Extracts of different polarity of Daphne laureola L. as valuable source of antioxidant and neuroprotective compounds

In this study, Daphne laureola L., an European-Mediterranean species, was investigated for its antioxidant properties using different in vitro bioassays, namely 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Activity Power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching assays. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity using the Ellman’s method was also examined. The aerial parts of D. laureola were subjected to exhaustive and subsequent macerations with solvents at different polarity, such as methanol, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Dichloromethane extract was the most promising in DPPH and FRAP tests with IC50 values of 32.2 μg/mL and 71.5 μM Fe(II)/g, respectively. Methanol extract showed the most promising inhibition of lipid peroxidation evaluated by β-carotene bleaching test with an IC50 value of 6.6 μg/mL after 30 min of incubation. This extract was the most active against AChE (IC50 value of 56.9 μg/mL). An interesting result was obtained against BChE by the n-hexane extract, with an IC50 value of 49.7 μg/mL. In conclusion, the results suggest that D. laureola may provide a substantial source of phytochemicals, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer disease

In vitro and in vivo studies of Cucurbita pepo L. flowers: chemical profile and bioactivity

Edible flowers consumption has increased in recent years due to their rich content of healthy phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical profile of Cucurbita pepo L. flowers, and to explore their antioxidant and hypoglycaemic prop- erties. Moreover, in order to assess in vivo effects, biochemical analysis, Reactive Oxygen Metabolites (d-ROMs) and Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP) tests were performed on mice serum. High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) analyses revealed the presence of (þ)-catechin, ()-epicatechin, rutin, and syringic acid as main constituents. 2,20- Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) tests showed interest- ing results. The extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on a-glucosidase (IC50 of 144.77lg/mL). In vivo results confirmed the hypoglycaemic effects, also affecting lipid metabolism but did not revealed benefits on ROS production. These results may add some information supporting the use of C. pepo flowers as func- tional foods and/or nutraceuticals

Is coffee powder extract a possible functional ingredient useful in food and nutraceutical industries?

The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical content and in vitro bioactivity of ethanolic extracts of Arabica (A) and/or Robusta (R) coffee powder having different geographical origins. For this purpose, total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) content as well as a- and b-tocopherol were quantified. The antioxidant activity was assessed by using a multi-target approach in which the radical scavenging potential, the protection from lipid peroxidation, and the involvement of the iron-reducing mechanism were applied. The carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes’ (a-amylase and a-glucosidase) inhibitory activities were also assessed. Arabica coffee sample (C2-A) showed the highest TPC, TFC, and a-tocopherol content with values of 63.1 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (CAE)/g dry powder, 16.2 mg of quercetin (QE) equivalents/g dry powder, and 5.6 mg/100 g dry powder, respectively. Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), used to statistically integrate results from 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and protection of lipid peroxidation assays, evidenced that sample C4-R derived from Robusta from Guatemala showed the highest antioxidant potential with a value of –0.61. Arabica from Puerto Rico was the most active against a-amylase, whereas the blend Arabica/Robusta sample (C5-A60R40) showed the highest inhibitory activity against a-glucosidase with IC50 values of 120.2 and 134.6 mg/mL, respectively. The results show how the qualitative-quantitative composition of the extracts is strongly associated not only with the variety but also with the geographical origin of the samples

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) leaves and flowers: Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and hypoglycaemic potential

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) leaves and flowers from Italian wild and cultivated populations were herein investigated for their content of carotenoids and tocopherols using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the photodiode array and fluorimeter detectors to assess their functional value. Moreover, aqueous extracts were prepared to explore in vitro bioactivities never tested in this halophyte herb. Thus, chlorogenic acid-enriched sea fennel extracts were evaluated for their major bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, pancreatic lipase, and carbohydrate hydrolase inhibitors. Neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and α- and γ-tocopherols were identified. C. maritimum can be considered a high source of lutein, vitamin A, and vitamin E up to 19.1, 1.85 and 52.81 mg/100 g of dried leaves, respectively. Despite a low TPC content, a promising ABTS+. radical scavenging activity (CON-L-WT, IC50 value of 3.83 μg/mL) and the highest FRAP value were observed in the wild leaves extract of Conero Park of Marche Region. The water extract from the wild Sicilian leaves was the most active against pancreatic lipase. The evidence herein suggests that sea fennel extract might be potentially used in the formulation of nutraceuticals for the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemic conditions

Exploring the Problems Experienced by Learners in a MOOC Implementing Active Learning Pedagogies

Although Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been reported as an effective educational tool offering numerous opportunities in online learning, the high dropout rates and the lack of learners' motivation are factors concerning researchers and instructors. The one-size-fits-all instructional approach that most courses follow, failing to address the individual needs of learners, has been seen as their weakest point. Recent efforts focus on the inclusion of active learning pedagogies in MOOCs to stimulate the interaction among the participants and to keep them engaged. However, taking into account that in these massive contexts the learners face several issues while trying to keep up with the course, the incorporation of active learning strategies may introduce additional problems to the learning process. This study explores the problems that learners experienced in a MOOC implementing collaboration and gamification strategies. As the results reveal, the introduction of collaborative learning activities can generate additional problems to learners and for that reason, a careful design and a proper scaffolding is needed in an early stage to overcome the problems that will occur. No significant problems were reported regarding the implementation of gamification elements

