Avaliação da eficiência de diferentes produtos enológicos na remoção de ocratoxina A de vinho

As micotoxinas são metabolitos secundários tóxicos produzidos por certos fungos, sendo a ocratoxina A (OTA) das mais importantes. A presença de OTA nos vinhos pode constituir um risco para a saúde dos consumidores, sendo por isso aconselhado que se tomem medidas para atingir níveis seguros para o consumo humano [1]. De acordo com o Regulamento n.º 1881/2006 da Comissão Europeia, o limite máximo para a OTA em vinho é de 2 µg/kg [2]. Sendo assim, foi objetivo deste trabalho conhecer a eficiência de diferentes produtos enológicos na remoção de OTA de vinhos, bem como o seu impacto nas suas características organoléticas. Foram testados onze produtos enológicos diferentes, com origem mineral, sintética, microbiana, vegetal e animal, de forma a avaliar a sua eficiência na remoção de OTA de vinhos. Os ensaios foram realizados em vinhos artificialmente suplementados com OTA numa concentração final de 10 µg/L. O produto enológico mais eficiente na remoção de OTA do vinho branco (80%) é composto por gelatina, bentonite e carvão ativado. Reduções entre 10-30% foram também obtidas com o caseinato de potássio, paredes de células de levedura e proteína de ervilha. Com a aplicação de bentonite, carboximetilcelulose, polivinilpolipirrolidona e quitosana não se verificou nenhuma remoção considerável de OTA dos vinhos brancos. Estes resultados podem fornecer informações úteis para os produtores de vinho, ajudando-os na seleção do produto enológico mais adequado para a remoção de OTA de vinhos brancos, reduzindo a toxicidade do vinho e melhorando simultaneamente a segurança alimentar e qualidade do produto final.Agradecimentos: Este trabalho foi financiado por fundos FEDER através do Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE e por fundos nacionais através da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia -FCT, ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028029 e PTDC/AGR-TEC/3900/2012, respetivamente. Luís Abrunhosa recebeu apoio através da bolsa Incentivo/EQB/LA0023/2014 do ON.2 O Novo Norte

Effects of moderate electric fields on the post-harvest preservation of chestnuts

Ohmic heating (OH) was evaluated as a post-harvest technology to improve chestnuts shelf-life (Castanea sativa Mill.) by controlling molds and insect larvae proliferation. Chestnuts were processed by OH at 35, 45, and 55 °C and compared with untreated fruits and the conventional hydrothermal technology (HT - 50 °C for 45 min), which is the process currently used by the chestnut industry. Shelf-life studies were carried out at different atmospheric conditions for 60 days: (i) 25 °C and 40% relative humidity (RH); (ii) 5 °C and 70% RH. The results show that the OH conducted at 55 °C (OH-55 °C), combined with storage at 5 °C, was more effective in controlling molds and larvae growth than the other treatments. Moreover, under these conditions, chestnuts shelf-life could be extended for 60 days without substantial changes in the fruits color and texture. After the OH-55 °C treatment, lower losses of some nutrients and vitamin C were registered compared to HT. This study demonstrates for the first time that OH has the potential to be used by the chestnut industry for the post-harvest disinfestation of this fruit.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Enrique Pino-Hernández is a recipient of a fellowship supported by an advanced doctoral training program (call NORTE-69-2015-15), funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE-08-5369-FSE 000036). Ricardo N. Pereira and Luís Abrunhosa acknowledge FCT for their Assistant Research contract obtained under CEEC Individual 2017: reference CEECIND/02903/2017 and CEECIND/00728/2017, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of culture preservation techniques on patulin and citrinin production by Penicillium expansum Link

Aims: To study the influence of culture preservation methods and culture conditions on the production of the mycotoxins patulin and citrinin by Penicillium expansum. Methods and results: Ten strains of Penicillium expansum were preserved using subculture and maintenance at 4 ºC, mineral oil, drying on silica gel and freeze-drying. Patulin and citrinin production was assessed on yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) and grape juice agar (GJ), using TLC before and after 0.5, 2–3, 6 and 12 months preservation. Citrinin was detected in all cultures for all preservation techniques on YES. The patulin profiles obtained differed with strain and culture media used. Conclusions: Citrinin production seems to be a stable character for the tested strains. There is a tendency for patulin detection with time apparently more consistent for silica gel storage and freeze-drying, especially when the strains are grown on GJ. Significance and Impact of the Study: Variability in the profiles of the mycotoxins tested seems to be more strain-specific than dependent on the preservation technique used

Antifungal activity of a novel chromene dimer

The activity on Aspergillus spp. growth and on ochratoxin A production of two novel chromene dimers (3) was evaluated. The results of the bioassays indicate that the chromene dimer 3a inhibited mycelia growth by approximately 50% (EC50) at 140.1 μmol L−1 for A. niger, 384.2 μmol L−1 for A. carbonarius, 69.1 μmol L−1 for A. alliaceus and 559.1 μmol L−1 for A. ochraceus. When applied at concentrations of 2 mmol L−1, 3a totally inhibited the growth of all Aspergillus spp. tested. Furthermore, ochratoxin A production by A. alliaceus was reduced by about 94% with a 200 μmol L−1 solution of this compound. A moderate inhibitory effect was observed for the analogous structure 3b on ochratoxin A production but not in mycelia growth. No inhibition was registered for compounds 2a and 2b, used as synthetic precursors of the dimeric species 3.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/ 11228/2002

