Polysaccharide Content Research Articles

Results of phytochemical screening in aerial organes of Bidens frondosa L.

Introduction. The work presents the results of a comprehensive study of the grass of Bidens frondosa L. of the family Asteraceae, growing on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Adygea. Objective: to carry out phytochemical screening of the main groups of biologically active substances and quantitative determination by methods of spectrophotometry and HPLC. Material and methods. The plant material is represented by dried air-shadow grass of the Bidens frondosa L. (September 2020 and 2022). Samples of herbarium collected by the authors are at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Botany and Technology of Phytotherapy of Pyatigorsk medical and pharmaceutical institute. Results. Complex studies have been carried out, including the determination of commodity quality indicators of aerial organs Bidens frondosa L. Determination of humidity in the raw material content is 9.9%. The definition of common ash is 7.3%. The ash content, insoluble in 10% hydrochloric acid solution, is 7%. In alcohol and aqueous extracts of herbs Bidens frondosa L. have been found: flavonoids, polysaccharides and tannins. UV spectrophotometry and HPLC were used to quantify the flavonoid sum content. The amount of flavonoids per routine in alcohol extraction was 3.13%. The herb B. frondosa contains gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, luteolin-7-glycoside and quercetin. The substance whose content is greatest in the raw material is unknown. Presumably, this compound is Okanin from the group of chalcons. Probably, this compound has such a pronounced anti-allergic effect. Conclusion. The phytochemical analysis of the main groups of biologically active substances of the olic sequence of grass was conducted. During the work, the presence of flavonoids, polysaccharides and tannins was determined. The quantitative content of flavonoids, сhalcons and polysaccharides is determined.

Predicting Starch Content in Early Potato Varieties Using Neural Networks and Regression Models: A Comparative Study

Starch content serves as a crucial indicator of the quality and palatability of potato tubers. It has become a common practice to evaluate the polysaccharide content directly in tubers freshly harvested from the field. This study aims to develop models that can predict starch content prior to the harvesting of potato tubers. Very early potato varieties were cultivated in the northern and northwestern regions of Poland. The research involved constructing multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN-MLP) models, drawing on data from eight years of field trials. The independent variables included factors such as sunshine duration, average daily air temperatures, precipitation, soil nutrient levels, and phytophenological data. The NSM demonstrated a higher accuracy in predicting the dependent variable compared to the RSM, with MAPE errors of 7.258% and 9.825%, respectively. This study confirms that artificial neural networks are an effective tool for predicting starch content in very early potato varieties, making them valuable for monitoring potato quality.

Post-harvest processing methods have critical roles on the contents of active metabolites and pharmacological effects of Astragali Radix

BackgroundProcessing methods of traditional Chinese medicinal materials are critical in influencing the active metabolites and pharmacological effects. The fresh processing method effectively prevents the loss and degradation of metabolites, common in traditional drying and softening processes, while also reducing production costs. Astragali Radix (AR), a leguminous botanical drug, is widely utilized in clinical practice and functional foods. Therefore, optimizing its the post-harvest processing method is crucial for enhancing production and application.MethodsAR samples were processed using different methods with varying moisture content, including unpretreated samples and those subjected to kneading and sweating treatments. These samples were evaluated for physical appearance and active metabolite content. The entropy weight method, combined with the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), was employed to optimize the fresh processing method. A comparative study between freshly processed AR (AR-F) and traditionally processed AR (AR-T) assessed active metabolites, pharmacological effects and mechanisms.ResultsThe appearance and active metabolites content of AR samples were affected by moisture content, kneading, and sweating treatments. After these treatments, the content of polysaccharides and calycosin-7-O-glucoside increased compared to unpretreated samples at the same moisture level. Entropy weight-TOPSIS analysis showed that the sample with 35% moisture, 100 kneading cycles, and 12 h of sweating had the highest score. Comparative studies revealed that AR-F had significantly higher content of total polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and calycosin-7-O-glucoside compared to AR-T, along with an increased flavonoid glycoside/aglycone ratio. However, no significant differences were observed in the total saponins and their metabolites. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that total flavonoids in AR-F exhibited superior macrophage RAW264.7 activation, compared to AR-T. Furthermore, we confirmed that the enhanced immunomodulatory capacity of AR-F was linked to its ability to stimulate the release of TNF, SRC, ER-α, AKT, HSP90, and Caspase-3 in RAW264.7 cells.ConclusionOur study optimized the fresh processing method of AR, and conducted a systematic comparative analysis between fresh and traditional processing samples, providing a basis for post-harvest processing in the AR production areas.

