Production and performance evaluation of chitosan/collagen/honey nanofibrous membranes for wound dressing applications.

Persistent bacterial infections are the leading risk factor that complicates the healing of chronic wounds. In this work, we formulate mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol (P), chitosan (CH), collagen (C), and honey (H) to produce nanofibrous membranes with healing properties. The honey effect at concentrations of 0 % (PCH and PCHC), 5 % (PCHC-5H), 10 % (PCHC-10H), and 15 % (PCHC-15H) on the physicochemical, antibacterial, and biological properties of the developed nanofibers was investigated. Morphological analysis by SEM demonstrated that PCH and PCHC nanofibers had a uniform and homogeneous distribution on their surfaces. However, the increase in honey content increased the fiber diameter (118.11-420.10) and drastically reduced the porosity of the membranes (15.79-92.62 nm). The addition of honey reduces the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and the adsorption properties of the membranes. Mechanical tests revealed that nanofibers were more flexible and elastic when honey was added, specifically the PCHC-15H nanofibers with the lowest modulus of elasticity (15 MPa) and the highest elongation at break (220 %). Also, honey significantly improved the antibacterial efficiency of the nanofibers, mainly PCHC-15H nanofibers, which presented the best bacterial reduction rates against Staphylococcus aureus (59.84 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47.27 %), Escherichia coli (65.07 %), and Listeria monocytogenes (49.58 %). In vitro tests with cell cultures suggest that nanofibers were not cytotoxic and exhibited excellent biocompatibility with human fibroblasts (HFb) and keratinocytes (HaCaT), since all treatments showed higher or similar cell viability as opposed to the cell control. Based on the findings, PVA-chitosan-collagen-honey nanofibrous membranes have promise as an antibacterial dressing substitute.

Efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of chronic skin lesions in a horse: A case report.

Consultation was requested for a 7-year-old Gypsy Vanner male horse with a 2-year history of foreskin injury. Upon revision, an ulcer, 153 cm2 in size, with yellowish granules was observed; a RESVECH 2.0 evaluation revealed a score of 32/35 points. Medical history confirmed multiple failed deworming, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic treatments with different topical therapies and recurrence in summer. Laboratory results confirmed elevated total proteins (8.8 g/dL) and globulins (5.5 g/dL), negative bacterial and fungal cultures, as well as negative coproparasitoscopic findings, and finally, identification of stable fly larvae (Stomoxys calcitrans) in the feces. Microscopy showed disorganized collagen, thickened tissue, polymorphonuclear cells, and acanthosis without neoplastic tissue or parasite remains. Debridement was performed and systemic treatment with ivermectin, penicillin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) continued. In addition, 2% chitosan gel and films were applied to the entire surface of the lesion for 72 hours on 30 occasions; vector control with nets and insecticides was performed. On day 94, there was a 6 cm2 surface with involvement of the dermal and epidermal layers, moist epithelial tissue, and diffuse edges, with a RESVECH 2.0 evaluation of 6/35 points. Microscopy showed an intact basement membrane, presence of hair follicles, sweat glands, aligned collagen, and angiogenesis. It was concluded that chronic skin lesions in horses represent a diagnostic challenge, and topical chitosan is an adequate treatment due to its biocompatibility and efficacy, in addition to the functional and cosmetic results in dermal regeneration.

Microencapsulation of sulforaphane from broccoli seed extracts by gelatin/gum arabic and gelatin/pectin complexes.

Sulforaphane is a phytochemical that has received attention in recent years due to its chemopreventive properties. However, the uses and applications of this compound are very limited, because is an unstable molecule that is degraded mainly by changes in temperature and pH. In this research, the use of food grade polymers for microencapsulation of sulforaphane was studied by a complex coacervation method using the interaction of oppositely charged polymers as gelatin/gum arabic and gelatin/pectin. The polymers used were previously characterized in moisture content, ash and nitrogen. The encapsulation yield was over 80%. The gelatin/pectin complex had highest encapsulation efficiency with 17.91%. The presence of sulforaphane in the complexes was confirmed by FTIR and UV/visible spectroscopy. The materials used in this work could be a new and attractive option for the protection of sulforaphane.

Effect of the refining process on Moringa oleifera seed oil quality.

