Modern techniques like automated microscopy and spectroscopy now make it possible to study quantitatively, across multiple phenotypic and molecular parameters, how cell populations are affected by different treatments and/or environmental disturbances. As the technology development at the instrument level often is ahead of the data analytical tools and the scientific questions, there is a large and growing need for computational algorithms enabling desired data analysis. These algorithms must have capacity to extract and process quantitative dynamic information about how the cell population is affected by different stimuli with the final goal to transform this information into development of new powerful therapeutic strategies. In particular, there is a great need for automated systems that can facilitate the analysis of massive data streams for label-free methods such as phase contrast microscopy (PCM) imaging and spectroscopy (NMR). Therefore, in this thesis, algorithms for quantitative high-throughput phenotypic and systemic profiling of in vitro growing cell populations via label-free microscopy and spectroscopy are developed and evaluated. First a two-dimensional filter approach for high-throughput screening for drugs inducing autophagy and apoptosis from phase contrast time-lapse microscopy images is studied. Then new methods and applications are presented for label-free extraction and comparison of time-evolving morphological features in phase-contrast time-lapse microscopy images recorded from in vitro growing cell populations. Finally, the use of dynamic morphology and NMR/MS spectra for implementation of a reference database of drug induced changes, analogous to the outstanding mRNA gene expression based Connectivity Map database, is explored. In conclusion, relatively simple computational methods are useful for extraction of very valuable biological and pharmacological information from time-lapse microscopy images and NMR spectroscopy data offering great potential for biomedical applications in general and cancer pharmacology in particular.

The production of high-quality foods requires the precise control of factors influencing their quality. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to monitor the influence of sterilization heating and storage time and temperature on selected parameters of model food matrix using suitable physical, chemical and sensory methods. Sterilized processed cheese was chosen as the model matrix. Processed cheeses are milk protein concentrates, produced by melting of mixture of natural cheeses, emulsifying salts, water and other dairy and/or non dairy ingredients. Desirable transformation of this mixture to homogenous, smooth, shiny mass with desired textural, structural, rheologic and sensory properties is caused by using high temperature (about 80-100 °C) during melting. Sterilized processed cheese is subjected to additional sterilization heating (above 100 °C) after production, significantly elongating its durability. The processed cheeses (dry matter 40 % w/w, fat in dry matter 45 % w/w) were analyzed in this work, the part of them was sterilized (117 °C 20 min). Cheeses were stored at various temperatures (cold 6 ± 2 °C, laboratory 23 ± 2 °C and elevated 40 ± 2 °C), sterilized cheeses for 2 years, non sterilized for 1 year. During storage, the samples for physical (instrumental measuring of colour and texture), chemical (assessment of fatty acids and aroma compounds) and sensory (paired preference test, ranking test and evaluation using scale) analyses were taken at regular intervals. The influence of sterilization heating and for another the influence of storage conditions on mentioned parameters were investigated. Non sterilized processed cheese kept their very good quality during all the declared durability (4 months), however, then the significant worsening of most sensory properties was observed. In consequence of sterilization heating the changes of cheese colour and texture were observed, confirmed by both sensory and instrumental assessment. The impairment of taste and aroma was also found. These changes are obvious immediately after production and differences were observed during all the durability. In the case of sterilized processed cheese, the significant impairment of single sensory properties was determined, the highest in the case of texture, taste and aroma. The results of instrumental techniques confirm conclusions from sensory evaluation. The measurements of colour and texture vindicate the formation of darker colour (increasing total difference of colour delta E*) and higher hardness (increasing Fmax) of sterilized processed cheeses, continuing during storage. The worsening of taste and aroma is in accordance with lower content of aroma active compounds and selected fatty acids.

