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1.
Foods ; 12(12)2023 Jun 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37372643

ABSTRACT

Port wine's prominence worldwide is unequivocal and the grape spirit, which comprises roughly one fifth of the total volume of this fortified wine, is also a contributor to the recognized quality of this beverage. Nonetheless, information about the influence of the grape spirit on the final aroma of Port wine, as well as its volatile composition, is extremely limited. Moreover, the aroma characteristics of Port wines are modulated mainly by their volatile profiles. Hence, this review presents a detailed overview of the volatile composition of the fortification spirit and Port wine, along with the methodologies employed for their characterization. Moreover, it gives a general overview of the Douro Demarcated Region (Portugal) and the relevance of fortification spirit to the production of Port wine. As far as we know, this review contains the most extensive database on the volatile composition of grape spirit and Port wine, corresponding to 23 and 208 compounds, respectively. To conclude, the global outlook and future challenges are addressed, with the position of the analytical coverage of the chemical data on volatile components discussed as crucial for the innovation centered on consumer preferences.

2.
Anal Bioanal Chem ; 415(13): 2613-2627, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36631573

ABSTRACT

Microbial metabolomics allows understanding and to comprehensively analyse metabolites, and their related cellular and metabolic processes, that are produced and released to the extracellular environment under specific conditions. In that regard, the main objective of this research is to understand the impact of culture media changes in the metabolic profile of Pedobacter lusitanus NL19 (NL19) and Pedobacter himalayensis MTCC 6384 (MTCC6384) and respective influence on the production of biotechnologically relevant compounds. Solid-phase microextraction combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry with time-of-flight analyser (GC × GC-ToFMS) was applied to comprehensively study the metabolites produced by NL19 and MTCC6384 both in tryptic soy broth 100% (TSB100) and tryptic soy broth with 25% casein peptone (PC25). A total of 320 metabolites were putatively identified, which belong to different chemical families: alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, hydrocarbons, ketones, nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Metabolites that were statistically different from the control (sterile medium) were selected allowing for the construction of the metabolic profile of both strains. A set of 80 metabolites was tentatively associated to the metabolic pathways such as the metabolism of fatty acids, branched-chain aminoacids, phenylalanine, methionine, aromatic compounds, and monoterpene and sesquiterpene biosynthesis. This study allowed to better understand how slight changes of the culture media and thus the composition of nutrients impair the metabolic profile of bacteria, which may be further explored for metabolomics pipeline construction or biotechnological applications.


Subject(s)
Aldehydes , Volatile Organic Compounds , Humans , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods , Mass Spectrometry , Monoterpenes , Culture Media , Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry , Solid Phase Microextraction/methods
3.
Food Res Int ; 160: 111665, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36076381

ABSTRACT

Passiflora is a highly diverse genus where taxonomic lack of consensus remains. This may be the reason why numerous studies do not specify to the infraspecific level the plant material used or lack consistency in the nomenclature of botanical formae of Passiflora edulis. Ultimately, this may contribute to inaccurate chemical composition and health effects attributed to different Passiflora edulis species and formae. Hence, this review aims to overcome these challenges by exploring the phytochemical profile, specific nutritional value and potential health benefits of purple passion fruit (PPF). PPF is often consumed fresh for its pulp (including seeds) or juice, either directly or added to food dishes. It is also used industrially to produce a wide range of products, where peels and seeds are abundant by-products, most often discarded or used in low-value applications. Herein, in a perspective of integral valorisation of the fruit, the potential use of all PPF fractions (peel, pulp and seeds) is discussed as a source of important macro and micronutrients, adequate to integrate a balanced and healthy diet. In addition, the phytochemical profile of such fractions is also discussed along with the associated in vitro biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal) and in vivo beneficial effects in the management of several diseases (asthma, hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis). In summary, this review gathers the current knowledge on the nutritional and phytochemical composition of PPF and highlights the potential of using all fractions as a source of ingredients in food formulations that promote health and well-being. At the same time, it also contributes to defining sustainable strategies for an integrated valorisation of this natural product.


