Application of Thermal Methods to Analyze the Properties of Coffee Silverskin and Oil Extracted from the Studied Roasting By-Product

Exploring the Anticonvulsant Properties of a Celecoxib-Phospholipid Conjugate: Synthesis, Activation, and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy poses a significant global health challenge, particularly in regions with limited financial resources hindering access to treatment. Recent research highlights neuroinflammation, particularly involving cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways, as a promising avenue for epilepsy management.

METHODS

This study aimed to develop a Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor with potential anticonvulsant properties. A promising drug candidate was identified and chemically linked with phospholipids through docking analyses. The activation of this prodrug was assessed using phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-mediated hydrolysis studies. The conjugate's confirmation and cytotoxicity were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Sulphoramide B (SRB) assays.

RESULTS

Docking studies revealed that the Celecoxib-Phospholipid conjugate exhibited a superior affinity for PLA2 compared to other drug-phospholipid conjugates. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of the conjugate, while DSC analysis confirmed its purity and formation. PLA2-mediated hydrolysis experiments demonstrated selective activation of the prodrug depending on PLA2 concentration. SRB experiments indicated dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of Celecoxib, phospholipid non-toxicity, and efficient celecoxib-phospholipid conjugation.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully developed a Celecoxib-phospholipid conjugate with potential anticonvulsant properties. The prodrug's specific activation and cytotoxicity profile makes it a promising therapeutic candidate. Further investigation into underlying mechanisms and in vivo studies is necessary to assess its translational potential fully.

Enhancing Red Yeast Biomass Yield and Lipid Biosynthesis by Using Waste Nitrogen Source by Glucose Fed-Batch at Low Temperature

This work reports the effect of simple feeding strategies and temperature to obtain high-cell-density cultures of Rhodotorula glutinis var. rubescens LOCKR13 maximizing the de novo lipid productivity using deproteinated potato wastewater (DPW) as a basic medium. Feeding DPW with glucose enables a high yield of Rhodotorula glutinis var. rubescens LOCKR13 biomass (52 g d.w. L−1) to be obtained. The highest values of lipid accumulation (34.15%, w/w), production (14.68 g L−1) and yield coefficients (YL/S: 0.242 g g−1), and volumetric productivity (PL: 0.1 g L−1 h−1) were reached by the strain in the two-stage fed-batch process at 20 °C. The lipid of yeast biomass was rich in oleic acid (Δ9C18:1) and palmitic acid (C16:0), and the lower temperature of incubation significantly increased the MUFA (especially oleic acid) content. For the first time, a unique set of thermal analyses of the microbial oil was performed. The isotherms of the oxidation kinetics (PDSC) showed that lipids extracted from the biomass of red yeast had high oxidative stability. This feature of the yeast oil can be useful for long-shelf-life food products and can be promising for the production of biodiesel.

Comparison of Thermal Characteristics and Fatty Acids Composition in Raw and Roasted Cocoa Beans from Peru (Criollo) and Ecuador (Forastero)

The aim of this research was to complete the characteristics of cocoa beans and cocoa butter extracted from two different Theobroma cacao species: Criollo originated from Peru and Forastero originated from Ecuador, both in the version of raw (unroasted) and roasted beans. Before extraction, the cocoa beans were characterized by proximate analysis. The determination of fatty acids composition was carried out by gas chromatography (GC). The positional distribution of fatty acids in the sn-2 positions of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was also determined. The thermogravimetric analyses (TGA/DTG) were performed under the nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere of roasted and unroasted cocoa beans. The kinetic information was helpful to assess the oxidative stability of cocoa butter. The cocoa butter extracted from unroasted Forastero from Ecuador had the highest values of oxidation activation energy Ea. The melting characteristics of cocoa butter extracted from roasted Criollo species were very similar to their unroasted versions. The same trend was not observed for Forastero species. TGA and DTG were revealed to be useful tools for the analysis of whole cocoa beans and the fats extracted from these cocoa beans.