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Journal of Hazardous Materials Oct 2023Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used plastic known for its resistance to biodegradation, posing a significant environmental challenge. Recent advances have shed light on...
Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used plastic known for its resistance to biodegradation, posing a significant environmental challenge. Recent advances have shed light on microorganisms and insects capable of breaking down PE and identified potential PE-degrading enzymes (PEases), hinting at the possibility of PE biorecycling. Research on enzymatic PE degradation is still in its early stages, especially compared to the progress made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). While PET hydrolases have been extensively studied and engineered for improved performance, even the products of PEases remain mostly undefined. This Perspective analyzes the current state of enzymatic PE degradation research, highlighting obstacles in the search for bona fide PEases and suggesting areas for future exploration. A critical challenge impeding progress in this field stems from the inert nature of the C-C and C-H bonds of PE. Furthermore, breaking down PE into small molecules using only one monofunctional enzyme is theoretically impossible. Overcoming these obstacles requires identifying enzymatic pathways, which can be facilitated using emerging technologies like omics, structure-based design, and computer-assisted engineering of enzymes. Understanding the mechanisms underlying PE enzymatic biodegradation is crucial for research progress and for identifying potential solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Topics: Polyethylene; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Biodegradation, Environmental; Hydrolases
PubMed: 37690195
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132449 -
Journal of Oleo Science Aug 2023Lycopene is a natural bioactive compound possessing higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are known to efficiently eliminate the risk of cancer,...
Lycopene is a natural bioactive compound possessing higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are known to efficiently eliminate the risk of cancer, cardiac complications, and oxidative stress. Food manufacturers are keen on producing lycopene-fortified food products owing to their numerous health benefits and higher nutritional value. The incorporation of lycopene is limited to food products due to its hydrophobic nature and low chemical stability. This study aims to understand the incorporation of lycopene in Oleogel as a new delivery system. Briefly, lycopene and stearic acid (gelator) were combined at ratios of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (w/w) and added to coconut oil (20 g (w/w) ) for the preparation of edible oleogel combinations. These combinations were characterized for oil binding capacity, swelling capacity, color analysis, and texture profile analysis. Further, the formulations were characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry). It was observed that samples prepared with a combination of 50% lycopene and stearic acid were found to possess a firm texture and good stability. Conversely, samples with no gelator produced oleogels with less stability. Further, the FTIR spectra helped determine the network formation in the oleogels, which was stabilized by the hydrogen bond. Furthermore, the results of DSC exhibited that the oleogel combinations with gelator and lycopene were not in the crystalline state, and the oleogels held superior internal structure till 45°C. Overall, oleogel-based carrier systems can be used as an alternative method to encapsulate various bioactive compounds having possible potential applications in the bakery and confectionery industries.
Topics: Coconut Oil; Lycopene; Stearic Acids
PubMed: 37468274
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess22398 -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Nov 2023New antifungal agents are needed to overcome limitations of available ones such as poor pharmacokinetic traits, toxicity, drug-drug interactions, limited clinical... (Review)
Review
New antifungal agents are needed to overcome limitations of available ones such as poor pharmacokinetic traits, toxicity, drug-drug interactions, limited clinical efficacy, and emerging antifungal resistance. New antifungal drugs belong to well-known families (azoles, polyenes, or beta-d-glucan synthase inhibitors) or to drug families showing completely new mechanisms of action. Some drugs have a head start in terms of potential to reach the clinical setting and are here reviewed.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Mycoses; Azoles; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Polyenes
PubMed: 37997874
DOI: 10.37201/req/s01.14.2023 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Jun 2024Sesquiterpenes and tetraterpenes are classes of plant-derived natural products with antineoplastic effects. While plant extraction of the sesquiterpene, germacrene A,... (Review)
Review
Sesquiterpenes and tetraterpenes are classes of plant-derived natural products with antineoplastic effects. While plant extraction of the sesquiterpene, germacrene A, and the tetraterpene, lycopene suffers supply chain deficits and poor yields, chemical synthesis has difficulties in separating stereoisomers. This review highlights cutting-edge developments in producing germacrene A and lycopene from microbial cell factories. We then summarize the antineoplastic properties of β-elemene (a thermal product from germacrene A), sesquiterpene lactones (metabolic products from germacrene A), and lycopene. We also elaborate on strategies to optimize microbial-based germacrene A and lycopene production.
