Eco-Friendly Extraction: A green approach to maximizing bioactive extraction from pumpkin (Curcubita moschata L.)

The research focused on optimizing the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of carotenoids and polyphenols from pumpkin powder. The study optimized accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of carotenoids and polyphenols from pumpkin powder. Using a mix of standard score (SS) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods, the extraction process was fine-tuned. The ANN model assessed extraction parameters' significance, achieving high predictability for total carotenoid content (TCC), total phenolic content (TPC), and free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods). The analysis highlighted the most effective extraction at 50 % concentration, 120 °C temperature, 5 min duration, and 2 cycles, yielding high carotenoid and phenolic content (TCC 571.49 µg/g, TPC 7.85 mg GAE/g). HPLC-DAD profiles of the optimized ASE extract confirmed major carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Strong correlations were found between bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, emphasizing potential health benefits.

PhInd-Database on Polyphenol Content in Agri-Food By-Products and Waste: Features of the Database

Timely access to topic-relevant datasets is of paramount importance for the development of any successful strategy (food waste reduction strategy), since datasets illuminate opportunities, challenges and development paths. PhInd is the first comprehensive database on polyphenol content in plant-based by-products from the agri-food sector or the wastewater sector and was developed using peer-reviewed papers published in the period of 2015-2021. In total, >450 scientific manuscripts and >6000 compound entries were included. Database inclusion criteria were polyphenol contents = determined using HPLC/UHPLC quantitative methods. PhInd can be explored through several criteria which are either 'open' or checkboxes. Criteria are given in subsections: (a) plant source; (b) by-product industrial processing; (c) pre-treatment of by-products before the isolation of polyphenols; and (d) the extraction step of polyphenols. Database search results could be explored on the website directly or by downloading Excel files and graphs. This unique database content is beneficial to stakeholders-the food industry, academia, government and citizens.

Moniliformin Occurrence in Serbian Maize over Four Years: Understanding Weather-Dependent Variability

Moniliformin (MON) represents one of the most widespread emerging mycotoxins, whose presence in food and feed can potentially cause harmful effects on the health of both the public and animals. In order to investigate MON occurrence, a total of four hundred (n = 400) samples of unprocessed maize were sampled from different regions (Bačka, Banat, and Srem) of Serbia during a period of four years (2018-2021) and were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The influence of regional differences and variations from year to year in terms of weather conditions on the occurrence of MON was also assessed. The obtained validation parameters indicated that the LC-MS/MS method is applicable to the determination of MON in maize samples. It can be observed from the acquired findings that all samples were contaminated with MON, while concentration levels varied between the samples, especially from different sampling years. The maize samples showed the greatest levels of MON concentration during the dry and hot climatic conditions experienced in 2021. In maize samples harvested in the period 2018-2020, the MON concentration levels detected were about two to three times lower compared to the year 2021. Additionally, a comprehensive investigation into the correlation between weather conditions and the occurrence of MON in maize grown in Serbia was undertaken by reviewing the outcomes of research undertaken in the past decade.

Aflatoxins in Maize from Serbia and Croatia: Implications of Climate Change

Aflatoxins (AFs) represent the most important mycotoxin group, whose presence in food and feed poses significant global health and economic issues. The occurrence of AFs in maize is a burning problem worldwide, mainly attributed to droughts. In recent years, Serbia and Croatia faced climate changes followed by a warming trend. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to estimate the influence of weather on AFs occurrence in maize from Serbia and Croatia in the 2018-2021 period. The results indicate that hot and dry weather witnessed in the year 2021 resulted in the highest prevalence of AFs in maize samples in both Serbia (84%) and Croatia (40%). In maize harvested in 2018-2020, AFs occurred in less than, or around, 10% of Serbian and 20% of Croatian samples. In order to conduct a comprehensive study on the implications of climate change for the occurrence of AFs in maize grown in these two countries, the results of available studies performed in the last thirteen years were searched for and discussed.

Potential health benefits of blueberry and raspberry pomace as functional food ingredients: Dietetic intervention study on healthy women volunteers

The fruit juice industry generates pomace as a valuable by-product especially rich in polyphenols, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. In the cookies used in this study, 30% of the gluten-free flour was replaced with dried and ground blueberry and raspberry pomace, rich source of polyphenols, dietary fibers, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid. In order to examine whether the addition of blueberry and raspberry pomace in cookie formulation can have beneficial effects on certain blood parameters and anthropometric measurements, the designed cookies were tested in 20 healthy, normally fed female subjects, aged 30–50 years (41.35 ± 8.58 years) over four-week dietetic intervention study. Significant changes in the composition of fatty acids serum phospholipids, decrease in LDL-cholesterol level (20.16%), increase in adiponectin level (25.52%) and decrease in ALT and AST values were observed, thus indicating that inclusion of cookies containing blueberry and raspberry dried and ground pomace to usual diet might have positive effects on certain cardiovascular risk factors and liver function indicators.

