Efficacy of a combination of nucleotides and lactoferrin in maintaining stable or improving the clinical picture and laboratory findings of leishmaniotic dogs: A randomized controlled study.

This prospective, randomized, controlled, therapeutic study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a product containing nucleotides and lactoferrin in maintaining or improving the clinical picture and laboratory findings of canine leishmaniosis (CanL). The safety and tolerance of this combination were also assessed. Forty Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs, not requiring leishmanicidal and/or leishmaniostatic treatment, were enrolled in the study and randomized into treatment (TG) and placebo (CG) groups. Products A (containing nucleotides and lactoferrin) and B (placebo) were blindly administered to TG and CG, respectively, as palatable tablets at a rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight once every 24 h for 6 months. Following inclusion (T0), dogs were followed up after 3 (T90) and 6 (T180) months. At each time point, for all animals enrolled physical examination and laboratory tests (complete blood count, biochemical panel including C-reactive protein [CRP] and ferritin, and serum protein electrophoresis) were performed. The immunofluorescence antibody test to detect antibodies for L. infantum (T0, T180), Ehrlichia canis (T0, T90, and T180), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (T0, T90, and T180) was executed. A CanL-dedicated clinical score, using a validated scale from 0 (i.e., absence of clinical signs) to 19, was assigned. Four dogs (n=2 in TG, n=2 in CG) did not complete the study. No statistically significant differences in CanL clinical score were observed between CG and TG at T0, T90 and T180. Both TG and CG showed significant variations in anti-L. infantum antibody titres (p=0.0001 and p=0.004, respectively). In TG, antibody titres decreased in 77.8 %, increased in 5.5 %, and remained stable in 16.7 % of dogs, while in CG, decreased in 27.8 %, increased in 50 %, and remained stable in 22.2 % of dogs. During the study, CRP and ferritin remained stable in TG and significantly increased in CG. At T180, 9 out of 18 dogs (50 %) enrolled in the CG, and 1 out of 18 (5.6 %) enrolled in the TG, developed an active form of leishmaniosis. No side effects were reported in any patient included. In conclusion, a 6-month oral administration of a supplement containing nucleotides and lactoferrin was effective in maintaining a stable clinical score, improving antibody titres and potentially reducing the progression from non-active to active forms in L. infatum seropositive dogs. Furthermore, the product was well-tolerated, easy to administer, and free of side effects.

A novel Co/Zn-ferrite molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical assay for sensing of gallic acid in plant extracts, wine, and herbal supplement.

In this study, a new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based sensor platform was developed for the electrochemical determination of gallic acid (GAL) in plant extracts, wine, and herbal supplements. Gallic acid is known for its natural antioxidant properties, which play an important role in preventing cell deterioration that can lead to various diseases. In addition, gallic acid has therapeutic potential due to its anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. Accurate analysis of gallic acid in complex matrices, in mixed samples where different components coexist, is necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this compound. Cobalt ferrite-zinc-dihydro caffeic acid (CFO_Zn_DHCA) nanoparticles, sphere-like in shape and 5 ± 1 nm in size, were incorporated into the MIP-based electrochemical sensor design to enhance the active surface area and porosity of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The functional monomer chosen for this study was aminophenyl boronic acid (3-APBA). In the GAL/CFO_Zn_DHCA/3-APBA@MIP-GCE sensor, which was developed using photopolymerization (PP), 3-APBA as a functional monomer was designed, and obtained in the presence of basic monomer (HEMA), cross-linker (EGDMA), and initiator (2-hydroxy-2-methyl propiophenone) by keeping it under a UV lamp at 365 nm. It aims to detect GAL in real samples such as Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel, Camellia sinensis (green and black tea leaves), wine, and herbal supplements. Morphological and electrochemical characterizations of the designed GAL/CFO_Zn_DHCA/3-APBA@MIP-GCE sensor were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The linear range for the determination of GAL using the indirect method (5.0 mM [Fe(CN)6]-3/-4) was found to be 1.0 × 10-13 M-1.0 × 10-12 M, and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for standard solutions were calculated as 1.29 × 10-14 and 4.29 × 10-14 M, respectively. As a result of the study, the developed MIP-based electrochemical sensor was suitable for detecting GAL with high specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity. Recovery studies were performed to determine the practical applicability of the sensor, and the results were satisfactory. This innovative sensor platform stands out as a reliable and sensitive analytical tool for determining GAL.

