In vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics of eight kinds of pulses and suggestions for different populations.

Pulse-based diets are attracting attention for their potential in combating diet-related non-communicable diseases. However, limited research studies have focused on the digestive and fermentative properties of pulses, which are crucial for exerting benefits. Here, we investigated the in vitro digestibility of starch/protein, along with the fermentation characteristics, of eight pulses and their pastes, including white kidney beans, adzuki beans, cowpeas, broad beans, mung beans, chickpeas, white lentils, and yellow peas. The findings indicated that pulse flours and pastes were low GL food (estimated GL < 10) and had a low degree of protein hydrolysis during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. During in vitro fermentation, pulses flours and pastes decreased the fermentation pH, increased the level of short-chain fatty acids (mainly consisting of valeric acid, followed by acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid), and positively modulated the microbiota composition over time, specifically reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. In addition, we found that boiling could affect the in vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics of pulses, possibly depending on their intrinsic nutrient characteristics. This research could provide a comprehensive summary of the nutrient content, digestibility, and fermentation of eight pulses and their pastes. Guided by factor analysis, for different individuals' consumption, pulses, cowpeas, broad beans, white lentils, and white kidney beans were preferred for diabetic individuals, yellow peas and white lentils were preferred for intestinal homeostasis disorders, and white lentils, broad beans, white kidney beans, and cowpeas were suitable for obese individuals, in which white lentils were considered healthier and suggested for healthy adults.

Modified Prebiotic-Based "Shield" Armed Probiotics with Enhanced Resistance of Gastrointestinal Stresses and Prolonged Intestinal Retention for Synergistic Alleviation of Colitis.

Oral administration of probiotics is a promising method to alleviate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, gastrointestinal environmental sensitivity and inferior intestinal colonization of probiotics hinder the alleviation effect. Here, we developed a simple yet effective modified prebiotic-based "shield" (Fe-TA@mGN) composed of an Fe3+-tannic acid cross-linking network and carboxymethylated ß-glucan for arming Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN@Fe-TA@mGN). The Fe-TA@mGN "shield" not only acted as a dynamic barrier to enhance the gastrointestinal stress resistance ability of EcN but also aided the intestinal colonization of EcN as well as synergized with EcN for the alleviation of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis. More specifically, with the protection of the Fe-TA@mGN "shield", the survival rate of armed EcN could be up to ∼1720 times higher than that of bare EcN after exposure to simulated gastric fluid. Excitingly, the intestinal retention rate of EcN@Fe-TA@mGN was as high as 47.54 ± 6.06% at 16 h post-administration, while almost all bare EcNs were excreted out at 8 h post-administration. With all of the aforementioned attributes, EcN@Fe-TA@mGN efficiently alleviated colitis, verified by the repair of the intestinal barrier and the attenuation of inflammation. Moreover, for EcN@Fe-TA@mGN, mGN synergized with EcN to positively modulate gut microbiota and promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, especially for butyric acid, a primary source for maintaining intestinal health), both of which would further advance the alleviation of colitis. We envision that the strategy developed here will inspire the exploitation of various prebiotics to arm probiotics for the effective alleviation of IBD.

Effects of xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, and arabinogalactan on the in vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics of biscuits.

Background: Diabetes and its complications have a significant economic impact on individuals and their families. A diet with a low glycemic index (GI) and high fiber content is considered to be associated with the control of blood glucose. Scope and approach: This study explored the effect of polysaccharides, i.e., xanthan gum (BXG), konjac glucomannan (BKG), and arabinogalactan (BAG), on the digestive and prebiotic characteristics of biscuits using a simulated digestion and fermentation model in vitro. Also, the rheological property and structural properties of the polysaccharides were measured to clarify their structure-activity relationships. Key findings and conclusions: During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the results showed that three types of biscuits containing polysaccharides were low GI foods (estimated GI < 55), in which BAG had the lowest estimated GI value. During in vitro fermentation with diabetic or healthy subjects' fecal microbiota, the three types of biscuits containing polysaccharides (after digestion) decreased the fermentation pH, increased the level of short-chain fatty acids, and modulated the microbiota composition over time. Among the three types of biscuits, BAG increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus during fermentation in diabetic and healthy subjects' fecal microbiota. These results showed that the addition of a lower-viscosity polysaccharide (arabinogalactan) may be more beneficial for the blood glucose control of biscuits.

A mesoporous silica nanocarrier pesticide delivery system for loading acetamiprid: Effectively manage aphids and reduce plant pesticide residue.

A multifunctional nanomaterials-based agrochemical delivery system could supply a powerful tool for the efficient use of pesticides. Redox-responsive carriers as novel delivery systems of pesticide application in agriculture could promote the pest control and reduce plant pesticide residues due to the controllable release of agrochemicals. Herein, neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid (Ace) was encapsulated with decanethiol in a mesoporous silica nanocarrier pesticide delivery system for a nanopesticide Ace@MSN-SS-C10. The Ace@MSN-SS-C10 had redox-responsive sustained release behavior triggered by glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the Ace@MSN-SS-C10 possessed excellent wettability, adhesion performance, stability, and biosafety. Greenhouse experiments showed that foliar spraying 1.5 mg Ace@MSN-SS-C10 per plant reduced the populations of adult and juvenile aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) on Vicia faba L. after 5 days of aphid infestation by 98.7 % and 99.3 %, respectively. Notably, the leaf final Ace residue (0.32 ± 0.004 mg/kg) of Ace@MSN-SS-C10 application at the dose of 1.5 mg/plant after 5 days of aphid infestation was lower than the international Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) maximum residue limits (0.4 mg·kg-1) or much lower (24.87-folds decrease) than those treated with conventional Ace (40 % acetamiprid water dispersible granule). Altogether, this GSH-dependent redox-responsive delivery system for loading acetamiprid can develop as an efficient and environmentally-friendly nanopesticide to control aphids in sustainable agriculture.

Earthworms Drive the Effect of La2O3 Nanoparticles on Radish Taproot Metabolite Profiles and Rhizosphere Microbial Communities.

To promote the sustainable and safe application of nanotechnology employing engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in agroecosystems, it is crucial to pay more attention to the NP-mediated biological response process and environmental impact assessment simultaneously. Herein, 50 mg kg-1 La2O3 NPs were added to soils without and with earthworms for cherry radish growth for 50 days to investigate the response changes of metabolites in radish above- and below-ground organs and rhizosphere bacterial communities. We found that La2O3 NP exposure, especially with earthworms, notably increased the La bioavailability and uptake by taproots and eventually increased radish leaf sucrose content and plant biomass. The La2O3 NP exposure significantly altered metabolite profiles in taproot flesh and peel tissues, and particularly La2O3 NP exposure combined with earthworms was more conducive to La2O3 NPs to promote radish taproot peel to synthesize more secondary antioxidant metabolites. Moreover, compared with the control, the La2O3 NP exposure resulted in weaker and fewer correlations between rhizosphere bacteria and taproot metabolites, but this was recovered somewhat after the inoculation of earthworms. Altogether, our results provide novel insights into the soil-fauna-driven biological and biochemical impact of La2O3 NP exposure on edible root crops and the long-term environmental risks to the rhizosphere microbiota in agroecosystems.

Meta-analysis of chitosan-mediated effects on plant defense against oxidative stress.

Chitosan, as a natural non-toxic biomaterial, has been demonstrated to enhance plant defense against oxidative stress. However, the general pattern and mechanism of how chitosan application modifies the amelioration of oxidative stress in plants have not been elucidated yet. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis of 58 published articles up to January 2022 to fill this knowledge gap, and found that chitosan application significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activity (by 40.6 %), antioxidant metabolites content (by 24.6 %), defense enzyme activity (by 77.9 %), defense-related genes expression (by 103.2 %), phytohormones (by 26.9 %), and osmotic regulators (by 23.2 %) under stress conditions, which in turn notably reduced oxidative stress (by 32.2 %), and increased plant biomass (by 28.1 %) and yield (by 15.7 %). Moreover, chitosan-mediated effects on the amelioration of oxidative stress depended on the properties and application methods of chitosan. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of chitosan-alleviated oxidative stress, which would promote the application of chitosan in plant protection in agriculture.

Gut firmicutes: Relationship with dietary fiber and role in host homeostasis.

Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the predominant bacterial phyla colonizing the healthy human gut. Accumulating evidence suggests that dietary fiber plays a crucial role in host health, yet most studies have focused on how the dietary fiber affects health through gut Bacteroides. More recently, gut Firmicutes have been found to possess many genes responsible for fermenting dietary fiber, and could also interact with the intestinal mucosa and thereby contribute to homeostasis. Consequently, the relationship between dietary fiber and Firmicutes is of interest, as well as the role of Firmicutes in host health. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism of dietary fiber degradation by gut Firmicutes and explain the communication pathway of the dietary fiber-Firmicutes-host axis, and the beneficial effects of dietary fiber-induced Firmicutes and their metabolites on health. A better understanding of the dialogue sustained by the dietary fiber-Firmicutes axis and the host could provide new insights into probiotic therapy and novel dietary interventions aimed at increasing the abundance of Firmicutes (such as Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Roseburia) to promote health.

Dietary fiber-induced gut Firmicutes and their metabolites exhibit relevant health-promoting functions.Most of dietary fiber have a great effect on gut Firmicutes.Mechanisms of dietary fiber uptake by gut Firmicutes are outlined.Mechanisms of dietary fiber- gut Firmicutes-host interactions require more investigation for the development of dietary fiber in food production and host health.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation models and their applications in food carbohydrates.

Food nutrients plays a crucial role in human health, especially in gastrointestinal (GI) health. The effect of food nutrients on human health mainly depends on the digestion and fermentation process in the GI tract. In vitro GI digestion and fermentation models had the advantages of reproducibility, simplicity, universality, and could integrally simulate the in vivo conditions to mimic oral, gastric, small intestinal and large intestinal digestive processes. They could not only predict the relationship among material composition, structure and digestive characteristics, but also evaluate the bioavailability of material components and the impact of digestive metabolites on GI health. This review systematicly summarized the current state of the in vitro simulation models, and made detailed descriptions for their applications, advantages and disadvantages, and specially their applications in food carbohydrates. In addition, it also provided the suggestions for the improvement of in vitro models and firstly proposed to establish a set of standardized methods of in vitro dynamic digestion and fermentation conditions for food carbohydrates, which were in order to further evaluate more effects of the nutrients on human health in future.

In vitro digestion of eight types of wholegrains and their dietary recommendations for different populations.

Wholegrains have been promoted for human consumption due to their various health benefits. However, different wholegrains vary in nutritional composition and their beneficial impact on health. In this study, we compared the in vitro starch and protein digestibility, as well as dietary fiber content of eight different wholegrains including barley, buckwheat, coix seed, foxtail millet, oat, proso millet, quinoa, and sorghum and their porridges. We found that boiling improved starch digestibility of all grains, and protein digestibility except proso millet and sorghum. Porridges made from oats, quinoa, or buckwheat are considered healthier than others due to their lower glycemic index and glycemic load, higher digestible protein content and amino acid bioaccessibility, and higher dietary fiber content (>12%). This study could provide a comprehensive nutritional composition and digestibility of the eight types of wholegrains and their porridges. Dietary recommendations were also given for different populations based on factor analysis.