Fatty acids and triacylglycerols composition from Tunisian Acacia species seed oil

AbstractRecently, plant seeds that have not been enough explored and exploited are cheap sources of a lot of natural molecules for industrial applications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate for the first time the composition of fatty acids and triacylglycerols (TAG) of mature unexploited seeds of some Acacia species (Acacia cyclops, Acacia ligulata and Acacia salicina) harvested in Tunisia in order to reveal their potential for human consumption.Results showed that, Acacia seed oils were mainly unsaturated (more than 71%). The polyunsaturated fatty acids were the major fractions (52–68%) with the linoleic acid as the major fatty acid (more than 52%), followed by oleic acid (15–27%) as monounsaturated fatty acid. The TAG composition was significantly different among the three Acacia species. PLL, PLO, LnLO, OLL, OOL, and OOO were the major forms. Acacia seed oil could be used as potential source of oil with high industrial value; nevertheless in vivo tests are essential to confirm its safety before use

Combined anti-ages and antioxidant activities of different solvent extracts of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav (Solanacea) fruits during ripening and related to their phytochemical compositions

Oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known as key factors for the development of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, cataract as well as atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s diseases. In this context, natural products have been previously identified as promising sources for antioxidant and anti-glycation compounds. The current study focuses on the evaluation of antioxidant and glycation inhibitory activities of different solvent extracts of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav (Solanaceae) fruits at different ripening stages. The results showed that antioxidant and anti-AGEs activities were significantly influenced by solvents polarities and ripening stages of S. elaeagnifolium Cav. With one exception, methanolic extract of overripe S. elaeagnifolium Cav fruit showed important protective effects against cellular oxidative stress. The aqueous extract showed the highest ABTS+ scavenging ability. Principal component analysis showed that total phenolic and flavonoid contents correlated well with observed antioxidants and anti-glycation activities. These results bring attention to the possible use of S. elaeagnifolium Cav as a valuable source of bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant effects and potentially alleviating diabetic complications

High-fat diet-induced aggravation of cardiovascular impairment in permethrin-treated Wistar rats.

This study characterized the impact of post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD) and/or permethrin (PER) treatment on heart dysfunction and fibrosis, as well as atherogenic risk, in rats by investigating interactions between HFD and PER. Our results revealed that HFD and/or PER induced remarkable cardiotoxicity by promoting cardiac injury, biomarker leakage into the plasma and altering heart rate and electrocardiogram pattern, as well as plasma ion levels. HFD and/or PER increased plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels but significantly reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Cardiac content of peroxidation malonaldehyde, protein carbonyls, and reactive oxygen species were remarkably elevated, while glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were inhibited in animals receiving a HFD and/or PER. Furthermore, cardiac DNA fragmentation and upregulation of Bax and caspase-3 gene expression supported the ability of HFD and/or PER to induce apoptosis and inflammation in rat hearts. High cardiac TGF-β1 expression explained the profibrotic effects of PER either with the standard diet or HFD. Masson's Trichrome staining clearly demonstrated that HFD and PER could cause cardiac fibrosis. Additionally, increased oxidized LDL and the presence of several lipid droplets in arterial tissues highlighted the atherogenic effects of HFD and/or PER in rats. Such PER-induced cardiac and vascular dysfunctions were aggravated by and associated with a HFD, implying that obese individuals may be more vulnerable to PER exposure. Collectively, post-weaning exposure to HFD and/or PER may promote heart failure and fibrosis, demonstrating the pleiotropic effects of exposure to environmental factors early in life

A contribution in EDM simulation field

International audienc

Antioxidant Capacities of Phenolic Compounds and Tocopherols from Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Fruits

International audienceThis article aims to determine the phenolic, tocopherol contents, and antioxidant capacities from fruits (juices, peels, and seed oils) of 6 Tunisian pomegranate ecotypes. Total anthocyanins were determined by a differential pH method. Hydrolyzable tannins were determined with potassium iodate. The tocopherol (alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol) contents were, respectively, 165.77, 107.38, and 27.29 mg/100 g from dry seed. Four phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in pomegranate peel and pulp using the high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method: 2 hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and ellagic acids) and 2 hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids). Juice, peel, and seed oil antioxidants were confirmed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The highest values were recorded in peels with 25.63 mmol trolox equivalent/100 g and 22.08 mmol TE/100 g for FRAP and ORAC assay, respectively. Results showed that the antioxidant potency of pomegranate extracts was correlated with their phenolic compound content. In particular, the highest correlation was reported in peels. High correlations were also found between peel hydroxybenzoic acids and FRAP ORAC antioxidant capacities. Identified tocopherols seem to contribute in major part to the antioxidant activity of seed oil. The results implied that bioactive compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food