A Systematic Review of Phenibut Withdrawals.

Phenibut is an anxiolytic agent that was originally used as a treatment for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia. It is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic, which stimulates GABA receptors in the brain. This increases the inhibitory effects of GABA leading to a greater chance of a sedative response and risk for abuse. It is not currently registered in Western countries but is easily accessible online as a supplement. This is a systematic review of case reports of phenibut patients with withdrawal symptoms published in the PubMed database between January 2010 and October 2023. Following the inclusion criteria application, 15 articles were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. The average age of patients with phenibut withdrawals was 31.8 years (SD=12.66 years), and 13 cases (87%) were males. The average dosage was 13.6 g/day (SD=8 g), ranging from 1.5 to 28.5 g/day. Nine cases (60%) presented at an emergency department, and three cases (17%) were presented at a clinic setting facility. The most common history of patients who took phenibut was alcohol or drug abuse (73%). A history of anxiety and depression (60%) was also seen in the majority of patient presentations. Phenibut is never prescribed in the United States, and there are no official guidelines for phenibut use. Educating all physicians about the potentially harmful supplements available to patients and their biological mechanisms is essential. This review highlights the importance of collecting a thorough patient history, including supplements, to help prevent phenibut misuse and subsequent withdrawals.

Turmeric supplement-associated hepatitis: a clinicopathological series of 11 cases highlighting pan-lobular and zone 3 injury.

AIMS: Although turmeric is commonly ingested and well tolerated, there is increasing evidence that over-the-counter turmeric supplements can cause drug-induced liver injury. We sought to thoroughly characterise clinicopathological features of patients for whom liver injury was attributed clinically to turmeric supplements. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified 11 patients via retrospective pathology archive review: 10 females (91%) and one male, with a median age of 58 years (range = 37-66 years). Six patients (55%) were asymptomatic with abnormal liver function tests, while five patients (45%) presented with malaise and/or jaundice. Ten patients (91%) showed predominant transaminase abnormalities, while one exhibited predominant alkaline phosphatase elevation. Histologically, biopsies showed acute hepatitis (eight cases, 73%, including five pan-lobular and three zone 3-predominant inflammation), scattered lobular aggregates of histiocytes (two; 18%) and a chronic hepatitis pattern of injury (one; 9%). Mild bile duct injury was present in five biopsies (45%). All patients stopped ingesting turmeric supplements after presenting with liver injury, and four patients additionally received steroid therapy; liver function tests normalised in all patients. Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method (RUCAM) analysis estimated the likelihood of turmeric supplement-associated liver injury to be probable (eight cases) and possible (three). CONCLUSIONS: Histological features in the 'possible' cases were consistent with drug-induced injury, highlighting the added benefit of histological analysis relative to RUCAM analysis isolation. This study underscores the need to obtain a full history of over-the-counter medications and supplements when investigating aetiologies for liver injury, including supplements purportedly containing innocuous compounds such as turmeric.

The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at 30: A Legacy of Pioneering Research in Natural Products and Dietary Supplements.

Since its establishment in 1994, the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi has made notable contributions to the field of natural product research, coinciding with the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Over the past three decades, the Center has focused on studying plants, herbs, and other natural materials for applications in medicine, agriculture, and nutraceuticals, particularly in the area of botanical dietary supplements. NCNPR scientists have been actively engaged in developing and improving quality control measures to help ensure the safety of dietary supplements in response to a growing market. The Center's research efforts have led to its designation as a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center of Excellence, reflecting its role in advancing scientific understanding of natural products. Through collaborations with various stakeholders and regulators, NCNPR has contributed to shaping the regulatory landscape for botanical dietary supplements, highlighting both their potential health benefits and associated risks, such as product adulteration. The Center's influence is also evident internationally, as demonstrated by its annual International Conference on the Science of Botanicals, which will mark its 26th year in April 2025. This overview outlines NCNPR's role in supporting research, regulation, and safety in the natural products field.

