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Procjena kakvoće i održivosti prehrane studentske populacije
No full textCilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja je dobiti uvid u kakvoću prehrane studenske populacije te
procijeniti njenu održivost uz praćenje promjena tijekom nekoliko godina, utvrđivanjem
kritičnih parametara važnih za kakvoću prehrane, kao i namirnica koje najviše utječu na
ekosustav.
Ispitanici i metode: Rad je koncipiran kao retrospektivna studija unutar koje su se obradili
podaci prikupljeni dijetetičkom metodom dnevnika prehrane, te antropometrijski podaci,
studenata SUZ Farmaceutsko-biokemijskog fakulteta tijekom tri uzastopne akademske godine
(2021-2023). Sveukupno je prikupljeno 1572 dnevnika prehrane, odnosno podaci od ukupno
393 studenta. Podaci o konzumiranoj masi, energijskoj i nutritivnoj vrijednosti konzumirane
hrane i pića dobiveni su obradom dnevnika prehrane u programu „Prehrana“, dok se održivost
prehrane, odnosno ugljični otisak kojim doprinosi njihova prehrana studenata, procjenjivao
korištenjem baze podataka dataFIELD version 1.0.
Rezultati: Promatrana populacijska skupina adekvatne je tjelesne mase (ITM 22,0 kg/m2), pri
čemu je 11,4 % studenata s prekomjernom tjelesnom masom, a 2,33 % je pretilo. Čak 32,2 %
ispitanika ima prekomjeran dnevni unos energije od kojeg 44,1 % otpada na ugljikohidrate;
39,2 % na masti te 17,2 % na proteine. Unos prehrambenih vlakana ispod je preporučenog te
iznosi 16,9 g/dan, odnosno 8,9 g/1000 kcal. Unos promatranih mikronutrijenata nije adekvatan,
pri čemu unos natrija značajno premašuje preporuke, a kritičnim su se pokazali unosi
mineralnih elemenata Ca, Mg i Zn. Procijenjeni ugljični otisak prehrambenih obrazaca
studentske populacije, iznosi 5,101 eqCO2.
Zaključak: S obzirom na dobivene rezultate u ovom istraživanju može se zaključiti da trenutni
obrazac prehrane koji provode studenti nije održiv, kako za njihovo zdravlje u budućnosti tako
ni za ekološki sustav u kojem živimo. Nužno je uvođenje promjena u prehrambeni obrazac,
prvenstveno povećanjem unosa tamnozelenog lisnatog povrća, leguminoza i cjelovitih žitarica,
a s obzirom na doprinos emisiji stakleničkih plinova potrebno je smanjiti unos visoko-masnih
mliječnih proizvoda te crvenog mesa.Objective: The aim of this study is to gain an insight into the quality of the student population's
diet and to assess its sustainability by observing changes over several years. At the same time,
critical parameters that are important for the quality of the diet and the foods that have the
greatest impact on the ecosystem will be determined.
Subjects and methods: The work was designed as a retrospective study in which data
collected using the dietary method of food diaries and anthropometric data from students of the
UNIZG Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry were processed during three consecutive
academic years (2021-2023). A total of 1,572 food diaries were collected, i.e. data from a total
of 393 students. Data on the mass consumed, energy content and nutritional value of the food
and drinks consumed were obtained by processing in the "Prehrana" programme, while the
sustainability of the diet, i.e. the carbon footprint generated by the students' diet, was assessed
using the dataFIELD version 1.0 database.
Results: The observed population has adequate body weight (BMI 22.0 kg/m2), with 11.4%
of students being overweight and 2.33% being obese. As many as 32.2% of those surveyed
consume too much energy every day, of which 44.1% are carbohydrates, 39.2% fat and 17.2%
protein. The intake of dietary fibre is below the recommended amount and amounts to 16.9
g/day, i.e. 8.9 g/1000 kcal. The intake of the micronutrients observed is insufficient, with the
intake of sodium clearly exceeding the recommendations and the intake of the minerals Ca, Mg
and Zn proving to be critical. The estimated carbon footprint of the dietary behaviour of the
student population is 5,101 eqCO2.
