Long-term high-fat dietary intake plays a crucial role in the composition of gut microbiota in animal models and human subjects, which affect directly short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and ...host health. This review aims to highlight the interplay of fatty acid (FA) intake and gut microbiota composition and its interaction with hosts in health promotion and obesity prevention and its related metabolic dysbiosis. The abundance of the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, as Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria species are associated with increased SCFA production, reported high-fat diet rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as low-fat diets rich in long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). SCFAs play a key role in health promotion and prevention and, reduction and reversion of metabolic syndromes in the host. Furthermore, in this review, we discussed the type of fatty acids and their amount, including the administration time and their interplay with gut microbiota and its results about health or several metabolic dysbioses undergone by hosts.
The photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles to degrade metoprolol (MET) has been investigated. The materials were synthesized via sol-gel method and characterized using different ...techniques. All materials revealed the formation of anatase phase, with a band gap energy close to 3.12 eV, which suggests that the N doping did not cause substantial variations as compared to pure TiO2. However, the TiO2-5%N photocatalyst exhibited a reduction in nanoparticle size and a surface area 0.4-fold larger than undoped TiO2. The influence of pH, catalyst concentration, and doping percentage was investigated through a Box-Behnken experimental design. Under the best conditions (0.5 g L−1 of TiO2-5%N, solution pH 6.0), 98% MET degradation and 42% mineralization could be achieved, and the process by-products were non-toxic to Artemia salina.
Display omitted
•Nitrogen doping promoted the formation of oxygen and Ti3+ surface defects in TiO2.•The system exhibited enhanced removal of refractory organic pollutants.•A Box-Behnken factorial design was employed as a statistical tool for metoprolol degradation.•Toxicity assessments with Artemia salina showed a satisfactory response to secondary effluent treatment enriched with MET.
Urea is a compound widely used as a feed additive for ruminants; however, when used profusely, it can lead animals to intoxication. Another factor that affects the effectiveness of urea is the lack ...of synchronization between the nitrogen and the availability of carbohydrates, necessary for better development of the ruminal microbiota. In order to circumvent these problems and improve the efficiency in urea use, the present study developed two new nutritional additives (F16 and F17) with different carbohydrate sources. One of the products developed (F16) used sugarcane molasses as a carbohydrate source, while the other (F17) used cassava starch. In addition to the carbohydrate source, both products contained the same amounts of urea, sulfur, calcium carbonate and were coated with carnauba wax. The supplements developed and two other commercial products based on extruded urea (UE) and polymer-coated urea (UP) were tested for solubility and cumulative gas production. The wax used in the coating process of the developed products (F16 and F17) proved to be efficient in reducing the solubility of the ingredients used. During chemical composition analysis it was verified that both supplements developed contained protein equivalent above 150% of crude protein. The cumulative gas production showed a higher production related to the product F17 (p < 0.05). Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was found the chemical integrity of the ingredients that make up the supplements developed. Therefore, is possible to reduce the solubility of urea using carnauba wax as a coating material. The formula with cassava starch associated with urea (F17) had a better synchronization during the degradation of its ingredients.
Abstract
Our hypothesis was that extrusion of urea associated with corn may reduce N solubilization and increase the nutritional quality of this food for ruminants. We aimed to physically and ...chemically characterize a corn and urea mixture before and after the extrusion process. It was evaluated morphological differences by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen solubilization, and compound mass loss by thermogravimetry. In scanning electron microscopy, extruded urea showed agglomerated and defined structures, with changes in the morphology of starch granules and urea crystals, differing from the arrangement of the corn and urea mixture. The extruded urea maintained a constant nitrogen release pattern for up to 360 min. In thermogravimetry, extruded urea presented a higher temperature to initiate mass loss, that is, the disappearance of the material with increasing temperature, but the mass loss was lower when compared to the first event of the corn and urea mixture. In conclusion the process of extrusion of urea with corn modifies the original structures of these ingredients and controls the release of nitrogen from the urea, maintaining in its formation an energy source optimizing the use of nitrogen by ruminal bacteria, because the more synchronized the release of starch (energy) and nitrogen, the better the use by ruminal microorganisms.
Recent studies have demonstrated the association of mercury (Hg) with some fish proteins, milk, and hair from individuals exposed to the element in the Amazon. However, few studies involve ...identifying biomarkers of mercury exposure. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of Hg exposure in fish. For this, the muscular tissues of two species of fish (
Prochilodus lineatus
and
Mylossoma duriventre
) that feed the Amazonian human population were analyzed. Through the analyses obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), it was possible to identify four protein SPOTS where mercury was present. These SPOTS, identified by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), included parvalbumin and ubiquitin-40S ribosomal protein S27a, and these being metalloproteins with biomarker characteristics. In addition, the results show the intense Hg/protein ratio observed in the two proteins, which makes metalloproteins strong candidates for biomarkers of mercury exposure.
