New flavonoid and their anti-A549 cell activity from the bi-directional solid fermentation products of Astragalus membranaceus and Cordyceps kyushuensis.

Astragalus membranaceus and Cordyceps kyushuensis were used to obtain Astragalus membranaceus-Cordyceps kyushuensis bi-directional solid fermentation products using the bi-directional solid fermentation technique. The fermentation products were isolated and purified to obtain 20 individual compounds, of which compound 1 was a novel isoflavane, and compounds 2, 3, and 4 were novel isoflavones, along with 16 known compounds. In vitro experiments demonstrated that compounds 4, 5, 8, 10, and 20 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against A549 lung cancer cells. Specifically, the IC50 value of the novel compound 4 was 53.4 µM, while the IC50 value of cordycepin was 9.0 µM.

Experimental investigation into the implications of low-intensity magnetic field treatment on the structural and functional properties of rapeseed meal during biofermentation.

The functionality of rapeseed meal is limited, to acquire more utilization, the functional attributes were improved by altering its structural features using magnetic field-assisted solid fermentation. The magnetic treatment was performed every 24 h (specifically at 24, and 48 h), each treatment having a duration of 4 h. The magnetic intensity was set at 120 Gs, and the fermentation temperature 37 °C. Magnetic field-assisted solid fermentation resulted in higher surface hydrophobicity, fluorescence intensity, UV absorption, and sulfhydryl groups of rapeseed meal. Magnetic field treatment considerably enhanced solubility, antioxidant activity, emulsifying activity, and stability by 8.8, 19.5, 20.7, and 12.3 %, respectively. Magnetic field-assisted solid fermentation also altered rapeseed meal structure, as shown by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy outcomes. Correlation analysis displayed positive interrelationships between functional characteristics, and surface hydrophobicity, ß-sheets, and polydispersity index.

Quality and flavor development of solid-state fermented surimi with Actinomucor elegans: A perspective on the impacts of carbon and nitrogen sources.

The influence of four carbon and nitrogen substrates on the quality and flavor of a novel surimi-based product fermented with Actinomucor elegans (A. elegans) was investigated, with a focus on carbon and nitrogen catabolite repression. The results showed that the substrate significantly affected mycelial growth, enzyme activities, and the metabolites of A. elegans. Although glucose significantly promoted A. elegans growth by 116.69%, it decreased enzyme secretion by 69.79% for α-amylase and 59.80% for protease, most likely by triggering the carbon catabolite repression pathway. Starch, soy protein, and wheat gluten substantially affected the textural properties of the fermented surimi. Furthermore, wheat gluten significantly promoted the protease activity (102.70%) and increased protein degradation during surimi fermentation. The fishy odor of surimi was alleviated through fermentation, and a correlation between the volatile compounds and A. elegans metabolism was observed. These results explore fermentation substrates in filamentous fungi metabolism from a catabolite repression perspective.

Phytochemical and functional characterization of fermented Yerba mate using Rhizopus oligosporus.

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) was used to enhance the bioactive compounds and biological properties of food materials, such as buckwheat, turmeric, and ginseng. This study was investigated the effects of SSF for up to 10 days using Rhizopus oligosporus on Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire). The total phenolic content of Yerba mate rose to 20% after 1 day fermentation. The saponin contents of Yerba mate rose to 38% after 7 day fermentation. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and caffeine levels were increased up to 27.74% by fermentation, as determined by UPLC-MS analysis. ORAC and FRAP assays showed that the antioxidant activities of Yerba mate were enhanced 1.9- and 1.14-fold after 1 day fermentation. In addition, its inhibitory activities against yeast α-glucosidase and nitric oxide release in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were higher than in the unfermented Yerba mate. Moreover, taste sensory analysis using an electronic tongue sensory system showed that the flavor of Yerba mate after 1 day fermentation was similar to that of the unfermented Yerba mate. These results suggested that solid fermentation using R. oligosporus is conducive to producing Yerba mate with enhanced biological properties.

