This research delves into the antioxidant potential of Acanthus ilicifolius leaves harvested from the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Four distinct solvents—methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate—were utilized to determine antioxidant activities. Initial phytochemical screening unveiled the existence of many secondary metabolites, including as flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, and others. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total proanthocyanidin content were determined using quantitative analysis. The assessment of antioxidant activity was conducted using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging assays. Notably, the acetone extract of Acanthus ilicifolius exhibited the highest total phenolic content (24.75 mg of GA/g), total flavonoid content (12.9 mg of catechin/g), and total proanthocyanidins content (11.47 mg of catechin/g). The ethanol extract displayed the most robust antioxidant activity in both DPPH (91.41 %) and ABTS (66.78 %) scavenging assays among the crude extracts, underscoring its potential as a valuable source of antioxidants. The results emphasise the crucial importance of choosing the appropriate solvent in the extraction procedure and suggest that Acanthus ilicifolius leaves, particularly when extracted with ethanol, acetone, or methanol, hold promise as a natural source of antioxidants. This study offers valuable insights into the bioactive potential of Acanthus ilicifolius leaves.
Extending shelf life while maintaining quality of traditional fermented foods is a major challenge. This study aimed to investigate betel leaf essential oil nanoemulsions (BLEONE) as a clean-label preservative for fermented Idli batter. BLEONE (1–10 %) was incorporated into Idli batter and evaluated for physicochemical properties, sensory quality, and shelf life during ambient (30 °C) and refrigerated (4 °C) storage. Kinetic modeling and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to quantify BLEONE's effects on fermentation dynamics and assess statistical significance. At 5 % concentration, BLEONE significantly (p < 0.05) maintained pH (4.5 vs 3.8 in control), restricted acidity increases (1.2 % vs 1.8 % in control), and limited viscosity loss (15 % vs 40 % in control) during fermentation compared to untreated and sodium benzoate-treated samples. Sensory analysis showed acceptable attributes up to 5 % BLEONE. Optimally fermented Idli batter with 5 % BLEONE extended shelf-life to 7 days at 30 °C and 25 days at 4 °C storage. The nanoemulsion's enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and controlled release of active compounds significantly improved safety and quality preservation during storage. This research demonstrates the potential of essential oil nanoemulsions as effective clean-label preservatives for traditional fermented foods, offering a promising solution to extend shelf life while maintaining product quality.