Dietary supplements in polycystic ovary syndrome-current evidence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, and presents a significant challenge to the global population. This review provides comprehensive evidence of interventions, including food and dietary supplements, aimed at reversing PCOS and improving fertility outcomes. Various dietary supplements are known to cause metabolic changes and hormonal regulation and have a potential impact on increasing pregnancy rates. Although some biochemical alterations have been observed, these metabolic changes do not directly reverse the disorder. Moreover, the lack of sufficient evidence does not convince clinicians to standardize dietary supplements as alternatives to medical or pharmacological interventions. This calls for a study of women with PCOS taking dietary supplements. In addition, unbiased studies of combinations of treatment options for supplements, including large cohort clinical trials, will lead to evidence-based medicine.

Nutritional Innovation Using Green Seaweed (Ulva sp.) and Garlic Powder Extracts for White-Leg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Challenged by Vibrio harveyi.

This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extracts of Ulva sp. and garlic (Allium sativum) powder ethanolic extracts against Vibrio harveyi in vitro. The stimulatory effects of Ulva sp. extract (UE) and garlic powder extract (GPE) on the growth performance and innate immune responses of white-leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and their challenge against V. harveyi infection were also investigated. A commercial shrimp diet (36.1% protein) was enriched with 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g UE/kg diet and 2, 4 and 6 g GPE/kg diet, whereas the control group was free of any supplement. Health juveniles of L. vannamei (average weight 2-3 g) were distributed in 21 fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks (500-L capacity) at a stocking density of 300 animals/tank to represent each treatment in triplicate. The animals were fed ad libitum on the experimental diets up to satiety four times daily for 60 days. The phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extracts of Ulva sp. and garlic powder evoked their richness of several bioactive compounds showing significant antibacterial activity against V. harveyi. The GPE exhibited a higher inhibition zone than that of the UE. The supplemented diets did not significantly affect weight gain %, final weight, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and survival rates of white shrimp compared to those fed on the control diet. Significant increases were observed in total haemocyte count, phagocytosis and phagocytic index of all treatments compared with the control group. There were significant increases in serum total protein, acid phosphatase activity, alkaline phosphatase, lysosomal enzyme activity, phenoloxidase activity and superoxide dismutase activity with offered diets with increasing the levels of ethanolic extracts of Ulva sp. and garlic powder up to 2.0 g UE/kg diet and 6 g GPE/kg diet, respectively. The ethanolic extraction of Ulva sp. and garlic powder-supplemented diet groups, particularly at treatments of 2.0 and 6 g GPE/kg diet, respectively, significantly reduced the shrimp mortality induced by V. harveyi infection when compared with the control group. The net results evoked that ethanolic extraction of Ulva sp. (2.0 g UE/kg) and garlic powder (6 g GPE/kg diet) enhanced the immune response and disease resistance of the white-leg shrimp, L. vannamei. It is also noted that the GPE is more efficient than the UE in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in exclusively breastfed infants after a 5-month iron supplementation.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in exclusively breastfed (EBF) Thai infants. However, in Thailand, iron supplementation guidelines for EBF infants are not available. This prospective open-label study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IDA in 9-month-old EBF infants after receiving iron supplementation from 4 months of age until they consumed adequate iron-rich food. Forty-seven healthy, 4-month-old EBF infants were prescribed 1 mg/kg/day ferrous sulfate. Their complementary food records from 6 to 9 months were calculated for daily iron intake. Complete blood count and iron study were performed at 9 months of age. The results showed that the prevalence of IDA at 9 months was 6.4%. An employed caregiver and the male sex of the baby were significantly associated with iron deficiency. The food record revealed that the median daily iron intake was less than the Thai dietary reference intake recommendation. In summary, the prevalence of IDA in infants with 9 months of exclusive breastfeeding who received iron supplementation was lower than the background rate (25.7%) when iron was not prescribed. Most infants did not have adequate iron in complementary foods. Iron supplementation should be prescribed routinely during 4-9 months of age in healthy Thai EBF infants.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of glutamine supplementation on gut permeability in adults.

