Total Polyphenol Contents and Mineral Profiles in Commercial Wellness Herbal Infusions: Evaluation of the Differences between Two Preparation Methods.

The popularity of the consumption of wellness herbal teas is due to the many health-promoting properties they seem to possess. Modern preparation methods using coffee machines are also popular today. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate differences in infusions obtained by the traditional method using filters and by espresso coffee machines using pods. In this regard, different herbal materials were selected and purchased in two different types of herbal containers, and the corresponding infusions were analyzed for the contents of total polyphenols and mineral elements. Results showed that filter infusions had higher polyphenol and mineral contents than pod infusions, excluding Cd and Pb. For each of the plant materials used, differences due to the method of infusion preparation are highlighted. From a qualitative point of view, both methods of infusion preparation are valid, but the filter infusion method allows a higher transfer of minerals and polyphenols into the infusion, improving quality. The analyzed infusions can be safely consumed with respect to As, Cd, Pb, and Hg contents. Good amounts of polyphenols and Mn can be obtained by drinking a cup of any of the infusions analyzed, especially the mate infusion obtained by the filter technique, with amounts of 429 mg for polyphenols and 69.27% of the RDA for manganese.

Assessment of the Accuracy of Nutrition Label and Chemical Composition of Plant-Based Milks Available on the Italian Market.

Growing health, environmental, and ethical concerns have encouraged interest in plant-based milks (PBMs), but it remains questionable whether the nutrition labeling of these products is adequately reliable for consumers, and whether nutritional standards can be defined for a given PBM type. On this basis, cereal, pseudocereal, nut, and legume PBMs available on the Italian market were analyzed in order to check the accuracy of nutritional labels on packages and generate new or updated compositional data. Most labels provided inaccurate information, especially with respect to the declared energy, fat, and saturated fat. Cereal- and pseudocereal-based PBMs were generally characterized by high MUFA (34.04-59.35%) and PUFA (21.61-52.27%). Almond, soy, rice, and hazelnut beverages displayed the highest levels of total tocopherols (11.29-13.68 mg/L), while buckwheat and spelt PBMs had the highest total polyphenol content (34.25-52.27 mg GAE/100 mL). Major and trace elements greatly varied among samples, being more abundant in buckwheat and coconut-based drinks. A PCA confirmed that nutritional standards cannot be unequivocally established for a given PBM, and indicated that, among the investigated variables, inorganic elements had more weight in the sample differentiation. Overall, to reliably guide consumers in their dietary choices, there is a need for greater accuracy in the development of nutrition labels for PBMs, as well as greater effort in assessing the nutritional quality of the ever-increasing variety of products available on the market.

Effect of Filtration Process on Oxidative Stability and Minor Compounds of the Cold-Pressed Hempseed Oil during Storage.

Cold-pressed hempseed oil (HO) has been increasingly exploited in the human diet for its excellent nutritional and healthy properties. However, it has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and chlorophylls, which inevitably accelerate its oxidative deterioration, especially in the presence of light. In this scenario, the filtration technology may ameliorate the oxidative stability of the oil, with positive effects on its nutritional quality and shelf life. Therefore, in this study, the oxidative stability and minor compounds of non-filtered and filtered HO (NF-HO and F-HO) were monitored over 12 weeks of storage in transparent glass bottles. F-HO showed a better hydrolytic and oxidative status than NF-HO during storage. As a result, F-HO also displayed better preservation of total MUFAs and PUFAs in the autoxidation process. Filtration consistently reduced chlorophylls, thus causing a variation in the natural color of HO. Accordingly, F-HO not only revealed an increased resistance to photooxidation but it was also suitable for storage in clear bottles within 12 weeks. F-HO predictably showed lower carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene compared to NF-HO. However, filtration appeared to play a "protective role" toward these antioxidants, which had lower degradation rates in F-HO than NF-HO for 12 weeks. Interestingly, the element profile of HO was not affected by filtration and remained stable during the study period. Overall, this study may be of practical use to both producers and marketers of cold-pressed HO.

