Liver cirrhosis is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Because of its asymptomatic evolution, timely diagnosis of liver cirrhosis via non-invasive techniques is currently under investigation. Among the diagnostic methods employing volatile organic compounds directly detectable from breath, sensing of limonene (C10H16) represents one of the most promising strategies for diagnosing alcohol liver diseases, including cirrhosis. In the present work, by means of state-of-the-art Density Functional Theory calculations including the U correction, we present an investigation on the sensing capabilities of a chromium-oxide-doped graphene (i.e., Cr2O3-graphene) structure toward limonene detection. In contrast with other structures such as g-triazobenzol (g-C6N6) monolayers and germanane, which revealed their usefulness in detecting limonene via physisorption, the proposed Cr2O3-graphene heterostructure is capable of undergoing chemisorption upon molecular approaching of limonene over its surface. In fact, a high adsorption energy is recorded (∼-1.6 eV). Besides, a positive Moss-Burstein effect is observed upon adsorption of limomene on the Cr2O3-graphene heterostructure, resulting in a net increase of the bandgap (∼50%), along with a sizeable shift of the Fermi level toward the conduction band. These findings pave the way toward the experimental validation of such predictions and the employment of Cr2O3-graphene heterostructures as sensors of key liver cirrhosis biomarkers.
- MeSH
- Adsorption MeSH
- Early Diagnosis MeSH
- Graphite * chemistry MeSH
- Liver Cirrhosis diagnosis MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Limonene MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Bacterial resistance is a natural process carried out by bacteria, which has been considered a public health problem in recent decades. This process can be triggered through the efflux mechanism, which has been extensively studied, mainly related to the use of natural products to inhibit this mechanism. To carry out the present study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests of the compound limonene were performed, through the microdilution methodology in sterile 96-well plates. Tests were also carried out with the association of the compound with ethidium bromide and ciprofloxacin, in addition to the ethidium bromide fluorimetry, and later the molecular docking. From the tests performed, it was possible to observe that the compound limonene presented significant results when associated with ethidium bromide and the antibiotic used. Through the fluorescence emission, it was observed that when associated with the compound limonene, a greater ethidium bromide fluorescence was emitted. Finally, when analyzing the in silico study, it demonstrated that limonene can efficiently fit into the MepA structure. In this way, it is possible to show that limonene can contribute to cases of bacterial resistance through an efflux pump, so that it is necessary to carry out more studies to prove its effects against bacteria carrying an efflux pump and assess the toxicity of the compound.
In this review, we collected and presented evidence from the scientific literature regarding the biotechnological production and applications of limonene and its oxidative derivates in various fields such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or polymer industries. Limonene biotransfor-mations may be regarded as biotechnological processes aligned to sustainable development. Advantages associated with these bioprocesses include the use of by-products as raw materials, mild reaction conditions, high regio-and stereoselectivity and the production of value-added prod-ucts. The biological activities of limonene and its oxidative derivates, such as carveol, carvone, limonene-1,2-diol, α-terpineol, or perillyl alcohol, suggest that the terpene biotechnology is becoming a promising and prosperous science.
- MeSH
- Biotechnology methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Limonene * chemistry pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Limonene Hydroxylases chemistry MeSH
- Monoterpenes chemical synthesis chemistry MeSH
- Terpenes chemical synthesis chemistry therapeutic use MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
