La gestion des sites et sols pollués repose sur l’évaluation des expositions aux contaminants. Le retour d’expérience montre que les voies d’exposition directe, et notamment l’ingestion de terre pour les enfants, engendrent les niveaux de risque les plus élevés. Actuellement, en se basant sur la concentration totale d’un polluant dans le sol, l’évaluation des risques tend à être surprotectrice dans la mesure où seule une fraction de la substance peut pénétrer à l’intérieur de l’organisme. L’objectif de l’étude est de mettre en évidence que le test in vitro UBM (Unified Barge Method) de bioaccessibilité est pertinent pour estimer la fraction biodisponible des ETM dans les sols. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de démontrer que la solubilisation des contaminants dans le tractus gastro-intestinal est une étape limitante dans le processus de biodisponibilité et d’autre part que les mesures de bioaccessibilité sont corrélées aux mesures de biodisponibilité. Pour 15 sols sélectionnés sur trois sites contaminés différents, l’étude montre que la biodisponibilité est très variable pour le plomb (8% à 82%), le cadmium (12% à 91%) et l’arsenic (3% à 78%). Pour l’antimoine, les valeurs de biodisponibilité relative et de bioaccessibilité sont très faibles indépendamment des caractéristiques contrastées des sols (valeurs < 20%). De ce fait, ces conditions ne permettent pas de valider le test in vitro pour l’antimoine. Les résultats des corrélations, pour les trois autres contaminants, démontrent que la bioaccessibilité est l’étape limitante de la biodisponibilité et que le test UBM est pertinent pour estimer la bioaccessibilité de ces éléments dans les sols. Notre étude met également en évidence l’impact de la matrice sol sur les variations des valeurs de bioaccessibilité. Ainsi, il a été montré que la distribution des contaminants sur les différentes phases porteuses du sol est un paramètre majeur et robuste pour expliquer les variations de la bioaccessibilité pour l’ensemble des sols étudiés. Les résultats de l’étude mettent en lumière que le test in vitro UBM peut fournir une alternative possible aux investigations in vivo afin d’affiner les niveaux d’exposition des ETM suite à l’ingestion de sol / The management of contaminated soil is based on the assessment of exposure of pollutants. The review shows that the direct routes of exposure, including soil ingestion for children, generate the highest risk levels. Currently, based on the total pollutant concentration in soil, risk assessment tends to be overestimate because only a fraction of the substance may penetrate into the body. The aim of the study is to demonstrate that in vitro UBM test (Unified Method Barge) is relevant to estimate the bioavailable fraction of metals in the soil by estimating the bioaccessible fraction. For this, it is necessary to show that the solubilization of contaminants in the gastrointestinal tract is a limiting step in oral bioavailability process and that bioaccessibility is correlated to bioavailability. For 15 soils selected on three different sites, the study shows that bioavailability is highly variable for lead (8% to 82%), cadmium (12% to 91%) and arsenic (3 % to 78%). For antimony, the relative bioavailability and bioaccessibility values are very low independently of the different soil characteristics (values <20%). Thus, these conditions do not allow to validate in vitro test for antimony. The results of correlations, for the three other contaminants, show that bioaccessibility is the limiting step in the bioavailability process and that UBM test is relevant to estimate the bioaccessibility. Our study also highlights the impact of the soil matrix on the variation of bioaccessibility values. Thus, it was shown that the distribution of contaminants in the different bearing phases of soil is a major and robust parameter to explain the variations of bioaccessibility for all soils studied. The results of the study highlight that the in vitro UBM test is a promising alternative to in vivo investigations to measure the exposure levels of metals after soil ingestion

Orientador: Gabriela Alves Macedo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T13:41:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_FabiolaAliagade_D.pdf: 3830264 bytes, checksum: c4a5b890059ac6893391ad89b28572c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Os ácidos fenólicos possuem propriedades biológicas que desempenham ação antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, antiproliferativa e antimicrobiana. Porém, esses fenólicos de cereais integrais podem ser difíceis de serem absorvidos totalmente pelo organismo, pois estão ligados a outros componentes da parede celular do vegetal ou a um antinutriente (taninos). O zinco, ferro e fósforo de grãos integrais são importantes para o desenvolvimento e manutenção do organismo. No entanto, os cereais ricos em fitato podem apresentar esses minerais complexados ao antinutriente e se tornarem indisponíveis para a absorção. Uma alternativa para melhorar a disponibilidade de ácidos fenólicos e minerais de cereais integrais é o tratamento enzimático. A tanase, tanino acil hidrolase (EC 3.1.1.20), é uma enzima com habilidade de atuar em ligações éster e depsídicas de taninos hidrolisáveis e já foi descrita como capaz de hidrolisar outros fenólicos como ácido tânico, ácido clorogênico, epigalocatequina, dentre outros. A fitase microbiana atua na desfitinização de cereais ricos em fitatos e sua ação melhora a bioacessibilidade de ferro e zinco na formulação infantil. A bioacessibilidade é uma alternativa aos ensaios 'in vivo' que apresentam alto custo de experimental, e pode ser medida pelo modelo de digestão 'in vitro'/absorção pelas células Caco-2. