Protective effect of Agaricus bisporus mushroom against maternal and fetal damage induced by lead administration during pregnancy in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Lead (Pb) is a toxic pollutant, which can affect different tissues of the human body. The use of natural elements, as medicinal mushroom can reduce the toxic effects of Pb. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated, through preclinical tests, the oral co exposures to mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Ab) by gavage and Pb in drinking water, and the capability of Ab be a protective agent for both pregnant rats and their fetuses. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 5/group): Group I-Control; Group II-Ab 100 mg/kg; Group III-Pb 100 mg/L; Group IV-Ab +Pb -100 mg/kg +100 mg/L. Exposure was performed until the 19th day of gestation. On the 20th day, pregnant rats were euthanized, and the outcomes evaluated were weight gain; hematological profile; biochemical markers; oxidative stress markers; reproductive capacity; and embryo fetal development. RESULTS: The characterization of mushrooms reveals them to be a valuable source of nutrients. However, Pb ingestion resulted in reduced weight gain and negative impacts on hematological and biochemical parameters. Fortunately, co administration of mushrooms helped to mitigate these negative effects and promote recovery. The mushroom also showed antioxidant activity, improving parameters of oxidative stress. In addition, Ab partially recovered the damage in fetal morphology and bone parameters. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the co administration of Ab improved the toxicity caused by Pb, and the mushroom could be used as a natural alternative as a protective/chelator agent.

Bacterial Cellulose Membranes as Carriers for Nisin: Incorporation, Antimicrobial Activity, Cytotoxicity and Morphology.

Based on the previous study, in which nisin and bacterial cellulose were utilized, this new experiment loads nisin into bacterial cellulose (N-BC) and evaluates the morphological characteristics, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity and stability of the developed system. The load efficiency of nisin in BC was evaluated by an agar diffusion assay, utilizing Lactobacillus sakei, and total proteins. After having found the ideal time and concentration for the loading process, the system stability was evaluated for 100 days at 4, 25 and 37 °C against Staphylococcus aureus and L. sakei. Thus, in this study, there is a system that proves to be efficient, once BC has enhanced the antimicrobial activity of nisin, acting as a selective barrier for other compounds present in the standard solution and protecting the peptide. After 4 h, with 45% of proteins, this activity was almost 2 log10 higher than that of the initial solution. Once the nisin solution was not pure, it is possible to suggest that the BC may have acted as a filter. This barrier enhanced the nisin activity and, as a consequence of the nisin loading, a stable N-BC system formed. The N-BC could create meaningful material for pharmaceutical and food applications.

Lentinula edodes mushroom as an ingredient to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of cereal bars.

Lentinula edodes (shiitake) is the second most cultivated edible mushroom in the world; it has low lipid contents, high protein and it is source of vitamins and minerals. This study aimed to develop and to evaluate two sweet and two salty food bars containing shiitake. The binder elements were heated and then the dried elements were added. The bars were shaped, and the sensorial test was accomplished with hedonic scale of 9 points for analysis of texture, aroma, taste and appearance, and a 5-point scale for buying intention. The centesimal composition included percentages of moisture content, ashes, lipids, proteins and carbohydrate contents. Chemical elements of shiitake were quantified by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence. Glucans were determined using a commercial kit. Phenolic compounds were determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The shelf life was evaluated by microbiological control, up to 180 days, at temperatures of 25 °C and 37 °C. The sweet bar 1 (SwB1) had better sensory analysis and buying intention. Shiitake showed high concentrations of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, phenolic compounds and glucans. SwB1-bar maintained shiitake nutritional characteristics. SwB1-bars did not present microorganisms for up to 180 days of shelf life, neither at 25 °C nor at 37 °C, and they followed the standards determined by National Health Surveillance Agency. Sweet bars are an easy marketing alternative due to their stability, low-cost of production and good acceptance, as well as flexibility to add other functional ingredients beneficial to health, such as shiitake.

Biosorption of pharmaceutical products by mushroom stem waste.

