From by-product to functional food: the survival of L. casei shirota, L. casei immunitas and L. acidophilus johnsonii, during spray drying in orange juice using a maltodextrin/pectin mixture as carrier.

The study reports the production of an innovative functional orange powder supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics, by implementing new ecofriendly and sustainable technologies, such as spray drying. The survival of Lactobacillus casei shirota, Lactobacillus casei immunitas and Lactobacillus acidophilus johnsonii, during spray drying in orange juice was proven and the stability of the powder obtained at room temperature and at 4 °C was investigated. Furthermore, the study highlighted the possibility to enhance the pectin obtained from the food agroindustry as a carrier for the spray-drying process. Combining maltodextrins and pectins at a 10:1 weight ratio. The study showed the efficiency of the maltodextrin/pectin mixture as carriers for the spray-drying process and the viability of the tested microorganisms during both the storage at room temperature and at 4 °C, showing that the latter represents the best storing condition for a longer viability of the microorganisms.

Comparison of sensitivity to a commercial Origanum vulgare essential oil between extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL-) and non-ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Origanum vulgare essential oil (OVEO) against ESBL- and non-ESBL-producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae isolates. OVEO composition was determined using Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS). In the current study, the effect of OVEO was studied on seven MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Antibacterial activity of OVEO was investigated by the disc diffusion assay and twofold serial dilution method. GC/MS analysis identified thymol (78.21%) as the single major component present in the OVEO. This EO showed an unexpectedly high antibacterial activity against all the studied MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolates, with inhibition zone diameters and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 28 ± 0.6 to 35 ± 0.6 mm and 0.31 ± 0.0 to 5 ± 0.0 µL/mL, respectively. However, ESBL-producing isolates were more susceptible to OVEO than non-ESBL producing isolates. This study compared, for the first time, the sensitivity to OVEO between ESBL and non-ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

Mycotoxins in spices and culinary herbs from Italy and Tunisia.

Spices and aromatic herbs can be contaminated with mycotoxins, since of their preharvest, postharvest, and storage conditions. In this study, 112 samples of different spices and aromatic herbs were evaluated for their mycotoxins content by HPLC-MS/MS in order to highlight their possible risk linked with human use. The results showed that mycotoxins were occasionally detected only in samples of coriander, laurel, mint, rosemary, and verbena. In both geographical origins a different contamination was detected. Among the investigated mycotoxins, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, T2 and HT2 were detected, whereas none of the samples contained AFB1 and FB1. The co-occurrence of two toxins were observed for some samples of rosemary and verbena. This study indicates that it is essential minimize the toxins in agriculture, industry, and food-product manufacturing for the consumer health protection.

Mediterranean diet in a Sicilian student population. Second part: breakfast and its nutritional profile.

Breakfast habits affect the nutritional status and health of people, in particular children and adolescents. This is the second part a previous study about the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a Sicilian (Italy) student population. The investigation analysed both normal weight and overweight subjects in order to understand how eating habits, number of meals and daily calorie intakes could affect their body mass indexes (BMI). The aim of this second part was to analyse the breakfast nutritional profiles of this student population. The results highlighted that breakfast was regularly consumed by a percentage ranging from a maximum of 84% (in normal subjects) to a minimum value of 57.4% (in overweight/obese students). Milk, yoghurt, sugar, bread/rusk and tea contributed as main foods to the breakfast composition. The results highlighted that subjects who consumed breakfast showed lower BMI values with significant differences between normal and overweight/obese students.

First Report on Evaluation of Basic Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Moringa Oleifera Lam. from Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.

Moringa oleifera Lam. has been considered as a multipurpose tree. The studies on it focus on its variable nutritional benefits. It is growing in many regions, but information about nutritional properties of those growing in the Caribbean is missing. The present study focused on biochemical analysis of main nutritional and antioxidant properties in plant material-dried leaves and seeds-of Moringa oleifera. The composition of lipids, proteins, and vitamin E was evaluated in powdered dried leaves and seeds. Fatty acids were evaluated in oil extracted from the moringa seeds. Potential antioxidant properties of the moringa were evaluated in extract from crushed and powdered leaves, as well as from the powdered seeds. The total amounts of lipids, proteins, and vitamin E were higher in powdered seeds (31.85%, 35.13%, and 220.61 mg/kg) than in powdered leaves (12.48%, 20.54%, and 178.10 mg/kg). The main compound of fatty acids presented oleic acid (76.78%) in seeds' oil and oleic (25.01%), palmitic (24.84%), and linolenic (24.71%) acids in leaves. Neohesperidin (126.8 mg/kg), followed by chlorogenic acid (99.96 mg/kg) and quercetin (43.44 and 21.44 mg/kg) were main phenolic compounds identified. Total phenols in powdered leaves' extract (635.6 mg GAE/L) was higher than in powdered seeds' extract (229.5 mg GAE/L). The activity against superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical was 92.4% and 73.1% by leaves' powder extract and 83.6% and 60.7% by crushed-leaf extract; seed-powder extract exhibited a pro-oxidation activity (-68.4%) against superoxide radical and the lowest antioxidant effect against the hydroxyl radical (55.0%).

