Mushroom ß-Glucan Recovered from Antler-Type Fruiting Body of Ganoderma lucidum by Enzymatic Process and Its Potential Biological Activities for Cosmeceutical Applications.

Mushrooms are incredibly valuable macro fungi that are an important and integral part of the ecosystem. In addition to being used as cuisine, mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. This research applied a process for recovering ß-glucan (BG) from the antler-type fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum as well as tested the biological activities related to cosmeceutical applications. The characterization of complex structure was performed by fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (MNR) spectroscopies. The obtained extract contained 40.57% BG and 7.47% protein, with the detectable bioactivities of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidation. Consequently, it showed the activity that can be used to whiten the skin by reducing or inhibiting the process of skin pigmentation. The BG also showed moderate activities of anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase. The test by the HET-CAM confirmed no skin irritation of the complex extract. Based on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) test, the BG had no significant inhibiting effect on cell viability. In addition, the obtained BG had functional properties higher than commercially available BG, especially oil-binding capacity. These findings provided new insights into the potential application of G. lucidum BG as a polymeric material in the cosmeceutical industries.

Incorporation of Tapioca Starch and Wheat Flour on Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Meat-Based Snacks from Beef Scraps.

The global demand for healthy snacks with high protein content is growing annually. Meat scraps generated after meat cutting in the slaughtering process are considered a valuable protein product. The aim of this research was to formulate the meat-based snacks obtained from beef scraps by baking at 150 °C for 20 min. The physicochemical properties, texture and sensory profiles of the beef snacks were investigated. Among tapioca starch, modified starch and wheat flour, the texture profiles and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that wheat flour contributed to a firm texture of the products, resulting in significantly (p < 0.05) higher sensory scores for texture. The overall acceptability based on physicochemical and sensory attributes of wheat flour were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than tapioca starch and modified starch. The results showed that the relatively low content of wheat flour at 0.625% (w/w) was of sufficient proportion to provide proper physicochemical properties and texture attributes to beef snacks. In addition, the results also indicated that the desirable properties of the obtained meat-based snacks were influenced by the type and content of starch and/or flour used. This study reveals the benefits of meat scraps as a potential protein-rich source and further applications in other meat-based snacks.

Functionality of Yeast ß-Glucan Recovered from Kluyveromyces marxianus by Alkaline and Enzymatic Processes.

ß-Glucan (BG), one of the most abundant polysaccharides containing glucose monomers linked by ß-glycosidic linkages, is prevalent in yeast biomass that needs to be recovered to obtain this valuable polymer. This study aimed to apply alkaline and enzymatic processes for the recovery of BG from the yeast strain Kluyveromyces marxianus TISTR 5925. For this purpose, the yeast was cultivated to produce the maximum yield of raw material (yeast cells). The effective recovery of BG was then established using either an alkaline or an enzymatic process. BG recovery of 35.45% was obtained by using 1 M NaOH at 90 °C for 1 h, and of 81.15% from 1% (w/v) hydrolytic protease enzyme at 55 °C for 5 h. However, BG recovered by the alkaline process was purer than that obtained by the enzymatic process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the purity, the functional groups, and the linkages of BG obtained from different recovery systems and different raw materials. The results of this study suggest that an alkaline process could be an effective approach for the solubilization and recovery of considerable purity of BG from the yeast cells. In addition, the obtained BG had comparable functional properties with commercially available BG. This study reveals the effectiveness of both chemical and biological recovery of BG obtained from yeast as a potential polymeric material.

Eco-Friendly Rice Straw Paper Coated with Longan (Dimocarpus longan) Peel Extract as Bio-Based and Antibacterial Packaging.

