Beneficial Components Research Articles

Widely targeted metabolomics and SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed the quality characteristics of non-volatile/volatile compounds in Zheng’an Bai tea

BackgroundAs albino tea under the geographical protection of agricultural products, Zheng’an Bai tea is not only rich in amino acids, polyphenols and other beneficial components for the human body, but also its leaf color will turn green as the temperature gradually rises, thus causing changes in the quality characteristics of tea leaves. However, these changing characteristics have not yet been revealed.MethodsIn-depth quality analysis was carried out on the fresh leaves of Zheng’an Bai tea at four different developmental stages and four samples from the processing stage through extensive targeted metabolomics and SPME-GC-MS analysis.ResultsIn this study, a total of 573 non-volatile metabolites were detected from the fresh leaves and processing samples of Zheng’an Bai tea, mainly including 96 flavonoids, 75 amino acids, 56 sugars and alcohols, 48 terpenoids, 46 organic acids, 44 alkaloids, and 39 polyphenols and their derivatives. In fresh leaves, the most significant differential metabolites (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) among different samples mainly include substances such as ethyl gallate, theaflavin, isovitexin and linalool, while the main differential metabolites of samples in the processing stage include alkaloids, polyphenols and flavonoids such as zarzissine, methyl L-Pyroglutamate, theaflavin 3,3’-digallate, euscaphic acid and ethyl gallate. Overall, substances such as sugars and alcohols, alkaloids and polyphenols show the greatest differences between fresh leaves and the processing process. Meanwhile, 97 kinds of volatile metabolites were detected in these samples, most of which had a higher content in the fresh leaves. Moderate spreading is conducive to the release of the aroma of tea leaves, but fixation causes a sharp decrease in the content of most volatile metabolites. Ultimately, 9 volatile substances including geraniol, linalool, nerolidol, jasmone, octanal, 1-Nonanal, heptaldehyde, methyl salicylate and 1-Octen-3-ol were identified as the key aroma components (OAV >1) of Zheng’an Bai tea.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study has for the first time comprehensively revealed the quality change characteristics of fresh leaves at different developmental stages and during the processing of Zheng’an Bai tea, and provided a foundation for further process improvement.

Bridging the Gap: Supplements Strategies from Experimental Research to Clinical Applications in Sarcopenic Obesity

Obesity causes fat accumulation, and sarcopenia causes loss of muscle mass and strength; together, they worsen insulin resistance and accelerate muscle decline, creating a harmful cycle. Some supplements, along with physical exercise, could be remedies for sarcopenic obesity (SO). In this review, we aim to draw a comparison between supplements studied in experimental research and those evaluated in clinical studies for SO. In experimental studies, Sea Buckthorn—in forms such as oil, freeze-dried powder or pomace—has been shown to enhance muscle cell growth, improve gut microbiota, provide hypoglycemic benefits and increase muscle mass by promoting protein synthesis. Increased consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids may play a protective role against SO in women. Melatonin may positively impact obesity and SO by reducing oxidative stress. Elevated irisin levels, such as those observed with vitamin D supplementation, could prevent muscle wasting and fat gain in SO by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation. There have been many studies highlighting the potential of vitamin D in preventing age related sarcopenia; however, the effect of vitamin D supplementation in SO is under-researched and appears less promising. Future clinical trials using natural supplements hold promise, as these provide multiple beneficial components that may work synergistically to treat SO.

The Potential Applications of Natural Colostrum in Skin Health

Skin is a crucial organ for preserving the body’s equilibrium. Like other parts of the body, skin also ages due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors, leading to several signs such as wrinkles, spots, and a decline in elasticity, causing a range of issues similar to those seen elsewhere in the body. Some of these factors include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, hormonal disorders, genetic factors, loss of moisture, metabolic disorders, exposure to chemicals, and smoking. Colostrum, which is the initial foremilk, has shown positive effects on the consequences of these factors. Its content is richer than mature milk and contains several beneficial components. For instance, it includes hyaluronic acid, a molecule that binds water and keeps the skin hydrated; lactoferrin, with high antimicrobial properties; immunoglobulins, which are responsible for immunity; growth factors, which increase the amount of collagen, the main protein type of the skin; and, finally, the telomerase enzyme, which maintains the telomere’s length and, thus, decelerates the aging process. It has recently become apparent that using skin products with natural ingredients is essential. Considering its nature, contents, and effects, colostrum stands out as an excellent material for the cosmetic industry, especially for the aging sector. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to demonstrate the potential application of natural colostrum in skin health and its usage in natural cosmetic products in the cosmetic sector.

