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Skin lesions are an important health concern, exposing the body to infection risks. Utilizing natural products containing chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.) holds promise for curative purposes. Additionally, hyaluronic acid (HA), an active ingredient known for its tissue regeneration capacity, can expedite healing. In this study, we prepared and characterized an extract of C. recutita and integrated it into a nanoemulsion system stabilized with HA, aiming at harnessing its healing potential. We assessed the impact of alcoholic strength on flavonoid extraction and chemically characterized the extract using UHPLC/MS while quantifying its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. We developed a nanoemulsion loaded with C. recutita extract and evaluated the effect of HA stabilization on pH, droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and viscosity. Results indicated that 70% hydroalcoholic extraction yielded a higher flavonoid content. The extract exhibited antioxidant capacity in vitro, a desirable trait for skin regeneration, and demonstrated efficacy against key microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) associated with skin colonization and infections. Flavonoids spireoside and apiin emerged as the most abundant bioactives. The addition of HA led to increased viscosity while maintaining a suitable pH for topical application. Zeta potential, droplet size, and PDI met acceptable criteria. Moreover, incorporating C. recutita extract into the nanoemulsion enhanced its antimicrobial effect. Hence, the nanoemulsion system loaded with C. recutita and HA stabilization exhibits favorable characteristics for topical application, showing promise in aiding the healing processes.

The vaginal microbiota has been shown to be important in local immune regulation and may play a role in reproduction and fertility. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have been used to characterize the bovine vaginal microbiota, mainly using short-read sequencing (Illumina). However, the main limitation of this technique is its inability to classify bacteria at the species level. The objective of this study was to characterize the bovine vaginal microbiota at the species level using long-read sequencing (PacBio) and to compare it with the results of short-read sequencing. In addition, the vaginal microbiota of cows that became pregnant after artificial insemination (AI) was compared with that of infertile animals. Thirteen Holstein cows had vaginal swabs collected prior to AI. DNA was extracted and subjected to Illumina and PacBio sequencing to characterize the V4 region and the entire 16S rRNA gene, respectively. PacBio sequencing yielded 366,509 reads that were assigned to 476 species from 27 phyla. However, none of the most abundant reads (>1%) could be classified at the species level. Illumina sequencing yielded more reads and consequently was able to detect a more observed species, but PacBio sequencing was able to detect more unique and rare species. The composition of the vaginal microbiota varies according to the sequencing method used, which might complicate the interpretation of results obtained in the majority of the current studies. The present study expands on the current knowledge of bovine microbiota, highlighting the need for further efforts to improve the current databanks.

The vaginal microbiota has been shown to be important in local immune regulation and may play a role in reproduction and fertility. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have been used to characterize the bovine vaginal microbiota, mainly using short-read sequencing (Illumina). However, the main limitation of this technique is its inability to classify bacteria at the species level. The objective of this study was to characterize the bovine vaginal microbiota at the species level using long-read sequencing (PacBio) and to compare it with the results of short-read sequencing. In addition, the vaginal microbiota of cows that became pregnant after artificial insemination (AI) was compared with that of infertile animals. Thirteen Holstein cows had vaginal swabs collected prior to AI. DNA was extracted and subjected to Illumina and PacBio sequencing to characterize the V4 region and the entire 16S rRNA gene, respectively. PacBio sequencing yielded 366,509 reads that were assigned to 476 species from 27 phyla. However, none of the most abundant reads (>1%) could be classified at the species level. Illumina sequencing yielded more reads and consequently was able to detect a more observed species, but PacBio sequencing was able to detect more unique and rare species. The composition of the vaginal microbiota varies according to the sequencing method used, which might complicate the interpretation of results obtained in the majority of the current studies. The present study expands on the current knowledge of bovine microbiota, highlighting the need for further efforts to improve the current databanks.