Search

Juices of nine prickly pears (Opuntia spp.) were characterized in terms of color, acidity, sugar content, phenolics, flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant activity and tested in vitro against four cancer cell lines. The juices had pH s, acidities and sugar ranging from 4.27 to 5.46, 0.03 to 0.27% and 8 to 14.7 degrees Brix, respectively. Juices also varied in color from white to purple and contained total phenolics, flavonoids, betaxanthins, betacyanins and antioxidant capacity ranging from 22 to 226 microg gallic acid eq/g, 95 to 374 microg quercetin eq/g, 3 to 189 microg/g, 1.6 to 300 microg/g and 17 to 25 micromoles Trolox eq./mL, respectively. Among the cancer lines tested, viability of prostate and colon cells were the most affected. Moradillo contained the highest flavonoids and diminished both prostate and colon cancer cell viability without affecting mammary or hepatic cancer cells. Rastrero reduced the growth of the four cancer cell lines without affecting normal fibroblast viability. The research shows intervarietal differences among prickly pears in terms of juice properties and phytochemicals that could prevent oxidative stress and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) represent the vast majority of sellar masses. Some behave aggressively, growing rapidly and invading surrounding tissues, with high rates of recurrence and resistance to therapy. Our aim was to establish patterns of genomic, transcriptomic and methylomic evolution throughout time in primary and recurrent tumors from the same patient. Therefore, we performed transcriptome- and exome-sequencing and methylome microarrays of aggressive, primary, and recurrent PitNET from the same patient. Primary and recurrent tumors showed a similar exome profile, potentially indicating a stable genome over time. In contrast, the transcriptome of primary and recurrent PitNET was dissimilar. Gonadotroph, silent corticotroph, as well as metastatic corticotroph and a somatotroph PitNET expressed genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, phosphatidylinositol signaling, glycerophospholipid and phospholipase D signaling, respectively. Diacylglycerol kinase gamma (DGKG), a key enzyme in glycerophospholipid metabolism and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways, was differentially expressed between primary and recurrent PitNET. These alterations did not seem to be regulated by DNA methylation, but rather by several transcription factors. Molecular docking showed that dasatinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, could target DGKG. Dasatinib induced apoptosis and decreased proliferation in GH3 cells. Our data indicate that pituitary tumorigenesis could be driven by transcriptomically heterogeneous clones, and we describe alternative pharmacological therapies for aggressive and recurrent PitNET., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Encapsulation of bioactive molecules for therapeutic use is gaining great interest in the scientific community. Several encapsulation methodologies have been evaluated, sacrificing, in some cases, either encapsulation efficiency or compound integrity. Our work developed Maillard conjugates (MCs) based on the whey protein (WP)-Maltodextrin (MD) interaction to encapsulate quercetin by freeze-drying. The WP:MD ratio used (1:2 or 1:3) yielded the formation of MCs, demonstrated by an increased browning index and changes in the protein secondary structure. Freeze-drying showed high encapsulation efficiency, reaching 87.65% and 84.72% in treatments loaded with 3.3 mg quercetin/g MCs. Quercetin-loaded MCs showed spherical-shape (4-10 μm) and a negative charge, suggesting colloidal stability. Moreover, in vitro tests demonstrated a sustained release of quercetin throughout the oral, gastric, and intestinal phases, highlighting the MCs efficacy as bioactive delivery systems. This