In vitro effects of extracts from leaves and rhizomes of P.oceanica on HepG2 tumor cells

Deep Sea Mining and the possible increase of metals in the water column: how will echinoderms and mussels respond?

Marine pollution has been increasing as a consequence of human activities. In the near future will start the extraction of minerals from ocean depths, Deep Sea Mining (DSM). However, the impacts at the ecosystem level are still unknown. It is necessary to know the effects to contribute to the creation of rules, laws and mining codes that protect and conserve ecosystems and biodiversity. Sea urchin and mussels represents one of the most important seafood product, but also, a sentinel organism for ecotoxicological studies to assess aquatic environments quality. They are directly exposed to anthropogenic contaminants in their habitat. The aim of this study is to understand the influences of tw…

Diclofenac effects in sea urchin gametes and fertilization

The drugs, agents for diseases therapy and prevention, are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. We analyzed a specific anti-inflammatory, diclofenac, present in soil and water. The study focused on Arbacia lixula (Linnaeus, 1758) and Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) reproductive success. In A. lixula we identified the drug qualitative and quantitative fertilization effects, and if they affect the functional male and female gametes capacity; in P. lividus we analyzed the drug effects and the male and female gametes quantitative integrity. Through the High Liquid Chromatografy we quantitatively evaluated the real diclofenac contribution on A. lixula embryos and on A. lixula and P. lividu…

Natural peptides as scaffold for synthetic antibiofilm and antimicrobial peptides (SAAMPs) useful to control antimicrobial resistance spreading

Fishing and wine production, two waste types and one solution: antimicrobial activity of new food packaging.