Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing provides new insights into the phylogeography of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Population structure and phylogeography of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) have so far been assessed mainly by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single-gene sequencing studies. However, phylogenetic relationships amongst matrilines, genetic characterisation of rookeries and mixed-stock analyses have suffered from the limited resolution obtained by comparison of relatively short sequences such as from the mtDNA control region. Whole mitogenome sequencing can significantly improve population genetics, particularly in marine organisms showing female natal philopatry. Despite mitogenomics becoming increasingly common in biodiversity monitoring and conservation, only a few complete mitogenomes are available for C. caretta. In this study, we sequenced the complete mtDNA of 61 loggerhead turtles sampled between 2008 and 2021 along the Italian coastline and central Mediterranean Sea. We assigned complete mtDNA haplotypes to dead embryos and bycatch samples, and introduced a first nomenclature for loggerhead mitogenomes. Analysis of mtDNA diversity, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction allowed improved resolution of lineages with respect to studies reporting on partial mtDNA control region sequence comparisons, and we were able to further inform previous analyses on loggerhead ancestry based on control region haplogroups. Overall, whole mitogenome analysis has potential for considerable improvement of evolutionary history and phylogeographic investigations as well as mixed-stock surveys of loggerhead turtles

The "Euro-Mediterranean Forum on co-operation in Agriculture and Food Agro-Industry": The first CNR initiative in the framework of MEDA Regional Actions

The paper analyses the cooperation activities of the Italian National Research Council in the field of agriculture and food agro-industry. Particular attention is given to the cooperation between European Union and Mediterranean Partners in the framework of MEDA Regional Actions

Functional dark chocolate with microencapsulated phytosterols: Effect of phytosterols concentration and health claim information on consumers liking

The development of functional foods containing bioactive agents can be considered one of the most interesting topics in food research. Furthermore, probiotic chocolates and prebiotic chocolates are getting more attention. In order to improve the stability of bioactive agents as well as their bioavailability and efficacy, microencapsulation technique could be used. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phytosterols concentration and health claim information on consumer liking of dark chocolate fortified with microencapsulated phytosterols (MPs). In light of this, dark chocolates (85% of cocoa) fortified with 0, 5, 10 and 15% MPs have been produced. The quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was performed in order to assess the sensory properties of experimental samples. For the determination of acceptability all samples were evaluated by 120 consumers in two scenarios: blind (no information), and informed (information on phytosterols health claim and their concentration). Willingness to buy (WTB) and willingness to pay (WTP) were also measured. MPs concentrations significantly affected sensory characteristics of dark chocolate with particular reference to appearance attributes (colour intensity, colour uniformity, presence of crystals) and texture attributes (meltingness, adhesiveness, grittiness). Acceptability of MPs blind samples was significantly lower than control blind and results showed that liking scores decreases with increasing concentration of the MPs. After information disclosure, significant differences in the liking categories were observed. The information had a positive effect on liking scores for all samples except for the control samples. In particular, after the information, the liking score of the sample 5 and 10% MPs did not result significantly different from that of control. After information disclosure, panelists testified to a higher WTB and WTP for MPs samples compared to control. The results showed that the success of a new functional product is closely linked to the information reported on the label

The potential of near and mid-infrared spectroscopy for rapid quantification of oleuropein, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity in olive tree (Olea europaea) leaves

Natural foods and food-related antioxidants such as phenolic phytochemicals are of great interest due to their preventive properties against oxidative damage. Olive tree leaves contain high quality and amount of phenolic compounds including oleuropein and therefore considered as nutraceutically valuable materials. The composition of olive leaves, its phenolics and antioxidant power are influenced by numerous factors causing great variation among samples. Additionally, traditionalanalytical methods performed to quantify these parameters in each product entail long and complicated sample preparation procedures, the use of toxic chemicals, skilled labors, instrumentation and sophisticated laboratory conditions. One appealing alternative is the use of infrared spectroscopy since it gives information about the food composition quickly and it is amulti-parametric and environmentally friendly choice. Therefore, we investigated the oleuropein, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity levels of 23 common cultivars of olive leaves harvested from Turkey and Italy using traditional reference methods and also developed near and mid-infrared based partial least squares regression (PLSR) models to predict these parameters without the need of sample preparation. Internal validations of the PLSR calibration models were done using full cross-validation and yielded very high correlation coefficients (≥ 0.95) and low errors in predictions (% standard error of cross-validation for parameters were lower than 7.54%). The levels of all the parameters of interest could be successfully predicted using both NIR and MIR instrumentation within seconds. Overall, infrared spectroscopy along with chemometrics exhibited great potential for future olive leave studies

