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Heliyon Mar 2024The extracts of offer promising potential as renewable resources for various chemical derivative products aimed at addressing antibiotic resistance. These extracts...
The extracts of offer promising potential as renewable resources for various chemical derivative products aimed at addressing antibiotic resistance. These extracts exhibited significant activity against methicillin-resistant (MRSA), a strain known for its resistance to multiple antibiotics. The extracts were found to be effective against several common antibiotics, including Imipenem, Ampicillin, Penicillin G, Oxacillin, and Amoxicillin-clavulanate. GC-MS analysis revealed that the phytoconstituents of extracts, obtained using both methanol and ethyl acetate, consist of a diverse range of 83 and 160 phytocompounds, respectively. These organic compounds serve as important biochemical precursors for the synthesis of vitamins E and K1, and exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in both plants and microorganisms. Notable compounds identified include fatty acids (such as palmitic acid, dodecanoic acid, sebacic acid, pentadecanoic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, and linoelaidic acid), phytosterols (Campesterol, β-sitosterol, Stigmast-5-ene), sugars (D-fructose, Fructofuranans), terpenoids (Phytol, citronellol), and phenolic acids (Protocatechoic acid, shikimic acid). The antimicrobial activity of all extracts was found to be superior to that of mupirocin and ciprofloxacin, as observed in susceptibility testing against MRSA ATCC 43300 and other pathogenic bacteria and fungi. It is likely that the combined action of the antimicrobial components within the extract bypasses the mechanisms employed by MRSA to protect itself from antibiotics. Further experiments are needed to investigate the individual effects of each pure compound and their potential synergistic interactions, which may enhance their overall performance.
PubMed: 38444505
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27051 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of dietary grape residue levels on the slaughter indicators, meat quality, meat shelf-life, unsaturated fatty...
This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of dietary grape residue levels on the slaughter indicators, meat quality, meat shelf-life, unsaturated fatty acid content, and expression of fatty acid deposition genes in the muscle of lambs. Sixty 30-month-old male Dorper and Small-Tailed Han F1 hybrid lambs were assigned to a single factor complete randomized trial design and fed with four different diets including 0%, 8%, 16%, and 24% grape dregs, respectively. The findings regarding meat production efficacy in the lambs revealed substantial differences. The control group showed notably lower dressing percentage, carcass weight, net meat weight, meat percentage concerning carcass, meat-to-bone ratio, relative visceral and kidney fat mass, and rib eye area compared to the other groups ( < 0.05). Additionally, the meat shearing force of lambs fed a diet with 16% grape pomace (GP) was significantly higher than that of the 24% GP group ( < 0.05), while the 24 h meat color parameter a* value of the control group was notably higher than that of the 8% GP group ( < 0.05). In addition, compared to the control group, lambs fed with a diet containing 16% GP had higher levels of oleic acid (C18:1n-9c), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6c), behenic acid (C22:0), tricosanoic acid (C23:0), lignoceric acid (C24:0), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), at a ratio of ∑CLA/TFA, ∑n-6, ∑MUFA, and ∑PUFA in the muscle ( < 0.05), but the reverse case was applicable for Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) content ( < 0.05). GP supplementation did not substantially affect the expression of (, (), and () genes ( > 0.05). The findings indicated that incorporating grape dregs in the diets of fattening lambs leads to notable enhancements in meat production and the antioxidant capacity of lamb meat, and effectively extends the shelf life of the meat.
PubMed: 38231653
DOI: 10.3390/foods12234204 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for aneurysms, as high blood pressure can worsen the development and rupture of aneurysms. Ginsenoside, derived from ginseng...
Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for aneurysms, as high blood pressure can worsen the development and rupture of aneurysms. Ginsenoside, derived from ginseng and widely used in traditional herbal medicine, is believed to have antihypertensive properties. Recent research has also shown a connection between gut microbiota and various diseases, including hypertension. However, the relationship between ginsenosides, gut microbiota, blood pressure, and intracranial aneurysms needs further exploration. In this study, a rat model was used to investigate the effects of ginsenosides on both blood pressure and intracranial arteries. Comparative analysis was conducted, and 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to identify marker genera within the gut microbiota. Metabolites were also analyzed to uncover potential mediators of blood pressure regulation. The results of this study revealed that ginsenosides, particularly ginsenoside Rb1, demonstrated positive effects in reducing both blood pressure and the development of intracranial aneurysms in rats. Furthermore, the analysis of gut microbiota showed that certain genera, including , , , and , were significantly influenced by ginsenoside treatment. Several metabolites, such as behenic acid, N-Acetylserotonin, Prostaglandin F2a, and Vitamin D2, were also detected, all of which play a role in regulating blood pressure. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of ginsenosides in hypertension and atheroma development. Furthermore, they suggest a possible link between ginsenosides, gut microbiota, and blood pressure regulation. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to determine the clinical implications for treating hypertension and reducing the risk of aneurysm development.
