Browsing by Author "Zinedine, Abdellah"
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- Biosafety measures for Alicyclobacillus spp. strains across various levels of biohazardPublication . Sajid, Marina; Mehmood, Sajid; Yuan, Yahong; Yue, Tianli; Khalid, Muhammad Zubair; Mujtaba, Ahmad; Alharbi, Sulaiman Ali; Ansari, Mohammad Javed; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João MiguelAlicyclobacillus bacteria are important contaminants in the beverage industry because their spores remain in the product after usual pasteurization. At the same time, their impact on human health has yet to be characterized, as it is generally assumed to be low or non-existent. However, these bacteria are causing quality concerns mainly due to odor and taste changes of the product. Since potential health effects are not precisely known, an experimental assessment was performed, including a biosafety assessment of six viable and non-viable vegetative and spore forms of Alicyclobacillus spp. strains using cell cultures and rodent study. The monolayer of Caco-2 (Cancer coli-2) cells was investigated for its adsorption effect on the epithelium of the small intestine of mice. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage (LDH) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) tests were used to ensure the integrity of the cell membrane and tight junctions. The methylthiazole tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay examined in vitro cytotoxicity in Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines. The hemolysis of erythrocytes was spectrophotometrically measured. The results showed negligible cytotoxicity or non-toxic response in mice. In conclusion, Alicyclobacillus spp. exhibited biocompatibility with negligible cytotoxicity and minimal safety concerns.
- Comparative study of ochratoxin a exposure through the intake of cereal products in two climatic moroccan regionsPublication . Tabarani, Ahmed; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Sanaa, Moez; Abdennebi, El HassaneThe present study aims to compare ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure through the intake of three cereal derivative products (bread, pasta and semolina) in two different Moroccan climatic regions (littoral and continental). OTA weekly intakes from cereal products were calculated using a deterministic approach for each region. Results showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) of OTA exposure between the two regions. Indeed, the median OTA exposure was estimated at 48.97 ng/kg b.w./week in the littoral region, while it was estimated at 6.36 ng/kg b.w./week in the continental region. The probabilistic approach showed that, due to uncertainties, the 95th percentile of weekly OTA exposure associated with the three cereal products ranged from 66.18 to 137.79 (95% CI) with a median of 97.44 ng/kg body weight (b.w.)/week. Compared to the threshold of 100 ng/kg b.w./week, 95% of the cumulative distributions predicted an exceedance frequency between 0.42 and 17.30% (95% CI), with an exceedance frequency median of 4.43%. Results showed that cereal derivatives constitute an important vector of OTA exposure and cause a significant exceedance of toxicological reference value among large consumers in the littoral region, which suggests the urgency of reconsidering the maximum regulatory limit (MRL) set for OTA (3 µg/kg) in cereal derivatives by Moroccan authorities.
- Designing a multiepitope vaccine against the foodborne pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes using subtractive immunoinformatics approachesPublication . Aziz, Tariq; Naveed, Muhammad; Shabbir, Muhammad Aqib; Jabeen, Khizra; Khan, Ayaz Ali; Hasnain, Ammarah; Yang, Zhennai; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Albekairi, Thamer H.Background: Listeria monocytogenes, a Gram-positive bacterium, is a prominent foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and poses substantial health hazards worldwide. The continuing risk of listeriosis outbreaks underlies the importance of designing an effective prevention strategy and developing a robust immune response by reverse vaccinology approaches. This study aimed to provide a critical approach for developing a potent multiepitope vaccine against this foodborne disease. Methods: A chimeric peptide construct containing 5 B-cell epitopes, 16 major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) epitopes, and 18 MHC-II epitopes were used to create a subunit vaccination against L. monocytogenes. The vaccine safety was evaluated by several online methods, and molecular docking was performed using ClusPro to determine the binding affinity. Immune simulation was performed using the C-ImmSimm server to demonstrate the immune response. Results: The results validated the antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and nontoxicity of the chimeric peptide construct, confirming its suitability as a subunit vaccine. Molecular docking showed a good score of 1276.5 and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the construct’s efficacy, demonstrating its promise as a good candidate for listeriosis prophylaxis. The population coverage was as high as 91.04% with a good immune response, indicating good antigen presentation with dendritic cells and production of memory cells. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the potential of the designed chimeric peptide construct as an effective subunit vaccine against Listeria, paving the way for future advances in preventive methods and vaccine design.
