Actions of bisnucleophiles on (E)-3-[3-(2-Hydroxyaryl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl]chromones: versatile transformations into oxygen-and nitrogen-containing heterocycles

The transformations of (E)-3-[3-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-oxoprop- 1-en-1-yl]chromones in the presence of methylhydrazine and aromatic bisnucleophiles are described. The reactions generally lead to chromone ring transformation via pyrone ring-opening and heterocyclization to give novel diazoles and (Z)-3-aminomethylenechromanones, respectively. Piperazine catalyzes chromanone ring closure of the starting substrate to afford chromone–chromanone dyads

Nutritional quality of some landraces of pearl millet Pennisetum Glaucum grown in hyperardi ecosystem

Pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum is the most widely grown type of millet considered as secondary cereal. The center of biodiversity is in the Sahel zone of West Africa. It's known to be well adapted to drought, low soil fertility, and high temperature. Pearl millet is an important food across the Sahel. It is a main staple in a large region of Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. India is the largest producer of pearl millet. The Sahara of Algeria which is a hyper arid region bordering the Sahel countries include many landraces. The aims of this study were to determinate the nutritional value of grains from some landraces of pearl millet. The protein, starch, fat, fiber, soluble sugar and minerals contents were obtained. An important interest was given to starch, as energetic source, so the ratio of amylose and amylopectin and some of its properties as rheological and thermal properties were determinate and showed interesting values comparatively to those given by previously studies done on pearl millet grown in different ecosystems. Pearl millet grains are gluten free and rich in starch, protein and minerals; it exhibits interesting applications in food and health, especially for celiac, anemic and cardiac patients and it is recommended for children growth. The grain components and their properties can present a competitive potential to satisfy specific, technological and nutritional needs for target market. Conservation and use of genetic diversity of millet in farming systems are at the heart of important issues, including food self-sufficiency

Kinetic of Sorghum starches bioconversion using various a-amylases

Industrial enzymology is an important branch of biotechnology. Enzymes offer alternative ways of making products previously made using conventional chemical. Originally, acid conversion was used to produce glucose syrups but today alpha-amylase are used to hydrolyze starches. Corn starches are the most useful industrially despite that Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) starches exhibit interesting properties. These properties show variability according to genotype and influence the digestibly of starch in the presence of amylases. The aim of this research is to determine the susceptibility of isolated starches from different cultivars of sorghum cultivated in hyper arid ecosystems of the Sahara of Algeria to the bioconversion using pure α-amylases and so to study the influence of the genotype of sorghum on the liquefaction and saccharification which respectively produce dextrin and reducing sugars. Many authors have reported that properties of starch as amylose content, solubility affect the starch behaviour during the enzymatic hydrolysis as well as mechanism of action of amylases. Starches sorghum were isolated and purified in the laboratory from white and pigmented seeds of cultivars from Algeria (In Salah), and United States of America. Some of their characteristics were determined. Amylases used were from fungal and bacterial sources (α-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase from Bacillus subtilis), which possess an important hydrolysis activity. The kinetic studies of enzymatic catalysis had allowed to identify of optimum operating conditions and to calculate enzymatic activities. We also highlight the influence of genotype on starch bioconversion. Indeed, the composition and concentrations of maltoolisaccharides obtained after amylase hydrolysis were determined using HPAEC-PAD and results of profiles show differences according the sources of starch and amylase. This study is of great importance to consider industrial bioconversion of starches to produce oligosaccharides syrups

FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF STARCH ISOLATED FROM CHAYOTE FRUIT

peer reviewedChayote, Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw., is anoverlooked food‎ plant despite its various ‎potentialities. This study investigated the characteristics of starch isolated from ‎chayote fruit cultivated in Algiers which is known for its Mediterranean ‎climate. The granules morphology, functional properties and amylose content of Algerian chayote fruit starch were examined. Spherical, oval and polygonal shapes and smooth surface were observed using three imaging techniques: a normal and polarized light microscopy with Lucia ‎software and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).‎ Starch granules size was in the rang 3.56-‎‎37.24 μm, and for the chayote tubers, it‎ was 7-50 μm. The amylose content (‎20.36%‎) ‎‎is different from that of the chayote tubers (12.81%), but ‎close‎‎‎ to those of ‎conventional sources. The Algerian chayote fruit starch showed higher swelling strength and lower ‎melting ‎index.‎ The Rapid Visco Analyzer pasting profile revealed a lower peak ‎viscosity (2158.3 cP) than that from chayote tubers (14746 cP).‎ However, Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis showed higher gelatinisation temperatures (66.89 °‎C) and ‎transition enthalpy (‎15.79‎ J/g)‎. X-ray diffraction profile showed B-type.‎ The digestibility (D∞), hydrolysis index, HI, and average glycemic index, (GI), were estimated at 50.66 %, 52.16% and 70.16 ‎%‎ respectively.‎ The results showed that starch has an ‎acceptable nutritional value with significant in vitro digestion properties and it is suitable for human health and nutrition.‎ The starch of Algerian chayote fruit showed interesting ‎functional characteristics which makes it suitable for relevant applications in both the field food and cosmetics industries. It can, also, be a raw material for starch processing

