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Fulltext Effect of dragon fruit extract on oxidative stress and aortic stiffness in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Anand Swarup KR, Sattar MA, Abdullah NA, Abdulla MH, Salman IM, Rathore HA, et al.

Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Jan;2(1):31-5.
PMID: 21808536 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.60582

Cardiovascular complications are consistently observed in diabetic patients across all age groups. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of the fruit pulp of Hylocereus undatus (DFE) on aortic stiffness and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Twenty-four male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: I (control), II (diabetic), III (DFE, 250 mg/kg) and IV (DFE 500 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced in groups II, III and IV by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ (40 mg/kg). After confirmation of diabetes, group III and IV received DFE for 5 weeks. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used as a marker of aortic stiffness and was determined at the end of 5 weeks. DFE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, but not to normal levels. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and PWV were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in diabetic rats at the end of 5 weeks in comparison with control group. DFE treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) these elevations. Oxidative damage was observed in group II after 5 weeks. Plasma malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased (P < 0.05) with DFE treatment in comparison with group II. These data demonstrate that DFE treatment was effective in controlling oxidative damage and decreasing the aortic stiffness measured by PWV in STZ-induced diabetes in rats.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Fulltext Palladium nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide sheets synthesized using Ficus carica fruit extract: A catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

Anasdass JR, Kannaiyan P, Raghavachary R, Gopinath SCB, Chen Y

PLoS One, 2018;13(2):e0193281.
PMID: 29466453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193281

We present a biogenic method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticle (PdNP)-modified by reducing graphene oxide sheets (rGO) in a one-pot strategy using Ficus carica fruit juice as the reducing agent. The synthesized material was well characterized by morphological and structural analyses, including, Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that the PdNP modified GO are spherical in shape and estimated to be a dimension of ~0.16 nm. The PdNP/graphene exhibits a great catalytic activity in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions for the synthesis of biaryl compounds with various substrates under both aqueous and aerobic conditions. The catalyst can be recovered easily and is suitable for repeated use because it retains its original catalytic activity. The PdNP/rGO catalyst synthesized by an eco-friendly protocol was used for the Suzuki coupling reactions. The method offers a mild and effective substitute to the existing methods and may significantly contribute to green chemistry.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry*
Fulltext Development of an amperometric-based glucose biosensor to measure the glucose content of fruit

Ang LF, Por LY, Yam MF

PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0111859.
PMID: 25789757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111859

An amperometric enzyme-electrode was introduced where glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on chitosan membrane via crosslinking, and then fastened on a platinum working electrode. The immobilized enzyme showed relatively high retention activity. The activity of the immobilized enzyme was influenced by its loading, being suppressed when more than 0.6 mg enzyme was used in the immobilization. The biosensor showing the highest response to glucose utilized 0.21 ml/cm2 thick chitosan membrane. The optimum experimental conditions for the biosensors in analysing glucose dissolved in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) were found to be 35°C and 0.6 V applied potential. The introduced biosensor reached a steady-state current at 60 s. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant ([Formula: see text]) of the biosensor was 14.2350 mM, and its detection limit was 0.05 mM at s/n > 3, determined experimentally. The RSD of repeatability and reproducibility of the biosensor were 2.30% and 3.70%, respectively. The biosensor was showed good stability; it retained ~36% of initial activity after two months of investigation. The performance of the biosensors was evaluated by determining the glucose content in fruit homogenates. Their accuracy was compared to that of a commercial glucose assay kit. There was no significance different between two methods, indicating the introduced biosensor is reliable.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry*
Fulltext A workplace email-linked website intervention for modifying cancer-related dietary and lifestyle risk factors: rationale, design and baseline findings

Ang YK, Mirnalini K, Zalilah MS

Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):37-51.
PMID: 24800383 MyJurnal