PubMed: 38074114
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1287711 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Seahorse is a valuable marine-animal drug widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and which was first documented in the "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu" during the Liang...
Seahorse is a valuable marine-animal drug widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and which was first documented in the "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu" during the Liang Dynasty. (HK) is the most common seahorse species in the medicinal material market and is one of the genuine sources of medicinal seahorse documented in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It is mainly cultivated in the Shandong, Fujian, and Guangxi Provinces in China. However, pseudo-HK, represented by (HI) due to its similar appearance and traits, is often found in the market, compromising the safety and efficacy of clinical use. Currently, there is a lack of reliable methods for identifying these species based on their chemical composition. In this study, we employed, for the first time, a strategy combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprints and chemical patterns in order to identify HK and HI; it is also the first metabolomic study to date of HI as to chemical components. The obtained results revealed remarkable similarities in the chemical fingerprints, while significant differences were also observed. By employing hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), based on the relative contents of their characteristic peaks, all 34 samples were successfully differentiated according to their species of origin, with samples from the same species forming distinct clusters. Moreover, nonadecanoic acid and behenic acid were exclusively detected in HK samples, further distinguishing them from HI samples. Additionally, the relative contents of lauric acid, tetradecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, oleic acid, fenozan acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exhibited significant differences between HK and HI ( < 0.0001), as determined by an unpaired -test. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified seven components (DHA, EPA, n-hexadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, octadecanoic acid, and margaric acid) with high discriminatory value (VIP value > 1). Thus, nonadecanoic acid, behenic acid, and these seven compounds can be utilized as chemical markers for distinguishing HK from HI. In conclusion, our study successfully developed a combined strategy of GC-MS fingerprinting and chemical pattern recognition for the identification of HK and HI, and we also discovered chemical markers that can directly differentiate between the two species. This study can provide a foundation for the authentication of Hippocampus and holds significant importance for the conservation of wild seahorse resources.
Topics: Animals; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Myristic Acid; Smegmamorpha; China; Cluster Analysis; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Principal Component Analysis
PubMed: 38067553
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237824 -
JAMA Network Open Nov 2023Sphingolipids, including ceramides and sphingomyelins, may influence the pathophysiology and risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) through multiple biological activities....
IMPORTANCE
Sphingolipids, including ceramides and sphingomyelins, may influence the pathophysiology and risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) through multiple biological activities. Whether the length of the fatty acid acylated to plasma sphingolipid species is associated with SCD risk is not known.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the saturated fatty acid length of plasma ceramides and sphingomyelins influences the association with SCD risk.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this cohort study, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of sphingolipid species with SCD risk. The study population included 4612 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study followed up prospectively for a median of 10.2 (IQR, 5.5-11.6) years. Baseline data were collected from January 1992 to December 1995 during annual examinations. Data were analyzed from February 11, 2020, to September 9, 2023.
EXPOSURES
Eight plasma sphingolipid species (4 ceramides and 4 sphingomyelins) with saturated fatty acids of 16, 20, 22, and 24 carbons.
MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE
Association of plasma ceramides and sphingomyelins with saturated fatty acids of different lengths with SCD risk.
RESULTS
Among the 4612 CHS participants included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 77 [5] years; 2724 [59.1%] women; 6 [0.1%] American Indian; 4 [0.1%] Asian; 718 [15.6%] Black; 3869 [83.9%] White, and 15 [0.3%] Other), 215 SCD cases were identified. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, plasma ceramides and sphingomyelins with palmitic acid (Cer-16 and SM-16) were associated with higher SCD risk per higher SD of log sphingolipid levels (hazard ratio [HR] for Cer-16, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.12-1.59]; HR for SM-16, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.12-1.67]). Associations did not differ by baseline age, sex, race, or body mass index. No significant association of SCD with sphingolipids with very-long-chain saturated fatty acids was observed after correction for multiple testing (HR for ceramide with arachidic acid, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.90-1.24]; HR for ceramide with behenic acid, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.77-1.10]; HR for ceramide with lignoceric acid, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.77-1.09]; HR for sphingomyelin with arachidic acid, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.71-0.98]; HR for sphingomyelin with behenic acid, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.70-1.00]; HR for sphingomyelin with lignoceric acid, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.72-1.03]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this large, population-based cohort study of SCD identified that higher plasma levels of Cer-16 and SM-16 were associated with higher risk of SCD. Future studies are needed to examine the underlying mechanism of these associations.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Male; Sphingomyelins; Ceramides; Eicosanoic Acids; Cohort Studies; Fatty Acids; Sphingolipids; Death, Sudden, Cardiac
PubMed: 37976059
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.43854 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Nutritional imbalances have been associated with a higher risk for cognitive impairment. This study determined the red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profile of newly...