<p>Ispitana je direktna i indirektna razgradnja odabranih&nbsp; &beta;-blokatora (metoprolol- tartarata, MET i propranolol-hidrohlorida, PRO) kao i diuretika (hidrohlortiazida, HCTZ) i njegovog stabilnog intermedijera hidrolize 4-amino-6-hlor-1,3-benzendisulfonamida (ABSA). Praćena je i kinetika razgradnje direktnom i indirektnom fotolizom uz primenu UVA, UVC, sunčevog i simuliranog sunčevog zračenja (SSZ). Najpre je ispitana&nbsp; stabilnost MET pod dejstvom SSZ, UVA, UVC, UVA/H₂O_{2 ,} i UVA/&nbsp; BrO₃^-. Dalje je ispitana efikasnost razgradnje MET pod dejstvom O₃i UVC/O_3. Identifikovano je deset intermedijera tokom UVC, O_3&nbsp;i UVC/O₃ razgradnje, pri&nbsp; čemu samo jedan ima značajno vi&scaron;u toksičnost prema algama i bakterijama u odnosu na ostale. Efikasnost fotokatalitičke razgradnje MET je ispitana u TiO₂ suspenzijama sa komercijalnim katalizatorima (Wackherr i Degussa P25). Mehanizam fotokatalitičke razgradnje je detaljno ispitan, pri&nbsp; čemu je identifikovano&nbsp; četrnaest intermedijera. EC₅₀ vrednost MET i njegovih sme&scaron;a nastalih pri fotokatalitičkoj razgradnji su određene na tri ćelijske linije sisara (H-4-II-E, HT-29 i MRC-5). Kako bi se povećala efikasnost&nbsp; rocesa fotokatalitičke razgradnje primenom komercijalnih katalizatora, ispitan je&nbsp; uticaj prisustva elektron-akceptora u suspenziji, pri čemu je upoređen uticaj O₂/H₂O₂, i O₂/ BrO₃^-&nbsp;na mehanizam razgradnje. Na osnovu teorije funkcionala gustine stekao se uvid u promene unutar molekula MET u prisustvu reaktivnih radikala. Takođe, ispitana je efikasnost nedopiranih TiO₂ , kao i dopiranih La(III) nanoprahova sintetisanih sol&minus;gel postupkom, u razgradnji MET. Uticaj temperature &nbsp;kalcinacije na fotokatalitičku efikasnost TiO 2 nanoprahova dopiranih pomoću La(III) &nbsp;ispitana je na supstratima MET i PRO, pri čemu je analiziran i uticaj strukture&nbsp; polaznog jedinjenja na&nbsp; informacija efikasnost fotokatalitičke razgradnje. Rezultati su upoređeni sa nedopiranim TiO₂nanoprahom i TiO₂Degussa P25 (pri pH-vrednosti 9). Pored toga, ispitana je kinetika i toksičnost PRO i njegovih intermedijera nastalih tokom razgradnje sa TiO₂Degussa P25. Ispitan je i uticaj strukture polaznog jedinjenja (MET, HCTZ i ABSA) na fotorazgradnju pod dejstvom&nbsp;UVA, sunčevog i simuliranog sunčevog zračenja, u odsustvu/prisustvu TiO₂ Degussa P25. Takođe, ispitan je i sinergistički efekat MET i ABSA na proces hidrolize, direktne fotolize i fotokatalize sa SSZ/TiO₂Degussa P25. Kako bi se stekao uvid u toksičnost proučavanih sistema, ispitan je njihov uticaj na rast odabranih ćelijskih linija sisara.</p> / <p>Direct and indirect degradation of selected&nbsp; &beta;-blockers (metoprolol tartrate, MET and&nbsp;propranolol hydrochloride, PRO) and also diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ) in &nbsp;addition to its stable hydrolysis intermediate 4-amino-6-chloro-&nbsp;&nbsp; 1,3-benzenedisulfonamide (ABSA) were investigated. The kinetics of their degradation obtained by direct and indirect photolysis under UVA, UVC, sunlight and simulated sunlight irradiation (SSI) have been followed. Firstly, the stability of MET under influence of SSI, UVA, UVC, UVA/H₂O₂ , and UVA/&nbsp; BrO₃^- has been investigated. Further, the efficiency of MET degradation under influence of O₃, and UVC/O₃ has been explored. Ten intermediates have been identified during the UVC, O₃, and UVC/O₃ treatments, while only one intermediate had significantly higher toxicity towards the algae and bacteria in respect to the others. Efficiency of&nbsp; photocatalytic degradation of MET was investigated in TiO₂ suspensions with&nbsp;commercial catalysts (Wackherr and Degussa P25). Mechanism of photocatalytic degradation was investigated in detail according to which fourteen intermediates were identified. EC 50 &nbsp;value of MET and its mixtures formed during the photocatalytic degradation has been determined at three mammalian cell lines (H-4-II-E, HT-29, and MRC-5). In order to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation process applying commercial catalysts, the influence of presence of electron acceptors in suspension has been investigated and the influence of O₂/H₂O_2&nbsp;and O₂/BrO₃^- to the mechanism of degradation has been compared. Based on the density&nbsp; functional theory an insight to the changes within MET molecule in the presence of reactive radicals has been made. Also, the efficiency of bare TiO₂, as well as&nbsp;doped La(III) nanopowders synthesized by sol-gel procedure, in the degradation of&nbsp; MET has been investigated. The influence of calcination temperature on&nbsp; hotocatalytic efficiency of TiO_2&nbsp;nanopowders doped with La(III) has been studied on the MET and&nbsp; PRO substrates, and the