Variations of Bioactive Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacity of Navel Orange Peel in Response to Different Drying Methods

Strategies for using magnetic beads in enhanced deep eutectic solvent-mechanochemical extraction of natural products from orange peels

To address the challenges of low recovery, prolonged extraction times, and environmental pollution caused by toxic solvents in traditional extraction methods, magnetic bead-enhanced deep eutectic solvent mechanochemical extraction was developed for extracting natural products from orange peels. The extraction efficiencies of deep eutectic solvents were experimentally evaluated, and theoretical methods were used to guide solvent selection. Choline chloride-ethylene glycol demonstrated the highest efficiency under the optimal extraction conditions: a molar ratio of 1:2, no water content, a solid-liquid ratio of 0.08 g/mL, and an extraction time of 60 s. The synergy between the deep eutectic solvent and magnetic bead-enhanced the mechanochemical extraction efficiencies. The study also examined the effects of different magnetic bead types and orange peel powder particle sizes on extraction efficiency, finding that a 0.11 mm particle size combined with CIP@SiO2 yielded the best results. Overall, this study holds promise as an environmentally friendly and efficient extraction method.

Proteomics Analysis of the Protective Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Extracted from Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Sperm in a Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced RAW264.7 Cell Injury Model

Sea cucumber viscera contain various naturally occurring active substances, but they are often underutilized during sea cucumber processing. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is an adenosine A2A receptor agonist that activates the A2A receptor to produce various biological effects. Currently, most studies on the activity of PDRN have focused on its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and tissue repair properties, yet relatively few studies have investigated its antioxidant activity. In this study, we reported for the first time that PDRN was extracted from the sperm of Apostichopus japonicus (AJS-PDRN), and we evaluated its antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. An in vitro injury model was established using H2O2-induced oxidative damage in RAW264.7 cells, and we investigated the protective effect of AJS-PDRN on these cells. Additionally, we explored the potential mechanism by which AJS-PDRN protects RAW264.7 cells from damage using iTRAQ proteomics analysis. The results showed that AJS-PDRN possessed excellent antioxidant activity and could significantly scavenge DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. In vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated that AJS-PDRN was cytoprotective and significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of RAW264.7 cells. The results of GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicate that the protective effects of AJS-PDRN pretreatment on RAW264.7 cells are primarily achieved through the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, modulation of the extracellular matrix and signal transduction pathways, promotion of membrane repair, and enhancement of cellular antioxidant capacity. The results of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis indicate that AJS-PDRN reduces cellular oxidative damage by upregulating the expression of intracellular selenoprotein family members. In summary, our findings reveal that AJS-PDRN mitigates H2O2-induced oxidative damage through multiple pathways, underscoring its significant potential in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Effects of different drying methods on Rubus chingii Hu fruit during processing

In this study, the dried fruits of Rubus chingii Hu (Chinese name: Fu-Pen-Zi; FPZ) were processed and dried by three methods-in the shade, the sun, and the oven. The composition regarding the standard ingredient, color, and antioxidant capacities were investigated pro- and post-processing. The technique of headspace-solid-phase-microextraction-gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and flavoromics were used to analyze the flavor-conferring metabolites of FPZ. The results obtained revealed that the highest use value and antioxidant capacities were detected in the FPZ fruits processed and dried in the shade. A total of 358 metabolites were detected from them mainly consisting of terpenoids, heterocyclic compounds, and esters. In differential analysis, the down-regulation of the metabolites was much greater than their up-regulation after all three drying methods. In an evaluation of the characteristic compounds and flavors produced after the three methods, there were variations mainly regarding the green and fruity odors. Therefore, considerable insights may be obtained for the development of novel agricultural methods and applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries by analyzing and comparing the variations in the chemical composition detected pre- and post-processing of the FPZ fruits. This paper provides a scientific basis for quality control in fruits and their clinical applications.

Effect of Extraction Methods on the Antioxidant Potential and Cytotoxicity of the Combined Ethanolic Extracts of Daucus carota L., Beta vulgaris L., Phyllanthus emblica L. and Lycopersicon esculentum against Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells

Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet may alleviate the risk of developing chronic diseases. Daucus carota L. (carrot), Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot) Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla), and Lycopersicon esculentum M (tomatoes) are traditionally consumed functional foods that contain a high concentration of antioxidants, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and numerous phytochemicals. This study assessed how three distinct preparation methods affect the phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents, antioxidant level, and cytotoxicity of the combined fruit extract. The fruit samples were taken in the ratio of carrot (6): beetroot (2): tomato (1.5): amla (0.5) and processed into a lyophilized slurry (LS) extract, lyophilized juice (LJ) extract, and hot-air oven-dried (HAO) extract samples. The sample extracts were assessed for their phytoconstituent concentrations and antioxidant and cytotoxic potential. The total phenolic content in LS, LJ, and HAO extracts was 171.20 ± 0.02, 120.73 ± 0.02, and 72.05 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, respectively and the total flavonoid content was 23.635 ± 0.003, 20.754 ± 0.005, and 18.635 ± 0.005 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g, respectively. Similarly, total ascorbic acid content, carotenoids, and antioxidant potential were higher in the LS and LJ extracts than in HAO. Overall, the LS extract had a substantially higher concentration of phytochemicals and antioxidants, as well as higher cytotoxic potential, compared to the LJ and HAO extracts. The LS extract was tested in the MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell line to demonstrate its effective antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity. Hence, lyophilization (freezing) based techniques are more effective than heat-based techniques in preserving the phytoconstituents and their antioxidant and cytotoxic potential.

Antioxidant Compounds and Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits

Recent evidence emanating from epidemiological prospective studies shows that increased intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with a lower risk of developing chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as well as with a lower risk of cardiovascular, cancer, and all-cause mortality rates [...].

Targeting the Interplay of Autophagy and ROS for Cancer Therapy: An Updated Overview on Phytochemicals

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved self-degradation system that recycles cellular components and damaged organelles, which is critical for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are short-lived molecules containing unpaired electrons that are formed by the partial reduction of molecular oxygen. It is widely known that autophagy and ROS can regulate each other to influence the progression of cancer. Recently, due to the wide potent anti-cancer effects with minimal side effects, phytochemicals, especially those that can modulate ROS and autophagy, have attracted great interest of researchers. In this review, we afford an overview of the complex regulatory relationship between autophagy and ROS in cancer, with an emphasis on phytochemicals that regulate ROS and autophagy for cancer therapy. We also discuss the effects of ROS/autophagy inhibitors on the anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals, and the challenges associated with harnessing the regulation potential on ROS and autophagy of phytochemicals for cancer therapy.