Industrial upcycling of almond skin through production of novel brioches

The global sustainability policy emphasizes reusing of agri-food waste and by-products to enhance food bioactive properties. Thus, brioches were processed incorporating almond skin powder (ASP): control (CTR), without ASP addition; 5-ASP, with 5% (w/w) ASP; and 10-ASP, with 10% (w/w) ASP. Seven different brioches shapes were obtained for each recipe. Flavonoids were mainly detected in Tuono almond skin by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMSMS), in particular, flavan-3-ol monomers. The ethanolic extract of Tuono almond skins contained polar lipids (oxylipins and phospholipids). Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified six major fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (48.01%). Photothermal degradation impact on bioactive compounds was evaluated using a first-order kinetic model. Antioxidant activity was studied using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and β-carotene bleaching test. α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory effect were also tested. The acidification of the doughs was consistent across all trials. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast levels increased. Importantly, the final products were free from undesirable microorganisms. The addition of ASP led to reduced weight loss and specific volume for all seven brioche types. Furthermore, the firmness, crumb structure, and sensory profile of the final products were noticeably influenced. Tasters clearly favoured the Treccina brioches. The production of sweet leavened baked goods was carried out in triplicate in two independent experiments. The statistical model applied to the data considered the effects of brioche shape and the addition of ASP. Kinetic data revealed that the half-life extension for both total phenol and flavonoid content was observed in the 10-ASP sample (18.00382). 10-ASP sample exhibited promising ABTS radical scavenging activity, with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values of 18.64 mg/mL after 9 days of photothermal degradation. Moreover, when testing 10-ASP Treccina against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, the IC50 values were 198.16 and 190.23 μg/mL, respectively, even after 9 days

Studies on the potential antioxidant properties of Senecio stabianus Lacaita (Asteraceae) and its inhibitory activity against carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes

This study showed for the first time the antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties of the methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from Senecio stabianus Lacaita, a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The antioxidant activities were carried out using two different in vitro assays, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and 2,2\u2032-azinobis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) test. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC 50) values of 35.5 and 32.7 \u3bcg mL -1 on DPPH test and ABTS test, respectively. This activity may be related to a good total phenol and flavonoid content. All extracts were also tested for their potential inhibitory activity of \u3b1-amylase and \u3b1-glucosidase digestive enzymes. The n-hexane extract exhibited the highest \u3b1-amylase inhibition with an IC 50 value of 0.21 mg mL -1. Through bioassay-guided fractionation processes seven fractions (A-G) were obtained and tested. Based on the phytochemical analysis, the activity of n-hexane extract may be related to the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes

calabrian extra virgin olive oil from frantoio cultivar chemical composition and health properties

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) plays a crucial role in the Mediterranean diet. Recently, attention has been focused on presence in EVOO of phenolic compounds, phytochemicals characterized by a series of healthy properties. This paper analyzed the phenolic profile, the inhibitory activity against carbohydrate hydrolising enzyme as well as the radical scavenging activity of EVOO obtained from Olea europea L. cv. Frantoio. Samples derived from fruits collected in four different areas: Cariati, Vaccarizzo Albanese, Montalto Uffugo, and Praia a Mare. The phenolic profile obtained by HPLC revealed the presence of hydroxytyrosol (3,4-DHPEA, between 1.2 and 5.3 mg/kg) and p-hydroxyphenylethanol or tyrosol (p-HPEA, between 1.1 and 5.4 mg/kg), as the main components. Secoiridoids and their derivatives were also found in high concentrations (3,4-DHPEA-EDA 50.3-98.4 mg/kg, p-HPEA-EDA 34.6-52.9 mg/kg). All samples showed carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes inhibition. The most promising activity was observed with EVOO from Vaccarizzo Albanese (IC50 of 65.5 and 57.7 µg/ml against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively). The same sample showed the highest antioxidant activity of 45.3 and 56.3 µg/ml against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. This sample was richest in phenols. In conclusion, EVOO has high-level bioactive compounds and a promising antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity

Chemical Composition of and Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme by Senecio samnitum huet

Abstract Extracts of Senecio samnitum Huet and derived methyl ester of chlorogenic acid have been shown to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by using an in vitro bioassay based on the enzymatic cleavage of the chromophore-fluorophore labeled substrate dansyltriglycine into dansylglycine, which is quantitatively measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). GC=MS and NMR identified compounds present within the studied S. samnitum extracts. The most effective fraction was obtained in ethyl acetate, which gave 52.56 AE 0.23% (SD) inhibition at 300 mg=ml. The major constituent of this fraction, the methyl ester of chlorogenic acid, showed significant ACE inhibition of 56.78 AE 0.25% at a concentration of 82.5 mg=ml