{"title":"Established and advanced approaches for recovery of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters from surrounding microbial biomass","authors":"M. Koller","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Downstream processing for recovery of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters from biomass constitutes an integral part of the entire PHA production chain; beside the feedstocks used for cultivation of PHA-production strains, this process is currently considered the major cost factor for PHA production. Besides economic aspects, PHA recovery techniques need to be sustainable by avoiding excessive use of (often precarious!) solvents, other hazardous chemicals, non-recyclable compounds, and energy. Moreover, the applied PHA recovery method is decisive for the molecular mass and purity of the obtained product, and the achievable recovery yield. In addition to the applied method, also the PHA content in biomass is decisive for the feasibility of a selected technique. Further, not all investigated recovery techniques are applicable for all types of PHA (crystalline versus amorphous PHA) and all PHA-producing microorganisms (robust versus fragile cell structures). The present review shines a light on benefits and shortcomings of established solvent-based, chemical, enzymatic, and mechanical methods for PHA recovery. Focus is dedicated on innovative, novel recovery strategies, encompassing the use of “green” solvents, application of classical “PHA anti-solvents” under pressurized conditions, ionic liquids, supercritical solvents, hypotonic cell disintegration for release of PHA granules, switchable anionic surfactants, and even digestion of non-PHA biomass by animals. The different established and novel techniques are compared in terms of PHA recovery yield, product purity, impact on PHA molar mass, scalability to industrial plants, and demand for chemicals, energy, and time.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"113 - 126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43296475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antioxidative role of propolis on LPS induced renal damage","authors":"Z. Doğanyiğit, B. Yakan, A. Okan, S. Silici","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Sepsis is a systemic infectious disease that leads to shock, organ failure, and death and requires urgent treatment. Animal model studies of sepsis and endotoxemia have revealed that antioxidant compounds prevent the progression of multi-system organ failure and reduce death rate. In the present study aimed to establish the effect of propolis, which has been proven to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in recent years, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal damage. 40 Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into five equal groups (n = 8): Control (0.9% NaCl), LPS (30 mg/kg), propolis (250 mg/kg), propolis + LPS, and LPS + propolis. After completion of the experimental protocol, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using blood serum samples obtained from the rats. The kidney samples of the rats were examined histopathologically. As a result, it was determined that LPS increased MDA levels in the blood serum samples and it caused histological changes in the kidney tissue such as tubular damage, mild ischemic injury, ischemic damage in the form of vacuolization, tubular epithelial vacuolization, vascular congestion, and glomerular atrophy. Contrary to these results, MDA levels of serum decreased in the propolis + LPS, and LPS + propolis groups, and also histological findings improved. These results showed that protective effect of propolis against kidney damage caused by LPS.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"156 - 160"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46272559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristina Sarion, A. Dabija, M. Oroian, M. Negoiță, G. Codină
{"title":"Evaluation of acrylamide levels in cereal products from the Romanian market during the 2017 and 2018 period","authors":"Cristina Sarion, A. Dabija, M. Oroian, M. Negoiță, G. Codină","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cereal products are the most consumed in Romania being the main contributors to daily acrylamide exposure. The paper aims to present for the first time a general situation regarding the evolution of the acrylamide levels content from cereal products, on the Romanian market, during 2017-2018 periods, as a result of legislative measures imposed by the European Union (EU). For this purpose, the levels of acrylamide in 55 selected cereal products samples were evaluated. The cereal products analyzed were grouped in biscuits, confectionery, expanded cereals, bakery products and specialties. The acrylamide content from the cereal products were detected using GC-MS/MS method. The highest level of acrylamide was found in biscuits, whereas the lowest level was determined in bakery products. The most of the cereal products samples analyzed (90.9%) was below the reference levels established by the EU Regulation for the acrylamide level from 2017 EC (2013/647/EU) and 2018 EC (2017/2158/ EU). From the 55 cereal products analyzed, only 5 biscuits samples exceeded the reference levels established by the European Commission, one in 2017 and four in 2018 period.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"127 - 133"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49555566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giulia D’Alberti, C. Ferreri, Anna Vita Larocca, P. Torquato, A. Boccuto, C. Gizzi, E. Albi
{"title":"Overweight and erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acid changes in menopause","authors":"Giulia D’Alberti, C. Ferreri, Anna Vita Larocca, P. Torquato, A. Boccuto, C. Gizzi, E. Albi","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Lipid disorders have been implicated in overweight and menopause. However, evidence on lipidomic analysis of fatty acids in erythrocytes of menopausal women is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the body mass index within or beyond 5 years of menopause and erythrocyte fatty acid profile. This case-control study was conducted on out of 37 menopausal women total patients, 22 with body mass index ≥ 25 and 12 matched controls (body mass index <25). Experimental procedures were performed on the blood through robotic equipment for isolation of erythrocyte and cell membrane fatty acids were analyzed by using gas-liquid chromatography. Results showed that erythrocyte membranes did not change significantly in lipid composition between case and control group. However, the percentage of women who had a physiological content of saturated fatty acids