Antibacterial and osteoinductive properties of wollastonite scaffolds impregnated with propolis produced by additive manufacturing.

Biocompatible ceramic scaffolds offer a promising approach to address the challenges in bone reconstruction. Wollastonite, well-known for its exceptional biocompatibility, has attracted significant attention in orthopedics and craniofacial fields. However, the antimicrobial properties of wollastonite have contradictory findings, necessitating further research to enhance its antibacterial characteristics. This study aimed to explore a new approach to improve in vitro biological response in terms of antimicrobial activity and cell proliferation by taking advantage of additive manufacturing for the development of scaffolds with complex geometries by 3D printing using propolis-modified wollastonite. The scaffolds were designed with a TPMS (Triply Periodic Minimal Surface) gyroid geometric shape and 3D printed prior to impregnation with propolis extract. The paste formulation was characterized by rheometric measurements, and the presence of propolis was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The scaffolds were comprehensively assessed for their mechanical strength. The biological characterization involved evaluating the antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, employing Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Zone of Inhibition (ZOI), and biofilm formation assays. Additionally, SaOs-2 cultures were used to study cell proliferation (Alamar blue assay), and potential osteogenic was tested (von Kossa, Alizarin Red, and ALP stainings) at different time points. Propolis impregnation did not compromise the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, which exhibited values comparable to human trabecular bone. Propolis incorporation conferred antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The implementation of TPMS gyroid geometry in the scaffold design demonstrated favorable cell proliferation with increased metabolic activity and osteogenic potential after 21 days of cell cultures.

Influence of storage variables on the antioxidant and antitumor activities, phenolic compounds and vitamin C of an agglomerate of Andean berries.

Berry consumption is increasing worldwide due to their high content of bioactive compounds. However, such fruits have a very short shelf life. To avoid this drawback and to offer an effective alternative for its consumption at any time of the year, an agglomerated berry powder mix (APB) was developed. The aim of this work was to evaluate the stability of APB during a 6-months-period storage at 3 temperatures. The stability of APB was determined by moisture, aw, antioxidant activity, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, vitamin C, color, phenolic profiles, and MTT assay. APB showed differences in antioxidant activity between 0 and 6 months. It experimented non-enzymatic browning, which was more remarkable at 35 °C. APB at time 0 exhibited growth inhibitory effects against HT-29 human cancer cells. Most properties were significantly modified by storage temperature and time, which induces a significant decreasing of bioactive compounds.

Development and evaluation of edible films based on cassava starch, whey protein, and bees wax.

Films and edible coatings based on biopolymers have been developed as a packaging, which can be obtained from biodegradable materials and have properties similar to common plastics. These edible materials have many applications in the food industry, preventing mass transfer between the product and the surrounding environment. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the physicochemical and mechanical properties of edible films based on cassava starch (CS), whey protein (WP), and beeswax (BW). Response surface methodology has been used and the experiments were carried out based on face-centred composite design. On the other hand, three CS-based controls were formulated to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of WP and BW. The optimization of multiple responses established the optimal formulation: CS (3.17 %), WP (1.30 %), BW (0.50 %), presenting the following response variables: tensile stress (1.92 MPa), elongation (40.4 %), Young's modulus (42.1 MPa), water vapor permeability 1.79 × 10-11 (g mm/s cm2 Pa), swelling capacity (300.3 %), thickness (0.128 mm), moisture content (6.74 %), and colour: lightness (89.9), chromaticity a∗ (-1.8), chromaticity b∗ (7.7), saturation (9.9), tone (101.1°), and yellowness index (17.7). The selection and evaluation of this optimal formulation are essential because it is the material that shows the best possible mechanical and physicochemical properties using the studied components. The results, especially its good mechanical properties and low permeability to water vapour, would allow its application as a coating for fruits, vegetables, among others, effectively delaying its weight loss due to dehydration.

Effect of a multifunctional edible coating based on cassava starch on the shelf life of Andean blackberry.

The blackberry is a fragile fruit with a high degree of decomposition, which limits its shelf life. The effect of an edible coating (EC) based on cassava starch, whey protein, beeswax, chitosan, glycerol, stearic acid, and glacial acetic acid on the shelf life of fruit stored at 4 °C was evaluated. The physical, chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensorial quality was evaluated, comparing with a fresh control fruit. The EC had a positive effect on the physicochemical and sensorial properties (mainly in texture, flavor, and aromas), due to the reduction of physiological processes, whereas the color changes are mainly due to anthocyanin losses. After 10 days of storage, weight losses were 39.6% lower and firmness was 81.4% higher; while chitosan reduced the mold and yeast count. The EC increased the useful life of the Andean blackberries by 100%.

