Screening for New Cosmeceuticals from Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus with Antioxidant and Photo-Protecting Properties

Phlorotannins play a role in biological functions to protect the cells against UV and oxidative damage in brown algae. We hypothesized that these compounds can function as photo-protectors and antioxidants in skin care formulations. Two types of extracts (water (FV-WE) and 67% v/v ethanol (FV-EE)) from Fucus vesiculosus were obtained with a phlorotannin content between 7−14% in dry extract. Exposure to sun light during growth was included as a factor on the phlorotannin content but did not influence the phlorotannin content. However, green colored F. vesiculosus had lower total phenolic content (TPC) (FV-WE = 6.9 g GAE 100 g−1 dw, FV-EE = 7.8 g GAE 100 g−1 dw) compared to those with a yellow/brownish color (FV-WE = 10.4–13.7 g GAE 100 g−1 dw, FV-EE = 11.2–14.0 g GAE 100 g−1 dw). UVA and UVB photo protective capabilities of the extracts through different biological effective protection factors (BEPFs) were evaluated using in vitro methods; the Mansur method for sun protection factor (SPF) and calculation of effective solar absorption radiation (%ESAR) to determine SPF and UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) of the extract and in seaweed enriched lotion. The SPF was negligible, when evaluating FV-WE in lotion (10 and 20% w/w). Moreover, %ESAR of the FV-WE showed SPF and some UVA-PF, but not enough to give sufficient SPF in lotions (10% w/w). It was concluded that the concentration of UV protecting compounds in the extracts was too low to and that further fractionation and purification of phlorotannins is needed to increase the SPF.This work has received funding from the Karl Perdersen and wife’s Industrial Fund Denmark and is part of the project SEATAN (DI-2019-06616) on seaweed based food and cosmetic ingredients

Are you ready for retirement? The influence of values on membership in voluntary organizations in midlife and old age

Membership in voluntary organizations is associated with individual and social benefits. Due to the negative consequences of the global pandemic on older people, and the governmental challenges posed by population aging, voluntary membership is of great importance to society. To effectively promote volunteering among older people, it is necessary to understand the determinants of voluntary membership. This study analyses the influence of individual values—secular/traditional and survival/self-expression–on voluntary membership among European adults (N = 31,985). Specifically, it examines which values orient two age groups (middle age: 50–64 and old age: 65–79), as well as men and women toward a certain type of association (Social Awareness; Professional and Political; Education and Leisure; Religion). The sample of 31,985 comprises 60% of adults aged 50–64 and 40% aged 65–79; of which 56% are women and 44% men. The empirical estimation considers different levels of data aggregation: individual, national and welfare system, therefore multilevel analysis is used as an analytical strategy. Individual-level variables from the Integrated Values Survey (2005/09, 2010/14, and 2017/20) and national-level variables (Gini Index and Gross Domestic Product Per Capita) from the World Bank and Eurostat are used. The results indicate that traditional and self-expression values promote membership in voluntary organizations in general more than secular and survival values. However, there are differences according to the type of organization. Furthermore, values are found to moderate the effect of age and gender on voluntary membership

Holistic Photoprotection, Broad Spectrum (UVA-UVB), and Biological Effective Protection Factors (BEPFs) from Baccharis antioquensis Hydrolysates Polyphenols

Overexposure to solar radiation has become an increasingly worrying problem due to the damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In previous studies, the potential of an extract enriched with glycosylated flavonoids from the endemic Colombian high-mountain plant Baccharis antioquensis as a photoprotector and antioxidant was demonstrated. Therefore, in this work we sought to develop a dermocosmetic formulation with broad-spectrum photoprotection from the hydrolysates and purified polyphenols obtained from this species. Hence, the extraction of its polyphenols with different solvents was evaluated, followed by hydrolysis and purification, in addition to the characterization of its main compounds by HPLC–DAD and HPLC–MS, and evaluation of its photoprotective capacity through the measurement of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), UVA Protection Factor (UVAPF), other Biological Effective Protection Factors (BEPFs), and its safety through the cytotoxicity. In the dry methanolic extract (DME) and purified methanolic extract (PME), flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol were found, which demonstrated antiradical capacity, as well as UVA–UVB photoprotection and prevention of harmful biological effects, such as elastosis, photoaging, immunosuppression, DNA damage, among others, which demonstrates the potential of the ingredients in this type of extract to be applied in photoprotection dermocosmetics.The authors acknowledge CODI-Universidad de Antioquia (Project No. CIQF 290) for financial support. The authors would like to thank the International Passages Support Fund Universidad de Antioquia. The research was financed partially by NAZCA Project (P20-00458) by Andalusian Government. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Enhancing Bioproducts in Seaweeds via Sustainable Aquaculture: Antioxidant and Sun-Protection Compounds

