Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Based on α-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex and MXene Modification for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Alkylresorcinols in Whole Wheat Foods.

Authenticating whole wheat foods poses a significant challenge for both the grain industry and consumers. Alkylresorcinols (ARs), serving as biomarkers of whole wheat, play a crucial role in assessing the authenticity of whole wheat foods. Herein, we introduce a novel molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor with modifications involving a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and MXene nanosheets, enabling highly sensitive and selective detection of ARs. Notably, we specifically chose 5-heneicosylresorcinol (AR21), the predominant homologue in whole wheat, as the template molecule. α-Cyclodextrin and acrylamide served as dual functional monomers, establishing a robust multiple interaction between the MIP and AR21. As a result, the sensor exhibited a wide linear range of 0.005 to 100 µg·mL-1 and a low detection limit of 2.52 ng·mL-1, demonstrating exceptional selectivity and stability. When applied to commercial whole wheat foods, the assay achieved satisfactory recoveries and accuracy, strongly validating the practicality and effectiveness of this analytical technique.

Synthesis of morphology-controlled N-doped porous carbon for simultaneous electrochemical sensing of dihydroxybenzene isomers.

Different morphology of N-doped carbon materials, including three-dimensional interconnected N-doped hierarchically porous carbon networks (3D-NC), two-dimensional ultrathin porous carbon nanosheets (2D-NC), and bulk N-doped carbon with micron size (bulk-NC), was easily prepared by using NaCl crystal templates-assisted strategy. Compared with bare glassy carbon, bulk-NC, and 2D-NC, the as-synthesized 3D-NC exhibits excellent electrochemical activity toward the oxidation and sensing of three kinds of common environmental pollutants dihydroxybenzene isomers (hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), and resorcinol (RS)). The impressive electrochemical activity of 3D-NC can be interpreted by its large specific surface area, continuous network-like morphology, superior electro-catalytic ability, and strong accumulation efficiency. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) test showed the 3D-NC-modified electrode exhibited three well-separated oxidation peaks at 0.05 V, 0.14 V, and 0.45 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for HQ, CC, and RS, and their detection limits were evaluated to be as low as 0.0044, 0.012, and 0.016 mg L-1, respectively. Finally, a novel electrochemical analytical platform is successfully fabricated for the simultaneous monitoring of hydroquinone, catechol, and resorcinol with high sensitivity. When used for real wastewater samples analysis, recovery ratio ranging from 94 to 108% with lower than 5% of relative standard deviation (RSD) values was achieved. This work proves a facile strategy to prepare morphology-controlled N-doped carbon-based material and demonstrates its high application potential for environmental monitoring and electrochemical analysis.

An efficient differential sensing strategy for phenolic pollutants based on a nanozyme with polyphenol oxidase activity.

To realize the efficient differential sensing of phenolic pollutants in sewage, a novel sensing strategy was successfully developed based on a nanozyme (GMP-Cu) with polyphenol oxidase activity. Phenolic pollutants can be oxidized using GMP-Cu, and the oxidation products reacts subsequently with 4-aminoantipyrine to produce a quinone-imine compound. The absorption spectra of final quinone-imine products that resulted from different phenolic pollutants showed obvious differences, which were due to the interaction difference between GMP-Cu and phenolic pollutants, as well as the different molecular structures of the quinone-imine products from different phenolic pollutants. Based on the difference in the absorption spectra, a novel differential sensing strategy was developed. A genetic algorithm was used to select the characteristic wavelengths at different enzymatic reaction times. Hierarchical cluster analysis and PLS-DA algorithms were utilized for the discriminant sensing of seven representative phenolic pollutants, including hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, resorcinol, phenol, p-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol. A scientific wavelength selection algorithm and a recognition algorithm resulted in the successful identification of phenolic pollutants in sewage with a discriminant accuracy of 100%, and differentiation of the phenolic pollutants regardless of their concentration. These results indicated that a sensing strategy can be used as an effective tool for the efficient identification and differentiation of phenolic pollutants in sewage.

Spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in small volume of seawater samples using a simple resorcinol method.