Encapsulation of bioactive compounds extracted from Cucurbita moschata pumpkin waste: The multi-objective optimization study

AIM

Artificial neural network (ANN) development to find optimal carriers (pea protein-P, maltodextrin-M, and inulin-I) mixture for encapsulation of pumpkin waste bioactives (β-carotene and phenolics).

METHODS

Freeze-drying encapsulation and encapsulates characterisation in terms of bioactives contents and encapsulation efficiencies, water activity, hygroscopicity, densities, flowability, cohesiveness, particle size (laser diffraction), solubility, color (CIELab), morphological (SEM), stability and release properties.

RESULTS

Optimal encapsulates, OE-T (with highest total bioactives contents; P, M, and I of 53.9, 46.1, and 0%w/w) and OE-EE (with highest bioactives encapsulation efficiencies; P, M, and I of 45.5, 32.0, and 22.5%w/w) had particle diameters of 94.561 ± 1.341µm and 90.206 ± 0.571µm, span of 1.777 ± 0.094 and 1.588 ± 0.089, highest release at pH 7.4 of phenolics of 71.03%w/w after 72h and 66.22%w/w after 48h, and β-carotene of 43.67%w/w after 8h and 48.62%w/w after 6h, respectively.

CONCLUSION

ANN model for prediction of encapsulates' preparation, showed good anticipation properties (with gained determination coefficients of 1.000).

Communicating Function and Co-Creating Healthy Food: Designing a Functional Food Product Together with Consumers

Functional food is lately an interesting topic from the new product development perspective; complex motivation and expectations of consumers regarding it present a challenge when new products are designed. Co-creation is an interesting alternative to the standard practices by the R & D departments since it directly involves consumers in the various stages of the creation process. This work aims to describe experiences of engaging consumers in different development stages of a functional food product within a project realized at a food research institute. Four consecutive studies were conducted: the first study explored current trends in Serbia regarding the way consumers use functional food and are informed about it; the second study described development of a raspberry seeds extract with antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity confirmed in vitro; the third study tested the same extract in a sample of consumers, validating its usability in food products; and the fourth study described a co-creation session with 18 participants, during which a number of activities were realized to stimulate idea generation. Rather than the final product idea itself, this work is valuable because of detailed insights into the various phases of the co-creation process. It is shown that consumers and food researchers can together engage in the new food product development process as long as the communication between them is rich and with mutual understanding.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) Extraction Improves Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extracts

Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) herbal dust has been recognized as a potential underutilized resource for the recovery of antioxidants. The aim of this paper was to optimize natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extraction of polyphenols to obtain improved antioxidant activity of extracts determined by selected in vitro assays (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS). Twenty different NADES systems were investigated in the first step of the screening of the extraction solvent and l-proline (Pro)–glycerine (Gly) based solvents provided the best results. Preliminary experiments organized by 2⁵⁻¹ fractional factorial design narrowed down the number of extraction factors from five (temperature, extraction time, NADES type, water content and L/S ratio) to three and determined their experimental domain for the final step. A face-centered central composite design with temperature (40–55–70 °C), extraction time (60–120–180 min) and L/S ratio (10–20–30 g NADES/g sample) was applied for influence analysis and process optimization. Multi-response optimization suggested a temperature of 65 °C, time of extraction of 180 min and L/S ratio of 28 g NADES/g DW as optimal extraction parameters. Experimental validation confirmed good agreement between experimental and predicted results in the extract obtained at optimal conditions and the interactions in the most suitable NADES (N16; Pro–Gly–H₂O; 1:2:1) were confirmed by the ¹H-NMR.