Curcumin encapsulation in nanostructures for cancer therapy: a 10-year overview

Journal pre-proofsCurcumin (CUR) is a phenolic compound present in some herbs, including Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric rhizome), with a high bioactive capacity and characteristic yellow color. It is mainly used as a spice, although it has been found that CUR has interesting pharmaceutical properties, acting as a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumoral agent. Nonetheless, CUR is a hydrophobic compound with low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and fast metabolism, limiting its use as a pharmacological compound. Smart drug delivery systems (DDS) have been used to overcome its low bioavailability and improve its stability. The current work overviews the literature from the past 10 years on the encapsulation of CUR in nanostructured systems, such as micelles, liposomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, hydrogels, and nanocomplexes, emphasizing its use and ability in cancer therapy. The studies highlighted in this review have shown that these nanoformulations achieved higher solubility, improved tumor cytotoxicity, prolonged CUR release, and reduced side effects, among other interesting advantages.This study was funded by the Coordination for Higher Level Graduate Improvements (CAPES/Brazil, finance code 001), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil, PIBIC process #123483/2020-4), State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP/Brazil, processes #2017/10789-1, #2018/10799-0, #2018/06475-4, #2018/07707-6, #2019/08549-8, and #2020/03727-2). This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and the project AgriFood XXI (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000041) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Our Figures were created with BioRenderinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrated use of residues from olive mill and winery for lipase production by solid state fermentation with Aspergillus sp

Two phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) is presently the major waste produced by the olive mill industry. This waste has potential to be used as substrate for solid state fermentation (SSF) despite of its high concentration of phenolic compounds and low nitrogen content. In this work, it is demonstrated that mixtures of TPOMW with winery wastes support the production of lipase by Aspergillus spp. By agar plate screening, Aspergillus niger MUM 03.58, Aspergillus ibericus MUM 03.49 and Aspergillus uvarum MUM 08.01 were chosen for lipase production by SSF. Plackett-Burman experimental design was employed to evaluate the effect of substrate composition and time on lipase production. The highest amounts of lipase were produced by A. ibericus on a mixture of TPOMW, urea and exhausted grape mark (EGM). Urea was found to be the most influent factor for the lipase production. Further optimization of lipase production by A. ibericus using a full factorial design (32) conducted to optimal conditions of substrate composition (0.073 g urea/g and 25% of EGM) achieving 18.67 U/g of lipolytic activity.Jose Manuel Salgado is grateful for Postdoctoral fellowship (EX-2010-0402) of Education Ministry of Spanish Government. Luis Abrunhosa was supported by the grant SFRH/BPD/43922/2008 from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia-FCT, Portugal. Authors thank Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) for financial support through the project FCT Pest-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011

Prison sentences: last resort or the default sanction?

This paper discusses the sentencing purposes for penal penalties, judges’ perceptions of sentencing purposes and prison sentences, and the effects of penal sanctions. We examine judges’ positions towards different penalties, with a focus on imprisonment, since their views on the different penalties are related to their sentencing decision-making. Understanding these views is then critical for several practical and political purposes, including bridging the gap between academic discourse and legal practice. We accessed judges’ views on penal sanctions through a questionnaire and an interview. Our sample is compounded by the judges of the criminal courts from the three major cities in Portugal. Despite the most recent criminological empirical knowledge, judges valued imprisonment as the most adequate sentence, both for different crimes and for different judicial purposes. This result is not consistent with viewing imprisonment as a ‘last resort’ solution. Indeed, we did not find this ‘last resort’ position in our data, and it is not apparent in the judicial statistics on imprisonment rates. Our data highlight the importance of increasing judges’ training on criminological and sociological issues as well as the importance of changing the influence of their personal beliefs regarding penal sanctions into research-based positions.This study was conducted at Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). The study was also supported by Grant SFRH/BPD/108602/2015 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology awarded to the first author

Nucleolin Overexpression Predicts Patient Prognosis While Providing a Framework for Targeted Therapeutic Intervention in Lung Cancer

Notwithstanding the advances in the treatment of lung cancer with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the high percentage of non-responders supports the development of novel anticancer treatments. Herein, the expression of the onco-target nucleolin in patient-derived pulmonary carcinomas was characterized, along with the assessment of its potential as a therapeutic target. The clinical prognostic value of nucleolin for human pulmonary carcinomas was evaluated through data mining from the Cancer Genome Atlas project and immunohistochemical detection in human samples. Cell surface expression of nucleolin was evaluated by flow cytometry and subcellular fraction Western blotting in lung cancer cell lines. Nucleolin mRNA overexpression correlated with poor overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma cancer patients and further predicted the disease progression of both lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Furthermore, a third of the cases presented extra-nuclear expression, contrasting with the nucleolar pattern in non-malignant tissues. A two- to twelve-fold improvement in cytotoxicity, subsequent to internalization into the lung cancer cell lines of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes functionalized by the nucleolin-binding F3 peptide, was correlated with the nucleolin cell surface levels and the corresponding extent of cell binding. Overall, the results suggested nucleolin overexpression as a poor prognosis predictor and thus a target for therapeutic intervention in lung cancer