Changes in the sugars and volatile compounds profiles associated with anthocyanin accumulation in oranges: Blood vs. blond varieties, and slightly pigmented vs. intensely pigmented blood fruit.

The blood oranges accumulate anthocyanins in their peel and pulp, which give them their characteristic red colour. To investigate whether there is a specific volatile compounds profile for blood oranges, we compared the volatile composition of the blood varieties 'Moro', 'Tarocco Rosso' and 'Sanguinelli' to that of the blond ones 'Cadenera', 'Salustina' and 'Hamlim' using a non-targeted approach based on HS-SPME-GC-MS. Moreover, fruits from each blood orange variety were divided into slightly and intensely pigmented fruits, and individual sugars and anthocyanins were determined by liquid chromatography to investigate whether their profiles depend on the degree of pulp pigmentation.

Impact of including two types of destoned olive cakes in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition and study of the relationship between fecal microbiota, feed efficiency, gut fermentation, and gaseous emissions.

The microbial population in the pig's gastrointestinal tract can be influenced by incorporating fibrous by-products into the diets. This study investigated the impact of including two types of dried olive cake (OC) in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition. The correlation between fecal microbiota and growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut fermentation pattern and slurry gas emissions was also evaluated.

Exotic predators can sequester and use novel toxins from exotic non-coevolved prey.

Defensive chemicals of prey can be sequestered by some coevolved predators, which take advantage of prey toxins for their own defence. The increase in the number of invasive species in the Anthropocene has resulted in new interactions among non-coevolved predator and prey species. While novelty in chemical defence may provide a benefit for invasive prey against non-coevolved predators, resident predators with the right evolutionary pre-adaptations might benefit from sequestering these novel defences.

Effect of providing citrus pulp-integrated diet on fecal microbiota and serum and fecal metabolome shifts in crossbred pigs.

The study aimed to assess the impact of dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP) on growth performance, fecal characteristics, fecal bacterial composition (based on 16S rRNA analysis), and fecal and serum metabolomic profiles in crossbred pigs. 80 finishing pigs Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) were fed either a control diet (C) or a diet with 240 g/kg DCP (T) for six weeks. Including DCP in diets tended to decrease feed intake, increased (p < 0.

Insights of Phenolic Pathway in Fruits: Transcriptional and Metabolic Profiling in Apricot ().

There is an increasing interest in polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites, in terms of fruit quality and diet, mainly due to their antioxidant effect. However, the identification of key gene enzymes and their roles in the phenylpropanoid pathway in temperate fruits species remains uncertain. Apricot () is a Mediterranean fruit with high diversity and fruit quality properties, being an excellent source of polyphenol compounds.

Rootstock effect on fruit quality, anthocyanins, sugars, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanones content during the harvest of blood oranges 'Moro' and 'Tarocco Rosso' grown in Spain.

The physico-chemical quality parameters (external and internal color, firmness, acidity, total soluble solids, anthocyanins, sugars, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanones) of 'Moro' and 'Tarocco Rosso' blood oranges grafted onto eight different rootstocks at three harvest time were studied. The rootstocks were 'Carrizo', 'C-35', 'Cleopatra' mandarin, 'Citrus volkameriana', 'Citrus macrophylla', 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Forner-Alcaide 5' and 'Forner-Alcaide 13'. All studied parameters were highly rootstock/scion-dependent and showed changes throughout harvest.

Physico-chemical, sensorial and nutritional quality during the harvest season of 'Tango' mandarins grafted onto Carrizo Citrange and Forner-Alcaide no. 5.

'Tango' mandarin is becoming one of the most demanded varieties in the Mediterranean Region. However, no information on the quality of 'Tango' fruit in this citrus area has been reported. In this study, the physico-chemical, nutritional and sensorial quality of 'Tango' mandarins grafted onto Carrizo Citrange and FA5 rootstocks from two locations (Sevilla and Huelva) was evaluated by harvest season.

Physicochemical changes and chilling injury disorders in 'Tango' mandarins stored at low temperatures.

Background: The susceptibility to chilling injury and quality changes of 'Tango' mandarins stored at different temperatures was evaluated in fruit grown at two locations in Andalusia (Spain) and grafted on Carrizo Citrange or FA5 rootstock. The peel disorders were also characterized by a microstructural study.

