Pepsin Activity Research Articles

Evaluation of the Contact Toxicity and Physiological Mechanisms of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Shoot Extract and Selected Major Constituent Compounds against Melanaphis sorghi Theobald

Botanical pesticides have gradually become accepted for use in the control of agricultural pests. In order to clarify the active compounds of the ginger (Zingiber officinale) shoot extract (GSE) and its inhibitory effect on the growth of sorghum aphids (Melanaphis sorghi). In this study, LC-MS/MS was used to determine the major active compounds of the GSE, and leaf disc method was used to explore the insecticidal effect of the active compounds of ginger on sorghum aphids and the response mechanism of sorghum aphids. The results showed that phenolic acids were identified as the main active compounds, followed by flavonoids. The aphidicidal activity test using the above compounds found that 6-gingerol, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside exhibited aphidicidal activity (GSE > quercetin-3-O-rutinoside > 6-gingerol). The growth of sorghum aphid was evaluated by using different concentrations of the GSE. It was found that with the increase of concentration and treatment time, the litter size, longevity and molting of aphids significantly decreased, and the mortality of aphids increased. The enzyme activity of aphids treated with 15 mg·mL−1 GSE was determined, and it was found that the GSE could significantly inhibit the activities of pepsin, lipase and α-amylase of aphids, while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly activated. The activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased at first and then decreased. In detoxification enzymes, the carboxylesterase (CarE) activity was significantly activated, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was significantly inhibited, and the glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity increased at first and then decreased. The above results indicated that the GSE may become a botanical pesticide for aphid control and provide new resources for the development of aphid biological agents.

Combined Effects of Temperature and Salinity Affect the Surviv-Al of Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) through Digestive and Antioxidant Performance.

Changes in temperature and salinity of the marine environment fluctuate continuously, and the effects of these changes on shellfish survival are significant. In this study, the survival rate of adult Asian green mussels (Perna viridis) was measured after short-term treatments (7 days) for a range of temperature (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C) and salinity (23‰, 28‰, 33‰). The digestive (amylase, lipase, trypsin and pepsin activities) and antioxidant performance (SOD and GPX gene expression; SOD, GPX and CAT activities; GSH and MDA Concentration) were measured and MANOVA results were obtained using a generalized linear model between certain factors (temperature (T), salinity (S) and temperature × salinity (T × S)) and survival rate. Both T and T × S significantly affected the survival rate of Asian green mussels. The overall relationship between the survival rate of P. viridis and T and S within the experimental range can be summarised by the equation: ln(Survival rate) = 54.9282 − 2.5627 × T − 3.6180 × S + 0.1857 × T × S + 0.0156 × T2 + 0.0520 × S2 − 0.0012 × T2 × S − 0.0023 × T × S2. The optimal temperature–salinity combination was 23.698 °C/30.760‰. T, S and T × S all had a significant impact on amylase and lipase activities of Asian green mussels. In the hepatopancreas, gill, mantle, adductor muscle, gonad and foot tissues of Asian green mussel, the SOD and GPX gene expression were responsive to temperature–salinity changes. The antioxidant performance of the combinations far from the optimal temperature–salinity combination were significantly improved. Our results suggest that combined temperature and salinity effects have a regular impact on the survival of Asian green mussels and that there is a link between survival and digestive and antioxidant performance.

Resveratrol Improves the Digestive Ability and the Intestinal Health of Siberian Sturgeon.

The lack of detailed information on nutritional requirement results in limited feeding in Siberian sturgeon. In this study, resveratrol, a versatile natural extract, was supplemented in the daily diet, and the digestive ability and microbiome were evaluated in the duodena and valvular intestines of Siberian sturgeon. The results showed that resveratrol increased the activity of pepsin, α-amylase, and lipase, which was positively associated with an increase in the digestive ability, but it did not influence the final body weight. Resveratrol improved the digestive ability probably by distinctly enhancing intestinal villus height. Microbiome analysis revealed that resveratrol changed the abundance and composition of the microbial community in the intestine, principally in the duodenum. Random forests analysis found that resveratrol significantly downregulated the abundance of potential pathogens (Citrobacter freundii, Vibrio rumoiensis, and Brucella melitensis), suggesting that resveratrol may also improve intestinal health. In summary, our study revealed that resveratrol improved digestive ability and intestinal health, which can contribute to the development of functional feed in Siberian sturgeon.

