249 research outputs found
Tracing the volatilomic fingerprint of the most popular Italian fortified wines
The aim of the current study was to provide a useful platform to identify characteristic molecular markers related to the authenticity of Italian fortified wines. For this purpose, the volatilomic fingerprint of the most popular Italian fortified wines was established using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), belonging with distinct chemical groups, were identified, ten of which are common to all the analyzed fortified Italian wines. Terpenoids were the most abundant chemical group in Campari bitter wines due to limonene’s high contribution to the total volatilomic fingerprint, whereas for Marsala wines, alcohols and esters were the most predominant chemical groups. The fortified Italian wines VOCs network demonstrated that the furanic compounds 2-furfural, ethyl furoate, and 5-methyl-2-furfural, constitute potential molecular markers of Marsala wines, while the terpenoids nerol, α-terpeniol, limonene, and menthone isomers, are characteristic of Vermouth wines. In addition, butanediol was detected only in Barolo wines, and β-phellandrene and β-myrcene only in Campari wines. The obtained data reveal an adequate tool to establish the authenticity and genuineness of Italian fortified wines, and at the same time constitute a valuable contribution to identify potential cases of fraud or adulteration to which they are subject, due to the high commercial value associated with these wines. In addition, they contribute to the deepening of scientific knowledge that supports its valorization and guarantee of quality and safety for consumers.This work was funded by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through the CQM
Base Fund—UIDB/00674/2020, and Programmatic Fund—UIDP/00674/2020, and by ARDITI—
Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação, through the project
M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000005—Centro de Química da Madeira—CQM+
(Madeira 14-20 Program).
The authors also acknowledge the financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and
Madeira 14-2020 program to the Portuguese Mass Spectrometry Network through PROEQUI-PRAM
program, M14-20 M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000008. The international collaboration was supported by
the Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro” as a part of the “FREE MOVER PER
PROGETTI–a.a. 2021/2022” Project (FlavChem—the Flavor Chemistry of Fortified Wines).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Galactodendritic Phthalocyanine Targets Carbohydrate- Binding Proteins Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy
Photosensitizers (PSs) are of crucial importance in the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. Due to their
high reactive oxygen species production and strong absorption in the wavelength range between 650 and 850 nm, where
tissue light penetration is rather high, phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been studied as PSs of excellence. In this work, we report
the evaluation of a phthalocyanine surrounded by a carbohydrate shell of sixteen galactose units distributed in a dendritic
manner (PcGal16) as a new and efficient third generation PSs for PDT against two bladder cancer cell lines, HT-1376 and UMUC-
3. Here, we define the role of galacto-dendritic units in promoting the uptake of a Pc through interaction with GLUT1
and galectin-1. The photoactivation of PcGal16 induces cell death by generating oxidative stress. Although PDT with PcGal16
induces an increase on the activity of antioxidant enzymes immediately after PDT, bladder cancer cells are unable to recover
from the PDT-induced damage effects for at least 72 h after treatment. PcGal16 co-localization with galectin-1 and GLUT1
and/or generation of oxidative stress after PcGal16 photoactivation induces changes in the levels of these proteins.
Knockdown of galectin-1 and GLUT1, via small interfering RNA (siRNA), in bladder cancer cells decreases intracellular uptake
and phototoxicity of PcGal16. The results reported herein show PcGal16 as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment
of bladder cancer, which is the fifth most common type of cancer with the highest rate of recurrence of any cancer
Importance of xenarthrans in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Abstract\ud
Background\ud
Several pathogens that cause important zoonotic diseases have been frequently associated with armadillos and other xenarthrans. This mammal group typically has evolved on the South American continent and many of its extant species are seriously threatened with extinction. Natural infection of armadillos with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in hyperendemic areas has provided a valuable opportunity for understanding the role of this mammal in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most important systemic mycoses in Latin America.\ud
\ud
Findings\ud
This study aimed to detect P. brasiliensis in different xenarthran species (Dasypus novemcinctus, Cabassous spp., Euphractus sexcinctus, Tamandua tetradactyla and Myrmecophaga tridactyla), by molecular and mycological approaches, in samples obtained by one of the following strategies: i) from road-killed animals (n = 6); ii) from naturally dead animals (n = 8); iii) from animals that died in captivity (n = 9); and iv) from living animals captured from the wild (n = 2). Specific P. brasiliensis DNA was detected in several organs among 7/20 nine-banded armadillos (D. novemcinctus) and in 2/2 anteaters (M. tridactyla). The fungus was also cultured in tissue samples from one of two armadillos captured from the wild.\ud
\ud
Conclusion\ud
Members of the Xenarthra Order, especially armadillos, have some characteristics, including a weak cellular immune response and low body temperature, which make them suitable models for studying host-pathogen interaction. P. brasiliensis infection in wild animals, from PCM endemic areas, may be more common than initially postulated and reinforces the use of these animals as sentinels for the pathogen in the environment.This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP-n° 05/56771-9, 06/03597-4). We also thank the Departamento de Estradas de Rodagem do Estado de São Paulo (DER), as well as Prof. Dr. Reinaldo José da Silva and Juliana Griese for information about the road-killed animals.This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESPn° 05/567719, 06/035974). We also thank the Departamento de Estradas de Rodagem do Estado de São Paulo (DER), as well as Prof. Dr. Reinaldo José da Silva and Juliana Griese for information about the roadkilled animals
Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in pomegranate, quince, and persimmon leaf, peel, and seed: valorization of autumn fruits by-products for a one health perspective
Antimicrobial resistance is increasing globally and is now one of the major public health
problems. Therefore, there is a need to search for new antimicrobial agents. The food industry
generates large amounts of by-products that are rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic
compounds, which are known to have several health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial
properties. Thus, we aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds present in pomegranate, quince,
and persimmon by-products, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phenolic
compounds were extracted from pomegranate, quince, and persimmon leaves, seeds, and peels
using a mixture of ethanol/water (80/20). The polyphenol profile of the extracts was determined by
high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by
the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric
reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using
the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. In general, leaves showed higher concentrations of phenolics
than the peel and seeds of fruits. In total, 23 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified,
with sanguiin and apigenin-3-O-galactoside being present in the highest concentrations. Leaf extracts
of pomegranate showed higher antioxidant activities than the other components in all methods used.
