Our work aimed to investigate the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of the de-alcoholized extract of cider obtained from the Annurca apple (Malus domestica var. Annurca). The antimicrobial effect of the extract against different pathogens, including Chronobacter sakazakii, was also examined. The extract's potential anti-quorum-sensing (AQS) activity was assessed using the test microorganism Chromobacterium violaceum. Biochemical analysis of the extract using ultra-performance liquid chromatography revealed catechin and caffeic acid as the most abundant polyphenols present, which represented about 35.5% and 36.6% of the total phenolics identified, respectively. An antioxidant capacity was also found (50% effective concentraiton=10 μL). The extract exhibited clear antimicrobial activity against all strains used in the experiments. Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus were the most sensitive bacteria to the antimicrobial activity. The extract also inhibited the growth of the emergent pathogen strain C. sakazakii. The AQS activity of apple cider is reported here for the first time. In conclusion, our results demonstrate some biological properties of the apple cider and contribute to reinforcing the potential of the apple and its derivatives as functional components of the diet.

In this chapter is illustrated the determination of the antioxidant activity of hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions of nine different cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). To assess the nutritional value of all varieties, the total content of principal carotenoids, lycopene and β-carotene was analysed. The antioxidant activity was determined by DMPD and ABTS methods for hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions, respectively. It has been verified that there is no correlation between high concentration of lycopene and β-carotene and total antioxidant activity. It is reasonable to suppose, indeed, that the total antioxidant activity may be due to synergistic action of different bioactive compounds. Additionally, cytotoxic activity was determined by brine shrimps test on all lipophilic extracts to evaluate potential anti-tumoral activity.

Recent studies concerning the isolation and purification of exopolysaccharides from suspension-cultured cells of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. San Marzano) and the description of a simple and rapid method with low environmental impact to obtain polysaccharides from solid wastes of tomato-processing industry (Lycopersicon esculentum variety "Hybrid Rome") are reported. Their chemical composition, rheological properties and partial primary structure were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (ultraviolet, infra red, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Moreover, the anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides from culture cells of tomato were tested in brine shrimp bioassay and the achievement of biodegradable film by using chemical processes from polysaccharide of solid waste tomato industry was also reported.

Food canning industries represent an important area of the Italian economy, in particular the industrial conversion of tomatoes into tomato puree, pulp and tomato minced from seed-firms.One of the main problems of the food industry is the management of waste and their conversion into products of higher value. Modern technologies eco-compatible, promote the use of food waste to obtain biopolymers that can be re-used in the same sector of the raw materials.We have studied the adjustment of extraction and purification procedures of wood-cellulose material coming from products and by-products of farm and food production, and finally their physical-chemical characterization.The achievement of biodegradable and thermoplastic materials by using chemical and enzymatic processes from polysaccharides is also reported. The realization of three and more manufactured articles, for example flowerpots or rigid packing vases, film for agriculture use and ensiling film will be in progress.

The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidative activities were determined from the following nine different cultivars of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum): San Marzano 823, Cirio 3, All Flash 900, Castiglione Del Lago, Roma, Black Tomato, Holland, Typical English and Finest Tesco. The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities were carried out, respectively, through the DMPD (N,N-Dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride) and ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) methods.In order to assess the nutritional value of all varieties, the concentration of major carotenoids, lycopene and beta-carotene, which is contained in all lipophilic extracts, was also determined. No correlation between the high concentration of lycopene and beta-carotene, and total antioxidative activity was found. On the other hand, it is justifiable to assume that the total antioxidative activity of tomato is the result of the integrated action of different compounds rather than that of each single compound.To evaluate potential anti-tumoral activity, anticytotoxic activities by brine shrimps assay were also determined in all lipophilic extracts.

Nine different Lycopersicon esculentum varieties were analysed in order to determine differences in the antioxidant activity, both hydrophilic and lipophilic. To assess the nutritional value of all varieties, the total content of principal carotenoids, lycopene, and β-carotene was also analysed. On the basis of analyses performed on all lipophilic fractions, we can affirm that the total antioxidant activity of tomato is due to the integrated action of different compounds instead of that of any single compound such as lycopene and β-carotene. Anticytotoxic activities by brine shrimps assay were also tested on all lipophilic fractions to evaluate potential antitumoral activity.

Three exopolysaccharides, EPS(1), EPS(2), and EPS(3), were isolated from suspension-cultured cells of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, var. San Marzano). The partial primary structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. EPS(2) was a heteropolysaccharide with a tetrasaccharide repeating unit constituted by sugars having one residue in alpha-manno, one residue in beta-manno, and two different residues in beta-gluco/galacto configurations. EPS(3) was a heteropolysaccharide with a pentasaccharide repeating unit with sugars having three residues in alpha-manno, one residue in alpha-gluco/galacto, and one residue in beta-gluco/galacto configurations. The anticytotoxic activities of exopolysaccharides were tested in a brine shrimp bioassay.

Together with the previously described (18R)-variabilin (1a), its 13Z-isomer 2a, ircinin 1 (3a) and ircinin 2 (4a), the corresponding sulfates 1b-4b were isolated from sponges of the genus Ircinia, collected in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The structural elucidation and biological activity of these compounds are reported.

A novel tripeptide, 1, was isolated from the extracellular extract of a Pseudomonas-Alteromonas bacterium that was associated with the Black Sea sponge Dysidea fragilis. Compound 1 contains the novel beta -aminopimelic acid described for the first time from a natural product. The structure of 1 is suggested on the basis of the analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical degradation.

