Bio-phenols determination in olive oils: Recent mass spectrometry approaches

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is largely used in Mediterranean diet, and it is also worldwide apprised not only for its organoleptic properties but also for its healthy effects mainly attributed to the presence of several naturally occurring phenolic and polyphenolic compounds (bio-phenols). These compounds are characterized by the presence of multiple phenolic groups in more or less complex structures. Their content is fundamental in defining the healthy qualities of EVOO and consequently the analytical methods for their characterization and quantification are of current interest. Traditionally their determination has been conducted using a colorimetric assay based on the reaction of Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) reagent with the functional hydroxy groups of phenolic compounds. Identification and quantification of the bio-phenols in olive oils requires certainly more performing analytical methods. Chromatographic separation is now commonly achieved by HPLC, coupled with spectrometric devices as UV, FID, and MS. This last approach constitutes an actual cutting-edge application for bio-phenol determination in complex matrices as olive oils, mostly on the light of the development of mass analyzers and the achievement of high resolution and accurate mass measurement in more affordable instrument configurations. After a short survey of some rugged techniques used for bio-phenols determination, in this review have been described the most recent mass spectrometry-based methods, adopted for the analysis of the bio-phenols in EVOOs. In particular, the sample handling and the results of HPLC coupled with low- and high-resolution MS and MS/MS analyzers, of ion mobility mass spectrometry and ambient mass spectrometry have been reported and discussed

Effects of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and, in particular, on some inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: A total of 48 subjects of both sexes who were nondrinkers or rare drinkers of moderate red wine were selected randomly subdivided into two groups assigned to receive with a crossover design a Sicilian red wine (Nero d\u2019Avola or Torrepalino) during meals: Group A (n 24), in whom the diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with 250 ml/day of red followed by 4 weeks when they returned to their usual wine intake; and Group B (n 24), in whom the usual wine intake maintained for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks when the diet was supplemented with 250 ml/day of red wine. The following values measured in all tests: blood glucose, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL apolipoproteins A1 and B, Lp(a), plasma C-reactive protein, TGFb1, D-Dimer, Factor VII , PAI Ag, t-PA Ag, fibrinogen, oxidized LDL Ab, total plasma antioxidant capacity. Results: At the end of the red wine intake period, LDL/HDL, fibrinogen, factor VII, plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized Ab were significantly decreased, while HDL-C, Apo A1,TGFb1, t-PA, PAI and total plasma antioxidant capacity were significantly increased. Conclusions: Our results show a positive effect of two Sicilian red wines on many risk factors and on some inflammatory biomarkers, suggesting that a moderate consumption of red wine in the adult population is a positive component of Mediterranean diet

Hemostatic function in young subjects with central obesity: relationship with left ventricular function

This study was designed to evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis activity and their relationship with left ventricular function in young obese subjects with central fat distribution. We assessed coagulation and fibrinolysis activity by evaluation of factor VII activity, fibrinogen and plasminogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), and tissue plasminogen activator antigen basally (tPA1) and after venous occlusion (tPA2). These measures were evaluated in young (< 40 years) obese subjects with central fat distribution (n = 19) and in comparable lean subjects (n = 20). Blood glucose, triglycerides, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and apo B, fasting immunoreactive insulin, and lipoprotein(a) levels were also measured by current methods. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and peak filling rate (PFR) determined by radionuclide angiocardiography and left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM indexed for body height (LVM/H) determined by echocardiographic study were calculated. Central obesity was evaluated by the waist to hip ratio (WHR) according to the criteria of the Italian Consensus Conference of Obesity. Factor VII (P < .001), fibrinogen (P < .001), plasminogen (P < .001), PAI activity (P < .001), tPA1 (P < .02), fasting blood glucose (P < .01), apo B (P < .02), and immunoreactive insulin (P < .01) were significantly higher in obese than in lean subjects. In contrast, HDL cholesterol (P < .01), tPA2 (P < .01), LVEF (P < .001), and PFR (P < .02) were significantly lower in obese than in lean subjects. In all subjects, WHR correlated directly with fibrinogen and inversely with tPA2; LVEF correlated inversely with tPA1, PAI, and fibrinogen; and PFR correlated inversely with factor VII activity

Economic and technical feasibility of betanin and pectin extraction from opuntia ficus-indica peel via microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion

Investigating the feasibility of betanin and pectin extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica peel via microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion and gravity, this study identifies selected important economic and technical aspects associated with this innovative production route starting from prickly pear fruit discards. Which benefits would be derived from this process? Would production be limited to Opuntia-growing countries or, likewise to what happens with dried lemon peel chiefly imported from Argentina, would production take place abroad also? Can distributed manufacturing based on clean extraction technology compete with centralized production using conventional chemical processes

Food quality and nutraceutical value of nine cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits grown in Mediterranean subtropical environment