work provides useful information to design bioactive compound delivery systems for food and pharmaceutical applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Probiotics have gained significant attention in recent years due to the growing awareness of physical health and well-being. However, maintaining high concentrations of probiotics throughout the product's shelf life and during the gastrointestinal tract is crucial for ensuring their health-promoting effects. After determining an optimal formulation through a fractional factorial model, this study optimizes probiotic Bacillus Clausii delivery through spray-drying microencapsulation using a novel maltodextrin-alginate-inulin (MDX-ALG-IN) formulation (optimized ratio: 7:2:1). Notably, this formulation exclusively comprises non-digestible carbohydrates, marking a novel approach in probiotic encapsulation. Achieving a high Product Yield (51.06 %) and Encapsulation Efficiency (80.53 %), the study employed SEM for morphological analysis, revealing an irregular form and extensive surface in dentations characteristic of maltodextrin involvement. With a low moisture content of 3.02 % (±0.23 %) and 90.52 % solubility, the powder displayed exceptional properties. Probiotic viability remained robust, surviving up to 60 % even after 180 days at 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C. Thermal characterization unveiled microcapsule resilience, exhibiting a glass transition temperature (Tg) at 138.61 °C and a melting point of 177.28 °C. The study systematically addresses crucial aspects of microencapsulation, including formulation optimization, morphological characteristics, and powder properties. Notably, the MDX-ALG-IN microcapsules demonstrated stability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, indicating potential application for supplements and complex food matrices. In summary, this research contributes to microencapsulation understanding, emphasizing the MDX-ALG-IN formulation's efficacy in preserving probiotic viability across production stages and simulated digestive processes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Mesenchymal stem cell-based cultivated meat is a promising solution to the ecological and ethical problems posed by traditional meat production, since it exhibits a protein content and composition that is more comparable to original meat proteins than any other source of cultivated meat products, including plants, bacteria, and fungi. Nonetheless, the nature and laboratory behavior of mesenchymal stem cells pose two significant challenges for large-scale production: genetic drift and adherent growth in culture. Culture conditions used in the laboratory expose the cells to a selective pressure that causes genetic drift, which may give rise to oncogene activation and the loss of "stemness." This is why genetic and functional analysis of the cells during culture is required to determine the maximum number of passages within the laboratory where no significant mutations or loss of function are detected. Moreover, the adherent growth of mesenchymal stem cells can be an obstacle for their large-scale production since volume to surface ratio is limited for high volume containers. Multi-tray systems, roller bottles, and microcarriers have been proposed as potential solutions to scale-up the production of adherent cells required for cultivated meat. The most promising solutions for the safety problems and large-scale obstacles for cultivated meat production are the determination of a limit number of passages based on a genetic analysis and the use of microcarriers from edible materials to maximize the volume to surface proportion and decrease the downstream operations needed for cultivated meat production., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Jaime-Rodríguez, Cadena-Hernández, Rosales-Valencia, Padilla-Sánchez and Chavez-Santoscoy.)

