The antioxidant and Flavonoids contents of Althaea officinalis L. flowers based on their color

Objective: There has been a growing interest in finding plants with biological active ingredients for medicinal application. Materials and Methods: Three colors of petals of Althaea officinalis (A. officinalis) flowers, i.e., pink, reddish pink, and white were examined for total antioxidant activity and flavonoids content. Results: The reddish pink flowers of A. officinalis have more antioxidant activity and the power of antioxidant activity was reddish pink > pink > white. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the dark color can serve as an indicator of antioxidant content of the plant. Flavonoid content was highest in white flower thus this result indicated that flowers with light color can be considered for medicinal uses

The effect of flavorings on PAHs level in the roasted sunflower seeds

Abstract The amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be reduced by food additives. In this study, the impact of various flavors was investigated on the formation of PAHs in roasted sunflower seeds. PAHs was measured in the shell and kernel of sunflower with the flavors of lemon, golpar (hogweed), salt, ketchup and raw sunflower. Measuring the amount of PAHs was analyzed by Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). PAHs with low molecular weight were detected. The total of PAHs of sunflower seeds were in the range of 0.4–3.2 mg kg−1. The lowest amount was related to the hogweed kernel, and the highest amount was related to the lemon. High molecular weight PAHs were not detected because the temperature did not rise above 100 °C during roasting. Some flavors, such as hogweed can reduce the amount of PAHs because of their antioxidant properties. On the contrary, the PAHs level with lemon juice was higher than other flavors

Effect of Priming on Germination Traits and Antioxidant Enzymes of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seeds with Different Vigor under Drought Stress

Drought stress is a critical environmental stress that limits the productivity and sustainability of agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions by reducing the germination rate and delaying the start of germination and seedling establishment. There are various methods to increase the yield of agricultural plants, each of which somehow improves the yield of seeds in terms of germination indicators and seedling establishment. One of the most common methods to increase poor seed germination is priming before planting. To investigate the effects of priming on aspects of germination of aged pumpkin seeds under drought stress, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with four replications in the laboratory. Treatments that include seed aging (control, 85% and 75% of control germination), drought stress (0, -0.75 and -1.5 MPa), and priming (control, hydro, gibberellin, GR24, benzyl aminopurine and spermidine). The results of a mean comparison between drought stress, seed ageing and priming showed that the lowest germination percentage (GP) of pumpkin (43.6%), protein (0.82 mg.g-1Fw), radical length (RL, 9.24 mm), plumule length (PL, 1.19 mm), relative water content (RWC, 35.5%), carotenoid (1.253 mg.g-1Fw), catalase (CAT, 7.03 µmol.gmin-1.mgprotein-1), peroxidase (POX, 47.72 µmol.gmin-1.mgprotein-1) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD, 53.48 mmol.gmin-1.mgprotein-1) were associated with drought treatment at -1.5 MPa and with 75% aging in the absence of priming. In addition, the lowest content of malone dialdehyde (MDA, 3.75 mmol.g-1Fw) and proline (1.573 µg.g-1Fw) were obtained from the absence of drought and aging with priming using spermidine. The highest GP (98.03%) and protein (9.54 mg.g-1Fw) were obtained from gibberellin treatment, RL (15.73 mm) and PL (4.26 mm) in priming using GR24 hormone, RWC (83.64%), carotenoid (6.277 mg.g-1Fw), CAT (40.44 µmol.gmin-1.mg protein-1), POX (95.71 µmol.gmin-1.mgprotein-1) and SOD activity (131.68 µmol.gmin-1.mg protein-1) in priming with spermidine with non-drought stress and aging conditions. The highest MDA (32.42 mmol.g-1Fw) and proline (0.55 µg.g-1Fw) were observed in drought conditions with an intensity of -1.5 MPa and 75% aging in the absence of priming

Simple and rapid determination of tartrazine in fake saffron using the metal organic framework (Fe SA MOF@CNF) by HPLC/PDA

Abstract The present study of a novel metal–organic framework containing Fe single atoms doped on electrospun carbon nanofibers (Fe SA-MOF@CNF) based on dispersive micro solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) using HPLC–PDA for detection tartrazine in fake saffron samples was designed. The Fe SA-MOF@CNF sorbent was extensively characterized through various techniques including N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The specific area of surface of the sorbent was 577.384 m2/g. The study variables were optimized via the central composite design (CCD), which included a sorbent mass of 15 mg, a contact time of 6 min, a pH of 7.56, and a tartrazine concentration of 300 ng/ml. Under the optimum condition, the calibration curve of this method was linear in the range of 5–1000 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.992. The LOD and LOQ values were ranged 0.38–0.74 and 1.34–2.42 ng/ml, respectively. This approach revealed significant improvements, including high extraction recovery (98.64), recovery rates (98.43–102.72%), and accuracy (RSDs < 0.75 to 3.6%). the enrichment factors were obtained in the range of 80.6–86.4 with preconcentration factor of 22.3. Consequently, the D-μ-SPE method based on synthesized Fe SA-MOF@CNF could be recommended as a sustainable sorbent for detecting tartrazine in saffron samples

The antioxidant and Flavonoids contents of Althaea officinalis L. flowers based on their color

Objective: There has been a growing interest in finding plants with biological active ingredients for medicinal application. Materials and Methods: Three colors of petals of Althaea officinalis (A. officinalis) flowers, i.e., pink, reddish pink, and white were examined for total antioxidant activity and flavonoids content. Results: The reddish pink flowers of A. officinalis have more antioxidant activity and the power of antioxidant activity was reddish pink > pink > white. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the dark color can serve as an indicator of antioxidant content of the plant. Flavonoid content was highest in white flower thus this result indicated that flowers with light color can be considered for medicinal uses.