A simple resorcinol method to determine nitrate (NO3-) in seawater using a microplate reader with a 48-well plate was established. The method involved the nitration of resorcinol in sulfuric acid to form a pink product that was detected at 505 nm. Reagent concentrations were optimized, and the effect of salinity on NO3- determination was investigated. The detection limit of this method was 0.8 µM, while the upper limit of the linear range was 100 µM. The recoveries ranged from 91.5 to 109.7% for spiked seawater samples with different salinities. The proposed method was compared with two reference methods, and the results revealed a good correlation. Compared to conventional methods that require the preparation of reactants, the proposed method used aqueous solutions as reagents for the reaction, which was simpler and more convenient. Compared to the methods that used organic solvents for the direct determination of NO3-, the proposed method was suitable for estuarine and coastal water samples with large salinity variations. All results indicated that the proposed method can satisfy the requirements of laboratory analysis and demonstrate high application potential for use in field determination.

[Resorcinol - determination method in the workplace air]. / Rezorcynol ­ metoda oznaczania w powietrzu na stanowiskach pracy.

BACKGROUND: Resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) is a white solid used in rubber, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints and varnishes and other industries. Resorcinol is a harmful, irritant, methemoglobin-forming and hemolytic substance. It can cause kidney and liver damage. The aim of the study was to develop a method for the determination of resorcinol in the workplace air, which would enable the determination of its concentrations in the range 0.1-2 of the MAC (maximum allowable concentration) value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method relies on passing the test air containing resorcinol through a cellulose filter, extraction with aqueous methanol solution and chromatographic analysis of the obtained solution. The tests were performed using a liquid chromatograph (HPLC) 1200 series of Agilent Technologies with a diode array detector (DAD). The determinations were carried out using an Allure Basix column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm granulation). The procedure was validated according to European Standard PN-EN 482. RESULTS: The developed method allows the determination of resorcinol in the workplace air in the concentration range of 4.5-90 mg/m3. The limit of detection is 0.087 µg/ml, the precision 5.16% and the relative expanded uncertainty 22.6%. The method described enables selective determination of resorcinol in workplace air in the presence of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,4-dihydroxybenzene, benzene and phenol. CONCLUSIONS: The method is characterized by good precision and accuracy; it meets the requirements of the European Standard PN-EN 482, and can be used by occupational hygiene laboratories to measure concentrations of resorcinol in workplace air to assess workers' exposure to this substance. Med Pr. 2022;73(2):135-42.

Highly sensitive and rapid detection of resorcinol by forming fluorescent azamonardine with dopamine.

We propose a sensitive, selective, and rapid fluorescent assay for detecting resorcinol (RC) based on its specific chemical reaction with dopamine. Under alkaline condition, RC would react with dopamine to yield fluorescent azamonardine, which emits strong blue fluorescence and has a superior excitation wavelength at 416 nm and an emission wavelength at 461 nm. The azamonardine with a molecular weight of 258.1 confirmed by ICP-MS has a quantum yield of 71.3%. The reaction is completed within 1 min showing great potential for point-of-care testing. This assay showed high sensitivity and had a good relationship between fluorescent intensity at 461 nm and RC concentration (I461 = 106.4 + 93.6*CRC; R2 = 0.9904) over the range of 0-40 µM. More importantly, the assay showed a prominent anti-interference from various substances and even can distinguish RC from its isomers, o-dihydroxybenzene and p-dihydroxybenzene. Finally, our assay successfully quantified RC contents in wheat powder and hair dyes with high accuracy.

A new resorcinol derivative from the bark of Aegiceras floridum (Primulaceae).