influence of structure of the starting compound on the&nbsp; efficiency of &nbsp;photocatalytic degradation had been analyzed. Results have been&nbsp; compared with bare TiO_2&nbsp;nanopowder and TiO₂ Degussa P25 (at pH value of 9). Besides, kinetics and toxicity of PRO and its intermediates formed during the degradation with TiO₂ Degussa P25 have been investigated. The influences of starting compound&rsquo;s structure (MET, HCTZ, and ABSA) to photodegradation under UVA, sunlight and SSI, in the absence/presence of TiO₂ Degussa P25, have been investigated. Also, the synergistic effects of MET and ABSA to the process of&nbsp; hydrolysis, direct photolysis, and photocatalysis with SSI/TiO₂ Degussa P25 have been investigated. In order to get &nbsp;an insight into the toxicity of the studied systems, their influence on the growth of selected mammalian cell lines has been investigated as well.</p>

Tesis por compendio / [ES] El uso masivo de plásticos y su impacto medioambiental, así como la necesidad de mejorar la conservación de los alimentos, hace necesario el desarrollo de alternativas biodegradables para el envasado activo de alimentos. La presente Tesis Doctoral, se ha centrado en el desarrollo de películas activas, basados en polímeros biodegradables con propiedades complementarias, con el fin de obtener materiales con propiedades mecánicas y de barrera adecuadas para cumplir con los requisitos del envasado alimentario. Para ello, se consideraron el poli (vinil alcohol) (PVA) y el poli (ácido láctico) PLA. Asimismo, el carvacrol y los ácidos ferúlico y cinámico fueron elegidos como compuestos activos naturales. Se estudió la encapsulación del carvacrol en liposomas de diferentes tipos de lecitina para mejorar su retención durante la etapa de formación del film. La lecitina de soja enriquecida en fosfatidilcolina fue la más eficaz para mantener la estabilidad de la emulsión de carvacrol, resultando en films con mayor retención. La incorporación de carvacrol (encapsulado o no), modificó ligeramente la microestructura y las propiedades físicas de los films, así como la cristalinidad y el comportamiento térmico del polímero. El PVA totalmente hidrolizado proporcionó films con un mejor desempeño mecánico y capacidad de barrera al oxígeno, pero con menor retención de carvacrol. Por el contrario, el PVA parcialmente hidrolizado dio lugar a films más homogéneos, con mayor contenido de carvacrol. Mientras que los grupos acetilos protegieron al polímero de la termodegradación, permitiendo la obtención de films mediante las técnicas habituales del procesado industrial. Por lo tanto, el PVA parcialmente hidrolizado tiene un gran potencial para la producción de films activos, con más posibilidades de procesamiento que el PVA totalmente hidrolizado. Se incorporaron también ácido cinámico y ferúlico, con menor impacto sensorial que el del carvacrol, al PVA parcial y totalmente hidrolizado, mediante casting de las soluciones acuosas con glicerol para mejorar la solubilidad de los ácidos. Los films de PVA plastificados con glicerol mostraron una menor capacidad de barrera que los no plastificados. La incorporación del ácido ferúlico promovió mayores cambios en las propiedades de los films que el ácido cinámico, debido a un efecto de reticulación, que promovió la cristalinidad, la rigidez y la capacidad de barrera del material. También se obtuvieron películas plastificadas a base de PVA parcialmente hidrolizado con ácidos fenólicos, mediante mezclado en fundido y moldeo por compresión. Los films termoprocesados fueron menos extensibles y resistentes a la rotura y más permeables al oxígeno y al vapor de agua. Estudios in vitro demostraron que los films con ácidos fenólicos obtenidos por casting o termoprocesado presentaron actividad antioxidante y antimicrobiana, especialmente con ácido ferúlico. Con el objetivo de cumplir los requisitos de envasado de alimentos, se obtuvieron films tricapa por termocompresión, compuestos por una capa central de PVA, cargada con compuestos activos (carvacrol o ácido ferúlico), y dos capas externas de PLA. La termocompresión fue eficaz para la adhesión interlaminar. Las multicapas mostraron un rendimiento mecánico próximo al de los films de PLA y una elevada capacidad de barrera al oxígeno y al vapor de agua. Todos los laminados con compuestos activos incorporados a la capa de PVA fueron eficaces para controlar el crecimiento microbiano en filetes de carne de vacuno envasada. Por tanto, el laminado de films de PVA y PLA parcialmente hidrolizado representa una estrategia adecuada para obtener materiales de envasado con propiedades funcionales más próximas a las de algunos plásticos convencionales utilizados en el envasado alimentario. Asimismo, estos materiales con carvacrol o