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1. An Updated Perspective on Sinorhizobium meliloti Chemotaxis to Alfalfa Flavonoids

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.581482  

   Compton, K. Karl ; Hildreth, Sherry B. ; Helm, Richard F. ; Scharf, Birgit E. ( October 2020 , Frontiers in Microbiology)

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2. Structure-activity assessment of flavonoids as modulators of copper transport

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.972198  

   Lee, Vanessa J. ; Heffern, Marie C. ( August 2022 , Frontiers in Chemistry)

   Flavonoids are polyphenolic small molecules that are abundant in plant products and are largely recognized for their beneficial health effects. Possessing both antioxidant and prooxidant properties, flavonoids have complex behavior in biological systems. The presented work investigates the intersection between the biological activity of flavonoids and their interactions with copper ions. Copper is required for the proper functioning of biological systems. As such, dysregulation of copper is associated with metabolic disease states such as diabetes and Wilson’s disease. There is evidence that flavonoids bind copper ions, but the biological implications of their interactions remain unclear. Better understanding these interactions will provide insight into the mechanisms of flavonoids’ biological behavior and can inform potential therapeutic targets. We employed a variety of spectroscopic techniques to study flavonoid-Cu(II) binding and radical scavenging activities. We identified structural moieties important in flavonoid-copper interactions which relate to ring substitution but not the traditional structural subclassifications. The biological effects of the investigated flavonoids specifically on copper trafficking were assessed in knockout yeast models as well as in human hepatocytes. The copper modulating abilities of strong copper-binding flavonoids were largely influenced by the relative hydrophobicities. Combined, these spectroscopic and biological data help elucidate the intricate nature of flavonoids in affecting copper transport and open avenues to inform dietary recommendations and therapeutic development. 

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3. Successful Release of Voriconazole and Flavonoids from MAPLE Deposited Bioactive Surfaces

   https://doi.org/10.3390/app9040786  

   Negut, Irina ; Visan, Anita ; Popescu, Camelia ; Cristescu, Rodica ; Ficai, Anton ; Grumezescu, Alexandru ; Chifiriuc, Mariana ; Boehm, Ryan ; Yamaleyeva, Dina ; Taylor, Michael ; et al ( February 2019 , Applied Sciences)

   We explored the potential of biomimetic thin films fabricated by means of matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for releasing combinations of active substances represented by flavonoids (quercetin dihydrate and resveratrol) and antifungal compounds (amphotericin B and voriconazole) embedded in a polyvinylpyrrolidone biopolymer; the antifungal activity of the film components was evaluated using in vitro microbiological assays. Thin films were deposited using a pulsed KrF* excimer laser source which were structurally characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). High-quality thin films with chemical structures similar to dropcast ones were created using an optimum laser fluence of ~80 mJ/cm2. Bioactive substances were included within the polymer thin films using the MAPLE technique. The results of the in vitro microbiology assay, which utilized a modified disk diffusion approach and were performed using two fungal strains (Candida albicans American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 90028 and Candida parapsilosis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 22019), revealed that voriconazole was released in an active form from the polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix. The results of this study show that the MAPLE-deposited bioactive thin films have a promising potential for use in designing combination devices, such as drug delivery devices, and medical device surfaces with antifungal activity. 

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4. Experimental and computational optimization of an Escherichia coli co-culture for the efficient production of flavonoids

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymben.2016.01.006  

   Jones, J. Andrew ; Vernacchio, Victoria R. ; Sinkoe, Andrew L. ; Collins, Shannon M. ; Ibrahim, Mohammad H.A. ; Lachance, Daniel M. ; Hahn, Juergen ; Koffas, Mattheos A.G. ( May 2016 , Metabolic Engineering)
5. Interactions between dietary flavonoids and the gut microbiome: a comprehensive review

   https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114521003627  

   Baky, Mostafa Hassan ; Elshahed, Mostafa ; Wessjohann, Ludger ; Farag, Mohamed A. ( August 2022 , British Journal of Nutrition)

   Abstract Flavonoids are natural polyphenol secondary metabolites that are widely produced in planta . Flavonoids are ubiquities in human dietary intake and exhibit a myriad of health benefits. Flavonoids-induced biological activities are strongly influenced by their in situ availability in the human GI tract, as well as the levels of which are modulated by interaction with the gut bacteria. As such, assessing flavonoids–microbiome interactions is considered a key to understand their physiological activities. Here, we review the interaction between the various classes of dietary flavonoids (flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins) and gut microbiota. We aim to provide a holistic overview of the nature and identity of flavonoids on diet and highlight how flavonoids chemical structure, metabolism and impact on humans and their microbiomes are interconnected. Emphasis is placed on how flavonoids and their biotransformation products affect gut microbiota population, influence gut homoeostasis and induce measurable physiological changes and biological benefits. 

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