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Kengo Suzuki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effects of orally administered euglena gracilis and its reserve polysaccharide Paramylon on gastric dysplasia in a4gnt knockout mice
    Scientific Reports, 2021
    Co-Authors: Masataka Iida, Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo Suzuki, Kosuke Yasuda, Mark Joseph M Desamero, James Ken Chambers, Kazuyuki Uchida, Ryohei Ogawa, Satoshi Hachimura, Jun Nakayama
    Abstract:

    Euglena gracilis is widely utilized as food or supplement to promote human and animal health, as it contains rich nutrients. In this study, we administered spray-dried powder of E. gracilis and Paramylon, β-glucan stored in E. gracilis cells, to A4gnt knockout (KO) mice. A4gnt KO mice are a mutant mouse model that spontaneously develops gastric cancer through hyperplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the antrum of the stomach, and we observed the effects of E. gracilis and Paramylon on the early involvements of A4gnt KO mice. Male and female 10-week-old A4gnt KO mice and their age-matched wildtype C57BL/6J mice were orally administered with 50 mg of E. gracilis or Paramylon suspended in saline or saline as a control. After 3-week administration, animals were euthanatized and the stomach was examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Gene expression patterns of the stomach, which have been reported to be altered with A4gnt KO, and IgA concentration in small intestine were also analyzed with real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Administration of Euglena significantly reduced the number of stimulated CD3-positive T-lymphocytes in pyloric mucosa of A4gnt KO mice and tend to reduce polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration. Euglena administration further downregulated the expression of Il11 and Cxcl1 of A4gnt KO mice. Euglena administration also affected IgA concentration in small intestinal contents of A4gnt KO mice. Paramylon administration reduced the number of CD3-positive lymphocytes in pyloric mucosa of A4gnt KO mice, and downregulated the expressions of Il11 and Ccl2 of A4gnt KO mice. Although we found no significant effects on gross and microscopic signs of gastric dysplasia and cell proliferation, the present study suggests that the administration of Euglena and Paramylon may ameliorate the early involvements of A4gnt mice through the effects on inflammatory reactions in the gastric mucosa. The cancer-preventing effects should be studied with long-term experiments until actual gastric cancer formation.

  • renoprotective effects of Paramylon a β 1 3 d glucan isolated from euglena gracilis z in a rodent model of chronic kidney disease
    PLOS ONE, 2020
    Co-Authors: Yoshikuni Nagayama, Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo Suzuki, Naoyuki Isoo, Mizuki Yamano, Tomoyuki Nariyama, Motoka Yagame, Katsuyuki Matsui
    Abstract:

    Paramylon is a novel β-glucan that is stored by Euglena gracilis Z, which is a unicellular photosynthesizing green alga with characteristics of both animals and plants. Recent studies have indicated that Paramylon functions as an immunomodulator or a dietary fiber. Currently, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem, and there is no effective preventive treatment for CKD progression. However, Paramylon may suppress the progression of CKD via the elimination of uremic toxins or modulation of gut microbiota, leading to the alleviation of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Paramylon in CKD rat model. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats with a 5/6 nephrectomy were given either a normal diet or a diet containing 5% Paramylon for 8 weeks. Proteinuria was measured intermittently. Serum and kidney tissues were harvested after sacrifice. We performed a renal molecular and histopathological investigation, serum metabolome analysis, and gut microbiome analysis. The results showed that Paramylon attenuated renal function, glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial injury, and podocyte injury in the CKD rat model. Renal fibrosis, tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression levels tended to be suppressed with Paramylon treatment. Further, Paramylon inhibited the accumulation of uremic toxins, including tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related metabolites and modulated a part of CKD-related gut microbiota in the CKD rat model. In conclusion, we suggest that Paramylon mainly inhibited the absorption of non-microbiota-derived uremic solutes, leading to protect renal injury via anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Paramylon may be a novel compound that can act against CKD progression.

