Analysis of the Anti-Cancer Effects of Cincau Extract (Premna oblongifolia Merr) and Other Types of Non-Digestible Fibre Using Faecal Fermentation Supernatants and Caco-2 Cells as a Model of the Human Colon.

Green cincau (Premna oblongifolia Merr) is an Indonesian food plant with a high dietary fibre content. Research has shown that dietary fibre mixtures may be more beneficial for colorectal cancer prevention than a single dietary fibre type. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of green cincau extract on short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in anaerobic batch cultures inoculated with human faecal slurries and to compare these to results obtained using different dietary fibre types (pectin, inulin, and cellulose), singly and in combination. Furthermore, fermentation supernatants (FSs) were evaluated in Caco-2 cells for their effect on cell viability, differentiation, and apoptosis. Cincau increased total SCFA concentration by increasing acetate and propionate, but not butyrate concentration. FSs from all dietary fibre sources, including cincau, reduced Caco-2 cell viability. However, the effects of all FSs on cell viability, cell differentiation, and apoptosis were not simply explainable by their butyrate content. In conclusion, products of fermentation of cincau extracts induced cell death, but further work is required to understand the mechanism of action. This study demonstrates for the first time that this Indonesian traditional source of dietary fibre may be protective against colorectal cancer.

Effect of edible coatings with essential oils on the quality of red raspberries over shelf-life.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present work was to develop strategies for increasing the shelf-life of red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.), by preventing microorganism growth. RESULTS: Fruits coated with alginate plus lemon essential oil (0.2%) or orange essential oil (0.1%) after 15 days of storage had less red skin than the remaining samples. The less red color verified in these samples was also coincident with the lower concentration of anthocyanins at the end of the experiment as well as the lower capacity for scavenging ABTS free radicals or quenching singlet oxygen. Cyanidin and pelargonidin glucosides were found in raspberries fruits. The edible coatings supplemented with the essential oil of orange either at 0.1% or 0.2% were very efficient for controlling yeast and mold growth after 15 days of storage. To control the development of aerobic mesophilic bacteria the use of essential oil of lemon 0.2% and essential oil of orange 0.1% were the most efficient. CONCLUSION: The application of the film improved post-harvest quality of raspberry, since the addition of essential oils of citrus films promoted to the inhibitory effect of fungi and bacteria growth after 15 days of storage, without changing quality parameters. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biological activities and DNA interactions of Amanita ovoidea.

CONTEXT: Amanita ovoidea (Bull.) Link (Amanitaceae) is a well-known species due to its pleasant aroma and flavor since ancient times in the worldwide. This species is also known in Turkey and people consume it extensively. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medicinal importance of A. ovoidea for human health, to explain the effect of mushroom extracts on bacterial DNA, and to find preventive role on bacterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts of A. ovoidea were tested for the antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast using a micro-dilution method. In addition, DNA binding, DNA cleavage activity, and restriction enzyme digestion of the methanol extract of A. ovoidea were examined at different concentrations (40.000-78.125 µg/mL). RESULTS: The highest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value observed against the test micro-organisms was with the chloroform extract (MIC 19.5 µg/mL concentration) against Candida albicans. Other highest antimicrobial effects observed against the test micro-organisms were with the methanol extracts against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella enteritidis (MICs, 78 µg/mL concentrations). All concentrations reduced the mobility of plasmid DNA. BamHI and HindIII targeted specially to supercoils and cut them. Amanita ovoidea extract prevented cutting with HindIII by binding especially to the AA region in open circular DNA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Present results demonstrated that A. ovoidea has excellent antimicrobial and antifungal activities by its DNA interaction activity on pBR322.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of standardized brazilin-rich Caesalpinia sappan extract.

CONTEXT: Brazilin is a major active principle of Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae or Fabaceae). For industry aspects, brazilin-rich extract (BRE) has been prepared and standardized to contain 39% w/w brazilin. BRE may have more advantages than brazilin in term of a lower-cost production process. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of BRE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BRE was prepared by a simple one-step purification of the crude ethanol extract of C. sappan heartwood (CSE) using a Diaion® HP-20 column. The antioxidant activities were determined using three methods, including DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, and ß-carotene bleaching assays, at concentration ranges of 1-10, 10-100, and 10-100 µg/mL, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of BRE (15.6-1000 µg/mL) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were determined by the broth microdilution method. Anti-inflammatory activity of BRE (0.1-5 µg/mL) was evaluated as anti-denaturation activity using bovine serum albumin as a substrate. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: On the basis of ß-carotene bleaching assay, BRE showed antioxidant activity with an EC50 value of 60.5 µg/mL, which was almost equal to that of pure brazilin (52.1 µg/mL). Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to all tested samples than Gram-negative bacteria. BRE possessed higher antibacterial activities than CSE, but lower than brazilin. MIC/MBC values of 62.5-125/125 and 250-500/250-500 µg/mL were obtained for BRE against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. A low concentration (0.1 µg/mL) of brazilin, BRE, and CSE showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting protein denaturation up to 46.8, 54.1, and 61.9%, respectively.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria causing intra-abdominal infections during 2010-2011.

The study for monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends (SMART) surveillance program monitors the epidemiology and trends in antibiotic resistance of intra-abdominal pathogens to currently used therapies. The current report describes such trends during 2010-2011. A total of 25,746 Gram-negative clinical isolates from intra-abdominal infections were collected and classified as hospital-associated (HA) if the hospital length of stay (LOS) at the time of specimen collection was ≥48 hours, community-associated (CA) if LOS at the time of specimen collection was <48 hours, or unknown (no designation given by participating centre). A total of 92 different species were collected of which the most common was Escherichia coli: 39% of all isolates in North America to 55% in Africa. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the second most common pathogen: 11% of all isolates from Europe to 19% of all isolates from Asia. Isolates were from multiple intra-abdominal sources of which 32% were peritoneal fluid, 20% were intra-abdominal abscesses, and 16.5% were gall bladder infections. Isolates were further classified as HA (55% of all isolates), CA (39% of all isolates), or unknown (6% of all isolates). The most active antibiotics tested were imipenem, ertapenem, amikacin, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Resistance rates to all other antibiotics tested were high. Considering the current data set and high-level resistance of intra-abdominal pathogens to various antibiotics, further monitoring of the epidemiology of intra-abdominal infections and their susceptibility to antibiotics through SMART is warranted.

Potential of the essential oil from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus as an antimicrobial agent.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the essential oil of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus in inhibiting the growth of the main bacteria responsible for bad perspiration odor (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus hauseri, Micrococcus yunnanensis and Corynebacterium xerosis). The chemical profile of the essential oil was evaluated by high-resolution gas chromatography (HR-GC) and four constituents were identified, eugenol being the major component (88.6%). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by means of the turbidimetric method, using the microdilution assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the essential oil ranged from 500 to 1,000 µg mL⁻¹. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations confirmed the physical damage and morphological alteration of the test bacteria treated with the essential oil, reference drugs and eugenol. The findings of the study demonstrated that this essential oil can be used in the formulation of personal care products.

Effects of turmeric, shallot extracts, and their combination on quality characteristics of vacuum-packaged rainbow trout stored at 4 ± 1 °C.

The effects of turmeric extract (T), shallot extract (Sh), and their combination (T + Sh) on the quality of vacuum-packaged rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) over a period of 20 d. Fish samples were divided into 4 batches; 3 batches were treated by dipping for 30 min in aqueous solution of turmeric extract (1.5%; v/v), shallot extract (1.5%; v/v), or turmeric and shallot extract combination (1.5%+ 1.5% v/v), while the fourth batch was dipped in distilled water as a control sample. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count), chemical (total volatile base nitrogen [TVB-N], peroxide value [PV], and thiobarbituric acid [TBA] value), and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that the effect of the T, Sh, and T + Sh on the fish samples were to enable the good quality characteristics to be retained longer and to extend the shelf life during the refrigerated storage.

Nitrogenase activity of Beijerinckia derxii is preserved under adverse conditions for its growth

In order to evaluate the response of Beijerinckia derxii ICB-10 to different environmental factors, growth curves and specific nitrogenase activity were studied. Tested conditions were as follows: a) media with different pH values (2.5, 2.8, 4.2 and 5.7); b) medium supplemented with 230 æM aluminium sulphate; c) media with two different potassium phosphate concentrations (50 mM and 100 mM); d) shaken or still cultures; e) medium supplemented with 40 mM sodium thiosulphate. Growth curves and specific nitrogenase activity at pH 4.2 were closely similar to those for cultures at pH 5.7 (standard condition), whereas no growth occurred at pH 2.5. Changes in growth curves and/or specific nitrogenase activity were observed under the following conditions: I) pH 2.8 (decrease in initial CFU number, reduction of maximum specific growth rate, reduced number of generations and stimulation of nitrogenase activity), II) presence of aluminium (early death phase), III) 50 mM PO4(3-) (reduction of maximum specific growth rate), IV) 100 mM PO4(3-) (reduction of both number of generations and maximum specific growth rate as well as early death phase), V) low O2 availability (increasing nitrogenase activity), and VI) presence of thiosulphate (reduction of maximum specific growth rate; early death phase and high stimulation of nitrogenase activity). The data obtained showed the high variability of the cell growth response to environmental factors. Nitrogenase activity was always preserved even when population growth was affected

Growth and enzymological characteristics of a pink-pigmented facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium sp. MB1.

Growth characteristics of batch and continuous cultures of the pink facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium sp. MB1 were determined. The response of a chemostat culture to a pulse increase of methanol concentration was studied. Malate, succinate and oxaloacetate additions to the methanol-supplemented medium decreased batch culture growth inhibition by methanol. The carotenoid content in cells grown in a chemostat decreased with increasing growth rate. The key enzyme activities of C1-metabolism were measured in a chemostat culture at different dilution rates.

Clindamycin: a review of fifteen years of experience.

Clindamycin, the 7(S)-chloro-7-deoxy derivative of lincomycin, has stood the test of time in the treatment of anaerobic infections. Clindamycin inhibits protein synthesis by acting on the 50S ribosomal subunits of bacteria. The colitis resulting from the use of clindamycin has been extensively studied and is now easily manageable. Although newer antibiotics active against anaerobes are available, clindamycin remains a reliable and well-tested antibiotic for use in anaerobic infections.

Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis: description of two patients and characterization of the organism.

Two cases of endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis are reported. In both instances infection was subacute and characterized by (i) implantation on abnormal valves, (ii) chronic course lasting weeks to months before recognition, and (iii) rapid clinical and bacteriological response to penicillin, as well as other antibiotics commonly used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacilli. Our isolates of C. hominis are compared with strains in the National Institutes of Health culture collection. Optimal growth requires yeast extract and incubation at 37 degrees C with increased humidity and supplemental CO2. The production of indole, a positive oxidase reaction, and characteristic sugar fermentation distinguish C. hominis from other slow-growing, gram-negative bacilli.