Effect of osmotic dehydration combined with vacuum freeze-drying treatment on characteristic aroma components of peach slices.

Hot air drying (HD), vacuum freeze drying (FD), and pilot-scale freeze drying (PSFD) are extensively used to prepare peach slices. However, the aroma of hot air drying and vacuum freeze-drying is yet to be addressed. In this study, HS-SPME-GC-MS was used to characterize and quantify the volatile compounds in peach slices. First, 33, 36, and 46 volatile compounds were identified and quantified in the HD, FD, and PSFD groups, respectively. PSFD is preferable to HD and FD in terms of the volatile compound types, content, and aroma profiles. PSFD was selected for subsequent permeation and dehydration experiments. The key aroma compounds with an OAV ≥ 1 were found in the PSFD30 group. GC-O analysis was conducted on the PSFD30 group, leading to the preliminary identification of 2-methylbutanal, pentanal, hexanal, 2-hexenal, phenylacetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl lactate, linalool, methyl heptenone, and γ-octalactone as distinctive aromas in dried peach slices.

Ginseng polysaccharide reduces autoimmune hepatitis inflammatory response by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Ginseng polysaccharides (GP) have been found to exhibit significant immune regulatory effects, making them a promising candidate for treating immune-related diseases. However, their mechanism of action in immune liver injury is not yet clear. The innovation of this study lies in exploring the mechanism of action of ginseng polysaccharides (GP) in immune liver injury. While GP has been previously identified for its immune regulatory effects, this study aims to provide a clearer understanding of its therapeutic potential for immune-related liver diseases. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to characterize low molecular weight gingeng polysaccharides (LGP), investigate their effect on ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and identify their potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: LGP was extracted and purified using water-alcohol precipitation, DEAE-52 cellulose column, and Sephadex G200. And its structure was analyzed. It was then evaluated for anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in ConA-induced cells and mice, assessing cellular viability and inflammation with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Reverse Transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and Western Blot, and hepatic injury, inflammation, and apoptosis with various biochemical and staining methods. RESULTS: LGP is a polysaccharide composed of glucose (Glu), galactose (Gal), and arabinose (Ara), with a molar ratio of 12.9:1.6:1.0. LGP has a low crystallinity amorphous powder structure and is free from impurities. LGP enhances cell viability and reduces inflammatory factors in ConA-induced RAW264.7 cells and inhibits inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis in ConA-induced mice. LGP inhibits Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Toll-like receptors/Nuclear factor kappa B (TLRs/NF-κB) signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo to treat AIH. CONCLUSIONS: LGP was successfully extracted and purified, exhibiting potential as a treatment for ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis due to its ability to inhibit the PI3K/AKT and TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathways and protect liver cells from damage.

Characteristics of changes in volatile organic compounds and microbial communities during the storage of pickles.

The variations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and microbial communities of three pickles during storage at 4°C for one week were analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), high-throughput sequencing, and Spearman correlation analysis. A total of 50 VOCs were identified from three pickles. During storage, most alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters decreased, while acids increased, and sulfides, alkenes, and phenols were relatively equal. Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the predominant bacterial phyla, and Weissella, Streptophyta, Leuconostoc, Bacillariophyta, and Lactobacillus were the predominant bacterial genera in three pickles. The bacterial diversity level significantly decreased during storage (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella were highly correlated with the flavor of pickles, while Bacillariophyta and Streptophyta were highly correlated with the flavor formation of pickles during storage. These results could contribute to a better understanding of the impact of bacteria in flavor formation during pickle storage.

The Influence of Tyrosol-Enriched Rhodiola sachalinensis Extracts Bioconverted by the Mycelium of Bovista plumbe on Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiological Responses in Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive deficits, which are accompanied by memory loss and cognitive disruption. Rhodiola sachalinensis (RSE) is a medicinal plant that has been used in northeastern Asia for various pharmacological activities. We attempted to carry out the bioconversion of RSE (Bio-RSE) using the mycelium of Bovista plumbe to obtain tyrosol-enriched Bio-RSE. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Bio-RSE on the activation of the cholinergic system and the inhibition of oxidative stress in mice with scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment. Sco (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) impaired the mice's performance on the Y-maze test, passive avoidance test, and water maze test. However, the number of abnormal behaviors was reduced in the groups supplemented with Bio-RSE. Bio-RSE treatment improved working memory and avoidance times against electronic shock, increased step-through latency, and reduced the time to reach the escape zone in the water maze test. Bio-RSE dramatically improved the cholinergic system by decreasing acetylcholinesterase activity and regulated oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)). The reduction in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling in the brain tissue due to scopolamine was restored by the administration of Bio-RSE. Bio-RSE also significantly decreased amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aß1-42) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression. Moreover, the increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and low total antioxidant capacity in Sco-treated mouse brains were reversed by Bio-RSE, and an increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 was also observed. In conclusion, Bio-RSE protected against Sco-induced cognitive impairment by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and may be developed as a potential beneficial material for AD.

