Modulation of Antioxidant Compounds in Fruits of Citrus reticulata Blanco Using Postharvest LED Irradiation

Phlegrean mandarin fruits are already known for health-promoting properties due to the high concentration of phytochemicals in peel, pulp, and seed. Biotic and abiotic factors, including light, may modulate their biosynthesis, metabolism, and accumulation. In this context, light-emitting diodes (LED) have recently been applied to control nutritional traits, ripening process, senescence, fruit shelf-life, and pathogenic microbial spoilage of fruits. This study investigated the effect of the seven-day exposure of Phlegrean mandarin fruits to two LED regimes, white (W) and red–blue (RB), to test the possibility that the storage under specific light wavelengths may be used as green preservation technology that enhances fruit phytochemical properties. To pursue this aim, the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic profile of the pulp and peel of mandarins under W and RB light regimes were evaluated and compared with Control fruits not exposed to LED treatment. Our results indicated that storage under W and RB treatments modulates the antioxidant content in pulp and peel differently. Compared to W, the RB regime increases the ascorbic acid, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid concentrations, while the polyphenol profile analysis reveals that the number of important phytochemicals, i.e., quercetin rutinoside, chlorogenic acid, sinensetin, and rutin, are higher under W. The overall data demonstrated that postharvest LED irradiation is a valid tool for modifying fruit phytochemical properties, which also boosts specific bioactive compounds

Antioxidant Properties of Pulp, Peel and Seeds of Phlegrean Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) at Different Stages of Fruit Ripening

In this work, we assess the potential of waste products of Phlegrean mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), namely seeds and peel, to be reutilized as a source of bioactive compounds beneficial for the human diet. Starting from the evidence that the by-products of this specific cultivar are the most powerful sources of antioxidants compared to pulp, we have investigated if and how the bioactive compounds in peel and seeds may be affected by fruit ripening. Three stages of fruit ripening have been considered in our study: unripe fruits = UF, semi-ripe fruits = SRF, ripe fruits = RF. The overall results indicated that RF showed the highest concentration of antioxidants. Among fruit components, peel was the richest in total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content, total flavonoids, total chlorophylls and carotenoids, while seeds exhibited the highest concentration of total condensed tannins and ascorbic acid. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay indicates the occurrence, in peel extracts, of 28 phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids (FLs); in seeds, 34 derivatives were present in the first stage (UF), which diminish to 24 during the ripening process. Our data indicated that the content of phytochemicals in citrus strongly varies among the fruit components and depends on the ripening stage. The higher antioxidant activity of peel and seeds, especially in RF, encourage a potential use of by-products of this specific citrus cultivar for industrial or pharmacological applications. However, to maximize the occurrence of desired bioactive compounds, it is important also to consider the ripening stage at which fruits must be collected

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Semen Quality in Healthy Young Men Living in a Contaminated Area

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors that have been implicated in potential damage to human semen. However, the studies conducted so far provide contrasting results. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between PCB serum and semen levels and semen quality in high school and university students living in a highly PCB-polluted area of Italy. Subjects with a normal body mass index who did not make daily use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or medication were selected. All participants provided a fasting blood and a semen sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of 26 PCB congeners. The concentrations of PCB functional groups and total PCBs were also computed. A total of 143 subjects (median age 20, range 18–22 years) were enrolled. The median total PCB concentrations were 3.85 ng/mL (range 3.43–4.56 ng/mL) and 0.29 ng/mL (range 0.26–0.32 ng/mL) in serum and semen, respectively. The analysis of the associations between sperm PCB concentration and semen parameters showed (a) negative associations between some PCB congeners, functional groups and total PCBs and sperm total motility; (b) negative associations of total PCBs with sperm normal morphology; and (c) no association of PCBs with sperm concentration. Subjects at the highest quartile of semen total PCB concentration had 19% and 23% mean reductions in total motility and normal morphology, respectively, compared to those at the lowest quartile. The analysis of the associations of serum PCB levels with sperm parameters yielded null or mixed (some positive, other negative) results. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence of a negative effect of some PCB congeners and total PCBs in semen on sperm motility and normal morphology. However, the associations between the concentration of serum and semen PCB congeners and functional groups and sperm quality parameters were inconsistent

Laccase-based synthesis of SIC-RED: A new dyeing product for protein gel staining

In the last years, laccases have become leading biocatalysts in green bioprocesses for dye synthesis. Among fungal laccases, the high-redox potential laccase POXA1b from Pleurotus ostreatus is a valuable candidate since it brings together several key-elements: stability and activity in a wide range of pHs and temperatures and the availability of a cost-effective bioprocess for its production. In this work POXA1b catalyzed the coupling of a p-phenylenediamine and α-naphtol, resulting in the production of a new dyeing product, named SIC-RED. The dye was structurally characterized and its performances in protein gel staining tested. The economic feasibility of the process was demonstrated in the case of an Italian small medium enterprise. The results let envisage a real exploitation of the herein enzymatically synthesized dye for protein gel staining

A cascade extraction of active phycocyanin and fatty acids from Galdieria phlegrea

The setup of an economic and sustainable method to increase the production and commercialization of products from microalgae, beyond niche markets, is a challenge. Here, a cascade approach has been designed to optimize the recovery of high valuable bioproducts starting from the wet biomass of Galdieria phlegrea. This unicellular thermo-acidophilic red alga can accumulate high-value compounds and can live under conditions considered hostile to most other species. Extractions were performed in two sequential steps: a conventional high-pressure procedure to recover phycocyanins and a solvent extraction to obtain fatty acids. Phycocyanins were purified to the highest purification grade reported so far and were active as antioxidants on a cell-based model. Fatty acids isolated from the residual biomass contained high amount of PUFAs, more than those recovered from the raw biomass. Thus, a simple, economic, and high effective procedure was set up to isolate phycocyanin at high purity levels and PUFAs.</p

