Metabolite profiling, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of four medicinal plants from Eswatini and their relevance in food preservation

Nxumalo, Kwanele A.; Aremu, Adeyemi Oladapo; Fawole, Olaniyi A.

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2023.10.008

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 73 publications

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“…X. caffra's leaves and root extract have been described to have anti-gonococcal and antimicrobial possessions [21,23,24], substantiating its use as food essences and enhancing the shelf-life of food in the IKS [25,26]. A study by Nxumalo et al [27] reported that L. javanica, S. cordatum, and X. caffra have different metabolite compositions that influence their variations in antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Therefore, the IKS of these medicinal plants for food preservation indicates that they have the potential to inhibit reactive oxygen species in food, thereby increasing its edibility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Development of Chitosan-Based Active Films with Medicinal Plant Extracts for Potential Food Packaging Applications

Nxumalo,

Fawole,

Aremu

2023

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In this study, 2% chitosan (Ch) (w/v) was enriched with 1% Lippia javanica, Syzygium cordatum, and Ximenia caffra extract to form Ch+L, Ch+S, and Ch+X, respectively. The control film was the chitosan (Ch) film without plant extracts. The composite films were assessed for their antifungal ability using the agar diffusion method against economically relevant plant pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium expansum. These chitosan films were further evaluated using an X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope, and their physical and mechanical properties were also assessed. The medicinal plants in the chitosan matrix had the highest inhibition zone (10 mm) against P. expansum, while the chitosan-only films had the lowest inhibition zone (3.3 mm). Notably, Ch+S and Ch+X films had the highest inhibition zone (10 mm) against B. cinerea, while chitosan-only films did not avert the spread of B. cinerea. Ch+L films had the highest film thickness (0.189 mm), density (1.62 g·cm3), swelling degree (48.6%), and water solubility (32.8%). Films with other plant extracts had moderate properties, while chitosan without plant extract had the least film thickness (0.128 mm), density (1.08 g·cm3), swelling degree (31.9%), and water solubility (18.9%). X-ray diffraction images revealed that the chitosan films fused with plant extracts altered the extent of crystallinity of the films because they ranged between 14,710.43 for chitosan-only films and 26,288.31 a.u. for Ch+S films. Enriching the chitosan-based films with the investigated medicinal plant extracts resulted in different favorable properties and could make good candidates for food preservation and packaging if optimized.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Development of Chitosan-Based Active Films with Medicinal Plant Extracts for Potential Food Packaging Applications

Nxumalo,

Fawole,

Aremu

2023

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Xuesanqi ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice by mediating gut microbiota dysbiosis and modulating MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway

Su,

Hu,

et al. 2024

Nat. Prod. Bioprospect.

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This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic properties of the traditional Chinese medicine Xuesanqi (XSQ, from the rhizome of Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don) in treating ulcerative colitis. We hypothesized that its many active components can alleviate symptoms of colitis by regulating the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and various signaling pathways. To test our hypotheses, we designed a DSS- induced colitis model in C57BL/6 male mice. Apparent metrics were evaluated in each group of mice and performed histological analysis of relevant tissues. The gut microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing of bacteria. Simultaneously, the SCFAs content was detected by gas chromatography, inflammatory factor secretion was evaluated by ELISA or western-blot, the expression of tight junction protein and key proteins of the MAPK signaling pathway were analyzed by western-blot. Our result showed that the treatment with XSQ alleviated significant various symptoms such as weight loss, blood in stool, and shortening of colon. In addition, XSQ treatment restored the dysregulated gut microbiota in colitis mice, increased short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and normalized the MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathways, promoted expression of tight junction protein Occludin, Claudin-1, and E-cadherin proteins. Furthermore, we also observed a dose-dependent pattern in these treatment responses. These findings demonstrated the active components of XSQ is a promising new treatment platform for ulcerative colitis. Graphical Abstract

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Antifungal properties and molecular docking of ZnO NPs mediated using medicinal plant extracts

Nxumalo,

Adeyemi,

Leta

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Significant postharvest losses and food safety issues persist in many developing nations, primarily due to fungal activities, including mycotoxin production. In this study, green synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were prepared from leaf extracts of Syzygium cordatum (ZnO 1), Lippia javanica (ZnO 2) , Bidens pilosa (ZnO 3) , and Ximenia caffra (ZnO 4). Physicochemical characteristics of the ZnO-NPs were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transmission Infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD analysis confirmed the presence of a wurtzite crystal structure in the hexagonal shape of the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), with an average size ranging between 25 and 43 nm. The microscopic examination of the morphology revealed the presence of spherical particles with sizes ranging from 37 to 47 nm in diameter. The antifungal efficacy of the ZnO-NPs was assessed against pathogenic plant fungi, including Botrytis sp . (STEU 7866), Penicillium sp . (STEU 7865), and Pilidiella granati (STEU 7864), using the poisoned food technique. Further antifungal evaluation of the ZnOPs was performed using the broth microdilution assay. A significant interaction between the type of ZnO-NPs and fungal species was observed, with the highest susceptibility in Mucor sp . to ZnO 2, achieving over 50% inhibition. Penicillium sp. also showed high susceptibility to all ZnO-NPs. Molecular docking results confirmed the strong H-bonding interactions of ZnO-NPs with fungal receptors in Mucor sp . and Penicillium sp ., Botrytis sp. and P. granati exhibited the least susceptibility. Further tests revealed that ZnO 2 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on Botrytis sp ., with a low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 µg/mL, attributed to its larger positive zeta potential. This study indicates that ZnO NPs, particularly those mediated using Lippia javanica (ZnO 2), have promising potential as effective antifungal agents, which could play a significant role in reducing postharvest decay and losses.

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Metabolite profiling, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of four medicinal plants from Eswatini and their relevance in food preservation

Cited by 3 publications

References 73 publications

Development of Chitosan-Based Active Films with Medicinal Plant Extracts for Potential Food Packaging Applications

Development of Chitosan-Based Active Films with Medicinal Plant Extracts for Potential Food Packaging Applications

Xuesanqi ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice by mediating gut microbiota dysbiosis and modulating MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway

Antifungal properties and molecular docking of ZnO NPs mediated using medicinal plant extracts

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