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Food Research International (Ottawa,... Jul 2024Early changes in sensory quality of phenols-rich virgin olive oil (VOO) and their relationship with the chemical changes are less studied in the literature. Therefore,...
Early changes in sensory quality of phenols-rich virgin olive oil (VOO) and their relationship with the chemical changes are less studied in the literature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to propose a predictive model of dynamics of sensory changes based on specific chemical markers. The evolution of the sensory quality of phenol-rich VOOs from Tuscan cultivars stored under optimal storage conditions (i.e., absence of light, no O exposure, low temperature) was investigated using a multi-step methodological approach combining sensory (official sensory analysis (so-called Panel Test), Descriptive Analysis and Temporal Dominance of Sensation) and chemical measurements. The sensory map from descriptive data was related to the phenolic and volatile profiles, measured using HPLC-DAD and HS-SPME-GC-MS, respectively. A predictive model of the sensory changes over storage based on chemical compounds was developed. Results showed that very early changes involving phenolic and volatile compounds profiles occur in VOOs stored under optimal storage conditions, which turn in changes in sensory properties evaluated by the official panel test, the descriptive analysis and the temporal dominance of sensation. Furthermore, a chemical marker of sensory dynamics of oils during storage was identified as the ratio between two groups of secoiridoids. The proposed model, supported by the mentioned chemical marker, has the potential of improving the control of sensory changes in phenols-rich virgin olive oils during storage in optimal conditions.
Topics: Olive Oil; Phenols; Food Storage; Volatile Organic Compounds; Humans; Taste; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Male; Female; Adult; Biomarkers; Iridoids
PubMed: 38763685
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114438 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Jul 2024Carotenoids, versatile natural pigments with numerous health benefits, face environmental concerns associated with conventional petrochemical-based extraction methods...
Carotenoids, versatile natural pigments with numerous health benefits, face environmental concerns associated with conventional petrochemical-based extraction methods and limitations of their synthetic equivalents. In this context, this study aims to introduce eco-friendly approaches using ultrasound-based strategies (probe and bath) for the extraction of carotenoids from microalgae, initially focusing on Microchloropsis gaditana and subsequently evaluating the versatility of the method by applying it to other microalgae species of interest (Tisochrysis lutea, Porphyridium cruentum, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and defatted microalgal residues. Among the approaches evaluated, the 5-min ultrasonic probe system with ethanol showed comparable carotenoid recovery efficiency to the reference method (agitation, 24 h, acetone) (9.4 ± 2.5 and 9.6 ± 3.2 mg g carotenoids per dry biomass, for the green and the reference method, respectively). Moreover, the method's sustainability was demonstrated using the AGREEprep™ software (scored 0.62 out of 1), compared to the traditional method (0.22 out of 1). The developed method yielded high carotenoid contents across species with diverse cell wall compositions (3.1 ± 0.2, 2.1 ± 0.3, and 4.1 ± 0.1 mg g carotenoid per dry biomass for T. lutea, P. cruentum, and P. tricornutum, respectively). Moreover, the application of the method to defatted biomass showed potential for microalgal valorization with carotenoid recovery rates of 41 %, 60 %, 61 %, and 100 % for M.gaditana, P. tricornutum, T. lutea, and P. cruentum, compared to the original biomass, respectively. Furthermore, by using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), we reported the carotenoid and chlorophyll profiles of the different microalgae and evaluated the impact of the eco-friendly methods. The carotenoid and chlorophyll profiles varied depending on the species, biomass, and method used. In summary, this study advances a green extraction method with improved environmental sustainability and shorter extraction time, underscoring the potential of this approach as a valuable alternative for the extraction of microalgal pigments.
Topics: Carotenoids; Microalgae; Mass Spectrometry; Ultrasonics; Biomass; Green Chemistry Technology
PubMed: 38763639
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114354 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Jul 2024Red-fleshed apple cultivars with an enhanced content of polyphenolic compounds have attracted increasing interest due to their promising health benefits. Here, we have...
