A Review of Phytic Acid Sources, Obtention, and Applications

Use of phytic acid from rice bran combined with sodium erythorbate as antioxidants in chicken mortadella

The antioxidant effect of purified phytic acid (PPA) from rice bran (rice polishing by-product) combined with sodium erythorbate (SE) was evaluated for the first time in mortadella (added with 60% mechanically separated meat), a cured product with high-fat content and highly prone to oxidation, characteristic in Brazil. PPA proved effective compared to standard analytical grade phytic acid (SPA). Two central composite rotational designs (CCRD) (A and B) were employed to investigate the influence of PPA and SE, and SPA and SE, respectively, on mortadella lipid oxidation evaluated by TBARS after 30 days at 30 °C. Due to the high phytic acid's potent antioxidant capacity, the combination of PPA and SE synergistically reduced mortadella lipid oxidation. Furthermore, PPA from rice bran effectively controlled lipid oxidation in mortadella when combined with SE in the range of 5.0 to 9.0 mmol/kg of SPA and 25.0 to 50.0 mmol/kg of SE.

The occurrence, role, and management strategies for phytic acid in foods

Phytic acid, a naturally occurring compound predominantly found in cereals and legumes, is the focus of this review. This review investigates its distribution across various food sources, elucidating its dual roles in foods. It also provides new insights into the change in phytic acid level during food storage and the evolving trends in phytic acid management. Although phytic acid can function as a potent color stabilizer, flavor enhancer, and preservative, its antinutritional effects in foods restrict its applications. In terms of management strategies, numerous treatments for degrading phytic acid have been reported, each with varying degradation efficacies and distinct mechanisms of action. These treatments encompass traditional methods, biological approaches, and emerging technologies. Traditional processing techniques such as soaking, milling, dehulling, heating, and germination appear to effectively reduce phytic acid levels in processed foods. Additionally, fermentation and phytase hydrolysis demonstrated significant potential for managing phytic acid in food processing. In the future, genetic modification, due to its high efficiency and minimal environmental impact, should be prioritized to downregulate the biosynthesis of phytic acid. The review also delves into the biosynthesis and metabolism of phytic acid and elaborates on the mitigation mechanism of phytic acid using biotechnology. The challenges in the application of phytic acid in the food industry were also discussed. This study contributes to a better understanding of the roles phytic acid plays in food and the sustainability and safety of the food industry.

Production, purification and characterization of phytase from Pichia kudriavevii FSMP-Y17and its application in layers feed

INTRODUCTION

Phytase, recognized for its ability to enhance the nutritional value of phytate-rich foods, has has gained significant prominence. The production of this enzyme has been significantly boosted while preserving economic efficiency by utilizing natural substrates and optimizing essential factors. This study focuses on optimizing phytase production through solid-state fermentation and evaluating its effectiveness in enhancing nutrient utilization in chicken diets.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to optimize phytase production via solid-state fermentation, characterize purified phytase properties, and assess its impact on nutrient utilization in chicken diets. Through these objectives, we aim to deepen understanding of phytase's role in poultry nutrition and contribute to more efficient feed formulations for improved agricultural outcomes.

METHODOLOGY

We utilized solid-state fermentation with Pichia kudriavzevii FSMP-Y17 yeast on orange peel substrate, optimizing variables like temperature, pH, incubation time, and supplementing with glucose and ammonium sulfate. Following fermentation, we purified the phytase enzyme using standard techniques, characterizing its properties, including molecular weight, optimal temperature and pH, substrate affinity, and kinetic parameters.

RESULTS

The optimized conditions yielded a remarkable phytase yield of 7.0 U/gds. Following purification, the enzyme exhibited a molecular weight of 64 kDa and displayed optimal activity at 55 °C and pH 5.5, with kinetic parameters (Km = 3.39 × 10-3 M and a Vmax of 7.092 mM/min) indicating efficient substrate affinity.

CONCLUSION

The addition of purified phytase to chicken diets resulted in significant improvements in nutrient utilization and overall performance, including increased feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, enhanced bird growth, better phosphorus retention, and improved egg production and quality. By addressing challenges associated with phytate-rich diets, such as reduced nutrient availability and environmental pollution, phytase utilization promotes animal welfare and sustainability in poultry production.

Quinoa snack elaborated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 1964 sourdough increases the mineral bioavailability in mice

BACKGROUND

Consumption of pseudocereal-based foods decreased in phytate concentration can provide better nutrition concerning mineral bioavailability. This study aimed to evaluate the mineral bioavailability of quinoa sourdough-based snacks in a murine model. The mice were divided into five groups. One group was fed with basal snacks; three control groups received quinoa-based snacks made from non-fermented dough, dough without inoculum, and chemically acidified dough; and the test group (GF) received quinoa snacks elaborated from sourdough fermented by a phytase-positive strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL 1964. Food intake, body weight, and mineral concentration in blood and organs (liver, kidney, and femur) were determined.

