Supradip Saha

Phyto-compounds play a considerable role in alleviating fungal diseases. However, the process for extraction, optimization, validation, comprehensive characterization and thorough evaluation is imperative to get the lead molecule. Gymnema sylvestre is loaded with multiple bioactives, therefore, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process was optimized to produce bioactive components fraction (EGS), highly effective to inhibit storage pathogens, exhibiting significant effect against Aspergillus parasiticus 6365 (EC₅₀ 97.2 µg/mL) and Penicillium expansum 2995 (EC₅₀ 117.9 μg/mL). To ensure bulk production feasibility, the process was optimized using a factorial design, revealing a time of 17.45 min, 30.65 kHz. amplitude and 38.50 mL solvent to biomass ratio for the maximum yield (365.51 mg/ g sample). An untargeted metabolomics analysis unveiled the appearance of fifty-one compounds with the abundance of gymnemic acid I–VII, gymnemanol, gymnemagenin, gymnemoside C–E, gymnemasin A, D. Molecular modelling displayed the highest contribution of gymnemanol (− 20.00 kJ/mol), gymnemic acid II (− 19.6 kJ/mol) and gymnemagenin (− 19.5 kJ/mol) to inhibit the target-specific site of the fungal protein. Fungal growth inhibition was explained through molecular interactions, suggesting stable protein-triterpene complex formation with low distance H-bonds, hydrophobic pi-alkyl bonds. Major components predicted to exhibit a strong binding mechanism with the selective amino acid residues could be responsible for antimycotic action. Therefore, these findings provide empirical support to further explore these bioactive compounds as a promising, eco-friendly antimycotic agent.

Plantains, a widely cultivated fruit crop, generate substantial peel waste, comprising approximately one-third of their total weight. Despite their potential, these peels are often discarded as waste. This study investigated the valorization of plantain peels as a source of functional carbohydrates, particularly fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and explored their phytochemical composition, focusing on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties. FOS content was evaluated across 40 plantain varieties, ranging from 2.8 to 11.5%, with Lacatum-1, Manoranji Tham, and Nendran (unripe) exhibiting the highest levels. UPLC-QToF-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified 36 phenolic compounds in the peel extract, including chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaroyl tyrosine. Major flavonoids included rutin, catechin, myricetin and quercetin derivatives. Significant variations were observed in total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The highest TFC was recorded in Aayirakai Rasthali and Udayam, while Naadu and Virupakshi exhibited the highest TPC. Antioxidant activity, assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, revealed IC50 values ranging from 49.3 to 125.7 μg/mL in DPPH, 54.1 to 127.8 μg/mL in ABTS, and 52.5 to 128.3 μg/mL in FRAP. This comprehensive study highlights the potential of plantain peel as a valuable source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds, emphasizing its application in health-promoting and antioxidant-rich products.

The current study investigated the effect of ultrasonication treatment on the conjugation of whey protein concentrate (WPC) with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) via the Maillard reaction (MR). The degree of glycation (DG) was evaluated by assessing the loss of amino groups using the o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) method, and Maillard-type conjugation was confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Ultrasonication significantly accelerated the glycation reaction, achieving a glycation degree of 49.6% in just 60 min, compared to 12.4% over 16 h with conventional heating. This method produced Maillard-type conjugates with reduced browning intensity and improved, controlled protein solubility at acidic pH with higher oligosaccharide ratios, offering valuable potential for protein delivery applications. Furthermore, response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the Maillard reaction (MR) conditions for WPC and FOS.