Nutritional imbalances have been associated with a higher risk for cognitive impairment. This study determined the red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profile of newly diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients compared to age and gender-matched controls. There was a significant increase in palmitic acid ( < 0.00001) for both MCI and AD groups. Saturated fatty acids were significantly elevated in the MCI group, including stearic acid ( = 0.0001), arachidic acid ( = 0.003), behenic acid ( = 0.0002), tricosanoic acid ( = 0.007) and lignoceric acid ( = 0.001). n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly reduced in MCI, including linoleic acid ( = 0.001), γ-linolenic acid ( = 0.03), eicosatrienoic acid ( = 0.009) and arachidonic acid ( < 0.00004). The n-3 PUFAs, α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were both significantly reduced in MCI and AD ( = 0.0005 and = 0.00003). A positive correlation was evident between the Mini-Mental State Examination score and nervonic acid in MCI (r = 0.54, = 0.01) and a negative correlation with γ-linolenic acid in AD (r = -0.43, = 0.05). Differences in fatty acid profiles may prove useful as potential biomarkers reflecting increased risk for dementia.
PubMed: 37762467
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814164 -
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety... Sep 2023Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to review a scientific assessment related to a...
Re-evaluation of behenic acid from mustard seeds to be used in the manufacturing of certain emulsifiers pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 - for permanent exemption from labelling.
Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to review a scientific assessment related to a notification from DuPont Nutrition Biosciences Aps on behenic acid from mustard seeds to be used in the manufacturing of certain emulsifiers pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 - for permanent exemption from labelling. The EC requested EFSA to consider comments raised by the German authorities in relation to: (a) the maximum amount of mustard protein that could be consumed from the emulsifiers manufactured from behenic acid (E470a, E471 and E477) on a single occasion and (b) the minimal observed eliciting dose (MOED) triggering allergic reactions in mustard-allergic individuals. The maximum amount of mustard protein content in behenic acid was re-assessed in view of new analytical data provided by the applicant. Intake estimates by the EFSA ANS Panel for E471 (adults) were used as a proxy for the combined intake (E470a, E471 and E477). Food challenge data and systematic reviews thereof deriving population minimal observed eliciting dose distributions for mustard protein were used to calculate the MOED and estimate the risk. The margin of exposure between the MOED (0.26 mg mustard protein) and the maximum amount of mustard protein that could be consumed from the emulsifiers on a single occasion (0.00895475 mg) is 29. It is predicted that between 0.1% and 1% of the mustard allergic population would react with mild objective symptoms to that dose. Overall, the assessment is conservative, particularly in relation to the exposure. Based on the information and data available, the NDA Panel concludes that it is extremely unlikely (≤ 1% probability) that oral consumption of emulsifiers to be manufactured using behenic acid from mustard seeds (i.e. E470a, E471 and E477) will trigger an allergic reaction in mustard-allergic individuals under the proposed conditions of use.
PubMed: 37753350
DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8240 -
RSC Advances Jun 2023anticancer screening of Forssk. aerial parts (Caryophyllaceae) showed that the -hexane fraction was a highly effective fraction against breast carcinoma cell lines...