RESULTS

Food consumption increased during the feeding period and had the highest (16.2-24.5%) consumption in the GF group. Body weight also increased during the 6-weeks of trial. The GF group showed higher (6.0-10.2%) body weight compared with the other groups from the fifth week. The concentrations of iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in blood, iron and phosphorus in the liver, manganese and magnesium in the kidney, and calcium and phosphorus in the femur increased significantly (1.1-2.7-fold) in the GF group compared to the control groups.

CONCLUSION

The diet that includes quinoa snacks elaborated with sourdough fermented by phytase-positive strain L. plantarum CRL 1964 increased the concentrations of minerals in the blood, liver, kidney, and femur of mice, counteracting the antinutritional effects of phytate. This study demonstrates that the diminution in phytate content and the consequent biofortification in minerals are a suitable tool for producing novel foods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytic acid inhibits Cr(VI) reduction on Fe(II)-bearing clay minerals: Changing reduction sites and electron transfer pathways

The presence of organic phosphorus may influence the characteristics of Cr(VI) reduction and immobilization on Fe(II)-bearing clay minerals under anoxic conditions, as the organic phosphorus tends to bind strongly to clay minerals in soil. Herein, reduced nontronite (rNAu-2) was used to reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of phytic acid (IHP) at neutral pH. With IHP concentration from 0 to 500 μM, Cr(VI) reduction decreased obviously (17.8%) within first 5 min, and then preferred to stagnate during 4-12 h (≥50 μM). After that, Cr(VI) was reduced continuously at a slightly faster rate. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that IHP primarily absorbed at the edge sites of rNAu-2 to form Fe-IHP complexes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results demonstrated that IHP hindered the ingress of CrO42- into the interlayer space of rNAu-2 and impeded their reduction by trioctahedral Fe(II) and Al-Fe(II) at basal plane sites in the initial stage. Additionally, Fe(II) extraction results showed that IHP promoted the electron from interior transfer to near-edge, but hindered it further transfer to surface, resulting in the inhibition on Cr(VI) reduction at edge sites during the later stage. Consequently, IHP inhibits the reduction and immobilization of Cr(VI) by rNAu-2. Our study offers novel insights into electron transfer pathways during the Cr(VI) reduction by rNAu-2 with coexisting IHP, thereby improve the understanding of the geochemical processes of chromium within the iron cycle in soil.

Assessment of elimination efficacy on foodborne pathogenic microbes and foulant precipitates using phytic acid and sulfamic acid

This research investigated the comparative efficacy of sulfamic acid (SA) and phytic acid (PA), both individually and in combination, for treating potential foodborne pathogens and pre-formed foulants. Pathogens studied included Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli DH5α, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and vegetative Bacillus cereus, in suspended aqueous solutions, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on quartz glass surfaces. Inactivation kinetics for Listeria monocytogenes revealed concentration-dependent rate constants (k) of 6.6(±0.2) × 10-6 M and 2.8(±0.1) × 10-8 M for single treatments of SA and PA, respectively, and ranged from 6.9(±0.3) to 50.7(±2.3) × 10-6 M for combined treatments with PA pre-treatment concentrations of 75-758 μM. Observable cellular abnormalities in Listeria monocytogenes, such as membrane vesiculation, chelation, cellular disruption, biomolecule leakage, and lipid peroxidation, were identified after exposure to PA or SA, either individually or in combination. The optimized combined treatment of PA and SA achieved significant removal (i.e., >3-log; 99.9%) of potential foodborne pathogens under simulated food-washing process conditions. Additionally, over 90% descaling efficacy was observed for pre-formed foulants such as CaCO3 precipitates and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on quartz glass surfaces with the combined treatment. These findings provide novel insights into the versatile utility of PA and SA for optimizing combinational water disinfection systems and addressing (in)organic foulant scaling on surfaces in the food processing industry.

One-pot complexation of phytic acid and polyethyleneimine on cellulosic microfibers towards insulative and flame-resistant foam

Flame resistance is required for the deployment of bio-based materials, especially those forming cellular structures that endow thermal insulation. This study proposes a one-pot strategy to prepare cellular lignocellulosic composites with excellent flame resistance. Lignocellulosic microfibers were used as the substrate onto which a flame-retardant complex consisting of P-containing phytic acid (PA) and N-containing polyethyleneimine (PEI) was formed. Following the prediction of ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, PA and PEI are integrated onto MF-CTMP following a single-step complexation assembly triggered by pH effects. The PA-PEI modified MF-CTMP can be readily transformed into a composite solid foam by dewatering a wet foam followed by oven drying. At the expense of a slightly reduced thermal insulation (thermal conductivity increase from 33.6 ± 0.6 to 40.0 ± 0.6 mW/(m·K)) the presence of PA-PEI complexes significantly improved the mechanical performance of the foam and uniquely endows it with flame resistance. Compared to unmodified MF-CTMP foams, the composite foams showed significant improvement in the Young's, specific compression, and flexural moduli (increased by 13.5, 5.5, and 7.3 folds, respectively), a high oxygen index (up to 40.8 %) and self-extinguishing effects. The results suggest the suitability of the introduced lignocellulosic foam as an alternative to traditional synthetic polymer-based counterparts as well as inorganic matter for insulation, particularly relevant to the building sector.