Subject(s)
Passiflora , Fruit/chemistry , Health Promotion , Nutritive Value , Passiflora/chemistry , Phytochemicals/analysis
4.
Molecules ; 27(16)2022 Aug 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36014506

ABSTRACT

Chromatography was born approximately one century ago and has undergone outstanding technological improvements in innovation, research, and development since then that has made it fundamental to advances in knowledge at different levels, with a relevant impact on the well-being and health of individuals. Chromatography boosted a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of human-environment interactions and systems, how these interactions affect our life, and the several societal challenges we are currently facing, namely those related to the sustainability of our planet and the future generations. From the life sciences, which allowed us to identify endogenous metabolites relevant to disease mechanisms, to the OMICS field, nanotechnology, clinical and forensic analysis, drug discovery, environment, and "foodprint", among others, the wide range of applications of today's chromatographic techniques is impressive. This is fueled by a great variability of powerful chromatographic instruments currently available, with very high sensitivity, resolution, and identification capacity, that provide a strong basis for an analytical platform able to support the challenging demands of the postgenomic and post COVID-19 eras. Within this context, this review aims to address the great utility of chromatography in helping to cope with several societal-based challenges, such as the characterization of disease and/or physiological status, and the response to current agri-food industry challenges of food safety and sustainability, or the monitoring of environmental contamination. These are increasingly important challenges considering the climate changes, the tons of food waste produced every day, and the exponential growth of the human population. In this context, the principles governing the separation mechanisms in chromatography as well the different types and chromatographic techniques will be described. In addition, the major achievements and the most important technological advances will be also highlighted. Finally, a set of studies was selected in order to evince the importance of different chromatographic analyses to understand processes or create fundamental information in the response to current societal challenges.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Refuse Disposal , Chromatography , Environmental Pollution , Food , Humans
5.
Molecules ; 27(9)2022 Apr 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35566076

ABSTRACT

Broa is a Portuguese maize bread with characteristic sensory attributes that can only be achieved using traditional maize varieties. This study intends to disclose the volatile compounds that are mainly associated with the baking process of broas, which can be important contributors to their aroma. Twelve broas were prepared from twelve maize flours (eleven traditional maize varieties and one commercial hybrid). Their volatile compounds were analyzed by GC×GC-ToFMS (two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry) for an untargeted screening of the chemical compounds mainly formed during baking. It was possible to identify 128 volatiles that belonged to the main chemical families formed during this stage. Among these, only 16 had been previously detected in broas. The most abundant were furans, furanones, and pyranones, but the most relevant for the aroma of broas were ascribed to sulfur-containing compounds, in particular dimethyl trisulfide and methanethiol. Pyrazines might contribute negatively to the aroma of broas since they were present in higher amounts in the commercial broa. This work constitutes the most detailed study of the characterization of broas volatile compounds, particularly those formed during the Maillard reaction. These findings may contribute to the characterization of other maize-based foodstuffs, ultimately improving the production of foods with better sensory features.


Subject(s)
Volatile Organic Compounds , Bread/analysis , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods , Humans , Odorants/analysis , Sulfur Compounds/analysis , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Zea mays/chemistry
6.
FEMS Microbiol Ecol ; 98(4)2022 04 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35298615

ABSTRACT

Within the oral cavity, the ability of Candida species to adhere and form biofilms is well-recognized, especially when Candida albicans is considered. Lately, a knowledge gap has been identified regarding dual-species communication of Candida isolates, as a way to increase virulence, with evidences being collected to support the existence of interactions between C. albicans and Candida parapsilosis. The present work evaluated the synergistic effect of the two Candida species, and explored chemical interactions between cells, evaluating secreted extracellular alcohols and their relation with yeasts' growth and matrix composition. A total of four clinical strains of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis species, isolated from single infections of different patients or from co-infections of a same patient, were tested. It was found that dual-species biofilms negatively impacted the growth of C. parapsilosis and their biofilm matrix, in comparison with mono-species biofilms, and had minor effects on the biofilm biomass. Alcohol secretion revealed to be species- and strain-dependent. However, some dual-species cultures produced much higher amounts of some alcohols (E-nerolidol and E, E-Farnesol) than the respective single cultures, which proves the existence of a synergy between species. These results show evidence that interactions between Candida species affect the biofilm matrix, which is a key element of oral biofilms.


Subject(s)
Candida albicans , Candida parapsilosis , Alcohols/metabolism , Alcohols/pharmacology , Biofilms , Candida , Candida parapsilosis/metabolism , Humans , Metabolome
7.
Front Chem ; 10: 820749, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35300387

ABSTRACT

The human senses shape the life in several aspects, namely well-being, socialization, health status, and diet, among others. However, only recently, the understanding of this highly sophisticated sensory neuronal pathway has gained new advances. Also, it is known that each olfactory receptor cell expresses only one type of odorant receptor, and each receptor can detect a limited number of odorant substances. Odorant substances are typically volatile or semi-volatile in nature, exhibit low relative molecular weight, and represent a wide variety of chemical families. These molecules may be released from foods, constituting clouds surrounding them, and are responsible for their aroma properties. A single natural aroma may contain a huge number of volatile components, and some of them are present in trace amounts, which make their study especially difficult. Understanding the components of food aromas has become more important than ever with the transformation of food systems and the increased innovation in the food industry. Two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-ToFMS) seems to be a powerful technique for the analytical coverage of the food aromas. Thus, the main purpose of this review is to critically discuss the potential of the GC × GC-based methodologies, combined with a headspace solvent-free microextraction technique, in tandem with data processing and data analysis, as a useful tool to the analysis of the chemical aroma clouds of foods. Due to the broad and complex nature of the aroma chemistry subject, some concepts and challenges related to the characterization of volatile molecules and the perception of aromas will be presented in advance. All topics covered in this review will be elucidated, as much as possible, with examples reported in recent publications, to make the interpretation of the fascinating world of food aroma chemistry more attractive and perceptive.

8.
Foods ; 10(11)2021 Nov 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34829150

ABSTRACT

The Aspergillus niger exometabolome was recently investigated using advanced gas chromatography in tandem with multivariate analysis, which allowed a metabolite biomarker pattern to be proposed. Microbial metabolomics patterns have gained enormous relevance, mainly due to the amount of information made available, which may be useful in countless processes. One of the great challenges in microbial metabolomics is related to applications in more complex systems of metabolomics information obtained from studies carried out in culture media, as complications may occur due to the dynamic nature of biological systems. Thus, the main objective of this research was to evaluate the applicability of the A. niger metabololite biomarkers pattern for in situ and early evaluation of table grapes contamination, used as study model. A. niger is a ubiquitous fungus responsible for food contamination, being reported as one of the main agents of the black mold disease, a serious post-harvest pathology of table grapes. This work included analysis from 1 day of growth time of pure A. niger cultures, A. niger cultures obtained from previously contaminated grapes, and finally, an in situ solid-phase microextraction (SPME) approach directly on previously contaminated table grapes. Supervised multivariate analysis was performed which revealed that after 1 day of inoculation it was possible to detect A. niger biomarkers, which can be extremely useful in making this type of method possible for the rapid detection of food contamination. The results obtained confirm the potential applicability of the pattern of A. niger biomarkers for early detection of the fungi (after 1 day of contamination), and may be further explored for access food susceptibility to fungi contamination, based on direct analysis of the food item.

9.
Foods ; 10(10)2021 Oct 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34681557

ABSTRACT

Single-dose coffee capsules have revolutionized the coffee market, fueling espresso coffee popularity and offering access to a wide selection of coffee blends. Nevertheless, scarce information related to coffee powder and brew's combined volatile characterization is available. In this study, it is hypothesized that coffee brew aroma characteristics can be predicted based on coffee powder's volatile composition. For this, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection (GC × GC-ToFMS) was used. The data were combined via chemometric tools to characterize in depth the volatile composition of eight blends of capsule-coffee powder and respective espresso brews, simulating the consumer's perception. A total of 390 volatile compounds were putatively identified, 100 reported for the first time in roasted coffee or brews. Although the same chemical families were determined among the coffee powders and espresso brews, a different volatile profile was determined for each matrix. The Pearson correlation of coffee powders and respective brews allowed to identify 15 volatile compounds, mainly terpenic and esters recognized by their pleasant notes, with a strong relationship between the amounts present in both matrices. These compounds can be key markers to predict the volatile aroma potential of an espresso brew when analyzing the coffee powder.

10.
Foods ; 10(9)2021 Sep 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34574293

ABSTRACT

Acrylamide (AA) is a food contaminant in thermally processed products that is object of tight control. A simple and easy-to-apply methodology for routine monitoring of AA levels in food products could allow producers to be players in the control of their own products. In this work, a simple methodology for AA quantification without derivatization was developed for biscuits, for which the benchmark levels recommended by EFSA are 350 µg/kg, and 150 µg/kg for biscuits for infants and young children. Headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used in 120 mL screwed-cap vials with a carboxen/polydimetylsiloxane fiber, 4 g of biscuits, and 10 mL of water during 15 min at room temperature under stirring. The addition of 30 mL of propanol under stirring during 15 min at room temperature and 15 min at 60 °C was used to promote AA transfer to the headspace. The fiber exposure was 45 min. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis allowed to obtain an external calibration curve at m/z 71, with linearity R2 > 0.99 and precision RSD < 9%. The detection and quantification limits were 27.4 µg/kg and 91.5 µg/kg, respectively. The methodology was successfully used in biscuits with lower AA amount, where mitigation strategies (asparaginase or pectate) were applied.

11.
Metabolites ; 11(8)2021 Aug 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34436475

ABSTRACT

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease that affects individuals of all ages. It has a high prevalence and is associated with high morbidity and considerable levels of mortality. However, asthma is not a single disease, and multiple subtypes or phenotypes (clinical, inflammatory or combinations thereof) can be detected, namely in aggregated clusters. Most studies have characterised asthma phenotypes and clusters of phenotypes using mainly clinical and inflammatory parameters. These studies are important because they may have clinical and prognostic implications and may also help to tailor personalised treatment approaches. In addition, various metabolomics studies have helped to further define the metabolic features of asthma, using electronic noses or targeted and untargeted approaches. Besides discriminating between asthma and a healthy state, metabolomics can detect the metabolic signatures associated with some asthma subtypes, namely eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes or the obese asthma phenotype, and this may prove very useful in point-of-care application. Furthermore, metabolomics also discriminates between asthma and other "phenotypes" of chronic obstructive airway diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO). However, there are still various aspects that need to be more thoroughly investigated in the context of asthma phenotypes in adequately designed, homogeneous, multicentre studies, using adequate tools and integrating metabolomics into a multiple-level approach.

12.
Biomolecules ; 11(8)2021 08 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34439888

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this study was to chemically characterize an aqueous S. nigra flower extract and validate it as a bioactive agent. The elderflower aqueous extraction was performed at different temperatures (50, 70 and 90 °C). The extract obtained at 90 °C exhibited the highest phenolic content and antiradical activity. Therefore, this extract was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC-MS, which allowed the identification of 46 compounds, being quercetin and chlorogenic acid derivatives representative of 86% of the total of phenolic compounds identified in hydrophilic fraction of the aqueous extract. Naringenin (27.2%) was the major compound present in the lipophilic fraction. The antiproliferative effects of the S. nigra extract were evaluated using the colon cancer cell lines RKO, HCT-116, Caco-2 and the extract's antigenotoxic potential was evaluated by the Comet assay in RKO cells. The RKO cells were the most susceptible to S. nigra flower extract (IC50 = 1250 µg mL-1). Moreover, the extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. These results show that S. nigra-based extracts can be an important dietary source of bioactive phenolic compounds that contribute to health-span improving life quality, demonstrating their potential as nutraceutical, functional foods and/or cosmetic components for therapeutic purposes.


Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Flowers/chemistry , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Phenols , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sambucus nigra/metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Phenols/chemistry , Phenols/pharmacology
13.
Foods ; 11(1)2021 Dec 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35010230

ABSTRACT

Improvement of dietary and ecological biodiversity, namely by exploring autochthonous varieties, is a key point to the construction of a more sustainable food system and planetary health. However, the environmental sustainability continues to face huge challenges, reflecting the importance of achieving a better understanding about the functional role of biodiversity in ecosystems. Thus, the main objective of this research is to contribute to the sustainable valorization of Sambucus nigra L. berries through a comprehensive approach to evaluate the effects of elderberry's cultivar, harvest year, and plantation field on the physicochemical berry composition. Moreover, the nutritional value of elderberry juice and respective dried pomace was determined. This complementary information is of huge utility for the rational and, as much as possible, integral use of elderberries. The harvest year, followed by field and the interaction of harvest × field, accounted for the highest impact on the berry's physicochemical parameters, indicating the importance of the combined impact of the macro- and mesoclimate conditions on plant metabolism. Elderberry juice and dried pomace are a good source of carbohydrates (ca. 12 and 82%, respectively) and have low amounts of fat (≤2.5%), making them low-energy foods. Dried pomace may also represent a potential alternative source of vegetal protein (ca. 6%).

14.
Microorganisms ; 8(12)2020 Nov 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33266330

ABSTRACT

Microbial metabolomics is a challenge strategy that allows a comprehensive analysis of metabolites within a microorganism and may support a new approach in microbial research, including the microbial diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this research was to in-depth explore a metabolomics strategy based on the use of an advanced multidimensional gas chromatography for the comprehensive mapping of cellular metabolites of C. albicans and non-C. albicans (C. glabrata and C. tropicalis) and therefore contributing for the development of a comprehensive platform for fungal detection management and for species distinction in early growth times (6 h). The volatile fraction comprises 126 putatively identified metabolites distributed over several chemical families: acids, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic compounds, norisoprenoids, phenols and sulphur compounds. These metabolites may be related with different metabolic pathways, such as amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis, fatty acids metabolism, aromatic compounds degradation, mono and sesquiterpenoid synthesis and carotenoid cleavage. These results represent an enlargement of ca. 70% of metabolites not previously reported for C. albicans, 91% for C. glabrata and 90% for C. tropicalis. This study represents the most detailed study about Candida species exometabolome, allowing a metabolomic signature of each species, which signifies an improvement towards the construction of a Candida metabolomics platform whose application in clinical diagnostics can be crucial to guide therapeutic interventions.

15.
Foods ; 9(9)2020 Sep 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32932861

ABSTRACT

Foodomics, emergent field of metabolomics, has been applied to study food system processes, and it may be useful to understand sensorial food properties, among others, through foods metabolites profiling. Thus, as beer volatile components represent the major contributors for beer overall and peculiar aroma properties, this work intends to perform an in-depth profiling of lager beer volatile metabolites and to generate new data that may contribute for molecules' identification, by using multidimensional gas chromatography. A set of lager beers were used as case-study, and 329 volatile metabolites were determined, distributed over 8 chemical families: acids, alcohols, esters, monoterpenic compounds, norisoprenoids, sesquiterpenic compounds, sulfur compounds, and volatile phenols. From these, 96 compounds are reported for the first time in the lager beer volatile composition. Around half of them were common to all beers under study. Clustering analysis allowed a beer typing according to production system: macro- and microbrewer beers. Monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic compounds were the chemical families that showed wide range of chemical structures, which may contribute for the samples' peculiar aroma characteristics. In summary, as far as we know, this study presents the most in-depth lager beer volatile composition, which may be further used in several approaches, namely, in beer quality control, monitoring brewing steps, raw materials composition, among others.

16.
Foods ; 9(9)2020 Sep 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32942590

ABSTRACT

Although new storage technologies have been emerging in recent years, preservation of pear (Pyrus communis L.) remains a challenge for suppliers. Maintenance of desired organoleptic properties throughout cold storage using non-chemical strategies has been investigated and the use of edible coatings has shown potential to delay fruit quality deterioration during cold storage. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of pectin coatings including plant extracts, in "Rocha" pear (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) preservation. A four-month pilot scale assay was performed in both dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) (-0.5 °C, 0.5% O2, and 0.4% CO2) and normal atmospheric (NA) conditions (2 °C). For each storage condition, the following three coatings were tested: pectin (3% w/v) (PCT), pectin (3% w/v) + strawberry tree leaves extract (9.5 mg/mL) (CT1), and pectin (3% w/v) + apple pomace extract (16 mg/mL) (CT2). Volatile compounds, potentially related to aroma or ripening status of "Rocha" pear, were monitored alongside with conjugated trienols (CTs) and maturity parameters. The combination of DCA conditions and the application of pectin coatings were able to reduce the release of Rocha pear volatiles associated with ripening status, (particularly esters and sesquiterpenes), as well as reduce CTs, which could contribute to the preservation of Rocha pear for longer periods.

17.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 9(8)2020 Aug 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32784698

ABSTRACT

Fruit enzymatic browning (EB) inhibition continues to be a challenge in the Food Industry. This physiological disorder results mainly from the oxidation of natural phenolic compounds by polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POX) leading to the formation of brown pigments. EB can be controlled with the application of antioxidants, reducing/inhibiting the activity of these oxidative enzymes. In this study, strawberry tree (leaves and branches) and apple byproduct were the natural-based extracts (NES) selected, as potential tissue browning inhibitors, within a first screening of fifteen natural-based extracts with antioxidant properties. Phenolic profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the selected extracts were also performed as well as their depletion effect on the oxidative enzyme's activity and browning inhibiton in fresh-cut pears. Strawberry tree extracts (leaves and branches) revealed higher total phenolic content (207.97 ± 0.01 mg GAE.gNES-1 and 104.07 ± 16.38 mg GAE.gNES-1, respectively), confirmed by the plethora of phenolic compounds identified by LC-ESI-UHR-QqTOF-HRMS and quantified by HPLC. This phytochemical composition was reflected in the low IC50 against PPO and POX obtained. Despite the lower phenolic content (6.76 ± 0.11 mg GAE.gNES-1) and antioxidant activity (IC50 = 45.59 ± 1.34 mg mL-1), apple byproduct extract showed potential in delaying browning. This study highlights the opportunity of byproducts and agricultural wastes extracts as novel anti-browning agents.

18.
Polymers (Basel) ; 12(9)2020 Aug 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32847149

ABSTRACT

In this contribution, thin poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) coatings with a well-defined pore structure built up from interpolyelectrolyte complexation between a PIL and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were successfully used for enhanced solid phase microextraction (SPME). The introduction of porosity with tunable polarity through the highly versatile PIL chemistry clearly boosts the potential of SPME in the detection of compounds at rather low concentrations. This work will inspire researchers to further explore the potential of porous poly(ionic liquid) materials in sensing and separation applications.

19.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 9(4)2020 Apr 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32344588

ABSTRACT

Horticultural crops are vulnerable to several disorders, which affect their physiological and organoleptic quality. For about forty years, the control of physiological disorders (such as superficial scald) in horticultural crops, particularly in fruit, was achieved through the application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA), usually combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. However, identification of DPA residues and metabolites in treated fruits, associated with their toxicity, banned the use of this antioxidant in Europe. This triggered the urgent need for novel and, ideally, natural and sustainable alternatives, combined with adequate storage conditions to protect cultivars from harmful agents. This review systematizes the state-of-the-art DPA application on several fresh cultivars, such as apples, pears, and vegetables (potatoes, spinach, etc.), as well as the possible mechanisms of the action and effects of DPA, emphasizing its antioxidant properties. Alternative methods to DPA are also discussed, as well as respective effects and limitations. Recent research on scald development molecular pathways are highlighted to open new non-chemical strategies opportunities. This appraisal shows that most of the current solutions have not lead to satisfactory commercial results; thus, further research aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying postharvest disorders and to design sustainable and safe solutions to improve horticultural products storage is needed.

20.
Medicina (B Aires) ; 80(1): 1-9, 2020.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32044735

ABSTRACT

The Argentine Penal Code in its article 86 specifies the grounds for the legal interruption of pregnancy. In the Programmatic Area of the Piñero Hospital, city of Buenos Aires, a protocol to perform them was established. Since the implementation it had not been evaluated. The objective was to describe the characteristics of these interventions in 2017. A descriptive study was conducted, as a source of information a form completed by the teams after care for the women was used. There were 503 cases, the average gestational age at the first consultation was 8.5 weeks; 93.8% were resolved in the first level, 94.5% of them in the first trimester of pregnancy. The causal integral health was the main one addressed in the health centers, while in the hospital it was rape. The resolution period for the interruptions was 5.7 days in the health centers and 1.3 days in the hospital. The resolution was with medications in 80.9% of the cases in the health centers. The complication rate was 8 per 1000 interruptions. The subsequent contraceptive method coverage was 16.7 per 100 interruptions. In compliance with the sentence F.A.L. (Supreme Court of Justice), access to legal interruptions of pregnancy and women's care implies an increase in effective access to sexual and reproductive rights and a decrease in the number of those who will be exposed to unsafe practices that increase the risk of morbidity and mortality.


El Código Penal Argentino en su artículo 86 especifica las causales para las interrupciones legales del embarazo. En el área Programática del Hospital Piñero de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires se estableció un protocolo para realizarlas. Desde la implementación no se ha evaluado. El objetivo fue describir las características de dichas intervenciones en 2017. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, como fuente de información se utilizó una planilla completada por los equipos luego de atender a las mujeres. Hubo 503 casos, la edad gestacional promedio de la primera consulta fue de 8.5 semanas. El 93.8% se resolvió en el primer nivel, el 94.5% de ellas en el primer trimestre de gestación. La causal salud integral fue la principalmente tenida en cuenta en los centros de salud, la causal violación lo fue en el hospital. El plazo de resolución de las interrupciones fue de 5.7 días en los centros de salud y de 1.3 días en hospital. La resolución fue medicamentosa en el 80.9% de los casos en los centros de salud. La tasa de complicaciones fue 8 cada 1000 interrupciones. La cobertura de método anticonceptivo posterior fue 16.7 cada 100 interrupciones. En cumplimiento del fallo F.A.L. (Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación), el acceso a las interrupciones legales del embarazo y la atención de las mujeres, implica un aumento en el acceso efectivo de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos y una disminución del número de las que se verán expuestas a prácticas inseguras que aumentan su riesgo de morbimortalidad en situación de embarazo.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Legal/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals, Public/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Argentina , Child , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Young Adult
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