Phytochemical composition and toxicity assessment of Ammi majus L.

Objective:To assess the acute and subacute toxicity as well as the phytochemical composition of two extracts and three fractions of Ammi majus L.Methods:The aqueous extracts were prepared separately by maceration for 48 h and by infusion for 1 h,while the fractions were prepared by the Soxhlet extractor,successively employing cyclohexane,ethyl acetate,and ethanol.The acute toxicity study was carried out in accordance with the OECD N°423 guideline at a single dose(2000 mg/kg)in mice for 14 days.The subacute toxicity study was performed by a daily oral administration of 250 mg/kg 2 for 10 d and 100 mg/kg doses for 28 d.Phytochemical screening was performed using staining and precipitation reactions,while the chemical characterization of some analytes was detected by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.Results:In the acute toxicity study,no signs of toxicity such as convulsion,salivation,diarrhea,sleep and coma were observed during 30 minutes and 14 days,so the lethal dose was higher than 2000 mg/kg for each extract and fraction.The subacute toxicity results showed that at a dose of 250 mg/kg,61.10%of the animals died and the rest developed morbidity.On the other hand,at a dose of 100 mg/kg,all the animals were still alive after 28 days,with no morbidity and the biochemical parameters were normal with no abnormalities in the liver,kidneys and pancreas.Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids,tannins,coumarins,and free quinones and the absence of alkaloids and anthocyanins.Conclusions:The extracts and fractions of Ammi majus L.are not toxic in the short and long term with a varied chemical composition.Toxicological tests on animals other than rodents and in the long term(more than 28 days)are needed to further confirm the safety of Ammi majus extracts.

Phytochemical composition, biological potential and enzyme inhibition activity of Scandix pecten-veneris L.

Objective： Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L. Methods： Phytochemicals including alkaloids, fiavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）, while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power （FRAP） assay. Antimi- crobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II. Results： S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antiox- idant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water〉n-butanol〉chloroform〉ethyl acetate〉methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II. Conclusions： Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.

Citrus reticulata Blanco (the common mandarin) fruit:An updated review of its bioactive,extraction types,food quality,therapeutic merits,and bio-waste valorization practices to maximize its economic value

Fruits are regarded as the richest dietary sources of polyphenols,carotenoids,terpenoids,and limonoids,making them highly desired prospects for the functional food industry.Citrus waste that remains after fruit processing is also regarded as a valuable source of value-added phytochemicals.A comprehensive analysis of mandarin composition as a determinant of fruit functional properties,health benefits,and valorization into useful products is represented together with the effect of different processes such as light,wax coating,auxin addition,ozone treatment,and ethylene degreening.Such reviewing evidence is an essential precondition for improving the selling market of mandarin and highlighting its waste valorization potential and its incorporation into useful products produced by pharmaceutical industries.In this study,the phytochemical and biological reports presented to emphasize the needed priority for agricultural techniques to provide a certain mandarin product or trait.In addition,the paper summarizes the optimum conditions applied for the updated extraction techniques for phenolic acids,flavonoids,and oils at a commercial scale from mandarin peels and to enhance its global marketing.A brief representation is given towards potential mandarin patents and the valorization of its bio-waste fruits into commercial products of added value.The review can guide researchers to produce future potentially marketed functional food enriched with mandarin extracts and/or bioactives.

Ecological and biochemical analyses of the brown alga Turbinaria ornata(Turner)J.Agardh from Red Sea coast,Egypt

Objective:To study ecological parameters and biochemical composition of brown seaweed,Turbinaria ornata(T.ornata)collected from Hurghada shores,Red Sea coast of Egypt during September,October and November,2015.Methods:T.ornata and its associated seaweeds were collected,identified and their abundances were estimated.Water of collection site was analyzed physicochemically as well as qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytoplankton.T.ornata was analyzed for protein,total carbohydrate,lipids,alginic acid,agar,pigments,minerals and heavy metals.Results:The results showed that macroalgal species recorded along Hurghada shores belong to Phaeophyta,Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta.At collection site,the moderate temperature,slight alkaline pH,low turbidity,high dissolved oxygen and valuable nutrient content of saline water exerted the massive growth of T.ornata with maximum abundance(24%)during October.The phytoplankton community was quite diverse with a maximum numbers of taxa(104.2×10^(8) cell/L)recorded during October.Analysis of T.ornata alga powder showed that high soluble carbohydrate(2.80±0.10 mg/g dry/weight)and chlorophyll c(0.0017±0.0001 mg/g fresh weight)contents were recorded during September;while high contents of protein(37.70±0.60 mg/g dry weight),lipids(3.10±0.06 mg/g dry weight),polysaccharides(agar and alginates),carotenoids(0.0160±0.0004 mg/g fresh weight),minerals and heavy metals were recorded during November.Conclusions:The study revealed that physicochemical analyses of water were varied slightly during the three months and suitable for the growth of T.ornata.It contains high amount of most biochemical constituents during October.