Microbiological quality of Moroccan labeled Euphorbia resinifera honey

In the present work, microbiological profile of thirty-seven samples of labeled honey were collected in a Protected Geographical Indication “PGI” area of Tadla-Azilal region, which is an endemic zone of Euphorbia resinifera plant. A profile was assessed using conventional microbial methods, like enumeration, detection and/or germs identification, in accordance with ISO norms. This is the first study in which a honey with Moroccan “PGI” was tested, in order to assess its compliance with bacteriological recommendations. Coliforms (Total and fecal Coliforms), Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Sporus of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were not detected. The numbers of Standard Plate Count “SPC” were less than 102 CFU.g-1 for all samples. The molds and yeasts were found among samples and 32% and 40% of samples were positive, respectively. However, no samples showed a higher value than recommended limit [102 CFU.g-1]. We conclude that samples of labeled euphorbia honey of Tadla-Azilal analyzed present good commercial quality parameters (SPC, molds and yeasts “absence of unwanted fermentations”), a good sanitary quality (absence of coliforms and S. aureus) and are safe (Slam., Shig., Sporus of B. cereus and C. perf.). Standardization (regulation and specifications) and a rationalization of beekeeping techniques throughout Euphorbia “PGI” area studied may further sustainably improve the quality of this unique honey, and ensure it over the years

Relationship among antibiotic residues and antibacterial activity of the endemic spurge honey (Euphorbia Resinifera o. Berg) from morocco

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to be of major health concern worldwide. In recent years, several reports and scientific articles claim the contamination of honey by antibiotics, detectable concentrations of antibiotic residues in honey are illegal. They, may cause hypersensitivity or resistance to drug therapy in humans, and are perceived by consumers as undesirable. In this sense, the purpose of this work was to examine the antibacterial activity of the Euphorbia resinifera (E. resinifera) honey against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro using the well-agar diffusion assay followed by dilution range to obtain more precise minimum inhibitory concentration values. The second aim is to evaluate the presence of antibiotics in honey using a screening test: Evidence Investigator™, an immuno-enzymatic method for detection of 27 antibiotic residues followed by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for confirmation of suspect samples; in order to assess the relationship between the presence of antibiotic residues and the antibacterial activity of honey. In this study, a total of 37 E. resinifera honey samples were analyzed. The results show that all samples of honey inhibited the growth of bacteria at the dilutions at 50% (v/v); the highest inhibition zone (25.98 ± 0.11 mm) was recorded from sample 5 for Staphylococcus aureus and (13.84 ± 1.10 mm) in sample 17 for Escherichia coli and that 50% (v/v) dilutions showed significant antibacterial effect compared to other dilutions (6.25, 12.5, 25% (v/v)). In all samples, there were no antibiotic residues detected except for one showing the detection of Trimethoprim at 6.48 µg kg-1. Our research is one of the first studies that relate the he relationship between the presence of antibiotic residues and the antibacterial activity of Euphorbia resinifera honey and showed that the antibacterial activity of honey might be due to the high osmotic nature, a low pH, its content of phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide and also to its content of methylglyoxal

Comparative evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial potential of Euphorbia-derived functional products

This study assessed the medicinal properties of Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp echinus (Hook.f. and Coss.) Vindt (Euphorbia echinus, known for their pharmaceutical benefits. Extracts from their flowers, stems, propolis, and honey were examined for phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total condensed tannin (TCC) were determined using specific methods. Antioxidant potential was assessed through various tests including DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and Total antioxidant capacity. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using phenol-induced ear edema in rats, while antibacterial activity was measured against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 10536) bacteria. Among the extracts, the aqueous propolis extract of E. resinifera demonstrated exceptional antioxidant capabilities, with low IC50 values for DPPH (0.07 ± 0.00 mg/mL) and ABTS (0.13 ± 0.00 mg/mL), as well as high TAC (176.72 ± 0.18 mg AA/mg extract) and FRAP (86.45 ± 1.45 mg AA/mg extract) values. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of E. resinifera propolis extracts surpassed that of indomethacin, yielding edema percentages of 3.92% and 11.33% for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. Microbiological results indicated that the aqueous extract of E. resinifera flower exhibited the most potent inhibitory action against S. aureus, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 21.0 ± 0.00 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.125 mg/mL. Additionally, only E. resinifera honey displayed the ability to inhibit E. coli growth, with an inhibition zone diameter of 09.30 ± 0.03 mm and a MIC of 0.0433 mg/mL

Peroxisomal defects in microglial cells induce a disease-associated microglial signature

Microglial cells ensure essential roles in brain homeostasis. In pathological condition, microglia adopt a common signature, called disease-associated microglial (DAM) signature, characterized by the loss of homeostatic genes and the induction of disease-associated genes. In X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), the most common peroxisomal disease, microglial defect has been shown to precede myelin degradation and may actively contribute to the neurodegenerative process. We previously established BV-2 microglial cell models bearing mutations in peroxisomal genes that recapitulate some of the hallmarks of the peroxisomal β-oxidation defects such as very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) accumulation. In these cell lines, we used RNA-sequencing and identified large-scale reprogramming for genes involved in lipid metabolism, immune response, cell signaling, lysosome and autophagy, as well as a DAM-like signature. We highlighted cholesterol accumulation in plasma membranes and observed autophagy patterns in the cell mutants. We confirmed the upregulation or downregulation at the protein level for a few selected genes that mostly corroborated our observations and clearly demonstrated increased expression and secretion of DAM proteins in the BV-2 mutant cells. In conclusion, the peroxisomal defects in microglial cells not only impact on VLCFA metabolism but also force microglial cells to adopt a pathological phenotype likely representing a key contributor to the pathogenesis of peroxisomal disorders