- Effect of phenolic compounds extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) on cutaneous wound healing in wistar ratsPublication . Bouchama, Chaymae; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Chadli, Noureddine; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Chabir, Rachida; Raoui, Sidi Mohammed; Errachidi, FaouziTurmeric and ginger, widely used rhizomes in culinary arts, have several beneficial biological activities, such as hypoglycemic, hepato-protective, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. This work investigated the effects of three phenolic extracts isolated from turmeric and ginger rhizomes on anti-inflammatory and healing properties using the solid–liquid extraction method. Wistar rats were used as a biological model. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on induced edema in the rat’s hind paw using carrageenan (1%). Paw volume was measured at 0 min, 45 min, 3 h, and 5 h. Treatment with turmeric and ginger extracts, administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg, revealed a reduction in edema volume by 98.8%, 94.8%, and 98.3% using an aqueous extract of turmeric, ethanolic extract of turmeric, and methanolic extract of ginger, respectively. The healing activity parameters of induced burns on the rat’s dorsal region in nine groups (7 rats each) were monitored daily throughout the experiment’s duration. Results showed that the application of creams composed of petroleum jelly dispersing turmeric and ginger extracts to wounds at a dose of 100 mg/kg g induced complete healing after 19 days while the negative control was only 60% cured. On day 14, the aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic turmeric extracts nearly resulted in complete tissue repair by 95.26%, 98.34%, and 87.39%, respectively. According to the chromatographic analysis (Sephadex G50 column), there is a variation in the molecular weight distribution of phenolic compounds (polymers, oligomers, and monomers) in the three studied extracts, which has a differential effect on the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of the extracts.
- Effect of powdered rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil and phenolic compounds on broiler chickens zootechnical parametersPublication . Samouh, Khaoula Filali; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João M.; Chadli, Noureddine; Raoui, Sidi M.; Errachidi, FaouziThis work aims at exploiting the essential oil (EO) and phenolic compounds (PC) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in a formulation containing leaf powder stabilized with chitin (1%, w/w) to improve chicken meat and investigate their effect on qualitatively and quantitatively broiler chickens’ growth performances. To such a purpose, chicks, at 1 day of age, were distributed in pens on ground divided into four batches. The two control batches were fed with conventional feed, but the positive control contained flavomycin (0.5 g/kg) as growth factor. The two treated batches received a conventional feed supplemented with two doses of 20 and 50 g/kg of the developed formulation. Essential oil and phenolic compound contents in powdered leaves were, respectively, 1.20 and 22.86% in ethanolic extract. 1,8-Cineole (46.88%), followed by camphor (19.20%), α-pinene (9.56%), L.α.-terpineol (5.91%) and β-pinene (4.40%) were the main compounds of the used EO. The two batches of treated chicks showed a significant improvement in body weight (281.88 and 283.75 g, respectively), a decrease in feed conversion and a reduction in mortality (8%), when compared to the control batches. In addition, the elaborated formulation induced catalase activity used as an indicator of cellular antioxidant activity modulation.
