Moringa Oleifera (MO), a plant from the family Moringacea is a major crop in Asia and Africa. MO has been studied for its health properties, attributed to the numerous bioactive components, including vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins and saponins, which are present in significant amounts in various components of the plant. Moringa Oleifera leaves are the most widely studied and they have shown to be beneficial in several chronic conditions, including hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer and overall inflammation. In this review, we present information on the beneficial results that have been reported on the prevention and alleviation of these chronic conditions in various animal models and in cell studies. The existing limited information on human studies and Moringa Oleifera leaves is also presented. Overall, it has been well documented that Moringa Oleifera leaves are a good strategic for various conditions associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer and fatty liver.

To investigate the mechanisms by which Moringa oleifera leaves (ML) modulate hepatic lipids, guinea pigs were allocated to either control (0% ML), 10% Low Moringa (LM) or 15% High Moringa (HM) diets with 0.25% dietary cholesterol to induce hepatic steatosis. After 6 weeks, guinea pigs were sacrificed and liver and plasma were collected to determine plasma lipids, hepatic lipids, cytokines and the expression of genes involved in hepatic cholesterol (CH) and triglyceride (TG) metabolism. There were no differences in plasma lipids among groups. A dose-response effect of ML was observed in hepatic lipids (CH and TG) with the lowest concentrations in the HM group (p < 0.001), consistent with histological evaluation of lipid droplets. Hepatic gene expression of diglyceride acyltransferase-2 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, as well as protein concentrations interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon-γ, were lowest in the HM group (p < 0.005). Hepatic gene expression of cluster of differentiation-68 and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c were 60% lower in both the LM and HM groups compared to controls (p < 0.01). This study demonstrates that ML may prevent hepatic steatosis by affecting gene expression related to hepatic lipids synthesis resulting in lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides and reduced inflammation in the liver.

No abstract

White button mushrooms are greatly high perishable and can deteriorate within a few days after harvesting due to physicomechanical damage, respiration, microbial growth of the delicate epidermal structure. For that reason, the present research work was applied to evaluate the effect of chitosan combination with nano-coating treatments on physicochemical parameters and microbial populations on button mushrooms at chilling storage. Nano coating with the addition of nisin 1% (CHSSN/M) established the minimum value for weight loss 12.18%, maintained firmness 11.55 N, and color index profile. Moreover, O2% rate of (CHSSN/M) mushrooms was the lowest at 1.78%; while the highest rate was reported for CO2 24.88% compared to the untreated samples (Control/M) on day 12. Both pH and total soluble solid concentrations increased during storage. Results reported that the (CHSS/M) mushroom significantly (P < 0.05) reduced polyphenol oxidase activity (24.31 U mg−1 Protein) compared with (Control/M) mushrooms that increased faster than the treated samples. (CHSSN/M) treatment was the most efficient in the reduction of yeast and mold, aerobic plate microorganisms (5.27–5.10 log CFU/g), respectively. The results established that nano-coating film might delay the aging degree and accompany by marked prolongation of postharvest mushroom freshness.

Onions contain high antioxidants compounds that fight inflammation against many diseases. The purpose was to investigate some selected bioactive activities of onion varieties (Yellow, Red, Green, Leek, and Baby). Antioxidant assays and anti-inflammatory activities such as NO production with the addition of some bioactive components were determined and analyzed by using a spectrophotometer. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used for the volatile compounds, while an Atomic absorption spectrometer was used for mineral determinations. Red variety achieved the highest antioxidant activities. The total flavonoids were between (12.56 and 353.53 mg Quercetin/gin dry weight) (dw) and the total phenol was (8.75–25.73 mg/g dw). Leek, Yellow and Green extracts achieved highly anti-inflammatory values (3.71–4.01 μg/mL) followed by Red and Baby extracts, respectively. The highest contents of sodium, potassium, zinc, and calcium were established for Red onions. Furfuraldehyde, 5-Methyl-2-furfuraldehyde, 2-Methyl-2-pentenal, and 1-Propanethiol were the most predominant, followed by a minor abundance of the other compounds such as Dimethyl sulfide, Methyl allyl disulfide, Methyl-trans-propenyl-disulfide, and Methyl propyl disulfide. The results recommend that these varieties could act as sources of essential antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to decrease inflammation and oxidative stresses, especially red onions that recorded high activities.