Antibacterial activity of pepsin hydrolyzed goat whey protein and its application in pasteurized milk

Antibacterial activity of pepsin hydrolyzed goat whey protein and its application in pasteurized milk

The Optimum Lipid Level for the Juvenile Redclaw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus: Practical Diets with Soybean Oil as the Lipid Source.

As a new species in aquaculture, the lipid nutrition requirement for the juvenile redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus on a dietary basis on a practical formula needs to be evaluated accurately. In this study, the optimum dietary lipid level was explained by analyzing the growth performance, antioxidant state, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota of C. quadricarinatus after an eight-week cultivation trial. Six diets with different soybean oil levels (named L0, L2, L4, L6, L8, and L10) were fed to C. quadricarinatus (11.39 ± 0.28 g). The results indicated that the specific growth rate and weight gain of crayfish fed the L4 and L6 diets were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). By the analysis of a second-order polynomial regression model according to growth performance (weight gain rate), the optimum lipid level in a practical diet for juvenile C. quadricarinatus was 9.67%. The survival, condition factor, and hepatosomatic index of crayfish were not significantly affected by dietary oil levels (P > 0.05). As the level of dietary lipids increased, the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum showed a tendency to rise and then fall and the enzyme activity was highest in crayfish fed the L6 diet. Gut lipase and pepsin activities showed the highest value in crayfish fed the L6 diet. There was no significant difference in acetyl-CoA carboxylase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 contents in crayfish among all the groups (P > 0.05). The relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the phylum and Citrobacter in the genus showed a significant decrease in crayfish of the L10 diet, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the phylum markedly increased compared to that of the other groups (P < 0.05). In summary, the results indicated that the 10.39% (L6 diet) dietary lipid level could induce better growth performance, antioxidant ability, and digestive enzyme activity. Most of the fatty acid composition of muscle is not closely related to the fatty acid composition of the diet. Moreover, the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of C. quadricarinatus were changed by high dietary lipid levels.

An expert opinion on antacids: A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy

Acidity caused by common gastric conditions such as non-ulcer dyspepsia, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, stress gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatic insufficiency, bile acid-mediated diarrhea, biliary reflux, and constipation can be treated by administration of potent and efficacious acid suppressant (anti-secretory) agents such as antacids, histamine H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Antacids provide symptomatic relief from hyperacidity as well as other associated conditions by neutralizing the gastric acid directly, thereby raising the gastric pH, attenuating the pepsin activity, restoring acid-base balance, and increasing prostaglandin and bicarbonate secretion. The effectiveness of antacids is determined by its acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and buffering capacity. Antacids containing a combination of aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and other ingredients such as those present in Digene showed better therapeutic efficacy even at low dosage with fewer side effects, persistent increase in gastric pH, faster and longer duration of pain relief, and fast relief from gas. Various clinical studies suggest that to obtain fast symptomatic relief, the treating physician can utilize antacids with the highest neutralizing capacities like Digene.

