Freeze-drying fresh vegetables and fruits may not only prevent post-harvest losses but also provide a concentrated source of nutrients and phytochemicals. This study focused on the phenolic composition of different freeze-dried products derived from horticultural crop remains (HCRs) in the vegetable and fruit production chain. These products may be considered as a potential health-promoting solution for preventing post-harvest fruit spoiling and losses. The total polyphenolic content (TPC) and the main phenolics were studied using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). Additionally, an in vitro chemical screening of the antioxidant capacity was carried out using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. These analyses were performed together with an investigation of the correlations among phenolics and their antioxidant properties, and a bioinformatic approach was used to estimate the main potential bio-targets in human beings. Furthermore, a statistical approach using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out for a multivariate characterization of these products. Catechins, flavonols, and phenolic acids were the predominant and most discriminating classes in different products. The TPC values obtained in this study ranged from 366.86 ± 71.30 mg GAE/100 g DW (apple, MD) to 1077.13 ± 35.47 mg GAE/100 g DW (blueberry, MID) and 1102.25 ± 219.71 mg GAE/100 g DW (kaki, KD). The FRAP values ranged from 49.28 ± 2.88 mmol Fe²⁺/kg DW (apple, MD) to 80.43 ± 0.02 mmol Fe²⁺/kg DW (blueberry, MID) and 79.05 ± 0.21 mmol Fe²⁺/kg DW (kaki, KD). The proposed approach may be an effective tool for quality control and valorization of these products. This study showed that the utilization of crop remains can potentially lead to the development of new functional foods, providing additional economic benefits for farmers. Finally, the use of freeze-drying may potentially be a sustainable and beneficial solution for growers who may directly utilize this technology to produce dried products from the crop remains of their fruit productions.

Uapaca bojeri is an endemic Malagasy plant used by the local population. This work aimed to evaluate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of the methanol extracts of U. bojeri leaves and stems and to report their total phenolic content and the bioactive compound content by HPLC methods. Antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. An in vivo carrageenan-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice were used for anti-inflammatory activity evaluation. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in mice to evaluate antidiabetic activity. The total bioactive compound content of leaves was higher than that of stems. Stem methanol extract inhibited the free radical DPPH more than the leaf methanol extract. Leaf methanol extract inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the carrageenan-induced paw oedema more than the stem extract, but their inhibition of the pain symptoms caused an acetic acid-induced decrease similar to the number of writhes in the dose-dependent case. The leaf and stem methanol extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels after 30 min of glucose loading in mice compared to the control group blood glucose reduction. The presence of several bioactive compounds in U. bojeri contributed to the different biological activities, but isolation and identification of these bioactive molecules are necessary to confirm these pharmacological properties.

Objective This study investigates the effectiveness of self‐nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) in improving voriconazole transcorneal permeability. Methods Voriconazole‐SNEDDS was prepared with isopropyl myristate, PEG 400, Tween 80^® and Span 80^® and was subjected for physicochemical characterization after reconstitution with NaCl 0.9% (1/9; v/v). In‐vitro antifungal activity was assessed and compared with the marketed formulation. In‐vivo studies, namely ocular irritation test via modified Draize test and pharmacokinetic study, were investigated using rabbit as animal model. Key findings Voriconazole‐SNEDDS presented a droplet size of 21.353 ± 0.065 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.123 ± 0.003, a pH of 7.205 ± 0.006 and an osmolarity of 342.667 ± 2.517 mOsmol/l after reconstitution with NaCl 0.9%. Voriconazole‐SNEDDS minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) was similar to the one of marketed formulation for Candida species while it was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for Aspergillus fumigatus. Draize test revealed that Voriconazole‐SNEDDS was safe for ocular administration. Voriconazole maximum concentration (5.577 ± 0.852 µg/ml) from SNEDDS was higher than marketed formulation (C_max = 4.307 ± 0.623 µg/ml), and the T_max was delayed to 2 h. The area under the concentration–time curve value of Voriconazole‐SNEDDS was improved by 2.419‐fold. Conclusion Our results suggest that SNEDDS is a promising carrier for voriconazole ocular delivery and this encourages further clinical studies.

Morella spathulata (Myricaceae family) is a common plant from Madagascar and is present on the IUCN Red List of threatened species classified at the ’least concern’ level, used by the local population to treat numerous illnesses and pain. Despite its frequent use, comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological research on the species is limited. This study evaluated the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the toxicity of methanol extracts from the leaves (MS_L) and bark (MS_B) of M. spathulata. The research involved the analysis of nutritional traits such as sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, polyphenolic content (TPC) and the main phytochemicals by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant capacity was assessed through DPPH and FRAP assays. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests in mice. The results showed a high content of phenolic and bioactive components in the leaf and bark extracts, associated with antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The interaction of key compounds such as ferulic acid and ellagic acid with proteins involved in pH regulation and immune modulation provides clues to the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects. However, conservation efforts are crucial due to habitat loss and illegal logging, and further studies are needed to fully explore the plant’s therapeutic potential.

Antioxidants are important supplements for the human body for their roles in human life for the maintenance of homeostasis. Tapia fruits (Uapaca bojeri) are used by the riverain population of the Tapia forests in Madagascar as complementary foods. This study aims to quantify the main antioxidants in the U. bojeri fruits to verify their contribution to the enhancement of their anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic effects. Standard phytochemical screening was used for qualitative analysis, while spectrophotometric (TPC, TAC, and TFC) and chromatographic analyses (HPLC) were used to quantify several phytochemicals in U. bojeri fruits. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays. The writhing test was used for the analgesic effects, the carrageenan-induced paw edema was used for the anti-inflammatory activity, and OGTT was used to test the anti-hyperglycemia property of the MEUB in mice. Several phytocompounds were detected and quantified in the fruits, including succinic acid (67.73%) as the main quantified compound. Fruits exerted a good antioxidant capacity and showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic activities in mice. Isolation of the bioactive compounds should be carried out to confirm these pharmacological properties and develop health-promoting food products or medicinal applications derived from this species.