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In recent years, pomegranate oil has obtained more attention due to its content of conjugated linolenic acids and possible application in the prevention of many diseases. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential ability of pomegranate oil to modulate obesity-related metabolism and immune response using in vitro models. In this regard, pomegranate oil was characterized in terms of fatty acids profile, tocopherols and phytosterols, and antioxidant capacity. After evaluation of the safety profile, pomegranate oil’s capacity to modulate obesity-related metabolism was evaluated through adipolysis and adipokines secretion quantification in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes and hepatic lipid accumulation assay in Hep G2 hepatocytes. The immunomodulatory activity was evaluated in Caco-2 cells by quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. This oil showed high antioxidant capacity and was mainly composed of conjugated fatty acid, namely punicic acid. Its chemical composition was responsible for its capacity to reduce the lipid accumulation in Hep G2 cells and 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes. In short, pomegranate oil shows great potential for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals targeting obesity.

This systematic review (SR) addressed the following common clinical question: What is more effective in reducing or eliminating endotoxin in endodontic infections—single or multiple-session treatments using calcium hydroxide medications? Literature searches of Medline/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scielo, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the studies using the risk of bias tools. Electronic searches resulted in 358 articles, of which 32 studies were included for full-text assessment, and nine were included in this review. Meta-analysis pooling all the nine studies revealed lower levels of endotoxin for multiple-session treatment ( P  < 0.001). The sub-group analysis indicated no difference between single-session and 7 days of Ca(OH) 2 medication (SMD − 0.32; P  = 0.22). However, 14-days (I 2  = 80.5%, P  < 0.001) and 30-days (I 2  = 78.9%, P  < 0.01) of Ca(OH) 2 medication was more effective than single-session treatment (both, p  < 0.001). Overall, Overall, this SR provides evidence to support that multiple-session disinfection protocols with the placement of Ca(OH) 2 medications are more effective in reducing the levels of endotoxin from root canal infections compared to single-session when applied for 14 and 30 days.

This study devised a dual-species biofilm model to investigate bacteria, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) simultaneously, and compared the efficacy of conventional and contemporary disinfection protocols. Seventy single-rooted mandibular premolars were included. Fourteen teeth were negative control, and 56 teeth were infected with 3-week-old E. faecalis and E. coli GFP biofilm. Fourteen/56 teeth were positive control, with seven teeth processed for CLSM analysis and seven teeth sampled with paper points (PPs) and cryogenically ground for bacterial, LTA, and LPS analyses. Forty-two teeth were randomly divided into three groups: GWS (GentleWave system) + MIT (minimally invasive technique), PUI (passive ultrasonic irrigation) + CIT (conventional instrumentation technique), and XP-EF (XP-endo Finisher) + CIT (All, n = 14). Samples were collected before (s1) and after disinfection (s2) with PPs and after cryogenically ground (s3). CFUs were counted, and LTA and LPS were quantified with LTA-ELISA and LAL assay, respectively. XP-EF was as effective as PUI (p > 0.05). GWS + MIT was the most effective disinfection protocol against bacteria, LTA, and LPS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, PUI, XP-EF, and GWS were highly effective against bacteria, LTA, and LPS, with GWS being the most effective.

Fish skins constitute an important fraction of the enormous amount of wastes produced by the fish processing industry, part of which may be valorized through the extraction of gelatins. This research exploited the extraction and characterization of gelatins from the skin of three seawater fish species, namely yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), blue shark (Prionace glauca), and greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). Characterization included chemical composition, rheology, structure, texture, and molecular weight, whereas extraction studies intended to reduce costly steps during extraction process (reagents concentration, water consumption, and time of processing), while maintaining extraction efficiency. Chemical and physical characterization of the obtained gelatins revealed that the species from which the gelatin was extracted, as well as the heat treatment used, were key parameters in order to obtain a final product with specific properties. Therefore, the extraction conditions selected during gelatin production will drive its utilization into markets with well-defined specifications, where the necessity of unique products is being claimed. Such achievements are of utmost importance to the food industry, by paving the way to the introduction in the market of gelatins with distinct rheological and textural properties, which enables them to enlarge their range of applications.

Legumes are essential to healthy agroecosystems, with a rich phytochemical content that impacts overall human and animal well-being and environmental sustainability. While these phytochemicals can have both positive and negative effects, legumes have traditionally been bred to produce genotypes with lower levels of certain plant phytochemicals, specifically those commonly termed as ‘antifeedants’ including phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). However, when incorporated into a balanced diet, such legume phytochemicals can offer health benefits for both humans and animals. They can positively influence the human gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to gut health, and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Beyond their nutritional value, legume phytochemicals also play a vital role in soil health. The phytochemical containing residues from their shoots and roots usually remain in-field to positively affect soil nutrient status and microbiome diversity, so enhancing soil functions and benefiting performance and yield of following crops. This review explores the role of legume phytochemicals from a ‘one health’ perspective, examining their on soil- and gut-microbial ecology, bridging the gap between human nutrition and agroecological science.

This study compared the effectiveness of GentleWave system (GWS) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) in removing lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from infected root canals after minimally invasive (MIT) and conventional instrumentation (CIT) techniques. Sixty first premolars with two roots were inoculated with fluorescent LPS conjugate (Alexa Fluor 594). Of those, twelve were dentin pretreated, inoculated with fluorescent LPS conjugate, and submitted to confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to validate the LPS-infection model. Forty-eight teeth were randomly divided into treatment groups: GWS + MIT, GWS + CIT, PUI + MIT, and PUI + CIT (all, n = 12). Teeth were instrumented with Vortex Blue rotary file size 15/0.04 for MIT and 35/0.04 for CIT. Samples were collected before (s1) and after a root canal procedure (s2) and after cryogenically ground the teeth (s3) for intraradicular LPS analysis. LPS were quantified with LAL assay (KQCL test). GWS + MIT and GWS + CIT were the most effective protocols against LPS, with no difference between them (p > 0.05). PUI + CIT was more effective than PUI + MIT (p < 0.05) but less effective than GWS + MIT and GWS + CIT. GWS was the most effective protocol against LPS in infected root canals using MIT and CIT techniques.

Nannochloropsis oculata is well-recognized as a potential microalgal source of valuable compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The content and profile of these lipids is highly dependent on the growth conditions and can, therefore, be tailored through modulation of the growth parameters, specifically, temperature. Moreover, biological activities are composition dependent. In the present work, lipid extracts obtained from N. oculata, grown under constant temperature and under modulated temperature stress (to increase EPA content; Str) were characterized by GC-FID and several bioactivities were evaluated, namely, antioxidant (L-ORACFL), cytotoxic (MTT), adipolytic, anti-hepatic lipid accumulation (steatosis), and anti-inflammatory properties. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant activity (c.a. 49 µmol Troloxequivalent/mgextract) and the absence of toxicity (up to 800 µg/mL) toward colon and hepatic cells, adipocytes, and macrophages. They also induced adipolysis and the inhibition of triglycerides hepatic accumulation, with a higher impact from Str. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was observed in the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation of macrophages in the presence of either extract, since lower levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 and interferon-β were obtained, specifically by Str. The results presented herein revealed that modulated temperature stress may enhance the health effects of N. oculata lipid extracts, which may be safely utilized to formulate novel food products.

Controlled fermentation carried out by selected starters might enhance the safety, nutritional, and biological profiles of non-dairy fermented products. This research aims to study the biological potential and impact on the human gut microbiota of a novel fermented finger millet-based product. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), suspended in an aqueous sucrose-based solution, was fermented by Weissella confusa 2LABPT05 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (1%, 1:1 ratio (v/v)), at 30 °C/200 rpm in an orbital incubator until pH ≈ 4.5–5.0. Microbial growth, phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities were evaluated. In vitro digestion followed by in vitro faecal fermentation were used to study the impact of the fermented plant-based functional beverage (PBFB) on the human gut microbiota. Antidiabetic activity (21% vs. 14%) and total phenolics (244 vs. 181 mg of gallic acid equivalents/kg PBFB) increased with fermentation. The digested fermented PBFB contributed to the increase, over the first 6 h, of the Bifidobacterium’s 16S rRNA gene copy numbers, concomitant with significant release of the acetic, propionic, and butyric short chain fatty acids, and also lactic acid. The novel PBFB has been shown to have antidiabetic potential and bifidogenic effects, and consequently its consumption might positively impact blood glucose levels and the human gut microbiota.

Serra da Estrela cheese (a raw ewe’s milk) ripened for 45 days was treated at 600 MPa for 6 min (P1) and at 450 MPa for 6 (P2) and 9 min (P3) and kept in refrigerated storage for 15 months. Lactobacillus and Lactococcus viable cell numbers were reduced in 3.2–3.6 and 2.7–3.6 log cycle units, respectively. Lower reductions were verified for total aerobic mesophilic and Enterococcus viable cell numbers in cheeses treated at 450 MPa (2.4–2.5 and 1.2 log reductions, respectively). In HPP cheeses, yeasts and moulds were below the enumeration limit up to 6 months of storage, but at 15 months 3.6–4.2 log cfu/g were quantified in all cheeses, while Enterobacteriaceae were inactivated to below the quantification limit. The increment of pressure treatment caused a greater impact on the microbiota’s viability than the increase in time under pressure. During storage, minor total colour differences were determined for HPP P3 cheese surface relative to control cheeses, ChC, at 45 days of ripening. HPP can thus be a good process to apply after cheese manufacture, since it offers a good potential to render raw-milk cheese microbiologically safer, with minimal changes in quality.

Serra da Estrela cheese, with a Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO), is one of the most appreciated traditional raw milk Portuguese cheeses, and it is well known for its unique flavor and texture, which are derived from the use of raw ewe’s milk and its production process. In this work, 45-day-old ripened Serra da Estrela cheeses were processed by high-pressure processing (HPP) at 600 MPa/6 min (P1), 450 MPa/6 min (P2) and 450 MPa/9 min (P3) to study the effect of HPP initially and during 15 months of storage at 4 °C. The proteolysis indexes were, in general, lower in the HPP-treated cheeses than in the control cheeses. The P1 cheeses kept their ripening extension index throughout the 15 months of storage close to that of non-processed cheese at month 0. Progression of the ripening depth and free amino acids indexes was also slowed down by HPP. HPP had no immediate effect on the cheese texture parameters, and minor changes were found up to 3 months of storage; moreover, the P2 cheeses maintained their hardness and consistency levels during the 15-month storage period at values close to those of the control cheeses at month 0. Sensory evaluation by trained panelists showed that the P2 cheeses were softer than the control cheeses; furthermore, for the P3 cheeses, there were no observed treatment effects on the sensory attributes evaluated at the end of storage. Overall, the results uphold the potential of HPP in rendering Serra da Estrela cheese proteolysis levels similar to those of control cheese at 45 days of ripening with minor effects on texture.