  • euglena gracilis and β glucan Paramylon induce ca2 signaling in intestinal tract epithelial immune and neural cells
    Nutrients, 2020
    Co-Authors: Kosuke Yasuda, Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo Suzuki, Ako Murata, Takahiro Adachi
    Abstract:

    The intestinal tract contains over half of all immune cells and peripheral nerves and manages the beneficial interactions between food compounds and the host. Paramylon is a β-1,3-glucan storage polysaccharide from Euglena gracilis (Euglena) that exerts immunostimulatory activities by affecting cytokine production. This study investigated the signaling mechanisms that regulate the beneficial interactions between food compounds and the intestinal tract using cell type-specific calcium (Ca2+) imaging in vivo and in vitro. We successfully visualized Euglena- and Paramylon-mediated Ca2+ signaling in vivo in intestinal epithelial cells from mice ubiquitously expressing the Yellow Cameleon 3.60 (YC3.60) Ca2+ biosensor. Moreover, in vivo Ca2+ imaging demonstrated that the intraperitoneal injection of both Euglena and Paramylon stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) in Peyer's patches, indicating that Paramylon is an active component of Euglena that affects the immune system. In addition, in vitro Ca2+ imaging in dorsal root ganglia indicated that Euglena, but not Paramylon, triggers Ca2+ signaling in the sensory nervous system innervating the intestine. Thus, this study is the first to successfully visualize the direct effect of β-1,3-glucan on DCs in vivo and will help elucidate the mechanisms via which Euglena and Paramylon exert various effects in the intestinal tract.

  • large scale label free single cell analysis of Paramylon in euglena gracilis by high throughput broadband raman flow cytometry
    Biomedical Optics Express, 2020
    Co-Authors: Kotaro Hiramatsu, Kengo Suzuki, Koji Yamada, Matthew Lindley, Keisuke Goda
    Abstract:

    Microalga-based biomaterial production has attracted attention as a new source of drugs, foods, and biofuels. For enhancing the production efficiency, it is essential to understand its differences between heterogeneous microalgal subpopulations. However, existing techniques are not adequate to address the need due to the lack of single-cell resolution or the inability to perform large-scale analysis and detect small molecules. Here we demonstrated large-scale single-cell analysis of Euglena gracilis (a unicellular microalgal species that produces Paramylon as a potential drug for HIV and colon cancer) with our recently developed high-throughput broadband Raman flow cytometer at a throughput of >1,000 cells/s. Specifically, we characterized the intracellular content of Paramylon from single-cell Raman spectra of 10,000 E. gracilis cells cultured under five different conditions and found that Paramylon contents in E. gracilis cells cultured in an identical condition is given by a log-normal distribution, which is a good model for describing the number of chemicals in a reaction network. The capability of characterizing distribution functions in a label-free manner is an important basis for isolating specific cell populations for synthetic biology via directed evolution based on the intracellular content of metabolites.

  • anti fibrotic activity of euglena gracilis and Paramylon in a mouse model of non alcoholic steatohepatitis
    Food Science and Nutrition, 2019
    Co-Authors: Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo Suzuki, Ryota Sugimoto, Yuka Shirakata, Taishi Hashiguchi, Chikara Yoshida, Yoshihisa Nakano
    Abstract:

    Progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) manifests as hepatitis, fibrosis, and sometimes carcinoma, resulting in liver failure. Various clinical trials have indicated that several pharmacological agents, including angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists, are effective in NASH treatment. In addition, functional foods are expected to be important alternatives for treating or preventing NASH. Recently, focus has been directed toward microalgae as dietary supplements, mainly for lifestyle-related diseases, because they contain various nutrients and functional ingredients. Specifically, a unicellular microalga Euglena gracilis stores a unique β-1,3-glucan particle called Paramylon that stimulates the immune system. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Euglena and Paramylon on NASH in Stelic Animal Model (STAM) mice using Sirius red staining and confirmed that oral administration of Euglena or Paramylon inhibits the process of liver fibrosis. Moreover, compared with controls, Paramylon decreased non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity scores related to inflammation. These results indicate that the oral administration of Euglena and Paramylon inhibits fibrosis and ameliorates NASH.

