and non-phenolic) and oral constituents. The salts reduced the interaction of green tea flavanol-rich extract (GTE) with salivary proteins and altered interactions with tannic acid and alum. The effects varied depending on the specific astringent compound, salt, and oral constituents, with ionic strength playing a role. The reduced adsorption of flavanols from GTE may be due to oxidation induced by these additives, raising concerns about their use. However, sodium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate can modify astringent molecule interactions, potentially influencing the astringency of certain products.

Adsorption of oxidized humic acid onto redox-inert mineral surfaces induces formation of hydroxyl radicals and carbon dynamics

The dark formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) from O2 activation by reduced humic substances at oxic-anoxic interfaces has been extensively documented. However, their generation in oxic subsurface environments is typically overlooked due to the scarcity of electron donors, especially in the presence of minerals. In this study, the formation of ·OH during the adsorption of oxidized humic acids (HA) onto redox-inert minerals was investigated under oxic and pH-neutral conditions. Batch experiment results demonstrated that the adsorption of oxidized HA onto aluminum (hydr)oxide and Fe-free clay minerals induces the formation of ·OH (e.g., 16/28 μmol/g C) without the addition of exogenous electron donors. In contrast, the interaction of oxidized HA alone with O2 did not result in measurable ·OH production. The enhanced electron-donating capacity (EDC) and humification of the whole HA (mainly in adsorbed state) were measured after adsorption. The surface-catalyzed polymerization of oxidizable polyphenols in HA is proposed as the plausible mechanism for the observed EDC enhancement, which in turn triggers O2 activation for ·OH production. Furthermore, substantial chemical alterations of lignins and condensed aromatics within HA were observed, producing more compounds exhibiting higher molecular weight, aromaticity, O/C ratio, and nominal oxidation state of carbon. It is indicated that the contribution of oxidative polymerization outweighs ·OH oxidation in the molecular transformation of adsorbed HA. Overall, our findings extend the understanding of HA-induced ·OH production from oxic-anoxic interfaces to the oxic zone and present a novel pathway for the abiotic transformation of recalcitrant organic matter in subsurface environments with extensive surface water-groundwater interactions.

Flavonoid Oxidation Potentials and Antioxidant Activities-Theoretical Models Based on Oxidation Mechanisms and Related Changes in Electronic Structure

Herein, I will review our efforts to develop a comprehensive and robust model for the estimation of the first oxidation potential, Ep1, and antioxidant activity, AA, of flavonoids that would, besides enabling fast and cheap prediction of Ep1 and AA for a flavonoid of interest, help us explain the relationship between Ep1, AA and electronic structure. The model development went forward with enlarging the set of flavonoids and, that way, we had to learn how to deal with the structural peculiarities of some of the 35 flavonoids from the final calibration set, for which the Ep1 measurements were all made in our laboratory. The developed models were simple quadratic models based either on atomic spin densities or differences in the atomic charges of the species involved in any of the three main oxidation mechanisms. The best model takes into account all three mechanisms of oxidation, single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), yielding excellent statistics (R2 = 0.970, S.E. = 0.043).

Dissolved Organic Matter Composition Determines Its Susceptibility to Complete and Partial Photooxidation within Lakes

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in carbon cycling within inland surface waters. Under sunlight irradiation, DOM undergoes complete photooxidation to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and partial photooxidation that alters the molecular composition of DOM. However, a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between DOM composition and its susceptibility to partial and complete photooxidation in surface waters is currently lacking. This work combines light exposure experiments with high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate DOM photooxidation using two DOM isolates and DOM from 16 lakes that vary in trophic status and size. High ratios of oxygen consumption to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) production demonstrate that all samples undergo extensive partial photooxidation. At the molecular level, more oxidized, aromatic DOM formulas are associated with oxygen consumption and DIC production. Bulk level measurements indicate that DOM becomes less aromatic and lower in apparent molecular weight following partial photooxidation, and there is molecular level evidence of oxygen addition and loss of CO2 in all samples. However, formulas most susceptible to photooxidation vary depending on the initial DOM composition. Collectively, this work provides insights into the relationship between DOM composition and photooxidation, which has important implications for carbon cycling in diverse surface waters.

