Laboratory evaluation of anti-plaque and remineralization efficacy of sugarless probiotic jelly candy supplemented with natural nano prebiotic additive.

We evaluated the anti-cariogenic effect of an experimental synbiotic compound containing probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (NRRL B-442)-based jelly candy supplemented with natural prebiotic grape seed extract (GSE) in a nanoemulsion formula on the colonization and establishment of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) and Actinomyces viscosus (ATTCC 19246) biofilms through counting colony forming units, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We were then analysing the remineralizing effect of synbiotic jelly candy on human enamel surface lesions using Vickers microhardness testers, atomic force microscopy (AFM), SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at three stages (sound, after demineralization, and after pH cycling). We found after 21 days of treatment of the pH-cycled enamel discs with jelly candy for 10 min twice daily, a 68% decrease in S. mutans colony formation, reducing biofilm development, trapping S. mutans visualized in jelly candy under SEM examination, and significantly altering the morphological structure of these bacteria under TEM analysis. For remineralization measurements, statistically significant differences in microhardness integrated mineral loss, and lesion depth through CLSM between demineralization and treatment stages. These findings provide an effective anti-cariogenic synbiotic compound of grape seed extract and probiotic jelly candy with potential remineralizing activity.

Designated functional microcapsules loaded with green synthesis selenium nanorods and probiotics for enhancing stirred yogurt.

Green synthesis selenium nanorods (Se-NRs) were produced based on Aloe vera leaf extract. The size, morphology, antimicrobial, and activation of Se-NRs for probiotics were analyzed. The Se-NRS was stable with a diameter of 12 and 40 nm, had an antimicrobial effect, and improved probiotics counts. The microcapsules loaded with Green Se-NRS (0, 0.05 or 0.1 mg/100 ml) and probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) were designated with efficiency between 95.25 and 97.27% and irregular shapes. Microcapsules were saved probiotics against gastrointestinal juices. The microcapsules were showed a minor inhibition effect against the cell line. Also, microcapsules integrated into stirred yogurt and exanimated for microbiology, chemically, and sensory for 30 days. The probiotics counts, acidity, total solids, and ash values of samples were increased during storage periods without affecting fat and protein contents. The overall acceptability of yogurt with microcapsules containing probiotics and Se-NRs was high without change in body, odor, color, and appearance.

Prophylactic effect of probiotics fortified with Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer.

The purpose of this study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of probiotics fortified with Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer (GU). Freshly harvested Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion was prepared and subsequently inoculated with 2% of the activated yogurt starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbreukii subsp. bulgaricus (1:1). Chemical composition and physicochemical characterization of yogurt and the Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion were assessed. GU was induced by ethanol. Rats were randomly assigned into control, GU, and four prophylactic groups including probiotics fortified with Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion in the percentage of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% respectively. Serum levels of paraoxynase (POX) and tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and catalase (CAT) activity were assessed. Serum levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), ceramide, and homocysteine (Hcy) were evaluated. Results indicated that the Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion was appeared in spherical nano form with droplets diameter around 330 nm. Ethanol induces GU to cause a significant increase in the levels of MDA, NO, NF-κB, IL-1ß, MMP-9, Hcy, and ceramide along with a significant decrease in POX and CAT activities compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with different concentrations of probiotics fortified with Aloe vera pulp nanoemulsion with, especially the 30% concentration, significantly reduce the oxidative stress and ameliorate the release of different inflammatory mediators suggesting it as a promising approach in the protection against GU via scavenging superoxide radicals and inhibiting the activation of the inflammatory signaling cascades.

Rational design of chitosan/guar gum/zinc oxide bionanocomposites based on Roselle calyx extract for Ras cheese coating.

Roselle calyx extract (RE) was used to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a green technique. In the current work, chitosan/guar gum/zinc oxide bionanocomposites based on Roselle calyx extract, namely (CS/GG/RE-ZnO) bionanocomposite were prepared. The synthetic ZnO-NPs and the prepared bionanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the addition of RE-ZnO nanocomposites was improved mechanical, permeability, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of bionanocomposite films. The influence of coating Ras cheese with the fabricated CS/GG/RE-ZnO bionanocomposites on chemical, microbiological, and sensorial properties of Ras cheese was evaluated during ripening in comparing with uncoated cheese. Ras cheese coating with bionanocomposite film containing 3% RE-ZnO nanocomposites protects their surface for around three months from yeasts, molds and other bacteria growth. The prepared CS/GG/RE-ZnO bionanocomposite films can be used as a promising candidate for food packaging applications.

Effect of Ficus carica L. leaves extract loaded gold nanoparticles against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CisPt) is one of the most widely used and highly effective drugs for the treatment of various solid tumors, unfortunately acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered one of its side effects through several mechanisms including production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines. Due to the poor effect of AKI therapy, the use of nanoparticles loaded with natural extracts for delivering to the kidney molecules are desirable. AIM: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of different concentrations of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) as a carrier for Ficus carica L. (Fig) leaves extract against CisPt induced AKI. METHODS: Seventy male albino rats were used and divided into seven groups. After the experimental period, blood was withdrawn, serum was separated for determination of urea, creatinine, homocystein (Hcy) and folic acid while reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and hydroxyproline content (Hyp) were evaluated in kidney tissue homogenate. RESULTS: CisPt induced AKI in rats and results in a significant increase in the levels of serum urea, creatinine, Hcy and kidney Hyp, lipid peroxidation along with a significant reduction of kidney GSH, NO and TAC compared to the control rats. Treatment with Au-NPs and Fig extract particularly in a ratio of (3:2) respectively was shown to improve renal functions with efficient capacity in scavenging ROS and reduced AKI severity. CONCLUSION: Au-NPs enhanced the anti-oxidative properties of the Fig extract in targeting kidney damaged tissue and reduced oxidative toxicity induced by CisPt.