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito de tanase de 'Paecilomyces variotii' e fitase comercial, adicionadas à farinha de centeio, quanto ao teor de fenólicos totais e à identificação e quantificação por CLAE-DAD dos ácidos fenólicos; à capacidade antioxidante (DPPH, ORAC e FRAP); à disponibilidade de minerais (zinco e ferro); ao teor de antinutrientes (tanino hidrolisável e fitato); e à bioacessibilidade dos ácidos fenólicos da farinha. A tanase adicionada à farinha foi capaz de reduzir o teor de tanino hidrolisável, aumentar os fenólicos totais e potencializar a capacidade antioxidante. A farinha tratada com fitase apresentou menor teor de fitato e aumento no conteúdo de fósforo inorgânico proveniente da degradação enzimática. A disponibilidade de zinco e ferro, medida pela razão molar entre os minerais e o fitato foi melhorada após o tratamento da farinha com fitase. Foram identificados os ácidos ferúlico, sinápico e vanílico da farinha de centeio, que após o tratamento com a tanase apresentou aumento no teor de ácido ferúlico em cinco vezes em relação à farinha não tratada. Esse resultado evidencia a ação inédita da tanase de 'P. variotii' como possível feruloil esterase. A farinha biotransformada com tanase apresentou maior teor dos ácidos vanílico, ferúlico e sinápico, porém ao se avaliar a bioacessibilidade houve menor eficiência de transporte desses ácidos quando comparada à farinha controle. Provavelmente, a farinha biotransformada apresentou saturação desses fenólicos sobre a porção apical das células Caco-2 que reduziu a capacidade do transportador de ácidos monocarboxílicos (MCT1) nas duas horas de incubação. Isso corrobora com os resultados obtidos da exposição das células Caco-2 aos padrões de ácidos ferúlico e vanílico na concentração de 50 µl.ml-1 que apresentaram inibição da expressão gênica do MCT1. Contudo, o uso de enzimas como fitase e tanase na farinha de centeio é interessante, pois potencializa sua ação antioxidante, aumenta o teor de fenólicos, aumenta a disponibilidade de zinco e ferro, aumenta o conteúdo de fósforo e reduz os antinutrientes. Para trabalhos futuros seria relevante estudar o tempo de residência de ácidos fenólicos da farinha de centeio no ensaio de transporte celular, pois duas horas de incubação pode ter sido insuficiente para verificar todo o potencial da farinha tratada com tanase / Abstract: Phenolic acids have biological properties that perform antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antimicrobial. However, these phenolic of whole grains may be difficult to be completely absorbed by the body because they are connected to other cell wall components of plant or an antinutrient (tannins). Zinc, iron and phosphorus of whole grains are important for the development and maintenance of the organism. However, cereals rich in phytate may have these minerals complexed to antinutrient and become unavailable for absorption. An alternative to improve the availability of phenolic acids and minerals of whole grains is the enzymatic treatment. Tannase, tannin acyl hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.20) is an enzyme with the ability to act on ester bonds and depside bonds of hydrolysable tannins and has been described as capable of hydrolyzing tannic acid, chlorogenic acid, epigallocatechin, among others. Microbial phytase acts on dephytinization of cereals rich in phytate and its action improves the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in infant formulation. Bioaccessibility is an alternative to in vivo tests that has expensive experimental cost, and can be measured by 'in vitro' model of digestion / absorption by the Caco-2 cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tannase Paecilomyces variotii and of commercial phytase added to rye flour, as to the total phenolic content and the identification and quantification by HPLC-DAD of phenolic acids; to the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ORAC and FRAP); to the availability of minerals (zinc and iron); to the antinutrients content (phytate and hydrolyzable tannin); and as to bioaccessibility of phenolic acids of the flour. Tannase added to flour was able to reduce the hydrolyzable tannin content, increase total phenolic and enhance the antioxidant capacity. Flour rye treated with phytase decreased phytate content and increased content of inorganic phosphorus from enzymatic degradation. Availability of zinc and iron of the flour after treatment with phytase was improved, it was measured by the molar ratio between the mineral and phytate. Acids ferulic, sinapic and vanillic were identified and quantified of the rye flour, which after treatment with tannase showed an increase in ferulic acid content in five times bigger that the untreated flour. This result shows the tanase being an original action of 'P. variotii' as possible feruloyl esterase. Biotransformed flour rye with tannase showed a higher content of vanillic acid, ferulic and sinapic, however, when assessing the bioaccessibility was lower transport efficiency of these acids when compared to the control flour. Probably the biotransformed flour showed saturation of these phenolics about the apical portion of Caco-2 cells, they reduced the capacity of the monocarboxylic acids transporter (MCT1) within two hours of incubation. This corroborates the results of exposure of Caco-2 cells to standards of ferulic acid and vanillic at concentration of 50 ?l.mL-1, that showed inhibition of gene expression MCT1. However, the use of enzymes such as phytase and tannase in rye flour is interesting because it enhances antioxidant capacity, it phenolic content is incremented, availability of zinc and iron is bettered, increases the phosphorus content and reduces antinutrients. For further work, would be relevant the study of the residence time of the phenolic acids of rye flour on the cell transport assay, since two hours of incubation may have been insufficient to verify the full potential of flour treated with tannase / Doutorado / Ciência de Alimentos / Doutora em Ciência de Alimentos

Tesis por compendio / [EN] The present PhD thesis, entitled "Encapsulation of folic acid in silica porous supports: a nutritional and technological approach", focuses on the development of new smart systems for the controlled delivery of folic acid for nutritional applications. The first part of the thesis shows folic acid encapsulation in polyamines-functionalized silica porous matrices from a nutritional approach. The first part evaluates not only the influence of the loading method and the type of silica support employed (MCM-41, SBA-15, UVM-7 and Hollow Silica) on the efficacy of folic acid encapsulation, but also the influence of the morphology and porous system on the folic acid delivery profile from different supports. Folic acid release studies from different supports with various pH values have demonstrated that the designed systems are capable of smartly modulating the delivery of the folic acid dependent on the pH of the medium (inhibition of the release at an acidic pH -stomach-, controlled release at a neutral pH -intestine-). This capacity makes these developed delivery systems an excellent alternative to direct fortification to successfully