tert-Butylhydroquinone as a spectroscopic probe for the superoxide radical scavenging activity assay of biological samples

Copper-crosslinked carbon dot hydrogel nanozyme for colorimetric - tert-butylhydroquinone biosensing and smartphone-assisted visual ratiometric assay

Due to the potential environment and health risks of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), rapid, portable, selective and sensitive quantification of TBHQ in food and the environment are strictly essential. With this in mind, a selective, sensitive and rapid colorimetric TBHQ biosensor was developed using rationally designed copper-crosslinked carbon dot hydrogel nanozyme (BC-CDs@Cu). The BC-CDs@Cu had a high peroxidase-like activity toward the chromogenic reaction of hydrogen peroxide with dopamine via the generation of hydroxyl radicals and electron transfer process. The Michaelis-Menten constants of BC-CDs@Cu for dopamine and hydrogen peroxide were determined to be 0.86 and 0.91 mM. The added TBHQ markedly inhibited the BC-CDs@Cu-catalyzed dopamine oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, ascribing to the highly effective and rapid scavenging of hydroxyl radicals and the suppression of electron transfer. The inhibitory extent was applied for well quantifying TBHQ in the range of 0.5 - 20.0 μM with a detection limit of 70 nM. The proposed biosensor had a negligible response to various interfering substances. Moreover, a smartphone-assisted visual ratiometric biosensor was fabricated, and used to accomplish portable quantification of TBHQ in edible oils and water samples. This work reveals the enormous potential of hydrogel nanozyme, which will open a new situation for the detection of hazardous substances.

Oxo-Carotenoids as Efficient Superoxide Radical Scavengers

Oxo-carotenoids containing conjugated carbonyl groups in their chains were designed to be more efficient superoxide radical scavengers than natural carotenoids, β-carotene and canthaxanthin. A practical chain-extension method for polyene dials (e.g., crocetin dial) was also proposed based on Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination. Double aldol condensation between polyene dials and acetophenones with ring substituents produced oxo-carotenoids with substituted benzene rings. The antioxidant activity of oxo-carotenoids was measured using DPPH (radical) and ABTS (cationic radical) scavenging assays and compared with the analysis with the superoxide (anionic radical) probe. An effective conjugation length by carbon–carbon double bonds is important to provide superior antioxidant activity for oxo-carotenoids, regardless of the type of radical probe used in the assay. Increasing electron density is favorable to strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, and the phenol group is favored in ABTS, whereas electron deficient oxo-carotenoids are very potent in the superoxide radical assay. All oxo-carotenoids exhibited 105~151% better superoxide radical scavenging activity compared to beta-carotene (100%), whereas 38~155% in DPPH and 16~96% in ABTS radical scavenging activities were observed.

Methods to evaluate the scavenging activity of antioxidants toward reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (IUPAC Technical Report)

This project was aimed to identify the quenching chemistry of biologically important reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS, including radicals), to show antioxidant action against reactive species through H‐atom and electron transfer reactions, and to evaluate the ROS/RNS scavenging activity of antioxidants with existing analytical methods while emphasizing the underlying chemical principles and advantages/disadvantages of these methods. In this report, we focused on the applications and impact of existing assays on potentiating future research and innovations to evolve better methods enabling a more comprehensive study of different aspects of antioxidants and to provide a vocabulary of terms related to antioxidants and scavengers for ROS/RNS. The main methods comprise the scavenging activity measurement of the hydroxyl radical (•OH), dioxide(•1–) (O2 •–: commonly known as the superoxide radical), dihydrogen dioxide (H2O2: commonly known as hydrogen peroxide), hydroxidochlorine (HOCl: commonly known as hypochlorous acid), dioxidooxidonitrate(1–) (ONOO−: commonly known as the peroxynitrite anion), and the peroxyl radical (ROO•). In spite of the diversity of methods, there is currently a great need to evaluate the scavenging activity of antioxidant compounds in vivo and in vitro. In addition, there are unsatisfactory methods frequently used, such as non-selective UV measurement of H2O2 scavenging, producing negative errors due to incomplete reaction of peroxide with flavonoids in the absence of transition metal ion catalysts. We also discussed the basic mechanisms of spectroscopic and electrochemical nanosensors for measuring ROS/RNS scavenging activity of antioxidants, together with leading trends and challenges and a wide range of applications. This project aids in the identification of reactive species and quantification of scavenging extents of antioxidants through various assays, makes the results comparable and more understandable, and brings a more rational basis to the evaluation of these assays and provides a critical evaluation of existing ROS/RNS scavenging assays to analytical, food chemical, and biomedical/clinical communities by emphasizing the need for developing more refined, rapid, simple, and low‐cost assays and thus opening the market for a wide range of analytical instruments, including reagent kits and sensors.

