Evaluation of the composition and quality of watermelon and mango juices fermented by Levilactobacillus brevis,Lacticaseibacillus casei and Pediococcus pentosaceus and subsequent simulated digestion and storage

This study evaluated the composition of watermelon and mango juices fermented by Levilactobacillus (L.) brevis, Lacticaseibacillus (La.) casei and Pediococcus (P.) pentosaceus and subsequently simulated in vitro digestion and storage (4°C for 35 days). After fermentation (24 h), the microorganisms grew (~9 log CFU mL⁻¹) and fermented watermelon (FWJ) and mango juice (FMJ) became more red and yellow, respectively. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) free radical scavenging capacities significantly increased in L. brevis and La. casei FMJ. After in vitro digestion, all the strains except La. casei in FMJ significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and P. pentosaceus survival was 2.4 and 4.5 times higher in FWJ and FMJ, respectively, than as pure culture. After storage, cell counts remained above 7 log CFU mL⁻¹, and no changes in quality attributes, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were recorded in P. pentosaceus FMJ. Thus, watermelon and mango are suitable matrices for lactic acid bacteria.     

Development of granular sludge for textile wastewater treatment

Microbial granular sludge that is capable to treat textile wastewater in a single reactor under intermittent anaerobic and aerobic conditions was developed in this study. The granules were cultivated using mixed sewage and textile mill sludge in combination with anaerobic granules collected from an anaerobic sludge blanket reactor as seed. The granules were developed in a single sequential batch reactor (SBR) system under alternating anaerobic and aerobic condition fed with synthetic textile wastewater. The characteristics of the microbial granular sludge were monitored throughout the study period. During this period, the average size of the granules increased from 0.02 ± 0.01 mm to 2.3 ± 1.0 mm and the average settling velocity increased from 9.9 ± 0.7 m h⁻¹ to 80 ± 8 m h⁻¹. This resulted in an increased biomass concentration (from 2.9 ± 0.8 g L⁻¹ to 7.3 ± 0.9 g L⁻¹) and mean cell residence time (from 1.4 days to 8.3 days). The strength of the granules, expressed as the integrity coefficient also improved. The sequential batch reactor system demonstrated good removal of COD and ammonia of 94% and 95%, respectively, at the end of the study. However, only 62% of color removal was observed. The findings of this study show that granular sludge could be developed in a single reactor with an intermittent anaerobic-aerobic reaction phase and is capable in treating the textile wastewater.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of lycopene from tomato juice and characterization of its antioxidation activity

A new method to extract lycopene from tomato juice using supercritical CO₂ as solvent and without the need to dry the raw material is presented. To conduct the extraction, the tomato juice was subjected to cycles of centrifugation followed by rinsing with absolute ethanol to partially remove the water present in the solid part of the juice. The influence of the temperature and pressure on the extraction efficiency and on the extract antioxidant activity was studied using a factorial experimental design. The extraction efficiency varied from 7.7% to 76.7% and only extraction temperature had a statically significant effect on the process. The reversed phase HPLC analysis showed that lycopene is the major compound of the extract. The extract that presented higher antioxidant activity was obtained at 40 °C and 350 bar with 12.7 mmol L⁻¹ Trolox/g of extract using the DPPH radical scavenging method and 61.3 mmol L⁻¹ Trolox/g of extract using the rubrene singlet oxygen quenching method.     

Array of Different Polyaniline-Based Sensors for Detection of Volatile Compounds in Gummy Candy

Aroma in foodstuff is considered an essential attribute since it is closely related to the consumer acceptance of foodstuffs. Electronic nose (e-nose) system is composed by an array of gas sensor and has emerged as a promising alternative for the aroma volatile compounds recognition. In this study, a lab-made e-nose system comprising of an array of different polyaniline-based sensors has been used for aroma discrimination (apple, strawberry, and grape) in gummy candy. The sensor array was comprised by interdigitated graphite electrodes, using tracing paper substrate and sensitive layer of polyaniline (Pani) obtained by in situ and interfacial synthesis deposited by the in situ adsorption polymerization of aniline and layer-by-layer (LbL) methods. The sensors were characterized in relation to humidity and the Pani-in situ/PSS LbL layer presenting the higher sensitivity, a quite interesting feature for its use as a gas sensor. It has been demonstrated that the lab-made e-nose has been highly efficient in the discrimination of different concentrations of aromas added to gummy candies with excellent sensitivity and a limit of detection in the range of parts-per-billion, so demonstrated the applicability in food matrices.     

The Influence of Process Parameters on the Properties of PLGA‐Microparticles Produced by the Emulsion Extraction Method

Controlled release poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microparticles for use as active pharmaceutical ingredient carriers were prepared by the emulsion extraction method. Particle formation experiments were carried out in a stirred vessel. The local flow conditions in these experiments, that is, local shear rates and dissipation rates, and the extraction rate of the organic solvent were examined by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The local flow conditions in the stirred tank reactor have a significant influence on the final properties, specific surface area, skeletal density, organic solvent content, and size of the microparticles. We determined nondimensional correlations for predicting these particle properties as functions of the process parameters as, for example, the stirrer speed, emulsion injection point, and oil droplet size in the initial emulsion. The results demonstrate that CFD simulations offer insight into the particle formation process for different batch sizes and provide a basis for scale‐up and optimization of the process. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1868–1881, 2013     

Applications of Ultrasound-Mediated Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy

Gene therapy has continuously evolved throughout the years since its first proposal to develop more specific and effective transfection, capable of treating a myriad of health conditions. Viral vectors are some of the most common and most efficient vehicles for gene transfer. However, the safe and effective delivery of gene therapy remains a major obstacle. Ultrasound contrast agents in the form of microbubbles have provided a unique solution to fulfill the need to shield the vectors from the host immune system and the need for site specific targeted therapy. Since the discovery of the biophysical and biological effects of microbubble sonification, multiple developments have been made to enhance its applicability in targeted drug delivery. The concurrent development of viral vectors and recent research on dual vector strategies have shown promising results. This review will explore the mechanisms and recent advancements in the knowledge of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles in targeting gene and drug therapy.     

Quality control of Toxoplasma gondii in meat packages: standardization of an ELISA test and its use for detection in rabbit meat cuts

Toxoplasma gondii causes severe disease both to man and livestock and its detection in meat after slaughtering requires PCR or biological tests. Meat packages contain retained exudate that could be used for serology due to its blood content. Similar studies reported false negative assays in those tests. We standardized an anti-T. gondii IgG ELISA in muscle juices from experimentally infected rabbits, with blood content determination by cyanhemoglobin spectrophotometry. IgG titers and immunoblotting profiles were similar in blood, serum or meat juice, after blood content correction. These assays were adequate regardless of the storage time up to 120 days or freeze-thaw cycles, without false negative results. We also found 1.35% (1/74) positive sample in commercial Brazilian rabbit meat cuts, by this assay. The blood content determination shows ELISA of meat juice may be useful for quality control for toxoplasmosis monitoring.     

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)-Derived Compounds in Intestinal Disorders

Intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colorectal cancer (CRC), are a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Epidemiological data have shown that IBD patients are at an increased risk for the development of CRC. IBD-associated cancer develops against a background of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and their products contribute to cancer development and progression. Therefore, the discovery of novel drugs for the treatment of intestinal diseases is urgently needed. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been largely used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. Licorice and its derived compounds possess antiallergic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. These pharmacological properties aid in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological potential of bioactive compounds derived from Licorice and addresses their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We also discuss how the mechanisms of action in these compounds can influence their effectiveness and lead to therapeutic effects on intestinal disorders.