An Integrated Caco-2TC7cells/biosensors Device for the Real Time Monitoring of Intestinal Glucose and Polyphenols Absorption and Hypoglycemic Effect of Phytochemicals

Abstract An integrated device, for real-time monitoring of glucose and phenols absorption, that consists of a sensors/biosensors system (SB) and a Caco-2TC7 human intestinal cell culture, is shown here. The SB was made of a glucose oxidase-based biosensor, a sentinel platinum sensor, a laccase/tyrosinase-based biosensor and a sentinel carbon sensor located in the basolateral compartment (BC) of a cell culture plate. This system was able to monitor the glucose absorption and the hypoglycemic effect induced by different polyphenols and could be proposed to provide an effective strategy to manage postprandial hyperglycemia with natural compounds

Probiotic potential and safety assessment of type strains of Weissella and Periweissella species

Although numerous strains belonging to the Weissella genus have been described in the last decades for their probiotic and biotechnological potential, others are known to be opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Here, we investigated the probiotic potential of two Weissella and four Periweissella type strains belonging to the species Weissella diestrammenae, Weissella uvarum, Periweissella beninensis, Periweissella fabalis, Periweissella fabaria, and Periweissella ghanensis by genomic and phenotypic analyses, and performed a safety assessment of these strains. Based on the results of the survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit, autoaggregation and hydrophobicity characteristics, as well as adhesion to Caco-2 cells, we showed that the P. beninensis, P. fabalis, P. fabaria, P. ghanensis, and W. uvarum type strains exhibited a high probiotic potential. The safety assessment, based on the genomic analysis, performed by searching for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as on the phenotypic evaluation, by testing hemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility, allowed us to identify the P. beninensis type strain as a safe potential probiotic microorganism

Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins

The present study aimed at evaluating the potential of an integrated process based on the use of membrane technology and adsorbent resins for the recovery, concentration and purification of phenolic compounds from artichoke wastewaters. In particular, artichoke wastewaters coming from the blanching step were pre-treated by ultrafiltration (UF) in order to remove suspended solids and macromolecular compounds. The UF permeate was submitted to a nanofiltration (NF) process producing a concentrated fraction enriched in phenolic and sugar compounds. Three different macroporous resins were tested through adsorption/desorption methods to produce purified phenolic fractions with high antioxidant activity. Samples produced in UF, NF and adsorption desorption tests were assayed for phenolic composition (chlorogenic acid and apigenin 7-O-glucoside), sugar composition (fructose, glucose and sucrose) and antioxidant activity. Among the three different tested resins, the S 7968 offered the best performance in terms of adsorption/desorption ratio for chlorogenic acid, with a total adsorption/desorption yield (TADY) of 63.39%; for the apigenin 7-O-glucoside the S 7968 and the S 2328 resins showed a TADY in the range 68.31-78.45%. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Authors acknowledge the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion of the "Universitat Politecnica de Valencia" for the financial support (project 1965) from the call "Proyectos de Nuevas Lineas de Investigacion Mul-tidisciplinares (PAID05-11)".Conidi, C.; Rodríguez López, AD.; Garcia-Castello, EM.; Cassano, A. (2015). Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins. Separation and Purification Technology. 144(1):153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.02.025S153161144

Dose-dependent lipid peroxidation induction on ex vivo intestine tracts exposed to chyme samples from fumonisins contaminated corn samples.

Fumonisins (FBs), Fusarium mycotoxins common food contaminant, are a potent inducer of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in intestinal cells. In order to verify this toxic effect in intestine tract, the aim was to assess lipid peroxidation (as malondialdehyde MDA increased levels) on intestine rat samples exposed to chyme samples from in vitro digestion of FBs contaminated corn samples. Naturally (9.61±3.2 μg/gr), artificially (726±94 μg/gr) and spiked corn samples at EU permitted FBs levels were digested and added to luminal side of Ussing chamber for 120 min. Fumonisins-free corn sample was used as control. The MDA increase was observed just in 83% of intestine samples exposed at EU FBs levels and the digestion process seems to reduce this incidence (50% of samples). Malondialdehyde levels were FBs dose- and subject-related and ranged from 0.07±0.01 to 3.59±0.6 nmol/mg. Highest incidence and MDA % increment (I) were found when intestine tracts were exposed to chymes from artificially corn sample. The induction of lipid peroxidation induced by FBs could be due to interactions between FBs and intestinal membranes, with consequent modifications in membrane permeability and oxygen diffusion-concentration, as suggested by other authors

Simultaneous Removal of Mycotoxins by a New Feed Additive Containing a Tri-Octahedral Smectite Mixed with Lignocellulose

Simultaneous removal of mycotoxins has been poorly addressed, and a limited number of studies have reported the efficacy of feed additives in sequestering a large spectrum of mycotoxins. In this study, a new mycotoxin-adsorbing agent was obtained by properly mixing a tri-octahedral smectite with a lignocellulose-based material. At a dosage of 1 mg mL−1, these materials simultaneously adsorbed frequently occurring mycotoxins and did not exert a cytotoxic effect on intestinal cells. Chyme samples obtained by a simulated GI digestion did not affect the viability of Caco-2TC7 cells as measured by the MTT test. In addition, the chyme of the lignocellulose showed a high content of polyphenols (210 mg mL−1 catechin equivalent) and good antioxidant activity. The properties of the individual constituents were maintained in the final composite, and were unaffected by their combination. When tested with a pool of seven mycotoxins at 1 µg mL−1 each and pH 5, the composite (5 mg mL−1) simultaneously sequestered AFB1 (95%), FB1 (99%), ZEA (93%), OTA (80%), T-2 (63%), and DON (22%). HT-2 adsorption did not occur. Mycotoxin adsorption increased exponentially as dosage increased, and occurred at physiological pH values. AFB1, ZEA and T-2 adsorption was not affected by pH in the range 3–9, whereas OTA and FB1 were adsorbed at pH values of 3–5. The adsorbed amount of AFB1, ZEA and T-2 was not released when pH rose from 3 to 7. FB1 and OTA desorption was less than 38%. Langmuir adsorption isotherms revealed high capacity and affinity for adsorption of the target mycotoxins. Results of this study are promising and show the potential of the new composite to remove mycotoxins in practical scenarios where several mycotoxins can co-occur

Influence on functional parameters of intestinal tract induced by short-term exposure to fumonisins contaminated corn chyme samples.

The gut is a possible target toward mycotoxin Fumonisins (FBs) exposure. The study aims to investigate the effects induced by FBs contaminated-corn chyme samples on functional parameters of human and rat intestine by using Ussing chamber. Fumonisins-contaminated corn and processed corn samples were undergone to in vitro digestion process and then added to luminal side. A reduction (about 90%) of short circuit current (Isc μA/cm2) during exposure of human colon tissues to fumonisins-free corn chyme samples was observed, probably related to increased chyme osmolality. This hyperosmotic stress could drain water towards the luminal compartment, modifying Na+ and Cl- transports. The presence of FBs in corn chyme samples, independently to their concentration, did not affect significantly the Isc, probably related to their interference toward epithelial Na+ transport, as assessed by using a specific inhibitor (Amiloride). The rat colon tract represents a more accessible model to study FBs toxicity showing a similar functional response to human. In the rat small intestine a significant reduction (about 15%) of Isc parameter during exposure to uncontaminated or FBs contaminated corn chyme samples was observed; therefore such model was not suitable to assess the FBs toxicity, probably because the prevalent glucose and amino acids electrogenic absorption overwhelmed the FBs influence on ionic transport