Synthesis of encapsulated fish oil using whey protein isolate to prevent the oxidative damage and cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rats

Comparative toxicity assessment of selected nanoparticles using different experimental model organisms

Nanoparticles are microscopic particles ranging in size from one to one hundred nanometers. Due to their extensive features, nanoparticles find widespread use in various fields worldwide, including cosmetics, medical diagnosis, pharmaceuticals, food products, drug delivery, electronic devices, artificial implants, and skincare. However, their unique characteristics have led to high demand and large-scale manufacturing, resulting in adverse impacts on the environment and bioaccumulation. Researchers have been exploring issues related to the environmental toxicity resulting from the high production of selected nanoparticles. This review discusses and addresses the adverse impacts of highly produced nanoparticles such as Carbon Nanotubes, Silica, Titanium dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper oxide, and Silver nanoparticles on different in vivo, in vitro, alternate invertebrate models, and plant models. Summarizing in vivo research on rats, rabbits, and earthworms, the review reveals that nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity, embryotoxicity, and DNA damage, primarily targeting organs like the brain, liver, kidney, and lungs, leading to nephron, neuro, and hepatotoxicity. Studying the effects on alternative models like zebrafish, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, sea urchins, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrates genotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell damage, affecting reproduction, locomotion, and behavior. Additionally, research on various cell lines such as HepG2, BALB/c 3 T3, and NCL-H292 during in vitro studies reveals apoptosis, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), halted cell growth, and reduced cell metabolism. The review highlights the potentially adverse impacts of nanoparticles on the environment and living organisms if not used sustainably and with caution. The widespread use of nanoparticles poses hazards to both the environment and human health, necessitating appropriate actions and measures for their beneficial use. Therefore, this review focuses on widely used nanoparticles like zinc, titanium, copper, silica, carbon nanotubes, and silver, chosen due to their environmental toxicity when excessively used. Environmental toxicity of air, water, and soil is evaluated using environmentally relevant alternative animal models such as Drosophila, zebrafish, earthworms, etc., alongside in vivo and in vitro models, as depicted in the graphical abstract.

Enhancing the antioxidant properties of functional herbal beverages using Ultrasonic-Assisted extraction: Optimized formulation and synergistic combinations of taurine and vit. C

Functional herbal beverages are gaining popularity in the beverage industry due to their natural antioxidants. However, the high concentration of antioxidants in these beverages can lead to increased toxicity, limiting their use. Moreover, the composition of tap water, including mineral salts and hydrogen carbonate ions, hampers the extraction process of polyphenolic compounds, thereby reducing the antioxidant properties. This study aims to address these challenges by enhancing antioxidant properties, reducing toxic effects, and improving the extraction process. Low-dose herbal extracts of green tea, rosemary, milk thistle, and sage were extracted using 100 ml of boiling water as a solvent, with ultrasonication employed for 20 min. Taurine, vit. C, and their combination were added to the extracts. The antioxidant properties, polyphenol, and flavonoid content were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the low-dose herbal tea combined with taurine and vit. C exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to high-dose tea. Notably, the combination of taurine and vit. C showed the strongest synergistic effect. The addition of vit. C to these combinations eliminated any antagonism and resulted in a robust synergistic effect. The optimal conditions for enhancing antioxidant properties were determined as follows: an herbal type of 0.030 ≈ 0 (sage), vit. C concentration of 0.045 g/100 ml, and taurine concentration of 0.179 g/100 ml. The measured responses for reducing power, DPPH, and ABTS were 0.152 μg vit. C equivalent/ml, 67.778 %, and 87.630 %, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing the antioxidant properties of herbal beverages through the synergistic combinations of taurine and vit. C. By employing proper preparation techniques and including taurine and vit. C, the antioxidant capacity of these beverages can be significantly improved, potentially offering health benefits against degenerative diseases.

