Effects of ozone on functional properties of proteins

Short-time ozone treatment promotes protease-mediated destruction of B cell allergen epitopes by altering the structural characteristics of whey protein

A novel processing method combining short-time ozone pretreatment with hydrolysis has been developed to reduce whey protein allergenicity. The results showed that ozone treatment altered the whey protein spatial structure, initially increasing the surface hydrophobicity index, and then decreasing due to polymer formation as the time increased. Under the optimized conditions of alkaline protease-mediated hydrolysis, a 10-second pre-exposure to ozone significantly promoted the reduction in the IgE binding capacity of whey protein without compromising the hydrolysis efficiency. Compared with whey protein, the degranulation of KU812 cells stimulated by this hydrolysate decreased by 20.54%, 17.99%, and 22.80% for IL-6, β-hexosaminidase, and histamine, respectively. In vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion confirmed increased digestibility and reduced allergenicity. Peptidomics identification revealed that short-time ozonation exposed allergen epitopes, allowing alkaline protease to target these epitopes more effectively, particularly those associated with α-lactalbumin. These findings suggest the promising application of this processing method in mitigating the allergenicity of whey protein.

Continuous operation of nano-catalytic ozonation using membrane separation coupling system: Influence factors and mechanism

The application of nano-catalysts in improving the ozonation removal efficiency for refractory organic compounds has been extensively investigated. However, cost-effective nano-catalysts separation remains a challenge. In this study, membrane separation processes were employed to separate nano-MgO catalysts from an ozonation system. A continuous nano-catalytic ozonation membrane separation (nCOMS) coupling system was successfully constructed for treating quinoline. The results showed that long hydraulic retention time (HRT) and high nano-MgO dosage could improve the quinolone removal efficiency but shorten operation cycles. At the optimal operation conditions of HRT = 4 h and nano-MgO dosage = 0.2 g/L, the nCOMS system achieved a stable quinoline removal efficiency of 85.2% for 240 min running with a transmembrane pressure lower than 10 kPa. The quinoline removal efficiency contribution for ozonation, catalysis and membrane separation was 57.1%, 24.9% and 18.0%, respectively. Compared to ozonation membrane separation system, the fouling rate index of the nCOMS system increased by 60% under optimal conditions, but the irreversible fouling was reduced to 28%. In addition, the nCOMS system exhibited reduced adverse effects of coexisting natural organic matter (NOM) on quinoline removal and membrane fouling. In conclusion, the nCOMS system demonstrated higher quinoline removal efficiency, lower irreversible fouling, and reduced adverse effect of coexisting NOM, thereby signifying its potential for practical applications in advanced treatment of industrial wastewater.

Evaluation of the effect of ozone disinfection on forensic identification of blood, saliva, and semen stains

Good laboratory practice minimizes the biological hazard posed by potentially infectious casework samples. In certain scenarios, when the casework sample is contaminated with highly contagious pathogens, additional safety procedures such as disinfection might be advised. It was previously proven that ozone gas treatment does not hamper STR analysis, but there is no data on how the disinfection affects other steps of the forensic analysis. In this study, we aimed to assess the interference of ozone disinfection with forensic tests used to identify biological stains. A dilution series of blood, saliva, and semen samples were pipetted onto cotton fabric and let completely dry. Half of the samples were subjected to ozone treatment, while the rest served as controls. All the samples were tested with specific lateral flow immunochromatographic assays and for specific RNA markers with quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, luminol test was carried out on blood spots, Phadebas® Amylase Test on saliva stains, and semen stains were examined with STK Lab kit and light microscope following Christmas Tree or Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Ozone treatment had no detrimental effect on the microscopic identification of sperm cells. Undiluted blood samples were detected with luminol and immunoassay, but at higher dilution, the sensitivity of the test decreased after disinfection. The same decrease in sensitivity was observed in the detection of semen stains using STK Lab kit from STK® Sperm Tracker, and in the case of the immunoassay specific for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Ozone treatment almost completely inhibited the enzymatic activity of amylase. The sensitivity of antibody-based detection of amylase was also greatly reduced. RNA markers showed degradation but remained detectable in blood and semen samples after incubation in the presence of ozone. In saliva, the higher Ct values of the mRNA markers were close to the detection limit, even before ozone treatment.

