Antitumor activity and phenolic profile of Melissa officinalis extract against human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Gastric cancer remains a global health concern, driving the exploration of natural products with anticancer potential. This study investigated the antiproliferative activity and chemical composition of a 70% ethanolic extract from Melissa officinalis L. against human gastric cancer cells. The extract was prepared and evaluated for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content. The MTT test checked how well it stopped the growth of human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) and normal dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Data analysis (SPSS Statistics) determined viable cell percentages and performed regression analysis (p<0.05). The extract exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against AGS cells compared to normal cells (p<0.05), with decreasing IC50 values (564.3, 258.0 and 122.5 µg/ml) over 24, 48 and 72 hours. It also displayed antioxidant activity (IC50=16.8±1.41µg/ml) and contained substantial phenolics (225.76±4.1 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (22.36±2.6 mg RUT/g). This study suggests the 70% ethanolic extract of M. officinalis effectively suppresses AGS cell growth and possesses promising antioxidant properties, highlighting its potential as a natural source of anticancer and antioxidant agents, deserving further investigation.

Investigation and characterization of changes in potato peels by thermochemical acidic pre-treatment for extraction of various compounds.

Potato peel waste (PPW) is an underutilized substrate which is produced in huge amounts by food processing industries. Using PPW a feedstock for production of useful compounds can overcome the problem of waste management as well as cost-effective. In present study, potential of PPW was investigated using chemical and thermochemical treatment processes. Three independent variables i.e., PPW concentration, dilute sulphuric acid concentration and liberation time were selected to optimize the production of fermentable sugars (TS and RS) and phenolic compounds (TP). These three process variables were selected in the range of 5-15 g w/v substrate, 0.8-1.2 v/v acid conc. and 4-6 h. Whole treatment process was optimized by using box-behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Highest yield of total and reducing sugars and total phenolic compounds obtained after chemical treatment was 188.00, 144.42 and 43.68 mg/gds, respectively. The maximum yield of fermentable sugars attained by acid plus steam treatment were 720.00 and 660.62 mg/gds of TS and RS, respectively w.r.t 5% substrate conc. in 0.8% acid with residence time of 6 h. Results recorded that acid assisted autoclaved treatment could be an effective process for PPW deconstruction. Characterization of substrate before and after treatment was checked by SEM and FTIR. Spectras and micrographs confirmed the topographical variations in treated substrate. The present study was aimed to utilize biowaste and to determine cost-effective conditions for degradation of PWW into value added compounds.

Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Biofilm Potential That Cause Dental Caries from Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa Linn.).

The oral cavity is an excellent place for various microorganisms to grow. Spectrococcus mutans and Spectrococcus sanguinis are Gram-negative bacteria found in the oral cavity as pioneer biofilm formers on the tooth surface that cause caries. Caries treatment has been done with antibiotics and therapeutics, but the resistance level of S. mutans and S. sanguinis bacteria necessitates the exploration of new drug compounds. Black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.) is known to contain secondary metabolites that have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory and antifungal activities. The purpose of this review article is to present data on the potential of Nigella sativa Linn seeds as anti-biofilm. This article will discuss biofilm-forming bacteria, the resistance mechanism of antibiotics, the bioactivity of N. sativa extracts and seed isolates together with the Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) review of N. sativa compound isolates. We collected data from reliable references that will illustrate the potential of N. sativa seeds as anti-biofilm drug.

Physicochemistry, Nutritional, and Therapeutic Potential of Ficus carica - A Promising Nutraceutical.