ácido ferúlico incorporados podrían utilizarse para el envasado de alimentos altamente susceptibles a procesos oxidativos o de degradación microbiológica para alargar su vida útil. / [CA] L'ús massiu de plàstics i el seu impacte mediambiental, així com la necessitat de millorar la conservació dels aliments, fa necessari el desenvolupament d'alternatives biodegradables per a l'envasament actiu d'aliments. La present Tesi Doctoral, s'ha centrat en el desenvolupament de pel·lícules actives, basats en polímers biodegradables amb propietats complementàries, amb la finalitat d'obtindre materials amb propietats mecàniques i de barrera adequades per a complir amb els requisits de l'envasament alimentari. Per a això, es van considerar el poli (vinil alcohol) (PVA) i el poli (àcid làctic) PLA. Així mateix, es van triar el carvacrol i els àcids ferúlic i cinàmic, com a compostos actius. Es va estudiar l'encapsulació del carvacrol en liposomes de diferents tipus de lecitina per a millorar la seua retenció durant l'etapa de formació del film. La lecitina de soja enriquida en fosfatidilcolina va ser la més eficaç per a mantindre l'estabilitat de l'emulsió de carvacrol, resultant en films amb major retenció. La incorporació de carvacrol (encapsulat o no), va modificar lleugerament la microestructura i les propietats físiques dels films, així com la cristalinitat i el comportament tèrmic del polímer. El PVA totalment hidrolitzat va proporcionar films amb un millor exercisc mecànic i capacitat de barrera a l'oxigen, però amb menor retenció de carvacrol. Per contra, el PVA parcialment hidrolitzat va donar lloc a films més homogenis, amb major contingut de carvacrol. Mentre que els grups acetils van protegir el polímer de la termodegradació, permetent l'obtenció de films mitjançant les tècniques habituals del processament industrial. Per tant, el PVA parcialment hidrolitzat té un gran potencial per a la producció de films actius, amb una més àmplia gamma de possibilitats de processament que el PVA totalment hidrolitzat. Es van incorporar també àcid cinàmic i ferúlic, amb menor impacte sensorial que el del carvacrol, al PVA parcial i totalment hidrolitzat, mitjançant càsting de les solucions aquoses amb glicerol per a millorar la solubilitat dels àcids. Els films de PVA plastificats amb glicerol van mostrar una menor capacitat de barrera que els no plastificats. La incorporació de l'àcid ferúlic va promoure majors canvis en les propietats dels films que l'àcid cinàmic, a causa d'un efecte de reticulació, que va promoure la cristalinitad, la rigidesa i la capacitat de barrera del material. També es van obtindre pel·lícules plastificades a base de PVA parcialment hidrolitzat amb àcids fenòlics, mitjançant barrejat en fos i emotlament per compressió. Els films termoprocessats van ser menys extensibles i resistents al trencament i més permeables a l'oxigen i al vapor d'aigua. Estudis in vitro van demostrar que els films amb àcids fenòlics obtinguts per càsting o termoprocessat van presentar activitat antioxidant i antimicrobiana, especialment amb àcid ferúlic. Amb l'objectiu de complir els requisits d'envasament d'aliments, es van obtindre films tricapa per termocompressió, compostos per una capa central de *PVA, carregada amb compostos actius (carvacrol o àcid ferúlic), i dues capes externes de PLA. La termocompressió va ser eficaç per a l'adhesió interlaminar. Les multicapes van mostrar un rendiment mecànic pròxim al dels films de PLA i una elevada capacitat de barrera a l'oxigen i al vapor d'aigua. Tots els laminatges amb compostos actius incorporats a la capa de PVA van ser eficaces per a controlar el creixement microbià en filets de carn de boví envasada. Per tant, el laminatge de films de PVA i PLA parcialment hidrolitzat representa una estratègia adequada per a obtindre materials d'envasament amb propietats funcionals més pròximes a les d'alguns plàstics sintètics utilitzats en l'envasament alimentari. Així mateix, aquests materials amb carvacrol o àcid ferúlic incorporats podrien utilitzar-se per a l'envasament d'aliments altament susceptibles a processos oxidatius o de degradació microbiològica per a allargar la seua vida útil. / [EN] The massive use of synthetic plastics and their environmental impact, as well as the need of improving food preservation, makes necessary the development of biodegradable alternatives for food active packaging. The use of active compounds from natural origin to obtain this kind of materials is a new trend based of the consumer demand for safer and healthier products. The present Doctoral Thesis, has been focused on the development of active packaging films, based on biodegradable polymers with complementary properties, in order to obtain materials with adequate mechanical and barrier