Simultaneous Hydrolysis of Ellagitannins and Extraction of Ellagic Acid from Defatted Raspberry Seeds Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES)

Defatted raspberry seeds were used as an alternative source of antioxidants and ellagic acid (EA) extracted using Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). In the preliminary study, the best NADES combination (citric acid-betaine) and the most influential variables (temperature, time, and NADES/plant ratio) were selected for the further optimization process. All samples were analyzed in terms of total polyphenol, EA content, and antioxidant activity. Two sets of optimal conditions were generated by response surface methodology. The first set (Opt1) was designed for higher conversion of ellagitannins to EA while the latter set (Opt2) for higher EA content/100 g extract. Opt1 and Opt2 had higher values for all investigated responses compared to 80% ethanolic extract but had a lower conversion rate of ellagitannins to EA compared to acidified methanol extract. The third set of parameters (Opt3) selected beyond the initial experimental domain was used to obtain a sample with the highest EA content/100 g extract. Due to their nature, NADES extracts are ready to use and could have various technological roles in products since they are antioxidants, acidifiers, and colorants. NADES raspberry extracts exhibited higher anti-proliferative activity compared to ethanolic extracts in terms of EC50 values. However, the main contributor of anti-cancer activity in NADES raspberry extracts were individual NADES compounds and/or their newly formed NADES structure.

A comprehensive study of parameters correlated with honey health benefits

One hundred honey samples of different floral origin (acacia, sunflower, meadow, and forest) collected from nine European countries (Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Hungary) were analysed for various physicochemical, sensory, antioxidant and antibacterial parameters. The relative antioxidant capacity index and relative antibacterial index were calculated, integrated and expressed as a new property - Power of Honey, intended to be used to predict the health potential of a honey based on its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Free acidity and colour coordinates L* and a* were chosen for building an artificial neural network model for the prediction of honey health potential. These were chosen based on the obtained correlations between the investigated parameters and in light of the simplicity of the analysis. This model successfully predicted the Power of Honey with a gained coefficient of determination of 0.856. Forest honey samples exhibited the highest Power of Honey. This novel approach should make it possible for honey producers to predict the honey health potential of a particular honey based on a quick and simple analysis.

Phytochemical characterization and effects on cell proliferation of Pinus nigra Arn. bark

Pinus nigra Arn. bark extracts from Mokra gora (MG) and Tara mountains were analyzed with regard to their polyphenolic profile and antioxidative and antiproliferative activity. The ethanol extract from MG showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content when compared with the acetone and methanol extracts from both sites. The same extract exhibited the highest ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavenging ability and total antioxidant activity (TAA). On the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, catechin, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids were predominantly present in the MG extracts. The ethanol extract from MG was rich in syringic acid, epicatechin and its derivatives, and ferulic acid and its derivatives. The bark extracts also exerted a high cytotoxic bioactivity against all evaluated cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, HT-29, and MRC-5). The antiproliferative activity of P. nigra bark is probably related to the ferulic acid content and its synergistic activity to caffeic acid and taxifolin. The antioxidative role of the presented phenols was confirmed through the obtained significant linear correlation between the total phenolic content and DPPH (r = .934) as well as the FRAP% of the extracts (r = .948). Also, the TAA significantly depended on the proanthocyanidins (r = .902) and tannin contents (r = .914). The composition of the presented compounds could be related to promising antioxidant and antiproliferative efficacy of MG bark.

Influence of different chemical agents and storage conditions on the microbiological content of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds

This study aimed to test different chemical agents to obtain microbiologically safe industrial hemp seeds that could be used for further food processing (with the reduced total number of microorganisms, total number of moulds and yeasts, and total number of Enterobacteriaceae). In order to obtain seeds applicable for food consumption, optimal storage temperature conditions (room temperature, refrigerator, freezer), method of seed packaging (vacuum/without vacuum), and the application of various chemical treatments (ethanol, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hypochlorite) were tested on the certified industrial hemp seeds, produced in two consecutive years. Optimal storage conditions differed for different microorganisms, and the most optimal storage was at room temperature, for seeds produced in 2018, in the treatment to reduce the total number of Enterobacteriaceae and the total number of microorganisms. When storing seeds from 2018 in order to reduce the number of yeasts and moulds, a slightly lower number was spotted when seeds were stored in a vacuum-sealed bag, at the refrigerator/freezer temperature. For hemp seeds produced in 2019, the most optimal storage conditions were at the refrigerator (for reduction of the total number of Enterobacteriaceae) and freezer temperature (for reduction of the total number of microorganisms). For the reduction of the total number of moulds and yeasts, optimal conditions were at room temperature. Ethanol (75%, v/v) was the most effective disinfectant among the tested chemicals regardless of the initial number of microorganisms, with log reduction of 3.2 (for the total number of Enterobacteriaceae), 2.9 log (for the total number of microorganisms), and total reduction of the total number of yeasts and moulds after 10 minutes, for the seeds harvested in 2019, which were far more contaminated than the seeds harvested in 2018. Considering the price of the disinfection method with ethanol, sodium hypochlorite may be a better solution for the reduction of the number of microbiota on the seeds.