Isolation and identification of protease-producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LX-6 and its application in the solid fermentation of soybean meal.

Soybean meal (SM) is considered an ideal substitute for fish meal; however, its application is mainly limited because of its antigen proteins, glycinin and ß-conglycinin. To improve the value of SM in the aquaculture industry, we employed an aerobic bacterial strain (LX-6) with protease activity of 1,390.6 ± 12.5 U/mL. This strain was isolated from soil samples and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on morphological and physiological biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequence analyses. Subsequently, we quantified the extent of glycinin and ß-conglycinin degradation and the total protein and water-soluble protein content after SM fermentation with B. amyloliquefaciens LX-6. At 24 h of fermentation, the macromolecular antigen proteins of SM were almost completely degraded; the maximum degradation rates of glycinin and ß-conglycinin reached 77.9% and 57.1%, respectively. Accordingly, not only did the concentration of water-soluble proteins increase from 5.74% to 44.45% after 48 h of fermentation but so did the concentrations of total protein and amino acids compared to those of unfermented SM. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the LX-6 strain gradually disrupted the surface structure of SM during the fermentation process. In addition, B. amyloliquefaciens LX-6 exhibited broad-spectrum antagonistic activity and a wide pH tolerance, suggesting its application in SM fermentation for fish meal replacement.

Identification of a Coprinellus strain and its application in Eucommia ulmoides gum extraction by fermenting leaves.

White rot fungi is a kind of filamentous fungi which can degrade lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose effectively. In this study, a wild white rot fungi collected from Pingba Town, Bijie City of China was identified as Coprinellus disseminatus (fruiting body) based on morphological and molecular identification. The mycelium of C. disseminatus cultured in the medium supplemented xylan as carbon showed the higher xylanase (XLE) and cellulase (CLE) activity. Further, the activities of tissue degradation-related enzymes including XLE, CLE, acetyl xylanesterase (AXE) and α-L-arabinofuran glycosidase (α-L-AF) were determined after fermenting Eucommia ulmoides leaves by inoculating C. disseminatus mycelium. The results showed that the activities of XLE, CLE, AXE and α-L-AF of mycelium cultured in xylan-contained medium reached the maximum at 5 d after inoculation, which were 777.606 ± 4.248 U mL-1, 9.594 ± 0.008 U mL-1, 4.567 ± 0.026 U mL-1 and 3.497 ± 0.10 U mL-1 respectively. Also, the activities of AXE and α-L-AF both reached the maximum in C. disseminatus mycelium cultured in glucose-contained medium. By comparing the yield of E. ulmoides gum under different fermentation treatments, the extraction yield of E. ulmoides gum were 2.156 ± 0.031% and 2.142 ± 0.044% at 7 d and 14 d after fermentation with mycelium supplemented xylan as carbon source, which were significantly higher than other groups. This study provides a theoretical reference for the preparation of E. ulmoides gum by large-scale fermentation of E. ulmoides leaves with C. disseminatus.

Improved Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Adults Biocontrol in Citrus by Hirsutella citriformis (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) Gum-Enhanced Conidia Formulation.