Antibacterial activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil alone and in combination with cefotaxime against blaESBL producing multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

The aim was to evaluate the susceptibility of blaESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae to Slovakian Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TVEO) alone and in combination with cefotaxime (CTX). TVEO composition was determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Susceptibility to 21 antibiotics was determined by disc diffusion assay. Genes characterization for resistance to ß-lactams was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antibacterial activity was investigated by standard methods. The synergistic interaction was determined by checkerboard test. Thymol (34.5%), p-cymene (22.27%) and linalool (5.35%) were the major components present in the TVEO. The identified strains were multi-drug resistant (MDR). TVEO showed high activity against all MDR strains, including blaESBL producing isolates, with inhibition zones and MIC values in the range of 24-40 mm/10µL and 2.87-11.5 µg/mL, respectively. TVEO in combination with CTX showed a synergistic action against blaSHV-12 producing Escherichia coli (FICI 0.28) and an additive effect vs ESBL producing Enterobacter cloacae (FICI 0.987).

In vivo effects of PCB-126 and genistein on vitellogenin expression in zebrafish.

In this study, the vitellogenin (Vtg) modulation by genistein and polychlorinated biphenyl-126 (PCB-126) exposure in zebrafishes has been investigated. Both PCB-126 and genistein have been identified as aquatic pollutants and can further increase estrogenicity of waterways. Vtg is egg yolk precursor protein release by the hepatocytes during vitellogenesis. This process occurs normally in the hepatocytes in response to the activation with the estrogens such as 17-ß-estradiol. Our immunohistochemical findings showed a Vtg expression that increases at 12 h and at 72 h in the liver of treated fishes with both PCB-126 and genistein, individually and in combination. Furthermore, for the first time, also hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in the liver parenchyma were strongly positive for vitellogenin.

Combination of separation and spectroscopic analytical techniques: application to compositional analysis of a minor citrus species.

The composition of juice and essential oil of Citrus limetta Risso was investigated. Multidimensional and enantio-gas chromatography were used for the elucidation of the volatile profile and the assessment of enantiomeric distribution. Predominant compounds were linalyl acetate (13.06 g/100 g), ß-pinene (6.79 g/100 g), myrcene (1.40 g/100 g) and sabinene (1.05 g/100 g). Through a ß-cyclodextrin column eight chiral pairs were separated, equally distributed between laevorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers. Liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole ESI-MS and PDA detection showed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds (791.34 ± 36.83 and 32.97 ± 1.92 mg L-1, respectively) in the juice. Sugars (i.e. glucose 202.23 ± 26.81 and fructose 146.73 ± 3.17 mM, respectively), aminoacids (i.e. proline 29.40 ± 3.78 and GABA 8.90 ± 0.95 mM) and organic acids (i.e. citrate 4.68 ± 0.81 mM) were determined in juice by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Organic contamination in clams, Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum, from Sicily (Italy).

Two species of edible clams Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum from Ganzirri Lake (Sicily, Italy) were investigated to determine OCP and PCB residues by GC-MS. Thirty-five samples were examined for two years in order to perform: a) their actual contamination; b) the daily dietary exposure of seafood consumers to the pollutants in question. In all the clams analysed in this study, PCB and OCP (4,4'-DDE) residues are always below the limits fixed by law. It seems that there is some seasonality of concentrations observed. In fact the more high concentrations of residues are detected in the hot months, for both species and years. Given the consumption of clams and the values obtained in this study for the two species analysed, it is possible estimate that the average daily dietary intake of NDL-PCB and of 4,4'-DDE for adults is really low.

