Industrial processing of raspberries into juice and jam results in the production of with high content of lipophilic and hydrophilic phytochemicals. Usually considered as waste, raspberry pomace is occasionally cold‐pressed to recover specialty oil. However, the resulting pomace press‐cake (PPC) still contains 30% to 35% of lipophilic compounds, such as essential fatty acids, tocols, phytosterols, and ellagitannins initially present in pomace. In a perspective of sustainable development, we investigate an eco‐friendly process using an aqueous enzyme‐assisted extraction (AEAE) to simultaneously and effectively recover lipophilic compounds and polyphenols from the PPC. The performance of different combinations of carbohydrases and proteases was compared. After selecting the best enzymatic system, a definitive screening design involving six factors was then implemented to optimize the process. Under optimized conditions, 1.2 units of thermostable alkaline protease/100 g PPC, pH 9, 60 °C, and 2 hr hydrolysis, more than 38% of total PPC lipophilic content were recovered in the aqueous medium. The recovery of polyphenols and antioxidant activity was, respectively, 48% and 25% higher than obtained by extraction with methanol/acetone/water mixture. Such an AEAE extract might prove useful in food and nutraceutical applications. Practical Application Raspberry pomace, a food industrial by‐product, is often considered as waste. However, it is a rich source of phytochemicals, such as tocols, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. To overcome the drawbacks of organic solvent use, an enzyme‐assisted extraction process was developed as an eco‐friendly alternative to recover these bioactive compounds. Definitive screening design experimental design was used to enhance polyphenols and lipophilics extraction yields while reducing process costs. This extract is an oil‐in‐water emulsion, with high content in antioxidant phytochemicals, which might have potential for use in nutraceutical applications. Therefore, this green process developed for the valorization of raspberry pomace is considered as a perspective of sustainable development.

Following light irradiation, a new nanomaterial, elaborated from CNCs, chlorin-e6 and polymyxin B, demonstrated efficiency against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis).

Probiotics represent a potential strategy to influence the host’s immune system thereby modulating immune response. Lipoteichoic Acid (LTA) is a major immune-stimulating component of Gram-positive cell envelopes. This amphiphilic polymer, anchored in the cytoplasmic membrane by means of its glycolipid component, typically consists of a poly (glycerol-phosphate) chain with d-alanine and/or glycosyl substitutions. LTA is known to stimulate macrophages in vitro, leading to secretion of inflammatory mediators such as Nitric Oxide (NO). This study investigates the structure–activity relationship of purified LTA from three probiotic Bacillus strains (Bacillus cereus CH, Bacillus subtilis CU1 and Bacillus clausii O/C). LTAs were extracted from bacterial cultures and purified. Chemical modification by means of hydrolysis at pH 8.5 was performed to remove d-alanine. The molecular structure of native and modified LTAs was determined by 1H NMR and GC–MS, and their inflammatory potential investigated by measuring NO production by RAW 264.7 macrophages. Structural analysis revealed several differences between the newly characterized LTAs, mainly relating to their d-alanylation rates and poly (glycerol-phosphate) chain length. We observed induction of NO production by LTAs from B. subtilis and B. clausii, whereas weaker NO production was observed with B. cereus. LTA dealanylation abrogated NO production independently of the glycolipid component, suggesting that immunomodulatory potential depends on d-alanine substitutions. d-alanine may control the spatial configuration of LTAs and their recognition by cell receptors. Knowledge of molecular mechanisms behind the immunomodulatory abilities of probiotics is essential to optimize their use.

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Bacillus subtilis CU1 is a probiotic strain with beneficial effects on immune health in elderly subjects and diarrhea. Commercialized under spore form, new strategies to improve the germination, fitness and beneficial effects of the probiotic once in the gut have to be explored. For this purpose, functional food ingredients, such as isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOSs), could improve the fitness of Bacillus probiotics. IMOSs are composed of α(1→6)- and α(1→4)-linked oligosaccharides and are partially indigestible. Dietary IMOSs stimulate beneficial members of intestinal microbiota, but the effect of a combination of IMOSs with probiotics, such as B. subtilis CU1, is unknown. In this study, we evaluate the potential effect of IMOSs in B. subtilis CU1 and identify the metabolic pathways involved. The biochemical analysis of the commercial IMOSs highlights a degree of polymerization (DP) comprised between 1 and 29. The metabolism of IMOSs in CU1 was attributed to an α-glucosidase, secreted in the extracellular compartment one hundred times more than with glucose, and which seems to hydrolyze high DP IMOSs into shorter oligosaccharides (DP1, DP2 and DP3) in the culture medium. Proteomic analysis of CU1 after growth on IMOSs showed a reshaping of B. subtilis CU1 metabolism and functions, associated with a decreased production of lactic acid and acetic acid by two times. Moreover, we show for the first time that IMOSs could improve the germination of a Bacillus probiotic in the presence of bile salts in vitro, with an 8 h reduced lag-time when compared to a glucose substrate. Moreover, bacterial concentration (CFU/mL) was increased by about 1 log in IMOS liquid cultures after 48 h when compared to glucose. In conclusion, the use of IMOSs in association with probiotic B. subtilis CU1 in a synbiotic product could improve the fitness and benefits of the probiotic.

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Résumé Description. Des questionnaires visant à mesurer l’équilibre occupationnel ont été créés ces dernières années, mais ceux disponibles en français sont limités. But. Cette étude visait à traduire et adapter transculturellement l’ Occupational Balance Questionnaire et à examiner la cohérence interne, la fidélité test-retest et la validité convergente de la version en français. Méthodologie. Une validation a été effectuée auprès de personnes adultes au Québec (n = 69) et en Suisse romande (n = 47). Résultats. La cohérence interne est bonne dans les deux régions (α > 0,85). La fidélité test-retest est satisfaisante au Québec (ICC = 0,629 ; p < 0,001), mais une différence significative est relevée entre deux passations en Suisse romande. Une relation significative est démontrée entre l’équilibre occupationnel et l’équilibre de vie (Québec r = 0,47 ; Suisse romande r = 0,52). Conséquences. Ces premiers résultats soutiennent l’utilisation de l’OBQ-français auprès de la population générale de deux régions francophones.

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