Hirsutella citriformis Speare is the only entomopathogenic fungus involved in Diaphorina citri Kuwayama natural epizootics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different protein sources as supplements to stimulate Hirsutella citriformis growth, improve conidiation on solid culture, and evaluate its produced gum for conidia formulation against D. citri adults. Hirsutella citriformis INIFAP-Hir-2 strain was grown on agar media enriched with wheat bran, wheat germ, soy, amaranth, quinoa, and pumpkin seed, in addition to oat with wheat bran and/or amaranth. The results demonstrated that 2% wheat bran significantly (p < 0.05) promoted mycelium growth. However, 4% and 5% wheat bran achieved the highest conidiation (3.65 × 107 conidia/mL and 3.68 × 107 conidia/mL, respectively). Higher conidiation (p < 0.05) was observed on oat grains supplemented with wheat bran, as compared with culturing on oat grains without supplements (7.25 × 107 versus 5.22 × 107 conidia/g), after a 14 d instead of 21 d incubation period. After supplementing synthetic medium or oat grains with wheat bran and/or amaranth, INIFAP-Hir-2 conidiation increased, whereas production time was reduced. After using Acacia and Hirsutella gums to formulate conidia produced on wheat bran and amaranth at 4%, field trial results showed that the highest (p < 0.05) D. citri mortality was achieved by Hirsutella gum-formulated conidia (80.0%), followed by the Hirsutella gum control (57.8%). Furthermore, Acacia gum-formulated conidia caused 37.8%, whereas Acacia gum and negative controls induced 9% mortality. In conclusion, Hirsutella citriformis gum used to formulate its conidia improved biological control against D. citri adults.

Isolation and characterization of a novel hydrolase-producing probiotic Bacillus licheniformis and its application in the fermentation of soybean meal.

Soybean meal (SBM) is one of the most important sources of plant-based protein in the livestock and poultry industry. However, SBM contains anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) such as glycinin, ß-conglycinin, trypsin inhibitor and phytic acid that can damage the intestinal health of animals, inevitably reducing growth performance. Fermentation using microorganisms with probiotic potential is a viable strategy to reduce ANFs and enhance the nutritional value of SBM. In this study, a novel potential probiotic Bacillus licheniformis (B4) with phytase, protease, cellulase and xylanase activity was isolated from camel feces. The ability of B4 to tolerate different pH, bile salts concentrations and temperatures were tested using metabolic activity assay. It was found that B4 can survive at pH 3.0, or 1.0% bile salts for 5 h, and displayed high proliferative activity when cultured at 50°C. Furthermore, B4 was capable of degrading glycinin, ß-conglycinin and trypsin inhibitor which in turn resulted in significant increases of the degree of protein hydrolysis from 15.9% to 25.5% (p < 0.01) and crude protein from 44.8% to 54.3% (p < 0.001). After fermentation with B4 for 24 h, phytic acid in SBM was reduced by 73.3% (p < 0.001), the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the acid detergent fiber of the fermented SBM were significantly decreased by 38.40% (p < 0.001) and 30.20% (p < 0.05), compared to the unfermented SBM sample. Our results suggested that the effect of solid-state fermented SBM using this novel B. licheniformis (B4) strain, could significantly reduce phytic acid concentrations whilst improving the nutritional value of SBM, presenting itself as a promising alternative to phytase additives.

Steam explosion pretreatment coupling high-temperature short-time sterilization facilitating cellulose degradation and sporulation-regulatory gene expression in high-solid fermentation.

Steam explosion coupling high-temperature short-time sterilization (SE-HTST) was exploited to modify cellulosic biomass medium properties and promote high-solid fermentation (HSF). Biomass characterization analysis showed that SE-HTST enlarged microstructural pores and cavities in solid media, providing more effective space for microbial growth. Meanwhile, SE-HTST helped to release glucose from the cellulose with 35.8 ± 4.5, 20.0 ± 2.3, and 12.3 ± 5.7 mg glucose/g dry medium at 24, 48, and 72 h of fermentation, which were 3.1, 2.3, and 1.5 times higher than that in medium from conventional thermal sterilization (CTS), respectively. SE-HTST increased the viable cell and spore number of Bacillus subtilis by 1.8 and 1.6 times at 72 h of fermentation compared to CTS. Moreover, the expressions of master transcriptional gene spo0A and the early sigma factors of sigF and sigE genes gradually increased in the SE-HTST medium, showing enhanced sporulation in HSF. Therefore, SE-HTST is an effective strategy for facilitating cellulose degradation, improving glucose nutrients in biomass medium, and promoting sporulation-regulatory gene expression during high-solid fermentation, which enhances the production of microbial ecological agents using B. subtilis significantly.

