Effect of Egg Yolk and Egg Yolk + Salt on Rheological Properties and Particle Size Distribution of Model Oil-in- Water Salad Dressing Emulsions

The role of egg yolk and egg yolk + salt in stabilizing oil-in-water (o/w) salad dressing emulsions pre-stabilized with xanthan and propylene glycol alginate was studied using creep tests, steady shear, and particle size analysis. Results show that each combination significantly affects rheological stability of model o/w salad dressing emulsions. All emulsions exhibited viscoelasticity and wcrc characterized by three parameters: η₁, E₁ and η_N. Steady shear measurements showed that both egg yolk and salt increased viscosity radically. Particle size data showed significant changes with both addition of egg yolk and salt to the model system.     

Impact of chitosan-based nanocarriers on cytoskeleton dynamics: Current status and challenges

Chitosan-based nanocarriers (CS-NCs) show a promising role in improving drugs and bioactive compounds delivery for therapy. However, the effects exerted by CS-NCs at the cellular level, including their recognition and uptake, have not been fully investigated yet. Many factors, including size, shape, concentration, and surface chemistry of CS-NCs, play an important role in determining the types of intracellular signals triggered. The mechanism of uptake and the involvement of the cytoskeleton during the CS-NCs endocytosis variates among the different cell types as well as further effects observed inside cells. In the present work, we discuss the effects induced by CS-NCs per se on the cytoskeleton, a key component in cell architecture and physiology. The focus of this report is made on tumoral and normal biological models in which CS-NCs could differentially affect the cell cytoskeleton. The recent years reports regarding the impact of CS-NCs on cytoskeleton dynamics and the current techniques for its evaluation are summarized and discussed. Understanding mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal impact after cell exposure to CS-NCs is critical for the design of safest value-added formulations in the biomedical field. Furthermore, this revision points out some interesting aspects of cytoskeletal changes and cell death encompassing anti-tumoral effects.     

The peptide fraction of <i>Bothrops jararaca</i> snake venom induces toxicological effects on the male reproductive system after local envenomation in mice

Bothrops envenomation is complex and provokes prominent local tissue damage and systemic disturbances, but little is known about their effects on the male reproductive system. After intratesticular injection, the bioactive peptide fraction (Bj-PF) obtained from Bothrops jararaca snake venom changes the structure of different stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in adult mice. For the first time, we investigated whether local envenomation of Bj-PF induces toxicological effects on the male reproductive system, particularly on the seminiferous epithelium and Sertoli cells. Male adult mice were treated with 0.24 mg.kg⁻¹ by intramuscular (i.m.) injection for 24 h. The testes samples were collected for morphological and morphometric evaluation. The toxicological effects of Bj-PF were also analyzed on mitochondrial metabolism and nitrite (NO₂) production in 15P-1 Sertoli cell culture. Bj-PF changed the structure and function of the seminiferous epithelium, particularly the disruption of the epithelium and the presence of degenerated germ cells in the adluminal compartment, but there were no alterations in the basal compartment. Bj-PF increased the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium and decreased the lumen diameter of the tubule. Semiquantitative histological assessment of the degree of tubule degeneration revealed that Bj-PF also increased the number of hypospermatogenic tubules compared to control. Bj-PF reduced NO₂ levels in 15P-1 Sertoli cells without changing the mitochondrial metabolism. Overall, the fact that Bj-PF alters the structure and function of the seminiferous epithelium suggests that bioactive peptides found in B. jararaca snake venom can have toxicological effects on the reproductive systems of affected male mice, providing new insight into the biological characteristics of snake venom and therapeutic strategies for envenomation inflammation.     

THE COMPOSITION OF TWO SPANISH PEPPER VARIETIES (FRESNO DE LA VEGA AND BENAVENTE‐LOS VALLES) IN DIFFERENT RIPENING STAGES

ABSTRACT

The chemical composition of two traditional varieties of Spanish peppers, “Fresno de la Vega” and “Benavente‐Los Valles” harvested in the provinces of León and Zamora, respectively, at different ripening stages (green mature, breaker and red) were evaluated. Herein we report the global composition, mineral and trace element contents, and the most relevant physicochemical parameters of each variety of pepper collected in 2 consecutive years. Both pepper varieties showed a similar chemical composition, except in vitamin C content, which resulted to be about 70% higher in Fresno de la Vega peppers. Red ripe fruits were high in total carbohydrates, fructose, glucose, sucrose, fat (64.5, 29.14, 25.57, 2.94, 1.79/100 g dry weight, respectively) and total soluble solids (6.83°Brix). Ascorbic acid content also increased progressively during ripening, reaching a mean value of 1.81 mg/100 g dry weight for Fresno de la Vega peppers. Potassium was the most abundant of the analyzed elements in the all samples, followed by phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and sodium. The order of the levels of the trace elements was iron > manganese > zinc > copper.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This report underscores the potential value of two traditional varieties of Spanish peppers and provides information on their composition during ripening to decide the proper harvesting time, which can be useful in the food industry.