Chronic effects of lead on metamorphosis, development of thyroid gland, and skeletal ossification in Bufo gargarizans

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) of essential oil (EO) from Citrus hystrix DC. leaves was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), involving factors of particle size (0.5–1) mm, sample-to-solvent ratio (0.025–0.175) g/mL, extraction temperature (140−180) °C, and extraction time (20−40) minutes. Thus, an optimal EO yield of (2.14 ± 0.03) % (w/w) was obtained at 0.75 mm, 0.025 g/mL, 174 °C, and 29 min. SWE was found to yield significantly higher EO than the conventional hydrodistillation, within a shorter time. The regression model was established, presenting a significant quadratic correlation (R2 = 0.97) and adequate for predictions. SWE at 160 °C and 180 °C yielded 36 compounds, with isopulegol-dominant, exceeding SWE at 140 °C (21 compounds) and hydrodistillation (25 compounds). SWE with tunable temperatures not only improved the quantity of EO but was also capable of enhancing the quality because more EO compounds were extracted, offering diverse functionalities to nutraceutical sectors.

Optimization studies and compositional analysis of subcritical water extraction of essential oil from Citrus hystrix DC. leaves

Sunlight-active phytol-ZnO@TiO2 nanocomposite for photocatalytic water remediation and bacterial-fouling control in aquaculture: A comprehensive study on safety-level assessment.

Medicinal plants have been used since the existence of mankind. Herbal medicines based on traditional medicine endure as primary health care delivery worldwide up today. In addition, natural compounds have been used as either conventional drugs or inspiration model for synthetic drugs. Plants are still good sources for discovering new compounds with therapeutic potential. Diterpenoids, comprising a varied group of secondary metabolites, are isoprene derived compounds consisting of four isoprene units. Diterpenes are classified mainly according to their chemical structure, in terms of the ring number they contain as: acyclic (phytane), monocyclic (retinol—vitamin A), bicyclic (labdane, halimane, clerodane), tricyclic (abietane, pimarane, cassane, rosane, podocarpane, chinane, vouacapane), tetracyclic (kaurane, trachylobane, aphidicolane, stemodane, stemarane, beyerane, atisane, scopadulane, gibberellane), and macrocyclic (polycyclic—cembrane, taxane, daphnane, tigliane, ingenane, jatrophane), and other miscellaneous structures. Diterpenes are mainly analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry; tandem mass spectrometry; diode array detection depending to the structure. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry also can be applied. Natural foods may contain terpenoids, diterpenes, and tetraterpenes as secondary metabolites. Diterpenes have been used in traditional medicine for anticancer, antidiabetic and various other ailments. In this chapter, properties and classification of diterpenes, importance of chromatography in diterpenes analysis, effects of processing in the phytochemicals have been discussed.

Analysis of diterpenes and diterpenoids

Background The activation and recruitment of brown adipose tissue are promising and effective methods for treatment of obesity and related diseases due to its capacity to increase thermogenesis and improve energy metabolism Several functional ingredients have demonstrated to activate brown adipocytes, leading to an increase in energy expenditure Some of the functional ingredients extensively exist in grain, which is the primary resource of staple food in daily life around the world Nowadays, wholegrains are recommended as more healthier foods than refined grains for the higher contents of functional ingredients, such as dietary fibre, polyphenols, and vitamins Scope and approach In this review, we introduce the functional characteristics of thermogenic adipocytes according to recent knowledge and summarize the effects of functional ingredients of wholegrains on the activity of thermogenic adipocytes according to recent findings Additionally, the recommendations for future research on these topics are proposed Key findings and conclusions Many functional ingredients of wholegrains, including phenolic acids, cyanidin-3-glucoside, dietary fibers, zeaxanthin, lutein, phytanic acid, rutin, and octacosanol, positively affect the activity of brown adipocytes and browning of white adipocytes These effects mainly lie in the development, differentiation, and thermogenesis of brown and white adipocytes The precise molecular mechanisms are remains to be further studied, nevertheless the reasonable wholegrain diets are helpful for controlling obesity and energy metabolism This article provides fundamental explanations for the regulation of wholegrains on obesity and novel potential for development of wholegrain functional foods

Functional ingredients present in whole-grain foods as therapeutic tools to counteract obesity: Effects on brown and white adipose tissues

Phytol, a natural linear diterpene fatty alcohol present in the integral part of the chlorophyll is found in copious amounts in the aquatic weed Hydrilla verticillata. It is widely used as a precursor for the manufacture of vitamins E and K and its worldwide demand is 0.1–1.0 metric tons/year. High hydrophobicity of phytol intended its use as a surfactant for various applications. Hence, the main objective of this study is to separate phytol from ethanolic extract of Hydrilla verticillata and to use as an anionic surfactant. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the different functional groups such as amides, alcohol, phenol, phosphorus and halogen compounds in the extract. HPLC fingerprint profile of ethanolic extract of hydrilla showed that phytol, a major phytochemical present in the crude extract. Thin layer chromatography is used to determine the proper solvent system for performing separations using column chromatography and effective separation is achieved with mixture of Toluene: Ethyl Acetate in the ratio 7:3. Column chromatography is done for partial purification of phytol and the fractions are analyzed by UV–Visible spectroscopy. The purified phytol is subjected to sulphonation to convert it into phytol sulphate which is found to possess surfactant activity. The concentration of phytol sulphate is assessed by using Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) assay. Phytol sulphate showed potent disinfectant by its antibacterial activity against E. coli. Since Phytol is from a natural source and is renewable, its availability in abundance with less risk factor can be a great asset to the humankind.

Phytol – A biosurfactant from the aquatic weed Hydrilla verticillata

Nanocomposites have been acknowledged to revolutionize various fields including food science due to their nature-friendly approach, and has gained high-priority in food preservation and safety. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Hydrilla verticillata leaf extract as the reducing agent and nanosilica was prepared from rice husk ash by a simple non-conventional method. The obtained nanosilica was found to be spherical, homogenous, and monodispersed with a diameter range of 11–13.6 nm. The synthesized nanosilica was mixed with reduced silver nanoparticle solution to form silver-silica (Ag–SiO2) nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy obervations showed that the nanocomposite was spherical shape with diameter ranges between 20.1–42.6 nm, and the micrograph also revealed that the AgNPs appear as bright spots over the surface of nanosilica. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results illustrated the formation of Ag–SiO2 nanocomposite by the changes in intensity and appearance of newer absorption prominent bands compared to nanosilica alone. The X-Ray Diffraction of nanocomposite showed three distinct diffraction peaks recorded at 2θ values 27.84o, 32.28o and 46.25° corresponds and confirms the presence of AgNP in Ag–SiO2. The nanocomposite was then formulated with sodium alginate to form a sodium alginate-based nanocomposite edible coating solution. The effect of the application of the nanocomposite formulation on the quality of fresh apple and pear cut-fruits was evaluated for degree of browning, weight loss, total soluble protein, total phenol content, and microbial growth. The results indicated that the formulation is effective and promising for the preservation of fresh-cut fruits.

Synthesis, Characterization of Ag-SiO2 Nanocomposite and Its Application in Food Packaging

Antiosteoporotic effect of Hydrilla verticillata against lead induced damage in bone samples of edible fish Labeo rohita - an FTIR approach.

Lead tops the list of developmental toxicants released by industry into the environment according to Commission for Environmental Corporation. Hydrilla verticillata is an aquatic weed and rich sour...

Hepatotoxic effect of lead and hepatoprotective effect of Hydrilla verticillata on hepatic transcriptional and physiological response in edible fish Labeo rohita.

With increasing population and growing demands for ‘ready-to-consume’ high-quality fresh produce with longer shelf life, development of smart and intelligent food packaging systems has garnered extensive attention. Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide obtained from chitin, the second most abundant natural biopolymer on earth. Chitosan nanoparticles possess excellent physico-chemical, antimicrobial properties and are versatile due to their surface functionality. Though well-established research on chitosan nanocoatings in aquaculture, meat and meat products are in process, the use of nanochitosan edible formulations—films and coatings with the incorporation of essential oils and extracts for the shelf life extension of fruits remain largely unexplored. This review aims to highlight the significance of nanochitosan and its edible films and coating formulations with a particular focus on edible coatings of nanochitosan supplemented with essential oils and plant extracts to encourage more research work to further explore and develop better coatings for the shelf life extension of fresh produce.

S. Pandi Prabha

Papers

Phytol – A biosurfactant from the aquatic weed Hydrilla verticillata

Synthesis, Characterization of Ag-SiO2 Nanocomposite and Its Application in Food Packaging

Antiosteoporotic effect of Hydrilla verticillata against lead induced damage in bone samples of edible fish Labeo rohita - an FTIR approach.

Hepatotoxic effect of lead and hepatoprotective effect of Hydrilla verticillata on hepatic transcriptional and physiological response in edible fish Labeo rohita.

Nanochitosan augmented with essential oils and extracts as an edible antimicrobial coating for the shelf life extension of fresh produce: a review