This work reports on the properties of natural bovine hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds calcined at temperatures of 600 and 1000 °C and on the effects of apatite formation on these calcined scaffolds ...during immersion experiments in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) from 0 to 28 days. The study systematically identifies different mechanisms that determine the formation of the apatite layer. First, compositional analysis of the scaffolds by inductively couple plasma (ICP) reveals significant differences in macromineral content, which includes calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium. Subsequent X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the presence of hydroxyapatite in both scaffolds, while the 1000 °C sample has additional β-whitlockite due to the higher calcination temperature. Further investigation by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman analyzes revealed carbonated HAp in the 600 °C scaffolds and characteristic bands of HAp in the 1000 °C scaffolds. Morphological changes during immersion, documented by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, display leaf-like and cauliflower-like structures in the 600 °C sample and rash-like features leading to leaf-type apatite formation in the 1000 °C sample. High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) showed elongated crystals in both samples, confirming exclusive HAp presence in the 600 °C sample and the coexistence of HAp and β-whitlockite phases in the 1000 °C sample. After 28 days of immersion, TEM images at 600 °C reveal ordered apatite particles, while the 1000 °C images exhibit random apatite formation, confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy in TEM (EDS-TEM). In addition, both scaffolds calcined at 600 and 1000 °C showed biocompatibility, as cytotoxicity tests confirmed a remarkable 100 % cell viability, underlining their non-toxicity. The scaffolds calcined at 600 and 1000 °C therefore exhibit high bioactivity and viability, supporting their suitability for bone tissue engineering applications.
Essential oils (EOs) are liquid preparations, produced from plant materials. Although EOs showed a promising bioactivity in vitro, they could interact in foods with some components (fats, proteins, ...carbohydrates) and pH, thus many authors have reported that a significant effect of EOs toward spoiling and pathogenic microorganisms could be achieved in vivo by using higher amounts of oils. Different methods can be used to assess the bioactivity of EOs (disk diffusion and agar or broth dilution methods); however, there is not a standardized test and researchers propose and use different protocols (evaluating the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, studying the survival curves, analysis through the scanning electron microscopy, etc.). Thereafter, the scope of this review is a focus on interactions of EOs with proteins, carbohydrates, oils, NaCl, and pH, as well as a brief description on the different protocols to assess their bioactivity both under in vivo and in vitro conditions.
Although few studies are reported, Hua gabonii remains scientifically unknown due to the lack of studies. However, this aromatic plant is used in developing countries as a condiment or in traditional ...medicine to treat various ailments. The literature reported that this species is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, and vitamins C and E. Its fruits would present an appreciable antioxidant power. Therefore, given its numerous uses in tropical countries, H. gabonii is a good candidate for further studies.
Although few studies are reported, Hua gabonii remains scientifically unknown due to the lack of studies. However, This aromatic plant is used in developing countries as a condiment or in traditional ...medicine to treat various ailments. The literature reported that this species is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, and vitamins C and E. Its fruits would present an appreciable antioxidant power. Therefore, H. gabonii is a good candidate for further studies, given its numerous uses in tropical countries.
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•An HMS hybrid employing P(NIPAM-MAA) as the outer shell of HMS with temperature-responsiveness.•THI-loaded HMS hybrid could utilize the relationship between pesticide efficacy and ...temperature.•HMS hybrid possessed good biocompatibility and UV-shielding properties.•THI-loaded HMS hybrid provided sustained protection in rice plant against N. lugens.
Improving pesticide efficacy, which depends on the smart delivery of pesticides in the field, has been the basis for reducing the use of agricultural chemicals to an optimal level. Herein, a temperature-responsive release formulation (THI@HMS@P(NIPAM-MAA)) that can regulate pesticide release based on the relationship between pesticide efficacy and ambient temperature is proposed. The THI@HMS@P(NIPAM-MAA) was prepared by seeded precipitation polymerization, wherein hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) was employed as the core; a commonly used thermoresponsive copolymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-MAA)), was used as the outer shell; and a type of positive temperature coefficient insecticide, thiamethoxam (THI), was selected as the model pesticide. The prepared THI@HMS@P(NIPAM-MAA) can effectively protect THI against degradation under UV irradiation and showed strong adhesion to rice leaves. The bioactivity results showed that the mortality of THI@HMS@P(NIPAM-MAA) against Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) was positively correlated with temperature and mainly benefitted from the temperature-induced variation in the release rate. Furthermore, the THI@HMS@P(NIPAM-MAA) possessed long-term bioactivity (14 days) and showed negligible effects on rice seedling growth. This temperature-responsive release formulation may be extended to other positive temperature coefficient pesticides in the future, thus greatly advancing smart pesticide formulation development.