The effects of dietary ellagic acid supplementation on growth performance, immune response, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with ellagic acid (EA) on the performance, immune function, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers. In total, 288 healthy yellow-feathered broilers with an average body weight of 39 ± 0.24 g were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Broilers were given a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg EA. In the finisher period and the overall period, the inclusion of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg EA increased the average daily gain (P < 0.05), and the inclusion of 200 or 400 mg/kg EA decreased the feed/gain ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The best immune activity (immunoglobulin G [IgG] and immunoglobulin M [IgM] concentrations) in serum was shown in the 200 mg/kg EA group (P < 0.05). Broilers fed with 200 or 400 mg/kg EA-containing diets exhibited higher serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities (P < 0.05) than control broilers. The inclusion of 200 mg/kg EA in the broiler diets increased intestinal chymotrypsin, pepsin, and lipase activities (P < 0.05). Broilers fed 200 mg/kg EA-containing diets had higher villus height in the jejunum and ileum, a higher ratio between villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum, and a deeper crypt in the duodenum compared to control broilers (P < 0.05). EA reduced the diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate concentration in serum. Furthermore, in birds fed EA-containing diets, the abundance of Rikenella and norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UCG-014 in cecum were decreased compared with control birds (P < 0.05). Moreover, in birds fed EA-containing diets, the levels of acetate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids in the cecum were higher (P < 0.05) than those in control birds. These findings indicated that dietary EA had ameliorative effects on antioxidant capability, digestive enzyme activity, immune function, and intestinal functions, which led to strengthened growth performance.

Effects of dietary folic acid on growth performance, body wall folate content, immune and antioxidant enzyme activity of juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary folic acid on the growth performance, growth gene expression, body wall folate content, and digestive, immune and antioxidant enzyme activity of juvenile sea cucumber (initial body weight: 0.60 ± 0.01 g). Five diets were prepared and supplemented with 0 mg/kg (V0), 3 mg/kg (V1), 5 mg/kg (V2), 10 mg/kg (V3) and 15 mg/kg (V4) folic acid. The final body weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate in the V1, V2 and V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion rate in these groups was significantly lower than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), and optimal dietary folic acid supplemented amount was estimated to be 7 mg/kg. The c-myc, MAPK-7 and FGFR-1 gene expression levels in the V1, V2 and V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). In addition, the body wall folate content in the folic acid supplemented group was significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the activities of lipase, pepsin and α-amylase in the V2 and/or V3 groups were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). The activities of alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme in the V2 group were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), and the activity of acid phosphatase in the folic acid supplemented group was significantly higher than the V0 group (p < 0.05). With dietary folic acid increasing, the total superoxide dismutase, catalase and total superoxide dismutase activities in V2 and/or V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the current results demonstrated the significant progress of dietary supplementation with folic acid on the growth and physiological response of juvenile sea cucumbers.

A comprehensive insight into the effects of punicalagin on pepsin: Multispectroscopy and simulations methods

Punicalagin has been attracted much attention owing to its biological activity of regulating blood glucose and potential as a health benefits. Herein, the binding behavior of punicalagin with pepsin were investigated by spectrofluorometric, UV–Vis spectrophotometric, synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional (3-D) fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), docking examinations and molecular dynamics simulation. Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that punicalagin spontaneously binds to pepsin and quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of pepsin. According to the results of steady-state fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime, the quenching mechanism of punicalagin and pepsin was static quenching. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, 3-D fluorescence, CD, UV–Vis and FT-IR demonstrated that it induced conformational alterations of pepsin in the presence of punicalagin. Complementary molecular docking and dynamics simulations elucidated that the binding of pepsin and punicalagin occurred via establishment of hydrogen-bonding and Van der Waals interactions. This work provided some important information for further research on punicalagin-proteases interactions, which contributed to the activity and binding mechanism of punicalagin and pepsin in future.

Sonchus oleraceus L. Promotes Gastroprotection in Rodents via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antisecretory Activities.