Chemical investigation of the Vietnamese plant Aegiceras floridum Roem. & Schult. (Primulaceae) led to the isolation of the new compound 3-methoxy-5-nonylphenol (1) along with five known ones 2,8,10-trihydroxy-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one (2), 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-nonylbenzo-1,4-quinone (3), 5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-3-(methylbenzofuran-2-yl)-3-methoxyphenol (4), 2,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3,9-diundecyldibenzofuran-1,4-dione (5) and 10-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2,11-diundecylgomphilactone (6). The structures were elucidated by analysis of their HRESIMS and NMR data as well as the comparison of their NMR data with those reported in the literature. The cytotoxic activity of selected isolated compounds against some cancer cell lines such as human epithelial carcinoma (HeLa), human lung cancer (NCI-H460), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), human breast cancer (MCF-7), and acute T cell leukemia (Jurkat) was evaluated. Among them, 3 showed moderate activities against MCF-7 with an IC50 of 17.77 µM and NCI-H460 with an IC50 of 25.02 µM. The result of DPPH radical scavenging activity assay indicated that compounds 2-4 and 6 revealed weak antioxidant activity.

Fluorescence "turn-on" of silicon-containing nanoparticles for the determination of resorcinol.

A fluorescent nanosensor based on silicon-containing nanoparticles (Si CNPs) with green fluorescence (FL) was prepared by one-step method. The prepared Si CNPs emitted green FL at 470 nm under the excitation at 350 nm. The FL signal of Si CNPs reveals an obvious enhancement in the presence of resorcinol (RC), due to the passivation of surface trap states of Si CNPs via the binding of OH group of RC with the NH group of Si CNPs, which allowed the formation of new radiative electron-hole recombination centers. This was confirmed by some analytical experiments performed on zeta potential, FL lifetime steady state, and the FTIR spectra. Most importantly, this nanosensor could selectively determine RC with high sensitivity and without interference from hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT) as RC isomers. RC was detected in the linear range 0.05-40 µM, with a detection limit of 0.012 µM. The synthesized nanosensor was applied to the determination of RC in fresh fruit juice and water samples. The collected results confirmed the feasibility of our approach with high accuracy.

Engineering sensitivity and specificity of AraC-based biosensors responsive to triacetic acid lactone and orsellinic acid.

We previously described the design of triacetic acid lactone (TAL) biosensor 'AraC-TAL1', based on the AraC regulatory protein. Although useful as a tool to screen for enhanced TAL biosynthesis, this variant shows elevated background (leaky) expression, poor sensitivity and relaxed inducer specificity, including responsiveness to orsellinic acid (OA). More sensitive biosensors specific to either TAL or OA can aid in the study and engineering of polyketide synthases that produce these and similar compounds. In this work, we employed a TetA-based dual-selection to isolate new TAL-responsive AraC variants showing reduced background expression and improved TAL sensitivity. To improve TAL specificity, OA was included as a 'decoy' ligand during negative selection, resulting in the isolation of a TAL biosensor that is inhibited by OA. Finally, to engineer OA-specific AraC variants, the iterative protein redesign and optimization computational framework was employed, followed by 2 rounds of directed evolution, resulting in a biosensor with 24-fold improved OA/TAL specificity, relative to AraC-TAL1.

Colorimetric paper bioassay by horseradish peroxidase for the detection of catechol and resorcinol in aqueous samples.

Phenolic compounds such as catechol and resorcinol are toxic and persistent pollutants in the aqueous environment. Detection procedures such as chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods are time-consuming and require sophisticated instruments with skilled manpower. Development of a simple, cost effective, portable and disposable paper based biosensor could be a better alternative to the conventional methods. The present study attempted to develop a paper based biosensor by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase enzyme to detect catechol and resorcinol in aqueous samples. Horseradish peroxidase catalyzes the oxidation of phenolic compounds to semiquinones, which on reaction with a chromogen, 3-methyl 2-benzothiazolinone hydrazine (MBTH) gives faint pink to red color depending on the compound and its concentration in the sample is the basis for biosensing application. Different methods of enzyme immobilization on filter paper like physical adsorption, covalent coupling, and polysaccharide entrapment were executed. The performance of the various enzyme immobilization methods was evaluated by analyzing the developed color intensity using ImageJ software. Entrapment technique is the most effective method of immobilizing enzyme on the filter paper that produces the highest color intensity with better stability. The visible limit of detection (LoD) was observed as 0.45 mM (50 mg/L) for catechol and 0.09 mM (10 mg/L) for resorcinol in aqueous samples.

Simplified method for the measurement of plasma alkylresorcinols: Biomarkers of whole-grain intake.

