Ethanol extract of the Prunus mume fruits stimulates glucose uptake by regulating PPAR-γ in C2C12 myotubes and ameliorates glucose intolerance and fat accumulation in mice fed a high-fat diet.

In this study, we performed in vitro and in vivo studies to examine whether a 70% ethanol extract of Prunus mume fruits (EMS) exhibits anti-diabetic effects. Treatment with EMS increased glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes, and also increased PPAR-γ activity or PPAR-γ mRNA expression. To confirm these in vitro results, we next conducted an animal […]

Polyphasic approach to the identification of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts

The aim of this study was to use a polyphasic approach to identify Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts collected in the Amazon forest: investigation of macro- and microscopic morphology, production of extrolites, heat-resistance fungi, and sequencing of DNA regions. The following Aspergillus section Flavi species were identified: Aspergillus flavus (75.5%), Aspergillus nomius (22.3%), […]

Berry components inhibit α-glucosidase in vitro: Synergies between acarbose and polyphenols from black currant and rowanberry

Polyphenol-rich extracts from certain berries inhibited α-glucosidase activity in vitro. The two most effective berry extracts, from black currant and rowanberry, inhibited α-glucosidase with IC50 values respectively of 20 and 30 μg GAE/ml and were as effective as the pharmaceutical inhibitor, acarbose. These berry extracts differed greatly in their polyphenol composition: black currant was dominated […]

Screening Natural Antioxidants in Peanut shell Using DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS methods.

Peanutshell, a byproduct in oil production, is rich in naturalantioxidants. Here, a rapid and efficient method using DPPH-HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS was used for the first time to screen antioxidants in peanutshell. The method is based on the hypothesis that upon reaction with 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the peak areas of compounds with potential antioxidant activities in the HPLC […]

Enzyme activity and biochemical changes of three date palm cultivars with different softening pattern during ripening

The physicochemical composition changes during palm ripening were studied. The activities of invertase and cell wall-modifying enzymes, namely pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase (EGase), and cellulase were monitored during growth and ripening of Shahani, Piaro and Deiry cultivars with different texture. Also we estimated the concentrations of six organic acids by HPLC .Reducing sugars, […]

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of various botanical parts of the fruits of Prunus x domestica L. from the Lorraine region of Europe

Mirabelle plums represent a famous fruit from the Lorraine region, however little is known about their phytochemical composition. The oil of the fruit contained predominantly oleic acid (59%) and linoleic acid (29%). The total content of phenolic antioxidants in the whole fruits was 5.338 g/kg with 456 mg/kg (9%), 701 mg/kg (13%) and 4159 mg/kg […]

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and -optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) for determination of essential minerals in closed acid digestates of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Validated methods to measure the essential mineral composition of food matrices are needed to satisfy the analytical requirements of product development, quality control, and food regulatory authorities. We investigated the use of inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) and -mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with and without the use of a dynamic reaction cell (DRC), to analyse […]