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) quality is strongly influenced by genotype but individuating the most appropriate harvesting time is essential to obtain high quality fruits. In this trial we studied the influences of the ripening stage at harvest (mature-ripe or green-ripe) on quality of ready to eat mango fruits from nine cultivars (Carrie, Keitt, Glenn, Manzanillo, Maya, Rosa, Osteen, Tommy Atkins and Kensington Pride) grown in the Mediterranean subtropical climate through physicochemical, nutraceutical, and sensory analysis. Our results show a large variability among the different observed genotypes and in dependence of the ripening stage at harvest. With the exception of Rosa, mature-ripe fruits are well-colored, sweet and aromatic, and better suited for short supply chains. On the other hand, post-harvest ripened fruits are firmer, frequently (Carrie, Glenn, Keitt, Manzanillo, Maya) possess interesting nutraceutical value and, in the case of Glenn, Maya, Osteen, and Kensington Pride, they can reach market standard quality

Central obesity and hypertensive renal disease: association between higher levels of BMI, circulating transforming growth factor beta1 and urinary albumin excretion.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the relationship between circulating transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) has been investigated in non-obese and central obese hypertensive patients. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fifty-eight consecutive hypertensive outpatients both lean and with central obesity were enrolled and divided in three groups, according to their body mass index (BMI) values. Group A: 16 lean hypertensives (men with BMI or = 25 kg/m2 and 24.7 kg/m2 and or = 30 kg/m2 and women with BMI > or = 27.3 kg/m2). MEASURES: In all patients, UAE, by immunonephelometric assay, circulating TGFbeta1 by a solid-phase specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, by routine laboratory methods, were determined. In addition, left ventricular telediastolic internal diameter (LVIDd), interventricular septum diastolic (IVSTd), posterior wall thickness (PWT), total and normalized to height2.7 left ventricular mass (LVM, LVM/h2.7), relative wall thickness (RWT) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) by M-B Mode echocardiography were calculated. RESULTS: Overweight and obese hypertensives had significantly (p < 0.05) higher BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), UAE and TGFbeta1 than lean hypertensives. Obese hypertensives had significantly (p < 0.05) higher total and indexed LVM values than lean hypertensives. Obese hypertensives had significantly (p < 0.05) higher BMI, UAE and TGFbeta1 than overweight hypertensives. In all subjects, TGFbeta1 correlated directly with BMI (r = 0.52; p < 0.0001), WHR (r = 0.48; p < 0.003), MBP (r = 0.31; p < 0.02) and UAE (r = 0.57; p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI, MBP and UAE were able to explain the 47.9% TGFbeta1 variability (r = 0.69; p < 0.0001), and that TGFbeta1 was the best predictor of UAE changes (r = 0.60; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that TGFbeta1 levels are positively associated with BMI, MBP and UAE in hypertensive subjects. This also indicates that TGFbeta1 overproduction might be considered a pathophysiology mechanism of progressive renal function impairment in obese hypertensives

High Yields of Shrimp Oil Rich in Omega-3 and Natural Astaxanthin from Shrimp Waste

A valued marine oil rich in omega-3 lipids and natural astaxanthin is obtained with remarkably high yield (up to 5 wt %) extending to pink shrimp waste (head and carapace) using the approach to extract fish oil from fish processing byproducts using d-limonene. Biobased limonene is an excellent solvent for both unsaturated lipids and astaxanthin-based carotenoids preventing oxidative degradation during the extraction cycle including solvent separation at 85 °C. Explaining the deep red color of the shrimp oil obtained, computational simulation suggests that d-limonene is also a good solvent for natural astaxanthin abundant in shrimp

ESBC : an application for computing stabilization bounds

We describe the application ESBC to perform the timing analysis of a combinatorial circuit. The circuit is described by formulas of Classical Logic and the delays of propagation of the signals in a gate are represented by a kind of valuation form semantics. ESBC computes the exact stabilization times at which the output signals stabilize

Geology of the lower Belice River valley, epicentral area of the M > 5 1968 seismic sequence (south-western Sicily, Italy)

We present a new 1:25,000-scale geological map of the lower Belice River valley, the area struck by the M &gt; 5.0 devastating 1968 seismic sequence, whose seismic source and seismotectonic framework are still controversial. The map, utilizing dating methods and traditional field survey approaches integrated by high-resolution topography, provides an unprecedented detail and precision on the spatial distribution and on the compressional growth geometries of the prominent sedimentary sequence. This map, supported by the first recognition of an on-shore Chibanian-Calabrian deposition and by identifying a flight of marine terraces, offers new insights on the long-lasting syn-depositional tectonic forces up to late-Pleistocene-Holocene times. Such tectonic forces may take part in the regional ongoing deformational phase, prompting detailed studies on the potential seismic sources affecting the area