Strategies to improve the postharvest management of flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) from aquaculture using the short-term storage and package in an innovative closed-circuit system

This study aimed to improve postharvest management of flat oysters reared in a longline system in the mid Adriatic Sea, using short-term storage and package in an innovative closed-circuit system. For the trial, 870 oysters were employed, divided into three experimental groups (A, B, and C), N = 270 oysters each group, whereas the remaining 60 oysters were used for the 2 controls. Each group differed in relation to the time spent in the depuration tank and the time of packaging: group A was packed and immediately transferred to the cell; group B was depurated in a tank for 48 h, then packed and transferred to the cell; group C was depurated in a tank for 48 h and then packed, depurated for another 24 h and transferred to a cell. Samples of each group were sampled at different times of permanence in cell (t0) up until 12 days (t12) for biomorphometric, sensorial, nutritional, and microbiological analysis. Although the nutritional and sensorial quality of the oysters was more pronounced in group A, B and C groups also showed good results. In these two groups, thanks to the use of the modern water recirculation system the quality and safety of oysters was improved by reducing the presence of sludge and eliminating fecal contaminants completely than A treatment and seawater control. These results were also confirmed by the tank control, where a more extended depuration period positively influenced the same parameters emphasizing the importance of the adequate depuration processes in oyster production.

Impact of emerging food processing technologies on structural and functional modification of proteins in plant-based meat alternatives: An updated review

In the past decade, the plant-based meat alternative industry has grown rapidly due to consumers' demand for environmental-friendly, nutritious, sustainable and humane choices. Consumers are not only concerned about the positive relationship between food consumption and health, they are also keen on the environmental sustainability. With such increased consumers' demand for meat alternatives, there is an urgent need for identification and modification of protein sources to imitate the functionality, textural, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of traditional meat products. However, the plant proteins are not readily digestible and require more functionalization and modification are required. Proteins has to be modified to achieve high quality attributes such as solubility, gelling, emulsifying and foaming properties to make them more palatable and digestible. The protein source from the plant source in order to achieve the claims which needs more high protein digestibility and amino acid bioavailability. In order to achieve these newer emerging non-thermal technologies which can operate under mild temperature conditions can reach a balance between feasibility and reduced environmental impact maintaining the nutritional attributes and functional attributes of the proteins. This review article has discussed the mechanism of protein modification and advancements in the application of non-thermal technologies such as high pressure processing and pulsed electric field and emerging oxidation technologies (ultrasound, cold plasma, and ozone) on the structural modification of plant-based meat alternatives to improve, the techno-functional properties and palatability for successful food product development applications.

Physicochemical and structural changes of myofibrillar proteins in muscle foods during thawing: Occurrence, consequences, evidence, and implications

Myofibrillar protein (MP) endows muscle foods with texture and important functional properties, such as water-holding capacity (WHC) and emulsifying and gel-forming abilities. However, thawing deteriorates the physicochemical and structural properties of MPs, significantly affecting the WHC, texture, flavor, and nutritional value of muscle foods. Thawing-induced physicochemical and structural changes in MPs need further investigation and consideration in the scientific development of muscle foods. In this study, we reviewed the literature for the thawing effects on the physicochemical and structural characters of MPs to identify potential associations between MPs and the quality of muscle-based foods. Physicochemical and structural changes of MPs in muscle foods occur because of physical changes during thawing and microenvironmental changes, including heat transfer and phase transformation, moisture activation and migration, microbial activation, and alterations in pH and ionic strength. These changes are not only essential inducements for changes in spatial conformation, surface hydrophobicity, solubility, Ca2+ -ATPase activity, intermolecular interaction, gel properties, and emulsifying properties of MPs but also factors causing MP oxidation, characterized by thiols, carbonyl compounds, free amino groups, dityrosine content, cross-linking, and MP aggregates. Additionally, the WHC, texture, flavor, and nutritional value of muscle foods are closely related to MPs. This review encourages additional work to explore the potential of tempering techniques, as well as the synergistic effects of traditional and innovative thawing technologies, in reducing the oxidation and denaturation of MPs and maintaining the quality of muscle foods.

