Bioactive properties of the medicinal mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus mycelium obtained in the presence of different nitrogen sources

Leucopaxillus mushroom species are used in the chemical industry for extraction of clitocybin antibiotic and particularly the edible mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus can be found in Northeast Portugal. Nevertheless, the production of its mycelium for pharmacological applications has not been explored. Herein, the mycelium obtained in the presence of four different nitrogen sources was investigated with regard to phenol production and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Phenol concentration increased along the growth time as a response to the oxidative stress and therefore free radical production. Although significant differences for mycelium growth between the nitrogen sources had not been observed, (NH4)2HPO4 proved to be the most appropriate to increase bioactive properties, leading to the highest phenol content and lowest EC50 and MIC values. The antimicrobial capacity was screened against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and fungi. The samples selectively inhibited the growth of Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus being the most susceptible one. Gram negative bacteria and fungi were resistant to the extracts. Antioxidant activity was calculated by the reducing power assay, the scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, and hemolysis and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Significantly negative linear regressions were established between phenols/flavonoids contents, which increased along the mycelia growth time and antioxidant activity

C6-alcohols as varietal markers for assessment of wine origin

A significant part of the compounds present in wines having six carbon atoms, the C6-compounds, derive from grape polyunsaturated fatty acids (primarily originated from membrane lipids), namely linoleic and α-linolenic acids, through a cascade of enzymatic reactions. This biochemical pathway yield C6-aldehydes, which are subsequently reduced to C6-alcohols, which can, in turn, be esterified to produce esters. As the C6- compounds derive from varietal precursors, they could hypothetically contribute to judge wine origin and affiliation. In this way, two C6-alcohols, (E)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenol, have been referred as the most important because its ratio can act as an indicator of the variety of origin. This study presents the results, concerning the concentration of the three main C6-alcohols, 1-hexanol, (E)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenol, as well as ratios between them, for 43 monovarietal wines from Vinhos Verdes demarcated region, belonging to six white – Alvarinho (8), Arinto (1), Avesso (9), Azal (1), Loureiro (17) and Trajadura (4) – and three red – Amaral (1), Borra¸cal (1) and Vinh˜ao (1) – grape varieties. Wines were produced at experimental scale using slightly different winemaking practices and representing various terroirs and vintages, being analyzed after different conservation periods. The results showed that (E)-3-hexenol/(Z)-3-hexenol ratio clearly discriminates Loureiro wines from those of Alvarinho, Avesso and Trajadura. Moreover, 1-hexanol/(E)-3-hexenol and 1-hexanol/(Z)-3-hexenol ratios may also be able to discriminate Vinhos Verdes monovarietal wines, and can act on a second level differentiation. The remaining monovarietal wines produced results which may be observed as indicative, since only one sample of each was analysed.Comissão de Viticultura da Região dos Vinhos Verdes—EVAG, the Direcção Regional de Agricultura de Entre Douro e Minho—DVF, the Solar de Serrade and the Casa da Tapada Sociedade Agrícola Lda. PO AGRO

Wild and commercial mushrooms as source of nutrients and nutraceuticals

In order to promote the use of mushrooms as source of nutrients and nutraceuticals, several experiments were performed in wild and commercial species. The analysis of nutrients included determination of proteins, fats, ash, and carbohydrates, particularly sugars by HPLC-RI. The analysis of nutraceuticals included determination of fatty acids by GC-FID, and other phytochemicals such as tocopherols, by HPLC-fluorescence, and phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, by spectrophotometer techniques. The antimicrobial properties of the mushrooms were also screened against fungi, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The wild mushroom species proved to be less energetic than the commercial sp., containing higher contents of protein and lower fat concentrations. In general, commercial species seem to have higher concentrations of sugars, while wild sp. contained lower values of MUFA but also higher contents of PUFA. α-Tocopherol was detected in higher amounts in the wild species, while γ-tocopherol was not found in these species. Wild mushrooms revealed a higher content of phenols but a lower content of ascorbic acid, than commercial mushrooms. There were no differences between the antimicrobial properties of wild and commercial species. The ongoing research will lead to a new generation of foods, and will certainly promote their nutritional and medicinal use

Bioactivity and phenolic characterization of different medicinal and aromatic plants

