Hanen Falleh

• Professor
• Maitre assistant at Center of Biotechnogy of Borj Cédria

The valorization of agricultural by-products is a key strategy for environmental sustainability. This study focuses on optimizing the extraction of phenolic compounds from by-products (peels, fibrous strands, and seeds) of two Tunisian squash landraces (e.g. Bejaoui and Karkoubi) using the response surface methodology to enhance their antioxidant a...

In recent years, seed priming has gained interest, with researchers aiming to enhance seed germination and early growth, especially under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, seeds from two squash landraces (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne; i.e., Galaoui large seeds (Galaoui hereafter) and Batati green (Batati hereafter)) were subjected to different...

This study employed the mixture design method to determine optimal solvent combinations, aiming to obtain refined extracts from squash peels with enhanced antioxidant properties. We optimized extraction solvents, focusing on recovering the total phenolic compounds (TPC) and increased antioxidant properties using a second-order polynomial equation t...

The current study aimed to evaluate Tunisian Tamarix africana Poir biological activities. In this study, novel biological activities of the shoot extracts related to their phenolics investigated. Secondary metabolite contents, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of four extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water) were...

Introduction Drought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient crops is an efficient means to mitigate stress con...

This work aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of bioactive compounds obtained from three squash by-products (e.g., peel, endocarp, and seeds) using the response surface methodology (RSM). The selected independent variables were ethanol concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature. Squash by-products’ bioactive molecules were e...

An in vitro trial was carried out to investigate the effects of natural Thymbra capitata essential oil (NEO) and its main compounds [including carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene given alone or in a synthetic combination (SEO)] on ruminal fermentation and the bacterial community using batch cultures inoculated with ruminal digesta and incubating two d...

In this study, the capacity of eight essential oils (EOs), sage (Salvia officinalis), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), black cumin (Nigella sativa), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba), on the inhibition of NF-κB ac...

This work aims to evaluate cinnamon and curcuma essential oils as natural preservatives in minced beef meat. Essential oil chemical compositions and antibacterial activities were studied, and their encapsulation was optimized into nano-emulsions based on droplet size and distribution assessments. Selected formulas were further explored for their ph...

This manuscript aimed to optimise the encapsulation of Thymus capitatus essential oil into nanoemulsion. Response Surface Methodology results were best fitted into polynomial models with regression coefficient values of more than 0.95. The optimal nanoemulsion showed nanometer-sized droplets (380 nm), a polydispersity index less than 0.5, and a sui...

This work aimed to determine the essential oil composition and their biological activities of four local medicinal plant species (Pinus halepensis, Tetraclinis articulata, Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus) widely planted in the same geographical site. Essential oil isolation was isolated using hydrodistillation and the chemical compositi...

Thymelaea microphylla is an edible and medicinal species that exhibits high antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Moreover, four fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water) were tested towards their ex-vivo antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Dichloromethane fraction had marked protection against cell...

Salt stress is considered as one of the most common abiotic stresses reducing the productivity and fruit quality of crop plants. The present study was carried out to assess the salt tolerance among 15 local squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) landraces. Different salt (NaCl) concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM were selected in order to evaluate...

This manuscript was focused on the nutritional behavior of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and the assessment of their quantitative and qualitative dietary balance in order to evaluate the role of dietary factors in patient healing process. The first part of the study was devoted to a retrospective cross-sectional survey involving 50 patients dia...

This work evaluates the nanoencapsulation potential to ameliorate food conservation. After extraction by hydrodistillation, tested essential oils (Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Lavandula stoechas) were analyzed by GC-MS, than properly mixed and encapsulated into nanoemulsion-based delivery system. The encapsulation effect has been...

Myrtle and Peppermint oil (Myrtus communis and Mentha pulegium) nanoemulsions were formulated using non-ionic surfactant Tween 80 and water through a two-step homogenization process (high-speed homogenizer then high-pressure homogenizer). Physicochemical parameters particularly droplet average diameter, microscopic and macroscopic aspects, pH, visc...

Introduction. Essential oils and their components are currently of great interest as a potential source of highly bioactive natural molecules. They are being studied for their possible use as safe alternative for food protection against oxidation and microbial spoilage. Objective. This study aimed on the phytochemical prospection of Thymus capitatu...

This research studies the application of a specific nanoemulsion as anti-Escherichia coli agent. The specific mixture was generated by a simplex-centroid design. Physicochemical parameters such as droplet average diameter, pH, viscosity, density, turbidity, whitening index, refractive index, stability (thermal, physical, and osmotic stability), and...