Red-fleshed apple cultivars with an enhanced content of polyphenolic compounds have attracted increasing interest due to their promising health benefits. Here, we have analysed the polyphenolic content of young, red-fleshed apples (RFA) and optimised extraction conditions of phenolics by utilising natural deep eutectic solvents (NDES). We also compare the antioxidant, neuroprotective and antimicrobial activities of NDES- and methanol-extracted phenolics from young RFA. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) was used for phenolics identification and quantification. Besides young RFA, ripe red-fleshed, young and ripe white-fleshed apples were analysed, revealing that young RFA possess the highest phenolic content (2078.4 ± 4.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g), and that ripe white-fleshed apples contain the least amount of phenolics (545.0 ± 32.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). The NDES choline chloride-glycerol containing 40 % w/w HO gave similar yields at 40 °C as methanol. In addition, the polyphenolics profile, and bioactivities of the NDES extract from young RFA were comparable that of methanol extracts. Altogether, our data show that NDES extracts of young RFA are a promising source of bioactive polyphenolics with potential applications in diverse sectors, e.g., for functional food production, smart material engineering and natural therapies.
Topics: Malus; Polyphenols; Antioxidants; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fruit; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Plant Extracts; Choline; Glycerol; Neuroprotective Agents; Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38763634
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114334 -
Journal of Lipid Research May 2024Depletion or mutations of key proteins for mitochondrial fusion, like optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and Mitofusins 1 and 2 (Mfn 1 and 2), are known to significantly impact the...
Depletion or mutations of key proteins for mitochondrial fusion, like optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and Mitofusins 1 and 2 (Mfn 1 and 2), are known to significantly impact the mitochondrial ultrastructure, suggesting alterations of their membranes' lipid profiles. In order to make an insight into this issue, we used hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry to investigate the mitochondrial phospholipid (PL) profile of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) knocked out for OPA1 and Mfn1/2 genes. 167 different sum compositions were recognized for the four major PL classes of mitochondria, namely phosphatidylcholines (PC, 63), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE, 55), phosphatidylinositols (PI, 21) and cardiolipins (CL, 28). A slight decrease in the CL/PC ratio was found for Mfn1/2-knock out mitochondria. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were subsequently used to further process HILIC-ESI-MS data. A progressive decrease in the incidence of alk(en)yl/acyl species in PC and PE classes and a general increase in the incidence of unsaturated acyl chains across all the investigated PL classes was inferred in OPA1 and Mfn1/2 knockouts compared to wild-type MEFs. These findings suggest a reshaping of the PL profile consistent with the changes observed in the mitochondrial ultrastructure when fusion proteins are absent. Based on the existing knowledge on the metabolism of mitochondrial phospholipids, we propose that fusion proteins, especially mitofusins, might influence the PL transfer between the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, likely in the context of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs).
PubMed: 38763493
DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100563 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety May 2024Bile acid homeostasis is critical to human health. Low-level exposure to antibiotics has been suggested to potentially disrupt bile acid homeostasis by affecting gut...
Bile acid homeostasis is critical to human health. Low-level exposure to antibiotics has been suggested to potentially disrupt bile acid homeostasis by affecting gut microbiota, but relevant data are still lacking in humans, especially for the level below human safety threshold. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 4247 Chinese adults by measuring 34 parent antibiotics and their metabolites from six common categories (i.e., tetracyclines, qinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, phenicols, and lincosamides) and ten representative bile acids in fasting morning urine using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Daily exposure dose of antibiotics was estimated from urinary concentrations of parent antibiotics and their metabolites. Urinary bile acids and their ratios were used to reflect bile acid homeostasis. The estimated daily exposure doses (EDED) of five antibiotic categories with a high detection frequency (i.e., tetracyclines, qinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, and phenicols) were significantly associated with urinary concentrations of bile acids and decreased bile acid ratios in all adults and the subset of 3898 adults with a cumulative ratio of antibiotic EDED to human safety threshold of less than one. Compared to a negative detection of antibiotics, the lowest EDED quartiles of five antibiotic categories and four individual antibiotics with a high detection frequency (i.e., ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, trimethoprim, and florfenicol) in the adults with a positive detection of antibiotics had a decrease of bile acid ratio between 6.6% and 76.6%. Except for macrolides (1.2×10 ng/kg/day), the medians of the lowest EDED quartile of antibiotic categories and individual antibiotics ranged from 0.32 ng/kg/day to 10 ng/kg/day, which were well below human safety thresholds. These results suggested that low-level antibiotic exposure could disrupt bile acid homeostasis in adults and existing human safety thresholds may be inadequate in safeguarding against the potential adverse health effects of low-level exposure to antibiotics.