Effects of Spiro-bisheterocycles on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines

The Authors thank the Unite de Nutition Humaine UMR 1019 INRA-UdA - Equipe ECREIN (France) and the University of Aveiro, Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal), EU, QREN, FEDER, COMPETE, for funding this biological and organic chemistry research. They also thank Algeria's General Directorate for Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT) for financial supportBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide and a critical public health concern. Here we investigated the anticancer potential and effects of low-molecular-weight bridgehead oxygen and nitrogen-containing spiro-bisheterocycles on proliferation and apoptosis of the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The compounds feature a hydantoin moiety attached to either diazole, isoxazole, diazepine, oxazepine or benzodiazepine via the privileged tetrahedral spiro-linkage. Treatment with compounds spiro [hydantoin-isoxazole] and spiro [hydantoin-oxazepine] resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in both breast cancer cell lines, whereas spiro [hydantoin-diazepine] was only active against MDA-MB 231. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed up-regulation of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), strictly p53-dependent, and detected an increase in expression of pro-apoptotic caspase 3 and BCL2-associated X (BAX) genes in both breast cancer cell lines expressing wild-type and mutant p53. In summary, the results suggest that our compounds promote apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines via p53-dependent and - independent pathway

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci (MRS) and Mammaliicocci (MRM) in Dromedary Camels from Algeria: First Detection of SCC<i>mec</i>-<i>mecC</i> Hybrid in Methicillin-Resistant <i>Mammaliicoccus lentus</i>

Dromedary camels are an important source of food and income in many countries. However, it has been largely overlooked that they can also transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to identify the Staphylococcaceae bacteria composition of the nasal flora in dromedary camels and evaluate the presence of methicillin-resistant Mammaliicoccus (MRM) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) in dromedary camels in Algeria. Nasal swabs were collected from 46 camels from seven farms located in two different regions of Algeria (M’sila and Ouargla). We used non-selective media to determine the nasal flora, and antibiotic-supplemented media to isolate MRS and MRM. The staphylococcal isolates were identified using an Autoflex Biotyper Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS). The mecA and mecC genes were detected by PCR. Methicillin-resistant strains were further analysed by long-read whole genome sequencing (WGS). Thirteen known Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus species were identified in the nasal flora, of which half (49.2%) were coagulase-positive staphylococci. The results showed that four out of seven farms were positive for MRS and/or MRM, with a total of 16 isolates from 13 dromedary camels. The predominant species were M. lentus, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus. Three methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were found to be ST6 and spa type t304. Among methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE), ST61 was the predominant ST identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed clonal relatedness among M. lentus strains, while S. epidermidis strains were not closely related. Resistance genes were detected, including mecA, mecC, ermB, tet(K), and blaZ. An SCCmec type VIII element was found in a methicillin-resistant S. hominis (MRSH) belonging to the ST1 strain. An SCCmec-mecC hybrid element was detected in M. lentus, similar to what was previously detected in M. sciuri. This study highlights that dromedary camels may be a reservoir for MRS and MRM, and that they contain a specific set of SCCmec elements. This emphasizes the need for further research in this ecological niche from a One Health perspective

Chemical Profile and Assessment of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiproliferative Effects of <i>Ammodaucus leucotrichus</i> Coss. & Dur. Fruit Extracts on Human Breast Cancer

International audienceObjective In this study, we analyzed and investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral properties of methanolic (Met), dichloromethane (Dic), ethyl acetate (Ac), and diethyl ether (Et) fruit extracts of Ammodaucus leucotrichus on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Methods The extracts of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruits, explored in this study, were obtained by cold maceration and analyzed by LC-MS. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-Carotene and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) assays were used to assess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of extracts were determined by the Resazurin test and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Results Phytochemical screening of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruit extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids (luteolin and cynaroside), iridoid derivatives, phenolic acids, and identified Rhodojaponin—a major cytoxic compound. The DPPH and BSA assays revealed the most potent radical-scavenging activity (IC 50 = 0.16 mg/mL) and anti-inflammatory effect (IC 50 = 35.87 μg/mL) in Met extract. Met, Dic, Ac, and Et extracts, at 100 µg/mL, exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 reaching inhibition percentage of 34%, 31%, 28%, and 13%, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis was marked by the inhibition of proliferative and inflammatory markers Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and IL-6 and the up-regulation of antioxidant and proapoptotic genes Nrf2, Bax, and Caspase 3 in Met and Dic extracts, without significant changes to anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 expression. Conclusion The study revealed the potential therapeutic effects of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruit extracts, suggesting they could be used as an adjuvant to breast cancer therapies