Estimating flavonoid oxidation potentials: mechanisms and charge-related regression models

In this paper, I tested our quadratic regression models for the estimation of flavonoid oxidation potentials based on spin populations, the differences in the net atomic charges between a cation and a neutral flavonoid, between a radical and an anion of a flavonoid, and between a radical and a neutral flavonoid on a larger set of flavonoids (N = 35). By including six new flavonoids (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, 3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone, 3,7-dihydroxyflavone, 4',7-dihydroxyflavone, 4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone, and 6-hydroxyflavone), we created a respectable calibration set of 35 flavonoids with their oxidation potentials all measured at the same conditions by the same experimentalist. The best model was based on the mean values of the three variables using differences in the net atomic charges (R 2 = 0.970, S.E. = 0.043), which are connected with the three different mechanisms of electrochemical oxidation, SET-PT, SPLET, and HAT.

Guaiacol oxidation: theoretical insight into thermochemistry of radical processes involving methoxy group demethylation

Guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) is naturally occurring phenolic compound essential in various research areas. Oxidative transformation of guaiacol can lead to the formation of various products, including 1,3-benzodioxole or ortho-quinone. Therefore, this study is focused on the investigation of the reaction enthalpies of experimentally observed guaiacol oxidation pathways in gas-phase, as well as in non-polar environment and aqueous solution. Corresponding Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were carried out using two hybrid functionals (M06-2X and B3LYP-D3). All reaction enthalpies, as well as Gibbs free energies, were also calculated using composite ab initio G4 method. M06-2X and G4 results show mutual agreement and the best accordance with available experimentally determined reaction enthalpies. Obtained Gibbs free reaction energies indicate that formation of ortho-quinone is thermodynamically preferred to formation of 1,3-benzodioxole at 298 K in studied environments. Moreover, all computational methods confirm that the reaction enthalpy of methoxy group demethylation, i.e. O-C bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), is substantially lower in comparison to the enthalpy of hydrogen atom transfer from phenolic OH group. In the case of phenoxide anion of guaiacol, which can be formed in ionization supporting solvents, O-C BDE shows further significant decrease, exceeding 50 kJ mol^-1, in comparison to parent molecule.HIGHLIGHTSReaction enthalpies and Gibbs free energies of individual steps of guaiacol transformation to 1,3-benzodioxole or ortho-quinone are studied in three environments.M06-2X functional and composite ab initio G4 methods provide reliable O-H and O-C bond dissociation enthalpies.Dissociation enthalpy of methoxy group O-C bond is lower by ca. 100 kJ mol^-1 in comparison to phenolic O-H bond.Phenoxide anion of guaiacol shows substantially lower O-C BDE than parent molecule.

Hybrid Classification/Regression Approach to QSAR Modeling of Stoichiometric Antiradical Capacity Assays' Endpoints

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) are a widely used methodology allowing not only a better understanding of the mechanisms of chemical reactions, including radical scavenging, but also to predict the relevant properties of chemical compounds without their synthesis, isolation and experimental testing. Unlike the QSAR modeling of the kinetic antioxidant assays, modeling of the assays with stoichiometric endpoints depends strongly on the number of hydroxyl groups in the antioxidant molecule, as well as on some integral molecular descriptors characterizing the proportion of OH-groups able to enter and complete the radical scavenging reaction. In this work, we tested the feasibility of a "hybrid" classification/regression approach, consisting of explicit classification of individual OH-groups as involved in radical scavenging reactions, and using further the number of these OH-groups as a descriptor in simple-regression QSAR models of antiradical capacity assays with stoichiometric endpoints. A simple threshold classification based on the sum of trolox-equivalent antiradical capacity values was used, selecting OH-groups with specific radical stability- and reactivity-related electronic parameters or their combination as "active" or "inactive". We showed that this classification/regression modeling approach provides a substantial improvement of the simple-regression QSAR models over those built on the number of total phenolic OH-groups only, and yields a statistical performance similar to that of the best reported multiple-regression QSARs for antiradical capacity assays with stoichiometric endpoints.

