Roselle Seed as a Potential New Source of Healthy Edible Oil

The Potential of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Plant in Industrial Applications: A Promising Source of Functional Compounds

Roselle is an annual botanical plant that widely planted in different countries worldwide. Its different parts, including seeds, leaves, and calyces, can offer multi-purpose applications with economic importance. The present review discusses the detailed profile of bioactive compounds present in roselle seeds, leaves, and calyces, as well as their extraction and processing, to explore their potential application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food and other industries. Roselle seeds with high phenolics, fiber, and protein contents, which are suitable to use in functional food product development. Besides, roselle seeds can yield 17-20% of roselle seed oil with high content of linoleic acid (35.0-45.3%) and oleic acid (27.1- 36.9%). This unique fatty acid composition of roselle seed oil makes it suitable to use as edible oil to offer the health benefits of essential fatty acid. Moreover, high contents of tocopherols, phenolics, and phytosterols were detected in roselle seed oil to provide nutritional, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic properties. On the other hand, roselle leaves with valuable contents of phenols, flavonoids, organic acid, and tocopherols can be applied in silver nanoparticles, food product development, and the pharmaceutical industry. Roselle calyces with high content of anthocyanins, protocatechuic acids, and organic acids are widely applied in food and colorant industries.

Fatty Acid Profile, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Niger Seed (Guizotia abyssinica) and Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant content are major determinants of vegetable oil quality. Antioxidants are important food components, and there is an increasing interest of replacing synthetic antioxidants with those from natural sources for food industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate fatty acid composition, total phenolic, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, and antioxidant capacity of different varieties of two oilseed crops. Five niger seed and eight linseed varieties were used. For the analysis of fatty acid composition of the seed oil, gas chromatography method was used. Standard methods were used for total phenolic, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, and antioxidant properties. In niger seed oil, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the dominant fatty acid, accounting for 73.3% (variety Esete) to 76.8% (variety Ginchi) of the total fatty acids. In linseed oil, linolenic acid (C18:3) was the dominant fatty acid accounting for 55.7 (variety Chilalo) to 60.1 (variety Belaye-96). The total phenolic content ranged from 22.4 mg GAE/g (variety Esete) to 27.9 mg GAE/g (variety Ginchi) in niger seed and from 20.5 mg GAE/g (variety Belay-96) to 25.4 mg GAE/g (variety Ci-1525) in linseed. In niger seed, variety Fogera had the highest values for FRAP and radical scavenging activity. The carotenoid content also showed significant variation among the varieties ranging from 2.57 (Esete) to 8.08 (Kuyu) μmol/g for niger and 4.13 (Tole) to 8.66 (Belay-96) μmol/g for linseed. The FRAP assay showed that variety Fogera of niger seed and variety Chilalo of linseed came on top among their respective varieties with values of 57.2 and 30.6, respectively. Both niger seed and linseed were shown to be rich in bioactive compounds. However, significant variation was observed among the varieties of each crop and among the two crops in their total phenolic and carotenoid contents as well as ferric reducing potential and radical scavenging capacity. Principal component analysis revealed the presence of more than one group in both niger seed and linseed. Hence, genetic variation among the varieties should be utilized for improving their desirable characteristics through breeding. Both oil crops can be used as the source of antioxidants for replacing synthetic compounds.

Beneficial consequences of probiotic on mitochondrial hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, causing dementia and brain cells death.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the ameliorating effect of Acidophilus probiotic against AD induced in rats by d-galactose and AlCl₃ injection via evaluating mitochondrial parameter changes in hippocampus.

METHODS

This study was carried out on rats were classified into five groups; G1 (control group), G2 (probiotic group), G3 (AD group), G4 (co-treated group) and G5 (post-treated group). By the end of the experiment, some different neurotransmitters, oxidative stress biomarkers, zinc, blood glucose, Na⁺K^-ATPase subunit alpha 1 (ATP1A1), and gene expression of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured.

RESULTS

Significant changes in neurotransmitters, antioxidants levels and decreased ATP1A1 activity and gene expression of MMP in the hippocampus in G3 were detected if compared to control. Best improvement in G5 than G4 group was observed. These results were confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical studies in hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONS

Acidophilus probiotic was able to alleviate learning and memory associated injuries in AD by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction induced by d-galactose and AlCl₃. This may be associated with its antioxidant properties.

A Review on Hepatoprotective Effects of Some Medicinal Plant Oils

Background:

The liver is the second largest organ inside the human body. It can be damaged by several toxic molecules and medicinal agents taken in overdoses. Indeed, there are some oils obtained from different herbs that can be used to protect the liver injury.

Objective:

This review aims to give details on some oils that have been tested for their hepatoprotective effect.

Methods:

We reviewed 79 articles published between 1980 and 2019 in English language using three databases Sciencedirect, Web of Science and PubMed. So, we have used the keywords related to hepatoprotective activity: Hepatoprotective, liver disease, plant and oil and we have classified the plants in alphabetical order as a list containing their scientific and family names, as well as the experimental assay and the results obtained from these studies.

