Improvement for Oxidative Stability and Sensory Properties of Sunflower Oil Flavored by Huai Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. Essential Oil during Accelerated Storage

Genome-wide identification and in-silico expression analysis of CCO gene family in sunflower (Helianthus annnus) against abiotic stress

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) enzymes play an important role in plant growth and development by producing a wide array of apocarotenoids and their derivatives. These compounds are vital for colouring flowers and fruits and synthesizing plant hormones such as abscisic acid and strigolactones. Despite their importance, the gene family responsible for CCO enzymes in sunflowers has not been identified. In this study, we identify the CCO genes of the sunflower plant to fill this knowledge gap. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis indicated that the Helianthus annnus CCO (HaCCO) genes were conserved in different plant species and they could be divided into three subgroups based on their conserved domains. Analysis using MEME tool and multiple sequence alignment identified conserved motifs in the HaCCO gene sequence. Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis of the HaCCO genes indicated the presence of various responsive elements related to plant hormones, development, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This implies that these genes may respond to plant hormones, developmental cues, and drought stress, offering potential applications in the development of more resistant crops. Genes belonging to the 9-cis-epoxy carotenoid dioxygenases (NCED) subgroups predominantly exhibited chloroplast localization, whereas the genes found in other groups are primarily localized in the cytoplasm. These 21 identified HaCCOs were regulated by 60 miRNAs, indicating the crucial role of microRNAs in gene regulation in sunflowers. Gene expression analysis under drought stress revealed significant up-regulation of HaNCED16 and HaNCED19, genes that are pivotal in ABA hormone biosynthesis. During organ-specific gene expression analysis, HaCCD12 and HaCCD20 genes exhibit higher activity in leaves, indicating a potential role in leaf pigmentation. This study provides a foundation for future research on the regulation and functions of the CCO gene family in sunflower and beyond. There is potential for developing molecular markers that could be employed in breeding programs to create new sunflower lines resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Essential oils as green promising alternatives to chemical preservatives for agri-food products: New insight into molecular mechanism, toxicity assessment, and safety profile

Microbial food spoilage caused by food-borne bacteria, molds, and associated toxic chemicals significantly alters the nutritional quality of food products and makes them unpalatable to the consumer. In view of potential adverse effects (resistance development, residual toxicity, and negative effects on consumer health) of some of the currently used preservative agents and consumer preferences towards safe, minimally processed, and chemical-free products, food industries are looking for natural alternatives to the chemical preservatives. In this context, essential oils (EOs) showed broad-range antimicrobial effectiveness, low toxicity, and diverse mechanisms of action, and could be considered promising natural plant-based antimicrobials. The existing technical barriers related to the screening of plants, extraction methods, characterization, dose optimization, and unpredicted mechanism of toxicity in the food system, could be overcome using recent scientific and technological advancements, especially bioinformatics, nanotechnology, and mathematical approaches. The review focused on the potential antimicrobial efficacy of EOs against food-borne microbes and the role of recent scientific technology and social networking platform in addressing the major obstacles with EOs-based antimicrobial agents. In addition, a detailed mechanistic understanding of the antimicrobial efficacy of EOs, safety profile, and risk assessment using bioinformatics approaches are summarized to explore their potential application as food preservatives.

Phytochemicals, therapeutic benefits and applications of chrysanthemum flower: A review

Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant belonging to a genus of the dicotyledonous herbaceous annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is a perpetual flowering plant, mostly cultivated for medicinal purposes; generally, used in popular drinks due to its aroma and flavor. It is primarily cultivated in China, Japan, Europe, and United States. These flowers were extensively used in various healthcare systems and for treating various diseases. Chrysanthemum flowers are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit strong properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-obesity, immune regulation, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities. The main aim of the present review was to investigate the nutritional profile, phytochemistry, and biological activities of flowers of different Chrysanthemum species. Also, a critical discussion of the diverse metabolites or bioactive constituents of the Chrysanthemum flowers is highlighted in the present review. Moreover, the flower extracts of Chrysanthemum have been assessed to possess a rich phytochemical profile, including compounds such as cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl) glucoside, delphinidin 3-O-(6" -O-malonyl) glucoside-3', rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, rutinoside, and others. These profiles exhibit potential health benefits, leading to their utilization in the production of supplementary food products and pharmaceutical drugs within the industry. However, more comprehensive research studies/investigations are still needed to further discover the potential benefits for human and animal utilization.

