A new biostimulant derived from soybean by-products enhances plant tolerance to abiotic stress triggered by ozone.

BACKGROUND: Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that causes negative effects on vegetation, leading to significant losses in crop productivity. It is generated by chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight between primary pollutants resulting from human activity, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Due to the constantly increasing emission of ozone precursors, together with the influence of a warming climate on ozone levels, crop losses may be aggravated in the future. Therefore, the search for solutions to mitigate these losses becomes a priority. Ozone-induced abiotic stress is mainly due to reactive oxygen species generated by the spontaneous decomposition of ozone once it reaches the apoplast. In this regard, compounds with antioxidant activity offer a viable option to alleviate ozone-induced damage. Using enzymatic technology, we have developed a process that enables the production of an extract with biostimulant properties from okara, an industrial soybean byproduct. The biostimulant, named as OEE (Okara Enzymatic Extract), is water-soluble and is enriched in bioactive compounds present in okara, such as isoflavones. Additionally, it contains a significant fraction of protein hydrolysates contributing to its functional effect. Given its antioxidant capacity, we aimed to investigate whether OEE could alleviate ozone-induced damage in plants. For that, pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) exposed to ozone were treated with a foliar application of OEE. RESULTS: OEE mitigated ozone-induced damage, as evidenced by the net photosynthetic rate, electron transport rate, effective quantum yield of PSII, and delayed fluorescence. This protection was confirmed by the level of expression of genes associated with photosystem II. The beneficial effect was primarily due to its antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the lipid peroxidation rate measured through malondialdehyde content. Additionally, OEE triggered a mild oxidative response, indicated by increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and guaiacol peroxidase) and the oxidative stress index, providing further protection against ozone-induced stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present results support that OEE protects plants from ozone exposure. Taking into consideration that the promotion of plant resistance against abiotic damage is an important goal of biostimulants, we assume that its use as a new biostimulant could be considered.

Polyurethane Foam Residue Biodegradation through the Tenebrio molitor Digestive Tract: Microbial Communities and Enzymatic Activity.

Polyurethane (PU) is a widely used polymer with a highly complex recycling process due to its chemical structure. Eliminating polyurethane is limited to incineration or accumulation in landfills. Biodegradation by enzymes and microorganisms has been studied for decades as an effective method of biological decomposition. In this study, Tenebrio molitor larvae (T. molitor) were fed polyurethane foam. They degraded the polymer by 35% in 17 days, resulting in a 14% weight loss in the mealworms. Changes in the T. molitor gut bacterial community and diversity were observed, which may be due to the colonization of the species associated with PU degradation. The physical and structural biodegradation of the PU, as achieved by T. molitor, was observed and compared to the characteristics of the original PU (PU-virgin) using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microphotography (SEM).

Biostimulant Capacity of an Enzymatic Extract From Rice Bran Against Ozone-Induced Damage in Capsicum annum.

Ozone is a destructive pollutant, damaging crops, and decreasing crop yield. Therefore, there is great interest in finding strategies to alleviate ozone-induced crop losses. In plants, ozone enters leaves through the stomata and is immediately degraded into reactive oxygen species (ROS), producing ROS stress in plants. ROS stress can be controlled by ROS-scavenging systems that include enzymatic or non-enzymatic mechanisms. Our research group has developed a product from rice bran, a by-product of rice milling which has bioactive molecules that act as an antioxidant compound. This product is a water-soluble rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE) which preserves all the properties and improves the solubility of proteins and the antioxidant components of rice bran. In previous works, the beneficial properties of RBEE have been demonstrated in animals. However, to date, RBEE has not been used as a protective agent against oxidative damage in agricultural fields. The main goal of this study was to investigate the ability of RBEE to be used as a biostimulant by preventing oxidative damage in plants, after ozone exposure. To perform this investigation, pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) exposed to ozone were treated with RBEE. RBEE protected the ozone-induced damage, as revealed by net photosynthetic rate and the content of photosynthetic pigments. RBEE also decreased the induction of antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase) due to ozone exposure. ROS generation is a common consequence of diverse cellular traumas that also activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Thus, it is known that the ozone damages are triggered by the MAPK cascade. To examine the involvement of the MAPK cascade in the ozone damage CaMPK6-1, CaMPK6-2, and CaMKK5 genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The results showed the involvement of the MAPK pathway in both, not only in ozone damage but especially in its protection by RBEE. Taken together, these results support that RBEE protects plants against ozone exposure and its use as a new biostimulant could be proposed.