The gastrointestinal tract's epithelial barrier plays a crucial role in maintaining health. This study aims to investigate the impact of glutamine supplementation on intestinal permeability, considering its importance for immune function and nutrient absorption. The study adhered to the PRISMA protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A systematic search was performed in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) until April 2023 to identify clinical trials on glutamine supplementation and gastrointestinal permeability. Eligibility criteria included randomized placebo-controlled trials measuring gut permeability post-glutamine supplementation. Studies were included regardless of language or publication date. Data extraction involved study characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane tool, and statistical analysis utilized mean differences and standard deviations with a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore heterogeneity. The systematic review and meta-analysis included 10 studies from 1998 to 2014 with 352 participants. A total of 216 patients were enrolled in the intervention group, and 212 in the control group. The mean participant age was 46.52 years. The participants had different types of diseases in terms of their health status. Overall, glutamine supplementation did not significantly affect intestinal permeability (WMD: -0.00, 95% CI -0.04, 0.03). Subgroup analysis showed a significant reduction in intestinal permeability with doses over 30g/day (WMD: -0.01, 95% CI -0.10, -0.08). The glutamine supplements were administered orally in all included studies. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in intestinal permeability with glutamine supplementation exceeding 30 mg/day for durations of less than 2 weeks. Further investigations with varying dosages and patient populations are warranted to enhance understanding and recommendations regarding glutamine supplementation's effects on gut permeability.

Supplementation with heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila EB-AMDK19 counteracts diet-induced overweight in beagles.

Obesity is a major health problem in dogs and is strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases. The microaerophilic human gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila has been proposed as a potential preventive and therapeutic agent against obesity in both humans and mice; however, the protective effects of human-derived A. muciniphila against canine obesity remain unstudied. We previously demonstrated that the heat-killed A. muciniphila strain EB-AMDK19 (AMDK19-HK) isolated from the faeces of a healthy Korean exerts similar protective effects as the live bacterium in mice with high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Here, we evaluated the effects of AMDK19-HK on body weight, body fat mass, haematological and biochemical parameters, and faecal microbiota composition in beagles fed an HFD for 12 weeks. AMDK19-HK supplementation effectively suppressed body weight increase, body fat deposition and serum triglyceride increase in the canine model; however, no significant changes in the overall haematological and biochemical parameters were observed, reflecting the direct anti-obesity effect of AMDK19-HK. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AMDK19-HK supplementation induced significant changes in the faecal bacterial community, with an increased abundance of Firmicutes and a decreased abundance of Bacteroidota. These results suggest that AMDK19-HK can be used as a dietary supplement to counteract diet-induced overweight in dogs.

Therapeutic effect of fenugreek supplementation on type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Introduction: Numerous clinical trials have investigated the effects of fenugreek, a traditional herbal medicine, on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the results from these studies have been inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of fenugreek supplementation on weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, and glycemic indices in patients with T2DM. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify clinical trial studies until October 2023. The data were analyzed using a random-effects model and presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) along with the associated 95 % confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant impact of fenugreek supplementation on lowering fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD: 20.32 mg/dl; 95 % CI: 26.65 to -13.99), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (WMD: 0.54 %; 95 % CI: 0.80 to -0.28), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.67 to -0.05), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: 33.10 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 64.31 to -1.88), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: 29.14 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 55.45 to -2.83), BMI (WMD: 0.73 kg/m2; 95 % CI: 1.40 to -0.07), and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: 5.68 mg/dL; 95 % CI: 3.51 to 7.85). However, the effect on fasting insulin, triglycerides, and weight was not significant. Conclusions: Fenugreek supplementation has been shown to improve FPG, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and BMI in patients with T2DM. The overall results suggest that fenugreek may have protective and therapeutic effects on T2DM parameters.

