Nanoemulsions as delivery systems of hydrophobic silybin from silymarin extract: Effect of oil type on silybin solubility, invitro bioaccessibility and stability

The potential of nanoemulsion delivery systems to carry silybin from silymarin extract was studied. To this purpose, sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil and castor oil were used to prepare silymarin loaded nanoemulsions. The effect of oil type on the silybin solubility and i. n vitro bioaccessibility was evaluated. Moreover, the changes in particle size, silybin concentration, oxygen consumption and hydroperoxide concentration were studied in nanoemulsions during storage at 20\ub0C. Results showed that silybin can be successfully incorporated into physically stable nanoemulsions prepared with the different oils. The oil type slightly influenced the silybin invitro bioaccessibility, while it affected the nanoemulsion particle size as well as silybin stability during storage. In particular, silybin underwent degradation, showing lower stability in extra virgin oil and sunflower oil than in castor oil. Results also showed that the presence of the silymarin extract containing silybin did not affect the oxidation kinetics of the carrier oils. \ua9 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Effect of pulsed light on selected properties of cut apple

The effect of pulsed light (0, 8.8 and 17.5 J cm-2) on selected properties of cut apple (thermal power, oxygen consumption, volatile compounds, colour and firmness) was investigated during storage at 30 \ub0C for up to 6 days. Samples exposed to pulsed light showed lower heat production due to a decrease in tissue respiration. Pulsed light treated samples also showed different evolution of volatile compounds (ethanol, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate), browning and tissue softening. Modification of tissue metabolisms by pulsed light could be exploited in the processing of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables leading to advantages well beyond its germicidal activity

Oil based nanocarrier for improved delivery of hydrophobic silymarin in functional foods

Many bioactive compounds are non-polar molecules with low oral bioavailability due to their poor aqueous solubility and high melting point. It is therefore difficult to incorporate these compounds into foods due to their tendency to precipitate. Moreover, this kind of bioactive components can be effectively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract only when they remain in soluble state within the food product during storage. In recent years, lipid-based delivery systems have been suggested as a convenient way of incorporating and protecting poorly water-soluble nutraceuticals in functional foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for nanoemulsion-delivery systems to carry sylimarin, a complex mixture obtained from Silybum marianum [1]. Silymarin is composed of four flavonolignans isomers, among which sylibin is the major biologically active component and largely responsible for the well-documented antihepatotoxic activity. Even if pharmaceutical solutions are available as oral delivery means of silymarin [2, 3], its application as nutraceutical in functional foods is currently limited due to its poor water solubility as well as its high melting point. In this study, the encapsulation efficiency of different carrier oils (sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, flax seed oil) and emulsifiers (Tween 80, PGPR) was studied by determining silymarin solubility. Furthermore, the formation and stability of silymarin loaded nanoemulsions were evaluated. Results highlighted the critical role of the choice of carrier oil and emulsifier type in the attempt to obtain an efficient solubilisation of silymarin. Sylibin solubility increased with the increasing of the carrier polarity. The dipole-dipole interactions between polar groups of the carrier lipid and Sylimarin would favour the solubilisation of the bioactive molecule. Knowledge gained from the current research could be used to develop effective delivery systems of silymarin as well as of other highly hydrophobic bioactive compounds into functional foods

Survey of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Agents in Ixodes Ticks Carried by Wild Passerines during Postbreeding Migration through Italy

Recently, increasing attention has been posed on the role of migrating birds in the spread of ticks and indirectly of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). Despite, Italy is considered a bridge between continental Europe and North Africa and a necessary path to connect Mediterranean countries, few studies have been conducted on ticks collected from birds migrating through this country and associated TBPs. The aims of this research were to estimate the infestation burden and identify tick species feeding on migratory birds, and perform a molecular screening for TBPs. During autumn migration (2019–2020), birds were inspected for ticks in a ringing station located in north-east Italy. Ticks were identified and screened for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Neoehrlichia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp. Ixodes ticks (n = 209) were feeding on 2.6% of passerines (88/3411). Most of these (208/209) were Ixodes ricinus, except one Ixodes frontalis. Eight bird species were infested: common blackbird, redwing, brambling, song thrush, common chaffinch, European robin, water pipit, and coal tit. Rickettsiales showed a low prevalence, from 1.4% of Ehrlichia spp., 4.3% of A. phagocytophilum, up to 7.2% of Rickettsia spp.. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. had the highest prevalence, 54.6%, and several zoonotic genotypes were identified: B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. afzeli, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. miyamotoi. All specimens were negative for TBEV and Bartonella spp.. Although the tick burden was generally low, most of the vectors (>60%) were positive for at least one pathogen, highlighting the relevance of a continuous monitoring of migrating birds as potential sources of pathogen dispersal