Tyrosol degradation via the homogentisic acid pathway in a newly isolated Halomonas strain from olive processing effluents

Aims: To isolate a new Halomonas sp. strain capable of degrading tyrosol, a toxic compound present in olive mill wastewater, through the homogentisic acid (HGA) pathway. Methods and Results: A moderately halophilic Gram‐negative bacterium belonging to the Halomonas genus and designated strain TYRC17 was isolated from olive processing effluents. This strain was able to completely degrade tyrosol (2‐(p‐hydroxyphenyl)‐ethanol), a toxic compound found in such effluent. Tyrosol degradation begins by an oxidation to 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA), which is then converted into HGA by an HPA 1‐monooxygenase, while closest Halomonas species degrade tyrosol through 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPA). In the presence of transition metals, HGA underwent a pH‐dependent abiotic conversion into benzoquinone acetic acid, then into 2,5‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde (gentisaldehyde) and pyomelanin, by oxidative decarboxylation and polymerization, respectively. Conclusions: Tyrosol degradation via HGA by the new Halomonas sp. strain TYRC17 was complete in the absence of trace elements. In their presence, HGA was abiotically converted into gentisaldehyde and pyomelanin. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report on tyrosol degradation via the HGA pathway under hypersaline conditions and on the oxidative decarboxylation of HGA into gentisaldehyde. It underlines the importance of the Halomonas genus in the bioremediation of toxic‐contaminated sites.     

代谢工程改造大肠杆菌合成羟基酪醇

羟基酪醇是重要精细化学品,作为天然抗氧化剂被广泛应用于食品、医药领域。利用合成生物学技术生产羟基酪醇具有重要意义。本文克隆并功能鉴定了来源于大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21的羟化酶编码基因HpaBC,结果表明该酶的两个亚基均能成功表达并能催化酪醇生成羟基酪醇。通过CRISPR-Cas9技术将由tac启动子调控的HpaBC基因表达盒整合到前期构建的酪醇高产菌株YMG5A*R基因组中,同时删除副产物乙酸的合成途径,获得大肠杆菌代谢工程菌株YMGRD1H1。摇瓶发酵实验结果表明,重组菌株能够直接利用葡萄糖生产羟基酪醇,产量达到1.81 g/L,同时发现几乎没有副产物积累。5 L发酵罐规模的流加补料发酵实验表明,羟基酪醇最高产量达到2.95 g/L,是目前文献报道以葡萄糖从头合成羟基酪醇的最高水平。通过系统改造大肠杆菌,实现了羟基酪醇的大量合成,为进一步构建具有工业应用潜力的羟基酪醇细胞工厂奠定了基础,也为拓展芳香族化合物的微生物制造路线提供了有益的参考。     

Halomonas alkaliphila sp. nov., a novel halotolerant alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a salt pool in Campania (Italy)

A halotolerant and alkaliphilic Gram-negative bacterium, strain 18bAG(T), that grows aerobically at the optimum temperature of 37 degrees C, and at pH 7.5-10 (optimum 9.0), was isolated from a salt pool located in Montefredane in Campania Region (South of Italy). The isolate tolerated high concentration of NaCl up to 20%. Strain 18bAG(T) accumulated osmolytes and polyhydroxybutyrate, produced exopolysaccharide and possessed alpha-glucosidase activity. The predominant respiratory quinones were ubiquinones, Q8 and Q6(6H); phosphoethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol were the predominant polar lipids. Major fatty acids were C16 : 1, C16 : 0, and C18 : 0. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 18bAG(T) was shown to belong to Halomonas genus. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed a high similarity of strain 18bAG(T) to Halomonas venusta (DSM 4743(T)) and Halomonas hydrothermalis (DSM 15725(T)). Level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 18bAG(T) and the most related species Halomonas venusta and Halomonas hydrothermalis was 56.0% and 41.2%, respectively. The G+C content (mol%) of DNA was 53.0. The RiboPrinting patterns of Halomonas venusta and 18AG(T) showed a pattern similarity of 0.50. On the basis of genomic information and phenotypic characteristics strain 18bAG(T) represents a new species, for which the name Halomonas alkaliphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 18bAG(T) (=DSM 16354T =ATCC BAA-953T).     

The fate of olive oil polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract: Implications of gastric and colonic microflora-dependent biotransformation

We have conducted a detailed investigation into the absorption, metabolism and microflora-dependent transformation of hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol (TYR) and their conjugated forms, such as oleuropein (OL). Conjugated forms underwent rapid hydrolysis under gastric conditions, resulting in significant increases in the amount of free HT and TYR entering the small intestine. Both HT and TYR transferred across human Caco-2 cell monolayers and rat segments of jejunum and ileum and were subject to classic phase I/II biotransformation. The major metabolites identified were an O-methylated derivative of HT, glucuronides of HT and TYR and a novel glutathionylated conjugate of HT. In contrast, there was no absorption of OL in either model. However, OL was rapidly degraded by the colonic microflora resulting in the formation of HT. Our study provides additional information regarding the breakdown of complex olive oil polyphenols in the GI tract, in particular the stomach and the large intestine.     

Use of whole cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for synthesis of the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol via conversion of tyrosol

For the first time, a soil bacterium, designated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was isolated based on its ability to grow on tyrosol as a sole source of carbon and energy. During growth on tyrosol, this strain was capable of promoting the formation of a significant amount of hydroxytyrosol and trace quantities of parahydroxyphenyl acetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid. The products were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Using an optimized tyrosol concentration of 2 g liter(-1), the maximal hydroxytyrosol yield (80%) was achieved after a 7-h reaction in a growth experiment. To enhance the formation of hydroxytyrosol and prevent its degradation, a resting-cell method using P. aeruginosa was performed. The growth state of the culture utilized for biomass production, the carbon source on which the biomass was grown, the concentration of the biomass, and the amount of tyrosol that was treated were optimized. The optimal yield of hydroxytyrosol (96%) was obtained after a 7-h reaction using 4 g of tyrosol liter(-1) and 5 g of cells liter(-1) pregrown on tyrosol and harvested at the end of the exponential phase. This proposed procedure is an alternative approach to obtain hydroxytyrosol in an environmentally friendly way. In addition, the reaction is easy to perform and can be adapted to a bioreactor for industrial purposes.     

The fate of olive oil polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract: implications of gastric and colonic microflora-dependent biotransformation

We have conducted a detailed investigation into the absorption, metabolism and microflora-dependent transformation of hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol (TYR) and their conjugated forms, such as oleuropein (OL). Conjugated forms underwent rapid hydrolysis under gastric conditions, resulting in significant increases in the amount of free HT and TYR entering the small intestine. Both HT and TYR transferred across human Caco-2 cell monolayers and rat segments of jejunum and ileum and were subject to classic phase I/II biotransformation. The major metabolites identified were an O-methylated derivative of HT, glucuronides of HT and TYR and a novel glutathionylated conjugate of HT. In contrast, there was no absorption of OL in either model. However, OL was rapidly degraded by the colonic microflora resulting in the formation of HT. Our study provides additional information regarding the breakdown of complex olive oil polyphenols in the GI tract, in particular the stomach and the large intestine.     

Use of Whole Cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Synthesis of the Antioxidant Hydroxytyrosol via Conversion of Tyrosol

For the first time, a soil bacterium, designated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was isolated based on its ability to grow on tyrosol as a sole source of carbon and energy. During growth on tyrosol, this strain was capable of promoting the formation of a significant amount of hydroxytyrosol and trace quantities of parahydroxyphenyl acetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid. The products were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Using an optimized tyrosol concentration of 2 g liter⁻¹, the maximal hydroxytyrosol yield (80%) was achieved after a 7-h reaction in a growth experiment. To enhance the formation of hydroxytyrosol and prevent its degradation, a resting-cell method using P. aeruginosa was performed. The growth state of the culture utilized for biomass production, the carbon source on which the biomass was grown, the concentration of the biomass, and the amount of tyrosol that was treated were optimized. The optimal yield of hydroxytyrosol (96%) was obtained after a 7-h reaction using 4 g of tyrosol liter⁻¹ and 5 g of cells liter⁻¹ pregrown on tyrosol and harvested at the end of the exponential phase. This proposed procedure is an alternative approach to obtain hydroxytyrosol in an environmentally friendly way. In addition, the reaction is easy to perform and can be adapted to a bioreactor for industrial purposes.     

