Search Results (547)

Bifora testiculata (L.) Spreng. (Apiaceae), an understudied species endemic to the Mediterranean and the only representative species of the genus Bifora in Sicily, was investigated for the first time for its essential oil (EO) chemical composition and cytotoxic properties. The EO was obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS, revealing an aldehyde-rich profile (86.10%), dominated by trans-2-dodecenal (67.49%). Comparative analysis with previous studies on B. testiculata from Greece confirmed a similar aldehyde-rich profile, although minor compositional differences suggest potential chemotype variation. Given the biological relevance of trans-2-dodecenal and related aldehydes, further investigations into the cytotoxic properties of the EO of B. testiculata (Bt) and its main constituent against cancer cell lines were undertaken. Three human tumor cell lines (MDA-MB 231, A375, and CaCo2) and a human non-tumor cell line (HEK293) were subjected to viability tests using the MTT assay. The EO and trans-2-dodecenal exhibited remarkable cytotoxic activity against all cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging between 7.93 and 14.41 µg/mL for Bt and between 1.88 and 5.29 µg/mL for trans-2-dodecenal. AO/BE fluorescent staining and Hoechst nuclear staining showed the presence of apoptotic bodies in the treated cells. N-acetyl-L-cysteine was able to invert the effects of Bt and trans-2-dodecenal on cell lines, suggesting ROS involvement in cytotoxic activity. The results demonstrated that the Bt cytotoxic activity was mainly due to the presence of trans-2-dodecenal. Full article

Background: Pain is a complex phenomenon characterized by unpleasant experiences with profound heterogeneity influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. According to the National Health Interview Survey, 50.2 million U.S. adults (20.5%) experience pain on most days, with the annual cost of prescription medication for pain reaching approximately USD 17.8 billion. Theranostic pain nanomedicine therefore emerges as an attractive analgesic strategy with the potential for increased efficacy, reduced side-effects, and treatment personalization. Theranostic nanomedicine combines drug delivery and diagnostic features, allowing for real-time monitoring of analgesic efficacy in vivo using molecular imaging. However, clinical translation of these nanomedicines are challenging due to complex manufacturing methodologies, lack of standardized quality control, and potentially high costs. Quality by Design (QbD) can navigate these challenges and lead to the development of an optimal pain nanomedicine. Our lab previously reported a macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that demonstrated analgesic efficacy across multiple rodent pain models in both sexes. Here, we report PFC-free, biphasic nanoemulsions formulated with a biocompatible and non-immunogenic plant-based coconut oil loaded with a COX-2 inhibitor and a clinical-grade, indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye for parenteral theranostic analgesic nanomedicine. Methods: Critical process parameters and material attributes were identified through the FMECA (Failure, Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) method and optimized using a 3 × 2 full-factorial design of experiments. We investigated the impact of the oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) with three different surfactant systems on the colloidal properties of NE. Small-scale (100 mL) batches were manufactured using sonication and microfluidization, and the final formulation was scaled up to 500 mL with microfluidization. The colloidal stability of NE was assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and drug quantification was conducted through reverse-phase HPLC. An in vitro drug release study was conducted using the dialysis bag method, accompanied by HPLC quantification. The formulation was further evaluated for cell viability, cellular uptake, and COX-2 inhibition in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Results: Nanoemulsion droplet size increased with a higher oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) but was no significant impact by the type of surfactant system used. Thermal cycling and serum stability studies confirmed NE colloidal stability upon exposure to high and low temperatures and biological fluids. We also demonstrated the necessity of a solubilizer for long-term fluorescence stability of ICG. The nanoemulsion showed no cellular toxicity and effectively inhibited PGE2 in activated macrophages. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a celecoxib-loaded theranostic platform developed using a plant-derived hydrocarbon oil, applying the QbD approach that demonstrated COX-2 inhibition. Full article