- Nutritional properties, antioxidant activity, and consumer acceptability of sourdough bread supplemented with marine algae powder using selected traditional startersPublication . Boujamaai, Mounir EL; Brahimi, Imane; Benyamane, Meryem; Belasla, Nouhaila; Rocha, João Miguel; Errachidi, Faouzi; Zinedine, AbdellahThis study aimed at producing a sourdough bread supplemented with two marine algae powders of Ulva lactuca and Gelidium corneum at 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% (w/w, g/100 g DW) at the laboratory scale using mixed starters prepared with three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) combinations (LCS1, LCS2, and LCS3). The phytochemical composition, nutritional value, organoleptic properties, and acceptability of algae bread by consumers were then assessed. Good results were obtained for enriched bread with Gelidium at 2.5% (GB1) with a reducing sugar of 0.77 ± 0.1%, total sugar of 36.90 ± 3.15, and protein content of 8.3 ± 0.2%. While total phenolic content was 8.32 ± 1.20 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoids was 225.00 ± 11.31 mgQE/g DW, and the antioxidant activity ranged from 71.05 ± 3.71 to 82.93 ± 3.61%. Regarding enriched bread with Ulva at 10% (UB12), reducing sugar was 0.48 ± 0.03%, total sugar was 45.45 ± 5.75%, and protein content was 3.7 ± 0.07%. The total phenolic content value was 6.45 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoids was 191.20 ± 12.52 mgQE/g DW, while the antioxidant activity values ranged from 52.06 ± 6.21 to 80.51 ± 1.72%. Microbiological analysis showed that all pathogenic bacteria were not detected in algae bread. The consumer acceptability test revealed that bread enriched at the level of 10% of algae powder was significant for the five selected criteria (general appearance, crumb color, odor, taste, and texture). Traditional bread supplemented with Gelidium powder at 2.5% and Ulva powder at 10%, prepared with combined sourdough (LCS1), showed good antioxidant and nutritional properties and consumer acceptance.
- Phenolic composition and wound healing potential assessment of Moroccan Henna (Lawsonia inermis) aqueous extractsPublication . Massoudi, Soukaina El; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Benidir, Meryem; Najjari, Ilham; Ghadraoui, Lahsen El; Benjelloun, Meryem; Errachidi, FaouziThe present study aims at valorizing Moroccan Henna (Lawsonia inermis) by developing healing formulations for cosmetic and therapeutic uses. For such a goal, the plant was collected from three locations in southeastern Morocco (Alnif, Tafraoute Sidi Ali and Tazarine). Phytochemical analysis of Henna leaves was performed by determining phenolic compound contents, and flavonoids and tannins in it, through its aqueous extracts. Then, specific formulations were prepared using aqueous extracts of L. inermis to assess their in vivo wound healing potential in Swiss albino mice used as animal models. Results disclosed that phenolic compounds (13.48%), as well as flavonoid (9.25%) and tannin (2.57%) contents are higher in Henna leaf extracts from Alnif, while Tazarine Henna aqueous extract was found to be richer in saponins (0.32%). Exclusion chromatographic analysis on Sephadex G50 gel corroborates the obtained results and shows that Lawsone levels (Henna coloring agent) are higher in Henna collected from Alnif. Aqueous Henna leaf extracts, at a dose of 10% in petroleum jelly, have been assessed for their ability to heal induced burns in mice. Healing monitoring, carried-out with Henna extracts on mice batches and those of two control batches (mice batch treated with petroleum jelly alone and batch treated with petroleum jelly containing 1% (flamazine), showed a great reduction in burnt surface with an accentuated contraction percentage (CP) and complete re-epithelialization duration (CRD) at 21 days in the 3 studied Henna-based formulations. These findings suggest the interest of potential development of Henna-based formulations, as a source of phenolic compounds, for further dermatological, cosmetic and therapeutic applications.
- Phytochemical screening, nutritional properties and biological activities of sweet and conventional potato planted in MoroccoPublication . Sbai, Hajar; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Chabir, Rachida; Errachidi, Faouzi; Raoui, Sidi MohammedThis study aimed at studying phytochemical composition, nutritional properties and biological activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of two potato varieties (sweet potato (SP): Ipomoea batatas L. and conventional potato (CP): Solanum tuberosum L.) planted and consumed in Morocco. For this, potato samples (SP and CP) were firstly subjected to phytochemical and nutritional analysis, including water content, total and reducing sugars, proteins, lipids, vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Secondly, phenolic compounds extracts were subjected to biological activities namely antioxidant and invitro anti-inflammatory. Potato extracts antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) methods. Proteins and lipids contents were found much higher in SP (5.21 ± 0.26 and 0.29 ± 0.02 g/100g DW) respectively than in CP (2.93 ± 0.15 and 0.11 ± 0.01 g/100g DW) respectively. Besides, total and reducing sugars contents were 16.65 and 2.53 g/100g DW in the CP, and 12.47 and 2.13 g/100g DW in the SP, respectively. The antioxidant activity of different SP extracts was found to be higher than those of CP, by using DPPH and TAC methods. These findings could be explained by SP richness in carotenoids (212 ± 10.60 mg/100g DW), phenolic compounds (130.11 ± 6.51 mg GAE/100g DW), flavonoids (85.03 ± 4.2 5mg QE/100g DW) and vitamin C (471.33 ± 23.57 mg/100g DW). Exclusion chromatography done by Sephadex G50 showed that polymeric phenolic compounds in SP were more abundant when compared to monomeric ones. This difference was consistent with the anti-inflammatory activity assessed in vitro.
