The rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L) is an exotic fruit native to the Southeast Asia and currently cultivated in different tropical areas, among them in southern México. It is characterized by its ...nutritionals and functionals properties and has been relevant for its commercialization and acceptance in different countries and Mexico represents one of the main producers and exporter of rambutan in the world.
In this review, we summarize information about of the bioactive compounds present in the rambutan fruit, together with the nutritionals properties that it presents as a functional food, with a focus on its by-products (pulp, seed and peel). The rambutan fruit contains important bioactive compounds, mainly the peel has a high content of antioxidants which are of interest in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Extracts of rambutan fruit, mainly from the peel, have been shown to possess phytochemical compounds that exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypoglycemic and anti-proliferative effects in various in vitro and in vivo tests. However, it is necessary to further analyze the nutritional and functional potential of this fruit, the therapeutic mechanisms involved and to develop its industrial process as a functional or nutraceutical food product.
Display omitted
•A description of the rambutan fruit is made about its composition in peel, pulp and seed.•Rambutan peel and seed wastes are source of bioactive compounds for use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.•Review of nutritional and functional properties of Nephelium lappaceum and the main phytochemical compounds identified.•Patents are reported for the first time in Nephelium Lappaceum.
Whole genome sequencing and analyses of Ureaplasma diversum ATCC 49782 was undertaken as a step towards understanding U. diversum biology and pathogenicity. The complete genome showed 973,501 bp in a ...single circular chromosome, with 28.2% of G+C content. A total of 782 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), and 6 rRNA and 32 tRNA genes were predicted and annotated. The metabolic pathways are identical to other human ureaplasmas, including the production of ATP via hydrolysis of the urea. Genes related to pathogenicity, such as urease, phospholipase, hemolysin, and a Mycoplasma Ig binding protein (MIB)-Mycoplasma Ig protease (MIP) system were identified. More interestingly, a large number of genes (n = 40) encoding surface molecules were annotated in the genome (lipoproteins, multiple-banded antigen like protein, membrane nuclease lipoprotein and variable surface antigens lipoprotein). In addition, a gene encoding glycosyltransferase was also found. This enzyme has been associated with the production of capsule in mycoplasmas and ureaplasma. We then sought to detect the presence of a capsule in this organism. A polysaccharide capsule from 11 to 17 nm of U. diversum was observed trough electron microscopy and using specific dyes. This structure contained arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose. In order to understand the inflammatory response against these surface molecules, we evaluated the response of murine macrophages J774 against viable and non-viable U. diversum. As with viable bacteria, non-viable bacteria were capable of promoting a significant inflammatory response by activation of Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), indicating that surface molecules are important for the activation of inflammatory response. Furthermore, a cascade of genes related to the inflammasome pathway of macrophages was also up-regulated during infection with viable organisms when compared to non-infected cells. In conclusion, U. diversum has a typical ureaplasma genome and metabolism, and its surface molecules, including the identified capsular material, represent major components of the organism immunopathogenesis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ciliate ectoparasites are one of the most important groups of pathogens in fish culture, and the traditional treatments are sometimes harmful to the fish and the environment. Thus, the search for ...novel compounds that are effective at low concentrations and safe for fish are necessary to optimise treatments in aquaculture. The antiprotozoal capacity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against the ciliate Tetrahymena has been documented; however, their toxicity may vary with the synthesis methodology and nanoparticle size. The objectives of this study were a) to evaluate the acute toxicity in vitro of two AgNPs (Argovit™ and UTSA) on Tetrahymena sp., a biological model for ciliated ectoparasites of fish and b) to test the safety of lethal and higher doses of UTSA AgNPs for ciliates on the fish C. estor. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine whether AgNPs affected the structure of the cell surface of Tetrahymena. The mortality, histopathological alterations and metagenomics of the fish were used to determine the major effects of UTSA AgNPs. In Tetrahymena, the median lethal concentration (LC50) for Argovit™ was 2501 ± 1717 ng/L at 15 min and 796 ± 510 ng/L at 60 min, while the LC50 for UTSA AgNPs was 4 ± 2 and 1 ± 0.6 ng/L at 15 min and 60 min, respectively. A concentration of 3300 ng/L Argovit™ and 10.6 ng/L UTSA AgNPs for 15 and 60 min, respectively, was 100% effective against Tetrahymena. After 60 min of exposure to 0.25 and 0.50 ng/L UTSA AgNPs, the number of cilia significantly reduced, there were small holes on the cell surface, and the cellular membrane was ruptured. In fish exposed to lethal (10.6 ng/L) and higher (31.8 and 95.4 ng/L) doses of UTSA, the AgNPs did not affect fish survival after 96 h, and there were no signs of histopathological damage or gut microbial changes. This study is the first report on microscopic and ultrastructural changes in Tetrahymena after exposure to significantly low concentrations of UTSA AgNPs with antiprotozoal efficacy without evidence of harmful effects on fish. These results provide the basis for further studies of both pet aquarium and commercial fish that may validate these findings at a larger experimental scale, taking into account AgNPs bioaccumulation, safety for human consumption and environmental impact.