Results: Fruit developed chilling injuries, manifested as pitting lesions affecting the equatorial area of the fruit stored at 1 °C or 5 °C; fruit growing on FA5 rootstock showed a slightly lower incidence.

Synthesis of benzopyran derivatives as PPARα and/or PPARγ activators.

We describe the synthesis of 26 compounds, small polycerasoidol analogs, that are Lipinski's rule-of-five compliant. In order to confirm key structural features to activate PPARα and/or PPARγ, we have adopted structural modifications in the following parts: (i) the benzopyran core (hydrophobic nucleus) by benzopyran-4-one, dihydrobenzopyran or benzopyran-4-ol; (ii) the side chain at 2-position by shortening to C3, C4 and C5-carbons versus C-9-carbons of polycerasoidol; (iii) the carboxylic group (polar head) by oxygenated groups (hydroxyl, acetoxy, epoxide, ester, aldehyde) or non-oxygenated motifs (allyl and alkyl). Benzopyran-4-ones 6, 12, 13 and 17 as well as dihydrobenzopyrans 22, 24 and 25 were able to activate hPPARα, whereas benzopyran-4-one (7) with C5-carbons in the side chain exhibited hPPARγ agonism.

Polycerasoidol, a Natural Prenylated Benzopyran with a Dual PPARα/PPARγ Agonist Activity and Anti-inflammatory Effect.

Dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α/γ (PPARα/γ) agonists regulate both lipid and glucose homeostasis under different metabolic conditions and can exert anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the potential dual PPARα/γ agonism of prenylated benzopyrans polycerasoidol () and polycerasoidin () and their derivatives for novel drug development. Nine semisynthetic derivatives were prepared from the natural polycerasoidol () and polycerasoidin (), which were evaluated for PPARα, -γ, -δ and retinoid X receptor-α activity in transactivation assays.

Rootstock influence on iron uptake responses in leaves and their regulation under the Fe paradox effect.

Background And Aims: This work evaluates the regulation of iron uptake responses in Citrus leaves and their involvement in the Fe paradox effect.

Methods: Experiments were performed in field-grown 'Navelina' trees grafted onto two Cleopatra mandarin × (L.) Raf.

Liquid Organic Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture: Nutrient Uptake of Organic versus Mineral Fertilizers in Citrus Trees.

The main objective of this study was to compare the performance of two liquid organic fertilizers, an animal and a plant-based fertilizer, with mineral fertilization on citrus trees. The source of the fertilizer (mineral or organic) had significant effect in the nutritional status of the organic and conventionally managed mandarins. Nutrient uptake, vegetative growth, carbohydrate synthesis and soil characteristics were analyzed.

Gibberellin reactivates and maintains ovary-wall cell division causing fruit set in parthenocarpic Citrus species.

Citrus is a wide genus in which most of the cultivated species and cultivars are natural parthenocarpic mutants or hybrids (i.e. orange, mandarin, tangerine, grapefruit).

Influence of rootstock and cultivar on bioactive compounds in citrus peels.

Background: Citrus fruits have a beneficial effect on human health because of their nutritional and antioxidant properties, and their consumption is associated with a decrease in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and reduced risk of certain cancers. Seven cultivars of mandarin and orange species from the Mediterranean area, grafted onto different rootstocks (Cleopatra mandarin and Troyer citrange), have been analysed. The influence of the rootstock on the content of bioactive compounds is discussed.

Structure-activity relationship of dopaminergic halogenated 1-benzyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives.

Two series of halogenated 1-benzyl-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared to explore the influence of each series on the affinity for dopamine receptors. All the compounds displayed a high affinity for D(1)-like and/or D(2)-like dopamine receptors in striatal membranes, although they were unable to inhibit [(3)H]-dopamine uptake in striatal synaptosomes. The halogen placed on the benzylic ring in 1-benzyl-THIQs, compounds of the series 1, 2'-bromobenzyl derivatives with K(i) values into the nanomolar range, and the series 2, 2',4'-dichlorobenzyl-THIQ homologues, proves to be an important factor to modulate affinity at dopamine receptor.

Tetrahydroisoquinolines as dopaminergic ligands: 1-Butyl-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinoline, a new compound with antidepressant-like activity in mice.