This study aims to calculate the optimal formula combining Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Myrtus communis, and Lavandula stoechas essential oils to enhance their anti-Staphylococcus aureus effects. Firstly, a chemical analysis of essential oils (EOs) was assessed. Secondly, their antibacterial activities were screened against several b...

Salinity and potassium deficiency are major abiotic constraints affecting plant growth, productivity, and metabolism. The present work was conducted to check whether salinity alleviates, aggravates, or does not affect the effects of potassium deficiency on Sulla carnosa, a salt-tolerant legume common in diverse saline soils. We investigated the cha...

Depuis la nuit des temps, les plantes ont été la source principale de molécules bioactives, tels les composés phénoliques, capables de remédier à diverses maladies. Cependant, le contenu et l’activité des polyphénols dépendent d’un certain nombre de facteurs intrinsèques et extrinsèques. Dans le but d’optimiser les procédés d’obtention des principe...

The aim of this work was the characterization of four plant-based milks: oat, almond, hemp, and quinoa's milk. The nutritional composition of each milk, as well as its physico-chemical characteristics, microbiologic stability, and antioxidant potential, were determined in order to investigate the effect of the first ingredient on the overall qualit...

The aim of this work was the characterization of four plant-based milks: oat, almond, hemp, and quinoa's milk. The nutritional composition of each milk, as well as its physico-chemical characteristics, microbiologic stability, and antioxidant potential, were determined in order to investigate the effect of the first ingredient on the overall qualit...

Essential oils (EOs) are natural, volatile and aromatic liquids extracted from special plants. EOs are complex mixture of secondary metabolites (terpenes, phenolic compounds, alcohol). EOs possess a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ones. Particularly, EOs exhibit pronounced antibacterial...

Plants have been seen to possess the potential to be excellent biological matrices to serve as a basis for investigating the presence of promising therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. Several successful anti-cancer medicines-or their analogues-nowadays in use are plant derived and many more are under clinical trials. Under current circumstances...

Vegetable oils are known for their health benefits. However, during a heat treatment, such as frying, several degradations can occur, in particular lipid peroxidation. However, this lipid degradation can be avoided through the use of powerful natural antioxidants such as phenolic compounds and essential oils. Thus, the first part of this work was d...

This study investigates the optimal combination of clove, cinnamon, lavender, and myrtle essential oils (EOs) against Escherichia coli. After the GC/MS analyses, the antimicrobial activities of the four EOs were screened. Afterward, a statistical mixture design established the right EOs’ combination capable of protecting milk from E. coli. Results...

Phenolic contents were determined in S. kali leaves, stems, and roots at the beginning, the mid and the end of the vegetative period, as well as the floral bud and open flower at the reproductive stage. Antioxidant and antimicro-bial activities were also assessed. Moreover, the major metabolites were identified by HPLC. Results showed a maximum of...

This work focuses on the variability of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb bioactive compounds as a function of the plant cycle. The main results showed that it exhibited the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, along with superior levels of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds (66.49%, 645.6 mg·100 g⁻¹ FW and 23.9 mg GAE·g⁻¹, respectivel...

The aim of this work was to investigate the physicochemical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of traditionally pressed edible (roasted argan kernels) and beauty (unroasted argan kernels) Algerian argan oil. Oxidative stability and the quality of oils (acidity, peroxide index, K232, and K270) were slightly affected by roasting process. But, an...

This work aims to characterize Thymus capitatus essential oil and to investigate its preservative effects on raw milk quality alone or combined to pasteurization heat treatment. To study its preservative effect, 1 mg l⁻¹ of T. capitatus essential oil, characterized by GC-MS, was added to pasteurized or raw milk. The evaluation of milk quality was m...

This work aimed to nanoencapsulate Thymus capitatus essential oil as natural food preservative. To fix ingredients type and concentrations, preliminary formulations were tested for their droplet size average and distribution. Emulsions stability was investigated for 12 days and the antibacterial activity of bulk and encapsulated essential oil were...

Thyme is a well-known plant used as a culinary and medicinal ingredient due to its powerful essential oil. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of bulk Thyme essential oil and its nanoemulsion on the quality of contaminated milk. quality of milk was assessed based on different fermentation indicators: total protein content, milk ac...

In the present study, a nanoemulsion was developed to improve the functional performance of Thymus capitatus essential oil (thyme EO) as natural food preservative. Thyme EO was submitted to phytochemical prospection and its safety limit was evaluated by acute oral toxicity. Hereafter, the EO was nanoencapsulated and the antioxidant and antibacteria...

