Computational investigation of the functional landscape of the protective role that extra virgin olive oil consumption may have on chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are partially attributed to the polyphenols present in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. However, the possible effect that EVOO could have on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) has not been fully explored. METHODS:  This study investigates the anti-CLL activity of EVOO through a computational multi-level data analysis procedure, focusing on the identification of shared biological functions between them. Specifically, publicly available data from genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics related to EVOO consumption and CLL were collected from several resources and analyzed through a computational pipeline, highlighting common molecular mechanisms and biological processes. Computational verification of a number of the highlighted functional terms associating CLL and EVOO has been performed as well. RESULTS: Our investigation revealed four molecular pathways and three biological processes that overlap between mechanisms associated with CLL and those impacted by the consumption of EVOO. To further investigate the common biological functions, we focused on AKT1-related terms, aiming to investigate the potential importance of AKT1 in the anti- CLL effects associated with EVOO. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results provide valuable insights into the potential beneficial effect of EVOO in CLL and highlight EVOO's bioactive compounds as promising candidates for future investigations.

A Simple Chiral 1H NMR Method for the Discrimination of (R)- and (S)-Cannabichromene in Complex Natural Mixtures and Their Effects on TRPA1 Activity.

In recent years, the enantiomeric ratio of cannabichromene (CBC) within the cannabis plant has attracted significant attention. Cannabichromene is one of the well-known cannabinoids found in cannabis, along with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Cannabichromene exists as a scalemic mixture, meaning it has two enantiomers, (S)-cannabichromene and (R)-cannabichromene, with the ratio between these enantiomers varying among different cannabis strains and even within individual plants. This study presents an accurate and robust chiral NMR method for analyzing cannabichromene's enantiomeric ratio, a well-investigated cannabinoid with numerous pharmacological targets. The use of Pirkle's alcohol as the chiral solvating agent (CSA) or, alternatively, the use of (S)-ibuprofen as a chiral derivatizing agent (CDA) facilitated this analysis. Moreover, the chiral NMR method proves to be a user-friendly tool, easily applicable within any NMR facility, and an expanded investigation of cannabichromene chirality may provide insights into the origin, cultivation, treatment, and processing of Cannabis sativa plants. This study also undertakes a pharmacological examination of the (R)- and (S)-cannabichromenes concerning their most extensively studied pharmacological target, the TRPA1 channels, with the two enantiomers showing the same strong agonistic effect as the racemic mixture.

Acute Antiplatelet Effects of an Oleocanthal-Rich Olive Oil in Type II Diabetic Patients: A Postprandial Study.

Postprandial dysmetabolism is a common entity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and may act as a daily stressor of the already dysfunctional diabetic platelets. This study aims to investigate whether oleocanthal-rich olive oils (OO), incorporated into a carbohydrate-rich meal, can affect postprandial dysmetabolism and platelet aggregation. Oleocanthal is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor with putative antiplatelet properties. In this randomized, single-blinded, crossover study, ten T2DM patients consumed five isocaloric meals containing 120 g white bread combined with: (i) 39 g butter, (ii) 39 g butter and 400 mg ibuprofen, (iii) 40 mL OO (phenolic content < 10 mg/Kg), (iv) 40 mL OO with 250 mg/Kg oleocanthal and (v) 40 mL OO with 500 mg/Kg oleocanthal. Metabolic markers along with ex vivo ADP- and thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP)-induced platelet aggregation were measured before and for 4 h after the meals. The glycemic and lipidemic response was similar between meals. However, a sustained (90-240 min) dose-dependent reduction in platelets' sensitivity to both ADP (50-100%) and TRAP (20-50%) was observed after the oleocanthal meals in comparison to OO or butter meals. The antiplatelet effect of the OO containing 500 mg/Kg oleocanthal was comparable to that of the ibuprofen meal. In conclusion, the consumption of meals containing oleocanthal-rich OO can reduce platelet activity during the postprandial period, irrespective of postprandial hyperglycemia and lipidemia.

Quantitation of Lupinus spp. Quinolizidine Alkaloids by qNMR and Accelerated Debittering with a Resin-Based Protocol.

Quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) are toxic secondary metabolites of the Lupinus species, the presence of which limits the expansion of lupin beans consumption, despite their high protein content. Evaluation of the level of alkaloids in edible Lupinus species is crucial from a food safety point of view. However, quantitation of QAs is complicated by the fact that not all important alkaloids used for quantitation are commercially available. In this context, we developed a method for the simultaneous quantitation of eight major lupin alkaloids using quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR). Quantitation and analysis were performed in 15 different seed extracts of 11 Lupinus spp. some of which belonged to the same species, with different geographical origins and time of harvest, as well as in all aerial parts of L. pilosus. The mature seeds of L. pilosus were found to be a uniquely rich source of multiflorine. Additionally, we developed a protocol using adsorption or ionic resins for easy, fast, and efficient debittering of the lupine seeds. The protocol was applied to L. albus, leading to a decrease of the time required for alkaloids removal as well as water consumption and to a method for QA isolation from the debittering wastewater.

Extraction Optimization and Qualitative/Quantitative Determination of Bioactive Abietane-Type Diterpenes from Three Salvia Species (Common Sage, Greek Sage and Rosemary) by 1H-qNMR.

The objective of this study was the optimization of the extraction process and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the bioactive metabolites: 12-O-methylcarnosic acid (12MCA), carnosic acid (CA), carnosol (CS), 7-O-methyl-epi-rosmanol (7MER) and rosmanol (RO) in infusions, decoctions, turbulent flow extracts, tinctures and oleolites from three Salvia species: Salvia officinalis L. (common sage, SO), Salvia fruticosa Mill. (Greek sage, SF) and Salvia rosmarinus Spenn (syn Rosmarinus officinalis L.) (rosemary, SR), using Quantitative Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-qNMR). Regarding the aqueous extracts, decoctions appeared to be richer sources of the studied metabolites than infusions among the three plants. For SR, the turbulent flow extraction under heating was the most efficient one. The optimum time for the preparation of decoctions was found to be 5 min for SF and SO and 15 min for SR. It is noteworthy that SR tinctures were not stable in time due to decomposition of the abietane-type diterpenes CA and CS because of the polar solvent used for their preparation. Contrary to this finding, the oleolites of SR appeared to be very stable. Olive oil as a solvent for extraction was very protective for the contained abietane-type diterpenes. A preliminary stability study on the effect of the storage time of the SF on the abietane-type diterpenes content showed that the total quantity of abietanes decreased by 16.51% and 40.79% after 12 and 36 months, respectively. The results of this investigation also demonstrated that 1H-qNMR is very useful for the analysis of sensitive metabolites, like abietane-type diterpenes, that can be influenced by solvents used in chromatographic analysis.

Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of extra virgin olive oil: classification through secoiridoids.

BACKGROUND: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a natural product with a multidisciplinary role, has been and is continuing to be studied from several points of view. Among them, its chemical analysis is of major importance and several methods have been used. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has inherent advantages, among them monitoring the chemical constituents without the need for a separation technique and without, for instance, possible carry-over effects. Additionally, several magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques can provide a novel powered insight into the nature and properties of a sample under study. Moreover, -omics procedure can reveal new information and can lead to the classification of populations under study. The main objective of the present work was the possible classification of the EVOO samples based on their aldehyde content using a proposed unreferenced 1 H-NMR spectroscopic quantification method combined with a metabolomic approach. Moreover, the study of the impact of such elevated aldehyde content on several spectra regions of importance in the proton NMR spectra led to the proposal of a possible new isomer indicator. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of 12 EVOO samples showed that oleacein, oleocanthal, elenolic acid, hydroxytyrosol/hydroxytyrosol derivatives and tyrosol/tyrosol derivatives strongly differentiated two classes of EVOO: OEH (for high aldehyde EVOO content) and OE (for non-high aldehyde content). Moreover, we pointed out the 'impact' of such elevated secoiridoid and derivatives content, through their moieties' units, on a range of several resonances of the 1 H-NMR spectrum. The metabolomic approach demonstrated the classification of EVOO samples based on their secoiridoid and derivatives content. Multivariate analysis showed a strong influence on the discrimination of the EVOO classes based on the protons resonating at the aldehyde region of the 1 H-NMR spectrum; the aldehyde protons corresponding to 5S,4R-ligstrodial and 5S,4R-oleuropeindial, oleacein, oleocanthal, elenolic acid, p-HPEA-EA, 3,4-DHPEA-EA, 5S,4R- and 5S,4S-ligstrodial and the proton corresponding to a new compound were reported for the first time. This isomer compound, reported for the first time, could serve as a possible indicator for EVOO classification. CONCLUSIONS: An unreferenced quantification method was proposed and EVOO samples were classified into two classes: OEH and OE, according to their aldehyde content, gaining thus probably higher nutrient and possible pharmacological value. Moreover, we point out the 'impact' of such elevated aldehyde content on several spectral regions of the 1 H spectrum. Finally, a new compound was detected in the OEH samples and is reported for the first time. This compound could possibly be an indicator. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Malassezia restricta-mediated Lipoperoxidation: A Novel Trigger in Dandruff.