The Impact of Chlorella vulgaris Fortification on the Nutritional Composition and Quality Characteristics of Beef Burgers

Chlorella vulgaris (C.V) is known for its high protein and nutrient contents and has been touted as a potential functional ingredient in food products. For this study, beef burgers were formulated with varying levels of Chlorella vulgaris fortification (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight). The nutritional composition, including proximate analysis and mineral content, was determined for each treatment group. The quality characteristics evaluated included thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), pH, and total acidity. The study included extracting the active substances from Chlorella vulgaris using three solvents, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, and water, to evaluate the effect on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The results showed that the water extract had the highest total phenolic content (183.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram) and the highest flavonoid content (54 mg quercetin per gram). The aqueous extract had the highest content of total antioxidants, followed by the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts. Meanwhile, the 50% ethanol extract showed the best antimicrobial activity, while the aqueous extract had less of an effect on Gram-positive bacteria and no effect on E. coli. For the burger treatments, at the end of the storage period, it was observed that the microbial load of the treatments decreased compared to the control, and there was a high stability in the total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) values for the treatments compared to the control, reaching a value of 22.4 at month 5, which is well above the acceptable limit, indicating spoilage. The pH values were higher for all of the treatments, with a lower total acidity for all of the treatments compared to the control. In conclusion, utilizing Chlorella vulgaris algae as a natural preservative to extend the freshness of burgers is a sustainable and innovative approach to food preservation. By harnessing the power of this green superfood, we not only enhance the shelf life of our food products but also contribute to a healthier and more environmentally friendly food industry.

Liposomes as Carriers of Bioactive Compounds in Human Nutrition

This article provides an overview of the literature data on the role of liposomal structures and encapsulated substances in food technology and human nutrition. The paper briefly describes how liposomes are created and how they encapsulate food ingredients, which can either be individual compounds or plant extracts. Another very interesting application of liposomes is their use as antimicrobial carriers to protect food products from spoilage during storage. The encapsulation of food ingredients in liposomes can increase their bioavailability, which is particularly important for compounds with health-promoting properties but low bioavailability. Particular attention was paid to compounds such as phytosterols, which lower blood cholesterol levels but have very low absorption in the human body. In addition, consumer expectations and regulations for liposomes in food are discussed. To date, no in vivo human studies have been conducted to indicate which encapsulation methods give the best results for gastrointestinal effects and which food-added substances are most stable during food storage and processing. The paper identifies further lines of research that are needed before liposomes can be introduced into food.

Hepatotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles

The food additive E171 (titanium dioxide, TiO2), is widely used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is a fine white powder, with at least one third of its particles sized in the nanoparticulate (˂100 nm range, TiO2 NPs). The use of E171 is controversial as its relevant risk assessment has never been satisfactorily accomplished. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown dose-dependent toxicity in various organs including the liver. TiO2 NPs have been shown to induce inflammation, cell death and structural and functional changes within the liver. The toxicity of TiO2 NPs in experimental models varies between organs and according to their physiochemical characteristics and parameters such as dosage and route of administration. Among these factors, ingestion is the most significant exposure route, and the liver is a key target organ. The aim of this review is to highlight the reported adverse effects of orally administered TiO2 NPs on the liver and to discuss the controversial state of its toxicity.

Assessment of possible biomedical applications of green synthesized TiO2NPs-an in-vitro approach

Biomedical applications for various types of nanoparticles are emerging on a daily basis. Hence this research was performed to evaluate the antifungal (Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Trichophyton sp., Candida sp., and Penicillium sp.), cytotoxicity (MCF10A cell lines), and antioxidant (DPPH) potential of Coleus aromaticus mediated and pre-characterized TiO2NPs were studied with respective standard methodology. Interestingly, the TiO2NPs exhibited significant antifungal activity on pathogenic fungal strains like Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp. (31 ± 1.4), Penicillium sp. (31 ± 1.9) Trichophyton sp. (27 ± 2.1), and Candida sp. (26 ± 2.3) at high concentration (250 μg mL-1). However, the considerable levels of zone of inhibitions on fungal pathogens were recorded at 100 μg mL-1 of TiO2NPs as well as it was considerably greater than positive control. It also demonstrated dose based anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. The plant-mediated TiO2NPs demonstrated a maximum DPPH scavenging efficiency of 91% at a dosage of 250 μg mL-1, comparable to the positive control's 94%. Furthermore, TiO2NPs at 100 μg mL-1 concentration did not cause cytotoxicity in MCF10A cell lines. At higher concentrations (250 μg mL-1), the nanoparticles showed the lowest cytotoxicity (17%). These findings suggest that C. aromaticus-mediated TiO2NPs have significant biomedical applications. However, in-vivo studies are needed to learn more about their (C. aromaticus-mediated TiO2NPs) potential biomedical applications.