Bacterial Degradation of Antinutrients in Foods: The Genomic Insight

Antinutrients, also known as anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), are compounds found in many plant-based foods that can limit the bioavailability of nutrients or can act as precursors to toxic substances. ANFs have controversial effects on human health, depending mainly on their concentration. While the positive effects of these compounds are well documented, the dangers they pose and the approaches to avoid them have not been discussed to the same extent. There is no dispute that many ANFs negatively alter the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in addition to inhibiting some enzyme activities, thus negatively affecting the bioavailability of nutrients in the human body. This review discusses the chemical properties, plant bioavailability, and deleterious effects of anti-minerals (phytates and oxalates), glycosides (cyanogenic glycosides and saponins), polyphenols (tannins), and proteinaceous ANFs (enzyme inhibitors and lectins). The focus of this study is on the possibility of controlling the amount of ANF in food through fermentation. An overview of the most common biochemical pathways for their microbial reduction is provided, showing the genetic basis of these phenomena, including the active enzymes, the optimal conditions of action, and some data on the regulation of their synthesis.

Strategic exploration of whole grain cereals in modulating the glycaemic response

In the current context, diabetes presents itself as a widespread and complex global health issue. This study explores the significant influence of food microstructure and food matrix components interaction (protein, lipid, polyphenols, etc.) on the starch digestibility and the glycaemic response of post-prandial glycemia, focusing on the potential effectiveness of incorporating bioactive components from whole grain cereals into dietary strategies for the management and potential prevention of diabetes. This study aims to integrate the regulation of postprandial glycaemic homeostasis, including the complexities of starch digestion, the significant potential of bioactive whole grain components and the impact of food processing, to develop a comprehensive framework that combines these elements into a strategic approach to diabetes nutrition. The convergence of these nutritional strategies is analyzed in the context of various prevalent dietary patterns, with the objective of creating an accessible approach to mitigate and prevent diabetes. The objective remains to coalesce these nutritional paradigms into a coherent strategy that not only addresses the current public health crisis but also threads a preventative approach to mitigate future prevalence and impact.

Bio-Sourced Flame Retardants for Textiles: Where We Are and Where We Are Going

After the period of halogenated compounds, the period of nano-structured systems, and that of phosphorus (and nitrogen)-based additives (still in progress), following the increasingly demanding circular economy concept, about ten years ago the textile flame retardant world started experiencing the design and exploitation of bio-sourced products. Indeed, since the demonstration of the potential of such bio(macro)molecules as whey proteins, milk proteins (i.e., caseins), and nucleic acids as effective flame retardants, both natural and synthetic fibers and fabrics can take advantage of the availability of several low-environmental impact/"green" compounds, often recovered from wastes or by-products, which contain all the elements that typically compose standard flame-retardant recipes. The so-treated textiles often exhibit flame-retardant features that are similar to those provided by conventional fireproof treatments. Further, the possibility of using the same deposition techniques already available in the textile industry makes these products very appealing, considering that the application methods usually do not require hazardous or toxic chemicals. This review aims to present an overview of the development of bio-sourced flame retardants, focusing attention on the latest research outcomes, and finally discussing some current challenging issues related to their efficient application, paving the way toward further future implementations.

Phytic acid attenuates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity via modulating iron-mediated oxidative stress and SIRT-1 expression in mice

Introduction: Administration of high doses of acetaminophen (APAP) results in liver injury. Oxidative stress and iron overload play roles in the pathogenesis of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The present study assessed the potential hepatoprotective effects of phytic acid (PA), a natural antioxidant and iron chelator, on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible underlying mechanism through its effects on CYP2E1 gene expression, iron homeostasis, oxidative stress, and SIRT-1 expression levels. Methods: Twenty-four adult male albino mice were used in this study. Mice were divided into four groups (six mice in each group): control, APAP-treated, PA-treated and APAP + PA-treated groups. Liver function tests, serum and liver tissue iron load were evaluated in all the study groups. Hepatic tissue homogenates were used to detect oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histological hepatic evaluation and immunohistochemistry of SIRT-1 were performed. Quantitative real-time PCR was used for the assessment of CYP2E1 and SIRT-1 gene expressions. APAP-induced biochemical and structural hepatic changes were reported. Results: PA administration showed beneficial effects on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through improvements in liver functions, decreased CYP2E1 gene expression, decreased serum and liver iron load, decreased MDA, increased GSH, increased SIRT-1 expression level and improvement in hepatic architecture. Conclusion: Conclusively, PA can be considered a potential compound that can attenuate acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through its role as an iron chelator and antioxidant, as well as the up-regulation of SIRT-1 and down-regulation of CYP2E1.

