Filters
AktywnoĆÄ biologiczna i profil fenolowy ekstraktu z Ćupiny orzecha wĆoskiego
Introduction. Walnut products are widely used. Green fruits, shells, leaves and bark have a high phenolic content and are used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Seeds rich in unsaturated fatty acids are used in the food industry. Walnut wood is also valuable. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the microbiological, antioxidant activity and concentration of phenolic acids of walnut shell extract. Material and methods. The methanol extract of walnut shells from trees growing in Greater Poland was used for the research. The antibacterial activity was determined by the point diffusion method against 7 strains of gram-positive bacteria and 6 strains of gram-negative bacteria. The method with the DPPH radical and the ability to chelate Fe2+ ions were used to determine the antioxidant activity. The content of phenolic compounds in the tested extract was also determined using the chromatographic method. Results. The tested walnut shell extract showed moderate antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and high antioxidant activity in the radical cation test and lower chelating activity in the ferrozine test. Moreover, in the tested walnut shell extract, a higher concentration of phenolic acids, mainly caffeic acid, was determined as compared to the concentration of flavonoids. Conclusions. The tested walnut shell extract showed antiradical activity; therefore, it can be an alternative to synthetic antioxidants. The fact that shells shells are a by-product of the food industry is an added advantage when used in other industries as well.
Fusion of DSC and FTIR data with physicochemical profiling to distinguish berry seed oils by extraction methods
Interfungal antagonism between Trichoderma and Fusarium proliferatum â metabolomic and DNA-based analyses
In Vitro Effects of Lemon Balm Extracts in Reducing the Growth and Mycotoxins Biosynthesis of Fusarium culmorum and F. proliferatum
The objectives of this research were to obtain the extracts of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) using supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) and methanol as co-solvent and evaluate the antifungal activity of those extracts against two selected strains of Fusarium species (Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium proliferatum). The extraction conditions were set at 40 and 60 °C and 250 bar. The obtained extracts were characterized in terms of antifungal activity on potato dextrose agar media (PDA). The results showed that the extraction parameters had different effects on mycelium growth and mycotoxins biosynthesis reduction. All studied lemon balm extracts (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) inhibited the growth of F. proliferatum and F. culmorum mycelia compared to the control. The lemon balm extracts significantly reduced ergosterol content and synthesized mycotoxins in both tested strains. These findings support the antifungal activity of lemon balm extracts against F. proliferatum and F. culmorum. However, more research on other Fusarium species is needed, as well as in vivo applications, before considering lemon balm extracts as a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides.
Oxidative stability and colour changes of fat- and sugar-reduced wafer creams during the storage
Pleurotus spp.âan effective way in degradation mycotoxins? A comprehensive review
Abstract Mycotoxinsâsecondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungal speciesâoccur as a global problem in agriculture due to the reduction in crop quality and the negative effects on human and animal health. There is a need to develop environment-friendly methods of detoxification. In recent years, a number of biological methods for the removal/degradation of mycotoxins have been described. One of themâparticularly interesting due to its high effectivenessâis mycoremediation, which involves the ability of Pleurotus spp. mushrooms to remove toxic contaminants from the environment and food. Pleurotus spp. biosynthesizes ligninolytic enzymes, such as laccase and manganese peroxidase that are the main factors of enzymatic degradation of various pollutants, including mycotoxins. The degradation process of mycotoxins (especially aflatoxins) with the participation of isolated enzymes reaches approximately 30â100%, depending on the culture conditions, substrate, and mediators used. In the food industry, their application may include, among others, the detoxification of animal feed from mycotoxins or fermentation products (e.g., juices and wines). While these applications are promising, they require further research to expand toxicological knowledge and optimize their use. This review presents current research on this new and very promising topic related to the use of edible Pleurotus spp. mushrooms in the process of biological degradation of toxic fungal metabolites.