Results:

As a result, we have described 18 species belonging to 18 families: Altingiaceae, Apiaceae, Arecaceae, Asteraceae, Cactaceae, Caryocaraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lauraceae, Leguminoseae, Malvaceae, Moringaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Pinaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Theaceae and Vitaceae. Among the most common fatty acids present in hepatoprotective oils are palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid.

Conclusion:

These oils have shown beneficial properties regarding the hepatoprotective activity.

Alzheimer's disease improved through the activity of mitochondrial chain complexes and their gene expression in rats by boswellic acid

The foremost neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's (AD), which is characterized as a gradual decrease in memory, cognitive function, and also personal changes occurred. This study aims to assess the role of boswellic bioactive component in control Alzheimer's disease through enhancing mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes in the rat model. Rats were divided into five equal groups: the control group (G1), boswellic acid control group (G2), AD disease group (G3), boswellic acid -pre-treated group (G4) and boswellic acid-treated group (G5). At the end of the experiment, blood glucose level, tau protein, different neurochemicals parameters (dopamine, acetylcholine), L-malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities was determined. Also, GLUT2 and mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes were evaluated. As a result, an increase in hippocampus glucose, tau protein expression, MDA and GLUT2 in the AD group (G3) compared to control groups (G1 and G2) has been recorded. These parameters were declined after pre (G4) and treated (G5) by boswellic acid. The neurochemicals, antioxidants parameters, four mitochondrial chain complexes activities and their gene expression in the hippocampus of the AD group were decreased compared to the control groups (G1 and G2). In contrast, pre and treated groups by boswellic acid (G4 and G5, respectively) have shown an increase in antioxidants parameters, and the activities of four mitochondrial complexes, with the best improvement in the pre-treated group (G4), then treated group (G5). In conclusion; the boswellic acid improved the antioxidant and mitochondrial complexes in Alzheimer's disease.

Functional Foods for Management of Diarrhea and Malnutrition in Rats Emphasizing on Nucleotides Role

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea and malnutrition are major health problems in developing countries. Inflammation, high oxidative stress, poor nutritional status, and fatty liver were encountered during such diseases. Patents for diarrhea and malnutrition management (WO2007/130882A2, WO00/37106A1, WO2014/152420, and CA2987364A1) were published.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to introduce anti-diarrhea functional foods with a preventive effect on malnutrition.

METHODS

Two processing techniques were applied for preparing functional foods (formula 1 ingredients were made into cookies followed by grinding; formula 2 ingredients were pre-cooked, dried, and mixed in powder form) that were evaluated in a rat model of diarrhea with malnutrition (DM). Formula 2 was also assessed when mixed with nucleotides. The ingredients were edible plants that possess an anti-diarrheal effect with high protein sources (legumes and casein).

RESULTS

Induction of diarrhea with malnutrition, high oxidative stress, inflammation, accumulation of liver fat, and histopathological changes were demonstrated in DM control compared to normal control. The functional foods produced variable improvement in growth curves, food efficiency ratio, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma zinc, protein, albumin, globulin, lipase activity, and MDA. Formula 1 was superior in improving intestinal histopathology while formula 2 was more efficient in elevating plasma iron. Formula 2 with nucleotides was the best in improving growth curves, alkaline phosphatase, and reducing liver fat. Intestinal mucosa reduced glutathione and nitrite showed an efficient significant reduction on treatment with formula 2 with or without nucleotides. The formulas showed an anti-diarrheal effect by improving feces weight and moisture content.

CONCLUSION

Studied functional foods showed an anti-diarrheal effect and malnutrition improvement with different degrees.

Hibiscus cannabinus L. (kenaf) studies: Nutritional composition, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and potential applications

The electronic database was searched up to July 2020, using keywords, kenaf and roselle, chemical constituents of kenaf and roselle, therapeutic uses of kenaf and roselle. Journals, books and conference proceedings were also searched. Investigations of pharmacological activities of kenaf revealed that this edible plant exhibits a broad range of therapeutic potential including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antityrosinase, anticancer, antihyperlipidemia, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Kenaf also showed versatile utility as a functional ingredient in food, folk medicine, and animal nutritions, as well as in nanotechnology processes. The exploitation of underexploited kenaf by-products can be a significant part of waste management from an economic and environmental point of view. In addition, kenaf showed comparable nutritional, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties with Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle). This review has important implications for further investigations and applications of kenaf in food and pharmaceuticals industry.

Ultrasound Assisted Cascade Extraction of Oil, Vitamin E, and Saccharides from Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) Seeds

Roselle seeds, a waste biomass of the roselle calyx processing industry, were utilized to recover valuable compounds of oil, vitamin E, and water-soluble saccharides. Firstly, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and conventional stirring extraction were conducted for saccharide extraction, and the advantage of UAE was confirmed. Secondly, oil, vitamin E, and saccharides extracted from Vietnamese roselle seeds by UAE were analyzed for the first time. Oil of tri-, di-, and mono-glycerides, fatty acids of linoleic-, oleic-, palmitic-, and stearic-acids, vitamin E of γ- and α-tocopherol, and saccharides of sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, etc. were identified, and the amounts of these components were compared with those in other country's roselle seeds. Thirdly, cascade extraction of oil, vitamin E, and saccharides by UAE was investigated with solvents of hexane, hexane:ethyl acetate binary solvent, and water. The results indicated that the order of using solvents was very important for high and selective extraction: the best order to recover oil (almost 100%), vitamin E (95.7%), and saccharides (86.2%) was hexane, and then water.