Residues from pharmaceutical products are found in effluents and in other environmental matrices such as soil and surface waters. Chitin and chitosan are highly adsorptive substances present in mushrooms such as champignon (Agaricus bisporus) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes). This study evaluated the adsorption efficiency of shiitake and champignon stalks, and shiitake substrate in water contaminated with paracetamol and 17 α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2). Stalks and substrate were dried and ground. Particles were physically evaluated and chemically characterized. Adsorption kinetic and isotherms were carried out for EE2 and paracetamol. Shiitake and champignon stalks had high percentage of porosity, closed and open pores. All bioproducts from mushroom had chemical groups similar to chitosan standard. However, the degree of deacetylation of chitosan was higher in shiitake (28.3%). In EE2 adsorption kinetics, shiitake and champignon stalks showed 100% removal in 20 and 30 min, respectively. Shiitake substrate showed 80% removal. In paracetamol adsorption kinetics, all bioproducts presented more than 95% removal. In EE2 adsorption isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) to shiitake and champignon stalks and shiitake substrate were 5.62, 18.95 and 0.31 mgEE2/g, respectively. For paracetamol adsorption isotherm, qmax to shiitake and champignon stalks were 34.20 and 338.08 mgparacetamol/g, respectively. In conclusion, shiitake and champignon stalks (specially champignon) had the best results regarding the adsorption of EE2 and paracetamol. Reuse of discarded mushroom waste reduces the environmental impact and can add value to the product.

Estudo de propriedades físico-químicas envolvidas no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo zidovudina / Study of physical-chemical properties involved in the compaction process of an experimental formulation containing zidovudine

Estudo das propriedades físico-químicas envolvidos no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo como fármaco modelo a zidovudina. O objetivo foi caracterizar o comportamento físico-químico de comprimidos produzidos por compressão direta usando-se diferentes pressões de compactação. Nas análises foram empregadas metodologias convencionais e não convencionais. A metodologia não convencional foi o uso da técnica da atenuação de raios-gama na determinação da porosidade. As metodologias convencionais utilizadas foram os testes de friabilidade, dureza e dissolução. Os modelos teóricos utilizados para explicar o comportamento físico-químico da formulação sob compressão são os proposto por Heckel e Walker. Os estudos mostraram que o processo de densificação é governado principalmente por deformações do tipo plásticas e pressões em torno de 246MPa são suficientes para induzir deformação plástica e consolidação do sistema compactado. Os resultados da análise de Walker indicam que a formulação tem propriedades de compressão que podem ser melhoradas.

This paper presents a study of the physical-chemical properties involved in powder compaction of an experimental formulation containing as model drug the zidovudine. The aim of this work was to characterize the physical-chemical behavior of experimental tablets produced by direct compression applying different strengths. In these analyses were employed conventional and non-conventional methodologies. The non-convectional methodology was the use of gamma-ray attenuation technique for tablet porosity determination. The conventional methodologies used were the tests of hardness, friability and dissolution. The theoretical models used to explain the physical-chemical behavior of the formulation under compression were those proposed by Heckel and Walker. These tests showing that the densification process is to take mainly by plastic deformation and pressures about 246 MPa are enough to produce robust tablets. Results obtained from the analysis of the Walker equation, indicate that the formulation has compression properties that could be improved.

Development and evaluation of a floating multiparticulate gastroretentive system for modified release of AZT.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a floating multiparticulate gastroretentive system for the modified release of zidovudine (AZT). AZT was used as a model drug water-soluble at therapeutic doses. The floating gastroretentive system was obtained by co-precipitation, after solvent diffusion and evaporation. The proposed system was evaluated in vitro for particle morphology, lag time and floating time, loading rate, release profile, and the release kinetic of AZT release. AZT's physico-chemical characteristics were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XDR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The particles obtained were sphere-shaped, hollow, and had porous walls. The floating was immediate, and floating time was higher than 12 h. The loading rate was 34.0 ± 9.0%. The system obtained had an extended release. DSC and XDR results showed a modification in AZT's solid state. IR spectroscopy revealed that the chemical structure of the AZT was unchanged. The hollow microballoons presented gastroretentive, floating, and extended-release properties.