Sonchus oleraceus L. is an edible and medicinal plant used to treat stomachache and gastric ailments around the world. Thus, this study aimed to determine the gastroprotective mode of action of hydroalcoholic extract of S. oleraceus (HES). Mice were treated with HES before induction of gastric ulceration by ethanol/HCl. The area and histological appearance of ulcers were quantified, and mucus was measured histochemically. The effects of HES on inflammatory and oxidative markers were assessed in the ulcerated tissue. In addition, we investigated the gastric acid antisecretory activity of HES in pylorus-ligated rats. Chemical analyses of HES and its antioxidant activity were also performed in vitro. The HES (30 or 300 mg/kg) reduced the ulceration by 71.5 and 76.2%, respectively, compared with vehicle (p < 0.001), and the histological analysis confirmed the macroscopic results with elevation in mucin levels by 361.4 and 477.5%, respectively, compared with vehicle (p < 0.001). Moreover, the gastroprotection was accompanied by increases in GSH levels and in SOD, CAT, and GST activities; in parallel to a reduction in MPO activity and TNF levels. Furthermore, HES reduced the total acidity, and pepsin activity of the gastric juice of rats by 61 and 63%, respectively, compared to the vehicle. Phytochemical analysis indicated that luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside is the main active compound annotated in HES. Was also found that HES scavenged the DPPH radical with an IC50 of 15.41 μg/mL. In conclusion, the gastroprotective effects of HES involve reductions in oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, in conjunction with an increase in mucus layer and inhibition of gastric secretion. This study advances in elucidating the modes of the antiulcer potential of S. oleraceus and contributes to the prospection of new gastroprotective molecules.

High-level expression and improved pepsin activity by enhancing the conserved domain stability based on a scissor-like model

Pepsin, a typical aspartic protease, is extensively used to hydrolyze large proteins in the food industry. However, the lack of an industrial expression system and mutants with high activity hinders its industrial application. Here, we aimed to promote the industrial production of pepsin and improve pepsin activity to overcome these problems. The highest reported shake-flask yield of pepsin in Pichia pastoris was achieved by establishing a solid plate screening protocol. Based on the low sequence identity but the high structural similarity of aspartic proteases, a novel scissor-like model was proposed. This model revealed that pepsin activity was improved upon enhancing the stability of the conserved, connecting domain. Following this, a rational design strategy was employed, and potentially favorable mutants were screened. As a result, the activity of the L167F mutant significantly increased by 1172 U·mg−1, and structural analyses revealed enhanced internal stability of the conserved domain in the mutant. These results indicate that the stability of the connecting domain is an influential factor in aspartate protease activity. Furthermore, our findings exemplify the rational design of distal residues in the enzyme structure.

Interval feeding of CpG ODN ‐supplemental diets enhanced growth in juvenile Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) activate the immune system and act as an immunopotentiator against infectious diseases in aquatic animals, but the growth-promoting effect of CpG ODN was rarely reported in crustaceans. In the present study, CpG ODN (40 mg kg−1) was supplemented into the basic diet, and three feeding strategies including interval CpG ODN feeding (CI group), continuous CpG ODN feeding (CC group) and basic diet feeding (B group) were performed in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. After 4 weeks of feeding, the weight gain and specific growth rate in CI group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of CC group and B group. The moulting rate of CI group was also highest in CI group and lowest in CC group. Meanwhile, the alkaline phosphatase activity and Ca2+ concentration that related to the shell formation, the amylase and pepsin activities on 14th day in CI group were all higher compared to other two groups. The glucose and glycogen values kept a relative high level from 14th day to 28th day in CI group compared to that in B group and CC group. In addition, the numbers of intestine fold and villus height were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of B group and CC group. More microvillus numbers, branches and goblet cells were observed in CI group. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the interval feeding strategy of CpG ODN supplemental diets probably promoted growth and might be a candidate strategy in the application of crab aquaculture.

Freeze-Dried Tuna Pepsin Powder Stabilized by Some Cryoprotectants: In Vitro Simulated Gastric Digestion toward Different Proteins and Its Storage Stability.

