Potential of Lignins as Antioxidant Additive in Active Biodegradable Packaging Materials

Lien vers la version éditeur: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10924-013-0570-6Due to their polyphenolic structure lignins bear a number of interesting functional properties, such as antioxidant activity. Natural antioxidants are very much looked for in the aim of protection of light or oxygen sensitive goods and are being used in active packaging. Poly(lactide) (PLA)-lignin films were prepared by twin screw extrusion followed by thermo-compression using two different commercial sources of alkali lignins obtained from gramineous plants. A good dispersion of lignin in the matrix was observed. Mechanical properties of the compounded material were merely diminished and oxygen barrier properties slightly enhanced. The chromatographic study of the lignins revealed that the low molecular weight fraction of both lignins increased during the polymer processing. The migration of low molecular weight compounds in an ethanol/water solution simulating fatty foodstuff was performed and the antioxidant activity of the extract was analysed. It was found that the activity increases with increasing severity of the heat treatment because of the generation of free phenolic monomers during processing. These results open an interesting way for application of lignins as an active compound in packaging materials. Lignins do not impair the mechanical and barrier performance of the polymer and the plastics processing even allows for the generation of active substances

Phenolics extraction from sweet potato peels: modelling and optimization by response surface modelling and artificial neural network

Sweet potato peels (SPP) are a major waste generated during root processing and currently have little commercial value. Phenolics with free radical scavenging activity from SPP may represent a possible added-value product for the food industry. The aqueous extraction of phenolics from SPP was studied using a Central Composite Design with solvent to solid ratio (30-60 mL g(-1)), time (30-90 min) and temperature (25-75 A degrees C) as independent variables. The comparison of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis on extraction modelling and optimising was performed. Temperature and solvent to solid ratio, alone and in interaction, presented a positive effect in TPC, ABTS and DPPH assays. Time was only significant for ABTS assay with a negative influence both as main effect and in interaction with other independent variables. RSM and ANN models predicted the same optimal extraction conditions as 60 mL g(-1) for solvent to solid ratio, 30 min for time and 75 A degrees C for temperature. The obtained responses in the optimized conditions were as follow: 11.87 +/- 0.69 mg GAE g(-1) DM for TPC, 12.91 +/- 0.42 mg TE g(-1) DM for ABTS assay and 46.35 +/- 3.08 mg TE g(-1) DM for DPPH assay. SPP presented similar optimum extraction conditions and phenolic content than peels of potato, tea fruit and bambangan. Predictive models and the optimized extraction conditions offers an opportunity for food processors to generate products with high potential health benefits

Determination of Antiradical Activity, Total Phenolic, and Total Flavonoid Contents of Extracts and Fractions of Langsat (Lansium domesticum Coor.) Seeds

Lansium domesticum Coor. is a fruit species from the Meliaceae family, which is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. Local citizens call it langsat, longkong, or duku and have used it as traditional medicine. The seeds of L. domesticum are used as a fever medicine, its bark is used to treat scorpion sting, and its leaves are used to repel mosquitoes. Because of its various uses, it is necessary to explore the antiradical potential of L. domesticum seeds. This study aims to determine the antiradical potential of L. domesticum seeds extract and fractions by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and to discover compounds that act as antiradical. Lansium domesticum seed powder was macerated with methanol, and then the extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and fractionated by n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The antiradical assay was conducted on extract and fractions by using DPPH radicals. Phenolic and flavonoid contents from extract and fractions were also tested. The ethyl acetate fraction obtained strong antiradical potential with an IC50 value of 8.938 ± 0.031 µg/mL. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of ethyl acetate fraction were higher with values ​​of 58.25 ± 0.501 mgGAE/g sample and 75.123 ± 0.175 mgQE/g sample, respectively. Correlation of phenolic and flavonoid contents, which inhibited radicals had R2 values ​​of 0.9182 and 0.7658. Ethyl acetate fraction of L. domesticum seeds had very strong antiradical activity. Further isolation is expected to be conducted to discover which compounds are the most responsible as antiradical