Evaluation of antioxidant properties of nanoencapsulated sage (Salvia officinalis L.) extract in biopolymer coating based on whey protein isolate and Qodumeh Shahri (Lepidium perfoliatum) seed gum to increase the oxidative stability of sunflower oil

Sage leaf extract (SLE) is considered an excellent source of bioactive compounds mainly because of its high content of phenolics, widely known as natural antioxidants. This study aimed to compare the performance of free/encapsulated SLE by different coatings in protecting sunflower oil against oxidative deterioration. The coating materials were whey protein isolate and qodumeh seed gum at different ratios (1:0, 1:1, and 0:1). Each nanocapsule was analyzed for particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, phenolics release, and SEM images. The total phenolic compounds of SLE were 31.12 mg GA/g. The antioxidant activity of SLE was increased in both DPPH and FRAP assays by increasing extract concentration from 50 to 250 ppm. All nanoparticles exhibited nanometric size, negative zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency higher than 60%, and gradual release during storage. The oxidative stability of sunflower oil with or without the incorporation of 250 ppm of free/encapsulated SLE was evaluated during 24 days of storage at 60°C. Peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), oxidative stability index (OSI), color index (CI), and conjugated dienes (CD) were determined. COPM nanoparticles showed the lowest PV, TBA, CI, and CD but both SGUM and WHEY were more effective in delaying oil oxidation than TBHQ and free extract. Higher OSI was observed in oil-containing nanoparticles with composite coating. Results obtained reinforce the use of whey protein isolate and qodumeh seed gum as a coating for encapsulating SLE to increase the shelf life of sunflower oil as a natural antioxidant.

Oxidative stability and sensory evaluation of sodium caseinate-based yak butter powder

Yak butter's high unsaturated fatty acid level predisposes it to oxidation, hence must be converted into more stable forms like powder. This study aimed to spray dry yak butter using 10% yak butter and four sodium caseinate (NaCas) formulations: sample A: 100% NaCas; sample B: 50% NaCas, 50% lactose; sample C: 75% NaCas, 25% lactose; and sample D: 25% NaCas, 75% maltodextrin. The powders were vacuum and hermetically sealed, and evaluated for oxidative stability, physical and sensory properties during storage at 65 ℃ for 30 days. The results showed that samples B and D had similar and most favorable physical properties (such as, moisture, water activity, particle size, bulk density re-dispersion time, and encapsulation efficiency); though sample B, together with sample C, browned the most during storage. The majority of the sensory panelists preferred samples B and D; observed high caking in samples C and B; and the least whiteness loss and caking in samples D and A but high off-flavors in samples A and C. After storage, peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values of powder samples ranged from 34.98 to 69.54 meqO2/kg and 1.85-9.43 mg MD/kg, respectively, in the decreasing order of A, C, B, and D. Sample D, followed by B, showed the highest radical scavenging activity. Therefore, for optimum yak butter powder physical properties and oxidative stability, 50%:50%, NaCas: lactose, and 25%:75%, NaCas: maltodextrin formulations should be used. This study provides essential knowledge for butter powder processors.

Effect of extraction methods on the efficiency of sumac ( Rhus coriaria L.) fruit extract in soybean oil quality during accelerated conditions

Herbal extracts containing natural bioactive substances with numerous beneficial effects have been recently noticed as appropriate alternatives for synthetic food preservatives. In this study, we aimed to optimize the effects of different sumac (Rhus coriaria) fruit extracts (SFE) on oxidative stability of soybean oil under accelerated conditions compared to a synthetic antioxidant. Hydro‐ethanolic extracts (70%) of sumac fruits were prepared by three methods of immersion (I‐SFE), ultrasound (U‐SFE), and microwave (M‐SFE). According to the response surface methodology (RSM), 13 runs were considered in the concentrations of 0, 500, and 1000 ppm of each extract that were added to the soybean oil and stored at 60°C for a 20‐day period. All of the treatments were significantly (p < .05) efficient in preventing the chemical and sensory changes of soybean oil compared to the control in the dose‐dependent manner during storage period. I‐SFE treatment showed the lowest peroxide value (PV) (0.000063 meq (milliequivalents) O₂/kg oil), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (115.06 MDA (malondialdehyde)/kg oil), and acid value (0.0169 mg KOH (potassium hydroxide)/kg oil) among the other extracts at the end of the storage period. Furthermore, I‐SFE treatment earned the highest sensory scores (flavor, color, odor, and overall acceptability) of soybean oil in the range of 4–5 in comparison to the other treatments and synthetic antioxidant during storage time. According to the analysis of RSM, I‐SFE in the concentration of 999.998 ppm could optimally enhance the shelf life of soybean oil for 11.3614 days under accelerated conditions. It was concluded that I‐SFE with the same efficiency as synthetic antioxidants can be considered as a suitable alternative in soybean oil with various health benefits.

Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum L.) Carotenoids Enrichment through ‘Green’ Extraction Method Improves Oxidative Stability and Maintains Fatty Acids of Yak Ghee with Microwave Heating and Storage

As the oxidation of yak ghee is inevitable and as consumer demand for natural products continues to increase, this study aimed to enrich yak ghee with goji berry carotenoids by means of green solvent extraction and determined changes in the oxidative stability and fatty acid profiles of yak ghees during microwave heating (MW-heating) and accelerated storage. An enriched ghee (GG0) was prepared by high shear dispersion and ultrasound-assisted extraction, while a control ghee (FG0) was prepared by heating and filtration; both ghees were stored at 65 °C for 30 days and were microwave-heated (MW-heating) at 180 °C (15 and 30 min) and 200 °C for 30 min. The results showed that the carotenoid enrichment increased the oxidative stability of yak ghee during MW-heating and storage. The initial CLA and PUFA values of GG0 were not significantly different from those of FG0; SFA increased, and MUFA and TFA decreased. There was a faster rate of UFA loss and an increase in SFA and TFA in FG0 during MW-heating and storage. This indicated a protective effect of carotenoid enrichment on yak ghee. Therefore, the findings in this study support the use of goji berry carotenoids as a natural colorant and antioxidant in yak ghee. This study provides vital information for dairy processors and marketers.

Effect of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) as a natural antioxidant on sunflower oil oxidation

Oil oxidation is significant for acceptability, nutritional quality, and toxicity of edible oils. Antioxidant supplementation for oil is a common and fundamental strategy for improving its oxidative stability and prolonging induction time. Ginger contains natural antioxidants such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Ginger extracts were prepared by extraction with different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and water). Ethanolic ginger extract had the highest yield (10.52%), whereas the aqueous extract had the lowest yield (8.10%). Also, the ethanolic extract was the highest in the content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds (75.17 and 19.55 mg/g, respectively), followed by methanolic extract (67.24 and 17.46 mg/g, respectively). Thus, further elaboration focused on the ethanolic extract. The scavenging ability of ginger extract was dose-dependent; it increased with the increase in ginger extract concentration. As expected, the ginger extract had lower DPPH scavenging activity than BHT (synthetic antioxidant). Free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), conjugated dienes (CD) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value were used to evaluate the effect of ginger extract as a natural antioxidant on sunflower oil oxidation. The higher the concentration of ginger extract, the lower the magnitude of FFA, PV, CD, and TBA in sunflower oil. According to our findings, the level of sunflower oil supplementation with ginger extract should be below 600 mg/kg. The result of this study suggests that ginger extract can be recommended as a natural antioxidant to retard sunflower oil oxidation.

Effect of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) as a natural antioxidant on sunflower oil oxidation

Oil oxidation is significant for acceptability, nutritional quality, and toxicity of edible oils. Antioxidant supplementation for oil is a common and fundamental strategy for improving its oxidative stability and prolonging induction time. Ginger contains natural antioxidants such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Ginger extracts were prepared by extraction with different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and water). Ethanolic ginger extract had the highest yield (10.52%), whereas the aqueous extract had the lowest yield (8.10%). Also, the ethanolic extract was the highest in the content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds (75.17 and 19.55 mg/g, respectively), followed by methanolic extract (67.24 and 17.46 mg/g, respectively). Thus, further elaboration focused on the ethanolic extract. The scavenging ability of ginger extract was dose-dependent; it increased with the increase in ginger extract concentration. As expected, the ginger extract had lower DPPH scavenging activity than BHT (synthetic antioxidant). Free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), conjugated dienes (CD) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value were used to evaluate the effect of ginger extract as a natural antioxidant on sunflower oil oxidation. The higher the concentration of ginger extract, the lower the magnitude of FFA, PV, CD, and TBA in sunflower oil. According to our findings, the level of sunflower oil supplementation with ginger extract should be below 600 mg/kg. The result of this study suggests that ginger extract can be recommended as a natural antioxidant to retard sunflower oil oxidation.