B12 Content Research Articles

Simultaneous Determination of Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 in Tablet Forms Using the Area Under the Curve Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry Method

This research focuses on creating the area under the curve (AUC) ultraviolet spectrophotometry method approach to assess the concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 in tablet formulations, bypassing the need for separation steps. The technique relies on calculating the AUC values across different concentrations within a specified wavelength range, using methanol as the solvent. Subsequently, the method was applied to evaluate the levels of these vitamins in the tablets. The analysis targeted specific wavelength ranges for each vitamin: 250-260 nm for B1, 279-289 nm for B2, 267-277 nm for B3, 312-322 nm for B6, and 382-392 nm for B12. The average recovery rates achieved were 100.07% for B1, 100.70% for B2, 100.52% for B3, 100.02% for B6, and 99.90% for B12 in the tablet samples. This method proved effective for the simultaneous analysis of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 in tablet forms and satisfied the necessary validation criteria. Keywords: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, the area under the curve, ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

Effects of different additives on fermentation quality, mycotoxin concentrations, and microbial communities in high-moisture corn kernels during wet storage.

The moisture content of corn kernels at harvest in China is relatively high, and wet storage effectively preserves high-moisture corn kernels. However, ensuring effective fermentation during storage is crucial. To address this, we systematically investigated the variations in fermentation quality, mycotoxin concentrations, and microbial community composition under different additive treatments. The treatments included CK (control, deionized water), LAB homo- and hetero-lactic acid bacteria: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Weissella confusa MF01, and EN (cellulase), followed by 60 and 90 days of fermentation. The results indicated that both LAB and EN treatments significantly reduced the concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and zearalenone (ZEN) compared to CK during the wet storage of high-moisture corn kernels. LAB treatment notably increased lactic and acetic acid levels, decreased pH and NH3-N content, and improved crude protein (CP, 8.24% DM) and starch content (73.01% DM) compared to CK. LAB treatment also reduced water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (5.05% DM). Microbial diversity was reduced in the LAB treatment, as evidenced by decreases in both common and unique operational taxonomic units, while the relative abundance of Weissella increased after 60 days compared to CK. In contrast, despite higher lactic and acetic acid levels in the EN treatment, the pH did not decrease significantly due to higher NH3-N content. Overall, the LAB treatment outperformed other treatments by achieving lower mycotoxin concentrations, better fermentation quality, and superior preservation of nutritional components. This study provides valuable theoretical support and practical guidance for improving the wet storage of high-moisture corn kernels and enhancing their safety and nutritional value during storage.

Chemical composition and consumer acceptability of oyster mushroom and sorghum-pearl millet based composite flours

Due to over-reliance on starchy staple foods in Kenya Micronutrient deficiency (MD) and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) are the major nutritional concerns. Despite these foods being characterized by low nutrient densities, they are still used as main food ingredient especially in making porridges. Therefore, this study intended to develop composite flour of sorghum-pearl millet blends fortified with oyster mushroom and further evaluate its chemical composition and consumer acceptability. The sorghum and pearl millet were soaked in tap water then solar dried followed by milling into flour. Oyster mushrooms were also solar dried and milled. Subsequently, oyster mushroom was substituted to sorghum-pearl millet blends at 10–50 % to achieve the composite flours. Proximate composition of the samples was determined using standard methods, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Ultraviolet Spectroscopy/Mass Spectrometry were used for mineral and vitamin analyses, respectively. In addition, consumer acceptability test was done on thin porridges was also carried out using untrained panelists. Protein content of the composite flours increased from 11.15–19.74 %, and there were significant increases in fiber (2.68–10.66 %) and ash (1.38 % to 5–79 %). Mineral content increased with Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, Zn and Fe as high as 286.25 mg/100 g, 2088.05 mg/100 g, 167.55 mg/100 g, 1833.05 mg/100 g, 136.75 mg/100 g, 4.22 mg/100 g and 9.46 mg/100 g respectively. An improvement of B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9 vitamin contents was also observed. Sensory analysis showed relatively moderate overall acceptance of thin porridges from the composite flours, although the acceptability decreased with the increase in oyster mushroom. Specifically, composite flour with 50% oyster mushroom was rich in most nutrients but it had the lowest scores for the sensory attributes. In conclusion, addition of oyster mushroom increased the overall nutritional composition of local cereal based staple foods an indication of potential solution to PEM and MD.

