PRELIMINARY STUDY OF “NERO D'AVOLA” CULTIVAR FROM MUST TO WINE BY SPME-GC/MS ANALYSIS

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of some oleogum resin essential oils from Boswellia spp. (Burseraceae).

The chemical composition of Boswellia carteri (Somalia), B. papyrifera (Ethiopia), B. serrata (India) and B. rivae (Ethiopia) oleogum resin essential oils was investigated using GC-MS to identify chemotaxonomy marker components. Total ion current peak areas gave good approximations to relative concentrations based on GC-MS peak areas. B. carteri and B. serrata oleogum resin oils showed similar chemical profiles, with isoincensole and isoincensole acetate as the main diterpenic components. Both n-octanol and n-octyl acetate, along with the diterpenic components incensole and incensole acetate, were the characteristic compounds of B. papyrifera oleogum resin oil. Hydrocarbon and oxygenated mo…

Composition and volatile aromatic fraction of "fine amber" Marsala wines

Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activity of Euphorbia bivonae

Euphorbia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, consisting of about 2160 species. This family occurs mainly in the Indo-Malayan region and tropical America. Euphorbia also has many species in non-tropical areas such as the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, South Africa, and southern USA. Phytochemical studies of species from the genus Euphorbia report the presence of skin-irritating and tumor-promoting diterpenoids, several macrocyclic diterpenoids with antibacterial, anticancer, PGE2-inhibitory, antifeedant, anti-HIV, and analgesic activities. Some of the Euphorbiaceae species are used in folk medicine for the treatment of skin diseases, gonorrhea, migraines, intes…

Vitamin D3 in fish oil extracted with limonene from anchovy leftovers

Abstract Aiming to identify and assess the amount of fat-soluble vitamins in anchovy oil extracted with d-limonene from anchovy fillet leftovers via the UHPLC–HESI–MS advanced mass spectrometry analytical technique, this study shows that only vitamin D3 is present in anchovy by-product oil. The sum of the quantities of the three isomers of vitamin D3 amounts to 0.0815 μg vitamin D3 per g oil, namely a 81.5 μg/kg content, in good agreement with the typical amounts of vitamin D3 in fish oils (ranging from 18 to 350 μg/kg).

STUDY OF VOLATILE COMPONENTS OF TEN VARIETIES OF SALVIA BY SPME-GC/MS AND GENERAL DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS

Studio dei costituenti terpenoidici di oleo-resine di origine africana

GC/SIM-MS per la determinazione quali-quantitativa di idrocarburi in gas naturali

Phytochemical and anti-staphylococcal biofilm assessment of Dracaena draco L. Spp. draco resin

Background: Dracaena draco L. ssp. draco is known as the “dragon's blood tree” and it is endemic from the Canary Islands and Morocco. Objective: Carry out phytochemical investigation of acetonic extracts of red resin obtained from the trunk of D. draco, to obtain to the isolation of the most abundant resin constituents, belonging to the class of flavonoids: flavans, along with homoisoflavans and homoisoflavanones. Materials and Methods: The structures of the isolated compounds were established by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry data and comparison with literature data. The acetonic extract was evaluated for its anti-staphylococcal properties against two reference stra…

Chemical investigation and antibacterial activity of some Boswellia essential oils

Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry)-Based Dietary Supplements: Variation in Mass Uniformity, Proanthocyanidin Dosage and Anthocyanin Profile Demonstrates Quality Control Standard Needed

Vaccinium macrocarpon (syn. American Cranberry) is employed in dietary supplements (DS) with the aim to improve urinary tract well-being. This property is linked to the antiadhesion-activity of proanthocyanidins (PACs) against uropathogenic-bacteria. However, the current European legislation has been criticized for being weak and ineffective. Indeed, recent scientific works report mislabeled, contaminated, and adulterated supplements containing dangerous or unknown compounds, or sold at toxic doses. In this work, we analysed 24 DS that claim to contain cranberry, and to have a specific dosage of PACs. Our tests included the control of the good manufacturing practice according to the Europea…

Natural co-occurrence of ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B and aflatoxins in Sicilian red wines

The natural occurrence of ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2 (OTA, OTB, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) in red wines was investigated by HPLC/FLD after immunoaffinity column clean-up in 57 market samples produced in Sicily (Italy). The results showed a very low incidence of these mycotoxins in analysed samples, confirming the high degree of quality and safety of Sicilian red wines. The results indicated 71.9% and 64.9% positive samples for OTA and OTB respectively, with an average level of 0.13 μg l(-1), well below the European maximum permitted levels (MLs). The aflatoxin most frequently detected in the samples was AFG1, present in 57.9% of sample…