properties to meet food packaging requirements. To this end, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were considered. Likewise, carvacrol and ferulic and cinnamic acid, were chosen as active natural compounds. The liposomal encapsulation of carvacrol, using different kinds of lecithin was evaluated in order to improve the carvacrol retention in the polymer matrix during the film formation step. Soy lecithin enriched in phosphatidylcholine was the most effective at maintaining the stability of the carvacrol emulsion, leading to its highest retention in the PVA films. Incorporation of carvacrol (lecithin encapsulated or not) slightly modified the film microstructure and physical properties and polymer crystallinity and thermal behaviour. The fully hydrolysed PVA provided films with a better mechanical performance and oxygen barrier capacity, but with less carvacrol retention. In contrast, partially hydrolysed PVA gave rise to more homogenous films with a higher carvacrol content. Acetyl groups protect the polymer for thermodegradation, allowing the film production using the common industrial thermoplastic processing techniques. Therefore, partially hydrolysed PVA has a great potential for the production of active films, with a wider range of processing possibilities than fully hydrolysed PVA. Cinnamic and ferulic acids, with lower potential sensory impact than of carvacrol, were also incorporated into partially and fully hydrolysed PVA by casting of aqueous solutions containing glycerol to improve the acid solubility. Glycerol plasticized PVA films exhibited poorer barrier capacity than those non-plasticized. The incorporation of ferulic acid promoted greater changes in the film properties than cinnamic acid, due to a crosslinking effect, which promoted crystallinity, stiffness and barrier capacity of the material. Glycerol plasticized films based on partially hydrolysed PVA with phenolic acids were also obtained by melt blending and compression moulding. Termoprocessed films were less stretchable and resistant to break and more permeable to oxygen and water vapor. In vitro studies demonstrated that cast and termoprocessed films containing phenolic acids exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, especially with ferulic acid. Three-layer films composed of a central layer of PVA loaded with active compounds (carvacrol lecithin encapsulated or not, or ferulic acid) and two external PLA layers were obtained by thermo-compression, aimed to meet food packaging requirements. Thermocompression was effective for the interlaminar adhesion. Multilayers exhibited mechanical performance close to the PLA sheets and high oxygen and water vapour barrier capacity. All laminates with active compounds incorporated into the PVA sheet were effective at controlling microbial growth in packaged beef meet. Therefore, lamination of partially hydrolysed PVA and PLA films represents a successful strategy to obtain packaging materials with functional properties closer to those of some conventional plastics commonly used in food packaging. Likewise, these materials incorporating carvacrol or ferulic acid could be used for packaging of foods highly susceptible to oxidative or microbiological degradative process to extend their shelf life. / The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Agencia Estatal de Investigacion, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) of Spain through the projects AGL2016-76699-R and PID2019-105207RB-100. Author Johana Andrade thanks the Departamento de Nariño-Colombia y la Fundación CEIBA for the doctoral grant. The authors also thank the services rendered by the Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV. / Andrade Chapal, JC. (2021). Biodegradable materials based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity for food packaging applications [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/175566 / TESIS / Compendio

This diploma thesis deals with the identification of aroma active compounds in medicinal herbs. The group consists of 5 types of herbs: lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), goat’s rue (Galega officinalis). These plants are known for their positive effects in folk medicine. The SPME-GC-MS method was chosen to characterize the fragrances. During the identification of volatile compounds, emphasis was put on suspected fragrance allergens listed in EC Regulation 1223/2009 in Annex III. Overall 106 compounds were identified together with 8 allergens in lemon balm, pot marigold contained 104 compounds with 7 allergens included, 82 compounds including 5 allergens in clary sage, 73 compounds were identified in milk thistle including 6 allergens and 110 compounds with 9 allergens included in goat’s rue.