The concentration and prevalence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in imported rice (Oryza sativa) samples from Iranian market: a probabilistic dietary risk assessment

ABSTRACT This investigation aimed to measure the concentrations of total aflatoxin (AFT), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and ochratoxin A (OTA) in imported rice samples to Iran and conduct a probabilistic health risk assessment for consumers. Three thousand seven hundred fifty-one imported rice samples were randomly collected from March 2022 to April 2024. The AFT, AFB1, and OTA concentrations were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a flame ionisation detector (HPLC-FID) and an ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). The ranking of mycotoxins based on mean concentration in rice was as follows: AFT (3.996 ± 6.925 µg/kg) > AFB1 (2.648 ± 5.746 µg/kg) > OTA (0.088 ± 0.847 µg/kg). The prevalence of these mycotoxins was found to be AFT present in 897 out of 3,710 samples (24.18%), AFB1 in 657 samples (17.52%), and OTA in 40 samples (1.07%). Significant correlations were observed between AFT and AFB1 (C: 0.96, p-value < 0.001), AFT and OTA (C: 0.28, p-value < 0.001), and AFB1 and OTA (C: 0.15, p-value < 0.001). The 95th percentile of the Margin of Exposure (MOE) for AFB1 in adult and child consumers was 0.930 and 0.270, respectively, while the Hazard Quotient (HQ) for OTA in adults and children was 0.030 and 0.100, respectively. The estimated cancer risk percentages for AFB1 in rice were 22.220 for adults and 43.500 for children. Overall, consuming imported rice containing AFT, AFB1, and OTA does not pose a significant non-carcinogenic risk to consumers’ health. However, the carcinogenic risk in Iran is higher than in other countries. Therefore, it is recommended that more effective and continuous monitoring programmes be implemented to ensure the quality of imported rice.

Vicious cycle of vitamin B1 insufficiency and heart failure in cardiology outpatients.

Heart failure is a major manifestation of vitamin B1 deficiency; beriberi. We have previously reported that even vitamin B1 insufficiency, milder than deficiency, is a risk for heart failure in the institutionalized elderly. Then in this cross-sectional study, sixty-eight cardiology outpatients were evaluated for their whole blood vitamin B1 and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations, a sensitive marker of heart failure, as well as their dietary intake. Whole blood vitamin B1 concentration was significantly correlated with plasma BNP level in vitamin B1-deficient/insufficient patients (whole blood vitamin B1<28 ‍ng/ml) but not in sufficient patients. Whole blood vitamin B1 concentration was significantly lower in loop diuretics users than non-users. Multiple regression analysis has identified whole blood vitamin B1 concentration and eGFR as the significant contributors to log-transformed plasm BNP level, and loop diuretics use, serum albumin level, and eGFR as the contributors to whole blood vitamin B1 concentration. ROC analysis has shown the significant predictability of whole blood vitamin B1 for plasma BNP ≥100 pg/ml with the cut-off value of 23.5 ‍ng/ml. Vitamin B1 insufficiency is a risk of heart failure in the cardiology outpatients, and the therapeutic use of loop diuretics aggravates heart failure and possibly forms a vicious cycle.