Simultaneous determination of oleuropein and its metabolites in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detection system was developed and validated aiming at the simultaneous determination of oleuropein (OE) and its metabolites, hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tyrosol (T), in human plasma. These phenolic components are believed to play a vital role in the prevention of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. The proposed method includes a clean-up solid-phase extraction procedure (using a C(18) column) with high recovery efficiency (85-100%). The statistical evaluation of the method reveals good linearity, accuracy and reproducibility for all the compounds analyzed with RSD values less than 6.5%, while the detection limit is 50 ng/ml for both OE and T and 75 ng/ml for HT. This assay can be employed in bioavailability studies of olive oil phenolic compounds, thus assisting the evaluation of their pharmacological role.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of hydroxytyrosol monoesters and their suppression effect on nitric oxide production stimulated by lipopolysaccharides

Fatty acid monoesters of hydroxytyrosol [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol] were synthesized in two steps from tyrosol (4-hydroxyphenylethanol) by successive Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed chemoselective acylation on the primary aliphatic hydroxy group over phenolic hydroxy group in tyrosol, and 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX)-mediated hydroxylation adjacent to the remaining free phenolic hydroxy group. Examination of their suppression effects on nitric oxide production stimulated by lipopolysaccharides in RAW264.7 cells showed that hydroxytyrosol butyrate exhibited the highest inhibition (IC₅₀ 7.0 μM) among the tested compounds.     

Halomonas alkalitolerans sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacteriun isolated from soda meadow saline soil in Daqing, China

A moderately halophilic bacterial strain 15-13(T), which was isolated from soda meadow saline soil in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The cells of strain 15-13 were found to be Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and motile. The required growth conditions for strain 15-13(T) were: 1-23% NaCl (optimum, 7%), 10-50°C (optimum, 35°C), and pH 7.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 9.5). The predominant cellular fatty acids were C(18:1) ω7c (60.48%) and C(16:0) (13.96%). The DNA G+C content was 67.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain 15-13(T) clustered within a branch comprising species of the genus Halomonas. The closest phylogenetic neighbor of strain 15-13(T) was Halomonas pantelleriensis DSM 9661(T) (98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the novel isolated strain and H pantelleriensis DSM 9661(T) was 33.8%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain 15-13(T) represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas alkalitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain for this novel species is 15-13(T) (=CGMCC 1.9129(T) =NBRC 106539(T)).     

Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov., isolated from saline lake Cape Russell in Antarctica, an alkalophilic moderately halophilic, exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium

The taxomony of strain CRSS (DSM 15686(T)=ATCC BAA-848(T)) isolated from Cape Russell in Antarctica (Ross Sea, 74 52.35 S 163 53.03 E) was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics were compared with that of related species of the genus Halomonas. The isolate grew optimally at pH 9.0, 10% NaCl at 30 degrees C. The cells were Gram-negative aerobic rods able to produce exopolysaccharide. They accumulated glycine-betaine, as a major osmolyte, with minor components ectoine and glutamate. The strain CRSS biosynthetised alpha-glucosidase. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major components. Ubiquinone with nine repetitive unities (Q9) was the only quinone found and the fatty acid composition was dominated by C18:1 (53%). The G+C content of DNA was 55.0mol% and its phylogenetic position was established by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of the genus Halomonas. For physiological, chemotaxonomic and genetic features (DNA-DNA hybridisation) it is proposed to classify the isolate as a new species for which we propose the name Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov.     

Optimized conditions for the synthesis of vanillic acid under hypersaline conditions by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas elongata</Emphasis> DSM 2581<Superscript>T</Superscript> resting cells

During growth on ferulic acid, Halomonas elongata DSM 2581^T was capable of promoting the formation of a significant amount of vanillic acid. The products were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass-spectrometry analyses. To enhance the formation of vanillic acid and prevent its degradation, a resting-cell method using Halomonas elongata was developed. The growth state of the culture utilized for biomass production, the concentration of the biomass, the amount of ferulic acid that was treated and the reutilization of the biomass were optimized. The optimal yield of vanillic acid (82%) was obtained after a 10-h reaction using 10 mM ferulic acid and 5 g/l of cell pregrown on ferulic acid and harvested at the end of the exponential phase.     

Structural elucidation of a novel phosphoglycolipid isolated from six species of Halomonas

The structure of a new phosphoglycolipid from the halophilic Gram-negative bacteria Halomonas elongata ATCC 33173(T), Halomonas eurihalina ATCC 49336(T), Halomonas almeriensis CECT 7050(T), strain Sharm (AM238662), Halomonas halophila DSM 4770(T), and Halomonas salina ATCC 49509(T) was elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopy studies. In all of the species examined, the polar lipid composition consisted of 1,2-diacylglycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine, 1,2-diacylglycero-3-phosphoryl-glycerol, bisphosphatidyl glycerol, and the new phosphoglycolipid PGL1. The structure of PGL1 was established to be (2-(alpha-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-hydroxy-propyl)-phosphatidyl diacylglycerol. C16:0;C18:1 and C16:0;C19:cyclopropane are the most abundant acyl chains linked to the phosphatidylglycerol moiety of each isolated PGL1. All of the species presenting the lipid PGL1 belong to Halomonas rRNA group 1, suggesting that the new phosphoglycolipid could be a chemotaxonomic marker of this phylogenetic group.     

