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The SARS-CoV-2 virus presents a lot of proteins in its structure that facilitate host cell infection, generating an increase in the concentration of angiotensin II and activating multiple signaling pathways that stimulate the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex and enzymes that take part in the inflammatory answer. As a consequence, there is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage different proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Given this, Psidium cattleianumcan capture free radicals or inhibit theformation of ROS by transferring hydrogen atoms and electrons. For that, this research has the main objective to determine the influence of Psidium cattleianumas a possible treatment of oxidative stress caused by the SARS-COV-2 infection in order to consider the consumption of this berry as a possible alternative as an antioxidant treatment.

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Competition for resources is a common microbial interaction in the gut microbiome. Inulin is a well-studied prebiotic dietary fiber that profoundly shapes gut microbiome composition. Several community members and some probiotics, such as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, deploy multiple molecular strategies to access fructans. In this work, we screened bacterial interactions during inulin utilization in representative gut microbes. Unidirectional and bidirectional assays were used to evaluate the effects of microbial interactions and global proteomic changes on inulin utilization. Unidirectional assays showed the total or partial consumption of inulin by many gut microbes. Partial consumption was associated with cross-feeding of fructose or short oligosaccharides. However, bidirectional assays showed strong competition from L. paracasei M38 against other gut microbes, reducing the growth and quantity of proteins found in the latter. L. paracasei dominated and outcompeted other inulin utilizers, such as Ligilactobacillus ruminis PT16, Bifidobacterium longum PT4, and Bacteroides fragilis HM714. The importance of strain-specific characteristics of L. paracasei, such as its high fitness for inulin consumption, allows it to be favored for bacterial competence. Proteomic studies indicated an increase in inulin-degrading enzymes in co-cultures, such as β-fructosidase, 6-phosphofructokinase, the PTS D-fructose system, and ABC transporters. These results reveal that intestinal metabolic interactions are strain-dependent and might result in cross-feeding or competition depending on total or partial consumption of inulin. Partial degradation of inulin by certain bacteria favors coexistence. However, when L. paracasei M38 totally degrades the fiber, this does not happen. The synergy of this prebiotic with L. paracasei M38 could determine the predominance in the host as a potential probiotic.

Aspergillus westerdijkiae is an ochratoxin A (OTA) producer mould in dry-cured meat products. To prevent the presence of ochratoxigenic moulds in dry-cured fermented sausages, natural strategies based on the use of herbs and their derivatives are in the spotlight. The aim of this study was to test the potential antiochratoxigenic effects of rosemary leaves (R) and rosemary essential oil (REO) as biocontrol agents (BCAs) in a dry-cured fermented sausage-based medium. The mechanisms involved in their effects were also analysed by Proteomics. A control without BCAs and three treatments (R, REO and the combination of R + REO) were carried out. No significant differences were detected when BCAs were individually applied, whilst a significant reduction up to 73.87% in OTA was provoked by R + REO. This combination showed a synergistic effect, in which proteins from PKS ER domain and cell wall integrity pathway seem to be involved. REO alone exerted similar effect on the mould proteome than R + REO, but in a lesser extent. The impact of R in this synergy has not been completely elucidated. The combination of R + REO together with other strategies could minimise the hazard posed by A. westerdijkiae in dry-cured fermented sausages. This research was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) through financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). Junta de Extremadura-Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital-, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-“Una manera de hacer Europa” (grant number GR18056), and grant PID2019-104260GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033. M. ́Alvarez is recipient of the grant BES-2017-081340 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Q-Exactive mass spectrometer to proteomic research was acquired by the grant UNEX-AE-3394 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe” info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Infrequent and small precipitation (PPT) events characterize PPT patterns in semiarid grasslands; however, plants and soil microorganisms are adapted to use the unpredictable small pulses of water. Several studies have shown short-term responses of carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates (called the “priming effect” or the Birch effect) stimulated by wet–dry cycles; however, dynamics, drivers, and the contribution of the priming effect to the annual C balance are poorly understood. Thus, we analyzed 6 years of continuous net ecosystem exchange measurements to evaluate the effect of the PPT periodicity and magnitude of individual PPT events on the daily/annual net ecosystem C exchange (NEE) in a semiarid grassland. We included the period between PPT events, previous daytime NEE rate, and previous soil moisture content as the main drivers of the priming effect. Ecosystem respiration (ER) responded within a few hours following a PPT event, whereas it took 5–9 d for gross ecosystem exchange (GEE; where −NEE = GEE + ER) to respond. Precipitation events as low as 0.25 mm increased ER, but cumulative PPT > 40 mm infiltrating deep into the soil profile stimulated GEE. Overall, ER fluxes following PPT events were related to the change in soil water content at shallow depth and previous soil conditions (e.g., previous NEE rate, previous soil water content) and the size of the stimulus (e.g., PPT event size). Carbon effluxes from the priming effect accounted for less than 5 % of ecosystem respiration but were significantly high with respect to the carbon balance. In the long term, changes in PPT regimes to more intense and less frequent PPT events, as expected due to the effects of climate change, could convert the semiarid grassland from a small C sink to a C source.