Evaluation of thiamine and riboflavin in different varieties of rice grown in Kurigram district, Bangladesh

ContextRice is indeed a staple food in many parts of the world, including Bangladesh. This research aimed to evaluate the two essential vitamin levels in different processed rice sunned, parboiled, cooked sunned, cooked parboiled, and washed cooked rice. ObjectiveThe study focused on analyzing the thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) contents in 10 different varieties of paddy samples grown in the Kurigram district of Bangladesh. MethodsA high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique assembled with fluorescence detector was employed for these analyses. Two calibration curves were generated to analyze vitamin B1 and B2 (for thiamine the regression coefficient, r2 = 0.9992 and riboflavin r2 = 0.9989). The study demonstrated a recovery rate of 96.88 % for vitamin B1 and 104.24 % for vitamin B2. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the vitamin B1 and B2 contents across different rice samples. Results and conclusionThe results showed that the parboiled samples had the highest thiamine content, ranging from 342.50 ± 0.3 to 673.0 ± 7.5 μg/100 g, compared to the sunned samples, which had a range of 209.5 ± 0.3 to 337.4 ± 4.3 μg/100 g. Conversely, the sunned samples had the highest riboflavin content, ranging from 26.4 ± 0.2 to 59.6 ± 0.3 μg/100 g, while the parboiled samples had a range of 3.0 ± 0.1 to 26.6 ± 0.01 μg/100 g. Additionally, it was observed that the steaming process increased the thiamine content and reduced the riboflavin content in parboiled rice samples but decreased both the thiamine and riboflavin in sunned rice samples. Another study showed a gradual decrease in the levels of both vitamins B1 and B2 in sunned, cooked sunned and washed cooked sunned rice samples. SignificanceThese findings provide valuable insights into the impact of processing methods, such as parboiling and steaming, on the thiamine and riboflavin contents in rice. The results suggest that parboiled rice may be a preferable choice for individuals seeking higher thiamine content in their diet, while sunned rice may contain higher levels of riboflavin. The results shed light on the nutritional profiles of different rice varieties and highlight the potential impact of processing techniques on the vitamin content of rice.

Modern quality control methods of flax seeds herbal drugs in Russia

Flax seeds are valuable medicinal and food raw materials because of their various complex of biologically active substances (BAS). They have a great potential for pharmaceutical practice and food industry. The purpose of the work is to study the possibilities for improvement of methods for standardization of flax seeds and drugs (infusion is the dietary supplement (DS), which contains fatty flax seeds extra virgin oil in gelatin capsule and fatty flax seeds oil containing in multicomponent drugs) on their basis. The following groups of BAS are studied by modern physicochemical methods: contents of polysaccharides (gravimetry), contents and composition of the fatty acids containing in fatty oils (gas flame photometric chromatography) and contents of vitamins B2, C, E, carotenoids (α- and β-carotenoids) (high-performance UV chromatography). The study establishes, that the whole flax seeds contain 8.23±0.38% of polysaccharides, 438±53 mg/g of fatty oils (the main fatty acids are α-linoleic acid (234±47 mg/g), oleic acid (60±12 mg/g), and linoleic acid (61±12 mg/g)), 31.00±4.65 mg/100g of vitamin B2, 330.00±49.50 mg/100g of vitamin C, 19.60±2.94 mg/100g of vitamin E, and 10.30±1.55 mg/100g of carotenoids. Contents of 0.62±0.04% of polysaccharides, 2.85±0.43 µg/100 ml of vitamin B2, and 45.00±6.75 µg/100 ml of vitamin C are peculiar to the infusion. We have determined that the DS “Flax seeds oil in capsules” contents three major fatty acids. They are α-linoleic acid (234±47 mg/g), oleic acid (60±12 mg/g), linoleic acid (61±1 2mg/g), 27.00±4.05 mg/100g of vitamin E (summarized tocopherols in terms of tocopherol acetate), and 14.90±2.24 mg/100g of carotenoids. Contents of fatty oil in the “Dicloran ® Plus” drug is of 277±33 mg/g (the main fatty acids are α-linoleic acid (20±4 mg/g), oleic acid (6±1 mg/g), and linoleic acid (4±1 mg/g)) and 1.10±0.17 µg/100 g of vitamin E. Ratio of major fatty acids containing in the subjects, which consist of fatty flax seeds oils, are: α-linoleic acid: oleic acid: linoleic acid is 4:1:1 is peculiar. The received data is used to update current regulatory documentation and to introduce the new one to regulate quality of flax seeds and flax drugs.

