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The aim of this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to determine the efficacy and safety of a probiotic mixture in the reduction of psoriasis severity. Ninety 18-70-year-old adults with plaque psoriasis were randomized into probiotic and placebo groups. At 12-week follow-up, 66.7% of patients in the probiotic group and 41.9% in the placebo group showed a reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of up to 75% (p

15 p.-6 fig.-6 tab., Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters of microbial origin that can be synthesized by prokaryotes from noble sugars or lipids and from complex renewable substrates. They are an attractive alternative to conventional plastics because they are biodegradable and can be produced from renewable resources, such as the surplus of whey from dairy companies. After an in silico screening to search for SS-galactosidase and PHA polymerase genes, several bacteria were identified as potential PHA producers from whey based on their ability to hydrolyse lactose. Among them, Caulobacter segnis DSM 29236 was selected as a suitable strain to develop a process for whey surplus valorization. This microorganism accumulated 31.5% of cell dry weight (CDW) of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with a titre of 1.5gl-1 in batch assays. Moreover, the strain accumulated 37% of CDW of PHB and 9.3gl-1 in fed-batch mode of operation. This study reveals this species as a PHA producer and experimentally validates the in silico bioprospecting strategy for selecting microorganisms for waste re-valorization., PROGRAMA AYUDAS A EMPRESAS PARA LA EJECUCIÓN DE PROYECTOS DE I+D+i, Principado de Asturias. Referencia: IE09- 176.

Obesity and its related metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the world population. In this context, supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1 (CECT8145) has been shown to ameliorate obesity biomarkers. Analyzing the basis of this observation and using the pre-clinical model Caenorhabditis elegans, we have found that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of BPL1 is responsible for its fat-reducing properties and that this attribute is preserved under hyperglycaemic conditions. This fat-reducing capacity of both BPL1 and LTA-BPL1 is abolished under glucose restriction, as a result of changes in LTA chemical composition. Moreover, we have demonstrated that LTA exerts this function through the IGF-1 pathway, as does BPL1 strain. These results open the possibility of using LTA as a novel postbiotic, whose beneficial properties can be applied therapeutically and/or preventively in metabolic syndrome and diabetes-related disorders.

Prader&ndash, Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, including obesity, hyperphagia, and behavioral problems. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BPL1 has been shown to improve central adiposity in adults with simple obesity. To evaluate BPL1&prime, s effects in children with PWS, we performed a randomized crossover trial among 39 patients (mean age 10.4 years). Participants were randomized to placebo&ndash, BPL1 (n = 19) or BPL1&ndash, placebo (n = 20) sequences and underwent a 12-week period with placebo/BPL1 treatments, a 12-week washout period, and a 12-week period with the crossover treatment. Thirty-five subjects completed the study. The main outcome was changes in adiposity, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Secondary outcomes included lipid and glucose metabolism, hyperphagia, and mental health symptoms. Generalized linear modeling was applied to assess differences between treatments. While BPL1 did not modify total fat mass compared to placebo, BPL1 decreased abdominal adiposity in a subgroup of patients older than 4.5 years (n = 28). BPL1 improved fasting insulin concentration and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we observed modest improvements in some mental health symptoms. A follow-up trial with a longer treatment period is warranted to determine whether BPL1 supplementation can provide a long-term therapeutic approach for children with PWS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03548480).

Pediatric obesity has a growing health and socio-economical impact due to cardiovascular and metabolic complications in adult life. Some recent studies suggest that live or heat-treated probiotics have beneficial effects in preventing fat deposition and obesity in preclinical and clinical sets. Here, we have explored the effects of heat-treated probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (HT-BPL1), added as a supplement on an infant milk formula (HT-BPL1-IN), on Caenorhabditis elegans fat deposition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactate, using fermented baby fecal slurries. We have found that HT-BPL1-IN significantly reduced fat deposition in C. elegans, at the time it drastically augmented the generation of some SCFAs, particulary acetate and organic acid lactate. Data suggest that heat-treated BPL1 maintains its functional activities when added to an infant powder milk formula., This research was supported by Cátedra UAM-Alter Nutrinfant, Madrid, Spain.

Background The effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (Ba8145) and those of its heat-killed form (h-k Ba8145) on human anthropometric adiposity biomarkers are unknown. Objective To assess the effect of Ba8145 and h-k Ba8145 ingestion on anthropometric adiposity biomarkers. Design Randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with abdominally obese individuals. Participants (n = 135) consumed 1 capsule/day containing 1010 colony forming unit (CFU) of Ba8145, 1010 CFU of h-k Ba8145, or placebo (maltodextrin) for 3 months. Results Ba8145 ingestion decreased waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, and Conicity index (P

Lactic acid is one the most interesting monomer candidates to replace some petroleum- based monomers. The application of conventional poly-lactic acid (PLA) is limited due to insufficient thermal properties. This limitation can be overcome by blending poly-D and poly-L-lactic acid. The main problem is the limited knowledge of D-lactic acid (D-LA) production. Efficient biochemical processes are being developed in order to synthesize D-LA from orange peel waste (OPW). OPW is an interesting renewable raw material for biorefinery processes of biocatalytic, catalytic or thermal nature owing to its low lignin and ash content. Bioprocessing of the pretreated OPW is carried out by enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of the released sugars to produce D-LA. Several strains of the species Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus have been evaluated for the production of D-LA from OPW hydrolysate using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii CECT 286 as a reference strain since its performance in this kind of substrate have been widely reported in previous studies. Preliminary results show that Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus CECT 5037 had the best performance with a yield of 84% w/w for D-LA production and up to 95% (e.e.).

We evaluated the effect of oral administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 strain in Zücker fatty rats. The Zücker fatty rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 each) and administered either B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (1010 cfu/day) suspended in skim milk, or skim milk alone (control group). Each treatment was administered in drinking bottles from week 5 until week 17 of age. A lean Zücker rat group (standard group) was included to provide normal values for the Zücker strain. This group was administered skim milk in the drinking bottle for the same experimental period as Zücker fatty rats. Body weight gain was greater in the fatty control group than in the fatty rats treated daily with B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145. Furthermore, dry and liquid food intake significantly decreased in the treated Zücker fatty group and these rats also showed decreased plasma ghrelin levels as compared with the Zücker fatty control group. B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 intake also decreased plasma tumour necrosis factor-α (a proinflammatory cytokine) and plasma malondialdehyde (a biomarker of oxidative stress). Moreover, the ratio plasma total cholesterol/plasma cholesterol transported by high-density lipoproteins, considered as an index for cardiovascular disease, also significantly decreased in the Zücker fatty rats treated with B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145. By contrast, this bacterial strain significantly increased plasma adiponectin (an insulin-sensitising adipokine), but did not produce significant effects on triglyceride levels or glucose metabolism biomarkers. Although further research is required to confirm B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 is an efficient anti-obesity treatment in humans, the results obtained in this study are promising and point to the health and anti-obesity properties of this bacterial strain.

