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Pimpinella anisum, commonly known as aniseed or anise, is a flowering plant whose fruits, characterized by distinct aroma and flavor, are widely used in Mediterranean gastronomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the extraction method and solvent on the antimicrobial properties of aniseed extracts. For this purpose, hexane, diethyl ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of aniseed aerial parts were obtained through Soxhlet and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) methods. The extraction yield was calculated and the antimicrobial activity against food spoilage non-pathogenic microorganisms was measured through Disc Diffusion Assay (Kirby Bauer Test). The study indicated that the Soxhlet extraction method results in higher yield and lower total phenolic content than UAE. All the extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against certain strains, however, the activity of UAE samples were more significant. In contrast, the ethanolic extract delivered by UAE was the only one that inhibited the growth of all the tested microorganisms (bacteria, yeast and fungi). The analysis of phytochemicals revealed that ethanolic extracts contained petroselinic acid. Finally, regarding the antioxidant activity, water extract with UAE presented the strongest, that was similar with that of ascorbic acid. The observed effects provided a good starting point for further studies on Pimpinella anisum extracts for future applications in the food industry.

Research background. Nitrite salts are among the most used preservatives in meat products as they ensure their safe consumption. Despite their positive effects on food safety and stability, many side effects on human health have been reported, leading to the need to reduce their use. Therefore, the aim of this study is to produce veal products with low nitrite content through low diffusion of potassium nitrite and to study their microbiological characteristics. Experimental approach. Edible tubular cellulose from leaf celery was produced and KNO2 was encapsulated in this material. This was achieved in two ways: by impregnation of tubular cellulose in a KNO2 solution under stirring and using starch gel as a stabilizer. Two samples of impregnated cellulose were applied on the surface of two veal samples of which one was stored at room temperature and the other at 3 °C. Similarly, two samples of cellulose with starch gel were applied on the surface of two veal samples of which one was stored at room temperature and the other at 3 °C. The KNO2 diffusion in different depths of the meat was measured and its effect on the microbiological characteristics of the meat was evaluated. Τhe experiment was carried out in duplicate. Results and conclusions. A satisfactory percentage of about 70 % of the initially encapsulated amount of KNO2 was diff. used in the meat, while the rest remained in the pores of the delignified leaf celery. The migrating amount of KNO2 proved to be effective in preserving meat, as the microbiological load decreased significantly (especially within the first 12 h, from a decrease of 0.6 log CFU/g up to 2.4 log CFU/g). Novelty and scientific contribution. The demand for meat products with low nitrite content is constantly increasing and the results of the present study are promising for the development of this technology in scale-up systems and on an industrial scale. This innovative approach could lead to products with controlled diffusion of the preservatives.

Abstract An adult domestic short‐haired feline leukemia virus‐infected cat was referred for kidney failure and worsening anemia requiring transfusions. ABC blood typing was performed with an immunochromatographic strip assay at different occasions. Gel column systems were used for the major and minor crossmatching tests, and anti‐A and anti‐B titers were determined. No discrete A or B bands appeared on the immunochromatographic strips at any time point for the recipient cat. The recipient's plasma agglutinated RBCs from tested type A and B cats. The recipient's RBCs appeared compatible with plasma from 1 type A and 2 B donors, and incompatible with plasma from another type A cat. Genotyping of recipient blood revealed a single homozygous c.179G>T CMAH variant predicting a blood type B. These studies suggest an unusual weak type B or missing all ABC antigens. The latter resembles the exceedingly rare Bombay phenotype in the human ABO blood group system.

Lignin constitutes the sole renewable aromatic resource found in abundance on Earth and does not call into question the ethics of diverting land from food to energy production. In view of that, the potential of lignocellulosic biomass in promoting the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy concepts in future biorefinery operations is widely acknowledged. Biorefineries can convert lignocellulosic biomass into high-value products, lessen their environmental effect, and hasten the advent of a sustainable and renewable future by incorporating cutting-edge technologies and doing thorough Life Cycle Assessment analysis. However, converting lignin into added-value products is a challenging field from technological, environmental, and economic perspectives. This work set out to determine the most critical environmental aspects expected to provide reliable evidence in support of lignin valorisation routes that enable the production of value-added products and bioenergy. Findings provide the necessary knowledge for decision-making in biorefineries aligned with the Circular Bioeconomy concept, like how decision-making relating to future biorefineries is facilitated. Highlights Environmental burdens of lignin-derived products valorisation due to complex lignin structure A limited number of LCA studies on the valorisation of lignin to added-value products Future lignin-based biorefineries development should be assessed using holistic, sustainable approaches LCA methodologies on environmental performance of promising lignin valorisation routes Controversial aspects of lignin valorisation under the Circular Bioeconomy concept Raised concerns as a result of the lignin fraction expected high demand Identified controversial environmental aspects linking lignin valorisation to adverse impacts