Phlorotannin Supplement Improves Scopolamine-Induced Memory Dysfunction by Rescuing Synaptic Damage in Mice.

This study investigated the efficacy of a phlorotannin supplement (PS) in ameliorating scopolamine (SCO)-induced memory deficits in mice, focusing on synaptic function and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Male C57BL/6N mice were divided into six groups and treated with vehicle, donepezil (5 mg/kg body weight (BW)), or PS (100, 250, or 500 mg/kg BW) for 6 weeks. Behavioral tests were conducted , followed by Golgi staining , immunofluorescence , and immunoblotting to assess synaptic protein expression and signaling pathways . Behavioral tests showed that PS administration significantly improved SCO-induced memory impairment and restored synaptic protein expression (synaptophysin , synapsin 1, and postsynaptic density protein 95) in the hippocampus . Additionally , PS enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF ) signaling and activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/CAMP response element binding protein ( ERK-CREB) pathway, essential for synaptic plasticity. Our findings demonstrate that PS mitigates SCO-induced memory dysfunction by protecting synaptic integrity and activating the BDNF-ERKCREB signaling pathway , indicating the potential of PS as a natural intervention for treating memory deficits.

Effectiveness of lipid-based nutrient supplementation during the first 1000 days of life for early childhood development: A community-based trial from Pakistan.

A community-based, cluster non-randomized controlled trial was conducted in Kurram district, Pakistan between January 2018 to December 2020. Age-appropriate lipid-based nutrient supplements and health education (sessions conducted in the households) were given to pregnant women and their born children (6-23 months) in the intervention arm (n = 40 clusters) versus health education only in the control arm (n = 40 clusters) to evaluate its effect on child development. The first and second developmental assessments were completed at ~24 months (n = 689) and ~32 months (n = 608), respectively, using the Caregiver-Reported Early Development Instrument Long form. The overall and domain-specific (motor, language, cognitive and socio-emotional) scores were computed with higher scores indicating better child development. Higher development scores, including overall (ß = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14, 0.65; p = 0.002), cognitive (ß = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.45; p = 0.002), motor (ß = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.56; p < 0.001) and language (ß = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.51; p = 0.001) were reported for children who received the intervention compared to the control arm at first developmental assessment. However, the effect was not sustained after the discontinuation of the intervention. The LNS received by the mothers (during pregnancy and first 6 months after delivery) and by children during 6-23 months of age was beneficial for the children. The trial is registered in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry (ID: ISRCTN94319790) on December 11, 2017.

Efficacy of Dichrostachys Glomerata Supplementation on Overweight and Mildly Obese Adult's Weight, Mood, and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Despite their widespread use, research is needed to evaluate the weight loss and related health/wellness outcomes of herbal plants. Preliminary research found that the fruit of Dichrostachys glomerata is safe and has potential weight loss effects. This study aimed to examine the effect of a standardized powder of D. glomerata fruit pods (DYG-400®) on weight, food cravings, mood, and health-related quality of life of overweight and mildly obese adults. In this CONSORT-compliant double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 56 adults (Mean [M] age = 44.50, M [body mass index] BMI = 31.66) were randomized to either the D. glomerata Group (DG; 300 mg/d) or Placebo Group (PG; rice protein, 300 mg/d) for 60 days. Participants weight was assessed along with self-report assessments of the Food Cravings Questionnaire, CDC Health-related Quality of Life, Perceived Stress Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Profile of Mood States at Baseline, Day 30, and Day 60. The data were collected from March 2023 to June 2023 and stored electronically, and analyzed using general linear models with repeated measures. DG lost more weight at Day 60 compared to PG, p = .05 (4.11 vs. 2.19 lbs). DG had reduced food cravings from Baseline to Day 30 and Day 60 compared to PG, p < .001. Perceived stress, p < .001, and mood, p = .017, improved from Baseline to Day 60 for DG compared to PG. Anxiety decreased from Baseline to Day 60 for DG and from Baseline to Day 30 for PG, p < .001. Health-related Quality of Life improved for DG compared to PG, p < .001. D. glomerata (DYG-400®) may be an effective herbal intervention to promote weight loss and health. Extended clinical trials across diverse populations and settings are needed.Clinical trial registry number and website: ISRCTN10099861, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10099861.

