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<b>Background and Objective:</b> Pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus</i>) is a popular fruit worldwide with natural antioxidant properties. This study examined how pineapple modified the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, UGT1A6, NAT2 and SULT1A1) and a drug transporter (OATP1B1) in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> HepG2 cells (2.5×10<sup>5</sup> cells/well in a 24-well plate) were incubated with pineapple juice extract (125-1,000 μg mL<sup>1</sup>) for 48 hrs in phenol red-free medium. Resazurin reduction, ROS, AST and ALT assays were performed. The mRNA expression of target genes was determined by RT/qPCR. <b>Results:</b> Pineapple juice slightly reduced HepG2 cell viability to 80% of the control, while ROS, AST and ALT levels were not changed. Pineapple juice did not alter the expression of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and UGT1A6 mRNA. All tested concentrations of pineapple juice suppressed CYP3A4, NAT2 and OATP1B1 expression, while SULT1A1 expression was induced. <b>Conclusion:</b> Though pineapple juice slightly decreased the viability of HepG2 cells, cell morphology and cell function remained normal. Pineapple juice disturbed the expression of phase I (CYP3A4) and phase II (NAT2 and SULT1A1) metabolizing genes and the drug transporter OATP1B1. Therefore, the consumption of excessive amounts of pineapple juice poses a risk for drug interactions.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Obesity exerts negative influences on male reproductive capacity via changing the molecular and physical structure of male germ cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the mitigating effects of raw juice of pineapple on obesity-associated testicular impairment in male Wistar rats. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Rats included the control group (G<sub>I</sub>, n = 6) who received a Normal Diet (ND) and the obese group (G<sub>II</sub>, n = 18) who received a High-Fat Diet (HFD). Obese rats (G<sub>II</sub>) were subdivided into 3 groups (6 rats each): G<sub>II</sub> represents the untreated obesity group that continued to receive HFD with plain Drinking Water (DW), G<sub>III</sub> received ND along with raw juice (15% v/v) in DW and G<sub>IV</sub> continued to receive HFD with raw juice (15% v/v) in DW. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the trial and testis was processed for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. <b>Results:</b> Testis from obese rats revealed a significant increment in spermatogenic cell degeneration, pro-inflammatory Nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) and pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 immunoreactivities. Yet, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) displayed poor immunoreactivity in obese rats' testis relative to controls. Administration of raw juice of pineapple to obese rats significantly reduced degeneration of spermatogenic cells, NF-κB and Caspase-3 immunoreactivities. Additionally, treatment with the juice significantly increased immunoreactivity to PCNA in obese rats. These ameliorating effects were more obvious in rats who received juice along with ND (G<sub>III</sub>) than in those who received it along with HFD (G<sub>IV</sub>). <b>Conclusion:</b> Treatment of obese rats with pineapple juice restored testicular homeostasis, indicating its potential validity to overcome obesity-induced male fertility disorders.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus</i> L.) has antioxidant and other pharmacological properties. This study examined how pineapple modified mitochondrial permeability transition and expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes, i.e., CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, UGT1A6, NAT2 and the drug transporter OATP1B1 in human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Caco-2 cells (2.5×10<sup>5</sup> cells well<sup>1</sup> in 24-well plates) were incubated with pineapple (125 to 1,000 μg mL<sup>1</sup>) for 48 hrs in a phenol red-free medium. Mitochondrial permeability transition, resazurin cell viability and AST and ALT levels were investigated. The mRNA expression of target genes was determined by RT/qPCR. <b>Results:</b> Pineapple significantly reduced depolarized mitochondria, slightly decreased cell viability and did not change AST and ALT levels. Pineapple did not modify the mRNA expressions of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 but markedly induced UGT1A6 expression. The highest tested concentration of pineapple (1,000 μg mL<sup>1</sup>) significantly suppressed NAT2 and OATP1B1 expression. <b>Conclusion:</b> Although pineapple slightly decreased cell viability to ~80% of control, the morphology and functions of the cells were unaffected. Pineapple showed a beneficial effect to reduce depolarized mitochondria, which consequently decreased reactive oxygen species production. Pineapple did not modify the expression of CYPs, whilst it altered the expression of phase 2 metabolizing genes UGT1A6 and NAT2 and the transporter OATP1B1. Therefore, the consumption of large amounts of pineapple is of concern for the risk of drug interaction via alteration of UGT1A6, NAT2 and OATP1B1 expression.

This study aimed to reduce post-harvest losses of pineapple local variety egbenana by the transformation of juice into vinegar through biotechnological process. Vinegar was produced through two successive fermentations: alcoholic and acetic fermentations. The alcohol fermentation was carried out at 30 degrees C using yeast. Biomass, pH and Brix were evaluated daily during the fermentation. Acetic fermentation was carried out at 30 degrees C using an acetic bacteria strain isolated from pineapple wine previously exposed to ambient temperature (28 degrees C) for 5 days. Biomass, pH and acid levels were monitored each 2 days. The performance of acetic bacteria isolated was also assessed by studying their glucose and ethanol tolerance. The study allowed the isolation of yeast coded Saccharomyces cerevisiae (LAS01) and an acetic bacteria coded Acetobacter sp. (ASV03) both occurring in the pineapple juice. The monitoring of successive fermentations indicated that the pineapple juice with sugar concentration of 20 Brix, seeded with 10(6) cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (LAS01) for alcoholic fermentation for 4 days and afterwards seeded with 10(6) cells of Acetobacter sp. resulted in 4.5 acetic degree vinegar at Brix 5.3% and pH 2.8 for 23 to 25 days. The study of glucose tolerance of the strain of Acetobacter sp. showed that the growth of acetic bacteria was important in a juice with high concentration of sugar. However, the concentration of ethanol did not effect on the acetic bacteria growth. These results enabled on one hand to improve the manufacturing technology of vinegar from fruits and on the other hand to produce a starter of yeast and acetic bacteria strains for this production.