The regulatory effect of total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. on oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic mice.

In this study, the optimal extraction conditions for the total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. (STF) were optimized by response surface methodology. Evaluation of the antioxidant in vitro of STF, and modulatory effects of glucolipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). STF showed good antioxidant capacity in vitro. STF could improve glucolipid metabolism, organ coefficients, and antioxidant stress enzymes in T1DM mice effectively, reduce the damage to liver tissue, and regulate redox imbalance in the organism by modulating the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway. The results of this study could provide a theoretical reference for the application of Sedum aizoon L. in the development of auxiliary hypoglycemic functional foods and improvement of diabetes.

Study on hypoglycemic effects of irradiated ginseng adventitious roots.

We aimed to explore the effects of the 60Co-γ irradiated ginseng adventitious root (GAR) with different radiation doses on the hypoglycemic effects of its extract (GARSE) through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The total saponin of GARSE was increased by 4.50% after 5 kGy irradiation, and the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability was enhanced by 5.10%. At 50 µg/mL, GARSE irradiated by 5 kGy displayed superior protective effects on human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) with high glucose damage. After feeding type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mice with GARSE irradiated by 5 kGy at 500 mg/kg·BW for 4 weeks, the glucose values was decreased by 16.0% compared with the unirradiated. The Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was activated and the oxidative stress was attenuated, which further alleviated T1DM.

Detection of aflatoxin B1 with a new label-free fluorescence aptasensor based on PVP-coated single-walled carbon nanohorns and SYBR Gold.

This paper describes a novel fluorescence label-free aptasensor to detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by utilizing SYBR Gold, aptamer, and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs). In the presence of AFB1, the conformation of AFB1-specific aptamer went through and the spatial structure of this specific aptamer was transformed accordingly. Due to the resistance of the transformed aptamer when adsorbed on the surface of SWCNHs, the protection of the fluorescence of SYBR Gold was accomplished. Consequently, concentrations of AFB1 showed a strong association with fluorescence intensity. The detection limit (LOD) of AFB1 was 1.89 ng/mL, while the linear range was 5-200 ng/mL and fluorescence intensity satisfactorily correlated (R2 = 0.9919) with the logarithm of AFB1 concentration.

Coffee residue as a valorization bio-agent for shelf-life extension of lactic acid bacteria under cryopreservation.

The present work describes the feasibility of coffee residue extracts as cryoprotective agents in the storage stability of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria. Coffee residue extracts were extracted from coffee residue, produced after coffee extraction for coffee powder and instant coffee preparation, using an autoclave. Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim32 was selected to evaluate the ability of coffee residue extracts to protect bacteria during freeze-dried storage. The storage stability of freeze-dried Leu. mesenteroides WiKim32 with coffee residue extracts was comparable to those with commercial cryoprotective agents. Coffee residue extracts contributed to storage stability immediately after freeze-drying (61.2%) and subsequent storage (48.7%). Our data indicate that the protective effect of the coffee residue extracts is associated with ions, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. Coffee residue extracts are feasible materials, which can reduce the storage and distribution costs compared to commercial agents currently available.

Detection of aflatoxin B1 with a new label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on exonuclease I and SYBR Gold.

This paper describes a new label-free fluorescent aptasensor for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) based upon exonuclease I (Exo I) and SYBR Gold, in which SYBR Gold, aptamer, AFB1, and Exo I were used. Specific combinations of aptamer and AFB1 occurred in the presence of AFB1 and consequently altered the spatial structure of the aptamer, thereby preventing its digestion by Exo I. When SYBR Gold was added, intense fluorescence was observed. Additionally, a good linear relationship was observed under optimized conditions between the fluorescence intensities and the AFB1 concentrations (R2 = 0.993). The established aptamer sensor was highly sensitive and exhibited a low limit of detection of 1.82 ng mL-1, with superior specificity for AFB1. It was also used in the quantification of AFB1 levels in soybean sauce samples and demonstrated satisfactory recoveries in the scope of 94.8-108.9%. The proposed sensor is highly sensitive, low cost, and capable of rapid detection and can thus be used to determine mycotoxin levels in a wide range of feeds and food products in a high-throughput and quantitative means.

Gamma Irradiated Rhodiola sachalinensis Extract Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Downregulating 5-Alpha Reductase and Restoring Testosterone in Rats.

The effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis Boriss extract irradiated with 50 kGy gamma rays (HKC) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated. Seven-week-old male SD rats received a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) to induce BPH. Then, the testosterone only group received testosterone, the testosterone + finasteride group received testosterone and finasteride (5 mg/kg), the testosterone + HKC group received testosterone and HKC extract (500 mg/kg). Prostate weight and the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of 5-alpha reductase (AR) in prostate tissue were also measured. Compared to the control group, prostate weight was significantly improved in the TP group and decreased in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of 5-AR in the prostate was significantly reduced in the HKC and finasteride-treated groups. Similarly, the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin, which are associated with prostatic enlargement in the HKC and finasteride groups, were much lower than in the TP group. HKC treatment showed similar efficacy to finasteride treatment on rats with testosterone-induced BPH. HKC may be explored as a potential new drug for BPH treatment.

A label-free aptasensor for turn-on fluorescent detection of ochratoxin A based on aggregation-induced emission probe.

A novel label-free fluorescence aptasensor used for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) is presented in this study. When aggregated on the surface of DNA aptamer, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescence probe presents turn-on fluorescence property. The method proposed in this article was based on an AIE probe, 4, 4-(1E,1E)-2, 2-(anthracene-9, 10-diyl) bis (ethene-2, 1-diyl) bis (N, N, N-trimethylbenzenaminium iodide) (DSAI). With OTA present, the aptamer will combine with OTA and the conformation of the aptamer will switch to an antiparallel G-quadruplex from the initial random coil, which obstructs its digestion by Exo I. After the solution is added with DSAI, DSAI will aggregate on the surface of the aptamer/OTA complex and produces a strong emission. In the range of 5 to 500 ng · ml-1 OTA concentrations, the fluorescence increases with a linear logarithm relationship. The detection limit is 1.9 ng · ml-1. This method was used to detect OTA in spiked real samples, with recoveries and RSDs in the range of 92.2% to 106.3%, and 2.7% to 5.2%, respectively.

Fluorometric aptamer based assay for ochratoxin A based on the use of exonuclease III.

This study describes an aptamer based assay for the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA). The method is based on the use of an OTA-specific aptamer, exonuclease (Exo) III, SYBR Gold as a fluorescent probe, and a complementary strand that specifically combines with the aptamer. In the presence of OTA, the aptamer and OTA hybridize, thereby resulting in the formation of ssDNA, which is not digested by Exo III. Intense fluorescence is observed after addition of SYBR Gold (best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 495/540 nm). Fluorescence increases linearly with the log of the OTA concentration in the range from 8 to 1000 ng·mL-1. The detection limit is 4.7 ng·mL-1. The assay was applied to the determination of OTA in diluted [2%(v/v)] red wine, and recoveries and RSDs ranged between 93.5% and 113.8%, and between 3.2% and 5.7%, respectively. Graphical abstract In the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA), specific combinations of aptamer and OTA may occur and result in DNA double strands being untied, which avoids being digested by Exo III. Intense fluorescence is observed after SYBR Gold addition.

PVP-coated gold nanoparticles for the selective determination of ochratoxin A via quenching fluorescence of the free aptamer.

This paper describes an aptamer/gold nanoparticle-based assay for ochratoxin A (OTA) detection. This assay is based on the use of an aptamer labeled with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) at its 5'-end and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that act as quenchers of fluorescence. When OTA is absent in the system, the fluorescently labeled aptamers are adsorbed on the surface of AuNPs. The fluorescence signal of the fluorescein-labeled OTA aptamer generated is quenched by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer effect of AuNPs. When OTA is present in the system, the fluorescently labeled aptamer binds to OTA and forms a folded structure, which can resist the adsorption of AuNPs. Thus, the fluorescent signal can be retained. The detection limit of this sensing platform is 5 nM, and the linear detection range is 10-1000 nM (R2 = 0.994). The procedure was validated by the quantitation of OTA in spiked ginger powder samples and were found to be free of interference by the sample matrix. The recoveries and the relative standard deviation varied from 89.0% to 117.8% and from 1.9% to 6.3%, respectively.

Rutin ameliorates obesity through brown fat activation.