To evaluate the ability of the heat-killed probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (Ba8145) to ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), four groups of male Wistar rats were fed either standard chow (ST) or the obesogenic cafeteria diet (CAF) and were orally supplemented with either heat-killed Ba8145 (1010 CFU/day) (ST-Ba8145 and CAF-Ba8145 groups) or vehicle (ST-veh and CAF-veh groups) for 84 days. Both ST-Ba8145 and CAF-Ba8145 rats displayed increased energy expenditure (EE) and a decrease of relative mesenteric white adipose tissue (MWAT%). CAF-BA8145 animals showed decreased cumulative energy intake, increased relative lean mass, higher insulin sensitivity, elevated gene expression of adipose triacylglycerol lipase and fatty acid transporter 1 in MWAT and lower circulating levels of non-esterified free fatty acids, LDL/VLDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols than CAF-veh rats. In conclusion, heat-killed Ba8145 intake ameliorates mesenteric adiposity and dyslipidaemia, increases EE and lean mass and improves insulin sensitivity in rats induced to MetS.

The objective of this study is to analyse the effect of the ingestion of two selected antioxidant probiotics strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT8361 and Bifidobacterium longum CECT7347) on sperm quality parameters in asthenozoospermic males after three and six weeks of administration. Nine asthenozoospermic men without any medical treatment under similar diet conditions participated in the study. The quality of individual sperm samples was evaluated before (previous to ingestion), during (after 3 and 6 weeks of ingestion) and after probiotic administration (3 and 6 weeks after finishing the treatment). Sperm motility was evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis system, DNA fragmentation by sperm chromatin structure assay, cell viability by flow cytometry and measurement of intracellular H2O2 (reactive oxygen species; ROS) by flow cytometry using dichloro-dihydrofluorescein diacetate. Sperm motility was drastically improved after the treatment (approximately 6 fold change), DNA fragmentation was statistically reduced after probiotic administration from (approximately 1.2 fold change) and intracellular H2O2 level was decreased (approximately 3.5 fold change). Cell viability was not affected by the treatment. The significant improvement in sperm motility and the decrease in DNA fragmentation reported in this study provide preliminary evidence that probiotics could be administrated to improve motility and decrease DNA fragmentation and ROS levels in asthenozoospermic human males.

Background Bacterial cells in the human body account for 1–3% of total body weight and are at least equal in number to human cells. Recent research has focused on understanding how the different bacterial communities in the body (eg, gut, respiratory, skin, and vaginal microbiomes) predispose to health and disease. The microbiota of the reproductive tract has been inferred from the vaginal bacterial communities, and the uterus has been classically considered a sterile cavity. However, while the vaginal microbiota has been investigated in depth, there is a paucity of consistent data regarding the existence of an endometrial microbiota and its possible impact in reproductive function. Objective This study sought to test the existence of an endometrial microbiota that differs from that in the vagina, assess its hormonal regulation, and analyze the impact of the endometrial microbial community on reproductive outcome in infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. Study Design To identify the existence of an endometrial microbiota, paired samples of endometrial fluid and vaginal aspirates were obtained simultaneously from 13 fertile women in prereceptive and receptive phases within the same menstrual cycle (total samples analyzed n = 52). To investigate the hormonal regulation of the endometrial microbiota during the acquisition of endometrial receptivity, endometrial fluid was collected at prereceptive and receptive phases within the same cycle from 22 fertile women (n = 44). Finally, the reproductive impact of an altered endometrial microbiota in endometrial fluid was assessed by implantation, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates in 35 infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (total samples n = 41) with a receptive endometrium diagnosed using the endometrial receptivity array. Genomic DNA was obtained either from endometrial fluid or vaginal aspirate and sequenced by 454 pyrosequencing of the V3–V5 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene; the resulting sequences were taxonomically assigned using QIIME. Data analysis was performed using R packages. The χ 2 test, Student t test, and analysis of variance were used for statistical analyses. Results When bacterial communities from paired endometrial fluid and vaginal aspirate samples within the same subjects were interrogated, different bacterial communities were detected between the uterine cavity and the vagina of some subjects. Based on its composition, the microbiota in the endometrial fluid, comprising up to 191 operational taxonomic units, was defined as a Lactobacillus -dominated microbiota (>90% Lactobacillus spp.) or a non- Lactobacillus -dominated microbiota ( Lactobacillus spp. with >10% of other bacteria). Although the endometrial microbiota was not hormonally regulated during the acquisition of endometrial receptivity, the presence of a non- Lactobacillus -dominated microbiota in a receptive endometrium was associated with significant decreases in implantation [60.7% vs 23.1% ( P = .02)], pregnancy [70.6% vs 33.3% ( P = .03)], ongoing pregnancy [58.8% vs 13.3% ( P = .02)], and live birth [58.8% vs 6.7% ( P = .002)] rates. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the existence of an endometrial microbiota that is highly stable during the acquisition of endometrial receptivity. However, pathological modification of its profile is associated with poor reproductive outcomes for in vitro fertilization patients. This finding adds a novel microbiological dimension to the reproductive process.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a versatile and powerful model organism for animal experimental research and, despite being an invertebrate, displays remarkably similar molecular bases and conserved cellular pathways to those of humans. Oxidative stress is an etiological factor that influences numerous diseases, degenerative processes and aging. C. elegans has revealed as an opportune and feasible organism to investigate the antioxidant effects of different bioactives or complex food matrices, and a number of protocols have been developed by using different oxidative stressors. Carotenoids are recognized as quenchers and scavengers of reactive oxygen species, and many of their related health benefits attributed in the diet are tightly linked to their antioxidant properties. In this chapter, we report a simple and rapid assay to evaluate the protection capacity of pure carotenoids or complex carotenoid extracts against oxidative stress in the model system C. elegans. The protocol describes a representative feeding experiment by adding carotenoids to the nematode growth medium and after an incubation period, the C. elegans populations fed with carotenoids are exposed to an acute oxidative stress by using H2O2 as oxidative agent. The protection against oxidative stress is evaluated as the survival rate of the nematodes fed with the carotenoid prior to receiving oxidative treatment compared with the survival rate of control nematode population. In order to confirm the carotenoid intake by the nematodes during the feeding experiment a bioassimilation experiment is also reported.