Tadahisa Iwata - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • synthesis and characterization of Paramylon propionate graft poly lactic acid and Paramylon propionate graft poly e caprolactone
    Polymer, 2021
    Co-Authors: Jin Ho Seok, Yukiko Enomoto, Tadahisa Iwata
    Abstract:

    Abstract Paramylon propionate-graft-poly(L-lactic acid) (PaPr-g-PLA) and Paramylon propionate-graft-poly(e-caprolactone) (PaPr-g-PCL) were synthesized by grafting L-lactide and e-caprolactone to the residual hydroxy group of Paramylon propionate (degree of substitution (DS) of 1.6 or 2.0). The chemical structures of the graft copolymers were characterized by GPC, NMR, and FT-IR measurements. The molecular weight of the copolymers was 2.52–3.11 × 105 and the degree of polymerization of grafted side-chains was determined to be around 10. Melt-pressed films were formed from all copolymers but solvent-cast films were brittle and defected. The terminal hydroxy groups of the grafted PLA or PCL side-chains were subsequently acetylated. The acetylated graft copolymers showed good solubility in chloroform and formed self-standing uniform solvent-casted films as well as melt-pressed films. The decomposition temperature of the acetylated graft copolymers was 350 °C, which was 50 °C higher than that of nonacetylated copolymers, indicating that terminal acetylation dramatically improved the thermal stability of the copolymers. The mechanical properties of the films of the acetylated copolymers were investigated and discussed.

  • Crystal structures and crystalline elastic modulus of Paramylon esters
    Polymer, 2019
    Co-Authors: Hongyi Gan, Taizo Kabe, Takaaki Hikima, Masaki Takata, Satoshi Kimura, Tadahisa Iwata
    Abstract:

    Abstract Paramylon is a β -1,3-glucan photosynthesized by Euglena . In this study, the four Paramylon ester derivatives, Paramylon propionate (PaPr), Paramylon butyrate (PaBu), Paramylon valerate (PaVa), Paramylon hexanoate (PaHe), were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by wide-angle X-ray diffraction. All of the reflections are indexed to a hexagonal crystal system and all of the molecular chains have five-fold screw symmetry along the molecular axes, despite of the different side-chain lengths of the ester groups. The crystal lattice parameters increase with increasing of side-chain length of the ester groups. The crystalline elastic modulus of PaPr, PaBu, and PaVa parallel to the fiber axis ( E l ) were determined by time-resolved X-ray diffraction at SPring-8, which is a large synchrotron radiation facility. The crystalline elastic modulus of PaPr, PaBu, and PaVa are 2.5, 1.9, and 1.0 GPa, respectively. The decreasing E l values are mainly caused by increasing of cross-sectional area of the molecular chains, which is affected by the side-chain length. The E l values of the Paramylon esters are one-tenth those of previously reported cellulose esters. This seems to be because of the different helical structure of the backbone chain.

  • synthesis properties and molecular conformation of Paramylon ester derivatives
    Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hongyi Gan, Taizo Kabe, Takaaki Hikima, Masaki Takata, Yukiko Enomoto, Daisuke Ishii, Tadahisa Iwata
    Abstract:

    Paramylon, which is a β-(1,3)-D-glucan photosynthesized by Euglena, was chemically modified by esterification. Various Paramylon triesters with different alkyl chain lengths (carbon numbers 2–12) were successfully prepared. All of the Paramylon triesters have higher thermal degradation temperatures than that of neat Paramylon. Moreover, it was found that the Paramylon triesters with C2–C6 alkyl chains are crystalline polymers with melting temperatures from 281 °C to 114 °C, and those with C8–C12 alkyl chains are amorphous polymers, confirmed by both DSC and X-ray diffraction analysis. Paramylon triesters with C3–C12 alkyl chains could shape self-sustaining films by both solvent-casting and melt-quench methods with high optical transmittance and sufficient tensile strength or elongation at break. Thermal and mechanical properties of Paramylon triesters can be controlled freely from hard to soft by substituted acyl length. In the cases of the crystalline Paramylon triesters, highly oriented and crystallized films could be fabricated by the thermally stretched method, and their tensile strengths have been obviously improved. Well-oriented X-ray fiber diagrams of the stretched and crystallized films suggest that all of the Paramylon triesters have rare 5-fold helix conformation of molecular chains in crystal.

Motonari Shibakami - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • organic solvent dispersible Paramylon nanofibers hygroscopicity and extended dye release from its cast films
    Polymer, 2021
    Co-Authors: Motonari Shibakami
    Abstract:

    Abstract Paramylon, a water-insoluble euglenoid polysaccharide, was functionalized with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride to obtain 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammoniopropyl Paramylons (HTAPs) with varying degrees of substitution to render them soluble in various organic solvents. The HTAPs were then utilized in the preparation of films. HTAPs with a substitution degree of >1.0 were soluble in aqueous solutions and dispersible in organic solvents. Films cast from methanolic solutions of HTAPs exhibited humidity-sensitive reversible hygroscopicity, with their appearance changing from opaque to transparent depending on the environmental humidity. In addition, the films exhibited an extended release of methanol-soluble phenolphthalein when immersed in an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy and scanning probe microcopy observations revealed that the HTAPs formed nanofibers in methanol, indicating that the cast films comprised nanofibers. Therefore, the moisture absorption/desorption and extended-release phenomena are primarily attributed to the nanofiber-based film structures capable of accommodating water and dye molecules within the interstices of the nanofiber networks.

  • melt spinnabilities of thermoplastic Paramylon mixed esters
    Heliyon, 2019
    Co-Authors: Motonari Shibakami, M Sohma, Norihito Kijima, Tadashi Nemoto
    Abstract:

    The low thermoplasticities of polysaccharide esters make them unsuitable for melt spinning. In this study, we aimed to overcome this problem by mixed esterification of Paramylon, a euglenoid β-1,3-glucan with short- and medium-chain acyl groups, as melt-spinnable materials. Thermal analyses revealed that all the synthesized Paramylon mixed esters exhibited glass transition temperatures greater than 100 °C; some of them showed large differences between the melting and 5%-weight-loss temperatures (Td5s) and are extrudable through a spinneret at a temperature ~100 °C below Td5, rendering them potential candidates for the production of melt-spun filaments. Among the various compounds investigated, Paramylon acetate propionates, in which the degrees of acetyl- and propionyl-group substitution were 0.5-0.7 and 2.2-2.5, respectively, could be melt-spun to yield mechanically tough crystalline monofilaments. In contrast, the melt spinning of cellulose acetate propionate, analogous to the Paramylon acetate propionates in terms of acyl substituents, their substitution degrees, and molecular weights, but differs from it in terms of the glucose linkage mode (i.e., β-1,3 vs β-1,4), yielded brittle, charred, and short filaments. Curdlan acetate propionate, another analogue with a degree of polymerization five times larger than that of Paramylon mixed esters, was not extrudable due to the lack of thermoplasticity. Therefore, we herein confirmed the superiority of Paramylon as a primary raw material for melt-spun filaments.

  • thermal crystalline and pressure sensitive adhesive properties of Paramylon monoesters derived from an euglenoid polysaccharide
    Carbohydrate Polymers, 2018
    Co-Authors: Motonari Shibakami, M Sohma
    Abstract:

    Abstract The thermal, crystalline, and pressure-sensitive adhesive properties of thermoplastic monoesters made from Paramylon, a storage polysaccharide of Euglena gracilis, and a long-chain acyl chloride, were examined. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the thermal properties of these Paramylon monoesters were dependent on the chain length and the average degree of substitution of the long-chain acyl group (av. DSlca). X-ray diffractometry revealed that the product solids with a myristoyl or palmitoyl group had a less ordered lateral acyl chain structure than those with a stearoyl group. Tackiness testing showed that the introduction of a myristoyl group into Paramylon with an av. DSlca of ∼2.6 to ∼2.9 yielded palpable pressure-sensitive adhesion. A slight deviation of the chain length and/or av. DSlca from those of tacky Paramylon myristate solids weakened or dispersed the tackiness. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using Paramylon myristate solids with the av. DSlca in a specific range as a practical pressure-sensitive adhesive.

  • thickening and water absorbing agent made from euglenoid polysaccharide
    Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017
    Co-Authors: Motonari Shibakami
    Abstract:

    Abstract Paramylon, a storage polysaccharide of Euglena gracilis , is a linear β-1,3-glucan with a weight-average molecular weight of ∼2.0 × 10 5 . Sequential long-chain acylation and succinylation of Paramylon yielded amphiphilic Paramylon acylate succinates. Owing to their amphiphilicity, these Paramylon derivatives showed higher viscosity than Paramylon succinate when dispersed in an aqueous solution. Examination of the viscosity of aqueous solutions containing Paramylon acylate succinates differing in chain length and degree of substitution of long-chain acyl groups (DS lca ) revealed that the longer the acyl chain and the higher the DS lca , the higher the viscosity of the aqueous solution. Solution casting yielded transparent and mechanically tough films from Paramylon acylate succinates. These films had high water absorbability, up to ∼1000 times their weight.