Marine macroalgae are considered an untapped source of healthy natural metabolites and their market demand is rapidly increasing. Intertidal macroalgae present chemical defense mechanisms that enable them to thrive under changing environmental conditions. These intracellular chemicals include compounds that can be used for human benefit. The aim of this study was to test cultivation protocols that direct seaweed metabolic responses to enhance the production of target antioxidant and photoprotective biomaterials. We present an original integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) design, based on a two-phase cultivation plan, in which three seaweed species were initially fed by fish effluents, and subsequently exposed to various abiotic stresses, namely, high irradiance, nutrient starvation, and high salinity. The combined effect of the IMTA’s high nutrient concentrations and/or followed by the abiotic stressors enhanced the seaweeds’ content of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by 2.3-fold, phenolic compounds by 1.4-fold, and their antioxidant capacity by 1.8-fold. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rose by 2.7-fold, and the chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein synthesis was stimulated dramatically by an order of magnitude. Our integrated cultivation system design offers a sustainable approach, with the potential to be adopted by emerging industries for food and health applicationsPartial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Interactive effects of solar radiation and inorganic nitrogen on biofiltration, biomass production, photosynthetic activity and the accumulation of bioactive compounds i

Interactive effects of solar radiation and inorganic nitrogen and phosphate on biofiltration capacity, biomass production, photosynthetic activity and the accumulation of bio-active compounds were studied in the red alga Gracilaria cornea grown in tanks with a seawater open-flow system during 35 days. Two light conditions were utilized: outdoor (O), full solar natural radiation, and indoor, inside of a greenhouse (G) where UV-B radiation was cut-off and part of the UV-A radiation was filtered. Two inorganic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations were used: High nutrients (HN; 100–200μM of NH4+ and 20μM of KHPO4) and Low nutrients (LN; 10–20μM of NH4+ and 1μM of KHPO4). Growth and biomass productivity were related to the daily integrated electron transport rate determined in situ, as an estimator of daily photosynthetic activity. Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) was close to 100 % under LN, whereas under HN it ranged from 50 to 70 % in the first week of culture, decreasing to 10–15 % in the rest of the experimental period. Nitrogen uptake rate (NUR) ranged from 20 to 45 mmol N m−2 h−1 under HN, and 5 to 18 mmol N m−2 h−1 in LN treatments. Morphological and pigmentation changes were evident through the culture period. The thalli under HN were more reddish under the indoor treatments, than that in LN. The internal compounds increased throughout the experimental period. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) were accumulated under HN. N plays a photoprotective role due to both the increased photosynthesis and the MAA content. Maximal MAA productivity reached 113–253 mg MAAs m−2 d−1 under the O-HN treatment, the highest level reported until now in the bibliography. G. cornea could be used for bioremediation of high N content waters. In addition, under full solar radiation and high N availability produce high levels of bioactive compounds as MAAs, polyphenols and biliproteins for cosmeceutical applications.This study was financed by resources of the Photobiology and Biotechnology of aquatic organisms (FYBOA-RNM 295) research group and the Project “Photoprotectors of marine algae: compatible cosmeceutics to the ocean” (UMA18-FEDER JA-162) and Nazca Project (P20-00458) of the Andalusian Goverment. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA

Brazilian Beach-Cast Seaweeds: Antioxidant, Photoprotection and Cytotoxicity Properties.

The potential of seaweed extracts in cosmetic applications have increased with novel development and market. Beneficial biological properties include the ability to struggle aging and anticancer agents. This research aimed to evaluate antioxidant, photoprotective and cytotoxic properties of extracts from beach-cast seaweed species from the Brazilian coast in order to propose an appropriate use of this sustainable resource. Analysis of antioxidant capacity, UV/VIS absorption, quantification of UV photoprotectors, total content of C, N and S, development of cosmetic creams and evaluation of the cytotoxicity activity against tumoral cells lines were performed. The highest antioxidant capacity was found in extracts of brown seaweeds, followed by red seaweeds, with the lowest activity detected in the green seaweed. Same pattern was observed for phenolic compounds. The extracts did not show cytotoxicity activity against healthy human cells. Other forms of extraction and incorporation of the extract into the base creams should be evaluated, the isolation and purification of substances could increase the efficiency of the photoprotective capacity. The species were highly promising and proved to be natural sources of antioxidants and substances with cytotoxicity activity against tumoral cells; therefore, they could be exploited as functional ingredients with specific applications for different types of industries. The application of seaweed extracts in combination with other natural ingredients can help in the design of new cosmetics against the negative effects of UV radiation, in addition to having the great advantage of not presenting toxicity to health or the environment because they are biodegradable.Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA. // TBH thanks to CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; 140144/2017-0) for financial support and PhD scholarship and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; Code 001) for funding the postgraduate program in Botany at the Institute of Bioscience and PhD sandwich scholarship (88887.368014/2019-00). FC thanks FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; 2018/18015-8) for financial support and CNPq for research productivity grants (303937/2015-7; 303493/2018-6). This work is part of the international research project BMBF 031B0284 (023/IVV-113816). FLF thanks the financial support by the Ministry of Sciences and Innovation (BlueMaro Project, PID2020-116136RB-I0) and by the Government of Andalusia (Facco Project - UMA18-FEDER JA-162 and NAZCA Project -P20-004589)