RATIONALE: Consumption of whole grains is negatively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but quantification of whole-grain intake is challenging. Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are biomarkers of whole-grain intake. Current methods for AR quantification involve a time-consuming multi-step separation process that hampers applicability in large-scale studies. METHODS: We developed a streamlined method to quantify ARs in human plasma based on protein precipitation and direct injection into an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer operating in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization negative ion mode. RESULTS: Separation of five major ARs was achieved, with linearity in the 5 to 550 nmol/L range and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 nmol/L and quantification (LOQ) of 5 nmol/L. The within-run and between-run precision and accuracy were below 15%, and recoveries above 90%. Once validated, the method was applied to measure concentrations of plasma ARs in subjects who participated in a randomized, crossover trial evaluating the effect of carbohydrate type on CVD risk factors. The unrefined carbohydrate diet with the highest fiber content resulted in the highest plasma AR concentration (93 ± 78 nmol/L), and was significantly different (p <0.01) from lower fiber diets (18 ± 26 nmol/L and 19 ± 26 nmol/L, simple and unrefined carbohydrate, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This method offers a simplified approach to measure concentrations of plasma ARs as an objective biomarker of whole-grain intake that can be applied to large-scale cohort studies.

Chemical profile and biological activities of Peltigera horizontalis (Hudson) Baumg. thallus and apothecia extracts.

The aim of this study was to determine, for the first time, the chemical composition of Peltigera horizontalis thallus and apothecia extracts (ether, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and acetone) by HPLC-UV and GC-MS, and evaluate activity of genotoxic, anticholinesterase, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of acetone extracts. Major constituents of thallus extracts were gyrophoric acid, and methyl gyrophorate while dominant component of apothecia extracts was tenuiorin. The predominant volatile compounds in extracts were methyl orsellinate, dodecyl acrylate, orcinol and orcinol monomethyl ether. The thallus acetone extract at concentration of 2.0 µg mL-1 gave the greatest decrease in the micronuclei frequency (22.4%) of all tested extracts. Apothecia extract showed stronger antioxidant activity as compared to thallus extract. Tested extracts at concentration of 10 mg mL-1 exhibited inhibitory effect (16.5% for thallus and 12.8% for apothecia) on pooled human serum cholinesterase. P. horizontalis acetone extracts had no activity against the tested five bacteria strains.

Cobalt-iron selenides embedded in porous carbon nanofibers for simultaneous electrochemical detection of trace of hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol.

In this study, cobalt-iron selenides embedded in porous carbon nanofibers (CoFe2Se4/PCF), derived from Prussian blue analogues, was prepared as a novel phenolic sensor. The obtained CoFe2Se4/PCF nanocomposites show three-dimensional (3D) networks nanostructures that can supply a desirable conductive network to accelerate electron transfer and avoid the aggregation of CoFe2Se4 nanoparticles. Electrochemical detection of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC) and resorcinol (RS), at CoFe2Se4/PCF modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were researched. The results show the obtained 3D CoFe2Se4/PCF/GCE exhibits excellent electrochemical properties towards the simultaneous testing trace of HQ, CC and RS. The obtained electrode provides wide linear ranges of 0.5-200, 0.5-190 and 5-350 µM and low detection limit of 0.13, 0.15 and 1.36 µM for HQ, CC and RS, respectively. The as-prepared phenolic sensor displays satisfied selectivity and long-term storage stability. In addition, the constructed sensor can be used to determine HQ, CC and RS in actual samples.

Characterization and topical delivery of phenylethyl resorcinol.