The effect of germinated black lentils on cookie quality by applying ultraviolet radiation and ultrasound technology

Black lentils contain protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins, as well as phytochemicals and various bioactive compounds. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ultrasound (US) methods are innovative technologies that can be used to increase the efficiency of the germination process in grains and legumes. To improve the nutritional value and bioactive compounds of the cookies, black lentils germinated by applying UV radiation and US technology were used in the cookie formulation. Before the germination process, UV, US, and their combination (UV+US) were applied, and pretreated and unpretreated germinated black lentil flours were used at a level of 20% in the cookie formulation. The results revealed that pretreatment application increased the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity more than the lentil sample germinated without any treatment. In addition, the pretreatments applied further reduced the amount of phytic acid in black lentils and the lowest phytic acid content was obtained with the UV-US combination. Compared to cookies containing unpretreated germinated black lentil flour, higher L* values and lower a* values were obtained in the cookie samples containing pretreated germinated black lentil flour. Cookies containing all pretreated germinated lentils generally exhibited higher Ca and K content. This study demonstrated that UV radiation and US improved the nutritional value and bioactive components of the germinated black lentil flour and the cookies in which it was used, compared to the black lentils germinated without any treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pretreatment of black lentils with UV/US application before germination resulted in a greater increase in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to the control sample. The applied pretreatments caused a further decrease in the amount of phytic acid in black lentil samples. Black lentils germinated with the UV+US combination revealed higher Ca, Fe, K, and Mg content compared to the sample germinated without any treatment.

Replacement of nitrates and nitrites in meat-derived foods through the utilization of coagulase-negative staphylococci: A review

Nitrates and nitrites, which are synthetic additives, are traditionally used as curing agents in meat-based products. These synthetic additives are employed in the preparation of fermented meat foods to improve quality characteristics and microbiological safety, develop distinct flavours and red-colour stability, and counteract lipid oxidation. Nitrites also display significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal action against spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens (such as Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes). However, meat curing is currently under scrutiny because of its links to cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer. Based on the current literature, this review provides recent scientific evidence on the potential utilisation of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) as nitrate and nitrite substitutes in meat-based foods. Indeed, CNS are reported to reproduce the characteristic red pigmentation and maintain the typical high-quality traits of cured-meats, thanks to their arginine degradation pathway, thus providing the nitrite-related desirable attributes in cured meat. The alternative strategy, still based on the NOS pathway, consisting of supplementing meat with arginine to release nitric oxide (NO) and obtain a meat characterised by the desired pinkish-red colour, is also reviewed. Exploiting NOS-positive CNS strains seems particularly challenging because of CNS technological adaptation and the oxygen dependency of the NOS reaction; however, this exploitation could represent a turning point in replacing nitrates and nitrites in meat foods.

Naturally occurring phytic acid: an advanced Brønsted acid catalyst for direct amination reactions of allylic alcohols

Phytic acid is abundant in various plant-based foods and is considered agricultural waste. Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this organophosphorus acid as a sustainable catalyst for the direct amination reactions of allylic alcohols. This approach is successfully performed in air using technical grade solvents, affording allylanilines in moderate to excellent yields. Challenging electron-rich anilines react effectively, and their corresponding Friedel-Crafts side products can be minimised under the optimised reaction conditions. A variety of asymmetrically substituted allylic alcohols are tolerated, while the scope is extended to amide, and C-, O- and S-nucleophiles.

Redox-active phytic acid-based self-assembled hybrid material for enhanced uranium adsorption from highly acidic solution

Achieving efficient uranium adsorption from highly acidic wastewater is still considered challenging. Here, an inorganic-organic hybridized self-assembly material (rPFE-10) with redox activity was constructed by phytic acid (PA), ethylenediamine (EDA), and Fe(II) via a facile one-pot route, and further applied for U(VI) removal. In the static adsorption experiment, rPFE-10 achieved the maximum U(VI) adsorption capacity of 717.1 mg/g at the optimal pH of 3.5. It also performed preeminently in a highly acidic condition of pH = 1.0, with the highest adsorption capacity of 551.2 mg/g and an equilibrium time of 30 min. Moreover, rPFE-10 exhibited a pH-responsive adsorption selectivity for U(VI) and An-Ln (S(U(VI)) and S(An-Ln)), which increased to 69 % and 94 % respectively as pH decreased from 3.0 to 1.0. Additionally, the spectral analysis revealed a reconstruction mechanism induced by multiple synergistic adsorption, in which U(VI) exchange with EDA+/2+ and Fe2+/3+ and earned suitable coordination geometry and ligand environment to coordinate with PA (mainly P-OH), while partial U(VI) is reduced by Fe(II) in framework. This work not only highlights the facile strategy for enhanced U(VI) retention in highly acidic solution, but expands the potential application of supramolecular self-assembly material in treatment of nuclear wastewater.