Pectin is a high molecular weight carbohydrate polymer that can be utilized in various applications in many sectors. The current study involved extracting pectin samples from orange peel residues and utilizing them as additives in water-based adhesive systems for producing composite wood panels. Three pectin types were used, named Pectin-A (extracted from orange peels with HCl), pectin-B (extracted from orange peels with H2SO4) and a commercial pectin called Pectin-C. The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of enhancing the efficacy of wood-based panels, such as particleboard, by strengthening amino resins like urea-formaldehyde resin (UF) using pectin samples. Three methods were utilized to incorporate the pectins into the adhesive systems: pectin 0.1% w/w dry/liquid resin added during the initial (1) and final (2) stage of the resin’s synthesis and pectin 0.1% w/w dry/liquid resin was incorporated into the glue mixture (3), which was then sprayed onto wood particles for the production of particleboard (PB) panels. It was found that pectins improve the performance of the final particleboards, especially when added during the UF resin synthesis. In addition, they may provide the adhesive and wood panel producers with a more environmentally friendly bio-additive for their products.

Abstract Background Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a systemic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum with a wide spectrum of clinical signs, with cutaneous, ocular, renal and lymphoreactive conditions prevailing in the clinical setting. The immune system plays a pivotal role in the evolution of Leishmania infection and its response to antileishmanial treatment. Cytokines are important immune response mediators that are released by activated lymphocytes and less so by other immunocytes. In dogs with leishmaniosis, IFN-γ and IL-4 have been recognized as the main activators of cellular and humoral immunity, respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate intracellular IL-4 and IFN-γ expression by CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of symptomatic dogs before and after combined antileishmanial treatment with miltefosine and allopurinol. Results Postantileishmanial treatment CD4 + IL-4 + and CD8 + IL-4 + cell counts were significantly decreased, although no similar changes were observed in the comparisons made between the pre- and posttreatment CD4 + IFN-γ + and CD8 + IFN-γ + counts and ratios. Conclusion The findings indicate that IL-4 production by T cells may facilitate the symptomatic phase of CanL, whereas IFN-γ production by CD4 + and CD8 + cells may indicate its negligible role in the evolution of natural CanL and perhaps the equivocal positive influence of antileishmanial treatment.

In the present investigation, the potential of various newly isolated strains which belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family to produce 2,3-butanediol (BDO), an important bio-based compound, was studied. The most interesting strain, namely Klebsiella oxytoca FMCC-197, was selected for further investigation. Commercial (raw) sucrose or molasses, which are important agro-industrial surpluses, were employed as carbon sources for most of the trials performed. Different fermentation parameters (viz. incubation te4mperature, utilization of different carbon sources, substrate inhibition, aeration) were tested to optimize the process. Fermentations under non-aseptic conditions were also conducted to investigate the potential of growth of the strain K. oxytoca FMCC-197 to surpass the growth of other microorganisms in the culture medium and produce BDO. Besides BDO production, in trials in which molasses was employed as the sole carbon source, significant color removal was observed simultaneously with the production of microbial metabolites. The very high BDO concentration ≈115 g L−1 was reported in approximately 64 h during a fed-batch bioreactor experiment, using sucrose and molasses as carbon sources at 30 °C, reaching a conversion yield (YBDO) of 0.40 g g−1 and a productivity rate (PBDO) of 1.80 g L−1 h−1, while similar results were also obtained at 37 °C. The strain demonstrated remarkable results in non-previously sterilized media, as it produced 58.0 g L−1 in 62 h during a fed-batch bioreactor experiment, while the potential to decolorize molasses-based substrates over 40% was also recorded. From the results obtained it is shown that this wild-type strain can be used in large-scale microbial BDO production using various raw materials as fermentative substrates. The wastewater derived after BDO fermentation by K. oxytoca FMCC-197 can be disposed relatively safely into the environment.