23 research outputs found
Assessment of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Landraces for Their Agronomic, Biochemical Characteristics and Resistance to Phytophthora infestans
Genetic diversity in crop plants is the conditio sine qua non for sustainable agriculture
and long-term food security. Our research carried out the morphological, agronomic, and physicochemical
characterization and resistance to late blight of 35 tomato landraces from seven countries.
These landraces have been approved and appear in the Official Catalog of Varieties. The International
Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors have been used to describe the tomato’s
morphological and agronomic characteristics. For the physico-chemical characteristics, the dry matter,
the pH, and the carotenoid content (lycopene, lutein, and β-carotene)) were analyzed. Carotenoids
were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed
that the morphological diversity of landraces was very high. Three landraces of remarkable commercial
value have shown increased resistance to late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans, one of
the most damaging diseases of tomato. Also, six landraces had a lycopene content exceeding 100
μg/g sample. The carotenoid content ranged between 0.769 (Marmande-FR 166) and 140.328 mg kg−1
FW (Răscruci). The landrace with the highest β carotene content was PT 308 with 65.499 mg kg−1
FW, while the lowest values were registered for Marmande-FR 166 with 0.105 mg kg−1 FW. The
present study provides essential information on the morphological and agronomic qualities of these
tomato landraces and their lycopene and other carotenoid content. The results are discussed in light
of the importance of tomato landraces in meeting the preferences of different producers and consumers,
the choice of the most suitable landraces for specific pedoclimatic conditions, and the supply
of carotenoid pigment sources for the pharmaceutical industry. Our research responds to humanity’s
great global challenges: preserving agricultural biodiversity, protecting the environment
by identifying pest-resistant varieties, and also protecting consumer health by finding important
sources of antioxidants
Electrospun nanosystems based on PHBV and ZnO for ecological food packaging
The electrospun nanosystems containing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and 1 wt% Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) (with the content of dopant in the range of 0–1 wt% Fe) deposited onto polylactic acid (PLA) film were prepared for food packaging application. They were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), antimicrobial analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) techniques. Migration studies conducted in acetic acid 3% (wt/wt) and ethanol 10% (v/v) food simulants as well as by the use of treated ashes with 3% HNO3 solution reveal that the migration of Zn and Fe falls into the specific limits imposed by the legislation in force. Results indicated that the PLA/PHBV/ZnO:Fex electrospun nanosystems exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC-27853) due to the generation of a larger amount of perhydroxyl (¿OOH) radicals as assessed using electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled with a spin trapping method. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Gut microbiota, obesity and bariatric surgery: Current knowledge and future perspectives
Background: There is an urgent need for a better understanding and management of obesity and obesity-associated diseases. It is known that obesity is associated with structural and functional changes in the microbiome. Methods: The purpose of this review is to present current evidence from animal and human studies, demonstrating the effects and the potential efficacy of microbiota modulation in improving obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions. Results: This review discusses possible mechanisms linking gut microbiota dysbiosis and obesity, since there is a dual interaction between the two of them. Furthermore, comments on bariatric surgery, as a favourable model to understand the underlying metabolic and inflammatory effects, as well as its association with changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, are included. Also, a possible impact of anti-obesity drugs and the novel antidiabetic drugs on the gut microbiota has been briefly discussed. Conclusion: More research is needed to better understand here discussed the association between microbiota modulation and obesity. It is expected that research in this field, in the following years, will lead to a personalized therapeutic approach considering the patient’s microbiome, and also give rise to the discovery of new drugs and/or the combination therapies for the management of obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities
Gut microbiota and aging-A focus on centenarians
Gut microbiota (GM) is a dynamic organ throughout the lifespan. Aging is a complex process that comprises a plethora of mechanisms such as senescence, immunosenescence and inflammaging, representing important pathways of age-related diseases. GM structure could both influence and be influenced by aging occurring changes within the host. A unique category of long living individuals exists, namely centenarians that have the outstanding capacity to adapt to various challenges. Longevity seems to be associated with certain GM which, among other factors, might render individuals more resistant to age-related diseases and subsequently to long living. Diet, prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics may contribute to longevity through GM modulating. Currently, the exact mechanisms of the association between GM and the host in relation with extended lifespan remain unknown and should be further investigated
Edible films and coatings functionalization by probiotic incorporation: A review
Edible coatings and films represent an alternative packaging system characterized by being more environment-and customer-friendly than conventional systems of food protection. Research on edible coatings requires multidisciplinary efforts by food engineers, biopolymer specialists and biotechnologists. Entrapment of probiotic cells in edible films or coatings is a favorable approach that may overcome the limitations linked with the use of bioactive compounds in or on food products. The recognition of several health advantages associated with probiotics ingestion is worldwide accepted and well documented. Nevertheless, due to the low stability of probiotics in the food processing steps, in the food matrices and in the gastrointestinal tract, this kind of encapsulation is of high relevance. The development of new and functional edible packaging may lead to new functional foods. This review will focus on edible coatings and films containing probiotic cells (obtaining techniques, materials, characteristics, and applications) and the innovative entrapment techniques use to obtained such packaging