We evaluated the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of the oil extracted from the seeds of Moringa oleifera during its refining process. Refining is accomplished in three stages: neutralization, degumming, and bleaching. Four samples were analyzed, corresponding to each step of the processed and crude oil. Increases in the density, viscosity, saponification value and oxidation of the oil were detected during the refining, while the peroxide value and carotenoid content diminished. Moreover, the refractive index and iodine content were stable throughout the refining. Nine fatty acids were detected in all four samples, and there were no significant differences in their composition. Oleic acid was found in the largest amount, followed by palmitic acid and behenic acid. The crude, neutralized, and degummed oils showed high primary oxidation stability, while the bleached oil had a low incidence of secondary oxidation.

Effect of solvents and methods of stirring in extraction of lycopene, oleoresin and fatty acids from over-ripe tomato.

Lycopene and oleoresin extraction from powder of tomato over-ripe by three agitation methods and four solvents have been evaluated. Also, tomato powder and the oleoresins were characterized biochemically. On average, the moisture content of powder was found to be 4.30, ash 8.90, proteins 11.23 and lipids 4.35 g 100 g(-1). The best oleoresin extraction yield was achieved by combining sonication and acetone at 1.43 g 100 g(-1). The greatest amount of lycopene (65.57 ± 0.33 mg 100 g(-1)) was also obtained using the same treatment. The presence of trans-lycopene was positively confirmed by HPLC and FTIR. In oleoresins, linoleic acid (C18:2n6) was the predominant with 50% of total fatty acids, whereas stearic acid (C18:0) is presented in a smaller proportion (5%). A simple and suitable method for extraction of lycopene from over-ripe tomato was optimized. In industrial applications, tomato by-products are a viable source of analytes, such as lycopene and unsaturated fatty acids.

[Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane) content in cruciferous vegetables]. / Contenido de sulforafano (1-isotiocianato-4-(metilsulfinil)-butano) en vegetales crucíferos.

Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane) content in cruciferous vegetables. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate which has antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties, this compound is found in a wide variety of plants from genus Brassica oleracea, being the most important broccoli and cabbage. The objective of this research was to quantify sulforaphane in the edible parts of broccoli and cabbage leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sample preparation for the quantification of sulforaphane include the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane (45 +/- 2 degrees C for 2.5 h), extracted with dichloromethane, purification of the extract in columns of solid phase extraction and detection by HPLC- UV. Sulforaphane concentration in broccoli is in the range of 214 microg/g DW (stems) to 499 microg/g DW (inflorescences). The purple cabbage (101.99 microg/g DW) has values greater than the green cabbage (7.58 microg/g DW). The inflorescences of broccoli and red cabbage leaves are rich in sulforaphane.

Contenido de sulforafano (1-isotiocianato-4-(metilsulfinil)-butano) en vegetales crucíferos: [revisión] / Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane) content in cruciferous vegetables: [review]

El sulforafano es un isotiocianato con propiedades antimicrobianas y anticarcinogénicas, se encuentra en una amplia variedad de vegetales del género Brassica oleracea, considerándose las más importantes el brócoli y repollo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue cuantificar sulforafano en las partes comestibles de brócoli y en hojas de repollo por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La preparación de la muestra para la cuantificación del sulforafano incluye la conversión de glucorafanina a sulforafano (45 ± 2°C durante 2,5 h), extracción con diclorometano, purificación del extracto en columnas de extracción de fase sólida, y detección por HPLC-UV. En brócoli la concentración de sulforafano está en el rango de 214 µg/g bs (tallos) a 499 µg/g bs (inflorescencias). El repollo morado (101,99 µg/g bs) presentó valores mayores de sulforafano que el repollo verde (7,58 µg/g bs). Las inflorescencias de brócoli y las hojas de repollo morado son ricos en sulforafano.

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate which has antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties, this compound is found in a wide variety of plants from genus Brassica oleracea, being the most important broccoli and cabbage. The objective of this research was to quantify sulforaphane in the edible parts of broccoli and cabbage leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sample preparation for the quantification of sulforaphane include the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane (45 ± 2 °C for 2.5 h), extracted with dichloromethane, purification of the extract in columns of solid phase extraction and detection by HPLC- UV. Sulforaphane concentration in broccoli is in the range of 214 µg/g DW (stems) to 499 µg/g DW (inflorescences). The purple cabbage (101.99 µg/g DW) has values greater than the green cabbage (7.58 µg/g DW). The inflorescences of broccoli and red cabbage leaves are rich in sulforaphane.