The prevention of biofilm formation and algal biodeterioration on building materials, particularly on cultural heritage sites, is a growing concern. Due to regulatory restrictions on conventional algicidal biocides in Europe, natural alternatives such as essential oils are gaining interest for their potential use in heritage conservation. This study evaluates the anti-algal activity of Salvia officinalis and Equisetum arvense (essential oils, hydrolates, and extracts) against a mixed culture of five green algae species (Bracteacoccus minor, Stichococcus bacillaris, Klebsormidium nitens, Chloroidium saccharophilum, and Diplosphaera chodatii). The plant materials were processed using hydrodistillation and solvent extraction, followed by chemical characterization through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Biological efficacy was assessed by measuring algal growth inhibition, changes in biomass colour, chlorophyll a concentration, and fluorescence. S. officinalis yielded higher extract quantities (extraction yield: 23%) than E. arvense and contained bioactive compounds such as thujone, camphor, and cineole, which correlated with its strong anti-algal effects. The essential oil of S. officinalis demonstrated the highest efficacy, significantly inhibiting biofilm formation (zones of inhibition: 15–94 mm) and photosynthetic activity at 0.5% concentration (reduction in chlorophyll a concentration 90–100%), without causing visible discolouration of treated surfaces (∆E < 2). These findings highlight the potential of S. officinalis essential oil as a natural, effective, and material-safe algicidal biocide for the sustainable protection of cultural heritage sites. Full article

Geographical origin authentication of agrifood products is essential for ensuring their quality, preventing fraud, and maintaining consumers’ trust. In this study, we used proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods for the geographical origin characterization of olive drupes and leaves from different Tuscany subregions, where olive oil production is relevant. Single-block approaches were implemented for individual datasets, using principal component analysis (PCA) for data visualization and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) for sample classification. ¹H NMR spectroscopy provided detailed metabolomic profiles, identifying key compounds such as polyphenols and organic acids that contribute to geographical differentiation. EEM fluorescence spectroscopy, in combination with Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC), revealed distinctive fluorescence signatures associated with polyphenolic content. A mid-level data fusion strategy, integrating the common dimensions (ComDim) method, was explored to improve the models’ performance. The results demonstrated that both spectroscopic techniques independently provided valuable insights in terms of geographical characterization, while data fusion further improved the model performances, particularly for olive drupes. Notably, this study represents the first attempt to apply EEM fluorescence for the geographical classification of olive drupes and leaves, highlighting its potential as a complementary tool in geographic origin authentication. The integration of advanced spectroscopic and chemometric methods offers a reliable approach for the differentiation of samples from closely related areas at a subregional level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mammary carcinoma is a common disease in female dogs. Cannabidiol (CBD) can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human cancer cells. However, its low solubility in aqueous media requires solvents such as ethanol or dimethylsulfoxide that limit their dosage. Incorporating CBD into oil-in-water nanoemulsions (Nem) can improve its aqueous dispersibility. This study aimed to develop a CBD-Nem formulation and evaluate its effects on canine mammary cancer cell lines (CF41.Mg and IPC366) and non-cancer cells (MDCK). Methods: CBD-Nem was prepared with Miglyol 812 oil and Epikuron 145 V as the surfactant, and was characterized by analyzing size, morphology, zeta potential, release profile, and uptake/internalization. Moreover, the antitumor effects of CBD-Nem were evaluated in cancer cells through viability, proliferation, cell cycle, and migration–invasion assays. Results: CBD-Nem exhibited a monodisperse nanometric population (~150 nm), spherical shape, and negative zeta potential (~−50 mV). The in vitro release kinetics showed slow and sustained delivery at both pH 5.5 and pH 7.4. Rhodamine-Nem, as a fluorescent model of CBD-Nem, was taken up and homogenously internalized in CF41.Mg cells. CBD-Nem decreased the viability of cancer cells with a maximum effect at 50 µM and showed a lower toxicity in MDCK cells. Long-term efficacy (20 days) was evidenced by CBD-Nem at inhibiting colony formation in cancer cells. Furthermore, CBD-Nem reduced the proportion of cells in the G2-M phase, induced apoptosis, and inhibited the migration and invasion of CF41.Mg cells. Conclusions: CBD-Nem exhibited an in vitro antitumor effect, which supports its study in dogs with mammary carcinoma. Full article

The production of water-in-water emulsion droplets, the coalescence of which is prevented by adding oil-in-water micrometric droplets, is reported. Hexadecane (O) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) were added to a W/W emulsion made of dextran (Dex)-enriched droplets in a Polyethyleglycol (PEG)-enriched continuous phase, and the mixture was further sonicated. Using Nile red to label the oil droplets enabled the observation of their presence at the surface of Dex droplets (5 µm), allowing for stabilizing them, preventing coalescence of the W/W emulsion, and mimicking W/O/W double emulsions. The addition of sulfate derivative of Dextran (DexSulf) allowed for stable droplets of a slightly larger diameter. By contrast, the addition of carboxymethyl Dextran (CMDex) destabilized the initial aqueous double-like emulsion, yielding sequestration of the oil droplets within the Dex-rich phase. Interestingly, addition of DexSulf to that unstable emulsion re-yielded stable droplets. Similar findings (destabilization) were obtained when adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the initial double-like emulsion, which reformed stable droplets when adding positively charged Dextran (DEAEDex) derivatives. The use of fluorescently (FITC) labeled derivatives of Dextran (Dex, CMDex, DEAEDex, and DexSulf) allowed us to follow their position within, out of, or at the interface of droplets in the above-mentioned mixtures. These findings are expected to be of interest in the field of materials chemistry. Full article

Soybean meal (SBM) is extensively used as a predominant protein source in animal feed. However, raw soybean cannot be directly utilized in animal feed, due to the presence of the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTi) and the Bowman–Birk protease inhibitor (BBi). These antinutritional factors inhibit the digestive enzymes in animals, trypsin and chymotrypsin, resulting in poor animal performance. To inactivate the activity of protease inhibitors, SBM is subjected to heat processing, a procedure that can negatively impact the soybean protein quality. Thus, it would be beneficial to develop soybean varieties with little or no trypsin inhibitors. In this study, we report on the creation of experimental soybean lines with significantly reduced levels of Bowman–Birk protease inhibitors. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was employed to generate several transgenic soybean lines. Some of these BBi knockdown soybean lines showed significantly lower amounts of both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities. Western blot analysis revealed the complete absence of BBi in selected RNAi-derived lines. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis demonstrated a drastic reduction in the seed-specific expression of BBi genes in the transgenic soybean lines during seed development. Confocal fluorescence immunolabeling studies showed that the accumulation of BBi was drastically diminished in BBi knockdown lines compared to wild-type soybeans. The absence of BBi in the transgenic soybean did not alter the overall protein, oil, and sulfur amino acid content of the seeds compared to wild-type soybeans. The seed protein from the BBi knockdown lines were more rapidly hydrolyzed by trypsin and chymotrypsin compared to the wild type, indicating that the absence of BBi enhances protein digestibility. Our study suggests that these BBi knockdown lines could be a valuable resource in order for plant breeders to incorporate this trait into commercial soybean cultivars, potentially enabling the use of raw soybeans in animal feed. Full article

Citral, an organic compound found in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil and Litsea cubeba essential oil, has been reported to exhibit notable antifungal activity against Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), the pathogen of rice blast, which causes significant economic losses in rice production. However, the role of citral in inducing oxidative stress related to antifungal ability and its underlying regulatory networks in M. oryzae remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the oxidative effects of citral on M. oryzae and conducted transcriptomic and widely targeted metabolomic (WTM) analyses on the mycelia. The results showed that citral induced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities but reduced glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity with 25% maximal effective concentration (EC₂₅) and 75% maximal effective concentration (EC₇₅). Importantly, citral at EC₇₅ reduced the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, complex III and ATP content, while increasing the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II. In addition, citral triggered a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) through the observation of fluorescence. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis and metabolomics analysis identified a total of 466 differentially expression genes (DEGs) and 32 differential metabolites (DAMs) after the mycelia were treated with citral. The following multi-omics analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways centered on AsA, GSH and melatonin were obviously suppressed by citral, indicating a disrupted redox equilibrium in the cell. These findings provide further evidences supporting the antifungal activity of citral and offer new insights into the response of M. oryzae under oxidative stress induced by citral. Full article

This study presents an innovative wedge-shaped inlet weir-type microfluidic chip designed to address common issues of clogging and inefficiency in microfiltration processes. Driven solely by centrifugal force, the chip integrates a crossflow separation mechanism and enables selective droplet sorting based on size, without the need for external pumps. Fabricated from PMMA, the device features a central elliptical chamber, a wedge-shaped inlet, and spiral microchannels. These structures leverage shear stress and Dean vortices under centrifugal fields to achieve high-throughput separation of droplets with different diameters. Using water-in-oil emulsions as a model system, we systematically investigated the effects of geometric parameters and rotational speed on separation performance. A theoretical model was developed to derive the critical droplet size based on force balance, accounting for centrifugal force, viscous drag, pressure differentials, and surface tension. Experimental results demonstrate that the chip can effectively separate droplets ranging from 0 to 400 μm in diameter at 200 rpm, achieving a sorting efficiency of up to 72% and a separation threshold (cutoff accuracy) of 98.2%. Fluorescence analysis confirmed the absence of cross-contamination during single-chip operation. This work offers a structure-guided, efficient, and contamination-free droplet sorting strategy with broad potential applications in biomedical diagnostics and drug screening. Full article

