Morus alba L. (M. alba) is a highly adaptable plant that is extensively incorporated in many traditional and Ayurveda medications. Various parts of the plant, such as leaves, fruits, and seeds, possess nutritional and medicinal value. M. alba has abundant phytochemicals, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, anthocyanins, macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and volatile aromatic compounds, indicating its excellent pharmacological abilities. M. alba also contains high nutraceutical values for protein, carbohydrates, fiber, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals, as well as a low lipid value. However, despite its excellent biological properties and nutritional value, M. alba has not been fully considered as a potential functional food ingredient. Therefore, this review reports on the nutrients and bioactive compounds available in M. alba leaves, fruit, and seeds; its nutraceutical properties, functional properties as an ingredient in foodstuffs, and a microencapsulation technique to enhance polyphenol stability. Finally, as scaling up to a bigger production plant is needed to accommodate industrial demand, the study and limitation on an M. alba upscaling process is reviewed.
A simple optical pH sensor based on immobilization, Dioscorea alata L. anthocyanin methanol extract, onto a pectin-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex (pectin-chitosan PEC), has been successfully fabricated. The optical pH sensor was manufactured as a membrane made of pectin-chitosan PEC and the extracted anthocyanin. This sensor has the highest sensitivity of anthocyanin content at 0.025 mg/L in phosphate buffer and 0.0375 mg/L in citrate buffer. It also has good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (%RSD) of 7.7%, and gives a stable response at time values greater than 5 min from exposure in a buffer solution, and the sensor can be utilized within five days from its synthesis. This optical pH sensor has been employed to determine saliva pH of people of different ages and showed no significant difference when compared to a potentiometric method.
Clitoria ternatea is a herbaceous plant with many health benefits. Extraction is crucial to obtain its bioactive components which contribute to its antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study was conducted to find an optimum extraction condition of C. ternatea flower on total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity) as well as to determine its total flavonoid content (TFC) and anthocyanin content based on the optimum extraction condition generated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-Design Expert 7.1.5. TPC, TFC and total anthocyanin of C. ternatea were conducted by Folin Ciocalteu (FC), calorimetric assay and pH differential method, respectively. The ranges of selected independent variables were ethanol concentration (30°C-90% v/v), time (60-120 min) and temperature (30°C-70°C). The optimum extraction condition was obtained at 39.62% v/v ethanol concentration, 90 min and 44.24°C. However, these values were slightly adjusted according to the convenience of equipment to operate in which ethanol concentration was adjusted to 37% v/v, time remain at 90 min and temperature at 45°C. The predicted values of TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 41.60 mg GAE/g dry samples and 68.12% inhibition and were experimentally verified to be 41.17 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g dry samples and 63.53 ± 0.95% inhibition of TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity respectively. This result has showed RSM can optimise TPC and radical scavenging activity of C. ternatea. Upon the optimum condition, the TFC determined was 187.05 ± 3.18 mg quercetin/g dried sample which was higher than TPC and the total anthocyanin content was 28.60 ± 0.04 mg/L. Hence, the extractable phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin compounds indicated that C. ternatea is a good source of natural antioxidant.
Defatted dabai peel contains a high amount of anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are known to prevent several
types of disease, including cardiovascular-related complications. This study aimed to describe the
effects of different doses of defatted dabai peel extract by histopathological analyses on lesions in the
liver, kidney, heart and aorta. Histopathology methods were applied to determine the protective effects
of defatted dabai peel extracts against hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative damages to animal
organs. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was applied for histopathology examination for liver, kidney,
heart and aorta. Data showed that a high dose of defatted dabai extract (3000 mg per day) applied to
hypercholesterolemic rabbits for eight weeks had mild protective effect, especially reducing the severity
of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis of the renal medulla. The high dose of extract supplementation also
reduced inflammation of aorta and formation of atherosclerosis plaque in the cell wall of right ventricle
of the heart. The high dose of defatted dabai peel extract could be a protective agent against oxidative
stress.