Characterization of Brazilian Cordyceps fumosorosea isolates: Conidial production, tolerance to ultraviolet-B radiation, and elevated temperature.

Cordyceps fumosorosea is an entomopathogenic fungus with a global distribution and is used for the biological control of agricultural pests. High conidial productivity and tolerance to abiotic stresses such as elevated temperature and ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) are desired characteristics in candidate isolates for commercial products. Our goal in this study was to characterize promising isolates of C. fumosorosea from five Brazilian biomes regarding conidial production, tolerance to UV-B, and elevated temperature (45°). Seventy-two isolates out of 172 were chosen visually, based on growth and sporulation in culture medium, and grown on parboiled rice. Next, fourteen isolates were selected, based on productivity on rice and origin of isolation, for production in polypropylene bags and submitted to UV-B for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h or to 45 °C for 30, 60, and 90 min. High variations in conidial production were observed among isolates, and a positive correlation was observed between UV-B and heat tolerance. The isolates ESALQ4556 and ESALQ4778 showed the highest yields of conidial production in polypropylene bags (3.51 × 109 conidia/g dry rice), while ESALQ1296, an isolate recovered from insects, was the most tolerant to UV-B and 45 °C. Exposure to radiation for more than 4 h and placed directly at 45 °C for more than 30 min significantly reduced conidial germination for all C. fumosorosea isolates. These results contribute to a better understanding of the tolerance to abiotic factors of Brazilian isolates of C. fumosorosea.

Impact of Cultivation Substrate and Microbial Community on Improving Mushroom Productivity: A Review.

Lignocellulosic materials commonly serve as base substrates for mushroom production. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are the major components of lignocellulose materials. The composition of these components depends upon the plant species. Currently, composted and non-composted lignocellulosic materials are used as substrates in mushroom cultivation depending on the mushroom species. Different substrate compositions can directly affect the quality and quantity of mushroom production yields. Consequently, the microbial dynamics and communities of the composting substrates can significantly affect mushroom production. Therefore, changes in both substrate composition and microbial diversity during the cultivation process can impact the production of high-quality substrates and result in a high degree of biological efficiency. A brief review of the current findings on substrate composition and microbial diversity for mushroom cultivation is provided in this paper. We also summarize the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of mushroom cultivation by analyzing the microbial diversity of the composting substrates during mushroom cultivation. The resulting information will serve as a useful guide for future researchers in their attempts to increase mushroom productivity through the selection of suitable substrate compositions and their relation to the microbial community.

Brazilian industrial yeasts show high fermentative performance in high solids content for corn ethanol process.

An imminent change in the world energy matrix makes it necessary to increase the production of renewable fuels. The United States and Brazil are the world's largest producers, but their production methods are very different, using different raw materials, ground corn and sugarcane juice, respectively. In recent years, strong investments have been made to expand the use of corn in Brazilian ethanol production. The combination of the sugar cane and corn ethanol industries has generated innovations in the sector, such as the "flex" mills, which are traditional sugar cane mills adapted to produce corn ethanol in the sugar cane off-season. Brazil has a portfolio of robust industrial yeasts for sugarcane ethanol production, naturally evolved and selected over the past 50 years. In this work, we analyze for the first time the performance of Brazilian industrial strains (BG-1, CAT-1, PE-2 and SA-1, widely used in sugarcane ethanol production) in corn ethanol production using different stress conditions. Ethanol Red yeast, traditionally used in corn ethanol plants around the world, was used as a control. In terms of tolerance to temperature (35 °C), strains BG-1 and SA-1 stood out. In fermentations with high solids concentration (35%), strain BG-1 reached ethanol contents higher than 19% w/v and had a productivity gain of 5.8% compared to fermentation at 30%. This was the first time that these industrial strains were evaluated using the high solids concentration of 35% and the results point to ways to improve the corn ethanol production process.