Introduction: The use of email and website as channels for workplace health
information delivery is not fully explored. This study aims to describe the
rationale, design, and baseline findings of an email-linked website intervention
to improve modifiable cancer risk factors. Methods: Employees of a Malaysian
public university were recruited by systematic random sampling and randomised
into an intervention (n=174) or control group (n=165). A website was developed
for the intervention and educational modules were uploaded onto the website.
The intervention group received ten consecutive weekly emails with hypertext
links to the website for downloading the modules and two individual phone
calls as motivational support whilst the control group received none. Diet,
lifestyle, anthropometric measurements, psychosocial factors and stages of change
related to dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were
assessed. Results: Participants were predominantly female and in non-academic
positions. Obesity was prevalent in 15% and 37% were at risk of co-morbidities.
Mean intake of fats was 31%, fruit was ~1 serving/day and vegetable was <1
serving/day. Less than 20% smoked and drank alcohol and about 40% were
physically inactive. The majority of the participants fell into the Preparation
stage for decreasing fat intake, eating more fruit and vegetables, and increasing
physical activity. Self-efficacy and perceived benefits were lowest among participants in the Precontemplation/Contemplation stage compared to the Preparation
and Action/Maintenance stages. Conclusion: Baseline data show that dietary and
lifestyle practices among the employees did not meet the international guidelines
for cancer prevention. Hence the findings warrant the intervention planned.
Keywords: Cancer, risk factors, email, website, worksite

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Fulltext Physicochemical characteristics and sensorial properties of dry noodle supplemented with unripe banana flour

Anggraeni, R., Saputra, D.

Food Research, 2018;2(3):270-278.
MyJurnal

Banana is a type of fruit that grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as Indonesia,
Malaysia, Africa (Madagascar), South America and also central America. Indonesia
itself is the largest banana producing country in Asia because 50% of the production of
banana Asia is produced by Indonesia. This fruit is consumed in the form of fresh (fresh
fruit) because it tastes good. In addition, bananas can be processed into banana chips and
banana butter, but still, a few who processed it into another durable product. Banana
flour has been processed into various types of food, including made into bread, baby
food, pancakes, pastries, dry noodles, and pasta. This study aimed to utilize unripe
bananas into dried noodle food products and evaluate their chemical, physical and
sensory contents. This research was divided into 4 stages, namely the production of
banana flour, the characterization of banana flour, the manufacture of dry noodle
substitution of banana flour and the characterization and sensory analysis of banana flour
substitution noodles. The results showed that unripe banana flour contains 12.91%
moisture content, 0.46% fat content, 1.02% ash content, 4.45% protein content 4.45%,
81.15% carbohydrate content and 2.75% food fiber (dry basis). The resulting unripe
banana flour was then applied as a substance of flour substitution in the manufacture of
noodles. The results showed that noodles that had the same acceptance as control were
noodles containing 10% and 30% unripe banana flour.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Pandanus tectorius fruit extract promotes Hsp70 accumulation, immune-related genes expression and Vibrio parahaemolyticus tolerance in the white-leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Anirudhan A, Okomoda VT, Mimi Iryani MT, Andriani Y, Abd Wahid ME, Tan MP, et al.

Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2021 Feb;109:97-105.
PMID: 33352338 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.12.011

Plants and herbal extracts are indispensable for controlling the spread of disease-causing bacteria, including those that infect aquatic organisms used in aquaculture. The use of plant or herbal extract is expected to be safe for aquatic animals and less harmful to the environment, as opposed to conventional therapeutic alternatives such as antibiotics that promote the occurrence of potential antibiotic-resistant bacteria when used improperly. The efficacy of Pandanus tectorius fruit extract in the regulation of Hsp70 expression, pro-phenoloxidase (ProPO), peroxinectin, penaeidin, crustin and transglutaminase, all immune peptides essential for Vibrio tolerance in white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, was investigated in this study, which included the determination of the safety levels of the extract. Tolerance of shrimp against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a pathogenic bacteria that causes Acute Hepatopancreas Necrosis Disease (AHPND), was assessed on the basis of median lethal dose challenge survival (LD50 = 106 cells/ml). Mortality was not observed 24 h after exposure of 0.5-6 g/L of the fruit extract, indicating that P. tectorius was not toxic to shrimp at these concentrations. A 24-h incubation of 2-6 g/L of the fruit extract increased shrimp tolerance to V. parahaemolyticus, with survival doubled when the maximum dose tested in this study was used. Concomitant with a rise in survival was the increase in immune-related proteins, with Hsp70, ProPO, peroxinectin, penaeidin, crustin and transglutaminase increased 10, 11, 11, 0.4, 8 and 13-fold respectively. Histological examination of the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues of Vibrio-infected shrimp primed with P. tectorius extract revealed reduced signs of histopathological degeneration, possibly due to the accumulation of Hsp70, a molecular chaperone crucial to cellular protein folding, tissue repair and immune response of living organisms, including Penaeid shrimp.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry
Fulltext Phytochemical and Therapeutic Potential of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck: A Review

Anmol RJ, Marium S, Hiew FT, Han WC, Kwan LK, Wong AKY, et al.

J Evid Based Integr Med, 2021 10 19;26:2515690X211043741.
PMID: 34657477 DOI: 10.1177/2515690X211043741

Citrus grandis or Citrus maxima, widely recognized as Pomelo is widely cultivated in many countries because of their large amounts of functional, nutraceutical and biological activities. In traditional medicine, various parts of this plant including leaf, pulp and peel are used for generations as they are scientifically proven to have therapeutic potentials and safe for human use. The main objective of this study was to review the different therapeutic applications of Citrus grandis and the phytochemicals associated with its medicinal values. In this article different pharmacological properties like antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiepileptic, stomach tonic, cardiac stimulant, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-diabetic activities of the plant are highlighted. The enrichment of the fruit with flavonoids, polyphenols, coumarins, limonoids, acridone alkaloids, essential oils and vitamins mainly helps in exhibiting the pharmacological activities within the body. The vitamins enriched fruit is rich in nutritional value and also has minerals like calcium, phosphorous, sodium and potassium, which helps in maintaining the proper health and growth of the bones as well as the electrolyte balance of the body. To conclude, various potential therapeutic effects of Citrus grandis have been demonstrated in recent literature. Further studies on various parts of fruit, including pulp, peel, leaf, seed and it essential oil could unveil additional pharmacological activities which can be beneficial to the mankind.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Fulltext Influence of sonication treatments and extraction solvents on the phenolics and antioxidants in star fruits

Annegowda HV, Bhat R, Min-Tze L, Karim AA, Mansor SM

J Food Sci Technol, 2012 Aug;49(4):510-4.
PMID: 23904662 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-011-0435-8

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of sonication treatments (time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min.) on phenolics and other antioxidant compounds in starfruits extracted in methanol and water. Overall, methanolic extracts exhibited significantly higher extractability, percentage inhibition of DPPH radicals, ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) value, antioxidant capacity, flavonoids, total phenolics and tannins (p

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Potential use of durian fruit (Durio zibenthinus Linn) as an adjunct to treat infertility in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Ansari RM

J Integr Med, 2016 Jan;14(1):22-8.
PMID: 26778225 DOI: 10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60240-6

Infertility due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a worldwide problem that is increasing at alarming rates. Insulin resistance, the prime factor of PCOS, induces comorbid metabolic syndrome as well. Durian (Durio zibenthinus Linn), a fruit of Southeast Asia, is used as a natural supplement in healthy diets. This paper is a short literature review that examines the fruit's effects against various components of metabolic syndrome and its fertility-enhancing properties in PCOS. Various published literature was reviewed to learn of the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, anticholesterol, and antihypoglycaemic nature of the fruit. The literature search was done using PubMed, Google Scholar and library databases. The keywords used were polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, metabolic syndrome and Durian zibenthinus Linn. Reviewed studies showed that the fruit is effective against various components of metabolic syndrome, but the mechanisms of action against anovulation and menstrual disturbances in PCOS have yet to be studied. The traditional use of durian as a fertility-enhancing agent needs to be validated scientifically by isolating its various components and ascertaining its fertility enhancing properties.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Fulltext Optimization of extraction parameters by using response surface methodology, purification, and identification of anthocyanin pigments in Melastoma malabathricum fruit

Anuar N, Mohd Adnan AF, Saat N, Aziz N, Mat Taha R

ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:810547.
PMID: 24174918 DOI: 10.1155/2013/810547

Anthocyanins not just have various benefits in food industry but also have been used as natural colourants in cosmetic, coating products and as potential natural photosensitizers in solar cell. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to obtain information on the maximum yield of anthocyanin that can be recovered from Melastoma malabathricum fruit. Factors such as extraction temperature, extraction time, and solid to liquid ratio were identified to be significantly affecting anthocyanin extraction efficiency. By using three-level three-factor Box-Behnken design, the optimized conditions for anthocyanin extraction by acidified methanol (R (2) = 0.972) were temperature of 60°C, time of 86.82 min, and 0.5 : 35 (g/mL) solid to liquid ratio while the optimum extraction conditions by acidified ethanol (R (2) = 0.954) were temperature of 60°C, time of 120 min, and 0.5 : 23.06 (g/mL) solid to liquid ratio. The crude anthocyanin extract was further purified by using Amberlite XAD-7 and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Identification of anthocyanins revealed the presence of cyanidin dihexoside, cyanidin hexoside, and delphinidin hexoside as the main anthocyanins in M. malabathricum fruit.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry*
Fulltext Soil-transmitted helminth infections and associated risk factors in three Orang Asli tribes in Peninsular Malaysia