Sequential fermentation of Ginkgo biloba seeds by Bacillus subtilis natto and Lactobacillus plantarum enhanced nutrition, flavor and lipid-lowering activity.

Ginkgo biloba seeds (GBS) are rich in flavonoids, proteins and reducing sugar, and have been consumed as food and medicinal nuts for thousands of years. However, the presence of ginkgotoxins and their poor palatability limit people's consumption of them. This study used solid-state fermentation with Bacillus subtilis natto and Lactobacillus plantarum to enhance the safety and benefits of GBS. Optimized fermentation conditions increased the content of beneficial components like total flavonoids, soluble protein and reducing sugar while eliminating unpleasant odors (isoamyl aldehyde and hexanal) and reducing the toxin 4'-O-methylpyridoxine by 91.17%. Fermentation of GBS powder can significantly enhance its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro (P < 0.001). Furthermore, it exhibits a dose-dependent effect within a certain concentration range. Mixed fermentation (FBnLp) was evaluated for its effects on obesity and metabolic syndrome in mice fed a high-fat diet. FBnLp significantly reduced body and liver weight gain, prevented dyslipidemia and decreased inflammatory and oxidative stress compared to unfermented GBS. Histological analysis showed that FBnLp improved liver health by reducing fat accumulation and preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Meanwhile, it was found that feeding FBnLp increased the expression of CPT-1α, which regulates energy expenditure and fat breakdown, and downregulated the expression of SREBP-1c, FAS and ACC, which regulate fat synthesis. This research provides new insights and technological support for the application and development of FBnLp as a functional product, addressing key issues in its use and industry growth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Recent Advance on Phytochemicals, Nutraceutical and Pharmacological Activities of Buckwheat.

Buckwheat, a member of the Fagopyrum genus in the Polygonaceae family, is an ancient pseudocereal with noteworthy nutraceutical properties that have been relatively less explored. This crop holds great promise for the future due to its gluten-free protein, wellbalanced amino acid profile, and the presence of bioactive flavonoids that promote good health. With its gluten-free nature and a combination of beneficial nutritional components, buckwheat shows significant potential for a variety of health benefits. The objective of the present review aims to explore various nutritional and pharmacological properties of buckwheat. With the help of various search engines such as, Pubmed, Google and Semantic Scholar, research and review papers were carefully investigated and summarized in a comprehensive review. A fascinating spectrum of nutritional and pharmacological activities of common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat were explored such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neurological disorders, antiobesity, anticancer, cardiovascular agents and many more. This review provides a concise overview of the current understanding of the chemical composition of both common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat and the captivating spectrum of pharmacological activity and also underscoring their immense potential for future advancements.

First-year evaluation of a campus-wide, cross-disciplinary scholarly writing development program supported by a center for biomedical research excellence (COBRE).

Scholarly publications are important indicators of research productivity and investigator development in Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBREs). However, no information is available to describe implementation and evaluation of writing development programs within COBREs. Therefore, this paper aimed to evaluate the first year of a campus-wide COBRE-supported writing program. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design (QUAN + QUAL) was used. All writing program participants were invited to complete post-participation surveys, and a subgroup was selected using purposive sampling to complete individual semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize survey data, and qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze interview data. Self-determination theory served as the theoretical framework by which themes were developed and interpreted. Professional staff, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty from all academic ranks (n = 29) participated in the writing program during its first year. Survey respondents (n = 18, response rate 62%) rated social support (89%), group accountability (89%), hearing group members' writing goals (78%), receiving group advice (67%), and setting a weekly writing schedule (56%) as beneficial program components. Participants rated program benefits such as breaking away from other responsibilities, staying on task with writing goals, and receiving social support as most beneficial. During interviews, participants (n = 14) described five major themes related to the benefits received: 1) belonging to a community of writers; 2) managing writing-related emotions; 3) improved productivity; 4) establishing helpful writing habits; and 5) improved motivation for scholarly writing. This first-year programmatic evaluation demonstrates the writing program's effectiveness as a campus-level development resource supported by a research center. Both survey and interview data affirmed that participants perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness were supported through participation in the writing program. Participants placed particular emphasis on the writing program's successful development of a community of scholarly writers.