Do environmental regulations matter on Spanish foreign investment? A multisectorial approach.

A gravity model is used to investigate the impact of the stringency and enforcement of the environmental regulation on Spanish investment flows abroad during the period 2008-2018. From the pollution haven hypothesis' (PHH) perspective, the research tests if offshoring and outsourcing processes from Spanish multinational enterprises (MNEs) were due to movements through FDI of high-polluting industries seeking refuge in countries with a low standard of legal environmental protection framework. The analysis includes FDI into primary, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, professional services, leisure services, utilities, and other services. When no sectoral approach is developed, PHH seems to be not held. However, the multisectoral perspective states that MNEs in primary and manufacturing sectors seek refuge in countries with a low standard of legal environmental protection framework.

Use of a biostimulant obtained from okara in the bioremediation of a soil polluted by used motor car oil.

In this manuscript we studied in the laboratory the bioremediation effects of a biostimulant obtained from okara by enzymatic hydrolysis processes in a soil polluted with used motor-car oil at a rate of 1 % (w/w) over an 89-day period. The biostimulant was added to the soil 6 times during the incubation period at a rate of 2 %. Dehydrogenase activity and the evolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pseudo total heavy metals in soil were studied. The successive applications of the biostimulant to the polluted soil gradually increased PAHs degradation during the experimental period. Thus, at the end of the experiment, the application of the biostimulant decreased the concentration of naphthalene in soil by 74 %, while PAHs with 3, 4, 5 and 6 aromatic rings had been reduced by around 58 %, 44 %, 30 % and 23 %, respectively. This degradation is possibly due to the high number of low molecular weight peptides (<300 Da) in the biostimulant which are readily available for PAHs-tolerant soil microorganisms that accelerate the degradation of the said toxins. The concentration of heavy metals in the oil used was not very high and consequently the dehydrogenase activity was not negatively affected.

Protease technology for obtaining a soy pulp extract enriched in bioactive compounds: isoflavones and peptides.

This work presents a new bioprocess process for the extraction of bioactive components from soy pulp by-product (okara) using an enzymatic technology that was compared to a conventional water extraction. Okara is rich in fiber, fat, protein, and bioactive compounds such as isoflavones but its low solubility hampers the use in food and fertilizer industry. After the enzymatic attack with endoproteases half of the original insoluble proteins were converted into soluble peptides. Linked to this process occured the solubilization of isoflavones trapped in the insoluble protein matrix. We were able to extract up to 62.5% of the total isoflavones content, specially aglycones, the more bioactive isoflavone forms, whose values rose 9.12 times. This was probably due to the increased solubilization and interconversion from the original isoflavones. In conclusion, our process resulted in the formulation of a new functional product rich in aglycones and bioactive peptides with higher antioxidant potency than the original source. Therefore, we propose that the enzymatic extraction of okara bioactive compounds is an advantageous tool to replace conventional extraction.

Obtaining edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers from sewage sludge using fermentative processes. Short-time effects on soil biochemical properties.

In this manuscript, we study the manufacture and effect on soils of different edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers (BS) obtained from sewage sludge using Bacillus licheniformis as biological tool. These BS consist of different combinations of organic matter, bacteria and enzymes that were subjected to several treatments. These BS were applied in soil in order to observe their influence on the biochemical properties (enzymatic activities and ergosterol content). Dehydrogenase, urease, ß-glucosidase, phosphatase activities and ergosterol content were measured at different incubation days. Only dehydrogenase activity and ergosterol content were significantly stimulated after the application of BS1 and BS4. Rest of the extracellular activities were not stimulated probably because B. licheniformis practically has digested all organic substrates during fermentation process.

Production of biostimulants from okara through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with Bacillus licheniformis: comparative effect on soil biological properties.