Microalgal consortium tolerance to bisphenol A and triclosan in wastewater and their effects on growth, biomolecule content and nutrient removal

Amongst the many treatments available for the removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater, microalgal cultures have been shown to be effective. However, the effectiveness of exposure of a native microalgal consortium to emerging contaminants such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) to determine the half-maximum effective concentrations (EC₅₀) has not yet been determined. The effect on growth and nutrient removal of such a treatment as well as on the production of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are, at present, unknown. In this study, the EC₅₀ of BPA and TCS (96-hour experiments) was determined using a consortium of native microalgae (Scenedesmus obliquus and Desmodesmus sp.) to define the maximum tolerance to these contaminants. The effect of BPA and TCS in synthetic wastewater (SWW) was investigated in terms of microalgal growth, chlorophyll a (Chl-a), carbohydrate, lipid, and protein content, as well as nutrient removal. Assays were performed in heterotrophic conditions (12/12 light/dark cycles). EC₅₀-96 h values of 17 mg/L and 325 µg/L for BPA and TCS, respectively, were found at 72 h. For an initial microalgal inoculum of ≈ 300 mg TSS/L (total suspended solids per litre), growth increased by 16.1% when exposed to BPA and 17.78% for TCS. At ≈ 500 mg TSS/L, growth increased by 8.25% with BPA and 9.92% with TCS, respectively. At the EC₅₀-96 h concentrations determined in the study, BPA and TCS did not limit the growth of microalgae in wastewater. Moreover, they were found to stimulate the content of Chl-a, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and enhance nutrient removal. AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIAL: Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the present study.

The Use of Ozone Technology: An Eco-Friendly Method for the Sanitization of the Dairy Supply Chain

The dairy field has considerable economic relevance in the agri-food system, but also has the need to develop new 'green' supply chain actions to ensure that sustainable products are in line with consumer requirements. In recent years, the dairy farming industry has generally improved in terms of equipment and product performance, but innovation must be linked to traditional product specifications. During cheese ripening, the storage areas and the direct contact of the cheese with the wood must be carefully managed because the proliferation of contaminating microorganisms, parasites, and insects increases significantly and product quality quickly declines, notably from a sensory level. The use of ozone (as gas or as ozonated water) can be effective for sanitizing air, water, and surfaces in contact with food, and its use can also be extended to the treatment of waste and process water. Ozone is easily generated and is eco-sustainable as it tends to disappear in a short time, leaving no residues of ozone. However, its oxidation potential can lead to the peroxidation of cheese polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this review we intend to investigate the use of ozone in the dairy sector, selecting the studies that have been most relevant over the last years.

Influence of ozone treatment on functional and rheological characteristics of food products: an updated review

In this milieu, ozone technology has emerged as an avant-garde non-thermal mode of disinfection with potential applications in the food industry. This eco-friendly technology has a comprehendible adeptness in replacing alternative chemical sanitizers and is recognized as a generally safe disinfectant for fruits and vegetables. Several researchers have been focusing on the biochemical impacts of ozone on different quantitative and qualitative aspects of fruits and vegetables. A collection of those works is presented in this review highlighting the effect of ozone on the functional, antioxidant, and rheological properties of food. This can be a benevolent tool for discovering the processing states of ozone applications and ensuing influence on safety and quality attributes of previously studied foods and opening further research areas. It extends shelf life and never leaves any harmful residues on the product since it decomposes to form oxygen. It was seen that the impact on a specific property of food was dependent on the ozone concentration and treatment time, and the adverse effects of ozone exposure can be alleviated once the processing conditions are optimized. The present review can be used as a baseline for designing different food processing operations involving ozone.

Removal of antibiotics from milk via ozonation in a vortex reactor

Antibiotics (ABX) residues occur frequently in milk, causing considerable wastage of medicated milk and serious economic losses, and making the issue a burden for the dairy industry. Improper disposal of medicated milk harms dairy production, animal welfare, and the environment. This work studies the use of ozonation in a vortex reactor for removing ceftiofur hydrochloride (CEF), sulfamonomethoxine sodium (SMM), marbofloxacin (MAR) and oxytetracycline (OTC) from milk. In terms of residual concentration, O₃ efficiency and the degradation kinetics of the various O₃-involving processes in the vortex reactor, ABX removal via ozonation is better using stronger vortexing, which induces hydrodynamic cavitation. CEF undergoes the fastest degradation, followed by SMM, MAR, and OTC. High ABX hydrophobicity favors ABX degradation via ozonation, O₃/H₂O₂, and O₃/Na₂S₂O₈. ABX oxidation by ^•OH at the O₃ gas-bubble/milk interface is the principle degradation pathway, except for MAR. ABX degradation follows pseudo-first-order kinetics and is affected by initial ABX concentration, O₃ concentration/flow rate, reaction temperature, and milk components to varying degrees. Under optimal ozonation conditions, ABX residues meet the maximum limits as set by the European Commission and no antimicrobial activity was observed. The decontaminated milk was therefore suggested to be reused as calf food, animal feed, organic fertilizer, etc.