was lower in case than in control group, and the percentage of women who had a physiological content of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in control than in case group. Woman with BMI>25 and non-physiological content of fatty acids, were richer in percentage of saturated fatty acids and poorer of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids than women with BMI<25. The percentage of physiological n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated ratio was lower in women with BMI>25 than in women with BMI<25. Interestingly, the percentage of patients that had physiological values of lipids beyond 5 years of menopause increased in comparison patients within 5 years of menopause. Notably, n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids physiological ratio beyond 5 years of menopause increased in both case and control patients, indicating normalization over time. In conclusion erythrocytes fatty acids composition may be related to the body mass index and to the time from menopause.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"144 - 149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49356052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Mehadi Hasan Sohag, Olivier Nicoud, Racha Amine, Abir Khalil-Mgharbel, J. Alcaraz, I. Vilgrain, Donald K. Martin
{"title":"Improved micro-impedance spectroscopy to determine cell barrier properties","authors":"Md. Mehadi Hasan Sohag, Olivier Nicoud, Racha Amine, Abir Khalil-Mgharbel, J. Alcaraz, I. Vilgrain, Donald K. Martin","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The goal of this study was to determine whether the Tethapod system, which was designed to determine the impedance properties of lipid bilayers, could be used for cell culture in order to utilise micro-impedance spectroscopy to examine further biological applications. To that purpose we have used normal epithelial cells from kidney (RPTEC) and a kidney cancer cell model (786-O). We demonstrate that the Tethapod system is compatible with the culture of 10,000 cells seeded to grow on a small area gold measurement electrode for several days without affecting the cell viability. Furthermore, the range of frequencies for EIS measurements were tuned to examine easily the characteristics of the cell monolayer. We demonstrate significant differences in the paracellular resistance pathway between normal and cancer kidney epithelial cells. Thus, we conclude that this device has advantages for the study of cultured cells that include (i) the configuration of measurement and reference electrodes across a microfluidic channel, and (ii) the small surface area of 6 parallel measurement electrodes (2.1 mm2) integrated in a microfluidic system. These characteristics might improve micro-impedance spectroscopy measurement techniques to provide a simple tool for further studies in the field of the patho-physiology of biological barriers.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"150 - 155"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47112337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Screening of endophytic fungal metabolites from Cola nitida leaves for antimicrobial activities against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa","authors":"D. Nwobodo, C. Ihekwereme, F. Okoye","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Endophytic fungi of selected Nigerian plants are important sources of bioactive products with enormous potentials for the discovery of new drug molecules for drug development. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major causes of healthcare-associated bacterial infections, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. In this study, isolated endophytic fungi from Cola nitida were screened for anti-pseudomonas properties. Endophytic fungi associated with healthy leaves of C. nitida were isolated using standard methods. Fungi were identified through their morphological, cultural and microscopic characteristics. The fungi were subjected to solid-state fermentation and secondary metabolites extracted using ethyl acetate and concentrated under vacuum. The crude extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against clinical and laboratory strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar diffusion method. The bioactive components of the fungal extracts were identified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Three endophytic fungi; Acremonium sp., Aspergillus sp. and Trichophyton sp. were isolated. At 1 mg/ml, extracts of the three fungi displayed antipseudomonal activity with inhibition zone diameter ranging from 6 - 4 mm. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of compounds, such as 4-hydroxyphenyl acetate. indole-3-acetic acid, and protocatechuic acid among others in the fungal extracts. The findings in this study reveal that endophytic fungi associated with C. nitida possess promising antipseudomonal properties. This finding can open new doors for the discovery of new agents against P. aeruginosa.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"161 - 166"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46147248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Temel, M. C. Ergoren, Izel Yilmaz, Ozel Yuruker, H. Çobanogullari, O. Tosun, H. Oral, N. Bahçeci̇ler
{"title":"Association of the 5HTR2C gene Ser23 variation with childhood allergic asthma","authors":"S. Temel, M. C. Ergoren, Izel Yilmaz, Ozel Yuruker, H. Çobanogullari, O. Tosun, H. Oral, N. Bahçeci̇ler","doi":"10.22541/au.159064938.87006424","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22541/au.159064938.87006424","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objective: Allergic asthma is the most frequently observed subtype of individuals with asthma. The effects of serotonin plays in the pathophysiology of asthma has not been clearly determined. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between the 5HTR2C gene rs 6318 G>C polymorphism and allergic asthma in pediatric patients in Cyprus. Methods: This study included total number of 177 individuals with 118 control and 59 pediatric patients (43 atopic and 16 non-atopic asthma patient). A skin prick test was performed for each patient to confirm asthma diagnosis and to evaluate atopic status. Genotyping for the 5HTR2C was completed by Real Time-PCR analysis. Results: The genotype distribution frequencies were not in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in the patients’ group (p<0.00001). The frequency of the risk allele (allele C) was not significantly different between the patient and control groups (p=0.255). The genotypic distribution between atopic asthma and non-atopic asthma within the patientsts groups was not in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (p=0.006). However, risk allele presence showed a statistically significant association with atopy-related asthma (p=0.037). Discussion & Conclusion: Overall, despite the finding of no association between the 5HTR2C rs6318 C allele and childhood asthma, the current results indicated that there is a strong association between the 5HTR2C rs6318 C variant and childhood atopic asthma.