Efficiency of sodium phytate in the remediation of As, Mn, and Cu contamination in acid mine drainage using water hyacinth

The accumulation and uptake efficiency of heavy metals, including As, Mn, and Cu, in water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) grown in synthetic acidic wastewater supplemented with sodium phytate (SP) was examined. Three treatments were studied using synthetic acidic wastewater containing 0.25, 5.0, and 1.0 mg/L of As, Mn, and Cu, respectively, (SM + heavy metals) and having pH in the range of 4-6, which comprised of (1) control treatments using SM + heavy metals at pH 4, 5, 6 without SP, and treatments using SM + heavy metals at pH 4, 5, 6 with SP: Cu (2) in a 1:3 M ratio and (3) a 1:6 M ratio. The translocation factor (TF < 1) indicated that plants had a lower capacity to transport heavy metals from the roots to the stems. The shoots of water hyacinth exhibited the highest capacity to absorb and store As in the pH 4-treatment with SP (SP:Cu1:3 mol), whereas the roots showed the greatest capacity at pH 4 without SP. The roots and shoots of the water hyacinth showed the greatest capacity to take up and store Mn in the pH 5-treatment with a 1:3 M ratio of SP:Cu. The roots showed the greatest capacity to take up and store Cu in the pH 6-treatment, and the shoots showed the highest capability in the pH 5-treatment with 1:3 M ratio of SP:Cu. Moreover, analysis of the chemical forms revealed that As accumulated in the arsenate form, whereas Mn accumulated in the divalent form.

Guar-based aerogels with oriented lamellar structure and lightweight properties for flame-retardant and thermal insulation

In this study, a multi-functional guar gum aerogel with the oriented lamellar structure, which introduced sodium silicate (Na2O·nSiO2) and phytic acid (PA) as thermal insulation additives and flame-retardant agents, respectively, was fabricated via freeze drying. Our aerogel's chemical structure, morphology, and thermal and mechanical properties were analyzed. The oriented lamellar structure was attributed to the orientated growth of ice crystals, which was induced by the "silicate-guar, guar-phytate, and phytate-silicate" multiple hydrogen bonds formed between Na2O·nSiO2, PA, and guar gum. The density of the sample with 2 wt% PA could reach 0.0335 g·cm-3, and the porosity was 5 %, along with a specific pore volume of 0.8144 cm3·g-1. The mechanical properties and thermal insulation performed significant differences in the radial and axial direction of the oriented lamella (nearly 100 % resilience while 50 % deformation quantity and 0.0235 W/(m*K) of thermal conductivity in the radial direction, up to 0.079 MPa of compressive strength in the axial direction). The presence of PA attached a good flame-retardant ability to our aerogel (The Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) was 30.77 %). This work provides a novel and promising method for developing anisotropic aerogel with excellent potential in building energy efficiency and flame-retardant.

G. A, Al-Rawi AM, Nassar R, Islam MS. Phytic acid effect on periodontal ligament fibroblast: An in-vitro study

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated phytic acid (IP6) effect on the viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium release of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells in optimal (OGL) and elevated glucose level (EGL) in cell culture media.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cells were seeded in OGL (1000mg/L) or EGL (4500 mg/L) media. IP6 was added at 0.005%, 0.01% or 0.02% concentrations for 24 or 48h, and XTT assay was performed. Cell differentiation and calcium release in presence of 0.02% IP6 in OGL or EGL in non-osteogenic or osteogenic media were analyzed using ALP assay and alizarin red staining, respectively.

RESULTS

In OGL, IP6 enhanced the viability of the cells at both exposure times (P<0.05). However, IP6 lowered the viability of the cells with the presence of EGL compared to the control at both exposure times, except for 0.02% IP6 which showed comparable viability to the control at 48 h. In OGL and EGL, ALP activity of the cells was not affected by the presence of IP6 in non-osteogenic media; however, in osteogenic media IP6 lowered the ALP activity. Meanwhile, calcium release was the highest with IP6 within osteogenic media of EGL.

CONCLUSIONS

IP6 effects on the HPDL cells were dependent on IP6 concentration, time of exposure, glucose levels and the osteogenic condition of the media.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study gives insights on the potential therapeutic effect of IP6 as adjunctive periodontal therapy in patients with diabetes.

Phytic acid-modified manganese dioxide nanoparticles oligomer for magnetic resonance imaging and targeting therapy of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor in the skeletal system with high mortality. Phytic acid (PA) is a natural compound extracted from plant seeds, which shows certain antitumor activity and good bone targeting ability. To develop a novel theranostics for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and targeting therapy of osteosarcoma, we employed PA to modify manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO₂@PA NPs) for osteosarcoma treatment. The MnO₂ NPs oligomer was formed by PA modification with uniformed size distribution and negative zeta potential. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that PA has been successfully modified on MnO₂ NPs, and the structure of MnO₂@PA NPs is amorphous. In vitro experiments demonstrated that MnO₂@PA NPs oligomer can be efficiently internalized by tumor cell, and the internalized NPs can react with H₂O₂ under acid microenvironment to produce Mn²⁺ and O₂. In vivo experiments demonstrated that MnO₂@PA NPs oligomer can passively accumulate in tumor tissue, and the accumulated NPs can produce Mn²⁺ and O₂ for MRI and targeting therapy of osteosarcoma. In conclusion, we prepared a novel bone-targeting nano theranostics for MRI and therapy of osteosarcoma.

