Wongpritchard7875

The production of saffron spice generates large quantities of plant by-products over 90% of the plant material collected is discarded, and a consideration fraction of this waste is plant stamens. This work investigated the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activities of the non-polar fraction extracted from four different saffron flower stamens. The chemical composition of ethereal extracts of the saffron stamens was qualitatively assessed by means of gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. These analyses revealed ethereal extracts to possess a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content. In vitro antibacterial activity of stamen extracts showed no large differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in terms of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). In food matrix microbial analysis of the bacterial strains belonging to the main foodborne pathogen species, including Staphylococcus aureus DSM 20231, Escherichia coli DSM 30083, and Listeria monocytogenes DSM 20600, using low-fat UHT milk, revealed a statistically significant reduction in the number of cells (particularly for E. coli and S. aureus with a complete elimination of the population of the two target bacteria following incubation in diethyl ether extracts of saffron stamen (DES) at high concentrations tested, both at 37 °C and 6 °C (for 48 h and 7 days, respectively). A synergic effect was observed when the pathogens were incubated at 6 °C with DES. This work shows these by-products to be excellent sources of bioactive compounds, which could be exploited in high-added-value products, such as food, cosmetics, and drugs.There is an increasing interest in polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites, in terms of fruit quality and diet, mainly due to their antioxidant effect. However, the identification of key gene enzymes and their roles in the phenylpropanoid pathway in temperate fruits species remains uncertain. Mezigdomide Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a Mediterranean fruit with high diversity and fruit quality properties, being an excellent source of polyphenol compounds. For a better understanding of the phenolic pathway in these fruits, we selected a set of accessions with genetic-based differences in phenolic compounds accumulation. HPLC analysis of the main phenolic compounds and transcriptional analysis of the genes involved in key steps of the polyphenol network were carried out. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR) and flavonol synthase (FLS) were the key enzymes selected. Orthologous of the genes involved in transcription of these enzymes were identified in apricot ParPAL1, ParPAL2, ParDFR, ParFLS1 and ParFLS2. Transcriptional data of the genes involved in those critical points and their relationships with the polyphenol compounds were analyzed. Higher expression of ParDFR and ParPAL2 has been associated with red-blushed accessions. Differences in expression between paralogues could be related to the presence of a BOXCOREDCPAL cis-acting element related to the genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis ParFLS2, ParDFR and ParPAL2.The cold season is usually accompanied by an increased incidence of respiratory infections and increased air pollution from combustion sources. As we are facing growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, an understanding of the impact of air pollutants and meteorological variables on the incidence of respiratory infections is crucial. The incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) can be used as a close proxy for the circulation of influenza viruses. link2 Recently, SARS-CoV-2 has also been detected in patients with ILI. Using distributed lag nonlinear models, we analyzed the association between ILI, meteorological variables and particulate matter concentration in Bialystok, Poland, from 2013-2019. We found an exponential relationship between cumulative PM2.5 pollution and the incidence of ILI, which remained significant after adjusting for air temperatures and a long-term trend. Pollution had the greatest effect during the same week, but the risk of ILI was increased for the four following weeks. The risk of ILI was also increased by low air temperatures, low absolute humidity, and high wind speed. Altogether, our results show that all measures implemented to decrease PM2.5 concentrations would be beneficial to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections.Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (KP) or "Kra-chai-dam" has been shown to exhibit several pharmacological effects including anti-inflammation, antimicrobial, and sexual-enhancing activity. The objectives of this study included an investigation of the effect of KP rhizome extract against glutamate-induced toxicity in mouse hippocampal HT-22 neuronal cells, determination of the underlying mechanism of neuroprotection, and an evaluation of the effect of KP extract on the longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans. HT-22 cells were co-treated with glutamate (5 mM) and KP extract (25, 50, and 75 μg/mL) for 14 h. Cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, and Western blotting were performed. The longevity effect of KP extract on C. elegans was studied by lifespan measurement. In HT-22 cells, co-treatment of glutamate with KP extract significantly inhibited glutamate-mediated cytotoxicity and decreased intracellular ROS production. Additionally, the glutamate-induced apoptosis and apoptotic-inducing factor (AIF) translocation were blocked by KP extract co-treatment. Western blot analysis also demonstrated that KP extract significantly diminished extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation induced by glutamate, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was recovered to the control. Moreover, this KP extract treatment prolonged the lifespan of C. link3 elegans. Altogether, this study suggested that KP extract possesses both neuroprotective and longevity-inducing properties, thus serving as a promising candidate for development of innovative health products.Many current food and health trends demand the use of more ecological, sustainable, and environmentally friendly techniques for the extraction of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. However, extraction yields and final antioxidant activities vary between sources and are highly influenced by the given extraction method and nature and ratio of the employed solvent, especially for total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are well recognized as natural antioxidants with food applications. This review focused on the most common extraction techniques and potential antioxidant activity in the food industry for various natural antioxidant sources, such as green tea, rosemary, clove, and oregano. Green extraction techniques have been proven to be far more efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical. In general, these techniques include the use of microwaves, ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, enzymes, and deep eutectic solvents, among others. These extraction methods are described here, including their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.The pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE) is poorly understood; however, there is a large body of evidence that suggests a role of immune cells in the development of PE. Amongst these, B cells are a dominant element in the pathogenesis of PE, and they have been shown to play an important role in various immune-mediated diseases, both as pro-inflammatory and regulatory cells. Perinatal cells are defined as cells from birth-associated tissues isolated from term placentas and fetal annexes and more specifically from the amniotic membrane, chorionic membrane, chorionic villi, umbilical cord (including Wharton's jelly), the basal plate, and the amniotic fluid. They have drawn particular attention in recent years due to their ability to modulate several aspects of immunity, making them promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of various immune-mediated diseases. In this review we describe main findings regarding the multifaceted in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory properties of perinatal cells, with a focus on B lymphocytes. Indeed, we discuss evidence on the ability of perinatal cells to inhibit B cell proliferation, impair B cell differentiation, and promote regulatory B cell formation. Therefore, the findings discussed herein unveil the possibility to modulate B cell activation and function by exploiting perinatal immunomodulatory properties, thus possibly representing a novel therapeutic strategy in PE.Lignin, and its derivatives, are the subject of current research for the exciting properties shown by this biomass. Particularly attractive are lignin nanoparticles for their eco- and biocompatibility compared to other nanomaterials. In this context, the effect of nanostructured lignin microparticles (LNP), obtained from alkaline lignin by acid treatment, on maize plants was investigated. To this end, maize seeds were primed with LNP at five concentrations 80 mg L-1 (T80), 312 mg L-1 (T312), 1250 mg L-1 (T1250), 5000 mg L-1 (T5000) and 20,000 mg L-1 (T20000). Concerning the dose applied, LNP prompted positive effects on the first stages of maize development (germination and radicle length). Furthermore, the study of plant growth, biochemical and chemical parameters on the developed plants indicated that concerning the dose applied. LNP stimulated beneficial effects on the seedlings (fresh weight and length of shoots and roots). Besides, specific treatments increased the content of chlorophyll (a and b), carotenoid, and anthocyanin. Finally, the soluble protein content showed a positive trend in response to specific dosages. These effects are significant, given the essential biological function performed by these biomolecules. In conclusion, this research indicates as the nanostructured lignin microparticles can be used, at appropriate dosages, to induce positive biological responses in maize. This beneficial action deserves attention as it candidates LNP for biostimulating a crop through seed priming.A chromium-containing metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-101 (Chromium(III) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), was used to catalyze the one pot, three component synthesis of some 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles under solvent-free conditions. The advantages of using this heterogeneous catalyst include short reaction time, high yields, easy and quick isolation of catalyst and products, low amount of catalyst needed, and that the addition of solvent, salt, and additives are not needed. This catalyst is highly efficient and can be recovered at least 5 times with a slight loss of efficiency. The structure of the metal-organic frameworks (MOF) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HNMR) were performed to confirm some of the synthesized products. Experimental data indicated that the optimum amount of catalyst was 5 mg for benzil (1 mmol), 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (1 mmol), and ammonium acetate (2.5 mmol), and the synthetic route to the various imidazoles is performed in 10 min by 95% yield, an acceptable result rivalling those of other catalysts.