Power Ultrasound-Assisted Impregnation of Apple Cubes with Vitamin B12

This work explores the use of ultrasound (US) as a means of intensifying the impregnation of apple cubes with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). The effect of different US power densities (90 and 200 WL−1) and treatment times (5, 10, and 15 min) was evaluated, on vitamin load, vitamin stability, and physicochemical and microstructural properties of the fruit matrix. The US enhanced the impregnation producing high cyanocobalamin content products (0.12–0.19 mg vitamin/g db.). Vitamin losses in the sonication medium due to US application were not significant. Impregnated samples exhibited higher moisture and lower soluble solids with respect to the untreated fruit. Changes in chromatic coordinates were well correlated to vitamin uptake. Only at the highest treatment intensities (200 WL−1, 10, and 15 min) was a marked softening observed, which agreed with the microstructural changes observed in fruit tissues. Results permit US-assisted impregnation to be considered a promising technology in the preparation of vitamin B12 fortified apple cubes.

Targeting the energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters: identification of new tool compounds

The energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in the uptake of vitamins in a wide range of bacteria. Inhibition of the activity of these proteins could reduce the viability of pathogens that depend on vitamin uptake. Their central role in the metabolism of bacteria and absence in humans make the ECF transporters a potential antibacterial target, which can be further investigated making use of a selective chemical probe. Here, we report on the virtual screening, design, synthesis, structure–activity relationships (SARs) and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of the first class of inhibitors of the ECF transporters. We investigated the mechanism of action of this chemical class and profiled the best hit compounds regarding their pharmaceutical properties. The optimized hit has a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2 µg/mL against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which opens up the possibility to use this chemical class to investigate the role of the ECF transporters in health and disease.

Microbial plankton community structure and function responses to vitamin B12 and B1 amendments in an upwelling system

B vitamins are essential cofactors for practically all living organisms on Earth that are produced by a selection of microorganisms. An imbalance between high demand and limited production, in concert with abiotic processes, may explain the low availability of these vitamins in marine systems. Natural microbial communities from surface shelf water in the productive area off NW Spain were enclosed in mesocosms in winter, spring and summer 2016. In order to explore the impact of B-vitamin availability on microbial community composition (16S and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis) and bacterial function (metatranscriptomics analysis) in different seasons, enrichment experiments were conducted with seawater from the mesocosms. Our findings revealed that significant increases in phytoplankton or prokaryote biomass associated with B12 and/or B1 amendments were not accompanied by significant changes in community composition, suggesting that most of the microbial taxa benefited from the external B-vitamin supply. Metatranscriptome analysis suggested that many bacteria were potential consumers of B12 and B1 vitamins, although the relative abundance of reads related to synthesis was ca. 3.6-fold higher than that related to uptake. Alteromonadales and Oceanospirillales accounted for important portions of B1 and B12 vitamin synthesis gene transcription, despite accounting for only minor portions of the bacterial community. Flavobacteriales appeared to be mostly involved in B12 and B1 vitamin uptake and Pelagibacterales expressed genes involved in B1 vitamin uptake. Interestingly, the relative expression of B12 and B1 vitamin synthesis genes among bacteria strongly increased upon inorganic nutrient amendments. Collectively, these findings suggest that upwelling events intermittently occurring during spring and summer in productive ecosystems may ensure an adequate production of these cofactors to sustain high levels of phytoplankton growth and biomass. Importance Section B-vitamins are essential growth factors for practically all living organisms on Earth that are produced by a selection of microorganisms. An imbalance between high-demand and limited-production may explain the low concentration of these compounds in marine systems. In order to explore the impact of B-vitamin availability on bacteria and algae in the coastal waters off NW Spain, six experiments were conducted with natural surface water enclosed in winter, spring and summer. Our findings revealed that increases in phytoplankton or bacteria growth associated with B12 and/or B1 amendments were not accompanied by significant changes in community composition, suggesting that most microorganisms benefited from the B-vitamin supply. Our analyses confirmed the role of many bacteria as consumers of B12 and B1 vitamins, although the relative abundance of genes related to synthesis was ca. 3.6-fold higher than that related to uptake.Interestingly, prokaryote expression of B12 and B1-synthesis genes strongly increased when inorganic nutrient were added. Collectively, these findings suggest that upwelling of cold and nutrient-rich waters occurring during spring and summer in this cooastal area may ensure an adequate production of B vitamins to sustain high levels of algae growth and biomass.