Conclusion: Given the results of this study, it can be concluded that the current dietary pattern
of students is not sustainable, both for their future health and for the ecological system in which
we live. It is necessary to change the dietary pattern, especially by increasing the consumption
of dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and considering the contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of high-fat dairy products
and red meat
Zinc and manganese in encapsulated food supplements for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
No full textU današnje vrijeme raste uporaba dodataka prehrani za liječenje upalnih bolesti crijeva koji sadrže
justiciju, kurkumu i indijski tamjanovac. S obzirom na važnost određivanja kvalitete dodataka
prehrani, cilj ovog rada bio je odrediti koncentracije mangana i cinka u kapsuliranim dodacima
prehrani te usporediti njihov sadržaj između tvrdih i mekih kapsula. Koncentracije cinka i mangana
analizirane su metodom atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije, korištene su plamena i grafitna
tehnika. Uzorci su prethodno pripremljeni mikrovalnom digestijom radi osiguravanja homogenosti
uzorka i preciznosti analize. Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su da su koncentracije cinka i mangana
unutar dozvoljenih granica propisanih međunarodnim smjernicama. Uočeno je da su koncentracije
mangana više u kapsulama koje sadrže usitnjenu biljnu drogu, dok su koncentracije cinka značajno
više u mekim kapsulama. Zaključeno je da uzorci ispunjavaju sigurnosne standarde te da su prikladni
za uporabu u terapiji upalnih bolesti crijeva.Nowadays, the use of dietary supplements containing Justicia, turmeric, and Indian frankincense for
treating inflammatory bowel diseases is increasing. Given the importance of determining the quality
of dietary supplements, the aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of manganese and
zinc in encapsulated dietary supplements and to compare their content between different types of
capsules. Zinc and manganese concentrations were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry,
employing flame and graphite techniques. Samples were pre-treated with microwave digestion to
ensure homogeneity and accuracy of the analysis. The results showed that zinc and manganese
concentrations were within the permissible limits set by international guidelines. It was observed
that manganese concentrations were higher in capsules containing ground plant material, while zinc
concentrations were significantly higher in soft capsules. It was concluded that the samples meet
safety standards and are suitable for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
Optimisation of ultrasound extraction of polyphenols from species Satureja montana L.
No full textS. montana L. aromatična je biljaka bogata bioaktivnim fenolnim spojevima. U ovom istraživanju
spektrofotometrijski je ispitivan sadržaj ukupnih polifenolnih spojeva, fenolnih kiselina i flavonoida
te sadržaj luteolin-7-O-glikozida upotrebom HPLC-a. Korištena je ekološki prihvatljiva metoda
ultrazvučne ekstrakcije te su primjenjivani različiti ekstrakcijski uvjeti. Cilj je bio pronaći uvjete
koji daju najučinkovitiju ekstrakciju s najvećim prinosom fenolnih spojeva. Pokazana je efikasnost
prisustva HP-β-CD, kao sredstva koje omogućuje inkapsulaciju polifenola, te kombinacije glicerola
i vode kao otapala. Najveći prinos ukupnih polifenola i fenolnih kiselina dao je pripravak s uvjetima
70 % GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, pri 45 °C, 25 min i USP od 432 W. Ekstrakciji flavonoida najviše su
pogodovali uvjeti 35 % GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, 15 min na 70 °C s USP od 720 W, a LG uvjeti 35
% GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, 20 °C, 15 min s USP od 720 W.S. montana L. is an aromatic species rich in bioactive phenolics. In this work, spectrophotometric
analysis of total polyphenols, phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extract was conducted, as well as
content quantification of luteolin-7-O-glicoside using HPLC. Environmentally friendly ultrasound
extraction method was used, and different extraction conditions were applied. The purpose was to
find conditions giving the most effective yield of measured substances. The results have shown the
