scholarly journals Development of Molecular Techniques for Studying the Metabolism of Carotenoids in Bixa orellana L.

HortScience ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 982-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Narváez ◽  
Patricia Flores-Pérez ◽  
Virginia Herrera-Valencia ◽  
Fernando Castillo ◽  
Roberto Ku-Cauich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Natural Pigment ◽  
Total Carotenoids ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Carotenoid Synthesis ◽  
Analytical Tools

The tropical plant Bixa orellana L. (annatto) is the sole source of bixin, the most frequently employed natural pigment in the food industry. Little is known about the physiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics of this crop. Our purpose was to establish a set of analytical tools that could be applied in the genetic improvement of B. orellana, particularly for the screening of characteristics such as bixin content and resistance to diseases or pests. Some preliminary results on the study of carotenoid synthesis are presented. In vitro cultures from several B. orellana tissues were established and DNA, RNA, and proteins were extracted from them and analyzed. Similarly, bixin and total carotenoids were quantified.

scholarly journals Isolation and functional characterization of two dioxygenasese putatively involved in bixin biosynthesis in annatto (Bixa orellana L.)

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Manuel Carballo-Uicab ◽  
Yair Cárdenas-Conejo ◽  
Alba Adriana Vallejo-Cardona ◽  
Margarita Aguilar-Espinosa ◽  
Jacobo Rodríguez-Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Bona Fide

Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) are enzymes that have been implicated in the biosynthesis of a wide diversity of secondary metabolites with important economic value, including bixin. Bixin is the second most used pigment in the world’s food industry worldwide, and its main source is the aril of achiote (Bixa orellana L.) seeds. A recent transcriptome analysis of B. orellana identified a new set of eight CCD members (BoCCD4s and BoCCD1s) potentially involved in bixin synthesis. We used several approaches in order to discriminate the best candidates with CCDs genes. A reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) expression analysis was carried out in five developmental stages of two accessions of B. orellana seeds with different bixin contents: (P13W, low bixin producer and N4P, high bixin producer). The results showed that three BoCCDs (BoCCD4-1, BoCCD4-3, and BoCCD1-1) had an expression pattern consistent with bixin accumulation during seed development. Additionally, an alignment of the CCD enzyme family and homology models of proteins were generated to verify whether the newly proposed CCD enzymes were bona fide CCDs. The study confirmed that these three enzymes were well-preserved and belonged to the CCD family. In a second selection round, the three CCD genes were analyzed by in situ RT-qPCR in seed tissue. Results indicated that BoCCD4-3 and BoCCD1-1 exhibited tissue-specific expressions in the seed aril. To test whether the two selected CCDs had enzymatic activity, they were expressed in Escherichia coli; activity was determined by identifying their products in the crude extract using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The cleavage product (bixin aldehyde) was also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared. The results indicated that both BoCCD4-3 and BoCCD1-1 cleave lycopene in vitro at 5,6-5′,6′.

scholarly journals Pediatric and Adolescent Oncofertility in Male Patients—From Alpha to Omega

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 701
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Bîcă ◽  
Ioan Sârbu ◽  
Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Male Survivors ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Survivors Of Childhood Cancer

This article reviews the latest information about preserving reproductive potential that can offer enhanced prospects for future conception in the pediatric male population with cancer, whose fertility is threatened because of the gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation. An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0–19 years will be diagnosed with cancer each year. Fertility is compromised in one-third of adult male survivors of childhood cancer. We present the latest approaches and techniques for fertility preservation, starting with fertility preservation counselling, a clinical practice guideline used around the world and finishing with recent advances in basic science and translational research. Improving strategies for the maturation of germ cells in vitro combined with new molecular techniques for gene editing could be the next scientific keystone to eradicate genetic diseases such as cancer related mutations in the offspring of cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Purification, structure and anti-oxidation of polysaccharides from the fruit of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.

RSC Advances ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (21) ◽  
pp. 11731-11743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baotang Zhao ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Xin Chen ◽  
Ji Zhang ◽  
Junlong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Natural Antioxidant ◽  
Nitraria Tangutorum ◽  
Good Potential

Antioxidant activity of NTWP-II, evaluated in vitro, indicates that NTWP-II has good potential as a natural antioxidant used in the food industry.