Novel isolates expand the physiological diversity of Prochlorococcus and illuminate its macroevolution.

Prochlorococcus is a diverse picocyanobacterial genus and the most abundant phototroph on Earth. Its photosynthetic diversity divides it into high-light (HL)- or low-light (LL)-adapted groups representing broad phylogenetic grades-each composed of several monophyletic clades. Here, we physiologically characterize four new Prochlorococcus strains isolated from below the deep chlorophyll maximum in the North Pacific Ocean. We combine these physiological properties with genomic analyses to explore the evolution of photosynthetic antennae and discuss potential macroevolutionary implications. The isolates belong to deeply branching low-light-adapted clades that have no other cultivated representatives and display some unusual characteristics. For example, despite its otherwise low-light-adapted physiological characteristics, strain MIT1223 has low chl b2 content similar to high-light-adapted strains. Isolate genomes revealed that each strain contains a unique arsenal of pigment biosynthesis and binding alleles that have been horizontally acquired, contributing to the observed physiological diversity. Comparative genomic analysis of all picocyanobacteria reveals that Pcb, the major pigment carrying protein in Prochlorococcus, greatly increased in copy number and diversity per genome along a branch that coincides with the loss of facultative particle attachment. Collectively, these observations support a recently developed macroevolutionary model, in which niche-constructing radiations allowed ancestral lineages of picocyanobacteria to transition from a particle-attached to planktonic lifestyle and broadly colonize the euphotic zone.IMPORTANCEThe marine cyanobacterium, Prochlorococcus, is among the Earth's most abundant organisms, and much of its genetic and physiological diversity remains uncharacterized. Although field studies help reveal the scope of diversity, cultured isolates allow us to link genomic potential to physiological processes, illuminate eco-evolutionary feedbacks, and test theories arising from comparative genomics of wild cells. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of novel low-light (LL)-adapted Prochlorococcus strains that fill in multiple evolutionary gaps. These new strains are the first cultivated representatives of the LLVII and LLVIII paraphyletic grades of Prochlorococcus, which are broadly distributed in the lower regions of the ocean euphotic zone. Each of these grades is a unique, highly diverse section of the Prochlorococcus tree that separates distinct ecological groups: the LLVII grade branches between monophyletic clades that have facultatively particle-associated and constitutively planktonic lifestyles, whereas the LLVIII grade lies along the branch that leads to all high-light (HL)-adapted clades. Characterizing strains and genomes from these grades yields insights into the large-scale evolution of Prochlorococcus. The new LLVII and LLVIII strains are adapted to growth at very low irradiance levels and possess unique light-harvesting gene signatures and pigmentation. The LLVII strains represent the most basal Prochlorococcus group with a major expansion in photosynthetic antenna genes. Furthermore, a strain from the LLVIII grade challenges the paradigm that all LL-adapted Prochlorococcus exhibit high ratios of chl b:a2. These findings provide insights into the photophysiological evolution of Prochlorococcus and redefine what it means to be a low- vs high-light-adapted Prochlorococcus cell.

Evaluation of nutrient composition of selected small indigenous fish species in Bangladesh and potential contribution to nutrient intakes

Small indigenous fish (SIF) are recognized as easily available, and abundant source of macronutrients and micronutrients in Bangladesh. The current investigation was undertaken to assess the existing heavy metal, mineral, vitamin, and others nutrient content of small indigenous freshwater fish in Bangladesh. Eight indigenous fish (Mola, Tengra, Baim, Punti, Chanda, Guchi, Koi, and Taki) were selected for this study. The AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer), ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry), and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods outlined were used to determine the proximate compositional analysis of fish. The highest fat content was found in koi fish. Protein was highest in both baim and taki fish. Iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 content were highest in mola fish. Highest calcium and phosphorus were found in the chanda and taki fish. The study concludes that small indigenous fish are valuable sources of fat, protein, ash, iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12, which are important for maintaining good health. Our findings suggest that small indigenous fish could serve as a viable option for addressing the nutritional needs for the children (6–23 m age), and Pregnant and lactating women in Bangladesh as a tool to fight malnutrition.

Graphene coated optical microfiber for aflatoxin B1 detection

We proposed a graphene coated microfiber-based sensor for enhancing Aflatoxin B1 detection at room temperature. The heat-and-pull technique was used to fabricate the microfiber while the graphene layer was coated using a drop-casting technique. Aflatoxin samples are used as a sensor sensing area soaking solution, whereby the prepared graphene-coated microfiber was used as a sensor probe. The sensing is based on the modulation of transmission intensity and wavelength shift induced by the alteration of concentration of aflatoxin B1 from 0 ppm to 10 ppm. There is an increase in sensitivity from 0.129 dBm/ppm to 0.187 dBm/ppm and an increase in resolution from 0.17 ppm to 0.037 ppm by coating graphene on the microfiber sensor. For the graphene coated microfiber-based sensor, the wavelength shift from 1525.37 nm to 1525.19 nm was obtained when the aflatoxin B1 concentration was increased from 0 to 10 ppm. It reveals a sensitivity of 0.018 nm/ppm with a linearity of more than 90 %. This finding shows that the proposed sensor can be used to detect various concentration of Aflatoxin sample with the ability to offer real time measurement.

Analysis of the Application of Vitamin B1 on the Response of Salinity Stress Resistance in Several Varieties of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

One of the most common stresses in rice cultivation is salinity. Rice plants stressed by salinity exhibit changes such as yellowing leaves, drying tips, and chlorosis. The efforts made by the government and farmers so far include implementing cultivation scheduling techniques, planting patterns, and using stress-resistant varieties, as well as improving soil to increase water-holding capacity through lime application. Each of these efforts comes with its own risks. Another approach to enhance the growth and yield of rice plants is the application of vitamins. Providing vitamins can stimulate the growth of plant organs, as they play a crucial role in the growth process by acting as catalysts for metabolism. Research has indicated that vitamin B1 can significantly promote plant growth under stressful conditions. This study aims to investigate the positive effects of various concentrations of vitamin B1 on the growth and yield of rice plants while also reducing salinity stress. The method used involved planting three varieties of rice—IR-46, Inpari-32, and Pokkali—in planting buckets using the TABELA system. Vitamin B1 was applied at concentrations of 0, 5, and 10 mM during the peak vegetative phase, with salinity stress of 6 dS/m introduced one day after vitamin application. The plants were maintained under salinity stress conditions until harvest, during which morphological and phytochemical analyses were conducted. Morphological analysis included measurements of plant height, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, number of grains per panicle, and percentage of healthy grains. Biochemical parameters measured included total chlorophyll and electrolyte leakage analysis. The results indicate that vitamin B1 can effectively reduce stress in plants affected by salinity.

Assessment of the Biological Activity of a Probiotic Fermented Milk Product with the Addition of Lactobacillus helveticus Cell-Free Supernatant

Products enriched with probiotic microorganisms have proven to possess immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hypo-cholesterolemic, hypotensive, and antimicrobial properties. Biologically active substances, which are by-products of microbial fermentation, have potential applications in various industries. Cell-free supernatants, depending on the microorganisms used and production conditions, can exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, bifidogenic, and other biological activities. This paper presents a study on the biological activity of a probiotic fermented milk product, supplemented with 0.01% lyophilized cell-free supernatant from Lactobacillus helveticus. The fermented milk product was developed based on a composition of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus F, Lactococcus cremoris CR201, and Propionibacterium shermanii E2. The research evaluated antimicrobial activity, Bifidobacteria growth stimulation, and the content of organic acids, amino acids, and B vitamins. It was found that adding lyophilized cell-free supernatant to the fermented milk product enhanced its biological activity. In particular, the experimental samples showed a threefold increase in vitamin B6 content compared to the control, reaching 22.412 μg/100 g. Additionally, the amino acid content in the experimental samples exhibited a significant increase of more than 100% in the essential amino acid tryptophan compared to the control. Notably, antimicrobial activity increased against several opportunistic strains. The experimental samples also showed a significant increase in lactic and formic acids, which may enhance the product’s inhibitory properties against pathogens. An increase in antioxidant activity was observed, potentially due to the higher content of tryptophan and vitamin B6. The positive effect of adding cell-free supernatant on the growth of Bifidobacteria was also demonstrated. Thus, the findings suggest that this cell-free supernatant can be recommended as an additive in the production of fermented milk products, food additives, dietary supplements, and animal feed.

Characterization, Antioxidant Capacity, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Polyphenol-Enriched Extracts Obtained from Unripe, Mature, and Overripe Fruits of Red-Fleshed Kiwifruit Cultivars.

Discarded unripe kiwifruits (DUKs) are regarded as the major agro-byproducts in the production of kiwifruits, which have abundantly valuable secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, owing to the limited knowledge about the differences in phytochemicals and bioactivity between DUKs and mature kiwifruits, the utilization of DUKs in the food industry remains scarce. Hence, to promote their food applications, the phenolic compounds and bioactivity of discarded unripe, mature, and overripe fruits from three red-fleshed kiwifruit cultivars were studied and compared. The results revealed that the levels of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total procyanidins in kiwifruits varied significantly by maturity stage. In addition, our findings demonstrated that DUKs possessed much higher contents of valuable phenolic compounds (e.g., chlorogenic acid (CHA), neochlorogenic acid (NCHA), gallic acid (GA), protocatechuic acid (PA), procyanidin B1 (ProcB1), procyanidin B2 (ProcB2), procyanidin C1 (ProcC1), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (QueG), and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (QueR)) than mature and overripe kiwifruits. Furthermore, DUKs exerted much stronger in vitro antioxidant capacity, inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory activity than mature and overripe kiwifruits, which were mainly attributed to their higher contents of total polyphenols and individual phenolic components, such as GA, CHA, NCHA, PA, ProcB1, ProcB2, ProcC1, and QueR. Overall, these findings provide sufficient evidence for the development and utilization of DUKs in the food/functional food industry.

Pathogen producing aflatoxin in contaminated sandwich: Identification and preservation

The toxicity of the contaminated powder contributed to toxic aflatoxins has been well-known in the literature. However, before this study, the specific fungal strain behind aflatoxin production remained unidentified. Our research aimed to isolate and identify fungi from the tainted sandwiches while also assessing the preservation of sandwiches in ambient conditions. The study pinpointed Aspergillus flavus as the fungus responsible for aflatoxin production. Analysis revealed that the sandwich samples contaminated with pure A. flavus exhibited a significant Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentration of 55.2 ± 0.21 ng/g, accompanied by a spore count of 2 × 106 Colony-Forming Unit (CFU)/g after ten days. In contrast, sandwich samples contaminated with the unspecified fungi displayed a lower AFB1 content of 16.21 ± 0.42 ng/g, with a spore count of 2.2 × 102 CFU/g after the same duration. In the prevention study, the efficacy of the ethanol spray method for inhibiting aflatoxin from A. flavus was investigated. Results demonstrated that a 70 % ethanol concentration at a ratio of 2.0 % total weight of the sandwich proved highly effective, significantly impeding fungal growth. This method extended the preservation time by sevenfold compared to the control. Importantly, tests at 2.0 % ethanol of the sandwich weight did not detect aflatoxin presence.