Mushrooms have limited shelf-life and it can be prolonged if suitable conditions and treatments are effectively applied. In this study, nanocomposite material and antimicrobial agents with a combination of chitosan were used as novel packaging material for mushroom preservation. The microbiological analysis, physicochemical properties, headspace gas analysis, and polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO) during cold storage were investigated. As compared with control, coated mushrooms with chitosan (CHS), and nano-titanium dioxide CHSTiO2 thymol + tween-80 CHSTiO2/TT80 coating treatment showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower respiration rate, microbial contaminations (4.27 log CFU/g), and (5.93 log CFU/g) for total yeast/mold and aerobic plate counts, respectively. The weight loss ratio was the lowest for CHSTiO2/TT80 (10.88% loss) followed by CHSTiO2 (11.76% loss). CHSTiO2/TT80 recorded a higher electrolyte leakage rate (25.84%) and acidity. While the lowest PPO activity was established for CHSTiO2 (17.09 U mg−1 Protein), while the lowest values for total soluble solid concentrations were reported for CHSTiO2/TT80 mushrooms (4.91%). These results indicated that CHSTiO2/TT80 coating treatment might delay the aging degree of white button mushrooms and be investigated as a novel packaging material for other food products in the future.

Agaricus Bisporus is an edible button mushroom that is highly perishable with an extremely short shelf-life at ambient temperature. This work aims to evaluate some antioxidant activities, oxidation enzymes, and determine postharvest qualities of nano-coated mushrooms with the combination of chitosan (CHN) component during storage at 4 °C for (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days). Silica/CHN Film strongly delayed the mushroom respiratory spike onset and blocked carbon dioxide passage from inside to the outside, while Titanium/CHN Film (0.035 mmol s−1 kg−1) established the lowest O2 production rate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production (6.21 nmol g−1). Silica/CHN Film was mainly effectual for the polyphenol contents (0.39 g kg−1) and antioxidant activities (78.14% and 71.09%) for DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities, respectively. The results reported that Silica/CHN Film induced the highest (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) activities, while Titanium/CHN Film recorded the highest (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) activities of antioxidant enzymes. Besides, Titanium/CHN Film preserved relatively lower contents of hydrogen peroxide (22.40 µmol g−1) and hydroxyl radical (0.16 µmol g−1). In a word, nano-materials used in coating films such as titanium or even silica with the combination of CHN can directly reduce the cell degradation, oxidation processes and enhance the harvested horticultural crops.

Chitosan coating (B/CH) in addition with nano-material films as silicon (B/CH/Nano-SiO2) and titanium (B/CH/Nano-TiO2) dioxides were developed and applied to detect potential changes on fresh blueberry fruits in commercial storage temperature. Physical, mechanical parameters (weight loss, decay rate, colour index and firmness), phytochemical contents (ascorbic acid, acidity, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and repining index), phenolic enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase), pigments (anthocyanin) and microbiological analysis (mesophilic aerobic, yeasts and molds populations) were detected every other day until the end of the experiment. Nano-coating based on (Nano-TiO2) established the most suitable values for weight loss (2.22%), titratable acidity (0.45% citric acid), and repining index. (B/CH/Nano-TiO2) reported a gradual increase in polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase enzyme activities (659.45 U/min g) and (20.39 U/min g), respectively. While, (B/CH/Nano-SiO2) established the slightest change in acidity (2.61), anthocyanin (105.19 cyanidin-3-O-glucoside mg/100 g FW) and minimized the growth of mesophilic aerobic, yeasts, and molds populations (3.73–3.98 log CFU/g), respectively. (B/CH) films maintained lightness (6.80% loss) and recorded the highest ascorbic acid content (7.34 g/100 g FW). Therefore, chitosan nano-material films can maintain nutrients and control the microbial growth for extending the shelf life of fresh blueberry fruits.