Revisiting the Oxidation of Flavonoids: Loss, Conservation or Enhancement of Their Antioxidant Properties

Flavonoids display a broad range of health-promoting bioactivities. Among these, their capacity to act as antioxidants has remained most prominent. The canonical reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging mode of the antioxidant action of flavonoids relies on the high susceptibility of their phenolic moieties to undergo oxidation. As a consequence, upon reaction with ROS, the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids is severely compromised. Other phenol-compromising reactions, such as those involved in the biotransformation of flavonoids, can also markedly affect their antioxidant properties. In recent years, however, increasing evidence has indicated that, at least for some flavonoids, the oxidation of such residues can in fact markedly enhance their original antioxidant properties. In such apparent paradoxical cases, the antioxidant activity arises from the pro-oxidant and/or electrophilic character of some of their oxidation-derived metabolites and is exerted by activating the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway, which upregulates the cell’s endogenous antioxidant capacity, and/or, by preventing the activation of the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway. This review focuses on the effects that the oxidative and/or non-oxidative modification of the phenolic groups of flavonoids may have on the ability of the resulting metabolites to promote direct and/or indirect antioxidant actions. Considering the case of a metabolite resulting from the oxidation of quercetin, we offer a comprehensive description of the evidence that increasingly supports the concept that, in the case of certain flavonoids, the oxidation of phenolics emerges as a mechanism that markedly amplifies their original antioxidant properties. An overlooked topic of great phytomedicine potential is thus unraveled.

Changes in Browning Degree and Reducibility of Polyphenols during Autoxidation and Enzymatic Oxidation

In the present study, the browning degree and reducing power of browning products of catechin (CT), epicatechin (EC), caffeic acid (CA), and chlorogenic acid (CGA) in autoxidation and enzymatic oxidation were investigated. Influencing factors were considered, such as pH, substrate species and composition, and eugenol. Results show that polyphenols' autoxidation was intensified in an alkaline environment, but the reducing power was not improved. Products of enzymatic oxidation at a neutral pH have higher reducing power than autoxidation. In enzymatic oxidation, the browning degree of mixed substrates was higher than that of a single polyphenol. The reducing power of flavonoid mixed solution (CT and EC) was higher than those of phenolic acids' (CA and CGA) in autoxidation and enzymatic oxidation. Eugenol activity studies have shown that eugenol could increase autoxidation browning but inhibit enzymatic browning. Activity test and molecular docking results show that eugenol could inhibit tyrosinase.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Four Medicinal Mediterranean Plants: Investigation of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity

With everyday advances in the field of pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants have high priority regarding the introduction of novel synthetic compounds by the usage of environmentally friendly extraction technologies. Herein, a supercritical CO2 extraction method was implemented in the analysis of four plants (chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow, and curry plant) after which the non-targeted analysis of the chemical composition, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. The extraction yield was the highest for the chamomile (5%), while moderate yields were obtained for the other three plants. The chemical composition analyzed by gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) demonstrated extraction of diverse compounds including terpenes and terpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids and coumarins, functionalized phytosterols, and polyphenols. Voltammetry of microfilm immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode using square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was applied in the analysis of extracts. It was found that antioxidant activity obtained by SWV correlates well to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhidrazine (DPPH) radical assay (R2 = 0.818) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay (R2 = 0.640), but not to the total phenolic content (R2 = 0.092). Effective results were obtained in terms of activity showing the potential usage of supercritical CO2 extraction to acquire bioactive compounds of interest.

Insights into phenolic compounds from microalgae: structural variety and complex beneficial activities from health to nutraceutics

Phenolic compounds (PCs) are a family of secondary metabolites with recognized biological activities making them attractive for the biomedical "red" biotechnology. The development of the eco-sustainable production of natural bioactive metabolites requires using easy cultivable organisms, such as microalgae, which represents one of the most promising sources for biotechnological applications. Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms inhabiting aquatic systems, displaying high levels of biological and functional diversities, and are well-known producers of fatty acids and carotenoids. They are also rich in other families of bioactive molecules e.g. phenolic compounds. Microalgal PCs however are less investigated than other molecular components. This study aims to provide a state-of-art picture of the actual knowledge on microalgal phenolic compounds, reviewing information on the PC content variety and chemodiversity in microalgae, their environmental modulation, and we aim to report discuss data on PC biosynthetic pathways. We report the challenges of promoting microalgae as a relevant source of natural PCs, further enhancing the interests of microalgal "biofactories" for biotechnological applications (i.e. nutraceutical, pharmacological, or cosmeceutical products).

Self-assembled mono- and bilayers on gold electrodes to assess antioxidants—a comparative study

Oxidative stress is considered as an imbalance of reactive species over antioxidants, leading to diseases and cell death. Various methods have been developed to determine the antioxidant potential of natural or synthetic compounds based on the ability to scavenge free radicals. However, most of them lack biological relevance. Here, a gold-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was compared with a gold-supported lipid bilayer as models for the mammalian cell membrane to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of different antioxidants. The oxidative damage induced by reactive species was verified by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and measured by the increase of electrochemical peak current of a redox probe. Trolox, caffeic acid (CA), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), ascorbic acid (AA), and ferulic acid (FA) were used as model antioxidants. The change in the decrease of the electrochemical signal reflecting oxidative membrane damage confirms the expected protective role. Both model systems showed similar efficacies of each antioxidant, the achieved order of radical scavenging potential is as follows: Trolox > CA > EGCG > AA > FA. The results showed that the electrochemical assay with SAM-modified electrodes is a stable and powerful tool to estimate qualitatively the antioxidative activity of a compound with respect to cell membrane protection against biologically relevant reactive species.

Quantification of the electron donating capacity and UV absorbance of dissolved organic matter during ozonation of secondary wastewater effluent by an assay and an automated analyzer

Ozonation of secondary wastewater treatment plant effluent for the abatement of organic micropollutants requires an accurate process control, which can be based on monitoring ozone-induced changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM). This study presents a novel automated analytical system for monitoring changes in the electron donating capacity (EDC) and UV absorbance of DOM during ozonation. In a first step, a quantitative photometric EDC assay was developed based on electron-transfer reactions from phenolic moieties in DOM to an added chemical oxidant, the radical cation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS^·+). The assay is highly sensitive (limit of quantification ∼0.5 mg_DOC·L^-1) and EDC values of model DOM isolates determined by this assay were in good agreement with values determined previously by mediated electrochemical oxidation (slope = 1.01 ± 0.07, R² = 0.98). In a second step, the photometric EDC measurement method was transferred onto an automated fluidic system coupled to a photometer (EDC analyzer). The EDC analyzer was then used to monitor changes in EDC and UV absorbance of secondary wastewater effluent treated with ozone. While both parameters exhibited a dose-dependent decrease, a more pronounced decrease in EDC as compared to UV absorbance was observed at specific ozone doses up to 0.4 mg_O3·g_DOC^-1. The concentration of 17α-ethinylestradiol, a phenolic micropollutant with a high ozone reactivity, decreased proportionally to the EDC decrease. In contrast, abatement of less ozone-reactive micropollutants and bromate formation started only after a pronounced initial decrease in EDC. The on-line EDC analyzer presented herein will enable a comprehensive assessment of the combination of EDC and UV absorbance as control parameters for full-scale ozonation.

Potential Protective Role of Rutin and Alpha-lipoic Acid Against Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is a serious complication that restricts its utilization in cancer treatment. Rutin and alpha-lipoic acid have antioxidant effectiveness, anti-inflammatory efficacy and prevent oxidative stress. Therefore, the current study planned to investigate the potential defensive impacts of rutin and alpha-lipoic acid on cisplatin-induced renal damage in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Rats of group 1: Treated with saline as the control. Group 2: Orally received rutin daily for 2 weeks. Group 3: Rats were orally administered with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) daily for 2 weeks. Group 4: Rats were intraperitoneal (i.p.) injected with cisplatin to develop the acute renal injury. Group 5: Rats injected with cisplatin then treated orally with RT. Group 6: Rats were injected i.p., with cisplatin then treated orally with ALA. Group 7: Rats injected with cisplatin then treated orally with RT and ALA daily for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

The cisplatin administration to rats induced nephrotoxicity associated with a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, albumin and significantly reduce haemoglobin and red blood cells count. The animal treated with cisplatin showed a significant increase in the level of renal malondialdehyde associated with reduction in the levels of glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione reductase and catalase compared to control group. Moreover, cisplatin treated group recorded significant increase in nuclear factor kappa B, IL-6 and p53 levels compared to control group. Additionally, histopathological examination showed that cisplatin-induced interstitial congestion, focal mononuclear cell inflammatory, cell infiltrate and acute tubular injury. In correlation with the cisplatin group, Rutin and alpha-lipoic acid ameliorated cisplatin-induction increase in serum urea, creatinine, albumin, oxidative stress and inflammation were observed. Moreover, rutin and alpha-lipoic acid showed an enhancement in haematological and histopathological structures.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that rutin and alpha-lipoic acid showed a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Polysaccharide from Hizikia Fusiformis Enhances the Immunomodulatory Activity of Macrophages

