Search Results (699)

Algae protein has emerged as a sustainable and non-allergenic alternative to animal protein as the market seeks to reduce reliance on traditional animal protein sources. To effectively utilize algae protein isolates, particularly from Arthrospira platensis, it is essential to develop an efficient method for protein extraction and isolation that can be scaled up. This work aims to optimize the extraction conditions to obtain high-purity protein extracts. HPLC-DAD was used to determine the total and free amino acid profiles, while SDS-PAGE and HPLC-MS/MS were used for the protein characterization. An optimized extraction method was selected based on achieving the highest protein content and purity. Full article

Melanoidins are the final products of the Maillard reaction (MR), a non-enzymatic browning reaction that occurs during food thermal processing, including biscuits, which are widely consumed. This work developed a novel technique for extracting biscuit melanoidins. Using shotgun proteomics, proteins involved in melanoidin formation were studied, and potential MR-induced protein modifications were investigated to elucidate the chemical structure and formation of biscuit melanoidins. It was observed that gluten proteins and soluble wheat flour-derived proteins were involved in melanoidin formation, along with the detection of protein modifications. These findings highlight shotgun proteomics as a promising tool for understanding biscuit melanoidins. Full article

Sugar is essential to organisms, but excessive consumption can lead to certain diseases. Overconsumption is a major concern in modern society, especially in developed countries. The purpose of this study was to convert sucrose present in sucrose-rich fruit concentrates into fructooligosaccharides (FOS) using the enzymes invertase (Inv) or fructosyltransferase (FTase). FOS are oligosaccharides (OS) that bypass part of the digestive system and reach the colon, where they are metabolized by gut bacteria. This can simultaneously exert prebiotic effects while reducing a product’s calories. Based on these results, it was concluded that there is potential for enzymatically reducing a product’s caloric value while converting sucrose into FOS, thus enriching the product’s dietary fiber content. Full article

In this work, the possibility of cathodical electroanalytical determination of aesculetin and quercetin, the most representative polyphenolic coumarin and flavonoid, is theoretically described. The cathodic reaction is given by the electrochemical reduction of 2- and 4-pyrone rings simultaneously on a vanadium(III) oxyhydroxide-modified electrode at a pH correspondent to wine (3 < pH ≤ 7). Analysis of the mathematical model, corresponding to the reaction mechanism, lets us conclude that, although the oscillatory behavior remains highly probable, the cathodic electroanalytical process, based on VO(OH)-assisted reaction, may be even more efficient than anodic oxidation of the polyphenolic compounds in the same conditions. Full article

Microalgae (µAlgae) biomass was employed as a sustainable source for the synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots (μAlgae-CNDs) using a hydrothermal carbonization method and ethylenediamine (ED) as a nitrogen additive. The μAlgae-CNDs synthesized with a ratio of 0.64 of ED did not show cytotoxicity against non-tumor NIH 3T3 cells and sarcoma S180 cells, revealing some potential attractive properties for bioimaging. Full article

Stable analogues of the adipokine apelin-13 have shown promising therapeutic potential via APJ receptor activation in isolated β-cells and in animal models of obesity-related diabetes. Incretin mimetics such as exenatide that bind to GLP-1 receptors are well-established Type 2 diabetes treatment options. We developed novel hybrid co-agonist peptide analogues incorporating both exendin-4(1-30) covalently linked to apelin (ELA). The dose-dependent (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁶ M) actions of ELA and component peptides were tested on acute (20 min) insulin secretion from cultured pancreatic BRIN-BD11 β-cells at 5.6 mmol/L glucose. In addition, separate tests were performed in the presence or absence of specific APJ and GLP-1 receptor antagonists. The co-agonist ELA peptide showed markedly greater insulinotropic actions (1.6 to 3.3-fold) than equimolar concentrations of either component peptide alone or in combination (p < 0.001). ELA and related acylated analogues (25 nmol/kg i.p. injection) were also tested on cumulative food intake in trained 21 h-fasted adult mice (n = 8), with food intake measured at 30 min intervals up to 180 min. The ELA co-agonist peptides significantly reduced food intake (3.1-fold by 180 min) in mice (p < 0.001) versus saline-treated controls. ELA peptides showed marked improvements in both insulin secretion and appetite control, raising interest in their therapeutic potential. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent pandemic that presents an urgent threat to human health. Recently, polymyxins have been revived as a last-line therapeutic option, despite their toxicity. As such, there is a need for fast and reliable approaches to devise novel polymyxin analogues. In this work, machine learning was employed to devise a semi-quantitative model of the activity of polymyxin-like molecules. Four learning algorithms and ten families of molecular descriptors were explored. Top performance was observed for an AdaBoost model using the Kier and Hall topological indexes, allowing for the exploration of the systematic changes in the structure of polymyxin B. Full article