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) from Malvaceae family is an annual crop with potential for use by many industries including food, animal feed, neutraceutical, cosmeticeutical and pharmaceutical industries. Its origin is not fully known but it is believed to be from West Africa, although the plant is found native from India to Southeast Asia. The calyxes, stems and leaves are acid in flavour. The juice is produced from the calyces, and it is claimed to be a prohealth drink due to its high contents of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and other antioxidants.
This study investigated the recovery of phytochemical antioxidants in Dacryodes rostrata fruit using different extraction solvents. The effects of solvent of varying polarities with sequential extraction method on the recovery of phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids and anthocyanins from different parts of the fruit (seed, pulp and peel) were determined. Their antioxidant activities were further determined using DPPH radical, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging and phosphomolybdenum method. Dacryodes Rostrata seed had the highest total phenolic content with 50% ethanol as the most efficient extraction solvent. The highest total flavonoid content was obtained in ethyl acetate extract of fruit pulp, whereas peel extracted with hexane and 50% ethanol was the highest in total carotenoid content and total anthocyanin content, respectively. The seed extracted with 50% ethanol exhibited the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Iron chelating activity measured by FRAP assay was the best in seed extracts, particularly in those polar extracts derived from water and 50% ethanol. Antioxidant activities of 50% ethanol extract of D. rostrata seed was the highest when determined by FRAP and phosphomolydenum assays. However, the influence of extraction solvents is not distinctly shown by hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. This is the first report on the effect of various extraction solvents on the recovery of phytochemicals in D. rostrata fruit parts and the seed of D. rostrata is a potential source of polar antioxidants.
Diabetes is a common metabolic disease indicated by unusually high plasma glucose level that can lead to major complications such as diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases. One of the effective therapeutic managements of the disease is to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia through inhibition of α-glucosidase, a carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme to retard overall glucose absorption. In recent years, a plenty of research works have been conducted looking for novel and effective α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) from natural sources as alternatives for the synthetic AGI due to their unpleasant side effects. Plants and herbs are rich with secondary metabolites that have massive pharmaceutical potential. Besides, studies showed that phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, anthocyanins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds possess significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase enzyme. Malaysia is a tropical country that is rich with medicinal herbs. In this review, we focus on eight Malaysian plants with the potential as AGI to develop a potential functional food or lead compounds against diabetes.
Melastoma malabathricum Linn. is a shrub that comes with beautiful pink or purple flowers and has berries-like fruits rich in anthocyanins. This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the inhibitory activities of different concentrations of the M. malabathricum Linn. flower and fruit crude extracts against Listeria monocytogenes IMR L55, Staphylococcus aureus IMR S244, Escherichia coli IMR E30, and Salmonella typhimurium IMR S100 using the disc diffusion method. The lowest concentrations of the extracts producing inhibition zones against the test microorganisms were used to determine their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). In addition, the growth of Listeria monocytogenes IMR L55 and Staphylococcus aureus IMR S244 grown in medium supplemented with the respective extracts at different temperatures (4°C, 25°C, and 37°C) and pHs (4, 6, 7, and 8) was determined.
A split plot 3 by 4 experiment was designed to characterize the relationship between production of gluthatione (GSH), oxidized gluthatione (GSSG), total flavonoid, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activities (FRAP and DPPH) in three varieties of Labisia pumila Blume, namely the varieties alata, pumila and lanceolata, under four levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) for 15 weeks. The treatment effects were solely contributed by nitrogen application; there was neither varietal nor interaction effects observed. As the nitrogen levels decreased from 270 to 0 kg N/ha, the production of GSH and GSSG, anthocyanin, total flavonoid and ascorbic acid increased steadily. At the highest nitrogen treatment level, L. pumila exhibited significantly lower antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP) than those exposed to limited nitrogen growing conditions. Significant positive correlation was obtained between antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP), total flavonoid, GSH, GSSG, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid suggesting that an increase in the antioxidative activities in L. pumila under low nitrogen fertilization could be attributed to higher contents of these compounds. From this observation, it could be concluded that in order to avoid negative effects on the quality of L. pumila, it is advisable to avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer when cultivating the herb for its medicinal use.
