Is the plant Bolboschoenus maritimus an adequate biomonitor for trace metal contamination in saltmarshes? A field study from the Óbidos lagoon (Portugal)

Monitoring the negative impacts of trace metals is crucial to assess the health and stability of ecosystems. In salt marshes, halophyte plants were reported as possible bioaccumulators of these elements. The aim of this work was to explore the bioaccumulation potential of Bolboschoenus maritimus as a tool for monitoring the presence of metals in coastal environments. Bolboschoenus maritimus were collected from a brackish water lagoon, and the presence of the trace metals lead, cadmium, and nickel were seasonally evaluated in distinct parts of the plants, and in water and sediment samples. Lead was the trace metal with the highest concentration detected in water and sediments of the sampling site. The highest lead concentrations in B. maritimus were recorded in the spring season. The transport index indicated an accumulation of lead in the leaves of around 70% in the spring of 2009. Cadmium in leaves in spring and summer of 2009 reached values above 5 mg Cd. kg−1. Nickel was not detected in most samples collected. Bolboschoenus maritimus was considered an adequate biomonitor for lead and cadmium, since it bioaccumulates both metals with seasonally distinct results, as the bioaccumulation factor results indicated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Can artificial diets be a feasible alternative for the gonadal growth and maturation of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)?

Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) has high-value reddishorange gonads that are regarded as a delicacy. In this study, three jellified diets have been tested for 90 days to assess the effect of different diets on P. lividus somatic and gonadal growth, gonad color, and reproductive state. All diets contained agar as a gelling agent and consisted of: maize and spinach (A); maize, spinach, and macroalga Laminaria digitata (B); and maize, spinach, and pumpkin Cucurbita maxima (C). Diet B was the most successful in promoting somatic growth with regard to test diameter (1.2 mm month−1) and total wet weight (79.9 mg ind−1 day−1). The individuals from Diet A presented a higher final gonadosomatic index (9.07 ± 2.39%) where all sea urchins initially presented with an index of 3.33 ± 0.02%. Diets A and C led to a marked advance (p < .05) in the gametogenic cycle (66.7% and 46.7% of the individuals with mature gametes, respectively), while Diet B resulted in less-developed gonadal stages, which are more appropriate for commercial purposes in terms of sensorial characteristics appreciated by the consumers. The gonad color analyses confirmed a redder roe in females and also the suitability of C. maxima as a potential gonad color enhancer for P. lividus.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Production of esters by biocatalysed transesterification in supercritical CO2 and Hexane

The development of sustainable processes that use renewable raw materials and minimize chemical and energetic waste has attracted considerable attention and represents a great challenge to both academic researchers and industrial experts. The use of enzymes to catalyse chemical transformations can constitute a more sustainable alternative to some traditional chemical processes and more than 100 biotransformations are already operated at an industrial scale [1]. Lipases usually operate in mild conditions and can catalyse both hydrolytic and synthetic reactions, depending on the surrounding medium. The hydrolysis of esters can be performed in water, but the reverse production reactions are not favoured in this medium, and are usually performed in organic solvents. Supercritical CO2 can constitute a more sustainable alternative to organic solvents as a reaction medium, provided that it does not have a direct adverse effect on the enzyme's active site or significantly reduce its activity. Decyl acetate was chosen as a model compound and its production by a transesterification reaction catalysed by Novozym 435 (immobilized Candida Antarctica Lipase B) was studied in both hexane and supercritical CO2. A comparative analysis between these two alternatives was performed, focusing on the differences on the enzyme's catalytic activity, solubilities of the substrates and mass transfer rates; which significantly affect the outcome of the reaction process and its productivity and provide information on when such solvents can be used. [1] Straathof, A.J.J., Panke, S., Schmid, A. The production of fine chemicals by biotransformations. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2002, 13(6), 548-556

Phytochemical composition and bioactive effects of Salvia africana, salvia officinalis 'Icterina' and Salvia mexicana aqueous Extracts