A recoverable hydrophilic deep eutectic solvent for efficient extraction of polyphenolic compounds from raspberry root.

Green deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are widely used to extract bioactive components from plant biomass; however, hydrophilic DES and bioactive component isolation methods have not been developed. In this study, we synthesized hydrophilic DES (CL-CA-DES) using citric acid and choline chloride. We combined this with environmentally friendly anion- and cation-exchange resin column chromatographic isolation methods. This approach extracted and isolated four polyphenolic compounds (catechins, epicatechins, procyanidin B1, and procyanidin B2) from raspberry root and efficiently recovered the hydrophilic DES. CL-CA-DES extracted significantly higher contents of catechin and procyanidin B2 from raspberry root compared to other solvents. It also extracted substantially higher contents of epicatechin compared to butyl alcohol, 70% ethanol, and water, but there was no significant difference when compared with acetone and ethyl acetate. Additionally, CL-CA-DES extracted significantly higher contents of procyanidin B1 compared to butyl alcohol, water, and ethyl acetate, with no significant difference when compared with 70% ethanol and acetone. The isolation efficiency of the bioactive components in the raspberry root extract by anion- and cation-exchange resin column chromatography was higher than that of the organic solvent extraction and precipitation generation methods, and the method was effective in recovering CL-CA-DES with a recovery rate higher than 60%. In conclusion, this study developed a new method for the efficient recovery of hydrophilic CL-CA-DES, which can be used for isolating polyphenolic compounds from raspberry root.

Effect of laser energy density on the phase transformation behavior and functional properties of NiTi shape memory alloy by selective laser melting

NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) was prepared via selective laser melting (SLM). Orthogonal tests were conducted with varying laser power and scanning speeds to explore the influence of laser energy density on microstructure, phase transformation behavior, mechanical properties and functional properties (superelasticity and shape memory effect). As energy density increases from 24.3 to 106.3 J/mm³, microstructure transforms from fine to columnar grains. Ni consumption intensifies, boosting transformation temperature and B2 content at room temperature. Post cyclic stretching, B2 content in alloy escalates further at room temperature. Tensile strength peaked at 53.6 J/mm³, while the elongation rate significantly increases with increasing energy density. During cyclic stretching, low or high energy densities in SLM NiTi induce high-density dislocations and stable residual martensite, respectively, significantly inhibiting martensitic transformation and resulting in extremely poor functional properties. The alloy produced at 53.6 J/mm³ boasts exceptional superelasticity due to stress-induced martensitic transformation and phase inversion post-unloading. Following heating past the critical transition, it nearly fully recovers (97.78 % recovery rate). Despite multiple shape memory fatigue tests, it maintains a recovery rate above 90 %. This study provides crucial theoretical insights for optimizing NiTi SMA phase transformation behavior and enhancing the performance.

Nutrient Status and Supplement Use During Pregnancy Following Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

IntroductionPregnant women with a history of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) are at high risk of developing nutrient deficiencies, leading to greater challenges to reach nutritional requirements. This study compared nutrient status of women using specialized “weight loss surgery” multivitamin supplementation (WLS-MVS) to those using standard supplementation (sMVS) during pregnancy following MBS.MethodsMulticenter observational cohort study including 119 pregnant women at 41.0 (18.5–70.0) months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB, n = 80) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG, n = 39). Routine blood samples were analyzed every trimester (T1, T2, T3), and micronutrient serum levels were compared between WLS-MVS and sMVS users.ResultsDuring pregnancy after RYGB, WLS-MVS users demonstrated higher serum concentrations of hemoglobin (7.4 [7.2, 7.5] vs. 7.0 [6.8, 7.3] mmol/L), ferritin (23.2 [15.0, 35.7] vs. 13.7 [8.4, 22.4] µg/L), and folic acid (31.4 [28.7, 34.2] vs. 25.4 [21.3, 29.4] nmol/L) and lower serum vitamin B6 levels (T1: 90.6 [82.0, 99.8] vs. 132.1 [114.6, 152.4] nmol/L) compared to sMVS users. Iron deficiencies and elevated serum vitamin B6 levels were less prevalent in the WLS-MVS group. During pregnancy after SG, WLS-MVS users showed higher serum vitamin D concentrations (89.7 [77.6, 101.8] vs. 65.4 [53.3, 77.4] nmol/L) and lower serum vitamin B1 concentrations (T2: 137.4 [124.2, 150.6] vs. 161.6 [149.0, 174.1] nmol/L, T3: 133.9 [120.1, 147.7] vs. 154.7 [141.9, 167.5] nmol/L) compared to sMVS users.ConclusionLow maternal concentrations of micronutrients are highly prevalent during pregnancy after MBS. The use of specialized multivitamin supplementation generally resulted in higher serum levels during pregnancy compared to standard supplementation. Future research is needed to investigate how supplementation strategies can be optimized for this high-risk population.Graphical