Hydrothermal synthesizing sludge-based magnetite catalyst from ferric sludge and biosolids: Formation mechanism and catalytic performance

Sludge-based magnetite catalyst (SBMC) containing Fe₃O₄ was synthesized by hydrothermal (HT) of biosolids and ferric sludge, which is a promising wasted sludge recycling way. The protein and carbohydrate, main representative compounds in biosolids, were used to explore the SBMC formation mechanism. A part of carbohydrate and the produced Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from two substrates via Maillard reaction (MR) were confirmed to participate in Fe³⁺ reduction. The MR accompanied by substrates humification, making MRPs own strong chelation activity. The MRPs (50-100 kDa) reflected the strongest relative reducing and chelation activity, mainly involving in Fe₃O₄ synthesis. Furthermore, the SBMC was verified as an efficient Fenton-like catalyst for aniline with 77.9% removal efficiency. The OH and O₂^- both contributed to the degradation, differing from only OH playing function in traditional Fenton-like system, implying biochar in SBMC could mediate the reactive oxygen species generating by Fe₃O₄, and benefit its catalytic performance.

Ultrasonicated sour Jujube seed flavonoids extract exerts ameliorative antioxidant capacity and reduces Aβ-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sour Jujube seed from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. Spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chow is a traditional Chinese herb. It was demonstrated with significant activities in anti-depression and antioxidant by numerous pharmacological studies. Flavonoids is one of the main constituents in sour Jujube seed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to propose a green ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process of flavonoids from sour Jujube seed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extraction parameters were investigated and optimized using single factor experiments, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover, a comparative analysis between ultrasound-assisted extraction and heat reflux extraction was performed to verify the ameliorating effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction on the flavonoids yield, the composition, antioxidant capacities in vitro and ROS scavenging capacity in PC12 cells. Meanwhile, the effects of flavonoids extract (FE) on Aβ transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (GMC101) behavior were investigated.

RESULTS

The optimal extracting conditions of total flavonoids were as follows: ethanol concentration 70.60 (v/v%), liquid-solid ratio 15.02:1 mL/g, ultrasonic power 404 W, extraction time 60.03 min. The highest extraction yield was 1.59%. When compared to Heat reflux extraction (HRE) that only has gained a yield of 1.356%. Approximately, the UAE method was able to increase the yield by 17.11%. Moreover, FE extracted by UAE displayed larger capacity of scavenging ABTS, DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals and reducing the level of ROS accumulation in PC12 cells, suggesting the biological functions of these compounds could be also better protected under UAE conditions. Furthermore, FE could also increase the chemotaxis and heat stress resistance ability, delay the paralysis and extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans.

