Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities

This study explores the potential of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for efficiently recovering bioactive compounds, particularly rutin, from the often-overlooked leaves of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>. By fine-tuning important extraction parameters such as ultrasound power, temperature,...

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Main Authors: Abdulhakim Naffati, Aleksandra Mišan, Saša Kenig, Katja Kramberger, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Ana Petelin, Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić, Abdelmoumen Benmerzoug, Nasrien Elfarrah, Alena Stupar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1768
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author Abdulhakim Naffati
Aleksandra Mišan
Saša Kenig
Katja Kramberger
Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Ana Petelin
Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić
Abdelmoumen Benmerzoug
Nasrien Elfarrah
Alena Stupar
author_facet Abdulhakim Naffati
Aleksandra Mišan
Saša Kenig
Katja Kramberger
Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Ana Petelin
Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić
Abdelmoumen Benmerzoug
Nasrien Elfarrah
Alena Stupar
author_sort Abdulhakim Naffati
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the potential of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for efficiently recovering bioactive compounds, particularly rutin, from the often-overlooked leaves of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>. By fine-tuning important extraction parameters such as ultrasound power, temperature, and ethanol concentration, this research achieved maximum yields of total phenolic content and rutin, establishing these leaves as a sustainable and valuable source of phytochemicals for applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed a high rutin content (15.51 mg/g DW), accompanied by considerable amounts of quercetin-3-glucoside and catechin. In vitro assays revealed the extract’s strong antioxidative properties, effectively safeguarding Caco-2 and Hep G2 cells against oxidative stress and significantly lowering reactive oxygen species levels. Additionally, the extract enhanced the expression of vital antioxidative enzymes and demonstrated no toxicity at the tested concentrations, confirming its safety for dietary supplement use. These findings underscore the extract’s strong safety profile and notable bioefficacy, reinforcing its suitability for incorporation into health-oriented formulations such as functional foods, dietary supplements, or nutraceutical products. Beyond demonstrating biological relevance, this research also advances the sustainable valorization of <i>Capparis spinosa</i> leaf biomass—an underutilized resource with high phytochemical potential—while contributing to the development of innovative, plant-based strategies for disease prevention and overall health enhancement.
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spelling doaj-art-a4d99afbd15d4d3ea3d33b3fdddaf1182025-08-20T03:48:01ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011410176810.3390/foods14101768Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative ActivitiesAbdulhakim Naffati0Aleksandra Mišan1Saša Kenig2Katja Kramberger3Zala Jenko Pražnikar4Ana Petelin5Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić6Abdelmoumen Benmerzoug7Nasrien Elfarrah8Alena Stupar9Libyan Medical Research Centre, Az Zawiyah 023-15583, LibyaInstitute of Food Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, SloveniaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, SloveniaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, SloveniaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, SloveniaFaculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah–Ouargla, Ouargla 30000, AlgeriaLibyan Medical Research Centre, Az Zawiyah 023-15583, LibyaInstitute of Food Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaThis study explores the potential of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for efficiently recovering bioactive compounds, particularly rutin, from the often-overlooked leaves of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>. By fine-tuning important extraction parameters such as ultrasound power, temperature, and ethanol concentration, this research achieved maximum yields of total phenolic content and rutin, establishing these leaves as a sustainable and valuable source of phytochemicals for applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed a high rutin content (15.51 mg/g DW), accompanied by considerable amounts of quercetin-3-glucoside and catechin. In vitro assays revealed the extract’s strong antioxidative properties, effectively safeguarding Caco-2 and Hep G2 cells against oxidative stress and significantly lowering reactive oxygen species levels. Additionally, the extract enhanced the expression of vital antioxidative enzymes and demonstrated no toxicity at the tested concentrations, confirming its safety for dietary supplement use. These findings underscore the extract’s strong safety profile and notable bioefficacy, reinforcing its suitability for incorporation into health-oriented formulations such as functional foods, dietary supplements, or nutraceutical products. Beyond demonstrating biological relevance, this research also advances the sustainable valorization of <i>Capparis spinosa</i> leaf biomass—an underutilized resource with high phytochemical potential—while contributing to the development of innovative, plant-based strategies for disease prevention and overall health enhancement.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1768<i>Capparis spinosa</i>ultrasound-assisted extractionrutin contentantioxidative propertiesreactive oxygen speciesCaco-2 cells
spellingShingle Abdulhakim Naffati
Aleksandra Mišan
Saša Kenig
Katja Kramberger
Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Ana Petelin
Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić
Abdelmoumen Benmerzoug
Nasrien Elfarrah
Alena Stupar
Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
Foods
<i>Capparis spinosa</i>
ultrasound-assisted extraction
rutin content
antioxidative properties
reactive oxygen species
Caco-2 cells
title Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
title_full Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
title_fullStr Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
title_short Unlocking the Functional Food Potential of <i>Capparis spinosa</i>: Optimizing Ultrasound Extraction, Phytochemical Analysis, and Assessing Antioxidative Activities
title_sort unlocking the functional food potential of i capparis spinosa i optimizing ultrasound extraction phytochemical analysis and assessing antioxidative activities
topic <i>Capparis spinosa</i>
ultrasound-assisted extraction
rutin content
antioxidative properties
reactive oxygen species
Caco-2 cells
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1768
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