Physico-chemical and sensory acceptability of no added sugar chocolate spreads fortified with multiple micronutrients

Vitamin D and magnesium-calcium carbonate nanoparticles were used to fortify a newly developed healthy chocolate spread formulated with inulin and maltitol as sugar replacers and alternative to palm oil to reduce the concentration of saturated fatty acid. These samples were compared with well-known commercially available chocolate spreads in terms of rheology, polyphenols content and in vitro digestion, sensory attributes and will-ingness to buy. The fortified chocolate spreads showed comparable if not better acceptability than the current products on the market and over 80% of the participants were inclined to buy and 66% prepared to spend 10 to 15% more money on the product enriched with the three micronutrients. The results also demonstrate that the incorporation of nanoparticles could affect the rheological and physio-chemical properties of the formulations and an appropriate ratio between the fat phase and particles seems an important factor to consider

Simultaneous determination of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 3-O-methyldopa in dried blood spot by UPLC-MS/MS: A useful tool for the diagnosis of L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency

5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) and 3-O-methyldopa (3OMD) are CSF diagnostic biomarkers of the defect of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), a rare inherited disorder of neurotransmitter synthesis which, if untreated, results in severely disabling neurological impairment. In the last few years, different methods to detect 3OMD in dried blood spot (DBS) were published. We developed and validated a fast and specific diagnostic tool to detect 5HTP alongside 3OMD. After extraction from DBS, 3OMD and 5HTP were separated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Instrument parameters were optimized to obtain the best sensitivity and specificity. Chromatographic separation was accomplished in 13 min. The limit of detection was 2.4 and 1.4 nmol/L of blood for 3OMD and 5HTP respectively, and response was linear over the blood range of 25–5000 nmol/L. Between-run imprecision was less than 9% for 3OMD and <13% for 5HTP. An age-specific continuous reference range was established, revealing a marked and continuous 3OMD decline with aging. The effect of age on 5HTP was less evident, showing only a slight decrease with age after the first week of life. A marked increase of both 3OMD and 5HTP was found in four patients affected by AADC deficiency (1780.6 ± 773.1 nmol/L, rv 71.0–144.9; and 94.8 ± 19.0 nmol/L, rv 15.2–42.8, respectively) while an isolated increase of 3OMD (6159.6 ± 3449.1 nmol/L, rv 73.2–192.2) was detected in three subjects affected by inherited disorders of dopamine synthesis under levodopa/carbidopa treatment (a marginal increase of 5HTP was detected in one of them). Simultaneous measurement of 5HTP and 3OMD in DBS leads to an improvement in specificity and sensitivity for the biochemical diagnosis of AADC deficiency

Multiple sclerosis and intracellular cobalamin defect (MMACHC/PRDX1) comorbidity in a young male

Background: Methylmalonic acidaemia with homocystinuria type C (cblC defect) is an inherited error of cobalamin metabolism. Cobalamin deficient processing results in high levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. The latter is considered to be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). We report on the first case of a patient with comorbid cblC defect and MS. Case report: This young male presented at the age of 14 with a relapsing-remitting neurological disorder associated with imaging alterations suggestive of MS. Treatment resulted in a partial clinical improvement with vanishing of white matter lesions. Later on, the emergence of unexpected clinical features led to a metabolic work-up, revealing a cobalamin intracellular defect. Genetic analysis disclosed a single variant in MMACHC (c.482G > A; p.Arg161Gln) and another splicing variant in PRDX1 (c.1-515G > T) that cause the silencing of the wild-type MMACHC allele, so confirming the diagnosis of cblC defect. Although cblC treatment was effective, when 17-year-old he experienced a relapse of neurological symptoms. Further imaging and laboratory studies eventually supported the diagnosis of MS. Discussion: While the comorbid association of MS and cblC in our patient may remain anecdotic, we suggest measuring Hcy and MMA levels in young patients with a relapsing-remitting demyelinating disorder, in order not to miss a cblC defect, that requires a specific and effective treatment