1
RUDN University chemists studied the composition of oils extracted from popular medicinal plants

RUDN University chemists studied the composition of oils extracted from popular medicinal plants

A team of Russian and Vietnamese chemists from RUDN University, Belgorod State University, Ton Duc Thang University, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology were the first to study the composition of oils extracted from two flowering plants of the genus Thladiantha that are popular in traditional Chinese medicine. The team confirmed that the seeds of both plants contain around 40% oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Oleo Science.

Plant oils consist of triglycerides (molecules that contain three acid residues), and the value of any type of oil for nutrition, medicine, and other applications is determined by the type of fatty acid residues its triglycerides contain. Unsaturated conjugated fatty acids with several dibonds between the atoms of carbon have anti-tumor properties and help combat obesity, inflammations, and diabetes. An international team of chemists from RUDN University was the first to identify the fatty acid residue content in the seeds of T. nudiflora and T. dubia, two plants from the genus of tubergourd (Thladiantha). Tubergourds are common in Southeast Asia and are often used as medicinal plants in traditional Chinese medicine. However, until recently the composition of their seed oils remained understudied.

“Triglycerides are the most important components of animal and plant oils. Knowing the quantitative and qualitative parameters of seed oil fats, one can understand the so-called fatty acid composition of the oil that shows whether it is beneficial for human health. This information can be used to identify counterfeit oils,” said Prof. Olga Kovalchukova, a PhD in Chemistry from the Department of General Chemistry at RUDN University.

The team used spectral and chromatographic methods to study the oils and a green technique to separate their components. A 1:3:17 mixture of fats, urea, and ethanol was kept in the freezer at —20? for 12 hours and then filtered. This way the team eliminated saturated fats from the oils.

Based on the study of the extract, the team concluded that valuable oils amounted to 37.1% and 40.3% of the seed weight of T. dubia and T. nudiflora, respectively. The chemists identified 15 types of triglycerides in such oils. Among all acid residues in them, four unsaturated acids prevailed: the volume of punicic acid amounted to 35.6% mole fractions in the T. dubia oil and 27% mole fractions in the T. nudiflora. oil; of linoleic acid—to 40% and 28%, respectively; of oleic acid—to 8% and 6%, respectively. The most interesting discovery was alpha-elaeosteraic acid with 28% content in the T. nudiflora oil. Its molecule contains three conjugated double bonds which make it toxic for some types of cancer.

“We were the first to analyze the quantitative and the qualitative content of fatty acids in tubergourd oils. We also confirmed that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids can be separated in the products of seed oil saponification by using urea crystals at —20C. This is a simple method that helps preserve all valuable unsaturated fatty acids,” added Prof. Olga Kovalchukova.

Article in Journal of Oleo Science.

Main Publications View all
15 Nov 2017
RUDN University scientists publish results of their scientific researches in highly-recognized in whole world and indexed in international databases journals (Web of Science, Scopus ect.). That, of course, corresponds to the high status of the University and its international recognition. Publications of June-September 2017 ( In Journals of categories Q1-Q3)
1456
International scientific cooperation View all
03 Nov 2017
The main goal of the RUDN University and UNISDR Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction at Incheon (UNISDR ONEA-GETI) cooperation is to obtain knowledge about disaster risk reduction and international experience in this area for creating training courses for basic and additional professional education in RUDN
1276
Similar newsletter View all
26 Dec 2022
Tissue architecture, cell organization, biomedical products: RUDN University opens a new research and educational resource center

On October 4, the Research and Educational Resource Center (REC) of innovative technologies of immunophenotyping, digital spatial profiling and ultrastructural analysis (molecular morphology) opened at the RUDN.

74
26 Dec 2022
RUDN scientists suggested how to help the soils of Zaryadye Park

RUDN University scientists conducted a comprehensive soil and environmental survey and took more than 80 soil samples in Zaryadye Park. An assessment of the physicochemical, microbiological, and ecotoxicological properties of soils made it possible to develop recommendations and a plan for the care of soils in analogous landscapes in the park.

103
26 Dec 2022
RUDN University Chemist Creates Nanofilter to Clean Water from Toxic Dyes

RUDN University chemist with colleagues from India and Korea created a nanofilter for water purification from synthetic dyes. The graphene-based composite can quickly remove up to 100% of harmful compounds from water, and it can be used up to seven times without losing efficiency. In addition, the synthesis of the nanofilter itself is economical and environmentally friendly.

66
Similar newsletter View all