In an era where synthetic supplements have raised concerns regarding their effects on human health, Ficus carica has emerged as a natural alternative rich in polyphenolic compounds with potent therapeutic properties. Various studies on F. carica focusing on the analysis and validation of its pharmacological and nutritional properties are emerging. This paper summarizes present data and information on the phytochemical, nutritional values, therapeutic potential, as well as the toxicity profile of F. carica. An extensive search was conducted from various databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 126 studies and articles related to F. carica that were published between 1999 and 2023 were included in this review. Remarkably, F. carica exhibits a diverse array of advantageous effects, including, but not limited to, antioxidant, anti-neurodegenerative, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antiepileptic, anticonvulsant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-angiogenic, antidiabetic, anti-cancer, and antimutagenic properties. Among the highlights include that antioxidants from F. carica were demonstrated to inhibit cholinesterase, potentially protecting neurons in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. The antimicrobial activities of F. carica were attributed to its high flavonoids and terpenoids content, while its virucidal action through the inhibition of DNA and RNA replication was postulated due to its triterpenes content. Inflammatory and arthritic conditions may also benefit from its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties through the modulation of various signalling proteins. Studies have also shown that F. carica extracts were generally safe and exhibit low toxicity profile, although more research in this aspect is required, specifically its effects on the skin. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of F. carica as a valuable natural therapeutic agent and dietary supplement. However, continued exploration on F. carica's safety and efficacy is still required prior to embarking on clinical trials, as its role in personalized nutrition and medication will open a new paradigm to improve health outcomes.

The composition of chemicals and anti-osteogenic properties in the volatile extracts from Homalomena gigantea rhizome.

In this study, the anti-osteogenic properties of the volatile oil extracted from Homalomena gigantea rhizome using ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH) were examined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the identification of volatile components. Following this, bioassays were performed to evaluate their effects on osteogenesis, encompassing parameters like cell viability, osteoblast differentiation, collagen synthesis and mineralization. The GC-MS analysis revealed 19 compounds in the EtOAc extract and 36 compounds in the MeOH extract. In the MeOH extract, major constituents included bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (13.83%), linalool (9.58%), palmitic acid (6.55%) and stearic acid (4.29%). The EtOAc extract contained bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (16.64%), palmitic acid (5.60%) and stearic acid (3.11%) as the predominant components. Both the EtOAc and MeOH extracts of H. gigantea exhibited promising potential for further investigation in anti-osteoporosis research. These findings contribute to the exploration of natural compounds with potential anti-osteoporotic properties, expanding our understanding of their therapeutic potential.

Effect of employing different extraction techniques and solvents on the total phenolic content and antioxidant properties of an Iranian endemic species Zeravschania khorasanica (Apiaceae).

Zeravschania khorasanica, a species endemic to the eastern part of Iran, possesses distinct characteristics that distinguish it from its two closely related species. This research employed five different extraction techniques to identify the active components, total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract. Furthermore, hydro-distillation was utilized for GC/MS analysis to determine the composition of the essential oil. The total phenolic content was estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging test. The findings revealed that ethanolic Soxhlet extraction yielded the highest efficiency in extracting total phenolic content (88.19 ±1.99 gallic acid mg/100g). In contrast, water maceration extraction demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (68.1 ±5.4%). Interestingly, the study uncovered that there is no significant positive correlation between the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of the plant. Additionally, HPLC analysis identified three phenolic constituents in the extract. The Soxhlet extraction method yielded the highest levels of chlorogenic acid (5.8 ppm), caffeic acid (4.1 ppm) and salicylic acid (10.3 ppm). As per the GC/MS analysis, a total of eleven compounds were identified. The predominant compounds were elemicin at 58.19% and trans--bergamotene at 25.78%.

A comparative study of sequential and simultaneous enzymatic and ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction for anticholesterol compounds from Strobilanthes crispus leaves.