efficiency of having HP-β-CD present, as an encapsulating agent, as well as glycerol – water mixture
as a solvent. The biggest yield of total polyphenols and phenolic acids was shown in extraction
conditions of 70 % GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, 45 °C, 25 min and USP of 432 W. To the flavonoid
extraction favoured the most conditions of 35 % GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, 15 min on 70 °C with
USP of 720 W, and for LG conditions of 35 % GL, 0,2 mmol HP-β-CD, 20 °C, 15 min and USP of
720 W
Validation of SPE-HPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous analysis of palbociclib and fulvestrant in human plasma
No full textRak dojke najčešća je zloćudna bolest žena u razvijenom svijetu. Najčešći tip raka dojke je
HR+/HER2-. Razvoj rezistencije tumora na starije lijekove doveo je do potrebe za razvojem novih
lijekova, kao što su inhibitori kinaza ovisnih o ciklinima. Ovi lijekovi primjenjuju se uvijek u
kombinaciji s inhibitorima aromataze ili fulvestrantom. Bioanalitičkim metodama za terapijsko
praćenje lijekova u krvi omogućuje se precizno i individualno doziranje lijekova, potrebno zbog
razlika u farmakokinetici i uskoj terapijskoj širini lijeka. Sukladno ICHM10 smjernicama, u ovom
radu validirana je nova bioanalitička metoda za određivanje lijekova palbocikliba i fulvestranta,
izražavanjem linearnosti, točnosti, preciznosti, ekstrakcijskog prinosa i utjecaja matrice. Korištena
je tehnika ekstrakcije čvrstom fazom kojom su analiti izolirani iz plazme zdravih dobrovoljaca.
Analiza je provedena tekućinskom kromatografijom spregnutom sa spektrometrom masa s
analizatorom trostrukog kvadrupola. Metoda je validirana u koncentracijskim rasponima 30 - 300
ng/mL za palbociklib i 10 - 100 ng/mL za fulvestrant. Unutar koncentracijskih raspona dokazana je
linearnost (R > 0,9993) preciznost (RSD < 1,85) i točnost (raspon točnosti od -10,42 % do -3,92 %).
Ekstrakcijski prinos za palbociklib veći je od 91,17 %, dok je za fulvestrant veći od 77,52 %. Utjecaj
matrice za PAL je 10,25 % i 6,92 %, pri nižoj i višoj izmjerenoj koncentraciji, a za FUL iznosi -
11,99 % i -9,23 %. Naposlijetku su određene koncentracije palbocikliba i fulvestranta u uzorcima
plazme stvarnih pacijentica, čime je pokazana primjenjivost metode u terapijskom praćenju ovih
lijekova.Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women of the developed world. The most
common type of breast cancer is HR+/HER2-. The development of tumor resistance to older drugs
has led to the need to develop new ones, such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. These drugs are
always used in combination with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant. Bioanalytical methods for
therapeutic drug monitoring enable precise and individual drug dosing, necessary due to differences
in pharmacokinetics and a narrow therapeutic window of the drug. Following the ICHM10
guidelines, in this work a new bioanalytical method for detection of palbociclib and fulvestrant was
validated, expressing linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery and matrix effect. Solid-phase
extraction technique was used to isolate analytes from the plasma of healthy volunteers. The analysis
was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer with a triple quadrupole
analyzer. The method was validated in the concentration ranges of 30 - 300 ng/mL for palbociclib
and 10 - 100 ng/mL for fulvestrant. Linearity (R > 0.9993), precision (RSD < 1.85) and accuracy
(accuracy range from -10.42% to -3.92%) were demonstrated within the concentration range.
Recovery for palbociclib is greater than 91.17%, while for fulvestrant it is greater than 77.52%.
Matrix effect for PAL is 10.25% and 6.92%, at the lower and higher measured concentration, and
for FUL it is -11.99% and -9.23%. Finally, the concentrations of palbociclib and fulvestrant in
plasma samples of real patients were determined, which demonstrated the applicability of the
method in therapeutic drug monitoring
Antinociceptive effect of botulinum toxin type A on CGRP release in the trigeminal ganglion in an animal model of formalin-induced pain
No full textBotulinum toksin tipa A (BT-A) potentan je neurotoksin kojeg proizvodi bakterija Clostridium botulinum.