Introduction: Plants are widely used to treat various diseases and have been widely recognized as a rich source of phytochemicals with antimicrobial potential. In fact, plants have received considerable attention by researchers being their biological properties widely explored. Hypothesis and aims: Medicinal and aromatic plants are known to have a wide range of uses and health benefits, and should be exploited concerning their bioactivity. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of Satureja montana L., Origanum majorana L., Allium schoenoprasum L. and Anethum graveolens L. were evaluated and its phytochemical composition was profiled. Methodology: The antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to four decoction and hydroethanolic (80:20, v/v) extracts, obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants (S. montana , O. majorana , A. schoenoprasum and A. graveolens ), was assessed aiming to identify the active extracts and the most effective were then tested against biofilms. Furthermore, the decoctions were characterized in terms of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. Results: Overall, S. montana and O. majorana extracts were the most effective against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae ) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) bacteria, with decoction presenting the most pronounced effects. O. majorana and S. montana decoction, at minimum inhibitory concentrations, were significantly effective against planktonic cells of S. aureus ATCC 25923. Concerning biofilm cells, S. montana promoted a slight antimicrobial activity against S. aureus ATCC 25923. A total of twentyfour phenolic compounds (9 phenolic acids and 15 flavonoids glycosides) were identified in S. montana and O. majorana decoctions, being rosmarinic acid the main molecule in the extracts. Conclusion: This study confirmed the bioactive potential of the medicinal and aromatic herbs, being S. montana and O. majorana decoction extracts those that showed the most promising applicability for the development of novel formulations with antimicrobial properties.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimization of the determination of tocopherols in Agaricus sp. edible mushrooms by a normal phase liquid chromatographic method

Individual tocopherol profile of five Agaricus mushroom species, widely consumed in Portugal, was obtained by a normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC). It was used a simple solid–liquid extraction procedure without saponification step and the chromatographic separation was achieved using a YMC-Pack Polyamine II column using an isocratic elution with hexane/ethyl acetate (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The effluent was monitored by a fluorescence detector. All the compounds were separated in a period of time of 30 min. The method proved to be sensitive, reproducible and accurate, allowing the determination of tocopherols

Variabilidade e reprodutibilidade da análise das medições ecocardiográficas na estenose valvular aórtica

Background: Doppler echocardiography is the most frequent method for detecting and evaluating the severity of valvular aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the variability and reproducibility of echocardiographic parameters including aortic valve area (AVA), peak aortic jet velocity (Vmax), velocity ratio (VLVOT/Vmax), peak gradient (Gmax) and mean gradient (Gmean) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients. Methods: Doppler echocardiograms were obtained from 150 randomly selected patients (56.7% male; mean age 73±9 years) with asymptomatic moderate aortic valve stenosis. The echocardiographic measurements were performed by two independent level III (expert) blinded observers. To assess intra-observer variability, we evaluated parameters of AS progression at two different times (mean of two weeks after the first examination). Results: For intra-observer variability (observer 1), the variation and reproducibility coefficients were, respectively, 1.88% and 0.16 m/s for Vmax, 2.08% and 0.14 for VLVOT/Vmax, 2.05% and 0.18 cm2 for AVA, 3.89% and 5.18 mmHg for Gmax and 7.87% and 6.30 mmHg for Gmean. For inter-observer variability, the variation and reproducibility coefficients were, respectively, 2.00% and 0.14 m/s for Vmax, 2.91% and 0.14 for VLVOT/Vmax, 7.67% and 0.16 cm2 for AVA, 8.53% and 7.06 mmHg for Gmean and 3.90% and 5.58 mmHg for Gmax. Both intra- and inter-observer studies showed excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for all echocardiographic parameters (ICC ranged from 0.943 to 0.990 for intra-observer variability and from 0.955 to 0.992 for interobserver variability). Conclusion: Doppler echocardiographic measurements of AVA, Vmax, Gmax and Gmean are highly reproducible when performed by expert observers. Of all echocardiographic parameters, Vmax and VLVOT/Vmax showed the best variability and reproducibility, and thus constitute reliable tools for clinical and research purposes in aortic stenosis diagnosis and follow-up.Introdução: A ecocardiografia Doppler é o método mais frequente de detecção e avaliação da gravidade da estenose valvular aórtica. O objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade e reprodutibilidade dos parâmetros ecocardiográficos como a área valvular aórtica (AVA), velocidade pico (Vmax), relação de velovidades (VLVOT/Vmax), gradiente pico (Gmax) e gradiente médio (Gmédio) nos doentes com estenose aórtica. Métodos: Um ecocardiograma Doppler foi realizado em 60 doentes consecutivos seleccionados aleatoriamente (da população do estudo RAAVE) com estenose aórtica moderada a grave assintomática (56.7% sexo masculino; idade média 73 ± 9 anos). As medidas ecocardiográficas foram efectuadas por dois ecocardiografistas de nível III numa estratégia de dupla ocultação. Para o estudo da variabilidade intra-observador, avaliamos os prâmetros de progressão da estenose aórtica em dois momentos diferentes (média de duas semanas após o 1.º exame). Resultados: No que respeita à variabilidade intra-observador (observador 1), os coeficientes de variação e reprodutibilidade foram, respectivamente, 1.88% e 0.16 m.s-1 para a Vmax, 2.08% e 0.14 cm2 para a VLVOT/Vmax, 2.05% e 0.18 ms-1 para a AVA, 3.89% e 5.18 mmHg para Gmax and 7.87% e 6.30 mmHg para o Gmédio. No que respeita à variabilidade inter- -observador, os coeficientes de variação e reprodutibilidade foram, respectivamente, 2.00% e 0.14 m.s-1 para a Vmax, 2.91% e 0.14 m.s-1 para a relação VLVOT/Vmax, 7.67% e 0.16 cm2 para a AVA, 8.53% e 7.06 mmHg para o Gmédio e 3.90% e 5.58 mmHg para o Gmax. Os estudos intra-observador e inter-observador mostraram ter excelentes coeficientes de correlação intra-classe (CCI), para todos os parâmetros ecocardiográficos (CCI varia de 0.943 até 0.990 para a variabilidade intra- -observador e de 0.955 até 0.992 para a variabilidade inter-observador). Conclusões: As medições ecocardiográficas da AVA, Vmax, Gmax and Gmédio são altamente reprodutíveis quando realizadas por ecocardiografistas experientes. De todos os parâmetros ecocardiográficos a Vmax e a relação VLVOT/Vmax apresentam os melhores valores de variabilidade e reprodutibilidade e assim constituem provavelmente a melhor ferramenta no diagnóstico e seguimento criterioso dos doentes com estenose valvular aórtica.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Composição química e valor nutricional de cogumelos silvestres comestíveis do nordeste de Portugal