modulate the bioaccessibility of folic acid along the gastrointestinal tract. The stability of the supports during an in vitro digestive process was evaluated, and demonstrated that not only small particles can be attacked during the digestion process, but also the functionalization with organic molecules, which act as molecular gates, prevents this attack. Finally, the cell viability studies carried out with four different cell lines revealed that neither the supports nor their degradation products caused any specific toxicity during the in vitro digestive process. The second part evaluates the influence of adding different silica supports to two food matrices: gelatin gels and yoghurts. This technological approach enabled us to know that the capacity of these smart systems to deliver folic acid in a controlled manner during an in vitro digestive process is mantained even after their incorporation in stirred yoghurt. The effect of the matrices on the gel's physical properties depends on the particle size, functionalization and concentration. Finally, this thesis tested that the optimization of folic acid loading, achieved in the first part of the thesis, allowed the fortification of yoghurt with 100% of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid with a very low amount of the system. This fortification affected neither the physico-chemical properties of the yoghurt, nor bacterial viability. In summary, it was concluded that the present thesis globally deals with folic acid encapsulation in silica porous matrices to be used in nutritional and food applications, which include the optimization of loading, release studies at diferent pH, in vitro digestions, stability studies of the employed matrixes, biocompatibility studies, and studies into the influence of their addition to food matrixes. The obtained results positively exhibit that the developed smart folic acid delivery systems open up a new way of fortifying food without endangering the properties of the food to which they are added. / [ES] La presente tesis doctoral que lleva por título "Encapsulación de ácido fólico en soportes porosos de óxido de silicio: una aproximación nutricional y tecnológica" está centrada en el desarrollo de nuevos sistemas inteligentes de liberación controlada de ácido fólico para aplicaciones nutricionales. La primera parte de la tesis muestra la encapsulación de ácido fólico en matrices porosas de óxido de silicio funcionalizadas con poliaminas desde una aproximación nutricional. En ella se ha evaluado la influencia del método de cargado y del tipo de soporte de óxido de silicio utilizado (MCM-41, SBA-15, UVM-7 y Hollow Silica) en la eficacia de encapsulación de ácido fólico. En esta primera parte, también se ha evaluado la influencia de la morfología y el sistema de poros de los diferentes soportes en el perfil de liberación del ácido fólico desde los mismos. Los estudios de liberación de ácido fólico desde los diferentes soportes a diferentes valores de pH han demostrado que los sistemas diseñados son capaces de modular inteligentemente la liberación de ácido fólico en función del pH del medio (inhibición de la liberación a pH ácido -estómago-, liberación controlada a pH neutro -intestino-). Esta capacidad convierte a los sistemas liberación desarrollados en una alternativa excelente a la fortificación directa para modular exitosamente la bioaccesibilidad del ácido fólico a lo largo del tracto gastrointestinal. Por otra parte, se ha evaluado la estabilidad de los soportes durante un proceso de digestión in vitro, demostrando que si bien algunos soportes pueden ser atacados durante la digestión, la funcionalización con moléculas que actúan como puertas moleculares previene este ataque. Por último, los estudios de viabilidad celular llevados a cabo en cuatro tipos de líneas celulares demuestran que ni los soportes, ni los productos de degradación de los mismos durante el proceso de digestión in vitro promueven ningún tipo de toxicidad inespecífica. En la segunda parte se ha evaluado la influencia de la adición de diferentes soportes de óxido de silicio a dos matrices alimentarias, geles de gelatina y yogures. Esta aproximación tecnológica ha permitido conocer que la capacidad de estos sistemas inteligentes para liberar controladamente el ácido fólico a lo largo de un proceso de digestión in vitro se mantiene incluso tras su incorporación en yogures batidos. Por otra parte, se ha comprobado que el efecto de las matrices sobre las propiedades físicas de los geles, es dependiente tanto del tamaño de las partículas, como de su funcionalización y concentración. Por último, se ha comprobado que debido a la optimización del cargado de ácido fólico alcanzada en la primera parte de la tesis, se puede lograr una fortificación de un yogur con el 100% de la cantidad diaria recomendada de ácido fólico con una cantidad tan pequeña de sistema que ni las propiedades físico-químicas de un yogur, ni la viabilidad bacteriana se ven comprometidas. En resumen, se puede concluir que la presente tesis ha abordado de una manera global la encapsulación de ácido fólico en matrices porosas de óxido de silicio para ser utilizados en aplicaciones nutricionales y alimentarias incluyendo estudios de optimización de cargado, estudios de liberación en función del pH, digestiones in vitro, estudios de estabilidad de las matrices utilizadas, estudios de biocompatibilidad, así como estudios de la influencia de la adición de estos sistemas inteligentes en matrices alimentarias. Los resultados obtenidos han puesto de manifiesto que los sistemas inteligentes de liberación de ácido fólico desarrollados abren la puerta a una nueva manera de fortificar los alimentos sin comprometer sus características. / [CA] La present tesi doctoral, que porta per títol "Encapsulació d'àcid fòlic en suports porosos d'òxid de silici: una aproximació nutricional i tecnològica" està centrada en el desenvolupament de nous sistemes intel·ligents de lliberació controlada d'àcid fòlic per a aplicacions nutricionals. La primera part de la tesi mostra l'encapsulació d'àcid fòlic en matrius poroses d'òxid de silici funcionalitzades amb poliamines des d'una aproximació nutricional. En esta part, s'ha avaluat la influència del mètode de carrega i del tipus de suport d'òxid de silici que s'ha emprat (MCM-41, SBA-15, UVM-7 i Hollow Silica) en l'eficàcia de l'encapsulació d'àcid fòlic. En esta primera part, també s'ha avaluat la influència de la morfologia i el sistema de porus dels