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 explores the phytochemical composition and antibacterial properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Anastatica hierochuntica against foodborne pathogens and clinical isolates. Phytochemical analysis identified key compounds, including alkaloids (7.15 ± 0.0365 mg/g), flavonoids (3.16 ± 0.007 mg/g), and tannins (0.18 ± 0.0025 mg/g). Food samples yielded Escherichia coli isolates, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, and Serratia marcescens. The antibacterial efficacy was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against these pathogens and clinical isolates, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The aqueous extract demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against all food pathogens, with Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Serratia marcescens exhibiting the largest inhibitory zones (34 mm). Among clinical isolates, only Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed selective inhibition. Conversely, the methanolic extract was largely ineffective, displaying activity only against Serratia marcescens (average inhibitory zone of 11.7 mm). These results underscore the potential of A. hierochuntica aqueous extracts as a natural antimicrobial agent and suggest further investigation into its bioactive compounds for improving food safety and addressing multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Aronia melnocarpa, commonly known as chokeberry, originates from the eastern region of North America and belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Maloideae subfamily. The sour taste of fresh chokeberries makes them infrequently eaten as is, but they find extensive use in the food industry for creating fruit juices, fruit teas, wines, jams, jellies, and dietary supplements. Chokeberries represent a source of a wide range of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits for humans. Among the effects supporting human health are antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, as well as protection for the heart, liver, and nervous system. The abundant presence of polyphenols, such as phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins, flavanols, and proanthocyanidins, plays a crucial role in conferring the remarkable bioactivity of chokeberries. These compounds are responsible for many of the health benefits associated with the consumption of chokeberries. Chokeberry fruits and their derived products showcase notable antioxidant properties and have the potential to promote health by effectively reducing the formation of free radicals. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of scientific research has been conducted to explore the polyphenolic compounds found in chokeberries, as well as their antioxidant potential. The findings in this review are likely to have a significant impact on future research focused on developing functional food products based on chokeberries. Chokeberries possess the potential to serve as food constituents intentionally crafted to augment antioxidant capacity. However, similar to other natural plants and medicinal products, conducting extensive research is crucial to assess the antioxidant potential, safety, and mechanisms of action of chokeberries. Therefore, the aim is to make a positive contribution to the continuation of research on the positive effects of chokeberry on health.

South East Anatolia Region has a large genetic plant diversity due to its physical and different climatic charesteristics. These plants are potential sources of antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress caused by oxygen and photons. In recent years, it has become important to study the antioxidant capacity of many molecules found naturally in foods and biological systems. The reason for this is that it is believed that when the consumption of food rich in antioxidants is increased, the risk of developing different degenerative diseases will be reduced. In this study, it was aimed to measure the antoxidant capacity of Quercus infectoria, G.olivier gal seeds grown in Southeastern Anatolia. Q. infectoria gal seeds from Sanlıurfa province were used in our study. Q. infectoria gal seeds were extracted with water, ethanol and methanol and then antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and malondialdehyde levels, which are indicators of oxidative stress were determined by spectrophotometric methods. It was found that the antioxidant capacity (catalase and superoxide dismutase activities) of extracts obtained from ethanol and methanol were higher and their malondialdehyde levels were statistically lower than those obtained from water. However, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels of the extracts obtained from methanol compared to the extracts obtained from ethanol. It has been concluded that Q. infectoria gal seed has a effective antioxidant effect. In addition, it was observed that extracts obtained from ethanol and methanol have higher antioxidant capacity than extracts obtained from water.

Interspecific cross was made between the common sunflower inbred line HA89 and an accession of wild Helianthus nuttallii (2n=2x=34) resistant to the most harmful disease complex and tolerant to drought and high temperature. The recombinant inbred line was a BC1F15 progeny. The most remarkable feature observed was the vigorous plant habit that manifests itself in measurable morphological characters such as increment plant height, stem diameter and diameter of the head. The line was non-branched (monocephalic) without anthocyanin pigmentation and possessed good agronomic characteristics. Along with the morphological and reproductive traits, some biochemical characteristics related to antioxidant activity were associated to wide hybridization. The overall characteristics of HA-Hnutt line make it a useful plant material for research on interspecific hybridization in Helianthus genus.

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.