The impact of maltodextrin (10%) in combination with trehalose or glycerol at different levels (2.5% and 5%) and their mixture on the stability of freeze-dried pepsin from skipjack tuna stomach was studied. Addition of 5% trehalose and 10% maltodextrin yielded the powder (TPP-T5) with highest relative pepsin activity (p < 0.05). TPP-T5 had different shapes and sizes, with mean particle size of 65.42 ± 57.60 μm, poly-dispersity index of 0.474, and zeta potential of −19.95. It had bulk density of 0.53 kg m−3 and possessed fair flowability. The wetting time for TPP-T5 was 16.36 ± 0.73 min, and solubility was 93.58%. TPP-T5 stored at room temperature under different relative humidities could maintain proteolytic activity up to 4 weeks. Commercial porcine pepsin (CP) and crude tuna pepsinogen had molecular weights of 35.2 and 43.3 kDa, respectively, when analyzed using gel filtration (Sephadex G-50) and SDS-PAGE. Tuna pepsin had comparable hydrolysis toward threadfin bream muscle protein, whey protein isolate, and kidney bean protein isolate to commercial pepsin, especially at a higher level (15 units/g protein). Digested proteins contained peptides with varying molecular weights as determined by MALDI-TOF. Therefore, pepsin from skipjack tuna stomach could replace commercial porcine pepsin and was beneficial supplement for patients with maldigestion, particularly the elderly.

Biochemical features and modulation of digestive enzymes by environmental temperature in the greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili

The study of fish digestive biochemistry is essential to understand factors that affect the net efficiency of food transformation and growth, and therefore aquaculture profitability. The aim of the present study was to assess the activity and functional characteristics of key digestive enzymes in juveniles of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), as well as the possible modulation of their relative importance by water temperature. For that, a combination of biochemical assays and substrate-SDS-PAGE were used. Under physiological conditions pepsin activity was negligible. Chymotrypsin was the most active enzyme in the digestive tract of the greater amberjack, while lipase was the enzyme with lower activity, though both enzymes in addition to trypsin were responsive to water temperature as revealed by discriminant analysis. Seriola dumerili showed to have pH-sensitive and, except for chymotrypsin, thermally robust proteases. Inhibition assays showed the major importance of serine proteases and revealed inverse trypsin and chymotrypsin responses to environmental temperature, with higher trypsin contribution in 26°C-fish while higher chymotrypsin contribution in 18°C-fish. Zymograms revealed three isotrypsin and three isochymotrypsin enzymes, with no variation in the presence of particular isoforms among rearing temperatures. However, they confirmed the role of chymotrypsin activity in providing digestive plasticity, with one of the isoforms being more active at lower temperatures. Thus, results indicate that variation in the relative contribution of chymotrypsin isoenzymes to a particular environmental temperature occurs due to different physic-chemical features of isoforms as a source of functional flexibility. This study assessed for the first time the effects of rearing temperature on greater amberjack digestive enzymes, increasing the knowledge on its digestive biochemistry, and aiding in the improvement of management practices for this species industrialization.

Comparative Effects of Microalgal Species on Growth, Feeding, and Metabolism of Pearl Oysters, Pinctada fucata martensii and Pinctada maxima

Pinctada fucata martensii and P. maxima are two main traditional pearl oyster species that can produce seawater pearls. Our previous study showed a higher clearance rate (CR) and growth performance in P. f. martensii than in P. maxima fed with Isochrysis galbana. In this study, the P. f. martensii and P. maxima juveniles of two sizes (large and small) were fed with six different microalgae diets [I. galbana (I), Platymonas subcordiformis (P), Chaetoceros muelleri I, I+P, I+C, and P+C] to evaluate the differences in growth, feeding, and metabolism between two pearl oyster species. After 60 d of the rearing period, P. f. martensii and P. maxima fed with mixed microalgae showed a significantly higher relative growth rate (RGR) than those fed with single microalgae (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The RGRs were significantly higher in P. f. martensii than those in P. maxima fed with the same diets (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The RGRs showed a decreasing tendency with the growth in both pearl oyster species. The CRs of pearl oysters fed with mixed microalgae were significantly higher than those fed with single microalgae (P&amp;lt; 0.05), and the CRs of P. f. martensii were significantly higher than those of P. maxima fed with the same diets (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Significantly lower respiration rates (RRs) were observed in small-size P. f. martensii groups fed with I, P, and I+P diets and all large P. f. martensii groups compared to P. maxima fed with the same diets (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Higher activities of amylase, cellulase, lipase, and pepsin in P. f. martensiiwere observed compared to P. maxima fed with the same diets at two sizes. The pepsin activities in P. maxima decreased with the growth, while there were no consistent pepsin activities of P. f. martensii with the growth. The carbonic anhydrase activities in P. maxima were significantly higher than those in P. f. martensii fed with the same diets (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The carbonic anhydrase activities were highest in the I+C diet group, followed by C+P and I+P, I, C, and P groups. Significant differences were observed among different diet groups in the same pearl oyster species (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Our results suggest that the lower CR and activities of digestive enzymes and higher RRs and activities of carbonic anhydrase may cause a lower growth rate of P. maxima compared to P. f. martensii.