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its combination with Pyropia columbina (Rhodophyta) extracts for a cosmeceutical application

We report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using daisy petals (Bellis perennis), leek (Allium porrum) and garlic skin (Allium sativum) as reducing agents and water as solvent. AgNPs are obtained with high monodispersity, spherical shapes and size ranging from 5 to 35 nm and characterized by UV-Vis and TEM techniques. The obtained yields in AgNPs are in concordance with the total phenolic content of each plant. We also study the incorporation of AgNPs in combination with the red algae Pyropia columbina extracts (PCE) into cosmetic formulations and analyze their combined effect as photoprotective agents. Moreover, we carry out the inclusion of the PCE containing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which are strong UV-absorbing and antioxidant compounds, into β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and pNIPAM nanoparticles and analyze stability and release. The thermoresponsive polymer is grown by free radical polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) as the monomer, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as the cross-linker, and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidene) (V50) as the initiator, while βCD complex is prepared by heating in water. We evaluate the nanoparticle and βCD complex formation by UV-Vis and FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopies, respectively, and the nanoparticles’ morphology, including particle size, by TEM. The cosmetic formulations are subsequently subjected to accelerated stability tests and photoprotective analyses: a synergistic effect in the combination of AgNPs and PCE in photoprotection was found. It is not related to a UV screen effect but to the antioxidant activity, having potential against photoaging.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Las algas rojas como fuente de compuestos bioactivos cosmecéuticos.

Algae present a great molecular diversity with a wide range of bioactivities, among which antioxidant and photoprotective capacity highlighted for their potential cosmeceutical applications. Mycosporine-like amino acids and phenolic compounds present both properties and are synthetize under stress conditions like high UV radiation. These compounds can be use by the cosmetic industry as new active principles, which are natural, biodegradable and non-toxic.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Coverage, positiveness and incidence in neonatal inquiry of congenital hypothyroidism in the Cienfuegos Province. 2012-2016

Foundation: in Cuba, where health is conceived as a main component of quality of life, a program for early detection of congenital hypothyroidism is developed. This is the most endocrine disease in this period of life which is the most common cause of preventive mental retardation.Objective: to characterize the positiveness of the first trial, the incidence of the disease and the coverage of the Inquiry Neonatal Program of Congenital Hypothyroidism in the Cienfuegos Province. Methods: retrospective descriptive study which included all newborns in Cienfuegos from 2012 to 2016. A sanitary documentary review was done. The inquiry results were taken into consideration the number of studied alive newborns (coverage), the positive cases in the first determination (positiveness) and the confirmed ones (incidence), according to the geographical areas of the province and years expressed in percentages and rates. Results: a 100% of coverage was achieved for the study. A heterogeneous distribution was observed of the positive results of the first laboratory determination and the confirmation in some territories. The incidence rate of congenital hypothyroidism was 0, 23 for every 1000 born alive, all from the female sex. Conclusion: the results show the success of the Inquiry Program in the province which may be improved in some aspects mainly in pre-analytical stage of the laboratory trials to maintain its results and achieve better ones.</p

Infection by a foliar endophyte elicits novel arabidopside-based plant defence reactions in its host, Cirsium arvense

Endophytic fungi live asymptomatically within plants. They are usually regarded as non-pathogenic or even mutualistic, but whether plants respond antagonistically to their presence remains unclear, particularly in the little-studied associations between endophytes and nong-raminoid herbaceous plants. We investigated the effects of the endophyte Chaetomium cochlioides on leaf chemistry in Cirsium arvense. Plants were sprayed with spores; leaf material from both subsequent new growth and the sprayed leaves was analysed 2 wk later. Infection frequency was 91% and63% for sprayed and new growth, respectively, indicating that C. cochlioides rapidly infects new foliage. Metabolomic analyses revealed marked changes in leaf chemistry with infection, especially in new growth. Changes in several novel oxylipin metabolites were detected, including arabi-dopsides reported here for the first time in a plant species other than Arabidopsis thaliana,and a jasmonate-containing galactolipid. The production of these metabolites in response to endophyte presence, particularly in newly infected foliage, suggests that endophytes elicit similar chemical responses in plants to those usually produced following wounding, herbivory and pathogen invasion. Whether en-dophytes benefit their hosts may depend on a complex series of chemically mediated interactions between the plant, the endophyte, other microbial colonists and natural enemies