An innovative ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic aqueous two-phase extraction (UAE-ATPE) method was applied to enhance the yield from Strobilanthes crispus leaves, exploring both sequential and simultaneous approaches. Comparative analysis included assessing total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), partition coefficient (k) and recovery (R). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy evaluated extracts from both techniques. Simultaneous UAE-ATPE demonstrated significantly higher TPC (5.7±0.1 mg GAE/g dry leaves) and TFC (3.3±0.1 mg QE/g dry leaves) compared to sequential extraction, where TPC and TFC measured 4.5±0.3 mg GAE/g dry leaves and 1.7±0.1 mg QE/g dry leaves. Additionally, simultaneous UAE-ATPE yielded higher k and R values for phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Notably, it identified 32.4% of the area corresponding to 6 compounds, surpassing the 25.3% area identified sequentially with 13 compounds. A collaborative effect of enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasonic extraction was observed in simultaneous UAE-ATPE. In the inhibition test on the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, simultaneous UAE-ATPE extract (200 µg/mL) exhibited exceptional results, achieving superior inhibition of 66.1% compared to the sequential method's inhibition of 39.4%. This underscores the efficacy of simultaneous UAE-ATPE in producing concentrated anti-cholesterol compounds. The study strongly emphasizes the superiority of simultaneous UAE-ATPE over the sequential approach.

Antidiabetic and antiulcer activity of methanolic extract of Tradescantia spathacea in rats.

The present study was designed to assess Tradescantia spathacea's antidiabetic ability, as well as the antiulcer activity of the entire plant extract. The diabetic condition was evaluated using Streptozotocin's oral glucose tolerance test, diabetes-alloxan and diabetes-models. Antiulcer activities were observed in rats where gastric ulcers were either caused by oral administration of ethanol, or pyloric ligation. Standards include ranitidine, glibenclamide and sucralfate. In all models, the blood glucose levels of animals treated with the test extract were found to be significantly lower compared to diabetic care. Similarly, in all models, the ulcer index in the animals treated with the test extract was found to be significantly lower relative to the animals under vehicle supervision. Our findings say T. Spathacea extract has essential anti-diabetic properties, as well as antiulcer properties.

Evaluation of the combination of black rice bran ethanol extract and glimepiride in reducing blood glucose and protecting kidney, liver and pancreatic cells.

Long-lasting hyperglycemia can potentially cause damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver and pancreas. Glimepiride (GLIM), as a drug of choice in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), has the risk of decreasing the functioning of organs such as the kidneys, liver and pancreas. Black rice bran ethanol extract (EEBRB) with antioxidant content has been shown to protect the kidney, liver and pancreas organs. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of EEBRB on lowering fasting blood glucose (FBG) and protecting several organs after GLIM administration in alloxan (ALX)-induced hyperglycemic rats. A total of 20 rats were divided into 4 groups and treated for 21 days treatments using following preparations: normal control (NC), diabetic group (DC), GLIM 1 mg/ kgBW and combination of glimepiride 1mg/kgBW and EEBRB 50 mg/KgBW (GLBR). The results showed that the GLBR was able to lower blood glucose levels back to normal (<126 mg/dL) and protect kidney, liver and pancreas cells by increasing the amount in normal cells.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of phytochemicals from Piper betel L.

Piper betel contains phytochemicals with diverse pharmacological effects. The objective of this study was to enhance the extraction efficiency of phytochemicals and the chlorophyll content using ultrasonication. The Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the time (10, 20, 30 min), temperature (20, 30, and 40 °C), and solid-solvent ratio (1:10, 1:20, 1:30) by utilizing response surface methods with three independent variables. Multiple parameters, including extract yield, total phenol, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll content were used to optimize the conditions. The linear relationship between power intensity and responses was determined to be statistically significant, with a p-value less than 0.01. The interaction effect of temperature, time, and ratio of solid solvent was shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all the obtained results. The optimal parameters for achieving the highest extract yield were as follows: a temperature of 40 °C, a sonication time of 30 min, and a solid solvent ratio of 1:10. These conditions result in an extract yield of 21.99 %, a total flavonoid content of 44.97 mg/GAE, a total phenolic content of 185.05 mg/GAE, a DPPH scavenging activity of 99.1 %, and a chlorophyll content of 49.95 mg/ml. This study highlights the significance of customized extraction methodologies for optimizing the bioactive capacity of phytochemicals derived from betel leaves. The elucidation of extraction parameters and the resultant phytochemical profiles serves as a fundamental framework for the advancement of innovative pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, capitalizing on the therapeutic attributes of this traditional medicinal botanical.