[Comparative study on anti-depressant effect of Zhizichi Decoction and its solid fermentation product on CUMS rats].

Chronic unpredicted mild stress(CUMS) combined with isolated feeding was used to induce depressed rat model. The anti-depressant effects of Zhizichi Decoction(ZZCD) and its solid fermented product(ZZC) were analyzed by behavioral test and comparison of pathological tissues of hippocampus and liver, metabolic characteristics of intestinal flora, and relative abundance of species. The results showed that ZZC could increase sucrose preference, shorten the immobility time in the forced swim test and tail suspension test(P<0.05), and repair damaged hippocampus and liver tissues, and the effect was superior to that of ZZCD. The results of Biolog ECO plates showed that the average well color development(AWCD) of intestinal flora in the model group significantly decreased and the metabolic levels of sugar and amino acids were reduced, while the AWCD of the treatment groups increased. The metabolic levels of the two carbon sources were improved in the ZZC group, while only sugar metabolic level was elevated in the ZZCD group. Metagenomic analysis of intestinal flora showed that the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was 3.87 in the control group, 21.77 in the model group, 5.91 in the ZZC group, and 18.48 in the ZZCD group. Lactobacillus increased by 3.28 times, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes decreased by 75.59% and 76.39%, respectively in the model group as compared with that in the control group. Lactobacillus decreased by 31.13%, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes increased by more than three times in the ZZC group as compared with that in the model group, while the corresponding changes in the ZZCD group were not significant. ZZC could improve depression-like beha-viors by regulating the structure of intestinal flora and metabolic functions and repairing damaged hippocampus and liver tissues in depressed rats, showing an anti-depressant effect superior to that of ZZCD. This study is expected to provide a basis for the development of new anti-depressant food products.

Valorization of Bokashi leachate as feed additive in tilapia farming.

The Bokashi leachate (BL) is a by-product from the anaerobic digestion of food waste, following the Bokashi composting method. Bokashi leachate is acidic and it contains effective microorganisms hence it has potential to be a functional feed additive to the plant proteins based diets for fish farming. This study evaluated the growth performance and feed utilization of the red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fingerlings fed with the BL supplemented soybean meal (SBM) based diets. After an 8-week feeding trial, fish fed with the 5% BL supplemented SBM diet attained the highest weight gain. This result was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those fed with the 0% BL supplemented SBM diet, and comparable (p > 0.05) to those fed with the control full fish meal (FM) diet. Generally, dietary inclusion of BL enhanced the fish feed intake on the SBM diet but it did not show clear sign of improvement in their feed utilization. In addition, no significant difference was found across the hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index from all dietary treatments. These outcomes concluded that dietary inclusion of BL can enhance the feed intake and growth performance of the red tilapia fingerlings fed with the SBM based diet without compromising their health, and the optimum BL inclusion level was 5%. Nevertheless, further study on the properties and substances content of the BL produced from different types and ratios of food waste is strongly recommended. In this study, BL was also discovered to be capable of reducing the crude fiber content in the SBM diets. Such observation deserves a further exploitation on the application of BL to manipulate the crude fiber content in the plant proteins based diets in fish farming.

Elaboration of mangaba vinegar by semi-solid fermentation combined with enzymatic activity: chemical characterization and sensory evaluation / Elaboração de vinagre de mangaba por fermentação semi-sólida com ação enzimática: caracterização química e avaliação sensorial