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder with multiple microbial and host-related factors contributing to its aetiology, including alterations in scalp sebum. Despite existing evidence that the yeast Malassezia restricta plays a key role in the onset of dandruff, the interplay of these factors is poorly understood. Recently, squalene monohydroperoxide and malondialdehyde were established as biomarkers of dandruff-afflicted scalp, highlighting the role of sebum lipoperoxidation in the triggering and maintenance of dandruff, although its mechanism of action is unknown. The current study provides evidence that M. restricta mediates sebum peroxidation, leading to production of squalene monohydroperoxide and malondialdehyde. Furthermore, in vitro data show that these lipoperoxidation products act on epidermal cells and alter the skin barrier. These results support the role of Malassezia restricta-induced lipoperoxides as triggers of dandruff, which suggests that blocking their production could be a novel anti-dandruff treatment approach.

Treatment with the Olive Secoiridoid Oleacein Protects against the Intestinal Alterations Associated with EAE.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease. Recent investigations highlight the gut-brain axis as a communication network with crucial implications in neurological diseases. Thus, disrupted intestinal integrity allows the translocation of luminal molecules into systemic circulation, promoting systemic/brain immune-inflammatory responses. In both, MS and its preclinical model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) gastrointestinal symptoms including "leaky gut" have been reported. Oleacein (OLE), a phenolic compound from extra virgin olive oil or olive leaves, harbors a wide range of therapeutic properties. Previously, we showed OLE effectiveness preventing motor defects and inflammatory damage of CNS tissues on EAE mice. The current studies examine its potential protective effects on intestinal barrier dysfunction using MOG35-55-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. OLE decreased EAE-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the intestine, preventing tissue injury and permeability alterations. OLE protected from EAE-induced superoxide anion and accumulation of protein and lipid oxidation products in colon, also enhancing its antioxidant capacity. These effects were accompanied by reduced colonic IL-1ß and TNFα levels in OLE-treated EAE mice, whereas the immunoregulatory cytokines IL-25 and IL-33 remained unchanged. Moreover, OLE protected the mucin-containing goblet cells in colon and the serum levels of iFABP and sCD14, markers that reflect loss of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and low-grade systemic inflammation, were significantly reduced. These effects on intestinal permeability did not draw significant differences on the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. However, OLE induced an EAE-independent raise in the abundance of Akkermansiaceae family. Consistently, using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model, we confirmed that OLE protected against intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by harmful mediators present in both EAE and MS. This study proves that the protective effect of OLE in EAE also involves normalizing the gut alterations associated to the disease.

New Affordable Methods for Large-Scale Isolation of Major Olive Secoiridoids and Systematic Comparative Study of Their Antiproliferative/Cytotoxic Effect on Multiple Cancer Cell Lines of Different Cancer Origins.

Olive oil phenols (OOPs) are associated with the prevention of many human cancers. Some of these have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. However, no systematic comparative study exists for all the investigated compounds under the same conditions, due to difficulties in their isolation or synthesis. Herein are presented innovative methods for large-scale selective extraction of six major secoiridoids from olive oil or leaves enabling their detailed investigation. The cytotoxic/antiproliferative bioactivity of these six compounds was evaluated on sixteen human cancer cell lines originating from eight different tissues. Cell viability with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) was evaluated after 72 h treatments. Antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects were also assessed for the most bioactive compounds (EC50 ≤ 50 µM). Oleocanthal (1) showed the strongest antiproliferative/cytotoxic activity in most cancer cell lines (EC50: 9−20 µM). The relative effectiveness of the six OOPs was: oleocanthal (1) > oleuropein aglycone (3a,b) > ligstroside aglycone (4a,b) > oleacein (2) > oleomissional (6a,b,c) > oleocanthalic acid (7). This is the first detailed study comparing the bioactivity of six OOPs in such a wide array of cancer cell lines, providing a reference for their relative antiproliferative/cytotoxic effect in the investigated cancers.