  • synthesis and thermal properties of Paramylon mixed esters and optical mechanical and crystal properties of their hot pressed films
    Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017
    Co-Authors: Motonari Shibakami, M Sohma
    Abstract:

    Abstract Acylation of Paramylon, a storage polysaccharide of Euglena gracilis , using multiple acid anhydrides yielded thermoplastic Paramylon mixed esters without significant depolymerization. DSC examination showed that the shorter the acyl chain, the higher both the melting and glass transition temperature of the ester. TG analyses revealed their higher thermostability with the 5% weight loss temperature of ⿼330 °C. Melt volume flow rate examination revealed that the longer the acyl chain, the higher the thermoplasticity of the ester and that the esters exhibited higher thermoplasticity than structurally analogous esters made from cellulose and curdlan. A notable feature of the thermoplastic Paramylon mixed esters is the availability of hot-pressing as a means of molding them into a film. Light transmittance and XRD measurements revealed that these films were transparent and in the amorphous state. Tensile tests indicated that the films had adequate mechanical strength comparable to those of the cellulose and curdlan analogues.

Erwin Flaschel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • applicability of euglena gracilis for biorefineries demonstrated by the production of α tocopherol and Paramylon followed by anaerobic digestion
    Journal of Biotechnology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Philipp Grimm, Karl Friehs, Joe Max Risse, Dominik Cholewa, Jakob Michael Muller, Usama Beshay, Erwin Flaschel
    Abstract:

    In this study the use of Euglena gracilis biomass for α-tocopherol, Paramylon and biogas production in a value-added chain was investigated. Therefore, we analyzed the dry cell weight and product concentrations at different growth phases during heterotrophic, photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic cultivation in a low-cost minimal medium. Furthermore, the specific biogas yields for differently derived biomass with and without product recovery were investigated. We demonstrate that growth phase and cultivation mode not only have a significant impact on product formation, but also influence the yield of biogas obtained from anaerobic digestion of Euglena gracilis biomass. The maximum dry cell weight concentration ranged from 12.3±0.14gL(-1) for heterotrophically to 3.4±0.02gL(-1) for photoautotrophically grown Euglena gracilis cells. The heterotrophically grown biomass accumulated product concentrations of 5.3±0.12mgL(-1) of α-tocopherol and 9.3±0.1gL(-1) of Paramylon or 805±10.9mL of biogasgvs(-1) (per gram volatile solids). The results for photoautotrophically grown cells were 8.6±0.22mgL(-1) of α-tocopherol and 0.78±0.01gL(-1) of Paramylon or 648±7.2mL of biogasgvs(-1). For an energy-saving downstream procedure the extracting agent methanol does not have to be removed strictly. Samples with residual methanol showed a significantly increased biogas yield, because the solvent can be used as an additional substrate for methane production by archaebacteria.

  • production of Paramylon a β 1 3 glucan by heterotrophic growth of euglena gracilis on potato liquor in fed batch and repeated batch mode of cultivation
    Engineering in Life Sciences, 2012
    Co-Authors: Bozˇidar Santek, Karl Friehs, Martin Lotz, Erwin Flaschel
    Abstract:

    Recently, it had been shown that Euglena gracilis was able to grow heterotrophically not only on synthetic media, but also on media based on potato liquor. Supplementation with glucose in both cases led to the accumulation of Paramylon, a beta-1,3-glucan. Thus, such a process may yield a valuable product accompanied by the revaluation of an otherwise annoying waste stream of the potato-starch industry. Actually, process strategies have been evaluated in order to optimise the concentration of Paramylon obtained at the end of the cultivation process. Therefore, cultivation processes based on fed-batch and in particular repeated-batch strategies have been studied. It is shown that repeated-batch operation maybe particularly suited for such a process since E. gracilis seems to adapt gradually to the cultivation medium so that the concentration of media components may be increased step by step. Repeated-batch cultivation of E. gracilis leads to biomass concentrations in access of 20 g/L with a consistent Paramylon mass fraction of about 75%. Cultivations have been carried out at an operating temperature of 27.5 degrees C. As had been found earlier already, pH control is not required during cultivation. On the basis of these results it is clear that repeated-batch cultivation represent a simple and economic way for the production of Paramylon by heterotrophic cultivation of E. gracilis.

