Analytical and structural investigation via infrared spectroscopy and density functional methods of cuprous complexes of the antioxidant tripeptide glutathione (GSH). Synthesis and characterization of a novel Cu I -GSH compound

Effect of Flaking and Precooking Procedures on Antioxidant Potential of Selected Ancient Cereal and Legume Flours

Consumption of cereals (and particularly ancient cereals) is considered the base of a healthy diet, and all current dietary guidelines have cereals at the bottom of the nutrition pyramid. Together with cereals, legumes are an excellent source of nutrients and nutraceuticals. The effects of agroindustrial pretreatments (flaking and precooking processes) on the antioxidant potential of flours from ancient cereals and legumes were studied. The extraction of free hydrophilic phenolic compounds was carried out in a hydroalcoholic solvent mixture via an ultrasound-assisted process. Furthermore, the solid residue was successively hydrolyzed by an alkaline solution to extract the bound phenolic fraction. Both free and bound extracted fractions were then quantitatively characterized for total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, and the antioxidant potential was determined by carrying out the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, expressing the results (in both cases) as the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC/ABTS and TEAC/DPPH, respectively). The samples were also extracted in organic apolar solvents (acetone or water-saturated iso-butanol) to quantitatively characterize lipophilic antioxidant compounds and pigments. A discussion on the comparison of these analytical parameters of flours obtained from raw, flaked, and precooked cereals and legumes is reported revealing that (i) phenolic compounds are mainly present in the post-hydrolysis extract (bound fraction), (ii) the precooking process significantly reduced the concentration of antioxidants, (iii) the flaking process slightly increased the phenolic content, (iv) legumes were less influenced by pretreatments, suggesting the possibility of using legumes to enrich cereal foods.

Glutathione and copper ions as critical factors of green plant regeneration efficiency of triticale in vitro anther culture

Plant tissue culture techniques are handy tools for obtaining unique plant materials that are difficult to propagate or important for agriculture. Homozygous materials derived through in vitro cultures are invaluable and significantly accelerate the evaluation of new varieties, e.g., cereals. The induction of somatic embryogenesis/androgenesis and the regeneration and its efficiency can be influenced by the external conditions of tissue culture, such as the ingredients present in the induction or regeneration media. We have developed an approach based on biological system, molecular markers, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and structural equation modeling technique to establish links between changes in sequence and DNA methylation at specific symmetric (CG, CHG) and asymmetric (CHH) sequences, glutathione, and green plant regeneration efficiency in the presence of variable supplementation of induction medium with copper ions. The methylation-sensitive Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism was used to assess tissue culture-induced variation, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to describe the glutathione spectrum, and a structural equation model to develop the relationship between sequence variation, de novo DNA methylation within asymmetric sequence contexts, and copper ions in the induction medium, as well as, glutathione, and green plant efficiency. An essential aspect of the study is demonstrating the contribution of glutathione to green plant regeneration efficiency and indicating the critical role of copper ions in influencing tissue culture-induced variation, glutathione, and obtaining green regenerants. The model presented here also has practical implications, showing that manipulating the concentration of copper ions in the induction medium may influence cell function and increases green plant regeneration efficiency.

Distribution of Gadolinium in Rat Heart Studied by Fast Field Cycling Relaxometry and Imaging SIMS

Research on microcirculatory alterations in human heart disease is essential to understand the genesis of myocardial contractile dysfunction and its evolution towards heart failure. The use of contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool in medical diagnostics related to this dysfunction. Contrast agents significantly improve the imaging by enhancing the nuclear magnetic relaxation rates of water protons in the tissues where they are distributed. Gadolinium complexes are widely employed in clinical practice due to their high magnetic moment and relatively long electronic relaxation time. In this study, the behavior of gadolinium ion as a contrast agent was investigated by two complementary methods, relaxometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The study examined the distribution of blood flow within the microvascular network in ex vivo Langendorff isolated rat heart models, perfused with Omniscan^® contrast agent. The combined use of secondary ion mass spectrometry and relaxometry allowed for both a qualitative mapping of agent distribution as well as the quantification of gadolinium ion concentration and persistence. This combination of a chemical mapping and temporal analysis of the molar concentration of gadolinium ion in heart tissue allows for new insights on the biomolecular mechanisms underlying the microcirculatory alterations in heart disease.

Antioxidant Species in Grapes and Wines via Spectrophotometric Methods: No Quenching Effects by Copper(II) and Yeast Derivative Treatments