- Review on the pharmacological properties of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as a promising source of bioactive compoundsPublication . Tazi, Ahmed; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Errachidi, FaouziDespite the quantities and diversity of chemical compounds such as flavonoids discovered in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC.), available data are fragmentary. Their variation depending on the type of extract and origin of the plant and their effect on biological activities are not deeply discussed. Therefore, this paper provides a critical discussion of bioactive compounds including flavonoid content in extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, and their associated biological properties. Recorded data showed that recent studies have addressed the flavonoids qualitatively and quantitatively in various extracts of C. citratus. Existing literature clarified a significant variation of chemicals depending on the used parts of the plants. However, data on the effects of climate change and other environmental on the quantity and quality of flavonoids are not yet available. On the other hand, the recorded flavonoids were associated with a wide range of pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic effects, which are variable depending on the types of flavonoids. Other properties such as anticancer, analgesic, and diuretic activities are not yet investigated in the flavonoids extracted from the plant, thus more advanced studies are needed to optimize the extraction of biomolecules counting flavonoids, and then apply them to the most devastating diseases and pathogens.
- Whole genome analysis of Tibetan Kefir-derived Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 12-3 elucidates its genomic architecture, antimicrobial and drug resistance, potential probiotic functionality and safetyPublication . Aziz, Tariq; Naveed, Muhammad; Shabbir, Muhammad Aqib; Sarwar, Abid; Khan, Ayaz Ali; Hasnain, Ammarah; Haq, Taqweem Ul; Yang, Zhennai; Zinedine, Abdellah; Rocha, João Miguel; Alharbi, MetabBackground: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 12-3 holds great promise as a probiotic bacterial strain, yet its full potential remains untapped. This study aimed to better understand this potential therapeutic strain by exploring its genomic landscape, genetic diversity, CRISPR-Cas mechanism, genotype, and mechanistic perspectives for probiotic functionality and safety applications. Methods: L. plantarum 12-3 was isolated from Tibetan kefir grains and, subsequently, Illumina and Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) technologies were used to extract and sequence genomic DNA from this organism. After performing pan-genomic and phylogenetic analysis, Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) was used to confirm the taxonomic identity of the strain. Antibiotic resistance gene analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and virulence gene identification were also included in our genomic analysis to evaluate food safety. Prophage, genomic islands, insertion sequences, and CRISPR-Cas sequence analyses were also carried out to gain insight into genetic components and defensive mechanisms within the bacterial genome. Results: The 3.4 Mb genome of L. plantarum 12-3, was assembled with 99.1% completeness and low contamination. A total of 3234 genes with normal length and intergenic spacing were found using gene prediction tools. Pan-genomic studies demonstrated gene diversity and provided functional annotation, whereas phylogenetic analysis verified taxonomic identity. Our food safety study revealed a profile of antibiotic resistance that is favorable for use as a probiotic. Analysis of insertional sequences, genomic islands, and prophage within the genome provided information regarding genetic components and their possible effects on evolution. Conclusions: Pivotal genetic elements uncovered in this study play a crucial role in bacterial defense mechanisms and offer intriguing prospects for future genome engineering efforts. Moreover, our findings suggest further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to validate the functional attributes and probiotic potential of L. plantarum 12-3. Expanding the scope of the research to encompass a broader range of L. plantarum 12-3 strains and comparative analyses with other probiotic species would enhance our understanding of this organism's genetic diversity and functional properties.