Development of a functional cake with probiotics and micro-encapsulated essential oils: Evaluation of nutritional properties, liver protection, and immune boosting

This study used probiotics and micro-encapsulated clove and cinnamon oils to develop a functional cream-stuffed cake based on sweet potatoes flour and rice flour instead of wheat flour. The cake was evaluated for its physical, chemical, and sensory properties and its antioxidant capacity. The protective effect of the cake against liver injury and immunosuppression induced by thioacetamide injection in male rats was also evaluated. The study found that eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were the majority of volatile compounds in the essential oils used in the cake, with values of 78.73 % and 81.57 %, respectively, as determined by GC-MS analysis. The viable counts of added probiotics in the cake ranged from 13.15 to 11.21 log CFU/g and were still above the threshold for health benefits. The cake had an increased dietary fiber and protein content while containing a low-fat percentage compared to a commercial cake sample. The innovative cake also contained higher levels of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc. The antioxidant capacity of the cake was evaluated, and it was found to contain 1827.23 mg GAE/100 g of total phenols and 97.13 mg QE/100 g of flavonoids. The cake was also found to have antioxidant activity and was effective in protecting the liver from oxidative stress and inflammation and reducing immunodeficiency associated with liver damage.

Screening of the phytochemical constituents of Teucrium polium extract and evaluation of their prophylactic role against the oxidative damage and cytotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in rats

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is common carcinogen causing acute and chronic hepatocyte injuries. This study aimed to determine the bioactive components of Teucrium polium methanolic extract (TPE) and to evaluate their protective role against AFB1-induced oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male albino rats were treated orally for 4 weeks including the control group, the ِAFB1-treated group (80 μg/kg b.w.), the groups treated with low (LD) or high (HD) dose TPE (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w.), and the groups treated with AFB1 plus TEP (LD) or TPE (HD). Blood and serum samples were collected for different assays. The GC-MS identified 34 compounds, the major compounds were pinene, germacrene D, α-cadinol, α-thujene, epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene, and limonene. Animals that received AFB1 showed significant changes in all indicators of oxidative stress, biochemistry, cytokines, MNPCEs, comet tail formation in bone marrow, mRNA expression of inflammatory-related genes, Nrf2, and iNOS beside histological changes in the liver. TPE at the two doses tested showed insignificant changes in all tested parameters. The extract could normalize most of these parameters and the hepatic structure in AFB1-treated animals in a dose-dependent fashion. therefore, we concluded that TPE supplementation is effective for protection against AFB1 in endemic areas.

Porous Microparticles of Corn Starch as Bio-Carriers for Chia Oil

Native corn starch and pretreated corn starch were treated with α-amylase, glucoamylase and mixtures of both to generate starches with high porosity with conserved granular structure. Porous starches were characterized; particle size distribution analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water and oil adsorption capacity, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction and damaged starch techniques were used. The α-amylase/glucoamylase mixture at the highest dose was the best treatment to generate porous starches with interesting adsorption capacity and granular structure conservation. Selected starches were impregnated with chia oil using a vacuum. Pretreated corn starch modified with the α-amylase/glucoamylase mixture showed no significant differences on impregnation capacity compared with native starch with a similar enzyme treatment. The highest oxidative stability was achieved with pretreated porous starch impregnated with 10 to 25% chia oil, compared with the bulk oil (5.37 to 4.72 and 2.58 h, respectively). Results have demonstrated that vacuum impregnation could be a potential technique for the incorporation of oil in porous structures based on starch and porous starches obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis are a promising material for the incorporation and protection of oils susceptible to oxidation.

DNA Oxidative Damage as a Sensitive Genetic Endpoint to Detect the Genotoxicity Induced by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

The genotoxicity of nanomaterials has attracted great attention in recent years. As a possible occupational carcinogen, the genotoxic effects and underlying mechanisms of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been of particular concern. In this study, the effect of TiO2 NPs (0, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) on DNA damage and the role of oxidative stress were investigated using human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) as an in vitro model. After detailed characterization, the cytotoxicity of TiO2 NPs was detected. Through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we found that TiO2 NPs entered the cytoplasm but did not penetrate deep into the nucleus of cells. The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner and the ratios of GSH/GSSG also significantly decreased. The results of the normal comet assay were negative, while the Fpg-modified comet assay that specifically detected DNA oxidative damage was positive. Meanwhile, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) intervention inhibited the oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by TiO2 NPs. Therefore, it was suggested that TiO2 NPs could induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA oxidative damage in BEAS-2B cells. DNA oxidative damage may be a more sensitive genetic endpoint to detect the genotoxicity of TiO2 NPs.