In the present study, aqueous extracts of Salvia africana, Salvia o cinalis ‘Icterina’ and Savia mexicana origin were screened for their phenolic composition and for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The three aqueous extracts contained distinct phenolic compounds, with S. africana presenting the highest total levels (231.6 7.5 g/mg). Rosmarinic acid was the dominant phenolic compound in all extracts, yet that of S. africana origin was characterized by the present of yunnaneic acid isomers, which overall accounted for about 40% of total phenolics. In turn, S. o cinalis ‘Icterina’ extract presented glycosidic forms of apigenin, luteolin and scuttelarein, and the one obtained from S. mexicana contained several simple ca eic acid derivatives. S. africana aqueous extract exhibited high antioxidant potential in four methods, namely the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging ability, iron-reducing power, inhibition of -carotene bleaching and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), for which EC50 values were equal or only 1.3–3.1 higher than those of the standard compounds. Moreover, this extract was able to lower the levels of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages (EC50 = 47.8 2.1 g/mL). In addition, the three sage aqueous extracts showed promising cytotoxic e ect towards hepatocellular HepG2, cervical HeLa, and breast carcinoma cells MCF-7. Overall this study highlights the potential of three little-exploited Salvia species, with commercial value for applications in food or pharmaceutical industries.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the European Union, the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE), for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit (QOPNA) (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019) and Mountain Research Center (CIMO) (UID/AGR/00690/2019), through national funds and where applicable co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. A. Fernandes and R. Calhelha thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020, financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso. APC was sponsored by MDPI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The health-benefits and phytochemical profile of Salvia apiana and Salvia farinacea var. Victoria blue decoctions

Salvia apiana and Salvia farinacea var. Victoria Blue decoctions were screened for diverse bioactivities, including the ability to counteract oxidative and inflammatory events, as well as to act as cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents. Both extracts showed good activities and that of S. apiana origin was particularly effective regarding the ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and to prevent nitric oxide (NO ) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line (EC50 = 50 µg/mL). Moreover, it displayed high cytotoxic capacity against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, cervical carcinoma HeLa, and breast carcinoma cells MCF-7, but comparatively low effects in porcine liver primary cells, which highlights its selectivity (GI50 = 41–60 µg/mL vs. 362 µg/mL, respectively). Further, it exhibited inhibitory and lethal potential against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is possible that the bioactive properties of the two Salvia extracts are associated to their phenolic components and, in the particular case of S. apiana, to its richness in phenolic terpenes, namely in rosmanol, hydroxycarnosic acid and a derivative of sageone, which were found in the extract.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the European Union, the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE), for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit (QOPNA) (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019) and Mountain Research Center (CIMO) (UID/AGR/00690/2019), through national funds and where applicable co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. A. Fernandes and R. Calhelha thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020, financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

4-(4,5-Diphenyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylaniline-Cu(II) complex, a highly selective probe for glutathione sensing in water-acetonitrile mixtures

The imidazole derivative 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylaniline (probe 1) formed a highly coloured and non-emissive 1:1 stoichiometry complex with Cu(II) in water-acetonitrile 1:1 (v/v) solutions. Among all the amino acids (Lys, Val, Gln, Leu, His, Thr, Trp, Gly, Phe, Arg, Ile, Met, Ser, Ala, Pro, Tyr, Gly, Asn, Asp, Glu, Cys and Hcy) and tripeptides (GSH) tested, only GSH induced the bleaching of the 1·Cu(II) solution together with a marked emission enhancement at 411 nm (excitation at 320 nm). These chromo-fluorogenic changes were ascribed to a selective GSH-induced demetallation of the 1·Cu(II) complex that resulted in a recovery of the spectroscopic features of probe 1. In addition to the remarkable selectivity of 1·Cu(II) complex toward GSH a competitive limit of detection as low as 2 μM was determined using fluorescence measurements.We thank the Spanish Government (MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R) and Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/047). H. E. O. thanks Generalitat Valenciana for his Grisolia fellowship. Thanks are also due to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal) for financial support to the Portuguese NMR network (PTNMR, Bruker Avance III 400-Univ. Minho), FCT and FEDEReCOMPETEQREN-EU for financial support to the research centre CQUM (UID/QUI/0686/2016) and a doctoral grant to R.C.M. Ferreira (SFRH/BD/86408/2012). The NMR spectrometers are part of the National NMR Network (PTNMR) and are partially supported by Infrastructure Project No 022161 (co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE 2020, POCI and PORL and FCT through PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