Physicochemical Changes of the Gluten-Free Rice-Buckwheat Cookies during Storage – Artificial Neural Network Model

The influence of storage time, temperature, and packaging on some physicochemical characteristics of gluten-free rice-buckwheat cookies was studied. Shelf life markers, such as water activity (aw), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), firmness, and color parameters were modelled in relation to different storage conditions. Principal component analysis was applied to study the similarity among samples according to the observed parameters. The mathematical model in the form of an artificial neural network was developed to predict the physicochemical parameters of cookies during 6-month storage. The most evident differentiation among samples was observed for color coordinate a*, aw , and HMF. Regarding the methods for determination of the parameters, priority should be given to the instrumental determination of color as the most convenient method. The processing of experimental data allowed the creation of useful mathematical model to be used in predicting the behavior of physicochemical changes of cookies by different factor combinations during storage.

QSAR characterization of new synthesized hydantoins with antiproliferative activity

Hydantois have been identified as constituents of a number of pharmacologically active molecules. In the present study, we have examined in vitro antiproliferative activity against human colon cancer cell lines HCT-116 of three series of 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-hydantoins with various substituent attached in position 5 of the hydantoin ring. Since the investigated compounds have recently been synthesized and show antiproliferative activity, a good understanding of the properties of the potential drug responsible for their pharmacokinetics is an important goal for their further development. One of the important properties is lipophilicity. Lipophilicity has been assessed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (high-performance thin-layer chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography) by means of direct and indirect (using calibration curve) methods. Chromatographic lipophilicity indices in addition to calculated logP values were compared by hierarchical cluster analysis. The linear solvation energy relationship approach was used to understand and compare the types and relative strength of the molecular interactions that occur in the chromatographic as well as in the n-octanol-water partitioning systems. Finally, correlation between in silico pharmacokinetic predictors and antiproliferative activity was examined. Preliminary quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling indicates that pharmacokinetic predictors capture only one-quarter of all chemical features that are important for antiproliferative activity itself. Among selected descriptors are chromatographic lipophilicity indices.

Fiber concentrates from raspberry and blueberry pomace in gluten-free cookie formulation: Effect on dough rheology and cookie baking properties

Raspberry and blueberry pomace, by-products from fruit juice industry, were dehydrated to obtain fruit fiber concentrates and valorized as ingredients in gluten-free (GF) cookies formulation. The aim was to evaluate the effect of substituting 30% (w/w) of GF flour mixture with different ratios of blueberry/raspberry fiber concentrates (0/30, 15/15, and 30/0) on rheological properties of cookie dough and cookie baking quality. Generally, the incorporation of the fiber concentrates increased the elastic and the viscous moduli thus producing harder doughs and consequently firmer cookies in comparison to the control. Although having similar total, soluble and insoluble fiber content, blueberry fiber concentrates were characterized with higher water absorption capacity and consequently yielded cookies with more rigid dough structure, higher water loss during baking, lower cookie thickness, higher spread ratio, more dense inner structure, and increased cookie hardness than those containing raspberry fiber concentrates. Enrichment of GF cookies with raspberry and blueberry fiber concentrates resulted in products with dietary fiber content higher than 6 g per 100 g, thus making them candidates for bearing "high fiber" nutrition claim. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Currently available GF bakery products mostly lack dietary fibers (DFs) and other important nutrients, because they are usually manufactured from refined flour and/or starches. As the products with long shelf-life, very popular in daily diet of almost all consumer profiles, cookies could represent good matrices for the addition of functional ingredients, such as DFs. In this paper, GF cookies were enriched with the fiber concentrates recovered from blueberry and raspberry pomace. Application of these fiber sources enabled recycling of fruit processing industry by-products into novel, "high fiber" GF product with improved nutritive profile.

Meripilus giganteus ethanolic extract exhibits pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in leukemic cell lines

Background

The interest towards botanicals and plant extracts has strongly risen due to their numerous biological effects and ability to counteract chronic diseases development. Among these effects, chemoprevention which represents the possibility to counteract the cancerogenetic process is one of the most studied. The extracts of mushroom Meripilus giganteus (MG) (Phylum of Basidiomycota) showed to exert antimicrobic, antioxidant and antiproliferative effects. Therefore, since its effect in leukemic cell lines has not been previously evaluated, we studied its potential chemopreventive effect in Jurkat and HL-60 cell lines.