Chemistry and bioactivity of natural products

Mycotoxin contamination of animal feedingstuff: detoxification by gamma irradiation and reduction of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A concentrations

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites identified in many agricultural products screened for toxigenic moulds. They have been reported to be carcinogenic, teratogenic, tremorogenic, haemorrhagic and dermatitic to a wide range of organisms. With the increasing stringent regulations for mycotoxins imposed by importing countries such as those of the European Union, many cereals that are not safe for human consumption are used in formulations intended for animal feed. Gamma-rays are reported in the scientific literature to destroy ochratoxin A and aflatoxin in food crops and feed. The present study provides preliminary data for establishing the effect of dose of gamma-irradiation, ranging …

ATTIVITA' ANTIBIOFILM DI OLI ESSENZIALI OTTENUTI DA RESINE NATURALI DEL GENERE BOSWELLIA (BURSERACEAE)

COMPOSIZIONE CHIMICA E ATTIVITA' BIOLOGICA DI OLI ESSENZIALI OTTENUTI DA RESINE NATURALI DEL GENERE BOSWELLIA(BURSERACEAE)

Determination of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxins in Sicilian Sweet Wines by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorometric Detection and Immunoaffinity Cleanup

Ochratoxin A is the only mycotoxins with legal limits in the European Union for wine, by contrast, there is no EU legislation imposed for Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin B. A reproducible and sensitive analytical method for six mycotoxins: Ochratoxin A, Ochratoxin B, Aflatoxins B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1 and Aflatoxin G2 was developed by using immunoaffinity column cleanup and HPLC-FLD method in 30 sweet wines produced in Sicily. This typical type of wine is manufactured from grapes grown in warmer climates, which have a higher sugar content; also, the over-ripening and the drying process of the grapes before fermentation conditions are responsible for the particular susceptibility of these b…

Identifying the Unknown Content of an Ancient Egyptian Sealed Alabaster Vase from Kha and Merit’s Tomb Using Multiple Techniques and Multicomponent Sample Analysis in an Interdisciplinary Applied Chemistry Course

This article highlights the multianalytical study of exuded liquid from an ancient Egyptian sealed alabaster vase by Master's students in an applied chemistry for cultural heritage course. Master students are introduced to the field of Archaeometry that see the collaboration of experts in different areas of research such as conservators, curators of museums, physicists, chemists, etc. The sample is a residue exuded on the linen strip sealing an ancient Egyptian alabaster vase (inventory number S.8448) from the collection of the Museo Egizio in Turin (Italy). The students start to plan the noninvasive investigation by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ener…

Analisi ambientale: determinazione di IPA, pesticidi e acrilammide in bacini idrogeologici della regione sicilia

Effects of gamma-irradiation on the alpha-tocopherol and fatty acids content of raw unpeeled almond kernels (Prunus dulcis)

Abstract The present study evaluated fatty acid composition and α-tocopherol content of almond as a function of irradiation dose in order to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to almonds. Raw unpeeled almonds variety Tuono ( Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) were irradiated using 60 Co source at dose of 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 8 and 10 kGy. Both control and irradiated samples were kept frozen and immediately analyzed. The data obtained showed no change in fatty acid compositions up to a dose of 10 kGy; on the contrary, a general trend observed is that increasing the dose of irradiation resulted in the decrease of α-tocopherol content. The study has shown that irradiation is a…

Comparative study on volatile compounds and FAMEs profile from sicilian monovarietal virgin oils

EFFECTS OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON THE ALFA TOCOPHEROL AND FATTY ACIDS CONTENT IN RAW UNPEELED ALMOND KERNELS (PRUNUS DULCIS)

γ-irradiation as a methods for decontaminating food: reduction/elimination of mycotoxins in raw unpeeled almond kernels (Prunus dulcis)