Recent advances on the impact of novel non-thermal technologies on structure and functionality of plant proteins: A comprehensive review

The recent trend in consumption of plant-based protein over animal protein opens up a new avenue for sustainable agriculture practice, less environmental impact and greenhouse gas emission. The modification of plant-based proteins by novel non-thermal technologies includes the structural transformation followed by the modulation of their functional properties that are exploited to develop a protein ingredient system for application in food formulation. This review explores the impact of non-thermal process technologies on structural modification of plant proteins followed by improvement in protein's function in food formulation. Novel concepts articulating the impact of non-thermal technologies on structural and functional modification of plant proteins affecting it's digestibility and bioavailability are addressed. Limitations and prospects of applying non-thermal technologies in developing an alternative plant-based protein food system are also summarized. Non-thermal processes are considered as the emerging technologies that results in conformational changes in secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of plant proteins which helps in modification of functional properties without jeopardizing the organoleptic properties and bioactivity of the protein. However, extensive future study is needed to optimize the non-thermal process parameters along with the finding of new protein sources to achieve healthy and sustainable plant-based food system.

Sequential pretreatment to recover carbohydrates and phosphorus from Desmodesmus sp. cultivated in municipal wastewater

This study focused on the simultaneous recovery of carbohydrates (CHO) and phosphorus (P) from Desmodesmus sp. biomass cultivated in municipal wastewater, through a sequential pretreatment. The pretreatment consisted first of ultrasound to trigger cell disruption followed by ozonation to recover CHO and P. For ozone pretreatment, three different parameters were considered: ozone concentration (9, 15, 21, 27, 36, and 45 mg O₃/L), contact time (15, 25 and 35 min), and pH (8 and 11). The maximum simultaneous release of 84% of CHO and 58% of P was achieved at the experimental parameters of ozone concentration of 45 mg O₃/L, contact time of 35 min, and pH of 11. Also, P was concentrated in solution by 8- to 14-fold with respect to municipal wastewater. The sequential pretreatment was conducted at alkaline pH of 11 and atmospheric conditions, which may considerably reduce energy demand and reagents, in comparison to a traditional hydrolysis pretreatment. The results found suggest that the sequential pretreatment could be feasible on a large scale.

Influence of Ozone Treatment on Ultrafiltration Performance and Nutrient Flow in a Membrane Based Nutrient Recovery Process from Anaerobic Digestate

: Membrane filtration of biological suspensions is frequently limited by fouling. This mechanism is well understood for ultrafiltration of activated sludge in membrane bioreactors. A rather young application of ultrafiltration is the recovery of nutrients from anaerobic digestates, e.g., from agricultural biogas plants. A process chain of solid/liquid separation, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmoses separates the digestate into different products: an organic N-P-fertilizer (solid digestate), a recirculate (UF retentate), a liquid N-K-fertilizer (RO retentate) and water. Despite the preceding particle removal, high crossflow velocities are required in the ultrafiltration step to overcome fouling. This leads to high operation costs of the ultrafiltration step and often limits the economical application of the complete process chain. In this study, under-stoichiometric ozone treatment of the ultrafiltration feed stream is investigated. Ozone treatment reduced the biopolymer concentration and apparent viscosity of different digestate centrates. Permeabilities of centrate treated with ozone were higher than without ozone treatment. In a laboratory test rig and in a pilot plant operated at the site of two full scale biogas plants, ultrafiltration flux could be improved by 50%-80% by ozonation. Nutrient concentrations in the fertilizer products were not affected by ozone treatment.

Intensified recovery of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates from wastewater-grown microalgae Desmodesmus sp. by using ultrasound or ozone