Effect of sodium bicarbonate residue on some characteristics of processed meat products

Using sodium bicarbonate (SB) in cooking meat products is a controversial subject. The aim of this study was to estimate an effect of different SB concentrations on the quality characteristics and organoleptic properties of meat in Kubideh Kebab, an Iranian popular meat product. Ground meat was divided into four groups (a, b, c, and d). After that, SB was added in ratio 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 g/kg respectively. A sample without SB was considered as a blank sample. The Kebab samples were prepared and cooked properly at 350°C for 4–6 minutes and at 450°C for 2–4 minutes. A significant difference was observed in the pH values and the cooking loss between the blank sample and those Kebab samples that were cooked at 350°C and 450°C and pre-treated with SB in the amount of 0.25–2.00 g per 1 kg of meat (P < 0.05). The amount of residual bicarbonate ions increased significantly in the cooked Kebab samples at both treatment temperatures in the a-d group in comparison with the blank sample, as well as between the groups (P = 0.00). The organoleptic properties did not change in the a-d groups in comparison with the blank sample

Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects of Water and Ethanolic Extracts of Iranian Pomegranate Seed on Lipid Quality of Trout Fillet and Determining the Level of Perishability at 2-4 ° C

Background and Aims Because of unsaturated fatty acid content, trout and fish products are highly perishable. For this reason, preservatives are used to prevent or delay spoiling during storage. The aim of this study was determination of antioxidant activities of pomegranate seeds extracts on lipid quality of trout fillet stored at 2-4&deg;C. Materials and Methods Prepared fish fillets were divided into two groups. One group was trout fillet without extract (control) and one in pomegranate seeds extracts that were stored in refrigerator for 6 days. Chemical tests such as Peroxide Value (PV), Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) and Free Fatty Acids (FFA) were used to determine perishability of trout fillet. Results The PV, TBA, TVB-N and FFA were significantly (P < 0.05) lowest in the samples treated with ethanolic extracts of pomegranate seeds as compared to control group. (PV = 2.62 meq o2/kg, TBA = 1.26 mg MDA/kg, TVB-N = 22.13 mg/100g and FFA = 1.2 percent Oleic acid). Conclusion The result of this study demonstrated that pomegranate seeds extracts were efficiency to prevent lipid oxidation in trout fillet stored at refrigerator temperature. * Corresponding Author: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health. Email: [email protected]

The health risk assessment of heavy metals in vegetables grown in Babol city, north of Iran

Objectives: Contamination of vegetables with heavy metals through contaminated water can lead to accumulation in the body of consumers. This study aimed to determine the heavy metal concentration in vegetables grown in Babol city, Iran.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 32 samples of vegetables (parsley, spinach, basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, and beans) by random sampling in the harvest season of 2021. Heavy metal content was assessed by atomic absorption.Results: The highest mean concentration of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead in tested samples was 12.86, 68.67, 1.93, and 0.48 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively, which found in parsley and spinach samples. There was a significant difference between the mean concentrations of copper, zinc and lead among different vegetables (P <0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the case of cadmium. The highest risk of non-cancerous diseases (HQ) for Zn in parsley and spinach were higher than threshold value of 1, and the main exposure pathway of heavy metals is ingestion.Conclusion: This study showed that the main part of heavy metal accumulation occurs in leafy vegetables. Therefore, consuming leafy vegetables should be paid more attention to the vegetables grown around industrial areas

Determination and risk assessment of aflatoxin B1 in the kernel of imported raw hazelnuts from Eastern Azerbaijan Province of Iran

Abstract Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is widespread and seriously threatens public health worldwide. This study aimed to investigate AFB1 in imported hazelnut samples in northwest of Iran (Eastern Azerbaijan Province) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Fluorescent Detector (HPLC-FLD). In all tested samples AFB1 was detected. The mean concentration of AFB1 was 4.20 μg/kg and ranged from 3.145 to 8.13 μg/kg. All samples contained AFB1 levels within the maximum acceptable limit except for one sample. Furthermore, the human health risk assessment of AFB1 from consuming imported hazelnuts by Iranian children and adults was evaluated based on the margin of exposure (MoE) and quantitative liver cancer risk approaches. The MoE mean for children was 2529.76, while for adults, it was 8854.16, indicating a public health concern. The present study found that the risk of developing liver cancer among Iranian children was 0.11100736 per 100,000 people, and in the Iranian adult population was 0.0314496 cancers per 100,000 people. Since environmental conditions potentially affect aflatoxin levels in nuts, countries are advised to monitor aflatoxin contents in imported nuts, especially from countries with a conducive climate for mold growth