This study focuses on optimizing the extraction conditions for antioxidants from the fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) through ultrasound-assisted extraction with the aim of creating a stable and effective cosmetic formulation. RSM was used to optimize the extraction parameters to ultrasonic power of 60%, with 50% ethanol concentration for 10 min. Under those conditions, the extract showed a phenolic-rich profile, with a total phenolic content equivalent to 18.56 mg GAE/g DM and a radical scavenging activity of 63.24%. Chromatographic analysis further confirmed the abundance of phenolic compounds, with epicatechin identified as the major compound at a concentration of 22.58 mg/g DM. The extract exhibited considerable antibacterial activity for a number of bacterial strains, and it exhibited no cell toxicity on RAW 267.4 cells, supporting its safe use in cosmetic products. The cosmetic formulation maintained high stability, with pH values from 6.25 to 6.35, viscosity values from 7941.69 to 7956.70 cp, and less color change after 90 days of preservation under varied temperature conditions. These findings validate fenugreek extract’s potential for producing a stable, eco-friendly, and effective cosmetic product, thus bringing skin health benefits and driving sustainable extraction methods in the cosmetic industry.

The present study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative performance of five green solvents, namely 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), p-cymene, d-limonene and ethanol to substitute n-hexane, for sesame seed oil extraction. In fact, both CPME and MeTHF gave higher crude yields than n-hexane (58.82, 54.91 and 50.84%, respectively). The fatty acid profile of the sesame seed oils remained constant across all the solvent systems, with a predominance of oleic acid (39.27–44.35%) and linoleic acid (38.88–43.99%). The total sterols gained the upmost amount with CPME (785 mg/100 g oil) and MeTHF (641 mg/100 g oil). CPME and MeTHF were also characterized by the optimum content of tocopherols (52.3 and 50.6 mg/100 g oil, respectively). The highest contents of total phenols in the sesame seed oils were extracted by CPME (23.51 mg GAE/g) and MeTHF (22.53 mg GAE/g) as compared to the other solvents, especially n-hexane (8 mg GAE/g). Additionally, sesame seed oils extracted by MeTHF and CPME also had the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as compared to the other green solvents and n-hexane, encouraging their manufacturing use for sesame seed oil extraction.

Background: The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides the main barrier between the internal and external environment. Assessment of skin permeability is of critical importance for understanding and predicting in vivo efficacy and bioavailability of bioactive phenolic compounds. Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between skin permeability and phenolic compounds using in silico methods. Methods: Screening of skin permeability was performed on 475 randomly selected phenolic compounds. Molecules were expressed in SMILE format downloaded from Phenol-Explorer Database (version 3.6, 2016). Then, their skin permeability was determined by the linear model of the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). The obtained results were investigated for normal distribution and correlation with pharmacological properties. Results: Our investigation showed that ferulate hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were the most important phenolic subclass with a permeability of -1.65 cm/s. The relationship between permeability and lipophilicity, water solubility, synthetic accessibility, and bioavailability was evaluated. The statistical analysis revealed that the highest skin permeability was associated with three parameters: the topological polar surface area (TPSA), molecular weight, and lipophilicity (iLog P). Conclusion: The cutaneous permeability depended on several chemical parameters of the molecule used. The classification of phenolic compounds according to their structures proved a wide variability in this permeability.

This study aimed to enhance antioxidant extraction from the aquatic plant Cymodocea nodosa for cosmetic formulation through optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction using response surface methodology. The optimized conditions—30 min of extraction time, 30% ultrasonic power, and 25% hydro-ethanolic solvent—resulted in a high total phenolic content of 113.07 mg EAG/g DM and antioxidant activity of 67.02%. Chromatographic analysis revealed a rich profile of phenolic compounds, including sinapic acid (0.741 mg/g), myricetin (0.62 mg/g), and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (0.3 mg/g), demonstrating the extract’s potent therapeutic properties. While the extract exhibited limited anti-inflammatory activity, it showed no cytotoxic effects on RAW 267.4 cells, ensuring its safety for cosmetic applications. The formulated cream maintained stable pH (6.58 to 6.6), consistent viscosity (5966.38 to 5980.6 cp), and minimal color changes over a 30-day period, indicating robust stability across various temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C). These results confirm the potential of C. nodosa extracts to develop effective, stable, and eco-friendly cosmetic products, offering substantial benefits for skin health and emphasizing the importance of sustainable extraction processes in the cosmetics industry.

This study investigates the performance of cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) in the extraction of fenugreek seed oil, aiming to replace the conventionally used hexane. The efficiency of this alternative solvent was evaluated first through in silico methods (based on Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSPs) and Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvent (COSMO-RS) simulations), followed by experimental studies. Solubility computational predictions analysis revealed that CPME exhibits superior solvation power compared to hexane. Experimentally, CPME demonstrated a significantly higher oil yield (7.23%) compared to hexane (4.25%) and a better retention of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids than hexane. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of oils extracted with CPME showed enhanced oxidative stability, sterol, tocopherol, and phenolic contents, leading to superior antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Importantly, CPME’s low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions further establish it as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to hexane, aligning with contemporary goals of reducing harmful emissions in extraction processes. Thus, this paper highlights the functional advantages of CPME, focusing on its efficiency, selectivity, and enhanced retention of bioactive compounds, positioning it as a superior extraction solvent for fenugreek seed oil compared to hexane.

Background: Nowadays, there is increasing attention to the discovery of new bioactive substances from marine sources. This research aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Tunisian Ruppia cirrhosa extracts (RCEs) using two different extraction methods. Methods: RCEs were obtained by two different extraction methods: maceration and successive extraction. The determination of polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activity was made by calorimetric assay, and the effect of RCE was observed against pathogenic bacteria and fungi using the solid diffusion method. Results: The successive extraction of R. cirrhosa extract relatively showed higher total phenol (38.1 mg GAE/g) and condensed tannin (18.07 mg CE/g) contents than the maceration extraction (35.43 mg EAG/g and 12.99 mg CE/g, respectively). However, the total flavonoid amount of RCE was higher in the maceration extraction (33.09 mg CE/g) than in the successive extraction (21.27 mg CE/g). The total antioxidant capacity of RCE indicated a decrease in this activity after fractionation. Indeed, the activity of RCE decreased from 47.8 to 37.83 mg GAE/g, and RCE obtained by the two extraction methods showed moderate antioxidant activity using reducing power (IC50=380-490 µg/mL) and β-carotene bleaching (IC50=110-310 μg/mL) assays. Furthermore, RCEs obtained by maceration had the greatest antibacterial activity against all tested strains (IZ=3.33-9.33 mm) except Salmonella typhimurium (IZ=2 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (IZ=6 mm), and Streptococcus aureus (3.67 mm) as compared to those obtained by successive extraction. The strains of Candida had a sensitivity for R. cirrhosa extracts obtained by maceration. Indeed, R. cirrhosa extracts obtained by successive extraction had higher inhibitory activity against Candida krusei deduced through an inhibition diameter of 6 mm. Conclusion: It can be concluded that R. cirrhosa extract is rich in bioactive molecules, and it has an extremely promising biological potential.