This study evaluates the effect of ultrasound and ozone pretreatments for the subsequent recovery of Desmodesmus sp. biocomponents-lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates-using a response surface methodology. Both pretreatments impact on the recovered lipids quality, solvent waste production and extraction time is analysed for process intensification purposes. For ultrasound pretreatment, independent parameters were energy applied (50-200 kWh/kg dry biomass), biomass concentration (25-75 g/L), and ultrasonic intensity (0.32 and 0.53 W/mL). While for ozone pretreatment, independent parameters were ozone concentration (3-9 mg O₃/L), biomass concentration (25-75 g/L), and contact time (5-15 min). In the case of ultrasound pretreatment, recovery yield reached 97 ± 0.4%, 89 ± 3%, and 73 ± 0.6% for proteins, carbohydrates and lipids respectively. Given process required: energy applied of 50 kWh/kg dry biomass, 75 g/L of biomass concentration, 0.32 W/mL of ultrasonic intensity, and 56 min of time process. Ultrasound caused high cell disruption releasing all proteins, thereby obviating downstream processing for its recovery. Ozone pretreatment recovery yield was 85 ± 2%, 48 ± 1.4%, and 25 ± 1.3%, for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins respectively, under the following conditions: 9 mg O₃/L of ozone concentration, 25 g/L of biomass concentration, and 5 min of contact time that depicts an energy consumption of 30.64 kWh/kg dry biomass. It was found that ultrasound and ozone pretreatments intensified the lysis and biocomponents recovery process by reducing solvent consumption by at least 92% and extraction time between 80% and 90% compared with extraction of untreated biomass biocomponents. Both pretreatments improve the composition of the recovered lipids. It was noted that the yield of neutral lipids increased from 28% to 67% for ultrasound pretreatment while for ozone pretreatment from 49% to 63%. The method used for lipid extraction may also have an effect but here it was kept constant.

Investigating the antibacterial effects of some Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and acetobacter strains killed by different methods on Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli

Although there are many health advantages assigned to different live bacteria such as probiotics, some health threatening effects have also been reported. For example, live bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance genes to other commensal and opportunistic bacteria of gastrointestinal tract. Recently, it was shown that using killed bacteria have some advantages over live ones. In this research, heat, paraformaldehyde and ozone killing methods were used to kill the bacteria. Acetobacter cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and traditional vinegar and fermented dairy product (Kumeh) derived bacteria were killed and their antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli was investigated. To identify the bacteria isolated from the traditional products, 16S rDNA gene was partially sequenced. The gene analysis showed vinegar and Kumeh derived bacteria were Acetobacter pasteurianus and Lactobacillus crustorum (LcK) strains respectively. The S. mutans growth inhibition was detected in the all concentrations of all killed samples. However, generally, E. coli showed more resistant to the killed bacteria than S. mutans and the antibacterial effect of heat-killed bacteria against E. coli was not observed in the all concentrations for some killed bacteria. Among the pathogenic bacteria, S. mutans was the most sensitive one to the killed bacteria with 70% of reduction in its viability. In conclusion, this research showed that different killed bacteria had different effects on other bacteria and the killing method showed an impact on these effects. Overall, paraformaldehyde-killed L.crustorum (LcK) showed the best antibacterial activity against S. mutans; about 70% decrease in bacterial viability.

Investigation of the fouling behaviors correlating to water characteristics during the ultrafiltration with ozone treatment

This study investigated the fouling behavior and mechanism of ozone treatment correlating to water characteristics for micro-polluted water during ultrafiltration (UF). The results indicated that pre-ozonation efficiently mitigated membrane fouling of natural organic matter (NOM). The higher ozone doses were, the more the performance transmembrane pressures (TMPs) decreased. Ozone mainly converted macro molecule organics into low molecule organics. Macro molecular biopolymers (BP) can be removed up to 35.5% with an ozone treatment of 9 mg/L, while low molecular weight building blocks of acids and humics (BB) and neutrals (LMWN) increased 7.25% and 14.62%, respectively, with an ozone treatment of 9 mg/L. Analysis of fluorescence excitation emission matrices (EEMs) coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) indicated that ozone mainly removed soluble microbial organics and fulvic-like and humic-like organics but not tyrosine organics. Hydrophobic organics (HPO) were reduced with an increase of ozone doses, especially macro molecular BP and humic substances (HS), and the neutral hydrophilic fraction (N-HPI) was enhanced. Ozone treatment helped to reduce the interception of BP and HS in HPO and improved the interception of BP and HS in N-HPI, as well as BB and LMWN, in both fractions. Principal component analysis suggested that BP, as well as UV₂₅₄, had high correlations with a membrane fouling index, which can be used as the fouling indicator during ozone treatment.