Extracción, caracterización y actividad antioxidante del aceite esencial de plectranthus amboinicus L / Extraction, characterization and antioxidant activity of essential oil from plectranthus amboinicus L

Objetivo: extraer, caracterizar y determinar la actividad antioxidante del aceite esencial de orégano francés (Plectranthus amboinicus L) cultivado en la zona norte del departamento de Bolívar, Colombia. Método: el aceite esencial se obtuvo por hidrodestilación e hidrodestilación asistida por radiación con microondas, a partir de las hojas; se determinó densidad relativa a 20 °C, índice de refracción; solubilidad de los aceites esenciales en etanol (70 por ciento v/v) y rotación óptica. La composición química se evaluó mediante cromatografía de gases/espectrómetro de masa. La actividad antioxidante fue determinada mediante las técnicas de actividad antiradicalaria por los métodos DPPH., ABTS .+, y ORAC. Resultados: los rendimientos oscilaron entre 0,05 y 0,78 por ciento, dependiendo del método de extracción utilizado. Los resultados de la prueba de actividad antioxidante mostro que los aceites esenciales de orégano francés (Plectranthus amboinicus L) obtenidos mediante ambos métodos de extracción tuvieron resultados promisorios; además, estos aceites presentaron altos contenidos de monoterpenos oxigenados con reconocida actividad antioxidante, como son el carvacrol y el timol. Conclusiones: El aceite esencial de orégano francés (Plectranthus amboinicus L) se considera como promisorio para diseñar productos magistrales con actividad antioxidante(AU)

Objectives: to extract, to characterize and to determine the antioxidant activity of the essential oil of French Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus L) grown in the northern part of the Department of Bolívar, Colombia. Methods: essential oil was extracted by distillation and radiation microwave-assisted hydrodistillation, from the leaves; relative density at 20 °C, refractive index; solubility of the essential oils in ethanol (70 percent v/v) and optical rotation were determined. The chemical composition was assessed using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometer. The antioxidant activity was determined using the techniques of antiradical activity by the DPPH., ABTS.+ and ORAC methods. Results: yields ranged from 0.05 to 0.78 percent, depending on the extraction method used. The results of the test of antioxidant activity showed that the essential oils of French oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus L) obtained by both methods of extraction had promising results; in addition, these oils had high contents of ,oxygenated monoterpeneswith recognized antioxidant activity, such as carvacrol and thymol. Conclusions: the essential oil of French oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus L) is considered as promising to design products with antioxidant activity(AU)

Actividad antibacteriana in vitro de aceites esenciales frente a microorganismos implicados en el acné / In vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oil against microorganisms involved in acne

Objetivo: evaluar la composición química, la sensibilidad antibacteriana y la concentración mínima inhibitoria in vitro de tres aceites esenciales de las especies vegetales Origanum vulgare L, Origanum vulgare ssp y Lippia alba Mill cultivadas en el norte del departamento de Bolívar (Colombia), obtenidos mediante hidrodestilación e hidrodestilación asistida por la radiación con microondas. Métodos: los aceites esenciales se obtuvieron por hidrodestilación e hidrodestilación asistida por radiación con microondas, a partir de las hojas; se determinó densidad relativa a 20 °C, índice de refracción, solubilidad de los aceites esenciales en etanol (70 por ciento v/v) y rotación óptica. La composición química se evaluó mediante cromatografía de gases/espectrómetro de masa (CG/EM). La actividad se realizó sobre tres bacterias implicadas en el desarrollo del acné: Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 11827, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 y Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. Para determinar la sensibilidad antibacteriana y la concentración mínima inhibitoria, los aceites se diluyeron hasta la concentración deseada (1 000‒50 µg/mL) empleando el método de microdilución en caldo, y se empleó el lector de microplacas para la cuantificación del crecimiento bacteriano. Resultados: los rendimientos oscilaron entre 0,04 y 0,16 por ciento, dependiendo de la especie vegetal y el método de extracción utilizado. Los resultados de la prueba de sensibilidad mostraron que las bacterias fueron más sensibles al aceite esencial de orégano borde blanco (Origanum vulgare ssp) obtenido mediante ambos métodos de extracción; además, este aceite presentó el mayor contenido de monoterpenos oxigenados con reconocida actividad antibacteriana, como son el carvacrol y el timol. Conclusiones: el aceite esencial de orégano borde blanco (Origanum vulgare ssp) es considerado como promisorio para el control del componente bacteriano del acné vulgar(AU)

Objective: to assess the chemical composition, antibacterial sensitivity and the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration of essential oils from plant species Origanum vulgare L, Origanum vulgare ssp y Lippia alba Mill cultured in the North of the Department of Bolívar (Colombia), obtained by hydrodistillation and by microwave radiation-assisted hydrodistillation. Methods: essential oils were extracted by distillation and microwave radiation-assisted hydrodistillation from the leaves; relative density at 20 °C, refractive index; solubility of the essential oils in ethanol (70 percent v/v) and optical rotation were all determined. The chemical composition was assessed using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometer The event was perfomed over three bacteria involved in the development of acne: Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 11827, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 y Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. For the purpose of determining the antibacterial sensitivity and the minimum inhibitory concentration, oils were diluted up to reaching the desired concentration (1000-50 µg/mL) using broth microdilution method, and microplate reader for the quantification of bacterial growth. Results: Yields ranged from 0,04 to 0,16 percent, depending on the plant species and the extraction method used. The sensitivity test results showed that the bacteria were more sensitive to the essential oil oregano white border (Origanum vulgare ssp) obtained by both methods of extraction; in addition, this oil showed the greatest content of oxygenated monoterpenes, with known antibacterial activity, such as carvacrol and thymol. Conclusions: the essential oil of oregano white border (Origanum vulgare ssp) is considered as promising for the control of the bacterial component of acne vulgaris(AU)