CONCLUSION

UAE is a green and efficient technique for the preparation of flavonoids from sour Jujube seed. The flavonoids extract can reduce Aβ-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Antibody-free colorimetric detection of chlorothalonil in cucumberviathe inhibition of an enzyme-triggered reaction

Currently known rapid determination of fungicides usually relies on antibody-based immunoassay. This paper reports a simple antibody-free colorimetric assay for chlorothalonil via the inhibition of an enzyme-triggered reaction. The enzymatic activity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was significantly inhibited by chlorothalonil, and the color change of NBT-PMS system induced from NADH formation was suppressed, which could be used indirectly to assay chlorothalonil. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 μM with a linear range from 0.5 to 10 μM, and the detection of 1 μM chlorothalonil in solution was achieved with a naked-eye readout. In addition, the colorimetric measurement results of the cucumber samples showed a good recovery rate, although the sensitivity was less effective than the instrumental method. Nevertheless, the results demonstrates that the chlorometric method provides potential opportunities for reliable, cost-effective quantitative detection for chlorothalonil residues in vegetables.

Colorimetric detection of chlorothalonil in cucumber via the inhibition of an enzyme-triggered reaction.

Reversible Keap1 inhibitors are preferential pharmacological tools to modulate cellular mitophagy

Mitophagy orchestrates the autophagic degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria preventing their pathological accumulation and contributing to cellular homeostasis. We previously identified a novel chemical tool (hereafter referred to as PMI), which drives mitochondria into autophagy without collapsing their membrane potential (ΔΨ_m). PMI is an inhibitor of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the transcription factor Nrf2 and its negative regulator, Keap1 and is able to up-regulate the expression of autophagy-associated proteins, including p62/SQSTM1. Here we show that PMI promotes mitochondrial respiration, leading to a superoxide-dependent activation of mitophagy. Structurally distinct Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors promote mitochondrial turnover, while covalent Keap1 modifiers, including sulforaphane (SFN) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF), are unable to induce a similar response. Additionally, we demonstrate that SFN reverses the effects of PMI in co-treated cells by reducing the accumulation of p62 in mitochondria and subsequently limiting their autophagic degradation. This study highlights the unique features of Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors as inducers of mitophagy and their potential as pharmacological agents for the treatment of pathological conditions characterized by impaired mitochondrial quality control.

Tert-butylhydroquinone attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in high salt-induced hypertension

Excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. It is reported that tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)-inducer, has a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tBHQ in high salt induced hypertension and to identify whether the beneficial effects were induced by inhibiting PVN oxidative stress and inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with high salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) or normal salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl). These rats were administration of tBHQ (150mg/kg/d) by oral gavage for 16 weeks. Our results showed that high salt intake resulted in higher mean arterial pressure, cardiac hypertrophy as well as increased plasma level of norepinephrine and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 compared with NS rats. It increased PVN level of reactive oxygen species, gp91^phox, IL-1β, IL-6, p-IKKβ and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, decreased PVN level of Nrf2 and Cu/Zn-SOD. Chronic administration of tBHQ significantly attenuated these changes in HS rats. These data suggest that the protective effects of tBHQ in salt induced hypertension are partly due to inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation in PVN.

Cu1.8S-Passivated carbon dots for enhancing photocatalytic activity

Carbon dots are passivated by a small amount of Cu_1.8S and show excellent photocatalytic activities in redox processes.

A simple and convenient method for the preparation of antioxidant peptides from walnut (Juglans regia L.) protein hydrolysates

Background

Walnut (Juglans regia L.), that belongs to the Juglandaceae family, is one of the nuts commonly found in Chinese diets. Researchers had obtained peptides from walnut protein hydrolysates, and these peptides exhibited the high antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to develop a simple and convenient method for a facile and reproducible preparation of antioxidant peptides from walnut protein hydrolysates.

Results

Walnut proteins were extracted from walnut kernels using continuous countercurrent extraction process, and were separately hydrolyzed with six types of proteases (neutrase, papain, bromelain, alcalase, pepsin, and pancreatin). Then, hydrolysates were purified by ultrafiltration. The yields and purity of the peptides prepared using neutrase and papain were 16 and 81 % at least, respectively, higher than others, and had low molecular weight, 99 % of which were less than 1500 Da. Furthermore, the bioassay indicated that the two peptides exhibited the high antioxidant activities in the DPPH (IC₅₀ values: 59.40 and 31.02 µg/mL, respectively), ABTS (IC₅₀ values: 80.36 and 62.22 µg/mL, respectively), and superoxide radical scavenging assay (IC₅₀ values: 107.47 and 80.00 µg/mL, respectively).