A cascade extraction of active phycocyanin and fatty acids from Galdieria phlegrea

The setup of an economic and sustainable method to increase the production and commercialization of products from microalgae, beyond niche markets, is a challenge. Here, a cascade approach has been designed to optimize the recovery of high valuable bioproducts starting from the wet biomass of Galdieria phlegrea. This unicellular thermo-acidophilic red alga can accumulate high-value compounds and can live under conditions considered hostile to most other species. Extractions were performed in two sequential steps: a conventional high-pressure procedure to recover phycocyanins and a solvent extraction to obtain fatty acids. Phycocyanins were purified to the highest purification grade reported so far and were active as antioxidants on a cell-based model. Fatty acids isolated from the residual biomass contained high amount of PUFAs, more than those recovered from the raw biomass. Thus, a simple, economic, and high effective procedure was set up to isolate phycocyanin at high purity levels and PUFAs.</p

Quantification of Polyphenols and Metals in Chinese Tea Infusions by Mass Spectrometry

Chemical compounds within tea (Camellia sinensis) are characterized by an extensive heterogeneity; some of them are crucial for their protective and defensive role in plants, and are closely connected to the benefits that the consumption of tea can provide. This paper is mainly focused on the characterization of polyphenols (secondary metabolites generally involved in defense against ultraviolet radiation and aggression by pathogens) and metals, extracted from nine Chinese tea samples, by integrating different mass spectrometry methodologies, LC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our approach allowed to identify and compare forty polyphenols differently distributed in tea infusions at various fermentation levels. The exploration of polyphenols with nutraceutical potential in tea infusions can widely benefit especially tea-oriented populations. The worldwide consumption of tea requires at the same time a careful monitoring of metals released during the infusion of tea leaves. Metal analysis can provide the identification of many healthy minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, differently affected by the fermentation of leaves. Our results allowed us: (i) to draw up a polyphenols profile of tea leaves subjected to different fermentation processes; (ii) to identify and quantify metals released from tea leaves during infusion. In this way, we obtained a molecular fingerprint useful for both nutraceutical applications and food control/typization, as well as for frauds detection and counterfeiting

New oxylipins produced at the end of a diatom bloom and their effects on copepod reproductive success and gene expression levels

Diatoms are dominant photosynthetic organisms in the world's oceans and are considered essential in the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. However, these unicellular organisms produce secondary metabolites deriving from the oxidation of fatty acids, collectively termed oxylipins, with negative effects on predators, such as copepods, that feed on them (e.g. reduction in survival, egg production and hatching success) and, indirectly, on higher trophic levels. Here, a multidisciplinary study (oxylipin measurements, copepod fitness, gene expression analyses, chlorophyll distribution, phytoplankton composition, physico-chemical characteristics) was carried out at the end of the spring diatom bloom in April 2011 in the Northern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea) in order to deeply investigate copepod-diatom interactions, chemical communication and response pathways. The results show that the transect with the lowest phytoplankton abundance had the lowest copepod egg production and hatching success, but the highest oxylipin concentrations. In addition, copepods in both the analyzed transects showed increased expression levels of key stress-related genes (e.g. heat-shock proteins, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, aldehyde dehydrogenase) compared to control laboratory conditions where copepods were fed with the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum which does not produce any oxylipins. New oxylipins that have never been reported before for microalgae are described for the first time, giving new insights into the complex nature of plant-animal signaling and communication pathways at sea. This is also the first study providing insights on the copepod response during a diatom bloom at the molecular level

Heat-Induced Brain Vitrification from the Vesuvius Eruption in c.e. 79.

Cerebral tissues in human remains are rare archaeological discoveries. These tissues are typically saponified, meaning that their triglycerides have been converted to glycerol and fatty acid salts, or soap. In c.e. 79, a volcanic hot ash avalanche rapidly killed the inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the 1960s, at the Collegium Augustalium in Herculaneum, a human victim of the avalanche was found lying on a wooden bed, buried by volcanic ash. In this victim’s skull, we discovered apparent brain remains that were vitrified instead of saponified

From untargeted metabolomics to the multiple reaction monitoring‐based quantification of polyphenols in chocolates from different geographical areas

Plants, including cocoa bean, are the main source of metabolites with multiple biological functions. Polyphenol extracts are widely used as a nutraceutical supplement for their well‐known health‐promoting role. In this paper, a preliminary untargeted metabolic screening was carried out by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)‐time of flight (TOF)/TOF on a pool of chocolate samples made by cocoa beans of different geographical areas. Then, a targeted approach was developed for polyphenol quantification by an optimized Liquid chromatography (LC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion mode. Detection limit of polyphenol standard ranged between 1 and 25 pg/μl with variation coefficient lower than 15%. External calibration curves were used for quantification of polyphenols in 18 samples. Fifty polyphenols were detected in a single LC–MRM/MS run and quantified by monitoring almost 90 transitions in a 5‐minute run. The polyphenols content of different cocoa beans from several countries was finally compared by principal component analysis (PCA) statistical analysis suggesting that the chocolate made by Ecuador cocoa beans showed the highest level of polyphenols