Anuar TS, Salleh FM, Moktar N

Sci Rep, 2014;4:4101.
PMID: 24525479 DOI: 10.1038/srep04101

Currently, information on prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among different tribes of Orang Asli (aboriginal) is scarce in Malaysia. The present study is a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the factors associated with the prevalence of STH infections among the Proto-Malay, Negrito and Senoi tribes. Faecal samples were collected from 500 participants and socioeconomic data was collected via pre-tested questionnaire. All samples were processed using formalin-ether sedimentation and Wheatley's trichrome staining. Trichuris trichiura (57%) was the most common STH seen among the participants, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (23.8%) and hookworm (7.4%). Trichuriasis and ascariasis showed an age-dependency relationship; significantly higher rates were observed among Senois who aged <15 years. Likewise, Negritos also showed an age-dependency association with ascariasis affecting mainly the under 15 years old individuals. Multivariate logistic regression model indicated the following predictors of trichuriasis among these communities; being aged <15 years, consuming raw vegetables, belonging to a large household members (≥8) and earning low household income (fruits.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/parasitology
Production of bacterial endoglucanase from pretreated oil palm empty fruit bunch by bacillus pumilus EB3

Ariffin H, Hassan MA, Shah UK, Abdullah N, Ghazali FM, Shirai Y

J Biosci Bioeng, 2008 Sep;106(3):231-6.
PMID: 18929997 DOI: 10.1263/jbb.106.231

In this study, endoglucanase was produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) by a locally isolated aerobic bacterium, Bacillus pumilus EB3. The effects of the fermentation parameters such as initial pH, temperature, and nitrogen source on the endoglucanase production were studied using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the carbon source. Endoglucanase from B. pumilus EB3 was maximally secreted at 37 degrees C, initial pH 7.0 with 10 g/l of CMC as carbon source, and 2 g/l of yeast extract as organic nitrogen source. The activity recorded during the fermentation was 0.076 U/ml. The productivity of the enzyme increased twofold when 2 g/l of yeast extract was used as the organic nitrogen supplement as compared to the non-supplemented medium. An interesting finding from this study is that pretreated OPEFB medium showed comparable results to CMC medium in terms of enzyme production with an activity of 0.063 U/ml. As OPEFB is an abundant solid waste at palm oil mills, it has the potential of acting as a substrate in cellulase production.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/microbiology*
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese: salted fish and other dietary exposures

Armstrong RW, Imrey PB, Lye MS, Armstrong MJ, Yu MC, Sani S

Int J Cancer, 1998 Jul 17;77(2):228-35.
PMID: 9650558 DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19980717)77:2<228::AID-IJC

We interviewed 282 histologically confirmed cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Chinese residents of Selangor and the Federal Territory, Malaysia, and an equal number of Chinese age-, sex-, and length-of-residence-matched controls sampled from the general population. Consumption of 55 dietary items during childhood, and 5 years pre-diagnosis of NPC, was analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods. Four salted preserved foods (fish, leafy vegetables, egg and root), fresh pork/beef organ meats and beer and liquor consumption exhibited strong positive associations, and 4 vegetable/fruit combinations strong negative associations with NPC. Factor analysis and multivariable modeling using estimated factor scores strongly supported separate effects on NPC of vegetables/fruits, salted preserved foods, pork/beef organ meats and beer/liquor consumption. Multivariable modeling associated NPC most clearly with high consumption of salted fish, salted eggs, pork/beef liver and beer and low consumption of Chinese flowering cabbage, oranges/tangerines and shrimp. A strong residual association of social class with NPC remained after adjustment for diet, which is consistent with a substantial role for non-dietary environmental factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Development of water-dispersible Dy(III)-based organic framework as a fluorescent and electrochemical probe for quantitative detection of tannic acid in real alcoholic and fruit beverages

Arul P, Nandhini C, Huang ST, Gowthaman NSK

Anal Chim Acta, 2023 Sep 15;1274:341582.
PMID: 37455066 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341582

Tannic acid (TA) is a water-soluble polyphenol and used in beverages, medical fields as clarifying and additive agents. In daily life, TA is unavoidable, and excessive consumption of tannin containing foods can harm health. Thus, rapid and sensitive quantification is highly necessary. Herein, an eco-friendly fluorometric and electrochemical sensing of TA was developed based on a dysprosium(III)-metal-organic framework (Dy(III)-MOF). An aqueous dispersion of Dy(III)-MOF exhibits strong dual emissions at 479 and 572 nm with an excitation at 272 nm, due to the 4f-4f electronic transition and "antenna effect". Chromophore site of the functional ligand, and Dy(III) ion could potentially serve as a sensing probe for TA via quenching (fluorescence). The fluorometric sensor worked well in a wide linear range concentrations from 0.02 to 25 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0053 μM. Secondly, the cyclic voltammetric of TA at Dy(III)-MOF modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) has been investigated. The Dy(III)-MOF/SPCE showed an anodic peak signal at +0.22 V with a five-fold stronger current than the control electrode surface. Under optimized sensing parameters, the Dy(III)-MOF/SPCE delivered wide linear concentrations from 0.01 to 200 μM with a LOD of 0.0023 μM (S/N = 3). Accessibility of real practical samples in alcoholic and juice-based beverages were quantified, resulting in superior recovery rates (98.13-99.53%), F-test, and t-test confirmed high reliability (<95% confidence level (n = 3)). Finally, practicability result of the electrochemical method was validated by fluorometric with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.18-0.46 ± 0.17% (n = 3). The designed probe has proven to be a key candidate for the accurate analysis of TA in beverage samples to ensure food quality.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit*
Effects of Mesua ferrea leaf and fruit extracts on growth and morphology of Staphylococcus aureus

Aruldass CA, Marimuthu MM, Ramanathan S, Mansor SM, Murugaiyah V

Microsc Microanal, 2013 Feb;19(1):254-60.
PMID: 23332129 DOI: 10.1017/S1431927612013785

Mesua ferrea is traditionally used for treating bleeding piles, fever, and renal diseases. It has been reported to have antimircobial activity. In the present study, antibacterial efficacy of leaf and fruit extracts on the growth and morphology of Staphylococcus aureus is evaluated. Both extracts display good antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration of 0.048 mg/mL. Both extracts are bacteriostatic at a minimum bacteriostatic concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. The bacteriostatic activity lasts for 24 h, and then cells start to grow as normal as shown in time-kill analysis. Scanning electron microscopy study indicated potential detrimental effect of the extracts of leaf and fruits of M. ferrea on the morphology of S. aureus. The treatment with the extracts caused extensive lysis of the cells, leakage of intracellular constituents, and aggregation of cytoplasmic contents forming an open meshwork of the matrix.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry
Chemical constituents from the fruit peel of Goniothalamus scortechinii

Aryanti Abdullah, Zuriati Zakaria, Fasihuddin Ahmad, Mat-Salleh K, Laily B. Din

Sains Malaysiana, 2009;38.

The phytochemical investigation on the fruit peel of Goniothalamus scortechinii (Selayar Raja Ubat) obtained from Gunung Stong, Kelantan has resulted in the isolation of five compounds namely pinocembrine, altholactone, goniofufurone, goniotriol and goniopypyrone. Their structures were determined by extensive ultra violet (UV), infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GCMS) analysis.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Acetylation of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber as an adsorbent for removal of crude oil

Asadpour R, Sapari NB, Isa MH, Kakooei S

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Jun;23(12):11740-50.
PMID: 26944428 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6349-2

Removal of oil spillage from the environment is a global concern. Various methods, including the use of fibers as sorbents, have been developed for oil spill control. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber is a plant biomass that may be acetylated by acetic anhydride using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as a catalyst; here, the extent of acetylation may be calculated in terms of weight percent gain (WPG). The modified fiber was used to remove Tapis and Arabian crude oils. The optimum time, temperature, and catalyst concentration were 4 h, 120 °C, and 3 %, respectively, and these parameters could achieve an 11.49 % increase in WPG. The optimized parameters improved the adsorption capacity of OPEFB fibers for crude oil removal. The acetylated OPEFB fibers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy to observe the functional groups available and morphology. Kinetic and isotherm studies were conducted using different contact times and oil/water ratios. The rate of oil sorption onto the OPEFB fibers can be adequately described by the pseudo-second-order equation. Adsorption studies revealed that adsorption of crude oil on treated OPEFB fiber could be best described by the Langmuir isotherm model.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit
Fulltext A scaffolded approach to unearth potential antibacterial components from epicarp of Malaysian Nephelium lappaceum L

Asghar A, Tan YC, Zahoor M, Zainal Abidin SA, Yow YY, Khan E, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 Jul 05;11(1):13859.
PMID: 34226594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92622-0

