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  • 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.
  • Insight into the chemical composition and biological properties of Mediterranean royal jelly
    Publication . EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Miguel, Maria da Graça
    Royal jelly (RJ) is a secretion of the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of young Apis mellifera worker bees. It is privileged for the queen bee as exclusive nourishment for her entire life. This bee hive product was used in traditional and folk medicine for human health care. Recently, there have been several research studies on RJ highlighting their therapeutic properties. It was found that it exhibits a large spectrum of biological and pharmacological potential including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities among others, which might be of high importance in modern medicine for the development of new drugs. Even if RJ is known since ancient times; research papers concerning its investigation are not this much developed as compared to the other bee hive, products such as honey or propolis. In this review, we summarize our understanding of data found in literature about the chemical composition and biological properties of RJ, in particular, that which originates from Mediterranean countries to stimulate future studies. More attention should be given to this natural product for better comprehension of its mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo, for possible standardization and achievement of new formulations.