Salinity and K⁺ deficiency are two environmental constraints that generally occur simultaneously under field conditions, resulting in severe limitation of plant growth and productivity. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of salinity, either separately applied or in combination with K⁺ deficiency, on growth, photosynthetic performa...

Six medicinal halophytes widely represented in North Africa and commonly used in traditional medicine were screened for pharmacological properties to set out new promising sources of natural ingredients for cosmetic or nutraceutical applications. Thus, Citrullus colocynthis, Cleome arabica, Daemia cordata, Haloxylon articulatum, Pituranthos scopari...

In this study, six medicinal halophytes (Daucus carota, Frankenia laevis, Inula crithmoides, Plantago coronopus, Raphanus raphanistrum and Tamarix gallica) were examined for their phenolic pools, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging and iron-reducing tests), antibacterial (micro-dilution method) and anti-tyrosinase activities. RP-...

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of either a solution of Thymus capitatus essential oil or its nanoemulsion on the quality of milk contaminated by bacteria. After 24 h of S. aureus inoculation, bacterial growth reached 202 × 10³ CFU/ml in the presence of the essential oil while it was limited to 132 × 10³ CFU/ml when treated wi...

Reaumuria vermiculata is a xero-halophytic specie widely distributed in the south of Tunisia. In the current study, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Reaumuria vermiculata shoot extracts as well as its phenolic compounds were investigated in different solvent extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water). Results...

Retama raetam is a medicinal and aromatic plant present in the humid to the arid bioclimatic regions of Tunisia. In this work, we investigated R. raetam shoots antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and its natural antioxidant contents obtained from four fractions (petroleum ether, acetone 60%, ethyl acetate and water). Results showed that the et...

This study compared phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in different organs of Acacia albida (leaves and bark) and focuses on identification of phenolic compounds of leaves by HPLC-DAD. The analysed organs exhibited differences in total polyphenol contents (100 and 59.5 mg GAE g(- 1) DW). Phenolic contents of leaves were two times higher tha...

The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in vitro of 10 extracts of the halophyte Limonium delicatulum harvested in two physiological stages, flowering and vegetative, and to determine their phenolic compounds by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The solvent and the physiological developme...

−1 DW) with a stronger antioxidant activity. Bianca fruit collected in August exhibited a lower phenolic content (3.13 mg GAE g −1 DW) together with the stronger antiradical activity (96.14%). The advantage of this ecotype was more discernible as compared to positive controls butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 79.75%). Likewise, CpG chromatogram identi...

In the present work, separate and combined effects of excessive potassium and magnesium deficiency on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) were studied. Four treatments were considered: C (control treatment: complete medium containing 1.5 mM Mg), +KCl (excessive potassium treatment: complete medium added with 60 mM KCl), −Mg (Mg-deficient treatment: co...

Mesembryanthemum edule (Aizoaceae) is an edible halophyte widely used as a traditional remedy against fungal and bacterial infections. This study investigates phenolic contents and biological activities of aqueous methanolic fractions (methanol/acidified water, v/v: 20/80, 40/60 and 60/40) of M. edule leaves, stems and roots. The most phenol-rich f...

Diplotaxis species are edible and medicinal plants. This study investigates phenolic contents and biological activities in stems, leaves, and flowers of Diplotaxis harra and Diplotaxis simplex. Flowers exhibited the highest polyphenol content and D. harra was significantly more phenol-rich than D. simplex. Similarly, the highest antioxidant activit...

Changes in phenolic composition and biological activities were investigated in different Limoniastrum monopetalum L. organs. For that, 80% aqueous acetone extracts were used to estimate total phenolic contents and their antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH· and O 2·− radical scavenging activities and reducing power. The efficiency of or...

Suaeda fruticosa is an edible and medicinal halophyte known for its hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic activities. In this study, novel biological activities of the shoot extracts related to their phenolics were investigated. Results showed an appreciable total phenolic (31.8 mg GAE/g DW) in shoot extracts. The estimation of antioxidant capacities us...

Purpose: To investigate the influence of extraction conditions assisted by ultrasound on the quality of extracts obtained from Mesembryanthemum edule shoots. Methods: The extraction procedure was carried out in an ultrasonic bath. The effect of two solvents (methanol and ethanol) and two extraction times (5 and 10 min) were evaluated on the basis o...

Mesembryanthemum edule L. is an edible and medicinal halophyte widespread in Tunisia seashore. In this study, parameters of oxidative stress, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were comparatively investigated in two M. edule provenances (Jerba and Bizerte, respectively sampled from arid and humid bioclimatic stages). Plants were subjecte...

