scholarly journals Chemical, toxicological and environmental aspects of parabens and its substitutes in the cosmetic industry

Author(s):  
Ingrid Ferreira Costa ◽  
Rogério Aparecido Machado ◽  
Marcio Adriano Andreo

As a result of their effectiveness in low concentrations, low cost of synthesizing and not causing alteration in the organoleptic characteristics of the products, parabens are widely used as a preservative in cosmetics. According to studies, these esters have the potential to interfere with the performance of the endocrine system causing changes in hormones activity, as well as represent a hazard to the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the main chemical, toxicological and environmental aspects of parabens in the cosmetic industry comparing to other preservatives, discussing also the use of plant extracts and essential oils as natural preservatives.

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Bedini ◽  
Francesca Cosci ◽  
Camilla Tani ◽  
Erika Carla Pierattini ◽  
Francesca Venturi ◽  
...  

The essential oils extracted from mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruits, and from tea tree (Maleleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betche) Cheel) leaves have been chemically analyzed and tested for their bioactivity against D. suzukii. Besides, to estimate consumers’ acceptability of the essential oil (EO) treatments, we evaluated their impact on the organoleptic characteristics of the EO-treated fruits. The main chemical constituents of the two EOs were 1,8-cineole and 4-terpineol for M. alternifolia (22.4% and 17.6% of the total components, respectively), and limonene (83.6% of the total components) for C. reticulata. The behavioral tests indicate that the two EOs are able to deter D. suzukii oviposition and that D. suzukii shows positive chemotaxis to low concentrations of the EOs and negative chemotaxis when the EO concentration increases. While no negative effects on the organoleptic profiles were detected for fruits treated with C. reticulata EO, the olfactory profile of fruits treated with M. alternifolia EO was so negative that they were defined as “not suitable for consumption” by panellists. Overall, our findings indicate that the use of EOs for the post-harvest protection of small fruits is feasible, provided that the essential oils are selected not only for their bioactivity against the insect pest but also for their affinity with the consumers’ sensorial system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bárbara Ponzilacqua ◽  
Carlos Humberto Corassin ◽  
Carlos Augusto Fernandes Oliveira

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi of the genusAspergillus, which occur naturally in cereals like corn, beans and rice. Aflatoxin B1causes an extensive number of toxic effects in animals and humans. This mycotoxin is a stable term and can act in low concentrations due to their higher toxicity. Management to prevent commodities aflatoxin contamination is essential during the production, mainly in pre- and post-harvest steps. A number of essential oils and aqueous plant extracts have been reported to be fungal growth inhibitors and may provide an attractive alternative to prevent aflatoxin contamination in foods. Thus, the aim of this review is to highlight recent data on thein vitroantifungal activity of essential oils and aqueous extracts from plants and discuss the perspectives of their use in food products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (SP1) ◽  
pp. 55-68
Author(s):  
Saber Amiri ◽  
Zahra Motalebi Moghanjougi ◽  
Mahmoud Rezazadeh Bari ◽  
Amin Mousavi Khaneghah

Today, the usage of natural additives in the food matrix has increased. Natural antimicrobial compounds include peptides, enzymes, bacteriocins, bacteriophages, plant extracts, essential oils, and fermented compounds that can be used as alternatives to chemical antimicrobials. Plant extracts and essential oils contain terpenes, flavonoids, aldehydes, and phenolic compounds that cause antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The synergistic activity of compounds synthesized from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. In addition to removing mycotoxins, LAB compounds have antioxidant and anticancer potentials and increase food safety and nutritional value. One of these antimicrobial molecules is bacteriocin, which is made by various microorganisms. Nisin is one of these bioactive peptides that are used widely in food bio-preservation. Antimicrobial peptides can be used alone or along with other compounds to enhance food security. This article reviews natural preservatives and their applications in food products.


Planta Medica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Hernandes ◽  
BW Bertoni ◽  
SC França ◽  
AMS Pereira

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Servos ◽  
Don Bennie ◽  
Kent Burnison ◽  
Philippa Cureton ◽  
Nicol Davidson ◽  
...  

Abstract A number of biological responses and multigenerational effects, mediated through the disruption of endocrine systems, have been observed in biota exposed to relatively low concentrations of environmental contaminants. These types of responses need to be considered within a weight of evidence approach in our risk assessment and risk management frameworks. However, including endocrine responses in an environmental risk assessment introduces a number of uncertainties that must be considered. A risk assessment of nonylphenol and nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NP/NPE) is used as a case study to demonstrate the sources and magnitude of some of the uncertainties associated with using endocrine disruption as an assessment endpoint. Even with this relatively well studied group of substances, there are substantial knowledge gaps which contribute to the overall uncertainties, limiting the interpretation within the risk assessment. The uncertainty of extrapolating from in vitro or biochemical responses to higher levels of organization or across species is not well understood. The endocrine system is very complex and chemicals can interact or interfere with the normal function of endocrine systems in a number of ways (e.g., receptors, hormones) which may or may not result in an adverse responses in the whole organism. Using endocrine responses can lead to different conclusions than traditional endpoints due to a variety of factors, such as differences in relative potencies of chemicals for specific endpoints (e.g., receptor binding versus chronic toxicity). The uncertainties can also be considerably larger and the desirability of using endocrine endpoints should be carefully evaluated. Endocrine disruption is a mode of action and not a functional endpoint and this needs to be considered carefully in the problem formulation stage and the interpretation of the weight of evidence.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1197
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Zhao ◽  
Aonan Zhu ◽  
Yaxin Wang ◽  
Yongjun Zhang ◽  
Xiaolong Zhang

In the present study, a sunflower-like nanostructure array composed of a series of synaptic nanoparticles and nanospheres was manufactured through an efficient and low-cost colloidal lithography technique. The primary electromagnetic field contribution generated by the synaptic nanoparticles of the surface array structures was also determined by a finite-difference time-domain software to simulate the hotspots. This structure exhibited high repeatability and excellent sensitivity; hence, it was used as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active substrate to achieve a rapid detection of ultra-low concentrations of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This study demonstrates the design of a plasmonic structure with strong electromagnetic coupling, which can be used for the rapid detection of AFP concentration in clinical medicine.