The Content of Phenolic Compounds and Mineral Elements in Edible Nuts
Edible nuts are an important component of a healthy diet, and their frequent consumption has beneficial impact on human health, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, various factors, including cultivar, climate, soil characteristic, storage and treatment have influence on the chemical composition of nuts. Therefore, nine tree nut types and peanuts commonly available on Polish market were evaluated for phenolic profile and mineral elements content. The concentration of individual phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, aromatic acids and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was determined by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, while the content of macro-elements and trace minerals was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The phenolic profile of analyzed nuts substantially varied depending on the type of nut. The highest total content of all analyzed flavonoids was determined in walnuts (114.861 ”g/g), while the lowest in almonds (1.717 ”g/g). In turn, the highest total content of all tested aromatic acid was determined in pecans (33.743 ”g/g), and the lowest in almonds (0.096 ”g/g). Epicatechin and cinnamic acid were detected in the highest concentration in tested nuts. Moreover, in examined nuts (except walnuts and Brazil nuts), the presence of CAPE was confirmed. The tested nuts were also characterized by wide variation in element concentrations. Almonds contained high concentration of macro-elements (13,111.60 ”g/g), while high content of trace elements was determined in pine nuts (192.79 ”g/g). The obtained results indicate that the tested nuts are characterized by a significant diversity in the content of both phenolic compounds and minerals. However, all types of nuts, apart from the well-known source of fatty acids, are a rich source of various components with beneficial effect on human health.
Metabolomic Aspects of Conservative and Resistance-Related Elements of Response to Fusarium culmorum in the Grass Family
Background: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a serious fungal disease affecting crop plants, causing substantial yield reductions and the production of mycotoxins in the infected grains. Achieving progress in the breeding of crops with increased resistance and maintaining a high yield is not possible without a thorough examination of the molecular basis of plant immunity responses. Methods: LC-MS-based metabolomics approaches powered by three-way ANOVA and the selec-tion of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were used for studying plant immunity. A correlation network and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on grains of barley and wheat genotypes that were resistant or susceptible to FHB, as well as on the model grass Brachypodium distachyon (Bd), as this is still poorly understood at the metabolomic level. Results: We selected common and genotype-specific DAMs in response to F. culmorum inoculation. The immunological reaction at the metabolomic level was strongly diversified between resistant and susceptible genotypes. DAMs that were common to all tested species from the porphyrin, flavonoid, and phenylpropanoid metabolic pathways were highly correlated, reflecting con-servativeness in the FHB response in the Poaceae family. Resistance-related DAMs belonged to different structural classes, including tryptophan-derived metabolites, pyrimidines, the amino acids proline and serine, as well as phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. The physiological re-sponse to F. culmorum of Bd was close to that of barley and wheat genotypes; however, metabo-lomic changes were strongly diversified. Conclusions: Combined targeted and untargeted metabolomics provides comprehensive knowledge about significant elements of plant immuni-ty that have the potential to be molecular biomarkers of enhanced resistance to FHB in the grass family. Thorough examination of the Bd metabolome in juxtaposition with diversified geno-types of barley and wheat facilitated its use as a model grass for plantâmicrobe interaction.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties of Glechoma hederacea Extracts Obtained by Supercritical Fluid Extraction, Using Different Extraction Conditions
Glechoma hederacea var. longituba is a herbaceous plant from the Lamiaceae family, used in herbal medicine. In this work, we aimed to assess the total phenolic content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of extracts obtained from G. hederacea via supercritical dioxide extraction with methanol as a co-solvent under different extraction conditions. The results showed that the activity of the obtained SC-CO2 extracts is strongly dependent on the extraction temperature. Significantly higher total polyphenol content, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity towards bacteria and yeasts, was observed in the extract obtained at 40 °C, compared to extracts obtained at 50 °C and 60 °C; however, antifungal activity against filamentous fungi was not dependent on the extraction conditions. Antimicrobial activity also depended on the microorganism type. Higher sensitivity was exhibited by Gram-positive bacteria than by Gram-negative bacteria, with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa being the most sensitive species among each group. The most susceptible fungi were Candida albicans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The antibiofilm activity was differentiated and depended on the extraction conditions, the microorganism and the method of biofilm treatment. All tested extracts inhibited biofilm formation, with the extract obtained at 40 °C showing the highest value, whereas only extract obtained at 60 °C efficiently removed mature biofilm.