In this work okara (OK), a by-product of soy milk manufacturing, is submitted to an enzymatic hydrolysis and a fermentative process to produce different soil biostimulants (BS): EH, hydrolysate obtained by the enzymatic process; FHEB, fermentation broth with Bacillus licheniformis and the enzymes secreted during the fermentation; FHE, fermentation broth without bacteria and FH, the FHE hydrolysate in which enzymes were denatured. Enzymatic hydrolysates showed a different chemical composition compared with fermented hydrolysates and OK. It had a higher protein concentration as well as C, P and K. The proteins of OK were converted into peptides with a lower molecular weight, the fermented hydrolysates being those with the lowest molecular weight profile. The influences of hydrolysates and OK were tested in soil, finding that ß-glucosidase, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities were stimulated by every treatment. However, it was observed that EH produced a greater stimulation of dehydrogenase and phosphatase than both OK and fermented BS. The bacterial and fungal phospholipid fatty acids were also higher in soils amended with BS than those of the control and soils with OK. It has also been found that ß-glucosidase, phosphatase and microbial biomass were dose-dependent in every treatment, but dehydrogenase only was dose-dependent in EH and OK treatments.

Bioavailability of the ferulic acid-derived phenolic compounds of a rice bran enzymatic extract and their activity against superoxide production.

Rice bran is an exceptional source of such antioxidant molecules as γ-oryzanol and ferulic acid, but their bioavailability and metabolism within this matrix remain unknown. The aims of this work were to describe the oral bioavailability and metabolic pathways of the ferulic acid-derived phenolic compounds contained in a rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE), and to determine its effect on NADPH oxidase activity. Wistar rats were administered with RBEE and sacrificed at different times over a period of 24 h to obtain plasma. An additional group was used for collection of urine and faeces over a period of 48 h. The phenolic metabolites were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. In parallel, aortic rings were incubated in the plasma of rats sacrificed 30 min after RBEE gavage, or in the presence of RBEE, ferulic acid or γ-oryzanol. Endothelin-1-induced superoxide production was recorded by lucigenin-enhanced luminescence. Twenty-five ferulic acid metabolites showing biphasic behaviour were found in the plasma, most of which were found in the urine as well, while in the faeces, colonic metabolism led to simpler phenolic compounds. Superoxide production was abrogated by phenolic compound-enriched plasma and by RBEE and ferulic acid, thus showing the biological potential of RBEE as a nutraceutical ingredient.

Rice bran enzymatic extract reduces atherosclerotic plaque development and steatosis in high-fat fed ApoE-/- mice.

OBJECTIVE: Rice bran is a by-product of rice milling and is rich in bioactive molecules such as γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, and tocotrienols. The rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE) previously showed vessel remodeling prevention and lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities. The aim of this study was to identify RBEE hypolipidemic mechanisms and to study the effects of RBEE on the progression of atherosclerosis disease and linked vascular dysfunction and liver steatosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed low- or high-fat (LFD, HFD, respectively) and cholesterol diets. METHODS: ApoE-/- mice were fed LFD (13% kcal) or HFD (42% kcal) supplemented or not supplemented with 1 or 5% RBEE (w/w) for 23 wk. Then, serum, aorta, liver, and feces were collected and flash frozen for further analysis. RESULTS: RBEE supplementation of HFD improved serum values by augmenting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and preventing total cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase increase. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity was attenuated (1 and 5% RBEE) and cholesterol excretion increased (5% RBEE). Diet supplementation with 5% RBEE reduced plaque development regardless of the diet. In HFD-fed mice, both doses of RBEE reduced lipid deposition and macrophage infiltration in the aortic sinus and downregulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. None of these effects was observed in mice fed LFD. Liver steatosis was reduced by RBEE supplementation of LFD (1% RBEE) and HFD (1 and 5% RBEE) and nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α expression upregulated in the HDF 5% RBEE group. CONCLUSION: Regular consumption of RBEE-supplemented HFD reduced plaque development and liver steatosis by decreasing inflammation and hyperlipidemia through an HMG-CoA reductase activity and lipid excretion-related mechanism.

Pre-fermentative addition of an enzymatic grape seed hydrolysate in warm climate winemaking. Effect on the differential colorimetry, copigmentation and polyphenolic profiles.

The effect of adding an enzymatic hydrolysate of grape seeds (EH-GS) during Syrah wine fermentation in a warm climate has been evaluated. We focused on the polyphenolic composition as well as the application of differential and tristimulus colorimetry to colour data. This is the first attempt at using this oenological alternative to avoid common colour losses of red wines elaborated in a warm climate. The addition of 250g (simple dose, SW) of EH-GS to 120kg of fermentation material promoted a significant (p<0.05) increase in the polyphenolic content of stored wines, especially in benzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, flavonol and anthocyanin levels. This increase could promote a higher copigmentation percentage and maximum colour stabilization (C(∗)ab) without significantly changing the wine tonality. Unexpectedly, the use of a double quantity (DW) of EH-GS resulted in significantly less chroma than for control wines (CW), demonstrating visually perceptible colour changes (ΔE(∗)ab>3 CIELAB units).

Accelerated degradation of PAHs using edaphic biostimulants obtained from sewage sludge and chicken feathers.

We studied in the laboratory the bioremediation effects over a 100-day period of three edaphic biostimulants (BS) obtained from sewage sludge (SS) and from two different types of chicken feathers (CF1 and CF2), in a soil polluted with three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (phenanthrene, Phe; pyrene, Py; and benzo(a)pyrene, BaP), at a concentration of 100 mg kg(-1) soil. We determined their effects on enzymatic activities and on soil microbial community. Those BS with larger amounts of proteins and a higher proportion of peptides (<300 daltons), exerted a greater stimulation on the soil biochemical properties and microbial community, possibly because low molecular weight proteins can be easily assimilated by soil microorganisms. The soil dehydrogenase, urease, ß-glucosidase and phosphatase activities and microbial community decreased in PAH-polluted soil. This decrease was more pronounced in soils contaminated with BaP than with Py and Phe. The application of the BS to PAH-polluted soils decreased the inhibition of the soil biological properties, principally at 7 days into the experiment. This decrease was more pronounced in soils contaminated with BaP than with Py and Phe and was higher in polluted soils amended with CF2, followed by SS and CF1, respectively.

Effects of mefenoxam fungicide on soil biochemical properties.

We studied the effect of mefenoxam on soil biochemical properties. Soil was mixed with three rates of mefenoxam (0.5, 1 and 2 L ha(-1)) and incubated for 83 days. Fungicide was applied to the soil four times during the experiment, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Soil ergosterol, dehydrogenase, urease, ß-glucosidase, and phosphatase activities were measured during the experiment. Compared to controls, soils with the highest doses of mefenoxam demonstrated decreased ergosterol and dehydrogenase activities by 81 and 27 %, respectively; whereas, urease, ß-glucosidase, and phosphatase activities increased. These results suggest that mefenoxam may possibly have consequences for agronomic crop production due to the negative effect on soil fungal populations and stimulation of the growth of soil bacterial activity.

Obtaining edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers from different sewage sludges. Effects on soil biological properties.

We studied the influence of six edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers (BSs) manufactured by the pH-stat method from different sewage sludge (SS): SS1 (an anaerobic mature sludge, one year old), SS2 (an aerobic young sludge, without maturation) and SS3 (an aerobic mature sludge, four months old), not previously autoclaved (A) and autoclaved (B), by analysing their effects on soil biological properties. Soil enzymatic activities were measured at 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of the incubation period, whereas the 16S rDNA-DGGE profiles were determined at 0, 5 and 60 days. The enzymatic activities were significantly stimulated. The highest stimulation was found in the B2 treatment followed by B3, A2, A3, B1 and A1 treatments. Increasing the number of lower molecular weight proteins in the BS enhances the stimulation of soil enzymatic activities. The application of BS caused at 5 days of the incubation period temporal variations in the soil bacterial community structure.

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of isochroman-derivatives of hydroxytyrosol: structure-activity relationship.

Isochroman-derivatives of the natural olive oil phenol hydroxytyrosol (HT) have been synthesised via Oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction in high yields. Lipophilicity and antioxidant activity were determined to establish the structure-activity relationship of isochromans compared to HT, BHT and α-tocopherol. Antioxidant capacity was tested in two different media: bulk oils, using the Rancimat test, and brain homogenates, by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a lipoperoxidation biomarker. In addition, other antioxidant assays (FRAP, ABTS and ORAC) were carried out. Rancimat and MDA results show that antioxidant activity was related with lipophilicity, directly in brain homogenates and inversely in the oils, in agreement with the polar paradox. Free o-diphenolic groups positively determined the activity in the oils, whereas reducing and radical-scavenging activities were related to the number of free hydroxyl moieties. BHT and α-tocopherol showed lower antioxidant activity than isochromans and HT. We conclude that HT-isochromans present significant potential as bioactive compounds.