To study the molecular basis of the toxicological effect of a dietary nitrosated amino acid, namely, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), differentiated human enterocytes were exposed to dietary concentrations of this species (200 μM) and analyzed for flow cytometry, protein oxidation markers and MS-based proteomics. The possible protective role of a dietary phytochemical, ellagic acid (EA) (200 μM), was also tested. The results revealed that cell viability was significantly affected by exposure to 3-NT, with a concomitant significant increase in necrosis (p < 0.05). 3-NT affected several biological processes, such as histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II), and pathways related to type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptors binding. Addition of EA to 3-NT-treated cells stimulated the toxicological effects of the latter by reducing the abundance of proteins involved in mitochondrial conformation. These results emphasize the impact of dietary nitrosated amino acids in intestinal cell physiology and warn about the potential negative effects of ellagic acid when combined with noxious metabolites.

The environmental conditions during the ripening of dry-cured meats and their nutritional composition promote the colonisation of their surface by Penicillium spp., including P. nordicum producer of ochratoxin A (OTA). The objective of this work was to study the competitiveness of three potential biocontrol candidates (Debaryomyces hansenii FHSCC 253H, Enterococcus faecium SE920 and Penicillium chrysogenum CECT, 20922) against the ochratoxigenic P. nordicum FHSCC4 under environmental and nutritional conditions simulating the ripening of dry-cured meat products. For this, the nutritional utilisation pattern, niche overlap index (NOI), interactions by dual-culture assays and OTA production were determined. The number of carbon sources (CSs) metabolised depended on the microorganism and the interacting water activity (aw) x temperature conditions. The number of CSs utilised by both filamentous fungi was quite similar and higher than those utilised by D. hansenii and E. faecium. The yeast isolate metabolised a number of CSs much larger than the bacterium. The NOI values showed that, in general, P. nordicum nutritionally dominated E. faecium and D. hansenii regardless of the environmental conditions evaluated. The relationship between the toxigenic and non-toxigenic fungal isolates depended on the aw x temperature combinations, although in none of the conditions a dominance of P. nordicum was observed. According to the interaction assays, both D. hansenii and P. chrysogenum decreased the growth of P. nordicum. The effect of D. hansenii could be attributed to the production of some extra-cellular compounds, while the action of P. chrysogenum is likely related to nutritional competition. In addition, both P. chrysogenum and D. hansenii reduced the OTA levels produced by P. nordicum. The effect of the yeast was more pronounced decreasing the concentration of OTA at quantities lower than the limit established by the Italian legislation. Therefore, P. chrysogenum and D. hansenii can be suggested as biocontrol candidates in the manufacture of dry-cured meat products.