Topics: Lycopene; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Carotenoids; Sesquiterpenes; Biosynthetic Pathways
PubMed: 38916754
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04057-0 -
DNA and Cell Biology Sep 2023Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent debilitating joint disease for which there are currently no licensed disease-modifying treatments. The pathogenesis of OA is... (Review)
Review
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent debilitating joint disease for which there are currently no licensed disease-modifying treatments. The pathogenesis of OA is complex, involving genetic, mechanical, biochemical, and environmental factors. Cartilage injury, arguably the most important driving factor in OA development, is able to activate both protective and inflammatory pathways within the tissue. Recently, >100 genetic risk variants for OA have been identified through Genome Wide Association Studies, which provide a powerful tool to validate existing putative disease pathways and discover new ones. Using such an approach, hypomorphic variants within the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2 () gene were shown to be associated with increased risk of severe hand OA. encodes the enzyme that synthesizes all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), an intracellular signaling molecule. This review summarizes the influence of the genetic variants on expression and function of in OA cartilage, its role in the mechanical injury response of cartilage, and its potent anti-inflammatory effect after cartilage injury. In doing so it identifies atRA metabolism-blocking agents as potential treatments for suppressing mechanoflammation in OA.
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Osteoarthritis; Retinoids; Tretinoin; Cartilage; Cartilage, Articular
PubMed: 37418291
DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0197 -
The Journal of Nutrition Aug 2023Multiple sclerosis (MS) is traditionally managed using disease-modifying pharmaceutical therapies as a first line approach for treatment, yet there is increasing... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is traditionally managed using disease-modifying pharmaceutical therapies as a first line approach for treatment, yet there is increasing interest in lifestyle factors, particularly diet, for managing disease outcomes. Lutein has neuroprotective properties in healthy adults, but no previous research has examined the effects of lutein supplementation in persons with MS.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of 4-mo lutein supplementation on carotenoid status and cognition in persons with relapse-remitting MS (RRMS).
METHODS
A randomized controlled, single-blind research design was used among adults with RRMS (N = 21). Participants were randomized into placebo (n = 9) or treatment (20-mg/d lutein, n = 12) groups with outcomes measured before and after 4 mo. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was assessed using heterochromatic flicker photometry. Skin carotenoids were assessed using reflection spectroscopy. Serum lutein was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cognition was assessed via the Eriksen flanker with event-related potentials, spatial reconstruction, and the symbol digit modalities tests.
RESULTS
There was a significant group by time interaction for MPOD (F = 6.74, P = 0.02), skin carotenoids (F = 17.30, P < 0.01), and serum lutein (F = 24.10, P < 0.01), whereby the treatment group improved in all carotenoid outcomes. There were no significant group by time interactions for cognitive and neuroelectric outcomes. However, increase in MPOD was positively associated with accuracy during the flanker incongruent trials (r = 0.55, P = 0.03) and the spatial memory task (r = 0.58, P = 0.02) among treatment participants.
CONCLUSIONS
Lutein supplementation increases carotenoid status among persons with RRMS. There is no significant effect on cognitive function but change in macular carotenoids is selectively associated with improved attention and memory. This study provides preliminary support for a fully powered study targeting retinal and neural carotenoids for cognitive benefits in persons with MS. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04843813.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Lutein; Single-Blind Method; Multiple Sclerosis; Zeaxanthins; Dietary Supplements; Cognition; Macular Pigment
PubMed: 37364683
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.027 -
Nutrition Reviews Dec 2023Xanthophyll intake is known to improve eye health; however, its benefits on visual outcomes have not been systematically studied, particularly in a population with eye... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effect of xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake on visual outcomes in healthy adults and those with eye disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.
CONTEXT
Xanthophyll intake is known to improve eye health; however, its benefits on visual outcomes have not been systematically studied, particularly in a population with eye diseases.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to investigate the effect of xanthophyll intake on visual outcomes, and further subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of eye disease status.
DATA SOURCES
The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified.
DATA EXTRACTION
For systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, 43, 25, and 21 articles were selected, respectively.
DATA ANALYSIS
Xanthophyll intake enhanced macular pigment optical density (MPOD) for both heterochromatic flicker photometry (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.07) and autofluorescence imaging (WMD, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.05-0.11) measurements and decreased photostress recovery time (WMD, -2.35; 95%CI, -4.49 to -0.20). While enhancement in visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was observed in response to the xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake only for patients with eye disease (WMD, -0.04; 95%CI, -0.07 to -0.01). Meta-regression showed a positive correlation between change in MPOD (heterochromatic flicker photometry) and the corresponding change in serum lutein levels (regression coefficient = 0.068; P = 0.00).
