Rosa Pitonzo

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 from 0 to 15 kGy, on aflatoxins and ochratoxin A reduction in commercial animal feed. The mycotoxin levels were determined by means of immunoaffinity clean-up (IAC) and HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The maximum reductions found at 15 kGy were 23.9%, 18.2%, 11.0%, 21.1% and 13.6% for ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2, respectively. Results showed that the gamma-rays even at 15 kGy were not effective in the complete destruction of ochratoxin A and aflatoxins in the tested feed.

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 samples, while the other aflatoxins were rarely present. Recovery experiments were carried out on eight mycotoxin-free red wines spiked with OTA, OTB, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 at two different levels. The limits of detection (LODs) in wines were 0.02 µg l–1 for OTA, 0.04 µg l–1 for OTB, 0.03 µg l–1 for AFG1, AFG2 and AFB2, and 0.05 µg l–1 for AFB1. A good correlation was found, with good performances in term of precision for the method.

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 frauds or adulterations. The present manuscript provides a general overview on the most common vegetable oils TAGs compositions and on the related analytical methodologies recently used. Finally, the chemometric applications developed to assess the authenticity, quality and botanical origin of various edible oils are discussed.

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 and myristicin, resulted inactive as antimicrobial agents at the maximum tested concentration of 200 μg/mL, but they induced significant antiproliferative activity on the tested cancer cell lines. Conclusions: Our study show that both apiol and myristicin could be tested as novel treatment in cancer chemotherapy.

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 its fresh roots are indicated as a diuretic and for treatment of urinary tract diseases; more specifically it is used to dissolve kidney stones [8, 9]; the habitat, and ecological and phytosociological characteristics are also reported [10]. The chemical composition of the essential oils of the flowers and fruits of Athamanta haynaldii were found to contain appreciable amounts of myristicin (39 % ca. of the total oil) in addition to monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In the essential oil of ripe fruits of A. haynaldii the main component was β-pinene [11]. GC analysis of the essential oil aerial parts of Athamanta macedonica showed the presence of sabinene as the main component (50.47%) [12].

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 r2 value ≥ 0.96. Our aim was to investigate the stability of admixture solution of tramadol HCl combined with ketorolac tromethamine and metoclopramide HCl for 48 h (25°C) and 5 days (5°C), with MgSO4, which has never been assessed. Results: Data obtained for admixtures prepared and stored at temperatures of 25°C and 5°C, show that all drugs have reached at least 98% of the initial concentration. Conclusions: For the purpose of pre-preparing drug admixtures to use with confidence, tramadol HCl infusions may be prepared in advance and then thawed before use in clinical units. On the basis of our results, the intravenous mixture of tramadol (7.69 mg/mL), metoclopramide (0.19 mg/mL), ketorolac (1.15 mg/mL), and magnesium sulfate (77 mg/mL) may be considered for a possible commercial formulation.

Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activity of Euphorbia bivonae

660 0009-3130/11/4704-0660 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.Molecular and Biomolecular Sciences and Technological Department, via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy, fax:+39091 623 61 50, e-mail: vitadistefano@unipa.it. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 578–580, July–August, 2011. Original article submitted March 31, 2010.

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

Background: Dracaena draco L. ssp. draco is known as the “dragons 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 strains. Results: The acetonic extracts resulted inactive at the maximum tested concentration of 1000 μg/ml against free living forms of tested staphylococci, but they showed a very interesting activity in the prevention of a biofilm formation at a concentration equal to 200 μg/ml against S. aureus ATCC 25923.

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

Abstract 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 4.9 and 5.5 μg/kg. This method could represent a simple and cheap approach to confirm β2-agonists contamination of cattle for feeding in a not invasive way and before slaughter operations.