PubMed: 38759535
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116451 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... May 2024The ubiquity of perfluoroalkyl substances has raised concerns about the unintended consequences of PFAS exposure on human health. In the present study, an eco-friendly...
A green analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 17 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human serum and semen by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
The ubiquity of perfluoroalkyl substances has raised concerns about the unintended consequences of PFAS exposure on human health. In the present study, an eco-friendly ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 17 PFAS in human serum and semen samples. QuEChERS salts MgSO:NaCl 4:1 (w/w) were used for the extraction. The separation of analytes was performed on an ACQUITY BEH C column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), using water:methanol 95:5 and methanol as mobile phases A and B, respectively, both containing 2 mM ammonium acetate. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative ion mode was used, selecting two transitions for each analyte, except for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA). The analytical method was validated according to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Sciences guidelines and AGREE approach software was used to evaluate the greenness of the method. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of 10 paired human serum and semen samples, proving the suitability in high throughput laboratories due to the easy preparation and the reduced volume of toxic solvents. Moreover, it allows to perform further investigation on the correlation between serum and semen PFAS concentration, focusing on male reproductive system correlated pathologies, such as male infertility.
PubMed: 38759320
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116203 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... May 2024The identification of a novel and effective strategy for the clinical treatment of acute leukemia (AL) is a long-term goal. Minnelide, a water-soluble prodrug of...
BACKGROUND
The identification of a novel and effective strategy for the clinical treatment of acute leukemia (AL) is a long-term goal. Minnelide, a water-soluble prodrug of triptolide, has recently been evaluated in phase I and II clinical trials in patients with multiple cancers and has shown promise as an antileukemic agent. However, the molecular mechanism underlying minnelide's antileukemic activity remains unclear.
PURPOSE
To explore the molecular mechanisms by which minnelide exhibits antileukemic activity.
METHODS
AL cells, primary human leukemia cells, and a xenograft mouse model were treated with triptolide and minnelide. The molecular mechanism was elucidated using western blotting, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, GSEA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.
RESULTS
Minnelide was highly effective in inhibiting leukemogenesis and improving survival in two complementary AL mouse models. Triptolide, an active form of minnelide, causes cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and induces apoptosis in both human AL cell lines and primary AL cells. Mechanistically, we identified Ars2 as a new chemotherapeutic target of minnelide for AL treatment. We found that triptolide directly targeted Ars2, resulting in the downregulation of miR-190a-3p, which led to the disturbance of PTEN/Akt signaling and culminated in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that targeting Ars2/miR-190a-3p signaling using minnelide could represent a novel chemotherapeutic strategy for AL treatment and support the evaluation of minnelide for the treatment of AL in clinical trials.
PubMed: 38759317
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155724 -
Clinical Oral Investigations May 2024To obtain and compare the protein profiles of supernumerary and normal permanent dental pulp tissues. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
To obtain and compare the protein profiles of supernumerary and normal permanent dental pulp tissues.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Dental pulp tissues were obtained from supernumerary and normal permanent teeth. Proteins were extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Protein identification and quantification from MS data was performed with MaxQuant. Statistical analysis was conducted using Metaboanalyst to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (P-value < 0.05, fold-change > 2). Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed with gProfiler.
RESULTS
A total of 3,534 proteins were found in normal dental pulp tissue and 1,093 in supernumerary dental pulp tissue, with 174 DEPs between the two groups. This analysis revealed similar functional characteristics in terms of cellular component organization, cell differentiation, developmental process, and response to stimulus, alongside exclusive functions unique to normal permanent dental pulp tissues such as healing, vascular development and cell death. Upon examination of DEPs, these proteins were associated with the processes of wound healing and apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the protein profile of dental pulp tissue, including the first such profiling of supernumerary permanent dental pulp. There are functional differences between the proteomic profiles of supernumerary and normal permanent dental pulp tissue, despite certain biological similarities between the two groups. Differences in protein expression were identified, and the identified DEPs were linked to the healing and apoptosis processes.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This discovery enhances our knowledge of supernumerary and normal permanent pulp tissue, and serves as a valuable reference for future studies on supernumerary teeth.