Metabolomics profiles of the liquid co-culture of Sanghuangporus vaninii and Pleurotus sapidus

IntroductionFungal secondary metabolites (SMs) have broad application prospects in the food and medicine industries. Co-culturing strategies that simulate natural symbiotic relationships among microorganisms are used to discover and enhance the production of new SMs. We aimed to use the abundant resources of large edible and medicinal fungi to enhance the yield of desired metabolites through co-culture and potentially produce metabolites that cannot be generated in pure cultures.MethodsWe assessed the biomass and intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) content of liquid co-cultures of Sanghuangporus vaninii and Pleurotus sapidus. Subsequently, the effect of the liquid co-culture on fungal intracellular metabolites was studied using UPLC-QTOF.ResultsCo-culturing of S. vaninii with P. sapidus resulted in significantly increased biomass and IPS content; however, P. sapidus had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of S. vaninii. Metabolomic data further indicated that amino acid, nucleotide, and glycerophospholipid metabolisms were the primary metabolic pathways affected by symbiosis.DiscussionThis study provides insights into fungal interactions and cellular metabolic mechanisms, contributing to the understanding and enhancement of the fungal fermentation potential.

Phycocyanin Additives Regulate Bacterial Community Structure and Antioxidant Activity of Alfalfa Silage

Phycocyanin is a water-soluble pigment protein extracted from prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria and has strong antioxidant activity. As a silage additive, it is expected to enhance the antioxidant activity and fermentation quality of alfalfa silage. This study revealed the effects of different proportions of phycocyanin (1%, 3%, 5%) on the quality, bacterial community and antioxidant capacity of alfalfa silage. The results showed that 5% phycocyanin supplementation could maintain dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content; increase lactic acid (LA) content; decrease pH and butyric acid (BA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content; and improve fermentation quality. At the same time, the contents of total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), total phenol content (TP), polysaccharide content (P) and total flavonoid content (F) in the addition group were significantly increased, the antioxidant capacity was enhanced and the abundance of lactic acid bacteria was increased, which was positively correlated with silage quality. Phycocyanin can improve the metabolic function of carbohydrates and amino acids and promote the production of secondary metabolites. The application of phycocyanin broadens the variety of additives for alfalfa silage.

Simulation of Pseudostellaria heterophylla distribution in China: assessing habitat suitability and bioactive component abundance under future climate change scenariosplant components.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in traditional Chinese medicine, so ensuring an adequate supply of plant material with high levels of bioactive components is important. Using an optimized maximum entropy niche model and assays of bioactive components from cultivation samples, this study started from the plant's natural distribution area and estimated correlations of ecological factors with not only abundance of the plant but also abundance of polysaccharides and heterophyllin B. These correlations were combined with the spatial analysis function in ArcGIS to generate maps of the suitability of different habitats in China for cultivating P. heterophylla under current climate conditions and different models of climate change. The following ecological factors emerged as particularly important for habitat suitability: precipitation of driest month and driest quarter, annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, and mean temperature of coldest quarter, contributing to a cumulative total of 87%. Under current climate conditions, optimum habitats of P. heterophylla were mainly distributed in the southwestern region (Guizhou) and eastern regions (Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu) of China, and only 0.197×106 km2 of these areas were optimum habitat. In future climate change scenarios, the optimal habitat area of P. heterophylla exhibited an increase across different time periods under the SSP5-8.5 climate scenario. By the 2090s, distribution area of high heterophyllin B content under SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios will increase significantly, distribution area of high polysaccharide content had little change under all three climate scenarios (SSP 1-2.6, 2-4.5, 5-8.5). The center of mass of suitable habitat migrates southwestward under scenario SSP 1-2.6 and SSP 2-4.5, while it migrates northward under scenario SSP 5-8.5. Under the three climate scenarios, the center of mass of suitable habitat migrated consistently with that of high polysaccharide content but differed from that of high heterophyllin B content. These findings provide a crucial foundation for cultivating P. heterophylla with superior medicinal properties, developing adaptive management strategies to enhance conservation efforts, and ensuring sustainable utilization in the face of global climate change.

