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In this study, we aimed to obtain gelatin from the marine snail Rapana venosa using acidic and enzymatic extraction methods and to characterize these natural products for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Marine gelatins presented protein values and hydroxyproline content similar to those of commercial mammalian gelatin, but with higher melting temperatures. Their electrophoretic profile and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed protein and absorption bands situated in the amide region, specific for gelatin molecule. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed significant differences in the structure of the lyophilized samples, depending on the type of gelatin. In vitro studies performed on human keratinocytes showed no cytotoxic effect of acid-extracted gelatin at all tested concentrations and moderate cytotoxicity of enzymatic extracted gelatin at concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/mL. Also, both marine gelatins favored keratinocyte cell adhesion. No irritant potential was recorded as the level of IL-1α and IL-6 proinflammatory cytokines released by HaCaT cells cultivated in the presence of marine gelatins was significantly reduced. Together, these data suggest that marine snails are an alternative source of gelatins with potential use in pharmaceutical and skincare products.

Fermented bovine colostrum rich in bioactive peptides was obtained using Candida lipolytica strains in co-culture with kefir grains. During fermentation, the pH and total titratable acidity of the product were daily measured. The hydrolysis degree and the electrophoretic pattern of watersoluble extracts (WSE) of fermented colostrum were analysed. Fractions enriched in peptides with a molecular weight lower than 10 kDa were separated by ultracentrifugation. They showed better modulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and cell proliferation, but lower radical scavenging capacity, compared to corresponding WSE. Figure 3 Cell viability of L929 fibroblasts cultivated in the presence of different concentrations of C1, C2 extracts and P1, P2 peptide fractions for 48 h, determined by MTT assay. Values are expressed as mean AE SD (n = 3). *p < 0.05.

The aim of this study was to improve the bovine colostrum biological function through fermentation with kefir grains enhanced with selected yeasts, for developing new nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products. It was found that fermentations with coculture of 2.5 g% artisanal kefir grains and selected yeast strains (10 6 CFU/100 mL) increased the functional quality of the fermented products compared to the product obtained only with kefir grains. Fresh fermented products obtained with a consortium based on kefir grains and Candida lipolytica MIUG D67 demonstrated an increased antioxidant activity of 2.69 mM Trolox Equivalent/g, after 48 h of fermentation. Instead, peptide fractions with MW<10 kDa isolated by membrane filtration from lyophilized fermented products, based on colostrum fermentation with kefir grains enhanced with Candida lipolytica MIUG D99 starter, presented markedly increase in vitro of ABTS radical scavenging activity, similar to a concentration of 2 nM captopril. These results indicated their possible application in enhance of the quality of the fermented products in order to increase the postbiotic composition with functional impact in vivo.