A high incidence rate marks recurrent, deadly, malignant human colorectal cancer (CRC). Highly developed and middle to low-income countries are experiencing increasing colorectal cancer rates, demanding urgent global health attention. Consequently, innovative management and preventive strategies are crucial for minimizing the incidence of colorectal cancer-related illnesses and fatalities. South African seaweed fucoidans were extracted using hot water, and their structures were characterized using FTIR, NMR, and TGA analysis. To investigate their composition, the fucoidans were subjected to a chemical characterization process. In order to understand the anti-cancer properties, fucoidans were tested on human HCT116 colorectal cells. To determine the effect of fucoidan on HCT116 cell viability, the resazurin assay was employed. Subsequently, the potential of fucoidans to prevent colony development was examined. The migratory capacity of HCT116 cells in response to fucoidan was assessed using distinct methodologies: wound healing assays for 2D and spheroid migration assays for 3D environments. Finally, the capacity of fucoidans to hinder cell adhesion in HCT116 cells was likewise examined. Our research indicated that Ecklonia species exhibited a particular characteristic. Compared to Sargassum elegans and commercially available Fucus vesiculosus fucoidans, fucoidans possessed a higher carbohydrate content and a lower sulfate content. Employing 100 g/mL fucoidan, a notable 80% reduction in both 2D and 3D migration was observed in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Fucoidan concentration produced a substantial decrease of 40% in the adhesion of HCT116 cells. Subsequently, some fucoidan preparations interfered with the sustained growth of HCT116 cancer cell colonies. In a nutshell, the characterized fucoidan extracts exhibited substantial anti-cancer properties in laboratory tests, thus calling for further investigation in both preclinical and clinical trials.
Terpenes, including carotenoids and squalene, are employed in a wide array of food and cosmetic products. Alternative production organisms, such as Thraustochytrids, could potentially enhance production processes, although research on this taxon remains limited. 62 thraustochytrid strains (sensu lato) were examined for their potential to produce carotenoids and squalene, a process that involved screening. The construction of a phylogenetic tree, using 18S rRNA gene sequences, revealed eight different clades of thraustochytrids for taxonomic purposes. High glucose (up to 60 g/L) and yeast extract (up to 15 g/L) were determined through design of experiments (DoE) and growth modeling as impactful variables for many of the analyzed strains. Squalene and carotenoid production was assessed using UHPLC-PDA-MS. The carotenoid composition's cluster analysis exhibited a partial reflection of the phylogenetic findings, suggesting a potential application in chemotaxonomy. Strain-produced carotenoids originated from five different clades. In all the examined strains, squalene was discovered. The strain, medium composition, and solidity of the environment influenced carotenoid and squalene biosynthesis. Thraustochytrium aureum and Thraustochytriidae sp. strains are promising resources for carotenoid production. The production of squalene might be achievable using strains that are closely related to Schizochytrium aggregatum. Thraustochytrium striatum could be a reasonable alternative for yielding both categories of molecules.
For well over a thousand years, the mold Monascus, commonly known as red yeast rice, anka, or koji, has been a traditional natural food coloring agent and food additive in Asian countries. In Chinese herbology and traditional Chinese medicine, it is employed due to its capacity to alleviate digestion and its antiseptic attributes. Although, the cultural setting can lead to changes in the ingredients within Monascus-fermented goods. Thus, a profound understanding of the ingredients, and the bioactivities displayed by Monascus-produced natural compounds, is indispensable. Five new compounds, designated monascuspurins A-E (1-5), were painstakingly isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the mangrove-derived fungus Monascus purpureus wmd2424, cultivated in RGY medium, following a thorough investigation into its chemical components. Employing HRESIMS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, all constituents were verified. A study was also carried out to assess their antifungal activity. Four constituents, namely compounds 3-5, displayed a gentle antifungal response against a panel of microorganisms including Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in our study. It is crucial to acknowledge that the chemical constitution of the strain Monascus purpureus wmd2424 has not yet been explored or characterized.
