Edible parts of two varieties of date palm (Mazfati and Kalute varieties) (Phoenix dactylifera) fruits (DPF) from Iran were analyzed to determine their phenolic compound and antioxidant activities (AA). Antioxidant activity evaluated using typical methods such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and total antioxidant method. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the DPF was measured using Folin-Ciocalteau method. The samples used in this study included samples were gathered at three stages of khalaal, rutab, tamr and dried date from Bam and Jiroft date. The TPC ranged from 2.89 to 4.82, 1074 to 856.4 and 782.8 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE/100 gdw sample) for khalal, rutab and tamr stage of Mozafati variety, respectively. This work demonstrates the potential of Iranian dates as good sources of antioxidant which can be used as functional food ingredients. The influence of sun drying process and oven drying at temperature ranged 50-80 °C on phenolic compounds and AA of date palm fruits were investigated. Result of drying process showed that TPC and AA varied with temperature and decreased by increase of drying temperature (from 667.3 to 610.5 mg galic acid in sun dried dates of Mozafati and Kaluteh respectively to 314.2 and 210.4 in dried dates (80 °C) of Mozafati and Kaluteh respectively).

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Background: Spirulina platensis is a photosynthetic microalgae with fibrous filamentous that belongs to the cyanobacteria family. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol and methanol extracts as well as the powder of spirulina platensis microelements on the sensory and texture properties of the bread. Methods: In order to determine the texture characteristics, we applied a texture analyser and conducted the Texture Profile Analysis test (Double-Density Compression). Sensory evaluation (hedonic scale 1−5) of the samples was performed by 10 trained panelists. Results: The results showed that use of spirulina microalgae in the formulation of bread altered the tissue properties significantly compared with the control sample. Addition of the spirulina decreased the hardness of the bread compared to the control sample. Moreover, addition of the methanol extract resulted in the highest adhesiveness, while addition of ethanol extract and spirulina microalgae powder led to the highest springiness rate among the samples. The highest and lowest amounts of gumminess were observed in bread samples containing spirulina microalgae powder and control treatments, respectively. The control sample received the highest score regarding all of the sensory features. Samples with spirulina powder received the lowest sensory properties. Conclusion: We can produce spirulina fortified bread with desirable nutritional and sensory characteristics.

Background: Herbals are rich in effective compounds such as phenolic and antioxidant. Various methods are developed to extract these compounds, including Soxhlet, maceration, microwave, and ultrasound. The extraction method affects the quantity and quality of materials. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound in phenolic and antioxidants compounds extraction from Caper roots. Methods: Response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design were used to optimize the two extraction parameters, including extraction time (10, 25, and 40 min) and ultrasound power (40%, 70%, 100 %) by aqueous and alcoholic solvents. Results: Based on the results, ultrasound power was more effective than the extraction time. A direct association was observed between ultrasound power and the extraction time with the total extraction. The optimum aqueous and alcoholic extraction condition for phenolic and antioxidant compounds extraction were as follow: extraction time 36 min and ultrasound power 91 percent. Total phenolic content was obtained 14.96 mg/g with aqueous solvent and 17.24 mg/g with alcoholic solvent, and IC50 was 52.17 µg/mg with aqueous solvent and 40.20 µg/mg with alcoholic solvent. Conclusions: Overall, alcoholic extracts had more phenolic and antioxidant compounds than aqueous extracts.

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Background: Nowadays, natural antioxidants are used to replace synthetic antioxidants for delaying or preventing the oxidation of edible oils. In this study, phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of methanol extracts of Spirulina microalgae (Arthrospira platensis) were measured. Methods: Phenolic content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteau method and antioxidant activity was measured by the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Also, spirulina microalgae as natural antioxidant, was added to sesame oil for improving its oxidative stability. The effects of methanol extract of these microalgae in four concentrations (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm) and synthetic antioxidants of butylated hydroxyl anyzole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in two levels (100 and 200 ppm) in retarding the sesame oil oxidation were examined. Results: The results showed that spirulina extract had 50.54 mg gallic acid/g samples total phenols and antiradical activity (84.38%). By increasing the concentration of the extracts, the oxidation process decreased. Methanol extract at 1000 ppm concentration had the highest antiradical activity than other concentrations and its antiradical activity was alike the synthesis antioxidant of BHA. By Increasing of storage period, peroxide values in 500 and 1000 ppm of spirulina extracts first increased then decreased and in other treatment increased. During storage time thiobarbituric acid index increased. However, this increase was higher in control treatment than others. Conclusion: According to the stated content, it can be said that methanol extracts of spirulina have appropriate antioxidant properties and spirulina can be used as a natural antioxidant to improve the oxidative stability of sesame oil.

Dracocephalum polychaetum Bornm and Nepeta cataria L. are two plants from the Lamiaceae family with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. This study evaluated the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and effect of aqueous extracts on the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis in a simulated gastrointestinal environment. Method: The aerial parts of plants were collected at the vegetative growth stage from the Hanza-Kuh's highlands in the Bahr Asman region of Jiroft city, Iran, in spring 2018. The total phenolic content of plants and antioxidant activity were measured using Folin-Ciocalteau and DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) methods, respectively. For investigating the survival of probiotic bacteria in a simulated gastrointestinal environment, bacterial suspension was inserted into tubes containing 0, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm of extracts and then incubated in a simulated gastrointestinal environment. The probiotic bacteria were counted using an MRS agar medium at various incubation times. Results:The results showed that the amount of total phenolic compounds in the D. polychaetum Bornm extract (44.55 mg/g dry matter) was higher than that of N. cataria L. (18.37 mg/g dry matter). With increased extracts concentrations, the percentage of DPPH-free radicals increased, and D. polychaetum Bornm extract in all concentrations showed higher DPPH free radical inhibitory content compared to the N. cataria L. extract. The viability results in the same gastrointestinal environment showed that samples containing N. cataria extract had a more remarkable survival rate than the controls and D. polychaetum Bornm extract. Conclusion: Using less than 500 ppm of D. polychaetum Bornm and N. cataria L. aqueous extracts can increase probiotic bacteria growth and viability.

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