Introducción. Dentro de las infecciones bacterianas que afectan al ser humano, la infección de las vías urinarias es una de las más frecuentes, afectando hasta 150 millones de personas en el mundo cada año. El uso indiscriminado de antibióticos y su manejo inadecuado han generado un aumento en la resistencia antimicrobiana. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir patrones fenotípicos de resistencia antimicrobiana de los microorganismos más frecuentes en pacientes con diagnóstico de infección de vías urinarias en centro de referencia de Bucaramanga. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal, muestreo no probabilístico en pacientes con sospecha o diagnóstico de infecciones de vías urinarias que requirieron manejo intrahospitalario en una institución de salud de alta complejidad durante julio del 2017 y abril del 2018, de quienes se obtuvo urocultivo y antibiograma. Resultados. De 120 pacientes incluidos, se obtuvo un reporte de 116 urocultivos. El microorganismo más frecuente fue Escherichia coli, seguido de Klebsiella pneumoniae. El primero presentó alta sensibilidad a carbapenémicos y aminoglucósidos, baja sensibilidad a la Ceftriaxona y a la Ampicilina/Sulbactam. Por otro lado, el microorganismo Klebsiella pneumoniae presentó alta sensibilidad a carbapenémicos, pero resistencia elevada a la Ampicilina/Sulbactam y a la Ceftriaxona. El antibiótico empírico más utilizado fue la Ceftriaxona. Discusión. La distribución de microorganismos aislados es comparable con la ya descrita a nivel nacional e internacional. Los perfiles de resistencia antimicrobiana tienen puntos comunes como la resistencia a los betalactámicos, pero difieren en algunos aspectos, como la resistencia a cefalosporinas y quinolonas. Conclusiones. Los microorganismos aislados presentan altas tasas de resistencia a los betalactámicos y a las cefalosporinas, las cuales son ampliamente utilizadas. Esta información debe orientar el desarrollo de protocolos que permitan optimizar la toma de decisiones clínicas con respecto a la terapia antibiótica.

El síndrome de Guillain-Barré es un trastorno autoinmune que se presenta como polineuropatía paralítica flácida rápidamente progresiva y puede ser fatal. Su diagnóstico es clínico y se apoya en la electromiografía. En la mayoría de los casos está precedido por un proceso infeccioso respiratorio o gastrointestinal, pero existen casos excepcionales en los que aparece posterior a vacunación, particularmente contra influenza. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el caso de un lactante menor diagnosticado con síndrome de Guillain-Barré posterior a la aplicación de vacunas de los seis meses de edad. Es importante para el clínico considerar esta asociación al momento de definir diagnósticos diferenciales, dejando claro que el beneficio de la vacunación siempre superará los riesgos.

