Phylogenomic analysis of the genus Leuconostoc

Leuconostoc is a genus of saccharolytic heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria that inhabit plant-derived matrices and a variety of fermented foods (dairy products, dough, milk, vegetables, and meats), contributing to desired fermentation processes or playing a role in food spoilage. At present, the genus encompasses 17 recognized species. In total, 216 deposited genome sequences of Leuconostoc were analyzed, to check the delineation of species and to infer their evolutive genealogy utilizing a minimum evolution tree of Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and the core genome alignment. Phylogenomic relationships were compared to those obtained from the analysis of 16S rRNA, pheS, and rpoA genes. All the phylograms were subjected to split decomposition analysis and their topologies were compared to check the ambiguities in the inferred phylogenesis. The minimum evolution ANI tree exhibited the most similar topology with the core genome tree, while single gene trees were less adherent and provided a weaker phylogenetic signal. In particular, the 16S rRNA gene failed to resolve several bifurcations and Leuconostoc species. Based on an ANI threshold of 95%, the organization of the genus Leuconostoc could be amended, redefining the boundaries of the species L. inhae, L. falkenbergense, L. gelidum, L. lactis, L. mesenteroides, and L. pseudomesenteroides. Two strains currently recognized as L. mesenteroides were split into a separate lineage representing a putative species (G16), phylogenetically related to both L. mesenteroides (G18) and L. suionicum (G17). Differences among the four subspecies of L. mesenteroides were not pinpointed by ANI or by the conserved genes. The strains of L. pseudomesenteroides were ascribed to two putative species, G13 and G14, the former including also all the strains presently belonging to L. falkenbergense. L. lactis was split into two phylogenetically related lineages, G9 and G10, putatively corresponding to separate species and both including subgroups that may correspond to subspecies. The species L. gelidum and L. gasicomitatum were closely related but separated into different species, the latter including also L. inhae strains. These results, integrating information of ANI, core genome, and housekeeping genes, complemented the taxonomic delineation with solid information on the phylogenetic lineages evolved within the genus Leuconostoc

Up-Cycling of Olea europaea L. Ancient Cultivars Side Products: Study of a Combined Cosmetic-Food Supplement Treatment Based on Leaves and Olive Mill Wastewater Extracts

In recent years, a reversal of the global economic framework has been taking place: from the linear model, there has been a gradual transition to a circular model where by-products from the agri-food industry are taken and transformed into value products (upcycling) rather than being disposed of. Olive tree pruning represents an important biomass currently used for combustion; however, the leaf part of the olive tree is rich in phenolic substances, including hydroxytyrosol. Mill wastewater is also discarded, but it still contains high amounts of hydroxytyrosol. In this study, cosmetic and food supplement formulations were prepared using biophenols extracted from leaves and wastewater and were tested in a placebo-controlled study on healthy volunteers using a combined cosmetic and food supplement treatment. A significant improvement in skin health indicators (collagen density, elasticity, etc.) and a 17% improvement against Photo-induced Irritative Stimulus was observed

Chemical Composition and Anti-Candida Activity of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. Essential Oils Obtained by Different Distillation Processes

A comparative study on essential oils extracted from Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. from Italy is reported. Two extraction procedures were investigated: hydrodistillation and steam distillation, carried out as a continuous and fractionated procedure. Fresh and dried plant material from two harvests was used. The hydrodistillation method yielded a higher amount of essential oil. The dried plant was significantly richer in essential oil per kg of starting plant material. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of 112 samples showed that the essential oils belong to the piperitenone oxide-rich chemotype. In addition, piperitenone, p-cymen-8-ol, and limonene were among the most abundant compounds in the different samples. A higher amount of piperitenone oxide was obtained by hydrodistillation, while steam distillation gave a higher percentage of piperitenone and limonene. The essential oils were characterized for their anti-Candida albicans activity; higher potency was observed for the samples rich in piperitenone oxide, with MIC values ranging from 0.39 to 0.78 mg·mL−1 (0.039% and 0.078% p/v). The results of this work provide a deep insight into the methodology of essential oil extraction and the associated chemical variability of M. suaveolens Ehrh. Some of the essential oils are potent against C. albicans and could be considered for potential use in therapy

Composición química, actividad antioxidante y antimicrobiana del aceite esencial proveniente de la hojas de Piper pubinervulum C. DC Piperaceae.