In the present study, variation in phytochemical properties was estimated in 16 newly developed interspecific citrus hybrids (Citrus maxima [Burm. f.] Osbeck × C. sinensis [L.] Osbeck) and parental genotypes. Results showed that the interspecific hybridization of pummelo with sweet orange significantly improved the fruit quality traits. Ascorbic acid, total phenol, total flavonoids, total carotenoid, and lycopene content in the fruit juice of studied genotypes varied from 37.8 to 72.02 mg/100 mL, 19.63–112.59 GAE mg/100 mL, 1.09–2.39 QE mg/100 mL, 34.6–519.81 μg/100 mL, and 17.59–395.71 μg/100 mL, respectively. Among the new hybrids, the highest antioxidant value (DPPH assay) was recorded as 2.53 TE μmol/mL as against the 2.22 TE μmol/mL in sweet orange cv. Mosambi. The citrus hybrid genotypes SCSH-9-2/12, SCSH-9-10/12, SCSH-11-9/13, SCSH-11-15/12, and SCSH-17-19/13 proved superior for studied phytochemicals. Pearson’s correlation and principal component analyses revealed the association among the traits and key components underlying the genetic variations. The bitterness properties were studied by quantifying naringin and limonin content in the fresh and stored juice (24 h storage at 4 °C) in addition to the sensory evaluation. The new hybrid SCSH-9-2/12, SCSH-9-10/12, and SCSH-11-9/13 have very low limonin content (<1.0 mg/L) with the least delayed bitterness properties, thus proving their potential for juice processing and storage.

Amomum subulatum Roxb, also known as large cardamom, is an herbaceous plant cultivated in Sikkim, India for its aromatic seeds with diverse applications in food, beverages, perfumery, and medicine. The study aimed to GC-MS based chemical fingerprinting through analyzing volatile compounds in seeds and assess the relatedness among seven large cardamom cultivars grown in the Sikkim hill region. The results revealed significant differences in volatile compounds among the cultivars. The major compounds identified were 1,8-cineole (76.37-90.63%), α-terpineol (1.73-13.40%), α-terpinolene (0.23-11.51%), β-pinene (0.54-4.13%), γ-terpinolene (0.77-4.47%), and α-pinene (0.35-1.86%). These compounds possess notable antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antibacterial properties. Through PCA and dendrogram analyses, it was observed that ICRI SKM-1 showed similarity to ICRI SKM-2 and Seremna, while Ramsey, Ramla, and Sawney exhibited close relatedness based on their phytochemical composition. These findings have important implications for large cardamom breeding programs. These findings also suggest that large cardamom seed extracts could have potential commercial applications in various industries, including medicine, food, and cosmetics.

The assessment of the optimum harvesting stage is a prerequisite to evaluating the performance of new citrus genotypes. The intrinsic and extrinsic fruit quality traits of citrus fruits change throughout their developmental process; therefore, to ensure the highest quality, the fruit must be harvested at an appropriate stage of maturity. The biochemical changes in terms of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, BrimA (Brix minus acidity), and ascorbic acid, in addition to the organoleptic acceptability of 16 new interspecific citrus hybrids, were evaluated in New Delhi (India) during the H1-H8 harvesting stage at 15-day intervals to standardize the optimum harvesting stage. The TA and ascorbic acid content were at a maximum level during the early harvesting stage and declined with time, reaching the minimum level in the last harvesting stage. The TSS, TSS/TA ratio, and BrimA values were found to have an increasing trend up to the last stage in most of the hybrids. The juice content shows an inclining trend during the initial harvesting observations, followed by stable juice content and then a decline. The BrimA was found to be a better predictor for consumer acceptability compared to the traditional maturity index TSS/TA ratio and, thus, harvesting maturity. Specific TSS, TA, and BrimA values, in addition to the juice percentage and ascorbic acid content, corresponding to the highest hedonic score, were judged as the optimum harvesting stage indicators for an individual hybrid genotype. Among the interspecific hybrids, SCSH-9-10/12, SCSH-11-15/12, and SCSH-17-19/13 were found to be superior, having better juice acceptability organoleptic scores (≥6.0) and higher juice content (≥40%). Principal component analysis based on fruit physico-chemical traits could be able to distinguish the optimum maturity stage in all of the citrus genotypes.

A procedure to purify anthocyanin, a natural pigment, following a green approach by using macroporous resin and its encapsulation for the maintenance of its stability is described. This laboratory experiment, which describes the benefits of using resin for the purification, is a learning tool for students working in the field on nutraceuticals. The resin can be used several times by the students as it follows an adsorption–desorption technique. The whole experiment was divided into two sections: the first is the purification, and the second part deals with encapsulation. Students successfully purified the anthocyanins using XAD-16 resin from the solvent extract of purple cabbage. Afterward, encapsulation of purified anthocyanin in maltodextrin was done using a freeze-drying and spray-drying technique. Feedback from students clearly indicates that the laboratory practical session indeed helped them to learn the greener approach of purification and encapsulation using industrial techniques.