This Diploma thesis deals with the production of the concentrate from the Elderberry marc extract (Sambucus nigra L.). The basic chemical characteristics in this concentrate were determined. The theoretical part of the thesis deal with the botanic characteristic of the Elderberry and its berries. The characteristic of the phenolic compounds, mainly anhocyanins was summarized. The use of the anthocyanin pigments in the food industry, the possibilities of their extraction and the concentrate production was discussed. Thereafter the methods of the anthocyanin content and the phenolic content determination were described. In the experimental part of study, the production of the anthocyanin rich extract from Elderberry marc was optimized. The extraction of the marc by the 1:1 ethanol/water (V/V) solvent with the ratio marc/solvent 1:2 (w/V) showed the most convenient. The production of the concentrate followed. During the concentration on the rotary evaporator the pigment degradation was investigated. The degradation decreased with the decrease of the temperature. The final concentrate was prepared from the extract on the rotary evaporator by 45 °C for 15 minutes. This product had the 7times lower volume compared to the initial extract. In the final concentrate come of the chemical characteristic were determined. By liquid chromatography (HPLC) the major pigments cyanidin-3-sambubiosid and cyanidin-3-glucosid were determined. Their total content was determined to 34,9 gl-1. The total anthocyanin content was determined by pH differential method to 7,1 gl-1 (expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent). The total phenolic content was determined to 27,1 gl-1 (expressed as gallic acid equivalent) by Folin-Ciocalteu method. By electron paramagnetic resonance the increase in antioxidant activity with the increase in concentration was found. Up to 42 aromatic compounds was determined in Elderberry marc, its extract and the final concentrate.

Pharmaceuticals are biological active compounds with different functional groups, physico-chemical and biological properties. These chemical compounds are called as “new contaminants” which cumulate in various environmental components. These contaminants input to environment from industrial processes, hospitals and health care institutions or household sources and these pollutants can to negatively interact with environmental components. Pharmaceuticals are separated according to structure and their effects to live organisms. On the basis of drug consumption in Czech Republic the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most using pharmaceuticals, because these drugs can be obtain without prescriptions. The choosing analgesics for study were monitored in waste water from waste waters treatment plant (WWTP Brno – Modřice) and in surface water from two sampling sites of river Kretinka. Pharmaceuticals were monitored in surface waters in Czech Republic, in Scotland (river Thurso) and in Taiwan (river Erren, Agongdian, Yanshuei and canal of Tainan) Solid phase extraction (SPE) is used for extraction of study pharmaceutical from water system. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection or mass spectrometry was used for determination of drugs in surface waters from Czech Republic. The water samples from Scotland and Taiwan were analysed and the high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was used for determination of pharmaceuticals. The method of HPLC/MS enables the determination of study compounds in the very low range of concentrations (ng ? l-1). All monitored pharmaceuticals were identified and quantified in water samples from river Kretinka in Czech Republic, river Thurso (Scotland) and rivers Erren, Agongdian, Yanshuei and canal of Tainan in Taiwan and the obtained data were compared.

One of the most relevant group of toxicologically significant compounds in beer are N-nitrosamines. In this thesis, the attention was paid especially on non-volatile nitroso compounds whose concentrations in beer, a chemical structure, and a biological effect has not been known yet. For the reason of the lack of knowledge regarding this compound group, the method for their sensitive detection by chemiluminescence detection after gas chromatographic separation was developed. This method permits a classification of detected nitroso compounds to different groups (N-nitroso, C-nitroso, and combination of C-nitroso and nitro) and distinguish them from interferences. The method is based on recording of a pyrolytic profile of each chromatographic peak, the profiles are then processed by discriminant analysis. The method has been developed for finding and structural identification purposes of these unknown compounds. Its application on an artificially nitrosated beer sample, together with gas chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric analysis, led to structural identification of several representatives of nitroso compounds. Sensory active compounds in this thesis are represented by carbonyl compounds and fatty acids. Carbonyl compounds - furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural - were used during the development...