Phoenix dactylifera or date palm fruits are reported to contain natural compounds that exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This research aimed to study the effect of fruit chilling at 4 °C for 8 weeks, extract storage at -20 °C for 5 weeks, and extraction solvents (methanol or acetone) on total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and antibacterial properties of Saudi Arabian P. dactylifera cv Mabroom, Safawi and Ajwa, as well as Iranian P. dactylifera cv Mariami. The storage stability of total anthocyanin content (TAC) was also evaluated, before and after storing the extracts at -20 °C and 4 °C respectively, for 5 weeks. Mariami had the highest TAC (3.18 ± 1.40 mg cyd 3-glu/100 g DW) while Mabroom had the lowest TAC (0.54 ± 0.15 mg cyd 3-glu/100 g DW). The TAC of all extracts increased after storage. The chilling of date palm fruits for 8 weeks prior to solvent extraction elevated the TPC of all date fruit extracts, except for methanolic extracts of Mabroom and Mariami. All IC50 values of all cultivars decreased after the fruit chilling treatment. Methanol was a better solvent compared to acetone for the extraction of phenolic compounds in dates. The TPC of all cultivars extracts decreased after 5 weeks of extract storage. IC50 values of all cultivars extracts increased after extract storage except for the methanolic extracts of Safawi and Ajwa. Different cultivars exhibited different antibacterial properties. Only the methanolic extract of Ajwa exhibited antibacterial activity against all four bacteria tested: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli. These results could be useful to the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries in the development of natural compound-based products.
Anthocyanins and volatile phenylpropenes (isoeugenol and eugenol) in petunia (Petunia hybrida) flowers have the precursor 4-coumaryl coenzyme A (CoA) in common. These phenolics are produced at different stages during flower development. Anthocyanins are synthesized during early stages of flower development and sequestered in vacuoles during the lifespan of the flowers. The production of isoeugenol and eugenol starts when flowers open and peaks after anthesis. To elucidate additional biochemical steps toward (iso)eugenol production, we cloned and characterized a caffeoyl-coenzyme A O-methyltransferase (PhCCoAOMT1) from the petals of the fragrant petunia 'Mitchell'. Recombinant PhCCoAOMT1 indeed catalyzed the methylation of caffeoyl-CoA to produce feruloyl CoA. Silencing of PhCCoAOMT1 resulted in a reduction of eugenol production but not of isoeugenol. Unexpectedly, the transgenic plants had purple-colored leaves and pink flowers, despite the fact that cv Mitchell lacks the functional R2R3-MYB master regulator ANTHOCYANIN2 and has normally white flowers. Our results indicate that down-regulation of PhCCoAOMT1 activated the anthocyanin pathway through the R2R3-MYBs PURPLE HAZE (PHZ) and DEEP PURPLE, with predominantly petunidin accumulating. Feeding cv Mitchell flowers with caffeic acid induced PHZ expression, suggesting that the metabolic perturbation of the phenylpropanoid pathway underlies the activation of the anthocyanin pathway. Our results demonstrate a role for PhCCoAOMT1 in phenylpropene production and reveal a link between PhCCoAOMT1 and anthocyanin production.
Berries and berry extracts are known to possess properties (i.e., phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) that make them important in disease prevention. Observational studies have shown that many berries may hold promise for public health. However, the long-term impact of berries intake on specific populations and their functionality claims has not been fully tested. In addition, although several biological effects which are based on epidemiological studies have been explained scientifically, the mechanism of their actions is not fully understood. Therefore, this review set out to address the issue of berries intake and their potential functionality. In addition, a glimpse of what the future may hold for the berries was highlighted.