Study on the nutritional relationships in mycelia and fruiting bodies of Hypsizygus marmoreus under defined nutrient conditions

Edible fungal fruiting bodies develop from mycelia that experienced physiological knotting, establishing a tight nutrient connection between mycelia and fruiting bodies. Despite this connection, limited research has explored this field. This study aimed to elucidate the crude polysaccharide and protein contents in mycelia and fruiting bodies of 5 main edible fungi cultivars: Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Lyophyllum decastes etc., under defined nutrient conditions. H. marmoreus was selected as an example, the study investigated nutrient relationships in both mycelia and fruiting bodies across 5 media with varying carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N). Results indicated higher crude polysaccharide and protein contents in mycelia compared to fruiting bodies. A predictive model for the crude polysaccharide and protein contents of H. marmoreus fruiting bodies was developed using partial least squares (PLS) method. Predicted values closely matched experimental determinations, providing the model's accuracy. The impact of different C/N on crude fiber content in the culture media was minimal. Metabolomics analysis of H. marmoreus revealed significant up-regulation of carbohydrate metabolites (72 %) and amino acid metabolites (84 %) in mycelia relative to fruiting bodies. Specifically, metabolites involved in polysaccharide precursor synthesis pathways (Gal1P, Glc-1P, UDP-Glc) and protein precursor synthesis pathways (9 amino acids) showed heightened levels in mycelia, which suggested a possible reason for the observed higher crude polysaccharide and protein content in mycelia compared to fruiting bodies. Overall, these results provide a crucial theoretical foundation for predicting and enhancing edible fungal quality and diversity through mycelial studies. They also establish a cornerstone for accelerating new variety development and optimizing high-quality mushroom production formulations.

Ultrasonic-assisted membrane processes for the systematic purification of glycyrrhiza wastewater

A significant amount of glycyrrhiza wastewater is generated in the cleaning process of glycyrrhiza. The wastewater contains polysaccharide, glycyrrhizic acid liquiritin, and other polyphenols, which is expensive for cleanup and wastes medical resources. To reduce environmental pollution from glycyrrhiza wastewater and increase the resource usage efficiency of glycyrrhiza components. According to the physicochemical properties of the component in glycyrrhiza wastewater, the ultrasonic assisted membrane separation mode was adopted to regulate the micellar state of glycyrrhizic acid and enhance the differences in membrane separation of polysaccharides, saponins, and flavones, in order to achieve the classification and separation of polysaccharides, saponins, and flavones while removing organic matter in glycyrrhiza wastewater. However, the efficiency, application, and mechanism of ultrasonic-assisted membrane technology for the separation of polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids from glycyrrhiza wastewater remain unclear. This study presents a green and feasible technical strategy for glycyrrhiza wastewater treatment that was developed by adjusting the parameters of ultrasonic assisted membrane separation. In this study, the systematic separation mode of ultrasonic enhanced ultrafiltration combined with nanofiltration is provided. The SCQ-9200E ultrasonic system was provided for the study with adjustable ultrasonic power, and the ultrasonic frequency was 40 kHz. The glycyrrhizic acid micelle was changed using ultrasonic power, pH, and molecular weight cut off (MWCO), and the separation differences among polysaccharide, glycyrrhizic acid, and liquiritin were enhanced. The optimal polysaccharide separation parameters used in the first step: MWCO 30 kDa, ultrasonic power 500 W and pH 5.00, and the rejections of polysaccharide, glycyrrhizic acid, and liquiritin were 87.72 %, 8.01 %, and 6.57 %, respectively. The second step included the following parameters for the separation of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid: MWCO 10 kDa, ultrasonic power 100 W and pH 8.00, the rejections of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid were 9.22 % and 40.65 %, respectively. The third step is to remove the low molecular sugar in liquiritin by nanofiltration: MWCO 800 Da, pH 8.00, retention solution diluted and separated twice, the rejection of liquiritin and total sugar were 95.72 % and 3.70 %, respectively. Ultrasonic may regulate the microtopography of glycyrrhiza wastewater with the power intensity of 50 W/L, improving the mass transfer efficiency of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin in the ultrafiltration separation process. As the separation volume of wastewater increased from 2.00 L to 20.00 L, the concentrations of polysaccharide, glycyrrhizic acid, and liquiritin increased by 2.5–35.4 times, 0.6–15.2 times, and 2.4–32.8 times, respectively, significantly increasing the content of index components in wastewater and solving the problem of recycling and resource utilization in glycyrrhiza wastewater.