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to produce vinegar from mangaba pulp using semi-solid alcoholic fermentation combined with the enzymatic activity of pectinase and to investigate the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of the final product. was evaluated for volatile acidity and the reduced dry extract was evaluated for ashes, alcohol content, sulfates, pH, total phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, color parameters, yield, productivity, and sensory analysis. Average and standard deviation was used for descriptive statistics. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to all variables except total carotenoid content. Physicochemical characterization of the raw and alcoholically fermented pulp was also carried out. The main results showed that, in the vinegar, the reduced dry extract, volatile acidity, pH, and ashes were 44.3±1.5 (g/L), 4.4±0.1 (% w/v), 3.1±0.0, and 3.0±0.41 (g/L), respectively. The total phenolic compound content and total carotenoid content for the mangaba vinegar were 19.2±8.20. mg/100 g and 2.6±0.6. mg/100 g, respectively. The conversion yield from ethanol to acetic acid was 90%. PCA showed that pH and volatile acidity had a strong influence on the product, and there was a strong positive correlation between color and aroma. The final product met all legal requirements, showing that it is possible to produce mangaba vinegar with antioxidant potential for consumers. In the sensory evaluation, it was favored by the tasters, demonstrating potential economic value in the Cerrado fruit.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se produzir vinagre, a partir da polpa de mangaba por fermentação alcoólica semi-sólida com ação enzimática através da pectinase, investigar a composição química e avaliação sensorial do produto final. O vinagre foi avaliado através da acidez volátil, extrato seco reduzido, cinzas, teor alcoólico, sulfatos, pH, compostos fenólicos totais, carotenoides totais, parâmetros de cor, rendimento, produtividade e análise sensorial. Os dados foram submetidos a estatística descritiva com média e desvio padrão. Foi aplicado a análise de componentes principais (ACP) para todas as variáveis, exceto para análise de carotenoides totais. Também foi realizada a caracterização físico-química da polpa e fermentado alcoólico. Os principais resultados mostraram que, no vinagre, extrato seco reduzido, acidez volátil, pH e cinzas foram, respectivamente, 44,3±1,5 (g/L), 4,4±0,1 (% m/v), 3,1±0,0, 3,0±0,41 (g/L). Os compostos fenólicos totais e carotenoides totais apresentaram valores de 19,2±8,20 (mg/100 g) e 2,6±0,6 (mg/100 g), respectivamente. O rendimento de conversão de etanol a ácido acético foi de 90%. ACP foi aplicada nas variáveis físico-químicas do vinagre no qual os parâmetros de cor, pH e acidez volátil apresentaram forte influência no produto e, para os atributos da análise sensorial, cor e aroma apresentaram uma forte correlação positiva entre si. O produto final atendeu a todos os quesitos legais, demonstrando ser possível a produção de vinagre de mangaba com potencial antioxidante. Na avaliação sensorial teve boa aceitação pelos provadores, valorizando o uso deste fruto do Cerrado.

Comparative study on anti-depressant effect of Zhizichi Decoction and its solid fermentation product on CUMS rats / 中国中药杂志

Chronic unpredicted mild stress(CUMS) combined with isolated feeding was used to induce depressed rat model. The anti-depressant effects of Zhizichi Decoction(ZZCD) and its solid fermented product(ZZC) were analyzed by behavioral test and comparison of pathological tissues of hippocampus and liver, metabolic characteristics of intestinal flora, and relative abundance of species. The results showed that ZZC could increase sucrose preference, shorten the immobility time in the forced swim test and tail suspension test(P<0.05), and repair damaged hippocampus and liver tissues, and the effect was superior to that of ZZCD. The results of Biolog ECO plates showed that the average well color development(AWCD) of intestinal flora in the model group significantly decreased and the metabolic levels of sugar and amino acids were reduced, while the AWCD of the treatment groups increased. The metabolic levels of the two carbon sources were improved in the ZZC group, while only sugar metabolic level was elevated in the ZZCD group. Metagenomic analysis of intestinal flora showed that the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was 3.87 in the control group, 21.77 in the model group, 5.91 in the ZZC group, and 18.48 in the ZZCD group. Lactobacillus increased by 3.28 times, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes decreased by 75.59% and 76.39%, respectively in the model group as compared with that in the control group. Lactobacillus decreased by 31.13%, and Prevotella and Bacteroidetes increased by more than three times in the ZZC group as compared with that in the model group, while the corresponding changes in the ZZCD group were not significant. ZZC could improve depression-like beha-viors by regulating the structure of intestinal flora and metabolic functions and repairing damaged hippocampus and liver tissues in depressed rats, showing an anti-depressant effect superior to that of ZZCD. This study is expected to provide a basis for the development of new anti-depressant food products.