Neste trabalho, determinou-se a composição química e o valor nutricional de cinco espécies de cogumelos silvestres comestíveis (Agaricus arvensis, Lactarius deliciosus, Leucopaxillus giganteus, Sarcodon imbricatus, Tricholoma portentosum) vulgarmente consumidos na região de Trás-os-Montes, Nordeste de Portugal. A avaliação da composição química incluíu determinação de humidade, gordura total, proteína total, cinzas, hidratos de carbono e do valor nutricional. O perfil de macronutrientes revelou genericamente que os cogumelos silvestres são fontes ricas em proteínas e hidratos de carbono, e que contêm quantidades reduzidas de gordura. A análise da composição em ácidos gordos, realizada por cromatografia gás-líquido acoplada a um detector de ionização de chama (GC/FID), permitiu a quantificação de quinze ácidos gordos. Os ácidos gordos insaturados e, em particular, os ácidos oleico e linoleico, são os mais abundantes. Determinou-se também a composição em açucares individuais por cromatografia líquida de alta resolução acoplada a um detector de índice de refracção (HPLC/RI), sendo o manitol e a trealose os açucares mais abundantes

A Transcriptomic Approach to Understanding the Combined Impacts of Supra-Optimal Temperatures and CO2 Revealed Different Responses in the Polyploid Coffea arabica and Its Diploid Progenitor C. canephora

Understanding the effect of extreme temperatures and elevated air (CO2) is crucial for mitigating the impacts of the coffee industry. In this work, leaf transcriptomic changes were evaluated in the diploid C. canephora and its polyploid C. arabica, grown at 25 C and at two supra-optimal temperatures (37 C, 42 C), under ambient (aCO2) or elevated air CO2 (eCO2). Both species expressed fewer genes as temperature rose, although a high number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed, especially at 42 C. An enrichment analysis revealed that the two species reacted differently to the high temperatures but with an overall up-regulation of the photosynthetic machinery until 37 C. Although eCO2 helped to release stress, 42 C had a severe impact on both species. A total of 667 photosynthetic and biochemical related-DEGs were altered with high temperatures and eCO2, which may be used as key probe genes in future studies. This was mostly felt in C. arabica, where genes related to ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO) activity, chlorophyll a-b binding, and the reaction centres of photosystems I and II were down-regulated, especially under 42 C, regardless of CO2. Transcriptomic changes showed that both species were strongly affected by the highest temperature, although they can endure higher temperatures (37 C) than previously assumed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio