The alphabet of sea fennel: Comprehensive phytochemical characterisation of Croatian populations of L.

Extreme environmental conditions affect the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive metabolites in halophytic plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and quantity of key health-promoting phytochemicals in Croatian sea fennel, one of the most popular Mediterranean halophytes with a wide range of uses. The EOs were characterised by a high content of limonene (up to 93%), while the fatty acid profile shows a low content of oleic acid and the presence of valuable linoleic acid (ω-6) and linolenic acid (ω-3) in high percentages.

Conventional vs. Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation: Influence on the Chemistry of Sea Fennel Essential Oil and Its By-Products.

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of the applied essential oil (EO) isolation method, conventional hydro-distillation (HD), and microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MHD) on the chemical profile of sea fennel ( L.) essential oil and to investigate the main constituents present in the liquid by-products of EOs isolation (hydrolate and residual wastewater). Headspace-solid phase microextraction () was used to isolate hydrolate components, while gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect and analyse the chemical constituents of the essential oils and hydrolates.

A Lifetime of a Dispenser-Release Rates of Olive Fruit Fly-Associated Yeast Volatile Compounds and Their Influence on Olive Fruit Fly ( Rossi) Attraction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the release rate, duration, and biological efficiency of yeast volatile compounds associated with olive fruit flies in slow-release dispensers, polypropylene vials, and rubber septa attached to yellow sticky traps under different environmental conditions in order to protect the environment, humans, and nontarget organisms. Isoamyl alcohol, 2-octanone, and 2-phenethyl acetate were placed in dispensers and tested over a four-week experiment. The weight loss of the volatile compounds in both dispensers was measured, and a rapid, inexpensive, and simple HS-GC/FID method was developed to determine the residual amount of volatiles in the septa.

Golden Chanterelle or a Gold Mine? Metabolites from Aqueous Extracts of Golden Chanterelle () and Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities.

, the golden chanterelle, is the second most-collected wild edible mushroom in Europe and very frequently harvested in Croatia. Wild mushrooms have been considered a healthy food since ancient times and are today highly valued for their beneficial nutritional as well as medicinal properties. Since golden chanterelle is added to different food products to improve their nutritive value, we studied the chemical profile of aqueous extracts of golden chanterelle (at 25 °C and 70 °C) and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

In the Beginning Was the Bud: Phytochemicals from Olive ( L.) Vegetative Buds and Their Biological Properties.

Even though L. is one of the most important and well-studied crops in the world, embryonic parts of the plants remain largely understudied. In this study, comprehensive phytochemical profiling of olive vegetative buds of two Croatian cultivars, and , was performed with an analysis of essential oils and methanol extracts as well as biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities).

Chemical Profiling of Sea Fennel ( L., Apiaceae) Essential Oils and Their Isolation Residual Waste-Waters.

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) is a wild-growing halophyte used in cuisine, traditional medicine or cosmetic products for its beneficial nutritive value and pleasant sensory characteristics. This study aimed to investigate sea fennel essential oils (EOs) from different parts of the plant (flowers, leaves and stems) and the corresponding hydrodistillation by-products (residual water) to validate their potential use and application in different industries.

Glucosinolates of and .

Glucosinolates (GSLs) from and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by their desulfo-counterparts using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Eight GSLs were identified in , including Val-derived (glucoputranjivin) and Trp-derived (4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and neoglucobrassicin) as the major ones followed by Leu-derived (Isobutyl GSL), Ile-derived (glucocochlearin) and Phe/Tyr-derived (glucosinalbin). Different plant parts contained six GSLs, with Met-derived (progoitrin, epiprogoitrin, and gluconapin) and homoPhe-derived (gluconasturtiin) as the major ones, followed by glucosinalbin and neoglucobrassicin.

Comparison of Growth and Chemical Profile of Diatom in Bioreactor and Incubation-Shaking Cabinet in Two Growth Phases.

Marine microalgae, diatoms, are considered a source of a wide range of high-value compounds, and numerous studies indicate their biotechnological potential in the food and feed industry, cosmetic industry, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, biodiesel production, fertilizers, and wastewater treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the growth, chemical profiles, and antioxidant activity of the diatom Skeletonema grevillei cultivated in a bioreactor and an incubation-shaking cabinet at different growth phases (after 192 and 312 h). Growth was monitored by evaluating cell density with the Sedgewick Rafter chamber, and the collected biomass was extracted with 70% ethanol assisted by ultrasound.

Essential Oil Volatile Fingerprint Differentiates Croatian cv. Oblica from Other L. Cultivars.

Olive leaves are a highly available by-product from table olive and olive oil production. They are nowadays strongly valuable for their major bioactive compounds and their beneficial effects. To determine the differences between two Croatian domestic (Lastovka, Oblica) and two introduced (Leccino, Frantoio) cultivars, physical and chemical analysis of olive leaves were performed: surface area, color variability, total phenolic amounts, and essential oil volatile profiles were analyzed at three harvest periods.

Biological Effects of Glucosinolate Degradation Products from Horseradish: A Horse that Wins the Race.

Horseradish degradation products, mainly isothiocyanates (ITC) and nitriles, along with their precursors glucosinolates, were characterized by GC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS, respectively. Volatiles from horseradish leaves and roots were isolated using microwave assisted-distillation (MAD), microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) and hydrodistillation (HD). Allyl ITC was predominant in the leaves regardless of the isolation method while MAD, MHG, and HD of the roots resulted in different yields of allyl ITC, 2-phenylethyl ITC, and their nitriles.

Microwave-Assisted versus Conventional Isolation of Glucosinolate Degradation Products from L. and Their Cytotoxic Activity.

Glucosinolates (GSLs) from L. seeds were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by their desulfo counterparts using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS technique and by their volatile breakdown products, isothiocyanates (ITCs), using GC-MS technique. GSL breakdown products were obtained by conventional techniques (hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus (HD), CHCl extraction after myrosinase hydrolysis (EXT) for 24 h) as well as by modern techniques, microwave-assisted distillation (MAD) and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG).

Genetic Variants in the Gene Are Associated with Thyroglobulin Plasma Level in Healthy Individuals.

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a 660 kDa iodoglycoprotein that serves as a scaffold for thyroid hormone synthesis. Although a twin study showed that variability of serum Tg levels has a substantial genetic basis, no genome-wide association study (GWAS) of serum/plasma Tg levels has been performed to date. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants associated with plasma Tg levels among healthy individuals.

The effect of multiple nutrients on plasma parathyroid hormone level in healthy individuals.

Although the effect of isolated nutrients on plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) is somewhat familiar, the effect of multiple nutrients on plasma PTH level has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to identify groups of food items that are associated with the plasma PTH level in healthy individuals. This cross-sectional study enrolled 1180 healthy individuals from Croatia with plasma PTH levels inside the referent values.

Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies novel loci associated with parathyroid hormone level.

Background: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of the principal regulators of calcium homeostasis. Although serum PTH level is mostly accounted by genetic factors, genetic background underlying PTH level is insufficiently known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel genetic variants associated with PTH levels.

Effects of genetic variants on serum parathyroid hormone in hyperparathyroidism and end-stage renal disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of the principal regulators of calcium homeostasis, crucial for normal functioning of the kidneys, bones, heart, and nervous system. Different pathologic conditions can affect serum PTH level resulting in hyperparathyroidism or hypoparathyroidism. Our study assessed the association of previously reported polymorphisms with the level of PTH (expressed in pg/mL) among individuals with different pathologic conditions affecting PTH level.

Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies novel gender specific loci associated with thyroid antibodies level in Croatians.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are multifactorial endocrine diseases most frequently accompanied by Tg and TPO autoantibodies. Both antibodies have a higher prevalence in females and act under a strong genetic influence. To identify novel variants underlying thyroid antibody levels, we performed GWAS meta-analysis on the plasma levels of TgAb and TPOAb in three Croatian cohorts, as well as gender specific GWAS and a bivariate analysis.

Dietary Factors Associated with Plasma Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies.

The knowledge about dietary habits and their influence in the development of autoimmune thyroid disease is insufficient. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of dietary factors and plasma thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and/or thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab). The study enrolled 1887 participants originating from the South Croatia.

Protective effect of urapidil on testicular torsion-detorsion injury in rats.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of urapidil and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on testicular torsion-detorsion injury in rats.

Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. In the torsion-detorsion (T/D) group, the left testis was twisted at 720° for 3 h.

Bone mineral density of skeletal remains: Discordant results between chemical analysis and DXA method.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning is a gold standard for bone mineral density measurement and diagnosis of primary and secondary osteoporosis in living persons. DXA is becoming widespread when analysing archaeological material, and is considered to provide an accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis in skeletal samples. The aim of this study was to explain the differences in results between bone mineral density (obtained with DXA) and chemical determination of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in skeletal remains.

A case report of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda, Anisakidae) identified from archival paraffin sections of a Croatian patient.

Background: This is the first report of anisakiasis in a Croatian patient, evidenced from an archival paraffin-embedded and hematoxylin-eosin stained tissue section. Anisakiasis has been only suspected in the country based on previously detected anti-Anisakis IgE seroprevalence in the healthy coastal population, as well as an acute case where pathohistological and serological findings suggested the diseases, but the migrating larva has not been retrieved.

Case Presentation: Seventy years-old female, operated in 1998 for pulmonary carcinoma, was admitted to the General hospital Šibenik, Croatia in 2003, because of gastric pain and nausea that lasted for couple of days.