Blood Concentration of Macro- and Microelements in Women Who Are Overweight/Obesity and Their Associations with Serum Biochemistry.

Risk elements in blood matrices can affect human health status through associations with biomarkers at multiple levels. The aim of this study was to analyze 15 macro- and microelements in the blood serum of women with overweight (BMI of ≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI of ≥30 kg/m2) and to examine possible associations with biochemical, liver enzymatic parameters, and markers of oxidative stress. Based on the power calculation, the study involved women (in the postmenopausal stage) with overweight (n = 26) and obesity (n = 22), aged between 50-65 years. Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure body composition parameters. Concentrations of elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and Hg was measured using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Individuals with obesity, as indicated by a higher BMI, percentage of body fat, and visceral fat area, had elevated serum levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Sr, Pb, and Hg. Concentrations of Al, Cu, K, Sb, Zn, and Pb significantly affected biochemical and liver function markers in women with overweight or obesity. Elements such as Cu and Al were associated with increased total cholesterol. The correlation analysis between total antioxidant status and Cu, Al, and Ni confirmed associations in both groups. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing excess body weight and obesity in relation to risk elements. The results of the research could be beneficial in identifying potential targets for the treatment or prevention of comorbidities in people with obesity.

The Impact of HPP-Assisted Biocontrol Approach on the Bacterial Communities' Dynamics and Quality Parameters of a Fermented Meat Sausage Model.

Traditional foods are increasingly valued by consumers, whose attention and purchase willingness are highly influenced by other claims such as 'natural', 'sustainable', and 'clean label'. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a novel non-thermal food processing method (i.e., HPP-assisted biocontrol combining mild high hydrostatic pressure, listeriophage Listex, and pediocin PA-1 producing Pediococcus acidilactici) on the succession of bacterial communities and quality of a fermented sausage model. A comparative analysis of instrumental color, texture, and lipid peroxidation revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in these quality parameters between non- and minimally processed fermented sausages throughout 60-day refrigerated storage (4 °C). The microbiota dynamics of biotreated and untreated fermented sausages were assessed by 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing, and the alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed no dissimilarity in the structure and composition of the bacterial communities over the analyzed period. The innovative multi-hurdle technology proposed herein holds valuable potential for the manufacture of traditional fermented sausages while preserving their unique intrinsic characteristics.

Non-thermal approach to Listeria monocytogenes inactivation in milk: The combined effect of high pressure, pediocin PA-1 and bacteriophage P100.

Non-thermal food processing and replacement of chemical additives by natural antimicrobials are promising trends in the food industry. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of a process which combines mild high hydrostatic pressure - HHP (200 and 300 MPa, 5 min, 10 °C), phage Listex™ P100 and the bacteriocin pediocin PA-1 as a new non-thermal process for destruction of Listeria monocytogenes (104 CFU mL-1 or 107 CFU mL-1) in milk. For inoculum levels of 104 CFU mL-1, HHP combined with phage P100 eliminated L. monocytogenes immediately after pressurization. When L. monocytogenes was inoculated at levels of 107 CFU mL-1, a synergistic effect between phage P100, pediocin PA-1 and HHP (300 MPa) on the inactivation of L. monocytogenes was observed during storage of milk at 4 °C. For non-pressure treated samples inoculated with phage or pediocin or both, L. monocytogenes counts decreased immediately after biocontrol application, but regrowth was observed in a few samples during storage. Phage particles were stable during refrigerated storage for seven days while pediocin PA-1 remained stable only during three days. Further studies will have to be performed to validate the findings of this work in specific applications (e.g. production of raw milk cheese).