Phytocosmetic Emulsion Containing Extract of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae): Development, Stability Study, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Morus nigra L. is a species popularly known in the Northeast of Brazil as “amora miúra”. This species is a source of flavonoids with antioxidant activity. Antioxidants play an important role in the preservation of cosmetic formulations, and they neutralize free radicals. The objective of this study was to develop a topical emulsion containing leaf extract of Morus nigra L., as well as to evaluate the stability, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the formulations. A crude hydroalcoholic (70%) extract of M. nigra leaves (MnCE) was submitted to high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) analysis and incorporated into an anionic base emulsion. Antioxidant activity was evaluated according to the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, and the stability of the formulation was assessed for 90 days, submitting the emulsion to storage at 4, 20, and 37 °C. Microdilution techniques evaluated the antibacterial activity and a challenge test assessed the microbiological stability. Analysis by HPLC–DAD identified the flavonoids rutin and isoquercetin in the M. nigra extract. The emulsion and plant extract presented antioxidant activity, and the stability of the emulsion was preserved in terms of pH value and viscosity—which did not show significant changes, except for the spreadability, which was affected by the temperature. The antioxidant activity did not change significantly, except for the sample under 4 °C, which showed a considerable decrease in activity. The crude hydroalcoholic extract and formulation showed antimicrobial activity and the emulsion was considered stable in terms of organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological properties.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Encholirium spectabile Mart. (Bromeliaceae) in O/W Emulsions as an Additive against the UVB Radiation

“…However, after FDC, it was possible to observe a considerable loss of antioxidant capacity in all formulations, showing that the bioactive extract evaluated in this study is very sensitive to temperature variation. A study that evaluated the antioxidant activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Morus nigra incorporated in an emulsion of the O/W type, in environments with different temperatures: refrigerator, shelf and oven, observed that after 90 days in the refrigerator, there was a considerable drop in the antioxidant capacity of the formulation (38).…”

Recent development in the preservation effect of lactic acid bacteria and essential oils on chicken and seafood products

“…Interest in spices and aromatic and other plants, which are natural sources of antioxidants, has increased in recent years (Aboukhalaf et al, 2020(Aboukhalaf et al, , 2022Neves et al, 2021;Mechqoq et al, 2022;Melo et al, 2022;Munekata et al, 2022;Özogul et al, 2022). Natural plant extracts are used in the food industry as alternative preservatives.…”

Eco-friendly dyeing of fabric and wool yarn samples with Morus nigra leaf extracts

“…Various morphological parts of mulberry such as leaves, fruits, roots and stems have been used for different purposes (7). Morus nigra L. (Moraceae), known as ''black mulberry" or "wild mulberry" belongs to the genus Morus and used as an expectorant, antiseptic, sedative, diuretic, laxative antioxidant, and anthelmintic (8,9). It has important effects due to the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, triterpenoids and steroids in its composition (10).…”