Methods

MG ethanolic extract was characterized for its antioxidant activity and scavenging effect against different radical species. Moreover, its phenolic profile was evaluated by HPLC-MS-MS analyses. Flow cytometry (FCM) analyses of Jurkat and HL-60 cells treated with MG extract (0–750 μg/mL) for 24–72 h- allowed to evaluate its cytotoxicity, pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effect. To better characterize MG pro-apoptotic mechanism ROS intracellular level and the gene expression level of FAS, BAX and BCL2 were also evaluated. Moreover, to assess MG extract selectivity towards cancer cells, its cytotoxicity was also evaluated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).

Results

MG extract induced apoptosis in Jurkat and HL-60 cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner by increasing BAX/BCL2 ratio, reducing ROS intracellular level and inducing FAS gene expression level. In fact, reduced ROS level is known to be related to the activation of apoptosis in leukemic cells by the involvement of death receptors. MG extract also induced cell-cycle arrest in HL-60 cells. Moreover, IC₅₀ at 24 h treatment resulted 2 times higher in PBL than in leukemic cell lines.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that MG extract might be considered a promising and partially selective chemopreventive agent since it is able to modulate different mechanisms in transformed cells at concentrations lower than in non-transformed ones.

Aflatoxins in maize harvested in the Republic of Serbia over the period 2012-2016

Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the most frequent contaminants in maize. The Republic of Serbia represents a leader in terms of maize production and exports in Europe. In recent years, Serbia faced climate changes. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine AF occurrence in 3000 maize samples collected during 2012-2016. In maize samples from 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016, AFs were detected in 72.3%, 24.7%, 36.7%, and 5.0% of the samples, in concentration ranges of 1.0-111.2, 1.2-65.2, 1.1-76.2, and 1.3-6.9 µg kg^-1, respectively. Contrary to this, in maize samples from 2014, no AFs were detected. Analysis of weather conditions indicates that 2012 was characterised by extreme drought conditions, 2013 and 2015 by lack of precipitation and high air temperatures, 2014 as the rainiest year in these years, while 2016 had moderate weather conditions.

The occurrence of selected xenobiotics in the Danube river via LC-MS/MS

Having in mind that there is a general lack of monitoring plans and precaution measures in the developing countries and that the Danube is the second longest river in Europe, the estimation of the relevant concentration levels of unregulated xenobiotics is a topic of interest both on local and international level. The selected pharmaceuticals, caffeine, and benzotriazole presented in the collected water samples from seven representative locations around the territory of Novi Sad, Serbia, during 1-year period, were analyzed with the use of solid-phase extraction followed by the liquid chromatography coupled with triple quad tandem mass spectrometry. The most frequently detected compounds were caffeine and carbamazepine in the concentrations up to 621 and 22.2 ng/L, respectively, while the maximum concentration of the analyzed pharmaceuticals was obtained for ibuprofen (60.1 ng/L). The presence of benzotriazole along the analyzed section of the river was confirmed in the concentration levels up to 26.7 ng/L. Although sulfamethoxazole and desmethyldiazepam were detected at trace levels (0.22 and 3.41 ng/L, respectively); the presence of these pharmaceuticals in complex mixtures should not be neglected. Due to the frequent detection caffeine, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and benzotriazole could be proper candidate for hydrophilic anthropogenic markers for quantification of wastewater contamination in surface water in the analyzed Danube section.

Valorisation of raspberry and blueberry pomace through the formulation of value-added gluten-free cookies

Successful valorisation of raspberry and blueberry pomace was achieved through their application, as dried and ground powders, in the formulation of value-added gluten-free cookies. Simplex-lattice mixture design approach was applied to obtain the product with the best sensory properties, nutritional profile and antioxidant activity. The highest desirability of 90.0 % was accomplished with the substitution of gluten-free flour mixture with 28.2 % of blueberry and 1.8 % of raspberry pomace. The model was verified. Optimized cookies had similar protein (3.72 %) and carbohydrate (66.7 %) contents as gluten-containing counterparts used for comparison, but significantly lower fat content (10.97 %). Daily portion of the optimized cookies meets: 5.00 % and 7.73 % of dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for linoleic acid, 23.6 % and 34.3 % of DRIs for α-linolenic acid and 10.3 % and 15.6 % of DRIs for dietary fibers, for male and female adults, respectively. The nutritional profile of the optimized formulation makes it comparable with added-value gluten-containing counterparts.