Direct Quantitation of Phytocannabinoids by One-Dimensional 1H qNMR and Two-Dimensional 1H-1H COSY qNMR in Complex Natural Mixtures.

The widespread use of phytocannabinoids or cannabis extracts as ingredients in numerous types of products, in combination with the legal restrictions on THC content, has created a need for the development of new, rapid, and universal analytical methods for their quantitation that ideally could be applied without separation and standards. Based on previously described qNMR studies, we developed an expanded 1H qNMR method and a novel 2D-COSY qNMR method for the rapid quantitation of ten major phytocannabinoids in cannabis plant extracts and cannabis-based products. The 1H qNMR method was successfully developed for the quantitation of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), cannabielsoin (CBE), and cannabidivarin (CBDV). Moreover, cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (Δ9-THCVA) can be distinguished from CBDA and Δ9-THCA respectively, while cannabigerovarin (CBGV) and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ8-THCV) present the same 1H-spectra as CBG and Δ8-THC, respectively. The COSY qNMR method was applied for the quantitation of CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBG/CBGA, and THC/THCA. The two methods were applied for the analysis of hemp plants; cannabis extracts; edible cannabis medium-chain triglycerides (MCT); and hemp seed oils and cosmetic products with cannabinoids. The 1H-NMR method does not require the use of reference compounds, and it requires only a short time for analysis. However, complex extracts in 1H-NMR may have a lot of signals, and quantitation with this method is often hampered by peak overlap, with 2D NMR providing a solution to this obstacle. The most important advantage of the COSY NMR quantitation method was the determination of the legality of cannabis plants, extracts, and edible oils based on their THC/THCA content, particularly in the cases of some samples for which the determination of THC/THCA content by 1H qNMR was not feasible.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. Leaf Extracts and Their Metabolites Inhibit the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activation In Vitro and in Human Keratinocytes: Potential Impact on Inflammatory Skin Diseases and Skin Cancer.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by environmental agents and microbial metabolites is potentially implicated in a series of skin diseases. Hence, it would be very important to identify natural compounds that could inhibit the AhR activation by ligands of microbial origin as 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), indirubin (IND) and pityriazepin (PZ) or the prototype ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Five different dry Rosmarinus officinalis L. extracts (ROEs) were assayed for their activities as antagonists of AhR ligand binding with guinea pig cytosol in the presence of [3H]TCDD. The methanolic ROE was further assayed towards CYP1A1 mRNA induction using RT-PCR in human keratinocytes against TCDD, FICZ, PZ, and IND. The isolated metabolites, carnosic acid, carnosol, 7-O-methyl-epi-rosmanol, 4',7-O-dimethylapigenin, and betulinic acid, were assayed for their agonist and antagonist activity in the presence and absence of TCDD using the gel retardation assay (GRA). All assayed ROE extracts showed similar dose-dependent activities with almost complete inhibition of AhR activation by TCDD at 100 ppm. The methanol ROE at 10 ppm showed 99%, 50%, 90%, and 85% inhibition against TCDD, FICZ, IND, and PZ, respectively, in human keratinocytes. Most assayed metabolites exhibited dose-dependent antagonist activity. ROEs inhibit AhR activation by TCDD and by the Malassezia metabolites FICZ, PZ, and IND. Hence, ROE could be useful for the prevention or treatment of skin diseases mediated by activation of AhR.

A New Definition of the Term "High-Phenolic Olive Oil" Based on Large Scale Statistical Data of Greek Olive Oils Analyzed by qNMR.

