The complexes of soybean protein isolate and procyanidin B2 have synergistic hypolipidemic activity at the cellular level by activating the AMPKα pathway.

The alkali method was used to prepare soybean protein isolate (SPI) and procyanidin B2 (PCB2) complexes, and the interaction between SPI and PCB2 was studied using multi-spectroscopic methods. The human hepatoma (HepG2) cell hyperlipidemia model was used to explore whether SPI-PCB2 has the potential for synergistic hypolipidemia. According to the findings, PCB2 was primarily linked to SPI via C-S and C-N bonds, and the addition of PCB2 reduced the α-helix structure content of SPI by 4.1%. At the cellular level, the optimal SPI-PCB2 ratio for lowering blood lipids was 1:1. Compared with the model group, the TG content and TC content in the 1:1 group were reduced by 28.7% and 26.3%, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that SPI-PCB2 = 1:1 exerted synergistic hypolipidemic activity mainly by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) phosphorylation, inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) protein expression, and upregulating carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) protein activity.

Highly Strong Interface Adhesion of Polyester Fiber Rubber Composite via Fiber Surface Modification by Meta-Cresol/Formaldehyde Latex Dipping Emulsion.

As a skeleton material, polyester (PET) fiber can significantly improve the strength and durability of rubber composites, but the interfacial adhesion between polyester fiber and rubber is poor due to the chemical inertia of PET fiber surface. Resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) impregnating solution is usually used to treat PET fibers, but RFL contains toxic components such as resorcinol, which is harmful to the human body. A simple and less toxic resin-impregnating system cresol-formaldehyde-latex (CFL) was obtained by alternating resorcinol with low-toxicity cresol and m-cresol formaldehyde resin was synthesized from m-cresol and formaldehyde. CFL (m-cresol formaldehyde resin latex) systems with different C/F mole ratios and CF resin/latex ratios were adopted to modify the surface of PET fibers. The strip peeling adhesive and the H pull-out test results indicated that the PET fiber/rubber adhesion strength increased with the increase in the formaldehyde dosage and the CF resin content, and the peeling force value and the H-pull-out force of treated PET/rubber composites reached 7.3 N/piece and 56.8 N, respectively. The optimal choice of CFL adhesive system was obtained, when the C/F mole ratio was 1/2 and the CF resin/latex weight ratio was 0.23. This environment-friendly CFL dipping emulsion can be used as a new surface modification strategy as it can remarkably enhance the interfacial adhesion of PET/rubber composites.

The Protein Composition Changed the Quality Characteristics of Plant-Based Meat Analogues Produced by a Single-Screw Extruder: Four Main Soybean Varieties in China as Representatives.

Plant-based meat analogues (PBMs) are increasingly interesting to customers because of their meat-like quality and contribution to a healthy diet. The single-screw extruder is an important method for processing PBMs, and the characteristics of the product are directly affected by the composition of the raw materials; however, little research focuses on this issue. To explore the effect of protein composition on the quality characteristics of PBMs produced by a single-screw extruder, four soybean varieties used in China (Heihe 43 (HH 43), Jiyu 86 (JY 86), Suinong 52 (SN 52), and Shengfeng 5 (SF 5)) were selected. The 11S/7S ratios for these varieties ranged from 1.0: 1 to 2.5: 1 in order to produce PBMs with different protein compositions. The structure, processing, nutrition, and flavor characteristics were explored to analyze their differences. The results showed that protein composition affected the structure of PBMs, but the correlation was not significant. Meanwhile, a lower 11S/7S ratio (HH 43) did not prove to be a favorable characteristic for the processing of PBMs. From the perspective of nutrition and flavor, it seems acceptable to use a moderate 11S/7S ratio (JY 86 and SN 43) to produce PBMs. This study proved that the protein composition of raw materials affects the characteristics of PBM products produced by a single-screw extruder. To produce PBMs of higher quality, soybeans with a markedly different 11S/7S ratio should not be selected.