OBJECTIVE: Phenylethyl resorcinol (PR) has been used widely in the personal care industry as a novel skin lightening ingredient. Surprisingly, there is only limited information describing the physicochemical properties of this active. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of PR. A secondary objective was to investigate the delivery of this molecule to mammalian skin. METHODS: Phenylethyl resorcinol was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A new high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for analysis of PR was developed and validated. The log P (octanol water partition coefficient), value, solubility and short-term stability of PR in a series of vehicles were also determined using HPLC. The evaporation of the selected vehicles was examined using dynamic vapour sorption (DVS). The permeation profiles of PR were investigated under finite dose conditions in porcine and human skin. RESULTS: The melting point of PR was determined to be 79.13 °C and the measured log P (octanol water partition coefficient) at 21 °C was 3.35 ± 0.03. The linearity of the HPLC analytical method was confirmed with an r2 value of 0.99. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by average recovery rates at three tested concentrations, and the values ranged from 99 to 106%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.19 and 0.57 µg mL-1 , respectively. The solubility of PR in PG, DMI, glycerol was within the range of 367 to 877 mg mL-1 . The stability of PR in tested solvents was also confirmed by the 72 h stability studies. From the DVS studies, 70-125% of applied formulations were recovered at 24 h. The permeation through porcine skin at 24 h ranged from 4 to 13 µg cm-2 , while the corresponding amounts of PR delivered through human skin were 2 to 10 µg cm-2 . CONCLUSION: The physicochemical properties of PR confirm it is suitable for dermal delivery. In this study, propylene glycol was the most promising vehicle for PR delivery to human skin. Future work will expand the range of vehicles studied and explore the percutaneous absorption from more complex formulations.

OBJECTIF: Le phényléthyl résorcinol (PR) est largement utilisé dans le secteur des soins personnels comme ingrédient éclaircissant pour la peau. Pour autant, on ne dispose que d'informations limitées concernant les propriétés physicochimiques de ce principe actif. C'est pourquoi cette étude avait pour objectif principal de réaliser une caractérisation exhaustive du PR. Son objectif secondaire était d'étudier l'administration de cette molécule à la peau de mammifères. MÉTHODES: Le phényléthyl résorcinol a été caractérisé par calorimétrie différentielle à balayage (CDB), analyse thermogravimétrique (ATG) et par résonance magnétique nucléaire (RMN). Pour analyser le PR, une nouvelle méthode de chromatographie liquide à haute performance (CLHP) a été développée et validée. On s'est servi de la CLHP pour déterminer les propriétés suivantes du PR : log P (coefficient de partage octanol/eau), valeur, solubilité et stabilité à court terme du PR dans plusieurs véhicules. L'évaporation des véhicules sélectionnés a été examinée par sorption de vapeur dynamique (DVS). Les profils de perméabilité du PR ont été étudiés dans des conditions de dose finie dans des peaux porcine et humaine. RÉSULTATS: On a pu déterminer que le point de fusion du PR était de 79,13 °C et le log P (coefficient de partage octanol/eau) à 21 °C était de 3,35 ± 0.03. La linéarité de la méthode analytique de la CLHP a été confirmée avec une valeur r2 de 0,99. L'exactitude de la méthode a été évaluée par les taux moyens de récupération à trois concentrations testées, avec des valeurs résultantes comprises entre 99 et 106 %. La limite de détection (LD) et la limite de quantification (LQ) ont été déterminées à 0,19 et 0,57 µg/ml_ 1, respectivement. La solubilité du PR dans le PG, le DMI et le glycérol reste dans une plage comprise entre 367 et 877 mg/ml _ 1. La stabilité du PR dans les solvants testés a également pu être confirmée par les études de stabilité à 72 h. Parmi les formulations appliquées lors des études de DVS, 70 à 125 % de celles-ci ont été récupérées à 24 h. La pénétration par la peau porcine à 24 h était comprise entre 4 et 13 µg/cm_ 2, tandis que les quantités de PR correspondantes délivrées à travers la peau humaine étaient de 2 à 10 µg/cm_ 2. CONCLUSION: Les propriétés physicochimiques du PR confirment qu'il est adapté à l'administration dermique. Dans le cadre de cette étude, le propylène glycol est apparu comme le véhicule le plus prometteur pour l'administration de PR dans la peau humaine. De futurs travaux étudieront davantage de véhicules et examineront l'absorption percutanée lors de l'emploi de formulations plus complexes.

Determination of Phthalic Acid, 2-(3',5'-Dibromo-2',4'-Dihydroxybenzoyl) Benzoic Acid, and Tribromoresorcinol in the Color Additives D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 22 (Eosin Y), and Their Lakes Using UHPLC.