Polyphenols from lycium barbarum (Goji) fruit european cultivars at different maturation steps. Extraction, hplc-dad analyses, and biological evaluation
Goji berries are undoubtedly a source of potentially bioactive compounds but their phytochemical profile can vary depending on their geographical origin, cultivar, and/or industrial processing. A rapid and cheap extraction of the polyphenolic fraction from Lycium barbarum cultivars, applied after homogenization treatments, was combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses based on two different methods. The obtained hydroalcoholic extracts, containing interesting secondary metabolites (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, sinapinic acid, rutin, and carvacrol), were also submitted to a wide biological screening. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the antioxidant capacity using three antioxidant assays, tyrosinase inhibition, and anti-Candida activity were evaluated in order to correlate the impact of the homogenization treatment, geographical origin, and cultivar type on the polyphenolic and flavonoid amount, and consequently the bioactivity. The rutin amount, considered as a quality marker for goji berries according to European Pharmacopeia, varied from ≈200 to ≈400 µg/g among the tested samples, showing important differences observed in relation to the influence of the evaluated parameters
Inhibition of <it>Listeria monocytogenes</it> ATCC 19115 on ham steak by tea bioactive compounds incorporated into chitosan-coated plastic films
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The consumer demands for better quality and safety of food products have given rise to the development and implementation of edible films. The use of antimicrobial films can be a promising tool for controlling <it>L. monocytogenes</it> on ready to eat products. The aim of this study was to develop effective antimicrobial films incorporating bioactive compounds from green and black teas into chitosan, for controlling <it>L. monocytogenes</it> ATCC 19115 on vacuum-packaged ham steak. The effectiveness of these antimicrobial films was evaluated at room temperature (20°C) for 10 days and at refrigerated temperature (4°C) for 8 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The HPLC results clearly show that relative concentrations of catechins and caffeine in green tea ranked EGCG>EGC>CAF>ECG>EC>C while in black tea extracts ranked CAF>EGCG>ECG>EGC>EC>C. The chitosan-coated plastic films incorporating green tea and black tea extracts shows specific markers identified by FTIR. Incorporating natural extracts into chitosan showed that the growth of <it>L monocytogenes</it> ATCC 19115 was inhibited. The efficacy of antimicrobial effect of tea extracts incorporated into chitosan-coated plastic film was dose dependent. However, chitosan-coated films without addition of tea extracts did not inhibit the growth of <it>L. monocytogenes</it> ATCC 19115<it>.</it> Chitosan-coated plastic films incorporating 4% Green tea extract was the most effective antimicrobial, reducing the initial counts from 3.2 to 2.65 log CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> during room temperature storage and from 3.2 to 1–1.5 log CFU/cm<sup>2</sup> during refrigerated storage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Incorporation of tea extracts into the chitosan-coated films considerably enhanced their effectiveness against <it>L. monocytogenes</it> ATCC 19115. 4% Green tea incorporated into chitosan-coated plastic film had a better antilisterial effect than 2% green tea or 2% and 4% black tea. Data from this study would provide new formulation options for developing antimicrobial packaging films using tea extracts to improve the microbiological safety and quality of ham steak during room and refrigerated storage.</p
Optimization of the drying process of autumn fruits rich in antioxidants: A study focusing on rosehip (: Rosa canina L.) and sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) and their bioactive properties
Nowadays, it is very important to identify the traditional uses of different plants and to create the context in which new cultural or economic value is given to local resources. In this study, two wild fruits traditionally harvested in autumn in Romania were selected to investigate the effects of drying conditions on the chemical compositions and bioactivities exerted by the extracts and to select the best conditions in terms of air temperature and time of drying. The extracts obtained were assessed in terms of antioxidant capacity and enzyme inhibitory activity, and their main bioactive compounds were identified and quantified. The data presented in this article represent a step forward in applying this process on an industrial-scale. This journal i
New PLA/ZnO:Cu/Ag bionanocomposites for food packaging
Plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) samples with embedded Cu-doped ZnO powder functionalized with Ag nanoparticles composites were prepared by melt blending processing technique. The effect of ZnO:Cu/Ag nanoparticles on the properties of plasticized PLA was investigated in terms of structural (by Attenuated total reflectance – Fourier Transform Infrared – ATR-FT-IR, X–Ray Diffraction analysis – XRD) and morphological (using Scanning Electron Microscopy – SEM and Transmission Electron Microscopy – TEM examination) modifications, thermal (Differential Scanning Calorimetry – DSC), mechanical (transmittance, tensile strength), barrier antimicrobial properties and also in respect to migration of Cu, Zn an Ag nanoparticles into food simulants. It was found that the increase of nanoparticle content (from 0.5 to 1.5 wt%) of PLA formulations leads to the increase of the degree of crystallinity of PLA. The overall migration of all samples into three food simulants was below 10 mg·dm–2, accepted value according to EU Regulation No 10/2011 for plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Based on the obtained results it can conclude that the optimum composition is PLA/ZnO:Cu/Ag 0.5, this bionanocomposite offering suitable mechanical and thermal properties, good barrier properties to ultraviolet light, water vapour, oxygen and carbon dioxide, antibacterial activity and low migration amount of nanoparticles into food simulants