Solvent-Free and Skin-Like Supramolecular Ion-Conductive Elastomers with Versatile Processability for Multifunctional Ionic Tattoos and On-Skin Bioelectronics

The development of stable and biocompatible soft ionic conductors, alternatives to hydrogels and ionogels, will open up new avenues for the construction of stretchable electronics. Here, a brand-new design, encapsulating a naturally occurring ionizable compound by a biocompatible polymer via high-density hydrogen bonds, resulting in a solvent-free supramolecular ion-conductive elastomer (SF-supra-ICE) that eliminates the dehydration problem of hydrogels and possesses excellent biocompatibility, is reported. The SF-supra-ICE with high ionic conductivity (>3.3 × 10-2  S m-1 ) exhibits skin-like softness and strain-stiffening behaviors, excellent elasticity, breathability, and self-adhesiveness. Importantly, the SF-supra-ICE can be obtained by a simple water evaporation step to solidify the aqueous precursor into a solvent-free nature. Therefore, the aqueous precursor can act as inks to be painted and printed into customized ionic tattoos (I-tattoos) for the construction of multifunctional on-skin bioelectronics. The painted I-tattoos exhibit ultraconformal and seamless contact with human skin, enabling long-term and high-fidelity recording of various electrophysiological signals with extraordinary immunity to motion artifacts. Human-machine interactions are achieved by exploiting the painted I-tattoos to transmit the electrophysiological signals of human beings. Stretchable I-tattoo electrode arrays, manufactured by the printing method, are demonstrated for multichannel digital diagnosis of the health condition of human back muscles and spine.

Phytic acid is a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent for the seedling blight of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica caused by Fusarium oxysporum

Phytic acid (PA) is a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent; however, few reports have been published regarding its antifungal effects on pathogenic fungi. The present study explored the in vitro antifungal activity of PA against four phytopathogenic fungi and found that PA was the most effective at inhibiting the growth of Fusarium oxysporum. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro antifungal activities of PA against the seedling blight of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica caused by F. oxysporum and to determine its possible mechanism of action. The results showed that PA inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of F. oxysporum in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited strong inhibition when its concentration exceeded 1000 mg/L. It mainly destroyed the integrity of the cell membrane, increasing its cell membrane permeability, causing the cell contents to spill out, and impairing fungal growth. In addition, the leakage of intercellular electrolytes and soluble proteins indicated that PA used at its EC₂₀ and EC₅₀ increased the membrane permeability of F. oxysporum. The increase in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content confirmed that PA treatment at its EC₂₀ and EC₅₀ damaged the cell membrane of the pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PA affected the morphology of mycelia, causing them to shrivel, distort, and break. Furthermore, PA significantly reduced the activities of the antioxidant-related enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as that of the pathogenicity-related enzymes polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, and endoglucanase (EG) in F. oxysporum (P < 0.05). In particular, EG enzyme activity was maximally inhibited in F. oxysporum treated with PA at its EC₅₀. Moreover, PA significantly inhibited the incidence of disease, and growth indices in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seedling blight was determined. In summary, PA has a substantial inhibitory effect on F. oxysporum. Therefore, PA could serve as a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent for the seedling blight of P. sylvestris var. mongolica caused by F. oxysporum.

Sustainable Secondary-Raw Materials, Natural Substances and Eco-Friendly Nanomaterial-Based Approaches for Improved Surface Performances: An Overview of What They Are and How They Work

To meet modern society’s requirements for sustainability and environmental protection, innovative and smart surface coatings are continually being developed to improve or impart surface functional qualities and protective features. These needs regard numerous different sectors, such as cultural heritage, building, naval, automotive, environmental remediation and textiles. In this regard, researchers and nanotechnology are therefore mostly devoted to the development of new and smart nanostructured finishings and coatings featuring different implemented properties, such as anti-vegetative or antibacterial, hydrophobic, anti-stain, fire retardant, controlled release of drugs, detection of molecules and mechanical resistance. A variety of chemical synthesis techniques are usually employed to obtain novel nanostructured materials based on the use of an appropriate polymeric matrix in combination with either functional doping molecules or blended polymers, as well as multicomponent functional precursors and nanofillers. Further efforts are being made, as described in this review, to carry out green and eco-friendly synthetic protocols, such as sol–gel synthesis, starting from bio-based, natural or waste substances, in order to produce more sustainable (multi)functional hybrid or nanocomposite coatings, with a focus on their life cycle in accordance with the circular economy principles.