Mehanizam djelovanja mu se temelji na sprječavanju otpuštanja neurotransmitera u sinaptičku pukotinu
proteolitičkim kidanjem SNARE proteina zaduženih za njihovu egzocitozu. Dugo se vremena smatralo da je
djelovanje BT-A ograničeno samo na periferna područja u kojima je i primijenjen, zbog čega mu je terapijska
primjena bila ograničena na liječenje autonomnih poremećaja, lokalizirane spastičnosti i hiperkinetičkih
poremećaja pokreta. S vremenom je bilo ustanovljeno kako BT-A ima izraženo antinociceptivno djelovanje i na
središnjoj razini uz minimalne nuspojave, dugotrajan učinak i izostanak tolerancije za razliku od ostalih analgetika
sa sistemskim djelovanjem što ga čini izuzetno privlačnim kandidatom za daljnja istraživanja, posebice u vidu
liječenja boli kroničnog tijeka. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je istražiti utjecaj BT-A na ekspresiju CGRP-a,
neuropeptidnog medijatora boli i upale, u području trigeminalnog ganglija, u modelu upalne orofacijalne boli
uzrokovane primjenom formalina u štakora. BT-A (7 i.j./kg) bio je unilateralno primijenjen u područje desnog
brka (ipsilateralno) Wistar štakora. Šest dana kasnije u područje lijevog brka (kontralateralno) uzrokovana je bol
primjenom 50 μL 2,5 % formalina nakon čega su životinje žrtvovane te su analizirani prerezi njihovih
trigeminalnih ganglija. U negativnoj kontrolnoj skupini se umjesto BT-A koristila fiziološka otopina primijenjena
bilateralno, dok se u pozitivnoj kontrolnoj skupini fiziološka otopina primijenila ipsilateralno, a 50 μL 2,5 %
formalina kontralateralno. Imunohistokemijskom analizom i statističkom obradom praćen je i kvantificiran
intenzitet signala CGRP-a u poprečnim prerezima trigeminalnih ganglija. U eksperimentalnoj skupini primijećeno
je statistički značajno smanjenje ekspresije CGRP-a u odnosnu na kontrolnu skupinu. Dobiveni rezultati sugeriraju
da BT-A djeluje i na suprotnoj strani od mjesta primjene, što upućuje na njegovu mogućnost aksonalnog transporta
i potencijalnog među-sinaptičkog prijenosa (transcitoze). Zaključno, ovaj diplomski rad pokazuje da BT-A može
djelovati ne samo na lokalnoj razini, već i na razini središnjeg živčanog sustava putem moguće transcitoze što
otvara prostor za daljnja istraživanja njegovog središnjeg antinociceptivnog djelovanja.Botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) is a potent neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Its
mechanism of action is based on preventing the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft by proteolytically
cleaving SNARE proteins responsible for their exocytosis. For a long time, it was believed that the effects of BT-A
were limited to the peripheral areas where it was applied, restricting its therapeutic use to treating autonomic disorders,
localized spasticity, and hyperkinetic movement disorders. Over time, it was established that BT-A has significant
antinociceptive effects at the central level, with minimal side effects, long-lasting impact, and no development of
tolerance compared to other systemically acting analgesics, making it an exceptionally attractive candidate for further
research, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the influence of BT-A
on the expression of CGRP, a neuropeptide mediator of pain and inflammation, in the trigeminal ganglion in a model
of inflammatory orofacial pain induced by formalin application in rats. BT-A (7 i.j./kg) was unilaterally administered
to the area of the right facial vibrissae (ipsilateral) in Wistar rats. Six days later, pain was induced in the area of the left
facial vibrissae (contralateral) by applying 50 μL of 2.5% formalin, after which the animals were sacrificed and
sections of their trigeminal ganglia were analyzed. In the negative control group, saline was used instead of BT-A,
administered bilaterally, while in the positive control group, saline was administered ipsilaterally, and 50 μL of 2.5%
formalin was applied contralaterally. Immunohistochemical analysis and statistical processing were used to monitor
and quantify the intensity of CGRP signals in transverse sections of the trigeminal ganglia. In the experimental group,