diferents suports en el perfil d'alliberament de l'àcid fòlic des dels mateixos. Els estudis d'alliberament d'àcid fòlic des dels diferents suports a diferents valors de pH han demostrat que els sistemes dissenyats són capaços de modular intel¿ligentment l'alliberament d'àcid fòlic en funció del pH del medi (inhibició de l'alliberament a pH àcid -estómac-, alliberament controlat a pH neutre -intestí-). Esta capacitat fa dels sistemes desenvolupats una excel·lent alternativa a la fortificació directa per a modular amb èxit la bioaccessibilitat de l'àcid fòlic a través del tracte gastrointestinal. D'altra banda, s'ha avaluat l'estabilitat dels suports en un procés de digestió in vitro, demostrant que mentre que les partícules menudes poden ser atacades durant la digestió, la funcionalització amb molècules orgàniques que actuen com a portes moleculars prevé aquest atac. Per últim, els estudis de viabilitat cel·llular duts a terme en quatre tipus de línies cel·lulars demostren que ni els soports, ni els productes de degradació dels mateixos durant el procés de digestió in vitro promouen cap tipus de toxicitat inespecífica. En la segona part, s'ha avaluat la influència de l'addició de diferents sopors d'òxid de silici a dos matrius alimentàries, gels de gelatina i iogurts. Esta aproximació tecnològica ha permés conéixer que la capacitat d'aquests sistemes intel·ligents per alliberar controladament àcid fòlic durant un procés de digestió in vitro es manté fins i tot després de ser incorporats en iogurts batuts. D'altra banda, s'ha comprovat que l'efecte de les matrius sobre les propietats físiques dels gels, és dependent tant de la grandària de les partícules, com de la seua funcionalització i concentració. Per últim, s'ha comprovat que a causa de l'optimització del carregat d'acid fòlic alcançada en la primera part de la tesi, es pot aconseguir una fortificació d'un iogurt amb el 100% de la quantitat diària recomanada d'àcid fòlic amb una quantitat tan baixa del sistema que ni les propietats físico-químiques d'un iogurt, ni la viabilitat bacteriana se'n veuen compromeses. En resum, es pot concluir que en la present tesi s'ha abordat d'una manera global l'encapsulació d'àcid fòlic en matrius poroses d'òxid de silici per a ser utilitzades en aplicacions nutricionals i alimentàries, que inclouen estudis d'optimització de carregat, estudis d'alliberament en funció del pH, digestions in vitro, estudis d'estabilitat de les matrius utilitzades, estudis de biocompatibilitat, així com estudis de la influència de l'addició d'aquests sistemes en matrius alimentàries. Els resultats obtesos han posat de manifest de forma positiva que els sistemes intel·ligents d'àcid fòlic que s'han desenvolupat obrin una porta a una nova manera de fortificar els aliments sense comprometre les seues caracterísitiques. / Pérez Esteve, E. (2015). ENCAPSULATION OF FOLIC ACID IN MESOPOROUS SILICA SUPPORTS: A NUTRITIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/58613 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales / Compendio

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Nine Virginia soybeans grown in a single location were compared for their antioxidant properties and isoflavone profiles. The extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic contents (TPC), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), and DPPH™ radical scavenging activities. In order to evaluate efficient preparation methods for soybean antioxidants, three Virginia-grown soybeans were extracted using different extraction strategies. The extraction techniques included soxhlet extraction, conventional solvent extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) with 5 different common solvent systems including 50% and 80% aqueous acetone, 50 and 70% aqueous ethanol, and 80% aqueous methanol. The TPC in the soybean extracts and isoflavone compositions were significantly different among cultivars. Malonylgenistin was the major isoflavone in all soybean seeds, accounting for 75-83% of the total measured isoflavones. The V01-4937 variety had the highest total isoflavone and malonylgenistin contents, followed by V03-5794. The antioxidant activities of the soybean extracts were also significantly different. Overall, the V01-4937 soybean was the variety that stood out from the other tested Virginia soybeans because it had the highest TPC, ORAC value, and isoflavone contents as well as the second highest DPPH™ scavenging activity. Ultrasonic treatment improved the extraction of soybean phenolics by more than 50% compared to solvent alone. The UAE with 50% aqueous acetone was the most efficient for extraction of phenolic compounds in the soybean seeds. The conventional and UAE with 70% aqueous ethanol extracts had the highest ORAC values, while the soxhlet methanol extracts had the highest DPPH™ radical scavenging activities. Our results suggest that different extraction technologies have a remarkable effect on soybean antioxidant estimation and the UAE is more appropriate for soybean phenolic extraction because it is less time and solvent consuming than the conventional solvent and soxhlet extractions. The V01-4937 soybean with the highest TPC was evaluated for its antioxidant activity and isoflavone contents in an in vitro digestive system. After gastrointestinal digestion, soybean extracts contained higher TPC and ORAC values than cooked soybean (before digestion) but they were relatively low in DPPH™ radical scavenging capacity. The glucosides, daidzin, genistin, and malonylgenistin showed stability during simulated digestion with 83.3 %, 59.4 %, and 10.7 % recovery, respectively. Aglycones, including daidzein and genistein, were recovered at 37 % and 73.7 %, respectively, after in vitro digestion. In this study, daidzin was the most stable and bioaccessible isoflavone determined using the in vitro digestive system. Among the aglycones, genistein was more stable and bioaccessible than daidzein after digestion. In conclusion, soybean antioxidant activities were different among cultivars and efficient extraction for TPC was found using UAE with 50% aqueous acetone. Furthermore, antioxidant activities were stable during digestion and genistein, within aglycones tested, was the most stable and bioaccessible compound following in vitro digestion. This information may provide manufacturers or researchers information required to develop food or nutraceutical products processed for better bioaccessibility of soybean bioactive components. / Ph. D.

<p>Accumulating evidence is suggesting that exposure to some environmental contaminants may alter adipogenesis, resulting in accumulation of adipocytes, and often significant weight gain. Thus these types of contaminants are often referred to as obesogens. Many of these contaminants act via the activation (i.e. agonism) of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor &#947; (PPAR&#947;) nuclear receptor. To date, very few chemicals have been identified as possible PPAR&#61543; ligands. In the thesis, our goal was to determine the PPAR&#947; ligand binding potency and activation of several groups of major semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) that are ubiquitously detected in indoor environments, including flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Firemaster 550 (FM550), and other SVOCs such as phthalates, organotins, halogenated phenols and bisphenols. Additional attention was also given to the potential activity of the major metabolites of several of these compounds. Since the primary sink for many of these SVOCs is dust, and dust ingestion has been confirmed as an important pathway for SVOCs accumulation in humans, the potential PPAR&#61543; binding and activation in extracts from environmentally relevant dust samples was also investigated. </p><p> Previous studies have also shown that SVOCs sorbed to organic matrices (e.g., soil and sediment), were only partially bioaccessible (bioavailable), but it was unclear how bioaccessible these compounds are from indoor dust matrices. In addition, bioactivation of SVOCs (via metabolism) could exacerbate their PPAR&#61543; potency. Therefore, to adequately assess the potential risk of PPAR&#947; activation from exposure to SVOC mixtures in house dust, it is essential that one also investigates the bioaccessibility and bioactivation of these chemicals following ingestion. </p><p> In the first research aim of this thesis, the bioaccessibility and bioactivation of several important SVOCs in house dust was investigated. To accomplish this, Tenax beads (TA) encapsulated within a stainless steel insert were used as an infinite adsorption sink to estimate the dynamic absorption of a suite of flame retardants (FRs) commonly detected in indoor dust samples, and from a few polyurethane foam samples for comparison. Experimental results demonstrate that the bioaccessibility and stability of FRs following ingestion varies both by chemical and by matrix. Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) had the highest estimated bioaccessibility (~80%) compared to brominated compounds (e.g. PBDEs), and values generally decreased with increasing Log Kow, with <30% bioaccessibility measured for the most hydrophobic compound tested, BDE209. In addition, the stability of the more labile SVOCs that contained ester groups (e.g. OPFRs and 2-ethylhexyl-tetrabromo-benzoate (TBB)) were examined in a simulated digestive fluid matrix. No significant changes in the OPFR concentrations were observed in this fluid; however, TBB was found to readily hydrolyze to tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA) in the intestinal fluid in the presence of lipases. </p><p> In research aims 2 and 3, two commercially available high-throughput bioassays, a fluorescence polarization PPAR&#61543; ligand binding assay (PolarScreenTM PPAR&#947;-competitor assay kit, Invitrogen, Aim 2) and a PPAR&#61543; reporter gene assay (GeneBLAzer PPAR&#947; non-DA Assay, Invitrogen, Aim 3) were used to investigate the binding potency and activation of several groups of SVOCs and dust extracts with human PPAR&#947; LBD; respectively. In the PPAR&#61543; binding assay (Aim 2), most of the tested compounds exhibited dose-dependent binding to PPAR&#947;. Mono(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TB-MEHP), halogenated bisphenol/phenols, triphenyl phosphate and hydroxylated PBDEs were found to be potent or moderate PPAR&#947; ligands, based on the measured ligand binding dissociation constant (Kd). The most potent compound was 3-OH-BDE47, with an IC50 of 0.24 &#956;M. The extent of halogenation and the position of the hydroxyl group strongly affected binding. Of the dust samples tested, 21 of 24 samples showed significant PPAR&#61543; binding potency at a concentration of 3 mg dust equivalents (DEQ)/mL. In the PPAR&#61543; reporter assay (Aim 3), many SVOCs or their metabolites were either confirmed (based on previous reports) or for the first time were found to be potential PPAR&#947; agonists with various potency and efficacy. We also observed that 15 of 25 dust extracts examined showed an activation percentage more than 8% (calculated activation threshold) of the maximal activation induced by rosiglitazone (positive control). In some cases, activation was as high as 50% of the rosiglitazone activation for the dust extracts with the highest efficacy. Furthermore, the correlation between the reporter assay and the ligand binding assay among the house dust extracts was significant and positive (r = 0.7, p < 0.003), suggesting the binding potency was predicting activation. In research aim 2, the effect of bioactivation on the PPAR&#947; binding potency was also investigated. In vitro bioactivation of house dust extracts incubated with rat and human hepatic S9 fractions was used to investigate the role of in vivo biotransformation on PPAR gamma activity. The result showed that metabolism may lead to an increased binding affinity, as a 3-16% increase in PPAR&#947; binding activity was observed following bioactivation of the dust extracts.</p><p> In research aim 4, an effect-directed analysis (EDA) was used to identify compounds likely contributing to the observed PPAR&#61543; activity among the dust extract. Three dust extracts which showed significant PPAR&#61543; activity with approximately 25, 30, and 50% of the maximal response induced by rosiglitazone at the highest efficacy were fractionated using normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC) and each fraction was individually tested for PPAR&#61543; activity. Active fractions were then analyzed using gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and possible compounds identified. Three dust extracts showed a similar PPAR&#61543; activity distribution among the NP-HPLC fractions. In the most active fractions, fatty acids (FAs) were identified as the most active chemicals. The concentrations of four FAs were measured in the house dust extracts, and the concentrations were found to be highly correlated with the observed PPAR&#61543; activity. These four FAs were also tested for PPAR&#61543; activity and found to be partial PPAR&#61543; agonists, particularly oleic and myristic acid. To tentatively identify sources of FAs, FAs in human/animal hair, dead skin cells, and two brands of cooking oil were analyzed. We found the same FAs in those samples and there concentrations were relatively abundant, ranging from 186 to 14,868 µg/g. Therefore, these results suggest that FAs are likely responsible for the observed PPAR&#61543; activity in indoor dust. Also, this is the first study reporting on the level of FAs in dust samples. The source of these FAs in dust may be either from the cooking or accumulation of human/animal cells in indoor dust.</p><p> In conclusion, this research demonstrates that many SVOCs ubiqutiously detected in house dust, and/or their metabolites, can be weak or moderate PPAR&#61543; ligands. In addition, chemical mixtures in house dust can effectively bind to and activate PPAR&#61543;. However, our results suggest FAs are probably responsible for these observations, and likely outcompeting the synthetic environmental contaminants present in the dust extract. Furthermore, bioactivation of contaminants present in house dust can potentially increase their affinity for PPAR&#61543;. And lastly, the bioaccessibility and stability of SVOCs in house dust after ingestion are likely to modulate the PPAR&#61543; activity in the environmental mixtures and should be considered in future risk assessments.</p> / Dissertation

Este trabalho apresenta os estudos decorrentes da identificação de espécies moleculares associadas aos elementos Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg e Zn em amostras de castanha de caju (Anacardium Ocidentale), os quais foram realizados por: (1) digestão total da amostra, (2) digestão simulada in vitro, (3) extração de metais e proteínas empregando água, NaOH e Tampão Tris-HCl, (4) precipitação de proteínas com HCl ou acetona, (5) avaliação da associação entre espécies elementares e moleculares presentes nos diferentes meios extratores utilizando o acoplamento entre SEC-UV-SIMAAS e SEC-UV-ICP OES e (6) especiação de Fe em amostra de água de diálise empregando método espectrofotométrico. As determinações elementares nas amostras de castanha de caju demonstraram que os teores de Ca foram de (0,031 ± 0,001)%; Cu (19,1 ± 0,1) mg kg-1; Fe (53,5 ± 0,2) mg kg-1; Mg (0,22 ± 0,01) % e Zn (40 ± 3) mg kg-1, respectivamente. O emprego de soluções gástrica e intestinal simuladas revelou que 10% de Ca, 29% de Zn, 44% de Mg, 80% de Fe e 90% de Cu são extraídos durante a digestão. Após o processo de diálise, verificou-se que 100% do Zn e 90% do Ca, Fe e Mg passaram através da membrana de ester de celulose (tamanho de poro = 12 kDa). Porém, o cobre apresentou uma porcentagem de diálise de 70%. O processo de extração de proteínas indicou que a solução alcalina possui elevada capacidade de solubilização dos analitos, quando comparada com os demais extratos. A análise molecular das soluções extratoras demonstrou que em meio alcalino e tamponado há uma maior solubilização de compostos de alto peso molecular e o meio aquoso solubiliza espécies de baixo peso molecular. A precipitação realizada a partir dos extratos proteícos utilizando HCl propiciou uma alteração no perfil de distribuição molecular dos compostos presentes nos extratos aquoso e tamponado. Porém, o uso da precipitação em meio de acetona revela um perfil de separação diferente, pois em meio orgânico ocorre a seleção de compostos de baixo peso molecular (< 6,5 kDa). As análises por SEC-UV-ICP OES em soluções gastrointestinais revelou que os elementos estão distribuidos entre proteínas de alto e baixo peso molecular. Mas o processo de diálise demonstrou que algumas interações elementares e moleculares foram desfeitas após esta etapa de precipitação com HCl ou acetona. Porém, estes dados podem fornecer o primeiro indício da presença de metaloproteínas em amostras de castanha de caju. O monitoramento das espécies de ferro em amostras de água de diálise demonstra que apenas o íon trivalente (Fe3+) foi identificado. Sendo que, ao realizar a quantificação desta espécie, verifica-se que o teor de ferro livre presente na solução foi de 15%. Portanto, esta solução continha, aproximadamente, 85% de espécies químicas de ferro presentes no extrato gastrointestinal, as quais estão associadas a outros compostos presentes na amostra / In this work studies were done for the identification of molecular species associated to Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn in cashew nuts (Anacardium Occidental) using the following procedures: (1) sample acid digestion for total element determination; (2) in vitro digestion; (3) metals and proteins extraction using water, NaOH and Tris-HCl; (4) protein precipitation with HCl or acetone; (5) evaluation of association between elemental and molecular species in different extractors using SEC-UV-SIMAAS and SEC-UV-ICP OES and (6) iron speciation analysis in dialysis water using a spectrophotometric method. The elemental analysis showed that in cashew nuts there is a great quantity of Ca (0.031 ± 0.001) % and Mg (0.22 ± 0.01) %, but minor quantity of Cu (19.1 ± 0.1) mg kg-1, Fe (53.5 ± 0.2) mg kg-1 and Zn (40 ± 3) mg kg-1. The bioavailability studies reveal that Ca (10%), Zn (29%), Mg (44%), Fe (80%) and Cu (90%) were extracted during the in vitro digestion. After dialysis, 100% of Zn and 90% of Ca, Fe and Mg passed through the membrane, however, only 70% of Cu was dialysed in this step. The protein extraction procedures indicate that alkaline media has a great capacity for solubilization