Antioxidant Capacity, Mineral Content and Sensory Properties of Gluten-Free Rice and Buckwheat Cookies

Light buckwheat flour was used to substitute rice flour at the level of 10, 20 and 30% to produce gluten-free cookies. The substitution of gluten-free cookie formulation with light buckwheat flour contributed to the significantly higher mineral content, especially magnesium, potassium, iron and copper, in comparison with the control rice cookies (p<0.05). Gluten-free cookies made with rice flour and buckwheat flour exhibited significantly higher total phenolic and rutin content, scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH^•), antioxidant activity and reducing power than the control cookies (p<0.05). Comparing all evaluated sensory properties, cookies containing 20% of light buckwheat flour had the most acceptable sensory properties. The obtained results of principal component analysis showed that the cookies with 20 and 30% buckwheat flour had better antioxidant and sensory properties in comparison with other two cookie samples.

Tomato waste: Carotenoids content, antioxidant and cell growth activities

The carotenoid content, antioxidant and cell growth activities of tomato waste extracts, obtained from five different tomato genotypes, was investigated. High performance liquid chromatography was used to identify and quantify the main carotenoids present in tomato waste extracts. The antioxidant activity of tomato waste extracts was tested using spectrophotometric methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and reducing power assay. The highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.057 mg/ml) was obtained for Bačka extract. The Knjaz extract showed the best reducing power (IC50 = 2.12 mg/ml). Cell growth effects were determined in HeLa, MCF7 and MRC-5 cell lines by sulforhodamine B test. Anti-proliferative effects were observed in all cell lines at higher concentrations (⩾ 0.125 mg/ml). The carotenoid contents exhibited a strong correlation with antioxidant and anti-proliferation activity. The results obtained indicated that tomato waste should be regarded as potential nutraceutic resource and may be used as a functional food ingredient.

Enhancement of antioxidant and isoflavones concentration in gamma irradiated soybean

Serbian soybean genotype Ana was gamma irradiated at doses of 1, 2, 4, and 10 kGy in order to evaluate the influence of gamma irradiation on isoflavone (genistein, daidzein, and their glycosides genistin and daidzin) contents and hydroxyl radical scavenging effect (HRSE). The increase in genistin and daidzin contents as well as antioxidant activities was observed especially at doses of 4 and 10 kGy. Results were also compared with our previous results relating to total phenol content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenger capacity (DPPH RSC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Our results indicated that doses up to 10 kGy improve the antioxidant activities of soybean and also nutritional quality with respect to isoflavone content. All results were analyzed by multivariate techniques (correlation matrix calculation and autoscaling transformation of data). Significant positive correlations were observed between genistin, daidzin, DPPH RSC, and HRSE.

Antioxidant activity of medicinal plant extracts in cookies

The antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of parsley, buckthorn, mint, caraway, and their mixture "Vitalplant" was evaluated, and the potential of "Vitalplant" mixture extract to retard the process of lipid oxidation in cookies was tested. The antioxidant activity was estimated by 2 direct (ESR) and 4 indirect (spectrophotometric) tests and correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. The potential of "Vitalplant" mixture extract to retard the process of lipid oxidation in cookies was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive-substances assay (TBARS) and DPPH˙ (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) test. Significantly different (P < 0.05) amounts of total phenolics were found among extracts in the following order: mint > buckthorn > "Vitalplant" > parsley > caraway. Total flavonoid content varied from 0.510% (parsley) to 2.05% ("Vitalplant"). A statistically significant correlation was found between IC(50) values on DPPH˙ and total flavonoid content of the samples (r=- 0.94, P < 0.05) and between IC(50) values on DPPH˙ and IC(50) values on O(2) (·-) scavenging activity (r= 0.89, P < 0.05). A correlation between reducing activity and total phenolic content was found to be positive and statistically significant (r= 0.94, P < 0.05). "Vitalplant" mixture exhibited a relatively high antioxidant activity in most of the tests, which can be explained by synergistic effects of the ingredients of which it is composed. Finally, "Vitalplant" extract addition (2%, 4%, and 6%) improved antioxidant activity and oxidative stability of the cookies in dose-dependent manner.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Supplementation of cookies with a mixture of Petroselini fructus, Frangulae cortex, Mentha piperitae folium, Carvi fructus can retard the process of lipid oxidation and elevate antioxidant activity of the final product.

Radical scavenging, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of Melissa officinalis L. extracts

The aromatic herb Melissa officinalis L. can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food supplement and as a phytochemical. Radical scavenging, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water extracts of M. officinalis L. extracts were investigated. The results of antioxidative activity, obtained by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, confirmed that investigated extracts suppressed the formation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and lipid peroxyl radicals in all investigated systems in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities (SA(DPPH) = SA(OH) = 100%) were achieved in the presence of n-butanol extract at concentrations of 0.4 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The highest lipid peroxyl scavenging activity (93.20%) was observed at a higher concentration (5 mg/mL) of n-butanol extract in the lipid peroxidation system. The most effective antibacterial activities were expressed by petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts on Sarcina lutea. Chloroform extract showed the strongest antiproliferative effect with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 0.09 mg/mL and 0.10 mg/mL for HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. The present study demonstrated the high phenolic content and radical scavenging, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of extracts of M. officinalis L. originating from Serbia.