a statistically significant reduction in CGRP expression was observed compared to the control group. The obtained
results suggest that BT-A also acts on the opposite side of the application site, indicating its potential for axonal
transport and possible trans-synaptic transfer (transcytosis). In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that BT-A can act
not only at the local level but also at the central nervous system level through potential transcytosis, opening up the
possibility for further research into its central antinociceptive effects
Mercury in dietary supplements for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
No full textDodaci prehrani namijenjeni za pomoćno liječenje upalnih bolesti crijeva mogu imati značajnu
ulogu u liječenju tih bolesti zbog prisustva raznih biološki aktivnih. Također sve se češće koriste za
povećanje unosa esencijalnih vitamina i minerala, no zbog manje restriktivnih zakonskih zahtjeva i
nedovoljne kontrole, postoji rizik od kontaminacije i nuspojava. Cilj ovoga rada bio je procijeniti
kvalitetu dodataka prehrani mjerenjem koncentracije žive u tim pripravcima. Živa i njezini spojevi
spadaju među najtoksičnije okolišne kontaminante. Izloženost čak i malim količinama žive može
izazvati ozbiljne zdravstvene probleme, uključujući mutagene i teratogene učinke, oksidativni stres,
disfunkciju mitohondrija, te toksičnost za središnji i periferni živčani sustav, kao i bubrege. Upravo
zbog ovih razloga potrebno je odrediti moguće kontaminacije živom. Koncentracija žive u ispitanim
dodacima prehrani određena je atomskom apsorpcijskom spektrometrijom uz pomoć analizatora
žive. Ova metoda je korištena zbog njezine brzine i jednostavnosti. Rezultati istraživanja uspoređeni
su sa maksimalnom dopuštenom razinom žive u dodacima prehrani koja je postavljena od strane
različitih regulatornih tijela. Svi analizirani dodaci prehrani zadovoljavaju zahtjeve to jest razina
žive je ispod maksimalne dopuštene razine, osim u dva uzorka justicije. Odnosno, analizom rezultata
utvrđeno je da izračunate vrijednosti hipotetskog unosa žive u slučaju tjedne uporabe testiranih
pripravaka ne prelaze PTWI vrijednost (privremeni podnošljivi tjedni unos), ali primjenom dva
uzorka utvrđene su PDE vrijednosti iznad dozvoljenih. U zaključku ovog rada istaknuta je važnost
stalne kontrole sadržaja žive u tržišno dostupnim dodacima prehrani.Dietary supplements intended for adjunct treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases can play a
significant role in treating these conditions due to the presence of various biologically active
substances. They are also increasingly used to boost the intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
Still, due to less stringent regulatory requirements and insufficient control, there is a risk of
contamination and side effects. This study aimed to assess the quality of dietary supplements by
measuring the mercury concentration in these products. Mercury and its compounds are among the
most toxic environmental contaminants. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury can cause
serious health problems, including mutagenic and teratogenic effects, oxidative stress, mitochondrial
dysfunction, and toxicity to the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the kidneys. For
these reasons, it is necessary to determine potential mercury contamination. The mercury
concentration in the tested dietary supplements was determined using atomic absorption
spectrometry with a mercury analyzer. This method was chosen for its speed and simplicity. The
research results were compared with the maximum allowable mercury level in dietary supplements
set by various regulatory bodies. All analyzed dietary supplements meet the requirements, meaning
the mercury levels are below the maximum permissible level, except in two justice samples. The
analysis of the results also showed that the calculated values of hypothetical mercury intake in the
case of weekly use of the tested products do not exceed the PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly
intake). Still, after orally administering two samples, the PDE values were determined to be above
the permitted ones. In the conclusion of this work, the importance of constant control of the mercury
