Effect of 3D Food Printing Processing on Polyphenol System of Loaded Aronia melanocarpa and Post-Processing Evaluation of 3D Printing Products.

Aronia melanocarpa polyphenols (AMP) have good nutritional values and functions. This study aimed to explore the printability and storage properties of AM gels in 3D food printing (3DFP). Therefore, 3DFP was performed on a loaded AMP gel system to determine its textural properties, rheological properties, microstructure, swelling degree and storage performance. The results revealed that the best loading AMP gel system to meet the printability requirements of 3DFP processing was AM fruit pulp:methylcellulose:pea albumin: hyaluronic acid = 100:14:1:1. Compared with other ratios and before 3DFP processing, the best loading AMP gel system processed by 3DFP exhibited the lowest deviation of 4.19%, the highest hardness, the highest elasticity, the least adhesion, a compact structure, uniform porosity, difficulty in collapsing, good support, a high degree of crosslinking, and good water retention. Additionally, they could be stored for 14 d at 4 °C. After post-processing, the AMP gel had a favorable AMP release rate and good sustained release effect in gastrointestinal digestion, which conformed to the Ritger-Peppas equation model. The results revealed that the gel system had good printability and applicability for 3D printing; as well, 3DFP products had good storage properties. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for the application of 3D printing using fruit pulp as a raw material.

Preparation and Characterization of Aronia melanocarpa/Gellan Gum/Pea Protein/Chitosan Bilayer Films.

In this study, pH-sensitive bilayer hydrogel films with different AM contents (0.00%, 0.50%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00% and 2.50%) were constructed. The films took AM/GG hydrogel as the inner layer structure and a pea protein (PP)/chitosan (CS) composite system as the outer structure. Film formation and the effect of AM were clarified through the detection and analysis of mechanical properties, microstructure, pH sensitivity and fresh-keeping ability. Results showed that AM exhibited good compatibility with each substance in the composite film, which were evenly dispersed in the system. The addition of AM significantly improved the water content, tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture resistance, oil resistance and water resistance of the composite films. The antioxidant activity, pH sensitivity and fresh-keeping effect of the composite film on fresh pork were remarkably enhanced. Moreover, it was found that the composite film containing AM effectively inhibited the production of total volatile base nitrogen (TVN) in fresh pork and significantly reduced the weight loss of fresh pork due to water loss during storage. Therefore, the functional properties revealed that AM was more positive to the comprehensive performance of films, and the AM-GG/PP-CS bilayer film containing AM exhibited strong potential for use in food preservation and packaging as a food freshness indicator to test food quality changes in storage.

Modification of pea dietary fiber by ultrafine grinding and hypoglycemic effect in diabetes mellitus mice.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of ultrafine grinding on the physicochemical properties of pea dietary fiber (PDF) and the hypoglycemic effect of ultrafine grinding dietary fiber on diabetes mellitus (DM). So, the PDF was treated by ultrafine grinding technology, and its microstructure and physicochemical properties were determined. Then, the DM model was established, and the 4-week ultrafine grinded pea dietary fiber (UGPDF) diet intervention was conducted by using gavage and feeding. During this period, the blood glucose and body weight of the mice were measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test was measured on the last day. The biochemical blood indexes of the mice were determined, and the pancreas was stained with HE after dissecting. The results showed that after ultrafine grinding, the structure fragmentation, specific surface area increased, and UGPDF showed higher swelling ability as well as water and oil holding capacities. Simultaneously, UGPDF had a significant effect on reducing blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in DM mice, improving the wasting state of mice and increasing the tolerance to glucose. Further, the results of the HE section showed that the pancreatic islet cells gradually returned to normal regular morphology. In biochemical blood indicators, UGPDF reduced TC and TG levels in the blood. This study provided a specific data basis for the following research on the hypoglycemic mechanism, and broadens the application field of PDF. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The physicochemical properties of pea dietary fiber were improved by ultrafine grinding technology. Because of this, the application of pea dietary fiber in the field of hypoglycemic had a better effect, laying a foundation for the next research on hypoglycemic mechanism.