Pulses as Sustainable Protein Sources: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Gaps

Abstract: Pulses have redeemed the interest in terms of a sustainable and healthy diet due to their high protein content. Furthermore, the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals they contain also make them more valuable nutritionally. A sustainable diet should improve public health and food security and has a low environmental footprint. Pulses have been considered one of the emerging plant food proteins. Although they have beneficial components such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants, many drawbacks limit their use to consumers and the food industry. One of the drawbacks is their incomplete proteins due to the lack of sulfur-containing amino acids in their protein profile. Furthermore, the protein digestibility of pulses is low due to the antinutritional compounds they contain. The other drawback of pulses is their beany flavor and bitter taste that limits the acceptability of consumers. From the consumer's point of view, the other disadvantage is the laborious and timeconsuming preparation period. : This article provides a concise overview of the current state of knowledge on pulses as sustainable protein sources, underlining the gaps that limit their extensive application in the food industry. Based on the available scientific facts on pulses, finding an efficient method for removing beany flavor and overall sensorial acceptability and antinutritional factors, thus increasing protein digestibility is crucial. The most promising option to increase pulse protein digestibility seems to combine conventional and novel technologies that can modulate digestibility by different mechanisms, such as the removal of antinutritional factors, protein denaturation, and the design of the food matrix.

Deciphering the importance of nanoencapsulation to improve the availability of bioactive molecules in food sources to the human body

Various bodily functions are maintained, and health benefits are provided by food-derived bioactive components. Fruits and vegetables contain numerous beneficial components, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and phytonutrients. However, the body's ability to absorb these substances at a given rate and degree frequently limits their bioavailability. If food-derived bio actives are used as therapeutic or dietary interventions, this limitation can result in low efficacy and suboptimal results. Recently, nanotechnology has been a useful method for increasing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds produced from food. Active ingredients can be delivered and absorbed more efficiently with the help of nanotechnology. By altering their size or surface properties, bioactive components can be made more soluble, permeable, and bioavailable through nanotechnology. The present review will provide an overview of the various bioactive components, the application of nanotechnology to improve the availability of bioactive molecules to humans and animals, and the challenges and safety concerns associated with nanotechnology in the production of food-derived bioactive molecules.

Changes of microbial active ingredients and antioxidant capacity during fermentation process of dark tea

Dark tea, a traditional fermented tea in China, is known for its unique flavor and enhanced health potential due to its fermentation process. However, previous studies on the evolution of its active ingredients and antioxidant properties have been limited by inadequate sample collection, single analytical methods, and insufficient data processing. To address these challenges, this study employed a comprehensive strategy to analyze the dynamic changes of active compounds and antioxidant efficacy during dark tea fermentation using refined sampling, diverse assay techniques, and advanced data analysis. A multi-point temporal sampling method was used to capture key stages of fermentation, ensuring comprehensive data. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and various antioxidant assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) enabled precise quantification of tea polyphenols, catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that tea polyphenols and catechins decreased, theaflavins increased then slightly declined, and thearubigins steadily rose as fermentation progressed. These changes were linked to fluctuations in antioxidant capacity, peaking at around 30 mg/g of phenolic compounds. The study also explored optimizing fermentation to enhance the retention of beneficial components, maximizing antioxidant properties and improving product quality. This research advances the understanding of dark tea fermentation and supports the sustainable development of the dark tea industry.

Enhancing Nutritional Value of Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L.) Products: The Role of Fruit and Vegetable Pomace

In this study, the quality and health-promoting components in rhubarb products sweetened with isomaltulose and enriched with fruit (apple, chokeberry, black currant) and vegetable (beetroot, carrot) pomace were assessed. All products with added pomace had higher levels of ash (27–65%) and macro- and microelements (5–436% and 5–333%) compared to the sample without pomace. The addition of pomace also increased the total antioxidant activity. The addition of pomace increased the value of gel strength (Fe) by 22–73% compared to the control; the highest value was found in the product enriched with chokeberry pomace (1.71 N). Red (a* &gt; 0) and yellow (b* &gt; 0) dominated all products, and values of the L* parameter ranged from 7.81 to 37.54. The brightest were the products with added carrot, apple, and beet pomace, while the darkest were those containing chokeberry and blackcurrant pomace. The values of the texture parameters decreased after storage, but to a lesser extent in the products with pomace; however, the products with pomace maintained greater antioxidant activity and retained beneficial components better than those without. A slight darkening of the products and a decrease in the proportion of red (a*) and yellow (b*) color was also observed.