content in commercially available food supplements is emphasized
Determination of heavy metal content in cocoa samples using TXRF-W, TXRF-Mo and EDXRF techniques
No full textPlod stabla kakaovca jest zrno kakaa koje je ključni sastojak u proizvodnji kakao praha i čokolade. Zbog
velike zastupljenosti u ljudskoj prehrani, nužno je poznavanje sastava kakaa kako bi se osigurala kvaliteta i
sigurnost samih proizvoda. Glavni cilj ovog rada jest odrediti elementni sastav kakaa te usporediti rezultate
dobivene različitim analitičkim tehnikama (TXRF-W, TXRF-Mo, EDXRF). Uzorci su pripremljeni
mikrovalnom digestijom te u obliku peleta te je određeno prisustvo sljedećih elemenata: željezo, bakar,
cink, rubidij, stroncij, mangan, nikal i krom. Priprema uzorka u obliku peleta jeftinija je, manje zahtjevna i
ekološki prihvatljivija u odnosu na mikrovalnu digestiju. Analizom je utvrđeno da se rezultati dobiveni
različitim analitičkim tehnikama podudaraju (posebice između TXRF-Mo i EDXRF). Sve su se tehnike
pokazale kao vrlo korisne budući da omogućavaju identifikaciju i kvantifikaciju vrlo niskih koncentracija
elemenata prisutnih u uzorcima kakaa, s naglaskom na TXRF-Mo tehniku koja se pokazala kao
najosjetljivija.The fruit of the cocoa tree is the cocoa bean which is a key ingredient in the production of cocoa powder
and chocolate. Since cocoa is widely used in the human diet, it is necessary to know the composition of
cocoa in order to ensure quality and safety of the products themselves. The main goal of this work is to
determine the elemental composition of cocoa and to compare the results obtained by different analytical
techniques (TXRF-W, TXRF-Mo, EDXRF). The samples were prepared by microwave digestion and in the
form of pellets and the presence of the following elements was determined: iron, copper, zinc, rubidium,
strontium, manganese, nickel and chromium. Sample preparation in the form of pellets is less-expensive,
simpler and more environmentally friendly than microwave digestion. The analysis showed that the results
obtained with the different analytical techniques were consistent (especially between TXRF-Mo and
EDXRF). All techniques have proven to be very effective, as they allow the identification and
quantification of very low concentrations of the elements present in cocoa samples, with the TXRF-Mo
technique which proving to be the most sensitive
Determination of heavy metals in dietary supplement therapies for inflammatory bowel disease by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
No full textUključivanje dodataka prehrani standardnoj terapiji za liječenje upalnih bolesti crijeva može pozitivno djelovati na tijek i jačinu bolesti. Kurkumin, andrografolidi, piperin i bosvelične kiseline su biološki aktivne tvari biljnog podrijetla koje svojim protuupalnim, antioksidativnim, i/ili imunomodulatornim svojstvima smanjuju simptome bolesti. Cilj ovog rada bio je procijeniti kvalitetu i sigurnost dodataka prehrani s obzirom na sadržaj teških metala; arsena, kadmija i olova. Budući da su navedeni metali najčešće zastupljeni u niskim koncentracijama, odabrana je tehnika grafitne atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije nakon postupka mikrovalne digestije. Dobiveni rezultati upućuju na niski sadržaj metala arsena i kadmija. Međutim, sadržaj olova u dva uzorka prelazi dozvoljenu dnevnu izloženost oralnom putem te njihova primjena predstavlja rizik za zdravlje ljudi. U zaključku se ističe potreba stalnog praćenja sigurnosti dodataka prehrani dostupnih na tržištu s obzirom na sadržaj olova.The inclusion of dietary supplements in the standard therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases can have a positive effect on the course and severity of the disease. Curcumin, andrographolides, piperine and boswellic acids are biologically active compounds from plants that reduce disease symptoms with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality and safety of dietary supplements with regard to the content of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead. Since the mentioned metals are primarily present in low concentrations, the graphite atomic absorption spectrometry technique was used after the microwave digestion procedure. The results indicated a low content of metals, including arsenic and cadmium. However, the lead content in two samples exceeds the permitted daily oral exposure, and their use could pose a risk to human health. In conclusion, the need for constant monitoring of the safety of dietary supplements available on the market regarding lead content is emphasized