Sistema on-line de cálculo de dietas individualizado para pacientes diabéticos / On-line individualized diet program focused on diabetics

Introducción: El tratamiento nutricional de la diabetes debe ser individualizado en función de los requerimientos de cada sujeto. Además, el paciente deber recibir el consejo dietético necesario para aprender a elegir bien los diferentes alimentos atendiendo a su composición y cantidad así como organizar su propio plan personalizado de alimentación. Objetivos: Esta plataforma on-line pretende facilitar a los profesionales sanitarios la prescripción de dietas individualizadas para sus pacientes diabéticos. Métodos: La plataforma desarrollada permite al profesional disponer de ella desde cualquier lugar y desde cualquier ordenador, tableta o teléfono Smartphone, ya que el acceso es vía internet, perfectamente adaptado tanto a dispositivos modernos como a los más antiguos. La plataforma se complementa con un Blog, con un buzón de consulta con un experto y con material educativo de apoyo. Resultados: Se han generado tres módulos: Diabetes en el adulto, en el anciano frágil y en presencia de nefropatía diabética. Para que el programa pueda hacer el cálculo individualizado de requerimientos solicita información sobre la edad, el género, el peso y la talla y valora el patrón de actividad física que realiza el paciente. Además en el caso del paciente anciano o con insuficiencia renal pide más datos y calcula el riesgo o la presencia de desnutrición mediante el método MUST. El programa propone unas recomendaciones nutricionales generales dirigidas al tratamiento nutricional de la propia diabetes, al control del sobrepeso así como para ciertas condiciones y patologías asociadas frecuentemente con la diabetes y para la promoción de la actividad física. Acorde con los requerimientos calóricos de cada caso, se dispondrá de numerosas opciones de menús semanales adaptados (para invierno ó verano), que incluyen instrucciones sobre el número de raciones diarias recomendadas para cada grupo de alimentos, junto con el peso en gramos de la ración de esos alimentos en crudo y su equivalencia en medidas caseras. En el caso del anciano frágil se añaden recomendaciones en caso de riesgo o presencia de desnutrición y en el caso de nefropatía diabética, el programa también realiza el cálculo de los requerimientos proteicos según la patología renal existe y restricción de potasio, sal o agua, si se precisan. Conclusiones: Se considera que este proyecto puede ser muy beneficioso para nuestros pacientes diabéticos ya que podrán llevar una alimentación más acorde con sus necesidades reales, lo cual se podrá asociar con un mejor control metabólico, una mejor calidad de vida y un mayor disfrute de su comida (AU)

Introduction: The nutritional treatment of diabetes should be individualized depending on the requirements of each subject. In addition, patient must receive dietary advice for learning to choose different foods according to their composition and amount, as well as to organize their own personalized meal plan. Objectives: This online platform aims to facilitate to healthcare professionals prescribing individualized diets for their diabetic patients. Methods: The platform allows to the professional to dispose of it from anywhere, from any computer, tablet or Smartphone; the access is via internet, perfectly suited to modern devices and the oldest. The platform is complemented by a Blog, with a mailbox of consultation with an expert and with educational support materials. Results: We have generated three modules: adults, frail elderly, and in the presence of diabetic nephropathy. To enable the program to the individual calculation of requirements it requested information about age, gender, weight and size and the patient pattern of exercise. In addition in the case of the elderly patient or with kidney failure it asks for more data and calculates the risk or the presence of malnutrition through the MUST method. The program proposes general nutritional recommendations for nutritional treatment of diabetes, overweight control, as well as for certain conditions and diseases frequently associated with Diabetes if needed and for the promotion of physical activity. According to the caloric requirements of each case, there are numerous options of tailored weekly menus (for winter or summer), including instructions on the number of daily servings recommended for each food group, together with the weight in grams of the portion of such foods and its equivalent in homemade measures. In the case of the frail elderly are added recommendations for the risk or presence of malnutrition and in the case of diabetic nephropathy, the program also performs the calculation of the protein requirements according to renal pathology and restriction of potassium, salt or water, if required. Conclusions: We believe that this platform can be very beneficial for our diabetic patients since they may enjoy a diet more in line with their actual needs, which may be associated with a better metabolic control, a better quality of life and a greater enjoyment of their meal (AU)

Betalain profile, phenolic content, and color characterization of different parts and varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica.