Metodiche analitiche per la determinazione di fitofarmaci in matrici acquose

VALUTAZIONE DELL'EFFETTO DEL TRATTAMENTO CON RADIAZIONI IONIZZANTI SUL CONTENUTO DI MICOTOSSINE NELLA FRUTTA SECCA

Le micotossine sono un gruppo eterogeneo di sostanze chimiche a basso peso molecolare prodotte dal metabolismo secondario di varie specie di funghi tossigeni appartenenti ai generi Aspergillus, Penicillum, Alternaria e Fusarium [1]. Sono molto resistenti al calore e non vengono completamente distrutte durante le normali operazioni di cottura, né dai trattamenti fisici, chimici e biologici cui vengono normalmente sottoposte le derrate durante i processi di preparazione degli alimenti. La loro possibile presenza in molti alimenti costituisce oggi un motivo di crescente preoccupazione per la salute dei consumatori poiché alcune micotossine manifestano caratteristiche di genotossicità, cancerog…

Analisi qualitativa dei costituenti cumarinici presenti in campioni di manna prodotti da esemplari di Fraxinus angustifolia (Oleaceae) delle Madonie

Natural resins: chemical constituents and medicinal uses

Plants and their exudates are used worldwide for the treatment of several diseases and novel drugs continue to be developed through phytochemical research. There are more than 20,000 species of high vegetables, used in traditional medicines that are sources of potential new drugs. Following the modern medicine and drug research advancing, chemically synthesized drugs have replaced plants as the source of most medicinal agents in industrialized countries. However, in developing countries, the majority of the world’s population cannot afford pharmaceutical drugs and use their own plant based indigenous medicines. Several exudates from plants are well-known in folk medicine since ancient time,…

Composizione chimica dell'olio essenziale di Ptilostemon greuteri (Compositae)

Phytochemical Studies on Ptilostemon greuteri Raimondo & Domina (Compositae)

Ptilostemon greuteri Raimondo & Domina is described as a new species and its growth is limited to the area of the province of Trapani. Essential oils of aerial parts of P. greuteri were analized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis of acetonic extract of aerial parts led to identification of triterpenes components: α-amyrin, β-amyrin, α-amyrin acetate, β-amyrin acetate, lupeol, lupeol acetate and taraxasterol. CC and preparative TLC of acetonic extracts has yielded lignan lactone and a sesquiterpene lactone that have been isolated previously from other Ptilostemon species.

Valutazione della stabilità in due sospensioni magistrali di Tacrolimus

Homoisoflavonoids analysis in Dracaena draco fruits by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS.

Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition in pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) genotypes from south Italy by UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS approach

Background: Pomegranate fruits are a rich source of polyphenols with numerous health-promoting effects. Pomegranate juices of five genotypes ('Mollar', 'Kingdom', 'Dente di Cavallo', and two old populations 'Francofonte' and 'Santa Tecla') were evaluated regarding anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin phenolic contents using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (MS). Moreover, total antioxidant activity (TAA) was evaluated using a 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assay.; Results: Twenty-three phenolic compounds were identified. Cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside and pelargonidin-3,5-O-diglucoside were the most represent…

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of some oleogum resin essential oils from Boswellia spp. (Burseraceae)

The chemical composition of Boswellia carteri (Somalia), B. papyrifera (Ethiopia), B. serrata (India) and B. rivae (Ethiopia) oleogum resin essential oils was investigated using GC-MS to identify chemotaxonomy marker components. Total ion current peak areas gave good approximations to relative concentrations based on GCMS peak areas. B. carteri and B. serrata oleogum resin oils showed similar chemical profiles, with isoincensole and isoincensole acetate as the main diterpenic components. Both n-octanol and n-octyl acetate, along with the diterpenic components incensole and incensole acetate, were the characteristic compounds of B. papyrifera oleogum resin oil. Hydrocarbon and oxygenated mon…

In Vitro Antiproliferative properties and flavanone profiles of six grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) cultivars

Costituenti flavonoidici isolati da Dracaena draco (Dracaenaceae)

Triacylglycerols in edible oils: Determination, characterization, quantitation, chemometric approach and evaluation of adulterations

Vegetable oils are a dietary source of lipids that constitute an essential component of a healthy diet. The commonly used vegetable oils differ significantly for their triacylglycerol (TAG) profile. TAGs represent the principal components of oils and may contain different fatty acids (FA) esterified with glycerol leading to several positional isomers. To differentiate individual TAGs species in edible oils, advanced analysis systems and innovative methods are therefore required. TAGs can be considered as good fingerprints for quality control and many studies have been performed to develop rapid and low cost analytical methods to determinate the authenticity, origin and eventually evidence f…

Antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity of Athamanta sicula L. (Apiaceae).

