The effect of different doses of long-wavelength UV-A (320 nm-400nm) irradiation on physicochemical and antioxidant characteristics of tomatoes grown on the territory of the Russian Federation was studied. The obtained results show that this kind of processing does not cause deterioration of qualitative parameters of vegetables (texture, color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity). It was established that the total content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and flavonoids increases (p-value<0.05) in tomatoes at all the investigated wavelengths (353 nm, 365 nm and 400 nm), while the content of chlorophylls reacts ambiguously: at some wavelengths, it increases, at other, it decreases. The maximum increase in antioxidant activity, as compared to untreated samples, is observed in tomatoe samples irradiated for 360 min within the range of 365 nm. For different types of tomatoes, the increment for common content of phenolic compounds is-42.9-55.0 %, carotenoids-24.0-56.0 %, flavonoids-28.0-33.0 %, β-carotene-70.9-71.6 %, lycopene-62.6-69.0 %, lutein-64.8-72.0 % from original. The studies reveal some potential of post-harvest ultraviolet irradiation (A-range) of tomatoes to increase their antioxidant activity. However, more research is needed to confirm this fact and the possibility to develop some technology.

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The potential of phenolic compounds of medicinal plants including Astragalus danicus L is determined by but not limited to their antioxidant activity. Their anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and other useful properties are known, which allows using these phytochemicals within preventive activities to reduce the risk of many serious diseases. Chromatographic analysis of the Astragalus danicus L. biomaterial from the plant samples collected in three regions of the Kemerovo region (Western Siberia, Russia) established the presence of compounds of flavonols (isorhamnetin glucoside, kaempferol glucoside), flavones (apigenin 7-glucoside), phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid) in the aerial part of plants. The total content of phenolic compounds in plant samples ranged from 100.75 ± 3.87 mg/g (Yashkinsky district) to 190.95 ± 7.34 mg/g (Belovsky district). The content of chlorogenic acid in the studied samples was from 0.14 ± 0.01 mg/g to 1.16 ± 0.04 mg/g. Isorhamnetin glucoside was found only in samples of plants from two districts - Prokopievsky (41.39 ± 1.58 mg/g) and Belovsky (95.0 ± 3.66 mg/g). The content of glucosides of kaempferol ranged from 0.38 ± 0.01 mg/g to 0.55 ± 0.02 mg/g. Its content is almost twice as high as the content in the well-known analogues of Astragalus. Apigenin-7-glucoside was isolated in Astragalus samples for the first time, in a small amount (3.34 ± 0.13 mg/g) in a sample of plants of one growing zone. Studies have confirmed that the content of flavonoids in plants significantly depends not only on the genetic characteristics of plants, but also on the hydrothermal regime, the climatic conditions of different botanical and geographical areas of the habitat. This work shows that Astragalus danicus L. growing in Kemerovo region is a promising raw material for pharmacological preparations.

The effect of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on gene expression in human, malignant cell lines was investigated, with a focus on signaling pathways. The commensal microbial flora produce high levels of SCFAs with established physiologic effects in humans. The most abundant SCFA metabolite in the human microflora is n-butyric acid. It is well known to activate endogenous latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), that was used as a reference read out system and extended to EBV+ epithelial cancer cell lines. N-butyric acid and its salt induced inflammatory and apoptotic responses in tumor cells of epithelial and lymphoid origin. Epithelial cell migration was inhibited. The n-butyric gene activation was reduced by knock-down of the cell membrane transporters MCT-1 and -4 by siRNA. N-butyric acid show biologically significant effects on several important cellular functions, also with relevance for tumor cell phenotype.