  • production of Paramylon a β 1 3 glucan by heterotrophic cultivation of euglena gracilis on potato liquor
    Engineering in Life Sciences, 2010
    Co-Authors: Božidar Santek, Karl Friehs, Martin Lotz, Michael Felski, Erwin Flaschel
    Abstract:

    Euglena gracilis is shown to be able to grow on potato liquor as the main medium component leading to an interesting biotechnological product represented by Paramylon - a beta-1,3-glucan - and, at the same time, revaluating an otherwise annoying waste stream of the potato-starch industry. Paramylon mass fractions of about 75% are obtained for biomass concentrations of 15 g/L during simple batch cultivation under heterotrophic conditions. Supplementation of the growth medium with glucose and the vitamins B-1 and B-12 are shown to improve growth rate as well as Paramylon content. E. gracilis grows best at about 27.5 degrees C without requiring pH control.

  • production of Paramylon a β 1 3 glucan by heterotrophic cultivation of euglena gracilis on a synthetic medium
    Engineering in Life Sciences, 2009
    Co-Authors: Božidar Santek, Karl Friehs, Martin Lotz, Michael Felski, Erwin Flaschel
    Abstract:

    Euglena gracilis was cultivated on a synthetic medium of well-defined components. Biomass and Paramylon (beta-1,3-glucan) concentrations were the most important variables monitored. Mass production in the bioreactor was carried out following studies of operating conditions in shaken flasks. E. gracilis grew best at about 30 degrees C and at a low pH of 3. A pH control was not necessary, although the pH increased considerably at the end of the cultivation processes. Aeration could be performed at low stirrer frequency. Biomass concentrations of about 13-1.4 g/L were obtained with Paramylon mass fractions of 50-60%, by starting with a synthetic medium containing 15 g/L of glucose as the main carbon source.

Paolo Gualtieri - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Paramylon treatment improves quality profile and drought resistance in solanum lycopersicum l cv micro tom
    Agronomy, 2019
    Co-Authors: Laura Barsanti, Primo Coltelli, Paolo Gualtieri
    Abstract:

    Tomatoes, the most cultivated vegetables worldwide, require large amounts of water and are adversely affected by water stress. Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Micro-Tom was used to assess the effects of β-(1,3)-glucan (Paramylon) purified from the microalga Euglena gracilis on drought resistance and fruit quality profile. Plants were grown in an aeroponic system under three cultivation conditions: optimal water regimen, water scarcity regimen, and water scarcity regimen coupled with a root treatment with Paramylon. Eco–physiological, physicochemical and quality parameters were monitored and compared throughout the lifecycle of the plants. Drought stress caused only a transient effect on the eco–physiological parameters of Paramylon-treated plants, whereas physicochemical and biochemical parameters underwent significant variations. In particular, the fruits of Paramylon-treated plants reached the first ripening stage two weeks before untreated plants grown under the optimal water regime, while the fruits of stressed untreated plants did not ripe beyond category II. Moreover, antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, phenolic acid, and vitamins) of fruits from treated plants underwent a two-fold increase with respect to untreated plants, as well as soluble carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, and sucrose). These results show that Paramylon increases plant resistance to drought and highly improves the quality profile of the fruits with respect to untreated plants grown under drought stress.

  • anti fibrotic effect of Paramylon nanofibers from the wzsl mutant of euglena gracilis on liver damage induced by ccl4 in mice
    Journal of Functional Foods, 2018
    Co-Authors: Claudia Kusmic, Laura Barsanti, Nicole Di Lascio, Francesco Faita, Valter Evangelista, Paolo Gualtieri
    Abstract:

    Abstract β-glucans, heterogeneous glucose polymers occurring in many organisms, are considered Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs), which upon recognition by Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) present on cell membranes, trigger a broad array of reactions leading to the activation of the innate immune system. Among β-glucans, Paramylon from the non-photosynthetic unicellular mutant of Euglena gracilis can be considered a quite peculiar case. It can be processed to produce linear glucan chains, capable of interacting with PRR present on cell membranes. We designed a study as a ‘proof of concept’ experimental controlled trial to investigate the effects of Paramylon nanofibers obtained from Paramylon granules of Euglena WZSL mutant on hepatic injury induced in mice by chronic exposure to CCl4. Our results indicate that very low dosage of Paramylon nanofibers has a protective action on hepatic injury induced by CCl4, and suggest that this compound deserves attentive investigations as therapeutic adjuvant in hepatic damage.