Relationship between Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity and Color Parameters of Red Table Grape Skins Using Linear Ordering Analysis
Color, being one of the most important sensory characteristics, could be associated to the phenolic compound content and/or the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables. In this study, linear ordering was used to build quality rankings of red table grapes based on color parameters or phenolic compounds. First, the principle component analysis (PCA) was used to show the association between color of red grape skins (evaluated in CIE L*a*b* and L*C*h systems) and their individual phenolic compounds (investigated by the HPLC), total polyphenol content (TPC), total anthocyanins (ACNs), as well as the antioxidant activity (DPPH) of five table grape varieties. It could be observed that the lightness (L*) and hue angle (h) are the color coordinates strongly related to some phenolic compounds and ACN, whereas a* was related to DPPH and TPC. Five distinct clusters could be observed from PCA analysis with dark-colored grape varieties showing high levels of ACN (3.48â5.83 mg/g), low lightness (47.8â53.0), and high h values (353.7â359.8°). L*, a*, and h color coordinates were used to build table grape ranking. The second ranking was built based on phenolic compound content. Results of the two rankings were correlated. High Tau Kendall correlation coefficient (0.51, p = 0.000) indicated that linear ordering analysis, based on the simple color measurements, could be a useful tool for rapid screening of the quality of grapes. This could be valuable information for producers and consumers of the fruit making decision on the market.
Toxico-pathological effects of ochratoxin A and its diastereoisomer under in ovo conditions and in vitro evaluation of the toxicity of these toxins against the embryo Gallus gallus fibroblast cell line
ZawartoĆÄ zwiÄ zkĂłw fenolowych oraz pierwiastkĂłw w orzechach ziemnych
Introduction. Peanuts also known as arachidic nuts, are a valuable raw material commonly used in the food industry, including in confectionery, for the production of oil or peanut butter. Peanuts are a valuable source of protein and are rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Peanuts also owe their health-promoting properties to the presence of phenolic compounds, which are characterized by wide biological activity, including antibacterial and antifungal activity, as well as catch free radicals, which are the cause of many civilization diseases. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the content of phenolic compounds as well as macro- and microelements in peanuts. Material and methods. Peanuts were used in the research, in which the concentration of phenolic compounds was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and the content of macro- and microelements by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Results. The presence of phenolic compounds in peanuts was confirmed, their concentration was very diverse and ranged from 10.85 ng/g for caffeic acid to 5818.67 ng/g for syringic acid. The analysis of the content of macro- and microelements also showed their different content, from a trace amount to 3.55 ÎŒg/g for magnesium. Conclusions. The obtained results of the research on the content of phenolic compounds as well as macro- and microelements in arachidic nuts available on the Polish market indicate that they are a valuable source of ingredients with a positive effect on the human body, and thus their consumption may have an impact on preventing the development of many civilization diseases.
Dynamics of Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol Glucosylation in Wheat Cultivars Infected with Fusarium culmorum in Field Conditions - A 3 Year Study (2018â2020)
Field Assessment of Lamium album in Reducing Mycotoxin Biosynthesis in Winter Wheat Infected by Fusarium culmorum
Fungicides play a crucial role in conventional agriculture for disease control, but their prolonged use raises health and environmental concerns. Fusarium culmorum (F. culmorum), a major wheat pathogen causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) and Fusarium crown rot (FCR), poses significant mycotoxigenic threats. The application of natural plant extracts has been proven to fight against phytopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to a field experiment that was carried out at the Field Experimental Station of the Institute of Plant ProtectionâNational Research Institute in Winna GĂłra, Poland, during the 2022/2023 season to evaluate the potential of Lamium album (L. album) flower extract as a foliar spray against mycotoxigenic fungi in two winter wheat varieties: Arkadia and Julius. The supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method (SC-CO2) was employed to obtain the L. album flower extract. Ergosterol (ERG) and mycotoxin accumulation in the harvested wheat grains were analyzed using chromatography-based methods. The results demonstrated a notable reduction in ERG content in the field plots treated with L. album flower extract, from 26.07 ”g/g (control group) to 8.91 ”g/g (extract-treated group) for Arkadia and from 70.02 ”g/g (control group) to 30.20 ”g/g (extract-treated group) for Julius. The treatment with L. album reduced mycotoxin biosynthesis in both varieties, with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) production significantly decreased. Additionally, Arkadia exhibited greater resistance to Fusarium infection, and the antifungal effect of L. album was more pronounced than in the Julius variety, which proved to be more sensitive. In conclusion, L. album flower extract exhibited promising antifungal effects in field experiments to fight against F. culmorum in winter wheat varieties, suggesting a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides. However, as complete prevention of mycotoxin contamination was not achieved, further research is warranted to optimize extract concentrations and conduct long-term analyses to consider this plant extract as a sustainable control agent.
