Fatty Acid Profile and Antimicrobial Activity of Rubus ulmifolius Schott Extracts Against Cariogenic Bacterium Streptococcus mutans

The wild edible species Rubus ulmifolius is normally known as a source of several functional-natural compounds used in the traditional diet in several parts of the world. At present, few data are available in the literature about the biological property of its leaves, normally rich in phenolic acids, fatty acids, and other organic compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. Following this hypothesis, we have investigated the antibacterial activity of different dried leaved extracts against the main cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Standard antimicrobial-antibiofilm methods (MIC, MBC, MBIC) were performed to evaluate each extract's antimicrobial profile. In addition, the fatty acids (FA) quali-quantitative profile of R. ulmifolius leave extracts was assessed by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD/ELSD analysis. The results showed that the behavior of this bacterium with different extracts was strictly related to extraction method type, even though it was not related to fatty acid amount and composition, in fact, all the extracts showed similar, qualitative FA patterns, characterized by a concentration in the range from (25 to 36) % of saturated compounds. The methanolic extract showed the better result as antibacterial MIC 6.25 %. These preliminary results encourage further studies for the use of R. ulmifolius in mouthwashes or toothpaste with great anticaries activity.

Heat stress elicits remodeling in the anther lipidome of peanut

Understanding the changes in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) anther lipidome under heat stress (HT) will aid in understanding the mechanisms of heat tolerance. We profiled the anther lipidome of seven genotypes exposed to ambient temperature (AT) or HT during flowering. Under AT and HT, the lipidome was dominated by phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and triacylglycerol (TAG) species (> 50% of total lipids). Of 89 lipid analytes specified by total acyl carbons:total carbon–carbon double bonds, 36:6, 36:5, and 34:3 PC and 34:3 PE (all contain 18:3 fatty acid and decreased under HT) were the most important lipids that differentiated HT from AT. Heat stress caused decreases in unsaturation indices of membrane lipids, primarily due to decreases in highly-unsaturated lipid species that contained 18:3 fatty acids. In parallel, the expression of Fatty Acid Desaturase 3-2 (FAD3-2; converts 18:2 fatty acids to 18:3) decreased under HT for the heat-tolerant genotype SPT 06-07 but not for the susceptible genotype Bailey. Our results suggested that decreasing lipid unsaturation levels by lowering 18:3 fatty-acid amount through reducing FAD3 expression is likely an acclimation mechanism to heat stress in peanut. Thus, genotypes that are more efficient in doing so will be relatively more tolerant to HT.

Pembuatan Sabun Mandi Kesehatan dari Stearin Minyak Sawit Merah yang Mengandung Karotenoid dan Vitamin E

Stearin merah adalah fraksi padat yang dihasilkan melalui proses filtrasi pada proses pembuatan minyak sawit merah. Penggunaan stearin merah dapat dijadikan bahan alternatif pembuatan sabun dengan nilai vitamin E dan pro-vitamin A yang tinggi sehingga dapat menjaga kesehatan pada kulit. Sabun merupakan salah satu produk farmasi yang dibuat melalui proses reaksi kimia antara basa natrium dengan asam lemak nabati yang sering disebut proses saponifikasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memanfaatkan limbah stearin pada proses pembuatan minyak sawit merah dengan menggunakan variasi konsentrasi NaOH untuk menghasilkan sabun mandi yang memenuhi kualitas Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI) No. 06-3532-1994. Pembuatan sabun mandi padat diawali dengan menggunakan variasi konsentrasi NaOH yaitu 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, dan 80% dengan suhu 40°C selama 15 menit. Stearin yang digunakan mengandung kadar karotenoid 715-750 ppm dan vitamin E 885-895 ppm. Berdasarkan hasil analisis sesuai SNI No. 06-3532-1994, penggunaan NaOH sebanyak 40% diperoleh sabun terbaik dengan hasil analisis kadar air 9,53%, jumlah asam lemak 72,99%, kadar alkali bebas 0,051%, kadar asam lemak bebas 0,26%, kadar lemak netral 1,18%, dan pH 9. Pada seluruh sampel tidak ditemukan atau kurang dari 0,05% minyak mineral pada sabun padat yang diperoleh. Red stearin is solid fraction produced through filtering process of red palm oil production. Red stearin can be used as an alternative ingredient of soap production with high vitamin E and pro-vitamin A and can maintain the skin health. Soap is one of pharmacy products produced through chemical reaction of sodium base and vegetable fatty acid called saponification. This research aimed to utilize the stearin waste in red palm oil production process using NaOH concentrate variation to produce soap with Indonesia national standard No. 06-3532-1994. Solid soap production started with the use of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of NaOH concentrate variation in 40°C temperature for 15 minutes. Stearing which was used contained carotenoid of 715-750 ppm and vitamin E of 885-895 ppm. Based on the analysis in accordance of Indonesian national standard No. 06-3532-1994, best soap was produced using 40% of NaOH use with the analysis of 9.53% water content, 72.99% fatty acid amount, 0.051% free alkali, 0.26% free fatty acid, 1.18% true fat, and pH of 9. In every sample was found less than 0.05% of mineral in the solid soap.