Assessing protein digestibility in allergenicity risk assessment: A comparison of in silico and high throughput in vitro gastric digestion assays

The susceptibility of a novel food protein to digestion in the pepsin resistance test is widely used to inform the allergenicity risk assessment process. However, it does not model the variation in the intragastric environment found in vivo. Consequently a 96-well plate format in vitro gastric digestion protocol has been developed with a high and low pepsin activity test executed at pH 1.2, 2.5, 5.5 and 6.5. It was used to analyse seven allergens (from milk, egg, peach and peanut) and two non-allergens (cytochrome c and zein). Digestion was monitored using SDS-PAGE and densitometry. In silico predictions were not confirmed experimentally for most of the proteins studied. Proteins were ranked according to half-life and showed susceptibility to digestion was related to the stability of protein structure and protein solubility rather than allergenicity per se. Highly digestible proteins, such as β-casein and Ara h 1, generated abundant resistant fragments Mr > 3.5 kDa in the low pepsin activity test which could be immunologically significant within the context of allergenicity risk assessment for susceptible groups such as infants. The high- and low pepsin activity tests used in this study provided complementary data to support allergenicity risk assessment and used only 10 mg protein.

Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 8339 promotes larval development in Seriola rivoliana

The present study aimed to know the effect of the administration of Debaryomyces hansenii yeast on growth, development and skeletal deformities, through the quantification of molecular and morphophysiological indicators in longfin yellowtail larvae. Larvae from the yeast group were fed with the rotifers and Artemia metanaupli half enriched with D. hansenii (50% of live prey) and half enriched with Origreen® (50% of live prey) and were compared to control (100% Origreen®) from 5 to 30 days post-hatching (DPH). Each treatment had two methodological replicates. Studies on bone mineralization, skeletal deformities, intestinal histological analysis, digestive enzyme activity, differential gene expression (RT-qPCR) and transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) were performed in whole larvae. Results showed that larvae fed D. hansenii encapsulated within enriched live preys had higher survival and growth, higher intestinal mucin secretion, as well as higher activity of alkaline phosphatase, pepsin and α-amylase. The degree of bone mineralization in the cranial and caudal fin complex was higher in larvae fed D. hansenii and a lower incidence of deformities at the vertebral column was also observed. In general, the gene expression throughout the development fluctuated between the control group and the yeast treatment; however, at 30 DPH, a higher expression of the bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (bmp2), collagen type 1α1 (col1α1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna) genes was detected in larvae fed with yeast. The transcriptomic analyses using RNA-Seq revealed that the main genes related to bone mineralization degree and digestive tract maturation, were overrepresented in the D. hansenii treatment, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (3) 24-hydroxylase (cyp24), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A (cyp27a), protein 5 related to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (lrp5), myocyte-specific enhancing factor 2C (mef2), enterokinase (entk), pepsin and alkaline phosphatase. Based on the results, S. rivoliana larvae supplemented with the yeast D. hansenii presented higher growth and survival, a higher degree of maturation of the digestive tract, a higher degree of bone mineralization and a reduction in skeletal deformities, for which the continuous use of yeast is recommended as a food supplement to larvae from 5 days post-hatching onwards.