Three different varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica (R, red; Y, yellow; RY, red-yellow) have been considered in this study. Attention was focused on differential tristimulus colorimetry and on the analysis of individual betalains (HPLC-DAD-ESI-ToF-MS) and phenolic content, scarcely previously reported in these kinds of samples. The importance of this research stems from the elucidation of the parts and varieties of cactus pear more optimal for use as natural colorants and sources of phenolics and betalains. Thus, the RY pulp was appropriate to obtain colorants with high color intensity (C*(ab) = 66.5), whereas the whole Y fruit and R pulp reached powerful and stable yellow and red colors, respectively (C*(ab)/h(ab), 57.1/84.7 and 61.1°/81.8°). This choice was also based on the visually appreciable differences (ΔE*(ab) > 5) among samples, mainly quantitative (%Δ(2)L, %Δ(2)C). In addition, seeds of all Opuntia varieties showed significantly (p < 0.05) similar phenolic content (around 23.3 mg/g) and color characteristics.

Behaviour of oxyfluorfen in soils amended with edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers obtained from sewage sludge and chicken feathers. Effects on soil biological properties.

We studied the behaviour of oxyfluorfen herbicide at a rate of 4 l ha(-1) on biological properties of a Calcaric Regosol amended with two edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers (SS, derived from sewage sludge; and CF, derived from chicken feathers). Oxyfluorfen was surface broadcast on 11 March 2013. Two days after application of oxyfluorfen to soil, both biostimulants/biofertilizers (BS) were also applied to the soil. An unamended soil without oxyfluorfen was used as control. For 2, 4, 7, 9, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of the application of herbicide to the soil and for each treatment, the soil dehydrogenase, urease, ß-glucosidase and phosphatase activities were measured. For 2, 7, 30 and 120 days of the application of herbicide to the soil and for each treatment, soil microbial community was determined. The application of both BS to soil without the herbicide increased the enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity, mainly at 7 days of beginning the experiment. However, this stimulation was higher in the soil amended with SS than for CF. The application of herbicide in organic-amended soils decreased the inhibition of soil enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity. Possibly, the low-molecular-weight protein content easily assimilated by soil microorganisms is responsible for less inhibition of these soil biological properties.

Behavior of oxyfluorfen in soils amended with different sources of organic matter. Effects on soil biology.

We performed a laboratory study on the effect of oxyfluorfen at a rate of 4lha(-1) on biological properties of a soil amended with four organic wastes (two biostimulants/biofertilizers, obtained from rice bran, RB1 and RB2; municipal solid waste, MSW; and sheep manure, SM). Soil was mixed with SM at a rate of 1%, MSW at a rate of 0.52%, RB1 at a rate of 0.39% and RB2 at a rate of 0.30%, in order to apply the same amount of organic matter to the soil. The enzymatic activities and microbial community in the soil were determined during the incubation times. The application of RB1 and RB2 to soil without oxyfluorfen increased the enzymatic activities and biodiversity, peaking at day 10 of the incubation period. This stimulation was higher in the soil amended with RB2 than in that amended with RB1. In SM and CF-amended soils, the stimulation of enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity increased during the experiment. The application of herbicide in organic-amended soils decreased the inhibition of soil enzymatic activities and soil biodiversity. Possibly the low molecular weight protein content easily assimilated by soil microorganisms and the higher fat content in the biostimulants/biofertilizers are responsible for the lower inhibition of these soil biological properties.

Rice bran enzymatic extract restores endothelial function and vascular contractility in obese rats by reducing vascular inflammation and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE) used in this study has shown beneficial activities against dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension. Our aim was to investigate the effects of a diet supplemented with RBEE in vascular impairment developed in obese Zucker rats and to evaluate the main mechanisms mediating this action. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obese Zucker rats were fed a 1% and 5% RBEE-supplemented diet (O1% and O5%). Obese and their lean littermates fed a standard diet were used as controls (OC and LC, respectively). Vascular function was evaluated in aortic rings in organ baths. The role of nitric oxide (NO) was investigated by using NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors. Aortic expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits and superoxide production in arterial wall were determined. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular hyperreactivity to phenylephrine in obese rats were ameliorated by RBEE treatment, particularly with 1% RBEE. Up-regulation of eNOS protein expression in RBEE-treated aortas should contribute to this activity. RBEE attenuated vascular inflammation by reducing aortic iNOS and TNF-α expression. Aortas from RBEE-treated groups showed a significant decrease of superoxide production and down-regulation of NADPH oxidase subunits. CONCLUSION: RBEE treatment restored endothelial function and vascular contractility in obese Zucker rats through a reduction of vascular inflammation and oxidative stress. These results show the nutraceutical potential of RBEE to prevent obesity-related vascular complications.