Articles tagged with Bioactive Compounds
Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a simplified Birch reduction method that avoids liquid ammonia and can be carried out in ambient air, making it faster and more eco-friendly. The mechanochemical approach uses a ball mill to break through the surface layer on lithium metal, enabling the Birch reduction to proceed.
Researchers have developed a novel technology for nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds, specifically anthocyanin, using pectin and lysozyme. The methodology ensures slow release of the compound, allowing it to survive gut bacteria and digestive enzymes.
Researchers developed a new muffin recipe using Hibiscus sabdariffa extract, which provides high levels of antioxidants like phenolics. The muffins also have improved nutrition, containing less sugar, saturated fat, and white flour, making them a healthier option.
A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that breastfeeding can reduce arsenic exposure in infants compared to formula feeding. Researchers measured arsenic levels in mothers, babies, and breast milk, revealing a clear association between maternal and neonatal arsenic exposure.
Chemists at the University of Groningen have developed a simple one-pot reaction to produce chiral Z-alkenes, previously inaccessible molecules. This method uses a phosphine molecule as a starting point, reducing the need for purification and allowing for the creation of complex functionalised alkenes.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a multiplex base-editing platform that significantly improves the pace of new drug discovery by inducing fungi to produce more bioactive compounds. The technique has been deployed as a tool for mining fungal genomes for medically useful compounds, reducing research timeline by over 80%.
Researchers at CiQUS developed a new methodology for synthesizing chiral benzazepines, a highly interesting bioactive molecule. The method uses a palladium metal and a newly designed chiral ligand to activate specific C-H bonds, enabling the efficient production of these compounds.
Researchers have successfully cultivated Cordyceps mushrooms on edible insects, resulting in significantly higher levels of cordycepin. The study found that insect fat content, particularly oleic acid, plays a crucial role in cordycepin production.
Scientists are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi, including psilocybin found in 'magic mushrooms'. The research aims to understand the evolution of these compounds and their potential applications in medicine and conservation.
Researchers at KAUST have identified thermophilic bacteria with potential to degrade oil contamination. The study reveals that certain bacteria can secrete surfactants and absorb emulsified petroleum into their cells for degradation via enzymatic activity.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery into cells, particularly in stem cells. They found that nanoparticles become trapped in bubble-like vesicles, preventing them from reaching their targets.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists have identified a potential new antibiotic candidate from the rare soil microbe Lentzea flaviverrucosa. The discovery was made using genomics-based approaches and shows that this actinomycete produces two different bioactive molecules that are active against various types of cancer cells.
A study found a shift in the profile of specialized lipid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory in patients with cognitive impairment, correlating with severity of cognition impairment. The researchers identified novel mechanisms of brain health and potential therapeutic targets for slowing down Alzheimer's disease onset.
Researchers at George Washington University developed a novel tool to rapidly screen pesticides for safety and performance. The new approach can aid in the design of next-generation molecules to develop safer pesticides, with only 7% of analyzed compounds meeting safety criteria.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans and Karolinska Institutet found that intranasal application of pro-resolving lipid mediators arrested memory loss and brain degeneration in an experimental Alzheimer's model. This discovery opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.
A study discovered that fungus Cyanodermella asteris synthesizes valuable compounds in plant Aster tataricus, influencing its growth. The interaction reveals a two-way dialogue between the microbe and host, with the fungus producing beneficial compounds while also being influenced by plant hormones.
Prunes have been found to help prevent or delay bone loss in postmenopausal women by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This is due to their potential to alter the gut microbiome, which can lead to lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative damage.
A University of Ottawa review provides the first field-wide summary of how pesticide exposure affects social bee gut microbiotas. The study found that pesticides disturb microbial communities, leading to a loss of benefits and potential decline in bee health and performance.
Researchers develop a method called Cell Painting that uses morphological profiling to detect side effects of substances on cells, enabling the identification of tubulin-modulating compounds. The study reveals over 1% of tested substances have this effect, including previously unknown reference substances.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel light-based method for rapidly racemizing chiral sulfoxides, a crucial step in producing desired enantiomers. This breakthrough utilizes photocatalysts to achieve rapid racemization under moderate conditions, bypassing the need for high temperatures previously required.
A new study suggests that drinking 100% orange juice significantly reduces interleukin 6, a well-established marker of inflammation, in both healthy and high-risk adults. However, the results did not quite reach statistical significance for two additional inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science discovered endophytic bacteria that can survive extreme conditions within passion fruit seeds. The bacteria were isolated from seedlings grown from cut seeds and found to possess biocatalytic activities related to the metabolism of secondary metabolites, such as resveratrol and piceatannol.
Researchers discovered significant antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition in various culinary herbs, including rosemary, oregano, and lemon myrtle. These findings suggest that these herbs may have preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, as well as cognitive decline.
Researchers found that cooking vegetables with extra virgin olive oil increases the absorption and release of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids and polyphenols. This process may explain the anti-inflammatory effects observed in tomato sauce, suggesting a potential role for Mediterranean gastronomy in improving health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Bonn present a new scaffold concept that combines structural key compounds and reaction criteria for a more consistent definition. The analog series-based scaffolds (ASB) framework provides a unique insight into compound diversity and structure-activity relationships.
The OU Natural Products Discovery Group has launched a crowdsourcing initiative to engage the public in finding new compounds with therapeutic relevance. The program has already led to the discovery of maximiscin, a unique bioactive compound obtained from a soil sample submitted by an Alaskan citizen.
A recent study found that a specific gene linked to fat tissue inflammation may protect against diet-induced obesity-related health problems. The researchers discovered that overexpressing this gene increased fat deposition while suppressing inflammatory responses and improving insulin sensitivity in genetically modified mice.
Researchers have successfully used two catalysts to produce valuable compounds for biomedical research. The cooperative catalysis approach allows for rapid, efficient and controlled production of large amounts of a key building block for many pharmaceuticals.