Phytochemical analysis of leaves and stems of Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae)

Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) is encountered in different regions of Bulgaria as a wild growing or ornamental plant. The objective of this work was to characterize the phytochemical composition (macro and micro components) of the leaves and stems of two local phenotypes (PA-SB and PA-NB), with the view of revealing their use potential. The dry leaves contained (DW) protein (16.25 and 19.27%), cellulose (25.16 and 25.31%), and ash (18.28 and 16.16%) and the stems contained protein (6.83 and 7.35%), cellulose (39.34 and 38.25%), and ash (15.01 and 7.48%) for PA-SB and PA-NB, respectively. The dominant amino acids (by HPLC) in the leaves of both phenotypes were arginine (21.3-22.3 mg/g) and aspartic acid (8.8-18.4 mg/g), and those in the stems were proline and aspartic acid for PA-SB (8.8, 7.7 mg/g); isoleucine and tyrosine for PA-NB (12.8, 6.6 mg/g). Mineral elements, determined by AAS (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr), also varied between phenotypes and plant parts. The leaves alone were further processed by extraction with n-hexane, for the identification of leaf volatiles (by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The analysis identified 28 components (97.99%) in the leaf extract of PA-SB and 32 components (97.50%) in that of PA-NB. The volatile profile of PA-SB leaves was dominated by diterpenes (49.96%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (35.61%), while that of PA-NB was dominated by oxygenated aliphatics (40.01%) and diterpenes (35.19%). To the best of our knowledge, the study provides the first data about the phytochemical composition of the leaves and stems of P. alkekengi from Bulgaria, in a direct comparison of phenotypes from two distinct wild populations, which could be of further scientific interest.AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; [2021-29]The authors deeply acknowledge the Researchers Supporting Program (TUMA Project-2021-29), AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for supporting steps of this work

БЪЛГАРСКА АДАПТАЦИЯ НА ВЪПРОСНИКА НА КУПЪРСМИТ ЗА ИЗМЕРВАНЕ НА САМООЦЕНКАТА ПРИ ВЪЗРАСТНИ (ФОРМА С)

Извършена е адаптация за български условия на скалата за изследване на самооценката на Купърсмит за възрастни (форма С). Участниците в изследването са 900, като част от тях са студенти от различни специалности в Университета по библиотекознание и информационни технологии – УниБИТ, а друга част са рекрутирани чрез онлайн форма на въпросника. Айтемите имат добри психометрични характеристики и тестът е с висока надеждност. Проверена е конструкт валидността на скалата чрез корелации с методики, измерващи ценности и удовлетвореност от живота. Извлечени са три съдържателни фактора, заслужаващи интерпретация (Личностна самооценка; Самооценка, произтичаща от другите; Самооценка, произтичаща от родителите). Въпросникът е нормиран за възрастни хора в България

Lipid Composition of Paulownia Seeds Grown in Bulgaria

DergiPark: 246128trakyafbdThe chemical composition of seeds from paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) was investigated. The main components in the triacylglycerol fraction of the oil were linoleic (64.1%), oleic (21.2%) and palmitic acids (7.3%). ?-Tocopherol (approx. 100.0%) predominated in the tocopherol fraction, and in the sterol fraction – ß-sitosterol (79.2%), campesterol (10.3%) and stigmasterol (7.7%). In the seeds were established 10.6% protein, 9.5% cellulose and 38.2% hydrolysable carbohydrates

Enhanced solubility of rapeseed meal protein isolates prepared by sequential isoelectric precipitation

The solubility of plant protein isolates is a key determinant of their potential application. Two protein isolates (PI) from ethanol-treated industrial rapeseed meal, PI10.5–2.5 and PI2.5–8.5, were prepared by sequential isoelectric precipitation of alkali-extracted proteins (pH 12) starting from pH 10.5 to 2.5 or from pH 2.5 to 8.5, respectively. Biochemical analyses revealed that PI2.5–8.5 contained a higher amount of crude protein (72.84%) than PI10.5–2.5 (68.67%). In the same protein isolate, the level of total phenols (0.71%) was almost two-fold higher than that in PI10.5–2.5 (0.42%). No glucosinolates were established in both protein isolates. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that PI10.5–2.5 contained 10 to 15 kDa protein fractions in a relatively higher amount, while PI2.5–8.5 was enriched in 18 to 29 kDa protein fractions. PI10.5–2.5 exhibited high solubility, varying from 41.74% at pH 4.5 to 65.13% at pH 6.5, while PI2.5–8.5 was almost two-fold less soluble under the same conditions. Up to pH 5.5, the addition of NaCl at 0.03 and 0.25 M diminished the solubility of PI2.5–8.5, while the solubility of PI10.5–2.5 was increased. The supplementation of PI10.5–2.5 with 0.25 M NaCl enhanced the protein solubility to 56.11% at pH 4.5 and 94.26% at pH 6.5. The addition of 0.03 M NaCl also increased the solubility of this protein isolate but to a lower extent. Overall, the approach for sequential precipitation of proteins influenced the biochemical characteristics, protein fractional profile and solubility of prepared protein isolates.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical composition assessment of structural parts (seeds, peel, pulp) of physalis alkekengi l. fruits

