Aim and Methods
Although the antimicrobial activity of extracts from several mushroom species has been reported, studies with the individual compounds present in that extracts are scarce. Herein, the ...antimicrobial activity of different phenolic compounds identified and quantified in mushroom species from all over the world was evaluated. Furthermore, a structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis and molecular docking studies were performed, in order to provide insights into the mechanism of action of potential antimicrobial drugs for resistant micro‐organisms.
Results
2,4‐Dihydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acids were the phenolic compounds with higher activity against the majority of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Furthermore, phenolic compounds inhibited more MRSA than methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA was inhibited by 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic (MICs = 0·5 mg ml−1) and p‐coumaric (MIC = 1 mg ml−1) acids, while these compounds at the same concentrations had no inhibitory effects against methicillin‐susceptible Staph. aureus.
Conclusions
The presence of carboxylic acid (COOH), two hydroxyl (OH) groups in para and ortho positions of the benzene ring and also a methoxyl (OCH3) group in the meta position seems to be important for anti‐MRSA activity.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Phenolic compounds could be used as antimicrobial agents, namely against some micro‐organisms resistant to commercial antibiotics.
Functional ingredients obtained from industrial by-products (BP) are a promising vehicle for the nutritional improvement of traditional bakery products and may enhance their health promoting ...properties. However, the incorporation BP functional ingredients also influence technological and sensorial properties.
This review provides a comprehensive overview about the incorporation of potential functional ingredients obtained from a wide variety of food industrial by-products (Fruit and Vegetables; Cereals, Legumes, Nuts and Oilseeds; Brewery, Winery, and Distillery) to wheat based bakery products. Emphasis is given to the physico-chemical characterization of those ingredients, as well as their effect on dough and final products properties.
Although physico-chemical composition of BP functional ingredients varies widely according to their source, it stands out by their content of total dietary fibre, protein, and/or minerals. BP functional ingredients incorporation on bakery products at 10% was frequently successful. Overall, BP functional ingredients improves nutritional profile of bakery products, however can also impair some functional and sensorial properties. From a nutritional point of view cakes and biscuits enriched with BP functional ingredients cannot compete with the healthier profile presented by breads.
•Nutritional profile of bakery products can be improved by functional ingredients.•By-products functional ingredients may impair technological and sensorial properties.•Balanced by-products addition is required to obtain healthier and acceptable bakery products.
► Influence of charcoal type on HAs and PAHs formation. ► Coconut shell charcoal is safer to grill fatty muscle foods. ► Continuous barbecuing with the same charcoal increases HAs and PAHs formation. ...► High intake of HAs and PAHs is obtained from a single meal of barbecued meat or fish.
Grilling muscle foods involves high temperatures that lead to production of cooking toxicants, such as heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To obtain realistic exposure levels of these two groups of mutagens analyses of the same samples using similar separation/detection techniques were performed. HAs and PAHs were quantified in well-done meat and fish samples grilled with wood and coconut shell charcoal at 200°C. Quantitative HAs and PAHs profiles were different for beef and salmon using the same type of charcoal. Higher levels of HAs and PAHs were found in salmon samples. No significant differences were observed for HAs and PAHs in beef samples grilled with both charcoal types, whereas salmon grilled with coconut shell charcoal presented significantly lower amounts of HAs and PAHs than salmon grilled with usual wood charcoal. Continuous barbecuing with the same charcoal shown that combustion of fat that dropped along the grilling period contributed to higher formation of HAs and PAHs. Special attention must be given to the intake of barbecued foods since high amounts of HAs and PAHs can be taken in a single meal.
•Three different biopolymeric films composed by chitosan, Peg and gelatin were developed.•Porphyrin dye was successfully incorporated into the different films.•Their spectral-luminescent properties ...were investigated including fluorescence lifetimes, quantum yields, singlet oxygen formation and Triplet–triplet absorption spectra.•Intracellular localization studies of the compounds under study were performed onto HeLa cells.•The anticancer activity of all the generated systems was evaluated.
Porphyrins and some of its derivatives are well known and widely used as photosensitizers (PSs) for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer (PDT).
