Berberis microphylla G. Forst Intake Reduces the Cardiovascular Disease Plasmatic Markers Associated with a High-Fat Diet in a Mice Model.

Polyphenols are bioactive substances that participate in the prevention of chronic illnesses. High content has been described in Berberis microphylla G. Forst (calafate), a wild berry extensively distributed in Chilean-Argentine Patagonia. We evaluated its beneficial effect through the study of mouse plasma metabolome changes after chronic consumption of this fruit. Characterized calafate extract was administered in water, for four months, to a group of mice fed with a high-fat diet and compared with a control diet. Metabolome changes were studied using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-based untargeted metabolomics. The study was complemented by the analysis of protein biomarkers determined using Luminex technology, and quantification of OH radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thirteen features were identified with a maximum annotation level-A, revealing an increase in succinic acid, activation of tricarboxylic acid and reduction of carnitine accumulation. Changes in plasma biomarkers were related to inflammation and cardiovascular disease, with changes in thrombomodulin (-24%), adiponectin (+68%), sE-selectin (-34%), sICAM-1 (-24%) and proMMP-9 (-31%) levels. The production of OH radicals in plasma was reduced after calafate intake (-17%), especially for the group fed with a high-fat diet. These changes could be associated with protection against atherosclerosis due to calafate consumption, which is discussed from a holistic and integrative point of view.

Selection of Autochthonous Yeasts Isolated from the Intestinal Tracts of Cobia Fish (Rachycentron canadum) with Probiotic Potential.

Some yeast strains have been proposed as probiotics to improve the health of cultured fish. Cobia is a tropical benthopelagic fish species with potential for marine aquaculture; however, one of the main limitations to its large-scale production is the high mortality of fish larvae. In this study, we evaluated the probiotic potential of autochthonous yeasts from the intestines of cobia. Thirty-nine yeast isolates were recovered from the intestinal mucosa of 37 adult healthy cobia by culture methods. Yeasts were identified by sequencing of the ITS and D1/D2 regions of the 28S rRNA gene and typed by RAPD-PCR using the M13 primer. Yeast strains with unique RAPD patterns were characterized in terms of their cell biomass production ability; anti-Vibrio, enzymatic, and hemolytic activity; biofilm production; hydrophobicity; autoaggregation; polyamine production; safety; and protection of cobia larvae against saline stress. Candida haemuloni C27 and Debaryomyces hansenii C10 and C28 were selected as potential probiotics. They did not affect the survival of larvae and showed biomass production >1 g L-1, hydrophobicity >41.47%, hemolytic activity γ, and activity in more than 8 hydrolytic enzymes. The results suggest that the selected yeast strains could be considered as potential probiotic candidates and should be evaluated in cobia larvae.

Metabolic profile and antioxidant capacity of five Berberis leaves species: A comprehensive study to determine their potential as natural food or ingredient.

A comprehensive study of bioactive compounds was carried out in the leaves of the main Berberis species growing in Chile (Berberis microphylla, Berberis darwinii, Berberis empetrifolia, Berberis trigona, and the introduced Berberis vulgaris). We identified 117 compounds, by a detailed analysis of each molecule, including phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonols, and other compounds, using high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis of main compound was also included for all species. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were the main compounds in all the studied leaves, with the highest concentration in Berberis microphylla. Quercetin derivatives were the most relevant flavonols in all species, except in Berberis vulgaris, in which isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside was the most concentrated. The fatty acid profile, determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry revealed the presence of linoleic and linolenic acids in all species studied. Berberis vulgaris showed higher levels of these fatty acids. The antioxidant capacity, explored by three in vitro methods, showed high values for all studied Berberis species. The obtained levels are higher than those of other prominent foods. The findings will inform novel approaches for the valorization of these leaves as natural food or ingredient.