Figuras A Y B: Radiografía de Tórax Anteroposterior (AP) y Lateral. Presencia de gran lesión al parecer del mediastino medio (Flechas blancas), con diámetros de 11 x 15 x 12 cm, de densidad homogénea, con efecto de masa y desviación de todas las estructuras (Flechas negras) y compresión sobre el lóbulo superior derecho (*), sin calcificaciones en su interior. Figura C. Tomografía computarizada de tórax con contraste corte coronal. En la región central del mediastino anterior, se identifica una masa hipodensa, heterogénea, con densidad de predominio de tejido blando, con algunas imágenes de densidad cálcica en su interior, de 14.3 x 10.2 x 12.6 (Línea amarilla) cm, que se encuentra desplazando la aorta ascendente, con trayecto tortuoso (Flecha azul), la flecha roja señala el tronco braquiocefálico. Figura D. Tomografía computarizada de tórax corte axial en ventana mediastinal. Masa hipodensa, heterogénea, con densidad de predominio de tejido blando, con algunas imágenes de densidad cálcica en su interior, la cual se encuentra desplazando y ocupando gran parte de la porción anterior del hemitórax derecho. Así mismo se encuentra desplazando estructuras mediastinales como el tronco de la pulmonar (Flecha azul), esta masa se encuentra generando atelectasia pasiva del lóbulo medio derecho (Flecha roja). Figures A and B: Anteroposterior (AP) and Lateral Chest X-ray. Presence of a large mass, apparently from the middle mediastinum (white arrows), diameters of 11 x 15 x 12 cm, homogeneous density, with the mass effect on other mediastinal structures (black arrows) and compression on the right upper lobe (*), without inner calcifications. Figure C. Chest Computed Tomography, coronal section. In the anterior mediastinum it shows a hypodense, heterogeneous mass, with predominance of soft tissue density, with some calcifications inside, diameters of 14.3 x 10.2 x 12.6 (yellow line) cm, displacing the ascending aorta (blue arrow), the red arrow indicates the brachiocephalic trunk. Figure D. Computed tomography of the chest, axial section. Hypodense, heterogeneous mass, with predominance of soft tissue density, with some calcifications inside, which occupying a large part of the anterior right hemithorax. It is also displacing mediastinal structures such as the trunk of the pulmonary artery (blue arrow), this mass is generating passive atelectasis of the right middle lobe (red arrow). Figuras A e B: Radiografia de tórax (anteroposterior (AP) e lateral). Presença de grande massa, aparentemente do mediastino médio (Setas brancas), diâmetros de 11 x 15 x 12 cm, densidade homogênea, com efeito de massa em outras estruturas mediastinais (setas pretas) e compressão no lobo superior direito (*), sem calcificações internas. Figura C. Tomografia computadorizada de tórax, corte coronal. No mediastino anterior, mostra uma massa hipodensa e heterogênea, com predominância da densidade de partes moles, com algumas calcificações internas, diâmetros de 14,3 x 10,2 x 12,6 (Linha amarela) cm, deslocando a aorta ascendente (seta azul), a seta vermelha indica o tronco braquiocefálico. Figura D. Tomografia computadorizada de tórax, corte axial. Massa hipodensa, heterogênea, com predominância da densidade de partes moles, com algumas calcificações internas, que ocupam grande parte do hemitórax anterior direito. Também está deslocando estruturas mediastinais, como o tronco da artéria pulmonar (Seta azul), essa massa está gerando atelectasia passiva do lobo médio direito (Sseta vermelha).

Aspergillus westerdijkiae may produce large amounts of ochratoxin A (OTA) in dry-cured meat products. Natural strategies to control ochratoxigenic moulds using biocontrol agents (BCAs) are currently in the spotlight. The aim of this study was to test the effects of Debaryomyces hansenii and its combination with rosemary derivatives and with a commercial antifungal preparation composed by natamycin and potassium sorbate (AP) against A. westerdijkiae in a dry-cured fermented sausage based-medium. The yeast and rosemary leaves were added to the medium, and rosemary essential oil and AP were added on the casings put on the medium surface to simulate the real product. The growth rate, OTA production and comparative proteomics were analysed. The mould growth in the presence of each treatment was not indicative of their efficiency on OTA repression. The treatment with AP did not affect to the OTA concentration, maybe as consequence of the stressful stimulation of the subinhibitory doses used. D. hansenii added alone or with rosemary showed the best results, decreasing the OTA production >80 %, suggesting that it can be useful as preservative agent during industrial processing. Attending to the proteomic results, its antifungal activity seems to be based on the reduction in abundance of proteins involved in OTA biosynthesis and in the cell wall integrity pathway. This research was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) through financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), Junta de Extremadura-Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-“Una manera de hacer Europa” (grant number GR18056), and grant PID2019-104260GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. M. Alvarez is recipient of the grant BES-2017- 081340 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Q-Exactive mass spectrometer to proteomic research was acquired by the grant UNEX-AE-3394 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Mould development in foodstuffs is linked to both spoilage and the production of mycotoxins, provoking food quality and food safety concerns, respectively. The high-throughput technology proteomics applied to foodborne moulds is of great interest to address such issues. This review presents proteomics approaches useful for boosting strategies to minimise the mould spoilage and the hazard related to mycotoxins in food. Metaproteomics seems to be the most effective method for mould identification despite the current problems related to the bioinformatics tool. More interestingly, different high resolution mass spectrometry tools are suitable for evaluating the proteome of foodborne moulds able to unveil the mould’s response under certain environmental conditions and the presence of biocontrol agents or antifungals, being sometimes combined with a method with limited ability to separate proteins, the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. However, the matrix complexity, the high ranges of protein concentrations needed and the performing of multiple steps are some of the proteomics limitations for the application to foodborne moulds. To overcome some of these limitations, model systems have been developed and proteomics applied to other scientific fields, such as library-free data independent acquisition analyses, the implementation of ion mobility, and the evaluation of post-translational modifications, are expected to be gradually implemented in this field for avoiding undesirable moulds in foodstuffs.