Background: The rise in multidrug-resistant bacteria has intensified the search for new antibiotics, drawing attention to essential oils (EOs) for their antimicrobial properties. For this reason, this study focuses on the antimicrobial action of the EO obtained from Tagetes minuta and its impact on bacterial membranes. Methods: The EO was chemically characterized by chromatography–mass spectrometry, and its antimicrobial activity and its effects on surface and bacterial membrane were assessed by using Zeta potential, membrane transition temperature (Tm) determination; and fluorescence spectroscopy with Laurdan and Di-8 ANEPPS. Results: Twenty-seven compounds could be identified, with (E)-Tagetone, (Z)-Ocimenone, and β-pinene as the most abundant. Afterward, the EO was tested against Escherichia coli (MIC and MBC = 17 mg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 8.5 mg/mL; MBC > 17 mg/mL), showing antimicrobial action in both bacteria, being more effective against E. coli. Mechanistic studies revealed that the EO interacts with bacterial membranes, increasing the Zeta potential by more than 9 mV and enhancing membrane permeability up to 90%. These effects were further confirmed using model lipid membranes, where the EO induced significant changes in membrane properties, including a reduction in dipole potential and transition temperature, suggesting that some EO components could be inserted into the lipid bilayer, disrupting membrane integrity. Conclusions: The EO from T. minuta demonstrates efficient antimicrobial activity by compromising bacterial membrane structure, highlighting its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. Full article

The objective of our study is to monitor the stability of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) flavoured with cloves. Two flavouring processes were tested, namely the maceration of cloves in olive oil and the grinding of cloves with olives. The analysis of the obtained oils showed that the process of the simultaneous grinding of the cloves with the olives produced a better oil quality than the maceration process in terms of richness in total phenols. The co-crushing method increased the total phenols in the olive oil by 34.24% and 73.37%, compared to the maceration method with an increase of only 17.1% and 52.35%, respectively, for the 2 and 4% of cloves addition. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of the oils supplied useful and complementary results. The aromatized olive oil developed by simultaneous grinding was subjected to ageing acceleration at 60 °C in the dark for 165 days. Results indicated that the acidity and the value of the specific extinction coefficient K₂₃₂ of the control EVOO followed the standards of the International Olive Oil Council. During accelerated storage, the degradation of total phenols was marked as less for the flavoured EVOOs than for the control samples. After 165 days of storage, the colour of all olive oil samples was modified, with this change being the most apparent for unflavoured oil with a 45.6% and 46.4% decrease in L and b* vs. 38.8% and 22.4% for C1, and 45.5% and 37.2% for C2 respectively. After 165 days of storage, all the oil samples were darker and red. Flavouring EVOO with cloves offered a better stability to the oil. A consumer survey involving 224 participants revealed that despite the fact that only 30% were familiar with flavoured oils, 83.9% expressed a willingness to purchase clove-flavoured olive oil if it became available on the market. Flavoured oils offer a good alternative to multiply olive oil-based products and thus offer additional opportunities for the marketing of olive oils. Full article

As a core structure within the Qing Changling Mausoleum, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Long’en Hall preserves a relatively complete set of Qing dynasty imperial lacquered furniture. These furnishings provide critical physical evidence for studying Qing dynasty sacrificial rituals and the craftsmanship of court lacquerware. However, limited research has been conducted on the surface finishing techniques of such furnishings, posing challenges to their conservation and accurate restoration. This study focuses on representative furnishings from Long’en Hall—including an offering table, an incense pavilion, a throne, and a poke lamp—and employed a multi-method analytical approach comprising fluorescence microscopy (FM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The analysis was conducted on the following two levels: the lacquer layer structure and material composition. The results show that the furnishings in the Long’en Hall adopt the typical structure of “lacquer ash layer–color lacquer layer”, and the color lacquer layer is composed of raw lacquer, tung oil, animal glue, and other natural organic ingredients as film-forming materials, supplemented with inorganic mineral pigments such as red lead (Pb₃O₄) and Au metal, which constitutes a stable organic–inorganic composite structure with the lacquer ash layer. The multi-analysis results show a good complementary and cross-corroboration relationship, providing the necessary technical support and a theoretical reference for Qing dynasty palace lacquer wood furniture as cultural relics worthy of scientific protection and imitation. Full article

