1,721,042 research outputs found
Biotechnological Applications for the Sustainable Use of Marine By-products: In Vitro Antioxidant and Pro-apoptotic Effects of Astaxanthin Extracted with Supercritical CO2 from Parapeneus longirostris
No full textIn this study, the carotenoid astaxanthin was obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) from shrimp by-products (SBP). Its bioactive properties were evaluated in vitro in human normal and cancerous cells lines. The antioxidant activity of the extracted astaxanthin of the SFE fraction (ASTA) was tested in fibroblast cells (HS-68), by inducing oxidative stress and by evaluating the protective effect of the pre-treatment with different levels of ASTA against toxicity. The anti-proliferative activity was evaluated in hepatoma cells (HEP-G2), treated with increased concentrations of ASTA and measuring the effects on vitality and on some biomolecular markers related to oxidative stress, cell cycle, and apoptosis. It was found that pre-treating normal fibroblast cells with ASTA resulted in a marked increase in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05) attesting its antioxidant power; in cancer cell line, increased concentrations of ASTA caused a time-dose-dependent decrease in the vitality, attesting its anti-proliferative activity (P < 0.05). The increased levels of the protein p-53 and the reduced levels of the proteins c-Jun and c-Fos at higher concentrations of ASTA, as well as, suggest the pro-apoptotic and anti-cancerous effects that this extract has on hepatocellular carcinomas, confirmed also by caspase-3 activation. These findings suggest biotechnological utilisation of marine by-products for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications avoiding the employment of organic solvents for extraction
Seaweeds in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture: Environmental Benefits and Bioactive Compounds Production
Full text linkSeaweeds, also known as marine macroalgae, are large, multicellular algae that
grow in marine environments such as oceans and seas. They are considered some of
the most productive and diverse organisms on Earth and play a crucial role in marine
ecosystems. Seaweed has been used for various purposes for centuries in different
cultures. Today, seaweeds are gaining increasing attention for their various applications in various industries, including food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,
and environmental management.
These incredible organisms have been used for various purposes throughout
human history, such as food, fertilizer, and even medicine. In recent years, there has
been growing interest in seaweed and seaweed-derived compounds due to their
potential health benefts and various biologically active properties. Meeting the
growing need for healthy biologically active compounds is a crucial aspect of
addressing various health challenges faced by individuals and populations worldwide. Biologically active compounds are natural or synthetic substances that have a
positive impact on biological processes and can contribute to overall health and
well-being.
While the potential health benefts of seaweed and seaweed-derived compounds
are promising, more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of
action and potential applications. Seaweeds offer many potential benefts, their sustainable harvest and cultivation are essential to protect marine ecosystems and
ensure a stable supply for various applications. Proper management practices are
necessary to maintain the balance between utilization and conservation of these
valuable marine resources. Additionally, as with any natural product, it is crucial to
ensure proper harvesting, processing, and quality control to maximize their benefts
and minimize potential risks. As the demand for natural and sustainable products
grows, seaweeds and seaweed-derived compounds have the potential to become
essential components in various industries, including functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals
Sub-lethal Doses of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, in Vitro, Promote Oxidative Stress and Modulate Molecular Markers Related to Cell Cycle, Antioxidant Balance and Cellular Energy Management
Full text linkIn the present study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) BDE-209, BDE-47 and BDE-99, on the vitality and oxidative stress of a HS-68 human cell culture exposed to the compounds for three days. The results showed that for this exposure time, only the highest concentrations produced a significant vitality reduction and oxidative stress induction (p < 0.05), measured as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Subsequently, in order to verify the effects of sub-lethal doses, cells were exposed for a longer time and data collected, after 12 and 20 days, to study ROS production and some molecular markers related to cell cycle and stress (p53, pRB, PARP, c-Jun and c-Fos), antioxidant status and proliferation (ERK, c-Jun and c-Fos), energy balance (NRF2, AMPK, HIF). Most of the biomarkers were influenced by the treatments, indicating that sub-lethal doses of PBDEs, for longer time, can enhance the production of ROS, altering the energetic metabolism, cell cycle and antioxidant balance, determining possible negative effects on the cell proliferation equilibrium
Lipid composition and metabolism of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) fed diets containing wheat gluten and legumes meals as substitutes for fish meal