Melastoma malabathricum, belongs to the Melastomaceae family, is an important medicinal plant widely distributed from Madagascar to Australia, that is used in traditional remedies for the treatment of various ailments. Besides its medicinal properties, it has been identified as a potential source of anthocyanin production. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of sucrose and methyl jasmonate and feeding time on cell biomass yield and anthocyanin production in cell suspension culture of M. malabathricum. Addition of different concentrations of sucrose into the cell culture of M. malabathricum influenced cell biomass and pigment accumulation. The addition of methyl jasmonate was found to have no effect on cell biomass but the presence of higher amount (12.5-50 mg/L) had caused a reduction in anthocyanin production and accumulation. MS medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose and 3.5 mg/L of MeJA added on cero day and 3rd day produced high fresh cell mass at the end of nine days of culture but did not support the production of anthocyanins. However, cells cultured in the medium supplemented with 45 g/L sucrose without MeJA showed the highest pigment content (0.69 +/- 0.22 CV/g-FCM). The cells cultured in MS medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose with 3.5 mg/L MeJA added on the 3rd and 6th day of culture, showed the lowest pigment content (0.37-0.40 CV/g-FCM). This study indicated that MeJA was not necessary but sucrose was needed for the enhancement of cell growth and anthocyanin production in M. malabathricum cell cultures.
Fragaria chiloensis fruit has a short postharvest life mainly due to its rapid softening. In order to improve its postharvest life, preharvest applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and chitosan were evaluated during postharvest storage at room temperature. The quality and chemical parameters, and protection against decay were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of storage from fruits of two subsequent picks (termed as first harvest and second harvest). In general, fruits treated with MeJA and chitosan maintained higher levels of fruit firmness, anthocyanin, and showed significant delays in decay incidence compared to control fruit. MeJA-treated fruits exhibited a greater lignin content and SSC/TA ratio, and delayed decay incidences. Instead, chitosan-treated fruits presented higher antioxidant capacity and total phenol content. In short, both the elicitors were able to increase the shelf life of fruits as evidenced by the increased levels of lignin and anthocyanin, especially of the second harvest.
A developed colorimetric pH sensor film based on edible materials for real-time monitoring of food freshness is described. The mixed natural dyes from edible plants Clitoria sp and Brassica sp were extracted and incorporated into ι-carrageenan film as a colorimetric pH sensor film for monitoring food spoilage and its freshness. The color changes of the developed colorimetric sensor film were measured with chromametry and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. Experimental results show that colorimetric pH sensor film demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between CIE-L*a*b* coordinates color system indicated that the developed colorimetric sensor film was able to give a gradual change in color over a wide pH range. The color of the colorimetric sensor film also changes discretely and linearly with factors that contribute to food spoilage using shrimp and durian samples. Moreover, the developed colorimetric pH sensor film has the potential to be used as a safe, non-destructive testing and also a flexibly visual method for direct assessment of food freshness indicator during storage.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has gained significant popularity among agricultural scientists and farmers throughout the world due to its high nutritive value. It is cultivated under a range of soil and climatic conditions; however, late sowing adversely affects its productivity and yield due to shorter growth period. Inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants are promising for improving growth, development, and yield of field crops under stressful environments. Field experiments were conducted during crop cultivation seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18, to explore the role of inorganic (hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid) and organic [moringa leaf extract (MLE) and sorghum water extract (sorgaab)] phyto-stimulants in improving growth and productivity of quinoa (cultivar UAF-Q7). Hydrogen peroxide at 100 μM, ascorbic acid at 500 μM, MLE at 3% and sorgaab at 3% were exogenously applied at anthesis stage of quinoa cultivated under normal (November 21st and 19th during 2016 and 2017) and late-sown (December 26th and 25th during 2016 and 2017) conditions. Application of inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants significantly improved biochemical, physiological, growth and yield attributes of quinoa under late sown conditions. The highest improvement in these traits was recorded for MLE. Application of MLE resulted in higher chlorophyll a and b contents, stomatal conductance, and sub-stomatal concentration of CO2 under normal and late-sowing. The highest improvement in soluble phenolics, anthocyanins, free amino acids and proline, and mineral elements in roots, shoot and grains were observed for MLE application. Growth attributes, including plant height, plant fresh weight and panicle length were significantly improved with MLE application as compared to the rest of the treatments. The highest 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant were noted for MLE application under normal and late-sowing. These findings depict that MLE has extensive crop growth promoting potential through improving physiological and biochemical activities. Hence, MLE can be applied to improve growth and productivity of quinoa under normal and late-sown conditions.