Fanconi syndrome and renal tubular necrosis in patients following ingestion of potentially contaminated red yeast rice supplement: Two case reports.

We present two cases of middle-aged men who developed Fanconi syndrome and renal dysfunction after consuming "foods with functional claims (FFC)" containing red yeast rice. In the first case, the patient had consumed an FFC for 1 year and another FFC suspected to have contained nephrotoxin for 3 weeks; kidney biopsy performed during the acute phase of renal injury showed severe acute tubular necrosis and tubular cell regeneration. He achieved near-complete recovery 40 days after the FFC was discontinued. In the second case, the patient had consumed FFC for 4 years and stopped 70 days prior to presentation; kidney biopsy revealed significant tubular recovery, persistent tubular injuries, and interstitial fibrosis. Although the manifestations of Fanconi syndrome subsided, mild renal dysfunction persisted. These cases suggest that FFC with nephrotoxins may induce Fanconi syndrome owing to acute tubular necrosis. Recovery is possible after discontinuing the FFC; while short-term ingestion of FFC allows for tubular regeneration, its long-term ingestion may cause irreversible damage and lead to chronic kidney disease. Long-term follow-up is crucial for preventing further renal deterioration.

Selective apigenin assay in plant extracts and herbal supplement with molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensor.

This study is the first successful application of a nanomaterial-supported molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective determination of apigenin (API), which is a naturally occurring product of the flavone class that is an aglycone of several glycosides. Secondary metabolites are biologically active substances produced by plants in response to various environmental factors. The levels of these compounds can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil conditions and the season in which the plants are grown. Therefore, the analysis of these compounds is essential to properly understand the biological effects of plant extracts and to ensure their safe use. To increase the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface's active surface area and porosity, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were integrated into the MIP-based electrochemical sensor design. Tryptophan methacrylate (TrpMA) was selected as the functional monomer along with other MIP components such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA, basic monomer), 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone (initiator), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA, crosslinking agent). The morphological and electrochemical characterizations of the developed API/ZnO NPs/TrpMA@MIP-GCE sensor were performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The indirect measurement approach via 5.0 mM [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- solution was utilized to determine API in the linear range of 1.0x10-13 M - 1.0x10-12 M. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for standard solutions were found to be 2.47x10-14 and 8.23x10-14 M, respectively. In addition, the extraction processes were carried out using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and maceration (MCR) procedures. For Apium graveolens L., Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss and herbal supplement, the API recoveries varied from 98.79 % to 102.71 %, with average relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 2.25 % in all three cases. The sensor's successful performance in the presence of components with chemical structures similar to the API was also demonstrated, revealing its unique selectivity.

Analysis of Fatty Acid Compositions and Acid Values of Krill Oil Supplementary Products from the Korean Market.

In order to provide the qualitative data for the 20 commercially available krill oil supplementary products ,the levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),fatty acid compositions, and chemical indices, including acid values , of the supplements , were determined . The acid values ranged from 7.4 to 43 .7 mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH)/ g of oil. The relative percentages of EPA andDHA in the oils ranged from 14.2 to 34.8 % (w/w).Although all 20 krill oil supplements used 100% krill oil as raw material,the fatty acid composition of 4 samples differed from typical krill oil in terms ofthe content of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), and eicosenoic acid (C20:1, n-9). Accordingly, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recently standardized linoleic acid (3% orless) and myristic acid (5-13%) as part ofthe fatty acid components of krill oil. This study provides a reference for analyzing the chemical and nutritional properties and evaluating the adulteration of krill oil supplements in theKorean market.