Content Determination of 8 Components in Astragalus membranaceus before and after Bidirectional Solid Fer- mentation with Cordyceps kyushuensis by HPLC-DAD-ELSD / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To establish a method for simultaneous determination of calycosin glucoside ，ononin，calycosin， formononetin，astragaloside Ⅳ，isoastragaloside Ⅱ，cycloastragenol and isoastragaloside Ⅰ in Astragalus membranaceus before and after bidirectional solid fermentation with Cordyceps kyushuensis ，and to investigate the effects of fermentation on the contents of above 8 components in A. membranaceus . METHODS ：HPLC-DAD-ELSD was adopted. The determination was performed on Agilent 5 TC-C18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.1％ formic acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile （gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 1 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 30 ℃. DAD detection wavelength was set at 260 nm，ELSD evaporation tube temperature was 100 ℃，atomizer temperature was 80 ℃，carrier gas flow rate was 1.6 L/min；injection volume was 15 μL. RESULTS：The eight components had a good linear relationship within their respective ranges of concentration （all R2＞0.999 0）； RSDs of precision ，stability and repeatability tests were all less than 3％（n＝3 or n＝6）；the recoveries was 97.88％-101.32％， and RSDs were 1.22％-2.39％（n＝6）. Setting the content of components in unfermented A. membranaceus as 100％，after bidirectional solid fermentation with C. kyushuensis ，the change rates of 8 components were －98.51％，－96.41％，－94.74％， －96.40％，289.20％，20.25％，－75.05％，562.46％，respectively. CONCLUSIONS ：After fermentation with C. kyushuensis ，the contents of active components as astragaloside Ⅳ，isoastragaloside Ⅰ and isoastragaloside Ⅱ can be increased significantly in A. membranaceus .

Conidia production of Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in organic substrates through two propagation techniques / Produção de conídios de Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) en substratos orgânicos atraves de duas técnicas de propagação

In the last decades, the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of pest insects has increased globally, however a key step to achieve the successful application of fungal propagules as biocontrol agents depends of various factors, inoculum production being one of the essential stages for these microorganisms to be used in pest management programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate theproduction of conidia by solid fermentation and biphasic culture in different sporulation matrices for four native isolates and a strain of Isaria fumosorosea that have been shown potential for the control of various insects at the laboratory level. The experimental design was completely randomized, two propagation methods were used with six treatments and ten repetitions per treatment; the data were analyzed using an analysis of variance and the means were compared using the Tukey test (p≤ 0.05). In the production by solid fermentation the minimum value of 5.30 × 105 conidia g-1 was registered with the pericarp of peanut and the maximum of 2.35 × 107 conidia g-1 in the corn grain; in the biphasic culture the minimum of 7.60 × 105 conidia g-1 was observed in birdseed and the maximum of 2.07 × 107 conidia g-1 in rice. The differences were significant (p ≤0.05) in the production by method and by substrate, in solid fermentation 6.84 × 106 conidia g-1 and in biphasic culture 8.85 × 106 conidia g-1. In the production by substrate, the rice showed 1.75 × 107 conidia g-1 and the lesser canary seed concentration (7.80 × 105 conidia g-1). The average production per isolate and / or strain was of the order of 106 and significant difference was registered (p ≤ 0.05) among the fungi, the isolate HIB-9 showed concentration in average higher in the production (7.90 × 106 conidia g-1) and the isolated HIB-19 was the least effective, with only 1.08 × 106 conidia g-1. The results obtained show marked differences between the isolates with respect to their capacity to use the different substrates used as propagation media to obtain conidia of I. fumosorosea.