[Abstract] Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems worldwide and commonly coexist in individuals. Gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previous studies have reported dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of these patients and the prebiotic effects of some components of the Mediterranean diet. Essential oil emulsions of savory (Satureja hortensis), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were assessed as nutraceuticals and prebiotics in IHD and T2DM. Humanized mice harboring gut microbiota derived from that of patients with IHD and T2DM were supplemented with L-carnitine and orally treated with essential oil emulsions for 40 days. We assessed the effects on gut microbiota composition and abundance, microbial metabolites and plasma markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Our results showed that essential oil emulsions in mice supplemented with L-carnitine have prebiotic effects on beneficial commensal bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus genus. There was a decrease in plasma TMAO and an increase in fecal SCFAs levels in mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils. Thrombomodulin levels were increased in mice treated with savory and parsley essential oils. While mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils showed a decrease in plasma cytokines (INFɣ, TNFα, IL-12p70 and IL-22); savory essential oil was associated with increased levels of chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 and CCL11). Finally, there was a decrease in protein carbonyls and pentosidine according to the essential oil emulsion. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota induced by essential oils of parsley, savory and rosemary as prebiotics could differentially regulate cardiovascular and metabolic factors, which highlights the potential of these nutraceuticals for reducing IHD risk in patients affected by T2DM. Junta de Andalucía; PI-0170-2018 Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PT20/00101 Junta de Andalucía; RH-0078-2021 Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII19/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III; FI20/00227

Dry-cured meat products, such as dry-cured ham or dry-fermented sausages, are characterized by their particular ripening process, where a mould population grows on their surface. Some of these moulds are hazardous to the consumers because of their ability to produce mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFs). The use of native yeasts could be considered a potential strategy for controlling the presence of AFs in dry-cured meat products. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antagonistic activity of two native Debaryomyces hansenii strains on the relative growth rate and the AFs production in Aspergillus parasiticus. Both D. hansenii strains significantly reduced the growth rates of A. parasiticus when grown in a meat-model system at different water activity (aw) conditions. The presence of D. hansenii strains caused a stimulation of AFs production by A. parasiticus at 0.99 aw. However, at 0.92 aw the yeasts significantly reduced the AFs concentration in the meat-model system. The relative expression levels of the aflR and aflS genes involved in the AFs biosynthetic pathway were also repressed at 0.92 aw in the presence of both D. hansenii strains. These satisfactory results were confirmed in dry-cured ham and dry-fermented sausage slices inoculated with A. parasiticus, since both D. hansenii strains significantly reduced AFs amounts in these matrices. Therefore, both tested D. hansenii strains could be proposed as biocontrol agents within a HACCP framework to minimize the hazard associated with the presence of AFs in dry-cured meat products.

