Biological Activity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Phytoalexins and Selected Natural and Synthetic Stilbenoids

Abstract: The peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea L.); when infected by a microbial pathogen; is capable of producing stilbene-derived compounds that are considered antifungal phytoalexins. In addition; the potential health benefits of other stilbenoids from peanuts; including resveratrol and pterostilbene; have been acknowledged by several investigators. Despite considerable progress in peanut research; relatively little is known […]

Characteristics and pathways of bioactive 4-desmethylsterols; triterpene alcohols and 4a-monomethylsterols; from developing Tunisian cultivars and wild peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

ABSTRACT: Seven 4-desmethylsterols; five triterpene alcohols and three 4a-monomethylsterols were identified by GC–MS during the development of wild peanut; which is Arbi (AraA); and cultivars peanut; which are Trabelsia (AraT) and Chounfakhi (AraC). Our results showed that the maximum level of 4-desmethylsterols (881.07 mg/100 g of oil) was reached at 12 days after flowering (DAF) […]

In vitro cytotoxic and antiviral activities of Ficus carica latex extracts.

Abstract: The latex of fig fruit (Ficus carica) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of skin infections such as warts and also diseases of possible viral origin. Five extracts (methanolic; hexanic; ethyl acetate; hexane-ethyl acetate (v/v) and chloroformic) of this species were investigated in vitro for their antiviral potential activity against herpes simplex […]

Changes of platelet antioxidative enzymes during oxidative stress: The protective effect of polyphenol-rich extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa and grape seeds

Abstract: Aronia melanocarpa fruits (Rosaceae) and grape seeds (seeds of Vitis vinifera; Vitaceae) are two of the richest plant sources of phenolic substances; and they have been shown to have various biological activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the action of phenolic extracts (at concentrations 5?100??g/mL) of two different […]

Effect of anilinopyrimidine resistance on aflatoxin production and fitness parameters in Aspergillus parasiticus Speare

ABSTRACT: Mutants of Aspergillus parasiticus resistant to the anilinopyrimidine fungicides were isolated at a high mutation frequency after UV-mutagenesis and selection on media containing cyprodinil. In vitro fungitoxicity tests resulted in the identification of two predominant resistant phenotypes that were highly (R1-phenotype) and moderately (R2-phenotype) resistant to the anilinopyrimidines cyprodinil; pyrimethanil and mepanipyrim. Cross-resistance studies […]

Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids; fish; and nuts and risk of inflammatory disease mortality

BACKGROUND: n-3 (omega-3) Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); fish; and nuts can regulate inflammatory processes and responses. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether dietary intakes of PUFAs [n-3; n-6 (omega-6); and a-linolenic acid]; fish; and nuts were associated with 15-y mortality attributed to noncardiovascular; noncancer inflammatory diseases. DESIGN: The analyses involved 2514 participants aged =49 y at baseline. […]

Effects of one serving of mixed nuts on serum lipids; insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Knowledge of the effect of nut consumption on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components is limited. We assessed the effects of nut intake on adiposity; serum lipids; insulin resistance; and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with MetS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a randomized; parallel-group; 12-week feeding trial; 50 patients with MetS were given recommendations for […]

The Effect of Mediterranean Diet on Metabolic Syndrome and its Components

Objectives: The aim of this study was to meta-analyze epidemiological studies and clinical trials that have assessed the effect of a Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome (MS) as well as its components. Background: The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in adult population. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review […]

Characterisation of selected hazelnut cultivars: phenology; growing and yielding capacity; market quality and nutraceutical value

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sixteen hazelnut cultivars growing in the continental climate of Slovenia were analysed over 15 years for their phenology; growth habit; yield potential; susceptibility to hazelnut weevil and the pomological traits and phenolic content of their nuts in order to obtain a complex value of these cultivars for growers; the confectionary industry and consumers. […]