Mesembryanthemum edule is an edible medicinal halophyte traditionally used to treat several human diseases. In this study, particular importance was attached to the influence of environmental conditions on phenolic composition and antioxidant activities of two M. edule provenances from contrasting climatic regions (Djerba and Monastir sampled from...

Purpose: To investigate the influence of extraction conditions assisted by ultrasound on the quality of extracts obtained from Mesembryanthemum edule shoots. Methods: The extraction procedure was carried out in an ultrasonic bath. The effect of two solvents (methanol and ethanol) and two extraction times (5 and 10 min) were evaluated on the basis o...

Mesembryanthemum edule is used as a food ingredient and in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated antioxidant activities of several extracts (methanol/acidified water, v/v: 20/80; 40/60 and 60/40) obtained from M. edule leaf, stem and root. Then, individual phenolics were characterised by reverse-phase HPLC coupled to electrospray ion...

Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic and folkloric medicinal plant thanks to its multiple virtues. However, few scientific studies investigated its biological activities. For that, this study aimed to investigate antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of methanolic flower extracts of Carthamus tinctor...

Organic wastes were successfully used as soil amendment to improve agrosystems productivity. Yet, the effectiveness of this practice to enhance plant antioxidant capacities has received little attention. Here, we assess the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost (at 40 t ha(-1)) on growth, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of Me...

Mesembryanthemum edule L. (sourfig, Aizoaceae) has long been used as food and in traditional medicine. This study was intended to characterize the antioxidant properties and the phenolic compounds of M. edule leaf, stem and root. The approach consisted to evaluate these organs for their antioxidant activities through several in vitro tests, to dete...

Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodor, when treated over 25 d with a wide range of NaCl salinities (0.6–4.5 M), showed its maximal growth potentialities at 1.5–3.0 M NaCl and was able to survive even at 4.5 M NaCl. Sodium concentrations increased significantly at the supraoptimal salinities, reaching up to 5 mmol · g−1 dry weight (dwt) at 4.5 M NaCl. In...

Limoniastrum monopetalum is a traditional medicinal species which leaf infusion exhibits antidysenteric properties against infectious diseases. In this study, ten kinds of leaf extracts were used to examine the effect of extraction solvent system with varying polarities on polyphenol contents and DPPH scavenging activity. Then the superoxide scaven...

We investigated the relative contributions of the environment and development stage on total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins contents, as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide scavenging activities in four Tunisian Mentha pulegium. Shoot total phenolics and antioxidant capacities were significantly dependent on e...

Tamarix gallica is a halophytic species having hepatotonic and stimulant properties, as it was traditionally used in the treatment of various liver disorders. Leaf and flower infusion have anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheic proprieties. In this work, we have investigated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and flower extracts and the...

In the present study, shoot extracts from edible halophytic Mesembryanthemum species were evaluated for their effects against O(2)(-), DPPH, and ABTS radicals. The reducing power, chelating ability, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and of beta-carotene bleaching were also evaluated. Moreover, the total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin cont...

Halophyte ability to withstand salt-triggered oxidative stress is governed by multiple biochemical mechanisms that facilitate retention and/or acquisition of water, protect chloroplast functioning, and maintain ion homeostasis. Most essential traits include the synthesis of osmolytes, specific proteins, and antioxidant molecules. This might explain...

Polyphenols are bioactive molecules exhibiting a lot of scientific attention due to their multiple biological activities. This study compared phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in Cynara cardunculus L. organs and focus on leaf phenolic compounds identification by RP-HPLC and their antibacterial activity. The analyzed organs exhibited differ...

In the present investigation, methanolic extracts from shoots and roots of Tunisian Nigella sativa were assayed for their antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. The phenolic composition of the methanolic extracts was determined by RP-HPLC. The predominant phenolic compound was vanillic acid with a mean concentration of 143.21 and 89.94 mg per 10...

Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon) is a medicinal plant widespread in arid and semi-arid regions where high salinity frequently occurs. Cardoon leaves are known for their high content of natural bioactive molecules, notably polyphenols, that exhibit pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and metal chelating activity. We studied...

Cakile maritima is a local oilseed halophyte exhibiting potential for secondary metabolite production. In the present study, plant growth, leaf polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were comparatively analyzed in two C. maritima Tunisian accessions (Jerba and Tabarka, respectively sampled from arid and humid bioclimatic stages) under salt con...

Halophyte ability to withstand salt-triggered oxidative stress is governed by the synthesis of power antioxidant enzymes and substances. This might explain the utilization of some halophytes as traditional medicinal plants such as Limonium genus. In the present study ten extracts were used to examine the effects of solvent and physiological develop...