Effect of olive by-products feed supplementation on physicochemical and microbiological profile of Provola cheese.

Introduction: With the purpose to evaluate the effects of dietary olive cake, a source of bioactive phenolic compounds, as feed supplementation of lactating dairy cows on fatty acid composition, volatile organic compounds, and microbiological profiles of Provola cheese, we performed a two-arm study where control and experimental administered cows derived dairy have been compared. Methods: Our panel of analyses include metabolomics, physicochemical detected variables, culture dependent and independent analyses, and a stringent statistical approach aimful at disclosing only statistically significant results. Results and discussion: Looking at the physicochemical variable's profiles, a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and conjugated linoleic acids as well of proteins were observed in experimental cheese samples, indicating the beneficial effect of dietary supplementation. Furthermore, based on volatilome composition, a clear cluster separation between control and experimental cheeses was obtained, mainly related to terpenes degradation, able of influencing their aroma and taste. Microbiological results showed a decrease of some spoilage related microbial groups in experimental cheeses, probably due to the inhibitory effect exerted by polyphenols compounds, that contrarily did not affect the core taxa of all cheese samples. This paper confirmed the promising utilization of olive by-product in farming practices to obtain more sustainable and safe dairy food products with lower environmental impact, mainly in Sicily and Mediterranean area, where waste disposal poses serious environmental and economic problems.

Impact of pharmaceutical products on zebrafish: An effective tool to assess aquatic pollution.

Overuse of pharmaceuticals products (PPs) and sometimes ineffective wastewater purification systems have led to the accumulation of these residues in aquatic systems. Raising concerns about the likely harmful effects of these substances both to ecosystems and to human health. Animals as model organisms are nowadays increasingly used to track the health of environmental system around the world. They can be used to understand biological processes, to obtain information on the health status of the environment, and to better understand the effects of xenobiotics on organisms. Among model organisms, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the best models for studying evolution biology, cancer, toxicology, drug discovery, and genetics. This fish is a multipurpose model organism, due to its easy of maintenance and keeping and the transparency of the embryo during the early stages of development. In this paper, the toxicological effects of typical PPs, and their effects on zebrafish are reviewed. Many PPs have been found to be toxic or even fatal to zebrafish. Showing how these pharmaceuticals compound can affect zebrafish from the larval stage and even in the adult stage. Zebrafish is thus a model for how we can better understand how medications affect not only individual fish but the entire aquatic ecosystem, bringing about perturbations in their behaviour and putting their survival at risk.

Multidrug-resistant epi-endophytic bacterial community in Posidonia oceanica of Mahdia coast as biomonitoring factor for antibiotic contamination.

Faced with the significant disturbances, mainly of anthropogenic origin, which affect the Mediterranean coastal ecosystem, Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile has often been used to assess the state of health of this environment. The present study aims to determine the multidrug resistance patterns among isolated and identified epi-endophytic bacterial strains in P. oceanica seagrass collected from Mahdia coastal seawater (Tunisia). To investigate the bacterial community structure and diversity from coastal seawater samples from Mahdia, total DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene amplification were performed and analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed that some bands were specific to a given site, while other bands were found to be common to more than one sample. In the other hand, bacterial strains were isolated from 1 mL of leaves and epiphytes suspension of P. oceanica seagrass in marine agar. Forty-three isolates were obtained, seven of them were selected and identified on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus, exhibiting 98-100% of identity with known sequences. Susceptibility patterns of these strains were studied toward commonly used antibiotics in Tunisia. All identified isolates were resistant to Aztreonam (72.1%), Ceftazidime (60.5%), Amoxicillin (56%) and Rifampicin (51.2%). S5-L13 strain had presented the highest multidrug resistance with a MAR index of 0.67.

Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Various dried (by-)products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica were elucidated for their proximate composition, fatty acid (FA) composition, inorganic elements, sugars, and polyphenols. Nopal and prickly pear peel and seeds were abundant in fiber (respectively, 28.39, 12.54, and 16.28%). Seeds had also high protein (17.34%) and may be source of an edible oil, due to lipids (9.65%) poor in saturated FAs (14.12%) and rich in linoleic acid (61.11%). Nopal and peel showed the highest levels of Mg (493.57 and 345.19 mg/100 g), K (6949.57 and 1820.83 mg/100 g), Mn (59.73 and 46.86 mg/Kg) and Fe (23.15 and 15.23 mg/Kg), while the fruit pulp predominantly constituted of sugars, glucose and arabinose being predominant (42.57 and 13.56 g/100 g). Total polyphenols widely varied among the Opuntia products (108.36-4785.36 mg GAE/100 g), being mainly represented by hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonoids as well. In particular, peel may be revalorized for these valuable bioactives, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (484.95 mg/100 g), cinnamic acid (318.95 mg/100 g), rutin (818.94 mg/100 g), quercetin (605.28 mg/100 g), and several isorhamnetin and kaempferol glycosides. Overall, the Tunisian prickly pear cactus could encourage a sustainable production, an effective waste management, and may provide several benefits for human health, in accordance with the model of the Mediterranean diet.

Estrogenic hazards of short chain phthalates and bisphenols found in cosmetic products.

For several years, environmental exogenous agents, called endocrine disruptors, are suspected to interfere with the essential functions of reproduction and development in many living organisms. In this study, endocrine disruptors including five phthalates and two bisphenols contents in finished products were assayed and their estrogenic activity were measured by using the Yeast Estrogen Screen system with respect to human and trout estrogen receptors hERα and rtERS. Independently of the estrogen receptor, only short-chain phthalates (DBP and BBP) and the two bisphenols exhibited an estrogenic activity. Besides, the risk of three end-products (agro-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical) was evaluated before and after forced aging. Only two cosmetics the face cream and the perfume presented a hazard which increases with aging. These results are consistent with the compounds identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These findings confirmed that the YES system can be routinely used to evaluate the estrogenic hazards within finished products.

Preliminary evaluation of plasticizer and BPA in Tunisian cosmetics and investigation of hazards on human skin cells.

In this study, 18 plasticizer (phthalates, adipates, sebacates, and others) and BPA residues in some cosmetic samples collected from Tunisian market are evaluated by micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion combined with GC-MS. In parallel, the impact of these molecules and the cosmetics in the human epithelial cell lines is investigated. The cytotoxic activity of cosmetic extracts is evaluated in vitro against B16 and Hep-2 human skin cell lines using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. This study shows that the tested cosmetic products could constitute a hazard to the consumer health and wellness and that strict safety analysis on cosmetic products needs to be carried out before they are marketed.

Chemical characterization of a variety of cold-pressed gourmet oils available on the Brazilian market.

Different specialty extra virgin oils, produced by cold-pressing fruits/nuts (olive, pequi, palm, avocado, coconut, macadamia and Brazil nut) and seeds (grapeseed and canola), and retailed in the Brazilian region of Minas Gerais, were chemically characterized. Specifically, for each type of oil, the fatty acid composition was elucidated by GC-FID, the contents of selected polyphenols and squalene were determined respectively by UHPLC-MS and UHPLC-PDA, whereas minerals were explored by means of ICP-MS. Olive oil was confirmed to have the highest MUFA content due to a valuable level of oleic acid, while oils from grapeseed, Brazil nut and canola were marked by nutritionally important PUFA levels. The highest SFA content found in coconut oil was mainly due to the high levels of lauric acid, known for its advantageous HDL-raising effects. As for polyphenols, gourmet oils from palm, coconut and canola showed higher levels of phenolic acids (e.g. p-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic, syringic, acids) than olive oil, which was though characterized by peculiar antioxidants, such as tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. Also, olive oil had the highest amount of squalene, followed by the oil from Brazil nut. Finally, all the investigated oils had very low levels (order of µg/kg) of pro-oxidant elements, such as Cu, Fe and Mn. Overall, these findings may fill the gaps still present in literature on certain compositional aspects of commercially available gourmet oils.

Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multi-residual analysis of contaminants in Italian honey samples.

Contaminants belonging to various classes, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs), fungicides (Fs), herbicides (Hs), synergists (SYNs) and insect growth regulators (IGRs) were analysed simultaneously in honey samples using a new simultaneous, easy and rapid method based on a liquid-liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate. It allowed recoveries in the range 80-137%, with limits of detection (LODs) between 0.10 and 5.21 ng g-1, showing a good sensitivity and accuracy. All the analysed Italian honeys showed the presence of residues of OPPs; PAHs were in 46.8% of the samples and PCBs were always below the LODs; 53.2% of the samples were contaminated by OCPs, PYRs, SYNs and IGRs. In addition, 46.8% of the samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Community in honey for chlorfenvinphos (cis + trans), TPP, γ-HCH, tebuconazole, coumaphos and τ-fluvalinate (cis + trans).

Occurrence and distribution of PAHs, PCBs, and chlorinated pesticides in Tunisian soil irrigated with treated wastewater.

Treated wastewater (TWW) is a well recognized source of organic pollutants (OPs) that may accumulate during irrigation. For the first time, data on the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) and organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) in wastewater irrigated soil in Nabeul (Tunisia) are reported. 13 PAHs, 18 PCBs and 16 OCPs were analyzed in soil samples collected at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depth before each and every irrigation and after the irrigation period expanding from June to October. Soil was extracted with an accelerated solvent extractor and analyzed by a tandem gas chromatograph in selected reaction monitoring mode (GC/MS/MS/SRM). OPs residues were detected before irrigation and accumulated at the end of the season for some of them. The total concentration of PAHs varied between 120.01 and 365.18 µg kg(-1) dry weight (dw) at 0-10 cm depth before and at the end of irrigation, respectively. The total concentration of PCBs varied between 11.26 and 21.89 µg kg(-1) dw at 0-10 cm, being higher than those reported for 10-20 cm. The six indicator PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were predominant. OCPs concentrations ranged between 12.49 and 21.81 µg kg(-1) at 0-10 cm and between 74.03 and 310.54 µg kg(-1) at 10-20 cm depth. DDT was predominant accounting for more than 94% of the total OCPs. In view of the present results, OPs are relevant to the agricultural environment, calling for more research on their persistence and potential transfer to plants and/or groundwater while taking into account farmers' practices.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in common buzzard (Buteo buteo) from Sicily (Italy).

In the present study, we investigated the concentrations and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in intestine, liver, and muscle samples of 11 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) from Sicily used as bioindicator for monitoring pollution in environment. All samples of common buzzards were collected at the "Recovery Center of Wild Fauna" of Palermo, through the Zooprophilactic Institute. Quantitative determination of OCs and PCBs in the samples examined has been carried out using HRGC-ECD and GC-MS. The results obtained show the presence of concentrations of ∑DDT and ∑PCB in almost all samples. Regarding ∑DDT (4,4(')-DDE, 2,4(')-DDD, 4,4(')-DDD, 2,4(')-DDT, and 4,4(')-DDT), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (0.411 ± 0.050 µg/g) followed by muscle (0.130 ± 0.017 µg/g) and liver samples (0.109 ± 0.014 µg/g). As regards the ∑PCB congeners (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-95, PCB-99, PCB-101, PCB-110, PCB-138, PCB-146, PCB-149, PCB-151, PCB-153, PCB-170, PCB-177, PCB-180, PCB-183, and PCB-187), the highest concentrations were found in intestine (1.686 ± 0.144 µg/g) followed by liver (1.064 ± 0.162 µg/g) and muscle samples (0.797 ± 0.078 µg/g). Our data deserve particular attention not only for their significance but especially because they were recorded in Sicily, a region with a very low risk of environmental pollution due to the shortage of industries.