Immune response of BV-2 microglial cells is impacted by peroxisomal beta-oxidation

Microglia are crucial for brain homeostasis, and dysfunction of these cells is a key driver in most neurodegenerative diseases, including peroxisomal leukodystrophies. In X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), a neuroinflammatory disorder, very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) accumulation due to impaired degradation within peroxisomes results in microglial defects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of key genes in peroxisomal VLCFA breakdown (Abcd1, Abcd2, and Acox1), we recently established easily accessible microglial BV-2 cell models to study the impact of dysfunctional peroxisomal β-oxidation and revealed a disease-associated microglial-like signature in these cell lines. Transcriptomic analysis suggested consequences on the immune response. To clarify how impaired lipid degradation impacts the immune function of microglia, we here used RNA-sequencing and functional assays related to the immune response to compare wild-type and mutant BV-2 cell lines under basal conditions and upon pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation. A majority of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, as well as genes involved in phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and co-stimulation of T lymphocytes, were found differentially overexpressed. The transcriptomic alterations were reflected by altered phagocytic capacity, inflammasome activation, increased release of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF, and upregulated response of T lymphocytes primed by mutant BV-2 cells presenting peptides. Together, the present study shows that peroxisomal β-oxidation defects resulting in lipid alterations, including VLCFA accumulation, directly reprogram the main cellular functions of microglia. The elucidation of this link between lipid metabolism and the immune response of microglia will help to better understand the pathogenesis of peroxisomal leukodystrophies

Trace éléments and heavy metals in organs of camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Casablanca city, Morocco

International audienceThe present work was carried out to determine the concentrations of trace elements (copper and zinc) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead) in the different organs of camels slaughtered in municipal slaughterhouse of Casablanca, which is the main source of consumption of camel meat in the study area. The samples of meat, liver, lungs, heart and kidneys of 30 camels were collected. All the samples were digested, mineralised and analysed for copper, zinc, cadmium and lead using an Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals ranged from 1.10 to 14.22 ppm for copper, 4.05 to 10.88 ppm for zinc, 0.023 to 0.69 ppm for cadmium and 0.71 to 1.33 ppm for lead. Few data are available in literature on copper and zinc concentrations in different organs of camel. Copper concentrations observed in meat and liver were comparable to values recorded in different countries. The concentrations found in lung, heart and kidney, were slightly lower than concentrations reported in literature. The highest concentration of copper was observed in liver. For zinc, lower concentrations have been observed in different organs of camel compared to those reported earlier in literature, the highest concentrations being recorded in meat and liver. Regarding cadmium and lead concentrations in different organs of camel, it is difficult to link our results to polluting context, because no data on these elements in camel organs were available. However, the concentrations of cadmium in kidney and liver were higher than that observed in other organs. For lead, the highest concentration was observed in liver

Improvements of ram semen quality using cactus seed oil during liquid preservation in Tris egg yolk and skim milk based extenders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of cactus seed oil (CSO) on a Tris egg yolk (TEY) and skim milk (SM) extenders, on the sperm quality parameters in ram semen chilled for 72 h. Semen collected from five adult fertile Boujaâd rams was pooled and diluted to a final concentration of 0.8 × 109 spermatozoa/ml in TEY and SM extenders supplemented with CSO at 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% v/v. Semen was then stored at 5 °C and several sperm parameters (motility, viability, morphology, peroxidation and DNA fragmentation) were assessed after 8, 24, 48 and 72 h of storage. Results showed that the supplementation of TEY and SM extenders with 1% and 2% CSO, respectively contributed to enhance sperm motility and viability and decreased levels of peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during storage. Therefore, we conclude that the optimal concentration of CSO in ram semen extender is 1% and 2%. In addition, our results suggest that CSO in these concentrations can help to maintain ram semen quality during chilled storage

Improved Method for DNA Extraction and Purification from <i>Tetrahymena pyriformis</i>

Tetrahymena pyriformis (protozoa) is intensely investigated as a model organism, offering numerous advantages in comprehensive and multidisciplinary studies using morphologic or molecular methods. Since DNA extraction is a vital step of any molecular experiment, here a new mixed surfactant (Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) 20%/Triton X-100) was adopted for effective DNA extraction from Tetrahymena pyriformis under an easy, fast protocol. The efficiency of this technique was then compared with three widely-used alternative techniques, namely the Chelex 100 matrix, Ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APD) complex and SDS&#8211;chloroform methods. DNA extraction was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, spectral measurement, fluorometry (Qubit), restriction enzyme digestion, and polymerase chain reaction. Data analysis revealed that the quantity and quality of the recovered DNA varied depending on the applied DNA extraction method. The new method (SDS 20%/Triton X-100) was the most efficient for extracting DNA from Tetrahymena pyriformis with high integrity and purity, affordable cost, less time, and suitability for molecular applications