Ecological response mechanism of alkaline wastewater periphytic biofilms to pH alteration

The environmental impact of indiscriminate alkaline wastewater discharge is increasingly concerning. Studying the ecological response mechanisms of periphytic biofilms to such wastewater is crucial for deepening our understanding of its broader environmental implications. In this study, periphytic biofilms collected from the drainage outlet of a tunnel construction project were developed for 56 days at initial pH values of 10 (pH0 10) and 12 (pH0 12). These stabilized biofilms were then transferred to a neutral environment (pH 7) for another 35 days. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed changes in the growth characteristics, microbial interactions, and microbial community composition, function, and assembly patterns of the biofilms. Specifically, results revealed decreased microbial activity, live/dead bacteria ratios, and polysaccharide content in extracellular polymeric substances when the pH was reduced from alkaline to neutral, with incomplete recovery observed after 35 days of incubation in a neutral environment. During neutral pH incubation, proteobacterial abundance increased by 58.39 % and 33.08 % in biofilms cultured at pH0 10 and pH0 12, respectively, becoming the dominant flora, with chemoheterotrophic functions increasing by 8.11 % and 38.23 %, respectively. Network analysis indicated that biofilms in the pH0 12 culture group had a more advanced organizational co-occurrence network, with more complex and stable interactions, than those in the pH0 10 culture group. Microbial community α diversity, key differential species count, the proportion of positively correlated network edges, and null model data showed that microbial communities in biofilms cultured at pH0 10 were more resilient, whereas those cultured at pH0 12 were more resistant. Overall, this study reveals that alkaline wastewater periphytic biofilms adapt and develop high tolerance and metabolic activity but struggle to recover their original state in a short-term neutral environment, with biofilms cultured at pH0 12 exhibiting more complex interactions and higher resistance and those cultured at pH0 10 showing greater resilience.

Chitosan nanoparticles alleviate chromium toxicity by modulating metabolic homeostasis and promoting chromium sequestration in Zea mays L.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been proposed as a potential alternative in alleviating chromium (Cr) toxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying remains poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of CSNPs on carbon/nitrogen metabolism, cell wall Cr binding capacity, and antioxidant activity in Zea mays L. under Cr stress. Cr stress decreased the total dry weight (DW) by 48.5 %. By contrast, the total DW was reduced by only 26.2 % in CSNPs-treated plants. Analysis of transcriptomic, enzyme activity, and metabolite content data, CSNPs-treated plants exhibited a higher level of relatively stable Carbon and Nitrogen metabolism than untreated plants. CSNPs application resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of sucrose and soluble protein by 78.0 % and 19.4 % in the leaves, and 60.0 % and 59.7 % in the roots, respectively. Meanwhile, CSNPs increased the contents of glutathione, phytochelatin, and cell wall polysaccharide. This increase resulted in a higher retention of Cr in vacuole and cell wall. Additionally, CSNPs alleviated the oxidative damage by improving antioxidant activity. Overall, our results suggest that CSNPs alleviates Cr toxicity by modulating metabolic homeostasis and promoting Cr sequestration in maize plants. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying CSNPs-mediated Cr stress response with potential implications for crop production.

Exploring the effect of Ulva prolifera components on the biochar carbon sequestration potential

The global natural disaster caused by the green tide of Ulva prolifera (U. prolifera) has had significant impacts on marine ecological balance and human activities. Pyrolysis, a green technology, can convert U. prolifera into carbon-rich biochar, has the potential to achieve “green tide management” and “dual carbon target” simultaneously. However, the variability of U. prolifera components in environment poses a challenge to this win-win strategy. Therefore, this study is based on U. prolifera, de-ashed U. prolifera, and its main component model compounds (fucoidan, cellulose, and protein) to explore the effect of biomass internal components on pyrolysis behavior and carbon sequestration potential of biochar. The results indicated that the pyrolysis of U. prolifera followed a sequential order of fucoidan (model compound of soluble polysaccharide), protein, and cellulose. The sub-thermogravimetry (TG) curves of the component disclosed a good fit with the total TG curve of U. prolifera, with an average fluctuation of ±23.25 %. Characterizations revealed that soluble polysaccharide may be the main component determining the properties of U. prolifera biochar. Meanwhile, the deviation rate for yield, pH, O/C, pHpzc, and acidic functional group content was less than 13 % based on the theoretical calculation. The assessment of carbon sequestration potential by a prediction formula suggested that maintaining the soluble polysaccharide content below 47.66 % could extend the half-life of U. prolifera biochar to meet the requirements of the European Biochar Certificate. Additionally, correlation analysis implied that the specific surface area, O/C, and refractory organic-C were the most relevant factors for carbon sequestration potential of biochar. The obtained results revealed the potential linkages among biomass components and carbon sequestration potential of biochar, which can provide new perspectives to promote sustainable global waste management.