Microbiota is a crucial player in gynecologic health, in which bacteria can shift to a dysbiotic state triggering a pathogenic process. Based on an ecological understanding of the problem, the aim of this study is to select a potential probiotic strain to improve female reproductive tract based on its capacity to initially lower pH and to promote the reduction of pathogenic bacteria. Based on this rationale, strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus BPL005 was initially selected for its capacity to reduce in vitro pH levels and produce organic acids. Subsequently, strain L. rhamnosus BPL005 (CECT 8800) was demonstrated to have a protective role on endometrial infections in an in vitro model of bacterial colonization of primary endometrial epithelial cells with Atopobium vaginae, Gardnerella vaginalis, Propionibacterium acnes, and Streptococcus agalactiae. In this model, BPL005 when co-cultured with those pathogens was shown to lower pH and to produce organic acids, being lactic acid the most relevant. The co-cultivation of strain L. rhamnosus BPL005 with tested reference pathogens produced a significant reduction in P. acnes and St. agalactiae levels and a non-significant reduction in A. vaginae and G. vaginalis. The colonization of L. rhamnosus BPL005 in the culture decreased IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, heightened in the presence of pathogens, and increased IL-1RA and IL-1 beta. Finally, safety was evaluated showing no signs of cytotoxicity, irritation in vaginal tests, or allergic contact dermatitis potential through the Local Lymph Node Assay. Overall, these results show the potential of L. rhamnosus BPL005 strain as a probiotic in gynecological health.

&beta, Cryptoxanthin (BCX) is a major dietary pro-vitamin A carotenoid, found mainly in fruits and vegetables. Several studies showed the beneficial effects of BCX on different aspects of human health. In spite of the evidence, the molecular mechanisms of action of BCX need to be further investigated. The Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to analyze in vivo the activity of BCX on fat reduction and protection to oxidative stress. Dose-response assays provided evidence of the efficacy of BCX at very low dose (0.025 &micro, g/mL) (p &lt, 0.001) on these processes. Moreover, a comparative analysis with other carotenoids, such as lycopene and &beta, carotene, showed a stronger effect of BCX. Furthermore, a transcriptomic analysis of wild-type nematodes supplemented with BCX revealed upregulation of the energy metabolism, response to stress, and protein homeostasis as the main metabolic targets of this xanthophyll. Collectively, this study provides new in vivo evidence of the potential therapeutic use of BCX in the prevention of diseases related to metabolic syndrome and aging.

Microbial communities that are exposed to sunlight typically share a series of adaptations to deal with the radiation they are exposed to, including efficient DNA repair systems, pigment production and protection against oxidative stress, which makes these environments good candidates for the search of novel antioxidant microorganisms. In this research project, we isolated potential antioxidant pigmented bacteria from a dry and highly-irradiated extreme environment: solar panels. High-throughput in vivo assays using Caenorhabditis elegans as an experimental model demonstrated the high antioxidant and ultraviolet-protection properties of these bacterial isolates that proved to be rich in carotenoids. Our results suggest that solar panels harbor a microbial community that includes strains with potential applications as antioxidants., Financial support from the Spanish Government (grant Helios, reference: BIO2015-66960-C3-1-R co-financed by FEDER funds and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades) and from the Regional Government of Valencia (grant MICROBIOSOL, reference: IFIDUA/2015/10 financed by IVACE) are acknowledged. Furthermore, KT is a recipient of a Doctorado Industrial fellowship from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain), with reference DI-16-08976. MR and LZ are members of the CaRed Excellence Network (BIO2017-90877-REDT) and EUROCAROTEN European COST Action (CA15113).

Non-viable preparations of probiotics, as whole-cell postbiotics, attract increasing interest because of their intrinsic technological stability, and their functional properties, such as immune system modulation, gut barrier maintenance, and protection against pathogens. However, reports on Bifidobacteria-derived postbiotics remain scarce. This study aims to demonstrate the functional properties of a heat-treated (HT), non-viable, Bifidobacterium longum strain, CECT-7347, a strain previously selected for its anti-inflammatory phenotype and ability to improve biomarkers of intestinal integrity in clinical trials. The study used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and HT-29 cell cultures as eukaryotic model systems. Our results show that HT-CECT-7347 preserves the capacity to protect against oxidative stress damage, while it also reduces acute inflammatory response and gut-barrier disruption, and inhibits bacterial colonization, by activating pathways related to innate immune function. These findings highlight the interest of the ingredient as a novel postbiotic and pave the way to broaden the range of HT-CECT-7347 applications in gut health.

This randomized double-blind and controlled single-center clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of a 6-week intake of a probiotic product (1 capsule/day) vs. a placebo on an oxidative stress model of physical exercise (high intensity and duration) in male cyclists (probiotic group, n = 22, placebo, n = 21). This probiotic included three lyophilized strains (Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT 8361). Study variables were urinary isoprostane, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), serum protein carbonyl, serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). At 6 weeks, as compared with baseline, significant differences in 8-OHdG (Δ mean difference −10.9 (95% CI −14.5 to −7.3), p &lt, 0.001), MDA (Δ mean difference −207.6 (95% CI −349.1 to −66.1, 0.05), and Ox-LDL (Δ mean difference −122.5 (95% CI −240 to −4.5), 0.05) were found in the probiotic group only. Serum GPx did not increase in the probiotic group, whereas the mean difference was significant in the placebo group (477.8 (95% CI 112.5 to 843.2), 0.05). These findings suggest an antioxidant effect of this probiotic on underlying interacting oxidative stress mechanisms and their modulation in healthy subjects. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03798821).

Bioconversion of biodiesel-derived waste glycerol into high-value products is proposed as a solution to improve economic viability of biorefineries. Several microorganisms are able to metabolize glycerol into 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), a promising bulk chemical with wide applications: solvent, fuel additive, and feedstock for synthetic rubber production, among them. In the present work, a wide screening of microorganisms present both into the waste water treatment system in a biodiesel industry and in culture collections was carried out in order to evaluate their potential as new 2,3-BD producer biocatalysts. Two microorganisms for 2,3-BD production from glycerol as sole carbon source have been selected, namely Raoultella planticola CECT 843 and Raoultella terrigena CECT 4519. Raoultella strains belong to the non‐pathogenic bacteria class (biosafety level 1). This genus has not been previously described as biocatalyst for the studied process. The influence of operational temperature, organic acid addition, and yeast extract concentration on 2,3-BD yield and productivity have been studied through Taguchi design methodology as well as initial glycerol concentration. Based on these results, the feasibility of the process employing pure glycerol and different samples of raw glycerol has been demonstrated.