Green and efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from Neem leaves using deep eutectic solvents based ultrasonic-assisted extraction.

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction was employed as an environmentally friendly technique for extracting antioxidant phenolic compounds from Neem leaves in place of organic solvents. Choline chloride-Ethylene glycol (1:2) with 40% V/V water content (DES-1) was investigated as a potential total phenolic content extractant (38.2 ± 1.2 mg GAE/g DW, where GAE: gallic acid equivalent, DW: dry weight). The optimal operational parameters assessed using single-factor experiments to maximize the total phenolic compounds content were as follows: extraction time of 30 min, 40% V/V water content, liquid-solid ratio of 15:1, and room temperature. Additionally, the in-vitro antioxidant experiments (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) demonstrated the DES-1-based extract of Neem leaves as a potent antioxidant agent, compared to traditional solvents. Moreover, microscopic morphological analysis supported the effectiveness of DES-1 for the noticeable alteration in the fiber surface structure of Neem leaves after extraction which benefited in the release of polyphenols from these leaves. Eventually, the mass analysis of the extract disclosed the presence of eleven polyphenols in the extract. The Green Analytical Procedure Index revealed the greenness of the extraction method.

Ultrasonic-assisted green extraction and incorporation of Spirulina platensis bioactive components into turmeric essential oil-in-water nanoemulsion for enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

The utilization of essential oils as natural antioxidants and preservatives is limited by high volatility, poor water solubility, and long-term instability. To address this, a novel ultrasonic-assisted method was used to prepare and stabilize a nanoemulsion of turmeric essential oil-in-water, incorporating bioactive components extracted from Spirulina platensis. Ultrasonic treatment enhanced the extraction efficacy and nanoemulsion stability. Algal biomass subjected to ultrasonic treatment (30 min at 80% amplitude) yielded a dry extract of 73.66 ± 3.05%, with the highest protein, phenolic, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin content, as well as maximum emulsifying activity. The resulting nanoemulsion (5% oil, 0.3% extract, 10 min ultrasonic treatment) showed reduced particle size (173.31 ± 2.24 nm), zeta potential (-36.33 ± 1.10 mV), low polydispersity index, and enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Rheology analysis indicated shear-thinning behavior, while microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed structural changes induced by ultrasonic treatment and extract concentration. This initiative developed a novel ultrasonic-assisted algal-based nanoemulsion with antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Green and efficient extraction of flavonoids from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. leaves based on natural deep eutectic solvents: Process optimization, component identification, and biological activity.

In this study, an ultrasonic-assisted natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) was used to extract flavonoids from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. leaves. Of 10 tested NaDESs, that comprising D-(+)-glucose and glycerol exhibited the best total flavonoid extraction rate. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for extraction modeling and optimization, and the total flavonoid content reached 87.48 ± 1.61 mg RE/g DW, which was a significant increase of 5.36% compared with that of 80% ethanol extraction. Morphological changes in P. frutescens leaves before and after extraction were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanism of NaDES formation was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, 10 flavonoids were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. In addition, the NaDES extract had better biological activity according to five kinds of antioxidant capacity measurements, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and hyaluronidase (Hyal) inhibition experiments. Moreover, the stability test revealed that the total flavonoid loss rate of the NaDES extract after four weeks was 37.75% lower than that of the ethanol extract. These results indicate that the NaDES can effectively extract flavonoids from P. frutescens leaves and provide a reference for further applications in the food, medicine, health product and cosmetic industries.

Antibacterial potential of Euphorbia canariensis against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria causing respiratory tract infections.