Increasing energy expenditure through activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a critical approach to treating obesity and diabetes. In this study, rutin, a natural compound extracted from mulberry and a drug used as a capillary stabilizer clinically for many years without any side effects, regulated whole-body energy metabolism by enhancing BAT activity. Rutin treatment significantly reduced adiposity, increased energy expenditure, and improved glucose homeostasis in both genetically obese (Db/Db) and diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. Rutin also induced brown-like adipocyte (beige) formation in subcutaneous adipose tissue in both obesity mouse models. Mechanistically, we found that rutin directly bound to and stabilized SIRT1, leading to hypoacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α protein, which stimulated Tfam transactivation and eventually augmented the number of mitochondria and UCP1 activity in BAT. These findings reveal that rutin is a novel small molecule that activates BAT and may provide a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of metabolic disorders.-Yuan, X., Wei, G., You, Y., Huang, Y., Lee, H. J., Dong, M., Lin, J., Hu, T., Zhang, H., Zhang, C., Zhou, H., Ye, R., Qi, X., Zhai, B., Huang, W., Liu, S., Xie, W., Liu, Q., Liu, X., Cui, C., Li, D., Zhan, J., Cheng, J., Yuan, Z., Jin, W. Rutin ameliorates obesity through brown fat activation.

Nuclease-aided target recycling signal amplification strategy for ochratoxin A monitoring.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a toxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum, is one of the most abundant food-contaminating mycotoxins worldwide. OTA mainly exerts nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and neurotoxicity. This paper describes a simple and sensitive aptamer/single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH)-based assay for OTA detection. SWCNHs can protect DNA from DNase I cleavage. However, aptamers can be detached from the surface of SWCNHs through specific target binding, exposing them to enzymatic cleavage and releases the target for a new cycle. Cycling of targets leads to significant signal amplification and low limit of detection (LOD), resulting in a nearly 20-fold reduction in LOD for OTA assay compared with non-target recycling under the same experimental parameters. This technique responded specifically to OTA without interference from other analogues (Ochratoxin B, Ochratoxin C, warfarin, and N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine). Moreover, the application of this technique in real sample has been verified using red wine samples spiked with a series of OTA concentrations. This aptasensor offers a great practical importance in food safety and can be widely extended for detection of other toxins by replacing the sequence of the recognition aptamer.

Antimutagenic effects of subfractions of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract.

Inonotus obliquus is a mushroom commonly known as Chaga that is widely used in folk medicine in Siberia, North America, and North Europe. Here, we evaluated the antimutagenic and antioxidant capacities of subfractions of Inonotus obliquus extract. The ethyl acetate extract was separated by vacuum chromatography into three fractions, and the fraction bearing the highest antimutagenic activity was subsequently separated into four fractions by reversed phase (ODS-C18) column chromatography. The most antimutagenic fraction was then separated into two subfractions (subfractions 1 and 2) by normal phase silica gel column chromatography. Ames test analysis revealed that the subfractions were not mutagenic. At 50 µg/plate, subfractions 1 and 2 strongly inhibited the mutagenesis induced in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 by the directly acting mutagen MNNG (0.4 µg/plate) by 80.0% and 77.3%, respectively. They also inhibited 0.15 µg/plate 4NQO-induced mutagenesis in TA98 and TA100 by 52.6-62.0%. The mutagenesis in TA98 induced by the indirectly acting mutagens Trp-P-1 (0.15 µg/plate) and B(α)P (10 µg/plate) was reduced by 47.0-68.2% by the subfractions, while the mutagenesis in TA100 by Trp-P-1 and B(α)P was reduced by 70.5-87.2%. Subfraction 1 was more inhibitory than subfraction 2 with regard to the mutagenic effects of 4NQO, Trp-P-1, and B(α)P. Subfractions 1 and 2 also had a strong antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals and were identified by MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses as 3ß-hydroxy-lanosta-8, 24-dien-21-al and inotodiol, respectively. Thus, we show that the 3beta-hydroxy-lanosta-8, 24-dien-21-al and inotodiol components of Inonotus obliquus bear antimutagenic and antioxidative activities.

Cytotoxic effect of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) hull against cancer cells.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) hull was extracted with 70% ethanol and then further fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water stepwise. In the in vitro test (SRB assay), hexane and ethyl acetate fractions showed higher inhibition effects against MCF-7 cells than other samples at the 1 mg/mL level: 89% and 93.2%, respectively. They also displayed higher inhibition rates against Hep3B cells of 83.6% and 75.3%, respectively, at 1 mg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction yielded the highest inhibition rate against A549 cells with the level of 0.25 mg/mL, but it showed a lower inhibition rate than the hexane and chloroform fractions at higher levels of sample, i.e., 0.75 and 1.0 mg/mL. All samples showed higher inhibition effects against AGS human gastric carcinoma than any other cancer cells. The inhibition rates against HeLa cells were 81.2% and 82.0% for the chloroform and butanol fraction with 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. However, all samples yielded an inhibition rate of less than 35% against normal cells, at all treatment levels, except the ethanol extract. All extracts at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg showed decreases of more than 20% and 42%, respectively, in tumor formation in sarcoma-180 implanted mice except for the aqueous fraction. From these results, it is suggested that buckwheat hull possesses anticancer properties against a variety of different cancer cell lines.