The enantioselective immunoaffinity extraction of an optically active ibuprofen-modified peptide fragment

Recent in vitro studies have demonstrated antioxidant properties of some virgin olive oil phenolic compounds. One of the prerequisites to extrapolate these data to an in vivo situation is the knowledge of their bioavailability in humans. In the present work we describe an analytical method which enables us to perform hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol quantitative determinations in human urine. This method was successfully used in bioavailability studies of both phenolic compounds after acute olive oil administration. Virgin olive oil was administered to healthy volunteers after a low phenolic diet. The dose administered of both phenolic compounds was estimated in reference to free forms of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol present in virgin olive oil extracts before and after being submitted to hydrolytic conditions. These conditions mimic those occurring during digestion. Urine samples were collected before and after acute olive oil intake and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol urinary recovery increased in response to olive oil administration, obtaining maximal values in the first 4 h. Our results further indicate that hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol are mainly excreted in conjugated form, since only 5.9 +/- 1.4% (hydroxytyrosol) and 13.8 +/- 5.4% (tyrosol) of the total amounts excreted in urine were in free form.     

Synthesis and recovery of high bioactive phenolics from table-olive brine process wastewater

The generated wastewater of table-olive brine processing contains a high amount of polyphenols which are endowed with interesting biological activities. The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of such wastewater shows high hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tyrosol concentrations of 690 and 98 mg g(-1) dry weight extract, respectively. Phenolic compounds analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate] radicals. Total polyphenol content was estimated with the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Hydroxytyrosol has DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging activities higher than 2,6-di-tert-butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT), while triacetylated hydroxytyrosol (triAcHT) was devoid of any antioxidant activity. The assessment of these antioxidant compounds in biological systems was carried out by the determination of their in vitro cytotoxicity against two different human cancer cell lines (HeLa and DG75) and normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using the MTT assay. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations were ranged between 27 and 210 microg mL(-1) for Hela and DG75. At the same concentration range, the EAE and the pure HT and triAcHT exhibited an insignificant cytotoxicity against PBL. Incubation of HeLa and DG75 cells with non-cytotoxic concentrations of EAE, HT or triAcHT resulted in a remarkable protection from the oxidative stress induced by Fe(2+). The antimicrobial activity evaluated by the broth dilution NCCL method using Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica) bacteria and (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger) fungi showed a broad spectrum bactericidal and fungicidal effect of table-olives-EAE, HT and triAcHT. The MICs vary from 125 to 500 microg mL(-1) for bacteria and from 500 to 2000 microg mL(-1) for fungi.     

四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株高效制备四氢嘧啶

【目的】为进一步提高四氢嘧啶(1,4,5,6-四氢-2-甲基-4-嘧啶羧酸;1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid;ectoine)合成效率,【方法】利用步移PCR方法克隆了Halomonas salina DSM 5928T四氢嘧啶特异性转运蛋白(ectoine-specific transporter;TeaABC)编码基因teaABC,Red重组技术构建了四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-)。【结果】H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-)10 L发酵罐的四氢嘧啶发酵,四氢嘧啶总浓度9.10(±0.08)g/L,合成效率为9.93(±0.09)g/L.d。【结论】四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-),解除了四氢嘧啶吸收对其合成的负反馈调节,从而显著提高了四氢嘧啶合成效率。     

Isolation and characterization of Halomonas sp. strain IMPC, a p-coumaric acid-metabolizing bacterium that decarboxylates other cinnamic acids under hypersaline conditions

A moderately halophilic, mesophilic, Gram-negative, motile, nonsporulating bacterium, designated strain IMPC, was isolated from a table-olive fermentation rich in aromatic compounds, after enrichment on p-coumaric acid under halophilic conditions. Strain IMPC was able to degrade p-coumaric acid. p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were detected as breakdown products from p-coumaric acid. Protocatechuic acid was identified as the final aromatic product of p-coumaric acid catabolism before ring fission. Strain IMPC transformed various cinnamic acids with substituent H, OH, CH(3) or OCH(3) in the para- and/or meta-position of the aromatic ring to the corresponding benzoic acids, indicating a specific selection. A beta-oxidation pathway was proposed for these transformations. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that this isolate was a member of the genus Halomonas. Strain IMPC was closely related to Halomonas elongata ATCC 33173(T)and Halomonas eurihalina ATCC 49336(T).     