Inhibitory Effect of Sorbus aucuparia Extracts on the Fusarium proliferatum and F. culmorum Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis
Fungal infections are among the most common diseases of crop plants. Various species of the Fusarium spp. are naturally prevalent and globally cause the qualitative and quantitative losses of farming commodities, mainly cereals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, Fusarium spp. can synthesize toxic secondary metabolitesâmycotoxins under high temperature and humidity conditions. Among the strategies against Fusarium spp. incidence and mycotoxins biosynthesis, the application of biological control, specifically natural plant extracts, has proved to be one of the solutions as an alternative to chemical treatments. Notably, rowanberries taken from Sorbus aucuparia are a rich source of phytochemicals, such as vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, as well as minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium, making them promising candidates for biological control strategies. The study aimed to investigate the effect of rowanberry extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) under different conditions on the growth of Fusarium (F. culmorum and F. proliferatum) and mycotoxin biosynthesis. The results showed that various extracts had different effects on Fusarium growth as well as ergosterol content and mycotoxin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that rowanberry extracts obtained by the SFE method could be a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for eradicating Fusarium pathogens in crops, particularly cereal grains. However, more research is necessary to evaluate their efficacy against other Fusarium species and in vivo applications.
Dietary salicylates affect calcium and magnesium status in preeclampsia model rats induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)
Fruit Vinegars as Natural and Bioactive Chitosan Solvents in the Production of Chitosan-Based Films
Natural fruit vinegars, derived from various fruits, enhance culinary experience and offer potential health benefits due to their bioactive compounds. In this study, fruit vinegars (apple, blackcurrant, and cherry) were used as natural solvents for producing chitosan films, introducing an environmentally friendly approach. Fruit vinegars and chitosan-based solutions were examined for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In turn, the obtained chitosan films were characterized by their antimicrobial, mechanical, and structural properties. Both fruit vinegars and film-forming chitosan solutions showed antioxidant activity, and chitosanâcherry vinegar solutions exhibited the highest antiradical and ferrous ion-chelating effect. All solvents and chitosan-based solutions were characterized by antimicrobial properties, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition zone > 28 mm). Antimicrobial activity was also preserved in the case of chitosan-based film, especially when produced with cherry vinegar, which showed activity against the broadest spectrum of bacteria. The largest zone of inhibition for all samples was observed for P. aeruginosa in the range of 19 mm from the inhibition zone to >28 mm, depending on the type of vinegar used as a solvent. The conducted tests showed that the type of vinegar used also affects the mechanical parameters of the films obtained, such as elongation at break, for which values were recorded from 3.97 to 4.93 MPa, or tensile strength, for which the values were recorded from 48.48 to 70.58 MPa. The results obtained demonstrate that natural fruit vinegars, serving as chitosan solvents, can be an alternative to traditionally used acidic solvents, yielding films with favorable properties.