BackgroundTomato fruits are susceptible to Alternaria spp. spoilage. A correct postharvest management is necessary to prevent mould growth and mycotoxin accumulation, being the temperature one of the main factors. The effect of different postharvest temperatures (5, 12, 25 and 35 °C) on growth, mycotoxin production and a stress-related gene expression by two Alternaria spp. was assessed. ResultsGrowth rates decreased rapidly when temperature was higher than the optimum (25 °C), while a gradual reduction was detected at lower temperatures. Tenuazonic acid (TeA) was strongly synthesised at all temperatures evaluated, with a maximum between 12 and 25 °C. Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) was produced only at the two lowest temperatures; with a peak at 12 °C. Regarding the expression of the stress-related RHO1 gene, during active fungal growth both Alternaria spp. showed more copies of the gene as temperature increased. At the stationary phase, the RHO1 gene expression was significantly higher at 12 °C, coinciding with AME highest accumulation. ConclusionChanges on temperatures related to different postharvest stages of tomato fruits markedly affect toxigenic Alternaria spp. The highest levels of both mycotoxins were recorded at 12 °C, a common storage temperature for tomato fruit. Additionally, an association between alternariols biosynthesis and the cell wall integrity pathway was noticed in relation to temperature, suggesting that temperature may act as stressor stimulating the RHO1 gene expression, which in turn triggers this mycotoxin synthesis. These results will be useful in developing new strategies to efficiently control Alternaria spoilage in tomato fruit and by-products. Fil: Da Cruz Cabral, Lucía Mariana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Universidad de Extremadura; España Fil: Rodríguez, Alicia. Universidad de Extremadura; España Fil: Delgado, Josué. Universidad de Extremadura; España Fil: Patriarca, Andrea Rosana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

Tomato fruit is susceptible to Alternaria spp. spoilage, which poses a health risk due to their mycotoxin production. Biopreservation relies on the use of whole microorganisms or their metabolites to manage spoilage microorganisms including filamentous fungi. However, the use of treatments at fungistatic level might activate intracellular pathways, which can cause an increment in mycotoxin accumulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of two strains of Debaryomyces hansenii and the antifungal protein PgAFP at 10 and 40 μg/mL. Both growth and production of two of the most common mycotoxins (tenuazonic acid and alternariol monomethyl ether) by Alternaria tenuissima sp.-grp. and Alternaria arborescens sp.-grp. on a tomato-based matrix, were analysed at 12 °C. Additionally, the impact of these biocontrol agents on the stress-related RHO1 gene expression was assessed. All treatments reduced mycotoxin accumulation (from 27 to 92% of inhibition). Their mode of action against Alternaria spp. in tomato seems unrelated to damages to fungal cell wall integrity at the genomic level. Therefore, the two D. hansenii strains (CECT 10352 and CECT 10353) and the antifungal protein PgAFP at 10 μg/mL are suggested as biocontrol strategies in tomato fruit at postharvest stage.

Background This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of the white striping (WS) myopathy with particular attention to the role of oxidative stress and protein oxidation in the loss of meat quality. Results It was found that WS-M (moderate degree; white stripes 1 mm thickness) breast presented higher pH, hardness, redness, lipid, and collagen content, and lower lightness than normal breast. Compared with the latter, WS-S had a more severe loss of protein thiols (70.7% less thiols than in N), reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (23 versus 40 U g-1 ), glutathione peroxidase (0.21 versus 0.54 U g-1 ), and superoxide dismutase (56 versus 73 U g-1 ), and consequently, had greater accretion of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (0.64 versus 0.22 mg MDAkg-1 muscle), allysine (3.1 versus 1.9 nmol mg-1 protein) and Schiff base structures (645 versus 258 fluorescent units). The analysis of sarcoplasmic proteins revealed that muscles severely affected by the myopathy suffered a chronic impairment of physiological (upregulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase, sarcalumenin and calsequestrin-2) and metabolic processes (downregulation of pyruvate kinase, creatine kinase, and l-lactate dehydrogenase). Conclusion The overexpression of ribonuclease / angiogenin inhibitor 1 and Kelch-like proteins in WS chicken breasts indicates altered protein turnover plausibly mediated by oxidative stress and accumulation of oxidized proteins. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Toxigenic moulds can develop on the surface of dry-cured meat products during ripening due to their ecological conditions, which constitutes a risk for consumers. A promising strategy to control this hazard is the use of antifungal microorganisms usually found in these foods. However, to date, the effectiveness of gram-positive catalase-positive cocci (GCC+) has not been explored. The aim of this work was to select GCC+ isolates with antifungal activity to study its effectiveness in a dry-cured ham model system at the environmental conditions reached during the ripening. Forty-five strains of GCC+ were evaluated and the isolate Staphylococcus xylosus Sx8 was selected to assess its efficacy at two different concentrations (106 and 104 cfu/mL) against Penicillium nordicum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Penicillium griseofulvum at 15, 20, and 25 &deg, C. The results showed that the inoculation of 106 cfu/mL of S. xylosus completely inhibited the growth of most fungi. In addition, in the presence of this strain at 104 cfu/mL, a significant reduction in fungal growth and mycotoxins production was observed at the three temperatures studied. In conclusion, S. xylosus Sx8 possesses great potential as a biological agent to control toxigenic moulds in dry-cured meat products.