Display omitted
•LC50 for Argovit™ and UTSA AgNPs against Tetrahymena were found.•UTSA AgNPs was more effective than Argovit™ AgNPs against Tetrahymena.•This is the first report on ultrastructural changes of Tetrahymena exposed to AgNPs.•UTSA AgNPs showed antiprotozoal efficacy and nontoxicity to pike silverside C. estor.•Potential use of UTSA AgNPs in the control of ciliated ectoparasites in freshwater fish.
Phytoplankton and associated microbial communities provide organic carbon to oceanic food webs and drive ecosystem dynamics. However, capturing those dynamics is challenging. Here, an in situ, ...semi-Lagrangian, robotic sampler profiled pelagic microbes at 4 h intervals over ~2.6 days in North Pacific high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll waters. We report on the community structure and transcriptional dynamics of microbes in an operationally large size class (>5 μm) predominantly populated by dinoflagellates, ciliates, haptophytes, pelagophytes, diatoms, cyanobacteria (chiefly Synechococcus), prasinophytes (chiefly Ostreococcus), fungi, archaea, and proteobacteria. Apart from fungi and archaea, all groups exhibited 24-h periodicity in some transcripts, but larger portions of the transcriptome oscillated in phototrophs. Periodic photosynthesis-related transcripts exhibited a temporal cascade across the morning hours, conserved across diverse phototrophic lineages. Pronounced silica:nitrate drawdown, a high flavodoxin to ferredoxin transcript ratio, and elevated expression of other Fe-stress markers indicated Fe-limitation. Fe-stress markers peaked during a photoperiodically adaptive time window that could modulate phytoplankton response to seasonal Fe-limitation. Remarkably, we observed viruses that infect the majority of abundant taxa, often with total transcriptional activity synchronized with putative hosts. Taken together, these data reveal a microbial plankton community that is shaped by recycled production and tightly controlled by Fe-limitation and viral activity.
Four sites were selected for collection of plants growing on polluted soil developed on tailings from Ag, Au, and Zn mines at the Zacatecas state in Mexico. Trace element concentrations varied ...between sites, the most polluted area was at El Bote mine near to Zacatecas city. The ranges of total concentration in soil were as follows: Cd 11–47, Ni 19–26, Pb 232–695, Mn 1132–2400, Cu 134–186 and Zn 116–827mg kg−1 air-dried soil weight. All soil samples had concentrations above typical values for non-polluted soils from the same soil types (Cd 0.6±0.3, Ni 52±4, Pb 41±3mg kg−1). However, for the majority of samples the DTPA-extractable element concentrations were less than 10% of the total. Some of the wild plants are potentially metal tolerant, because they were able to grow in highly polluted substrates. Plant metal analysis revealed that most species did not translocate metals to their aerial parts, therefore they behave as excluder plants. Polygonum aviculare accumulated Zn (9236mg kg−1) at concentrations near to the criteria for hyperaccumulator plants. Jatropha dioica also accumulated high Zn (6249mg kg−1) concentrations.
Polygonum aviculare and Jatropha dioica accumulated Zn at concentrations near to the criteria for hyperaccumulator plants.
Cementum is a mineralized tissue that covers tooth roots and functions in the periodontal attachment complex. Cementocytes, resident cells of cellular cementum, share many characteristics with ...osteocytes, are mechanoresponsive cells that direct bone remodeling based on changes in loading. We hypothesized that cementocytes play a key role during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). To test this hypothesis, we used 8-week-old male Wistar rats in a model of OTM for 2, 7, or 14 days (0.5 N), whereas unloaded contralateral teeth served as controls. Tissue and cell responses were analyzed by high-resolution micro-computed tomography, histology, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining for odontoclasts/osteoclasts, and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, laser capture microdissection was used to collect cellular cementum, and extracted proteins were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The OTM model successfully moved first molars mesially more than 250 μm by 14 days introducing apoptosis in a small number of cementocytes and areas of root resorption on mesial and distal aspects. Cementocytes showed increased nuclear size and proportion of euchromatin suggesting cellular activity. Proteomic analysis identified 168 proteins in cellular cementum with 21 proteins found only in OTM sites and 54 proteins only present in control samples. OTM-down-regulated several extracellular matrix proteins, including decorin, biglycan, asporin, and periostin, localized to cementum and PDL by immunostaining. Furthermore, type IV collagen (COL14A1) was the protein most down-regulated (−45-fold) by OTM and immunolocalized to cells at the cementum-dentin junction. Eleven keratins were significantly increased by OTM, and a pan-keratin antibody indicated keratin localization primarily in epithelial remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath. These experiments provide new insights into biological responses of cementocytes and cellular cementum to OTM.