Effects of Different Non-Ionic Polysaccharides on the Heat-Induced Gelling Properties of Curdlan.

Curdlan's application is constrained by high gelation concentration, poor water solubility, and incompatibility with other polysaccharides. To address these limitations, this study investigated the effects of different concentrations (0.05-0.3%) of non-ionic polysaccharides (pullulan (PL), locust bean gum (LBG), guar gum (GG), and konjac gum (KGM)) on the heat-induced gelling properties of curdlan. PL with no branch showed 0.3% enhanced gel hardness. LBG with a small amount of galactose residue and KGM with an acetyl group had similar effects on hardness, while GG with a large amount of galactose residue slightly weakened the mixed gel. The rheological results showed that PL had little effect on curdlan, and LBG and KGM had a positive effect on curdlan unfolding, but 0.3% GG was significantly antagonistic to curdlan. The above results implied that non-ionic polysaccharides without side chains interacted weakly with the curdlan and hardly changed the properties of curdlan. Curdlan unfolding and stable suspension were favored if the structure contained galactose or acetyl side chains that interacted with curdlan through hydrogen bonding. These results suggested an effective way to modify curdlan by strengthening the interaction of curdlan with others and weakening the hydrogen bonding of curdlan to broaden its application in food colloids.

GC-MS Analysis of Polysaccharides from an Intergeneric Hybrid of Pleurotus florida and Cordyceps militaris: A Comparative Study.

Edible and medicinal mushrooms are valuable sources of polysaccharides, known for their dual roles as immunostimulants and immunosuppressants. This study aimed to enhance polysaccharide content by fusing two mushroom species, P. florida and C. militaris, while exploring their antioxidant and antibacterial potential. These mushrooms have diverse health benefits, including lowering high cholesterol, providing anti-inflammatory effects, supporting diabetes management, aiding in cancer treatment, and enhancing the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Successful hyphal fusion was achieved, and optimal culture conditions were determined using response surface methodology. The hybrids exhibited superior growth compared to the parental strains. Hyphal fusion improved several attributes, resulting in diverse hybrids with increased biomass and metabolite production. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of exopolysaccharides, with concentrations measured at 28.4g/L (P1), 31.50g/L (CD), and 36.74g/L (F3). GC-MS analysis identified various bioactive metabolites, including a higher concentration of dimethyl palmitamine in the hybrid, a novel compound, butanenitrile, 2-(methoxymethoxy), which was not found in the parental strains. These compounds are likely responsible for the enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Parabiotic immunomodulatory activity of yeast cell wall polysaccharides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. boulardii

Yeast, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is widely regarded as a nutritional supplement in the food and feed industries. Notably, Saccharomyces boulardii is promoted as a probiotic strain for its efficacy in gastrointestinal disorders. Despite genetic similarities to S. cerevisiae, S. boulardii is distinguished from S. cerevisiae by unique features like cell wall composition, which is crucial for immune activation. This study evaluated the cell wall polysaccharide contents of S. boulardii and S. cerevisiae and their immunomodulatory activity on Raw 264.7 cell. Results showed an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and NO) and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. Remarkably S. boulardii cell extracts had a more pronounced effect than S. cerevisiae cell extracts. The immunomodulatory activity is linked to the MAPK(ERK)/NF-κB pathway, activated by β-glucan and mannan via Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 receptors. This difference in immune response are attributed to variations in content of mannan and β-glucan in their cell walls.

Exogenous MnSO4 Improves Productivity of Degenerated Volvariella volvacea by Regulating Antioxidant Activity

