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This study provides a comprehensive investigation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Argentinean Capsicum annum L. This research covers important aspects, including genotypic characterization, bacterial stress tolerance, adhesion ability, safety evaluation, and functional and technological properties. The predominant isolates were identified as Lactilactobacillus curvatus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. A Rep-PCR analysis grouped the isolates into 11 clonal groups. Lp. plantarum LVP 40 and LV 46, Levilactobacillus brevis LVP 41, Pediococcus pentosaceus LV P43, and Lt. curvatus LVP44 displayed both safety and resilience against adverse conditions such as a slow pH, bile, and simulated gastric and intestinal juices. Moreover, the LAB strains exhibited high hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation percentages, NaCl tolerance, and a substantial acidifying capacity. LAB supernatants demonstrated promising surfactant and emulsifying properties. Likewise, they differentially inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, showcasing their potential as antipathogenic agents. Noteworthily, some strains displayed considerable co-aggregation with these pathogens, and several isolates showed an effective antimutagenic and detoxifying power, further emphasizing their multifaceted capabilities. Five pepper bacterial strains showcased beneficial properties, suggesting their potential for gut health enhancement. In summary, these LAB strains hold promise as vegetable fermentation starters, contributing to food safety and versatile applications in food science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a demographic shift toward older patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN), but data on clinical outcomes are limited. The objective of this study was to determine differences between older and younger HPN patients in regard to HPN indications, prescriptions, and outcomes over the first 2 years receiving HPN. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from HPN adult patients entered in the Canadian HPN Registry. New HPN patients enrolled between 2003 and 2017 and receiving HPN for at least 2 years were selected. Data included demographics, PN prescriptions, catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) over the past year, survival, and quality of life based on Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). Results: Four hundred two patients were included: 184 patients were ≥60 years old, and 219 patients were between 18 and 59 years old. There were no differences in the main indications for HPN, body mass index (BMI), and PN prescriptions at baseline. At 2 years, younger patients received more energy from PN than older patients (27.9 vs 19.6 kcal/kg; P <.001), but BMI remained comparable. There were fewer CRBSIs in the older group (20% vs 36%, P =.0023), but 78% of younger patients remained alive vs 69% in the older group (P =.0401). In those alive, the proportion of patients continuing to receive HPN was comparable and the proportion of patients with a KPS ≥60. Conclusions: Older HPN patients have similar clinical characteristics as younger patients but have fewer CRBSIs and higher 2‐year mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Background: refeeding syndrome (RS) is a metabolic complication associated with nutritional support. The lack of management protocols for patients on nutritional support may lead to the development of RS or undernourishment. Objective: to evaluate adherence to the algorithm for total enteral nutritional support (ASNET), and the efficacy of reaching nutrient requirements in patients at risk of RS. Methods: a cohort study: screening and nutritional evaluation of patients and risk of RS were performed. Adults admitted to hospital for noncritical illness who received exclusively enteral nutrition (EN) were eligible. Patients with RS, intestinal failure or chronic diarrhea were excluded. Adherence to ASNET was evaluated along with the efficacy of nutritional support to reach the optimal protein and energy requirement (OPER) and any associated complications. Patient follow-up ended when the feeding route was changed or upon discharge. Results: a total of 73 patients were included (mean age, 62 ± 16 yrs; BMI, 18.5 ± 4.2 kg/m2), and 55 % were men. All had nutritional risk of developing RS (57, low; 15, high; 1, very high); 34 % had adequate adherence to ASNET, and 33 % managed to cover the total requirement between 4 and 6 days. OPER was reached by 38 % by the fourth day of EN, and adequate adherence to ASNET increased the probability of achieving it (RR, 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.6-3.2, p < 0.0001) without increasing the associated complications. Nonetheless, 36 % developed complications, of whom 96 % did not adhere to ASNET. Conclusion: adherence to ASNET in patients at risk of RS allowed the achievement of OPER safely by day four with fewer associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus essential oils are used in food to confer flavor and aromas. The citrus essential oils have been granted as GRAS and could be used as antimicrobial additives to control bacterial quorum sensing from potential food bacterial pathogens. The chemical composition and inhibitory activity of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) essential oils obtained by cold-pressed method (EOP) and cold-pressed method followed by steam distillation, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined. The GC-MS analyses of the oil indicated the amount of the essential oil components was highest with D-limonene in both cases. However, the extraction method modified the chemical composition. EOP had higher amount of coumarins and flavonoid as well as less oxygenated terpenoids. At 0.1 mg/mL essential oils were not able to modify the bacterial development but inhibited the P. aeruginosa biofilm production between 52% and 55%, sessile viability between 45% and 48%, autoinducer production and elastase activity between 30% and 56%. Limonene was less effective at inhibiting P. aeruginosa than the essential oils, suggesting a synergistic effect of the minor components. According to our results, grapefruit essential oils could be used as a food preservative to control P. aeruginosa virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium is an important genus of ascomycetous fungi in the environment and in food and drug production. This paper aims to investigate statins and antipathogenic natural products from a Penicillium commune environmental isolate. Fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4) were obtained from an ethyl acetate extract. Direct insertion probe/electron ionisation/ion trap detection mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS) identified lovastatin (1) in F1, while GC-MS showed that 3-isobutylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione (2) was the main constituent of F2 (49.34%). F4 presented 3 (16.38%) as an analogue of 2 and their known structures were similar to that of an autoinducer-signal. F1 produced a significant decrease in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, which is the main cause of bacterial pathogenicity. F2 and F4 were effective against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, but when F2 was associated with oxacillin, it showed an important activity against both bacteria. These novel results suggest that P. commune INTA1 is a new source of promising antipathogenic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Background: refeeding syndrome (RS) is a metabolic complication associated with nutritional support. The lack of management protocols for patients on nutritional support may lead to the development of RS or undernourishment. Objective: to evaluate adherence to the algorithm for total enteral nutritional support (ASNET), and the efficacy of reaching nutrient requirements in patients at risk of RS. Methods: a cohort study: screening and nutritional evaluation of patients and risk of RS were performed. Adults admitted to hospital for noncritical illness who received exclusively enteral nutrition (EN) were eligible. Patients with RS, intestinal failure or chronic diarrhea were excluded. Adherence to ASNET was evaluated along with the efficacy of nutritional support to reach the optimal protein and energy requirement (OPER) and any associated complications. Patient follow-up ended when the feeding route was changed or upon discharge. Results: a total of 73 patients were included (mean age, 62 ± 16 yrs; BMI, 18.5 ± 4.2 kg/m2), and 55 % were men. All had nutritional risk of developing RS (57, low; 15, high; 1, very high); 34 % had adequate adherence to ASNET, and 33 % managed to cover the total requirement between 4 and 6 days. OPER was reached by 38 % by the fourth day of EN, and adequate adherence to ASNET increased the probability of achieving it (RR, 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.6-3.2, p < 0.0001) without increasing the associated complications. Nonetheless, 36 % developed complications, of whom 96 % did not adhere to ASNET. Conclusion: adherence to ASNET in patients at risk of RS allowed the achievement of OPER safely by day four with fewer associated complications.