The Lamiaceae family are utilized as ornamental, medicinal, and food supplements throughout the world. The current study focuses on a comparative analysis of the phenolic compositions and bioactivities (including antioxidant, anticholinergic, and antibacterial activities) of ethanolic extracts derived from the aerial parts of the two species (Lavandula stoechas L. and Thymus sipyleus Boiss). The presence of phenolic compounds and phytochemicals in the plant extracts was identified using the LC-MS/MS technique. The LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that vanillic acid (125,596.66 µg/L) was the most abundant phytochemical in L. stoechas. Kaempferol (8550.52 µg/L) was the most abundant substance in Thymus sipyleus. The assessment of the antioxidant efficacy of the species extracts was conducted using the DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate), ABTS (2.2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), Fe³⁺–Fe²⁺ reducing, and CUPRAC (Cu²⁺–Cu⁺ reducing) assays. The anticholinergic activity of the samples was determined using the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay. The results of antioxidant activity were higher in the T. sipyleus than in the L. stoechas ethanol extracts. The extracts of L. stoechas exhibited radical scavenging activity ranging from 15 to 18%, while T. sipyleus had activity effects ranging from 34% to 38%. The AChE inhibition potential for L. stoechas and T. sipyleus extracts as IC₅₀ values were 0.221 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.067 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. The antibacterial effects of the ethanolic extracts of these species against pathogenic bacteria isolates were determined using the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) method. These findings indicated that the extracts from L. stoechas and T. sipyleus possess the potential to be natural antioxidants in the realm of food preservation. Additionally, their antioxidant, anticholinergic, and antimicrobial properties suggest potential therapeutic utility in the management of certain diseases.

Corn tassel (CT) is a waste part of the corn plant. It is a good co-product and rich in terms of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. This research tried to show the phenolic profile, antioxidants, anticholinergic activities, and antibacterial properties of CT ethanol extract. The phenolic content analysis of the CT was determined quantitatively by LC-MS/MS, and the antioxidant capacity was measured using ABTS, DPPH, Cu²⁺–Cu⁺, and Fe³⁺–Fe²⁺ reducing methods. The anticholinergic measurements of CT were detected by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The antibacterial activity was determined by MIC and disc diffusion methods. Many phenolic compounds such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, fumaric acid, acetohydroxamic acid, butein, myricetin, resveratrol, catechin hydrate, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were detected in ethanol extract of CT. The obtained plant ethanol extract had a 7.04% DPPH value, while it showed ABTS activity at 9.45%. Moreover, it had a 0.10 mg/mL inhibition effect on the AChE in terms of IC₅₀ values. The ethanol extract of the CT had an antibacterial property on the investigated bacteria at different ratios. In conclusion, this research aims to consider CT as a source of phenolic compounds and to reveal its bioactive properties and its effects on the treatment of some diseases.

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), also called wild sunflower, belongs to the Asteraceae family and is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its nutritious tuber, which is used as a root vegetable. In this study, the Jerusalem artichoke (JA) was used as a supplementary additive for producing a functional yogurt, with enhanced health benefits and improving the microbiological, rheological, and sensorial quality characteristics of the product. The effects of the three different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%, w/w) of JA on the physicochemical properties, bacterial counts, sensorial properties, and organic acid profiles of yogurts were determined after 1, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage at ±4 °C. The results obtained revealed that with the addition of different concentrations of JA the overall parameters were statistically significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) except for apparent viscosity, Streptococcus thermophilus, yeast and mold count, pyruvic ratios, and scores of flavor. Similarly, some parameters (fat ratio, yeast and mold count, concentrations of propionic, acetic, pyruvic, orotic, and lactic acids, and scores of appearance, consistency, and odor) changed depending on the storage time, while some did not show any changes regarding storage time. There was a relationship found between the concentration of JA and organic acid ratio (except for pyruvic acid) concentration in the yogurt samples. In conclusion, the research revealed the effect of JA in yogurt production as a thickener, flavor enhancer, prebiotic agent, and source of organic acids and bioactive compounds. The results indicate that JA has a good potential for enhancing the nutritional and physicochemical properties of the studied yogurt.

Volatile compound profiles of probiotic yogurt samples prepared using 8 different prebiotic combinations were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with solid phase micro extraction during 28 days of storage. A total of 40 volatile compounds were identified in yogurt samples during storage consisting of 2 aldehydes, 6 ketones, 4 alcohols, 6 acids, 5 esters, 3 terpenes, 3 aromatic hydrocarbons, and 12 aliphatic hydro-carbons. Acetaldehyde, diacetyl, acetoin, 2-heptanone, ethanol, isoamyl alcohol, acetic acid, caproic acid, caprilic acid, and capric acid were the major volatile compounds in all probiotic yogurt samples.