In recent years there has been an extensive search for nature-based products with functional potential. All structural parts of Physalis alkekengi (bladder cherry), including fruits, pulp, and less-explored parts, such as seeds and peel, can be considered sources of functional macro- and micronutrients, bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and dietetic fiber. The chemical composition of all fruit structural parts (seeds, peel, and pulp) of two phenotypes of P. alkekengi were studied. The seeds were found to be a rich source of oil, yielding 14-17%, with abundant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (over 88%) and tocopherols, or vitamin E (up to 5378 mg/kg dw; dry weight). The predominant fatty acid in the seed oils was linoleic acid, followed by oleic acid. The seeds contained most of the fruit's protein (16-19% dw) and fiber (6-8% dw). The peel oil differed significantly from the seed oil in fatty acid and tocopherol composition. Seed cakes, the waste after oil extraction, contained arginine and aspartic acid as the main amino acids; valine, phenylalanine, threonine, and isoleucine were present in slightly higher amounts than the other essential amino acids. They were also rich in key minerals, such as K, Mg, Fe, and Zn. From the peel and pulp fractions were extracted fruit concretes, aromatic products with specific fragrance profiles, of which volatile compositions (GC-MS) were identified. The major volatiles in peel and pulp concretes were beta-linalool, alpha-pinene, and gamma-terpinene. The results from the investigation substantiated the potential of all the studied fruit structures as new sources of bioactive compounds that could be used as prospective sources in human and animal nutrition, while the aroma-active compounds in the concretes supported the plant's potential in perfumery and cosmetics.IGA FT 2022/004Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Faculty of Technology [IGA FT 2022/004

Isolation, Characterization and Amino Acid Composition of a Bacteriocin Produced by Bacillus methylotrophicus Strain BM47

Poznato je da bakterije roda Bacillus proizvode široki spektar proteinskih antibiotičkih spojeva što inhibiraju različite saprofitne i patogene mikroorganizme. U ovom je radu opisan i identificiran kao bakteriocin peptid iz soja bakterije Bacillus methylotrophicus BM47, prethodno izolirane iz prirodnog termalnog izvora u Bugarskoj. Ispitivanje je antimikrobnog djelovanja in vitro nepročišćene suspenzije bakteriocina iz B. methylotrophicus BM47 pokazalo učinak na fitopatogene plijesni Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger te na Gram-negativnu bakteriju Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimikrobno djelovanje nepročišćene suspenzije bakteriocina djelomično su inhibirali enzimi tripsin, Alcalase®, Savinase®, proteinaza K, papain i Esperase®, dok katalaza nije imala učinkovito djelovanje. Nepročišćena je suspenzija bakteriocina bila otporna na promjene u pH-vrijednostima, ali je bila osjetljiva na djelovanje topline i većine ispitanih organskih otapala i detergenata. Radi dobivanja udjela aktivnog proteina, sirovi je ekstrakt bakteriocina pročišćen pomoću brze tekućinske kromatografije proteina (engl. FPLC) i jake anionske kolone za ionsku izmjenu. Analiza tricin-natrij dodecil sulfat – poliakrilamid gel elektroforezom pokazala je da pročišćeni bakteriocin ima molekulsku masu od 19 578 Da, dok je visokodjelotvornom tekućinskom kromatografijom utvrđeno da sadržava 17 vrsta aminokiselina s najvećim molarnim udjelom serina (29,3 %), valina (10,3 %), alanina (9,8 %) i tirozina (7,1 %).Members of the bacterial genus Bacillus are known as producers of a broad spectrum of antibiotic compounds of proteinaceous nature that possess inhibitory activity against different saprophytic and pathogenic microorganisms. In the current research, a peptide synthesized by Bacillus methylotrophicus strain BM47, previously isolated from a natural thermal spring in Bulgaria, was identified and characterized as a bacteriocin. In vitro antimicrobial screening of the crude bacteriocin substance of B. methylotrophicus BM47 showedn activity against the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger and Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial activity of the crude bacteriocin substance was partially inhibited by the enzymes trypsin, Alcalase®, Savinase®, proteinase K, papain and Esperase®, while catalase was not effective. The crude bacteriocin substance was relatively pH resistant, but sensitive to the action of heat and most organic solvents and detergents tested. To obtain the active protein fractions, crude bacteriocin substance was purified by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) using a strong anion exchange column. Tricine sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that the purified bacteriocin had molecular mass of 19 578 Da. The amino acid analysis performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that the isolated bacteriocin consisted of 17 types of amino acids, with the highest mol fraction expressed as percent of serine (29.3), valine (10.3), alanine (9.8) and tyrosine (7.1)

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions