Effects of natural phenolic compounds on the antioxidant activity of lactoferrin in liposomes and oil-in-water emulsions

The effect of natural phenolic compounds on the antioxidant and prooxidant activity of lactoferrin was studied in liposomes and oil-in-water emulsions containing iron. The antioxidants tested with lactoferrin were alpha-tocopherol, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, tyrosol, and natural phenolic extracts obtained from three different extra-virgin olive oils and olive mill wastewater. The natural extracts of olive oils and mill wastewaters were composed mainly of polyphenols and simple phenolics, respectively. Lipid oxidation at 30 degrees C was determined by the formation of hydroperoxides and fluorescent compounds resulting from oxidized lipid interactions. All phenolic compounds showed synergistic properties in reinforcing the antioxidant activity of lactoferrin in lipid systems containing iron. The highest synergistic effects were observed for the phenolic extracts rich in polyphenols of extra-virgin olive oils and lactoferrin. This synergistic effect was higher in liposomes than in emulsions.     

Microbiological degradation index of soils in a semiarid climate

Soil degradation and desertification affect many areas of the planet. One such area is the Mediterranean region of SE Spain, where the climatological and lithological conditions, together with the relief of the landscape and anthropological activity, including agricultural abandonment, are responsible for increasing desertification. It is therefore considered to be of extreme importance to be able to measure soil degradation quantitatively. The aim of this study was to make a microbiological and biochemical characterisation of different soil catenas in SE Spain, including in a wide range of plant cover densities in an attempt to assess the suitability of the parameters measured to reflect the state of soil degradation and the possibility of using the parameters to elaborate a microbiological degradation index (MDI) valid for use in semiarid climates. For this, several indices related with the organic matter content (total organic carbon, TOC, water-soluble carbon, WSC, and water-soluble carbohydrates, WSCh), with the size of microbial populations (microbial biomass carbon, MBC) and related activity (respiration and enzymatic activities) were determined in the soils of three different catenas in different seasons of the year. The values of these parameters were seen to be closely related with the degree of vegetal cover, forest soils with a high cover value showing the highest indices. There was a highly significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between the TOC and WSC content, and other parameters such as MBC, ATP, dehydrogenase activity and the activity of different hydrolases (urease, protease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase). The results show that the parameters analysed are a good reflection of a soil's microbiological quality since the soils with the worst characteristics (saline and with low organic matter and nutrient content) showed the lowest values. The study provides a soil degradation index based on its microbiological properties: MDI. This index is a function of the following five parameters, which showed the greatest weight in the factorial analysis made with all the parameters analysed: dehydrogenase activity, WSCh, urease activity, WSC and respiration.     

Analysis of some Italian lemon liquors (limoncello)

The chemical composition of several commercial Italian Limoncellos, lemon-peel-based alcoholic beverages, was studied by chromatographic techniques. These methods allowed a rapid monitoring of Limoncello, giving information on quality markers and possible adulteration of the product. Quantitative data for more than 60 compounds are reported. Limoncellos were characterized by the presence of selected volatile (terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols) and nonvolatile compounds (psoralens, coumarins, phenolics, carbohydrates and acids). On the basis of their composition, the samples were grouped by PCA analysis in two sets; the first group showed a composition similar to lemon essential oils, with a high content of b-pinene, myrcene, trans-a-bergamottene, and b-bisabolene, and a low content in neral and geranial. The composition of the second group suggested the occurrence of oxidative phenomena and/or the addition of flavors. The presence of ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-1-propanol and glycerol showed that a fermentation probably occurred in the sugar syrup used to dilute the Limoncello after the extraction process.     

Identification and quantification of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products in different types of Iberian hams

Cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) were determined in four different groups of dry-cured Iberian hams, based on the feeding received by pigs and their degree of crossbreeding. After lipid extraction, GC-FID for cholesterol determination and GC-MS to analyze COPs were used. Cholesterol content ranged from 30 to 34 mg/100 g of muscle. Some of the COPs analyzed, such as 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol, were detected in all of the samples. The major cholesterol oxide was 7-ketocholesterol; its concentration ranged from 57 to 71 microg/100 g of muscle. The content of cholesterol and cholesterol oxides in intramuscular lipids of hams was not affected by diet or crossbreeding of Iberian pigs.     

