Spices and herbs are groups of vegetables with important properties for human health and food industries. They are generally consumed in cooked recipes and such treatment may affect the content of vital components such antioxidants. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the cooking temperatures on total phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin C of some spices and herbs used in the locality of Bamenda, Cameroon. Briefly, the most consumed spices and herbs were selected through structured questionnaires administered to individuals involved in their consumption and selling. Thereafter, samples were collected and subjected to different boiling treatments and the levels of the antioxidants (flavonoids, phenols and vitamin C) were determined. Results showed that almost half the participants (48%) used Parsley, Basil, White pepper, Njansa, Mint and African nutmeg mainly for flavoring and medicinal purposes. The cooking temperature of 65°C increased total phenolics and flavonoids in spices (Mint, White pepper, Njangsa and African nutmeg) and herbs (Parsley, Basil) while higher heat treatments (75 and 85°C) lowered the content of these pytochemicals. Boiling of spices or herbs significantly and temperature dependently reduced the vitamin C content in all spice and herb samples with respect to the control raw samples. Summarily, the moderate boiling (65°C) treatment used by the local populations favors release of total phenolics and flavonoids though with some reducing effect on vitamin C.

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of adding olive seed powder (OSP) and eggshell powder (ESP) to whole wheat biscuit formulation on some of the physico-chemical, chemical, textural and sensory properties. Incorporation of powder materials was done by adding to biscuit dough at prespecified concentrations of OSP (7.5% and 15%) and ESP (2.5%) based on total wheat flour. The data obtained from this study revealed that fortification with powder materials affected protein and moisture content of final product. Additionally, adding powder materials to whole wheat biscuit formulation increased the total amount of phenolics and antioxidant activity significantly. Results of instrumental colour analysis indicated that fortification increased darkness and redness when compared with the control. Sensory analysis data indicated that non-fortified and fortified samples provided similar sensory attributes.

To examine polyamines (PAs) effect in modulating the drought induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings (variety Khoibhutta, 8 day seedlings grown in petri dish in incubator) were subjected to 20% PEG (polyethylene glycol) followed by 20 µmol PAs, Putrescine (Put), Spermidine (Spd) and Spermine (Spm) with PEG solution for 48 hours. Sharp decrease in Relative Water Content (RWC), Chl a, Chl b, carotenoid (Car) and total pigment content was observed under drought compared to control condition, while PAs application reversed their decreasing trends. PEG significantly increased Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) [superoxide (O2•−) and H2O2], Methyl Glyoxal (MG), Melondialdehyde (MDA) and Lipoxigenase (LOX) activity, while Pas decreased the contents considerably (except MG) as compared to those under drought. Drought increased proline content, which was further augmented in PA treatments. PAs failed to incline glyoxalase’s (Gly-I and Gly-II) activities, reduced under PEG. The activity and western blot confirmed the accumulation of Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) under drought, but PAs failed to augment the activity. Ascorbic Acid (AsA) and Glutathione (GSH) got oxidized into Dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) under drought but PAs effectively maintained homeostasis. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Monodehydroascorbatereductase (MDHAR), Dehydroascorbatereductase (DHAR), and Glutathione Reductase (GR) inclined in drought stressed seedlings, while Catalase (CAT) activity decreased under drought. PAs addition increased SOD, POD, GPX, CAT, MDHAR, and GR activities, but declined DHAR activity. These findings suggested important role of PAs in increasing tolerance under short term drought by modulating antioxidant effect.

Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that combat oxidative damage in biological entities. An antioxidant achieves this by slowing or preventing the oxidation process that can damage cells in the body. It does this by getting oxidized itself in place of the cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of aqueous and 95% methanol leaf extracts of four herbs viz. Trigonella foenum-graecum L, Murraya koenigii, Coriandrum sativum and Centella asiatica which have frequent use in Indian cuisine. Both aqueous and 95% methanol leaf extracts have shown significant amount reducing power. Both aqueous and 95% methanol leaf extracts of Coriandrum sativum had significant DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 0.21± 0.3 mg/L and 0.176 ± 0.008 mg/L respectively. The aqueous leaf extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum L showed low scavenging activity. Among all the leaf extracts, the aqueous leaf extract of Centella asiatica has exhibited significantly high NO radical scavenging activity (80%) with IC50 value of 0.11 ± 0.17 mg/L. The aqueous leaf extracts of the samples have showed significantly high superoxide radical scavenging activity. The activity was maximum for the aqueous leaf extract of Centella asiatica, IC50 value is 4.36 ± 0.41 mg/L. anti lipid peroxide activities were very high ( 90 %) for aqueous leaf extracts of Coriandrum sativum (IC50 = 0.064 ± 0.85 mg/L) and Centella asiatica (IC50 = 0.066 ± 0.9mg/L) at a concentration of 0.16 mg/L. The aqueous leaf extracts of the samples were found to contain large amounts of flavonoids and phenolic compounds and exhibited high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. These in vitro assays indicate that these plant extracts are significant source of natural antioxidants which might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses.

Response of sunflower germplasms viz. cultivated sunflower H. annuus and two breeding lines H. annuus x T. rotundifolia and H. annuus x V. encelioides developed after wide hybridization were used for identification of drought tolerant sunflower genotypes at the seedling growth stage. Three water stress levels of zero (control), -0.4, and -0.8 MPa were developed using polyethyleneglycol-6000 (PEG-6000). Physiological and biochemical stress determining parameters such as root and shoots length, fresh weight, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPO), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and antioxidant metabolite content (total antioxidant capacity, total phenols and total flavonoids content) were compared between seedlings of all three genotypes. Results revealed that sunflower genotypes have similar responses at two osmotic potentials for shoot and root length and fresh weight. The data also showed that drought stresss could induce oxidative stress, as indicated by the increase level of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase at -04 MPa in H. annuus cv 1114. Although the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase was differentially influenced by drought, the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase subjected to drought stress follow a similar pattern in both breeding lines, indicating that similar defense systems might be involved in the oxidative stress injury in sunflowers. Increase in content of phenols and flavonoids were detected for all three genotypes under stress, which showed that these were major antioxidant metabolites in scavenging cellular H2O2.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of Muscari armeniacum, a plant native to Türkiye, which is known for its bioactive compound content. Ethanol extracts of Muscari armeniacum were prepared and analyzed using a variety of bioanalytical methods to assess its potential health-promoting properties. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated through Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺ reduction capacity, CUPRAC, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Additionally, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined, as these compounds are critical indicators of antioxidant potential. The antioxidant activity of Muscari armeniacum was compared with five standard antioxidants commonly used for benchmarking: BHA, α-tocopherol, BHT, trolox, and ascorbic acid. The extract demonstrated a high flavonoid content (23.24 µg QE/mg extract) and a significant amount of phenolics (14.38 µg GAE/mg extract), with the flavonoid content being particularly noteworthy. In addition to its antioxidant properties, the enzymatic activity assays revealed that the extract significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The IC₅₀ values were determined to be 54.14 mg/mL (R² = 0.9695) for AChE and 58.73 mg/mL (R² = 0.9609) for BChE, indicating moderate enzyme inhibition. These results suggest that Muscari armeniacum could serve as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Its potential applications in the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases and neurodegenerative disorders make it a promising candidate for further pharmacological studies. This research underscores the importance of exploring native plants for their medicinal and therapeutic potential, contributing to the development of alternative treatments for challenging health conditions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott extracts. Results showed that the total phenols and flavonoids contents of the extracts ranged from 24.57 to 316.11 mg GAE/g and from 1.80 to 12.41μg QE/mg, respectively. Ethyl acetate (EaES) and aqueous (AqES) extracts from seeds showed the highest DPPH scavenging capacity (IC50= 5.51 and 23.43 μg/mL). EaES from seeds, stem bark and fruit pod were the most active in inhibiting β-carotene oxidation. While, aqueous extracts have the ability to chelate ferrous ions. Significant antibacterial activity was obtained against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa; and inhibition zones varied between 10 to 29.5 mm. MIC and MBC ranged from 0.7–11.25 mg/mL and 5.63–22.5 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, synergistic effects were obtained, where inhibition zones varied between 7 and 50 mm. These results support the use of this species in traditional medicine in many physiological disorders and could be used where antioxidant and antibacterial are warranted.