Nas últimas décadas, o uso de fungos entomopatogênicos para o controle de insetos-pragatem aumentado globalmente, porém um passo fundamental para o sucesso da aplicação de propágulos fúngicos como agentes de biocontrole depende de varios fatores, sendo a produção de inóculo um dos estágios essenciais para esses insetos microorganismos a serem usados em programas de controle de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de conídios por meio de fermentação sólida e cultura bifásica emdiferentes matrizes de esporulação para quatro isolados nativos e um alinhagem de Isaria fumosorosea que tem demonstrado potencial para o controle de varios insetos em nível laboratorial. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, foram utilizados dois métodos de propagação com seis tratamentos e dezrepetições por tratamento; os dados foraman alisados por meio de análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p ≤ 0.05). Naprodução por fermentação sólida foi registrado o valor mínimo de 5.30 × 105 conídios g-1 com o pericarpo de amendoim e o máximo de 2.35 × 107 conídios g-1 no grão de milho; na cultura bifásica, o mínimo de 7.60 × 105 conídios g-1 foi observado emsementes de aves e o máximo de 2.07 × 107conídios g-1em arroz. As diferençasforam significativas (p ≤ 0.05) na produção pelo método e pelo substrato, na fermentação sólida 6.84 × 106 conídios g-1 e na cultura bifásica 8.85 × 106 conídios g-1. Naprodução por substrato, o arroz apresentou 1.75 × 107conídios g-1 e a menor concentração de sementes de canário (7.80 × 105conídios g-1). A produção média por isolado e / ou cepa foi da ordem de 106 e registrou-se diferença significativa (p ≤ 0.05) entre os fungos, o isolado HIB-9 apresentou concentração em média maior na produção (7.90 × 106conídios g-1) e o isolado HIB-19 foi o menos efetivo, com apenas 1.08 × 106 conídios g-1. Os resultados obtidos mostram diferenças marcantes entre os isolados quanto à capacidade de utilização dos diferentes substratos utilizados como meio de propagação para obtenção de conídios de I. fumosorosea.

Enhancement of the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities of Puerariae radix by fermentation with Aspergillus niger.

Puerariae radix (PR) is a traditional Chinese food and medicine. In this study, the chemical profile and bioactivities of PR fermented with Aspergillus niger (PFA) were investigated. Based on HPLC analysis, PFA chemical profile changed and total phenols increased by 12.5% relative to PR. Consequently, the in vitro antioxidant activity significantly improved. According to the blood lipid analysis in mice, PFA showed a better ability to inhibit the increased blood lipid levels induced by Triton WR-1339 than PR. In a quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) study, PFA up-regulated cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA expression, which were 50% and 44.8% higher than the levels induced by high-dose PR. Conversely, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCoAR) mRNA expression was down-regulated to 46.8% lower than the levels induced by high-dose PR. The qRT-PCR results suggested that PFA displayed better hypolipidemic activity than PR, due to its superior ability to regulate mRNA expression.

Enhancement and Mechanism of a Lignin Amphoteric Surfactant on the Production of Cellulosic Ethanol from a High-Solid Corncob Residue.

A lignin amphoteric surfactant and betaine could enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose and recover cellulase. The effects of lignosulfonate quaternary ammonium salt (SLQA) and dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS12) on enzymatic hydrolysis digestibility, ethanol yield, yeast cell viability, and other properties of high-solid enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of a corncob residue were studied in this research. The results suggested that SLQA and 1 g/L BS12 effectively improved the ethanol yield through enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis. SLQA had no significant effect on the yeast cell membrane and glucose fermentation. However, 5 g/L BS12 reduced the ethanol yield as a result of the fact that 5 g/L BS12 damaged the yeast cell membrane and inhibited the conversion of glucose to ethanol. Our research also suggested that 1 g/L BS12 enhanced the ethanol yield of corncob residue fermentation, which was attributed to the fact that lignin in the corncob adsorbed BS12 and decreased its concentration in solution to a safe level for the yeast.