Repository logo
 
Loading...
Profile Picture

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Natural antioxidants in emulsions O/W
    Publication . EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; Azza, S.; Dandlen, Susana Anahi; MAJDOUB, Nesrine; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Raposo, Sara; Gomes, Vera; Bankova, Vassya; Popova, Milena; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Miguel, Maria Graca
    This study compared the capacity of propolis extract (PE) and thyme waste extract (TWE) to prevent the oxidation of oil in water (O/W) emulsion, as well as their impact on emulsion apparent viscosity (AV) in the presence of wheat germ and almond oils as lipid phase. For this, central composite design (CCD) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. Oxidation process was monitored by evaluating the formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products, at the same time the AV behavior was determined evaluating consistency index and flow behavior index. The results revealed that the increase of PE% and TWE% decreases TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances) and hydroperoxides formation. Viscosity increases with the rise of TWE% over (0.04%), whereas lower concentrations of PE% decreases it. Those results have been confirmed in the PCA analysis. TWE showed higher resistance to oxidation, although PE was more effective as antioxidant than TWE.
  • Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of honey with Eragrostis spp. pollen predominance
    Publication . AAZZA, Smail; Elamine, Youssef; EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Estevinho, Leticia M.; Anjos, Ofélia; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria C.; Miguel, Maria
    This study aimed to characterize the pollen and physicochemical profiles, and to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of six samples of Moroccan honey. The pollen grains of Eragrostis spp. were predominant in all samples (from a minimum of 46.581.59% to 72.72 +/- 2.43% as a maximum), exceeding the minimum (generally 45%) required for the monoflorality nomination of a honey sample, and suggestion a case of newly reported honey. The analyzed samples had low diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. Potassium was the dominant element in practically all samples, except the sample with the highest Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which showed sodium predominance. The honey color ranged from water white to light amber, and positively correlated the concentrations of phenols, proline and the capacity for scavenging free radicals. However, great variability observed in all the analyzed parameters, and could not be explained by the variability of the Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which suggests a hypothesis of low concentrated nectar. Practical applicationsThe melissopalynological profile of honey is an important parameter for determining the type of honey (multifloral, monofloral, blossom, honeydew) and its relationship to the botanical and geographical provenance. There is generally a relationship between the pollen profile of honey and the biological properties. The physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity and melissopalynological profile of Eragrostis honey was reported for the first time in this study. These data intend to contribute for the introduction of a new type of honey labeled as Eragrostis honey. At the same time, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity may also trigger the search of other biological properties with medicinal attributes for the new Eragrostis ssp. honey.
  • Effect of poplar-type propolis on oxidative stability and rheological properties of O/W emulsions
    Publication . EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; AAZZA, Smail; Lyoussi, Badiaa; MAJDOUB, Nesrine; Bankova, Vassya; Popova, Milena; Raposo, Sara; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Miguel, Maria
    Propolis is known to possess antioxidant activity. However, there is no information on this activity in emulsions O/W. The protective effect of propolis on the oxidation and rheological properties of emulsions O/W containing wheat germ and almond oils was evaluated. Emulsions O/W were prepared with different concentration of propolis extract, almond oil and wheat germ oil. All emulsions physically stable without phase separation were stored at 37 °C for 9 weeks. Chemical composition of propolis was established by Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Rheological characterization of different emulsions was performed evaluating consistency index and flow behavior index. The oxidation was monitored by measuring the lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) methods. Flavonoids, phenolic acid esters, and aromatic acids were the main groups of compounds found in propolis. The results showed that popolis was good antioxidant in the concentration of 0.02 and 0.04% when lipid phase was constituted by almond oil. The rheological behavior is typical of a non-Newtonian fluid, being almond oil more adequate for having a higher stable O/W emulsion.
  • Anti-acetylcholinesterase, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antityrosinase and antixanthine oxidase activities of Moroccan propolis
    Publication . EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; S, Azza; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Miguel, Maria
    Biological properties of Moroccan propolis have been scarcely studied. In the present work, the total phenols and flavonoids from 21 samples of propolis collected in different places of Morocco or 3 supplied in the market were determined, as well as the invitro capacity for inhibiting the activities of acetylcholinesterase, -glucosidase, -amylase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase and hyaluronidase. The results showed that samples 1 (region Fez-Boulemane, Sefrou city) (IC50=0.065, 0.006, 0.020, 0.050, 0.014mgmL(-1)) and 23 (marketed) (IC50=0.018, 0.002, 0.046, 0.037, 0.008mgmL(-1)) had the best invitro capacity for inhibiting the -amylase, -glucosidase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase activities, respectively. A negative correlation between IC50 values and concentration of phenols, flavones and flavanones was found. These activities corresponded to the generally higher amounts of phenols and flavonoids. In the same region, propolis samples have dissimilar phenol content and enzyme inhibitory activities.
  • Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-hyperglycaemic Activities of Essential Oils from Thymbra capitata, Thymus albicans, Thymus caespititius, Thymus carnosus, Thymus lotocephalus and Thymus mastichina from Portugal
    Publication . S, Azza; EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; Miguel, Maria; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Correia, A. Isabel; Figueiredo, A. Cristina
    The in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of the essential oils (EOs) isolated from six Lamiaceae species (Thymbra capitata, Thymus albicans, Th. caespititius, Th. carnosus, Th. lotocephalus and Th. mastichina) grown in Portugal, were evaluated. Th. caespititius and T. capitata carvacrol/thymol-rich EOs showed the best capacity for preventing lipid peroxidation, and scavenging the 2,2 '-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and peroxyl free radicals, as well as for inhibiting lipoxygenase and alpha-amylase. However, Th. caespititius and Th. lotocephalus 1,8-cineole and linalool rich EOs were the best inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase. T. capitata, Th. lotocephalus and Th. albicans EOs were the most active for inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Th. caespititius and Th. mastichina EOs were the main scavengers of nitric oxide (NO) radicals. The comparison between the present data with a survey of the existing literature on the in vitro biological activities of the essential oils isolated from the same species from Portuguese origin, using other methodologies, showed some differences. For instance the use of two oxidizable substrates (egg yolk and lecithin liposomes) led to distinct results mainly for those samples with relatively low activity. In addition, the EOs capacity for scavenging peroxyl radicals was also influenced by the presence of cyclodextrins, as a synergism seemed to occur between EOs and those carbohydrates.
  • Antioxidant activity of thyme waste extract in O/W emulsions
    Publication . EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; AAZZA, Smail; Anahi Dandlen, Susana; MAJDOUB, Nesrine; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Raposo, Sara; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Gomes, Vera; Miguel, Maria
    Thymus vulgaris (thyme) is an aromatic plant and its essential oil has been applied as antimicrobial and antioxidant due to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, after steam distillation, the deodorized plant material is rejected, despite the possible presence of bioactive compounds. Ethanolic thyme waste extract revealed the presence of benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid. This waste thyme extract had the capacity for preventing the formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products in emulsions O/W (oil in water), constituted by diverse proportions of wheat and almond oils, without interfering with the viscosity parameters, for 10 weeks, at 37 °C. The increasing proportion of almond oil (≥50%) in the emulsion increases its resistance to oxidation, which is improved with the presence of an optimal concentration of tested thyme waste extract (0.02% and 0.04%). The waste thyme extract can, therefore, be used as an antioxidant either in food or pharmaceutical emulsions O/W, replacing the synthetic antioxidants.