The present study regards the characterization and evaluation of a synthesized asymmetric porphyrin dye in solution to be used as PS for PDT. This molecule was also incorporated into biopolymeric films composed by chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and gelatin in order to overtake some of the disadvantages inherent to the PS, but more important, to evaluate the potential of a system composed by the porphyrin/biopolymer to be applied as localized therapeutic agents.
FTIR spectroscopy showed a strong interaction between the polymers involved in the preparation of the films under study: film 1: chitosan, film 2: chitosan/PEG and film 3: chitosan/gelatin.
Photochemical studies were performed for the dye in solution and into the three different biopolymeric films. Ground state absorption showed the characteristic bands of these kinds of dyes in solution and also incorporated into the films. The films composed by porphyrin/chitosan and porphyrin into chitosan/gelatin, revealed the presence of non-emissive aggregates exhibiting a strong quenching effect in the fluorescence intensity, quantum yields and lifetimes. In this way, the system composed by the porphyrin incorporated into the chitosan/PEG film presents the best fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime.
The transient absorption spectra were obtained for all the systems indicating the formation of an excited triplet state of the porphyrins following excitation, which takes special importance in the generation of phototoxic species namely singlet oxygen.
Singlet oxygen quantum yields were also determined and the results obtained were very promising for the dye in solution but also for the dye into the different substrates. The release of the dye from the three different films onto a buffer solution was evaluated and we conclude that after a few days the dye was completely released by the substrates in acidic conditions.
Confocal microscopy was used for the determination of the intracellular localization of the compound under study onto HeLa cells (human cervical cancer cells line).
The evaluation of the PSs anticancer activity assumes special importance for PDT studies. The system should be less toxic in the dark and more active when irradiated, therefore, toxicity in the dark and phototoxicity studies onto HeLa cells were performed.
Recent trends in the food science industry and consumers’ preferences for diversified diets suggest the consumption of wild greens not only as diet complements but also as healthy and functional ...foods for targeted conditions, rendering its commercial cultivation of major importance in order to avoid irrational gathering and genetic erosion threats. The Mediterranean basin abounds in wild edible species which have been used for food and medicinal purposes by human throughout the centuries. Many of these species can be found near coastal areas and usually grow under saline conditions, while others can adapt in various harsh conditions including high salinity.
The aim of this review focuses on listing and describing the most important halophyte species that traditionally have been gathered by rural communities of the Mediterranean basin, while special interest will be given on their chemical composition and health promoting components. Cases of commercially cultivated halophytes will be also presented to highlight their potential as alternative cash crops, while results from in vitro and in vivo health effects will be presented.
The recent literature has provided useful information regarding the potential of wild halophytes as promising ingredients in functional food products and/or as sources of bioactive compounds. However, further research is needed regarding the chemical characterization of these species under commercial cultivation practices, while further clinical and model trials have to be conducted to assess their long term bioactivity and elucidate potential toxic effects and regulations of safe consumption.
•Halophyte species may contribute to diverse diets and functional foods production.•The most important edible halophytes of the Mediterranean basin were described.•Most of the species showed significant bioactivity and beneficial health effects.•The food industry has to exploit these species to fulfill consumers’ demands.
Saccharomyces yeast biomass is the second major by-product from brewing industry. It can be of value as a raw material with different uses, however, it is still underutilized, mostly, for swine and ...ruminant feed. This review aims to give a brief overview on applications for this agro-industrial by-product as a source of nutrients for human and fish nutrition, microbial growth, production and industrial use of brewer's yeast components and highlight the needs for further investigations and research, especially in the areas of production of ingredients for functional foods and the use of brewer's yeast as agents of detoxifying effluents containing heavy metals.
A multi-residue methodology based on a solid phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed for trace analysis of 32 compounds in water matrices, including ...estrogens and several pesticides from different chemical families, some of them with endocrine disrupting properties. Matrix standard calibration solutions were prepared by adding known amounts of the analytes to a residue-free sample to compensate matrix-induced chromatographic response enhancement observed for certain pesticides. Validation was done mainly according to the International Conference on Harmonisation recommendations, as well as some European and American validation guidelines with specifications for pesticides analysis and/or GC–MS methodology. As the assumption of homoscedasticity was not met for analytical data, weighted least squares linear regression procedure was applied as a simple and effective way to counteract the greater influence of the greater concentrations on the fitted regression line, improving accuracy at the lower end of the calibration curve. The method was considered validated for 31 compounds after consistent evaluation of the key analytical parameters: specificity, linearity, limit of detection and quantification, range, precision, accuracy, extraction efficiency, stability and robustness.