Recently, microbial changes in the human gut have been proposed as a possible cause of obesity. Therefore, modulation of microbiota through probiotic supplements is of great interest to support obesity therapeutics. The present study examines the functional effect and metabolic targets of a bacterial strain, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145, selected from a screening in Caenorhabditis elegans. This strain significantly reduced total lipids (40.5% ± 2.4) and triglycerides (27.6% ± 0.5), exerting antioxidant effects in the nematode (30% ± 2.8 increase in survival vs control); activities were also preserved in a final food matrix (milk). Furthermore, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses in nematodes fed with strain CECT 8145 revealed modulation of the energy and lipid metabolism, as well as the tryptophan metabolism (satiety), as the main metabolic targets of the probiotic. In conclusion, our study describes for the first time a new B. animalis subsp. lactis strain, CECT 8145, as a promising probiotic for obesity disorders. Furthermore, the data support future studies in obesity murine models.

Neuroprotective peptides represent an attractive pharmacological strategy for the prevention or treatment of age-related diseases, for which there are currently few effective therapies. Lactoferrin (LF)-derived peptides (PKHs) and a set of six rationally-designed tryptophan (W)-containing heptapeptides (PACEIs) were characterized as prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitors, and their effect on β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) toxicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was evaluated. Two LF-derived sequences, PKH8 and PKH11, sharing a W at the C-terminal end, and the six PACEI heptapeptides (PACEI48L to PACEI53L) exhibited significant in vitro PEP inhibition. The inhibitory peptides PKH11 and PACEI50L also alleviated Aβ-induced paralysis in the in vivo C. elegans model of AD. Partial or total loss of the inhibitory effect on PEP was achieved by the substitution of W residues in PKH11 and PACEI50L and correlated with the loss of protection against Aβ toxicity, pointing out the relevance of W on the neuroprotective activity. Further experiments suggest that C. elegans protection might not be mediated by an antioxidant mechanism but rather by inhibition of Aβ oligomerization and thus, amyloid deposition. In conclusion, novel natural and rationally-designed W-containing peptides are suitable starting leads to design effective neuroprotective agents., This work was funded by grant AEST/2015/005 from “Generalitat Valenciana” and BIO2015-68790-C2-1-R from the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (Spain) (MINECO/FEDER Funds). S.Ga was recipient of a predoctoral scholarship (FPU13/04584) within the FPU program from “Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte” (MECD, Spain). We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).

Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens DSM 27213 T was isolated from human feces and is able to metabolize ellagic acid (a dietary phenolic compound present in various fruits) to urolithins. Here, we report the finished and annotated genome sequence of this organism.

Oxidative stress (OS) can induce cell apoptosis and thus plays an important role in aging. Antioxidant foods protect tissues from OS and contribute to a healthier lifestyle. In this study, we described the used of medaka embryos (Oryzias latipes) to study the putative antioxidant capacity of dietary cocoa extract in vertebrates. A polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract regulated the expression of several genes implicated in OS, thereby protecting fish embryos from induced OS. The cocoa extract activated superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in embryos and adult fish tissues, suggesting a common mechanism for protection during embryonic development and adulthood. Furthermore, long-term feeding of the cocoa extract increased fish life span. Our study demonstrates that the polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract decreases OS and extends life span in medaka fish, validating the use of medaka embryos as an economical platform to screen the antioxidant capacity of food compounds.

Raw glycerol is an industrial byproduct from biodiesel production and is one of the most promising substrates for 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) production, however, 2,3-BD is not yet produced by fermentation from glycerol on a commercial scale due to poor process economics. Class 1 microorganism collections were screened and Raoultella planticola strain CECT 843 proved to be the best 2,3-BD producer, achieving (23.3 ± 1.4) g 2,3-BD per L and a yield of 36% (g 2,3-BD per g glycerol). To further increase product concentration and yield, R. planticola CEC T843 was subjected to random mutagenesis using ultra-violet (UV) light and ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). Two mutant strains were found to produce at least 30% more 2,3-BD than the wild type: R. planticola IA1 [(30.8 ± 3.9) g 2,3-BD per L and 49% yield] and R. planticola IIIA3 [(30.5 ± 0.4) g 2,3-BD per L and 49% yield].

The aim of the present study was to isolate, identify and characterise novel strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic properties from the faeces of exclusively breast-fed infants. Of the 4680 isolated colonies, 758 exhibited resistance to low pH and tolerance to high concentrations of bile salts; of these, only forty-two exhibited a strong ability to adhere to enterocytesin vitro.The identities of the isolates were confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing, which permitted the grouping of the forty-two bacteria into three different strains that showed more than 99 % sequence identity withLactobacillus paracasei,Lactobacillus rhamnosusandBifidobacterium breve, respectively. The strain identification was confirmed by sequencing the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions. Strains were assayed for enzymatic activity and carbohydrate utilisation, and they were deposited in the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM) of the Institute Pasteur and namedL. paracaseiCNCM I-4034,B. breveCNCM I-4035 andL. rhamnosusCNCM I-4036. The strains were susceptible to antibiotics and did not produce undesirable metabolites, and their safety was assessed by acute ingestion in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed BALB/c mouse models. The three novel strains inhibitedin vitrothe meningitis aetiological agentListeria monocytogenesand human rotavirus infections.B. breveCNCM I-4035 led to a higher IgA concentration in faeces and plasma of mice. Overall, these results suggest thatL. paracaseiCNCM I-4034,B. breveCNCM I-4035 andL. rhamnosusCNCM I-4036 should be considered as probiotic strains, and their human health benefits should be further evaluated.

Fil: Boy, Claudia Clementina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas; Argentina

Lactobacillus salivarius LPM01 (DSM 22150) is a probiotic strain able to improve health status in immunocompromised people. Here, we report its complete genome sequence deciphered by PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology. Analysis of the sequence may provide insights into its functional activity and safety assessment.