Valorization of raw materials from agricultural industry for astaxanthin and ß-carotene production by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous.

Waste deriving from food and agro-industries is a growing problem in our modern society. In order to reduce food waste and its associated impacts over the environment and public health, innovative strategies for the conversion of food wastes in added value products are studied. Whey is one of the prominent waste deriving from Sicilian diary industry. The growth and the carotenoid biosynthesis of the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous by its cultivation in pre-treated whey were studied. The study showed the possibility of increasing the astaxanthin productivity from X. dendrorhous in a batch fermentative process under continuous illumination. Our work is focused on the importance of carotenogenesis by X. dendrorhous on whey for the economic and ecological aspect. The results obtained in the study provide useful information about the possible use of this waste material for carotenogenesis from X. dendrorhous.

Production of single cell protein (SCP) from food and agricultural waste by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Food waste is the single-largest component of the waste stream, in order to protect and safeguard the public health, useful and innovative recycling methods are investigated. The conversion of food wastes in value-added products is becoming a more economically viable and interesting practice. Food waste, collected in the distribution sector and citrus industries, was characterised for its potential as a raw material to use in fermentation processes. In this study, the production of single-cell protein (SCP) using food waste as a substrate was investigated. The purpose of this study has been to produce SCP from mixtures of food waste using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The main fermentation test was carried out using a 25 l bioreactor. The utilisation of food waste can allow us to not only to reduce environmental pollution, but also to obtain value-added products such as protein supply for animal feed.

Metabolite and mineral profiling of "Violetto di Niscemi" and "Spinoso di Menfi" globe artichokes by 1H-NMR and ICP-MS.

Globe artichoke has been long considered a nutraceutical food for its valuable content of bioactive compounds. However, beside a well-known polyphenol profile, poor information is available about its metabolite and mineral composition. The aim of this study was to investigate edible parts of Sicilian artichokes, 'Spinoso di Menfi' and 'Violetto di Niscemi', by 1H NMR and ICP-MS for elucidating these compositional aspects. Although bracts and hearts of both artichokes shared a very similar metabolite pattern, 'Spinoso di Menfi' showed a higher number of metabolites, such as amino acids and polyphenols, than 'Violetto di Niscemi'. 'Spinoso di Menfi' was also marked by higher levels of macro- and microelements when compared to 'Violetto di Niscemi'. Also, artichoke heart demonstrated to accumulate higher mineral levels than bracts. 1H NMR and ICP-MS successfully profiled metabolites and metals in such plant food, partially covering the lack of literature data about 'Spinoso di Menfi' and 'Violetto di Niscemi' artichokes.

Fast UPLC/PDA determination of squalene in Sicilian P.D.O. pistachio from Bronte: Optimization of oil extraction method and analytical characterization.

A fast reversed-phase UPLC method was developed for squalene determination in Sicilian pistachio samples that entry in the European register of the products with P.D.O. In the present study the SPE procedure was optimized for the squalene extraction prior to the UPLC/PDA analysis. The precision of the full analytical procedure was satisfactory and the mean recoveries were 92.8±0.3% and 96.6±0.1% for 25 and 50mgL-1 level of addition, respectively. Selected chromatographic conditions allowed a very fast squalene determination; in fact it was well separated in ∼0.54min with good resolution. Squalene was detected in all the pistachio samples analyzed and the levels ranged from 55.45-226.34mgkg-1. Comparing our results with those of other studies it emerges that squalene contents in P.D.O. Sicilian pistachio samples, generally, were higher than those measured for other samples of different geographic origins.

Phytochemical screening by LC-MS and LC-PDA of ethanolic extracts from the fruits of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth.

Kigelia africana is a tree native to Africa, with a local employment in numerous fields, ranging from traditional medicine to cosmetics and religious rituals. Parts of the plant generally used are stem bark, fruits, roots and leaves. The fruits, which have a singular 'sausage' shape, are widely exploited by local folk, in particular for applications/products involving genito-urinary apparatus of both human genders. The scope of this work was to make a consistent chemical investigation on this plant species, in order to clarify and increase the information at present available in literature. To this aim, ethanolic extracts of K. africana fruits were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) and electrospray-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) detection, revealing the presence of polyphenols and iridoids. The two detection systems used along with standard co-injection and comparison with previous reports, led to the identification and quantification of six phenolic compounds and three iridoids.