Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of Sanghuangporus vaninii mycelia and fruiting bodies at different harvest stages.

Sanghuangprous vaninii is a medicinal macrofungus cultivated extensively in China. Both the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii have remarkable therapeutic properties, but it remains unclear whether the mycelia may serve as a substitute for the fruiting bodies. Furthermore, S. vaninii is a perennial fungus with therapeutic components that vary significantly depending on the growing year of the fruiting bodies. Hence, it is critical to select an appropriate harvest stage for S. vaninii fruiting bodies for a specific purpose. With the aid of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS) was used to preliminarily determine 81 key active metabolites and 157 active pharmaceutical metabolites in S. vaninii responsible for resistance to the six major diseases. To evaluate the substitutability of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and to select an appropriate harvest stage for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii, we analyzed the metabolite differences, especially active metabolite differences, among the mycelia and fruiting bodies during three different harvest stages (1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old). Moreover, we also determined the most prominent and crucial metabolites in each sample of S. vaninii. These results suggested that the mycelia show promise as a substitute for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and that extending the growth year does not necessarily lead to higher accumulation levels of active metabolites in the S. vaninii fruiting bodies. This study provided a theoretical basis for developing and using S. vaninii.

Gerhardtia tomentosa and Ossicaulis borealis (Agaricales, Lyophyllaceae)-Two new species from northeast China.

Background: Gerhardtia and Ossicaulis are two genera within the family Lyophyllaceae, which show an apparently poor species diversity worldwide. During the field investigation on wild macrofungi, six interesting collections within Gerhardtia and Ossicaulis genera are discovered in the northeastern China. Methods: To identify whether these collections of Gerhardtia and Ossicaulis are novel species, we performed phylogenetic analyzes using the following DNA regions: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrLSU) region. Moreover, a traditional morphological method also be conducted based on both the macro-morphological and micro-morphological features. Results: The results indicated that these collections tested formed two independent lineages in each genus with a high support. In addition, they can easily be separated from all other taxa of the two genera in morphology. Based on the combination of morphological and molecular data, Gerhardtia tomentosa and Ossicaulis borealis, are confirmed as two new species to science. Discussions: This study provided a theoretical basis is for the two lyophylloid genera and indicated that the biodiversity resources of northeastern China might be underestimated.

Nucleic acid from beans extracted by ethanediamine magnetic particles.

Ethanediamine magnetite nanoparticles (EDAMPs) were used as adsorbents to isolate genomic DNA from various bean-species. A "single-pot" preparation of EDAMPs was described. Further characterization, including transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FT-IR) were used to demonstrate the efficiency of this simple and general identification method. The EDAMPs provided excellent yields of genomic DNA. The isolated DNA was suitable for use in further applications by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the detection of Genetically Modified (GM) food and non-GM food. The EDAMPs are effective for bioseparation applications.

Solvothermal synthesis of functional magnetic nanoparticles for biocatalyst.

A facile and simple one-step solvothermal method has been developed to synthesize polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified magnetic nanoparticles. Characterization of morphology, surface charges, crystal structure, and magnetic property confirmed the efficiency of this facile synthesis route. Lipase immobilized on the PEI-modified magnetic nanoparticles was used to synthesize vitamin A palmitate from vitamin A acetate and palmitic acid. The reuse of immobilized lipase can be extended to eight times by removing water during esterification with a conversion rate above 80 % for 12 h.

Extracting genomic DNA of foodstuff by polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-magnetite nanoparticles.

Although genetically modified (GM) food is becoming increasingly available, consumers are showing a growing awareness about the need to identify GM and non-GM foodstuff: the reliable identification of GM/non-GM food is therefore an important tool in the social, health and safety debates. The present research responds to this need (i) through developing a novel "single-pot" preparation of PAMAM magnetite nanoparticles (PMNPs) and by fully defining their specific characteristics; (ii) by demonstrating the capability of the PMNPs to isolate genomic DNA from different sample foods; and (iii) by experimentally demonstrating the identification of the isolated DNA by gel-electrophoresis, thus being capable of screening GM and non-GM food.