The earth's surface is over 70% covered by marine environments, characterized by a rich assortment of habitats that display specific, distinct features. The different types of environments correlate to the differing biochemical makeups of the organisms present. Selleck GW3965 Intrigued by their wide-ranging potential health effects, research into marine organisms, a source of bioactive compounds, is intensifying, with a particular focus on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. The last few decades have witnessed a significant rise in the recognition of marine fungi's potential to synthesize compounds with therapeutic attributes. Selleck GW3965 The study's objective was to identify the fatty acid composition of isolates obtained from Emericellopsis cladophorae and Zalerion maritima fungi, and to analyze the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial potential of the lipid extracts derived from these fungal sources. The GC-MS analysis of fatty acid profiles in E. cladophorae and Z. maritima species demonstrated the prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, at 50% and 34%, respectively, including the omega-3 fatty acid 18:3 n-3. Anti-inflammatory activity was observed in lipid extracts from Emericellopsis cladophorae and Zostera maritima, as demonstrated by their ability to inhibit COX-2, with respective inhibition percentages of 92% and 88% at a concentration of 200 grams per milliliter of lipid. Lipid extracts from Emericellopsis cladophorae exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on COX-2 activity, even at concentrations as low as 20 grams of lipid per milliliter (resulting in 54% inhibition). In contrast, a dose-dependent relationship was observed for Zostera maritima. Analysis of antioxidant activity in total lipid extracts from E. cladophorae showed no antioxidant properties, while Z. maritima lipid extract exhibited an IC20 of 1166.62 g mL-1 in the DPPH assay, corresponding to 921.48 mol Trolox g-1 of lipid extract, and an IC20 of 1013.144 g mL-1 in the ABTS+ assay, corresponding to 1066.148 mol Trolox g-1 of lipid extract. Neither fungal species' lipid extract displayed antibacterial activity at the concentrations under examination. For biotechnological applications, this study unveils the bioactive potential of lipid extracts from marine fungi as the first step in the biochemical characterization of these marine organisms.
Thraustochytrids, unicellular marine heterotrophic protists, are showing potential in producing omega-3 fatty acids, efficiently converting lignocellulosic hydrolysates and wastewaters. A previously isolated thraustochytrid strain (Aurantiochytrium limacinum PKU#Mn4) was utilized to compare the biorefinery potential of dilute acid-pretreated marine macroalgae (Enteromorpha) with that of glucose through fermentation. Total reducing sugars accounted for 43.93 percent of the Enteromorpha hydrolysate's dry cell weight (DCW). Selleck GW3965 A strain demonstrated superior performance, yielding the highest DCW (432,009 grams per liter) and total fatty acid (TFA) content (065,003 grams per liter) in a medium containing 100 grams per liter of hydrolysate. Maximum TFA yields of 0.1640160 g/g DCW and 0.1960010 g/g DCW were observed in the fermentation medium when the hydrolysate concentration was 80 g/L and the glucose concentration was 40 g/L, respectively. In hydrolysate or glucose medium, compositional analysis of TFA uncovered equivalent proportions (% TFA) of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The strain's hydrolysate medium produced an appreciably higher concentration (261-322%) of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3) than the glucose medium, which yielded a much lower proportion (025-049%). The findings from our study indicate Enteromorpha hydrolysate as a potentially effective natural substrate for the fermentation process involving thraustochytrids to create high-value fatty acids.
Vector-borne cutaneous leishmaniasis, a parasitic ailment, predominantly afflicts low- and middle-income nations. Guatemala is home to the endemic CL, where a rising number of cases and incidence, along with shifting disease patterns, have been observed over the past ten years. Important research on the epidemiology of CL took place in Guatemala between the 1980s and 1990s, revealing two Leishmania species as the causal agents. Leishmania has been found in five naturally infected sand fly species, among a broader range of reported sand fly species. Using clinical trials in the country, diverse disease treatments were evaluated, generating strong evidence for worldwide CL control strategies. The 2000s and 2010s saw the utilization of qualitative surveys to ascertain community opinions concerning the illness, and to delineate the difficulties and advantages pertinent to disease control. Limited recent data concerning the current chikungunya (CL) epidemic in Guatemala necessitate the urgent collection of key information concerning vector and reservoir incrimination for effective disease management. The current state of knowledge regarding Chagas disease (CL) in Guatemala, encompassing the main parasite and sand fly species, reservoir hosts, diagnostic and control techniques, and local community perceptions in endemic regions, is presented in this review.
In the realm of phospholipids, phosphatidic acid (PA), the simplest form, acts as a key metabolic intermediate and second messenger impacting a vast array of cellular and physiological processes across species, from microbes to mammals and plants.