About the Sterilization of Chitosan Hydrogel Nanoparticles

In the last years, nanostructured biomaterials have raised a great interest as platforms for delivery of drugs, genes, imaging agents and for tissue engineering applications. In particular, hydrogel nanoparticles (HNP) associate the distinctive features of hydrogels (high water uptake capacity, biocompatibility) with the advantages of being possible to tailor its physicochemical properties at nano-scale to increase solubility, immunocompatibility and cellular uptake. In order to be safe, HNP for biomedical applications, such as injectable or ophthalmic formulations, must be sterile. Literature is very scarce with respect to sterilization effects on nanostructured systems, and even more in what concerns HNP. This work aims to evaluate the effect and effectiveness of different sterilization methods on chitosan (CS) hydrogel nanoparticles. In addition to conventional methods (steam autoclave and gamma irradiation), a recent ozone-based method of sterilization was also tested. A model chitosan-tripolyphosphate (TPP) hydrogel nanoparticles (CS-HNP), with a broad spectrum of possible applications was produced and sterilized in the absence and in the presence of protective sugars (glucose and mannitol). Properties like size, zeta potential, absorbance, morphology, chemical structure and cytotoxicity were evaluated. It was found that the CS-HNP degrade by autoclaving and that sugars have no protective effect. Concerning gamma irradiation, the formation of agglomerates was observed, compromising the suspension stability. However, the nanoparticles resistance increases considerably in the presence of the sugars. Ozone sterilization did not lead to significant physical adverse effects, however, slight toxicity signs were observed, contrarily to gamma irradiation where no detectable changes on cells were found. Ozonation in the presence of sugars avoided cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, some chemical alterations were observed in the nanoparticles.

Efficacy of Ozonation Treatments of Smoked Fish for Reducing Its Benzo[a]pyrene Concentration and Toxicity

Ozone is widely used in food processing, for example, to decompose mycotoxins or pesticide residues, to extend the shelf life of products, and for sanitation. The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of expanding the application of ozone for oxidative degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The evaluation was conducted by ozonation of a benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) standard solution and smoked fish (sprats) contaminated with PAHs. The effect of ozonation was immediate in the BaP solution; 89% of this toxic compound was decomposed after only 1 min of treatment. However, the impact of ozonation on the smoked sprats was less pronounced, even after prolonged treatment. The final reduction in benzo[b]fluoranthene and BaP concentrations in smoked sprats contaminated with PAHs was 34 and 46%, respectively, after 60 min of ozonation, but no significant decrease of benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene concentrations was observed. To evaluate the safety of ozonation, the toxicity of the ozone-treated BaP standard solution was investigated. In vitro toxicity was evaluated using human hepatocellular carcinoma and mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines as models. The cytotoxicity of the BaP standard solution significantly increased after ozonation, indicating a pronounced negative effect in terms of food safety.

Chemical modification of coating of Pinus halepensis pollen by ozone exposure

Pollen coating, located on the exine, includes an extractible lipid fraction. The modification of the pollen coating by air pollutants may have implications on the interactions of pollen with plant stigmas and human cells. Pinus halepensis pollen was exposed to ozone in vitro and the pollen coating was extracted with organic solvent and analyzed by GC-MS. Ozone has induced chemical changes in the coating as observed with an increase in dicarboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids and aldehydes. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde was identified as the main reaction product and its formation was shown to occur both on native pollen and on defatted pollen. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde is very likely formed via the ozonolysis of acid coumaric-like monomers constitutive of the sporopollenin. Modification of pollen coating by air pollutants should be accounted for in further studies on effect of pollution on germination and on allergenicity.

Changes to amino acid composition of bloodmeal after chemical oxidation

The effect of oxidative decolouring with peracetic acid on the physical and chemical characteristics of bloodmeal proteins was investigated by assessing protein solubility, molecular weight distribution and final amino acid composition.

Ozone dosing alters the biological potential and therapeutic outcomes of plasma rich in growth factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Until now, ozone has been used in a rather empirical way. This in-vitro study investigates, for the first time, whether different ozone treatments of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) alter the biological properties and outcomes of this autologous platelet-rich plasma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Human plasma rich in growth factors was treated with ozone using one of the following protocols: a continuous-flow method; or a syringe method in which constant volumes of ozone and PRGF were mixed. In both cases, ozone was added before, during and after the addition of calcium chloride. Three ozone concentrations, of the therapeutic range 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL, were tested. Fibrin clot properties, growth factor content and the proliferative effect on primary osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts were evaluated.

RESULTS

Ozone treatment of PRGF using the continuous flow protocol impaired formation of the fibrin scaffold, drastically reduced the levels of growth factors and significantly decreased the proliferative potential of PRGF on primary osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts. In contrast, treatment of PRGF with ozone using the syringe method, before, during and after the coagulation process, did not alter the biological outcomes of the autologous therapy.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that ozone dose and the way that ozone combines with PRGF may alter the biological potential and therapeutic outcomes of PRGF.