Background and Objectives: <i>Hizikia fusiformis</i> is widely used in oriental health food in Japan, China, and Korea, and is known for its anti-oxidation properties.Materials and Method: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects and mechanisms of <i>Hizikia fusiformis</i> (<i>H. fusiformis</i>) extracts in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of the viscozyme component of <i>H. fusiformis</i> (1, 2, 5, and 10 μg/mL), and changes in expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF, iNOS, VEGF, and COX-2) were evaluated by real-time PCR and immunoblotting. In addition, the associated signaling pathway including phospho (p)-pNF-κB 65, p-pIkBa, p-p38, and p-p44/42 was also evaluated.Results: The viscozyme component of <i>H. fusiformis</i> downregulated the expression of GM-CSF, iNOS, VEGF, and COX-2 mRNA. The augmented NO and ROS production was decreased by administration of <i>H. fusiformis</i>. The signal intensity of p-pNF-κB 65, p-pIkBa, p-p38, and p-p44/42 protein activated by LPS was ameliorated by administration of the viscozyme fraction in RAW 264.7 cells.Conclusion: These results suggest that <i>H. fusiformis</i> has potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.

Novel absorbance peak of gentisic acid following the oxidation reaction

Gentisic acid (GA), a metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and homogentisic acid (HGA), which is excreted at high levels in alkaptonuria, are divalent phenolic acids with very similar structures. Urine containing HGA is dark brown in color due to its oxidation. We recently reported a new oxidation method of HGA involving the addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate (NaOCl·5H2O), which is a strong oxidant. In the present study, we attempted to oxidize GA, which has a similar structure to HGA, using our method. We herein observed color changes in GA solution and analyzed the absorption spectra of GA after the addition of NaOH with NaOCl·5H2O. We also examined the oxidation reaction of GA using a liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC/TOF-MS). The results obtained indicated that GA solution had a unique absorption spectrum with a peak at approximately 500 nm through an oxidation reaction following the addition of NaOH with NaOCl·5H2O. This spectrophotometric method enables GA to be detected in sample solutions without expensive analytical instruments or a complex method.

ABTS/PP Decolorization Assay of Antioxidant Capacity Reaction Pathways

The 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS^•+) radical cation-based assays are among the most abundant antioxidant capacity assays, together with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-based assays according to the Scopus citation rates. The main objective of this review was to elucidate the reaction pathways that underlie the ABTS/potassium persulfate decolorization assay of antioxidant capacity. Comparative analysis of the literature data showed that there are two principal reaction pathways. Some antioxidants, at least of phenolic nature, can form coupling adducts with ABTS^•+, whereas others can undergo oxidation without coupling, thus the coupling is a specific reaction for certain antioxidants. These coupling adducts can undergo further oxidative degradation, leading to hydrazindyilidene-like and/or imine-like adducts with 3-ethyl-2-oxo-1,3-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate and 3-ethyl-2-imino-1,3-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate as marker compounds, respectively. The extent to which the coupling reaction contributes to the total antioxidant capacity, as well as the specificity and relevance of oxidation products, requires further in-depth elucidation. Undoubtedly, there are questions as to the overall application of this assay and this review adds to them, as specific reactions such as coupling might bias a comparison between antioxidants. Nevertheless, ABTS-based assays can still be recommended with certain reservations, particularly for tracking changes in the same antioxidant system during storage and processing.

Potentiometric and UV-Vis spectrophotometric titrations for evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of chicoric acid

Potentiometric/spectrophotometric titrations have revealed the antioxidation behavior and mechanisms of chicoric acid (ChA, versus trolox) against ABTS˙⁺ radical cations.

Defining a standardized methodology for the determination of the antioxidant capacity: case study of Pistacia atlantica leaves

Antioxidant activity can be measured by a variety of methods, that include hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and single electron transfer (ET) methods.