Minor lipid components of some <it>Acacia</it> species: potential dietary health benefits of the unexploited seeds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oilseed samples from four <it>Acacia</it> species ( <it>A. cyclops</it>, <it>A. ligulata</it>, <it>A. salicina</it> and <it>A. cyanophylla</it>) were analyzed in order to evaluate the potential nutritional value of their unexploited seeds.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Samples were collected from different Tunisian geographic locations. Seed oils were extracted and carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols were analyzed using chromatographic methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The studied <it>Acacia</it> seeds seem to be quite rich in lipids (from 6% to 12%). All <it>Acacia</it> species contain mainly the xanthophylls zeaxanthin and lutein compounds: from ca. 38 mg.kg^-1 of total lipids (<it>A. cyclops)</it> to ca. 113 mg.kg^-1 of total lipids <it>(A. cyanophylla)</it>. Total tocopherols varied from ca. 221 mg.kg^-1 of total lipids (<it>A. cyclops</it>) to ca. 808 mg.kg^-1 of total lipids (<it>A. ligulata</it>). Sterols are highly present and their contents ranged between ca. 7 g. kg^-1 of total lipids (<it>A. salicina</it>) and 11 g. kg^-1 of total lipids (<it>A. cyclops</it>).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study highlights that these unexploited seeds might have a potential nutritional value and encourages researchers to more explore and find developments for these plants for healthy purposes.</p

Onosma polyanthavs.Onosma mollis: Analysis of Phenolic Compounds Using Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity

To our knowledge, this is the first work on the influence of species upon the bioactive molecules, antioxidant properties, and enzyme inhibitory capacities against tyrosinase and alpha-amylase ofOnosma polyanthaandO. mollis. The levels of phenolic compounds were from 6.55 to 10.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. The concentrations of total flavonoids varied from 2.71 to 10.78 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract. Twenty-five compounds were quantified via liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Significant differences were found between the two species. Chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, hesperidin, and luteolin 7-glucoside were the major compounds in both species. Four antioxidant assays together with two enzyme tests confirmed thatO. polyanthaandO. mollisextracts exhibited remarkable antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory capacities. Statistical analyses confirmed that the biological activities depend on the synergism between phenolic compounds and radicals. The results proposedO. polyanthaandO. mollisspecies as potential sources of bioactive compounds for industrial application

Allelopathic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Eucalyptus occidentalis, Acacia ampliceps and Prosopis juliflora on the Germination of Three Cultivated Species

This study concerns the effect of the aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus occidentalis, Acacia ampliceps and Prosopis juliflora on the germination of three species frequently cultivated in the South of Tunisia: Barley (Hordeum vulgare), annual lucerne (Medicago sativa) and jew's mallow (Corchorus olitorius). Aqueous extracts were obtained after a maceration of the dry plant material in distilled water (90 g/l) during 48 h at 60°C. The extraction was made from three vegetative organs (roots, twigs and leaves) for each species. The results showed a variable behavior between the species according to the origin of the extract. Barley is the most sensitive species, showing decrease of germination rate essentially with the leaf extracts of P. juliflora (52.5 ± 15.86%), E. occidentalis (61.5 ± 7.89%) and A. ampliceps (65.5 ± 5.7%). The annual lucerne showed a moderate tolerance; its germination rate was 76 ± 11.61, 81.5 ± 5.74 and 96 ± 2.82%, respectively, for the leaf extracts of A. ampliceps, E. occidentalis and P. juliflora. C. olitorius was found to be the most tolerant species to all extracts; only leaf extracts of E. occidentalis resulted in a lower germination than the control; it was 90 ± 4.32%. The extracts of the studied species affected the root system length; a reduction of the length was essentially observed for M. sativa and C. olitorius

Bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts from different plant parts of two Ziziphus Mill. species.

Ziziphus lotus L. (Lam.) and Z. mauritiana Lam., as a widespread species in Tunisia, are well known for their medicinal and food uses. The aim of the present study was to screen the content of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins together with the radical scavenging capacity and the antimicrobial activity of leaves, fruits and seeds extracts of Z. lotus and Z. mauritiana from different localities. Results showed that leaves extracts presented the highest phenolic compounds content for both species. Furthermore, LC-ESI-MS analysis allowed the identification of 28 bioactive compounds regardless of species and organs, with the predominance of quinic acid and rutin. Leaves extract of Z. mauritiana possessed the highest total antioxidant capacity. The antimicrobial tests showed that leaves extracts of Z. mauritiana and Z. lotus from Oued Esseder exhibited the highest activity against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli). The main results showed that the studied species of Ziziphus genus are an excellent source of natural bioactive molecules that could be an interesting material for industrial and food purposes