Impact of Dietary Salicylates on Iron, Zinc, and Copper Status in Preeclampsia Model Rats Induced by L-NAME
Abstract Low-dose aspirin prophylaxis is recommended for women at high risk of preeclampsia. It has been suggested that dietary salicylates may have a similar effect. Despite the known anti-inflammatory properties of salicylates, their influence on trace elements in preeclampsia remains unclear. This research investigated the effect of dietary salicylates and aspirin on iron, zinc, and copper status in rats with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)âinduced preeclampsia. The study involved pregnant Sprague Dawley rats divided into six groups: control group (CH), preeclamptic rats (CP), preeclamptic rats with a low dose of dietary salicylate (LSP), preeclamptic rats with a high dose of dietary salicylate, preeclamptic rats with a low dose of aspirin (LAP), and preeclamptic rats with a high dose of aspirin. The content of trace elements in diets, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, pancreas, femur, brain, and hair was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Salicylate concentrations in diets, serum, and urine were analyzed using HPLC and UHPLC-MS/MS systems. Administration of L-NAME resulted in elevated blood pressure across groups, and only the LAP group had blood pressure levels comparable to the CH group. Preeclampsia significantly decreased serum hepcidin levels, while salicylates abolished this effect. Salicylate administration significantly decreased iron levels in hair and increased maternal zinc concentrations in the brain. Dietary salicylates markedly increased zinc levels in the placenta. In conclusion, L-NAMEâinduced preeclampsia decreases maternal serum hepcidin. Treatment with salicylates modulates iron and zinc status in preeclamptic rats, with specific effects on hepcidin levels.
Plant Metabolites Affect Fusarium proliferatum Metabolism and In Vitro Fumonisin Biosynthesis
Fusarium proliferatum is a common hemi-biotrophic pathogen that infect a wide range of host plants, often leading to substantial crop loss and yield reduction. F. proliferatum synthesizes various mycotoxins, and fumonisins B are the most prevalent. They act as virulence factors and specific effectors that elicit host resistance. The effects of selected plant metabolites on the metabolism of the F. proliferatum strain were analyzed in this study. Quercetin-3-glucoside (Q-3-Glc) and kaempferol-3-rutinoside (K-3-Rut) induced the pathogenâs growth, while DIMBOA, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (Iso-3-Rut), ferulic acid (FA), protodioscin, and neochlorogenic acid (NClA) inhibited fungal growth. The expression of seven F. proliferatum genes related to primary metabolism and four FUM genes was measured using RT-qPCR upon plant metabolite addition to liquid cultures. The expression of CPR6 and SSC1 genes was induced 24 h after the addition of chlorogenic acid (ClA), while DIMBOA and protodioscin reduced their expression. The transcription of FUM1 on the third day of the experiment was increased by all metabolites except for Q-3-Glc when compared to the control culture. The expression of FUM6 was induced by protodioscin, K-3-Rut, and ClA, while FA and DIMBOA inhibited its expression. FUM19 was induced by all metabolites except FA. The highest concentration of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in control culture was 6.21 ”g/mL. Protodioscin did not affect the FB content, while DIMBOA delayed their synthesis/secretion. Flavonoids and phenolic acids displayed similar effects. The results suggest that sole metabolites can have lower impacts on pathogen metabolism and mycotoxin synthesis than when combined with other compounds present in plant extracts. These synergistic effects require additional studies to reveal the mechanisms behind them.
Fusarium Species Shifts in Maize Grain as a Response to Climatic Changes in Poland
Maize, along with wheat and rice, is the most important crop for food security. Ear rots caused by Fusarium species are among the most important diseases of maize. The distribution of Fusarium species provides essential epidemiological information for disease management. The effect of weather conditions, climate change and geographic localization on the Fusarium population in Poland was evaluated between 2015 and 2018. Grain samples (n = 233) were collected from hybrids at 16 locations (L1âL16). The differences in altitude between locations ranged from 39 to 243 m above sea level, longitude varied between 15°55âČ and 23°12âČ E, and latitude spanned from 50°12âČ to 54°01âČ N. Isolates were identified using molecular techniques. The highest Fusarium species frequency was recorded for 2016 (30.70%) and 2017 (28.18%), and the lowest for 2018 (5.36%). F. verticillioides and F. temperatum were the most frequent. Altitude has an effect on F. vericillioides frequency: F. graminearum showed a negative correlation with both latitude and longitude. In Polish conditions, from silking to harvesting, the number of days with higher precipitation and lower temperatures is associated with an increased frequency of F. verticillioides, F. temperatum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum. This suggests that the Fusarium presence in Poland is significantly influenced not only by climate change but also by extreme weather changes.