Metabolic Profile of Einkorn, Spelt, Emmer Ancient Wheat Species Sourdough Fermented with Strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014

The continuous development of bakery products as well as the increased demands from consumers transform ancient grains into alternatives with high nutritional potential for modern wheat species. The present study, therefore, follows the changes that occur in the sourdough obtained from these vegetable matrices fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 during a 24 h. period. The samples were analyzed in terms of cell growth dynamics, carbohydrate content, crude cellulose, minerals, organic acids, volatile compounds, and rheological properties. The results revealed significant microbial growth in all samples, with an average value of 9 log cfu/g but also a high accumulation of organic acids with the increase in the fermentation period. Lactic acid content ranged from 2.89 to 6.65 mg/g, while acetic acid recorded values between 0.51 and 1.1 mg/g. Regarding the content of simple sugars, maltose was converted into glucose, and fructose was used as an electron acceptor or carbon source. Cellulose content decreased as a result of the solubilization of soluble fibers into insoluble fibers under enzymatic action, with percentages of 3.8 to 9.5%. All sourdough samples had a high content of minerals; the highest of which-Ca (246 mg/kg), Zn (36 mg/kg), Mn (46 mg/kg), and Fe (19 mg/kg)-were recorded in the einkorn sourdough.

Regulatory Effects of Thai Rice By-Product Extracts from Oryza sativa L. cv. Bue Bang 3 CMU and Bue Bang 4 CMU on Melanin Production, Nitric Oxide Secretion, and Steroid 5α-Reductase Inhibition

Alopecia and gray hair are common hair abnormalities affecting physical appearance and causing psychological problems. Chemical treatments partially restore hair disorders but have distressing side effects. Bioactive plant compounds constitute promising sources of potential medicinal substances instead of chemical agents, producing high side effects. In this study, we focused on the waste of local rice cultivars: Bue Bang 3 CMU (BB3CMU) and Bue Bang 4 CMU (BB4CMU) from the north of Thailand. The rice bran oil (RBO), defatted rice bran extract (DFRB), and rice husk (H) were determined for in vitro hair revitalization in melanin production, nitric oxide (NO) secretion, and steroid 5α-reductase inhibition. The results indicated that BB4CMU-RBO with high contents of iron, zinc, and free fatty acids showed a comparable induction of melanin production on melanocytes (130.18 ± 9.13% of control) to the standard drug theophylline with no significant difference (p > 0.05). This promising melanin induction could be related to activating the NO secretion pathway, with the NO secretion level at 1.43 ± 0.05 µM. In addition, BB4CMU-RBO illustrated a significant inhibitory effect on both steroid 5α-reductase genes (SRD5A) type 1 and type 2, which relates to its primary source of tocopherols. Hence, rice bran oil from the Thai rice variety BB4CMU could be applied as a promising hair revitalizing candidate, from natural resources, to help promote hair growth and re-pigmentation effects.

Phytates as a natural source for health promotion: A critical evaluation of clinical trials

Phytates are a type of organophosphorus compound produced in terrestrial ecosystems by plants. In plant feeds, phytic acid and its salt form, phytate, account for 60%-80% of total phosphorus. Because phytate is a polyanionic molecule, it can chelate positively charged cations such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Due to its prevalence in vegetal tissues and the fact that people consume plants, phytate was first considered a potential health benefit. This updated review aims to summarize the current data on the results of clinical trials of phytates on human health, highlighting both beneficial and undesirable effects. To obtain these updated data, published papers in electronic databases such as PubMed/MedLine, TRIP database, Wiley, Google Scholar, Baidu, and Scopus were searched. Study results have shown that phytate can have beneficial health effects such as antioxidant, anticancer potential and reduction of pathological calcifications in blood vessels and organs; but also, negative effects by reducing the absorption of minerals important for maintaining the homeostasis of the human body. According to these recent results derived from recent clinical studies, phytates may be a potential natural source for health benefits. To improve clinical efficacy and human health benefits, further dose-response studies are needed to determine effective therapeutic doses and potential interactions with conventional drugs.

Drug-Loaded and Anisotropic Wood-Derived Hydrogel Periosteum with Super Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Osteogenic Activities

Current artificial periostea mainly focus on osteogenic activity but overlook structural and mechanical anisotropy, as well as the importance of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, inspired by the anisotropic structure of wood, the delignified wood (named white wood, WW) with a porous and highly oriented cellulose fiber skeleton was obtained, which was further filled with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel loaded with curcumin (Cur) and phytic acid (PA). The prepared wood-derived hydrogel composite membranes can not only exhibit an obvious anisotropic structure and good mechanical properties but also sustainably release loaded drugs to obtain long-term biological activities. Creatively, PA can effectively improve the bioavailability of Cur; more importantly, Cur and PA play an obvious synergistic effect in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic activities. Compared with the wood-derived hydrogel composite membranes without drug loading, as well as loaded with Cur or PA only, these loaded with Cur and PA are significantly more conducive to inhibiting the growth of bacteria and inflammatory response and facilitating the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. This kind of anisotropic wood-derived hydrogel composite membrane with fantastic antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic activities is expected to be ideal artificial periostea.

