Azorean macroalgae (Petalonia binghamiae,Halopteris scoparia and Osmundea pinnatifida) bioprospection: a study of fatty acid profiles and bioactivity

The Azorean macroalgae Petalonia binghamiae, Halopteris scoparia and Osmundea pinnatifida are undervalued and require further study regarding their potential use as food. These three seaweed species had low fat contents, and their fatty acid (FA) profiles were characterised by a high proportion of saturated FA (SFA) in the case of O. pinnatifida and similar weights of SFA and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) in the other two species. Within the PUFAs, the ω3 PUFAs were the most prominent in O. pinnatifida and P. binghamiae, yielding ω3/ω6 ratios that were higher than one. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 ω3) was the most important ω3 PUFA (10–14%). Regarding the other bioactive compounds, the polyphenols were found to reach non-negligible levels (140–220 mg/100 g dw). Significant antioxidant activity was detected. Ethanolic extracts of H. scoparia and aqueous extracts of P. binghamiae showed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory capacities between 40% and 79%, indicating anti-inflammatory activity.     

Effects of probiotic administration in swine

In the present work we evaluated the effects of probiotic strains administration in pigs. On the 35th day of age, 30 pigs were distributed into 2 groups: the non-treated control group (initial average BW: 8.3 ± 0.6 kg) and a probiotic supplemented fed group (initial average BW: 8.7 ± 0.4 kg). Each experimental group was fed ad libitum on a commercial diet with free access to tap water for 35 days. A mixed probiotic culture (10⁸ CFU/ml) was orally delivered, every day, to the animals of the probiotic supplemented fed group. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), efficiency (BW: Feed), and faecal microflora, were studied before and throughout the experimental trial. At the end of the fifth week, 5 animals of each dietary treatment were slaughtered and intestinal samples were taken for histology. The results obtained showed that the group receiving probiotic bacteria exhibited lower FI values and better efficiency than control group (P ≤ 0.05), but mean final BW values were not significantly different. Only significant changes (P ≤ 0.05) were found in enterobacteria population between control and probiotic supplemented fed group during the experimental period. By histological techniques it was observed that the treatment group has intestinal morphological structures more preserved than control group. These results suggest that probiotic bacteria administrated in this study could be used widespread as a way to improve growth performance parameters of animals avoiding the use of antibiotics as growth-promoting factors.     

Coexistence of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and phospholipase D activities in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes

DAG derived from phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) acts as a lipid second messenger. It can be generated by the activation of phospholipase D (PLD) and the phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase type 2 (PAP2) pathway or by a PtdCho-specific phospholipase C (PtdCho-PLC). Our purpose was to study PtdCho-PLC activity in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes (CC Syn). DAG production was highly stimulated by detergents such as Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate. Ethanol and tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthate potassium salt decreased DAG generation by 42 and 61%, respectively, at 20 min of incubation. These data demonstrate that both the PLD/PAP2 pathway and PtdCho-PLC contribute to DAG generation in CC Syn. PtdCho-PLC activity remained located mainly in the synaptosomal plasma membrane fraction. Kinetic studies showed K _m and V _max values of 350 μM and 3.7 nmol DAG × (mg protein × h)⁻¹, respectively. Western blot analysis with anti-PtdCho-PLC antibody showed a band of 66 KDa in CC Syn. Our results indicate the presence of a novel DAG-generating pathway in CC Syn in addition to the known PLD/PAP2 pathway.     

HPLC-DAD characterisation of phenolic compounds from Andean oca (Oxalis tuberosa Mol.) tubers and their contribution to the antioxidant capacity

A qualitative and quantitative characterisation of the main non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds from two different colored oca (Oxalis tuberosa Mol.) genotypes with potential antioxidant capacity was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Phenolic compounds were fractionated in two main fractions: an aqueous (Faq) and a ethyl acetate fraction (Fea). In addition, the contribution of these phenolic fractions to the antioxidant capacity was evaluated. The Faq revealed the presence of caffeic, vanillic and cinnamic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols and flavones derivatives, as the main non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds for both genotypes. Anthocyanins for the purple genotype were significantly present in this fraction. Acid hydrolysis revealed the presence of vanillic, caffeic and cinnamic acids and malvidin in Faq. The Fea was composed mainly of caffeic and cinnamic acid derivatives as well as flavan-3-ols, flavones and flavanone derivatives. Based on their UV–Vis spectral data the flavan-3-ols, flavones and flavanones detected in both fractions seem to correspond to bound forms of catechin, luteolin and apigenin and naringenin, respectively. The Faq fractions were the major contributors to the ABTS antioxidant capacity (77–82%). The results obtained in the present study suggest that oca tubers could potentially be considered beneficial for human health and for potential industrial applications.     

Gender related differences in kidney injury induced by mercury

The aim of this study was to determine if there are sex-related differences in the acute kidney injury induced by HgCl(2) since female rats express lower levels of renal Oat1 and Oat3 (transporters involved in renal uptake of mercury) as compared with males. Control males and females and Hg-treated male and female Wistar rats were employed. Animals were treated with HgCl(2) (4 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), intraperitoneal (i.p.)) 18 h before the experiments. HgCl(2) induced renal impairment both in male and female rats. However, female rats showed a lower renal impairment than male rats. The observed increase in kidney weight/body weight ratio seen in male and female rats following HgCl(2) treatment was less in the female rats. Urine volume and creatinine clearance decreased and Oat5 urinary excretion increased in both males and females, but to a lesser degree in the latter. Urinary alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and histological parameters were modified in male but not in female rats after HgCl(2) administration. These results indicate that the lower Oat1 and Oat3 expression in the kidney of females restricts Hg uptake into renal cells protecting them from this metal toxicity. These gender differences in renal injury induced by mercury are striking and also indicate that Oat1 and Oat3 are among the main transporters responsible for HgCl(2)-induced renal injury.     

Prebiotic effects of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl), a source of fructooligosaccharides and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity

Montepulciano is one of the most famous and important red-berried grapes of Italy. This article presents and discusses a comparative study of aroma profile and phenolic content of the Montepulciano wine from the Marches and the Abruzzo regions. The volatile composition of wines was determined by using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PDMS fibre was chosen. The dominating esters in Montepulciano wines were ethyl hexanoate, ethyl decanoate, and ethyl octanoate, whereas phenyl ethanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol were dominating alcohols.Phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, caffeic acid, trans-resveratrol, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, were examined using HPLC-MS with direct injection of wine samples. The total phenolic content of the analysed wines was in the range of 30.4-61.9 mg l⁻¹. The presence of high amounts of esters seems to characterise the volatiles of Montepulciano wines from the Marches, whereas a high level of alcohols was found in Montepulciano wines from Abruzzo. Moreover, multivariate chemometric techniques, such as cluster analysis and principal component analysis, supported this thesis. Headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyse 20 commercial wine samples (Montepulciano monovarietal red wines) from the Marches (10 samples) and Abruzzo (10 samples).     

Characterisation of phenolic compounds of Inca muña (Clinopodium bolivianum) leaves and the feasibility of their application to improve the oxidative stability of soybean oil during frying

Phenolic compounds from Inca muña leaves were, for the first time, qualitatively and quantitatively characterised. The main phenolic compounds encountered corresponded to flavanones, followed by flavones and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Fractionation of Inca muña phenolic compounds revealed an ethyl acetate fraction (EaF) rich in phenolics and antioxidant activity. This EaF proved to be an efficient source of natural antioxidants for use against soybean oil oxidation during frying. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed higher induction periods for 600 ppm of EaF compared to 200 ppm of TBHQ and a negative control (no antioxidant added). During frying at ∼180 °C, 600 ppm of EaF showed the highest efficacy against oil oxidation in terms of p-anisidine values, conjugated dienes and trienes and polar compounds compared to 200 ppm of TBHQ and negative control. This study provides strong evidence for the antioxidant potential of Inca muña EaF phenolics against soybean oil oxidation. It suggests the possibility of incorporating these natural antioxidants from Inca muña leaves for use by the food industry.     

Physico-chemical and toxicological assessment of liquid wastes from olive processing-related industries

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, agricultural uses of waste waters from olive processing‐related industries have been gaining interest mainly with a view to composting or bio‐fertilizers. The present work examines physico‐chemical, toxicological and geno‐toxicological properties of three liquid wastes, namely olive mill wastewater (OMWW), olive wet husk and olive brine. The effect of OMWW spreading on soil microbial activity and biomass was also evaluated. RESULTS: Data from Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa toxicity tests indicated high levels of lethality, and inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of all olive wastes. The genotoxicity assays using Allium cepa tests showed contrasting results. At high concentrations, olive wastes caused inhibition or suppression of mitosis. However, they did not produce induced anaphase aberrations. Data on reversion of Salmonella thyphimurium strains using the Ames test indicated that the olive wastes did not present mutagenic activity. Results from the field experiment showed that OMWW at a 500 m³ ha^?1 had the highest values of both soil microbial activity and biomass after 3 months of the amendment application. CONCLUSION: This work adds new data for environmental risk assessment of olive industrial wastes. Direct use of olive wastes for agricultural purposes should be limited owing to their possible chemotoxic, phytotoxic and antimicrobial effects. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Impact of feed supplementation with different omega-3 rich microalgae species on enrichment of eggs of laying hens

Four different omega-3 rich autotrophic microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Nannochloropsis oculata, Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella fusca, were supplemented to the diet of laying hens in order to increase the level of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) in egg yolk. The microalgae were supplemented in two doses: 125 mg and 250 mg extra n-3 PUFA per 100 g feed. Supplementing these microalgae resulted in increased but different n-3 LC-PUFA levels in egg yolk, mainly docosahexaenoic acid enrichment. Only supplementation of Chlorella gave rise to mainly α-linolenic acid enrichment. The highest efficiency of n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment was obtained by supplementation of Phaeodactylum and Isochrysis. Furthermore, yolk colour shifted from yellow to a more intense red colour with supplementation of Phaeodactylum, Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis, due to transfer of carotenoids from microalgae to eggs.