Role of Probiotic Mixture with and Without Green Tea Extract in Prevention of Hepatorenal Syndrome in Rat Model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a major public health problem in which both liver and kidney dysfunctions are encountered. The present research aimed to investigate the beneficial use of micro-encapsulated probiotic alone (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophilus mixture) or with green tea alcohol extract in HRS model in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Flavonoids content and in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract were assessed. The animal experiment consisted of 4 groups; control healthy, control with HRS and two test groups with HRS and treated with either the encapsulated probiotic mixture alone or with green tea extract. After 3 weeks; urinary creatinine was determined in 24 h rat urine samples. Colonic microbiota was assessed in faeces. Plasma malondialdehyde, nitrite, C-reactive protein, creatinine, uric acid, urea and the activity of transaminases, catalase (CAT) and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE-1) were determined with calculation of creatinine clearance.

RESULTS

Results showed significant increase in all biochemical parameters of HRS control except for ACE-1, CAT and creatinine clearance that experienced significant reduction along with dysbiosis compared to healthy control. Test groups showed improvement in all biochemical parameters with superiority to probiotic-green tea extract combination. Both treatments produced significant increase in fecal B. bifidum, S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus and reduction of Staphylococci and Coliform. The effect of probiotic-green tea extract combination was more pronounced concerning the last three. Flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the extract were 1.325±0.01 mg quercetin/g and 98±1.66%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Administration of micro-encapsulated probiotic with or without alcohol green tea extract exerted significant prevention of HRS in rat with superiority to probiotic-green tea extract combination.

Non-traditional Oils Encapsulation as Novel Food Additive Enhanced Yogurt Safety Against Aflatoxins

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hibiscus oil (HO) and black cumin oil (BCO) are interesting oils which give a source for photochemical. Yoghurt recognized for health benefits, but mycotoxin is a food problem. The aim was adjusting non-traditional capsulated oils for minimizing mycotoxins in dairy products (yoghurt) and biological systems.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Oils fatty acid composition were evaluated. Micro and nano-emulsion designed to achieve food safety and shelf-life extension. Encapsulated emulsions evaluated by in vitro and in vivo models for several aflatoxins reduction through yogurt fortification model, for in vivo model reduction estimated as enhancement of rat's blood biochemical parameters. Concerning the in vitro model, changes of supplemented yoghurt properties were estimated.

RESULTS

Linoleic followed by oleic acid showed a high content in these oils representing omega fatty acids. Gamma fractions presented in considerable values (>50% of vitamin E). To evaluate encapsulated oils reduction on aflatoxins (AFs), it was estimated for in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro reduction of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) recorded 31.6 and 34.9%, respectively in plain yogurt. However, yogurt fortification by oil-capsules upgraded the ratio for AFB1 (63.9%) and AFM1 (66.4%). The best reduction recorded using BCO fortification. For in vivo study, supplementation of rat's diet by BCO micro-capsule declared an enhancement of biochemical parameters against aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) effects. Fortified yogurt offered enhancement of viscosity and water holding capacity properties.

CONCLUSION

Encapsulated emulsions recorded high AFs reduction in fortified yogurt and experimental rat's model. Yogurt fortification enhanced its quality characteristics and shelf-life that give a recommendation for the application.

Health Benefits of Fennel, Rosemary Volatile Oils and their Nano-Forms in Dyslipidemic Rat Model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dyslipidemia is a major health problem that may lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the present research, a biological experiment was run on dyslipidemic rats to study the health benefits of the volatile oils (VOs) of fennel and rosemary in its original and nano-form using chitosan as carrier.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into 6 groups; normal control, dyslipidemic control and 4 test groups with dyslipidemia and treated by VOs of fennel and rosemary and their respective nano-forms separately. Glucose tolerance test was carried out after 4 weeks. Parameters reflecting oxidative stress/antioxidant plasma catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood uric acid, were assessed. Plasma lipid profile and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as inflammatory biomarker were determined. Liver and kidney function were assessed as determinant of the safety of the different VO forms. Twenty four hour urinary volume was measured to assess creatinine clearance and to evaluate the possible diuretic activity of the VOs.

RESULTS

Dyslipidemic control rats showed dyslipidemia, increased CVDs risk, liver dysfunction, elevated MDA and TNF-α with marked increase in blood sugar after half an hour of glucose ingestion compared to normal control. Treatment with the four VOs forms improved the majority of the biochemical parameters.

CONCLUSION

All treatment showed cardio and hepato- protective effect and safety towards kidney and blood sugar. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly improved by the different treatments; both VO forms of fennel were more efficient in ameliorating inflammation.