Background: Certain impurities in the color additives drug and cosmetic (D&C) Red No. 21 (R21), D&C Red No. 22 (R22), and their lakes are limited to levels specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and are quantified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in batches of these color additives submitted for certification. Currently, a lengthy and tedious method based on gravity flow elution column chromatography is used to quantify the following CFR-specified impurities: the intermediate, phthalic acid (PhthAc); the manufacturing by-products, 2-(3',5'-dibromo-2',4'-dihydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid (Br2BBA); and brominated resorcinol. "Brominated resorcinol" implies the sum of all possible brominated resorcinols, but the current work focused on 2,4,6-tribromoresorcinol (Br3R) as the most probable side-reaction product. Objective: An improved method was needed to quantify PhthAc, Br2BBA, and Br3R in R21, R22, and their lakes. Methods: A rapid ultra-HPLC (UHPLC) method was developed to replace the gravity flow method for quantitative determination of PhthAc, Br2BBA, and Br3R. Results: PhthAc, Br2BBA, and Br3R were quantified by using five-point calibration curves with data point ranges of 0.11-1.55, 0.06-0.77, and 0.04-0.61% by weight, respectively. LODs for the analytes ranged from 0.01 to 0.03%. Recoveries of the analytes ranged from 90.6 to 99.9%. Conclusions: The UHPLC method is accurate and significantly more rapid than the gravity -flow method, requiring approximately 7 min as compared with 6 h to detect PhthAc, Br2BBA, and Br3R in one sample. Highlights: A rapid UHPLC method was developed to determine CFR-specified impurities in the color additives D&C Red Nos. 21 and 22 and their lakes.

Inter-laboratory study of the skin distribution of 4-n-butyl resorcinol in ex vivo pig and human skin.

4-n-butyl resorcinol (4-nBR) is a highly effective tyrosinase inhibitor, and can be used in cosmetic product for depigmentation purpose. Its efficacy correlates with 4-nBR that absorbed by skin. In this study, skin distribution of 4-nBR within either human or pig skin ex vivo was studied and compared by three independent laboratories. Good agreement was observed in each compartment considering usual inter-lab variability. This study supports the use of pig skin as an alternative source of skin when the availability of human skin is a limiting factor.

Evaluation of alkylresorcinols in adipose tissue biopsies as a long-term biomarker of whole-grain wheat and rye intake in free-living Swedish men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Wheat and rye, the most consumed whole grains (WG) in the Nordic countries, contain alkylresorcinols (AR) in their bran. AR concentrations in human adipose tissue might reflect long-term WG rye and wheat intake. We aimed to evaluate AR concentrations in adipose tissue biopsies as a long-term biomarker of WG wheat and rye intake in free-living Swedish men and women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. AR concentrations in adipose tissue biopsies were analysed and compared with long-term WG intake assessed by three FFQ (repeated over a period of 14 years in men, 17 years in women) and with plasma AR concentrations. SETTING: The Cohort of Swedish Men between 1997 and 2010 and the Swedish Mammography Cohort between 1987 and 2003, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Men (n 149) and women (n 109). RESULTS: Long-term WG rye intake estimated with repeated FFQ correlated (r=0·31-0·41, P<0·01) with adipose-tissue AR concentrations, while WG wheat intake correlated only weakly (r=0·17-0·33, P<0·05). Total AR concentration in adipose tissue was 61 % lower in women than in men at similar energy-adjusted WG wheat and rye intakes, but plasma concentrations were similar. AR concentrations in adipose tissue correlated well with plasma concentrations (r=0·49-0·81, P<0·001). CONCLUSIONS: AR in adipose tissue reflected long-term WG rye but not WG wheat intake, probably due to poor precision in estimating WG wheat intake by FFQ. AR in adipose tissue appears promising as a biomarker of long-term WG rye intake but should be adjusted for sex.

Residents' Self-Reported Health Effects and Annoyance in Relation to Air Pollution Exposure in an Industrial Area in Eastern-Estonia.

