Biology subjects

Scurria, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Scurria, A..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Cross-linked natural IntegroPectin films from Citrus biowaste with intrinsic antimicrobial activity

Pectin recovered via hydrodynamic cavitation (IntegroPectin) from lemon and grapefruit agri-food waste intrinsically containing antimicrobial bioactive substances (flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and terpenoids) was used to generate innovative and eco-compatible films that efficiently inhibit the growth of Gram-negative pathogens. Extensive characterization of films confirmed the presence of these substances, which differently interact with the polysaccharide polymer (pectin), plasticizer (glycerol), surfactant (Tween 60), and cross-linker (Ca2+), conferring to these films a unique structure. Besides, IntegroPectin-based films constitute sustained, controlled, and slow-release (up to 72h) systems for bioactive substances in an aqueous environment. This feature is crucial for the good in vitro antimicrobial activity exerted by IntegroPectin films against three Gram-negative bacteria (two indicator pathogen strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, P. aeruginosa PAO1, and the clinical isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae) that are involved in the global emergence of the antimicrobial resistance.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Neuroprotective, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y cells

Tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin is a powerful neuroprotective, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent. The strong antioxidant properties of grapefruit IntegroPectin, and its ability to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology, severely impaired in neurodegenerative disorders, make this new biopolymer highly soluble in water an attractive therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-associated brain disorders. Similarly, the ability of this new citrus pectin rich in naringin, linalool, linalool oxide and limonene adsorbed at the outer surface to inhibit cell proliferation or even kill, at high doses, neoplastic cells, coupled to its excellent health and safety profile, opens up new therapeutic strategies in cancer research. In order to take full advantage of its vast therapeutic and preventive potential, detailed studies of molecular mechanism involved in the antiproliferative and neuroprotective of IntegroPectin are urgently needed.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Mesoporous silica particles functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica) inhibit lung cancer cell growth

Omeg@Silica microparticles consisting of whole fish oil rich in omega-3 lipids, vitamin D3 and zeaxanthin extracted with biobased limonene from anchovy fillet leftovers (AnchoisOil) encapsulated within mesoporous silica particles are highly effective in modulating oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage or in promoting antitumor effects in lung cancer cells. A panel of three different human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549, Colo 699 and SKMES) was used. Cancer cells were treated with AnchoisOil dispersed in ethanol (10 and 15 g/ml) or encapsulated in silica, and cell cycle, reactive oxigen species (ROS) and mitochondrial stress (MitoSOX) assessed by flow cytometry. The effects on long-term proliferation (clonogenic assay) were also evaluated. The sub-micron Omeg@Silica microparticles were more effective than fish oil alone in increasing ROS and mitocondrial damage, in altering cell cycle as well as in reducing colony formation ability in the tested lung cancer cell lines. These results suggest that Omeg@Silica mesoporous silica functionalized with whole fish oil has antitumor effects in NSCLC cell lines and support its investigation in lung cancer therapy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Neuroprotective and Mitoprotective Effects of Lemon IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y Cells

Lemon IntegroPectin obtained via hydrodynamic cavitation of organic lemon processing waste in water shows significant neuroprotective activity in vitro, as first reported in this study investigating the effects of both lemon IntegroPectin and commercial citrus pectin on cell viability, cell morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondria perturbation induced by treatment of neuronal SH-SY5Y human cells with H2O2. Mediated by ROS including H2O2 and its derivatives, oxidative stress alters numerous cellular processes, including mitochondrial regulation and cell signaling, propagating cellular injury that leads to incurable neurodegenerative diseases. These results, and the absence of toxicity of this new pectic substance rich in adsorbed flavonoids and terpenes, support further investigations to verify its activity in preventing, retarding, or even curing neurological diseases.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Towards a new treatment against polymicrobial infections: high antibacterial activity of lemon IntegroPectin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli

Lemon IntegroPectin obtained via hydrodynamic cavitation of waste lemon peel in water only shows high antibacterial activity against two Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial effect against the ubiquitous pathogen P. aeruginosa was evaluated in terms of the minimal bactericidal (MBC) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Preliminary insight on the antibacterial mechanism of IntegroPectin originates from investigating its inhibitory activity against E. coli. Given the non-cytotoxic nature of citrus IntegroPectin and the ease of its reproducible production in large amounts, the route is open to the industrial development of a new antimicrobial treatment against polymicrobial infections unlikely to develop drug resistance.

microbiology↗