Phospholipid nanosystems with thymol: preparation, characterization and in vitro antimicrobial assessment
No full textRastući trend rezistencije bakterija na antibiotike predstavlja veliki javnozdravstveni problem koji zahtjeva istraživanja novih učinkovitih djelatnih tvari i formulacija. Jedna od takvih bakterija je MRSA, glavni uzročnik bolničkih infekcija s visokim stupnjem mortaliteta. Timol, izoliran iz različitih biljnih vrsta porodice Lamiaceae, pokazao je značajan antimikrobni učinak i dobro djelovanje na MRSU; međutim, zbog svoje lipofilnosti ima ograničenu terapijsku primjenu. S ciljem poboljšanja farmakokinetičkih svojstava i bioraspoloživosti timola, pripremljene su različite fosfolipidne nanoformulacije s uklopljenim timolom kojima su određena fizikalno-kemijska svojstva (veličina liposoma, indeks polidisperznosti, zeta potencijal) i ispitan antimikrobni učinak. Korištenjem visokotlačne homogenizacije pripravljene su fosfolipidne disperzije koje omogućuju visoko uklapanje timola, sa srednjim promjerima vezikula manjim od 200 nm. Ispitivanja in vitro antimikrobne aktivnosti pokazala su da većina pripremljenih fosfolipidnih nanoformulacija s uklopljenim timolom ne pokazuje bolji antimikrobni učinak od otopine timola.The growing trend of antibacterial resistance represents a major public health problem. It requires research of a new antimicrobial substances that should be effective and safe for human use. MRSA is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections with a high mortality rate. Thymol, isolated from different plant species of the Lamiaceae family, showed a significant antimicrobial effect against MRSA. However, due to its lipophilicity, thymol has limited therapeutic use. To improve the pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability of thymol, it was incorporated into phospholipid-based nanoformulations, vesicular phospholipid gels and conventional liposomes. They were evaluated for the physicochemical properties (mean diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential) and in vitro antibacterial effect. Vesicular phospholipid gels with thymol, prepared by high-pressure homogenization, resulted with high incorporation of thymol in vesicles smaller than 200 nm. In vitro antibacterial evaluation showed that most of the prepared phospholipid nanoformulations with incorporated thymol did not show a better antimicrobial effect than thymol solution
Analysis of cor samples and identification of Fusarium genus molds
No full textPlijesni roda Fusarium su najbrojniji rod gljivica koje kontaminiraju kukuruz. Poznat je njihov štetan učinak na zdravlje ljudi i životinja, bilo uzrokovanjem fuzarioze ili akutnim i kroničnim trovanjem mikotoksinima, a temperatura zraka i količina padalina su se pokazale kao vrlo značajni čimbenici o kojima ovisi njihova pojavnost na kukuruzu. Klimatske promjene zbog toga uvelike utječu na kontaminaciju kukuruza i prehrambenih proizvoda dovodeći do porasta koncentracija plijesni na usjevima, većih koncentracija kontaminanata u prehrambenim namirnicama i sve većem riziku za ljudsko zdravlje te smanjenoj isplativosti poljoprivrednih uzgoja.
Mikološka analiza metodom razrjeđenja na hranjivim podlogama (DRBC i MGA) provedena je na 50 uzoraka kukuruza od kojih su 25 iz 2021. godine, a 25 iz 2022. godine. Istraživanje je pokazalo je da su koncentracije plijesni veće na uzorcima iz 2022. godine, za koju je prosječna vrijednost koncentracije na DRBC agaru 7,93 x 105 CFU/g dok je za 2021. srednja vrijednost koncentracije na DRBC agaru 1,32 x 105 CFU/g. Srednja vrijednost koncentracije na MGA agaru je također veća za 2022. godinu. Dobivene srednje vrijednosti su vrlo visoke, a većina uzoraka premašuje dozvoljene maksimalne koncentracije koje smiju biti prisutne u hrani.