No full textThe role of dietary protein source on growth performance and lipid metabolism in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was investigated, by the evaluation of fat content in different tissues, plasma metabolites, liver lipogenic activity and fatty acid composition of dorsal muscle tissue.Five isonitrogenous (490gkg-1crude protein dry-matter basis) and isolipidic (170gkg-1lipid dry-matter basis) diets with graded levels of wheat gluten, soybean and pea meal in substitution of fish meal were evaluated in European sea bass (initial body weight 23.9±0.1) for 96days. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in dorsal muscle and liver lipid contents. Plasma glucose and cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) as diet included soybean and wheat gluten meal (p<0.05). The composition of fatty acids in muscle triacylglycerols and phospholipids was affected by vegetable sources as n-6 PUFA percentage was significantly increased and n-3 PUFA percentage was significantly decreased (p<0.05), without modifying EPA/DHA ratio, when wheat gluten and pea meal were included in the diet. The results confirm that the quality and quantity of vegetable protein source could affect lipid metabolism and lipid content in the dorsal muscle of the European sea bass and suggest the possibility of manipulation of the diet for commercial purpose
The Inclusion of a Supercritical Fluid Extract, Obtained From Honey Bee Pollen, in the Diet of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata), Improves Fish Immune Response by Enhancing Anti-oxidant, and Anti-bacterial Activities
Full text linkIn the present study, the immune-stimulatory effect of two levels of honey bee pollen (5 and 10%, P5 and P10 treatment, respectively) and its supercritical fluid extract (0. 5 and 1%, E0.5 and E1, respectively) included in the diet, was tested in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The in vivo trial was preceded by the evaluation of antioxidant properties of three different bee pollen extracts obtained by water, ethanol 80%, and Supercritic Fluids Extraction (SFE). The preliminary evaluation attested that the SFE showed the lowest extraction yield (10.47%) compared to ethanol 80% (48.61%) and water (45.99%). SFE extract showed good antioxidant properties with high polyphenol content (13.06 mg GAE/g), radical scavenging activity (3.12 mg/ml), reducing power (38.68 mg/mL EC50). On the contrary, the water extract showed the significantly lowest polyphenol content (2 mg GAE/g; P < 0.05). The results of in vivo trial demonstrate that the diets supplemented with SFE bee pollen extract had a stimulatory effect on fish serum immunity, respect to the inclusion of raw pollen, this latter revealing some inhibitory effects in the immune response, such a decrease of serum peroxidase and lysozyme activities, particularly in P10 group significantly different (P < 0.05) from the control group. On the contrary, serum peroxidase, protease, antiprotease, were significantly increased in fish fed the diets supplemented with supercritical fluid extract, respect to the fish fed on control and on diets supplemented with 5 and 10% of raw pollen. For what concerns the bactericidal activity against Vibrio harveyii, all the treatments containing bee pollen regardless of the type showed their serum bactericidal activity significantly increased with respect to the control groups (p < 0.05). Given its high antioxidant properties, the absence of toxic solvents and the positive action carried out on improving the humoral response in gilthead seam bream, honey bee pollen SFE extract can be taken into account in the formulation of fish feeds
Dall’approccio ecotossicologico a quello molecolare, dai test in vitro a quelli in vivo: la sfida per l’individuazione di biomarcatori per il monitoraggio dell’ambiente marino
No full textIl presente lavoro riporta una selezione di alcuni risultati ottenuti impiegando sistemi modello rappresentati da colture cellulari di pesce, invertebrati e vertebrati marini, adottando biomarcatori finora poco indagati in organismi di questi ambienti, allo scopo di individuare sensori dello stato metabolico, la cui variazione, a lungo termine, è noto che porti a drammatiche variazioni dell’omeostasi, del ciclo cellulare e conseguenti alterazioni.
Per semplificare la valutazione comparativa tra le risposte ottenute nei vari sistemi modello, riportiamo gli effetti determinati da una classe di contaminanti su cui si è concentrato, negli ultimi anni, l’interesse della ricerca in ambito ecotossicologico e ambientale, i poli-bromo-difenil-eteri (PBDE)
Dietary Inclusion of Halobacterium salinarum Modulates Growth Performances and Immune Responses in Farmed Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L.)
Full text linkThe use of natural immunostimulants is considered the most promising alternative to
promote fish health, productive performance and quality, increasing the aquaculture profitability,
sustainability and social acceptance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the
integration of a potential probiotic strain, Halobacterium salinarum, belonging to the Archaea domain,
in the formulated diets of farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) in terms of growth performances
and immunity responses. The experiment was set up to test two different levels of inclusion of the
bacteria in the diet: 0.05% (D1) and 0.1% (D2). The effects on fish growth performances; humoral
(peroxidase, protease, antiprotease and IgM levels) and cellular immunity parameters (phagocytosis,
respiratory burst and myeloperoxidase), along with bactericidal activity, were evaluated after 15 and
30 days of experimental feeding. The obtained results showed that the inclusion of H. salinarum at
the highest concentration (D2 0.1%) improved growth performances, bactericidal activity against
Vibrio anguillarum and some parameters related both to the humoral and cellular immune response,
suggesting exploring other aspects of welfare in view of future supplementations of this probiotic
strain in the diet of S. aurata
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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