In the last few years, a new term, "High-phenolic olive oil", has appeared in scientific literature and in the market. However, there is no available definition of that term regarding the concentration limits of the phenolic ingredients of olive oil. For this purpose, we performed a large-scale screening and statistical evaluation of 5764 olive oil samples from Greece coming from >30 varieties for an eleven-year period with precisely measured phenolic content by qNMR. Although there is a large variation among the different cultivars, the mean concentration of total phenolic content was 483 mg/kg. The maximum concentration recorded in Greece reached 4003 mg/kg. We also observed a statistically significant correlation of the phenolic content with the harvest period and we also identified varieties affording olive oils with higher phenolic content. In addition, we performed a study of phenolic content loss during usual storage and we found an average loss of 46% in 12 months. We propose that the term high-phenolic should be used for olive oils with phenolic content > 500 mg/kg that will be able to retain the health claim limit (250 mg/kg) for at least 12 months after bottling. The term exceptionally high phenolic olive oil should be used for olive oil with phenolic content > 1200 mg/kg (top 5%).

Biotechnological Approaches on Two High CBD and CBG Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) Varieties: In Vitro Regeneration and Phytochemical Consistency Evaluation of Micropropagated Plants Using Quantitative 1H-NMR.

High cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) varieties of Cannabis sativa L., a species with medicinal properties, were regenerated in vitro. Explants of nodal segments including healthy axillary bud, after sterilization, were placed in Murashige-Skoog (MS) culture medium. The shoots formed after 30 days were subcultured in full- or half-strength MS medium supplemented with several concentrations of 6-benzyl-amino-purine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest average number and length of shoots was achieved when both full and half-strength MS media were supplemented with 4.0 µM BA. The presence of 4.0 µM TDZ showed also comparable results. BA and TDZ at concentrations of 4.0, 8.0 µM and 2.0, 4.0 µM respectively, displayed the maximum shooting frequency. The new shoots were transferred on the same media and were either self-rooted or after being enhanced with different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Presence of 2.0 or 4.0 µM IBA or 4.0 µM NAA resulted to the optimum rooting rates. The maximum average number and length of roots per shoot was observed when the culture media was supplemented with 4.0 µM IBA or NAA. Approximately 92% of the plantlets were successfully established and acclimatized in field. The consistency of the chemical profile of the acclimatized in vitro propagated clones was assessed using quantitative 1H-NMR high throughput screening. In each variety, analysis of the micropropagated plant in comparison with the mother plant showed no statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in CBD+ cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and CBG+ cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) content respectively, thus indicating stability of their chemical profile.

Influence of Harvest Time and Malaxation Conditions on the Concentration of Individual Phenols in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Related to Its Healthy Properties.

The phenolic fraction of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been studied over the past two decades because of its important health protective properties. Numerous studies have been performed in order to clarify the most crucial factors that affect the concentration of the EVOO's phenolic fraction and many contradictory results have been reported. Having as target to maximize the phenolic content of EVOO and its healthy properties we investigated the impact of harvest time, malaxation temperature, and malaxation duration on the concentration of individual phenols in extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil was prepared in a lab-scale olive mill from different varieties in Greece. The extraction process for cultivar (cv) Koroneiki samples was performed at five different harvest periods from the same trees with three different malaxation temperatures and five different malaxation duration times (N = 75). Similar types of experiments were also performed for other varieties: cv Athenolia (N = 20), cv Olympia (N = 3), cv Kalamata (N = 3), and cv Throubolia Aegean (N=3) in order to compare the changes in the phenolic profile during malaxation. The quantitative analysis of the olive oil samples with NMR showed that the total phenolic content has a negative correlation with the ripening degree and the malaxation time. The NMR data we collected helped us to quantitate not only the total phenolic content but also the concentration of the major phenolic compounds such as oleocanthal, oleacein, oleokoronal, and oleomissional. We noticed different trends for the concentration of these phenols during malaxation process and for different malaxation temperatures. The different trends of the concentration of the individual phenols during malaxation and the completely different behavior of each variety revealed possible biosynthetic formation steps for oleocanthal and oleacein and may explain the discrepancies reported from previous studies.

A Biomimetic, One-Step Transformation of Simple Indolic Compounds to Malassezia-Related Alkaloids with High AhR Potency and Efficacy.

