Evaluation of natural and synthetic compounds according to their antioxidant activity using a multivariate approach

The antioxidant activity of natural and synthetic compounds was evaluated using five in vitro methods: ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydradzyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), oxidation of an aqueous dispersion of linoleic acid accelerated by azo‐initiators (LAOX), and oxidation of a meat homogenate submitted to a thermal treatment (TBARS). All results were expressed as Trolox equivalents. The application of multivariate statistical techniques suggested that the phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, carnosic acid, genistein and resveratrol), beyond their high antioxidant activity measured by the DPPH, FRAP and TBARS methods, showed the highest ability to react with the radicals in the ORAC methodology, compared to the other compounds evaluated in this study (ascorbic acid, erythorbate, tocopherol, BHT, Trolox, tryptophan, citric acid, EDTA, glutathione, lecithin, methionine and tyrosine). This property was significantly correlated with the number of phenolic rings and catecholic structure present in the molecule. Based on a multivariate analysis, it is possible to select compounds from different clusters and explore their antioxidant activity interactions in food products.     

Programmed Cell Death in the Small Intestine: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease

The small intestine has a high rate of cell turnover under homeostatic conditions, and this increases further in response to infection or damage. Epithelial cells mostly die by apoptosis, but recent studies indicate that this may also involve pro-inflammatory pathways of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis and necroptosis. Celiac disease (CD), the most prevalent immune-based enteropathy, is caused by loss of oral tolerance to peptides derived from wheat, rye, and barley in genetically predisposed individuals. Although cytotoxic cells and gluten-specific CD4⁺ Th1 cells are the central players in the pathology, inflammatory pathways induced by cell death may participate in driving and sustaining the disease through the release of alarmins. In this review, we summarize the recent literature addressing the role of programmed cell death pathways in the small intestine, describing how these mechanisms may contribute to CD and discussing their potential implications.     

Assessment of the Physicochemical Properties and Oxidative Stability of Kernel Fruit Oil from the Acrocomia totai Palm Tree

This study investigated the effects of variations in oil contents and fatty-acid composition, density, viscosity, acid values, saponification values, specific oxidative stability, and antioxidant concentration of Acrocomia totai kernel oil during fruit maturation. Fatty acids were quantified using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatograph-flame-ionization detector (GC-FID), and Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy analyses. The results showed that all physicochemical characteristics and oil composition changed during the ripening stage. The CG-FID analysis showed a reduction in the unsaturated fatty-acid content (from 78.8% to 22.1%), with a proportional increase in the saturated fatty-acid contents (from 21.6% to 77.9%). The difference in the fatty-acid composition was confirmed by analysis of the ¹H NMR and FT-Raman spectra. The degree of unsaturation was calculated to determine the oxidative stability of oil. These results suggest that the fruit's maturation contributes to the specific oxidative stability. The antioxidant concentration revealed higher contents of carotenoids in the ripe fruit (0.16 mg of carotenoid per 100 g_KERNEL) when compared to the unripe fruit (0.05 mg of carotenoid per 100 g_KERNEL). In the total phenolics analysis, there was no change in concentration over ripening time. These results show that kernel oil has physicochemical properties comparable with high-quality commercial vegetable oils, suggesting that it is a promising alternative to conventional vegetable oils.     

Estimation of physical and mechanical properties of agro-based particleboards by near infrared spectroscopy

Partial least square regression (PLS-R) calibrations based on near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic data were developed in order to predict mechanical and physical properties of agro-based particleboards. The panels were manufactured using Eucalyptus and Pinus wood particles and sugar cane bagasse. The following panel properties were evaluated according to standard methods: modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) strength, water absorption (WA24H), and thickness swelling (TS24H) after 24 hours of immersion. NIR spectra information was measured on samples cut from each particleboard and correlated with their physical and mechanical properties by PLS-R to build predictive NIR models. The NIR models for IB, WA24H and TS24H presented satisfactory coefficient of determination (0.73; 0.72 and 0.75, respectively.) The key role of resins (adhesives), cellulose, and lignin for NIRS calibrations of mechanical and physical properties of the particleboards is shown. These models can be useful to quickly verify such properties in unknown agro-based particleboards.     

Influence of temperature,calcium and sucrose concentration on viscoelastic properties of Prosopis chilensis seed gum and nopal mucilage dispersions

Viscoelastic properties of two nontraditional hydrocolloid dispersions were evaluated. Prosopis chilensis seed gum was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and added CaCl₂ (0.07%), whereas nopal mucilage was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and sucrose concentration (0–20%). Viscoelasticity was tested by the small strain oscillatory shear test; storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and tan δ were reported. Prosopis chilensis and nopal dispersions behaved as weak gels (G’ > G’’) regardless of experimental condition. Raising temperature from 20 to 80 °C significantly increased G’. The gel structure was strengthened by adding CaCl₂ and G’ increased at 40 °C. The sucrose effect depended on concentration and temperature; at low sucrose concentrations, G’ modulus increased regardless of temperature level, but at high concentrations, it decreased at temperatures >40 °C. In conclusion, nopal and Prosopis chilensis dispersions show weak gel structure regardless of experimental condition. G′ increases as temperature increases, and these dispersions could be suitable for food applications requiring heat tolerance.     

Synthesis and Properties of New Cleavable Cationic Surfactants Containing Carbonate Groups

A novel series of cleavable alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants with different hydrocarbon chain lengths (C8–16) were synthesized. A carbonate break site inserted between the polar head and the hydrocarbon chain makes these compounds hydrolyzable. The reagents used are renewable, (bio)degradable, or reusable. The hydrolysis of these cleavable surfactants will lead to the generation of fatty alcohols and choline, which is an essential biological nutrient. The surface activities in aqueous solution of the synthesized carbonates fulfill the requirement of being good surfactants. In addition, the cleavable compounds containing n-decyl and n-dodecyl chains showed similar or higher antimicrobial activities when compared to a non-cleavable analog.     

A Potent,Selective CBX2 Chromodomain Ligand and Its Cellular Activity During Prostate Cancer Neuroendocrine Differentiation

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic regulators that facilitate both embryonic development and cancer progression. PcG proteins form Polycomb repressive complexes 1 and 2 (PRC1 and PRC2). PRC2 trimethylates histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3), a histone mark recognized by the N-terminal chromodomain (ChD) of the CBX subunit of canonical PRC1. There are five PcG CBX paralogs in humans. CBX2 in particular is upregulated in a variety of cancers, particularly in advanced prostate cancers. Using CBX2 inhibitors to understand and target CBX2 in prostate cancer is highly desirable; however, high structural similarity among the CBX ChDs has been challenging for developing selective CBX ChD inhibitors. Here, we utilize selections of focused DNA encoded libraries (DELs) for the discovery of a selective CBX2 chromodomain probe, SW2_152F. SW2_152F binds to CBX2 ChD with a K_d of 80 nM and displays 24-1000-fold selectivity for CBX2 ChD over other CBX paralogs in vitro. SW2_152F is cell permeable, selectively inhibits CBX2 chromatin binding in cells, and blocks neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cell lines in response to androgen deprivation.