The Global Spread of Microplastics: Contamination in Mussels, Clams, and Crustaceans from World Markets.

Analysis of microplastic (MP) occurrence in commercially relevant species is a prerequisite for food risk assessment. Using a standardized methodology, we aimed to investigate MP contamination in point-of-sale clams, mussels, and Crustacea shellfish collected from various markets (Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, and South Korea). An improved digestion protocol yielded ≥ 99.

Fabrication and characterization of bovine serum albumin-phycocyanobilin conjugate: effect on antioxidant and ligand-binding properties.

Background: Phycocyanobilin (PCB) is an open-chain blue tetrapyrrole chromophore of C-phycocyanin (C-PC), a major chromoprotein derived from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis having numerous health-promoting effects. Relying on the ability of PCB to attach to the sulfhydryl group of proteins, we propose a new method for covalent attachment of PCB to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a means of its functionalization.

Results: Traut's reagent (TR, 2-iminothiolane), modifying lysine residues, was used to optimize the introduction of sulfhydryl groups in BSA.

Ovalbumin interaction with polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics alters its structural properties.

Contaminating microplastics can interact with food proteins in the food matrix and during digestion. This study investigated adsorption of chicken egg protein ovalbumin to polystyrene (PS, 110 and 260 μm) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 140 μm) MPs in acidic and neutral conditions and alterations in ovalbumin structure. Ovalbumin adsorption affinity depended on MPs size (smaller > larger), type (PS > PET) and pH (pH 3 > pH 7).

Sandwich ELISA for the Quantification of Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Based on Polyclonal Antibodies from Two Different Species.

In this study, a cost-effective sandwich ELISA test, based on polyclonal antibodies, for routine quantification SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein was developed. The recombinant N protein was produced and used for the production of mice and rabbit antisera. Polyclonal N protein-specific antibodies served as capture and detection antibodies.

Characterization of Nanoprecipitated PET Nanoplastics by H NMR and Impact of Residual Ionic Surfactant on Viability of Human Primary Mononuclear Cells and Hemolysis of Erythrocytes.

Manufactured nanoplastic particles (NPs) are indispensable for in vitro and in vivo testing and a health risk assessment of this emerging environmental contaminant is needed. The high surface area and inherent hydrophobicity of plastic materials makes the production of NPs devoid of any contaminants very challenging. In this study, we produced nanoprecipitated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NPs (300 nm hydrodynamic diameter) with an overall yield of 0.

Ultrasensitive Quantification of Crustacean Tropomyosin by Immuno-PCR.

Tropomyosin is the major and predominant allergen among shellfish. This study developed an ultrasensitive immuno-PCR method for the quantification of crustacean tropomyosin in foods. The method couples sandwich ELISA with the real-time PCR (rtPCR) amplification of marker DNAs.

Proteomic Profiling of Major Peanut Allergens and Their Post-Translational Modifications Affected by Roasting.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are covalent changes occurring on amino acid side chains of proteins and yet are neglected structural and functional aspects of protein architecture. The objective was to detect differences in PTM profiles that take place after roasting using open PTM search. We conducted a bottom-up proteomic study to investigate the impact of peanut roasting on readily soluble allergens and their PTM profiles.

Molecular Mechanisms of Possible Action of Phenolic Compounds in COVID-19 Protection and Prevention.

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 was caused by a pathogenic virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapies against SARS-CoV-2 target the virus or human cells or the immune system. However, therapies based on specific antibodies, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, may become inefficient enough when the virus changes its antigenicity due to mutations.

Role of Resveratrol in Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Disorders and Cardiovascular Complications Related to COVID-19 Disease: Mode of Action and Approaches Explored to Increase Its Bioavailability.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced by many plants as a defense mechanism against stress-inducing conditions. The richest dietary sources of resveratrol are berries and grapes, their juices and wines. Good bioavailability of resveratrol is not reflected in its high biological activity in vivo because of resveratrol isomerization and its poor solubility in aqueous solutions.

Expression, purification and immunological characterization of recombinant nucleocapsid protein fragment from SARS-CoV-2.

Serological testing is important method for diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Nucleocapsid (N) protein is the most abundant virus derived protein and strong immunogen. We aimed to find its efficient, low-cost production.

The interactions of the ruthenium(II)-cymene complexes with lysozyme and cytochrome c.

The reactions of four cymene-capped ruthenium(II) compounds with pro-apoptotic protein, cytochrome c (Cyt), and anti-proliferative protein lysozyme (Ly) in carbonate buffer were investigated by ESI-MS, UV-vis absorption, and CD spectroscopy. The complexes with two chloride ligands (C2 and C3) were more reactive toward proteins than those with only one (C1 and C4), and the complex with S,N-chelating ligand (C4) was less reactive than one with O,N-chelating ligand (C1). Dehalogenated complexes are most likely species, initially coordinating proteins for all tested complexes.

Stabilization of apo α-lactalbumin by binding of epigallocatechin-3-gallate: Experimental and molecular dynamics study.