Manganese is one of the trace elements necessary for organisms to maintain normal biological activities and is also a cofactor for manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and manganese peroxidase (MnP). In order to find a simple and effective method to rejuvenate the degenerated V. volvacea strains, we explored the effect of the exogenous addition of MnSO4 on the antioxidant vigour and productivity of degenerated strains of V. volvacea. The results showed that the exogenous MnSO4 had no significant effect on the non-degenerated strain T0, but it could effectively increase the mycelial growth rate, mycelial biomass, and LBL decolouring ability of the degenerated strains T10 and T19, and reduce the production cycle and increased the biological efficiency of T10; it helped the severely degenerated T19 to regrow its fruiting body; and it also significantly increased the viability of the matrix-degrading enzymes such as EG, Lac, Xyl, etc. of T10 and T19. Meanwhile, exogenous MnSO4 significantly increased the activity of GPX, GR, CAT, SOD, and the content of GSH, polyphenols, minerals, and polysaccharides in T10 and T19 strains, which resulted in a significant decrease in the accumulation of ROS, such as O2− and H2O2 in T10 and T19. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between antioxidant activity and the production ability of V. volvacea. This study can provide theoretical reference and technical support for the rejuvenation research of degenerated strains of V. volvacea and other edible fungi.

Pectin-like polysaccharide extracted from Cucumis melo pulp: physicochemical, antioxidant, and skin hydration efficacy

Cucumis melo (currently accepted name of Luffa cylindrica) is a Cucurbitaceae vegetable with several biological activities. Polysaccharides from the fruit of C. melo were extracted and evaluated, producing a high extractive yield (17.20 ± 0.65%). The following physicochemical properties were provided: solubility and swelling capacity (99.51 ± 0.07% and 2.00 ± 0.00%, respectively), with a pH of 6.47 ± 0.02. The total polysaccharide content consisted of 0.23 ± 0.01 mg glucose/mg extract, while the total phenolic content was 19.99 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g extract, posing antioxidant activity on DPPH at IC50 of 214.38 ± 6.96 µg/mL. It was assumed from FT-IR that the extract consisted of pectin-like polysaccharides and other water-soluble polysaccharides. An in vivo study involving 20 volunteers showed that it did not cause skin irritation. A single application of the polysaccharide extract solutions (1.0 and 5.0% w/v) showed significantly greater short-term skin hydrating efficacy than the benchmark (p < 0.05), especially after 210 min, indicating its potential as a skin moisturising ingredient for cosmetics.

Integration of 2,3-butanediol production and extraction of active components from Chinese herbs by Bacillus licheniformis and evaluation of fermentation products in vitro

The aim of this work was to develop an integrated process of 2,3-butanediol production and extraction of active components from Chinese herbs via fermentation, and evaluate their potential as cosmetic ingredients in vitro. A GRAS strain DL2–2 of Bacillus licheniformis was isolated and the fermentation medium was optimized using the ingredients that could be used in cosmetics. Four types of Chinese herbs were added solely or in combination into the fermentation medium to perform 2,3-butanediol production and active components extraction simultaneously. The release of polysaccharides and flavonoids was promoted, and the antioxidant, whitening and antibacterial abilities were improved. The highest antioxidant and antibacterial activity was obtained from the ferment filtrate of Dendrobium devonianum and Gastrodia elata f. glauca, resulting from the highest contents of flavonoids (0.44 g/L) and polyphenols (0.31 g/L), and 42.2 g/L 2,3-butanediol was also produced. The highest polysaccharide concentration was obtained from the ferment filtrate containing Polygonatum kingianum, which exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on tyrosinase (65 %), similar to that of 1 g/L arbutin. Therefore, the filtrate of 2,3-butanediol-Chinese herbal fermentation broth is promising as an ingredient in the production of natural high-value cosmetics.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Tenebrio molitor

Tenebrio molitor, which is rich in various nutrients, and its polysaccharides, as significant bioactive substances, exhibit strong antioxidant effects. This study utilized defatted T. molitor as raw material and employed an ultrasound-assisted extraction method. The factors considered include extraction temperature, time, ultrasound power, and liquid-to-feed ratio, with the yield of T. molitor polysaccharides as the response value. Based on single-factor experiments and response surface methodology, the optimal extraction parameters for T. molitor polysaccharides were determined. Following purification, protein removal, and dialysis to eliminate impurities, the structure of the extracted polysaccharides was preliminarily investigated using infrared spectroscopy. Their antioxidant activities were explored by measuring their DPPH·, OH·, and ABTS+· radical scavenging abilities and Fe3+ reducing power. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction were an extraction temperature of 75 °C, an extraction time of 150 min, an ultrasound power of 270 W, and a liquid-to-feed ratio of 15:1 mL/g, yielding a polysaccharide extraction rate of 9.513%. Infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of pyranose sugars with main functional groups including C-O, C=O, and O-H. Antioxidant activity tests showed that within a certain concentration range, the higher the polysaccharide concentration, the stronger its radical scavenging abilities. Compared with Vitamin C(Vc), the polysaccharides had stronger scavenging abilities for DPPH· and OH·, some scavenging ability for ABTS+·, and Fe3+ reduction ability, and corresponding to IC50 values of 0.9625, 9.1909, and 235.69 mg/mL respectively. The Fe3+ reducing power reached a maximum absorbance of 0.38899 at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL. T. molitor polysaccharides demonstrate promising antioxidant activity and potential as functional ingredients in food, health products, and pharmaceuticals, providing new technical references for the development and utilization of T. molitor resources.