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance have been of serious concern to human health and the management of bacterial infectious diseases. Effective treatment of these diseases requires the development of novel therapeutics, preferably free of side effects. In this regard, natural products are frequently conceived to be potential alternative sources for novel antibacterial compounds. Herein, we have evaluated the antibacterial activity of the epicarp extracts of the Malaysian cultivar of yellow rambutan fruit (Nephelium lappaceum L.) against six pathogens namely, Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica. Among a series of solvent extracts, fractions of ethyl acetate and acetone have revealed significant activity towards all tested strains. Chemical profiling of these fractions, via HPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS, has generated a library of potentially bioactive compounds. Downstream virtual screening, pharmacological prediction, and receptor-ligand molecular dynamics simulation have eventually unveiled novel potential antibacterial compounds, which can be extracted for medicinal use. We report compounds like catechin, eplerenone and oritin-4-beta-ol to be computationally inhibiting the ATP-binding domain of the chaperone, DnaK of P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Thus, our work follows the objective to propose new antimicrobials capable of perforating the barrier of resistance posed by both the gram positives and the negatives.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry
Processing of coconut sap into sugar syrup using rotary evaporation, microwave, and open-heat evaporation techniques

Asghar MT, Yusof YA, Mokhtar MN, Yaacob ME, Ghazali HM, Varith J, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2020 Aug;100(10):4012-4019.
PMID: 32337729 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10446

BACKGROUND: Coconut sugar has a caramel color with a taste like brown sugar. It is commonly used as natural sweetener. However, coconut sugar has been produced from coconut sap using a traditional method that involves heating the sap at high temperature (>100 °C) in an open pan for a long period (3-5 h). This conventional method results in an over-cooked sugar, which leads to quality deterioration in terms of both its physical and chemical properties. The current study aimed to investigate the processing of coconut sap into sugar syrup using alternative processing techniques such as rotary vacuum evaporation (RE) and microwave evaporation (ME), comparing them with open-heat evaporation (OHE) technique.
RESULTS: Coconut sugar syrup produced by rotary evaporation at 60 °C and 250 mbar vacuum (RE-60) required the shortest production time (12.2 min) and the lowest processing temperature (54.8 °C) when compared with ME (13 min and 103.2 °C) and OHE (46.8 min and 101.6 °C). It also had a light brownish color with a higher L* value (35.17) than the ME (29.84) and OHE (23.84) methods. It was found to contain higher amounts of monosaccharides (fructose and glucose) and lower amounts of disaccharides (sucrose). Furthermore, the amount of energy required for RE-60 (0.35 kWh) was much less than for OHE (0.83 kWh).
CONCLUSION: This study provided an alternative processing method for the sugar processing industry to produce coconut sugar using the rotary evaporation method at 60 °C under 250 mbar vacuum with better physicochemical qualities, shorter processing time, and minimum input energy. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry
Luteolin and apigenin derived glycosides from Alphonsea elliptica abrogate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in human plasma

Attiq A, Jalil J, Husain K, Mohamad HF, Ahmad A

J Ethnopharmacol, 2021 Jul 15;275:114120.
PMID: 33857595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114120

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Numerous Alphonsea species including Alphonsea elliptica (mempisang) leaves and fruits are indigenously used in inflammatory conditions such as postpartum swelling and rheumatism in southeast Asian countries. In our previous in-vitro findings, A. elliptica methanol extract exhibited platelet-activating factor inhibition, suggesting the presence of phyto-constituents with anti-inflammatory potential.
AIM OF THE STUDY: However, so far there is no literature available on the anti-inflammatory activity of this species. Henceforth, based on the above background and our previous laboratory findings, we hypothesize that phytoconstituents of A. elliptica could possess anti-inflammatory potential against inflammatory mediators including prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), cyclooxegenase-2 (COX-2) and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vacuum and column chromatography techniques were employed for the isolation of phytoconstituents. The structure elucidation was carried out using HRESI-MS, 1H and 13C-NMR analysis and compared with the published literature. For cytotoxicity analysis, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against the levels of PGE2, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS: Unprecedentedly, chromatographic purification of methanolic leaves extract afforded five flavones namely vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin, schaftoside with three flavanols; kaempferol, myricetin and rutin from A elliptica. In cell viability analysis, isolates did not present cytotoxicity up to 50 μM. In anti-inflammatory evaluation, orientin and isoorientin exhibited strong (≥70%), while isovitexin and vitexin produced strong to moderate (50-69%) PGE2, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6 inhibition at 25 and 50 μM. Isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, and vitexin showed significant (p

Matched MeSH terms: Fruit

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