(-)-Epicatechin and quercetin have attracted considerable attention for their potential therapeutic application in non-communicable chronic diseases. A novel hybrid inulin-soy protein nanoparticle formulation was simultaneously loaded with (-)-epicatechin and quercetin (NEQs) to improve the bioavailability of these flavonoids in the human body, and NEQs were synthesized by spray drying. After process optimization, the physicochemical and functional properties of NEQs were characterized including in vitro release, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, and cell viability assays. Results showed that NEQs are an average size of 280.17 ± 13.42 nm and have a zeta potential of -18.267 ± 0.83 mV in the organic phase. Encapsulation efficiency of (-)-epicatechin and quercetin reached 97.04 ± 0.01 and 92.05 ± 1.95%, respectively. A 3.5% soy protein content conferred controlled release characteristics to the delivery system. Furthermore, NEQs presented inhibitory effects in Caco-2, but not in HepG-2 and HDFa cell lines. These results contribute to the design and fabrication of inulin-soy protein nanoparticles for improving the bioavailability of multiple bioactive compounds with beneficial properties.

Skin aging represents a health and aesthetic problem that could result in infections and skin diseases. Bioactive peptides can potentially be used in skin aging regulation. Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) selenoproteins were obtained from germination with 2 mg Na 2 SeO 3 /100 g of seeds for 2 days. Alcalase, pepsin, and trypsin were used as hydrolyzers, and a membrane < 10 kDa was used to fractionate the hydrolysate. Se content, antioxidant capacity, elastase and collagen inhibition, functional stability, and preventative capacity were analyzed. Significant increases in Se content were found in germinated chickpea flour and protein related to the control. An increase of 38% in protein was observed in the selenized flour related to the control. A band (600-550 cm -1 ) observed in the selenized hydrolysates suggested the insertion of Se into the protein. Hydrolysates from pepsin and trypsin had the highest antioxidant potential. Se enhanced the stability of total protein and protein hydrolysates through time and increased their antioxidant capacity. Hydrolysates > 10 kDa had higher elastase and collagenase inhibition than the total protein and hydrolysates < 10 kDa. Protein hydrolysates < 10 kDa 6 h before UVA radiation had the highest inhibition of collagen degradation. Selenized protein hydrolysates showed promising antioxidant effects that could be related to skin anti-aging effects.

Magnetic nanoparticles are of great interest for research as they have a wide range of applications in biotechnology, environmental science, and biomedicine. Magnetic nanoparticles are ideal for magnetic separation, improving catalysis's speed and reusability by immobilizing enzymes. Nanobiocatalysis allows the removal of persistent pollutants in a viable, cost-effective and eco-friendly manner, transforming several hazardous compounds in water into less toxic derivatives. Iron oxide and graphene oxide are the preferred materials used to confer nanomaterials their magnetic properties for this purpose as they pair well with enzymes due to their biocompatibility and functional properties. This review describes the most common synthesis methods for magnetic nanoparticles and their performance of nanobiocatalysis for the degradation of pollutants in water.•Magnetic nanomaterials have been synthesized for their application in nanobiocatalysis and treating groundwater.•The most used method for magnetic nanoparticle preparation is the co-precipitation technique.•Peroxidase and oxidase enzymes have great potential in the remotion of multiple contaminants from groundwater., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

The use of Bacillus licheniformis as a probiotic has increased significantly in recent years. Published reports demonstrate that it provides multiple benefits for health. Although there are already studies in humans and is marketed, it is mostly used in the veterinary industry still. However, its benefits could be extrapolated to humans in future. This review addresses the application of B. licheniformis , its sporulation, mechanisms of action, and its role in the resolution, treatment, and prevention of different conditions and diseases. It focuses on scientific advances from 2016 to mid-2022 and emphasizes the most common diseases in the general population. Most of the 70% of published studies about the health benefits of B. licheniformis have been published from 2016 until now. The intake of B. licheniformis has been related to the effects of modulation of the intestinal microbiota, antimicrobial activity, growth promotion, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects, promotion of the regulation of the lipid profile, increase of neurotransmitters, and stress reduction, among others. These results provide novel possible applications of this and other probiotics in general. Although many benefits can be reported on a microorganism, the combination with others could provide a better effect. Further studies like this need to be done to understand the specific advantages of each probiotic and its strains and therefore achieve a better selection of them for a specific disease or disorder., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ramirez-Olea, Reyes-Ballesteros and Chavez-Santoscoy.)

Nanomaterials (NMs) solve specific problems with remarkable results in several industrial and scientific areas. Among NMs, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively employed as drug carriers, medical diagnostics, energy harvesting devices, sensors, lubricants, and bioremediation. Notably, they have shown excellent antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral properties in the biomedical field. The literature analysis shows a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells compared to healthy cells, making its potential application in cancer treatment evident, increasing the need to study the potential risk of their use to environmental and human health. A large battery of toxicity models, both in vitro and in vivo, have been established to predict the harmful effects of incorporating AgNPs in these numerous areas or those produced due to involuntary exposure. However, these models often report contradictory results due to their lack of standardization, generating controversy and slowing the advances in nanotoxicology research, fundamentally by generalizing the biological response produced by the AgNP formulations. This review summarizes the last ten years' reports concerning AgNPs' toxicity in cellular respiratory system models (e.g., mono-culture models, co-cultures, 3D cultures, ex vivo and in vivo). In turn, more complex cellular models represent in a better way the physical and chemical barriers of the body; however, results should be used carefully so as not to be misleading. The main objective of this work is to highlight current models with the highest physiological relevance, identifying the opportunity areas of lung nanotoxicology and contributing to the establishment and strengthening of specific regulations regarding health and the environment.