Cementing operations are among the most critical steps in oil-well construction. When performed improperly, the integrity and useful life of the well can be significantly compromised. Light cement pastes are used to cement formations with a low fracture gradient to ensure zonal isolation and maintain the integrity of the casing. Extenders are additives used to reduce the density of cement pastes, ensuring that the paste has desirable properties before and after setting. This work aimed to evaluate the application of palygorskite clay as an additive in lightweight cement pastes for oil wells, highlighting how its fibrous morphology influences the microstructure and enhances the macroscopic properties of the hardened cement matrix. For this, the clay sample was initially characterized regarding its physicochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry (TG), textural analysis (BET/N₂), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lightweight pastes (1.56 g/cm³) were then formulated, varying the clay concentration by 1%, 3%, and 6% of the total mass. Cement pastes using bentonite were also formulated for comparison. Technological tests of atmospheric consistency, rheological behavior, free water, and stability were applied. It can be noted that the pastes formulated with palygorskite had lower viscosity, reflected in the reduced plastic viscosity and yield stress values, indicating easier flow behavior when compared with bentonite-based pastes. The pastes formulated with 6% palygorskite and 3% bentonite showed satisfactory stability and drawdown results. Therefore, applying palygorskite satisfies the minimum requirements for acting as an extending agent for lightweight cement pastes and is an option for application in oil-well cementing operations. Full article

The Central Depression of the Junggar Basin relies heavily on Permian lacustrine mudstone for deep-seated hydrocarbon sealing. This research investigated how the fluorescence parameters of caprock samples responded to the leakage of palaeo-oil zones based on measurements from SEM, Rock-Eval, and X-ray diffraction analysis. First, two sets of control experiments were conducted to establish the proper grain-size range of 100–140 mesh for testing caprock samples in the research area using quantitative fluorescence technology. Subsequently, based on the examination of the rock pyrolysis parameters and the fluorescence parameters against TOC values, the conjecture was formed that the quantitative fluorescence technology test results were mostly unaffected by the primary hydrocarbons. Lastly, four fluorescence parameters were used to assess seal integrity: quantitative grain fluorescence intensity of the extract (QGF E intensity, the meaning of QGF is the same in this study), QGF spectral peaks (QGF λmax), the ratio of QGF intensity to fluorescence intensity at 300 nm on the QGF spectrum (QGF index), and total scanning fluorescence spectral ratio R₁ (TSF R₁). The Permian caprock can effectively seal hydrocarbons as evidenced by the decrease of QGF E intensity and QGF index values with depth. When hydraulic fracturing causes caprock failure, it can lead to complete leakage of hydrocarbons from the palaeo-oil zones. As the depth becomes shallower, the QGF E intensity value increases, the QGF index value decreases. Due to the differences in the migration pathways of hydrocarbons in the caprock, those leaked from the Permian palaeo-oil zone into the well PD1 caprock are mainly condensate and light–normal crude oil, while the hydrocarbons from the Carboniferous palaeo-oil zone into the well MS1 caprock consist predominantly of light–normal crude oil and medium–heavy crude oil. Full article

The formation of a new fluorescence band of anthocyanidins and anthocyanidins, centered at about 530 nm (excitation at 460–470 nm), is proposed as a simple indicator of food oxidation. This fluorescence band appeared and increased progressively during the incubation of blueberry juice under aerobic conditions and the cooking of blueberry homogenate and black carrot. The same effect was observed upon the addition of delphinidin to rapeseed oil subjected to simulated frying. A ratiometric parameter (ratio of the fluorescence intensity at the maximum of the new band to the fluorescence intensity of native anthocyanins/anthocyanidin) is proposed as a versatile index useful for the estimation of the oxidation of food products containing anthocyanins or supplemented with anthocyanins or anthocyanidins. Full article