Determination of Safety Indicators in the Developed Muffins with Non-traditional Raw Materials

The aim of research is studying the effect of unconventional raw materials (buckwheat, oatmeal, rye, corn, milk whey, skimmed milk powder, propolis, flower pollen, bean powder, sesame oil, pumpkin seed oil, walnut oil, walnut kernels, candied fruit mixes (apple-cherry fruits of bilberries, natural honey with floral pollen, natural honey with propolis) for the quality and safety of new muffins. The article analyzes the results of the study of the quality and safety indicators of muffins of improved composition, manufactured using non-traditional raw materials. For the preparation of new types of muffins, part of the wheat flour was replaced with buckwheat, corn, oat, milk whey, skimmed milk powder and additives of vegetable origin. Margarine has been replaced by vegetable oils. It has been established that flour confectionery products have high organoleptic properties. From the physico-chemical parameters, the mass fraction of total sugar was determined, which ranged from 28.17 % to 33.07 %, the mass fraction of fat – 16.2–20.66 %, the mass fraction of moisture – 18.0–22.0, mass fraction of ash – 0.03–1.3 %, alkalinity – 0.03–1.8°, the content of toxic elements (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury) and microbiological indicators were also determined. Based on the data obtained as a research result, the expediency of using non-traditional raw materials to expand the range of flour confectionery products, in particular muffins is substantiated

Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters of albino Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats for 16 days. The extract did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). The concentration of the platelets was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 1000 mg/kg body weight, while white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased at 500 mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT, total protein, glucose and creatinine while urea was significantly increased. While the extract significantly increased the lung, brain and liver-body weights, the kidney, heart, testis, spleen and epididymis-body weights were not significantly affected. The result suggests that the leaf extract of C. albidum contains antiplatelet and hypoglycemic properties and exhibited selective organ toxicity to the rats

Acantholippia salsoloides : Phytochemical Composition and Biological Potential of a Thujonic Population

Acantholippia salsoloides (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant widespread in the Andean region. The infusion (leaves and flowers) is widely used as a digestive stimulant as well as for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. A. salsoloides attributes its common name “rica-rica” to the fresh and sweet fragrance of the plant. In this work, 2 different polar extracts and the essential oil of a selected rica-rica population were studied. The phenolic composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector; the essential oil profile was determined by gas-chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection. For all extracts, the antibacterial potential was performed by in vitro assays; the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition were determined in decoction and hydroethanolic extracts. The volatile profile allowed the identification of 26 volatile compounds, β-thujone (84%) being the major one in this rica-rica population. Eighteen phenolic compounds were identified; isoferulic acid (16%-18%) and cynaroside (45%-47%) were the larger ones. In a general way, the hydroethanolic extract was more active against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus (minimum inhibitory concentrations= 0.3- 1.3 mg/mL). Both polar extracts have strong antiradical activities although decoction extract proved to be more active against DPPH· (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] =36 µg/mL) and O2•− (IC50 =28 µg/mL) while hydroethanolic extract shows higher action over α-glucosidase (IC50 =217 µg/mL). The results suggest that A. salsoloides leaves and flowers may be an interesting source of natural antioxidants, antidiabetics, or antimicrobials, and could be used in dietary supplements, medicinal products and pharmaceutical formulations.Fil: Celaya, Liliana Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Viturro, Carmen Ines. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Luís R.. Universidade da Beira Interior; Portuga

Antioxidant, antifungal, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic activities of Mentha spp. essential oils

Since ancient times, plants have been used to preserve food, or for their health properties. Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds that are obtained from botanical material, specifically from aromatic plants. Lamiaceae is one of the most important families in the production of essential oils, as it has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The essential oils of Mentha (the Lamiaceae family) have been extensively studied for their biological actions. In this review, we report the antioxidant, antifungal, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic properties of Mentha spp. essential oils. The first objective is to provide comprehensive information about the use of essential oils in the treatment of fungal infections, or as antioxidants and integrative anticancer therapy. The second is to explore the evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating diseases without causing any serious adverse reactions