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"126 - 132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44377246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New strategies for the control of infectious and parasitic diseases in blood donors: the impact of pathogen inactivation methods","authors":"L. Galli, F. Bruschi","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Around 70 infectious agents are possible threats for blood safety. The risk for blood recipients is increasing because of new emergent agents like West Nile, Zika and Chikungunya viruses, or parasites such as Plasmodium and Trypanosoma cruzi in non-endemic regions, for instance. Screening programmes of the donors are more and more implemented in several Countries, but these cannot prevent completely infections, especially when they are caused by new agents. Pathogen inactivation (PI) methods might overcome the limits of the screening and different technologies have been set up in the last years. This review aims to describe the most widely used methods focusing on their efficacy as well as on the preservation integrity of blood components.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"53 - 66"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42306352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Matei, S. Matei, G. Matei, G. Cogălniceanu, C. Cornea
{"title":"Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by culture filtrate of lactic acid bacteria, characterization and antifungal activity","authors":"A. Matei, S. Matei, G. Matei, G. Cogălniceanu, C. Cornea","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are nanomaterials obtained by nanotechnology and due to their antimicrobial properties have a major importance in the control of various species of bacteria, fungi and viruses, with applications in medicine, cosmetics or food industry. The goal of the paper was to present the results of the research carried out on rapid extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by culture filtrate of lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus sp. strain LCM5 and to assess the antimicrobial activity. Analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs evidenced that the size of AgNPs synthesized using culture filtrates of lactic acid bacteria strain LCM5 ranged between 3 and 35 nm diameter, with an average particle size of 13.84±4.56 nm. AgNPs presented a good dispersion, approximately spherical shape, with parallel stripes certifying crystal structure. Frequency distribution revealed that preponderant dimensions of biosynthesized AgNPs were below 20 nm (94%). Antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was variable depending on both species and group of test microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) involved. Diameter of growth inhibition zone of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus ochraceus caused by silver nanoparticles synthesized by lactic acid bacteria strain LCM5 were similar (12.39 ± 0.61mm and 12.86 ± 0.78 mm) but significant stronger inhibition was registered against Penicillium expansum (15.87 ± 1.01mm). The effectiveness of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was more pronounced against Gram-negative bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum with larger zone of inhibition (18 ± 0.69 mm diameter) when compared to those from fungi. Results recommend the silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using culture filtrate of the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus sp. strain LCM5 for biotechnological purposes, as promising antimicrobial agents.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"103 - 97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45564821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Najjaa, B. Abdelkarim, E. Doria, Abdelbasset Boubakri, N. Trabelsi, H. Falleh, H. Tlili, M. Neffati
{"title":"Phenolic composition of some Tunisian medicinal plants associated with anti-proliferative effect on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells","authors":"H. Najjaa, B. Abdelkarim, E. Doria, Abdelbasset Boubakri, N. Trabelsi, H. Falleh, H. Tlili, M. Neffati","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2020-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2020-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Plants have been seen to possess the potential to be excellent biological matrices to serve as a basis for investigating the presence of promising therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. Several successful anti-cancer medicines - or their analogues - nowadays in use are plant derived and many more are under clinical trials. Under current circumstances, the purpose of this work was to test aqueous and ethanolic extracts of five aromatic and medicinal plants from arid zones on some tumor cell lines. These plants, Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng, Crithmum maritimum (L.) Spreng, Hammada scoparia (Pomel) Iljin, Retama raetam (Forssk.) and Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf., widely used in Tunisian ethnomedicine, were assessed for their phenolic compounds, antioxidants and anticancer activities in aqueous and ethanol extracts. Total polyphenols, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined colorimetrically and some of these molecules were identified using RP-HPLC. A significant difference on phenolic contents and composition were found among the investigated plants. Cymbopogon schoenanthus was the richest in phenolic compounds (approx. 72%) with quercetine-3-o-rhamnoside (approx. 33%) as main contributor. For all the tested plants, the highest antioxidant capacity was detected in the ethanolic extracts rather than in the aqueous ones. The highest antiproliferative potential was observed for the ethanolic extracts. Hammada scoparia, Retama raetam and Zizyphus lotus exhibited important antiproliferative effect that reached 67% at a 1% extract concentration. Taken together, the present study supports the potential development of chemotherapeutic agents from, at least, four of the five studied Tunisian ethnomedicinal plants.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"104 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43714510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}