1. Evaluation of Prebiotic Property in Edible Mushrooms

   Premsuda Saman, Achara Chaiongkarn, Somporn Moonmangmee, Jutamad Sukcharoen, Chutima Kuancha, and Bundit Fungsin

   Abstract: Mushroom are increased interest as a source of potential prebiotic substrate. This study was aimed to evaluate prebiotic property of edible mushroom. Five samples of commercial mushroom, Auricularia auricula-judae, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus abalonus, and Volvariella volvacea were used in the experiment. All mushroom samples were extracted separately to obtained soluble and insoluble polysaccharides. The bifidogenic effect using 4 strains of Bifidobacterium sp. (B. bifidum TISTR 2129, B. breve TISTR 2130, B. longum TISTR 2194 andB. animalis TISTR 2195) were tested with all mushrooms. The selected mushrooms which could enhance growths of bifidobacteria were measured for prebiotic index. Fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (FISH) was used to enumerate specific bacteria in the fecal culture fermentation. The results showed that Pleurotus sajor-caju had the highest PI value followed by Pleurotus abalonus. These two mushrooms could stimulate the growths of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and could suppress the growth of harmful bacteria in human gut model.

   Keywords: prebiotic, mushroom, bifidobacteria.

   Pages: 75 – 85 | Full PDF Paper

2. Improvements in the Process of Obtaining the Sialic Acid Donor

   Yudisel Madruga Rosa, Mayra Reyes Moreno, José A. Ruiz García, Mercedes Rodríguez Edreira, Denia González León

   Abstract: Ganglioside N-glicolyl GM₃ is over expressed in the tumour cells of breast cancer, while the Ganglioside N-acetyl GM₃ generally known to be associated to various cellular and membrane processes including the modulating of immune system, for these reason that in our country studies on the action of this gangliosides are made, to constitute a key element in obtaining the VSSP, which are used as adjuvant in therapeutic vaccines against renal cancer, prostate and immune activation in patients with HIV. Both gangliosides are investigated as fundamental components of therapeutic vaccines, and they are formed by a sialic acid unit (donor), a unit of lactose (acceptor) and a ceramide lipid moiety. The first is a key intermediate which is produced in three synthetic steps. This paper develops a modification to the current method of producing the sialic acid donor, where the trifluoroacetic acid was replaced by sulphuric acid in the reaction for obtaining the methyl ester, which reduces by half the reaction time. In the third stage, the purification by column chromatography is replaced by solid-liquid extraction.

   Keywords: Ganglioside, N-acetyl GM₃, sialic acid donor, cancer.

   Pages: 86 – 102 | Full PDF Paper