Biodegradation of Diesel Oil in Soil by a Microbial Consortium

Biodegradation of diesel oil was performed using adiesel oil-degrading bacterial consortium, in bothlaboratory and pilot scale experiments. The bacterialconsortium was prepared in liquid for laboratory testsand for pilot scale experiments, it was prepared intwo steps, liquid and then in soil. The concentrationof diesel in soil treated with the bacterialconsortium was reduced to <15% of the initialconcentration, within a period of five weeks in bothlaboratory (135 to 19.32 g diesel kg (soil dryweight)^-1) and pilot scale (118 to 17.5 g dieselkg (soil dry weight)^-1) experiments, incomparison with controls (without bacterialconsortium), in which initial concentration of dieselwas reduced by only 5 and 15%, respectively. Dieselbiodegradation rate with the bacterial consortium was2.13 g diesel kg (soil dry weight)^-1 d^-1, itwas slightly enhanced by the addition ofNH₄NO₃ in the presence of bacterialconsortium 2.78 g diesel kg (soil dry weight)^-1d^-1. The enhancement of the microbial activity inhydrocarbon-contaminated soil can be achieved with thecombination of stepwise soil inoculation and nutrient additions.     

Identification of goose,mule duck,chicken, turkey,and swine in foie gras by species-specific polymerase chain reaction

A specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been developed for the identification of goose (Anser anser), mule duck (Anas platyrhynchos x Cairina moschata), chicken (Gallus gallus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) in foie gras. A forward common primer was designed on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), and reverse primers were designed to hybridize on species-specific DNA sequences of each species considered. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear identification of goose, mule duck, chicken, turkey, and swine in foie gras. Analysis of experimental mixtures demonstrated that the detection limit of the assay was approximately 1% for each species analyzed. This genetic marker can be very useful for the accurate identification of these species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in foie gras.     

Butyltin compounds in Portuguese wines

Butyltin compounds are widespread contaminants that have also been found in some wines. The purpose of the present work was to make a survey of butyltin compounds in Portuguese wines. Forty-three table wines and 14 Port wines were analyzed for butyltin contents by using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). In 14% of the analyzed wine samples, measurable dibutyltin (DBT) was found at concentrations ranging between 0.05 and 0.15 microg/L as Sn. Monobutyltin (MBT) was also observed (0.05 microg/L as Sn) in just a single wine. A search for the possible sources of DBT residues found in the wines was carried out. Therefore, some plastics and oak wood used in the process of wine-making, which have been directly in contact with the musts or the wines, were studied to check their possible release of butyltins. The eventual presence of DBT was also tested directly along the vinification process, from the must to the finished product. The results suggest that high-density polyethylene containers used in the transfer of wine in an early stage of the vinification process may be the main sources of these contaminants. Therefore, it is recommendable that plastic materials to be used in wineries be previously tested for the release of butyltin compounds.     

Monitoring benthic microflora in river bed sediments: a case study in the Anllóns River (Spain)

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to investigate the abundance and composition of the superficial biofilm on the bed sediments of the Anllóns River (NW Spain), to evaluate the relationships between biochemical parameters and biological methods based on identification and counting, and to explore the relationships between biofilm growth and the properties of the sedimentary habitat, mainly the trophic state.

Materials and methods

Bed sediment samples (0–5 cm) were collected in two different seasons (winter and summer) at four sampling sites along the river course. Physicochemical properties of pore waters and sediments were determined. Biological properties included the determination of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phytopigment (Chl a Chl b and total carotenoids) concentrations, as well as taxonomic identification. For taxonomic identification, two sampling methods were compared: the Pasteur pipette method and a mini-corer method. Total and relative algal abundances (TA and RA, respectively) and genus richness were calculated. The relationships between the different variables were examined using Pearson correlations and principal component analysis.