Eastern Estonia has large oil shale mines and industrial facilities mainly focused on electricity generation from oil shale and shale oil extraction, which produce high air pollution emissions. The "Study of the health impact of the oil shale sector-SOHOS" was aimed at identifying the impacts on residents' health and annoyance due to the industrial processing. First, a population-wide survey about health effects and annoyance was carried out. Second, the total and oil shale sectors' emitted concentrations of benzene, phenol, and PM2.5 were modelled. Third, the differences between groups were tested and relationships between health effects and environmental pollution studied using multiple regression analysis. Compared to the control groups from non-industrial areas in Tartu or Lääne-Viru, residents of Ida-Viru more frequently (p < 0.05) reported wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, a long-term cough, hypertension, heart diseases, myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes. All health effects except asthma were reported more frequently among non-Estonians. People living in regions with higher levels of PM2.5, had significantly higher odds (p < 0.05) of experiencing chest tightness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.26), shortness of breath (1.16, 1.03-1.31) or an asthma attack (1.22, 1.04-1.42) during the previous year. People living in regions with higher levels of benzene had higher odds of experiencing myocardial infarction (1.98, 1.11-3.53) and with higher levels of phenol chest tightness (1.44, 1.03-2.00), long-term cough (1.48, 1.06-2.07) and myocardial infarction (2.17, 1.23-3.83). The prevalence of adverse health effects was also higher among those who had been working in the oil shale sector. Next to direct health effects, up to a quarter of the residents of Ida-Viru County were highly annoyed about air pollution. Perceived health risk from air pollution increased the odds of being annoyed. Annoyed people in Ida-Viru had significantly higher odds of experiencing respiratory symptoms during the last 12 months, e.g., wheezing (2.30, 1.31-4.04), chest tightness (2.88, 1.91-4.33 or attack of coughing (1.99, 1.34-2.95).

Application of hydrolases and probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici BaltBio01 strain for cereal by-products conversion to bioproduct for food/feed.

The aim of this study was to apply the enzymatic treatment and fermentation by Pediococcus acidilactici BaltBio01 strain for industrial cereal by-products conversion to food/feed bioproducts with high amount of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB propagated in potato media and spray-dried remained viable during 12 months (7.0 log10 cfu/g) of storage and was used as a starter for cereal by-products fermentation. The changes of microbial profile, biogenic amines (BAs), mycotoxins, lactic acid (L+/D-), lignans and alkylresorcinols (ARs) contents in fermented cereal by-product were analysed. Cereal by-products enzymatic hydrolysis before fermentation allows to obtain a higher count of LAB during fermentation. Fermentation with P. acidilactici reduce mycotoxins content in fermented cereal by-products. According to our results, P. acidilactici multiplied in potato juice could be used for cereal by-products fermentation, as a potential source to produce safer food/feed bioproduct with high amount of probiotic LAB for industrial production.

Hydrothermal grain pre-processing and ultra-fine milling for the production of durum wheat flour fractions with high nutritional value.

This work describes a process for producing durum wheat flour fractions with high potential nutritional value using grain pre-milling hydrothermal treatment and ultra-fine grinding (micronization), coupled with air classification. The difference of bioactive value of the flour fractions in relation to dietary fibre and phenolic compounds was monitored on four durum wheat cultivars by analysing total arabinoxylans, water extractable arabinoxylans and 5- n-alkylresorcinols. The extractability of the analysed compounds was most significantly affected by hydrothermal treatment. On average, the hydrothermally treated kernels compared with the untreated ones presented a marked increase of water extractable arabinoxylans and alkylresorcinols (about 25 and 48%, respectively), whereas slightly lower total arabinoxylans content (about 9%) was detected. The air classification applied on micronized kernels produced two flour fractions, coarse and fine, with the last showing, irrespective of the hydrothermal treatment, an increment of alkylresorcinols (24 and 22% in untreated and treated samples) and of total arabinoxylans (13 and 20% in untreated and treated samples) in comparison with the coarse one. The fine fraction (particles ≤ 120 µm), resulting richer in bioactive compounds, provides an interesting raw material to enrich traditional semolina in which, due to the removal of the external layers, the losses of total arabinoxylans and of alkylresorcinols were more than 60 and 90% alkylresorcinols, respectively, if compared with whole wheat grain.