Graphical Abstract
We developed and validated a stability-indicating assay method for the simultaneous determination of enrofloxacin and piroxicam in combination and in the presence of degradation products. ...Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were carried out on a Vertisep C18 column and acetonitrile-water (48:52 v/v, pH 3.0) mobile phase with a 1.00 mL min−1 flow rate. The efficient chromatographic separation of these drugs and their forced degradation products was achieved in less than 5min with a peak purity match factor higher than 950. The method used showed linearity in the concentration ranges of 0.25 to 16.0 µg mL−1 for enrofloxacin (r = 0.9997) and 0.125 to 8.0 µg mL−1 for piroxicam (r = 0.9999) as well as precision (relative standard deviation lower than 2%), accuracy (mean recovery 100 ± 2%), and robustness, according to ICH (International Conference on Harmonization) and AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) guidelines. This method can simultaneously determine the combination of these drugs in a veterinary formulation and separate the drug peaks from their forced degradation products. Additionally, its optimized chromatographic conditions can contribute to the quality control of this formulation in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and minimize waste from the organic solvent.
The aim of this work is to show the potential of guava seeds (agro-industrial waste) for obtaining pyrolytic sugar like levoglucosan by fast pyrolysis. Firstly, guava seeds were ground to 30 mesh and ...then subjected to fast pyrolysis in a pyro-probe reactor coupled to GC/MS at temperatures of 350–600 °C. Thus, in addition to the production of levoglucosan, it was possible to verify the formation profiles of different compounds derived from cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin which may also add value to biomass or be undesirable in the extraction and purification stages of these sugars. Simultaneously, the seeds were subjected to a treatment with acetic acid to leach alkali and alkaline earth metals and to increase the formation of levoglucosan, achieving a yield at 550 ºC after acid washing that was around 14 times higher than that obtained with untreated biomass. These results can be attributed not only to the reduction in K, Mg and Ca but also to the partial removal of fractions of hemicellulose and lignin during the biomass acid washing, thus resulting in a higher cellulose content in the treated biomass. In fact, TG/DTG analyses confirmed that the treated biomass is more thermally stable and that there was a reduction in residual biochar from 23 to 19%, thereby having more cellulose available for levoglucosan formation. The results of this study can contribute to the production of renewable fuels from alternative feedstocks and at the same time add value to the agribusiness of commercialization and processing of guava.
The fruit of
Cambess. is a source of oil with active compounds that are protective to the organism. In our work, we analyzed the physicochemical characteristics and evaluated the effects of ...supplementation with
oil in an animal model. We characterized the oil by indices of quality and identity, optical techniques of absorption spectroscopy in the UV-Vis region and fluorescence, and thermogravimetry/derived thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). For the animal experiment, we utilized mice (
) supplemented with lipidic source in different dosages. The results demonstrated that
oil is an alternative source for human consumption and presents excellent oxidative stability. Primarily, it exhibited oleic MFA (53.56%) and palmitic SFA (37.78%). The oil level of tocopherols and tocotrienols was superior to the carotenoids. The supplementation with
oil reduced the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c, and non-HDL-c. Regarding visceral fats and adiposity index, the treatment synergically supplemented with olive oil and
oil (OO + CO) obtained the best result. Therefore,
oil is a high quality product for consumption. Its supplementation promotes beneficial effects mainly on the lipidic profile.
Different fatty acid proportions produce potential inflammatory and metabolic changes in organisms. However, the evidence for how each fatty acid mediates the metabolic pathway, and its lipid ...stability remains controversial. To resolve this controversy, the present study investigated the metabolic effects of cold-pressed linseed (LG), coconut (CG), and baru (BG) oils in comparison to those of soybean oil (SG) in mice, in terms of their oil characterization and stability. The quality analysis showed less oxidative behavior among PUFA-rich oils (SO, BO, and LO, with induction periods lower than 2 h compared to 39.8 h for CG), besides the high contents of tocopherols and carotenoids in SG and LG. In the experimental study, CG presented higher triglyceride (257.93 ± 72.30) and VLDL-cholesterol levels (51.59 ± 14.46, p < 0.05), while LG reduced LDL levels (59.29 ± 7.56, p < 0.05) when compared to SG (183.14 ± 22.06, 36.63 ± 4.41 and 131.63 ± 29.0, respectively). For visceral fats, the adiposity index was lower for BG (7.32 ± 3.13) and CG (9.58 ± 1.02, p < 0.05) in relation to SG (12.53 ± 2.80), and for leukocyte recruitment, CG presented lower polymorphonuclear (PMN) (p < 0.0001) and mononuclear (MN) (p < 0.05) cell infiltration, demonstrating anti-inflammatory potential. In NMR-based metabolomics, although CG presented higher values for the glucose, lactate, and LDL/VLDL ratio, this group also evidenced high levels of choline, a lipotropic metabolite. Our study emphasized the controversies of saturated fatty acids, which impair serum lipids, while alfa-linolenic acid presented cardioprotective effects. However, coconut oil also has a positive immunomodulatory pathway and was found to reduce visceral bodyfat in mice. Therefore, for future applications, we suggest a combination of lauric and al-fa-linolenic acid sources, which are present in coconut and linseed oil, respectively. This combination could be less obesogenic and inflammatory and exert cardioprotective action.
PDF