Results and discussion

The main taxa belonged to Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta, and Heterokontophyta. The most abundant class was Bacillariophyceae, which represents >86 % of the total abundances in the superficial sediments. The highest total algal abundance and genus richness were observed in summer at the river mouth, where DHA and phytopigment concentrations were also the highest. The statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between TA and the biochemical parameters (DHA and phytopigments) as well as positive relationships of these three parameters with the physicochemical properties of the sediments, such as electrical conductivity, and the concentrations of fine particles, C, N, S, and total P.

Conclusions

The results of this study reveal the positive relationships between the biochemical properties (phytopigments and respiratory activity) and total algal abundances determined by taxonomic identification and counting. All of these properties presented evidence of a clear influence of the nutrients and organic matter contents of the sediments, pointing to the importance of the site conditions, particularly the trophic state, in the development of benthic microflora.

     

Purification and isotopic signatures (<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>15</Superscript>N, Δ<Superscript>14</Superscript>C) of soil extracellular DNA

The aim of this work was to obtain pure extracellular DNA molecules so as to estimate their longevity in soil by an isotope-based approach. Extracellular DNA molecules were extracted from all horizons of a forest soil and purified by the procedure of Davis (Purification and precipitation of genomic DNA with phenol–chloroform and ethanol. In: Davis LG, Dibner MD, Battey JF (eds) Basic methods in molecular biology. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, 16–22, 1986) without (DNA1) or with (DNA2) a successive treatment with binding resins followed by elution. The two differently purified DNA samples were compared for their A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and natural abundance of stable (¹³C and ¹⁵N) and radioactive (¹⁴C) isotopes. The purity index and the PCR amplification did not differentiate the efficiency of the two purification procedures. The isotopic signature of DNA was more sensitive and was strongly affected by the purification procedures. The isotopic measurements showed that the major contaminant of extracellular DNA1 was the soil organic matter (SOM), even if it is not possible to exclude that the similar δ ¹³C, δ ¹⁵N and Δ¹⁴C values of DNA and SOM could be due to the use of SOM-deriving C and N atoms for the microbial synthesis of DNA. For extracellular DNA2, extremely low values of Δ¹⁴C were obtained, and this was ascribed to the presence of fossil fuel-derived substances used during the purification, although in amounts not revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The fact that it is not possible to obtain contaminant-free DNA molecules and the potential use of soil native organic compounds during the microbial synthesis of DNA make it not achievable to estimate the age of soil extracellular DNA by radiocarbon dating.     

Intraoperative fluid therapy for video-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs

BackgroundIntraoperative fluids are still poorly studied in veterinary medicine. In humans the dosage is associated with significant differences in postoperative outcomes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to verify the influence of three different fluid therapy rates in dogs undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy.MethodsTwenty-four female dogs were distributed into three groups: G5, G10, and G20. Each group was given 5, 10, and 20 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ of Lactate Ringer, respectively. This study evaluated the following parameters: central venous pressure, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, acid-base balance, and serum lactate levels. Additionally, this study evaluated the following urinary variables: urea, creatinine, protein to creatinine ratio, urine output, and urine specific gravity. The dogs were evaluated up to 26 h after the procedure.ResultsAll animals presented respiratory acidosis during the intraoperative period. The G5 group evidenced intraoperative oliguria (0.80 ± 0.38 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹), differing from the G20 group (2.17 ± 0.52 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹) (p = 0.001). Serum lactate was different between groups during extubation (p = 0.036), with higher values being recorded in the G5 group (2.19 ± 1.65 mmol/L). Animals from the G20 group presented more severe hypothermia at the end of the procedure (35.93 ± 0.61°C) (p = 0.032). Only the members of the G20 group presented mean potassium values below the reference for the species. Anion gap values were lower in the G20 group when compared to the G5 and G10 groups (p = 0.017).ConclusionsThe use of lactated Ringer''s solution at the rate of 10 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ seems to be beneficial in the elective laparoscopic procedures over the 5 or 20 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ rates of infusion.