M. Tech. (Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Context: Pelargonium alchemilliodes L L' Her is an evergreen shrub, cultivated principally for the medicinal essence and decoction in Southern Africa for the treatment of skin problems, and wounds. Objective: the aim of the study was to optimize the extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from P. graveolens by response surface methodology with particular attention on the proliferative and cytotoxic effects on human keratinocytes, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activities and also to isolate active compounds. Materials and Methods: The optimization was achieved by Box-Behnken design. Extract, metabolite yields, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by gravimetric, spectrophotometric, and microdilution methods, respectively. The antiradical potentials were evaluated using the phosphomolybdate. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and lipid peroxidation assays, the diterpenoids were isolated and purified using open column chromatography, PTLC, and characterized with FTIR, NMR. The kinetics of the lipid protective activity was studied and fitted into models. The proliferative and cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the CellTiter® Blue cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Results: The regression coefficient r2 ≥ 0.9775 indicated a close correlation between actual and predicted values of the responses. The ideal parameter for the extraction of phenolics and flavonoids by macerations was determined as an extraction time: 9.63-12.01 h, material mass: 2.62-3.00 g, agitation speed: 143.11-197.11 rpm, and solvent volume: 68.06-69.87 mL. The optimal extractable acetone and methanol crude, flavonoids, and phenolic are (28.87±2.15%, 24.11±1.15%), (7.11±1.03 mg QE/g, 5.98±0.87 mg QE/g) and (58.08±0.88 mg GAE/g, 55.91±1.15 mg GAE/g), respectively. The detected different chemical groups of polyphenolic compounds such as alkaloids, saponins , sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and cardiac glycosides from methanol and acetone extracts were in correlation with optimized yields. Two triterpenoids compounds 1-hydroxy-30-norlanosta-6, 8-diene and 1 2,3,4a,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-2-(2-hydroxypent-4-enyl)-4a-vinyl-1H-benzo[c]chromen-6(10bH)-one were isolated form methanol extracts. The main components of essential oils were citronellal (5.99%), citranellol (26.2%), geraniol (8.56%), citronellyl butyrate (20.3%), trans-farnesol (9.53%) and they were characterized by high amounts of oxygenated hydrocarbons (67.6%), followed by sesquterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpene (9.32%) and the least being mornoterpene hydrocarbons (5.20%). Total antioxidant capacity and reducing power were comparable to standard gallic acid, while the antiradical activity has IC50 value of 0.18±0.03-8.98±0.15 mg/mL. Further, the lipid protective revealed a dose-dependent activity fitting into a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. MIC value of 1.56 mg/mL for extracts was registered against Staphylococcus aureus and salmonella typhi comparable to chloramphenicol. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in cell proliferation and viability when the extract was administered at concentrations of ≤50 μg/mL. However, at ≥100 μg/mL concentrations at ≤ 1000 μg/mL for essential oil exhibited a significnt cytotoxicity in comparison to the untreated cell. Conclusion: These biological activities are confirmation of the phytomedicinal application and possible source of pharmaceutical compounds. However, administration of the decoction should take into cognizance the antiproliferative effect at doses ≥100 μg/mL as well as the potential to induce and maintain keratinocyte proliferation at low concentration with an eye on the antiproliferative effect at concentrations ≥100 μg/mL, except the P. Alchemilliodes essential oils at ≤ 1000 μg/mL.

réalisé en cotutelle avec la Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar. / Le pois chiche (Cicer arietinum L.) a l’avantage de pouvoir assimiler l'azote atmosphérique grâce à son association symbiotique avec des bactéries du genre Mesorhizobium. Malgré cet effet bénéfique sur les systèmes culturaux, le pois chiche réduit parfois la productivité du blé qui la suit. Cet effet négatif du pois chiche pourrait provenir d’une réaction allélopathique à ses exsudats racinaires ou résidus, ou de changements inopportuns dans la communauté microbienne du sol induits par la plante. L'amélioration des interactions symbiotiques du pois chiche pourrait améliorer la performance économique et environnementale des systèmes culturaux basés sur le blé. L’objectif à long terme de ce travail est d'améliorer l’influence du pois chiches sur son environnement biologique et sur la productivité du système cultural. À court terme, nous voulons 1) vérifier l'effet des champignons endophytes sur la performance de cultivars de pois chiche de type desi et kabuli, particulièrement en conditions de stress hydrique, ainsi que sur celle d’une culture subséquente de blé dur, 2) identifier des cultivars de pois chiche capables d’améliorer la qualité biologique de sols cultivés, 3) vérifier que des composés biologiquement actifs sont présents dans les racines des différents cultivars de pois chiches et 4) définir la