On the bioactivity of Echinacea purpurea extracts to modulate the production of inflammatory mediators

Inflammatory diseases are the focus of several clinical studies, due to limitations and serious side effects of available therapies. Plant-based drugs (e.g., salicylic acid, morphine) have become landmarks in the pharmaceutical field. Therefore, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of flowers, leaves, and roots from Echinacea purpurea. Ethanolic (EE) and dichloromethanolic extracts (DE) were obtained using the Accelerated Solvent Extractor and aqueous extracts (AE) were prepared under stirring. Their chemical fingerprint was evaluated by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), of the different extracts were evaluated using non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Interestingly, AE were able to stimulate macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -TNF-α, interleukin -IL-1β, and IL-6), and to generate ROS/RNS. Conversely, under an inflammatory scenario, all extracts reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory mediators. DE, alkylamides-enriched extracts, showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, E. purpurea extracts demonstrated generally a more robust anti-inflammatory activity than clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone, diclofenac, salicylic acid, and celecoxib). Therefore, E. purpurea extracts may be used to develop new effective therapeutic formulations for disorders in which the immune system is either overactive or impaired.This research was funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) to the PhD grant of SFV (PD/BD/135246/2017 and COVID/BD/152012/2021) and the projects PATH (PD/00169/2013), FROnTHERA (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023), Cells4_IDs (PTDC/BTM-SAL/28882/2017), and the NORTE 2020 Structured Project, co-funded by Norte2020 (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000021). This research was also partially supported by national funds by FCT through the projects UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 (Group of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry-CIIMAR) and ERDF, through the COMPETE—POFC program in the framework of the program PT2020

Influence of PDLA nanoparticles size on drug release and interaction with cells

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are strong candidates for the development of systemic and targeted drug delivery applications. Their size is a determinant property since it defines the NP–cell interactions, drug loading capacity, and release kinetics. Herein, poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLA) NPs were produced by the nanoprecipitationmethod, in which the influence of type and concentration of surfactant as well as PDLA concentration were assessed. The adjustment of these parameters allowed the successful production of NPs with defined medium sizes, ranging from 80 to 460 nm. The surface charge of the different NPs populations was consistently negative. Prednisolone was effectively entrapped and released from NPs with statistically different medium sizes (i.e., 80 or 120 nm). Release profiles indicate that these systems were able to deliver appropriate amounts of drug with potential applicability in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Both NPs populations were cytocompatible with human endothelial and fibroblastic cells, in the range of concentrations tested (0.187–0.784 mg/mL). However, confocal microscopy revealed that within the range of sizes tested in our experiments, NPs presenting amedium size of 120 nmwere able to be internalized in endothelial cells. In summary, this study demonstrates the optimization of the processing conditions to obtain PDLA NPs with narrow size ranges, and with promising performance for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Homegreens - Aquaponics System as an Educational Tool towards a Sustainable Future

Aquaponics is an integrated production practice that emerges from the combi-nation of two farming techniques: hydroponics and aquaculture. It consists in a simulation of a natural ecosystem that grows plants without soil substrate in the nutrient enriched waters recirculated from aquaculture systems. This type of production offers several advantages, namely economic and ecological ones. Homegreens is a project that aims to create small saltwater and freshwater aquaponic sys-tems, which can be installed in schools and serve as a didactic tool for introducing contents such as biology and sustainability to a juvenile audience. Implemented by a designers, biol-ogists and agronomists’ multidisciplinary team, the methodology was based on the develop-ment and quantitative validation of prototypes, and the installation and qualitative analyses of user’s interaction. These small scale aquaponic systems consists on a grow bed, an aquarium with a capacity for 45L, a protection barrier for the plant’s roots, aeration, biofilters and a thermostat. Sever-al simplified models were developed, presented and installed in two primary schools. Labor-atory tests were conducted to validate the use of a cork grow bed and a 3D printed polya-cid lactic (PLA) aeration and biofilter system. Children’s engagement and interaction with these simplified models, indicates that these systems will provide a biology and sustainability related group learning opportunity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio