Accumulation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and other bioactive compounds, in the course of fermentation of green tea (Camellia sinensis) kombucha.

Kombucha is a potential probiotic tea-based drink with increasing worldwide consumption. Studies on this probiotic beverage are growing rapidly, especially about micronutrients and microbial population. As such, the present study performed the molecular identification of the microorganism and evaluated 5-methyltetrahydrofolate content by HPLC-DAD, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, antioxidant activity by spectrophotometric methods, and physicochemical composition of green tea kombucha on fermentation days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. DNA sequencing identified the Microbacterium genus as predominant. However, was unable to safely determine the species level because of the rRNA 16S gene sequence similarity between four species M. ureisolvens, M. yannicii, M. chocolatum e M. atlanticum. The concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate found on the third day was 39.12 ± 1.32 µg/mL (liquid) and 45.78 ± 8.42 µg/mL (polymeric biofilm); On the twenty-first day it was 50.87 ± 3.56 µg/mL (liquid) and 54.88 ± 3.89 µg/mL (polymeric biofilm). Total phenolic compounds increased with fermentation; however, flavonoids and carotenoids were degraded by the process. The information on 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is unprecedented and highly relevant for food guidelines, since related deficiencies can lead to fetal malformation in the first three months of pregnancy. Lastly, the best fermentation time to obtain 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and others bioactive compounds is between days 7-14. Further analyses are also encouraged to understand the bioavailability of the vitamin.

L-methylfolate, a new option in psychiatric treatment, would it be linked to psoriasis relapse? / L-metilfolato, uma nova opção no tratamento psiquiátrico, estaria ligado à recaída de psoríase?

ABSTRACT We report a case of a 61-years-old woman in remission of psoriasis for 20 years. She presented recurrence of psoriasis in the form of plaques few days after taking L-methylfolate 15mg/day. The L-methylfolate was prescribed as an adjuvant for the treatment of depression in a patient with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism (MTHFR).

RESUMO Paciente do sexo feminino, 61 anos, em remissão da psoríase por 20 anos. Apresentou recidiva de psoríase em forma de placas poucos dias após início de tratamento L-metilfolato na dose diária de 15mg. O L-metilfolato foi prescrito como terapêutica coadjuvante para tratamento de depressão em paciente portadora do polimorfismo do gene metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase.

Epi-nutrients in the oviductal environment: Folate levels and differential gene expression of its receptors and transporters in the bovine oviduct.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the oviductal environment plays an active role in modulating the epigenetic marks of the preimplantation embryo genome, but the molecular factors that mediate this epigenetic effect are unknown. Folate is a well-known epi-nutrient that can impact on cell epigenetic machinery during embryonic and fetal development. However, the study of this epi-nutrient in the oviduct is still limited. The present study was conducted to confirm the presence and physiological concentration of folate in bovine oviductal fluid (OF) and to determine if bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) are able to regulate the uptake of this micronutrient. Samples of OF from ipsi- and contralateral oviducts were collected at different stages of the estrous cycle and folate levels were determined using a competitive receptor binding immunoassay. In addition, gene expression of folate receptors (FOLR1, FOLR2) and transporters (SLC19A1, SLC46A1) were analyzed in BOECs from ampulla and isthmus regions during different stages of the estrous cycle using RT-qPCR. In vitro culture assays were also performed to evaluate whether expression of these genes responds to hormonal stimulation. Our results demonstrated presence of folate in the OF, showing changes of its concentration in the ipsilateral oviduct during the estrous cycle and significantly lower levels at the postovulatory stage. Moreover, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was detected in BOECs, showing regional and cycle-dependent changes. In particular, differential expression of FOLR1 mRNA was observed in BOECs from the isthmus region, reaching significantly higher levels during the postovulatory stage. Under in vitro culture conditions, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was maintained in BOEC explants and a particular susceptibility to steroid hormone stimulation was observed. In conclusion, the present study confirms the presence of folate in the bovine oviduct and proves the existence of a fine-tuned regulation of the expression of its receptors and transporters, highlighting the importance to expand the knowledge about this epi-nutrient in the oviductal context.

Folates retention in brassica vegetables consumed in Brazil after different cooking methods / Retención de folatos en hortalizas consumidas en Brasil después de diferentes métodos de cocción

The present study aimed to determine the effects of different traditional cooking methods on folate (tetrahydrofolate - THF, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate - 5- MTHF and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate - 5-FTHF) retention in leafy vegetables. The analysis of folates was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with detection by fluorescence, using gradient elution, mobile phase of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer solution. The retention of isomers in vegetables after cooking ranged from 17.0 % to 87.2 % for THF, 53.4 - 94.1% for 5-MTHF and 39.0 - 107.9% for 5-FTHF. The retention of folates depended on the food matrix, the kind of isomer, and the cooking methods used. It is recommended that one should have more control over the choices for methods and time of cooking and the amount of water used at home and at foodservice as well.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar los efectos de los diferentes métodos de cocción tradicionales sobre la retención de folatos (tetrahidrofolato - THF, 5-metiltetrahidrofolato - 5- MTHF y 5-formiltetrahidrofolato - 5 FTHF) en hortalizas. El análisis de folatos se llevó a cabo por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (CLAR), con detección por fluorescencia, usando elución en gradiente, fase móvil de acetonitrilo y solución tampón de fosfato. La retención de los isómeros en las hortalizas después de la cocción varió de 17,0% a 87,2% para THF, 53,4 a 94,1% para 5-MTHF y de 39,0 a 107,9% para 5- FTHF. La retención de folatos dependió de la matriz del alimento, el tipo de isómero, y los métodos de cocción utilizados. Se recomienda que uno debe tener más control sobre las opciones de métodos y tiempo de cocción y la cantidad de agua utilizada en el hogar y también en los servicio de alimentación.