Crude extracts of fresh Dendrobium Sonia 'Earsakul' orchid flowers (DSE) were prepared using microwave assisted extraction (MAE; using household microwave oven) and hot water extraction (HWE; at constant 80 °C). The obtained DSEs were measured their absorbance at λmax of 543 and 583 nm and determined their total monomeric anthocyanin contents (TAC). Mathematical models of MAE of Dendrobium Sonia 'Earsakul' orchid flower were constructed using response surface methodology - Box-Behnken design. Studied parameters included flower to water ratio, microwave power, and extraction time, with absorbance at λmax as response. The data generated were 1) visible spectrum (400-700 nm) of DSE; 2) absorbance values at λmax and 3) TAC of DSEs obtained from various extraction conditions of MAE and HWE; 4) linear equations describing correlations between TAC and absorbance at λmax of DSEs; and 5) mathematical models of MAE of Dendrobium Sonia 'Earsakul' orchid.
The terrestrial Ludisia discolor, also referred to as the jewel orchid is prized for
the quality of its leaves. L. discolor is known as a medicinal herb and is touted for its heatand
pathogen-resisting qualities. L. discolor is valuable in the production of both flavonoids
and anthocyanins, antioxidants that are exalted in the health industry. Plant cell cultures
have emerged as alternative sources of anthocyanin production. Plant protoplast cultures
are used frequently in transient gene expression studies and in the establishment of callus
and cell suspension cultures. Benefits of plant protoplast system include similarity to cells
found in plant tissues, reproduction under controlled conditions, and prevention of masking
of stress responses to previous handling techniques. A study was conducted to assess the
amenability of the stem and leaves of L. discolor to protoplast isolation. The stem and leaf
segments were weighed, sliced into thin layers, immersed in a digestion medium, washed
and then cultured onto a recovery medium. Results indicated that the production of plant
protoplasts from L. discolor may be viewed as an alternative in the generation of cell
cultures and ultimately in the production of anthocyanins from the cell cultures.
Antioxidant capacity of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. or ‘ruku’ were determined in this study. Fresh
leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum was subjected to freeze drying, vacuum drying and processed
into fermented and unfermented tea. The samples were extracted using distilled water and the
total phenolics, total flavonoids, condensed tannin content, anthocyanins and total antioxidant
capacity (TAC) were assessed, measured with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)
and 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assays. The results
showed that drying the fresh leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum and processing them into tea leaves
significantly increase (P < 0.05) the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid
content, and condensed tannin content. However, anthocyanins content showed reduction
after drying. In the present study, it can be concluded that the vacuum drying method seem
to produce a product with higher quality of antioxidant properties than freeze drying. Hence,
vacuum drying can be used to replace freeze drying as it is also cheaper than freeze drying.
The plant extract serves not only as a good source of bioactive compounds but also as natural pigment that can be applied as colourants in food and pharmaceutical products. The aim of this study were to determine the anthocyanin content of Garcinia mangostana peel extract (GMPE), Clitoria ternatea extract (CTE) and Syzigium cumini extract (SCE) in relation to their antioxidant activity and their colour properties. The antioxidant activities related to the phenolic constituents including anthocyanin content were determined based on the EC50 of DPPH radical scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. The colour properties of the plant extracts were measured based on their degradation index (DI), indices of polymeric colour (PC) and colour density (CD). GMPE showed higher FRAP value and lower EC50 value which were 79.37 mmoles/g and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively, as compared to SCE extract with FRAP value, 25.66 mmoles/g and EC50 value, 0.22 mg/ml. Total monomeric anthocyanin (tmAcy) exhibited a strong correlation between FRAP assay (r2 = 0.998) and DPPH assay (r2 = 0.859). GMPE showed high CD (1.63 AU), moderate PC (0.18 AU) but low in DI (1.19 AU) while SCE exhibited low in CD (0.55 AU) and PC (0.07 AU) but moderate DI (1.26 AU). CTE exhibited high in DI (5.39 AU) and PC (0.19 AU) but moderate in CD (0.55). Hence, it can be concluded that colour pigment obtained from GMPE exhibited high antioxidant activity and better colour properties as compared to SCE and the strong correlation between tmAcy and two antioxidant activity assays which are FRAP and DPPH indicated that monomeric anthocyanin plays a major role in antioxidant activity of these plant extracts.