Effects of Sorption on Redox Properties of Natural Organic Matter

Natural organic matter (NOM) is an important redox-active component of natural porous media and predominantly occurs in the sorbed state. Nevertheless, the effects of NOM sorption at minerals on its redox properties are unknown and thus are the major objective of this study. We report how adsorption of three different humic acids (HAs) to redox-inert sorbents (polar Al₂O₃ and nonpolar DAX-8 resin) affects their electron-exchange capacities (EEC) and redox states. The electron-donating capacity of HAs sorbed at Al₂O₃ increased by up to 200%, whereas the EEC of the remaining dissolved HA fractions decreased compared with their initial properties. Sorption at DAX-8, however, did not affect significantly the EEC of HAs. We rationalize these results by (i) preferential sorption of NOM components rich in redox-active groups (e.g., quinone, polyphenols) and (ii) surface-catalyzed polymerization of polyphenolic compounds. Our results demonstrate that even in the absence of electron exchange with the sorbent, adsorption to polar mineral surfaces considerably affects the redox properties of NOM. Quantification of the redox state and EEC of adsorbed NOM is thus crucial for assessing electron-transfer processes as well as organic carbon stabilization and sequestration in soils and sediments.

Puccinellia maritima, Spartina maritime, and Spartina patens Halophytic Grasses: Characterization of Polyphenolic and Chlorophyll Profiles and Evaluation of Their Biological Activities

Halophytic grasses have been recently targeted as possible sources of nutraceutical and medicinal compounds. Nonetheless, few studies have been conducted on the phytochemistry and biological activities of metabolites produced by these plants. Among these, Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald, Spartina patens (Aiton.) Muhl., and Puccinellia maritima (Hudson) Parl. are three halophytic grasses whose chemical composition and bioactivities are unknown. The present work broadens the knowledge on the polyphenolic and chlorophyll composition of these species identifying for the first time hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives, flavones, flavonols, lignans, as well as chlorophylls and xantophylls. The extracts were particularly rich in caffeic and ferulic acids as well as in trihydroxymethoxyflavone, apigenin and tricin derivatives. Interestingly, several of the identified compounds are relevant from a medicinal and nutraceutical point of view putting in evidence the potential of these species. Thus, the antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of the polyphenolic extracts were assessed as well as the photophysical properties of the chlorophyll-rich extracts. The results, herein presented for the first time, reinforce the nutritional and the medicinal potential of these halophytic grasses.

The relationship between antioxidant activity, first electrochemical oxidation potential, and spin population of flavonoid radicals

I have shown that by averaging antioxidant activity (AA) values measured by different methods it is possible to obtain an excellent correlation (R2=0.960) between the first electrochemical oxidation potential, Ep1, and AA. Separate correlations using the AA values obtained with each of the four methods [R2 were 0.561 for diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 0.849 for Folin Ciocalteu reagent (FCR), 0.848 for the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and 0.668 for the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)] were all worse, and in some cases not useful at all, such as the one for DPPH. Also, the sum of atomic orbital spin populations on the carbon atoms in the skeleton of radicals ( s(C) Σ AOSPRad), calculated with the semi-empirical parameterisation method 6 (PM6) in water, was used to correlate both Ep1 and AA, yielding R2=0.926 and 0.950, respectively. This showed to be a much better variable for the estimation of Ep1 and AA than the bond dissociation energy (BDE), R2=0.854 and 0.901 for Ep1 and AA, respectively, and especially the ionisation potential (IP), R2=0.445 and 0.435 for Ep1 and AA, respectively.

Green electrochemical strategy for one-step synthesis of new catechol derivatives

In this paper, we present promising results in the green electrochemical oxidation of catechol in the presence of three different thiol nucleophiles at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode in an aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The outcome indicated the synthesis of some new heterocyclic compounds functionalized with phenolic, triazole, triazine and pyrimidine groups. The effects of repetitive cycling, nucleophile concentrations and sweep rates were explored to get more information about the systems. The voltammetric data showed that the electro-generated o-benzoquinone is a quite reactive intermediate, which in aqueous solutions can quickly participate in a Michael-addition reaction with any one of the nucleophiles to form the corresponding products. The structures of all newly electro-synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses and FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C-NMR and MS spectra. The one-pot synthesis strategy led to new organics with high purities and good yields under green conditions without harmful reagents.