Topics: Dental Pulp; Humans; Proteomics; Tooth, Supernumerary; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid; Male; Female; Adolescent; Dentition, Permanent; Child
PubMed: 38758416
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05698-z -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... May 2024To establish and determine the content of the genotoxic impurity piperidine in the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of rimonabant using a liquid...
OBJECTIVE
To establish and determine the content of the genotoxic impurity piperidine in the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of rimonabant using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. This study underscores the importance of detecting piperidine due to its potential health risks, including carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, thus highlighting the critical need for rigorous quality control in pharmaceutical products.
METHODS
An Atlantis C18 column (5 μm, 3.9×100 mm) was chosen for separation due to its high efficiency and selectivity for piperidine, with a gradient elution of 0.05% formic acid-water (A) and methanol (B) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was optimized at 30°C to ensure peak resolution and sensitivity, the injection volume was set to 5.0 μL to minimize sample consumption while maintaining detectability, and the analysis time was kept at 7 min for efficient throughput.
RESULTS
Piperidine demonstrated excellent linearity in the concentration range of 0.03-0.40 μg/mL (R>0.99), with a detection limit of 0.01010 µg/mL. This detection limit is significantly lower than regulatory thresholds, indicating the method's high sensitivity compared to existing methods and its adequacy for regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical quality control.
CONCLUSION
This LC-MS method not only demonstrated high accuracy, good repeatability, and strong durability but also sets a benchmark for future research, regulatory practices, and pharmaceutical quality control. By accurately detecting low levels of genotoxic impurities like piperidine, this method supports the development of safer drug formulations and underscores the importance of stringent quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry.
PubMed: 38758156
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024The use of treated municipal wastewater (TWW) represents a relevant opportunity for irrigation of agricultural crops in semi-arid regions to counter the increasing water...
INTRODUCTION
The use of treated municipal wastewater (TWW) represents a relevant opportunity for irrigation of agricultural crops in semi-arid regions to counter the increasing water scarcity. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are often detected in treated wastewater, posing a risk to humans and the environment. PhACs can accumulate in soils and translocate into different plant tissues, reaching, in some cases, edible organs and entering the food chain.
METHODS
This study evaluated the uptake and translocation processes of 10 PhACs by olive trees irrigated with TWW, investigating their accumulation in different plant organs. The experiment was conducted in southern Italy, in 2-year-old plants irrigated with three different types of water: freshwater (FW), TWW spiked with 10 PhACs at a concentration of 200 µg L (1× TWW), and at a triple dose (3× TWW), from July to October 2021. The concentration of PhACs in soil and plant organs was assessed, collecting samples of root, stem, shoot, leaf, fruit, and kernel at 0 (T0), 50 (T1), and 107 (T2) days of irrigation. PhACs extraction from soil and plant organs was carried out using the QuEChERS method, and their concentrations were determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.
RESULTS
Results of uptake factors (UF) showed a different behavior between compounds according to their physicochemical properties, highlighting PhACs accumulation and translocation in different plant organs (also edible part) in 1× TWW and 3× TWW compared to FW. Two PhACs, carbamazepine and fluconazole, showed interactions with the soil-plant system, translocating also in the aerial part of the plant, with a translocation factor (TF) greater than 1, which indicates high root-to-leaf translocation.
DISCUSSION
Findings highlight that only few PhACs among the selected compounds can be uptaken by woody plants and accumulated in edible parts at low concentration. No effects of PhACs exposure on plant growth have been detected. Despite the attention to be paid to the few compounds that translocate into edible organs, these results are promising for adapting wastewater irrigation in crops. Increasing knowledge about PhACs behavior in woody plants can be important for developing optimized wastewater irrigation and soil management strategies to reduce PhACs accumulation and translocation in plants.
PubMed: 38756964
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1382595