Three series of 1-substituted-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinolines (1-butyl-, 1-phenyl- and 1-benzyl derivatives) were prepared to explore the influence of each of these groups at the 1-position on the affinity for dopamine receptors. All the compounds displayed affinity for D(1)-like and/or D(2)-like dopamine receptors in striatal membranes, and were unable to inhibit [(3)H]-dopamine uptake in striatal synaptosomes. Different structure requirements have been observed for adequate D(1) or D(2) affinities.

New antitumoral acetogenin 'Guanacone type' derivatives: isolation and bioactivity. Molecular dynamics simulation of diacetyl-guanacone.

We describe herein the isolation and semisynthesis of four acetogenin derivatives (1-4) as well as their ability to inhibit the mitochondrial respiratory chain and several tumor cell lines. In addition, four nanoseconds (ns) of MD simulation of compound 4, in a fully hydrated POPC bilayer, is reported.

Acetogenins from Annonaceae: recent progress in isolation, synthesis and mechanisms of action.

The aim of the present review is to summarise the knowledge about newly isolated acetogenins (ACGs) in the last six years. It will also report the total syntheses that have allowed either the confirmation or the revision of some structures, together with the biological activities and mechanism of action of such interesting natural products. In fact, of the 417 isolated compounds reviewed, over 176 have been added during the period from 1998 to 2004.

Effects of chronic quercetin treatment in experimental renovascular hypertension.

The aims of the present study were to analyse the effects of an oral daily dose (10 mg/kg) of the dietary flavonoid quercetin for five weeks in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt (GB) hypertensive rats. The evolution of systolic blood pressure was followed by weekly measurements, and morphological variables, proteinuria, plasma nitrates plus nitrites (NOx) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), liver oxidative stress markers and endothelial function were determined at the end of the experimental period. Quercetin treatment reduced systolic blood pressure of GB rats, producing no effect in control animals.

Tucumanin, a beta-hydroxy-gamma-lactone bistetrahydrofuranic acetogenin from Annona cherimolia, is a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I.

A new beta-hydroxy-gamma-methyl-gamma-lactone bistetrahydrofuranic acetogenin, tucumanin, with the infrequent symmetrical threo/trans/threo/trans/threo relative configuration at the tetrahydrofuran rings was isolated from Annona cherimolia (Annonaceae) seeds. The inhibitory potency on the mitochondrial complex I of acetogenins with this relative configuration (tucumanin and asimicin)was compared with that shown by the corresponding pairs with an asymmetrical threo/trans/threo/trans/erythro relative configuration (laherradurin/rolliniastatin-2, and itrabin/molvizarin). All these compounds act as selective inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I in the 0.

Inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I of semisynthetic mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin derivatives.

Modifications in the terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-methyl-gamma-lactone moiety or in the alkyl chain that links this terminal gamma-lactone with the alpha,alpha'-dihydroxylated THF system of the natural mono-tetrahydrofuranic acetogenins, annonacin and annonacinone, led to the preparation of eight semisynthetic derivatives. Their inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I is discussed and compared with that of the classical complex I inhibitor, rotenone.

In vivo vascular effects of genistein on a rat model of septic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in vivo administration of genistein on rat cardiovascular abnormalities induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Four hours after injection, LPS (10 mg/kg) caused a stable fall in mean arterial pressure (13%) accompanied by ex vivo vascular hyporeactivity to noradrenaline (NA) and relaxation to l-arginine (L-arg), which were inhibited by previous incubation with l-NAME. Endotoxin also caused impairment of aortic relaxant response to acetylcholine, increase nitrite and malonaldehyde plasma levels by 8.

Syntheses and antitumor targeting G1 phase of the cell cycle of benzoyldihydroisoquinolines and related 1-substituted isoquinolines.

A series of 1-substituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines were synthesized and tested in vitro against the leukemia L 1210 cell line to evaluate their ability to perturb the cell cycle by arresting cells in the G1 phase. 1-Benzoylimines, 1-phenylimines, and 1-alkylimines were synthesized. The most powerful cytotoxic derivatives, 1-benzoyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (1-26), were obtained from amides I via 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline in good yield by a direct selective oxidation of the benzylic carbon of the corresponding imines through 10% Pd/C in acetonitrile.