Extra virgin olive oil phenols down-regulate lipid synthesis in primary-cultured rat-hepatocytes

Hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleuropein, the main phenols present in extra virgin olive oil, have been reported to exert several biochemical and pharmacological effects.Here, we investigated the short-term effects of these compounds on lipid synthesis in primary-cultured rat-liver cells. Hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleuropein inhibited both de novo fatty acid and cholesterol syntheses without an effect on cell viability. The inhibitory effect of individual compounds was already evident within 2 h of 25 μM phenol addition to the hepatocytes. The degree of cholesterogenesis reduction was similar for all phenol treatments (−25/30%), while fatty acid synthesis showed the following order of inhibition: hydroxytyrosol (−49%) = oleuropein (−48%) > tyrosol (−30%). A phenol-induced reduction of triglyceride synthesis was also detected.To clarify the lipid-lowering mechanism of these compounds, their influence on the activity of key enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis (acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase), triglyceride synthesis (diacylglycerol acyltransferase) and cholesterogenesis (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase) was investigated in situ by using digitonin-permeabilized hepatocytes. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase activities were reduced after 2 h of 25 μM phenol treatment. No change in fatty acid synthase activity was observed. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibition (hydroxytyrosol, −41%, = oleuropein, −38%, > tyrosol, −17%) appears to be mediated by phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase. These findings suggest that a decrease in hepatic lipid synthesis may represent a potential mechanism underlying the reported hypolipidemic effect of phenols of extra virgin olive oil.     

Olive oil compounds inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 phosphorylation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) triggers crucial signaling processes that regulate tumor angiogenesis and, therefore, represents an attractive target for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. Several epidemiological studies have confirmed that abundant consumption of foods from plant origin is associated with reduced risk of developing cancers. In the Mediterranean basin, the consumption of extra virgin olive oil is an important constituent of the diet. Compared to other vegetable oils, the presence of several phenolic antioxidants in olive oil is believed to prevent the occurrence of a variety of pathological processes, such as cancer. While the strong antioxidant potential of these molecules is well characterized, their antiangiogenic activities remain unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate whether tyrosol (Tyr), hydroxytyrosol (HT), taxifolin (Tax), oleuropein (OL) and oleic acid (OA), five compounds contained in extra virgin olive oil, can affect in vitro angiogenesis. We found that HT, Tax and OA were the most potent angiogenesis inhibitors through their inhibitory effect on specific autophosphorylation sites of VEGFR-2 (Tyr951, Tyr1059, Tyr1175 and Tyr1214) leading to the inhibition of endothelial cell (EC) signaling. Inhibition of VEGFR-2 by these olive oil compounds significantly reduced VEGF-induced EC proliferation and migration as well as their morphogenic differentiation into capillary-like tubular structures in Matrigel. Our study demonstrates that HT, Tax and OA are novel and potent inhibitors of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway. These findings emphasize the chemopreventive properties of olive oil and highlight the importance of nutrition in cancer prevention.     

Effects of virgin olive oil phenolics on scavenging of reactive nitrogen species and upon nitrergic neurotransmission

The major phenolics from the polar fraction of virgin olive oil (caffeic acid, oleuropein, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol) have well-established antioxidant activities but their effects on reactive nitrogen species and nitrergic neurotransmission have not been fully investigated. The three catechol compounds were active as scavengers of nitric oxide generated spontaneously from the decomposition of sodium nitroprusside (approximately 50% inhibition achieved at 75 microM), and had similar ability to scavenge chemically generated peroxynitrite, as determined by an alpha1-antiproteinase inactivation assay (67.2%-92.4% reduction when added at 1 mM). Tyrosol was less active in these tests, but does not possess the catechol functionality. Despite their ability to interact with chemically prepared nitric oxide, neither oleuropein nor hydroxytyrosol at 5 microM altered NO*-mediated relaxations of the nerve-stimulated rat anococcygeus preparation, but this may be because the nitrergic transmitter is protected from the effects of externally applied scavengers. In conclusion, the phenolics found in virgin olive oil possess ability to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are implicated in human pathologies, but their impact may be restricted to those species present in the extracellular environment.