In this study, variation of some chemical components such as anthocyanin, β-carotene, lycopene, phenolic, nitrate, soluble protein, proline, glucose, sucrose and total carbohydrate level ad PAL activity in some wild and cultivated edible mushrooms was examined. For this, four different mushroom species (Agaricus campestris L., Cantharellus cibarius Fr., Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers., Lactarius piperatus L. Pers) were supplied from local market, named Kuzeykent Semt Bazaar, in Kastamonu province of Turkey. Mushroom samples were collected from Araç, Daday, Devrekani and Tosya locations of Kastamonu. According to findings, the highest anthocyanin value and PAL activity were obtained from A. campestris collected from Arac location with 0.107 mg g-1 and 6.99 EU, respectively. The amount of β-carotene (2.297 mg g-1) and lycopene (0.644 mg g-1) was the highest in C. cibarius collected from Tosya location, however; proline, soluble protein, nitrate and glucose level were the maximum in A. campestris collected from Devrekani location with 149.61 µmol g-1, 55.49 mg, 159.963 mg g-1 and 29.36 µg g-1, respectively. While total carbohydrate was the highest in H. erinaceus collected from Araç location with 80.97 µg g-1, sucrose concentration was the maximum with 39.22 mg g-1 in H. erinaceus collected from Daday location. As a result, A. campestris collected from Devrekani location exhibited the highest nutrient in terms of chemicals analysed except anthocyanin and it was followed by H. erinaceus collected from Daday location. However, C. cibarius and H. erinaceus collected from Araç location had lower chemical components. It can be said that these mushroom species are valuable and important as major food sources and non-wood products for Kastamonu province.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of enteritis, pneumonia and omphalitis on oxidative/antioxidant balance in the calves. In total, 27 calves with neonatal disease and 10 healthy calves (control) were used. The sick calves were divided into 3 groups according to localization of infection, omphalitis (n = 10), pneumonia (n = 8) and enteritis (n = 9). Blood samples of the calves were taken from jugular vein for analysis. Blood in tubes without anticoagulant was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min following clotting, and the sera were removed and stored at -80°C until analyzed. Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels of all groups were significantly higher, while glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly lower compared to the control group. As a conclusion, diarrhea, pneumonia and omphalitis are caused by oxidative damage in the calves, and antioxidant treatment may be beneficial in the treatment of these diseases.

Aromatization of olive oil especially by spices and herbs has been widely used technique throughout the ages in Mediterranean diets. The present study was focused on aromatization of olive oil by rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). Aromatization process was optimized by response surface methodology as a function of malaxation’s conditions (temperature and time). According to authors’ best knowledge it was first time for examination of oil yield performance with antioxidant potential and pigments under effect of aromatization parameters. For all oil samples, values of the free acidity, peroxide, K232 and K270 as quality parameters fell within the ranges established for the highest quality category “extra virgin oil”. Oil yield (mL oil/kg olive paste) changed from 158 to 208 with respect to design parameters. Total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity as antioxidant potential of olive oil samples were varied in the range of 182.44 – 348.65 mg gallic acid equivalent/kg oil and 28.91 – 88.75 % inhibition of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-(DPPH•), respectively. Total contents of carotenoid, chlorophyll and pheophytin a as pigments in oil samples were found to be in between 0.09 – 0.48 mg carotenoid/kg oil, 0.11 – 0.96 mg chlorophyll/kg oil, 0.15 – 4.44 mg pheo α/kg oil, respectively. The proposed models for yield, pigments and antioxidant potential responses were found to be good enough for successful prediction of experimental results. Total phenolics, carotenoids and free radical scavenging activity of aromatized olive oil and oil yield were maximized to gather and optimal conditions were determined as 25°C, 84 min, and 2 % (Rosemary/olive paste; w/w).