Conclusions

The method combines the advantages of generality, rapidity, simplicity, and is useful for the mass production of walnut peptides.Graphical Abstract

Evaluation of Antioxidant or Prooxidant Properties of Selected Amino Acids Using In Vitro Assays and in Oil-in-Water Emulsions Under Riboflavin Sensitization

The antioxidant properties of selected amino acids were tested using in vitro assays and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions under riboflavin (RF) photosensitization. Headspace oxygen content, lipid hydroperoxides, and conjugated dienes were determined for the degree of oxidation. Riboflavin photosensitization was adapted as the oxidation driving force. In vitro assays showed that cysteine had the highest antioxidant properties followed by tryptophan and tyrosine. However, in O/W emulsions under RF photosensitization, tyrosine inhibited lipid oxidation whereas tryptophan acted as a prooxidant. Tryptophan accelerated the rates of oxidation in O/W emulsion without RF. The antioxidant properties of amino acids differed depending on the antioxidant determination methods, oxidation driving forces, and food matrices.

Antioxidant Activity/Capacity Measurement. 1. Classification, Physicochemical Principles, Mechanisms, and Electron Transfer (ET)-Based Assays

Because there is no widely adopted "total antioxidant parameter" as a nutritional index for labeling food and biological fluids, it is desirable to establish and standardize methods that can measure the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level directly from plant-based food extracts and biological fluids. In this review, we (i) present and classify the widely used analytical approaches (e.g., in vitro and in vivo, enzymatic and nonenzymatic, electron transfer (ET)- and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based, direct and indirect assays) for evaluating antioxidant capacity/activity; (ii) discuss total antioxidant capacity/activity assays in terms of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics, reaction mechanisms, and analytical performance characteristics, together with advantages and drawbacks; and (iii) critically evaluate ET-based methods for analytical, food chemical, biomedical/clinical, and environmental scientific communities so that they can effectively use these assays in the correct places to meet their needs.

Synthesis and antioxidant activities of transition metal complexes based 3-hydroxysalicylaldehyde-S-methylthiosemicarbazone

The nickel(II), iron(III), oxovanadium(IV) complexes of the 3-hydroxysalicylidene-S-methyl-thiosemicarbazone (L) were obtained from the 3-hydroxysalicyldehyde-S-methylthiosemicarbazone with the R1-substituted-salicylaldehyde (R1: H, 3-OH) in the presence of Ni(II), Fe(III), VO(IV) as template ion. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, electronic, UV/Vis., (1)HNMR, EPR and IR studies. The free ligand and its metal complexes have been tested for in vitro antioxidant capacity by reduction of copper(II) neocuproine (Cu(II)-Nc) using the CUPRAC method. The ligand exhibited more potent in vitro antioxidant capacity than its complexes. The obtained trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of the iron(III) complex (TEACCUPRAC=3.27) was higher than those of other complexes. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the free ligand and its complexes were determined by in vitro methods measuring the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radical (OH), superoxide anion radical (O2(-)), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), showing that especially the V(IV) and Fe(III) complexes had significant scavenging activity for ROS.

A mitochondrion targeting fluorescent probe for imaging of intracellular superoxide radicals

A fluorogenic probe with mitochondria targeting capability was prepared for detection of superoxide radical generation inside mitochondria in living cells.