Grouping/read-across is widely used for predicting the toxicity of data-poor target substance(s) using data-rich source substance(s). While the chemical industry and the regulators recognise its ...benefits, registration dossiers are often rejected due to weak analogue/category justifications based largely on the structural similarity of source and target substances. Here we demonstrate how multi-omics measurements can improve confidence in grouping via a statistical assessment of the similarity of molecular effects. Six azo dyes provided a pool of potential source substances to predict long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna) for the dye Disperse Yellow 3 (DY3) as the target substance. First, we assessed the structural similarities of the dyes, generating a grouping hypothesis with DY3 and two Sudan dyes within one group. Daphnia magna were exposed acutely to equi-effective doses of all seven dyes (each at 3 doses and 3 time points), transcriptomics and metabolomics data were generated from 760 samples. Multi-omics bioactivity profile-based grouping uniquely revealed that Sudan 1 (S1) is the most suitable analogue for read-across to DY3. Mapping ToxPrint structural fingerprints of the dyes onto the bioactivity profile-based grouping indicated an aromatic alcohol moiety could be responsible for this bioactivity similarity. The long-term reproductive toxicity to aquatic invertebrates of DY3 was predicted from S1 (21-day NOEC, 40 µg/L). This prediction was confirmed experimentally by measuring the toxicity of DY3 in D. magna. While limitations of this 'omics approach are identified, the study illustrates an effective statistical approach for building chemical groups.
Thymol is a natural volatile monoterpenoid phenol that is the main active ingredient of oil extracted from species Thymus vulgaris L., commonly known as thyme, and other plants such as Ocimum ...gratissimum L., Origanum L., Carum copticum L., different species of the genus Satureja L., Oliveria decumbens Vent, and many others. It is a versatile molecule with a wide variety of practical applications such as medical, dentistry, veterinary, food, and agrochemicals, among others. Its pharmacological applications have been the most investigated and reported, focusing on its prominent antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cicatrizing activities. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the research on its agricultural applications has increased, highlighting its uses as a natural agrochemical and preservative to safeguard foods from pathogenic microorganisms both in sowing and storage, which could have a beneficial effect on human health and the environment. Research has also been reported on its activity as an insecticide, acaricide, and animal repellent. This review summarizes important aspects of thymol such as its bioavailability, synthesis, and biological activities, with special interest in practical applications.
Polysaccharides obtained from macroalgae have promising prospects and could contribute greatly to the future of a marine based bio-economy. Specifically, laminarin and fucoidan from brown macroalgae ...have a wide variety of potential industrial applications including functional foods and nutraceuticals, due to their broad range of biological activities. These beneficial biological activities are related to the chemical composition and structure of the macroalgal polysaccharides. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and sulphate content of these polysaccharides could be influenced by both macroalgal biology (i.e. variations in polysaccharide composition due to macroalgae species and their biological cycle) and different extraction/purification techniques employed to obtain polysaccharide enriched products (i.e. de-sulphation or fragmentation of sulphated polysaccharides). This review focuses on the extraction and purification methods for the macroalgal polysaccharides laminarin and fucoidan used in the recent literature. The application of innovative extraction technologies (such as ultrasound, microwave and enzyme-assisted extractions), as well as new purification techniques (i.e. membrane separation), are also discussed together with the challenges concerning molecule structure-function relationship and macroalgal variability.
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•This review covers extraction-purification procedures of macroalgal polysaccharides.•The polysaccharides considered were fucoidan and laminarin from macroalgae.•Novel techniques included ultrasound, microwave, and enzyme-assisted extraction.•Purification techniques included chromatographic and membrane methods.
This review summarizes the current knowledge on lactones, a class of biologically active natural products isolated from a wide range of living organisms. Butenolide, 5,6-dihydropyran-2-one, and ...sesquiterpene lactones display an impressive variety of bioactivities and are the most abundant in nature. This paper provides a compilation of ring construction strategies for the synthesis of small, medium, and macrolactones and discusses their biological activities and industrial, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical applications.
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•This review summarizes the current knowledge on lactones.•Lactones display an impressive variety of bioactivities.•Simple, medium lactonic rings to macrolactones were stereoselectively synthesized.•Lactone family have received considerable attention from the scientific community.
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