Apples are prone to be contaminated with Penicillium expansum, which produces the mycotoxin patulin, posing a risk for human health. Antifungal treatments are required to control this fungal pathogen, although consumers demand products free of synthetic additives. Then, the use of antifungal proteins produced by moulds represents a novel and promising strategy. Although its inhibitory effect on P. expansum has been reported, the impact of these proteins on patulin production has been scarcely studied, pointing to a possible patulin overproduction. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the antifungal protein PgAFP on the proteome and patulin biosynthesis of P. expansum grown in apple-based agar, intending to decipher these effects without the apple in vivo physiological response to the fungal infection. PgAFP increased the production of patulin on three of the five P. expansum strains evaluated. The proteome of the PgAFP-treated P. expansum showed five proteins involved in patulin biosynthesis in higher abundance (fold change 2.8-9.8), as well as proteins related to pathogenicity and virulence that suggest lower ability to infect fruits. Additionally, several proteins associated with oxidative stress, such as glutathione peroxidase, redoxin, or heat shock proteins were found in higher abundance, pointing to a response against oxidative stress elicited by PgAFP. These results provide evidence to be cautious in applying this antifungal protein in apples, being of utmost relevance to provide knowledge about the global response of P. expansum against an antifungal protein with many shared characteristics with others. These findings significantly contribute to future studies of assessment and suitability of not only these antifungal proteins but also new antifungal compounds., This research was funded by Junta de Extremadura-Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital -, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-“Una manera de hacer Europa” (grant number GR18056). Q-Exactive mass spectrometer to proteomic research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Ref. UNEX-AE-3394). The work was partially funded by FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Refs. AGL2017-28120-R, and RTI2018-093392-A-I00). Ramón y Cajal postdoctoral contract (Ref. RyC2017-22009, MINECO and FSE) to A.-R.B. is also acknowledged.

