Distinct fatty acid profile of ten brown macroalgae

It is widely accepted that the consumption of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has beneficial effects on human health. In this work, ten brown macroalgae species collected along the Portuguese west coast were studied for their fatty acids composition by GC-MS after alkaline hydrolysis and derivatization. The results of this survey showed that different macroalgae from the same region display distinct fatty acids profile. Concerning ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid was found in all but one species. Additionally, some species contained docosahexaenoic acid. Linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid of the ω-6 series, was present in all studied macroalgae. Fucus spiralis L. exhibited the highest amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids and of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the ω-3 and ω-6 series. The ω-6/ω-3 ratio in half of the studied species was lower than 1. This information reinforces the potential application of some brown macroalgae as dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Influence of Tunisian Ficus carica fruit variability in phenolic profiles and in vitro radical scavenging potential

Ficus carica L., Moraceae, is one of the first plants that were cultivated by humans, being the fruit an important crop worldwide for dry and fresh consumption. In this work, phenolics and antioxidant potential of dried fruits of seventeen Tunisian F. carica varieties, from green, red and black phenotypes, were assessed for the first time. HPLC-DAD analysis was performed. All samples presented a similar qualitative profile. The phenolics content ranged between 29.18 and 55.56 mg/kg (in black and red phenotypes, respectively) and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside was always the major compound. The antioxidant potential against DPPH•, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals of three varieties representing each phenotype was checked. All samples exhibited activity against the first two radicals in a concentration-dependent way, "Bayoudi" variety being the most effective one (IC25 values of 10.32 and 2.89 µg/ mL, respectively). Nevertheless, only "Hammouri" variety presented some capacity to scavenge nitric oxide radical. Our results reveal nice perspectives for these typical fruits, as they present an interesting phenolic composition and good antiradical activity and may encourage their consumption for health protection.

Metabolic and biological prospecting of Coreopsis tinctoria

Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., Asteraceae, flowering tops infusion has been traditionally used in many countries to control hyperglycaemia. In this work we report for the first time fatty acids and volatile compounds in this species. Fifteen fatty acids and sixteen volatile compounds were determined by GC-ITMS, being saturated fatty acids and monoterpenes the main compounds. The antioxidant and antibacterial potential of this matrix was checked for the first time by several in vitro assays. A concentration-dependent activity was noticed against DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. Antibacterial capacity was assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, being more effective against the first. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was also evaluated, but no effect was found. Our results provide evidence of a wide diversity of compounds with several biological properties, improving the knowledge on this poorly studied matrix, which can lead to an increment of the use of C. tinctoria flowering tops, namely in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Chemical composition and biological screening of Capsella bursa-pastoris

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae) is a wild herb with high nutritional value that can be eaten raw or cooked. A metabolomic study was performed with different extracts of its aerial parts that were tested concerning their antiradical, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD, organic acids and amino acids were determined by HPLC-UV, while free fatty acids and sterols were analysed by GC-ITMS. The vegetal material was rich in kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (mean value 2247.09 mg/kg of dry plant), quinic acid (95628.00 mg/kg of dry plant), arginine (mean value of 1.18 mg/kg of dry plant), palmitic acid (284.48 mg/kg) and β-sitosterol (28 percent). The extracts presented a concentration-dependent antiradical activity (against DPPH•, O2•- and LOO•), being most effective against •NO (EC25 0.20 µg/mL). In addition, the extracts were also acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antibacterial active, revealing that, besides the plant's good nutritional value, it presents important biological properties as well.