Waterborne Eco-Sustainable Sol-Gel Coatings Based on Phytic Acid Intercalated Graphene Oxide for Corrosion Protection of Metallic Surfaces

In the past few years, corrosion protection of metal materials has become a global challenge, due to its great economic importance. For this reason, various methods have been developed to inhibit the corrosion process, such as surface treatment approaches, by employing corrosion inhibitors through the deposition of opportunely designed functional coatings, employed to preserve from corrosion damages metallic substrates. Recently, among these techniques and in order to avoid the toxic chromate-based pre-treatment coatings, silane-based coatings and films loaded with organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors have been widely used in corrosion mitigation water-based surface treatment. In this study, the synthetic approach was devoted to create an embedded, hosted, waterborne, and eco-friendly matrix, obtained by use of the sol–gel technique, through the reaction of functional alkoxysilane cross-linking precursors, namely (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) intercalated with natural and non-toxic phytic acid (PA) molecules. As a matter of fact, all experimental results from FT-IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis analysis, and SEM confirmed that PA molecules were successfully decorated on GO. Furthermore, polarization measurements and a neutral salt spray test were used to evaluate the anticorrosive performance on aluminum and steel substrates, thus showing that the GO-PA nanofiller improved the barrier and corrosion protection properties of the developed functional silane-based coatings.

Effects of Fatty Alcohols with Different Chain Lengths on the Performance of Low pH Biomass-Based Foams for Radioactive Decontamination

Compared with polymers and nanoparticles, fatty alcohols can not only increase the stability of foam, but also maintain better foamability at pH < 2, which is beneficial to reduce waste liquid and increase decontamination efficiency for radioactive surface pollution. However, different fatty alcohols have different hydrophobic chain lengths. The effects of fatty alcohols with different chain lengths on the performance of decontamination foam were studied at pH < 2, to assist in the selection of suitable fatty alcohols as foam stabilizers. Combined with betaine surfactant and phytic acid, biomass-based foams were synthesized using fatty alcohols with different chain lengths. When the hydrophobic tail groups of the fatty alcohol and the surfactant were the same, the foam showed the best performance, including the lowest surface tension, the highest liquid film strength, the greatest sag-resistance and the best stability. However, when the hydrophobic tail groups were different, the space between adjacent surface active molecules was increased by thermal motion of the excess terminal tail segments (a tail-wagging effect), and the adsorption density reduced on the gas-liquid interface, leading to increased surface tension and decreased liquid film strength, sag-resistance and stability. The use of decontamination foam stabilized by fatty alcohols with the same hydrophobic group as the surfactant was found to increase the decontamination rate of radioactive uranium pollution from 64 to over 90% on a vertical surface.

Calcium Biofortification of Rocha Pear Fruits: Implications on Mineral Elements, Sugars and Fatty Acids Accumulation in Tissues

Following an agronomic approach for the Ca enrichment of Rocha pears, this study aimed to assess the interactions between mineral nutrients in fruit tissues at harvest and after storage for 5 months and to characterize the implications on the profile of sugars and fatty acids (FA). A total of seven foliar sprays (with concentrations of 0.1–0.6 kg·ha−1 Ca(NO3)2 and 0.8–8 kg·ha−1 CaCl2) were applied to pear trees. After harvest, the fruits were stored for 5 months, in environmentally controlled chambers, and the mineral contents in five regions (on the equatorial section) of the fruits were assessed, while the sugar and FA content were quantified. For both dates, all foliar sprayed treatments, at different extends, increased Ca content in the center and near the epidermis of Rocha pear fruits and the levels of K, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu also varied. At harvest, the Ca treatments did not affect the levels of sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol and, after storage, their concentrations remained higher in Ca-treated fruits. Additionally, the tendency of the relative proportions of FA was C18:2 > C18:1 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0), but after storage it was C18:2 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > C18:1 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0). It is concluded that the heterogeneous distribution of Ca in the tissues of Rocha pear fruits results from its absorption in the peel after Ca(NO3)2 and CaCl2 sprays and from the xylemic flux in the core prior to maturity. Additionally, the hydrolysis of complex polysaccharides affects the contents of simpler sugars during maturation, ripening and senescence, while storage decreases the amount of total fatty acids (TFA), but the double bond index (DBI) indicate that cell membrane fluidity remains unaffected.

Phytic Acid against Clostridium perfringens Type A: A Food Matrix Study

This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of phytic acid (PA) on the spore germination and vegetative cells growth of Clostridium perfringens type A, as well as its effect in combination with maltodextrin (MD) in cooked sausages. The addition of 1% PA showed a satisfactory inhibition of spores’ germination and vegetative cells growth of C. perfringens in BHI media. The inhibitory effect of 1% PA on vegetative cells was similar to the additive sodium sorbate (SS) at 10%. Subsequently, a mixture of PA-MD (1:1; w/w) was evaluated for the inhibition of C. perfringens spores in cooked sausages. The PA-MD 1.5% and 2.5% had a similar performance to SS 10% and a similar or higher performance than 0.015% NO₂ (p < 0.05). In an unprecedented way, the present study demonstrated that PA inhibited spore germination and vegetative cells growth of C. perfringens, highlighting its potential use as an alternative and natural preservative for the meat industry.