Influence of 4 Years of Ageing on Some Phenolic Compounds in Red Wines

Most of red wine's health benefits are attributed to polyphenols, which can express different biological effects. During ageing process, numerous chemical reactions occur, alternating phenolic composition of wine. Therefore, this paper focused on the influence of ageing on the evolution of wine phenolics (phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and anthocyanins). Wines from 4 local grape varieties (Frankovka, Portugieser, Probus, and Rumenika) were analysed after 1 month and 4 years of ageing. Monomeric anthocyanin and total phenolic contents and antioxidative potential in aged wines were also determined. Among tested phenolics, main components in aged wines remained gallic acid (2.16–19.55 mg l−1) and catechin (8.39–37.21 mg l−1). The most prominent changes of analysed phenolic compounds during ageing were observed for p-coumaric acid (from +173.3% to +763.1%) and malvidin-3-glucoside (from +173.3% to +763.1%). Wine from Rumenika variety maintained the highest content of individual phenols after ageing. Additionally, aged wines had very low content of monomeric anthocyanins. Significant correlation (r= −0.93, P<0.05) between total phenolic content and IC50 values in aged wines was also noticed. Obtained results provide useful information about the quality preservation during aging and storage of these products

Oleic acid variation and marker-assisted detection of Pervenets mutation in high- and low-oleic sunflower cross

High-oleic sunflower oil is in high demand on the market due to its heart-healthy properties and richness in monounsaturated fatty acids that makes it more stable in processing than standard sunflower oil. Consequently, one of sunflower breeder's tasks is to develop stable high-oleic sunflower genotypes that will produce high quality oil. We analyzed variability and inheritance of oleic acid content (OAC) in sunflower, developed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, by analyzing F-1 and F-2 progeny obtained by crossing a standard linoleic and high-oleic inbred line. F-2 individuals were classified in two groups: low-oleic with OAC of 15.24-31.28% and high-oleic with OAC of 62.49-93.82%. Monogenic dominant inheritance was observed. Additionally, several molecular markers were tested for the use in marker-assisted selection in order to shorten the period of detecting high-oleic genotypes. Marker F4-R1 was proven to be the most efficient in detection of genotypes with Pervenets (high-oleic acid) mutation

Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) in the Prevention of Food Allergy

N-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are considered to possess protective properties for human health by impacting on immunological reactions. An “inflammation-suppressive” effect appears to be the common denominator of the beneficial effects of most of these dietary components which may protect against the development of chronic immune disorders such as (food) allergy. LCPUFAs, especially n-3 LCPUFAs, have been shown to interact with both the sensitization as well as the effector phase in food allergy in pre-clinical models. In this review, we explore the anti-allergic properties of LCPUFAs by providing an overview of clinical, in vivo and in vitro studies. Furthermore, we discuss the susceptibility of LCPUFAs to lipid oxidation and possible strategies to support the efficacy of LCPUFAs in reducing the allergy risk by using additional components with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities such as the flavonoid quercetin. Finally, we propose new strategies to prevent (food) allergy using combinations of LCPUFAs and additional nutrients in diets or supplements, and postulate to investigate the use of LCPUFAs in allergic symptom relief

Transcriptome sequencing of three Pseudo-nitzschia species reveals comparable gene sets and the presence of Nitric Oxide Synthase genes in diatoms

Diatoms are among the most diverse eukaryotic microorganisms on Earth, they are responsible for a large fraction of primary production in the oceans and can be found in different habitats. Pseudo-nitzschia are marine planktonic diatoms responsible for blooms in coastal and oceanic waters. We analyzed the transcriptome of three species, Pseudo-nitzschia arenysensis, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima and Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata, with different levels of genetic relatedness. These species have a worldwide distribution and the last one produces the neurotoxin domoic acid. We were able to annotate about 80% of the sequences in each transcriptome and the analysis of the relative functional annotations allowed comparison of the main metabolic pathways, pathways involved in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids (MAV and MEP pathways), and pathways putatively involved in domoic acid synthesis. The search for homologous transcripts among the target species and other congeneric species resulted in the discovery of a sequence annotated as Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS), found uniquely in Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata. The predicted protein product contained all the domains of the canonical metazoan sequence. Putative NOS sequences were found in other available diatom datasets, supporting a role for nitric oxide as signaling molecule in this group of microalgae

