Effect of production season on protein fraction content in milk of various breeds of goats in Poland

Milk of various goat breeds was analysed to assess the effect of production season on content of basic chemical components, with regard to whey proteins. Milk of goats in the productive herds (white and coloured coat) contained significantly (P < 0.01) more total protein, casein, fat, dry matter and functional whey proteins. The production season significantly determined the content of total protein (P < 0.01), casein (P < 0.01) and whey proteins (P < 0.05), including α‐lactalbumin (P < 0.01) and lactoferrin (P < 0.01). A higher content of total protein and casein was found in the autumn–winter season and the content of whey proteins was higher in the spring–summer period.     

Short communication: Effect of commercial or depurinized milk diet on plasma advanced oxidation protein products,cardiovascular markers,and bone marrow CD34 stem cell potential in rat experimental hyperuricemia

Cardiovascular repair and myocardial contractility may be improved by migration of bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) and their delivery to the site of injury, a process known as BMSC homing. The aim of our study was to examine the dietary effect of a newly patented depurinized milk (DP) that is almost free of uric acid and purine and pyrimidine compounds compared with a standard commercial 1.5% fat UHT milk diet or allopurinol therapy in rat experimental hyperuricemia. Bone marrow stem cell potential (BMCD34⁺, CD34-postive bone marrow cells), plasma oxidative stress parameters [advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], myocardial damage markers [creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], plasma cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were investigated. The DP milk diet significantly increased the number of BMCD34⁺ stem cells compared with commercial UHT milk. Allopurinol given alone also increased the number of BMCD34⁺. Hyperuricemia caused a significant increase in all plasma enzyme markers for myocardial damage (CPK, LDH, and AST). A cardioprotective effect was achieved with allopurinol but almost equally with DP milk and more than with commercial milk. Regarding plasma AOPP, TBARS, and cholesterol levels, the most effective treatment was DP milk. In conclusion, the protective role of a milk diet on cardiovascular function may be enhanced through the new depurinized milk diet, which may improve cardiovascular system function via increased bone marrow stem cell regenerative potential, decreased plasma oxidative stress parameters, and decreased levels of myocardial damage markers and cholesterol. New dairy technology strategies focused on eliminating harmful milk compounds should be completely nontoxic. Novel milk products should be tested for their ability to improve tissue repair and function.     

Additive Interactions between Betulinic Acid and Two Taxanes in In Vitro Tests against Four Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines

The incidence of melanoma is steadily increasing worldwide. Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, and new therapeutic methods are being sought. Our research aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of betulinic acid in vitro, used alone and in combination with taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel) in four melanoma cell lines. Isobolographic analysis allowed us to assess the interactions between these compounds. Betulinic acid had no cytotoxic effect on normal human keratinocyte HaCaT cells; the amount of LDH released by them was significantly lower compared to melanoma cell lines. The present study shows that betulinic acid significantly inhibits the growth of melanoma cell lines in vitro. The IC50 values of betulinic acid ranged from 2.21 µM to 15.94 µM against the four melanoma lines. Co-treatment of betulinic acid with paclitaxel or docetaxel generated desirable drug–drug interactions, such as an additive and additive with a tendency to synergy interactions.     

Novel Cold-Adapted Recombinant Laccase KbLcc1 from Kabatiella bupleuri G3 IBMiP as a Green Catalyst in Biotransformation

Cold-adapted enzymes are useful tools in the organic syntheses conducted in mixed aqueous-organic or non-aqueous solvents due to their molecular flexibility that stabilizes the proteins in low water activity environments. A novel psychrophilic laccase gene from Kabatiella bupleuri, G3 IBMiP, was spliced by Overlap-Extension PCR (OE-PCR) and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Purified recombinant KbLcc1 laccase has an optimal temperature of 30 °C and pH of 3.5, 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0 in the reaction with 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), guaiacol, sinapic acid, and syringaldazine, respectively. Moreover, laccase KbLcc1 is highly thermolabile, as it loses 40% of activity after 30 min at 40 °C and is inactivated at 50 °C after the same period of incubation. The new enzyme remained active with 1 mM of Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ and with 2 mM of Co²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, but Fe²⁺ greatly inhibited the laccase activity. Moreover, 1% ethanol had no impact on KbLcc1, although acetone and ethyl acetate decreased the laccase activity. The presence of hexane (40%, v/v) caused a 58% increase in activity. Laccase KbLcc1 could be applied in the decolorization of synthetic dyes and in the biotransformation of ferulic acid to vanillin. After 5 days of reaction at 20 °C, pH 3.5, with 1 mM ABTS as a mediator, the vanillin concentration was 21.9 mg/L and the molar yield of transformation reached 14.39%.     

Thermal Properties of Raw Hemp Fiber as a Loose-Fill Insulation Material

The article presents the possibilities of using hemp fiber as a loose-fill insulation material. The article presents the results of research concerning raw hemp fiber obtained from the Polish crop of industrial hemp of Bia?obrzeskie variety. The analysis involved evaluation of thermal conductivity in function of bulk density and air permeability, the properties important for insulation materials. The results of laboratory investigation were used to create the numerical simulation models of heat transfer in the frame wall partitions filled with hemp fibers. The study showed that with the increase of bulk density, the thermal conductivity and air permeability of material decrease. The obtained lambda values are comparable with the characteristic values for conventional thermal insulation materials. The results of heat transfer and temperature distribution reveal that hemp fibers characterize with strongly air permeance, what affects on the need for additional barriers against air filtration.