Wild native species are usually grown under severe and stressful conditions, while a special category includes halophytic species that are tolerant to high salinity levels. Native halophytes are ...valuable sources of bioactive molecules whose content is higher in saline than normal conditions, since the adaptation to salinity mechanisms involve apart from changes in physiological functions the biosynthesis of protectant molecules. These compounds include secondary metabolites with several beneficial health effects which have been known since ancient times and used for medicinal purposes. Recent trends in pharmaceutical industry suggest the use of natural compounds as alternative to synthetic ones, with native herbs being strong candidates for this purpose due to their increased and variable content in health promoting compounds. In this review, an introductory section about the importance of native herbs and halophyte species for traditional and modern medicine will be presented. A list of the most important halophytes of the Mediterranean basin will follow, with special focus on their chemical composition and their reported by clinical and ethnopharmacological studies health effects. The review concludes by suggesting future requirements and perspectives for further exploitation of these valuable species within the context of sustainability and climate change.
•Halophyte species exhibit significant medicinal properties.•The most common medicinal halophytes of the Mediterranean basin were described.•Most of the species show great potential for the pharmaceutical industry.•None of the presented species showed toxicity effects.•Clinical studies and elucidation of involved health effect mechanisms are required.
Introduction
Primary delusional infestation is a rare psychiatric condition in which patients mistakenly believe that their skin or other body parts are infested by small, living organisms, despite ...the fact that no organisms can be found upon investigation. The delusion occurs concurrently with abnormal cutaneous sensations. Therefore, they typically have a history of prior negative evaluations by dermatologists and general practice physicians. In addition, patients may have also received repeated courses of dermatologic and anti-infective therapies, despite the lack of an objective diagnosis.
Objectives
To describe the clinical case of a patient who suffered from an undiagnosed primary delusional infestation for 12 years.
Methods
Description of a clinical case and a non-systematic review of the literature.
Results
We describe the clinical case of a 65-year-old woman who spent 12 years being evaluated by multiple medical and surgical specialties for the following complaint: “sensation of something moving beneath the skin.” At the onset of the complaint, the patient believed that this “strange sensation” was due to a recent tooth procedure. However, as she felt the discomfort not improving, she believed it to be a consequence of a cutaneous
anthrax
infection. Thus, the patient started using tweezers to grasp the living organism that was bothering her and that behavior caused intense scaring in her face. Meanwhile, the patient was also submitted to 3 cutaneous biopsies (prescribed by a dermatologist) that refuted the hypothesis of any living organism underneath her skin. In addition, the patient was prescribed sertraline, bromazepam and lorazepam that, although improved her sleep and anxiety levels, were inefficient to treat the root of her suffering. Finally, after 12 years of dispersed medical follow-up, this patient was evaluated by a new psychiatrist and prescribed paliperidone that rapidly made the agonizing “strange sensation” disappear.
Conclusions
Even though primary delusional infestations are a rare psychiatric diagnosis, all medical doctors should consider it when their patients report bothersome dermatologic complaints associated with the belief of infestation and negative diagnostic examinations. It is incredibly important to consider this diagnostic, as the early treatment of this entity might prevent the patient from undergoing multiple years of suffering and discomfort.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
The therapeutic use of proteins has created an increasing demand for feasible and economical methods for both up- and downstream processes. However, whereas upstream processes have attracted ...substantial investment and commercial attention, downstream processing has been overlooked, causing a production bottleneck that is shifting the costs of production. This review focuses on the use of aqueous two-phase extraction as an option for the downstream processing of therapeutic proteins. It is a potential and promising liquid–liquid extraction technique for the purification of biomolecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, growth factors and hormones, that combines a high selectivity and biocompatibility with an easy scale-up and continuous operation mode.
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