Quercetin is a bioactive component that is capable of having therapeutic potential in the prevention of different noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs). However, it presents instability in the gastrointestinal tract in addition to low bioavailability. One way to overcome the limitations of quercetin lies in using nanotechnology for the development of nanoparticles, based on biopolymers, that are capable of being ingestible. Inulin, a fructan-type polysaccharide, acts as a delivery system for the release of quercetin in a target cell, guaranteeing the stability of the molecule. Inulin-coated quercetin nanoparticles were synthesized by the spray dryer method, and four variables were evaluated, namely inulin concentration (5-10% w / v ), feed temperature (40-60 °C), inlet temperature (100-200 °C) and outlet temperature (60-100 °C). The optimal conditions were obtained at 10% w / v inulin concentration, with 45 °C feed temperature, 120 °C inlet temperature and 60 °C outlet temperature, and the nanoparticle size was 289.75 ± 16.3 nm in water. Fluorescence microscopy indicated quercetin loading in the inulin nanoparticles, with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 73.33 ± 7.86%. Inulin-coated quercetin nanoparticles presented effects of inhibition in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, but not in HDFa cells. The experimental data showed the potential of inulin nanoparticles as transport materials for unstable molecules, in oral administration systems, for the encapsulation, protection and release of quercetin.

The global market for plant-derived bioactive compounds is growing significantly. The use of plant secondary metabolites has been reported to be used for the prevention of chronic diseases. Silver nanoparticles were used to analyze the content of enhancement phenolic compounds in carrots. Carrot samples were immersed in different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/L) of each of five types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for 3 min. Spectrophotometric methods measured the total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity. The individual phenolic compounds were quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and identified by -mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The five types of AgNPs could significantly increase the antioxidant capacity of carrots' tissue in a dose-dependent manner. An amount of 20 mg/L of type 2 and 5 silver nanoparticle formulations increased the antioxidant capacity 3.3-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively. The phenolic compounds that significantly increased their content after the AgNP treatment were chlorogenic acid, 3- O -caffeoylquinic acid, and 5'-caffeoylquinic acid. The increment of each compound depended on the dose and the type of the used AgNPs. The exogenous application of Argovit ® AgNPs works like controlled abiotic stress and produces high-value secondary bioactive compounds in carrot.

Nanotechnology has impacted the food industry, mainly on developing healthier, safer, and high-quality functional food. Flavonoids are valuable compounds present in plants, fruits, grains, roots, stems, tea, and wine, among others; they possess many benefits for health due to their antioxidant properties toward reactive oxygen species, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative, among others. These characteristics make flavonoids attractive in various industrial areas such as medicine, nutraceutical, cosmetology, and pharmaceutical. Unfortunately, flavonoids lack long-term stability, are sensitive to light, long periods of darkness with low oxygen concentration, and often present a low water solubility and poor bioavailability. Nanoencapsulation is an alternative to improve bioavailability and sensitivity in the manufacturing process, based on encapsulating substances on a nanoscale. Nanocapsules are a promising strategy in significantly enhancing the delivery of compounds to various sites in the body. The development of biopolymers to encapsulate sensitive compounds is increasing, as well as the search for the non-toxic, biodegradable, natural and biocompatible characteristics of polymers, is fundamental. The present review describes the recent techniques and technologies for the nanoencapsulation of flavonoids. It discusses their potential advantages and possible limitations, compares natural and synthetic biopolymers, and finally, details nanoparticle regulation.

In recent years, the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes has increased largely worldwide. In the present work, we evaluated the genoprotective effect of the consumption of flavonoids-rich chocolate on 84 young volunteers. Biochemical indicators related to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome were also determined. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was performed in the Autonomous University of Baja California. The treatments comprised the daily consumption of either 2 g of dark chocolate containing 70% cocoa, or 2 g of milk chocolate, for 6 months. The total amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was determined in both types of chocolate. Anthropometrical and Biochemical parameters were recorded prior to and after the study. The evaluation of the genotoxicity in buccal epithelial cells was performed throughout the duration of the study. Flavonoids from cocoa in dark chocolate significantly prevented DNA damage, and improved the nucleus integrity of cells. This effect could be related to the antioxidant capacity of the dark chocolate that decreased cellular stress. Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol level in blood) and anthropometrical parameters (waist circumference) were improved after six months of daily intake of 2 g of dark chocolate with a 70% of cocoa.

