Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolics and Antioxidants from Propolis for Stabilization of Sunflower Oil

Propolis is one of the byproducts of honey bees; it contains many phenolic compounds which are some of the most important natural antioxidants. The present study examined the antioxidant activity of propolis and its role in the stability of sunflower oil as a natural antioxidant in the form of Box–Behnken design. The extraction process was performed using an ultrasonic bath method with two factors in three levels which included 18 assays by the response surface methods. The investigated variables included the concentration of the extract (min: 30 and max: 1000 ppm), the extraction time (min: 10 and max: 30 minutes), and temperature (min: 37.5 and max: 50°C). After analysis of the data in optimal conditions, the concentration of propolis ethanol extract, extraction temperature, and extraction time was determined as 997.5 ppm, 34.6°C, and 30 min, respectively. In this condition, the total phenolic compounds and the free-radical scavenging properties were reported as 253.1mgGAE/100gDW and 85.9%, respectively. The result of the evaluation of the oxidative stability of the optimized sample oil showed reduced peroxide and thiobarbituric acid index compared to the control sample and synthetic antioxidants (BHT); also, the oil stability improved significantly over time

Investigating the physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties of plant-based protein products (meat-free burgers) formulated using various Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. protein isolates

The present study investigated the effect of using various protein isolates of Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. (Bitter vetch; Family: Fabaceae) in formulating plant burgers on physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties of the resulting plant-based protein products. The results indicated that the plant-based protein products in the formulation of which protein isolates produced based on salt extraction methods were used, had higher rates of protein, fat and oil. On the contrary, they had lower rates of carbohydrate and moisture in contrast to the plant-based protein products formulated using protein isolates produced based on isoelectric precipitation methods. The reason for the high amount of fat and protein in these treatments can be attributed to the isolates’ production conditions, high amount of oil diffused from the product in contrast to low oil retention and absorption capacity and low level of the measured moisture in comparison with the high protein content. In the current century, due to the uneven human population growth as well as the limited growth of animal resources, the debate about protein deficiency is particularly important in developing societies. Efforts for finding abundant and cheap herbal sources of protein have led to various researches regarding the use of some such less-known legumes in developing countries. In this regard, different protein isolates of Vicia ervilia have been used in the formulation of vegetable burgers to produce a new, inexpensive and productive plant protein product in the food industry

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolics and Antioxidants from Propolis for Stabilization of Sunflower Oil

Propolis is one of the byproducts of honey bees; it contains many phenolic compounds which are some of the most important natural antioxidants. The present study examined the antioxidant activity of propolis and its role in the stability of sunflower oil as a natural antioxidant in the form of Box–Behnken design. The extraction process was performed using an ultrasonic bath method with two factors in three levels which included 18 assays by the response surface methods. The investigated variables included the concentration of the extract (min: 30 and max: 1000 ppm), the extraction time (min: 10 and max: 30 minutes), and temperature (min: 37.5 and max: 50°C). After analysis of the data in optimal conditions, the concentration of propolis ethanol extract, extraction temperature, and extraction time was determined as 997.5 ppm, 34.6°C, and 30 min, respectively. In this condition, the total phenolic compounds and the free-radical scavenging properties were reported as 253.1mgGAE/100gDW and 85.9%, respectively. The result of the evaluation of the oxidative stability of the optimized sample oil showed reduced peroxide and thiobarbituric acid index compared to the control sample and synthetic antioxidants (BHT); also, the oil stability improved significantly over time.El propóleo es uno de los subproductos de las abejas melíferas; contiene muchos compuestos fenólicos que son algunos de los antioxidantes naturales más importantes. El presente estudio examinó la actividad antioxidante del propóleo y su papel en la estabilidad del aceite de girasol como antioxidante natural en la forma de diseño Box-Behnken. El proceso de extracción se realizó mediante un método de baño de ultrasonidos con dos factores en tres niveles que incluían 18 ensayos por los métodos de superficie de respuesta. Las variables investigadas incluyeron la concentración del extracto (min: 30 y max: 1000ppm), el tiempo de extracción (min: 10 y max: 30 minutos), y la temperatura (min: 37.5 y max: 50°C). Tras el análisis de los datos en condiciones óptimas, la concentración del extracto de etanol de propóleo, la temperatura de extracción y el tiempo de extracción se determinaron como 997,5ppm, 34,6°C y 30 min, respectivamente. En estas condiciones, los compuestos fenólicos totales y las propiedades de eliminación de los radicales libres fueron reportados como 253,1mgGAE/100gDW y 85,9%, respectivamente. El resultado de la evaluación de la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de la muestra optimizada mostró una reducción del índice de peróxido y de ácido tiobarbitúrico en comparación con la muestra de control y los antioxidantes sintéticos (BHT); además, la estabilidad del aceite mejoró significativamente con el tiempo

Unpacking HPV Stigma: Assessing Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge and Stigma Towards HPV While Exploring the Connection Between the Two

Objectives Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer, yet existing social stigmas and unequal access to healthcare compromise its preventability through screening and vaccination. Understanding healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perceptions of HPV is pivotal in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of preventive healthcare strategies. This article aims to explore and understand the relationship between healthcare workers’ knowledge and stigma towards HPV. Design and Methods A questionnaire of 27 stigma and 24 knowledge questions was provided for healthcare personnel. Demographic questions were also included. Stigma levels were determined based on a total median score. Fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were used to find the correlation between knowledge regarding HPV and the stigma level. Results Five hundred fifty-two healthcare workers answered the questionnaire. The findings showed that while most participants had adequate to moderate knowledge about the prevention and complications of HPV, they lacked knowledge about symptoms and treatment. Stigma towards HPV disease was evident in some participants, with attitudes varying depending on demographic factors and knowledge level. The model indicated that age, gender, and specific knowledge questions were significantly associated with stigma levels. Interestingly, the presence of knowledge in some areas increased the stigma level. Conclusions In conclusion, the study sheds light on the stigmatization and knowledge gaps regarding HPV disease among healthcare personnel and, intriguingly, that increased knowledge does not necessarily correlate with decreased stigma. The findings highlight the need for targeted education and training programs to improve healthcare providers’ knowledge in these specific areas

SARS-COV-2 IgG specific antibodies persistence in recovered COVID-19 individuals and its association with severity and time of illness

In order to accurately interpret the immune response to COVID-19, it is critical to know how long serum antibodies to COVID-2 persist. This study aimed to describe the serum IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 infection in Birjand, South Khorasan province, Iran. The study was performed on individuals whose COVID-19 disease was confirmed by RT-PCR and recovered from the disease. After completing the questionnaire, blood samples were collected from 4 different groups based on the time of the test at two, four, six, and eight months' post-recovery. Then, SARS-COV-2 virus-specific IgG nucleocapsid antibody level in patients was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 206 patients (mean age 44.19 ​± ​14.9, 51% man) were included in the survey. Serum prevalence of specific IgG antibodies in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 disease was 51.5%, 64% and 78.9%, respectively. Furthermore, serum prevalence of COVID-19 specific IgG antibody level in two, four, six, and eight months after recovery were 80.8, 69.1, 43.2 and 41.8%, respectively (p ​ ​0.05). In the present report, we attempted to characterize the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, with the aim of better elucidating the humoral immune response after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection