Year: 2020

Just Released in Chemical Records

Theranostic Approach for the Protein Corona of Polysaccharide Nanoparticles

by Sylvie Skalickova, Pavel Horky, Veronika Mlejnkova, Jiri Skladanka, Bozena Hosnedlova, Branislav Ruttkay-Nedecky, Carlos Fernandez, Rene Kizek

Abstract

Polysaccharide nanoparticles are promising materials in the wide range of disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, food production, agriculture, material science and others. They excel not only in their non-toxicity and biodegradability but also in their easy preparation. As well as inorganic particles, a protein corona (PC) around polysaccharide nanoparticles is formed in biofluids. Moreover, it has been considered that the overall response of the organism to nanoparticles presence depends on the PC. This review summarises scientific publications about the structural chemistry of polysaccharide nanoparticles and their impact on theranostic applications. Three strategies of implementation of the PC in theranostics have been discussed: I) Utilisation of the PC in therapy; II) How the composition of the PC is analysed for specific disease markers; III) How the formed PC can interact with the immune system and enhances the immunomodulation or immunoelimination. Thus, the findings from this review can contribute to improve the design of drug delivery systems. However, it is still necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of nano-bio interactions and discover new connections in nanoscale research.

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Just Released in PlosOne

Usability of graphene oxide as a mycotoxin binder: In vitro study

by Pavel Horky, Eva Venusova, Tereza Aulichova, Andrea Ridoskova, Jiri Skladanka, Sylvie Skalickova

Abstract

Mycotoxin management in agriculture is an essential challenge for maintaining the health of both animals and humans. Choosing the right adsorbent is still a question for many breeders and an important criterion for feed manufacturers. New adsorbents are still being sought. Graphene oxide is a promising material in the field of nanotechnology, which excels in its adsorption properties. Presented in vitro study investigates graphene oxide for the binding of mycotoxins from crushed wheat. The results show that graphene oxide has an adsorption capacity for aflatoxin 0.045 mg/g, zearalenone 0.53 mg/g and deoxynivalenol 1.69 mg/g at 37° C. In vitro simulation of crushed wheat digestion showed rapid adsorption during the gastric phase. Of the minerals, Mg, Cu and Zn were the most adsorbed. The applied dose of graphene oxide of 10 mg/g caused only a slight inhibition of the digestive enzymes α-amylase and trypsin compared to pepsin and gastric lipase. In vitro results indicated the suitability of graphene oxide in the adsorption of the aflatoxin, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol.

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Just Released in Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology

Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles as a novel antibacterial agent: in vivo study on rats after dietary exposure

by Pavel Horky, Sylvie Skalickova, Lenka Urbankova, Daria Baholet, Silvia Kociova, Zuzana Bytesnikova, Eliska Kabourkova, Zuzana Lackova, Natalia Cernei, Milica Gagic, Vedran Milosavljevic, Vendula Smolikova, Eva Vaclavkova, Pavel Nevrkla, Pavel Knot, Olga Krystofova, David Hynek, Pavel Kopel, Jiri Skladanka, Vojtech Adam, Krystyna Smerkova

Abstract

Background: Development of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens.

Results: Four formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8-1.5 mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2-4.7 mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P < 0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless Zn NPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all zinc groups after 30 d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents.

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Just Released in the Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia

Degradation of biogenic amines and in vitro evaluation of ruminal parameters of the ruminal fluid of Charolais sheep

by Ivana Kolackova, Jiri Skladanka, Sylvie Skalickova, Pavel Horky, Natalia Cernei, Zuzana Lackova, Jiri Trinacty, Vojtech Adam

Abstract

In this study, we reported the evaluation of ruminal parameters and the rate and degree of degradation of biogenic amines (BA) in vitro, using ruminal fluid from sheep fed two different diets (meadow hay and silage of Medicago sativa L.). Herein, the Charolais sheep breed with a ruminal cannula was used to gather samples. Multiple rumen parameters were evaluated after 10 days of the feeding period. Samples were processed using fermenters inoculated by BA (histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, and spermidine) during 8-h fermentation. Levels of BA were determined using ion-exchange chromatography, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were determined using gas chromatography. More rapid BA degradation was noticed in hay than in haylage. Overall, VFA levels increased with duration of the fermentation, while pH lowered. The rapid increase was observed after 4 h of fermentation. Ammonia concentration had a decreasing trend in silage and increasing in the hay. Hypotheses on BA degradation were accepted. Important knowledge of the development of ruminal parameters in time was obtained, and based on gathered information, it is possible to say that other parameters and their impacts on BA in rumen need to be examined further.

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Launch of a New Research Laboratory

New Laboratory Opens for Animal Nutrition and Forage Research at the Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage production

On 20 April 2020, the Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage officially opened a newly reconstructed laboratory that was once an experimental room for animals. The opening ceremony was attended by the dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and colleagues of the Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage, who were excited to witness the launch of this advanced laboratory, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer in the field of animal nutrition research.

Equipped with advanced technology, the new laboratory at the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Forage features analytical, microbiological, and molecular biological sections. With basic laboratory equipment and a wide range of analysis capabilities, including HPLC, GC, and Plate reader analyses, the laboratory can quantitatively analyze important micronutrients in feed, mycotoxins, and biomarkers in blood and tissue. Additionally, the microbiology section enables the cultivation of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, while the molecular biology laboratory is equipped with qPCR for quantitative and qualitative detection.

The laboratory’s primary purpose is for research and development in the field of animal nutrition and forage, providing researchers with state-of-the-art technology to carry out advanced studies in this field. Dr. Skalickova is the contact person for any research-related inquiries.

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microbiology lab for antibiotic testing
gas chromatography with fid detection
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Just releasedin the IJMS

Development of pH-Responsive Biopolymeric Nanocapsule for Antibacterial Essential Oils

by Sylvie Skalickova, Tereza Aulichova, Eva Venusova, Jiri Skladanka and Pavel Horky

Abstract

It is generally believed that antibacterial essential oils have the potential to become one of the alternatives in preventing diarrheal diseases of monogastric animals. The disadvantage is their low efficiency per oral due to easy degradation during digestion in the stomach. This study compares the efficacy of chitosan, alginate-chitosan, guar gum-chitosan, xanthan gum-chitosan and pectin-chitosan nanocapsules to the synthesis of pH-responsive biopolymeric nanocapsule for Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils. Using spectrophotometric approach and gas chromatography, release kinetics were determined in pH 3, 5.6 and 7.4. The growth rates of S. aureus and E. coli, as well as minimal inhibition concentration of essential oils were studied. The average encapsulation efficiency was 60%, and the loading efficiency was 70%. The size of the nanocapsules ranged from 100 nm to 500 nm. Results showed that chitosan-guar gum and chitosan-pectin nanocapsules released 30% of essential oils (EOs) at pH 3 and 80% at pH 7.4 during 3 h. Similar release kinetics were confirmed for thymol, eugenol and α-pinene. Minimal inhibition concentrations of Thymus vulgaris and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils ranged from 0.025 to 0.5%. Findings of this study suggest that the suitable pH-responsive nanocapsule for release, low toxicity and antibacterial activity is based on chitosan-guar gum structure.

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