Malassezia furfur isolates from diseased skin preferentially biosynthesize compounds which are among the most active known aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inducers, such as indirubin, tryptanthrin, indolo[3,2-b]carbazole, and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole. In our effort to study their production from Malassezia spp., we investigated the role of indole-3-carbaldehyde (I3A), the most abundant metabolite of Malassezia when grown on tryptophan agar, as a possible starting material for the biosynthesis of the alkaloids. Treatment of I3A with H2O2 and use of catalysts like diphenyldiselenide resulted in the simultaneous one-step transformation of I3A to indirubin and tryptanthrin in good yields. The same reaction was first applied on simple indole and then on substituted indoles and indole-3-carbaldehydes, leading to a series of mono- and bisubstituted indirubins and tryptanthrins bearing halogens, alkyl, or carbomethoxy groups. Afterward, they were evaluated for their AhR agonist activity in recombinant human and mouse hepatoma cell lines containing a stably transfected AhR-response luciferase reporter gene. Among them, 3,9-dibromotryptanthrin was found to be equipotent to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an AhR agonist, and 3-bromotryptanthrin was 10-times more potent than TCDD in the human HG2L7.5c1 cell line. In contrast, 3,9-dibromotryptanthrin and 3-bromotryptanthrin were ∼4000 and >10,000 times less potent than TCDD in the mouse H1L7.5c3 cell line, respectively, demonstrating that they are species-specific AhR agonists. Involvement of the AhR in the action of 3-bromotryptanthrin was confirmed by the ability of the AhR antagonists CH223191 and SR1 to inhibit 3-bromotryptanthrin-dependent reporter gene induction in human HG2L7.5c1 cells. In conclusion, I3A can be the starting material used by Malassezia for the production of both indirubin and tryptanthrin through an oxidation mechanism, and modification of these compounds can produce some highly potent, efficacious and species-selective AhR agonists.

Antifungal activity of selected Malassezia indolic compounds detected in culture.

BACKGROUND: Malassezia yeasts produce bioactive indolic substances when grown on L-tryptophan agar. A panel of these substances was tested against commensal and opportunistic fungi, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined and the potential for in loco antifungal activity on the skin was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight indoles were included (malassezin, pityriacitrin, indirubin, indolo[3,2-b]carbazole, 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, tryptanthrin, 6-hydroxymethylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole and 6-methylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole) and were tested against 40 fungal strains [yeasts: Malassezia spp.(N = 9); Cryptococcus spp.(N = 10); Candida spp.(N = 7); Yarrowia lipolytica(N = 1); Exophialla dermatitidis (N = 2); moulds: Aspergillus spp.(N = 7); Fusarium spp.(N = 2); Rhizopus oryzae(N = 2)]. The concentration of 5/8 of the tested indoles on diseased skin was calculated from published data. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were employed for group susceptibility evaluation in 33 strains. RESULTS: The MIC range was 0.125-32 µg/mL, and the median log2 MIC was four. Indirubin was the most potent antifungal agent and differed significantly from the others. The highest median MIC was found for FICZ. Malassezia with Candida strains were more susceptible compared to Cryptococcus and Aspergillus, and this inhibitory activity was predicted to be valid also on human skin. CONCLUSIONS: Malassezia yeasts produce indolic species that inhibit an array of clinically significant yeasts and moulds.

High-Throughput 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Screening for the Identification and Quantification of Heartwood Diterpenic Acids in Four Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) Marginal Provenances in Greece.

A high-throughput quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 1H-NMR method was developed and applied to screen the quantity of the diterpenic resin acids in the heartwood of black pine, due to the renewed scientific interest in their medicinal properties and use in various diseases treatment. The 260 samples were taken from Pinus nigra clones, selected from four provenances of the Peloponnese (Greece), participating in a 35-year-old clonal seed orchard. Total resin acids per dry heartwood weight (dhw) varied greatly, ranging from 30.05 to 424.70 mg/gdhw (average 219.98 mg/gdhw). Abietic was the predominant acid (76.77 mg/gdhw), followed by palustric acid (47.94 mg/gdhw), neoabietic acid (39.34 mg/gdhw), and pimaric acid (22.54 mg/gdhw). Dehydroabietic acid was at moderate levels (11.69 mg/gdhw), while levopimaric, isopimaric, and sandaracopimaric acids were in lower concentrations. The resin acid fraction accounted for 72.33% of the total acetone extractives. Stilbenes were presented in significant quantities (19.70%). The resin acid content was composed mainly of the abietane type resin acids (83.56%). Peloponnesian Pinus nigra heartwood was found to be the richest source of resin acids identified to date and is considered the best natural source for the production of such bioactive extracts. The results indicate a high potential for effective selection and advanced breeding of pharmaceutical and high economic value bioactive substances from Pinus nigra clones.

