Protection of biodiesel based on sunflower oil from oxidative degradation by natural antioxidants

Biodiesel as an alternative diesel fuel obtained by transesterification of vegetable fats and oils, using alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, has some advantages such as reduced emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particular matter but its drawback, of being more prone to oxidation than petroleum-based diesel fuel, can cause the fuel to become acidic (cause fuel system corrosion) and to form insoluble gums and sediments and consequently increase its viscosity. In this study, in order to increase the stability of biodiesel based on high oleic acid sunflower oil against oxidation process during the storage and distribution, different percents S0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% (w/v)C of maize flour contaminated by mycotoxins, thus useless for human consumption, were added as natural antioxidants. The antioxidant effect increased with concentration up to an optimal level. Above the optimal level the increase in antioxidant effect with its concentration was relatively small. Oxidative stability of biodiesel was determined using two parallel methods, the Schaal oven storage test (at 70°C) and the Rancimat method (at 110°C). The induction times obtained by the Rancimat method were more similar to the values determined by the oven test. The highest protective effect was observed in samples containing 0.1% (w/ v) of added antioxidants

Using Beta-Glucan Isolated from Helianthus annuus Infected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Bakery

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a phytopathogenicfungus that attacks more than 400 plant species of them medicinal plant. In this study the extract obtained from basal stalk rot of Helianthus annuus L., attacked by S. sclerotiorum, was subjected to the analysis of FTIR to identify the presence of beta-glucan. FT-IR spectrum showed four ranges of bands in 890 cm-1, two overlap band in 1047 and 1078 cm-1 and the last one near 1160 cm-1 referring to different functional groups or characteristics; beta-glycosidic linkage and pyranosyl ring. The existence of beta-glucan in the filtrate liquid culture of S. sclerotiorum suggests the potential of the secreted liquid drops of fungal infection in plant as a new secretory source of beta-glucan useful in food and pharmaceutical sectors. In this regard, the extracted beta-glucan was added as an additive to bread dough to elucidate its effect on the baked-bread texture as monitored by SEM micrographs. Results from the electron microscopy images of experimental bread confirmed that beta-glucan enhances the porosity of bread in the presence of normal yeast and increases fermentation period (1% dry yeast, 4.5% scleroglucan, 4 h). The solubilization of polysaccharides, primarily beta-glucan, seems to be the main strategy to improve the bread texture

Growth Inhibitory Effect of Anthemis haussknechtii Root Extract, as a Source of Parthenolide, on Breast Cancer Cell Line

Parthenolide is major Sesquiterpene lactones present in Anthemis haussknechtii Boiss. & Reut. (feverfew). This compound has many effects on different disease such as migrain and cancer. Parthenolide was reported from Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip. but other plants of Asteraceae family could contain parthenolide. In this study parthenolide was extracted and identified with two methods, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, was exposed to different concentrations of parthenolide for 24 hours.  Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was evaluated using Methylthiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) test. Based on results, 1000 µg/ml concentration is the minimum lethal dose that kills approximately 50% of cells after 24 hours. The results revealed that the A. haussknechtii parthenolide dramatically decreased survival of cancer cell line by inducing apoptosis. This is the first report of cytotoxicity effect of A. haussknechtii extract on breast cancer cell line

Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region with Leptomeningeal Seeding: A Case Report and Literature Review

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is an infrequent neoplasm arising from the ependymal cells of the sub-commissural organ. This tumor entity was incorporated into the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors in 2007. Given the propensity for local recurrence observed in PTPR cases and the documented instances of leptomeningeal seeding in previous case reports, it presents a substantial risk of significant morbidity. Due to its rarity, there is no established standard for its management. Surgical intervention constitutes the primary treatment modality, while the role of adjuvant radiotherapy remains ambiguous. In this case report, we present the clinical course of a 46-year-old male diagnosed with PTPR who underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. 14 months post-initial treatment, the patient manifested intracranial and spinal metastases in the form of leptomeningeal dissemination. Subsequently, systemic chemotherapy utilizing vincristine and carboplatin was initiated, and the patient exhibited no evidence of disease progression over the last six months

Protection of biodiesel based on sunflower Oil oxidative degradation by natural antioxidants

Biodiesel as an alternative diesel fuel obtained by transesterification of vegetable fats and oils, using alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, has some advantages such as reduced emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particular matter, but its drawback, of being more prone to oxidation than petroleum-based diesel fuel, can cause the fuel to become acidic (cause fuel system corrosion) and to form insoluble gums and sediments and consequently increase its viscosity. In this study, in order to increase the stability of biodiesel based on high oleic acid sunflower oil against oxidation process during the storage and distribution, different percents [0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% (w/v)] of maize flour contaminated by mycotoxins, thus useless for human consumption, were added as natural antioxidants. The antioxidant effect increased with concentration up to an optimal level. Above the optimal level, the increase in antioxidant effect with its concentration was relatively small. Oxidative stability of biodiesel was determined using two parallel methods, the Schaal oven storage test (at 70\ub0C) and the Rancimat method (at 110\ub0C). The induction times obtained by the Rancimat method were more similar to the values determined by the oven test. The highest protective effect was observed in samples containing 0.1% (w/ v) of added antioxidants