The rising issue of antibiotic resistance has emerged as a serious global health problem, compromising our capacity to successfully tackle bacterial diseases. Antibiotic abuse and misuse have hastened the development of resistance, leaving many once-effective medications useless. This research investigates ways for reversing antibiotic resistance, with a special emphasis on rejuvenating older drugs. Several main techniques are being investigated in the attempt to “Make Old Antibiotics Great Again.” First, we investigate the mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance, offering information on the evolutionary processes that drive bacterial adaptability. Following that, we will look at the possibilities of antibiotic combination treatment, a strategy that can improve the efficacy of older antibiotics by utilising synergistic drug interactions. Furthermore, we investigate the potential of antibiotic stewardship programmes, stressing the ethical use of antibiotics to lessen selection pressure for resistant bacteria. Rapid molecular testing, for example, is highlighted as a vital tool for accurate antibiotic selection, improving treatment regimens, and limiting resistance development. The importance of research and development activities in the quest to discover new antibiotics is underlined, as it provides a long-term solution to the resistance challenge. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of policy interventions and global cooperation in creating the landscape of antibiotic resistance, eventually recommending a united response to this critical issue. In summary, this study underlines the need to reverse antibiotic resistance, emphasises the potential of older antibiotics when used wisely, and recommends a holistic strategy incorporating scientific, medical, and policy strategies to address this emerging danger to public health. Full article

Significant risk of side effects of drug therapy in newborns, especially in premature neonates, is associated with immaturity of a number of enzyme systems and biotransformation mechanisms and pharmacokinetic specificity. We consider the use of thiotriazoline), a drug licensed in Ukraine with proven hepatoprotective and cardioprotective activity and a high safety profile, for premature infants to reduce side effects of antibiotic therapy. The use of thiotriazoline in antibiotic therapy results in an increase in the concentration of eNOS in blood plasma and a decrease in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and bilirubin in blood plasma. These results provide experimental support for the use of thiotriazoline to reduce the side effects of azithromycin therapy in newborns. Full article

In this work, Microsoft Bing chat with GPT-4 was used for researching the antibiotic use of clays by submitting three requests that were literally the following: (+) write a bullet list of the most important points concerning research on the use of clay minerals for preparing antibiotics; (+) write a bullet list of suggestions for future and original research, not performed before, on the use of clay minerals for preparing antibiotics; (+) write a bullet list of the most important results of clinical trials of clay minerals as antibiotics. Bing’s answers were extensive, containing information on mineralogical and health issues. Bing also suggested follow-up questions, some of which were also included, and that expanded the topics considered to domains of ethics and arguably even politics, with repeated references to “respecting the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous or local communities that have used clay minerals for medicinal purposes for centuries”, including the answer to the following question suggested by Bing, “How can we improve the antibiotic activity and specificity of clay minerals?”. Full article

This study addresses the global public health concern of the rapid dissemination of acquired metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) in major Gram-negative pathogens. It focused on isolating MBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria in chicken meat from Bharatpur. Conducted from April to June 2023 at Balkumari College’s Microbiology laboratory in Bharatpur, Chitwan, the study analyzed 40 samples. The results revealed that E. coli, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Proteus, Shigella, and Klebsiella were prevalent, with varying degrees of multidrug resistance and MBL positivity. Notably, a significant proportion of the isolates exhibited MBL production, highlighting the need for vigilance and containment strategies in the face of this emerging threat. Full article