Preservation of poultry meat using Tetraclinis articulata essential oil during refrigerated storage

Current study aims to evaluate the effect of essential oil on the conservation of chicken fillets. Following a screening, Tetraclinis articulata was selected for its antimicrobial (Enterococcus feacalis ATCC 29212, MIC < 0.031 mg/mL) and antioxidant (IC50 = 1000 µg/mL) potentials with no cytotoxicity effect towards murine macrophage cells. The treatment of chicken fillets, especially with 200 ppm of T. articulata essential oil per 100 g of product reduced significantly (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation during 12 days of refrigerated storage. Microbial flora charges decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with a rate of 50.31% for 200 ppm of essential oil from the 6th day of storage. The acidity of treated fillets was lower than control samples (1.3 g/kg) from the 3rd day of storage. In addition, a clear effect was recorded by reducing water losses during cooking under the tested doses of essential oil. Withall, findings encouraged the use of T. articulata to extend poultry meat product shelf life.

Free radical scavenging synergism of fucoxanthin with lipophilic plant products

Fucoxanthin demonstrates potential bioactivity, gaining greater interest with many prospective applications. The fundamental activity of fucoxanthin is antioxidant. However, some findings also report the pro-oxidant potential of carotenoids in particular concentrations and environments. In many applications, fucoxanthin requires additional materials to improve bioavailability and stability, such as lipophilic plant products (LPP). Despite much-growing evidence, little is known how fucoxanthin interacts with LPP, which is susceptible to an oxidative reaction. We hypothesised that lower concentration of fucoxanthin exerts a synergistic effect in combination with LPP. The low molecular weight of LPP may exhibit greater activity than long-chain LPP, and so it does with the concentration of unsaturated moieties. We performed free radical-scavenging assay of fucoxanthin combined with some essential oils and edible oils. Chou-Talalay theorem was employed to depict the combination effect. The current study demonstrates a staple finding and constitutes theoretical viewpoints before further fucoxanthin's utilization with LPP.

Comparison of Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Soft Coral-Derived Sinularin and Dihydrosinularin

Marine natural products are abundant resources for antioxidants, but the antioxidant property of the soft corals-derived sinularin and dihydrosinularin were unknown. This study aimed to assess antioxidant potential and antiproliferation effects of above compounds on cancer cells, and to investigate the possible relationships between them. Results show that sinularin and dihydrosinularin promptly reacted with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and hydroxyl (^•OH), demonstrating a general radical scavenger activity. Sinularin and dihydrosinularin also show an induction for Fe⁺³-reduction and Fe⁺²-chelating capacity which both strengthen their antioxidant activities. Importantly, sinularin shows higher antioxidant properties than dihydrosinularin. Moreover, 24 h ATP assays show that sinularin leads to higher antiproliferation of breast, lung, and liver cancer cells than dihydrosinularin. Therefore, the differential antioxidant properties of sinularin and dihydrosinularin may contribute to their differential anti-proliferation of different cancer cells.

Approach to Optimization of FRAP Methodology for Studies Based on Selected Monoterpenes

Terpenes, wide-spread secondary plant metabolites, constitute important parts of many natural compounds that hold various biological activities, including antioxidant, calming, antiviral, and analgesic activities. Due to their high volatility and low solubility in water, studies of compounds based on terpenes are difficult, and methodologies must be adjusted to their specific characteristics. Considering the significant influence of iron ions on dementia development, the activity of terpenes in reducing Fe³⁺ represents an important area to be determined. Previously obtained results were unreliable because ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methodology was not adjusted regarding studying terpenes. Taking this fact into account, the aim of this study was to optimize the method for monoterpene assessment. The study included three modifications, namely, (1) slightly adjusting the entire FRAP procedure, (2) replacing methanol with other solvents (heptane, butanone, or ethyl acetate), and (3) adding Tween 20. Additionally, a thin layer chromatography (TLC) -FRAP assay was performed. The obtained results revealed significant improvement in the reduction activity of selected terpenes (linalool, α-phellandrene, and α-terpinene) in studies with Tween 20, whereas replacing methanol with other solvents did not show the expected effects.