Alfio Catalfo

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of strawberry genotypes from Fragaria x ananassa

The aim of this study was to compare the value in phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of two genotypes of strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa, Duchesne, Rosaceae), one represented by the cultivated variety (cv) “Tudla” and the other one, “Maletto”, by a type selected in the mountain region of Etna (Italy). Moreover, we have considered the influence of soil on fruit quality. Total phenolic compounds and antocyanin content were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Phenolics, recovered from pulp juice, were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method, whereas total anthocyanins were estimated by a pH differential method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ORAC assays, using quercetin and Trolox as standard respectively. Our results indicate that the different genotypes of strawberries, in particular those cultivated in volcanic soil of the Etna mountain region, that we call “Maletto” strawberry, could be considered an important resource. They are a good source of antioxidants and could be used to prevent deleterious effects induced by free radicals. The scientific importance of these results may be significant for industry concerning food quality and disease prevention.

Photosensitization Reactions of Fluoroquinolones and Their Biological Consequences

This review focuses on damage photosensitized by the fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibacterial drugs. Different models are employed to study biosubstrate photodamage mediated by FQs (organisms, cells, isolated biomolecules and super molecules). Being that the effect of environment (polarity of the medium, ions, pH, binding with bio‐molecules, etc.) is crucial in FQ photochemistry, photobiological reactions can be consequently dramatically influenced. Thus, the photosensitization processes induced by FQs are here discussed taking into account that such extensive and cross‐targeted pathological implications request an excursus covering photosensitization in systems of increasing molecular complexity. In vivo and in vitro evidences for photoallergy, phototoxicity, photomutagenesis and photocarcinogenesis mediated by FQs are discussed.

4-Nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole derivatives as potential fluorescent sigma receptor probes

New fluorescent derivatives for σ receptors were designed and synthesized. To achieve this purpose, a 4-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole fluorescent tag was connected through a piperazine linker to a modified skeleton derived from selected σ receptor agonists or antagonists. Compounds 5g, 7b, 7e and 7g displayed high σ1 affinity and low σ1/σ2 selectivity (Kiσ1 ranging from 31.6 nM to 48.5 nM, Kiσ1/σ2 = 5–18), while compound 5d exhibited high σ2 affinity and selectivity (Kiσ2 = 56.8 nM, Kiσ1 > 5000 nM). Binding affinity studies revealed that compounds 5d, 5g, 7b, 7e and 7g showed no affinity towards several receptors including opioid, dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, muscarinic, histaminergic, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), NMDA receptor channel, or dopamine and serotonine transporters. The fluorescent properties, cellular uptake and confocal microscopy studies on 5d suggest a potential use of this probe to further clarify the molecular role of σ2 receptor subtypes in normal and cancer cells.

Photodegradation of Anthracene and Benzo[a]anthracene in Polar and Apolar Media: New Pathways of Photodegradation

The photochemical reactions of anthracene and benzo[a]anthracene polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polar and apolar solvents (cyclohexane and water/acetonitrile) were studied using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. These homogenous photolysis experiments are used as simplified models to compare PAHs photochemistry in water and oil (or oil films). Moreover, these processes were to some extent used as model in literature in order to study those occurring on particulate matter and aerosol surfaces. In both media, new photochemical reaction products were found. Generally, the reaction rate in the polar medium is faster than that in the apolar medium, and the photodegradation quantum yields increase with increasing polarity of the medium. HPLC-absorption/emission analysis confirmed the literature reports that mainly oxygenated photoproducts, such as PAH-hydroxides, were formed. The novelty of this article is that GC-MS data revealed the presence of new photoproducts that have not yet been described. This simplified model system allowed us to characterize the product distribution, thus simplifying the interpretation of the photodegradation mechanism. The identification of new photofragmentation paths, originating by irradiation of primary PAH photoproducts, may suggest an innovative way of remediation triggered by light.

Photosensitization induced by the antibacterial fluoroquinolone Rufloxacin leads to mutagenesis in yeast

Rufloxacin (RFX) is an antibacterial fluoroquinolone that exhibits UVA photosensitization properties. Photosensitization reactions lead to the formation of oxidative damage, mainly via singlet oxygen. Here we explore the phototoxic and photomutagenic potency of RFX using a panel of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutants affected in different DNA repair pathways. Yeast mutants provide a sensitive tool to identify the photodamage and the DNA repair pathways that cope with it. Cell viability test at increasing dose of UVA shows that both the DNA repair deficient and wild type cells are equally sensitive to RFX-induced photosensitization, demonstrating that phototoxic effect is not due to DNA injury. Photomutagenicity of RFX is evaluated by measuring the frequency of forward Can(R) mutations. The mutation induction is low in wild type cells. A high increase in mutation frequency is observed in strains affected in Ogg1 gene, compared to wild type and other base excision repair deficient strains. The mutation spectrum photomediated by RFX in wild type cells reveals a bias in favour of GC>TA transversions, whereas transition and frameshift mutations are less represented. Altogether data demonstrates that 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) is by far the major DNA damage produced by RFX photosensitization, leading to mutagenesis. We also explore the role played by DNA mismatch repair, translesion synthesis and post-replication repair in the prevention of mutagenic effects due to RFX exposure. In addition, we show that most of RFX photodegradation products are not mutagenic. This study defines the phototoxic and photomutagenic properties of antibacterial RFX and point out possible unwanted side effects in skin under sunlight.