Microorganisms colonize a wide range of natural and artificial environments although there are hardly any data on the microbial ecology of one the most widespread man-made extreme structures: solar panels. Here we show that solar panels in a Mediterranean city (Valencia, Spain) harbor a highly diverse microbial community with more than 500 different species per panel, most of which belong to drought-, heat- and radiation-adapted bacterial genera, and sun-irradiation adapted epiphytic fungi. The taxonomic and functional profiles of this microbial community and the characterization of selected culturable bacteria reveal the existence of a diverse mesophilic microbial community on the panels’ surface. This biocenosis proved to be more similar to the ones inhabiting deserts than to any human or urban microbial ecosystem. This unique microbial community shows different day/night proteomic profiles; it is dominated by reddish pigment- and sphingolipid-producers, and is adapted to withstand circadian cycles of high temperatures, desiccation and solar radiation.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus BPL5 (CECT 8800), is a probiotic strain suitable for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Here, we report its complete genome sequence deciphered by PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology. Analysis of the sequence may provide insight into its functional activity.

Lactoferrin is a highly multifunctional glycoprotein involved in many physiological functions, including regulation of iron absorption and immune responses. Moreover, there is increasing evidence for neuroprotective effects of lactoferrin. We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to test the protective effects, both on phenotype and transcriptome, of a nutraceutical product based on lactoferrin liposomes. In a dose‐dependent manner, the lactoferrin‐based product protected against acute oxidative stress and extended lifespan of C. elegans N2. Furthermore, Paralysis of the transgenic C. elegans strain CL4176, caused by Aβ1‐42 aggregates, was clearly ameliorated by treatment. Transcriptome analysis in treated nematodes indicated immune system stimulation, together with enhancement of processes involved in the oxidative stress response. The lactoferrin‐based product also improved the protein homeostasis processes, cellular adhesion processes, and neurogenesis in the nematode. In summary, the tested product exerts protection against aging and neurodegeneration, modulating processes involved in oxidative stress response, protein homeostasis, synaptic function, and xenobiotic metabolism. This lactoferrin‐based product is also able to stimulate the immune system, as well as improving reproductive status and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that oral supplementation with this lactoferrin‐based product could improve the immune system and antioxidant capacity. Further studies to understand the molecular mechanisms related with neuronal function would be of interest.

The antiobesity effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has previously been described in different animal models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a commercial mixture (Tonalin) on Caenorhabditis elegans to assess their potential use for functional ingredient screenings. Body-fat reduction with Tonalin was demonstrated in wild-type strain N2. The 1 μg/mL dose was the most effective, either alone or added to a food matrix, and also significantly decreased triglyceride content in nematodes fed on the CLA mixture. Furthermore, the antiobesity effect was related to the CLA isomer trans-10, cis-12. Finally, the transcriptional study showed C. elegans fed with Tonalin (1 μg/mL) underwent an upregulation of energy metabolism, reproduction, protein metabolism and oxidative stress processes. In conclusion, the results presented here clearly correlate well with other animal studies, demonstrating the value of C. elegans as a useful model to evaluate antiobesity compounds/ingredients.

Bacterial isolates from the European Corn Borer (ECB) Ostrinia nubilalis and the coleopteran Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata midguts were identified and characterized. Twenty-four colonies, selected on solid media with cellulose as the sole carbon source and pH values ranging from 5 to 12, were identified through 16S sequencing as members of the genera Acinetobacter , Comamonas , Klebsiella , Microbacterium , Micrococcus and Sphingobacterium . A complete enzymatic characterization revealed widespread – albeit moderate – cellulase properties in all but one isolate and high xylanase activity in the four CPB isolates. Different enzymatic patterns in terms of optimal pH, substrate use and degradation times were observed, and several isolates were selected as promising cellulase producers at extreme (pH 12) conditions. Implications of the results for the biotechnological industry are discussed.

One approach to model living cells is based on successively imposing the (known) constraints–such as enzyme capacities, mass balances or thermodynamic laws– that limit their behaviour. This process results in a constraint-based model that encloses all the functional states that cells might exhibit. By combining the model with experimental measurements, it is possible to determine the particular cellular state at given conditions, an exercise that is generally referred to as Metabolic Flux Analysis (MFA). In this work we use a previously validated model (Tortajada et al. , 2010) and an MFA-wise method (Llaneras et al. , 2009) for on-line monitoring of industrial cultures of the yeast Pichia pastoris. Given a set of standard measurements –substrates, gases and biomass growth–, Possibilistic dynamic MFA provides estimates for unmeasured, time-varying extracellular metabolites and intracellular fluxes, while accounting for the imprecision and uncertainty common in industrial settings. The production of the recombinant protein of interest can be estimated by means of a relationship among ATP consumption rate and specific growth rate, which is integrated into the model. To test the viability of the approach some preliminary experimental results are shown, using data from a set of batch cultivations performed in microbioreactors. The procedure is of great industrial interest because it can provide not only a way to monitor the metabolic state of P. pastoris cultures during a running process, but also a direct online estimation of the protein production rate.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis among children worldwide. It is well known that breast-feeding and vaccination afford infants protection. Since breast-feeding has drastically decreased in developed countries, efforts have been focused on the potential use of probiotics as preventive agents. In this study, a novel Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis strain was isolated from infant feces and selected, based on its capacity to inhibit in vitro rotavirus Wa replication (up to 36.05% infectious foci reduction) and also to protect cells from virus infection (up to 48.50% infectious foci reduction) in both MA-104 and HT-29 cell lines. Furthermore, studies using a BALB/c mouse model have proved that this strain provides preliminary in vivo protection against rotavirus infection. The strain has been deposited in the Spanish Type Culture Collection under the accession number CECT 7210. This novel strain has the main properties required of a probiotic, such as resistance to gastrointestinal juices, biliary salts, NaCl, and low pH, as well as adhesion to intestinal mucus and sensitivity to antibiotics. The food safety status has been confirmed by the absence of undesirable metabolite production and in acute ingestion studies of mice. Overall, these results demonstrate that Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 can be considered a probiotic able to inhibit rotavirus infection.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the oxidation of o-diphenols to their respective quinones which undergo autopolymerization and form dark pigments. The interaction of PPO with various substrates and effectors remains the focus of intensive investigations due to the enzyme's key role in pigments biosynthesis including animal melanogenesis and fruit/fungi enzymatic browning. In this study, the effect of a range of commonly used pesticides on the enzyme activity has been evaluated using the purified quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) PPO. The biochemical analysis showed that, in the presence of high pesticide concentrations, the enzyme was competitively inhibited, particularly with benomyl, carbaryl, deltamethrine and parathion methyl for which inhibition constants (K(i)) were 8.3, 5.7, 12 and 4 microM, respectively. At lower pesticide concentrations (2-10 microM), however, the catecholase activity was significantly activated (p