Assessment of polyphenolic content and in vitro antiradical characteristics of apple pomace

Apple pomaces, a by-product in the apple juice processing, were subjected to evaluation as potential sources of antioxidant phytochemicals on the basis of their total content of phenolics (from 4.22 to 8.67mg/g), total flavonoids (from 0.45 to 1.19mg/g) and total flavan-3-ols (from 2.27 to 9.51mg/g), and in vitro antiradical activities. Some individual phenolic compounds including caffeic and chlorogenic acids, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin, rutin, quercetin glycosides and phloridzin were identified and quantified by HPLC. The antiradical activity of apple pomaces was tested by measuring their ability to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals by ESR spectroscopy. The highest DPPH (EC50(DPPH)=6.33mg/ml) and hydroxyl (EC50(OH)=26.11mg/ml) radical scavenging activities were obtained in the case of Reinders pomace. The regression analysis produced moderate to high correlation coefficients between the antiradical activities (1/EC50(DPPH) and 1/EC50(OH)), and total phenolics, total flavonoids, total flavan-3-ols, and some individual phenolic compounds.

Lung cancer trends in Vojvodina

PURPOSE

Lung cancer in Vojvodina is the leading form of cancer as well as the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. It ranks 2nd in cancer deaths in women in Vojvodina. The goal of this report was to study lung cancer in Vojvodina in th period 1989-1998 by analysing the crude and age-standardized incidence and mortality rates in the male and female population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data used for analyses were provided by the Cancer Registry of Vojvodina from the Institute of Oncology Sremska Kamenica. Data included number of cases and deaths of lung cancer, by age groups in 5 year intervals and by the municipalities for male and female population separately. Descriptive epidemiological method was used.

RESULTS

An increasing tendency of linear trend of lung cancer incidence in males based on crude and age-standardized incidence rates was found. The trend of lung cancer incidence in males was highly intense and extremely unfavorable. In females, an increasing tendency of linear trend of lung cancer incidence based on crude and age-standardized incidence rates was also found; this was not as intense but it was unfavorable. An increasing tendency of linear trend of lung cancer mortality based on crude and age-standardized mortality rates in both sexes was registered, which was not intense, but it was unfavorable.

CONCLUSION

Vojvodina is a region with high incidence and mortality rates in comparison to neighboring and European Union (EU) countries both in male and female population.

Stage IB2 cervical cancer: brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy

PURPOSE

Stage IB2 squamous cell cervical cancer can be treated by radiation therapy alone or by radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy (pelvic-/+para-aortic). Preoperative radiation therapy followed by extrafascial hysterectomy has been recommended as an effective combined treatment method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During the period January 1994-January 2004, 114 patients with stage IB2 cervical cancer were treated with preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy (Piver class III) with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Histology showed that 56 (49%) patients were without cervical malignant disease. Positive lymph nodes were found in 5 (9%) of them and negative in 51 (91%). In 58 (51%) patients cervical cancer still existed after brachytherapy and among them 26 (45%) were with lymph node metastasis. Patients with residual cervical carcinoma and positive lymph nodes after brachytherapy were older than those with no residual carcinoma and negative lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

Women with stage IB2 squamous cell cervical cancer primarily treated with brachytherapy must be assessed by appropriate diagnostic procedures to evaluate local effects of brachytherapy and the status outside the pelvis. Negative local findings with positive lymph nodes point to further treatment of patients, while positive local findings point to radical surgery which may increase recurrence-free interval.

Retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma: a case report

Malignant schwannoma and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma (MM) are very rare tumors. Schwannoma or neurilemmoma-benign or malignant-do not arise from the nerves, but from the supporting Schwann cells. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) commonly are large in size. They are painful and may cause many different symptoms depending on their location and size. MM arises primarily from the surface serosal cells of the pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities. A malignant schwannoma was diagnosed in a 52-yearold woman, which was surgically treated. After a 17-month disease-free interval, local recurrence was diagnosed. The patient was operated on for second time and MM was diagnosed as second primary tumor, along with recurrence of the malignant schwannoma. The patient received postoperative adjuvant external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite combined-modality treatment the disease progressed and the patient was operated on for third time 2.5 years after the first operation with partial tumor resection. She died 3 years after the first diagnosis. Early diagnosis of these two types of tumors is very difficult because of unspecific clinical symptoms. Singlemodality therapy of these tumors has shown poor results. Combined-modality approaches have shown some benefits, but further studies are required.

Radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 cervical carcinoma: lymph node metastasis as a prognostic factor

PURPOSE

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors influencing prognosis and further therapy in patients with cervical carcinoma. The aim of this study was to confirm the impact of nodal metastasis od disease-free interval in women with stage IB1 cancer of the uterine cervix.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 1986 to December 1999 269 patients with stage IB1 cervical carcinoma were operated on. Two hundred thirty-six (87.84%) patients had class III and 33 (12.16%) class II radical hysterectomy, according to Piver's classification.

RESULTS

The median number of the removed lymph nodes was 21. Positive lymph nodes were found in 71 (25.28%) patients. All patients with positive lymph nodes received postoperative adjuvant external beam radiotherapy. Patients with bulky nodal disease received also chemotherapy.Overall 5-year disease-free interval in 212 patients was 80%. Five-year disease-free interval for patients without lymph node metastasis was 91%, while it was 40% in those with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Surgical staging of cervical cancer, which includes pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy,together with pathological data, can provide potentially useful information for the radiation oncologist and precise analysis of survival and prognostic risk factors.

Benign and malignant struma ovarii: report of three cases and review of the literature

Struma ovarii belongs to the group of monodermal and highly specialized teratomas and comprises less than 5% of mature teratomas. Thyroid tissue is present exclusively or predominantly. Malignant transformation in struma ovarii is uncommon, and when present, it exhibits a follicular pattern most of the times. Three patients with the diagnosis of struma ovarii are presented herein. Two of them had a unilateral adnexal mass with ascites in one case. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy were carried out in both patients. In both patients thyroid hormonal status was normal pre and postoperatively. The third patient had a histology compatible with follicular carcinoma of the thyroid tissue of struma ovarii; strumal carcinoid was also present. Postoperatively monochemotherapy with etoposide was administered for 6 cycles every 3 weeks. Thyroid hormones and thyroid ultrasonography (US) were also normal in this patient. Surgical management is the treatment of choice for struma ovarii which also represents a preventive measure for possible future malignant transformation.

Tumor angiogenesis in gynecological oncology

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessel networks to permit sustained tumor growth, is one of the most rapidly growing fields in basic and applied cancer research. Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration and capillary formation are stimulated by angiogenic growth factors. It is now accepted, mainly on the basis of knock-out experiments, that the most potent pro-angiogenic factor is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is the prototype of a family of pro-angiogenic peptides, which now comprises several related members. Recent studies in gynecological oncology have shown considerable importance of tumor angiogenesis as independent prognostic factor, or the use of angiogenesis-related factors as possible tumor markers. Immunohistochemical studies have revealed that high microvessel density (MVD) was associated with poor prognosis in carcinomas of the uterine cervix, endometrium, vulva and ovary. Tumor angiogenesis is not a specific process for one type of tumor, and angiogenic growth factors cannot be specific for one type of malignant disease. Immunohistochemical studies also showed importance of angiogenic factors and MVD in other kinds of cancers such as breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, soft-tissue sarcomas etc. The importance of tumor angiogenesis in the natural history of cancer, the possible applications of angiogenesis markers as prognostic factors and the emergence of innovative antitumor treatments based on anti-angiogenic strategies may lead to new goals in oncology.

Effects of cadA gene on cell division phenotype

Studying cell division regulatory mechanisms in Escherichia coli an important role of cad operon was discovered. The cadA gene is part of the cad operon. The promotor of cad operon (pBA) regulates two genes, cadB (the first gene in the cad operon) and cadA (the second one). The cadB encodes the lysine-cadaverine antiporter. The cadA gene encodes enzyme lysine decarboxylase that turns lysine into cadaverine and carbon dioxide. The expression of cadA is activated by several different environmental parameters, such as low pH, low oxygen, and excess lysine. Regulation of any of these parameters depends on the presence of cadC gene, encoding the regulator of the operon. It is located upstream of cad operon. The aim of this study is to investigate if the effect upon the cell division rate was caused by the induction of cadA. Specific aims were to obtain structural gene of cadA and construct a plasmid (pAM1) that contains cadA under the control of the arabinose inducibile promoter pARA, and complement the cell division phenotype of a cadA mutant by providing cadA on the inducibile plasmid. Activation of the pAM1 with 0.05% arabinose reduced the cell division rate that confirms the inhibitory effect of the pAM1.