S-(E)-Elenolide: a new constituent of extra virgin olive oil.

BACKGROUND: Extra virgin olive oil is a food with a recognized health claim in the EU related to its phenolic content. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, we observed for the first time that most high-phenolic olive oils also contain significant quantities of another potential beneficial ingredient, S-(E)-elenolide, which is a non-phenolic compound related to oleuropein or ligstroside. Elenolide had only been found in olive leaves and fruits as the Z isomer or had been synthesized and had been recognized as an antihypertensive agent. RESULTS: (E)-Elenolide was isolated from olive oil and its structure was elucidated and completely characterized for the first time using 1D and 2D NMR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, we developed a method of quantitative measurement based on qNMR. Investigation of 2120 olive oil samples showed that elenolide was present in the majority of samples, in quantities ranging from 0 to 2821 mg kg-1 . Although elenolic acid, which is a hydrated derivative of elenolide, had been reported as an olive oil ingredient, this is the first time that elenolide has proved to be transformed to elenolic acid after reaction with water. Finally, it was found that the quantity of elenolide in olive oil depends on the quantity of water remaining in the olive oil during storage. CONCLUSION: S-(E)-Elenolide is a new important substance of olive oil and could be used as marker of high-quality oils with low water content. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) heartwood as a rich source of bioactive stilbenes by qNMR.

BACKGROUND: Recently published studies have demonstrated the strong anti-inflammatory properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) heartwood extracts, related to its stilbene content. In order to find alternative sources of Pinus heartwood extracts rich in stilbenes, a large number of samples were investigated, using a new developed high-throughput screening method based on quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: The new method enabled us to measure the levels of pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether and pinosylvin dimethyl ether in heartwood extracts in only 45 s per sample. The method was applied to 260 Pinus nigra trees originating from Peloponnese (southern Greece) from four different natural populations of the species. The results obtained showed that the total stilbenoids per dry heartwood weight varied greatly, ranging from 10.9 to 128.2 mg g-1drywood (average 59.92 ± 21.79 mg g-1drywood ). The major stilbene in all cases was pinosylvin monomethyl ether (40.32 ± 15.55 mg g-1drywood ), followed by pinosylvin (17.07±6.76 mg g-1drywood ) and pinosylvin dimethyl ether (2.54 ± 1.22 mg g-1drywood ). The highest stilbene content of P. nigra samples was found to be 6.3 times higher than the highest reported figure for P. sylvestris L. CONCLUSION: Pinus nigra heartwood is the richest source of pinosylvin and pinosylvin monomethyl ether identified to date and can be considered the best natural resource for production of bioactive extracts. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Volatile profile of Greek dried white figs (Ficus carica L.) and investigation of the role of ß-damascenone in aroma formation in fig liquors.

BACKGROUND: During an investigation of the chemical profile of Greek figs (Ficus carica L.), several aqueous ethanol extracts (liquors) were prepared from dried Smyrna fig varieties cultivated in the two major fig-producing geographical areas in Greece: Peloponnese and Evia Island. The distinctive aroma observed among the prepared fig liquors led to the investigation of the odor profile of the different fig cultivars through HS-SPME coupled with GC/MS analysis, with focus on the factors that affect it before and during the preparation of the respective liquors. RESULTS: Significant variation in volatiles was noticed among all fig cultivars, as also between each fig cultivar pulp and the respective liquor. The observed diversity was a result of chemical reactions taking place in the ethanol matrix during the preparation of the liquor. The 'key' odor compound of dried fig aroma was found to be ß-damascenone. Owing to its low detection threshold and minute quantity in fig cultivars, the presence of ß-damascenone was furthermore confirmed through GC/MS/MS and GC/TOF-MS. ß-Damascenone was identified in variable quantities among fig varieties and their liquors, predominating in Kalamon fig cultivar of Peloponnese region, while its amount was found to be dependent on the postharvest storage time and preservation process of dried figs. CONCLUSION: Each of the studied fig cultivars and liquors showed a unique aroma profile, and the obtained results were used for the preparation of the first dried fig liqueur for potential commercial use with the highest content of ß-damascenone. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.