Author(s):  
О.В. ЛАТЫШЕВА ◽  
А.В. ИВАНОВ

Изучено влияние на репродуктивную функцию коров белково-витаминно-минеральных концентратов (БВМК) с кормовой добавкой «AMG-COMPLEX», состоящей из эфирных масел и растительных экстрактов. Для проведения опыта были сформированы контрольная и опытная группы по 70 голов с учетом количества дней до отела из коров второй и третьей стельности. Животным контрольной группы скармливали основной рацион. Для коров опытной группы были составлены рационы с БВМК, которыми заменяли пропорциональное количество концентрированных кормов и часть витаминно-минерального премикса. Они получали БВМК для сухостойных коров в количестве 300 г на 1 голову в сутки с 60-го по 20-й день до отела и по 200 г на 1 голову в сутки с 20-го дня до отела. После отела 60 дней им скармливали БВМК для раздоя в количестве 1200 г на 1 голову в сутки. Использование БВМК в рационах коров опытной группы способствовало улучшению у них репродуктивной функции и снижению частоты гинекологических заболеваний после отела в 4,5 раза. Индекс осеменения в опытной группе составил 1,73 (P≤0,05), что на 0,76 ниже, чем у животных контрольной группы. Средняя продолжительность сервис-периода в опытной группе составила 87,71 дня (P≤0,01) и была короче, чем в контроле, на 14,72 дня. The effect on the reproductive function of cows of the protein-vitamin-mineral concentrate with the feed additive ʺAMG-COMPLEXʺ, consisting of essential oils and plant extracts, was studied. To experiment, taking into account the number of days before calving, control and experimental group of 70 heads each were formed from cows of the second and third pregnancy. In the scientific and economic experiment, the cows of the control group consumed the feed of the main rations. For the cows of the experimental group rations were made with PVMC, which replaced the proportional amount of concentrated feed and a part of the vitamin-mineral premix. They received PVMC deadwood in the amount of 300 g per 1 head per day from 60th to 20th day before calving and 200 g per 1 head per day 20 days before calving. 60 days after calving they received PVMC lactation in the amount of 1200 g per head per day. Feeding PVMC to cows of the experimental group contributed to the improvement of reproductive function and a decrease in the frequency of gynaecological diseases after calving by 4.5 times. The insemination index in the experimental group was 1.73 (P≤0.05), which is 0.76 lower than in the animals in the control group. The average duration of the service period in the experimental group was 87.71 days (P≤0.01) and was shorter than in the control by 14.72 days.


2011 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1896-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D Crutchfield ◽  
John H Grove

Abstract A reusable catalytic reductor consisting of 96 copperized-cadmium pins attached to a microplate lid was developed to simultaneously reduce nitrate (NO3–) to nitrite (NO2–) in all wells of a standard microplate. The resulting NO2– is analyzed colorimetrically by the Griess reaction using a microplate reader. Nitrate data from groundwater samples analyzed using the new device correlated well with data obtained by ion chromatography (r2 = 0.9959). Soil and plant tissue samples previously analyzed for NO3– in an interlaboratory validation study sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America were also analyzed using the new technique. For the soil sample set, the data are shown to correlate well with the other methods used (r2 = 0.9976). Plant data correlated less well, especially for samples containing low concentrations of NO3–. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed, and new techniques to increase the accuracy of the analysis are explored. In addition, a method is presented for analyzing NO3– in physiological fluids (blood serum and urine) after matrix modification with Somogyi's reagent. A protocol for statistical validation of data when analyzing samples with complex matrixes is also established. The simplicity, adaptability, and low cost of the device indicate its potential for widespread application.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guenevere Perry ◽  
Diane Williams

The consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables increases every year, and farmers need a low cost novel method to reduce post-harvest loss and preserve the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. This study identifies a method to induce soil bacteria to biosynthesize a nitrile compound that potentially enters the plants tissue and negatively affects climacteric ripening and delays the ripening process at 20-30˚C. This study used soil rich with soil microbes, to delay the ripening of climacteric fruit. The soil was treated with nitrogen, a heavy metal, and ethylene gas. Ethylene induced the soil to delay the ripening of organic bananas and peaches. A prototype transportation container maintained fruit fresh for up to 72 h at 20-30˚C. The fruit retained color, firmness, texture, no bruising and minimal spotting. The soil also prevented fungal infection in all samples. GC-MS analysis suggests ethylene induced the soil microbes to release an acetonitrile compound into the gaseous environment. The nitrile is released in low concentrations, but mature plants (fruits) contain very low levels of indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The nitrile may obstruct or modify the mature plants (fruit) late stages development process, thus delay the climacteric ripening process and retarding the physiological and phenotypic effects of fruit ripening. We believe this study may have strong applications for post-harvest biotechnology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Aymard Constantin Allagbé ◽  
René Gnimabou Degnon ◽  
Christian Tétédé Rodrigue Konfo ◽  
Brice Kpatinvoh ◽  
Baba-Moussa Farid

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document