Maria Rosa Alberto - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Maria Rosa Alberto

Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2014

The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of flour from red, yellow and... more The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of flour from red, yellow and green fruits of Capsicum pubescens (commun name: locoto) and compare with "locoto" commercial powder (Lcp). Soluble protein (SP), total sugar (TS), free phenolic compounds (FPC), ascorbic acid (AA), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), condensed and hydrolizable tannin (CT, HT) and carotenoids (C) were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Multielemental composition by ICP-MS was also done. The flour showed low amounts of calories and high potassium and low sodium levels. Flour from "locoto" fruits contained mainly carotenoids (0.82 to 20 g Eβ-C/100g DW), polyphenolic compounds (681 -822 mg GAE/100g DW) and ascorbic acid (100 -199 mg AA/100g DW). The polyphenolic profile of Lcp was similar to flour obtained in our laboratory but the level of carotenoid was lower than that of flour. The fiber content of flour was around 3% in all cases. All preparations obtained from flour and Lcp showed antioxidant activity with SC50 values be-* Corresponding author. tween 1.4 and 3 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on Lipo-oxygenase enzyme was also demonstrated. Non mutagenic effect was detected. The "locoto" flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as a dietary supplement.

$Research paper thumbnail of Chemical and functional characterization of seed, pulp and skin powder from chilto (Solanum betaceum), an Argentine native fruit. Phenolic fractions affect key enzymes involved in metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress$

Food Chemistry, Feb 1, 2017

Prosopis nigraMesocarp Fine Flour, A Source of Phytochemicals with Potential Effect on Enzymes Linked to Metabolic Syndrome, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Process

Journal of Food Science, Apr 16, 2018

This work is part of the search in native food matrices from arid regions of Argentina of interes... more This work is part of the search in native food matrices from arid regions of Argentina of interest to improve human health. Prosopis species are ethnic food resources in South America capable of growing in arid and semi-arid environments. This work was focused to determine the nutritional and phytochemical composition of Prosopis nigra fine flour and to evaluate its biological properties. Flour showed a high level of sucrose (30.35 g/100 g flour), fiber (6.34 g/100 g flour), polyphenols (0.45 g GAE/100 g flour), and minerals (potassium, calcium, and magnesium). Apigenin C glycosides and phenylpropanoid acids were identified in free and bound phenolic enriched extracts, respectively. Polyphenols (especially free polyphenols) were able to inhibit enzymes associated with the metabolic syndrome, including α-amylase (IC 30.1 μg GAE/mL), α-glucosidase (IC 22.5 μg GAE/mL), while bound phenolics may control lipase activity (IC 33.5 μg GAE/mL) and exhibit antioxidant activity by different action mechanisms (SC between 16 and 93 μg GAE/mL). Both extracts were more effective to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 than phospholipase A and lipoxygenase, proinflammatory enzymes. Polyphenolic extracts did not show any mutagenic effect. Our studies add value to this non-conventional flour as a promising food resource that could be used as a functional food or functional ingredient in formulations to reduce the risk of the development of obesity. These studies revalue our native resources by promoting their conservation, their use and their propagation. Pods of P. nigra are traditional food resources in South America. The non-conventional flour obtained from them is a food that inhibits enzymes linked to carbohydrates metabolism and lipids metabolism, show antioxidant activity and anti-inflamatory activity, principally on COX-2. This natural product is a promising resource that could be used as a functional food or as functional ingredient in food formulations for reduce the risk of the development of obesity. Our studies are relevant to stimulate a sustainable management of this specie and for its development as potential new crops.

Maria C. Manca de Nadra, Mario E. Arena and Fabiana M. Saguir

WFL Publisher Science and Technology, Dec 1, 2003

It is well known that lactic acid bacteria need multiple nutritional requirements for growth. The... more It is well known that lactic acid bacteria need multiple nutritional requirements for growth. They require numerous amino acids and other growth factors to develop in synthetic media. In this review the amino acid requirements, the effect of L-malic acid and citric acids metabolism on these requirements and the catabolism of amino acids by lactic acid bacteria from wine are discussed, with emphasis on arginine and its amino acid derivates: citrulline and ornithinFil: manca de Nadra, Maria C.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Saguir de Zucal, Fabiana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: Arena, Mario Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin

Inhibition of bacterial virulence factors of foodborne pathogens by paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) extracts

Food Control, 2021

Abstract Capsicum annuum extracts of different polarities were tested for their antimicrobial, an... more Abstract Capsicum annuum extracts of different polarities were tested for their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anti-Quorum sensing (QS) activity against several pathogenic microorganisms and possible toxic effects using an in vivo model (Galleria mellonella L.). Hexane (HE) and Chloroform extract (CE) were the most active in inhibiting biofilm formation of the eight bacteria tested, with inhibition percentages between 22 and 88% for a concentration of 100 μg/mL. These extracts were potent inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and microscopy analysis confirmed a significant reduction in adhered cells. Moreover, polystyrene surfaces coated with these extracts decreased Staph. aureus adhesion resulting in biofilm formation and activity inhibition. In addition, they interfere with the hemolysin and coagulase activities. The extracts inhibited biofilm formation and swarming motility in Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, elastase activity and pyocyanin production were reduced. In the most active extracts, the main compound was linoleic acid, followed by oleic and hexadecanoic acids. Paprika extracts capable of controlling bacterial virulence represent a promising alternative as a natural preservative to restrict contamination or spoilage of food.

Bioorganic Chemistry, 2017

Journal of Medicinal Food, 2009

Propolis was included in the Argentine Food Code as a functional food. The chemical parameters an... more Propolis was included in the Argentine Food Code as a functional food. The chemical parameters and antioxidant properties of propolis samples from the same colonies of Apis mellifera in San Juan (Cuyo region, Western Argentine) were compared every month for 1 year using two collection methods. Chemical parameters were analyzed by the spectrophotometric method and fingerprinting using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The antioxidant activities of propolis samples were measured using model systems including the analysis of the scavenging activities for 2,2 0 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and the b-carotene bleaching assay. The results showed that propolis had a higher free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity than butylated hydroxytoluene and quercetin, antioxidants used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The concentration required to scavenge 50% of free radicals (SC 50 ) values differed depending on the sample collection month. Samples collected in November had the highest antioxidant capacity. In all cases, SC 50 values of propolis samples obtained by scraping were similar to those collected from a wire mesh (5 mg=mL for ABTS and 20-30 mg=mL for DPPH radicals). A significant positive correlation was found between the antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content of each analyzed extract. The chemical profiles were very similar. Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), an antioxidant compound, was detected in all samples as a major compound. The chromatographic profile suggests that of Baccharis sp., which would be one of the botanical sources of propolis from western Argentina, and the content of galangin can be used as a parameter for evaluating propolis quality. Our results suggest that Argentine propolis from Cuyo is a promising source of bioactive compounds as ingredients for developing functional foods with a beneficial impact on oxidative stress.

International Journal of Food Microbiology, 1999

Interference in the production of bacterial virulence factors by olive oil processing waste

Food Bioscience

Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 2017

One hundred and four Oenococcus oeni isolates were characterised by the carbohydrate fermentation... more One hundred and four Oenococcus oeni isolates were characterised by the carbohydrate fermentation (CH) profile and DNA fingerprinting. Forty-four isolates came from grape must, and 60 from wines sampled at the end of alcoholic fermentation or during malolactic fermentation. The grape must isolates fermented more CH than the wine isolates. In genotypical terms, no clear boundary between grape must and wine isolates was found. Diversities were deduced by considering the isolates of grape must and of wine separately and jointly. By considering only CH fermentation abilities, the group of grape must isolates gave higher diversity index (DI CH) values than those isolated from wine; i.e., these isolates were metabolically more diverse. The contrary occurred when the DNA fingerprints were used to calculate DI RAPD-VNTR : wine isolates were genotypically more diverse than grape must ones. With a polyphasic approach, which considered metabolic and genotypic data, the diversity index of both isolate groups (from grape must and wine) was the same, 0.993, which was slightly lower than that calculated from all the isolates (0.997).

Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. Blake in combination with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei CE75. A novel anti-pathogenic and detoxifying strategy

LWT, 2021

Global Journal of Agricultural Innovation, Research & Development, 2014

Polygonum punctatum Elliot (water pepper) is a pungent herb ancestrally employed as a disinfectan... more Polygonum punctatum Elliot (water pepper) is a pungent herb ancestrally employed as a disinfectant in traditional medicine by Toba Indians of the north-eastern region of Argentina and also commonly used as spice in Japanese cuisine. GC-MS of whole diethyl ether extract (EE) from aerial parts allowed to identify 14 volatile terpenoids such as sesquiterpenes: α-bisabolol (3.4 %), polygodial and isotadeonal (34.0%); various methylated phenol like α-tocopherol or vitamin E (3.6 %), and phytosterols: stigmasterol (2.1%) and β-sitosterol (29.9 %). Thus, water pepper is a promising source of drimane sesquiterpenes and phytoestrogens with important bioactivities. Following a taste- guided fractionation by CC and HPLC, drimane-type sesquiterpenes, polygodial (1) and its stereoisomer isotadeonal (2) were isolated as main compounds from the EE. The antipathogenic effects on the bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and elastase activity of both pure compounds and EE were evaluated against two S...

Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2018

The aim of this work was to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds prepared from ter... more The aim of this work was to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds prepared from terpenes and the synthetic drugs ibuprofen and naproxen. The antiinflammatory activity of the hybrid compounds was compared with the activity of the parent compounds. This was accomplished using in vitro inhibition of lipoxygenases (LOX) and COX-2, and in silico docking studies in 15-LOX and COX-2. The synthesized hybrids showed an inhibition of COX-2 and LOX between 9.8%-57.4% and 0.0%-97.7%, respectively. None of the hybrids showed an improvement in the inhibitory effect toward these pro-inflammatory enzymes, compared to the parent terpenes and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The docking studies allowed us to predict the potential binding modes of hybrids 6-15 within COX-2 and 15-LOX active sites. The relative affinity of the compounds inside the binding sites could be explained by forming non-covalent interactions with most important and known amino acids reported for those enzymes. A good correlation (r 2 = 0.745) between docking energies and inhibition percentages against COX-2 was found. The high inhibition obtained for compound 10 against COX-2 was explained by hydrogen bond interactions at the enzyme binding site. New synthetic possibilities could be obtained from our in silico models, improving the potency of these hybrid compounds. K E Y W O R D S anti-inflammatory activity, computational analysis, COX-2 and 15-LOX inhibition, ibuprofen and naproxen terpenyl hybrids, in silico studies

LWT - Food Science and Technology, 2016

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces biofilm and several virulence factors coordinated by quorum sensi... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces biofilm and several virulence factors coordinated by quorum sensing (QS) in food. The interruption of QS is a target to control the bacterial virulence. Chemical preservatives used to control biofilm give rise to several food safety problems. For this reason, essential oils (EOs), generally recognized as safe products, are a hopeful alternative. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of mandarin EOs obtained by cold-pressing (EOP) and cold-pressing followed by steam distillation (EOPD) and their antipathogenic properties against P. aeruginosa. Both EOs contained the highest quantities of monoterpene hydrocarbons, mainly limonene, followed by g-terpinene, myrcene and a-pinene. Although the EOs were not able to inhibit the bacterial growth at 4 mg/mL, EOP and EOPD significantly inhibited the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation at 0.1 mg/mL. In addition to the EOs inhibited biofilm cell viability (41%), AHL production (33%) and resulted in higher than 75% reduction in elastase enzyme activity. In conclusion, Citrus reticulata EOs are suitable alternatives to chemical additives for general use in the food industry.

Nereis. Interdisciplinary Ibero-American Journal of Methods, Modelling and Simulation., 2021

Staphylococcus aureus es un patógeno conocido que forma biopelículas en una amplia variedad de en... more Staphylococcus aureus es un patógeno conocido que forma biopelículas en una amplia variedad de entornos y representa un riesgo severo de contaminación de los alimentos. El presente estudio se centró en la determinación de las capacidades antibiofilm de extractos de orujo procedentes de diferentes varietales de diferentes polaridades, procedentes de Cafayate, Argentina, frente a dos cepas de S. aureus. Se utilizaron orujos de tres varietales regionales (Bonarda, Tannat y Malbec) para inhibir la formación de biofilm (BF) o tratar una biopelícula formada. Se realizaron extracciones con solventes de polaridad creciente (cloroformo, acetato de etilo y etanol) y se enfrentaron 10 y 100 µg/mL de extractos a las cepas de S. aureus ATCC 6538 y LVP63. Los extractos acetato de etilo y etanólicos de orujo del varietal Tannat fueron los más efectivos para disminuir la formación de BF en S. aureus sin afectar el crecimiento planctónico. Respecto a los efectos sobre la biopelícula preformada, los ...

Antioxidants

The present study evaluates the chemical compositions and antioxidant and antipathogenic properti... more The present study evaluates the chemical compositions and antioxidant and antipathogenic properties of commercial orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) essential oils obtained using the cold-press method (EOP) and the cold-press method followed by steam distillation (EOPD). The chemical compositions of the volatilizable fractions, determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were similar in both samples. A relatively large amount of γ-terpinene was found in the EOPD (1.75%) as compared to the EOP (0.84%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons with limonene (90.4–89.8%) followed by myrcene (3.2–3.1%) as the main compounds comprised the principal phytochemical group. The non-volatile phenolics were eight times higher in the EOP than in the EOPD. Several assays with different specificity levels were used to study the antioxidant activity. Although both essential oils presented similar reducing capacities, the radical elimination ability was higher for the EOP. Regarding the antipathogenic pro...