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A new 9,11-secosterol, glaciasterol B 3-monoacetate (Ia) has been isolated from the Tyrrhenian sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. The structure of these new compound was solved by analysis of spectroscopic data. Glaciasterol B 3-monoacetate showed potent activity (LC50 = 0.54 mu g/ml) in the Artemia salina bioassay.

Together with the previously described cacospongionolide B (1) and cacospongionolide F (2) a new C21 terpene (3), related to cacospongionolide B has been isolated from the sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa collected in the Aegean Sea. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the new compound, were proposed on the basis of Spectroscopic data.

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and chemical composition of heterocystous and non-heterocystous cyanobacteria of subgroups 3, 4, and 5 together with four new species isolated from Pantelleria (Italy) hard sands and from a lake in the proximity of Edmonson Point in Antarctica were studied. The yield of extracellular soluble polysaccharides (RPS) and slime layers (CPS) showed a significant variation from one strain to another; generally RPS were more abundant than CPS with the exception of Anabaena torulosa and Scytonema hoffmanni. Phormidium sp. was the best producer of EPS. Among heterocystous cyanobacteria belonging to Nostocaceae the new species Anabaena WSAF and A. torulosa were found to produce the highest level of EPS. Among heterocystous cyanobacteria other than Nostocaceae, the best producer of EPS was Chlorogloeopsis sp. 6912. Four species were chosen for studying the effects of growth conditions, nutritional, physical and chemical, on total EPS formed. Glucose and galactose were the neutral sugars widely present in the species examined, although other sugars such as mannose and xylose were plentiful in some species. Amino-sugar, as glucosamine, and uronic acids were also found in EPS of some cyanobacteria. Finally the inhibition of avarol, a sesquiterpene hydroquinone, toxicity on Artemia salina by EPS of some species was analysed.

1. Cacospongionolide B is a novel marine metabolite isolated from the sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. In in vitro studies, this compound inhibited phospholipase A2 (PLA2), showing selectivity for secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) versus cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), and its potency on the human synovial enzyme (group II) was similar to that of manoalide. 2. This activity was confirmed in vivo in the 8 h zymosan-injected rat air pouch, on the secretory enzyme accumulating in the pouch exudate. Cacospongionolide B, that is bioavailable when is given orally, reduced the elevated levels of sPLA2 present in paw homogenates of rats with adjuvant arthritis. 3. This marine metabolite showed topical anti-inflammatory activity on the mouse ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) and decreased carrageenin paw oedema in mice after oral administration of 5, 10 or 20 mg kg(-1). 4. In the mouse air pouch injected with zymosan, cacospongionolide B administered into the pouch, induced a dose-dependent reduction in the levels of eicosanoids and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in the exudates 4 h after the stimulus. It also had a weak effect on cell migration. 5. The inflammatory response of adjuvant arthritis was reduced by cacospongionolide B, which did not significantly affect eicosanoid levels in serum, paw or stomach homogenates and did not induce toxic effects. 6 Cacospongionolide B is a new inhibitor of sPLA2 in vitro and in vivo, with anti-inflammatory properties in acute and chronic inflammation. This marine metabolite was active after oral administration and able to modify TNFalpha levels, and may offer an interesting approach in the search for new anti-inflammatory agents.

A series of prenyl hydroquinone derivatives synthesized as structural analogs of marine products were tested for their effects on inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. 2-Prenyl-1,4-hydroquinone (H1), 2-diprenyl-1,4-hydroquinone (H2), 2-triprenyl-1,4-hydroquinone (H3) and 2-tetraprenyl-1,4-hydroquinone (H4) scavenged reactive oxygen species and inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activity in human neutrophils. The inhibition of 5-LO activity was demonstrated in vivo in the mouse air pouch injected with zymosan and arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation. The four compounds suppressed the production of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) in J774 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and also in vivo in the mouse air pouch injected with zymosan. In addition, all prenyl-hydroquinones inhibited the release of nitrite and PGE2 in LPS-stimulated J774 cells, without direct effects on cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities in several cell-free systems. The reduction in the length of the lateral chain in prenyl-hydroquinones (1-4 isoprene units) with respect to their marine analogs (7-8 isoprene units) has improved the anti-inflammatory activity of this class of compounds. Marine natural products may be a model to design new anti-inflammatory agents.

A new inhibitor of human secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cacospongionolide E (4a), has been isolated from the Tyrrhenian sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. The structure was proposed on the basis of spectroscopic data and by chemical transformations. The absolute configuration of cacospongionolides 2a-4a was established using the modified Mosher's method. Cacospongionolide E was the most potent inhibitor toward human synovial PLA2, showing higher potency than the reference compound manoalide and exerting no signs of toxicity on human neutrophils. It showed high activity in the Artemia salina bioassay and moderate toxicity in the fish (Gambusia affinis) lethality assay.

A new 23,24-bishomoscalarane sesterterpene ( 2 ) was isolated from the northern Adriatic sponge Cacospongia scalaris . The structure was proposed on the basis of spectral data. The absolute stereochemistry was determined using the modified Mosher's method. Compound 2 is the first alkylated scalarane sesterterpenoid with methylation at C-23, to have been identified in nature.

A mixture of acylglucosyl isofucosterols has been isolated from the cell culture of Lycopersicon esculentum. The structures were elucidated from chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Together with the previously described cacospongionolide B (1a), two new sesterterpenoids, the cacospongionolide D (2a) related to cacospongionolide B, and (6Z)-luffarin-V (3) were isolated from the Tyrrhenian sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. The structural elucidation and biological activity of these new compounds are reported.

Together with the previously described palinurin (1a) and fasciculatin (2a), the corresponding sulfates 1b and 2b were isolated from sponges of the genus Ircinia, collected in the Thyrrenean Sea. The structural elucidation and biological activity of these compounds are reported.