Application of nanomaterials in microbial-cell biosensor constructions

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Šefčovičová ◽  
Jan Tkac
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Rapid Detection ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microbial Cell ◽  
Direct Connection ◽  
Qualitative Detection ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
Cell Biosensor

AbstractMicrobial cell biosensors, where cells are in direct connection with a transducer enabling quantitative and qualitative detection of an analyte, are very promising analytical tools applied mainly for assays in the environmental field, food industry or biomedicine. Microbial cell biosensors are an excellent alternative to conventional analytical methods due to their specificity, rapid detection and low cost of analysis. Nowadays, nanomaterials are often used in the construction of biosensors to improve their sensitivity and stability. In this review, the combination of microbial and other individual cells with different nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, gold nanoparticles, etc.) for the construction of biosensors is described and their applications are provided as well.

scholarly journals Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis coinfection in dogs in Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
PANTELIS NTAIS ◽  
VASILIKI CHRISTODOULOU ◽  
EMMANOUIL DOKIANAKIS ◽  
MARIA ANTONIOU
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Immunological Methods ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Survival Potential ◽  
Knott’S Test

SUMMARYLeishmaniasis and dirofilariasis are parasitic diseases of humans and dogs, worldwide, and they are often found as coinfections in endemic areas. Cases of human and canine dirofilariasis have being reported in Greece and leishmaniasis is endemic in most prefectures in humans and dogs. In most cases, dirofilariasis is established by parasitological (the modified Knott's test) and/or immunological methods, whilst for leishmaniasis molecular techniques and culture are also used. During an epidemiological study in Greece, 22·1% of the 5772 dogs studied were found positive by serology forLeishmania.Blood cultures of 165 (12·94%) of these animals producedLeishmaniapromastigotes and 26 (2·03%)Dirofilariamicrofilariae (L1), whilst only in two (0·16%) bothLeishmaniaandDirofilariaL1 appeared. The aim was to assess coinfections by the two parasites in dogs in Greece, the isolation and survival ofDirofilariamicrofilariae andLeishmaniapromastigotes using clotted blood (a fast, simple and low-cost method) and the survival potential of the two parasites in coexistence,in vitro.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Biocides Used in the Modern Food Industry To Control Salmonella enterica, and Links between Biocide Tolerance and Resistance to Clinically Relevant Antimicrobial Compounds

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 3087-3097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla Condell ◽  
Carol Iversen ◽  
Shane Cooney ◽  
Karen A. Power ◽  
Ciara Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Cross Tolerance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Grade ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTBiocides play an essential role in limiting the spread of infectious disease. The food industry is dependent on these agents, and their increasing use is a matter for concern. Specifically, the emergence of bacteria demonstrating increased tolerance to biocides, coupled with the potential for the development of a phenotype of cross-resistance to clinically important antimicrobial compounds, needs to be assessed. In this study, we investigated the tolerance of a collection of susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR)Salmonella entericastrains to a panel of seven commercially available food-grade biocide formulations. We explored their abilities to adapt to these formulations and their active biocidal agents, i.e., triclosan, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, and benzalkonium chloride, after sequential rounds ofin vitroselection. Finally, cross-tolerance of different categories of biocidal formulations, their active agents, and the potential for coselection of resistance to clinically important antibiotics were investigated. Six of seven food-grade biocide formulations were bactericidal at their recommended working concentrations. All showed a reduced activity against both surface-dried and biofilm cultures. A stable phenotype of tolerance to biocide formulations could not be selected. Upon exposure ofSalmonellastrains to an active biocidal compound, a high-level of tolerance was selected for a number ofSalmonellaserotypes. No cross-tolerance to the different biocidal agents or food-grade biocide formulations was observed. Most tolerant isolates displayed changes in their patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds. Food industry biocides are effective against planktonicSalmonella. When exposed to sublethal concentrations of individual active biocidal agents, tolerant isolates may emerge. This emergence was associated with changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities.

scholarly journals Annatto Oil Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Potential New Treatment for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1912
Author(s):  
Marianna Araújo Ferreira ◽  
Renato Ferreira de Almeida Júnior ◽  
Thiago Souza Onofre ◽  
Bruna Renata Casadei ◽  
Kleber Juvenal Silva Farias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
3T3 Fibroblasts