nature de l’activité (stimulation ou inhibition) des ces composés sur les champignons endomycorhiziens à arbuscules (CMA), qui sont des microorganismes bénéfiques du sol reconnus. L’inoculation du pois chiche avec des champignons endophytes indigènes en serre a augmenté la tolérance à la sécheresse du cultivar de type kabuli à feuille simple CDC Xena et amélioré la nutrition azotée et phosphatée d’un cultivar de type desi, cv. CDC Nika, cultivé en conditions de stress hydrique. La germination des graines de blé dur fut meilleure lorsque celles-ci étaient semées dans les débris de pois chiche inoculé de type kabuli. Le sol dans lequel le génotype de pois chiche à feuille simple CDC Xena fut cultivé mais duquel tout le matériel végétal de pois chiche fut retiré a fortement inhibé la germination des semences de blé dur, ce qui suggère un effet des exsudats racinaires sur la communauté microbienne du sol associée à cette variété de pois chiche. En champ, les cultivars de pois chiche ont influencé différemment la composition des communautés de champignons de la rhizosphère. Les espèces de champignons pathogènes étaient infréquentes et les espèces saprotrophiques et de CMA étaient fréquentes dans la zone des racines du cultivar de type desi CDC Anna. L’effet des composés contenus dans les fractions séparées par HPLC et solubles en solution de méthanol à 25% et 50% de l’extrait racinaire de ce cultivar sur la germination de spores de CMA a été testé in vitro. Les deux espèces de CMA utilisées ont répondu différemment à l’exposition aux composés testés, révélant un mécanisme impliqué dans l’association préférentielle entre les plantes hôtes et les CMA qui leurs sont associés. Nous concluons que le génotype de pois chiche influence la composition de la communauté microbienne qui lui est associée et que cette influence est reliée au moins en partie aux molécules bioactives produites par les racines de la plante. D’autre part, la productivité du pois chiche et de la culture subséquente pourrait être favorisée par la manipulation de leurs champignons endophytes par inoculation. / Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has the ability to bring free N into cropping systems, but is only a fair rotation crop, leading to lower yield in following wheat crops, as compared to medic, vetch or lentil. The negative effects of a chickpea plant on the following wheat crops could come from chickpea root exudates, their residues or their influence on the soil microbial community. The identification of chickpea cultivars best able to promote soil biological quality and the growth of a subsequent crop in rotation will help farmers in selecting better crop rotations and, thus, will improve crop management in soil zone growing chickpea. The global objective of this research is to improve the fitness of chickpea crops to their biological environment and to improve the ability of the plant to enhance soil biological quality. The specific objectives were (1) to verify that the productivity of chickpea and subsequent crops could be promoted through the inoculation by some indigenous endophytic fungi particularly under drought stress conditions (2) to verify the existence of variation in the rhizospheric associations of field-grown chickpea, as it is a necessary condition for the selection of genotypes with improved compatibility with beneficial microorganisms. (3) to identify the biologically active compounds present in the root extracts of chickpea cultivars with contrasting phenotypes, and assess their effect on beneficial and pathogenic soil microorganisms. The greenhouse experiments show that inoculation with indigenous endophytes increased drought tolerance of the unifoliate Kabuli chickpea CDC Xena and the N and P nutrition of the drought stressed Desi chickpea CDC Nika. Inoculation of both Kabuli chickpea varieties with indigenous endophytes improved wheat seeds germination in tissues amended soil. Residue-free soil previously growing the unifoliate Kabuli chickpea CDC Xena strongly inhibited durum seed germination suggesting an effect of root exudates on the soil microbial community, with this Kabuli chickpea variety. In a field experiment, the fungal diversity in cultivated Prairie dryland appeared to host a large array of fungal groups known to reduced plant nutrient, water and biotic stresses, and chickpea genotypes influenced differently the composition and biomass of the soil microbial community. The Desi chickpea CDC Anna was associated with high diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and culturable fungi, favored the proliferation of soil bacteria and fungal genus hosting biocontrol agents, and developed high AM root colonization level, as compared to the three Kabuli genotypes examined. The HPLC fractions of the roots of chickpea cultivar CDC Anna were recovered and the effects of these fractions on AM fungal spore germination were assayed in multi-well plates. Root extract fractions affect in a different ways the percentage of spores’ germination of Glomus etunicatum and Gigaspora Rosea. We concluded that the genotype of chickpea plants influences the composition of the associated microbial community, and this influence may be related to molecular signals produced by the plants. Furthermore, the productivity of chickpea and subsequent crops could be promoted through the inoculation with indigenous endophytic fungi.