Interaction of Insulin and Polymer Surface Investigated by Surface-MALDI-TOF-Mass Spectrometry

Synthetic materials in contact with protein containing solution adsorb a considerable amount of proteins. The adsorption behaviour of zinc-free porcine insulin on the hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) surfaces before and after chemical vapour deposition (CVD) modification was directly analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight-mass spectroscopy in surface mode (surface-MALDI-TOF-MS). The MALDI mass spectra of Zn-free porcine insulin dissolved in carbonate buffer pH 8.3 after adsorption onto non-modified and modified PVDF-CVD surfaces contain peaks assigned to monomer ion peak as well as peaks that are results of degradation of Zn-free porcine insulin. The degradation is caused by structural changes taking place during adsorption of insulin onto hydrophobic surfaces and by subsequent laser induced desorption and ionisation process. Surface spectra of Zn-free porcine insulin dissolved in deionised water show only monomer ion peaks of porcine insulin without degradation product detected. Structure stability of Zn-free porcine insulin upon adsorption is influenced by hydrophobic interaction between insulin and the surface

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. essential oil from Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this study, the chemical profiles, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Helivhrysum italicum essential oils from three plantation fields in Herzegovina were analysed. GC/MS analysis showed that all samples were rich in sesquiterpenes (45.19%-50.07%) and monoterpenes (21.15%-23.21%), followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (9.92%-14.03%). Diketones in the essential oil were detected in quantities ranging 5.72% to 6.67%. The main components in essential oils were γ-curcumene, α-pinene, β-selinene and neril-acetate. All tested essential oils exhibited relatively weak DPPH.-scavenging capacity. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed by using the disk diffusion method. E. coli was most resistant against all three tested H. italicum essential oils, while moderate inhibitory activity against S. aureus and C. albicans was detected. The L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive where all three tested samples showed inhibitory activity

INFLUENCE OF PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY ON BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF SOUR CHERRY

Cherry (Prunus cerasus var. Oblačinska) is one of the most common varieties in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. Owing to the excellent sensory and physico-chemical characteristics and the very high concentration of biologically active ingredients, it is a very good potential for obtaining value added products or products with high content of bioactive, nutritionally and biologically valuable ingredients. The processing techniques of fresh fruit have a large influence on the content of bioactive components. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of processing technologies of sour cherries on the content of bioactive compounds (total phenols, total flavonoids and anthocyanins) and the antioxidant capacity. Products that were analysed were juice, concentrate, extra jam and lyophilisate. The content of bioactive components and antioxidant capacity of these products was compared with fresh cherries. The results showed that the greatest influence on the content of bioactive ingredients has process where vacuum concentration is applied. More sophisticated technology such as lyophilization would contribute to the retention of bioactive components and could increase product competitiveness at the market

Synthesis, spectral characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activity of copper(II)-pABA Complex

pABA (p-aminobenzoic acid or 4-aminobenzoic acid) is a chemical component of the folate molecule produced by plants and bacteria, and found in many foods. It is best known as a UV-blocking sunscreen applied to the skin, and is sometimes taken orally for certain medical conditions. Today it is known that many organic molecules in the human body can react with biometals such as copper, cobalt, manganese, iron and others. This study was performed to investigate the interaction of Cu(II) ions with p-aminobenzoic acid. Spectroscopic methods (FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy) were used to characterize the product obtained. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized complex was tested by diffusion techniques. The results of spectroscopic analysis indicate the interaction of Cu(II) ions with pABA. Interaction is realized through oxygen donor atom of ligand. It was found that the Cu(II) complex has significant antimicrobial activity compared to the pABA ligand

Biodegradable polymers: production, properties and application in medicine

Biodegradable polymers (biopolymers) represent materials of new generation with application in different areas of human activity. Their production has recently reached a commercial level. They can be divided according to the origin (natural and synthetic), according to the chemical composition, methods of obtaining, application etc. The use of biopolymers in medicine depends on their biocompatibility, mechanical resistance, and sorptive char-acteristics. Today, they are the most commonly used as implants in vascular and orthopedic surgery, for the production of materials such as catheters, products for gynaecology and haemodialysis, tooth reconstruction, etc. In pharmacy, they are used as a medicine matrix-carrier to allow controlled release of drug within the body. Within this review paper, the properties and methods of production of certain biopolymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide acid (PLA), poly-ε-coprolactone (PCL) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) will be described in detail, as well as their application in medicine and pharmacy