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is extensively used as food pigment worldwide. Recently, several studies have found it to have healing and antioxidant properties, as well as effective action against leishmaniasis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to incorporate the oil obtained from annatto seeds into a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and biological activity against Leishmania major. Nanoparticles were prepared by the fusion-emulsification and ultrasonication method, with the components Synperonic™ PE (PL) as the surfactant, cetyl palmitate (CP) or myristyl myristate (MM) as solid lipids, annatto oil (AO) (2% and 4%, w/w) as liquid lipid and active ingredient, and ultra-pure water. Physicochemical and biological characterizations were carried out to describe the NLCs, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP) by dynamic light scattering (DLS), encapsulation efficiency (EE%), thermal behavior, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), cytotoxicity on BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts and immortalized human keratinocyte cells, and anti-leishmaniasis activity in vitro. Nanoparticles presented an average diameter of ~200 nm (confirmed by TEM results), a PDI of less than 0.30, ZP between −12.6 and −31.2 mV, and more than 50% of AO encapsulated in NLCs. Thermal analyses demonstrated that the systems were stable at high temperatures with a decrease in crystalline structure due to the presence of AOs (confirmed by XRD). In vitro, the anti-leishmania test displayed good activity in encapsulating AO against L. major. The results indicate that the oily fraction of Bixa orellana L. in NLC systems should be evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent against leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Antihypertensive and Antioxidant Activity of Chia Protein Techno-Functional Extensive Hydrolysates

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2297
Author(s):  
Alvaro Villanueva-Lazo ◽  
Sergio Montserrat-de la Paz ◽  
Noelia Maria Rodriguez-Martin ◽  
Francisco Millan ◽  
Cecilio Carrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Protein Isolate ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Intact Protein ◽  
Physicochemical Composition ◽  
Hydrolysis Degree ◽  
Antihypertensive Properties ◽  
Better Than

Twelve high-quality chia protein hydrolysates (CPHs) were produced from chia protein isolate (CPI) in a pilot plant of vegetable proteins. To obtain functional hydrolysate, four CPHs were hydrolyzed by the action of Alcalase, an endoprotease, and the other eight CPHs were hydrolyzed by the action of Flavourzyme, an exoprotease. Alcalase-obtained CPHs showed significant antihypertensive properties particularly, the CPH obtained after 15 min of hydrolysis with Alcalase (CPH15A), which showed a 36.2% hydrolysis degree. In addition, CPH15A increased the antioxidant capacity compared to CPI. The CPH15A physicochemical composition was characterized and compared to chia defatted flour (CDF) and CPI, and its techno-functional properties were determined by in vitro experiments through the analysis of its oil absorption capacity, as well as the capacity and stability of foaming and emulsifying, resulting in an emulsifier and stabilizer better than the intact protein. Therefore, the present study revealed that CPH15A has potent antihypertensive and antioxidant properties and can constitute an effective alternative to other plant protein ingredients sources that are being used in the food industry.

scholarly journals Betalains in Edible Fruits of Three Cactaceae Taxa—Epiphyllum, Hylocereus, and Opuntia—Their LC-MS/MS and FTIR Identification and Biological Activities Evaluation

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2669
Author(s):  
Michaela Barkociová ◽  
Jaroslav Tóth ◽  
Katarzyna Sutor ◽  
Natalia Drobnicka ◽  
Slawomir Wybraniec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Activity Assay ◽  
Natural Pigment ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Ft Ir

Epiphyllum, Hylocereus, and Opuntia plants belong to the Cactaceae family. They are mostly known as ornamental plants but also for their edible fruits, which can potentially be sources of betalains, such as betanin, a natural pigment used in the food industry, e.g., under the European label code E 162. The aim of this work was the identification of betalains (using LC-MS/MS), evaluation of total betalain content (spectrophotometrically), analysis of functional groups (using FT-IR), evaluation of antioxidant activity (using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, DCFH-DA, and reducing power methods) and evaluation of antimicrobial activity (S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans) in fruits of Epiphyllum, Hylocereus, and Opuntia taxa. A total of 20 betalains were identified in the studied Cactaceae fruits. The Epiphyllum pink hybrid had the highest values of total betalains amongst all samples. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the Epiphyllum pink hybrid, in Opuntia zacuapanensis and O. humifusa fruits. The antimicrobial activity assay showed that cacti fruits were not able to effectively inhibit the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, or C. albicans. Our results prove that these fruits are good sources of natural pigments—betalains. They do not contain toxic compounds in significant amounts and they exhibit antioxidant activity.

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