Exploring synergistic effects of Achyranthes bidentata Blume and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on hypertension with liver yang hyperactivity using the multidisciplinary integrative strategy

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations serve as a multi-component pharmacological combination therapy with various potential targets and have collected extensive knowledge regarding the in vivo efficacy of treating cardiovascular disorders in clinical practice for thousands of years. However, the obscurity of the chemicals and the molecular mechanisms are impediments to their continued growth and globalization. Therefore, new modern medications based on the combination of beneficial TCM components with precise clinical efficacy are required. The goal of this study was to find the best combination of Achyranthes bidentata Blume (AB) and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PL) for hypertension with liver yang hyperactivity (HLYH). The integrated research consisting of principal component analysis (PCA), metabolomics, microbiology, and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) were used to find the optimal combination of AB-PL combinations and reveal the mechanism of action. The result showed AB-PL (2:3) had a substantial protective impact on HLYH, as shown by lower blood pressure, improved liver yang hyperactivity, reduced cardiac remodeling and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased NO content. Furthermore, the essential elements for AB-PL reducing hypertension may be related to 135 metabolites and 23 microorganisms. In conclusion, our findings support the efficacy of herbal remedies in the treatment of hypertension and provide some pharmacological evidence for the ongoing development of novel modern Chinese drugs for cardiovascular disorders.

Multiscale implicit frequency selective network for single‐image dehazing

AbstractImage dehazing is aimed to reconstruct a clear latent image from a degraded image affected by haze. Although vision transformers have achieved impressive success in various computer vision tasks, the limitations in scale and quality of available datasets have hindered the transformer effectiveness for image dehazing. Thus, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) remain the mainstream approach for image dehazing, offering robust performance and adaptability. We further explore the potential of CNNs in image dehazing by proposing a multiscale implicit frequency selection network (MIFSN). The proposed MIFSN enhances multiscale representation learning based on U‐shaped networks. As hazy and clear images considerably differ in high‐frequency components, we introduce an implicit frequency selection module to amplify high‐frequency components of features and generate candidate feature maps. Implicit frequency selection attention is then used to emphasize and merge beneficial frequency components. Results from extensive experiments on synthetic and real‐world datasets demonstrate the superior performance of MIFSN for image dehazing.

Health Hazards Associated with Dietary Exposure of Female Rat to Cadmium-Contaminated Cooked Rice: Biochemical, Hormonal, and Histopathological Analysis.

The actual exposure, bioavailability, and body burden of dietary cadmium (Cd) vary with the food matrix. Here, we evaluated the health hazards of 45-day long-term exposure of growing Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats to a natural and endogenous Cd-contaminated brown and white cooked rice dietary model. Cd was found mainly in the duodenum, kidney, and liver; the cecum and colon also contained substantial amounts of Cd in rats fed Cd-contaminated cooked white rice (cWR-test) but not Cd-contaminated cooked brown rice (cBR-test). Damage due to Cd exposure was reflected in liver dysfunction, altered estradiol levels, and distinctive pathologies in organ systems, although urinary Cd (U-Cd) excretion and blood Cd (B-Cd) were not detectable, suggesting that these are not the most accurate or appropriate biomarkers for evaluating dietary Cd exposure. Brown rice, despite being higher in Cd, can reduce Cd absorption and distribution in organs and increase the volume of Cd-containing feces, even achieving slightly higher excretion and lower apparent absorption rates of Cd than white rice, thereby reducing Cd damage to the body. The beneficial components of brown rice such as more dietary fiber, rice bran oil and polyphenol were speculated therefore to confer a degree of protection or repair. Nevertheless, the high apparent absorption levels observed here (> 5%) and signs of significant physical damage indicate that more stringent Cd intake guidelines and measures are needed to minimize Cd levels in rice.