With food to health : proceedings of 11th International symposium

Proceedings contains 13 original scientific papers, 10 professional papers and 2 review papers which were presented at "10th International Scientific and Professional Conference WITH FOOD TO HEALTH", organised in following sections: Nutrition, Dietetics and diet therapy, Functional food and food supplemnents, Food safety, Food analysis, Production of safe food and food with added nutritional value

Ponovljivost odabranih metoda za određivanje fenola u urinu tekućinskom kromatografijom visoke djelotvornosti

Određivanje fenola u urinu smatra se prikladnim biomarkerom izloženosti benzenu, koji je klasificiran u grupu A kancerogena od strane Međunarodne agencije za istraživanje raka (IARC) i Agencije za zaštitu okoliša (EPA). U ovom radu testirana je ponovljivost nekoliko metoda za analizu fenola u urinu primjenom tekućinske kromatografije visoke djelotvornosti. Publicirane metode uglavnom uključuju dodatnu opremu koja nije standardna (npr. fluorescentni detektor) ili dodatne postupke u pripremi uzoraka kao što su parna destilacija ili derivatizacija, što produljuje vrijeme potrebno za pripremu uzoraka ili se povećava mogućnost gubitka dijela sadržaja analita. Odabrana je metoda koja se pokazala reproducibilnom uz određene modifikacije. Izmjena metode uključivala je promjenu valne duljine, sastava i protoka mobilne faze, te je isključilo primjenu internog standarda u proceduri pripreme uzoraka urina za analizu. Kao mobilna faza upotrijebljena je smjesa destilirane vode/metanola/acetatne kiselina (65 : 34 : 1 v/v %), a upotrijebljena je kolona Selectra C18 (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm). Uvjeti kromatografiranja bili su protok 1 ml min−1, temperatura kolone 25 °C, valna duljina 218 i 270 nm i volumen injektiranja 20 µl. Pri valnoj duljini 270 nm metoda je pokazala linearnost u koncentracijskom opsegu 1 – 30 mg l−1 (y = 10290x + 15138; R2 = 0,9932), a iskorištenost metode kreće se u rasponu od 73,8 do 111,2 %

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) stem

The aim of this study was to determine the total phenolic content, evaluate antioxidant propertie and antimicrobial potential, and identify phenolic compounds in alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) stems collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alcoholic extracts had higher contents of phenolic and flavonoid components, as well as the antioxidant and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity in comparison to aqueous extracts. All extracts were characterized by HPLC analysis. Furthermore, for the first time, the antimicrobial properties of wild cherry stem extracts were evaluated. Quercetin and (+)-catechin were the main compounds identified in the alcoholic extract, followed by chlorogenic acid and rutin. Quercetin was also the major component detected in aqueous extracts. Besides, alcoholic extract showed better antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus as a representative gram-positive bacteria than infusion, whereas none of the samples showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and fungus Candida albicans

Synthesis, spectral characterization and antimicrobial activity of M(II) complexes with tridentate ligand Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin, CFL is a drug that belongs to the second generation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics with a wide range of effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this work was to investigate the interaction of CFL as ligand with divalent biological cations (Mn2+, Ni2+ and Co2+) in approximate physiological conditions. Synthesized complexes were characterized using FTIR and stereo-microscopy. Antimicrobial screening was performed on bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that the M(II) complexes with CFL were formed through the oxygen donors of the carboxyl and carbonyl group of the ligand. Stereo-microscopic characterization revealed the difference in color and size of crystals of the ligand and metal complexes. Antimicrobial screening has shown that CFL and complexes have almost similar antimicrobial activity against investigated bacterial strains. Keywords: complex, CPF, antimicrobial activity,  morphological characterization, FTI