In general, all extracts had a greater antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Persimmon
leaf and seed extracts inhibited a greater number of bacteria, both Gram-positive and -negative.
The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) detected among Gram-positive and -negative
bacteria was 10 mg/mL for pomegranate peel and leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and
S. pseudintermedius and for pomegranate leaf extract against Escherichia coli. Our results reinforce
the need to value food industry by-products that could be used as food preservatives and antibiotic
adjuvants against multiresistant bacteria.This work was supported by projects UIDP/00772/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020, funded by
the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), and by LAQV-REQUIMTE, which is
financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020). This work
was also supported by National Funds from the FCT–Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology,
under project UIDB/04033/2020, as also to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020),
SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020), and for L. Barros institutional contract; to FEDER through the Regional
Operational Program North 2020, under the Project GreenHealth, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Inhibition of brain energy metabolism by the α-keto acids accumulating in maple syrup urine disease
AbstractNeurological dysfunction is a common finding in patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). However, the mechanisms underlying the neuropathology of brain damage in this disorder are poorly known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the in vitro effect of the branched chain α-keto acids (BCKA) accumulating in MSUD on some parameters of energy metabolism in cerebral cortex of rats. [14CO2] production from [14C] acetate, glucose uptake and lactate release from glucose were evaluated by incubating cortical prisms from 30-day-old rats in Krebs–Ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4, in the absence (controls) or presence of 1–5 mM of α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), α-keto-β-methylvaleric acid (KMV) or α-ketoisovaleric acid (KIV). All keto acids significantly reduced 14CO2 production by around 40%, in contrast to lactate release and glucose utilization, which were significantly increased by the metabolites by around 42% in cortical prisms. Furthermore, the activity of the respiratory chain complex I–III was significantly inhibited by 60%, whereas the other activities of the electron transport chain, namely complexes II, II–III, III and IV, as well as succinate dehydrogenase were not affected by the keto acids. The results indicate that the major metabolites accumulating in MSUD compromise brain energy metabolism by blocking the respiratory chain. We presume that these findings may be of relevance to the understanding of the pathophysiology of the neurological dysfunction of MSUD patients
Activation of PPARγ reduces N-acetyl-cysteine -induced hypercorticoidism by down-regulating MC2R expression into adrenal glands
We previously demonstrated that oral supplementation with antioxidants induced hyperactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, attested by hypercorticoidism, through an up-regulation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) receptors (MC2R) in adrenal. This study analyzed the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ on HPA axis hyperactivity induced by N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Male Swiss-Webster mice were orally treated with NAC for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 18 consecutive days. The PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone and/or antagonist GW9662 were daily-injected i.p. for 5 consecutive days, starting concomitantly with NAC treatment. Rosiglitazone treatment inhibited NAC-induced adrenal hypertrophy and hypercorticoidism. Rosiglitazone also significantly reversed the NAC-induced increase in the MC2R expression in adrenal, but not steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). NAC treatment reduces the expression of PPARγ in the adrenals, but rosiglitazone did not restore the expression of this cytoprotective gene. In addition, GW9662 blocked the ability of rosiglitazone to decrease plasma corticosterone levels in NAC-treated mice. In conclusion, our findings showed that antioxidant supplementation induced a state of hypercorticoidism through down-regulation of PPARγ expression in the adrenals, in a mechanism probably related to a down-regulation of ACTH receptor expression.Fil: Ventura, Raíssa D.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Chaves, Amanda S.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Magalhães, Nathalia S.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: González, Florencia Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pacini, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Ransanz, Ana Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Patrícia M.R.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Martins, Marco A.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Carvalho, Vinicius F.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; Brasi
Evaluation of the phenolic profile of Castanea sativa mill. By-products and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against multiresistant bacteria
The chestnut industry generates a large amount of by-products. These agro-industrial
wastes have been described as potential sources of phenolic compounds with high bioactive potential.