Source of Vitamin B12 in plants of the Lemnaceae family and its production by duckweed-associated bacteria

While most plants are not known to contain significant levels of the essential corrinoid cobalamin (vitamin B12), considerable levels of vitamin B12 were found in the duckweed clone Wolffia globosa Mankai. Although endophytes were speculated to be the source of this vitamin B12, it has not been tested yet. In this study, we carried out comparative analysis of vitamin B12 content in 15 duckweed accessions across 11 species. Significant but variable levels of vitamin B12 were found in all unsterile duckweed cultures tested. In contrast, disinfected duckweed cultures with lower levels of bacteria, as monitored by PCR-based methods, contained little vitamin B12. Importantly, two strains of duckweed-associated bacteria were shown to produce vitamin B12. This work provides evidence for bacteria as the source of vitamin B12 in duckweeds. Bioinformatics-aided identification of vitamin B12 producers among duckweed-associated bacteria could facilitate their systematic incorporation into duckweed-based foods to support a planetary health diet.

Oral Exposure to Low Concentration of Fumonisin B2, but Not Fumonisin B1, Significantly Exacerbates the Pathophysiology of Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis in Mice.

This study aimed to determine whether oral fumonisin exposure contributes to the development of psoriasis. Oral administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1, 0.1 mg/kg) or fumonisin B2 (FB2, 0.1 mg/kg) was conducted for 10 days, in addition to the induction of psoriatic symptoms through topical application of 5% imiquimod cream from day 6 to day 10 (5 days) in female BALB/c mice. The results demonstrated that oral administration of FB2 significantly exacerbated psoriatic symptoms, including skin thickness, itching behavior, transepidermal water loss, immune cell infiltration in the dermis, and proinflammatory cytokine production. However, no changes were observed following exposure to FB1. Our results confirm that oral exposure to FB2 adversely affects the pathogenesis of psoriasis by increasing skin thickness and impairing barrier function.

Structures, gelatinization properties and enzyme hydrolyses of starches from transparent and floury grains of rices subjected to field natural extreme high temperature

Three rice varieties underwent the field natural extreme high temperature (EHT) with daily average temperature over 30 °C from 21 to 89 days after sowing, and had transparent, chalky and floury grains. The structures, gelatinization properties and enzyme hydrolyses of starches from transparent and floury grains were investigated. Compared with control transparent grains, floury grains subjected to EHT markedly decreased the contents of amylose molecules, amylopectin A chains and amylopectin B1 chains and increased the contents of amylopectin B2 and B3+ chains and the average branch-chain length of amylopectin. Both transparent and floury grains had A-type starches, but floury grain starches exhibited higher relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, retrogradation and pasting viscosities than transparent grain starches. Floury grain starches had lower hydrolysis rates than transparent grain starches. Native starches were more resistant to digestion but gelatinized and retrograded starches were more prone to digestion in floury grains than in transparent grains.