anticancer screening of Forssk. aerial parts (Caryophyllaceae) showed that the -hexane fraction was a highly effective fraction against breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7) with IC = 15.5 μg mL. The bioactive-guided approach led to the isolation of two new cyclic glucolipids from the -hexane fraction, identified as a 1,2'-cyclic ester of 11-oxy-(6'--acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) behenic acid (1) as a C-11 epimeric mixture and 11()-oxy-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1,2'-cyclic ester of behenic acid (2). An cytotoxicity study showed the potential suppression of MCF-7 cells with IC values of 11.7 ± 0.04 and 6.6 ± 0.01 μg mL for compounds 1 and 2, respectively, compared to doxorubicin (IC = 3.83 ± 0.01 μg mL). Accordingly, only cell cycle tracking for the most active compound (2) was assessed. The cell cycle investigation showed that compound 2 altered the cell cycle at G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases in MCF-7 treated cells. In addition, its powerful apoptotic ability resulted in a significant increase in the early and late stages of apoptosis. Moreover, molecular docking analysis, which was performed against the anticancer mitotic (or spindle assembly) checkpoint target Mps1 kinase, showed that the two new cyclic glycolipids (1 and 2) possess high binding affinity of -7.7 and - 7.6 kcal mol, respectively, compared to its ATP ligand. Overall, this report emphasizes that natural cyclic glycolipids can be used as potential antitumour breast cancer agents.
PubMed: 37346953
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra01793a -
Heliyon May 2023Rare earth elements have played a key role in technological advancement, attracting great visibility in the global commodity market. Xenotime, a heavy rare earth...
Rare earth elements have played a key role in technological advancement, attracting great visibility in the global commodity market. Xenotime, a heavy rare earth resource (YPO), can be found associated with granitic rocks, as in the Pitinga deposit, located in the Brazilian Amazon region, where the main gangue minerals are quartz, microcline and albite. This research investigates the application of a new collector produced from pracaxi oil, an Amazon oil abundant in Brazil, in the selective flotation between xenotime and its main gangue minerals. The study conducted the synthesis and characterization of the collector, the chemical, mineralogical and surface characterization of minerals, as well as the evaluation of collector adsorption and flotability via microflotation tests, zeta potential measurements, surface tension determination and XRD, WDXRF, ICP-MS, FTIR and XPS analyses. The pracaxi collector was found to be mainly composed of oleic acid (56.2%), linoleic acid (14.1%) and behenic acid (10.6%), in addition to exhibiting a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of approximately 150 mg/L. Microflotation tests indicated that the best condition for selective recovery of xenotime occur at alkaline condition (pH 9.0), presenting selectivity of approximately 90% with collector concentration of 10.0 mg/L. The zeta potential data confirmed a selective adsorption of pracaxi collector onto xenotime, with an increase in the surface charge from -30 mV to -68 mV, whereas no significant changes were detected in the silicates. The FTIR spectra showed the appearance of a band at 1545 cm on the surface of the xenotime after collector adsorption, which indicates, along with the zeta potential data, the chemical nature of the adsorption. The presence of small amounts of iron in the lattice structure of silicate gangues can act as an activator, and therefore, may be responsible for the small flotability of these minerals. The performance of the pracaxi oil collector presented in this study indicates the great potential of this Amazonian oil for application in the selective flotation of xenotime ores found in the region.
PubMed: 37215893
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15874 -
Sustainability Mar 2023The use of renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption is a key strategy to mitigate pollution and climate change, resulting in the growing demand for new...
The use of renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption is a key strategy to mitigate pollution and climate change, resulting in the growing demand for new sources. Fast-growing proprietary cyanobacterial strains of with an average life cycle of 7-10 days, and a proven capacity to generate lipids for biofuel production are currently being studied. In this study, we investigated the growth and photosynthetic pigmentation of a cyanobacterial strain (SF33) in both greenhouse and outdoor bioreactors, and produced biocrude via hydrothermal liquefaction. The cultivation of did not significantly differ under suboptimal conditions ( < 0.05), including in outdoor bioreactors with growth differences of less than 0.04 ( = 0.035) among various batches. An analysis of the biocrude's components revealed the presence of fatty acid biodiesel precursors such as palmitic acid and behenic acid, and alkanes such as hexadecane and heptadecane, used as biofuel additives. In addition, the quantification of value-added photosynthetic pigments revealed chlorophyll and phycocyanin concentrations of 0.0011 ± 5.83 × 10 μg/μL and 7.051 ± 0.067 μg/μg chlorophyll . Our results suggest the potential of as a robust species that can grow at varying temperatures ranging from 13 °C to 32 °C, while producing compounds for applications ranging from biofuel to nutritional supplements. The outcomes of this study pave the way for production-level scale-up and processing of -derived biofuels and marketable bioproducts. Fuel produced using this technology will be eco-friendly and cost-effective, and will make full use of the geographical location of regions with access to brackish waters.
PubMed: 37182195
DOI: 10.3390/su15064878