  • the role of euglena gracilis Paramylon in modulating xylem hormone levels photosynthesis and water use efficiency in solanum lycopersicum l
    Physiologia Plantarum, 2017
    Co-Authors: Andrea Scartazza, Maurizio Curadi, Piero Picciarelli, Lorenzo Mariotti, Laura Barsanti, Paolo Gualtieri
    Abstract:

    β-1,3-glucans such as Paramylon act as elicitors in plants, modifying the hormonal levels and the physiological responses. Plant hormones affect all phases of the plant life cycle and their responses to environmental stresses, both biotic and abiotic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a root treatment with Euglena gracilis Paramylon on xylem hormonal levels, photosynthetic performance and dehydration stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Paramylon granules were processed to obtain the linear fibrous structures capable to interact with tomato cell membrane. Modulation of hormone levels (abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid) and related physiological responses such as CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal and mesophyll conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, water-use efficiency, quantum yield of photosystem II and leaf water potential were investigated. The results indicate a clear dose-dependent effect of Paramylon on the hormonal content of xylem sap, photosynthetic performance and dehydration tolerance. Paramylon has the capability to enhance plant defence capacity against abiotic stress, such as drought, by modulating the conductance to CO2 diffusion from air to the carboxylation sites and improving the water-use efficiency.

  • euglena gracilis Paramylon activates human lymphocytes by upregulating pro inflammatory factors
    Food Science and Nutrition, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rossella Russo, Laura Barsanti, Anna Maria Frassanito, Valter Evangelista, Vincenzo Longo, Laura Pucci, Giuseppe Penno, Paolo Gualtieri
    Abstract:

    The aim of this study was to verify the activation details and products of human lymphomonocytes, stimulated by different β-glucans, that is Euglena Paramylon, MacroGard®, and lipopolysaccharide. We investigated the gene expression of inflammation-related cytokines and mediators, transactivation of relevant transcription factors, and phagocytosis role in cell-glucan interactions, by means of RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and colorimetric assay. Our results show that sonicated and alkalized Paramylon upregulates pro-inflammatory factors (NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2) in lymphomonocytes. A clear demonstration of this upregulation is the increased transactivation of NF-kB visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy. Phagocytosis assay showed that internalization is not a mandatory step for signaling cascade to be triggered, since immune activity is not present in the lymphomonocytes that have internalized Paramylon granules and particulate MacroGard®. Moreover, the response of Euglena β-glucan-activated lymphomonocytes is much greater than that induced by commercially used β-glucans such as MacroGard®. Our in vitro results indicate that linear fibrous Euglena β-glucan, obtained by sonication and alkaline treatment can act as safe and effective coadjutant of the innate immune system response.

  • stress resistance induced by Paramylon treatment in artemia sp
    Journal of Applied Phycology, 2004
    Co-Authors: Rosa Vismara, Laura Barsanti, Stefano Vestri, Anna Maria Frassanito, Paolo Gualtieri
    Abstract:

    A study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of Paramylon extracted from the non-photosynthetic WZSL mutant of Euglena gracilis in potentiating the resistance of the brine shrimp Artemia sp. to stress conditions resulting from poor growth medium quality and daily handling. The experimental design incorporated four different treatments: I) Paramylon addition/no growth medium replacement; II) no Paramylon addition/no growth medium replacement; III) Paramylon addition/growth medium replacement; IV) noParamylon addition/growth medium replacement. As shown by the survival curves of Artemia sp., the addition of Paramylon significantly reduced susceptibility of animals to the stressors. Paramylon effectively increased also the ability of offspring to withstand poor water quality and handling damages. Without Paramylon almost all offspring died before adulthood, whereas addition of Paramylon allowed the animals to moult to the adult stage. Moreover, reproductive success (higher number of living offspring) was enhanced considerably in animals treated with Paramylon treated under both stress conditions. These results show that Paramylon extracted from Euglena represents a promising biologically active compound for aquaculture purposes. It could be used as a purified product or as component of whole cells, since the Euglena mutant, because of the high intracellular amount of Paramylon it can accumulate, could be added to the feed or to water in tanks and ponds without prior processing.