Estimation of Biofilm Components and Prevalence of SDR Genes among Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Anbar Hospitals

Background Nosocomial infections, a major health problem, are due at 80% to biofilm‐associated infection. Staphylococcus aureus, a prominent biofilm producer, has both MRSA and MSSA biofilm-forming capabilities that highlight its persistence in hospital environments. In previous studies, less focus was given to the components of the biofilms. Therefore, understanding biofilm composition has become crucial. Objective In this study, the components in the biofilm matrix in MRSA and MSSA isolates were estimated, and the prevalence of sdr genes (sdrC,sdrD,sdrE) among S. aureus strains was investigated. Methods Between September, 2023 and January, 2024, a total of 200 specimens were collected from patients with suspected Staphylococcus aureus infections. Eighty-two isolates were identified as S. aureus from various sources, including wounds, nasal swabs, ear swabs, and blood, based on macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular properties. Biofilms were subjected to DNase and proteinase K treatment in order to identify their biochemical composition. Multiplex PCR was used to determine the distribution of sdr genes among isolates. Results The average reduction after treatment with proteinase K in MSSA biofilms (29.67±16.62) was significantly lower than in MRSA biofilms (46.21±26.33, p=0.032). Also, when treated with DNase, MRSA biofilms showed a greater average reduction (49.65±25.30) compared to MSSA biofilms (28.71±20.98, p=0.006). MRSA and MSSA biofilms also had different polysaccharide concentrations, with MSSA biofilms having significantly higher levels (206.86±82.92 μM/OD595) than MRSA biofilms (85.80±32.52 μM/OD595, p=0.005). The sdrC gene was most common in the gene profiles of MRSA (100%) and MSSA (50%). There was a strong association between the presence of the sdrD gene and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion These findings indicate that the biofilms of MRSA isolates are largely composed of proteins and eDNA, while MSSA isolates rely on polysaccharides in their biofilms. The results indicate the importance of proteins encoded by SDR genes in the development of biofilm structure.

Insights into the Acute Stress of Glutaraldehyde Disinfectant on Short-Term Wet Anaerobic Digestion System of Pig Manure: Dose Response, Performance Variation, and Microbial Community Structure

The outbreak of epidemics such as African swine fever has intensified the use of disinfectants in pig farms, resulting in an increasing residual concentration of disinfectants in environmental media; however, the high-frequency excessive use of disinfectants that damage pig farm manure anaerobic fermentation systems and their mechanisms has not attracted enough attention. Especially, the complex effects of residual disinfectants on anaerobic fermentation systems for pig manure remain poorly understood, thus impeding the application of disinfectants in practical anaerobic fermentation systems. Herein, we explored the effects of glutaraldehyde disinfectant on methane production, effluent physicochemical indices, and microbial communities in a fully automated methanogenic potential test system (AMPTSII). The results show that adding glutaraldehyde led to remarkable alterations in methane production, chemical oxygen demand (COD), volatile solids (VS), and polysaccharide and phosphorus concentrations. During the anaerobic process, the production of methane displayed a notable decrease of 5.0–98% in all glutaraldehyde treatments, and the trend was especially apparent for treatments containing high levels of glutaraldehyde. Comparisons of the effluent quality showed that in the presence of 0.002–0.04% glutaraldehyde, the COD and total phosphorus (TP) increased by 12–310% and 15–27%, respectively. Moreover, the addition of 0.01–0.08% glutaraldehyde decreased the ammonium (NH4+-N) concentration and VS degradation rate by 7.7–15% and 4.9–26.2%. Furthermore, microbiological analysis showed that the glutaraldehyde treatments had adverse effects on the microbial community. Notably, certain functional bacteria were restrained, as highlighted by the decreases in relative abundance and microbial diversity by 1.3–17% and 0.06–21%, respectively. This study provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of disinfectants in anaerobic fermentation systems.