α-Lactalbumin (ALA) is a Ca-binding protein which constitutes up to 20% of whey protein. At acidic pH, and in the apo-state at elevated temperatures, ALA is the classic 'molten globule' (MG). This study examined epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) binding to ALA in its apo form (apoALA) and stabilizing effect on protein structure thereof.

Covalent binding of food-derived blue pigment phycocyanobilin to bovine β-lactoglobulin under physiological conditions.

In this study, we investigated structural aspects of covalent binding of food derived blue pigment phycocyanobilin (PCB) to bovine β-lactoglobulin (BLG), major whey protein, by spectroscopic, electrophoretic, mass spectrometry and computational methods. At physiological pH (7.2), we found that covalent pigment binding via free cysteine residue is slow (k = 0.

Glycation of the Major Milk Allergen β-Lactoglobulin Changes Its Allergenicity by Alterations in Cellular Uptake and Degradation.

Scope: During food processing, the Maillard reaction (МR) may occur, resulting in the formation of glycated proteins. Glycated proteins are of particular importance in food allergies because glycation may influence interactions with the immune system. This study compared native and extensively glycated milk allergen β-lactoglobulin (BLG), in their interactions with cells crucially involved in allergy.

The Role of Dietary Phenolic Compounds in Protein Digestion and Processing Technologies to Improve Their Antinutritive Properties.

Digestion is the key step for delivering nutrients and bioactive substances to the body. The way different food components interact with each other and with digestive enzymes can modify the digestion process and affect human health. Understanding how food components interact during digestion is essential for the rational design of functional food products.

Characterization and effects of binding of food-derived bioactive phycocyanobilin to bovine serum albumin.

Phycocyanobilin (PCB) is a blue tetrapyrrole chromophore of C-phycocyanin, the main protein of the microalga Spirulina, with numerous proven health-related benefits. We examined binding of PCB to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and how it affects protein and ligand stability. Protein fluorescence quenching and microscale thermophoresis demonstrated high-affinity binding (K=2×10M).

Stabilization of Human Serum Albumin by the Binding of Phycocyanobilin, a Bioactive Chromophore of Blue-Green Alga Spirulina: Molecular Dynamics and Experimental Study.

Phycocyanobilin (PCB) binds with high affinity (2.2 x 106 M-1 at 25°C) to human serum albumin (HSA) at sites located in IB and IIA subdomains. The aim of this study was to examine effects of PCB binding on protein conformation and stability.

Digestion by pepsin releases biologically active chromopeptides from C-phycocyanin, a blue-colored biliprotein of microalga Spirulina.

C-phycocyanin, the major protein of cyanobacteria Spirulina, possesses significant antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, ascribed to covalently attached linear tetrapyrrole chromophore phycocyanobilin. There are no literature data about structure and biological activities of released peptides with bound chromophore in C-phycocyanin digest. This study aims to identify chromopeptides obtained after pepsin digestion of C-phycocyanin and to examine their bioactivities.

Complexes of green tea polyphenol, epigalocatechin-3-gallate, and 2S albumins of peanut.

2S albumins of peanuts are seed storage proteins, highly homologous in structure and described as major elicitors of anaphylactic reactions to peanut (allergens Ara h 2 and Ara h 6). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most biologically potent polyphenol of green tea. Non-covalent interactions of EGCG with proteins contribute to its diverse biological activities.

Macromolecular crowding conditions enhance glycation and oxidation of whey proteins in ultrasound-induced Maillard reaction.

High intensity ultrasound (HIUS) can promote Maillard reaction (MR). Macromolecular crowding conditions accelerate reactions and stabilise protein structure. The aim of this study was to investigate if combined application of ultrasound and macromolecular crowding can improve efficiency of MR.

Reduction and alkylation of peanut allergen isoforms Ara h 2 and Ara h 6; characterization of intermediate- and end products.

Conglutins, the major peanut allergens, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, are highly structured proteins stabilized by multiple disulfide bridges and are stable towards heat-denaturation and digestion. We sought a way to reduce their potent allergenicity in view of the development of immunotherapy for peanut allergy. Isoforms of conglutin were purified, reduced with dithiothreitol and subsequently alkylated with iodoacetamide.

Immunoproteomic characterization of Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen allergens in canine atopic dermatitis.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an immune system disorder that affects 10-15% of the canine population. Short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen represents one of the major seasonal sources of allergenic pollen proteins in Europe, particularly in the Pannonian valley of the Balkan region. In Serbia, about 66% of atopic dogs showed a positive intradermal skin test with its pollen extract, which is second to house dust mites.

Structure and antioxidant activity of β-lactoglobulin-glycoconjugates obtained by high-intensity-ultrasound-induced Maillard reaction in aqueous model systems under neutral conditions.

Sonication is a new processing technology in the dairy industry. The aim of this study was to test glycation of β-lactoglobulin (BLG) in Maillard reaction (MR) induced by high-intensity ultrasound in aqueous solution under neutral conditions at 10-15 °C, which is not favourable for the MR. BLG was sonicated in the presence of glucose, galactose, lactose, fructose, ribose and arabinose.