The PAH and Nitro-PAH Concentration Profiles in Size-Segregated Urban Particulate Matter and Soil in Traffic-Related Sites in Catania, Italy

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) were identified from both air particulate matter and soils. For air sampling, a six-stage cascade impactor was situated in an urban area (Catania, Italy) that is recognized for its high traffic volume. The soil samples were collected every 1.5 km from under the grass by the side of the median of a Catania road along its full length (8.2 km). HPLC in electrochemical-fluorescence detection mode was used for selective separation, identification and quantification of analytes in air and soil samples, providing both good selectivity and sensitivity. The seasonal trends, effects of urban traffic, and source profiles are discussed herein. Higher PM10 concentrations were observed for summer (43 μg m−3) in comparison to winter (24 μg m−3). Conversely, the PAHs contained in PM10 were higher in winter (0.48 ng m−3 for fluoranthene) than in summer (0.14 ng m−3 for fluoranthene). Analysis of the size-segregated urban particulate matter showed that the amount of PM0.5 (stage 6) was always higher than the amount of other particles (stages 1–5). Furthermore, the PM0.5 was always higher in summer (about 40%, m/m) than in winter (about 30%, m/m). Finally, the amounts of PAH and nitro-PAH in PM0.5 (stage 6) were always higher, by a maximum of one order of magnitude, than that of other particles (stages 1–5). This result is crucial because ultrafine particles have a tendency to move into the blood through the alveolar epithelial barrier. Moreover, the air and soil pollution levels agree with those found in other cities with similar levels of pollution. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publishers online edition of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds to view the supplemental file.

Molecular Docking and Fluorescence Characterization of Benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one Sulphonamide Thio-Derivatives, a Novel Class of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors

The aims of this study were: (i) to explore the structure-activity relationship of some new anti-inflammatory benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one sulphonamide thio-derivatives 1–11; and (ii) to evaluate the possibility of using the most active compounds as fluorescent probes to determine tumours or their progression. Therefore, to know the precise mechanism by which these compounds interact with cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme, a molecular docking study was carried out; to assess spectroscopic characteristics, their absorption and emission properties were determined. The results demonstrated that some derivatives of benzothieno[3,2-d] pyrimidine exhibit interesting anti-inflammatory properties related to interactions with active sites of COX-2 and are fluorescent. The antipyrine-bearing compound 4 displayed high COX-2 affinity (ΔG = −9.4) and good fluorescent properties (Φfl = 0.032). Thus, some members of this new class of anti-inflammatory may be promising for fluorescence imaging of cancer cells that express the COX-2 enzyme. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Antioxidant capability and phytochemicals content of Sicilian prickly fruits

Abstract The aim of the present study is to compare three cultivars of prickly pear fruits (“Sanguigna” red, “Sulfarina” yellow and “Muscaredda” white) regarding the quality parameters of antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, betalains and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Depending on the crop operation, these cultivars are represented by “Agostane” and “Bastardoni” and are located at an altitude between 150 and 750 m, above sea level. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated by ORAC assay. Total phenolic compounds, betalains and ascorbic acid recovered from pulp juice, were determined by a spectrophotometric analysis. The results indicate that the different cultivars of prickly pear possess antioxidant activity in function of the type of the adopted practice. These fruits were derived from the practice of scozzolatura, by dropping the berries to encourage a second bloom of the plant. Among the “Bastardoni”, the “Sulfarina” possesses the highest antioxidant activity.

Spectroscopic Properties of Some Derivatives of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The aim of this paper is to provide a general picture of the spectral characteristics of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives. A great deal of data concerning PAHs has been reported in the literature, but there is lack of comprehensiveness about important parameters in the same experimental conditions for their nitro (NO2) and amino (NH2) derivatives such as absorption and emission characteristics. Thus, important parameters such as the molar extinction coefficient, absorption maxima, fluorescence maxima, and fluorescence quantum yield are reported here. The efficiencies of the reduction of NO2-PAHs to their corresponding amino compounds were also verified by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This class of derivatives represents one of the most toxic groups of carcinogenic substances and therefore the data reported here should be useful for toxicological research.

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of marine sediment decontamination by citric acid enhanced-microwave heating

The potential ability of microwave heating (MWH) for the remediation of marine sediments affected by severe hydrocarbon (HC) contamination was investigated. Decontamination effectiveness and environmental sustainability through a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were addressed. Main results revealed that the application of a 650-W MWH treatment resulted in a rapid (15min) HC removal. A citric acid (CA) dose of 0.1M led to enhanced-HC removals of 76.9, 96.5 and 99.7% after 5, 10 and 15min of MW irradiation, respectively. The increase in CA dose to 0.2M resulted in a shorter successful remediation time of 10min. The exponential kinetic model adopted showed a good correlation with the experimental data with R2 values in the 0.913-0.987 range. The nature of the MW treatment was shown to differently influence the HC fraction concentration after the irradiation process. Achieved HC removals in such a short remediation time are hardly possible by other clean-up techniques, making the studied treatment a potential excellent choice. Removal mechanisms, which allowed the enhanced-MWH to operate as a highly effective multi-step technique (pure thermal desorption+chemical washing), undoubtedly represent a key factor in the whole remediation process. The LCA highlighted that the MW technology is the most environmentally sustainable alternative for sediment decontamination applications, with a total damage, which was 75.74% lower than that associated with the EK (0.0503pt).