of analytes, if compared with other extracts. The molecular analysis of extracts showed that in alkaline and buffered media there is a presence of high molecular weight compounds and water extracted low molecular weight compounds. The HCl precipitation in water and buffered extractors change the molecular distribution profile and acetone precipitation selected low molecular weight compounds (< 6.5 kDa) for all extractors. The SEC-UV-ICP OES analysis in gastric intestinal solutions showed that the elements were distributed between high and low molecular weight compounds, but the dialysis procedure revealed the elemental and molecular correlations disappear to some metals. The monitoring of iron species by spectrophotometric method demonstrated that only 15% of trivalent iron was identified in the water dialysis. Therefore, this solution contain approximately 85% of iron species present in the gastrointestinal extract which are associated with others compounds in the sample.

Este trabalho apresenta os estudos decorrentes da identificação de espécies moleculares associadas aos elementos Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg e Zn em amostras de castanha de caju (Anacardium Ocidentale), os quais foram realizados por: (1) digestão total da amostra, (2) digestão simulada in vitro, (3) extração de metais e proteínas empregando água, NaOH e Tampão Tris-HCl, (4) precipitação de proteínas com HCl ou acetona, (5) avaliação da associação entre espécies elementares e moleculares presentes nos diferentes meios extratores utilizando o acoplamento entre SEC-UV-SIMAAS e SEC-UV-ICP OES e (6) especiação de Fe em amostra de água de diálise empregando método espectrofotométrico. As determinações elementares nas amostras de castanha de caju demonstraram que os teores de Ca foram de (0,031 ± 0,001)%; Cu (19,1 ± 0,1) mg kg-1; Fe (53,5 ± 0,2) mg kg-1; Mg (0,22 ± 0,01) % e Zn (40 ± 3) mg kg-1, respectivamente. O emprego de soluções gástrica e intestinal simuladas revelou que 10% de Ca, 29% de Zn, 44% de Mg, 80% de Fe e 90% de Cu são extraídos durante a digestão. Após o processo de diálise, verificou-se que 100% do Zn e 90% do Ca, Fe e Mg passaram através da membrana de ester de celulose (tamanho de poro = 12 kDa). Porém, o cobre apresentou uma porcentagem de diálise de 70%. O processo de extração de proteínas indicou que a solução alcalina possui elevada capacidade de solubilização dos analitos, quando comparada com os demais extratos. A análise molecular das soluções extratoras demonstrou que em meio alcalino e tamponado há uma maior solubilização de compostos de alto peso molecular e o meio aquoso solubiliza espécies de baixo peso molecular. A precipitação realizada a partir dos extratos proteícos utilizando HCl propiciou uma alteração no perfil de distribuição molecular dos compostos presentes nos extratos aquoso e tamponado. Porém, o uso da precipitação em meio de acetona revela um perfil de separação diferente, pois em meio orgânico ocorre a seleção de compostos de baixo peso molecular (< 6,5 kDa). As análises por SEC-UV-ICP OES em soluções gastrointestinais revelou que os elementos estão distribuidos entre proteínas de alto e baixo peso molecular. Mas o processo de diálise demonstrou que algumas interações elementares e moleculares foram desfeitas após esta etapa de precipitação com HCl ou acetona. Porém, estes dados podem fornecer o primeiro indício da presença de metaloproteínas em amostras de castanha de caju. O monitoramento das espécies de ferro em amostras de água de diálise demonstra que apenas o íon trivalente (Fe3+) foi identificado. Sendo que, ao realizar a quantificação desta espécie, verifica-se que o teor de ferro livre presente na solução foi de 15%. Portanto, esta solução continha, aproximadamente, 85% de espécies químicas de ferro presentes no extrato gastrointestinal, as quais estão associadas a outros compostos presentes na amostra / In this work studies were done for the identification of molecular species associated to Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn in cashew nuts (Anacardium Occidental) using the following procedures: (1) sample acid digestion for total element determination; (2) in vitro digestion; (3) metals and proteins extraction using water, NaOH and Tris-HCl; (4) protein precipitation with HCl or acetone; (5) evaluation of association between elemental and molecular species in different extractors using SEC-UV-SIMAAS and SEC-UV-ICP OES and (6) iron speciation analysis in dialysis water using a spectrophotometric method. The elemental analysis showed that in cashew nuts there is a great quantity of Ca (0.031 ± 0.001) % and Mg (0.22 ± 0.01) %, but minor quantity of Cu (19.1 ± 0.1) mg kg-1, Fe (53.5 ± 0.2) mg kg-1 and Zn (40 ± 3) mg kg-1. The bioavailability studies reveal that Ca (10%), Zn (29%), Mg (44%), Fe (80%) and Cu (90%) were extracted during the in vitro digestion. After dialysis, 100% of Zn and 90% of Ca, Fe and Mg passed through the membrane, however, only 70% of Cu was dialysed in this step. The protein extraction procedures indicate that alkaline media has a great capacity for solubilization of analytes, if compared with other extracts. The molecular analysis of extracts showed that in alkaline and buffered media there is a presence of high molecular weight compounds and water extracted low molecular weight compounds. The HCl precipitation in water and buffered extractors change the molecular distribution profile and acetone precipitation selected low molecular weight compounds (< 6.5 kDa) for all extractors. The SEC-UV-ICP OES analysis in gastric intestinal solutions showed that the elements were distributed between high and low molecular weight compounds, but the dialysis procedure revealed the elemental and molecular correlations disappear to some metals. The monitoring of iron species by spectrophotometric method demonstrated that only 15% of trivalent iron was identified in the water dialysis. Therefore, this solution contain approximately 85% of iron species present in the gastrointestinal extract which are associated with others compounds in the sample.