Na svim uzorcima je došlo do porasta plijesni roda Fusarium, što pokazuje na dominaciju ovog roda kao kontaminanta kukuruza. Na DRBC agaru plijesni roda Penicillium su izrasle na 96% uzoraka, a plijesni roda Aspergillus na njih 72% što ih čini sljedećima po zastupljenosti. Od ostalih plijesni pojavljuju se vrste iz roda Cladosporium, Absidia, Trichoderma i Mucor, a na 28% uzoraka je uočen porast kvasaca. Svi uzorci s kvascima poraslih na DRBC agaru su iz 2022. godine. Na MGA agaru osim fuzarija je također došlo do porasta kvasaca na nekim uzorcima, od kojih je 84% također iz 2022. godine.
Izolacijom i identifikacijom plijesni roda Fusarium primjenom molekularne metode tj. sekvenciranjem genske regije ITS pokazano je da se u većini uzoraka radi o vrsti F. napiforme i/ili F. verticilloides dok je za samo 6% uzoraka identificirana vrsta F. fujikuroi i/ili F. proliferatum. Sve identificirane vrste pripadaju F. fujikuroi kompleksu vrsta. Genska regija ITS pokazala se nedovoljno specifična za razlučivanje srodnih vrsta unutar fuzarijskih kompleksa. Za razlučivanje vrsta unutar pojedinih fuzarijskih kompleksa potrebno je primijeniti više genskih markera kao što su tef1 i rpb2. Visoka učestalost i dominacija vrsta iz kompleksa F. fujikuroi u uzorcima kukuruza može predstavljati opasnost za zdravlje ljudi jer se radi o uzročnicima mikoza kao i o poznatim proizvođačima mikotoksina, poglavito iz skupine fumonizina.Molds of the genus Fusarium are the most prevalent fungi contaminating corn. Their harmful effects on human and animal health are well-documented, either through causing fusariosis or through acute and chronic poisoning by mycotoxins. Air temperature and precipitation levels have been identified as significant factors influencing their occurrence in corn. Consequently, climate change greatly impacts the contamination of corn and food products, leading to increased concentrations of molds in crops, higher contaminant levels in food products, an elevated risk to human health, and reduced profitability in agricultural production.
Mycological analysis using the dilution method on nutrient media (DRBC and MGA) was conducted on 50 corn samples, 25 from 2021 and 25 from 2022. The study revealed that mold concentrations were higher in the 2022 samples, with an average concentration value on DRBC agar of 7.93 x 10⁵ CFU/g, compared to an average concentration value on DRBC agar of 1.32 x 10⁵ CFU/g for 2021. The average concentration value on MGA agar was also higher for 2022. The obtained average values are very high, with most samples exceeding the maximum allowable concentrations permitted in food.
All samples showed an increase in molds of the genus Fusarium, and in the majority of samples, they were the dominant genera. On DRBC agar, molds of the genus Penicillium grew on 96% of samples, and molds of the genus Aspergillus on 72%, making them the next most prevalent. Other molds present included species from the genera Cladosporium, Absidia, Trichoderma, and Mucor, with 28% of the samples showing yeast growth. All samples with yeast growth on DRBC agar were from 2022. On MGA agar, in addition to Fusarium, yeast growth was also observed on some samples, 84% of which were from 2022.
Isolation and identification of molds of the genus Fusarium using molecular methods, specifically sequencing of the ITS gene region, demonstrated that most samples contained the species F. napiforme and/or F. verticillioides, while only 6% of the isolates were identified as F. fujikuroi and/or F. proliferatum. All identified species belong to the F. fujikuroi species complex. The ITS gene region proved to be insufficiently specific for distinguishing closely related species within the Fusarium complexes. To differentiate species within specific Fusarium complexes, the application of multiple genetic markers, such as tef1α and rpb2, is required. The high prevalence and dominance of species from the F. fujikuroi complex in corn samples may pose a risk to human health, as they are known pathogens causing mycoses and are recognized producers of mycotoxins, particularly fumonisins