The widespread dissemination of bacterial resistance has led to great attention being paid to finding substitutes for traditionally used antibiotics. Plants are rich in various phytochemicals that could be used as antibacterial therapies. Here, we elucidate the phytochemical profile of Euphorbia canariensis ethanol extract (EMEE) and then elucidate the antibacterial potential of ECEE against Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. ECEE showed minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 128 to 512 µg/mL. The impact of ECEE on the biofilm-forming ability of the tested isolates was elucidated using crystal violet assay and qRT-PCR to study its effect on the gene expression level. ECEE exhibited antibiofilm potential, which resulted in a downregulation of the expression of the biofilm genes (algD, pelF, and pslD) in 39.13% of the tested isolates. The antibacterial potential of ECEE was studied in vivo using a lung infection model in mice. A remarkable improvement was observed in the ECEE-treated group, as revealed by the histological and immunohistochemical studies. Also, ELISA showed a noticeable decrease in the oxidative stress markers (nitric oxide and malondialdehyde). The gene expression of the proinflammatory marker (interleukin-6) was downregulated, while the anti-inflammatory biomarker was upregulated (interleukin-10). Thus, clinical trials should be performed soon to explore the potential antibacterial activity of ECEE, which could help in our battle against resistant pathogenic bacteria.

Innovative orthogonal two-dimensional reversed-phase liquid chromatography × supercritical fluid chromatography with a phenyl/tetrazole stationary phase for the preparative isolation of diarylheptanoids.

In this investigation, we successfully isolated and purified natural diarylheptanoids using an orthogonal offline two-dimensional RPLC × SFC approach, employing only the phenyl/tetrazole stationary phase. First, a styrene-divinylbenzene matrix medium pretreatment liquid chromatography system effectively processed chlorophyll-containing plant extract solution with a recovery rate of 33.8 %, obviating the need for concentration steps. Subsequently, an offline two-dimensional RPLC × SFC employing only the phenyl/tetrazole stationary phase achieved a remarkable 96.38 % orthogonality and was established and utilized in the preparative separation and purification of natural products. Finally, the constructed single stationary phase highly orthogonal RPLC × SFC system was successfully applied in the preparative separation and purification of natural diarylheptanoids from the Saxifraga tangutica target fraction and yielded four diarylheptanoids with purities exceeding 95 %.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from pecan nutshell: An added-value and low-cost alternative for an industrial waste.

The pecan nutshell [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) C. Koch] (PNS) is a source of bioactives with important beneficial properties for the human health. PNS represents between 40-50 % of total mass of the nut, resulting as waste without any added value for the food industry. Even though a variety of methods were already developed for bioactive extraction from this waste, unconventional methodologies, or those which apart from green chemistry principles, were discarded considering the cost of production, the sustainable development goals of United Nations and the feasibility of real inclusion of the technology in the food chain. Then, to add-value to this waste, a low-cost, green and easy-scalable extraction methodology was developed based on the determination of seven relevant factors by means of a factorial design and a Response Surface Methodology, allowing the extraction of bioactives with antioxidant capacity. The pecan nutshell extract had a high concentration of phenolic compounds (166 mg gallic acid equivalents-GAE/g dry weight-dw), flavonoids (90 mg catechin equivalent-CE/g dw) and condensed tannins (189 mg CE/g dw) -related also to the polymeric color (74.6 %)-, with high antioxidant capacities of ABTS+. radical inhibition (3665 µmol Trolox Equivalent-TE/g dw) and of iron reduction (1305 µmol TE/g dw). Several compounds associated with these determinations were identified by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, such as [Epi]catechin-[Epi]catechin-[Epi]gallocatechin, myricetin, dihydroquercetins, dimers A and B of protoanthocyanidins, ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives. Hence, through the methodology developed here, we obtained a phenolic rich extract with possible benefits for human health, and of high industrial scalability for this co-product transformation.

Glucomannan isolation from porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) flour using natural deep eutectic solvents and ethanol: A comparative study.