CONCLUSION
Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health. Additional improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients with eye disease. A positive association between MPOD and serum lutein level, while absent with dietary xanthophyll intake, suggests the importance of bioavailability when examining the effect of xanthophyll on eye health.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021295337.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Xanthophylls; Dietary Supplements; Eye Diseases
PubMed: 37094947
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad037 -
Analytical Chemistry Sep 2023is a good source of astaxanthin, which reduces oxidation in the human body, treats inflammation, and slows the growth of breast and skin cancer cells. Since the size of...
is a good source of astaxanthin, which reduces oxidation in the human body, treats inflammation, and slows the growth of breast and skin cancer cells. Since the size of is often closely related to astaxanthin yield, size-based microalgal separation has far-reaching significance for high-value algae extraction and algal directed evolution. In this work, we report a novel size-tunable elasto-inertial sorting of in the Ecoflex ultrastretchable microfluidic devices. Ecoflex microfluidic chips can deform and be flexible, bringing flexibility and stretchability to microchannels as well as new possibilities for large-scale modulation of channel geometry. Here, the effects of velocity, channel elongation, and particle size on the elasto-inertial migration of particles are systematically studied. We found that channel elongation has a strong regulating effect on particle focusing. In addition, we verified the continuous regulation of the sorting threshold of microalgal cells by stretching the channel, providing technical support for the extraction and directed evolution of high-yield microalgae.
Topics: Humans; Chlorophyceae; Xanthophylls; Microalgae
PubMed: 37585740
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02648 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2024Fucoxanthin is a special kind of keto-carotenoid found only in algae. The unique structure of fucoxanthin endows it with extraordinary biological activities, which are... (Review)
Review
Fucoxanthin is a special kind of keto-carotenoid found only in algae. The unique structure of fucoxanthin endows it with extraordinary biological activities, which are of great significance to improve food quality and enhance human health. However, due to its highly unsaturated structure, fucoxanthin also suffers from some limitations, such as instability, poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Therefore, although its content is relatively abundant, its applications in the food industry are extremely scarce. In recent years, there have been many reports on the preparation and characterization of delivery systems for fucoxanthin. These well-designed delivery systems can efficaciously alleviate the instability of fucoxanthin under adverse conditions, thereby improving its oral bioavailability. Thus, this review emphatically summarizes the delivery systems that are widely used to encapsulate, protect and release fucoxanthin. Besides, the influence of delivery systems on the absorption of fucoxanthin by intestinal epithelial cells is highlighted. The applications and future development trends of delivery systems for fucoxanthin are also discussed. The extraction of fucoxanthin, development of novel delivery systems, sensory evaluation and toxicity studies, and industrial production may be promising research directions in the future. Overall, this review provides guidance for the development of fucoxanthin-loaded delivery systems.
Topics: Xanthophylls; Humans; Biological Availability; Drug Delivery Systems
PubMed: 36377728
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2144793 -
Marine Drugs Apr 2024Halophilic archaea, also termed haloarchaea, are a group of moderate and extreme halophilic microorganisms that constitute the major microbial populations in hypersaline... (Review)
Review
Halophilic archaea, also termed haloarchaea, are a group of moderate and extreme halophilic microorganisms that constitute the major microbial populations in hypersaline environments. In these ecosystems, mainly aquatic, haloarchaea are constantly exposed to ionic and oxidative stress due to saturated salt concentrations and high incidences of UV radiation (mainly in summer). To survive under these harsh conditions, haloarchaea have developed molecular adaptations including hyperpigmentation. Regarding pigmentation, haloarchaeal species mainly synthesise the rare C carotenoid called bacterioruberin (BR) and its derivatives, monoanhydrobacterioruberin and bisanhydrobacterioruberin. Due to their colours and extraordinary antioxidant properties, BR and its derivatives have been the aim of research in several research groups all over the world during the last decade. This review aims to summarise the most relevant characteristics of BR and its derivatives as well as describe their reported antitumoral, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant biological activities. Based on their biological activities, these carotenoids can be considered promising natural biomolecules that could be used as tools to design new strategies and/or pharmaceutical formulas to fight against cancer, promote immunomodulation, or preserve skin health, among other potential uses.
Topics: Antioxidants; Humans; Carotenoids; Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Animals; Archaea
PubMed: 38667784
DOI: 10.3390/md22040167