Phytochemical Screening and Biological Activity (Antioxidant and Antibacterial) of Punica granatum Fruit peel extract Cultivated in Sa'dah Governorate-Yemen

Punica granatum (Pomegranate) is a valuable source of secondary plant metabolism compounds (SMs) that are widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. The phytochemical screening illustrates that the Sa’dah P. granatum cultivar peel ethanol extract containsvarious beneficial components, including Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Steroids, Phenols, and Tannins. Moreover, the Sa’dah P. granatum cultivar peel ethanol extract (1.3 μg/ml) exhibited significant antioxidant activity compared to low concentrations of ascorbic acid (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 μg/ml). Furthermore, the Sa’dah P. granatum cultivar peel ethanol extract displays potent antibacterial activities against selected pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) compared to two nominated antibiotics (Ampicillin and Gentamicin). This remarkable performance can be attributed to the presence of phenols and flavonoid compounds, which exhibit high antioxidant activity.

Feasibility and acceptability of a caregiver-mediated early support program, delivered online, for infants at elevated familial likelihood for autism: A feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Preliminary evidence indicates potential benefit of providing caregiver-mediated intervention, prior to diagnosis, for infants at elevated familial likelihood for autism and related developmental delays including language delay (EL-A). However, delivering such interventions online and in low-resource settings like India has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a novel manualized caregiver-mediated early support program, the "LiL' STEPS," online in India, for EL-A infants. LiL' STEPS stands for Language development & Intervention Lab's (LiL') Supporting Early social-communication and language by Promoting caregiver Sensitive responsiveness (STEPS). The program comprised 14 sessions with a focus on social-communication and language, conducted over 12-weeks using demonstration and video feedback. Families of 36 EL-A infants aged 9 to 15-months participated in this feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT). Families were randomized in a 2:1 ratio (n = 24 LiL' STEPS and n = 12 care as usual groups). Information on feasibility and acceptability was collated following a mixed methods approach from caregiver interviews, fidelity forms, session notes, and study register. Findings indicated the LiL' STEPS study trial as feasible and acceptable with recruitment rate of 4 per month, 100% willingness for randomization, 8.3% attrition, and 3.03% loss of blinding. Interventionist and caregiver fidelity was maintained above 80%. Despite challenges like interruptions during sessions, 100% families found the program acceptable and satisfactory, 86% said they would recommend the program to others, and 71% preferred online modality. Caregivers' perspectives on beneficial components and experience attending the program have been described. Accordingly, recommendations for future definitive RCTs have been presented.

Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Acanthopanax senticosus with Regard to Regulated Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Previous studies have shown that Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) has a beneficial preventive and therapeutic effect on colitis. The fermentation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can alter the efficacy of AS by modifying or producing new compounds with potential bioactive properties. However, the specific components and mechanisms that enhance the efficacy are still unclear. In the present experiment, untargeted metabolomics was used to analyze the changes in active components before and after LAB fermentation of AS. The aim was to explain the mechanism of AS fermentation in treating colitis using a colitis model in mice. The results indicated that the fermentation of LAB could enhance the levels of total flavonoids and total polyphenols in FAS. Additionally, the beneficial components such as Delphinidin chloride, Diosmetin, Psoralidin, and Catechol significantly increased (p < 0.05). The colitis treatment experiment demonstrated that fermented AS could alleviate symptoms and improve the morphology of colitis in mice by enhancing antioxidant enzymes like CAT, T-SOD, and T-AOC. It also regulated the composition and abundance of intestinal flora species, such as Lactobacillus and Pseudogracilibacillus. The effectiveness of fermented AS was significantly superior to that of unfermented AS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study contributes to the application of lactic acid bacteria in AS fermentation and reveals the mechanism of fermentation AS for colitis.

Hydrophilic Components as Key Active Ingredients in Adipose-Derived Matrix Bioscaffolds for Inducing Fat Regeneration.

Decellularized adipose-derived matrix (DAM) has emerged as a promising biomaterial for soft tissue reconstruction. However, due to a lack of research on its complex composition, the understanding of the key components in DAM remains limited, leading to inconsistent adipogenic properties and challenges in optimizing preparation methods purposefully. In this study, it is proposed for the first time that DAM comprises two distinct components: hydrophilic (H-DAM) and lipophilic (L-DAM), each with markedly different effects on fat regeneration. It is confirmed that H-DAM is the key component for inducing fat regeneration due to its enhanced cell-cell and cell-scaffold interactions, primarily mediated by the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In contrast, L-DAM exhibits poor cell adhesion and contains more antigenic components, leading to a higher immunoinflammatory response and reduced adipogenesis. In addition, it is found that intracellular proteins, which are more abundant in H-DAM, can be retained as beneficial components due to their hydrophilicity, contrary to the conventional view that they shall be removed. Accordingly, a purified bioscaffold with unprecedented efficacy is proposed for fat regeneration and reduced immunogenicity. This finding provides insights for developing scaffolds for fat regeneration and promotes the realization of xenotransplantation.