This study aimed to develop active paper from rice straw fibers with its function as antibacterial activity obtained from longan (Dimocarpus longan) peels. The morphology and mechanical properties of fibers of rice straw were examined as quality parameters for paper production. Rice straw paper (RSP) with basis weight ca 106.42 g/m2, 0.34 mm thickness, 34.15% brightness, and 32.26 N·m/g tensile index was successfully prepared from fibers and pulps without chemical bleaching process. Bioactive compounds of longan peels were extracted using maceration technique with a mixture of ethanol-water, and subsequently coated onto RSP at concentration of 10%, 15% and 20% (w/v). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis demonstrated the functional groups of phytochemicals in the peel extract. The results of physical properties showed that the coated RSP had similar thickness and tensile index, but had lower brightness compared to control papers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the significantly different of surface and cross-section structures between coated and uncoated RSP. The coated RSP had relatively greater barrier properties to prevent water absorption. In addition, the RSP coated with longan peel extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against foodborne bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. This study reveals the benefits of natural byproducts as potential materials for active packaging prepared by environmentally friendly processes.

Effect of jasmonates on ethylene biosynthesis and aroma volatile emission in Japanese apricot infected by a pathogen (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides).

The effects of the application of the jasmonic acid derivative n-propyl dihydrojasmonate (PDJ) on ethylene biosynthesis, volatile compounds, and endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were examined in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb.) infected by a pathogen (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). The fruit were dipped into 0.4 mM PDJ solution before inoculation with the pathogen and stored at 25 °C for 6 days. The inoculation induced an increase in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), ethylene, JA, and MeJA. In contrast, PDJ application reduced the endogenous JA, MeJA, and ethylene production and expression of the ACC oxidase gene (PmACO1) caused by the pathogen infection. The lesion diameter with C. gloeosporioides decreased upon PDJ application. The alcohol, ester, ketone, and lactone concentrations and alcohol acyltransferase (AAT) activity increased in the pathogen-infected fruit, but were decreased by PDJ application. These results suggest that PDJ application might influence ethylene production through PmACO1 and that aroma volatile emissions affected by pathogen infection can be correlated with the ethylene production, which is mediated by the levels of jasmonates.

Abscinazole-E1, a novel chemical tool for exploring the role of ABA 8'-hydroxylase CYP707A.

We developed abscinazole-E1 (Abz-E1), a specific inhibitor of abscisic acid (ABA) 8'-hydroxylase (CYP707A). This inhibitor was designed and synthesized as an enlarged analogue of uniconazole (UNI), a well-known plant growth retardant, which inhibits a gibberellin biosynthetic enzyme (ent-kaurene oxidase, CYP701A) as well as CYP707A. Our results showed that Abz-E1 functions as a potent inhibitor of CYP707A and a poor inhibitor of CYP701A both in vitro and in vivo. Abz-E1 application to plants resulted in improved desiccation tolerance and an increase in endogenous ABA.

Enlarged analogues of uniconazole, new azole containing inhibitors of ABA 8'-hydroxylase CYP707A.

We enlarged the uniconazole (UNI) molecule to find a specific inhibitor of abscisic acid (ABA) 8'-hydroxylase, and synthesized various UNI derivatives that were substituted with hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups at the 4-chlorine of the phenyl group of UNI using click chemistry. Considering its potency in ABA 8'-hydroxylase inhibition, its small effect on seedling growth, and its ease of application, UT4, the UNI derivative containing the C4 alkyltriazole, was the best candidate for a highly selective inhibitor of ABA 8'-hydroxylase.

Abscinazole-F1, a conformationally restricted analogue of the plant growth retardant uniconazole and an inhibitor of ABA 8'-hydroxylase CYP707A with no growth-retardant effect.

To develop a specific inhibitor of abscisic acid (ABA) 8'-hydroxylase, a key enzyme in the catabolism of ABA, a plant hormone involved in stress tolerance, seed dormancy, and other various physiological events, we designed and synthesized conformationally restricted analogues of uniconazole (UNI), a well-known plant growth retardant, which inhibits a biosynthetic enzyme (ent-kaurene oxidase) of gibberellin as well as ABA 8'-hydroxylase. Although most of these analogues were less effective than UNI in inhibition of ABA 8'-hydroxylase and rice seedling growth, we found that a lactol-bridged analogue with an imidazole is a potent inhibitor of ABA 8'-hydroxylase but not of plant growth. This compound, abscinazole-F1, induced drought tolerance in apple seedlings upon spray treatment with a 10 microM solution.