Background: Hormesis is considered a dose-response phenomenon characterized by growth stimulation at low doses and inhibition at high doses. The hormetic response by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on in vitro multiplication of sugarcane was evaluated using a temporary immersion system., Methods: Sugarcane shoots were used as explants cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium with AgNPs at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L. Shoot multiplication rate and length were used to determine hormetic response. Total content of phenolic compounds of sugarcane, mineral nutrition, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined., Results: Results were presented as a dose-response curve. Stimulation phase growth was observed at 50 mg/L AgNPs, whereas inhibition phase was detected at 200 mg/L AgNPs. Mineral nutrient analysis showed changes in macronutrient and micronutrient contents due to the effect of AgNPs. Moreover, AgNPs induced ROS production and increased total phenolic content, with a dose-dependent effect., Conclusion: Results suggested that the production of ROS and mineral nutrition are key mechanisms of AgNP-induced hormesis and that phenolic accumulation was obtained as a response of the plant to stress produced by high doses of AgNPs. Therefore, small doses of AgNPs in the culture medium could be an efficient strategy for commercial micropropagation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

A diet rich in polyphenols can ameliorate some metabolic alterations associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a plant rich in isorhamnetin glycosides and is highly consumed in Mexico. The purpose of this research was to determine the metabolic effect of an OFI extract on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and in isolated pancreatic islets. OFI extract was added to a high fat (HF) diet at a low (0.3%) or high (0.6%) dose and administered to C57BL/6 mice for 12 weeks. Mice fed the HF diet supplemented with the OFI extract gained less body weight and exhibited significantly lower circulating total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol compared to those fed the HF diet alone. The HF-OFI diet fed mice presented lower glucose and insulin concentration than the HF diet fed mice. However, the HF-OFI diet fed mice tended to have higher insulin concentration than control mice. The OFI extract stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, associated with increased glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mRNA content. Furthermore, the OFI extract improved glucose tolerance, and additionally increased energy expenditure. These metabolic improvements were associated with reduced adipocyte size, increased hepatic IRS1 tyr-608 and S6 K thr-389 phosphorylation. OFI isorhamnetin glycosides also diminished the hepatic lipid content associated with reduced mRNA expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and lipogenic enzymes and increased mRNA expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation. Overall, the OFI extract prevented the development of metabolic abnormalities associated with diet-induced obesity.

Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats are a rich source of natural compounds with potential beneficial effects on human health. Beans exert hypolipidaemic activity; however, this effect has not been attributed to any particular component, and the underlying mechanisms of action and protein targets remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify primary saponins and flavonoids extracted from black bean seed coats, and to study their effects on lipid metabolism in primary rat hepatocytes and C57BL/6 mice. The methanol extract of black bean seed coats, characterised by a HPLC system with a UV-visible detector and an evaporative light-scattering detector and HPLC-time-of-flight/MS, contained quercetin 3-O-glucoside and soyasaponin Af as the primary flavonoid and saponin, respectively. The extract significantly reduced the expression of SREBP1c, FAS and HMGCR, and stimulated the expression of the reverse cholesterol transporters ABCG5/ABCG8 and CYP7A1 in the liver. In addition, there was an increase in the expression of hepatic PPAR-α. Consequently, there was a decrease in hepatic lipid depots and a significant increase in bile acid secretion. Furthermore, the ingestion of this extract modulated the proportion of lipids that was used as a substrate for energy generation. Thus, the results suggest that the extract of black bean seed coats may decrease hepatic lipogenesis and stimulate cholesterol excretion, in part, via bile acid synthesis.