Assessment of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Ptychotis verticillata</i> Duby Essential Oil from Eastern Morocco: An In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Ptychotis verticillata Duby, referred to as Nûnkha in the local language, is a medicinal plant that is native to Morocco. This particular plant is a member of the Apiaceae family and has a longstanding history in traditional medicine and has been utilized for therapeutic purposes by practitioners for generations. The goal of this research is to uncover the phytochemical makeup of the essential oil extracted from P. verticillata, which is indigenous to the Touissite region in Eastern Morocco. The extraction of the essential oil of P. verticillata (PVEO) was accomplished through the use of hydro-distillation via a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical profile of the essential oil was then determined through analysis utilizing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study findings indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata is composed primarily of Carvacrol (37.05%), D-Limonene (22.97%), γ-Terpinene (15.97%), m-Cymene (12.14%) and Thymol (8.49%). The in vitro antioxidant potential of PVEO was evaluated using two methods: the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical trapping assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The data demonstrated considerable radical scavenging and relative antioxidative power. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most susceptible bacterial strains tested, while Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans, and Rhodotorula glutinis were the most resilient fungi strains. PVEO had broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. To elucidate the antioxidative and antibacterial characteristics of the identified molecules, we applied the methodology of molecular docking, a computational approach that forecasts the binding of a small molecule to a protein. Additionally, we utilized the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) algorithm; Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME); and Pro-Tox II (to predict the toxicity in silico) tests to demonstrate PVEO’s identified compounds’ drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, the anticipated safety features after ingestion, and the potential pharmacological activity. Finally, our findings scientifically confirm the ethnomedicinal usage and usefulness of this plant, which may be a promising source for future pharmaceutical development

Démarche statistique pour la sélection des indicateurs par Random Forests pour la surveillance de la qualité des sols

The volume of data, and the large number of biological variables to be tested (one hundred), require analytical techniques, such asRandom Forests, which can overcome the problem of multi-colinearity for the selection of indicators, sensitive to various factors.Random Forests methodology is appropriate for the selection of the most discriminant variables. So, we searched for the best wayto select them, by bringing together all biological variables, representing the Microflora and Fauna. This approach focuses on impactindicators from the Bio2 program, indicators of flora and indicators of accumulation (snails) were not included.This work has been implemented on the three factors of discrimination : land use, metallic contamination levels and organic contaminationlevels.We grouped the most discriminating variables from each RF analysis. Linear discriminant analysis was then implemented for each factor,in order to develop a predictive model.El volumen de datos definidos en el programa bioindicadores 2 (Ademe) y el muy grande numero de variables biológicas para probar(una centena) necesitan técnicas de análisis como los Random Forests que pueden liberarse del problema de multicolinealidad para laselección de indicadores sensibles a los diferentes factores estudiados.La metodología de Random Forests consiste en la selección de variables las más discriminantes. Así buscamos la mejor selección agrupandoel conjunto de las variables biológicas que representan la Microflora y la Fauna. Estos trabajos se realizaron sobre los tres factoresde discriminación : el uso de los suelos, los niveles de contaminación en ETM y los niveles de contaminación en contaminantes orgánicos.Luego, agrupamos las variables las más discriminantes derivadas de cada análisis por RF. Un análisis discriminante linear se realizodespués para cada factor con vista a elaborar un modelo predictivo. Se observaron los indicadores del grupo Flora únicamente sobreun sub-conjunto de 47 parcelas de modalidades contrastadas, así no los incluimos en nuestro estudio. Las variables “estandarizadas"del grupo Flora podrán estar integradas en un segundo tiempo.Le volume des données définies dans le programme Bioindicateurs 2 (Ademe) et le très grand nombre de variables biologiques à tester(une centaine) nécessitent des techniques d’analyse telles que les Random Forests qui peuvent s’affranchir du problème de multi-colinéaritépour la sélection d’indicateurs sensibles aux différents facteurs étudiés.La méthodologie des Random Forests consiste en la sélection des variables les plus discriminantes. Ainsi nous avons recherché lameilleure sélection en étudiant l’ensemble des variables biologiques représentant la Microflore et la Faune. Cette démarche a portésur l’ensemble des indicateurs d’effet issus du programme Bio2, les indicateurs de la flore et d’accumulation (escargot) n’ayant pas ététraités. Ces travaux ont été mis en oeuvre sur les trois facteurs de discrimination : l’usage des sols, les niveaux de contamination en ETM,et les niveaux de contamination en polluants organiques.Nous avons ensuite regroupé les variables les plus discriminantes issues de chaque analyse par RF. Une analyse discriminante linéairea ensuite été mise en oeuvre pour chaque facteur en vue d’élaborer un modèle prédictif