Therefore, we aimed to extract the phenolic compounds from chestnut by-products and assess their
antioxidant potential and evaluate their antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant bacteria.
The individual phenolic compounds in the ethanolic extracts of chestnut shell, inner shell, bur,
and leaves were characterized by HPLC-DAD/electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS. The antioxidant
properties were determined by DPPH and ABTS assays. The minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC) and the antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc di usion
method against 10 bacterial strains. The major phenolic compounds identified in the extracts were
trigalloyl-HHDP-glucose, gallic acid, quercetin, and myricetin glycoside derivatives. All chestnut
by-products presented promising antioxidant activity in both assays, with leaf samples the ones
presenting the highest antioxidant capacity. The inner shell’s extract was e ective against all
Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria; nevertheless, all extracts showed antibacterial
activity. Staphylococcus epidermidis showed susceptibility to all extracts while none of the extracts was
able to suppress the growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. Chestnut by-products are a
source of phenolic compounds with prominent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Nevertheless,
further studies should be conducted to assess the correlation between phenolic compounds and the bioactivities obtained.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparative insight upon chitosan solution and chitosan nanoparticles application on the phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of individual grape components of Sousão variety
Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has been previously proposed as an elicitor in plants to
prevent pathogen infections. The present study aimed to analyze the e ect of chitosan solution and
chitosan nanoparticles treatment applied on the grapevine variety Sousão with respect to the phenolic
composition, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity of its individual grape components.
Grapevine plants of selected lines were sprayed with chitosan solution and chitosan nanoparticles,
and ethanolic extracts of stems, seeds and skins were prepared from grapevines treated and not treated
with chitosan. Total phenolic, anthocyanin and tannin contents were studied, and the identification of
the individual phenolic compounds was performed by HPLC-DAD. The antimicrobial susceptibility
method was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc di usion method against multidrug-resistant
bacteria. Overall, there was small increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds, antioxidant
and antimicrobial activities in grape components treated with chitosan solution. Seed extracts showed
the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The studied individual components obtained
from chitosan-treated grapevines could represent an added value due to the increased antioxidant and antibacterial potentials. The phenolic compounds found in components may be used in food and
pharmaceutical industries as natural food preservers and antibiotic adjuvants.This research was founded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain, Project RTI2018-098267-R-C33) and the Junta de Castilla y León (Consejería de Educación, Spain, Project LE164G18).
This work was supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UID/QUI/50006/2019). Vanessa Silva is grateful to FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) for her PhD grant SFRH/BD/137947/2018.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
one-step extraction and separation of betalains and chlorophylls using thermoreversible aqueous biphasic systems
This work was partly developed within the scope of the projects CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, LA/P/0006/2020 and the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LA/P/0008/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Globally, up to 50% of root crops, fruits and vegetables produced is wasted. Beetroot stems and leaves fit into this scenario, with only a small fraction being used in cattle food. One way of approaching this problem is through their valorisation, by extracting and recovering valuable compounds present in this type of waste that could be used in other applications, while contributing towards a circular economy. In this work, a new integrated process using thermoreversible aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) composed of quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) and polypropyleneglycol 400 g mol−1 (PPG) is shown to allow the one-step extraction and separation of two pigment classes—betalains and chlorophylls—from red beet stems and leaves. The pigment extraction was carried out with a monophasic aqueous solution of the IL and PPG, whose phase separation was then achieved by a temperature switch, resulting in the simultaneous separation of chlorophylls and betalains into opposite phases. A central composite design was used to optimise the extraction parameters (time, temperature, and solid : liquid (S/L) ratio) of both pigment extraction yields, reaching at 20 °C, 70 min and a S/L ratio of 0.12 a maximum extraction yield of 6.67 wt% for betalains and 1.82 wt% for chlorophylls (per weight of biomass). Moreover, it is shown that aqueous solutions of ILs better stabilise betalains than the gold standard solvent used for the extraction method. Among the studied systems, the ABS comprising the IL N-ethyl-N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) bromide ([N21(2OH)(2OH)]Br) presented the best separation performance, with an extraction efficiency of 92% and 95% for chlorophylls and betalains, respectively, for opposite phases. The pigments were removed from the respective phases using affinity resins, with high recoveries: 96% for betalains and 98% for chlorophylls, further allowing the IL reuse. Finally, the cyto- and ecotoxicities of the quaternary ammonium-based ILs were determined. The obtained results disclosed low to negligible toxicity in the thousands of mg L−1 range, with [N21(2OH)(2OH)]Br being harmless from an ecotoxicological point of view. Overall, it is shown here that the developed process is an innovative approach for the one-step extraction and selective separation of pigments contributing to the valorisation of waste biomass.publishersversionpublishe
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