Direct and sensitive PCR detection of contaminant microflora in cocoa extracts is affected by the quality of the template DNA. This study compares the efficacy of five different commercial DNA extraction methods, selective enrichment broths and use of glycolitic enzymes to obtain quality DNA for PCR detection of both fungi and bacteria in artificially inoculated cocoa extract samples. PCR-based methods were applied to detect contaminant microflora in cocoa extracts using as model organisms: Aspergillus nidulans, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. The quality of the extracted DNA was assessed in terms of PCR inhibitor content with results indicating that the HighPure PCR template (Roche) kit was the best methodology under the conditions assayed. PCR protocols using this commercial kit and a combination of glycolitic enzymes and enrichment procedures gave a detection limit of 100 conidia/g and 100 cfu/g for filamentous fungi and bacteria, respectively. The selected extraction and PCR procedures were also tested to assess their suitability for detecting filamentous fungi and bacteria on an industrial scale. They were sensitive enough to detect fungal and bacterial contaminants within the legally required limits. The results obtained with the molecular approach were in agreement with those of standard microbiological tests but require a considerably shorter analysis time. Thus, the molecular approach provides a sensitive and rapid alternative to check for microbial contamination in cocoa extracts.

In the present study, ochratoxigenic mycobiota in cocoa beans was identified at species level by digestion of the ITS products using the endonucleases HhaI, NlaIII and RsaI. Of the 132 isolates of Aspergillus section Nigri collected from cocoa beans, 89 were identified as A. tubingensis, 27 as A. niger, 10 as A. tubingensis-like and 6 as A. carbonarius. No variation was observed between RFLP patterns (C, N, T1 and T2) described previously for grape isolates and those of the cocoa isolates analysed. With respect to OTA-producing fungi, a high percentage of black aspergilli (50.7%) was able to produce OTA. Additionally, most of the OTA-producing isolates were of moderate toxigenicity, producing amounts of OTA from 10 μg g−1 to 100 μg g−1. Percentages of OTA-producing isolates in the A. niger aggregate were higher than in other substrates, ranging from 30% to 51.7%. Furthermore, the detected levels of OTA production in the A. niger aggregate, particularly in A. tubingensis species was higher than in A. carbonarius, ranging from 0.7 μg g−1 to 120 μg g−1 (mean 24.55 μg g−1). Due to the high occurrence, percentage of ocratoxigenic isolates and their ability to produce OTA, isolates belonging to the A. niger aggregate could be considered as the main cause of OTA contamination in cocoa beans used for manufacturing cocoa products.

A study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial effect of olive powder on Bacillus cereus. Microorganism spores were inoculated in nutrient broth containing different olive powder concentrations and incubated at 32 degrees , 20 degrees , and 7 degrees C. Results indicated that this food ingredient had a bacteriostatic effect. It was observed that B. cereus cells did not grow at 7 degrees C. In the cases where growth occurred, it was modelled and parameters were deduced. In general the higher the concentration of olive powder, the higher the lag phase at both 32 degrees and 20 degrees C. Regarding the maximum specific growth rate (mu(max)), an effect of the food ingredient concentration was observed only at 20 degrees C incubation temperature. This study shows the potential for using olive powder to control B. cereus and opens the door for its use in commodities other than bakery products, such as mixed vegetables or purées. Olive powder could be used as an additional control measure in the case of cold chain break due to its effects in the lag phase, as well as a contributor to the flavor and health properties of these foodstuffs.

The Aspergillus nidulans xlnR gene encodes a Zn(2)Cys(6) transcription activator necessary for the synthesis of the main xylanolytic enzymes, i.e. endo-xylanases X(22), X(24) and X(34), and beta-xilosidase XlnD. Expression of xlnR is not sufficient for induction of genes encoding the xylanolytic complex, the presence of xylose is absolutely required. It has been established previously that the wide-domain carbon catabolite repressor CreA indirectly represses xlnA (encodes X(22)) and xlnB (encodes X(24)) genes as well as exerting direct repression on xlnA. This work provides evidence that CreA-mediated indirect repression occurs through repression of xlnR: (i) the xlnR gene promoter is repressed by glucose and this repression is abolished in creA(d)30 mutant strains and (ii) deregulated expression of xlnR completely relieves glucose repression of xlnA and xlnB. Thus, CreA and XlnR form a transcriptional cascade regulating A. nidulans xylanolytic genes.

9p.-4 fig.-2 tab., A synthetic inducible operon (IbPSO) expressing alsS, ilvC, ilvD and kivD genes encoding a pathway capable to transform pyruvate into 2-isobutyraldehyde has been designed and two recombinant plasmids named pIZIbPSO and p424IbPSO were constructed. The IbPSO containing plasmids can generate in a single transformation event new recombinant isobutanol producer strains and are useful for testing as suitable hosts wild type bacteria in different culture media. In this way we found that Shimwellia blattae (p424IbPSO) was able to produce in flasks up to 6 g l−1 of isobutanol using glucose as carbon source. Moreover, for the first time, we have demonstrated that isobutanol can be produced from sucrose using Escherichia coli W (ATCC9367) transformed with pIZIbPSO. These robust recombinant strains were also able to produce isobutanol from a raw carbon source like hydrolysed lignocellulosic biomass., This work was supported by grants from Biopolis S.L. and Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation BIOSOS CEN20091040 (CENIT-CDTI). We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 is a probiotic strain able to inhibit rotavirus in vitro and protect against viral infection in both cell cultures and mice. Here, we report its complete genome sequence, as deciphered by PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology. An analysis of the sequence may provide insights into its functional activity.

The effects of combining enzyme treatments and heating protocols on pyrazine formation in cocoa powder extracts have been studied. Five commercial enzyme preparations containing protease and carbohydrase activities were initially assessed for their ability to release amino acids and reducing sugars, both of which are substrates for Maillard reactions. The enzyme preparation Flavourzyme was subsequently selected for further study given its ability to liberate both types of substrate. Cocoa powder solutions were treated with 2 doses of Flavourzyme and processed at 2 drying temperatures. The combination of the higher dose of the enzyme (12% w/w enzyme/substrate) and the higher drying temperature (150 °C) resulted in a synergistic increase in the concentration of methyl- and dimethylpyrazines. A statistically significant increase in the concentration of tetramethylpyrazine occurred in samples treated at 150 °C that was independent of the enzyme dose assayed. No significant changes in trimethylpyrazine content were detected in treated compared to untreated samples.

The mstE gene encoding a low affinity glucose transporter active during the germination of Aspergillus nidulans conidia on glucose medium has been identified. mstE expression also occurs in hyphae, is induced in the presence of other repressing carbon sources besides glucose, and is dependent on the function of the transcriptional repressor CreA. The expression of MstE and its subcellular distribution have been studied using a MstE-sGFP fusion protein. Concordant with data on mstE expression, MstE-sGFP is synthesized in the presence of repressing carbon sources, and fluorescence at the periphery of conidia and hyphae is consistent with MstE location in the plasma membrane. Deletion of mstE has no morphological phenotype but results in the absence of low affinity glucose uptake kinetics, the latter being substituted by a high affinity system.

Background: Some studies have been conducted to assess the composition of the bacterial communities inhabiting human milk, but they did not evaluate the presence of other microorganisms, such as fungi, archaea, protozoa, or viruses. Objective: This study aimed to compare the metagenome of human milk samples provided by healthy and mastitis-suffering women. Methods: DNA was isolated from human milk samples collected from 10 healthy women and 10 women with symptoms of lactational mastitis. Shotgun libraries from total extracted DNA were constructed and the libraries were sequenced by 454 pyrosequencing. Results: The amount of human DNA sequences was ≥ 90% in all the samples. Among the bacterial sequences, the predominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. The healthy core microbiome included the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus, and Propionibacterium. At the species level, a high degree of inter-individual variability was observed among healthy women. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus clearly dominated the microbiome in the samples from the women with acute mastitis whereas high increases in Staphylococcus epidermidis-related reads were observed in the milk of those suffering from subacute mastitis. Fungal and protozoa-related reads were identified in most of the samples, whereas Archaea reads were absent in samples from women with mastitis. Some viral-related sequence reads were also detected. Conclusion: Human milk contains a complex microbial metagenome constituted by the genomes of bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. In mastitis cases, the milk microbiome reflects a loss of bacterial diversity and a high increase of the sequences related to the presumptive etiological agents.

Histological characteristics of the gonads and the energy contents of axial muscle, liver and gonads of Antarctic notothenioid fish collected during the LAMPOS (Latin American Polarstern Study) survey in April 2002 were analysed. Ovaries and testes were staged following histological maturity criteria. Oocyte diameters frequency were established and fecundity values were estimated. The energetic values (kJ/g) of different organs were determined using a microcalorimetric bomb. Ovaries of Chaenocephalus aceratus showed a generalised atretic process. The gonadal histology of Champsocephalus gunnari, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus and Chionodracus rastrospinosus suggests that their spawnings take place in autumn. Gobionotothen gibberifrons and Lepidonotothen larseni females were in the process of maturation, with the ovaries of the former containing yolked and atretic oocytes together. Ovaries of Lepidonotothen kempi showed old postovulatory follicles, which provided evidence of previous spawning. Gonads from both sexes of Dissostichus eleginoides were immature. Absolute and relative fecundity were lower in Channichthyidae than in Nototheniidae. The energy contents of the different organs analysed were: liver > gonads > axial muscle. The highest energy density value (kJ/g wet body mass) was found in Dissostichus eleginoides. Se analizaron las características histológicas de las gónadas y los contenidos energéticos del músculo axial, hígado y gónadas de peces provenientes del crucero LAMPOS (Latin American Polarstern Study) realizado durante abril 2002. Los ovarios y testículos fueron clasificados en diferentes estadios de maduración siguiendo criterios histológicos, se establecieron las distribuciones de frecuencias de diámetros oocitarios y se estimaron los valores de fecundidad de los especímenes en avanzado estado de madurez. El contenido energético (kJ/g) fue determinado utilizando una microbomba calorimétrica. Los ovarios de Chaenocephalus aceratus presentaron un generalizado proceso de atresia oocitaria. La histología gonadal de Champsocephalus gunnari, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus y Chionodracus rastrospinosus sugiere que se produjo un desove al inicio del otoño antártico. Gobionotothen gibberifrons y Lepidonotothen larseni se encontraron en proceso de maduración, ovarios de la primera especie contuvieron oocitos vitelados y atrésicos simultáneamente. Los ovarios de Lepidonotothen kempi mostraron folículos postovulatorios viejos que evidencian un desove previo. Las gónadas de ambos sexos en Dissostichus eleginoides fueron inmaduras. Tanto la fecundidad absoluta como la relativa calculadas fueron menores en las especies de Channichthyidae que en las de Nototheniidae. En las diferentes especies estudiadas el contenido energético (kJ/g de peso seco libre de cenizas) del hígado alcanzó los valores más altos seguido por las gónadas y el músculo axial. Dissostichus eleginoides presentó los valores de densidad energética (kJ/g peso húmedo del cuerpo) más elevados.

d-Glucose uptake in germinating wild-typeAspergillus nidulansconidia is an energy-requiring process mediated by at least two transport systems of differing affinities for glucose: a low-affinity system (Km∼1·4 mM) and a high-affinity system (Km∼16 μM). The low-affinity system is inducible by glucose; the high-affinity system is subject to glucose repression effected by the carbon catabolite repressor CreA and is absent insorA3mutant conidia, which exhibit resistance tol-sorbose toxicity. An intermediate-affinity system (Km∼400 μM) is present insorA3conidia germinating in derepressing conditions.creAderepressed mutants show enhanced sensitivity tol-sorbose. The high-affinity uptake system appears to be responsible for the uptake of this toxic sugar.

After receiving a celiac disease diagnosis, patients need to follow a gluten-free diet. The technological bases of gluten-free products are focused on generating gliadin-free products, without providing any other nutritional benefits. Quite recently we have developed a milk supplement called Proceliac which aims to change this trend in the design of products for celiac patients. The basis of this product is a probiotic called ES1 that has shown strong anti-inflammatory effects in both experiments with human cell cultures and in preclinical animal experiments. The food safety of the ES1 probiotic has been evaluated following the World Health Organization guidelines. Moreover, its genome has been fully sequenced to ensure the absence of genes encoding conflicting proteins. Finally, two clinical trials on healthy adults and children with celiac disease at the beginning of gluten-free diet have been performed with excellent results that indicate this strain’s ability to equilibrate the gut microbiota of celiac patients.