Effects of well regeneration on the example of Grabovičko polje near Kladovo

Many groundwater sources face a reduction in the exploitation capacity due to well aging. The well changes its performance over time, whether in operation or out of work. The well aging is influenced by many factors. Consequently, economic, business and social problems arise. Well regeneration has shown the best effects in practice to address these issues. In the area of Kladovski Ključ on the banks of the Danube, a drainage system of wells is used to defend against high water levels. During the inspection of the wells, the products that affect the aging of the well were determined, and the regeneration of the wells was conducted using the chemical-hydraulic method. The paper presents the procedures of well regeneration and the obtained positive effects of the applied method seen through the achieved results

Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) in the Prevention of Food Allergy

N-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are considered to possess protective properties for human health by impacting on immunological reactions. An "inflammation-suppressive" effect appears to be the common denominator of the beneficial effects of most of these dietary components which may protect against the development of chronic immune disorders such as (food) allergy. LCPUFAs, especially n-3 LCPUFAs, have been shown to interact with both the sensitization as well as the effector phase in food allergy in pre-clinical models. In this review, we explore the anti-allergic properties of LCPUFAs by providing an overview of clinical, in vivo and in vitro studies. Furthermore, we discuss the susceptibility of LCPUFAs to lipid oxidation and possible strategies to support the efficacy of LCPUFAs in reducing the allergy risk by using additional components with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities such as the flavonoid quercetin. Finally, we propose new strategies to prevent (food) allergy using combinations of LCPUFAs and additional nutrients in diets or supplements, and postulate to investigate the use of LCPUFAs in allergic symptom relief

Galectin-3: A promising marker of thyroid malignancy

Background: Galectin-3 is an endogenous beta-galactoside binding lectin implicated in neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. High levels of this lectin have recently been found in malignant thyroid tumors, but not in normal or benign thyroid tissue, suggesting galectin-3 as a promising presurgical marker of thyroid malignancy. Methods: We analyzed immunohistochemically galectin-3 expression in thyroid tissue using a monoclonal antibody. The total of 108 tissue specimens included 55 cases of thyroid carcinoma (30 papillary, 15 follicular, and 10 anaplastic type), 15 samples of follicular adenoma, 15 samples of normal thyroid tissue, and 23 thyroid tissue specimens from human fetuses (16 to 37 weeks of intrauterine life). Results: The results showed galectin-3 expression in 20/30 papillary carcinomas, 11/15 follicular carcinomas, 10/10 anaplastic carcinomas, and 4/15 follicular adenomas. Thyroid follicular cells in normal adult and fetal tissue were negative. Conclusions: These results further confirm that galectin-3 expression is a feature of malignant thyroid cells, and that immunohistochemical detection of galectin-3 could be useful in thyroid carcinoma diagnostics. The absence of galectin-3 in thyroid cells during fetal development suggests that galectin-3 is expressed de novo during malignant transformation of thyroid epithelium, thus it should not be considered an oncofetal antigen

Quantitative determination of total anthocyanins and flavonoids in natural products obtained from grapes and malt

Wines and beers are a rich source of different compounds that show beneficial effects to the human body and their consummation in reasonable amounts can improve health. Among them, the most important are phenolic compounds (nonflavonoids, flavonoids, tannins), which possess antioxidative properties and could be responsible for prevention of many diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the content of total flavonoids, monomeric and total anthocyanins in samples of wines from different grape varieties produced in Serbia and beers produced with the addition of grapes. Analysis was performed on 14 samples including 5 red wines made from grape varieties from Serbia, one regular beer, and 7 beer samples enriched with different grape varieties and percentage of grape. Monomeric and total anthocyanins were determined spectrofotometrically by the pH differential method, while the total flavonoid content was determined according to the colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method after precipitation with formaldehyde. Anthocyanins were quantified in all analyzed samples, except in regular beer. The highest values were found in wines made from variety Prokupac (270,80 mg/l and 388,79 mg/l malvidine-3-glucoside equivalents, for monomeric and total anthocyanins, respectively). Flavonoids were present in all analyzed samples. Wine samples showed higher content of flavonoids (the highest in Merlot wine) than beer and drinks from beer and grapes. The content of anthocyanins and flavonoids in beer samples enriched with grapes increased with the increase of added amount of grapes. Obtained results showed that relatively high concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins are present in wines produced in Serbia. Also, addition of grape in beer increased content of these beneficial phenolic compounds, which can be important factor for quality of a new developed product