Discovery of Antibacterial Agents Inhibiting the Energy-Coupling Factor (ECF) Transporters by Structure-Based Virtual Screening

Here, we report on the virtual screening, design, synthesis and structure–activity relationships (SARs) of the first class of selective, antibacterial agents against the energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters. The ECF transporters are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in the uptake of vitamins in a wide range of bacteria. Inhibition of the activity of these proteins could reduce the viability of pathogens that depend on vitamin uptake. Because of their central role in the metabolism of bacteria and their absence in humans, ECF transporters are novel potential antimicrobial targets to tackle infection. The hit compound’s metabolic and plasma stability, the potency (20, MIC Streptococcus pneumoniae = 2 µg/mL), the absence of cytotoxicity and a lack of resistance development under the conditions tested here suggest that this scaffold may represent a promising starting point for the development of novel antimicrobial agents with an unprecedented mechanism of action.<br>

Discovery of Antibacterial Agents Inhibiting the Energy-Coupling Factor (ECF) Transporters by Structure-Based Virtual Screening

Here, we report on the virtual screening, design, synthesis and structure–activity relationships (SARs) of the first class of selective, antibacterial agents against the energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters. The ECF transporters are a family of transmembrane proteins involved in the uptake of vitamins in a wide range of bacteria. Inhibition of the activity of these proteins could reduce the viability of pathogens that depend on vitamin uptake. Because of their central role in the metabolism of bacteria and their absence in humans, ECF transporters are novel potential antimicrobial targets to tackle infection. The hit compound’s metabolic and plasma stability, the potency (20, MIC Streptococcus pneumoniae = 2 µg/mL), the absence of cytotoxicity and a lack of resistance development under the conditions tested here suggest that this scaffold may represent a promising starting point for the development of novel antimicrobial agents with an unprecedented mechanism of action.<br>

Identification and targeted management of a neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic mutations in SLC5A6

We describe a sibling pair displaying an early infantile-onset, progressive neurodegenerative phenotype, with symptoms of developmental delay and epileptic encephalopathy developing from 12 to 14 months of age. Using whole exome sequencing, compound heterozygous variants were identified in SLC5A6, which encodes the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) protein. SMVT is an important transporter of the B-group vitamins biotin, pantothenate, and lipoate. The protein is ubiquitously expressed and has major roles in vitamin uptake in the digestive system, as well as transport of these vitamins across the blood–brain barrier. Pathogenicity of the identified variants was demonstrated by impaired biotin uptake of mutant SMVT. Identification of this vitamin transporter as the genetic basis of this disorder guided targeted therapeutic intervention, resulting clinically in improvement of the patient’s neurocognitive and neuromotor function. This is the second report of biallelic mutations in SLC5A6 leading to a neurodegenerative disorder due to impaired biotin, pantothenate and lipoate uptake. The genetic and phenotypic overlap of these cases confirms mutations in SLC5A6 as the genetic cause of this disease phenotype. Recognition of the genetic disorder caused by SLC5A6 mutations is essential for early diagnosis and to facilitate timely intervention by triple vitamin (biotin, pantothenate, and lipoate) replacement therapy.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS ON VITAMIN THERAPY: A REVIEW

Vitamins are essential to our day to day life. Its shortage in our body can cause many disorders, decreased enzyme activities also affects the genetic factors. Vitamins should be supplied through the diet in the required amount. If it is not supplied properly, vitamin tablets will be prescribed. And also vitamin tablets are the co-medication for therapies like anticancer, anti tubercular, anti viral anti HIV treatments. Many news papers reported that vitamin therapies are causing major health problems like nephro/ urolithiasis, it can increases mortality rates in smokers by increasing the risk of lung cancer, it can cause abortion when it is taken during pregnancy. Thus here we reviewed the adverse effects of vitamin therapy from various reported cases, books, instructions provided from various health organizations and also news papers and magazines. It can help health professionals to control and monitor the vitamin therapies and make awareness about the adverse effects and possible side effects of regular vitamin uptake to society.