For thousands of years man has been applying genetics to improve both foodstuffs and food products. Using selective breeding and/or spontaneous mutations, a large number of plant varieties, animal breeds and microbial strains have been produced. In fact, food biotechnology is the oldest form of biotechnology. Recently, recombinant DNA techniques have been applied in food technology, creating so-called ‘genetically modified foods’ (GM foods). Examples include transgenic potatoes able to act as an oral vaccine against cholera, recombinant wine yeasts that produce wine with a fruitier bouquet, and transgenic cows or ewes producing milk with high levels of pharmaceutical proteins. However, the starting date for the future of food biotechnology was the publication in 2001 of the first draft of the human genome. This paved the way for the search for the genes that are activated or deactivated in response to specifics nutrients. It is now also possible to determine the genetic differences underlying individuals’ different nutritional responses. Furthermore, every day more genomes of animals, plants or microorganisms that are common components of our diet like rice, bread yeast, the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium bifidum or pathogens responsible for food poisoning, like Escherichia coli, are published. This provides information about key genes, making it possible to devise strategies for improvement using classical and genetic engineering techniques, demarcate defence mechanisms to combat pathogenicity, and define new physiological functions. Biotechnology’s applications in food and nutrition are more advanced than many people imagine., Durante miles de años el hombre ha estado usando la genética para lograr la mejora de las materias primas y productos alimenticios terminados. Mediante el uso del cruce sexual y la aparición de mutantes espontáneos se ha generado un gran número de variedades vegetales, razas animales y cepas microbianas. De hecho, la biotecnología de los alimentos es la más antigua de todas las biotecnologías. Recientemente, las técnicas de ADN recombinante se han aplicado en la tecnología de alimentos creando los llamados alimentos modificados genéticamente o alimentos transgénicos. Ejemplos de este tipo de productos son unas patatas transgénicas que funcionan como una vacuna oral contra el cólera, unas levaduras vínicas transgénicas capaces de producir vino con aroma más afrutado o vacas u ovejas que producen leche con altos niveles de proteínas terapéuticas. En cualquier caso, la fecha de partida para el futuro de la biotecnología de los alimentos fue la publicación en 2001 del primer borrador del genoma humano: este descubrimiento abrió la puerta a la búsqueda de genes de nuestro genoma que se activan o desactivan en respuesta a la ingesta de nutrientes específicos. No solo eso, hoy en día también es posible determinar las diferencias genéticas entre individuos que producen diferentes respuestas nutricionales. Además cada día se publican en las bases de datos varios nuevos genomas de animales, plantas o microorganismos que son componentes habituales de nuestra dieta. Algunos casos sobresalientes son los genomas del arroz, la levadura del pan, la bacteria probiótica Bifidobacterium bifidum o patógenos responsables de la intoxicación alimentaria, como Escherichia coli. Estos datos proporcionan información sobre genes clave, con la que es posible diseñar estrategias de mejora por genética clásica o ingeniería clásica, delimitar los mecanismos de defensa para combatir la patogenicidad o definir nuevas funciones fisiológicas. Su aplicación a la alimentación y la nutrición está mucho más próxima de lo que muchos imaginan.

Cultivated citrus are selections from, or hybrids of, wild progenitor species whose identities and contributions to citrus domestication remain controversial. Here we sequence and compare citrus genomes-a high-quality reference haploid clementine genome and mandarin, pummelo, sweet-orange and sour-orange genomes- and show that cultivated types derive from two progenitor species. Although cultivated pummelos represent selections from one progenitor species, Citrus maxima, cultivated mandarins are introgressions of C. maxima into the ancestral mandarin species Citrus reticulata. The most widely cultivated citrus, sweet orange, is the offspring of previously admixed individuals, but sour orange is an F1 hybrid of pure C. maxima and C. reticulata parents, thus implying that wild mandarins were part of the early breeding germplasm. A Chinese wild 'mandarin' diverges substantially from C. reticulata, thus suggesting the possibility of other unrecognized wild citrus species. Understanding citrus phylogeny through genome analysis clarifies taxonomic relationships and facilitates sequence-directed genetic improvement., 栽培されている柑橘類は、野生祖先種から選択されたもの、またはその交雑種であるが、その祖先種の正体、および柑橘類栽培化に対する寄与には依然として議論がある。今回、柑橘類ゲノム（クレメンタインの高精度標準ハプロイドゲノム、ならびにマンダリン、パメロ、スイートオレンジ、およびサワーオレンジのゲノム）の配列解読および比較を行ったところ、栽培種が2つの祖先種に由来することが明らかにされた。栽培パメロは単一祖先種 Citrus maxima から選択されたことがわかったが、栽培マンダリンは祖先マンダリン種 Citrus reticulata に C. maxima から遺伝子移入が行われたものであった。最も広く栽培されている柑橘類であるスイートオレンジは過去に混種した個体の子孫であるが、サワーオレンジは純粋な C. maxima と C. reticulata とのF1雑種であり、このことは、野生のマンダリンが初期の育種生殖系列の要素であったことを意味している。中国の野生「マンダリン」は C. reticulata とは大きく異なっており、別の未確認の野生柑橘種である可能性が示唆される。ゲノム解析で柑橘類の系統発生を理解することにより、分類学的な関係が解明され、配列本位の遺伝的改良が促進される。

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain CECT 8145 is able to reduce body fat content and improve metabolic syndrome biomarkers. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain, which may provide insights into its safety status and functional role.

Orange is a major crop and an important source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. Increasing the levels of specific antioxidants in orange fruit through metabolic engineering could strengthen the fruit's health benefits. In this work, we have afforded enhancing the β-carotene content of orange fruit through blocking by RNA interference the expression of an endogenous β-carotene hydroxylase gene (Csβ-CHX) that is involved in the conversion of β-carotene into xanthophylls. Additionally, we have simultaneously overexpressed a key regulator gene of flowering transition, the FLOWERING LOCUS T from sweet orange (CsFT), in the transgenic juvenile plants, which allowed us to obtain fruit in an extremely short period of time. Silencing the Csβ-CHX gene resulted in oranges with a deep yellow ('golden') phenotype and significant increases (up to 36-fold) in β-carotene content in the pulp. The capacity of β-carotene-enriched oranges for protection against oxidative stress in vivo was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans as experimental animal model. Golden oranges induced a 20% higher antioxidant effect than the isogenic control. This is the first example of the successful metabolic engineering of the β-carotene content (or the content of any other phytonutrient) in oranges and demonstrates the potential of genetic engineering for the nutritional enhancement of fruit tree crops.