Piper puvinervulum C. DC., es una planta medicinal utilizada por los indígenas amazónicos del sur del Ecuador, las hojas poseen características aromáticas. El objetivo de la presente investigación es la de extraer y analizar las propiedades químicas y de actividad biológica del aceite esencial proveniente de las hojas.El estudio de composición química a través de GC-EM y RMN 1H arrojó la detección de 44 constituyentes dentro de los cuales b cariofileno, isoeugenol-metil éter, asarona y el nerolidol fueron los mayoritarios. La Actividad antioxidante del aceite fue evaluada por los métodos DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) y la fotoquimioluminiscencia (PCL). Adicionalmente se realizaron estudios de actividad empleando (HP)TLC-DPPH bioautográficos. La actividad antimicrobiana fue evaluada por el método de difusión de disco en dos bacterias Gram+, dos bacterias Gram- y dos levaduras. Los resultados más interesantes se producen con las dos levaduras Candida tropicalis (MIC 0,77 mg/ml) y Candida albicans (MIC 0,33mg/ml) donde la actividad fue similar al aceite esencial de Thymus vulgaris el estándar natural de referencia. Los buenos resultados con respecto a la actividad antifúngica nos llevan a concluir que el aceite esencial podría ser usado con esta finalidad

Hyaluronic acid in the third millennium

Since its first isolation in 1934, hyaluronic acid (HA) has been studied across a variety of research areas. This unbranched glycosaminoglycan consisting of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid is almost ubiquitous in humans and in other vertebrates. HA is involved in many key processes, including cell signaling, wound reparation, tissue regeneration, morphogenesis, matrix organization and pathobiology, and has unique physico-chemical properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesivity, hygroscopicity and viscoelasticity. For these reasons, exogenous HA has been investigated as a drug delivery system and treatment in cancer, ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, urology, aesthetic medicine and cosmetics. To improve and customize its properties and applications, HA can be subjected to chemical modifications: conjugation and crosslinking. The present review gives an overview regarding HA, describing its history, physico-chemical, structural and hydrodynamic properties and biology (occurrence, biosynthesis (by hyaluronan synthases), degradation (by hyaluronidases and oxidative stress), roles, mechanisms of action and receptors). Furthermore, both conventional and recently emerging methods developed for the industrial production of HA and its chemical derivatization are presented. Finally, the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications of HA and its derivatives are reviewed, reporting examples of HA-based products that currently are on the market or are undergoing further investigations

METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE APPLICATION OF AMINO ACIDS ON THE SKIN THROUGH AN ANHYDROUS MEAN

A formulation for topical, dermatologic and/or cosmetic use, in form of hydrophobic gel, oleolite or butter comprising at least one amino acid, at least one hydrophobic vehicle such as oil, silicone or butter, a porous polymer and/or a 'spider ester' and/or micro-and nano-particle carriers and vesicular carriers, molecular inclusion systems, thickeners and hydrophobic phase stabilisers, hydrogenating oils, silicone waxes and non-silicone waxes such as bee waxes, silica

Tocotrienoli da olio di palma. Una potente fonte naturale di antiossidanti

In questo lavoro si è valutata la capacità antiossidante dei singoli isomeri dei tocotrienoli che compongono l'estratto concentrato di olio di palma, nei confronti di una delle specie di ossigeno reattive più dannose per la salute, l'anione superossido. Si è inoltre intrapreso uno studio clinico per la valutazione dell'efficacia di nuove preparazioni nutraceutiche a base di fitotocotrienoli da olio di palma, con risultati preliminari interessanti