Insights into seed coats of nine cultivars of Australian lupin: Unravelling LC-QTOF MS-based biochemical profiles, nutritional, functional, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties together with rationalizing antidiabetic mechanism by in silico approaches

Lupins, and other legumes, have attained international interest due to their reported remarkable health benefits. Currently, the seed coats are discarded as waste or animal feed. The research presented here summarizes the potential for incorporating the seed coats into ‘whole grain’ foods. We aimed to identify metabolites found in the seed coats of nine commercial Australian cultivars of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius and L. albus species), and to evaluate and compare their functional, nutritional, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties, along with in silico exploration of mechanisms of action for selected identified secondary metabolites. The seed coats were found to contain 79 to 90% dietary fibers and substantial quantity of essential macrometals. LC-QTOF MS-based, untargeted bioactive metabolite profiling explored a total of 673 chemical entities, and identified 63 bioactive secondary metabolites including: biophenols, unsaturated fatty acids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and dietary prebiotics (insoluble fibers). The seed coats from these nine cultivars show substantial antioxidant activity. The cultivars of L. angustifolius inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase significantly in vitro. Moreover, in silico docking and dynamic simulation along with ADME/T analysis suggest that quercetin 3-methyl ether and 8-C-methylquercetin 3-methyl ether as molecules, novel in lupin seed coats, are responsible for the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. The findings indicated that lupin seed coats might be beneficial food components, rather than be discarded as ‘mill waste’

Fermented licorice extract alleviates ulcerative colitis by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and rebuilding intestinal microbiota in mice

There was limited research on investigating the suitable lactic acid bacteria genera for fermentation of on licorice extract and studying the effects of the fermentation products on ulcerative colitis (UC). The purpose of this study was to preliminarily investigate the therapeutic effects of licorice extract fermented by probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum ZKLp100 on UC and its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS), Western blot, immunohistochemical and 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. Results shown that Lactobacillus plantarum ZKLp100 exhibited strong tolerance to acid and bile salts and antibacterial capabilities. The optimal conditions for fermenting licorice extract involved an inoculum of ZKLp100 at 3.2 × 108 CFU/mL, licorice extract concentration of 75%, yeast extract addition of 0.4%, fermentation duration of 20 h, resulting in a viable bacterial count of 4.0 × 108 CFU/mL. Fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum ZKLp100 significantly enhanced the proportion of beneficial components in licorice extract. Fermented licorice extract significantly alleviated clinical symptoms (P < 0.05), inflammation (P < 0.05), oxidative stress (P < 0.05), and intestinal damage (P < 0.05), while rebuilt the intestinal microbiota in UC mice. Mechanistic study revealed that fermented licorice extract significantly inhibited the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in colon tissues (P < 0.05). Additionally, under equivalent concentrations, the therapeutic efficacy of fermented licorice extract was significantly superior to that of licorice extract (P < 0.05). In conclusion, licorice extract fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum ZKLp100 alleviated UC by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and rebuilding intestinal microbiota in mice.

Bio-nanocomposites: Innovative solutions for addressing issues in health, agriculture, energy and environmental domains

The extensive industrial use of plastics causes serious environmental problems. In order to solve this, scientists have concentrated on developing composites that are environmentally sustainable through the integration of nanofillers with bio-based components. These bio-nanocomposites, with significant potential in health, agriculture, energy, and environmental applications, offer a viable alternative to conventional plastics. In the field of medicine, bio-nanocomposites, owing to their unique properties and functionalities, find extensive applications in tissue culture, wound healing, and drug delivery. Also, bio-nanocomposites have the ability to support sustainable agriculture while enhancing crop yields. Additionally, due to their enhanced conductivity and environmentally beneficial components, bio-nanocomposites stimulate innovations in energy storage and renewable energy technology. Furthermore, the bio-nanocomposites provide environmentally friendly options for remediation and pollution management. This review explores the diverse applications of nanocomposite and bio-nanocomposite materials across healthcare, agriculture, energy storage and environment sectors and discusses strategies for enhancing their features to suit specific applications.