Biochars have been shown as promising materials for cadmium remediation. However, the different precursors and the pyrolysis process operating conditions can yield very different surface functional ...groups, and as a result, different cadmium sorption mechanisms can be observed in biochars. Herein we present the results of cadmium sorption on biochars produced from the pyrolysis of different agro-residues, namely, coffee husk, quinoa straw, and oil palm kernel shell. The adsorption isotherms were used to determine the influence of the biochar’s physicochemical characteristics to their sorption behavior. The biochars prepared from quinoa residues showed much higher cadmium uptakes than the other biochars. The concentration of base cations was found to be a critical factor for cadmium sorption. Although the quinoa biochars presented large uptakes, it was found that base cations were supported on the biochars and could be removed by leaching. Results from this study suggest that concentration of base cations on biochars could be used as predictors of the biochar capabilities for the removal of cadmium in aqueous solution.
High explosives that are photoactive, i.e., can be initiated with light, offer significant advantages in reduced potential for accidental electrical initiation. We examined a series of structurally ...related tetrazine based photoactive high explosive materials to detail their photochemical and photophysical properties. Using photobleaching infrared absorption, we determined quantum yields of photochemistry for nanosecond pulsed excitation at 355 and 532 nm. Changes in mass spectrometry during laser irradiation in vacuum measured the evolution of gaseous products. Fluorescence spectra, quantum yields, and lifetimes were measured to observe radiative channels of energy decay that compete with photochemistry. For the 6 materials studied, quantum yields of photochemistry ranged from <10–5 to 0.03 and quantum yield of fluorescence ranged from <10–3 to 0.33. In all cases, the photoexcitation nonradiatively relaxed primarily to heat, appropriate for supporting photothermal initiation processes. The photochemistry observed was dominated by ring scission of the tetrazine, but there was evidence of more extensive multistep reactions as well.
Copper oxide supported on zinc oxide catalysts was tested for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes under UV irradiation at 25, 35 and 45 °C. These Cu/ZnO ...catalysts with variable copper loadings (2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt%) were prepared by impregnation and characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD and XPS data revealed that copper was in the form of copper oxide (CuO), and the crystal size was 240.8 and 49.3 nm for ZnO and CuO, respectively. Experiments showed that xCu/ZnO catalysts were highly active for MB and MO degradation compared with the zinc oxide supports due to the presence of copper oxide acting as an electron trap inhibiting electron-hole recombination. Furthermore, photodegradation activity was improved with increasing temperature. The 5Cu/ZnO catalyst exhibited greater degradation activity in both dyes, reaching 99% degradation at 45 °C after 15 and 75 min for MB and MO, respectively, due to its greater dispersion of CuO in ZnO and higher concentration of hydroxyl groups on the surface compared with other catalysts. Thermodynamic calculations indicated that the interaction of MB with the surface was stronger than that of MO and possibly related to the presence of hydroxyl groups on the surface, as indicated in the XPS results. The effects of different scavengers of the main species involved, such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radical anions and positive holes, were studied to propose photodegradation mechanisms of the dyes on these systems. The superoxide radical was the main reactive species during the photocatalytic degradation of MB and MO.
Mining Ag, Cu, Pb, and Zn sulfides by flotation produces great volume of residues, which oxidized through time and release acid solutions. Leachates from tailing heaps are a concern due to the risk ...of surface water pollution. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles may remove trace elements from acid leachate collected from an oxidized tailing heap (pH ranged 1.69 ± 0.3 to 2.23 ± 0.16; SO
4
2−
= 58 ± 0.67 to 60.69 ± 0.39 mmol). Based on the batch experiments under standard conditions, the average removal efficiency was 96%, 92%, 86%, and 67% for Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu, respectively. The Zn adsorption was modeled by the Freundlich equation, but Cd, Cu, and Pb isotherms do not fit to Freundlich nor Lagmuir equations. Adsorption and other mechanisms occur during trace elements removal by hydroxyapatite. In the polymetallic system, trace elements saturate the specific surface of hydroxyapatite in the following order Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb. The pH values must be higher than 7.5 to adsorb trace elements. The dose of 3.8% of hydroxyapatite to acid mine drainage removed efficiently > 80% of the soluble Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb: 4020.0, 37.3, 34.8, 432.0, 4.4, 0.7, and 0.11 mg L
−1
from leachate A and 3357.1, 46.6, 27.8, 569.0, 4.7, 0.6, and 1.7 from leachate B, respectively. The application of 0.7% of hydroxyapatite decreased the extractable Pb in unoxidized tailing heaps from 272 to 100 mg kg
−1
. It is likely to use hydroxyapatite to control trace element mobility from mine residues to surrounding soils and surface water.
PDF