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2021

Given that Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, is one of the main etiological agent... more Given that Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, is one of the main etiological agents that causes various hospital and community infections associated with the production of virulence factors, emerging treatment strategies target to attenuate the activity of these factors can be promising to combat antibiotic-resistant strains. In this perspective, we investigated the antipathogenic potential against three S. aureus strains of chloroform extracts of cell-free culture supernatant from the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as its suitability as an alternative antimutagenic agent. Both extracts did not display antibacterial activity but significantly reduced the bacterial biofilm formation at different stages 3 h (up to 73%), 6 h (up to 45%), and 24 h (up to 46%). Moreover, the extracts decrease the virulence factors production, hemolysin (up to 67%), and coagulase (delayed coagulation), as well as the cell metabolism in the biofilm (up to 65%), disrupting a preformed biofilm (up to 46%), all devoid of affecting its growth suggesting that the inhibition could be mediated by Quorum sensing (QS). The extract's effect on biofilm disruption and metabolic activity seems to be strain dependent. The 2,5-diketopiperazines present in the extracts showed the ability to bind to the QS regulatory proteins SarA and AgrA in molecular docking studies. In the mutagenicity assay, both probiotic bacteria were able to remove the mutagen, and this capacity increased with the bacteria concentration.

Stabilization of Lisosome Membrane by Species from Asteraceae, Ephedraceae, Frankeniaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae and Verbenaceae Families

Fil: Torres Carro, R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientif... more Fil: Torres Carro, R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico - CONICET - Tucuman. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina;

Molecules, 2021

The chemical composition of three Citrus limon oils: lemon essential oil (LEO), lemon terpenes (L... more The chemical composition of three Citrus limon oils: lemon essential oil (LEO), lemon terpenes (LT) and lemon essence (LE), and their influence in the virulence factors production and motility (swarming and swimming) of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (ATCC 27853 and a multidrug-resistant HT5) were investigated. The main compound, limonene, was also tested in biological assays. Eighty-four compounds, accounting for a relative peak area of 99.23%, 98.58% and 99.64%, were identified by GC/MS. Limonene (59–60%), γ-terpinene (10–11%) and β-pinene (7–15%) were the main compounds. All lemon oils inhibited specific biofilm production and bacterial metabolic activities into biofilm in a dose-dependent manner (20–65%, in the range of 0.1–4 mg mL−1) of both strains. Besides, all samples inhibited about 50% of the elastase activity at 0.1 mg mL−1. Pyocyanin biosynthesis decreases until 64% (0.1–4 mg mL−1) for both strains. Swarming motility of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 was completely inhibit...

Phytomedicine, 2016

Background: Propolis is a bioactive natural product collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from ... more Background: Propolis is a bioactive natural product collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from plant sources. Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of propolis extracts from arid region of Argentina, on the activity/expression of pro-inflammatory enzymes, and as potential free radical scavenger, antifungal and anthelmintic agent as well as to get a first insight into the polyphenolic profile of the active fractions. Study design/methods: Two propolis samples were collected in different time from hives located in Tucumán, Argentina. They are representative of the collection time of the raw material for phytotherapeutical purposes. Ethanolic extracts from both propolis were obtained. The PEEs were analyzed for total polyphenol (TP), non-flavonoid phenols (NFP) and flavonoid (FP) content followed by HPLC-DAD analysis and identification of components by HPLC-MS/MS n. The potentiality as anti-inflammatory (LOX, COX, iNOS enzymes), antioxidant, antifungal and nematicidal was determined. Results: PEEs contain high levels of TP, NFP and FP, including cinnamic acid, caffeic acid prenyl ester, caffeoyl dihydrocaffeoate and caffeic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl ester, liquiritigenin, 2 ,4-dihydroxychalcone and 2 ,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxychalcone. The PEEs in vitro reduced the activity of LOX and COX-2. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 cells with PEEs before the induction of inflammatory state, inhibited NO overproduction and the iNOS protein expression was significantly decreased. The PEEs exhibited antioxidant, antifungal (Candida sp.) and nematicidal effect (C. elegans). Conclusion: These findings show the potential use of characterized PEEs from arid regions of Argentina as phytomedicine.