Analytical determinations for selected parameters in grapes/wines help planning technology treatments in the vineyards and cellars, improving the quality of final products and preserving consumers’ health. The study first reports a comparative analysis for selected parameters on juice, must, and wines at alcoholic and malolactic fermentation stages, from 2013 harvest and refined bottled wines from 2010–2012 and 2015 vintages. This was considered preliminary to the main goal of the work that consisted of testing if the contents of certain antioxidant principles were influenced or not by additions of copper(II) and/or selected fermentation yeasts. Particular attention was devoted to antioxidant molecule contents: total polyphenols, anthocyanins, trans-resveratrol, and quercetin. Selected samples were then analyzed in absence and in presence excess Cu(II)-sulfate (5 mgCu/L) and/or yeast derivatives to evaluate possible effects on antioxidant concentrations. The total polyphenols contents in untreated wine samples were as high as 3334 ± 60 mg (gallic acid)/L and averaged 2883 ± 299 mg/L (wines 2010–2013 and 2015). In particular, high contents of quercetin and quercetin glucoside were found in Sangiovese/Canaiolo/Colorino (harvest 2015) wine, being 21 ± 2 and 3.0 ± 0.2 mg/L, respectively. Even resveratrol had high concentrations in 100% Sangiovese wine (1.3 ± 0.1 mg/L, harvest 2015; 2.6 ± 0.3 mg/L, harvest 2010). Interestingly, no significant effect was revealed by Cu(II) and/or yeast derivatives on antioxidant contents for wine matrixes. In fact, determinations (validated through the standard addition methods) of trans-resveratrol for untreated Sangiovese wines (1.18 ± 0.09 mg/L) and for wines treated with excess Cu(II) and excess Cu(II) plus excess yeasts mixtures (1.24 ± 0.09 mg/L and 1.22 ± 0.05 mg/L) did not differ significantly.

Chemical characterization of liposomes containing nutraceutical compounds: Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein

Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein are among the major phenolic compounds in fruits, leaves and oils from Olea europaea L. These natural antioxidants molecules revealed several beneficial effects on human health, but a low bioavailability and accessibility to targeted site. Liposomes are drug/nutraceutical delivery carriers, used for driving bioactive molecules to desired target tissues, decreasing potential side effects and protecting the encapsulated molecule from enzymatic metabolic processes. In this study, zwitterionic liposomes containing tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein were synthesized and characterized for their size and surface charge. Particular attention was devoted to the determination of encapsulation efficiency (EE%), quantifying the loaded Tyr, HTyr and Ole amount, by using three different techniques: direct UV spectrophotometry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity assay. The results revealed higher EE% for oleuropein. Cyto-toxicity and cyto-compatibility of liposomes were also tested on human chondrocyte cells.

Ionic Exchange Resins and Hydrogels for Capturing Metal Ions in Selected Sweet Dessert Wines

Samples of sweet and dessert wines, Vin Santo (VSR) from Malvasia grapes, and Granello (GR) from Sauvignon grapes were collected and analyzed for the content of selected macro- and micro-nutrients (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) and of Pb. GR wines had low levels for Fe, Cu and Zn, when compared to VSR and in particular Zn was two orders of magnitude lower. Methods to decrease the content of Zn and Cu in VSR, as well as those for reducing, at the same time, the concentrations of Ca, Mg and K in both VSR and GR, to avoid the formation of opalescence and depots of metal tartrates, were studied. Synthetic hydrogels containing l-histidine residue were tested. The overall relative lowering effects were by ca 4, 23, and 12% for K, Mg and Ca contents, and ca 6, 27 and 10%, for Mn, Cu and Zn contents, in GR wine samples. Commercial ion exchange resin Lanxess Lewatit L-207 and L-208 were then assayed, being legally allowed in the agro-food industry. The L-207 resin revealed great lowering effects on the concentrations of Mn, Cu and Zn, being 75, 91 and 97%, respectively, in VSR wines and 77, 76 and 92%, respectively, in GR wines. The content of Zn was reduced from 49.3 ± 1.2 mg/L in the original wine, down to 1.1 ± 0.1 mg/L, within 48 h soaking. The effects on the character of the dessert wines by the resin L-207 was also taken under control, measuring pH and color index. The color index changed by ca 15% and pH by ca 6% upon treatment of VSR wine with L-207 resins (48 h).

Bioaccumulation and oxidative stress caused by pesticides in Cyprinus carpio reared in a rice-fish system

Nowadays, many irrigated rice producers have adopted the rice-fish farming systems, in which fish are reared in the same environment as rice is grown. These animals can biologically control many pests that disturb the crop, as well as increase the income of producers when they are reared in the same area as rice. However, a large variety of pesticides is often used for pest control in conventional irrigated rice crops, and fish are exposed to different pesticide concentrations and active ingredients. Thus, the aim of the current study is to assess the potential risks of these pesticides to freshwater fish (Cyprinus carpio) cultured in integrated rice-fish farming systems. We assessed five pesticides widely used in rice culture. This is the first report on the bioaccumulation of the insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam and clorantraniliprole and of the fungicide tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin associated with oxidative stress and with enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters in edible fish samples reared in integrated in rice-fish farming systems. After 100 days of exposure, lambda-cyhalothrin and tebuconazole bioaccumulated in carp muscles. Acethylcholinesterase activity in the brain was lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Overall, the biochemical analyses showed increased responses in the experimental groups in comparison to the controls. Lipid peroxidation levels increased in the liver, gills and muscles. Protein oxidation increased in the liver and muscles. Catalase activity increased in the liver, and glutathione S-transferase increased in the liver, gills and muscles. Results demonstrate that these pesticides have severe adverse consequences in fish and indicate their potential risk to human health due to their bioaccumulation in farmed fish.