Decreased activity in zebrafish larvae exposed to glyphosate-based herbicides during development-potential mediation by glucocorticoid receptor.

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are a widely used group of pesticides that have glyphosate (GLY) as main active compound and are used to control a wide range of weeds. Experimental and epidemiological studies point to neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption as main toxic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of developmental exposure to GLY and GBH on locomotor behavior, and the possible contribution of GR-mediated signaling.

Exploring the heat-induced structural changes of β-lactoglobulin -linoleic acid complex by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling techniques.

Linoleic acid (LA) is the precursor of bioactive oxidized linoleic acid metabolites and arachidonic acid, therefore is essential for human growth and plays an important role in good health in general. Because of the low water solubility and sensitivity to oxidation, new ways of LA delivery without compromising the sensory attributes of the enriched products are to be identified. The major whey protein, β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), is a natural carrier for hydrophobic molecules.

The kinetics of the swelling process and the release mechanisms of Coriandrum sativum L. essential oil from chitosan/alginate/inulin microcapsules.

The encapsulation by spray drying method of coriander essential oil (CEO) in various materials (chitosan, alginate, chitosan/alginate, chitosan/inulin) was studied. The viscoelastic properties of the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions and the characteristics of CEO-loaded microcapsules like morphology, moisture, wettability, solubility, flowability properties, swelling and release mechanisms were investigated. The chitosan microcapsules had a brain-like structure while the alginate and chitosan/alginate microcapsules are spherical with a smooth surface.

Monitoring the heat-induced structural changes of alkaline phosphatase by molecular modeling, fluorescence spectroscopy and inactivation kinetics investigations.

The heat induced conformational changes of calf alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were analyzed using different methods, based on fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular modeling and inactivation studies. Experimental studies were conducted in buffer solution in the temperature range between 25 and 70 °C. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation provided details on thermally induced changes in ALP structure, highlighting that heating favored the hydrophobic exposure and important alteration of the catalytic site above 60 °C.