Synthesis, antioxidant activities of the nickel(II), iron(III) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes with N2O2 chelating thiosemicarbazones

The nickel(II), iron(III) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes of the N2O2 chelating thiosemicarbazones were synthesized using 4-hydroxysalicyladehyde-S-methylthiosemicarbazone and R1-substitute-salicylaldehyde (R1: 4-OH, H) in the presence of Ni(II), Fe(III), VO(IV) ions by the template reaction. The structures of the thiosemicarbazone complexes were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, elemental, ESI-MS and APCI-MS analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antioxidant capacity by using the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of iron(III) complex, 1c, was measured to be higher than that of the other complexes. Other parameters of antioxidant activity (scavenging effects on •OH, O2(•-) and H2O2) of these compounds were also determined. All the compounds have shown encouraging ROS scavenging activities.

Antioxidant/antiradical properties of microwave-assisted extracts of three wild edible mushrooms

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for polyphenols from three wild edible mushrooms was studied. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be methanol concentration of 80%, extraction temperature of 80 °C, and extraction time of 5 min. Different antioxidant assays (i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolic content (TPC)) were utilized to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the methanolic extracts of Terfezia boudieri Chatin, Boletus edulis, and Lactarius volemus. The reactive species scavenging activities of these extracts were also investigated in vitro. High contents of phenolic and flavonoid compounds may be the major contributors to the observed high antioxidant activities of these extracts. B. edulis showed the higher TAC and TPC; highest inhibitory effect on DPPH and on other studied reactive oxygen species (ROS). MAE showed obvious advantages of high extraction efficiency with lower solvent consumption in terms of high antioxidant capacity/activity of extracts achieved within the shortest time.

Correlation of total antioxidant capacity with reactive oxygen species (ROS) consumption measured by oxidative conversion

Although both antioxidant capacity and oxidative conversion (hazard) are important in food and bioanalytical chemistry, there is considerable confusion in the literature between the results of these two types of assays. After the generation of ROS in the medium via Fe(III)-H₂O₂ reaction, attenuation of total oxidative conversion (TOC; as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) assays) was tested for possible correlation with the total antioxidant capacity (TAC; as measured by cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS/TEAC) assays) of the introduced antioxidant sample. The inverse relationship between oxidative conversion and antioxidant capacity was processed to establish a curvilinear relationship between the absolute values of TAC increments and TOC decrements as a function of added antioxidant concentration. This simple relationship may form a bridge between the two diverse disciplines of medical biochemistry and food analytical chemistry mainly using TOC and TAC results, respectively.

Methods of measurement and evaluation of natural antioxidant capacity/activity (IUPAC Technical Report)

The chemical diversity of natural antioxidants (AOXs) makes it difficult to separate, detect, and quantify individual antioxidants from a complex food/biological matrix. Moreover, the total antioxidant power is often more meaningful to evaluate health beneficial effects because of the cooperative action of individual antioxidant species. Currently, there is no single antioxidant assay for food labeling because of the lack of standard quantification methods. Antioxidant assays may be broadly classified as the electron transfer (ET)- and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based assays. The results obtained are hardly comparable because of the different mechanisms, redox potentials, pH and solvent dependencies, etc. of various assays. This project will aid the identification and quantification of properties and mutual effects of antioxidants, bring a more rational basis to the classification of antioxidant assays with their constraints and challenges, and make the results more comparable and understandable. In this regard, the task group members convey their own experiences in various methods of antioxidants measurement.

Synthesis, characterization and antioxidant capacity of naringenin-oxime

The recognition of the benefits of polyphenolic antioxidants is eliciting increasing interest in the search for new polyphenolic derivatives with improved antioxidant activity. Since naringenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone) (NG) is one of the most abundant citrus and grapefruit polyphenolics and flavanone oximes were used in the synthesis of anticancer and radioprotector compounds having antiradical activity, the corresponding oxime of NG, naringenin oxime (NG-Ox), was synthesized and investigated. The structure of NG-Ox was characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, elemental analysis, and the synthesized compound was screened for its antioxidant capacity by using the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of NG-Ox was measured to be higher than that of the parent compound, NG. Other parameters of antioxidant activity (scavenging effects on *OH, O(2)*-, and H(2)O(2)) of NG-Ox were also determined.