Mercury in fish products: what’s the best for consumers between bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna?
A total of 205 bluefin and yellowfin tuna samples were examined for mercury detection in order to verify possible differences and have a detailed risk assessment of the two tuna species. The results showed significant higher mercury concentration in muscle tissue of bluefin tuna respect yellowfin tuna (p < 0.001) with mean concentration of 0.84 mg/kg and maximum value of 1.94 mg/kg. These differences can be due the different biological and ecological aspects of the two tuna species and to different oceanographic aspects between Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean sea. The results obtained in this study suggest an advisable containment of the sources of pollution and further studies on the c…
The metabolic profile of lemon juice by proton HR-MAS NMR: the case of the PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina
We have studied by means of High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HR-MAS NMR) the metabolic profile of the famous Sicilian lemon known as 'Interdonato Lemon of Messina PGI'. The PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina possesses high organoleptic and healthy properties and is recognised as one of the most nutrient fruits. In particular, some of its constituents are actively studied for their chemo-preventive and therapeutic properties. In this paper, we have determined by means of HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy the molar concentration of the main metabolites constituent the juice of PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina in comparison with that of the not-PGI Interdonato Lemon of Turk…
Synthesis, computational evaluation and pharmacological assessment of acetylsalicylic esters as anti-inflammatory agents
A convenient approach to the synthesis of alkyl esters of aspirin (ASA-OR) has been developed. The synthesis of ASA-OR has been realized in two steps: (1) direct esterification of salicylic acid with alcohols in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to give alkyl salicylates (SAL-OR); (2) acetylation of SAL-OR with acetyl chloride to yield ASA-OR. Molecular mechanics simulations, performed to calculate the kinetic radii of several ASA-OR, indicated that the pentyl and hexyl acetylsalicylates possess the best properties to cross cell membranes. The in vitro biological tests demonstrate their anti-inflammatory activity, superimposable to that of aspirin. The results of our study suggest th…