Ethanol is a common solvent to isolate glucomannan from porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) flour (NPF). This study investigated the use of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) in glucomannan isolation from NPF. NADESs formed by the hydrogen bond acceptors (choline chloride and betaine) and the hydrogen bond donors (glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, formic acid, and acetic acid) in varying molar ratios of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 were characterized to optimize glucomannan isolation. The results showed that higher molar ratios of NADES tended to yield porang glucomannan flour (PGF) with higher glucomannan content and viscosity. The gel of PGF exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. The FTIR spectra indicated that betaine-based NADES removed the acetyl groups from glucomannan chains. The PGF obtained from NADESs with a molar ratio of 1:4 was comparable to those obtained from ethanol with a glucomannan content of 87.34 %-93.28 % and a weight-average molecular weight of 9.12 × 105-1.20 × 106 g/mol.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols from lotus rhizome epidermis by alcohol/salt-based aqueous two-phase system: Optimization, extraction mechanism and antioxidant activities.

In this study, ultrasonic-assisted (UA) alcohol/salt-based aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) method was constructed to extract lotus rhizome epidermis (LRE) polyphenols. The extraction conditions were optimized as salt concentration 26.75 %, ethanol concentration 25.45 %, ultrasonic power 487 W and liquid-solid ratio 35.33 mL/g by comparing response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models. Then, l-dopa (2.35 ± 0.036 mg/g dw), gallocatechin (1.66 ± 0.0035 mg/g dw) and epigallocatechin (1.37 ± 0.0035 mg/g dw) were determined as major polyphenols in LRE by using UA-ATPS method. Moreover, study showed that ultrasound, van der Waals force, hydrogen bond and salting out could accelerate the mass transfer and extraction of polyphenols in LRE cells. The high-pressure cavity and collapse effect of ultrasound could also accelerate the extraction of polyphenols. In vitro antioxidant experiments showed that LRE polyphenols have good antioxidant ability. In sum, this study developed a green and efficient extraction method to enhance the profitability of LRE in food and medicine industries.

Properties, extraction and purification technologies of Stevia rebaudiana steviol glycosides: A review.

For health and safety reasons, the search for green, healthy, and low-calorie sweeteners with good taste has become the demand of many consumers. Furthermore, the need for sugar substitutes of natural origin has increased dramatically. In this review, we briefly discussed the safety and health benefits of stevia sweeteners and enumerated some examples of physiological functions of steviol glycosides (SGs), such as anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-diabetes, and anticaries, citing various evidence related to their application in the food industry. The latest advances in emerging technologies for extracting and purifying SGs and the process variables and operational strategies were discussed. The impact of the extraction methods and their comparison against the conventional techniques have also been demonstrated. These technologies use minimal energy solvents and simplify subsequent purification stages, making viable alternatives suitable for a possible industrial application. Furthermore, we also elucidated the potential for advancing and applying the natural sweeteners SGs.

Supercritical CO2 extraction increases the recovery levels of omega-3 fatty acids in Tetraselmis chuii extracts.

Tetraselmis chuii is a microalgae marketed as ingredient meeting the acceptance criteria for novel foods established by the European Union and can be an important source of healthy fatty acids (FA). The aim of this research was to characterize the FA profile of T. chuii fractions obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction operating with two sequential co-solvents and to evaluate the effect of biomass pretreatment (freeze/thaw cycles followed by ultrasounds). T. chuii biomass was confirmed to be an important source of omega-3 FA, mainly due to the abundance of α-linolenic acid, and pre-treatment significantly improved the lipid yield. Other omega-3 FA, such as 16:3, 16:4, 18:4, 18:5, 20:3 and 20:5, were also detected in different proportions. When SCCO2 extraction of pretreated and un-pretreated T. chuii was compared with conventional solvent extraction, the nutritional quality indices of the extracts were improved by the use of SCCO2.