Inhibition of persimmon tannin extract on guinea pig skin pigmentation.

BACKGROUND: In daily life, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to pigmentation. AIMS: This study is to determine the mechanism of persimmon tannin extract in inhibiting pigmentation, to investigate whether the effect of persimmon tannin extract is superior to that of arbutin, and to detect the optimal concentration. METHODS: In this study, the guinea pig pigmentation model was established by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. With arbutin as a positive control, Masson-Fontana silver staining was used to observe the effects of persimmon tannin extract on melanin distribution in guinea pigs' skin tissue. Then, the tyrosinase activity was measured, and an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate the contents of antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory factors, and signaling pathway inhibitors in guinea pigs' skin tissue. RESULTS: The results showed that compared with the model group, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, DKK1 content of Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors levels, and inhibitory tyrosinase activity were increased by 24.3%, 33.3%, 59.3%, 36.81%, and 17.16%, respectively. Meanwhile, the interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 expression were reduced by approximately 22.2% and 54%. The results also showed that persimmon tannin extract could significantly reduce melanin density. The differences in experimental results were statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the arbutin group, the medium-dose group (persimmon tannin extract of 20%) had a more significant effect on inhibiting pigmentation. Persimmon tannin could serve as a promising agent for preventing skin pigmentation. It is expected to provide ideas for the development of deep-processed persimmon products related to functional foods and cosmetics.

Application of Maillard reaction product of xylose-pea protein enzymatic hydrolysate in 3D printing.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to provide a basis for the application of Maillard reaction products and ideas for 3D printing of functional food. RESULTS: We evaluated the effects of pea protein enzymatic hydrolysate-xylose Maillard reaction products (xMRPs) on the printability of 3D printing materials and the structure using various techniques. It was found that compared with the addition of enzymatic hydrolysate, the materials with xMRPs and 3D printing could significantly improve the structure, physical properties, formability of 3D printing materials and 3D print products, among which the xMRPs with 6 g of xylose had the most significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study has important scientific value and practical significance for the high-valued application of Millard reaction products and the promotion of the practical application of 3D printing technology in the food industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis, crystal structures and insulin-like activity of three new oxidovanadium(V) complexes with aroylhydrazone ligand.

Three new oxidovanadium(V) complexes were designed, synthesized and characterized by C, H, N elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction，UV/Vis and IR spectra. Complex 1: [VOL1X] (H2L1 = (E)-N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-methbenzohydrazide, HX = ethylmaltol = 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone), Complex 2: [VOL2(CH3O)(CH3OH)], (H2L2 = C16H16N2O4 = (E)-N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3,5-dimethoxybenzohydrazide, CH3OH = methanol), Complex 3: [VOL3X] (H2L3 = (E)-N'-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3,5-dimethoxybenzohydrazide). The insulin-like activity of the three complexes was tested. Both normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice were administered intragastrically for two weeks. It was found that the complexes at doses of 10.0 and 5.0 mg V·kg-1 can significantly decrease the blood glucose level in STZ-diabetic mice, and the blood glucose level in the treated normal mice was not altered. The lesions of kidney and liver caused by diabetes have varying degrees of improvement.

Dietary chlorogenic acid regulates gut microbiota, serum-free amino acids and colonic serotonin levels in growing pigs.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has many biological properties, including antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is one of the most abundant phenolic acids available in the human diet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CGA on regulation of the gut microbiota, and on the levels of free amino acids and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin). Ninety-six healthy growing pigs were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: the Ctrl group (control group, standard feed) and the CGA group [standard feed plus 0.05% 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA)] for 60 days. The diversity of the gut microbiota was increased after CGA supplementation. Changes in these microbes were significantly associated with the serum free amino acid levels and colonic 5-HT level. Compared with the Ctrl group, the levels of serum aspartic acid, threonine, alanine, arginine, and colonic 5-HT were significantly increased (p < .05). These data suggest important roles for CGA in regulating the gut microbiota and increasing the serum free amino acid levels.

Correction: Inhibitory effect of a genistein derivative on pigmentation of Guinea pig skin.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C6RA27106E.].

Pyrolytic and kinetic characteristics of Platycodon grandiflorum peel and its cellulose extract.

The pyrolytic and kinetic characteristics of a biomass waste material, namely Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (P. G.) peel and its cellulose extract were studied at heating rates of 10, 30 and 50 °C/min under a nitrogen flow atmosphere. The most probable mechanism function and activation energy pre-exponential factors were calculated by using the Popescu, FWO and KAS methods. The three stages appeared during pyrolysis include: moisture evaporation, primary devolatilization and residual decomposition. Significant differences in the average activation energy, thermal stability, final residuals and reaction rates of the P. G. peel and its cellulose extract were observed. Stage II of the P. G. peel and its cellulose extract could be described by the function Avrami-Erofeev [-ln(1-α)](3) and the function chemical reaction (1-α)(-0.5), respectively. The average activation energy of P. G. peel and its cellulose extract were 157 and 196 kJ/mol, respectively. Kinetic compensation effects of the pre-exponential factors and activation energy were also observed.

Tyrosinase inhibitory effects and antioxidative activities of saponins from Xanthoceras Sorbifolia nutshell.

Certain saponins are bioactive compounds with anticancer, antivirus and antioxidant activities. This paper discussed inhibitory effects of saponins from Xanthoceras Sorbifolia on tyrosinase, through the research of the rate of tyrosinase catalyzed L-DOPA oxidation. The inhibition rate of tyrosinase activity presented non-linear changes with the saponins concentration. The rate reached 52.0% when the saponins concentration was 0.96 mg/ml. Antioxidant activities of saponins from Xanthoceras Sorbifolia were evaluated by using hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging assays. The hydroxyl radical scavenging effects of the saponins were 15.5-68.7%, respectively at the concentration of 0.18-2.52 mg/ml. The superoxide radical scavenging activity reduced from 96.6% to 7.05% with the time increasing at the concentration of 1.44 mg/ml. All the above antioxidant evaluation indicated that saponins from Xanthoceras Sorbifolia exhibited good antioxidant activity in a concentration- dependent manner.

Pyrolytic and kinetic characteristics of the thermal decomposition of Perilla frutescens polysaccharide.

The thermal decomposition of Perilla frutescens polysaccharide was examined by thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis. The results showed that the mass loss of the substance proceeded in three steps. The first stage can be attributed to the expulsion of the water from ambient temperature to 182°C. The second stage corresponded to devolatilization from 182°C to 439°C. The residue slowly degraded in the third stage. The weight loss in air is faster than that in nitrogen, because the oxygen in air accelerated the pyrolytic reaction speed reaction. The heating rate significantly affected the pyrolysis of the sample. Similar activation energies of the degradation process (210-211 kJ mol⁻¹) were obtained by the FWO, KAS, and Popescu techniques. According to Popescu mechanism functions, the possible kinetic model was estimated to be Avrami-Erofeev 20 g(α) = [-ln(1-α)]4.

Semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion of thickened waste activated sludge and fat, oil and grease.

Co-digestion of thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) and fat, oil and grease (FOG) was conducted semi-continuously under mesophilic conditions. The results showed that daily methane yield at the steady state was 598L/kg VS(added) when TWAS and FOG (64% of total VS) were co-digested, which was 137% higher than that obtained from digestion of TWAS alone. The biogas composition was stabilized at a CH(4) and CO(2) content of 66.8% and 29.5%, respectively. Micronutrients added to co-digestion did not improve the biogas production and digestion stabilization. With a higher addition of FOG (74% of total VS), the digester initially failed but was slowly self-recovered; however, the methane yield was only about 50% of a healthy reactor with the same organic loading rate.