L'exposition aux particules fines et ultrafines, pouvant contenir des éléments métalliques, est un sujet de préoccupation sanitaire majeure, notamment dans les zones fortement industrialisées. Cette thèse a consisté à mieux caractériser la fraction métallique des particules fines et ultrafines émises dans un contexte industrialo-urbain (Littoral dunkerquois) et à déterminer leur bioaccessibilité pulmonaire, en lien avec l'impact sanitaire. Des particules ont été collectées selon leur granulométrie dans des environnements très contrastés : (i) en milieu urbain sous l'influence du trafic automobile et d'émissions industrielles et (ii) à proximité immédiate et à la source même d'une usine de ferromanganèse (Glencore), caractéristique de l'activité industrielle du dunkerquois. La bioaccessibilité pulmonaire des éléménts métalliques a été déterminée par une extraction avec un fluide pulmonaire synthétique (solution "Gamble") et comparée avec une méthode d'extraction séquentielle. En milieu urbain, les concentrations élémentaires dans les particules ultrafines sont principalement liées aux sources locales (issues d'émissions de véhicules ou de chauffage). Les particules submicroniques (< 1µm) sont elles, principalement affectées par les sources industrielles, notamment la métallurgie, principale émettrice de métaux particulaires de la zone industrielle. Les autres sources identifiées par les traceurs métalliques sont la pétrochimie, la combustion des fiouls lourds et des charbons et les sources naturelles (terrigène et marine). Une variabilité temporelle importante des concentrations en masse des particules fines et ultrafines et de leurs teneurs en éléments métalliques a été observée, en cheminée et en champ proche de l'usine de ferromanganèse. Les fortes concentrations en particules ultrafines (PM₀,₁ : 60% de la masse des PM₂,₅), enrichies en métaux de cheminée, diminuent rapidement à proximité immédiate de l'usine, dû au changement rapide des conditions de température et d'humidité induisant des transformations précoces de la matière particulaire. Ce travail a permis par ailleurs de montrer que la bioaccessibilité des métaux associés aux particules est variable selon les propriétés physicochimiques des particules (spéciation chimique des métaux et distribution granulométrique), en lien avec leurs origines et leurs processus de formation. La bioaccessibilité des métaux peut aussi être affectée par des transformations physico-chimiques (mélange/agglomération, agrégation, oxydoréduction...) des particules fines durant leur transport atmosphérique. L'estimation in-vitro de la bioaccessibilité permet de mieux comprendre la biodosponibilité des métaux dans l'organiqme et donc de mieux appréhender l'impact sanitaire des métaux toxiques. / Exposure to metals from fine and ultrafine particles is of major health concern, especially in heavily industrialized areas. This thesis aims to better characterize the metal fraction of fine and ultrafine particles emitted in an industrial-marked urban context (Dunkirk harbour) and to determine their lung bioaccessibility, in relation with their health impact. Particles were collected according to their size in specific environments : (i) in an urban area influenced by traffic and industrial emissions and (ii) at the stacks and in the vicinity of a ferromanganese plant (Glencore), characteristic of the industrial activity in Dunkirk. Pulmonary bioaccessibility of metals was determined using a synthetic lung fluid (Gamble solution), and compared to a sequential extraction method. In the urban area, the elemental concentrations in ultrafine particles are primarily related to lacal sources (traffic and housse heating), while submicronic particles (< 1µm) are mainly affected by industrial sources, especially metallurgical plants, the main source of particulate metals in the industrial area. The other sources identified are petrochemistry, coal and heavy-fuels burning and natural sources (sea salts and crustal particles). A high temporal variability of fine and ultrafine particles mass concentrations and of their metal contents was observed at the stacks and in the close environment of the ferromanganese plant. The high concentrations of ultrafine particles (PM₀,₁ : 60% of the total PM₂,₅ mass), enriched in metals, as observed in stack flues, decrease rapidly in the vicinity of the plant, due to the changes in temperatureand humidity, inducing rapid transformations. The metal bioaccessibility varies according to the particle properties (metals chemical speciation and particle size distribution), depending on their origin and formation processes. This metal bioaccessibility may also be affected by physicochemical transformations of fine particles occuring during atmospheric transport (mixing/agglomeration, aggregation, oxidation or reduction processes). The in-vitro bioaccessibility assessment is of interest to better understand the metal bioavailability and thus for a better appreciation of the health impact of toxic metals.