Background: Athamanta sicula L., a member of Apiaceae, is an annual perennial herb and it is known in Sicilian popular medicine with the name of “spaccapietre” (rock splitters), because fresh roots infusions are indicated as diuretic and used in the treatment of diseases of the urinary tract, and to dissolve kidney stones. Materials and Methods: Acetone extracts of leaves, flowers, and stems of A. sicula L. were investigated in vitro for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Antimicrobial activity was carried out against bacterial and fungal strains and antiproliferative activity against a group of human cancer cell lines (K-562, NCI-H460, and MCF-7). Results: All acetone extracts, apiol …

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Athamanta sicula

The genus Athamanta L. (Apiaceae) consists of about nine species, which are distributed mainly in southeastern Europe. Some of the Athamanta species are used in traditional medicine as antiseptics, diuretics, and in the therapy of sclerosis [1]. Phytochemical studies of species from the genus Athamanta report the presence of coumarins [2–5], flavonoids [6], and fatty acids [7]. Athamanta sicula L. is an annual perennial herb, growing to a height of 30 to 100 cm. It occurs in calcareous vertical cliffs 100 meters to 1500 meters above sea level and is widespread in South Italy, particularly in Sicily. In the popular medicine, it is known as “spaccapietre” (rock splitters), and infusions of it…

Analysis of β2-agonists in cattle hair samples using a rapid UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS method

A simple and efficient method was developed for simultaneous analysis of five illegal residual β2-agonists in cattle hair. β2-Agonists were quantified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry operating in positive multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated as quantitative confirmatory method according to the EU Decision 2002/657/EC: instrumental linearity, specificity, precision, recovery, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were evaluated. The recovery were greater than 90% and the method appeared suitable for the control of these β2-agonists in cattle hair samples with LOQ values between …

Caratterizzazione chimica della manna estratta nelle Madonie (Sicilia) da cultivar di Fraxinus angustifolia e di Fraxinus ornus (Oleaceae)

Analisi multiresiduale di pesticidi organoclorurati in acque di falda

First report on the presence of Alloxan in bleached flour by LC-MS/MS method

Abstract In this work the presence of Alloxan in bread, pastry and cake bleached flour was investigate in order to verify possible risk for consumers related to the use of chemicals for flour bleaching. A selective UHPLC–MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the purpose. Alloxan is one of the possible minor side products of oxidation after chemical bleaching of wheat flours, when several chemical agents are used. One hundred and seventy-five flour samples were analyzed for Alloxan determination. The validation of the method was performed in accordance with the ISO/IEC/EN 17025 for linearity, detection limit, quantification limit, accuracy, precision and ruggedness determination.…

Chemical stability of tramadol hydrochloride injection admixed with selected pain drugs

Background: Tramadol hydrochloride (HCl) and ketorolac tromethamine are analgesic drugs, which are commonly used in combination in postoperative pain management. According to some studies, metoclopramide and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 ) as adjuvant agents can improve analgesia and decrease the need for other pain drugs. Materials and Methods: The chemical stability of tramadol HCl combined with ketorolac tromethamine and metoclopramide HCl has been studied using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay method. Calibration curves were produced using linear regression of the peak area against concentration of each drug, with an r 2 value ≥ 0.96. Our aim was to invest…

Application of Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) to the analysis of archaeological ceramic amphorae belonging to the Carthaginian fleet that was defeated in the Egadi battle (241 B.C.)

<p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">The aim of this preliminary work was to identify characteristic compounds in 7 underwater marine ceramic amphorae sherds dating from the period of the battle of the Egadi Islands that decided the end of the First Punic War (241 B.C.) by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS).</span></p>

Changes in the proteome of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus coelomocytes in response to LPS injection into the body cavity.

Background The immune system of echinoderm sea urchins is characterised by a high degree of complexity that is not completely understood. The Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus coelomocytes mediate immune responses through phagocytosis, encapsulation of non-self particles, and production of diffusible factors including antimicrobial molecules. Details of these processes, and molecular pathways driving these mechanisms, are still to be fully elucidated. Principal findings In the present study we treated the sea urchin P. lividus with the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and collected coelomocytes at different time-points (1, 3, 6 and 24 hours). We have shown, using label-free q…

RIDUZIONE DEL CONTENUTO DI MICOTOSSINE DOPO TRATTAMENTO CON RADIAZIONI IONIZZANTI VALUTATO SU CAMPIONI DI MANDORLE SICILIANE