Maize, peanuts and wheat are exposed to colonisation by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are mould species able to produce aflatoxins B 1 (AFB 1 ) and G 1 (AFG 1 ). New tools based on molecular data can be used to obtain critical information to prevent AFs accumulation in these crops. The objective of this study was to analyse the time course of the relative expression of the aflR , aflS and aflP genes by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in relation to AFs production by A. flavus and A. parasiticus on maize, peanuts and wheat under controlled conditions during nine days of incubation. Different gene expression profiles for the three target genes were observed in maize, peanut and wheat. In general, AFB 1 amounts produced by both species were increased over incubation time, although A. parasiticus produced higher AFB 1 quantities than A. flavus in peanuts and wheat. Regarding AFG 1 production, quantities were higher at the end of the incubation time but lower than AFB 1 amounts. High relationships were found between gene expression by day 4 and AFs production by days 7 and 9. Thus, gene expression data allow predicting early AFs contamination of maize and wheat. In the case of peanuts further studies are needed.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi. The presence of OTA in raisins is mainly related to black Aspergillus spp. contamination. This toxin poses risks to human and animal health due to its high toxicity and carcinogenicity. New strategies to avoid the risk associated with OTA are therefore necessary.; Results: A comparison was made between the effects of the antifungal protein PgAFP and potassium sorbate (E-202) on the growth of Aspergillus carbonarius, biosynthetic- and stress-related gene expression and its OTA production at two water activity (aw ) levels, 0.95 and 0.93 aw . The results showed that PgAFP successfully controlled OTA production, whereas E-202, despite being able to reduce Aspergillus carbonarius growth, caused a significant increase in OTA production by the fungus.; Conclusion: PgAFP protein, a biological compound with an antifungal activity, is safer to use than E-202 and may be proposed as a food preservative and a useful strategy to control ochratoxigenic A. carbonarius in raisins. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Iberian dry-cured ham is an important meat product with high consumption worldwide. The special ecological conditions occurring throughout its ripening favour surface colonisation of filamentous fungi. Normally, moulds contribute to the development of the sensory qualities of the ham; however, some toxigenic species, such as Penicillium nordicum, are able to successfully adapt to the NaCl-rich environment found in dry-cured ham and produce ochratoxin A (OTA) in this product. Moreover, it was suggested that the biosynthesis of OTA by P. nordicum itself may support the adaptation to this food environment. However, this mechanism has not been completely elucidated yet. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of commercial OTA (cOTA, at 0, 0.2, 1 and 5 ppb) on growth rate, biosynthetic- and stress-related gene expression and OTA production by two P. nordicum strains (Pn15 and Pn69) on dry-cured ham based-media. Two NaCl conditions (0% and 10%) were evaluated for each cOTA level. In general, no intra-strain and inter-strain differences in growth rates were found among the conditions tested. The stress-related Hog1 gene expression of the strain Pn15 was affected by cOTA and NaCl concentration whilst the strain Pn69 was not affected by these variables. The expression of OTA-related otapks and otanps genes of the strain Pn15 was affected by several NaCl and cOTA combinations. However, the strain Pn69 showed no differences in relative gene expression. Regarding to OTA production, different behaviours were displayed by the two strains. The strain Pn15, which produced high OTA amounts by itself, produced OTA without the necessity of the presence of NaCl or cOTA as stressors. However, the presence of cOTA triggers OTA production by the weak OTA producing Pn69 in the absence of NaCl. In addition, although a moderate correlation was found between the expression of the OTA-related genes and mycotoxin produced by P. nordicum in the absence of NaCl, none was obtained between Hog1 gene expression and mycotoxin production. This study is a step forward for a better understanding of the ability of P. nordicum producers of OTA to colonise NaCl-rich habitats such as Iberian ham for proposing actions to minimise OTA contamination in this meat product. Fil: Delgado, Josué. Universidad de Extremadura; España Fil: Da Cruz Cabral, Lucía Mariana. Universidad de Extremadura; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Rodríguez, Mar. Universidad de Extremadura; España Fil: Rodríguez, Alicia. Universidad de Extremadura; España

Dry-cured meat products are frequently colonised by toxigenic Penicillium nordicum and Penicillium verrucosum throughout their ripening that can produce ochratoxin A (OTA). The predictive nature of the molecular analyses can be used to determine the risk of toxigenic species. For this reason, the objective of the present work was to analyse the temporal changes in the expression of the otapks and otanps genes by P. nordicum and P. verrucosum in relation to OTA production on slices of dry-fermented sausage salchichon and dry-cured ham. Gene expression was higher in P. nordicum than in P. verrucosum in both meat matrices. The otapks gene was overexpressed by both Penicillium species, especially in salchichon. OTA was only detected in inoculated salchichon regardless of the ochratoxigenic species used. The high significant correlation found between the early relative expression of the otapks gene and OTA production in salchichon leads to propose the relative gene expression of the otapks gene as a good indicator to predict OTA accumulation throughout the ripening of this product.