Electron-Donating Phenolic and Electron-Accepting Quinone Moieties in Peat Dissolved Organic Matter: Quantities and Redox Transformations in the Context of Peat Biogeochemistry

Electron-donating phenolic and electron-accepting quinone moieties in peat dissolved organic matter (DOM) are considered to play key roles in processes defining carbon cycling in northern peatlands. This work advances a flow-injection analysis system coupled to chronoamperometric detection to allow for the simultaneous and highly sensitive determination of these moieties in dilute DOM samples. Analysis of anoxic pore water and oxic pool water samples collected across an ombrotrophic bog in Sweden demonstrated the presence of both phenolic and quinone moieties in peat DOM. The pore water DOM had higher quantities of phenolic but not quinone moieties compared with commonly used model aquatic and terrestrial DOM isolates. Significantly lower phenol content in DOM from oxic pools than DOM from anoxic pore waters indicated oxidative DOM processing in the pools. Consistently, treatment of peat DOM with laccase, a phenol-oxidase, under oxic conditions resulted in an irreversible removal of phenols and reversible oxidation of hydroquinones to quinones. Electron transfer to peat DOM was fully reversible over an electrochemical reduction and subsequent O₂-reoxidation cycle, supporting that quinones in peat DOM serve as regenerable microbial electron acceptors in peatlands. The results advance our understanding of redox processes involving phenolic and quinone DOM moieties and their roles in northern peatland carbon cycling.

A mystery of a cup of coffee; an insight look by chemist

Fruits, vegetables as well as processed food products of plant origin are a rich source of beneficial for human health constituents. Among them the polyphenols constitute a large group of compounds. The presented literature survey is devoted to chlorogenic acid the most abundant representative of cinnamate acids esters. Its chemical as well as biological properties are described. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):621-632, 2017.

A new, simplified model for the estimation of polyphenol oxidation potentials based on the number of OH groups

We present a new and simpler regression model for the estimation of the first oxidation potentials (Ep1) of flavonoids based on the number of phenolic, alcoholic, and carboxylic OH groups. In the regression we included the Ep1 of 12 polyphenols (mostly flavonols and catechins) that were measured in our laboratory at pH 3. The model yielded r=0.986 and SE=0.040. Later successive inclusions of previously reported Ep values into the regression model, 7 at pH 3, the model (N=19) yielded r=0.980, SE=0.046 and 19 at pH 7 the model (N=38), yielded r=0.985, SE=0.044.

Spectrophotometric Characterization of the Action of Tyrosinase on p-Coumaric and Caffeic Acids: Characteristics of o-Caffeoquinone

New methods are proposed to determine the activity of tyrosinase on caffeic and p-coumaric acids. Because o-quinone from caffeic acid is unstable in its presence, it has been characterized through spectrophotometric measurements of the disappearance of coupled reducing agents, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form. It has also been characterized by a chronometric method, measuring the time that a known concentration of ascorbic acid takes to be consumed. The activity on p-coumaric acid has been followed by measuring the formation of o-quinone of caffeic acid at the isosbestic point originated between caffeic acid and o-caffeoquinone and measuring the formation of o-quinone at 410 nm, which is stable in the presence of p-coumaric acid (both of them in the presence of catalytic amounts of caffeic acid, maintaining the ratio between p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid constant; R = 0.025). The k_cat value of tyrosinase obtained for caffeic acid was higher than that obtained for p-coumaric acid, while the affinity was higher for p-coumaric acid. These values agree with those obtained in docking studies involving these substrates and oxytyrosinase.

Facile preparation of poly(methylene blue) modified carbon paste electrode for the detection and quantification of catechin

Free radicals are formed as byproducts of metabolism, and are highly unstable due to the presence of unpaired electrons. They readily react with other important cellular components such as DNA causing them damage. Antioxidants such as (+)-catechin (CAT), neutralize free radicals in the blood stream. Hence there is a need for detection and quantification of catechin concentration in various food sources and beverages. Electro-oxidative properties of catechin were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). A carbon paste working electrode modified by electropolymerizing methylene blue (MB) was fabricated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were used to study the surface morphology of the electrode. Quasi-reversible electron transfer reaction occurred at +0.260V through a diffusion controlled process. In comparison to the bare carbon paste electrode (CPE), there was a significant 5.3 times increment in anodic current sensitivity at the modified electrode at physiological pH. Our findings indicate that for the electro-oxidation of CAT, CPE is a better base material for electropolymerization of MB compared to glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Nyquist plot followed the theoretical shape, indicating low interfacial charge transfer resistance of 0.095kΩ at the modified electrode. Calibration plots obtained by DPV were linear in two ranges of 1.0×10^-3 to 1.0×10^-6 and 1.0×10^-7 to 0.1×10^-8M. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) was 4.9nM and 14nM respectively. Application of the developed electrode was demonstrated by detecting catechin in green tea and spiked fruit juice with satisfactory recoveries. The sensor was stable, sensitive, selective and reproducible.