Quantitative In Silico Evaluation of Allergenic Proteins from Anacardium occidentale, Carya illinoinensis, Juglans regia and Pistacia vera and Their Epitopes as Precursors of Bioactive Peptides.

The aim of the study presented here was to determine if there is a correlation between the presence of specific protein domains within tree nut allergens or tree nut allergen epitopes and the frequency of bioactive fragments and the predicted susceptibility to enzymatic digestion in allergenic proteins from tree nuts of cashew (Anacardium occidentale), pecan (Carya illinoinensis), English walnut (Juglans regia) and pistachio (Pistacia vera) plants. These bioactive peptides are distributed along the length of the protein and are not enriched in IgE epitope sequences. Classification of proteins as bioactive peptide precursors based on the presence of specific protein domains may be a promising approach. Proteins possessing a vicilin, N-terminal family domain, or napin domain contain a relatively low occurrence of bioactive fragments. In contrast, proteins possessing the cupin 1 domain without the vicilin N-terminal family domain contain a relatively high total frequency of bioactive fragments and predicted release of bioactive fragments by the joint action of pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. This approach could be utilized in food science to simplify the selection of protein domains enriched for bioactive peptides.

Investigation of the probiotic and metabolic potential of Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei from apiaries.

Honeybee products have been among important consumer products throughout history. Microbiota has attracted attention in recent years due to both their probiotic value and industrial potential. Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), whose field of study has been expanding rapidly in the last 20 years, are among the groups that can be isolated from the bee gut. This study aimed to isolate FLAB from the honeybees of two different geographic regions in Turkey and investigate their probiotic, metabolic and anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) potential. Metabolic properties were investigated based on fructose toleration and acid and diacetyl production while the probiotic properties of the isolates were determined by examining pH, pepsin, pancreatin resistance, antimicrobial susceptibility, and antimicrobial activity. Anti-QS activities were also evaluated with the Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor strain. Two FLAB members were isolated and identified by the 16S rRNA analysis as Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei, which were found to be tolerant to high fructose, low pH, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salt environments. Both isolates showed anti-QS activity against the C. violaceum biosensor strain and no diacetyl production. The daily supernatants of the isolates inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 among the selected pathogens. The isolates were found resistant to kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. In the evaluation of the probiotic potential of these species, the negative effect of antibiotics and other chemicals to which honeybees are directly or indirectly exposed draws attention within the scope of the "One Health" approach.

Anti-ulcer effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and caraway (Carum carvi L.) essential oils on peptic ulcer and ulcerative colitis models in rats

Introduction: Essential oils are considered a potential alternative to synthetic drugs in the management of diseases such as peptic ulcer (PU) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This study is concerned with comparing the therapeutic effects of Cuminum cyminum L, Carum carvi L, and Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils on PU and UC models induced by ethanol. Methods: Rats were divided into 10 groups; control groups were treated with saline and experimental groups with 500 mg/kg body weight of C. cyminum, C. carvi, or T. vulgaris essential oil. Curative effects were determined by measuring tissue oxidative markers, such as reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), as well as the inflammatory marker prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), stomach pepsin (PEP), and colon alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Biochemical and histological examinations were done on stomach and colon tissues. Results: The current study proved the anti-ulcer effects of C. cyminum, C. carvi, and T. vulgaris essential oils. They improved the oxidative and inflammatory markers in both stomach and colon tissues and modulated stomach PEP and colon ALP activities. T. vulgaris essential oil modulated GSH and MDA levels resulting in a significant elevation in GSH levels by 120.43% and 99.46% and a significant reduction in MDA levels by 20.05% and 24.1% in PU and UC models, respectively. C. carvi essential oil was the most effective in restoring PGE2 by 71.51% compared to UC group. Results were confirmed by the morphological and histopathological changes. Conclusion: C. cyminum, C. carvi, or T. vulgaris essential oils might be used in the management of acute PU and UC.